C1 The Hearts of Billions of People as Fuel

"I'm back."

Chen Dutian closed his eyes slightly, memories flooding in like a high tide. His journey of a million years of cultivation had culminated in ascending to the heavens to become an emperor, ruling over all the realms, with billions of hearts in submission. Yet, at a pivotal moment, he was betrayed, caught in a treacherous scheme.

The cosmos served as a furnace, with the collective hearts of countless beings across the myriad worlds as fuel, consuming Chen Dutian's imperial body and soul, reducing them to nothingness.

"What a grand scheme. I wonder who's behind it?" Chen Dutian's mind raced through numerous faces until it settled on one, delicate and blooming like a flower.

"Was it you?"

A question flickered through Chen Dutian's mind. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, pushing the myriad doubts of his past life to the back of his mind.

"In about half a month, the House of Protector will face a great upheaval. My mother will die from an accident, and I'll nearly be killed." A sharp glint sparked in Chen Dutian's eyes. With brief contemplation, he realized he was reborn at a critical juncture.

Memories of his former life overwhelmed him.

"I will not repeat the regrets of my past life," Chen Dutian exhaled deeply, his heart churning with regret and resentment. "Since fate has granted me a second chance, I will rectify all my past regrets."

"Today is likely the day Qin Fan comes to provoke me." A fierce resolve shone in Chen Dutian's gaze.

He pushed open the door and stepped out.

Yuan Liu watched Chen Dutian emerge with a curious look. Somehow, he sensed that his young master had changed in certain ways.

It was his temperament that was different.

Yuan Liu snapped to attention. Previously, Chen Dutian had been a wastrel, unable to cultivate, his personality and actions those of a dissolute young master, marked by a sense of defeatism.

Now, while his appearance remained the same, his inner temperament had undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone was the defeatism, replaced by a newfound vitality.

"Let's go." Chen Dutian chuckled and strode toward the gate. In his previous life, Yuan Liu had met a tragic end. This time, Chen Dutian was determined not to let history repeat itself.

"Where are you off to today, Young Master?" Yuan Liu asked with a chuckle, trailing behind Chen Dutian. His voice carried an unmistakable tone of affection.

"You'll find out in a moment," Chen Dutian replied with a slight smile, though a sharp glint of lethal intent flickered in his eyes.

The House of Protector wasn't particularly large, comprising only seven sections.

Chen Dutian made his way swiftly to the entrance of the House of Protector.

"Please inform the Lady Protector that the Antler Marquis requests an audience."

A voice from the past echoed in Chen Dutian's ears, a voice he hadn't heard in at least a million years.

Qin Fan, the newly appointed Antler Marquis of the Phethia Dynasty.

"No," Chen Dutian responded boldly and dismissively, "Not just anyone can waltz into the House of Protector."

Standing at the gates, Chen Dutian caught sight of Qin Fan immediately. Despite having killed him once in a previous life, the sight of him in this life still ignited an uncontrollable urge to tear him apart.

In his past life, which Chen Dutian referred to as everything before his rebirth, it was Qin Fan who had caused his mother's death from humiliation. His fiancée, too, had chosen death over dishonor after saving him.

Such deep-seated enmity was not easily forgotten. Although these events had yet to occur in this life, Chen Dutian was determined to prevent them from happening again. Yet, his loathing for Qin Fan remained undiminished.

"Chen Dutian, I am now the Antler Marquis, and I seek an audience with the Lady Protector, not just any commoner," Qin Fan said, his face contorting with a deep-seated hatred, feeling a twinge of pain on his cheek.

"I've already told you, no," Chen Dutian replied nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders with a look of disdain. "I'm busy."

"Chen Dutian," Qin Fan hissed through clenched teeth, glaring at him. Were it not for the eight armored guards watching him intently at the House of Protector's entrance, he would have commanded his two personal guards to strike Chen Dutian down.

He saw Chen Dutian as nothing more than a spoiled brat, abusing his father's influence to do as he pleased. And now, on the brink of death, he still had the audacity to be insolent in his presence.

"I'm doing just fine, no need for concern," Chen Dutian said nonchalantly, further irritating Qin Fan.

"Chen Dutian, do you recall the words I shared with you half a year ago?" Qin Fan suddenly broke into a smile, his eyes cold with murderous intent, yet his expression remained cheerful.

"If I had to remember every trivial thing said to me, I'd be overwhelmed with memories," Chen Dutian replied dismissively.

"Fortunes can change in thirty years. Don't underestimate the young and impoverished," Qin Fan enunciated deliberately. Half a year prior, he was nothing more than a destitute nobleman's son who, after merely glancing at Chen Dou's fiancée, was viciously slapped by Chen Dutian.

After being struck so hard by Chen Dutian that he could barely open his eyes, Qin Fan had uttered those very words.

"Are you finished? Then kindly remove yourself," Chen Dutian commanded, waving his hand disdainfully. "Furthermore, should anyone like this approach me in the future, drive them away. If they refuse to leave, beat them. The gates of the House of Protector are not open for just any cur to bark at."

Qin Fan's face twisted in anger. He had assumed that upon becoming the Antler Marquis, he could strut into the House of Protector with pride. Yet, Chen Dutian continued to disregard him. How could such a soon-to-be-extinct playboy remain so audacious?

"Chen Dutian, hear me well: Little Mei is mine. In half a month, she will be my wife!" Qin Fan bellowed, his face twisted with a perverse pleasure. He was privy to everything, yet powerless to speak out. In that instant, he unleashed all his pent-up frustration.

With a dismissive chuckle, Chen Dutian simply responded with a "Hehe" before turning to leave. Only Yuan Liu, who stood by, clearly saw the fierce and terrifying intent to kill flash in Chen Dutian's eyes.

Watching Chen Dutian's retreating figure, Qin Fan was on the verge of madness. He had come to boast and flaunt his newfound status, perhaps even to steal a moment with the Lady Protector. Instead, he found himself blocked at the entrance by Chen Dutian, his fury driving him to the brink of insanity.

"If he doesn't leave now, I'll beat him to death with a stick. What a worthless cur!" Chen Dutian tossed out the words dismissively as he vanished behind the door, no longer paying any mind to Qin Fan's frenzied barking.

"Young Master," Yuan Liu called out with a hint of hesitation. The entire Phethia Dynasty was in turmoil, particularly since the fate of Lord Protector Chen Dou remained uncertain. Numerous people were eager to seize the chance to annihilate the Chen family. Qin Fan, a rising star in the Phethia Dynasty, was not someone to be trifled with lightly.

"It's nothing, really. He's just a dog. I could crush him effortlessly. But I'll let him live a couple more days," Chen Dutian said with a nonchalant flicker in his eyes. His voice was resolute, his demeanor had undergone a dramatic shift, and there was no trace of his former frivolousness.