C1 The Hearts of Billions of People as Fuel

"I'm back."

Chen Dutian closed his eyes slightly, memories rushing in like a flood. After a million years of cultivation, he ascended to become an emperor in a single day, ruling over countless realms and commanding the allegiance of billions. Yet, at a pivotal moment, he was betrayed, caught in a calculated trap.

The universe became a crucible, with the collective will of countless beings serving as fuel, incinerating Chen Dutian's imperial body and soul, reducing them to nothingness.

"What a grand scheme. I wonder who's behind it?" Faces flickered through Chen Dutian's mind, finally resting on one as delicate and stunning as a blooming flower.

"Was it you?"

A question lingered in Chen Dutian's thoughts. He took a deep breath and opened his eyes, pushing the myriad doubts of his past life aside for the moment.

"In half a month, the Lord Protector's Mansion will be thrown into turmoil. My mother will die against a pillar, and I will nearly be killed." A spark of clarity shone in Chen Dutian's eyes. With little contemplation, he realized that his rebirth had brought him to a critical juncture.

Memories of his former life flooded his heart.

"The regrets of my past life will not be repeated in this one," Chen Dutian exhaled deeply, his heart churning with a tide of remorse and resentment. "Since fate has granted me a second chance, I will rectify all the regrets of my past."

"Today is the day Qin Fan comes to provoke me." A fierce determination glinted in Chen Dutian's eyes.

He pushed open the door and stepped out.

Yuan Liu watched Chen Dutian emerge, a sense of puzzlement in her gaze. She couldn't quite place it, but her young master seemed different somehow.

His demeanor had transformed.

Yuan Liu's realization struck her suddenly. Previously, Chen Dutian, unable to cultivate, had been nothing more than a wastrel, exuding a sense of resigned despair.

Now, while his outward appearance remained unchanged, his inner aura had undergone a remarkable shift. Gone was the air of defeat; in its place, a vibrant energy had taken root.

"Old Yuan, let's go," Chen Dutian said with a hearty laugh, heading towards the gate. In his previous life, Yuan Liu met a tragic end. This time around, he was determined to prevent such a fate.

"Where does the young master plan to go today?" Yuan Liu asked with a warm, teasing smile, following behind Chen Dutian, her voice tinged with affectionate indulgence.

"You'll find out soon enough." Chen Dutian replied with a slight smile, though his eyes betrayed a sharp edge of lethal intent.

The Lord Protector's Mansion was modest in size, comprising just seven sections.

Chen Dutian quickly made his way to the entrance of the Lord Protector's Mansion.

"Please inform the Lady of the Mansion that Marquis Lu Ding seeks an audience," he announced.

A voice that Chen Dutian hadn't heard in what felt like a million years reached his ears—the newly appointed Marquis Lu Ding of the Phethia Dynasty.

"Denied," Chen Dutian's response rang out, bold and brash. "Not every Tom, Dick, or Harry can waltz through the doors of the Lord Protector's Mansion."

Standing at the gate, Chen Dutian laid eyes on Qin Fan. Despite having torn Qin Fan apart in a past life, the sight of him now reignited an uncontrollable urge to do it all over again.

In that past life, which Chen Dutian referred to as everything before his rebirth, it was because of Qin Fan that his mother had died rather than face humiliation, and his fiancée, after saving him, had also chosen death over disgrace.

His hatred for Qin Fan was profound and unyielding, and even though these events had yet to unfold in this life, Chen Dutian was determined to prevent them from happening again. His loathing for Qin Fan remained undiminished.

"Chen Dutian, I am now the Marquis Lu Ding, and I am here to see the Lady of the Mansion, not just any Tom, Dick, or Harry," Qin Fan said, his face contorting slightly, eyes seething with deep-seated hatred. He could almost feel the pain in his cheek again.

"I said you're not welcome," Chen Dutian replied with a nonchalant shrug, his face twisted in disdain. "I'm busy."

"Chen Dutian," Qin Fan hissed through clenched teeth, glaring at him. If it weren't for the eight fully armored guards eyeing him warily, he would have already commanded his two attendants to take Chen Dutian down.

Chen Dutian was nothing but a spoiled brat living off his father's reputation, and now, on the brink of death, he still dared to be insolent in Qin Fan's presence.

"I'm doing quite well, no need for your concern," Chen Dutian retorted flippantly, further infuriating Qin Fan.

"Chen Dutian, do you recall what I told you six months ago?" Qin Fan asked, a chilling smile spreading across his face, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"If I had to remember every word from every Tom, Dick, or Harry, I'd be overwhelmed with memories," Chen Dutian said dismissively.

"Fortunes change; don't underestimate the young when they're down," Qin Fan articulated deliberately. Just six months prior, he was a destitute scion of a once-noble family. A mere glance at Chen Dou's fiancée in a crowd had earned him a vicious slap from Chen Dutian.

Barely able to open his eyes after the slap, Qin Fan had uttered those words.

"Once you're done talking, get lost," Chen Dutian commanded dismissively, waving his hand. "And another thing, if anyone like him comes near, drive them away. If they won't leave, beat them to death. The gates of the Lord Protector's Mansion aren't open for just any dog to come barking."

Qin Fan's face contorted with anger. He had thought that becoming a Marquis would allow him to strut proudly through the Lord Protector's Mansion, but Chen Dutian still paid him no heed. It was infuriating that such a near-ruined playboy dared to be so brazen.

"Chen Dutian, let me tell you, Little Mei is mine. In half a month, she will be my wife!" Qin Fan bellowed, his face twisted with a perverse glee. He was bursting with frustration, knowing so much yet unable to speak a word of it.

"Hehe..." Chen Dutian responded to Qin Fan with a cold chuckle, then turned and walked away. Only Yuan Liu, standing nearby, clearly saw the intense and terrifying murderous intent flashing in Chen Dutian's eyes.

Watching Chen Dutian's retreating back, Qin Fan felt on the brink of madness. He had intended to swagger in and impress, perhaps even steal a kiss from the Lady of the Mansion. Instead, he was blocked at the entrance by Chen Dutian, his rage pushing him towards insanity.

"If he doesn't leave, beat him to death with sticks. What a worthless cur," Chen Dutian said flippantly, already disappearing behind the mansion's doors, indifferent to Qin Fan's frenzied howls.

"Young Master," Yuan Liu called out hesitantly. The Phethia Dynasty was in upheaval, particularly with the Lord Protector, Chen Dou's fate uncertain. Many were looking to seize the chance to annihilate the Chen family. Qin Fan, a rising noble of Phethia, was not someone to be trifled with lightly.

"It's nothing significant—merely a dog that I could crush with ease. I suppose I'll let him enjoy a couple more days of life." Chen Dutian's eyes glinted with a dismissive light as he spoke. His tone was resolute, and his demeanor had undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone was any trace of the frivolous and carefree young man he once was.