Chapter 404: The Dragon Emperor's Kiss
Boom!
In mid-air, two figures violently clashed. The terrifying force tore open a ten-zhang-wide black rift in space. The two combatants separated immediately after the impact, retreating in opposite directions.
"Didn't expect you to have reached the half-saint level as well…" Man Yan retreated several steps. The dark purple dragon scales covering his body had dulled noticeably. He stared intently at Zhu Li, speaking in a low voice.
Zhu Li's expression was indifferent. His strength was comparable to Man Yan's. The latter possessed a unique technique that allowed him to transform into a half-human, half-dragon battle form, making him especially troublesome. Defeating him would not be easy.
"Zhu Li, stop making meaningless resistance. East Dragon Island was always the weakest of the four. Now with three islands united, you can't possibly withstand us. Hand her over," Man Yan said slowly.
"If not for the fact that some of our elders went to train in the void, and the First and Second Elders are in death seclusion, even your so-called three Dragon Kings wouldn't dare come here so boldly!" Zhu Li replied coldly.
"Haha, but you said it yourself—that's just a hypothetical."
Just as Zhu Li sneered, a soft laugh suddenly echoed from the void. His expression darkened instantly, and his gaze locked onto the sky.
"So... North Dragon Island has finally shown up!"
As Zhu Li watched closely, streaks of green light burst out from the void. A group of figures cloaked in powerful auras rode the light and broke through the air, appearing high above Dragon Island.
"Looks like we arrived late... but just in time for the main event."
A green-robed elder in the sky looked down upon the chaos of Ancient Dragon Island with a smile.
"Qing Yan."
Seeing the elder, Zhu Li's heart sank completely. The three Dragon Kings had truly gone all in—sending one half-saint and two peak Dou Zuns. It was clear: they were determined to seize Zi Yan!
Qing Yan glanced briefly at Zhu Li's dark expression before turning his gaze toward the inner depths of the island.
"Elder Man Yan, leave Zhu Li to you. As for the one with the royal bloodline, I'll personally escort her away."
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into a streak of light and sped toward the center of Dragon Island. Zhu Li roared in anger and tried to pursue, but Man Yan intercepted him with a strike that shattered the air itself.
"Bastard!"
Enraged, Zhu Li met the blow head-on with a torrent of Dou Qi.
Meanwhile, Qing Yan had already arrived near the volcanic crater.
"Qing Yan! So you really came too!"
Hei Qing stepped forward to block him, his face grim.
"Hmph. You're not a match for me. Step aside!" Qing Yan snorted. His aura exploded—he was a peak Nine-Turn Dou Zun!
Hei Qing prepared to fight to the death, but a sudden storm of thunder and flame heralded a white figure flashing toward them. It was Xiao Yuan.
Just earlier, Xia Sha's entire Dragon Armored unit had been wiped out. Sensing danger, he tried to flee. But Xiao Yuan chased him relentlessly, finally caught him, beat him unconscious, and brought him back.
"Brother Hei Qing, this one's for you."
Xiao Yuan tossed the bloodied Xia Sha over to Hei Qing, then turned to Qing Yan, wiping blood from his hand with a grin. "Another traitor, huh? You want a beating too?"
Though Qing Yan was surprised that a Nine-Star Dou Zun like Xiao Yuan had crushed Xia Sha, he still felt confident. Between each stage of Dou Zun, the difference was immense. As a Nine-Turn expert, Qing Yan believed he had the upper hand.
"Hmph. Arrogant brat. A mere Nine-Star Dou Zun dares challenge me? I'll teach you why the young shouldn't get too cocky."
With a sneer, Qing Yan vanished.
"No cockiness, no youth! I'm so scared! Come kill me if you can."
Xiao Yuan appeared far off, his afterimage shredded by Qing Yan's missed attack. Xiao Yuan even raised his middle finger mockingly.
"Impudent brat!"
Qing Yan reappeared behind Xiao Yuan and pierced through his chest with a claw.
Bang!
Shards of ice burst into the air, forming a mist that momentarily obscured Qing Yan's vision.
But it was a weak trick for someone like Qing Yan. A pulse of Dou Qi blew the mist away instantly.
That moment, however, was all Xiao Yuan needed.
Multiple crystalline seals formed in front of him, emitting an energy so powerful it tore black cracks in space.
Emperor Seal Technique—Four Seals Combined!
"Haaah!"
With a deep shout, Xiao Yuan unleashed the massive crystal palm.
"Hmm? Not bad!" Qing Yan's eyes narrowed. Even he had to take this attack seriously.
As the giant crystalline palm rushed at him, Qing Yan's fist gathered Dou Qi, forming a dragon-shaped force that roared forward.
"That old bastard isn't holding back!"
Hei Qing cursed from afar. Judging by the energy, Qing Yan's attack was at least a high-tier Earth technique. Could Xiao Yuan withstand it?
Boom!
The two powers clashed violently. The shockwave alone sent Hei Qing and others flying.
Xiao Yuan saw the blast racing toward Zi Yan. In a flash, he appeared in front of her, conjuring a shield of Heavenly Flame.
Boom!
The wave struck, sending flames surging across the shield.
Before Xiao Yuan could react further, Qing Yan appeared again. His aged hands had transformed into fearsome dragon claws, shattering Xiao Yuan's defense and lunging for his throat.
Just as Xiao Yuan was about to evade, he sensed something.
The sleeping girl behind him… had awakened!
Her violet eyes opened. Her cold voice echoed like a soul-shaking thunderclap in Qing Yan's ears, freezing him in place.
"If he is harmed, you will pay with your life!"
Qing Yan's soul trembled. That voice contained a pressure he could not resist—an overwhelming force that came from both soul and bloodline.
"A fully awakened royal bloodline…"
His face turned deathly pale. His claws halted mid-air, and without hesitation, he leapt backward with a burst of force.
Shiiing!
From within the giant cauldron, a streak of purplish-gold light burst forth like lightning, slamming into Qing Yan.
Boom!
The blast exploded on impact, sending Qing Yan flying, coughing blood.
As he tumbled away, all eyes turned to the purple-clad girl behind Xiao Yuan. Everyone present felt their bloodline boil.
An urge to kneel in the sky gripped them all.
"The true royal bloodline… has awakened," Hei Qing said, overwhelmed.
Xiao Yuan turned and looked at Zi Yan.
She now wore a purple-gold gown embroidered with dragon and phoenix designs that fluttered like living creatures.
Her figure was graceful, with cascading purple hair reaching her slender waist and hips.
Her violet eyes had turned completely purple-gold—mysterious and enchanting.
Now, Zi Yan was even more stunning than she had been after taking her transformation pill. Even Xiao Yuan had to admit… she might be more attractive than he was in women's clothing.
Behind her, a pair of purple-gold wings gently flapped, emitting sounds of wind and thunder that stirred the soul.
"Heavenly Phoenix Wings… and an Ancient Dragon's body!"
Seeing her wings, Hei Qing grew even more excited. Finally, he knelt mid-air with deep reverence.
"Welcome, Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
"Welcome, Dragon Emperor!"
One by one, the experts of East Dragon Island knelt, voices fervent.
High in the sky, Qing Yan's expression shifted. Though he felt the same overwhelming pressure in his bloodline and soul, he didn't kneel. As a long-time follower of the North Dragon King, he resisted.
"Qing Yan! How dare you not kneel before the Dragon Emperor!"
Hei Qing turned and bellowed.
"Heh…"
Qing Yan chuckled awkwardly. The pressure from Zi Yan's gaze had fully subdued his bloodline. It surpassed even the three Dragon Kings.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. But I serve the North Dragon King. I shall not stay—perhaps one day, I will pay respects again."
Bowing stiffly, he quickly turned and fled.
"Bastard!"
Hei Qing growled and prepared to chase, but Zi Yan gently waved her hand to stop him.
She stood tall, exuding a new, chilling grace that radiated an unmatched noble aura. Even Hei Qing could no longer see her as the mischievous girl she used to be. Now, she was the new Dragon Emperor.
He stopped at once, not daring to move.
Zi Yan didn't chase. Instead, she turned and smiled slyly.
Before everyone's stunned eyes, she leaned forward and kissed Xiao Yuan on the forehead.
What... what kind of behavior was this!?
A surge of purple-gold energy exploded from Zi Yan, flooding into Xiao Yuan's body and wrapping him in light.
"You've done enough. Rest now. Leave the rest to me."
Zi Yan's voice was firm but without pressure.
"What if I don't help you anymore?" Xiao Yuan joked.
"No need!"
She smiled brightly, then flapped her wings and vanished like a ghost toward the island's edge.
Watching her go, Hei Qing stepped beside Xiao Yuan, his expression complicated.
"What is it, brother?" Xiao Yuan asked.
"Ha! Don't call me brother now—you're the Dragon Emperor's man. That's too much for me to handle."
Xiao Yuan looked puzzled.
"I'm not joking. The Dragon Emperor just injected Dragon-Phoenix bloodline power into you. That means even the Dragon Kings would be suppressed by your bloodline now. From this point on, you're more like a Taixu Ancient Dragon than the actual dragons themselves. I don't even feel like sparring with you."
Hei Qing chuckled as he explained.
"But more importantly, the Dragon-Phoenix bloodline… she could've given it to you with a poke. But that?" He pointed to Xiao Yuan's forehead. "That was the Dragon Emperor's Kiss. It's a declaration of sovereignty among our clan. From now on, in name and in blood, you surpass those self-proclaimed Dragon Kings. Even Elder Zhu Li has to salute you!"
Stunned, Xiao Yuan touched his forehead. After a moment, he finally accepted the strange reality—
He'd just become the acknowledged Dragon King of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan.
"That girl… still so mischievous."
Xiao Yuan sighed and began circulating his Dou Qi and Heavenly Flame, absorbing the Dragon-Phoenix power she had gifted him.
(END CHAPTER)
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