Zi Yan: What's with That Expression? What's with That Look in Your Eyes?

"It's about the Ancient Sky Phoenix Blood Essence and the Sky Phoenix Wings." Xiao Yan said, taking out the remaining one and a half bottles of Ancient Sky Phoenix Blood Essence and the Sky Phoenix Wings that had been briefly refined by the Master of Devouring. He continued, "I want to refine this Heavenly Phoenix Blood Essence and then refine the Sky Phoenix Wings into Flying Dou Technique. But as you know, I now possess the bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon. If I act rashly, it might cause my bloodline to surge violently. Therefore, I would like to ask the elders for advice on this matter."

After hearing Xiao Yan's concerns, Elder Zhu Li's expression also became more serious.

The Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Sky Phoenix have always been at odds, often fighting whenever they meet; they are truly irreconcilable enemies.

Therefore, in most cases, the bloodlines of the two races are also like this: if a drop of Heavenly Phoenix Blood Essence and a drop of Ancient Dragon Essence Blood collide, they will basically explode on the spot.

Especially for someone like Xiao Yan who has just transformed into the Ancient Void Dragon Body, if he rashly refines the Heavenly Phoenix Blood Essence, he will definitely be injured as a result. Even if the Sky Phoenix Wings are refined into Flying Dou Technique, they cannot be integrated into the body and connected to the bones and flesh.

However, it's not entirely without room for maneuver.

After all, there are Dragon-Phoenix beings in this world that perfectly combine the bloodlines of the Ancient Void Dragon and the Ancient Sky Phoenix.

"Elder Xiao need not worry about this. After Zi Yan refines the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit and transforms herself into Dragon-Phoenix Physique, you only need to ask her to give you a drop of her essence blood. You can then use the power of the Dragon-Phoenix Blood Essence to harmonize the bloodline within your body."

If you're lucky, you might even be able to achieve the Dragon-Phoenix Physique.

Although this differs somewhat from Princess Zi Yan's method of completely evolving her bloodline using the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, and the resulting Dragon-Phoenix Physique is somewhat inferior, it is still Dragon-Phoenix Physique. Its bloodline pressure is no less than that of the pure-blooded direct descendants of the Ancient Void Dragon Royal Clan, such as His Majesty the Dragon Emperor."

Xiao Yan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Good heavens, he actually has a chance to obtain the Dragon-Phoenix Physique?

He originally thought that after obtaining the Ancient Void Dragon Body and turning the Ancient Sky Phoenix wings into Flying Dou Technique, he could at least be considered a basic version of the Dragon-Phoenix. He never expected that he could actually obtain the Dragon-Phoenix Physique.

Even if it can't compare to Zi Yan's truly perfect Dragon-Phoenix Physique, it is still Dragon-Phoenix, a legendary physique capable of suppressing the Ancient Void Dragon, the Ancient Sky Phoenix, and the Heavenly Demon Phoenix.

"I see, thank you for your Elder Zhu Li!"

Xiao Yan cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile.

He originally only intended to refine the Sky Phoenix Wings into Flying Dou Technique, but now it seems there is no need to go through the trouble of refining it. He can directly use the power of the Dragon-Phoenix Bloodline to fuse with the Dragon Bone Phoenix Wings and evolve into the Dragon-Phoenix Physique!

"However," Elder Zhu Li stroked his beard, his tone turning serious, "This matter also needs to be handled step by step. The energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit is extremely vast. In my opinion, it would be safer to wait until Your Highness has fully entered adulthood and stabilized your realm and Dragon-Phoenix Physique before taking your essence blood to harmonize your bloodline."

Xiao Yan nodded and quickly assured him:

"Rest assured, Elder, I will prioritize Zi Yan's safety and will never disrupt her cultivation."

"Excellent." Elder Zhu Li's eyes also showed a hint of anticipation as he smiled and said, "You are cautious in your actions and have high talent. Your future achievements are limitless. Once you successfully harmonize your bloodline and possess the Dragon-Phoenix Body, coupled with your powerful Heavenly Flames, you will probably be hard to find an opponent of the same level. Even if you advance to the level of Dou Sheng in the future, challenging opponents of higher levels will not be difficult at all."

Xiao Yan smiled slightly upon hearing this, but he had already begun to plan his next move.

Now that the matter of reviving Old Yao is settled, the next step is to help Zi Yan refine the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit. At the same time, I must also seize the time to improve my strength. The situation in Central Plains is turbulent, and the Soul Hall remains a major concern. I must quickly acquire the power to counter it.

The two then discussed some details until night fell, at Elder Zhu Li left.

After seeing Elder Zhu Li, Xiao Yan didn't rush to cultivate anymore. He spent his days sleeping with Queen Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian.

The two women also felt sorry for Xiao Yan, so they didn't make excessive demands on him. They simply relaxed and rested together for a few days.

Three days later.

After careful deduction, Elder Zhu Li finally found a reliable method for sealing.

He summoned Xiao Yan to the quiet room and said solemnly:

"Elder Xiao, it was previously said that the energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit was too great and not conducive to His Highness's absorption. After these few days of research, I have specially improved and deduced a Heavenly Flame Seal from a special sealing technique of the Ancient Dragon Clan."

This method uses Heavenly Flames as its source, drawing array patterns along the meridians of His Highness's body to draw out the energy of the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit through the seal, circulating it throughout his body and gradually refining it.

However, the entry of the Heavenly Flames into the body will undoubtedly be extremely painful, and clothing will also be damaged. Therefore, the task of setting up the seal will probably have to be completed by you alone, young friend."

Xiao Yan had been listening with a serious expression, but after hearing the last sentence, he couldn't help but show a look of surprise.

Wow, setting up a seal can even come with perks?

Of course, this is only possible because of Xiao Yan. If it were anyone else, daring to covet Zi Yan, they would have been punched into mincemeat by Elder Zhu Li long ago.

After all, Elder Zhu Li Ancient Void Dragon who had reached the prime of his life, so his strength was beyond question.

Zhu Li didn't care what Xiao Yan thought. His Highness was practically drooling over Elder Xiao. He was 100% uneasy about entrusting the seal to anyone else, but if he gave it to Xiao Yan...

That makes it very secure!

So he took out a jade slip and handed it to Xiao Yan:

"Elder Xiao, the sealing technique is here. You... should use it wisely."

Xiao Yan took the jade slip, scanned it with his soul power, and immediately memorized the complex fire array pattern within.

"Yes, leave this to me!"

With a plan already in mind, Xiao Yan nodded and agreed.

That night.

Having thoroughly mastered the sealing formation, Xiao Yan led Zi Yan into the quiet room.

Because she has not yet fully entered her mature stage, Zi Yan cannot maintain her Zi Yan form and has already reverted to her teenage form.

"Aren't you going to rest for a few days? I heard from Sister Cailin that you're quite tired."

Zi Yan skipped in, glanced at Xiao Yan's face but didn't notice anything unusual, yet she couldn't help but ask with concern.

Although she often acts like a playful and gluttonous little girl, always laughing and joking, she has experienced many hardships and setbacks in her early years. How could her mind really be as simple as that of a carefree little girl? She has her own standards for judging things.

She couldn't possibly say she didn't like Xiao Yan, who had always tried his best to do everything for her, taking meticulous care of her and showering her with affection.

On the contrary, she had already secretly fallen for Xiao Yan back in the Jia Nan Academy.

Now the mystery of his origins has been revealed, his clansmen have been found, and he has even obtained the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, which allows him to directly enter the Ninth-Tier Magical Beast Realm, comparable to Dou Sheng Expert.

This not only means that she can become stronger, become someone who can fight alongside Xiao Yan, or even protect him, but also that she will fully enter maturity and will no longer be able to accompany Xiao Yan as a little girl.

She could also be like Sister Cailin, holding Xiao Yan's arm, walking down the streets of Holy Pill City, openly and proudly being with Xiao Yan as his girlfriend.

She could also be intimate with Xiao Yan, share a bed, and become the closest of lovers.

After realizing this, Zi Yan's mindset also changed.

Even though she still looked like a young girl, the way she looked at Xiao Yan no longer concealed her concern for him and her affection for him.

She no longer wanted to suppress the feelings that had been buried deep in her heart for so many years.

She wanted to officially be with Xiao Yan.

She wants to be Xiao Yan's girlfriend!

Her concern for Xiao Yan just now was neither as a senior student nor as a younger sister's concern for her older brother, as they usually do.

Instead, she cares for her partner as a girlfriend.

Xiao Yan felt sorry for her, who had endured so much hardship and setbacks at such a young age. He had been the one to bear so much of the burden, even the pressure.

But deep down she knew very well that, in the end, Xiao Yan was just a seventeen-year-old boy, and he was even under greater pressure, to the point that he often didn't even have time to sleep, as he devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

He has already done so much for her.

No one had ever taught Zi Yan what love was, but Zi Yan felt that Xiao Yan treated her very well. She didn't know if it counted as love, but she was afraid she couldn't live without him for the rest of her life, and she didn't even want to leave Xiao Yan.

She absolutely had to be with him!

Xiao Yan didn't really notice Zi Yan's inner thoughts, since he didn't have mind-reading abilities.

But as someone who has many girlfriends, Xiao Yan could tell that Zi Yan's gaze towards him seemed to have changed.

But he had important business to attend to right now, and he wouldn't be talking about love at a time like this. As for Zi Yan's concern for him, he smiled and reached out to pull Zi Yan into his arms so that the girl wouldn't have to look up at him to talk.

"As for being tired, it's not actually that tiring. At my age, I'm naturally full of energy. In addition, the Great Sun Separation Fire Body has tempered my blood and qi to be extremely vigorous, and I also obtained the Ancient Void Dragon Body, so my energy is far beyond that of ordinary people."

Furthermore, with my current Late Spirit Realm soul power, my spirit has become even stronger. To be honest, some Dou Sheng Expert might not even be able to reach my current level in terms of soul power.

So I personally feel fine, not that tired.

Xiao Yan held Zi Yan in his arms, looked her in the eye, a gentle smile on his lips, and spoke softly.

Looking at Xiao Yan's gentle smile, Zi Yan really wanted to say: How could he not be tired? In just seven years, he went from Dou Zhe to Dou Zun without the support of Dou Emperor Bloodline. He relied entirely on desperate cultivation and even devoured six different kinds of Heavenly Flames!

Even the most talented person in the world could not replicate Xiao Yan's terrifying cultivation path.

It requires not only talent, but also all your energy, and even risking your life to have even the slightest chance of success.

But Xiao Yan did it.

He didn't even complain, nor was he overwhelmed; he just smiled and said he didn't feel tired.

The fact that he says he doesn't feel tired actually means that he is indeed very tired, doesn't it?

He simply didn't want to worry her, or the women he protected, cared for, and loved.

But before she could finish speaking, Zi Yan reached out and cupped Xiao Yan's face in her small hands. She even used the unique Spatial Strength manipulation techniques of the Ancient Void Dragon Xiao Yan kiss him on the cheek before he could react.

Sneak attack!

"Hmph, you big liar, you're definitely going to have a tough time tonight. I don't have anything else to give you, so this is the only reward I can offer."

Zi Yan withdrew her hands, forcing herself to remain calm. She put her hands on her hips, raised her chin, and said with an arrogant expression.

Actually, her ears were already red.

As a result, Xiao Yan's next words to her were about Hong Wen.

"Hey, what else can you do besides get my face covered in drool? And you're rewarding me? You're clearly just craving me again. Let me tell you, we're from the same clan now. Eating me is against the clan rules and you'll be severely punished!"

Xiao Yan looked at Zi Yan with a disgusted expression, then solemnly admonished her.

It's hard!

It's not that my Little Dou Dou, it's that my fist has hardened!

How dare this guy look down on her like that!

She is destined to be the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan of the Void!

She is also Xiao Yan's empress!

In other words, she could even be Xiao Yan's master!

Damn it, once she refines the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit, she'll definitely lock Xiao Yan up in some desolate, godforsaken place where no one can find him, and devour him whole!

What clan rules could possibly restrain her?

As the Dragon Emperor, whatever she tells Xiao Yan to do, he has to do!

"Hmph, you just wait, I'll make you pay one day!"

Zi Yan waved her little fist and punched Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan simply smiled at this, then stretched out his arm, so Zi Yan couldn't reach his chest and face, and could only punch his arm.

Hey hey, it doesn't hurt at all!

Haven't you eaten?

Push harder!

How could she, a Seventh Tier Ancient Void Dragon, possibly possibly be able to defeat Xiao Yan, an Eighth Tier Ancient Void Dragon?

You probably don't have the ability to know!

But...

As the old saying goes, when there's a significant size difference, the smaller person might be genuinely angry, while the larger person might perceive it as the other person being affectionate.

That's exactly how Xiao Yan feels right now.

Who do you think figured out Zi Yan's secret?

So cute!

Seeing that Xiao Yan's gaze was becoming increasingly tender and doting, Zi Yan realized that this guy hadn't taken her earlier "anger" seriously at all.

But...

What's with that expression?

What's with that look in your eyes?

I'm angry!

If you're not going to comfort me, fine, but why are you smiling so indulgently?

Do you think I'm being coquettish?

Ah!?

(ﾒ`DER´)ﾒ!!!

"Okay, okay, don't be angry. I'll allow you to reward yourself one more time."

Xiao Yan bent his arm back and raised his profile.

At the same time, he revealed an expression of a humiliated young hero, as if to say, "She-devil, are you satisfied now?" This immediately made Zi Yan, whose expression had just softened slightly, fly into a rage again!

"Aaaaaaaaah!"

With a roar like a raging dragon, Zi Yan lunged at Xiao Yan, baring her fangs and claws.

"What kind of expression is that, you jerk!"

Zi Yan angrily grabbed Xiao Yan's neck and shook him violently.

Xiao Yan stuck out his tongue, rolled his eyes, and looked like he was about to be strangled, but he didn't say a word.