A challenge from Xiao Yan

When the old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, a member of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, seemed to transform into a vengeful dragon and stared at him, even Xiao Lin felt a chill run down his spine.

Clearly, although Zi Yan has acknowledged Zhukun as her father, her dependence on Xiao Lin still surpasses that on Zhukun!

Zhulong was naturally aware of this as well.

This made him feel both grateful and jealous towards Xiao Lin!

The gratitude stemmed from the fact that Xiao Lin had earned Zi Yan's reliance on him, clearly showing that he genuinely cared for his daughter.

Jealousy is also easy to understand.

After all, for a doting father, what could be more heartbreaking than his daughter depending on someone else more than on him?

Seeing this, what could Xiao Lin do but laugh awkwardly?

After some playful tussle and Xiao Lin's mediation, Zhukun and his daughter Zi Yan finally reached an agreement.

From then on, every three months, Zi Yan would come down to visit her elderly father for two or three days.

Although Zhukun wanted to keep his daughter by his side forever, he also knew that if he did that, they might only be father and daughter in name only!

Moreover, although Zhukun wanted to make amends to his daughter, he actually hoped even more that Zi Yan could be happy.

Forcing them to stay here will obviously only have the opposite effect!

On this point, Zhukun is not entirely oblivious.

And so, after the agreement was finalized, amidst Zhukun's reluctant gaze, Xiao Lin sent Zi Yan, whose eyes were somewhat darting, out of the space where the Ancient Emperor's Cave was located.

On the way back, looking at Zi Yan who had been silent beside him, Xiao Lin couldn't help but sigh.

"Hey, Zi Yan, haven't you figured out how to get along with your father yet?"

Xiao Lin's question brought Zi Yan back from her reverie.

"I..."

Turning her head to look at Xiao Lin, and meeting his gaze that seemed to see right through Xiao Lin, Zi Yan lowered her head again.

Clearly, Xiao Lin had guessed Zi Yan's thoughts.

In fact, the main reason why Zi Yan was unwilling to stay in the space of the Ancient Emperor's Cave was not only because of her lively and active personality, but also because of the reason that Xiao Lin had just mentioned.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

Zi Yan has been living alone for all these years.

Suddenly, one day, her father appeared!

Although her father did not abandon her intentionally, thousands of years have passed!

No matter how well Zhukun treats Zi Yan, it's clearly impossible for Zi Yan to immediately develop fatherly feelings for him.

Therefore, even though Jia Nan Academy is located above the Underground Magma World, and the Flame Lizardmen have become her underlings, Zi Yan is unwilling to frequently travel to the space where the Ancient Emperor's Cave is located to find her father.

This is actually a form of escapism.

Seeing Zi Yan remain silent, Xiao Lin spoke again, "Zi Yan, running away won't solve anything. Your father is quite pitiful; he's been trapped there for thousands of years. He didn't intentionally abandon you."

"I know that, really! It's just..."

For Zi Yan, knowing it in her heart is one thing, but feeling it is another.

That's why she always seemed so conflicted.

To be honest, she could definitely feel her father's kindness towards her and his desire to make amends!

However, she still felt a subtle emotional resistance to the idea of fully accepting a father with whom she had previously had no contact.

"Alright, don't overthink it. Didn't you two agree to meet every now and then? I think you'll get used to it as you get to know each other better. There's no rush right now."

Xiao Lin only wanted to offer some guidance to Zi Yan, but he didn't expect her to follow his wishes completely.

These kinds of things can't be rushed.

Or perhaps Zi Yan was somewhat frightened by her father's excessive enthusiasm.

"Yes, I will!"

Nodding her head, Zi Yan answered with unusual firmness.

And so, before long, the two of them traversed the Underground Magma World and returned to the Jia Nan Academy.

Originally, after sending Zi Yan back to the ground, Xiao Lin planned to return to the Ancient Emperor's Cave to continue studying the Emperor Array.

However, an incident occurred that made him postpone doing so.

"Oh? Xiao Yan has announced that he will challenge the number one player on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking?"

Xiao Lin was also stunned for a moment after hearing the information Ye Xinlan told him.

All I can say is, Xiao Yan is really brave!

"Yes, Your Supreme Elder Lin... the entire academy is discussing this matter right now."

Holding a book, Ye Xinlan reported to Xiao Lin everything that had happened at the Jia Nan Academy in the past six months.

This is the most crucial of all.

"Hmm? The number one on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking? Who is that?"

Zi Yan, who had just emerged from the Underground Magma World with Xiao Lin, was still somewhat dazed.

Xiao Lin: "..."

Good grief, this girl has completely forgotten that she's number one on the Strong Ranking!

But I can understand it.

Zi Yan is an optimist and rarely remembers trivial matters.

After she topped the Inner Academy Strong Rankings, in the early years, some people tried to challenge her.

After that, everyone was terrified of her, let alone anyone would dare to challenge her.

Over time, it's perfectly normal for Zi Yan to subconsciously forget about it.

And now, the top spot on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking isn't held by Zi Yan's name, but by her nickname - the Brute Force King!

Although Xiao Yan and Zi Yan met a few times at the Jia Nan Academy, their paths did not cross much in this life because it differed from the Original Work.

Xiao Yan was also unaware that Zi Yan was the Brute Force King ranked first on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking!

After all, who could associate Zi Yan's appearance with the nickname "Brute Force King"?

Upon hearing the nickname "Brute Force King," the first image that comes to mind for most people is probably that of a burly, strong man.

Zi Yan is so small, she doesn't seem to fit the bill at all!

But who would have thought that the nickname "Brute Force King" referred not to her appearance, but to her physical strength?

"Hmm~, Miss Zi Yan, you haven't forgotten, you were the number one on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking, have you?"

After a moment of stunned silence, Ye Xinlan adjusted her glasses, which were about to fall off, and gave a reminder.

Since Xiao Lin returned to the Jia Nan Academy, Zi Yan would frequently visit him, and the two naturally became quite familiar with each other.

"Oh? I think there was such a thing."

Zi Yan seemed a little slow to realize what was happening.

Then, she suddenly frowned.

"Crunch"

"Wait a minute! Someone actually dares to challenge me? Hmph!"

As her fists clenched, a somewhat "cruel" smile appeared on Zi Yan's face.

Xiao Yan, in danger!