A Great Opportunity?

Zi Yan had never expected that even old Su Qian had failed to see through her true form, yet Ling Yuan had seen through it today.

Ling Yuan deliberately showed a hint of surprise. "Don't tell me you don't even know what your true form is?"

Zi Yan lowered her head, her mood somewhat downcast, and said softly, "When I was little, I accidentally ate Transformation Grass, so I've stayed like this ever since. I can't grow up, and I can't turn back into my original form either."

"That explained it. How could anyone not know their own true form?"

Zi Yan looked at him pleadingly. "Ling Yuan, you said my true form is an Ancient Void Dragon. Is that true? Can you take me there? I was abandoned when I was little. I really want to find them and ask them why they didn't want me!"

"I... I'll help you find more heavenly treasures in exchange later."

After thinking for a long time, Zi Yan felt that this was the only thing of value she had.

It was clear that Zi Yan's obsession ran quite deep.

Ling Yuan could understand Zi Yan as well. She had grown up without her parents by her side, fighting magical beasts for food and being bullied by them as a matter of course.

Under such circumstances, how could Zi Yan not hate the people who had abandoned her?

"You're definitely an Ancient Void Dragon. My soul is stronger than an ordinary person's, so I could see through you. Besides, your ability to seek treasures is unique to Ancient Void Dragons."

"Of course I can take you there. We're the best partners!"

Ling Yuan paused before adding, "But I just left my clan, and I still need to train outside for a while. Do you want to wait for me at Jia Nan Academy, or come with me?"

That was right. Ling Yuan did not want to return to his clan so soon.

Since he was already here, he wanted to make a trip to the Jia Ma Empire and see just how far Xiao Yan had come.

Had Xiao Yan already discovered Yao Lao within the ring and begun his rise to power, or was he still stuck at the third stage of Dou Qi, regarded by everyone as trash?

If it was the latter, Ling Yuan would not mind lending Xiao Yan a "helping" hand.

He would cure Xiao Yan's illness, then naturally take away the ring hiding Yao Chen.

Without Yao Chen, no matter how talented Xiao Yan was or how much help Gu Xun'er gave him, he would be finished.

After that, no one would come to compete with him for opportunities like the Bodhi Ancient Tree...

Honestly, if Ling Yuan had not been given two cheat abilities by the system, he might have chosen to befriend Xiao Yan and follow this chosen protagonist all the way until he became an emperor.

Though it would take a long time, it would still be a very safe path.

But things were different now. He had Origin Qi, and he would soon have Zhu Kun as a powerful backer. There was no need for him to fawn over Xiao Yan.

Ling Yuan would become an emperor by himself.

He wanted every single top-tier opportunity on this continent!

Zi Yan said, "I want to train with you! I can help you find treasures along the way."

She had long grown tired of staying at Jia Nan Academy. Now that she had the chance to go out with Ling Yuan, she naturally would not let it slip away.

More importantly, she was afraid Ling Yuan would sneak away and leave her behind without taking her to find her clansmen.

"Alright, then let's go!"

"Wait for me a moment. I'll have someone pass a message to old Su Qian so he won't worry."

Although Zi Yan was often scolded by Su Qian, he truly treated her well, so she still had to let him know.

Ling Yuan led Zi Yan to a spot not far from the entrance of Jia Nan Academy. Quite a few students passed by along the way.

Zi Yan casually stopped two passing students. The moment they saw her, they were so frightened that they jumped, thinking they had somehow offended the infamous King of Brute Force. Their faces turned pale.

Only after Zi Yan explained that she merely wanted them to deliver a message did the two finally relax and nod repeatedly.

"Don't worry, Senior Zi Yan. We'll definitely deliver the message!"

After saying that, the two of them practically fled.

Ling Yuan stood where he was, his gaze directed toward the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower deep within the academy. For a moment, he became lost in thought.

Beneath the base of that tower lay the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion.

With a single thought, he could activate the system-given ability to remove all restrictions. The seal would open directly, allowing Zhu Kun, who had been trapped for countless years, to see daylight again.

"Ling Yuan, let's go!"

After handling the matter, Zi Yan skipped back to his side with a delighted smile.

She could train outside with Ling Yuan, find her clansmen soon, and resolve the knot buried in her heart for so many years. Her mood could not have been better.

Ling Yuan came back to his senses and looked down at Zi Yan, who was only as tall as his waist.

He took her little hand and replied with a smile, "Alright, let's set off and hunt for treasures!"

In the end, Ling Yuan decided to follow his original plan and did not release Zhu Kun.

The favorability he had earned from Zi Yan was not enough yet. It was still far from enough. If he released Zhu Kun now, Zhu Kun would at most owe him a favor.

Ling Yuan was not after a one-time favor. He wanted Zhu Kun to work for him for the rest of his life!

He would wait until Zi Yan's favorability was maxed out, help her unify Dragon Island, and only then release Zhu Kun...

The Soul Clan's move against the Ling Clan would happen in the year the Gu Clan's Heavenly Tomb opened, which was still more than a decade away.

And Ling Yuan was fully confident that he could finish all those matters within three to five years.

By then, once he had won Zi Yan over, whatever he wanted Zhu Kun to do, Zhu Kun would have to do it... Hehehe.

And so, Ling Yuan traveled onward with Zi Yan, killing magical beasts as they journeyed.

Ling Yun followed the two under orders, secretly protecting them from the shadows.

Zi Yan was responsible for sensing the locations of heavenly treasures, while Ling Yuan dealt with the magical beasts guarding them. Their roles were clearly divided, their teamwork grew increasingly seamless, and their relationship became ever closer.

One day, after killing a sixth-tier magical beast near the Black-Corner Region, the two headed toward their next target.

As they flew high in the sky, Zi Yan suddenly pointed downward.

"Ling Yuan, look at that huge pit below. It looks like a claw!"

Ling Yuan lowered his head and looked.

On the flat plain, an enormous pit spanning several thousand zhang had abruptly appeared. Its outline was distinct, identical to the shape of a dragon claw.

How powerful would someone have to be to unleash such an attack?

Ling Yuan sighed in wonder. He had not expected that even a remote place like the Northwest Continent would attract powerful experts.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped.

Wait...

The Black-Corner Region was near Jia Nan Academy, and a dragon claw mark had appeared here.

Could this pit have been made by Zhu Kun?

What kind of expert could possibly be worthy of Zhu Kun taking action?

"Ling Yuan, what's wrong?" Zi Yan looked at him in confusion.

Ling Yuan suddenly recalled something his father had once said: if he encountered unusually shaped pits or caves, he should take a look inside. There might be an unexpected harvest.

Somehow, Ling Yuan also felt that something below was drawing him in.

"Let's go down and take a look. There might be something there."

Even if there was nothing, they would only waste a little time. There was nothing to lose.

With that mindset, Ling Yuan slowly descended with Zi Yan and landed at the bottom of the enormous dragon claw pit.

He immediately spread out his soul power and carefully examined the surroundings.

At a glance, the area was completely empty. There was nothing at all.

But Ling Yuan still felt that something was wrong with this place. He did not give up easily and continued expanding his search range, even having Ling Yun join in the search.

Zi Yan obediently chewed on medicinal pills at the side without disturbing Ling Yuan.

Still, she felt there would be no treasure here.

She was quite confident in her treasure-seeking ability.

Yet even after Ling Yun finished searching, he shook his head, unable to detect anything unusual.

Ling Yuan did not give up. He took Zi Yan back into the air, stared down at the huge pit, and directly activated his Dou Qi, raining down a violent barrage of attacks.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A continuous series of explosions rang out as dust flew everywhere. The original pit was blasted deeper and wider.

When the dust slowly dispersed, Ling Yuan's gaze sharpened.

At the very center of the pit, a deeper and narrower dark hole had appeared.

His previous attacks definitely had not created it.

There really is something here. Ling Yuan felt a surge of joy.

Had he truly stumbled upon a great opportunity?