Hundreds of miles away from the Bone Mountain Range, on a mountain peak, space suddenly fluctuated, and then a pitch-black Spatial Rift quietly opened, from which figures flashed out.
The Spatial Rift appeared without warning, as if a hole had suddenly been torn open in this tranquil world, causing the surrounding air to vibrate violently due to the distortion of space, emitting a low hum.
As the fluctuations subsided slightly, a group of figures emerged one after another from the pitch-black Spatial Rift.
Leading the group was a burly Big Man exuding a powerful aura; this man was none other than Hei Qing. Behind him, Lin Ming, Tang Zhen, Xiao Yan, and the rest of the group stepped out one by one, each with a look of relief at surviving a calamity and anticipation for the future on their faces.
"Thank you very much Big Brother Hei Qing, for your help."
With his feet landing on the mountain peak, Lin Ming cupped his hands in greeting to the burly Hei Qing, a sincere smile on his face.
Subsequently, Tang Zhen, Xiao Yan, and the others also expressed their gratitude to Hei Qing.
Hei Qing waved his hand in response to the others' thanks without saying anything.
He was a straightforward person who didn't like excessive formalities; he simply nodded slightly, which was his way of accepting everyone's thanks.
But as for Lin Ming, he immediately rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "It's alright, just refine me some Tier 8 Medicinal Pill when you have time to satisfy my craving!"
Hei Qing knew that Lin Ming's alchemy skills were superb, and Tier 8 Medicinal Pill were extremely attractive to him. In his view, Lin Ming's Pill Refining was like magic, able to produce all kinds of miraculous pills.
Upon hearing this, before Lin Ming could even speak, Zi Yan immediately stepped on his foot and rolled her eyes at Hei Qing.
Seeing this, Hei Qing could only scratch his head and put away his playful smile, saying, "Alright, I won't argue with you about this anymore. I'm tired of all this rambling. We're already very far from the Bone Mountain Range, almost out of the Beast Domain. I'll take you here this time. Just head east and you'll be able to leave the Beast Domain."
Seeing this, the people from Blazing Flame Valley and Starfall Pavilion immediately clasped their hands in thanks again and then left.
A moment later, only Lin Ming and his few companions remained.
The mountain peaks were exceptionally quiet at this moment, with only a gentle breeze rustling through the flowers, grasses, and trees.
Hei Qing spoke again, "Zi Yan, you will be returning to my clan with me this time."
After speaking, Hei Qing's gaze fell on Zi Yan, his expression serious and earnest.
"Why? I'm not going back. It's no fun there at all." Hearing this, Zi Yan frowned and shook her head vigorously.
Zi Yan was lively and active from a young age, full of curiosity about the outside world. In her opinion, East Dragon Island was a dull and boring place, lacking the excitement of the outside world.
Of course, the main reason was that Lin Ming wasn't around. So, with his hand on his waist, he said with dissatisfaction, "East Dragon Island is all about the same rules all day long; there's no freedom at all."
"It's no use telling me. This time, it was those old guys who gave the order. They said you've had enough fun. You haven't completed the Ancient Dragon Inheritance yet. This time, you must completely complete the inheritance before you can come out..." Hei Qing shrugged and said.
Hei Qing was also helpless; he was ordered by the elders of East Dragon Island to bring Zi Yan back.
The Ancient Dragon Inheritance is of paramount importance to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Only when Zi Yan completes the inheritance can she become the true Dragon Emperor, reunite the divided Ancient Void Dragon Clan, and lead the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to glory.
Zi Yan has been away for quite some time now, and the elders are worried that Zi Yan's been playing outside for too long, which might delay the opportunity for the inheritance.
At this moment, seeing Zi Yan's distressed little face, full of reluctance, Lin Ming, who had the Original Work Memory, knew that if Zi Yan went back, she would inevitably absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit just like in the original work.
Lin Ming pondered to himself, recalling the many twists and turns and dangers Zi Yan faced when she returned to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit in the original story. He was unwilling to see Zi Yan get hurt.
If she were to rashly return to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, she would inevitably encounter the two problems that Zi Yan experienced in the original story.
Lin Ming's eyes revealed a hint of worry as he carefully analyzed the potential problems Zi Yan might encounter when she returned to absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
Firstly, the energy of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is too immense. Zi Yan's current strength is still weak, and none of the people currently on East Dragon Island have experience in absorbing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. In addition, they urgently need a Dragon Emperor to suppress the scattered Ancient Void Dragon Clan, so they will simply let Zi Yan absorb it like this.
In that case, Zi Yan would be unable to absorb the excessive power of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and would be Energy Crystallization.
Lin Ming knew all too well how powerful the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was; it contained the essence of the Dragon Clan and Phoenix Clan and was a rare treasure in the world. However, Zi Yan's current strength was not enough to withstand such a massive amount of energy, and if she were to absorb it rashly, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Although in the original story Xiao Yan was able to melt the crystal with his Power of Exotic Flame, allowing Zi Yan to escape her predicament and absorb the immense medicinal power of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Lin Ming, who is stronger than Xiao Yan now, could have done the same. However, Lin Ming was unwilling to let Zi Yan suffer like that.
Secondly, even if Zi Yan advanced to the Dou Sheng realm after absorbing the power, she still wouldn't have the ability to easily suppress the other three Dragon Island of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan besides East Dragon Island.
After absorbing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, Zi Yan's strength was comparable to the other three Dragon Kings of the Dragon Island, all at the Three-star Dou Sheng. Although Zi Yan could defeat the other Three Great Dragon Kings by relying on the Dragon Emperor Bloodline, without absolute dominance, how could these three, accustomed to being high and mighty Dragon King, possibly submit again to become the Dragon Emperor's subordinates?
Therefore, just like in the original story, although Zi Yan eventually unified the entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan, the rebellion of several Dragon King also caused a large number of deaths in the entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan.
Thinking of this, Lin Ming felt a pang of pity. He didn't want to see the Ancient Void Dragon Clan suffer huge losses because of internal strife, and he didn't want to see Zi Yan fall into a difficult situation.
This is something Lin Ming, who is extremely close to Zi Yan and also has memories of the Original Work Memory, definitely doesn't want to see.
Lin Ming and Zi Yan have known each other for a long time and share a deep friendship. He knows Zi Yan's kindness and innocence and doesn't want to see her suffer any harm.
Moreover, he has the Original Work Memory and knows how to avoid these problems from happening.
Lin Ming had already devised a plan to deal with this matter when he began planning the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
So when they finished resolving everything inside the Beast Spirit Barrier and were about to leave, Lin Ming deliberately spent some time alone with Zi Yan, asking her not to tell her clansmen about obtaining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit for the time being.
Lin Ming recalled the scene: he and Zi Yan were in a quiet corner, and he earnestly said to Zi Yan, "Zi Yan, don't tell your clansmen about obtaining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit yet. We'll tell them when I think of a better way."
At the time, Zi Yan felt a little confused, but when she saw Lin Ming's serious eyes and heard him ask if she believed him, Zi Yan nodded. Zi Yan trusted Lin Ming; she believed that Lin Ming would think of her and protect her.
Therefore, even though Hei Qing intervened to save the day, he was unaware of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. Hei Qing only knew that he needed to take Zi Yan back to complete the Ancient Dragon Inheritance, but he was unaware that Zi Yan had obtained the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
So when Hei Qing said he was going to take Zi Yan back, Lin Ming pulled Zi Yan aside and looked at Hei Qing, saying:
"Big Brother Hei Qing, how about we postpone Zi Yan's return to the clan? That Void Lightning Pool on your East Dragon Island has been very helpful in tempering my body, and I'd like to go there again for further tempering. But I've been away from the sect for a while now, so I need to go back and make some arrangements before I go. It won't take long, no more than two or three months. Let Zi Yan go back with me then!"
Lin Ming offered his suggestion, hoping to persuade Hei Qing.
Lin Ming had his own plans. He would use the next two or three months to go back and arrange matters within the sect, ensuring its stability and development, and resolving some issues before addressing the problem of Zi Yan absorbing the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
"But..." Hei Qing immediately hesitated.
Hei Qing was also in a dilemma. He had been ordered by the elders to take Zi Yan back. If he failed to complete the mission, he would have no way to explain himself to the elders.
Seeing this, Lin Ming immediately added, "It won't make a difference if we stay for another two or three months. Besides, if you send Zi Yan back unwillingly, no one can guarantee the effectiveness of the inheritance. It's better to let her stay with me for a while longer. Then I can go back with her, and Zi Yan won't have any resistance."
Lin Ming continued to persuade Hei Qing, emphasizing the importance of Zi Yan's mindset.
Upon hearing this, Zi Yan nodded frantically. Zi Yan couldn't wait to express her desire; she didn't want to go back now, she wanted to be with Lin Ming, and she wanted to continue her adventures outside.
Seeing that Hei Qing was clearly tempted, Lin Ming gave his final word. "Besides, I also have the Elder Dragon Seal, so you can find me anytime. Or you can come with us."
Lin Ming revealed the Elder Dragon Seal in his hand, which he had obtained from East Dragon Island. It could prove his identity and also allow Hei Qing to find him at any time.
Hei Qing nodded without further hesitation. After weighing the pros and cons, Hei Qing felt that Lin Ming's suggestion made some sense.
Hei Qing nodded and said, "Alright, then wait another two or three months. If you haven't contacted me by then, I'll contact you through the Dragon Seal."
"Thank you, Big Brother Hei Qing!" Lin Ming smiled, feeling relieved. He had finally bought precious time for the subsequent plans.
Zi Yan cheered, a bright smile spreading across her face, all her previous gloom vanishing.
Looking at the beaming Zi Yan, and then at the calm and wise Lin Ming, Hei Qing nodded inwardly. Perhaps, letting Zi Yan gain more experience outside for a while, with someone like Lin Ming looking after her, wouldn't be a bad thing.
Little did he know that the short two or three months Lin Ming had fought for would completely change the fate of Zi Yan and even the entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan.