Agreement

"Elder Zhu Li, as a matter of principle, this is a private affair of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Strictly speaking, I have no right to interfere..."

Qin Chen looked directly at Zhu Li, his voice calm but edged with steel. "But Zi Yan is a good friend of mine. She was abandoned outside the clan as a child, and now that she's finally found her people, you're placing such a heavy burden on her shoulders. Isn't that going too far?"

His words carried an undisguised challenge, and an equally undisguised desire to protect her.

At Qin Chen's challenge, Zhu Li gave a bitter smile. "You misunderstand, young friend. We aren't forcing her. Zi Yan is the only one who can save the divided Ancient Dragon Clan."

He paused, then continued, "I've examined Princess Zi Yan's bloodline. Its purity and strength are in no way inferior to her father's—the previous Dragon Emperor of our clan."

At the mention of the missing Dragon Emperor, fervor rose in Zhu Li's eyes.

Back then, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan had been one of the greatest powers on the Battle Qi Continent!

Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun had commanded respect on every side. Even the Ancient Eight Clans had yielded him three parts of courtesy. How had they fallen so far that the resources of a quarter of Dragon Island could not compare to those of the Heaven Demon Phoenix Clan, whom they had once regarded as food?

It was a disgrace beyond bearing!

Zhu Li drew a deep breath and steadied himself. "Once Princess Zi Yan's Imperial Bloodline reaches its initial maturity, dealing with those three rebels will be no problem. Eastern Dragon Island will devote everything it has to her cultivation and help her grow quickly."

"By your estimate, how long will it