Returning to the Ancient Dragon World

Afterward, the two did not stay any longer. The elders of the Ancient Dragon World had sent Ao Qing a message saying they had obtained the Heavenly Flames.

Ao Qing shook his head and suppressed all those strange thoughts in his heart.

His top priority now was to investigate the secrets of the Heavenly Flames. Without hesitation, Ao Qing quickly left the Misty Cloud Sect and headed for the Ancient Dragon World once again.

The Ancient Dragon World was especially lively today. Several elders had not remained in the True Dragon Secret Realm to cultivate. Instead, they had come to the Dragon Palace on East Dragon Island to attend the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's banquet.

Every member of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan with cultivation at the Half-Saint realm or above would attend this banquet. The purpose was simple: the elders wanted everyone to meet Ao Qing, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's Young Master!

At present, only the Dragon Kings and the elders of East Dragon Island knew Ao Qing's identity. The elders intended to take this opportunity to make it known.

As the guest of honor, Ao Qing was still unaware of this. Even if he had known, he likely would not have reacted much. To Ao Qing, the only people in the Ancient Void Dragon Clan worth his attention were the elders. He had no interest in anyone else.

The moment Ao Qing stepped into the Ancient Dragon World, the elders sensed his arrival. They used their auras to guide him toward the Dragon Palace on East Dragon Island.

After sensing the elders' guidance, Ao Qing did not hesitate and headed straight for East Dragon Island.

As soon as he reached the entrance, he saw several elders waiting to receive him alongside the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's many powerful experts.

The elders took the lead.

"We old fellows pay our respects to the Young Master!"

They were also making a statement to those Ancient Void Dragon Clan members who did not know Ao Qing, as if saying, "See? Even experts as powerful as us acknowledge the man before you as the Young Master of our Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Why aren't you youngsters paying your respects to the Young Master?"

The clan members behind the elders caught on quickly. Before coming to the banquet, the Dragon Kings had already told them about the elders and Ao Qing. Naturally, these matters were secrets of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, and only clan members at the Half-Saint realm or above were qualified to know them.

They reacted at once and said in unison, "We pay our respects to the Young Master! May the Young Master enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

That string of blows left Ao Qing bewildered. He had thought that only a few elders would be present when he arrived, perhaps with the addition of several Dragon Kings at most. He had not expected such a scene—nearly a hundred experts waiting for him, including fifty or sixty Half-Saints, while the rest were all Dou Saint-level Ancient Void Dragons!

It had to be said that after the Ancient Void Dragon Clan reunited, its strength had increased considerably. Many clan members who had once been unwilling to take part in the Dragon Kings' struggle had returned one after another, including quite a few Dou Saint-level members.

Thus, the current Ancient Void Dragon Clan, aside from high-level Dou Saints, was already comparable to clans like the Yao Clan. Of course, with the elders included, the other clans could only admit that they were no match.

Looking at the elders and the other experts of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, Ao Qing did not hesitate.

"Elders, fellow clansmen, there is no need for such formalities. I am Ao Qing, and I greet all the elders and clansmen."

The elders' eyes were filled with delight, while the dragons all felt that Ao Qing was an approachable Young Master. At the very least, he did not have that lofty, superior air about him.

At this moment, the Grand Elder spoke.

"After several thousand years, our Ancient Void Dragon Clan has gathered together once more. Though the Ancient Void Dragon Clan is somewhat fallen at present, I believe that under Young Master Ao Qing's leadership, our Ancient Void Dragon Clan will surely restore the glory of ancient times!"

Everyone greatly agreed with the Grand Elder's words. Aside from Ao Qing possessing the True Dragon Bloodline, he was already a Two-Star Dou Saint. How long had it even been, and he had already reached the Two-Star Dou Saint realm? In the future, he might even reach the level of a Dou Emperor.

Of course, these were the thoughts of everyone present except the elders. After all, no Dou Emperor had appeared for ten thousand years. In one word, it was difficult! Difficult! Difficult!

"Grand Elder, you flatter me. I do not possess such great ability. The revival of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan will still depend on all of you present, as well as the countless clansmen outside."

Ao Qing understood the art of mutual praise. His words were impeccable.

The elders were even more satisfied.

At that moment, the North Dragon King could no longer hold back his mouth. After all, he was nominally the acting Clan Leader of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.

"Elders and Young Master Ao Qing, there is no need to be modest. With all of you here, our Ancient Void Dragon Clan will always stand at its peak!"

The North Dragon King thought his words were quite impressive. Just as he stood there, beaming with pride and waiting for the elders' praise—

The Eighth Elder, who was more familiar with the North Dragon King, glared at him. The North Dragon King immediately felt aggrieved.

"What the hell do you know, brat? Do you know how powerful the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was at its peak?

I'm not afraid to tell you that among the first generation of Ancient Void Dragon ancestors born after True Dragon Lord's fall, there were no shortage of Dou Emperor experts! There were also quite a few Peak Dou Saints. Otherwise, do you think the human race, which had so many Dou Emperors, would have spared our Ancient Void Dragon Clan?

Our clan truly has declined now. There is no need to argue against that. Fortunately, everyone declined together. The human race no longer has Dou Emperors either, so they cannot do anything to us.

But now, do not think that us old fellows being powerful means much. If we truly went to war with the human race, let me tell you this: our Magical Beast race would absolutely be no match for the united human race. It is only because the humans all have their own schemes and are not united. It would not be wrong to say that we Magical Beasts are merely eking out an existence!"

Hearing the Eighth Elder's words, the dragons present were all somewhat shaken, as well as somewhat embarrassed. Indeed, the Ancient Void Dragons had declined...

The Eighth Elder was also somewhat helpless. The Ancient Void Dragon Clan had once possessed Dou Emperors, but without the True Dragon Bloodline, they could not inherit the legacy left behind by True Dragon Lord or draw down Source Qi.

Furthermore, after becoming Dou Emperors, they could not remain on the continent for long before being forcibly ascended to the Great Thousand World. Thus, after Source Qi was exhausted, the Ancient Void Dragons grew weaker with each generation.

Fortunately, they had welcomed the True Dragon Young Master...

Ao Qing took all of this in. He knew that he also bore a share of the responsibility for reviving the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, but now was not yet the time. Soon. Everything would be soon...

Seeing the dragons fall silent, the Grand Elder stopped the Eighth Elder, who was about to continue speaking.

"Enough. Today is a day worth celebrating, so there is no need for you to feel sorrowful. Such are the times, such is fate. Though our Ancient Void Dragon Clan has weakened, we are not to be trifled with!

"Moreover, now that our Ancient Void Dragon Clan has the True Dragon Young Master, as long as everyone wholeheartedly assists the Young Master, I believe our clan will surely restore its glory.

"Do you understand?

"From this day onward, one of us seven elders will take turns guiding your cultivation at regular intervals, teaching you some secret methods of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan that are never passed down to outsiders. That should be of some use to you.

"However, remember this well: none of you may reveal even the slightest word of what was said today, especially anything concerning Young Master Ao Qing. If we discover that anyone speaks carelessly outside, or even leaks this information to the human race, then even if it costs this old man his life, I will kill the traitor!

"None of you need doubt whether I possess the strength to do so. If I truly make up my mind, even the human race will not be able to protect the one who leaks it!" As he spoke, the aura of a Peak Dou Saint flickered in and out of existence around the Grand Elder. Everyone immediately bristled. It was the feeling that if they truly provoked him, they would die.

The Grand Elder's sharp gaze swept across every clansman present. They all understood his meaning and no longer revealed any sorrowful emotions. At the same time, they resolved that they would rather die than reveal any information concerning the Young Master.

Seeing the Grand Elder act this way, Ao Qing felt warmth in his heart. This was also why, after entering the world, Ao Qing had been unwilling to interact too much with the other members of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.

Although everyone had their own misgivings about today's banquet, they kept them buried in their hearts. On the surface, they remained all smiles and laughter, while the elders were genuinely delighted.

For one, it had been a long time since they had gathered with the younger members of their clan and spoken frankly from the heart, which had left them feeling rather stifled. For another, seeing that these juniors still had some thoughtfulness in them naturally made them happy. Of course, Ao Qing's arrival was also a factor.

Ao Qing seemed somewhat uneasy. When the other clansmen toasted him and paid their respects, he was not quite used to it. Fortunately, he was strong enough mentally not to show too much of it.

Before long, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan's high-level banquet came to an end. Everyone returned to their own territories, determined to cultivate diligently from now on and restore the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to glory!

After the banquet, Ao Qing returned to the True Dragon Secret Realm with several elders, preparing to investigate the secrets hidden within the Heavenly Flame.

"Young Master, after obtaining this Heavenly Flame, I attempted to refine it, but nothing unusual occurred. However, we do not know the exact circumstances.

Does Young Master truly intend to try again? If an accident like the last one happens again, I fear it may harm Young Master's body!"

"Fourth Elder, don't worry. The last incident happened too suddenly, and I had no time to prepare. Besides, ever since refining the Green Lotus Core Flame last time, I have clearly felt that my cultivation speed for Dou Qi has increased considerably."

Hearing Ao Qing's words, everyone became rather curious. Did that mean the previous incident had turned out to be a blessing in disguise? Even so, the elders were still uneasy.

"Elders, rest assured. This time, I have prepared the Dragon Pearl. This Dragon Pearl belonged to the True Dragon. Although I am not yet strong enough to obtain the inheritance within it, it should still be able to absorb any excess Dou Qi, shouldn't it?"

Only after hearing Ao Qing's plan did the elders relax slightly. They had no wish to watch Ao Qing take risks. They had not been by his side last time, but this time, no matter what, they had to ensure his safety.

"The idea of using the Dragon Pearl is feasible. That way, even if the same situation as last time occurs, we will be able to handle it. I agree that Young Master should give it a try!"

As soon as the Grand Elder finished speaking, the other elders also felt that, with the Dragon Pearl's protection, it was worth trying!

Once the decision had been made, the Fourth Elder flicked his sleeve, and the Three Thousand Burning Flame appeared in his hand!