Xiao Yan: The entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan isn't as important as Zi Yan alone

After seeing Elder Zhu Li, Xiao Yan looked around the courtyard.

Although this courtyard is not luxurious, it exudes a rustic and grand atmosphere, making it a very nice place to live.

As soon as Zi Yan landed, she looked around curiously. After all, this was the place where her people lived, so of course she would be curious.

However, Zi Yan soon found herself habitually running to Xiao Yan's side again, pulling him toward the stone bench in the courtyard.

"Xiao Yan, it feels so quiet here."

Zi Yan swung her legs and looked around.

"It's not a bad thing to be quiet. Before you grow up, it's not appropriate for the whole Dragon Island to know about your existence, otherwise it will cause quite a bit of trouble." Xiao Yan smiled and ruffled her hair. "So let's settle down here for now and see what Elder Zhu Li plans to do."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan nodded obediently. When it came to serious matters, she was still very serious and obedient to Xiao Yan.

As for Queen Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian standing to the side, they didn't have much to say. They also quite liked Zi Yan younger sister, Zi Yan, and now that she had returned to her own home, they were happy about it.

Mu Qingluan also looked around with great curiosity. As a member of the Qingluan Clan, she naturally admired and was quite curious about the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.

Although the courtyard was just a simple and grand traditional building in the style of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, not particularly luxurious or eye-catching, in her eyes it was incredibly high-class and sophisticated.

This was also the first time Venerable Skyfire had visited the Ancient Void Dragon Clan of the Void. Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient for him to tour around this time, which he found somewhat regrettable.

However, from some details, Venerable Skyfire could still see the profound heritage of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan that had been passed down for many years.

The array formations outside Dragon Island alone were not something that ordinary forces could set up.

Even now, he cannot fully comprehend the array's understanding and application of Spatial Strength.

Being able to survive in the Void Realm, where Void Gale and Void Thunder crisscross, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan truly possessed an ultimate understanding of Spatial Strength, and their physical bodies were therefore extremely powerful.

Xiao Yan remained calm and composed, closing his eyes to rest and await Elder Zhu Li's return.

About an incense stick's time later, the space rippled slightly, Elder Zhu Li's figure reappeared.

Actually, he originally wanted to go find the Great Elder and the Second Elder.

However, these two elders have always been in seclusion, and they will only emerge from seclusion when faced with a life-or-death crisis.

The return of Princess Zi Yan was certainly good news for them, but it wasn't enough to interrupt their seclusion. After all, temporarily interrupting their seclusion would also cause them some harm.

Upon seeing Zhu Li appear, everyone stood up to greet him.

After all, this person is a High-Rank Half-Saint, arguably the strongest existence below the Dou Sheng, and should be treated with the respect due to him.

"Your Highness, young friend Xiao Yan."

Seeing Zhu Li smiled and greeted the two of them.

It wasn't that he didn't greet the others, but Xiao Yan was the leader of the group, so greeting him was equivalent to greeting everyone. Zi Yan was a princess of the clan, so even though he was the Third Elder, he had to show Zi Yan some respect.

"Elder Zhu Li."

Zi Yan simply nodded, while Xiao Yan bowed respectfully.

Seeing this, Zhu Li smiled and nodded to Xiao Yan, then his expression became more serious:

"Young friend Xiao Yan, you are not only His Highness's close friend but also have protected him, a kindness that East Dragon Island will always remember. As for the matter of the guest elder I mentioned earlier, what are your thoughts, young friend?"

Although our clan lives in seclusion, our storehouse contains many medicinal herbs and treasures that are hard to find elsewhere, which may be of some help to your Alchemy.

Moreover, given the relationship between Xiao Yan and His Highness, our Ancient Dragon Clan can trust our young friend even more. It's much safer than searching for other alchemists on the continent."

Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said:

"I am deeply grateful for the Xiao Yan's kindness. I will humbly accept the position of guest elder. As for Xiao Yan, I will certainly not refuse as long as it is within my power. However..."

At this point, Xiao Yan changed the subject and looked at Zi Yan:

"Zi Yan and I have been together for many years, and our friendship is deep. Now that she has returned to the Ancient Dragon Clan, I hope she can obtain sufficient resources and grow up quickly. Only in this way can she shoulder the responsibilities of the Dragon Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Li assumed that Xiao Yan was worried that East Dragon Island would treat Zi Yan badly, and quickly assured him:

"Young friend, rest assured. Oh, hehe, I should address you as Elder Xiao now. Princess Zi Yan is the last hope of our East Dragon Island. I am now in charge of Dragon Island. The resources that should be given to her will certainly not be lacking in any way. After all, we, the people of East Dragon Island, are the ones who most want her to grow up as soon as possible."

After saying that, Zhu Li took out a golden token with an ancient dragon relief from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Yan.

Clearly, this is Xiao Yan's Elder Token.

Xiao Yan took the token, examined it for a moment, and then put it away. He then shook his head, his expression becoming serious.

"Elder Zhu Li has misunderstood; that's not what I meant."

As Xiao Yan spoke, he released his soul power and set up Soul Barrier in the courtyard.

With his current soul power, it would be impossible for an ordinary Dou Zun expert to break through his Soul Barrier in a short time, unless Half-Saint expert like Elder Zhu Li intervenes.

Seeing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Elder Zhu Li clearly realized the gravity of the situation. He reached out and manipulated Spatial Strength to seal off this area, his expression also becoming solemn.

"Elder Xiao, please speak frankly. I have already disrupted the Spatial Strength here. Unless Dou Sheng personally arrives, it will be impossible to eavesdrop on the conversation here."

Xiao Yan nodded upon hearing this, his tone light, but each word he uttered carried significant weight:

"I wonder if Elder Zhu Li has ever heard of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit?"

Elder Zhu Li's pupils suddenly contracted, and his originally peaceful aura instantly surged, causing subtle ripples to spread throughout the surrounding space.

He stared intently at Xiao Yan and asked in a deep voice:

"Could it be that Elder Xiao actually knows the whereabouts of this item?"

Xiao Yan nodded and said frankly:

"To be honest, I once obtained some fragmented information by chance, and after further investigation, I can basically confirm that deep within the Bone Mountains of the Beast Domain, there exists a Dou Saint Ruins left behind after the battle between the Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Sky Phoenix."

And at the place where both sides perished, the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit may very well be born!

"The Bone Mountains ..." Elder Zhu Li repeated in a low voice, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "I know that place, but how do you know about the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, young friend? Even among my Ancient Void Dragon Clan, not many people know about this item."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan calmly replied:

"I forgot to tell Elder Zhu Li that besides being the Young President of the Danta, I am also the current young Clan Chief of the Xiao Clan. Considering that the Patriarch Jade Pendant is also on me, it's fine for you to treat me as the Clan Chief of the Xiao Clan."

Since the fall of our ancestor Xiao Xuan, the Xiao Clan has declined. Now, I am the only one left in the entire clan who can fight and fight.

I'm saying all this mainly in the hope that Elder Zhu Li will believe what I'm about to say. I believe Elder Zhu Li is aware of the reputation of my Xiao Clan.

Zhu Li was startled upon hearing this.

Really!

Xiao Yan is a descendant of Xiao Xuan!

This child certainly has the spirit of his ancestors!

"Of course, Elder Xiao, please feel free to say what you want to say!"

Zhu Li had met Xiao Xuan before and had a very good impression of the Xiao Clan.

Of course, he couldn't completely trust Xiao Yan just because of this.

But with this premise as a guarantee, he would be more receptive to what Xiao Yan said next.

"The matter of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, in fact, should have been told to me by Zi Yan, but this happened in my dream, or more precisely, a fragment of the future that I dreamed about."

Of course, I know more than just that. For example, Dragon Island today is only a quarter the size of the original Ancient Dragon Island. The other three islands are occupied by the Three Dragon Kings. The Three Great Dragon Islands, led by the North Dragon King, have always wanted to annex the East Dragon Island. Also, I know the whereabouts of your missing Dragon Emperor."

The more Xiao Yan spoke, the more solemn Zhu Li's expression became. Finally, he exclaimed in shock, "What?!"

"The Dragon Emperor? Isn't that my father?"

Zi Yan also gleaned crucial information: although Xiao Yan had mentioned Zhu Kun before, he hadn't told Zi Yan Zhu Kun's exact location.

"Well, actually, the Old Dragon Emperor is currently in the Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, deepest in the magma underground world beneath the Heavenly Burning Qi Refining Tower of the Jia Nan Academy. Of course, he didn't disappear on purpose, nor did he perish in any accident. He was simply imprisoned there by Tou She Ancient God's methods and cannot come out."

This explains why you, Zi Yan, were born in the Back Mountain of the Inner Academy. It's likely that your father used Spatial Strength to send you out before or after he was imprisoned. With his Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint strength and his true form being the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, his mastery of Spatial Strength is probably unparalleled on the continent.

Even so, he can only send you out; he can't get out himself. And with my current strength, I can't take you to see him. I need to be at least a Five-Star Dou Sheng before I can do that."

Xiao Yan nodded and said with a slight apology.

Zi Yan fell silent upon hearing this.

In fact, she was willing to believe what Xiao Yan said.

But this doesn't mean she can immediately accept the reason she became an orphan: that her father was trapped inside the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion while plotting against it.

It's not hard to guess.

Why would a Peak Nine-Star Dou Saint expert go to the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion?

What else could it be but wanting to break through to the Dou Emperor?

She couldn't quite understand why he would take such a risk while carrying her unborn child.

Moreover, Zi Yan had actually noticed another point long ago.

Neither Xiao Yan nor Zhu Li mentioned her mother in their conversations.

Then the chances are slim.

She couldn't even imagine whether her mother had died because of her father.

But since Xiao Yan didn't say anything, she didn't know how to ask.

To be honest, she never thought she had any expectations of having parents.

In particular, many of Xiao Yan's close female friends are motherless or have no parents at all.

They're all doing well.

She felt she was fitting in quite well.

But now that she knows the news about her father, she doesn't feel happy; she's even a little sad.

Everyone noticed Zi Yan's unusual expression and showed concern. Xiao Yan even pulled her into his arms, disregarding what Elder Zhu Li might think, and gently comforted her:

"Perhaps the Old Dragon Emperor does bear some responsibility for this, but at least he made a great decision and went to great lengths to send you out. He couldn't have let you be imprisoned in that dark and hopeless place from the moment you were born, could he?"

It's hard to tell right from wrong in this kind of thing. When the time is right, I'll go with you to find him. No matter what you want to say or do then, I'll support you."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's eyes reddened slightly, but she did not let the tears fall.

She couldn't cry, and she didn't want to cry.

She didn't know what the Old Dragon Emperor was thinking back then.

But she knew Xiao Yan wouldn't lie to her about something like this.

She believed him.

Upon learning of this, Zhu Li was clearly deeply shocked. He couldn't tell if Xiao Yan was lying, but he certainly felt that the Old Dragon Emperor was capable of doing something like going to the Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion.

With the Old Dragon Emperor's strength, there was indeed no place on the Dou Qi Continent that he couldn't go.

But unfortunately, he was trapped by the methods of Tou She Ancient God.

There's nothing we can do about it.

However, this still doesn't explain why Xiao Yan knows so much about the Ancient Void Dragon Clan of the Void.

Could it be that I really dreamed about all of them?

He had heard that some members of the Ling Clan with strong Dou Emperor Bloodline were able to use their innate secret techniques to Spirit Communion.

But Xiao Yan is from the Xiao Clan...

"To be honest, the main reason I brought Zi Yan to search for our clansmen was because of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit."

At this moment, Xiao Yan spoke again.

Zhu Li remained silent upon hearing this, waiting for Xiao Yan to continue.

"I do not recommend that Elder Zhu Li release the news of Zi Yan's return, including the news of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. If it weren't for the need to use your methods to find the ancient Dou Saint Ruins space containing the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, I would not want Zi Yan to come into contact with the Ancient Dragon Clan so early."

This means she has to shoulder the mission of reviving the Ancient Dragon Clan, and also face the threat of the Three Dragon Kings who have already reached the Three-Star Dou Sheng realm.

It would be better to find a way to let Zi Yan cultivate to the point where she can crush them, and then take action to suppress them with swift and decisive means.

This Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit is precisely the divine object that can shorten Zi Yan's growth time. Therefore, I would like to earnestly request Elder Zhu Li to accompany us on a trip to the Bone Mountains to help Zi Yan obtain the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. Afterward, I will take Zi Yan back to the Danta for secluded cultivation, trying to avoid the eyes and ears of the Three Dragon Kings as much as possible. Only in this way can Zi Yan's safety be guaranteed to the greatest extent.

To put it bluntly, in my opinion, the entire Ancient Void Dragon Clan is not as important as Zi Yan alone."

Xiao Yan held Zi Yan in his arms and said with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this, Elder Zhu Li's expression became somewhat complicated.

To be honest, he no longer wanted to investigate why Xiao Yan knew so much, because he also realized that what Xiao Yan said was absolutely true. Once the Three Dragon Kings learned about Zi Yan's matter, it would immediately shatter the balance of the four islands that had been maintained for many years.

East Dragon Island can still hold out for another seven or eight years, so there's no need to push Zi Yan into the spotlight so quickly just to boost morale.

That's too dangerous.

This is the only bloodline of the Old Dragon Emperor!

He made his decision almost immediately:

"Very well, since that's the case, I understand what to do. Everyone, please rest here for a day. I need to go to the treasury to prepare enough cultivation resources for His Highness. We will set off for the Bone Mountains tomorrow!"