Ancient Void Dragon, Zi Yan

"Saint, what did the people of Sound Valley think about the alliance?" Seeing Yao Dan emerge from Sound Valley with a smile on his face, Venerable Feng, who had been waiting outside for quite some time, hurriedly asked.

"Though they were unwilling to form an alliance with us, this trip was far from a loss. In fact, we gained quite a bit." Yao Dan's smile faded as he said seriously, "Venerable Feng, what happened in Sound Valley must not be spoken of to outsiders. Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. That is enough."

"Understood." Venerable Feng clasped his fists. Though Sound Valley was not particularly famous across Central Continent, only those who had personally dealt with it could understand what a force it truly was—one not to be underestimated. Neither he nor Yao Dan believed that Sound Valley was on the same level as Burning Flame Valley or Ice River Valley.

"Let us go. There are still many other factions in Central Continent worth joining forces with. Venerable Feng, I shall return to the clan first. I leave the matter of forming alliances with the other factions entirely to you." With a whoosh, the two figures rose into the sky above the Extreme Northern Ice Plains. As they departed, the desolate ice plains returned to their usual deathly silence.

One lay in the freezing lands at the far north of Central Continent, while the other stood in the vibrant region at its far south. Sound Valley was hundreds of thousands of miles away from the Yao Clan. Yet even such a vast distance could not slow Yao Dan's eagerness to return. In less than a day, he was seated in a secluded quiet chamber within the Lesser Medicine Realm. He carefully took the Nine-grade Profound Pill from the Medicine Gourd, then swallowed it without hesitation.

"Boom!"

The instant the Nine-grade Profound Pill entered Yao Dan's mouth, an incomparably vast and violent energy erupted from within him. In an instant, the quiet chamber was blasted into fragments by the surging power. Countless black thunderclouds gathered from every direction, filling the sky for a hundred miles with flashes of lightning and rolling thunder as torrential rain poured down.

"This journey through Central Continent was truly worthwhile. Subduing the Old Monster of the Little Pill Tower alone was a great harvest. I wonder how the situation of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan is now. If I can befriend the new Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, my Yao Clan will gain another powerful ally." Yao Dan stopped thinking and began refining the Nine-grade Profound Pill with full concentration. To his surprise, the refinement lasted an entire month.

Meanwhile, as Yao Dan began refining the Nine-grade Profound Pill, a tense and solemn atmosphere pervaded Ancient Dragon Island of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Every guard on the island had entered a state of combat readiness, prepared for a great battle that might arrive at any moment.

Upon the altar of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, a strange crystalline layer resembling ice tightly encased a petite figure. That petite figure was none other than Zi Yan, the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Though she still emitted an extremely faint breath, in her current state, she was little different from a corpse.

"The energy crystal layer formed by the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is incredibly hard. Even I cannot shatter it easily. To melt this crystal layer and force the energy within into her body, we can only rely on the power of Heavenly Flames. Even ordinary Heavenly Flames are useless against such a crystal layer. Only the top ten Heavenly Flames on the Heavenly Flame Ranking can accomplish this task." Zhu Li, the Third Elder of Ancient Dragon Island, said with a smile.

"This concerns the inheritance of my Ancient Void Dragon Clan and is of utmost importance. I ask that young friend Xiao Yan lend us your full assistance!" As he spoke, Zhu Li actually dropped to one knee and clasped his fists as he pleaded with Xiao Yan.

"Thank you for your trust, Elder Zhu Li, but Xiao Yan cannot accept such a grand gesture. When it comes to refining energy with Heavenly Flames, there is an expert far beyond me in this matter—someone both far away and right before our eyes." Xiao Yan did not dare delay and hurriedly returned the salute.

"Oh? What expert could earn such admiration from young friend Xiao Yan?" Zhu Li narrowed his eyes and asked curiously.

"The Young Clan Leader of the Yao Clan, one of the Ancient Eight Clans—Yao Ling. Elder Zhu Li, when the old Dragon Emperor vanished seven thousand years ago, my Yao Clan had already maintained close ties with your clan for a long time. It is true that our two clans have had little contact in recent millennia. But in today's matter, please allow my Yao Clan to lend a hand." Seeing Xiao Yan smoothly offer her this enormous favor, Yao Ling did not stand on ceremony and directly recommended herself.

"This... young friend Xiao Yan, Zi Yan specifically instructed me to ask you to help her refine this energy crystal layer." Elder Zhu Li hesitated for a moment before speaking softly. He knew quite well that the Yao Clan and the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had formed a Blood Oath ten thousand years ago. But ever since the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had fallen into division, they had voluntarily cut off all diplomatic ties to avoid outside disturbances and covetous eyes. He did not dare entrust such an important matter to a Yao Clan member who seemed somewhat unreliable.

"I will guarantee Yao Ling's abilities with my life. If Elder Zhu Li trusts me, then you should trust Sister Yao Ling as well," Xiao Yan said firmly.

"Elder Zhu Li, there is no need to worry that I will tamper with anything in this matter. With the defenses of your island being so strict, if I did anything against your clan, I truly would not be able to escape even if I grew wings." Yao Ling spoke gently. With a wave of both hands, a blue-white Wind Flame appeared, accompanied by incomparably vast soul power.

"A Half-Saint? And Mid Heavenly Realm soul power?" Elder Zhu Li's pupils contracted. Though this exquisite young beauty had only just entered the low-level Half-Saint realm, she had nevertheless stepped into the Saint Stage, the pinnacle of the Dou Qi Continent. Moreover, with soul power this formidable, even if they fought to the death, it would be hard to say who would win!

Yao Ling nodded, a trace of pride appearing in her brows. When it came to Dou Qi cultivation, she did not dare boast. But when it came to soul power, even among the Ancient Eight Clans, she had never seen a peer stronger than herself!

"Then I shall trouble Young Clan Leader Yao Ling. However, I must ask you to wait a few more days before beginning the refinement. I never expected to invite a Half-Saint expert, so many of the materials must be prepared anew." Zhu Li nodded. He had never imagined that he could invite such a powerful expert. This risk was worth taking!

"Looks like you have good judgment, kid. This time, I—and even the entire Yao Clan—truly owe you a favor." Seeing Elder Zhu Li leave, Yao Ling spoke softly to Xiao Yan.

"Not at all, not at all. But if you put it that way, does that mean you have forgiven me, Sister..."

"Oh, do not bring that matter up." Yao Ling's willow brows shot up as she summoned the Azure Spirit Wind Flame she had just withdrawn. "Of course, if you want to suffer a little more, I do not mind."

"Hehe, how would I dare?" Xiao Yan stuck out his tongue and smiled.

The wait lasted a long five days. At noon on the sixth day, Elder Zhu Li brought Yao Ling to a Volcanic Crater filled with fire-attributed energy. Zi Yan's crystallized body lay atop the lava at the deepest part of the Volcanic Crater.

"Miss Yao Ling, refining this energy is no simple matter. It consumes an enormous amount of Dou Qi, and even a Half-Saint expert can hardly endure such expenditure. Therefore, my Ancient Void Dragon Clan has specially prepared materials to replenish your energy." Elder Zhu Li took out a bright-red mass from his Storage Ring.

"This is a superior tonic of my Ancient Void Dragon Clan, the Heart of the Kong Ao. I hope the Young Clan Leader will consume it before beginning the refinement." Seeing the questioning look in Yao Ling's eyes, Elder Zhu Li explained.

Yao Ling opened her mouth and swallowed the Heart of the Kong Ao. Immediately, she felt the Dou Qi throughout her body begin circulating rapidly, while every one of her meridians filled with extremely pure energy. This swollen energy stretched her body to the point of great discomfort.

Only after she endured the pain and summoned her Heavenly Flame to begin refining the energy crystal layer around Zi Yan did she feel somewhat better. The Heart of the Kong Ao was truly incomparably potent. Even a Half-Saint like her found it difficult to bear the immense energy contained within it after swallowing it.

"Miss Yao Ling, my Ancient Void Dragon Clan has never treated its friends poorly. The Heart of the Kong Ao is indeed a superior tonic of our clan. If you safely use this energy to refine the entire crystal layer, not only will your Dou Qi cultivation improve, but your physical strength will also receive considerable benefits." Elder Zhu Li said with blazing eyes.

"Of course, before you completely absorb the energy within the Heart of the Kong Ao, your body will become extremely fragile. Even an ordinary Dou Zun could easily kill you." At this point, a hint of threat entered Zhu Li's voice.

"Yes, I understand Elder Zhu Li's good intentions. But if you intend to use this chance to kill me or harm me, the Yao Clan behind me will not let the matter rest. Unless the old Dragon Emperor intervenes, the strength of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan is likely still unable to compare with that of my Yao Clan." Hearing this, Yao Ling's blood surged as she retorted sarcastically.

"Very well. I shall not disturb Miss Yao Ling any further." Zhu Li's body flashed, and he vanished without a trace. Only two guards remained by Yao Ling's side, watching her refine the energy crystal layer.

Five or six days passed like this when, in the void outside Ancient Dragon Island, figures with powerful auras suddenly appeared one after another.

"Hand over the one who possesses the Royal Bloodline!"

A furious roar resounded across the entirety of Ancient Dragon Island like a clap of thunder.