As the Soul Realm army, like phantoms in the night, silently pounced on the Spirit Realm, unleashing a bloody storm that swept across the continent, the other Three Great Dragon Islands of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, suspended deep in the endless void and locked in a standoff, also received messengers from the East Dragon Island carrying plea for help that were enough to stir up the greed in their hearts.
North Dragon Island.
This is widely recognized as the most powerful and profound of the Four Great Dragon Islands. The island is much larger than East Dragon Island, resembling a small continent floating in the void. Its mountains rise and fall, with jagged rocks, like the exposed, rugged backs of countless sleeping Giant Dragon, exuding a vast and ancient aura.
The buildings on the island are more magnificent and rugged, mostly constructed of huge black Dragon Pattern Stone, with a cold and domineering style.
The air was no longer filled with the relatively peaceful Dragon Might of East Dragon Island, but with a more aggressive, colder, and domineering aura, as if proclaiming the strength and ambition of the owner of this place.
At this moment, inside the most magnificent "Ice Palace" on North Dragon Island, forged entirely from ten-thousand-year-old Bing Xuan, the atmosphere was solemn and tense. The North Dragon King sat high on the throne that exuded a chilling aura. His figure was extremely burly, and even when seated, he gave people a sense of oppressive power like a mountain.
His face was sinister, his cheekbones were high, and his true dragon eyes shone with a sharp light, like two cold lightning bolts. The overwhelming pressure of Late Stage Three-Star Dou Saint was like an invisible tide, naturally permeating every inch of the entire hall. This caused the many elders and commanders of North Dragon Island who stood below with their hands at their sides to not even dare to breathe, and they all held their breath and focused their minds, their postures humble.
Just then, the space in the center of the hall rippled slightly. The withered and thin figure of the Great Elder of East Dragon Island appeared somewhat hastily.
At this moment, the Great Elder deliberately suppressed his aura, appearing somewhat listless. His face showed an undisguised, heartfelt anxiety and deep exhaustion, and even his simple hemp robes seemed to be stained with dust.
Now, as soon as he appeared, he addressed the lofty North Dragon King with a hoarse and urgent voice, filled with urgency. "North Dragon King! I have no choice but to come and beg for your help! I hope you will lend a hand for the sake of our kin."
The North Dragon King looked down indifferently at the rather "disheveled" Great Elder below, a subtle yet chillingly sarcastic smile playing on his lips, his voice like icy ice clashing:
"Oh? What makes you say that, Great Elder? With you and Qing Shan, both Dou Sheng, guarding East Dragon Island, and with Zhu Li assisting you, you are safe and sound in this Void Space. Who could threaten you? Could it be... that something has gone wrong within your ranks?"
Upon hearing this, the Great Elder's face immediately showed a look of deep sorrow and worry. He sighed heavily and said in a trembling voice:
"It's not an external enemy, nor an internal strife, but... but Miss Zi Yan, who concerns the rightful future of our clan! She... she went into seclusion some time ago, attempting to forcibly refine the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit she had obtained by chance, hoping to ascend to the throne of Dragon Emperor as soon as possible and revitalize our clan! But who knew... for some unknown reason, it triggered a backlash from the domineering Dragon Phoenix Power within the fruit, causing the energy to go out of control, and actually... actually dragged her into the depths of the Dragon Tomb, that Deadly Land formed by the intertwining of the Dragon Qi of our ancestors and Spatial Turbulence —'The Dragon Burial Abyss '!"
After speaking, the Great Elder fell silent, as if he were pausing, unable to bear to say anything more, with tears glistening in his old eyes.
After a long while, the Great Elder spoke again with an even more sorrowful voice, "You know about the 'Dragon Burial Abyss,' the North Dragon King. It is Forbidden Area within Forbidden Area of Dragon Tomb! The Dragon Qi within is chaotic and disordered, the spatial structure is fragmented, and it is filled with Spatial Fragment and annihilation storms powerful enough to kill Dou Sheng! We have exhausted all our strength, even joining forces to try to stabilize that space, but we cannot even get close to the core! We can only sense Miss Zi Yan's aura from afar... which is constantly weakening and dissipating... If no one can penetrate deep into it and rescue her, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that within ten months, the last and only legitimate Dragon Emperor Bloodline of my Ancient Void Dragon Clan will... will be extinguished!"
At this moment, the Great Elder's voice was filled with grief and even a hint of genuine sob, perfectly portraying the helplessness, despair, and heart-wrenching pain of a loyal old minister facing the young master's peril and the imminent annihilation of the clan's hopes.
A glint flashed in the North Dragon King's eyes, and his body, which had been languidly leaning back on the throne, unconsciously leaned forward slightly. His icy aura instantly intensified. "Zi Yan, of the Dragon Emperor Bloodline... is trapped in the Dragon Burial Abyss? Is this true? Do you know the consequences of deceiving me?"
His mind was instantly churning like boiling water, with countless thoughts flashing through his mind. He didn't really care about Zi Yan's life or death; in fact, deep down he was happy for her to live and grow up to be the rightful Dragon Emperor. For him, a self-proclaimed "traitor," the greatest threat he could face.
But... what if he, the North Dragon King, could personally "rescue" Zi Yan? No, not just rescue her... what if he could find an opportunity in the treacherous Dragon Burial Abyss to... devour her along with the incompletely refined Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?
The thought, like a venomous snake, burrowed into his mind and grew rapidly!
The thought of the supreme power contained within the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit and Zi Yan's pure Dragon Emperor Bloodline —if he could obtain it and fuse with it...
Then he, the North Dragon King, will surpass all his clansmen throughout history, reaching an unprecedented and terrifying level! What about the Late Stage Three-Star Dou Saint? He even harbors ambitions to reach even higher levels!
At that time, he would no longer be the North Dragon King lived in a remote corner, but the true and rightful Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, whose power was enough to crush everything! The entire divided Ancient Dragon Clan would surely be reunited under his absolute power, and then he would accomplish the unparalleled feat of unifying the Magical Beast World, something that even the old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun had not been able to achieve!
All of this hinges on consuming the Dragon Emperor Bloodline and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. And now, this is undoubtedly a golden opportunity, a perfect stepping stone for him to ascend to the heavens in one leap!
"Absolutely true! I swear on my blood and soul!" The Great Elder hurriedly looked up, his face filled with an almost desperate plea.
"The rest of our clan are currently on the island, using all their remaining cultivation to maintain that space and prevent its complete collapse, buying precious time for the rescue. I have come here on behalf of the entire East Dragon Island to earnestly request the North Dragon King to lend a helping hand out of our shared bloodline! If... if you can rescue Miss Zi Yan, the entire East Dragon Island will swear the most solemn blood oath, submitting to the North Dragon Island forever, and helping you unify the Ancient Dragon Clan!"
"The entire island will submit?"
The North Dragon King's heart skipped a beat, and an indescribable surge of heat welled up within him. He forced himself to remain impassive, but the greed in the depths of his eyes burned ever brighter as he slowly said, "You, East Dragon Island, are willing to spare such a huge expense for a Dragon Emperor Bloodline whose fate is uncertain."
"To preserve the Dragon Emperor Bloodline, my East Dragon Island... has no other choice at this moment!" The Great Elder's tone was resolute, carrying a tragic and determined air.
Then, the Great Elder continued, "Of course, this matter is of great importance, so before I came here, I also sent my second brother and Zhu Li to West Dragon Island and South Dragon Island for help... After all, the Dragon Burial Abyss is extremely dangerous, and the more forces there are, the greater the hope of rescuing Miss Ziyan. When the time comes, whichever of the three of you can ultimately rescue Miss Zi Yan, my East Dragon Island... will submit to that person!"
The North Dragon King's eyes flashed intensely as he quickly weighed his options. The allure of the East Dragon Island's submission was immense, allowing him to instantly overwhelm the Western and Southern Islands in terms of both prestige and power.
But the involvement of the other two guys is indeed troublesome, meaning he can't keep all the credit for himself and may even face competition.
However, he was absolutely confident in his own strength. Although they were both Late Stage Three-Star Dou Saint, he was enough to suppress the West Dragon King South Dragon King.
Moreover, the "Dragon Burial Abyss" is a notorious place, even he finds it troublesome, so it's reasonable for East Dragon Island to ask for help, it doesn't seem fake. Most importantly, the temptation of the Dragon Emperor Bloodline and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is too great, enough to make him willing to take some risks.
"Hmph!" The North Dragon King finally spoke slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority.
"Since it concerns the survival of the Dragon Emperor Bloodline, and is of paramount importance to our clan, I will naturally not sit idly by. Here's what we'll do! In three days, I will personally lead my elite troops to your East Dragon Island! I want to see if the Dragon Burial Abyss can stop me!"
West Dragon Island.
Unlike the cold and desolate North Dragon Island, West Dragon Island's environment is extremely harsh. The island is dotted with active volcanoes of all sizes, with lava flowing slowly through the ravines like blood. The air is filled with a strong smell of sulfur and scorching fire-elemental energy, and the temperature is extremely high. The West Dragon King's temper is just like the environment here: irritable and easily angered, and he can be ignited at the slightest provocation.
Before the Second Elder of East Dragon Island, the West Dragon King did not even sit on his throne, but stood like a volcano about to erupt, radiating a scorching and violent aura.
The Second Elder's "performance" style was completely different from the Great Elder's. He didn't use such tragic emotional manipulation; instead, he displayed a straightforward, even rude, anxiety characteristic of a hardened warrior, getting straight to the point:
"West Dragon King! Enough with the nonsense! Miss Zi Yan is in grave danger, trapped in the Dragon Tomb Dragon Abyss! You know that awful place, even I, from East Dragon Island, nearly got myself killed there and couldn't get her out! Now we're out of options, so I've come to you for help!"
The Second Elder stared intently at the West Dragon King, his tone even carrying a hint of provocation. "East Dragon Island is making this clear! Three Dragon King, whoever can pull the young lady out of the Dragon Burial Abyss, East Dragon Island will fucking serve as our master! From now on, we'll follow your lead! If you, West Dragon King, have the guts and the ability, come to East Dragon Island in three days to discuss the rescue! If you're afraid of the dangers of the Dragon Burial Abyss and worried about getting yourself killed in it, then pretend I never came today! Keep hiding in your volcanic cave and continue to rule!"
This crude and provocative tactic, bordering on insults, struck precisely at the West Dragon King's most sensitive and inviolable sore spot. He was already hot-tempered and couldn't stand being looked down upon, especially by the people of East Dragon Island.
"Bullshit!" The West Dragon King roared in fury, his voice like thunder, causing volcanic ash to fall from the top of the entire hall.
"You think I'm afraid of a worthless Dragon Burial Abyss? Second brother, don't try to provoke me with that clumsy tactic! I've been to that place before!"
The West Dragon King's chest heaved violently, his breath sparking with fire, but despite his rage, the allure of East Dragon Island's submission held a fatal attraction for him.
So he sneered, "However... I'm quite interested that your entire East Dragon Island is willing to submit! I've had enough of this divided existence! Go back and tell that old codger in your clan to prepare a place for me and make sure it's clean! In three days, I will personally arrive! The Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan is rightfully mine to sit on! Hahaha!"
South Dragon Island.
The environment of South Dragon Island is relatively "normal," with mountains and rivers, and abundant energy, but it also exudes a calm and calculating aura.
The South Dragon King appears rugged and imposing, with a tall stature and a loud voice, but those who know him well know that he is actually meticulous and thoughtful, and his thoughts are extremely difficult to fathom.
When Elder Zhu Li to persuade him, the South Dragon King did not act condescendingly like the North Dragon King, nor was he as irritable and easily angered as the West Dragon King. Instead, he ordered that a seat be provided, showing considerable courtesy and respect. He carefully and repeatedly questioned him about every detail.
"Elder Zhu Li, you said it was the Dragon Burial Abyss? What were the energy fluctuations like at that time? Was Zi Yan's weakening aura continuous or intermittent? What specific types of Spatial Turbulence did you encounter when you attempted the rescue?..."
Elder Zhu Li was prepared. He sneered inwardly, but on the surface he appeared worried and willing to speak his mind.
He described the dangers of the "Dragon Burial Abyss," the chaotic Dragon Qi within, and the fragility of its spatial structure with meticulous detail, as if he had witnessed it firsthand. He also vividly depicted Zi Yan's "weak," "intermittent," and "like a candle flickering in the wind" aura, his emotions even rising, his old eyes reddening and his voice choking with emotion.
"South Dragon King! Miss Zi Yan... she is the only bloodline left in the world by His Majesty the Dragon Emperor! She is the hope for the future of our Ancient Dragon Clan! If... if anything were to happen to her in the Dragon Burial Abyss, how would we old folks face His Majesty in the afterlife?"
"If my East Dragon Island hadn't been driven to the brink of despair, with only the three of you Dragon King joining forces, perhaps... perhaps we could have found a glimmer of hope and created a miracle! Otherwise, do you think I would have come here to be humiliated? Of course, whichever of you three is capable of turning the tide and rescuing the young lady, my East Dragon Island is willing to submit to him!"
The South Dragon King narrowed his eyes, which gleamed with a restrained sharpness, and tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his chair, carefully sensing every emotional fluctuation and the logic Elder Zhu Li's every word.
However, he did not find any major flaws in this. The other party's anxiety, helplessness, and concern about the Dragon Emperor Bloodline all seemed to be genuine.
Moreover, the fact that East Dragon Island was willing to make such a huge gamble as "the entire island's submission" and "the legitimate ownership of the Dragon Emperor" also indirectly confirms the severity of the situation.
So, the South Dragon King pondered for a long time, weighing the pros and cons in his heart.
The submission of East Dragon Island signifies a tremendous expansion of power and legitimacy, a temptation far too great. Moreover, given the personalities of the North Dragon King and the West Dragon King, they will undoubtedly rush to the island upon hearing the news. If the South Dragon King does not go, he will appear cowardly, falling behind in future competition, and may even be ostracized by the other two islands.
"So be it!" The South Dragon King finally seemed to have made up his mind, letting out a heavy sigh, his face showing a sorrowful expression of considering the bigger picture.
"Since you, Zhu Li, have put it this way, and it concerns the very survival of the Dragon Emperor Bloodline, as fellow members of the Ancient Dragon Clan, I cannot stand idly by and watch them perish."
He stood up, his tone becoming solemn. "Go back and prepare. In three days, I will personally go to East Dragon Island! At that time, I will discuss the rescue plan in detail with the North Dragon King and the West Dragon King!"
Thus, the three elders, through their superb acting skills, have convinced the Three Great Dragon Kings Dragon King to head to East Dragon Island. Meanwhile, on East Dragon Island, an invisible net, using the Dragon Emperor Bloodline and the East Dragon Island's submission as bait, has quietly been cast and is about to tighten in this Void Space.