Di Tian accepted the invitation and bowed. "Yes, Father." He turned and left the hall with steady steps.
The Human Emperor watched Di Tian disappear through the doors, then turned back to Qi Wu.
"Are you confident about the National Fortune Tournament?"
With his hands in his pockets, Qi Wu walked to the window and gazed at the starry sky. The lights of the Imperial Capital spread out beneath him like a sea of stars.
"Confident?" He laughed, his smile brash and assured. "Old man, just wait and watch me beat every last one of them into the ground."
The Human Emperor watched him standing by the window, his white hair billowing, his spirit soaring. For a moment, he seemed to hear the voice that had spoken to him in a dream ten thousand years ago.
Now, at last, the legendary Child of Destiny had arrived.
"Good," he said softly. "I shall wait."
Outside the Human Emperor Hall, a gentle night breeze blew.
Qi Wu strolled ahead with his hands in his pockets. The three girls of the Salvation Squad followed behind him. Lilith kept glancing back toward the hall doors, her little face full of worry.
Qi Wu suddenly stopped and turned to look at her.
"Was that old geezer here for you?"
Lilith froze for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."
Qi Wu grinned teasingly. "Well, look at you, Lilith. I never knew you were a princess. A vampire princess, no less. Sounds pretty intimidating. Should I start calling you 'Your Highness'?"
Lilith blushed and stamped her feet in embarrassment. "Captain! Stop teasing me! I don't want to be some princess!"
Qi Wu raised an eyebrow. "You don't? They chased you all the way to Great Xia. Quite the fuss. The Holy Blood Family's Great Elder—long name, but as