"Do you think the Battle Emperor of Da Zhou will make it out alive?" Chu Xinyue asked with a soft laugh, glancing at Qin Tian.
Hearing her question, Ji Lingxian also looked over, her eyes filled with a hint of worry. Though she desperately hoped her grandfather would survive the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone, deep down, she knew that hope was faint.
"He might make it out, or he might not," Qin Tian replied nonchalantly, his gaze fixed on the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone, one of the two great forbidden lands of the Eastern Wastelands. To him, this place held profound mysteries, worthy of its ominous reputation. Qin Tian couldn't guarantee anything, but he was certain that if the Battle Emperor ventured too deep, he would meet his end.
The Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone was unclear whether it had been formed naturally or by the hands of an ancient being. If it was created, it must have been the work of a Heavenly Sovereign-level ancient beast—someone who would be a renowned powerhouse even in the vast Primeval Immortal Domain
Even from the outer edges, the Forbidden Zone was teeming with wandering beasts, and the skies above were filled with massive creatures that blocked out the sun, their roars shaking the heavens.
"My lord, you've arrived." The Holy Lord of Wan Dao sensed Qin Tian's presence and hurriedly flew over to greet him. He had been observing the Forbidden Zone closely from a distance.
It wasn't just him—many leaders of sacred lands and sects, as well as powerful elders, were lurking nearby, hoping to take advantage of the situation.
"Holy Lord," Chu Xinyue greeted respectfully, as the Holy Lord of Wan Dao was her sect's leader.
The Holy Lord of Wan Dao squinted slightly when he saw Ji Lingxian by Qin Tian's side. He couldn't fathom why the young princess of Da Zhou was mingling with their lord. He had originally thought that the Da Zhou Dynasty was doomed to fall, but now he wasn't so sure.
If Qin Tian so much as nodded his head in agreement, not only would Wan Dao Sacred Land lend its full support, but even their reclusive Human emperor-level ancestor would likely emerge from seclusion.
Or perhaps it wouldn't even come to that. The Holy Lord still vividly remembered the overwhelming pressure he had felt when Qin Tian had casually released his aura back in the grand hall. He himself was a half-step Human emperor, yet he had been completely overpowered.
What kind of existence could suppress him with mere aura alone? The Holy Lord was convinced that Qin Tian was either at the peak of the half-step Human emperor realm or had already crossed the threshold into becoming a true Human emperor.
Even the flood dragon resting beside Qin Tian exuded a suffocating aura. The Holy Lord was sure that its power far surpassed his own.
If Qin Tian decided to support the Da Zhou Dynasty, the Da Xia Dynasty might as well begin mourning for its fate.
Qin Tian gazed down at the scene below, his eyes narrowing as a cold glint flashed across them. As expected, the child of destiny, Lin Fan, was drawn to such events like a moth to a flame.
Watching Lin Fan hide in a concealed spot, Qin Tian smiled. He planned to force Lin Fan deeper into the Forbidden Zone, making him search for treasures on Qin Tian's behalf. After all, it was always useful to have someone with a knack for finding rare treasures.
Qin Tian could enter the Forbidden Zone himself, but he didn't possess the destiny of a child of fortune. The best treasures would likely slip through his fingers.
But Lin Fan was different. As a child of destiny, he was practically a walking treasure detector. It would be a waste not to make use of him.
...
"Brother Lin, look! The prince of the Da Yu Dynasty is heading our way," Ye Peng whispered, his eyes narrowing slightly. Even in the distant Northern Beast Lands, he had heard of the famed Prince Yu Lin of the Zhong zhou land.
Lin Fan turned to look in the direction Ye Peng indicated, and sure enough, the prince of Da Yu was leading his troops toward them.
Lin Fan didn't care much. He had no grudges with the prince, so it had nothing to do with him.
"Seize them and throw them into the Forbidden Zone as scouts," Yu Lin suddenly commanded, his gaze sweeping over Lin Fan. He didn't understand why such a weak individual would be of any interest to his lord, but since it was his lord's order, he would carry it out to the letter.
"Why?!" Lin Fan demanded, stunned. He had just been standing there minding his own business. Why was he being targeted?
"Why?" Yu Lin sneered. "Because you've offended someone you shouldn't have."
"Take them down, cripple them, and toss them into the Forbidden Zone to feed the beasts," Yu Lin ordered coldly, not forgetting the task given to him by his master.
"Yes, Your Highness." The guards, though confused about why their prince seemed unusually irritable today, didn't hesitate to carry out the order. Following the prince's commands was their duty.
"Look, my lord. The prince of Da Yu Dynasty is picking a fight with Lin Fan," Chu Xinyue commented, her gaze following Qin Tian's. She wasn't sure what Qin Tian was thinking as he watched the scene unfold.
"Lin Fan is actually holding his own against someone at the Orgin Realm," Chu Xinyue remarked as Lin Fan unleashed a powerful aura, surprising everyone.
"He's even breaking through mid-battle," Ji Lingxian exclaimed as she narrowed her eyes, watching Lin Fan with amazement. Anyone who could break through during a fight was a genius.
Was this the typical destiny of a child of fortune, to suppress those who opposed him?
Qin Tian's gaze sharpened as Lin Fan's aura surged, indicating he was on the verge of breaking through. With a thought, Qin Tian sent a surge of energy toward Lin Fan.
"Urgh!" Lin Fan spat out a mouthful of blood. Just moments ago, he had been on the cusp of breaking through, but now, it had all collapsed in an instant.
"What's happening?" Ye Peng cried, rushing to Lin Fan's side. He had just been so close to advancing, only to fail at the last moment.
"Throw them into the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone," Yu Lin sneered, his grin widening. Anyone who made an enemy of Qin Tian wouldn't escape unscathed.
Yu Lin's chancellor grabbed both Lin Fan and Ye Peng and hurled them into the Forbidden Zone. Immediately, a swarm of beasts descended upon them, intent on devouring their prey.
"Damn you! When I get out of here, I'll make sure you pay!" Ye Peng spat angrily, dragging the half-conscious Lin Fan along as they fled deeper into the Forbidden Zone.
Lin Fan was in bad shape. His failed breakthrough had worsened his already injured state.
The surrounding onlookers remained indifferent. This was how the world worked—those with strength decided the fates of the weak. Such events were all too common.
"Time to start plundering his fortune," Qin Tian mused with a cold smile. Today marked the beginning of his slow and steady theft of Lin Fan's destiny.
Lin Fan would likely escape from the Forbidden Zone's beasts, only to stumble upon some fortunate encounter. That was how destiny worked for children of fortune.
Whether it was a rare treasure or a spiritual herb, Lin Fan would surely find something valuable. But where could he run?
Qin Tian had already planted a Dao Heart Demon seed within Lin Fan. While it wouldn't give him full control over Lin Fan, it allowed him to track his movements and subtly influence his decisions.
To Qin Tian, Lin Fan was nothing more than a "treasure-seeking mouse," tasked with locating valuable resources for him. Anything Lin Fan found would ultimately belong to Qin Tian.
Many of those gathered here today were powerful figures from the sacred lands and sects of the Eastern Wastelands, each with considerable influence.
When Qin Tian first arrived, the leaders of these sects and sacred lands had sensed his presence.
Some of them hoped to present their talented disciples to Qin Tian, praying that one might catch his eye and be taken to the Upper Realm. To them, the Upper Realm was the ultimate dream, a place where legends were born.
But seeing Qin Tian standing there with his cold, indifferent expression, they hesitated, unsure of his mood. No one dared approach recklessly.
Even some of the beautiful female disciples, who fancied themselves the equal of the three women by Qin Tian's side, found themselves unable to speak when they approached him, overwhelmed by the suffocating pressure of his aura.