With all the questions and explanations temporarily put to rest, the heavy atmosphere that had permeated the Ancient Emperor Space was gradually replaced by a new solemnity filled with anticipation and tension.
Next comes Zi Yan's ultimate goal for this trip, and a crucial step that will determine Zi Yan future fate—refining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!
Zhu Kun's enormous dragon eyes no longer held anger or guilt; instead, they held an absolute focus and solemnity befitting a father and Dragon Emperor.
He knew all too well how domineering the power contained in this fruit was, and he was also aware of the enormous risks involved in the refining process. He had to ensure that nothing went wrong.
When Zi Yan learned that the refining process was about to begin, and that it might last for a long time, even leading to a long period of slumber, her amethyst-like eyes did not immediately look at her father who was about to grant her power. Instead, she subconsciously looked at Lin Ming beside her with deep reluctance.
Zi Yan's eyes held a complex and indescribable expression. There was a hint of trepidation about the unknown evolution, a desire for increased power, but more than anything, there was a pure dependence and reluctance to part.
The long sleep meant that for a long time, she would not see Lin Ming, who had always been with her, protected her, and given her warmth and "Sugar Pill".
This was more unsettling to her than the danger of the refining process itself.
So, at this moment, Zi Yan thought to herself that she should take advantage of the present moment to see all the parts she wouldn't be able to see again.
Looking into Zi Yan's eyes, which seemed to etch his image into her, Lin Ming's heart was touched to the softest spot.
So he stepped forward, reached out, and as he had done countless times before, gently stroked Zi Yan's smooth, long purple hair, a warm and reassuring smile on his face.
"Silly girl!" Lin Ming's voice was filled with his usual doting and encouraging tone.
"Don't worry, I'm right here!"
Then, Lin Ming said with a smile, "Go and complete your evolution! This is an incredible opportunity, something others would kill for. I'm waiting for you to successfully evolve and become much stronger so you can take me to sweep across the land and plunder all the treasure vaults in the Middle Continent! Just don't complain about me ordering you around then."
Lin Ming used a lighthearted and joking tone to ease the sadness of parting and also painted a fun and interesting picture of the future for Zi Yan.
Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Ming's words, the reluctance in Zi Yan's eyes was immediately replaced by a surge of eager excitement.
So she nodded vigorously, her little face full of seriousness and a confident "I'll take care of it" attitude, and assured Lin Ming:
"Yes, yes! Don't worry, Lin Ming! When the time comes, whatever you want, no matter what kind of treasure it is or which sect it's hidden in, I'll go and snatch it for you! If anyone dares to refuse, I'll beat them until they give it to me!"
Her declaration of becoming a "future bandit leader," coupled with her youthful face, made her both adorable and irresistibly funny.
But behind these simple words lies her unwavering protection and commitment to Lin Ming.
Lin Ming skillfully resolved Zi Yan's sorrow and longing for home, transforming it into anticipation for the future.
Having made her decision, Zi Yan took a deep breath, as if she had matured instantly. She turned her head, her gaze resolute as she looked at the enormous dragon head in the darkness, her clear voice echoing through the space:
"Father, let's begin!"
His voice carried a hint of longing for power, and even more so, a trust in his father.
"Okay!" Zhu Kun's voice responded loudly, filled with utmost solemnity and a hint of barely suppressed excitement.
As soon as she finished speaking, Zi Yan slowly raised her small hand. On her fair palm, a complex and mysterious Dragon Phoenix Patterns was emitting a faint golden and purple light.
The patterns seemed alive, with faint sounds of Dragon Roar Phoenix Cry singing emanating from them.
This is the form she temporarily sealed and manifested by using the power of her own Ancient Void Dragon Royal Bloodline, combined with a special sealing method, to seal the power of that raging Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
At this moment, with a thought from Zi Yan, the Dragon Phoenix Patterns on her hand shone brightly!
"Buzz--!"
An indescribable, ancient, and primal aura, yet imbued with the Bloodline Power, suddenly swept across the entire Ancient Emperor Space!
In an instant, two illusory figures, a dragon and a phoenix, intertwined and swirled within the light, radiating an aura that commanded the submission of all things! Even this space constructed by Dou Di seemed to tremble slightly.
A phantom of an energy fruit, roughly the size of a fist, with an irregular shape and a golden-purple hue, slowly emerged from the patterns on the surface. It seemed to contain the Supreme Principle and earth.
As soon as it appeared, the surrounding energy involuntarily converged towards it, which was the manifestation of the true energy of that God - the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!
Upon seeing this true Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, even with Zhu Kun's millennia-old composure, his enormous pupils couldn't suppress the burst of excitement and exhilaration!
This is not only a tremendous opportunity for my daughter, but also the hope for the Ancient Void Dragon Clan to regain its ancient glory!
Without the slightest hesitation, purple-gold light began to flow and converge on Zhu Kun's enormous dragon body.
The next moment, drops of blood, shimmering with a deep purple-gold luster and containing unimaginable energy and life essence, slowly rose from beneath his indestructible dragon scales, like summoned spirits.
This blood is not ordinary dragon blood, but Zhu Kun's Natal Blood Essence!
Each drop embodies his life's cultivation as the Dragon Emperor, his bloodline essence, and a portion of his Soul Imprint. They are incredibly precious, and losing even one drop would cause him considerable damage, let alone dozens of drops in front of him!
Under Lin Ming's shocked gaze, the purple-gold Dragon Emperor Essence Blood, as if possessing life, gathered in the air into a small stream, exuding a heart-palpitating pressure and boundless vitality, and slowly flowed towards the direction where Zi Yan was.
Their goal was not to directly merge into Zi Yan's body, but rather, like the gentlest yet strongest cocoon, to begin wrapping Zi Yan, along with the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit radiating golden-purple light above her palm, in circles and meticulously!
The process was slow and steady, with the Purple-Gold Blood blending with the golden-purple light of the fruit, creating a strange resonance.
Gradually, an oval-shaped, Purple-Gold Giant Cocoon, about the height of a person, began to slowly take shape in the void.
The surface of the giant cocoon shimmers with Radiant Flow, and the faint outlines of Dragon Pattern and phoenixes appear alternately, exuding a powerful aura of life being conceived and transformed.
When the last drop of Essence Blood merged into the giant cocoon and its surface became smooth and stable, even with Zhu Kun's unfathomable cultivation, Lin Ming keenly sensed that a deep sense of exhaustion was unmistakably revealed in his enormous, Blood Moon -like pupils.
Forcing out so much of his Natal Blood Essence at once was a huge burden, even for him. At this moment, his dragon head even drooped slightly, and his aura was much weaker than before.
However, Zhu Kun did not care about his own exhaustion. Instead, he let out a hearty and proud laugh. Although his voice was weaker than before, it was full of satisfaction.
"Lin Ming!" Zhu Kun turned his gaze to Lin Ming, his expression one of openness as if he were family, and said, "You're no outsider either, so your uncle will be frank with you today and explain the ins and outs of this."
Zhu Kun's enormous dragon eyes gazed at the suspended Purple-Gold Giant Cocoon, and he slowly explained, "Refining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit using ordinary methods is actually extremely risky."
"The Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix are sworn enemies, their Bloodline Power inherently repelling each other. Forcibly fusing them would easily lead to a loss of balance, causing them to be internally impacted and explode by these two completely different yet equally domineering supreme energies!"
"There are precedents in history. However, Zi Yan's strength is still weak, and her control over her own bloodline is not yet profound enough. If she were to refine it using the conventional method, the chance of failure would be... even higher."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ming's expression also turned serious; he had anticipated this.
"But!"
Zhu Kun's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable domineering air and a deep fatherly love.
"Zi Yan is my daughter! My daughter Zhu Kun's daughter, how could I let her take even the slightest risk?!"
"So, I used a method that no one before me had ever used, and perhaps only I could use." His tone carried a hint of pride and determination.
"That is to use my Dragon Emperor Essence Blood as a medium and furnace to first fuse and refine the power of this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit with the pure Dragon Emperor's power contained in my Essence Blood in the outside world! Utilizing my realm, which far exceeds the energy of this fruit, I will forcibly suppress and harmonize the repulsive power belonging to the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix, transforming its violent medicinal properties into gentle and easily absorbed primordial energy!"
Zhu Kun looked at the giant cocoon with gentle eyes. "And Zi Yan, she is the continuation of my bloodline, possessing a perfect affinity with my Essence Blood. When she is inside this 'cocoon' constructed from my Essence Blood, she can absorb the energy of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, which has been initially refined and docile, and... the immense Dragon Emperor Origin Energy contained within my Essence Blood, without any hindrance or risk!"
Zhu Kun's voice carried a hint of excitement. "In this way, not only will Zi Yan be safe, but the benefits she can gain will far exceed those of absorbing a single Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!"
"She has essentially absorbed both the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and a portion of my Dragon Emperor Origin! Thus, when she hatches, her strength and bloodline purity will likely reach an astonishing level that even I find difficult to accurately predict!"
Finally, Zhu Kun concluded, "Zi Yan is currently in the most perfect incubation stage. This cocoon is both protection and nourishment. Although this process will certainly take a long time, here, in this Ancient Emperor Space, the one thing we have in abundance is time."
After listening to Zhu Kun's insightful yet simple explanation, Lin Ming felt enlightened, and at the same time, he was filled with immense shock and admiration.
This Dragon Emperor, for the sake of his daughter, not only sacrificed his precious Natal Blood Essence, but also pioneered an unprecedented refining method full of wisdom and paternal love! This is undoubtedly the best way to ensure Zi Yan's safety and maximize her benefits!
At this moment, Zhu Kun's enormous dragon eyes gazed at the Purple-Gold Giant Cocoon in the void, which radiated a powerful life force and a majestic Dragon Phoenix aura, and his eyes were filled with anticipation.
He eagerly anticipated the day when Zi Yan would emerge from her cocoon, a day of breathtaking beauty and immense power! She would surely become a true dragon-phoenix, soaring high above the heavens and commanding all Dragon Phoenix!
And he firmly believes that day is not too far away.
Thus, in this silent Ancient Emperor Space, an astonishing transformation concerning bloodline and power has quietly begun.