Zi Yan had always imagined this moment — meeting her own kin. She thought she would feel excitement, warmth, belonging. Yet when she finally stood before the towering man whose face was alight with emotion, her small hand tightened around Liu Xi's, and her expression remained calm — unnervingly calm. Tilting her head slightly, she spoke in a voice as flat as still water. "You're my clansman? Then can you take us to your tribe? I just want to ask one thing — why did my people, my father and mother, abandon me?"
Hei Qing froze. The burly man who could split mountains with his bare hands suddenly felt a lump in his chest, his nose stinging with emotion. He straightened his neck and thumped his broad chest hard, the echo booming like thunder. "No problem! I'll take you to see the Third Elder. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe has always been united — we'd never abandon one of our own. Especially not you! There must be some misunderstanding!"
He lifted his gaze, sweeping it across Yao Tianhuo, Xiao Yixian, and finally Liu Xi. His tone grew formal. "You've returned our clan's bloodline. Whatever you seek — heavenly treasures, divine weapons, ancient techniques — just say it. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe won't treat you unfairly."
The words were bold, but the intent beneath them was clear. He wasn't welcoming them.
Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian both frowned. Hei Qing's strength was undeniable, but his tone was grating. Liu Xi narrowed his eyes slightly and replied evenly, "We didn't bring Zi Yan back for treasure or reward. We just want assurance that you won't harm her — and that she can stay here to grow stronger. Once that's clear, we'll leave."
Zi Yan's grip on Liu Xi's hand tightened. Her violet eyes glowed faintly as she glared at Hei Qing. "If the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe doesn't welcome Big Brother, then I'm not staying either! Hmph! Who cares about this tribe anyway!"
Even a single quarter of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe — the East Dragon Island alone — was strong enough to rival any top power on the continent. They feared no human Dou Zun, not even two of them. Yet Hei Qing still hesitated. Deep down, he worried Liu Xi might have tricked the young dragon girl. And judging by her fierce defense of him… perhaps that was already the case.
He wanted to refuse. But when he met Zi Yan's glowing purple eyes, the words caught in his throat. Though his power was immense, the innate authority of her royal dragon bloodline pressed down upon him — not overwhelming, but undeniable.
'Forget it… let the elders handle this.' Hei Qing's expression softened slightly. "Zi Yan… I'll take you and your companions to Dragon Island."
He turned sharply and swung an arm. A vast ripple spread outward, silver light flooding the air. In moments, it condensed into a shining corridor stretching deep into the Void.
Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian exchanged glances — both inwardly humbled. Even as Dou Zuns, they couldn't match the spatial control of an Ancient Void Dragon. Against such beings, survival itself was a gift — if they couldn't win, they could always flee. That was the true terror of this race.
'No wonder ancient races like the Heaven Phoenix and Heavenly Serpent were wiped out long ago,' Yao Tianhuo mused silently. 'Only fragments of their bloodlines remain, but the Ancient Void Dragons still reign supreme.'
Following Hei Qing through the tunnel, the group flew deeper into the endless dark. Half an hour later, light appeared ahead — a massive dome of translucent brilliance, like a crystal bowl turned upside down. As they drew near, Hei Qing dove straight into it.
Liu Xi and the others followed, passing through the shimmering barrier like ripples across water. The world blurred — and then color exploded before their eyes. Verdant mountains, ancient trees, and endless green filled the horizon.
From above, Liu Xi could see it clearly — a colossal island suspended in space, vast enough to hold a small continent. Countless powerful auras pulsed across it, each one fierce and ancient. Even a mere quarter of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe possessed might to rival the greatest human forces. What then must their full strength have been in their prime?
"Follow me." Hei Qing's deep voice echoed as he turned toward a towering mountain at the island's center and descended.
Liu Xi took Zi Yan's hand and followed. Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian came close behind, both wearing guarded expressions.
"Young Master, there are many strong presences here," Xiao Yixian murmured softly.
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "Don't worry. This is Zi Yan's home. We're safe here."
As they neared the mountain, patrols of dragons appeared in the sky — humanoid figures with scales faintly visible beneath their robes. They glanced in surprise at the strangers, but when they saw Hei Qing leading them, they quickly stepped aside.
At the mountain's summit stood a white-robed figure with kind eyes and a gentle smile. Yet behind that smile, his eyes burned with barely contained emotion.
Hei Qing landed first and bowed deeply. "Hei Qing greets the Third Elder. The bloodline we sensed has returned!"
His voice trembled with excitement.
The elder's gaze locked on Zi Yan the moment she landed. His tone was soft, but his eyes glistened. "At last… you've come home."
Zi Yan froze. The familiarity of his aura stirred something in her blood, but her voice carried a quiet ache. "You're happy I've returned? Then tell me — why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me alone among beasts, fighting just to survive?"
The elder looked stunned. He clearly hadn't known her childhood had been one of such suffering. That a royal of the Ancient Void Dragons — her bloodline pure and supreme — had been bullied by lesser beasts was unthinkable. His smile faded into a sigh. "Child… I am Zhu Li. There are reasons for what happened — complex ones. It isn't as you imagine. I'll explain everything in time."
He lifted his head and studied Yao Tianhuo, Xiao Yixian, and Liu Xi. The surprise in his eyes deepened. 'Two Dou Zuns — one possessing the legendary Woeful Poison Body, somehow tamed. And the young man… carrying three distinct Heavenly Flames within him, coexisting in harmony, Impossible.'
Even Yao Tianhuo and Xiao Yixian felt a suffocating pressure from Zhu Li's presence — and Liu Xi could feel it pressing against his very soul. The aura of a true ancient powerhouse.
Then, as quickly as it came, the pressure vanished. Zhu Li's gaze softened. "Thank you for returning our lost bloodline. But what follows concerns the secrets of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. Please, allow us to speak in private. I will have the dragons see to your rest."
(End of Chapter)
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