Word Count: 3,206 Words
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"Has anyone ever successfully evolved into a Dragon Phoenix?" Xiao Yan asked while his spiritual perception continuously scanned the massive crystal before him.
"There have been two cases. Once, a supreme expert with a Dragon Phoenix body appeared in the Ancient Heaven Phoenix Tribe. During that era, they relentlessly suppressed our tribe until we could barely breathe. Later, our ancestors poured all our resources into cultivating a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, finally producing our own Dragon Phoenix expert," Zhu Li hurriedly explained.
Xiao Yan examined the crystal carefully, then scraped its surface with his fingernail. The Three Thousand Burning Flame whooshed to life at his fingertip. He could sense the flame could gradually melt and accelerate the absorption of the crystal, though the process would be slow.
Joy lit Zhu Li's eyes as Xiao Yan realized the need for a Heavenly Flame on his own. This was the mark of a true master alchemist: the immediate understanding of the problem and a control over fire that left others in awe. He hadn't needed to explain a thing.
Xiao Yan sighed internally. Usually, when he used a Heavenly Flame to assist someone, inner barriers or seals would burn away with little resistance. This time, however, the crystal proved exceptionally resilient.
'This silly girl... She knew full well the risks of refining the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, yet insisted on taking it all on herself.' Xiao Yan looked helplessly at Zi Yan, who was sealed inside like a sleeping beauty.
He didn't need to ask to know. Zi Yan, despite understanding the dangers, had chosen to risk everything for the sake of her people's unification.
'Really now, reaching Rank 8 means her body has indeed completed its growth, but why hasn't her intelligence grown along with it?'
"Grandmaster Xiao Yan, time is of the essence. Everything is prepared," Zhu Li urged.
"Alright." Xiao Yan nodded.
Zhu Li led the way, transporting the crystallized Zi Yan to the crater of an active volcano. The searing temperature and the air, thick with fire-attribute energy, created a perfect environment for the Flame Mantra to rapidly absorb and convert energy into Dou Qi. This would ensure Xiao Yan wouldn't deplete his reserves while wielding his Heavenly Flames.
Suspended above the crater was a massive emerald cauldron. Surprise flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes. 'That's the Verdant Spirit Cauldron, ranked third on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking!'
He hadn't expected the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe to possess such a treasure. Ranked third on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking, it could stimulate medicinal ingredients to their most perfect state during refinement, ensuring they remained optimal without deteriorating from extended storage.
"Refining the Dragon Phoenix crystal layer won't be easy. The process will be time-consuming, and the Dou Qi consumption will be immense," Zhu Li said. He clenched his hand, and a jade bottle as white as bone appeared. He presented it to Xiao Yan with reverent hands. "Inside are five drops of Ancient Dragon Essence Blood I personally refined. Each contains a vast reservoir of energy that can instantly restore your Dou Qi and temper your body. If you run low during the process, take a drop."
Xiao Yan accepted the bottle with care, feeling the immense energy radiating from within. Even with his extensive experience, astonishment flashed in his eyes. He knew perfectly well how precious Ancient Dragon Essence Blood was. These five drops would spark a frenzy even among Dou Venerates. Not only could they rapidly replenish Dou Qi, but they were also rare treasures for body refinement.
"This matter is too important for empty promises. As precious as this Ancient Dragon Essence Blood is, I'll accept it just in case." Xiao Yan didn't bother with false modesty. He bowed with clasped fists, took a deep breath, and his figure flickered, reappearing above the volcano. He settled cross-legged in the air just outside the Verdant Spirit Cauldron.
Zhu Li carefully placed the crystallized Zi Yan within the cauldron, then turned to Xiao Yan with a solemn expression. "Grandmaster Xiao Yan, the Dragon Queen is in your hands. If you succeed, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe can grant you any reward you desire."
Xiao Yan waved away the offer. "Forget payment. I came to save Zi Yan, not to earn money."
Zhu Li stood momentarily stunned, then nodded deeply. "That was thoughtless of me. My apologies."
Xiao Yan's expression grew grave as he gazed at Zi Yan in the cauldron. He was helping her complete her evolution, and the slightest misstep could cost her life.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
He took a deep, steadying breath. With a blur of hand seals, he sent the Flame Mantra spinning into a frenzy. The entire volcano seethed as fire-attribute energy surged toward him like a living thing. With a wave of his hand, his unique, multi-colored Heavenly Flame shot into the cauldron.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
Thunderous explosions echoed as he poured his Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength into the cauldron. The merged Heavenly Flame surged violently, its terrifying power making the cauldron itself tremble. Fortunately, this was the third-ranked cauldron on the Heavenly Cauldron Ranking; otherwise, even Xiao Yan's Ten Thousand Beast Cauldron likely couldn't have withstood such power.
"Such a powerful Heavenly Flame!" The empty space beside Zhu Li rippled, and an old man with black and white hair appeared, drawn by the sudden eruption of flame energy. This old man was dressed in combat attire with a stern, unsmiling look, appearing exceptionally strict.
This was Elder Qi You, another Half-Saint and elder of Eastern Dragon Island!
Even Qi You's eyes turned grave at the sight of this Heavenly Flame. It was stronger than any he had ever encountered!
With a mental command, Xiao Yan let the spirit of the Three Thousand Burning Flame take the lead. The flame roared, transforming into the image of an Ancient Void Dragon that slowly coiled inward to wrap around the crystal containing Zi Yan.
Buzz buzz buzz buzz!!!
Intense vibrations filled the air as Xiao Yan's Dou Qi and Spiritual Strength poured unceasingly into the flame. In less than half a quarter-hour, the near-indestructible crystal layer of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit began showing signs of melting.
"So fast!" Zhu Li and Qi You exchanged shocked glances as the crystal yielded. This Heavenly Flame was even more formidable than they had imagined.
'Incredible...' Qi You had initially doubted that a mere Dou Venerate could refine the Dragon Phoenix crystal and help Zi Yan evolve.
He had favored calling for help from the Yao Clan, but Zi Yan had crushed her jade slip, and Xiao Yan had arrived first.
Now reality slapped him in the face. Xiao Yan's fire control and his terrifying, mysterious Heavenly Flame were so potent that even he, a Half-Saint, felt a touch of fear.
As the crystal layer gradually melted, Xiao Yan knew this was only the beginning. He would not only have to melt it, but also refine the released energy and integrate it bit by bit into Zi Yan's body at a pace she could absorb. This would help her complete her evolution.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan had walked this path before, having helped Cai Lin refine the Heavenly Flame Serpent Body and assisted Little Fairy Doctor in controlling her Woeful Poison Body, so he was quite experienced.
Three days passed in this manner. Apart from consuming one drop of Ancient Dragon Essence Blood to replenish his energy, Xiao Yan had been continuously refining the crystal layer without rest.
Another ten days passed. During this time, Xiao Yan consumed another drop of essence blood. The originally thick crystal layer was now just a thin shell, and Zi Yan before him looked like a delicate ice sculpture.
Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the nearly-refined crystal layer. He knew this was the final step of Zi Yan's evolution.
"Ha!" His Spiritual Strength surged with a buzz, and the Hun Clan's Clan Mark on his forehead activated!
A deep rumbling filled the air as the Heavenly Flame erupted with its ultimate power. A pillar of multicolored fire shot directly from the Verdant Spirit Cauldron's opening, soaring skyward!
ROARRR!!!
The massive expanding pillar of flame shot upward. From afar, it looked like a giant dragon awakening. Strangely, this giant dragon actually had a pair of golden Ancient Phoenix wings!
The terrifying power of the Heavenly Flame broke through Eastern Dragon Island's protective barrier, its aura permeating the void beyond.
As the fiery dragon roared, every member of the tribe on Eastern Dragon Island turned their gaze toward the volcano. Whether it was Hei Qing, Xiong Zhan, or the other magical beasts on the island, all prostrated themselves in that direction.
"A Dragon Phoenix body! Our Eastern Dragon Island has a Dragon Emperor!"
Floating in the void, Zhu Li and Qi You felt an immense bloodline suppression. Even as Half-Saint experts, they were compelled to submit. This wasn't the might of a Dragon King, but that of a Dragon Emperor! It was the supreme bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, one to which even the Dragon King bloodline had to bow!
The two elders knelt in the air, paying homage in Zi Yan's direction like subjects greeting their sovereign.
Naturally, the only one on the entire Eastern Dragon Island who didn't kneel was Xiao Yan.
Within the pillar of fire, a flash of bare, snow-white skin and a fully matured, voluptuous figure caught his gaze. A sense of helplessness washed over him. This time, it really wasn't his Heavenly Flame's fault; Zi Yan's own evolution had caused her clothes to disintegrate.
Still, Xiao Yan silently thanked the Mysterious Yellow Flame.
Zi Yan slowly opened her eyes within the firestorm. The first thing she saw was Xiao Yan nearby. A smile instantly bloomed on her pretty face. She spread her arms wide and soared into his embrace, hugging his neck tight. "Xiao Yan, you really came to save me!"
Xiao Yan subconsciously caught the pouncing girl and said helplessly, "Yes, yes, I came to save you."
He hurriedly took out a coat from his storage ring and draped it over her.
"Don't do such risky things next time. I can't always arrive in time to save you," Xiao Yan said with resignation. The Just-in-time Tianzun is about to become the Firefighting Tianzun. Next time you play such a thrilling game, please give me a heads-up!
What if I had been in some secret realm and couldn't get out? What then? It was lucky I was just cultivating Dou Techniques at the Flower Sect this time.
"Hehehe." Zi Yan's face radiated that familiar 'I heard you, but I'm not changing' look. She hugged Xiao Yan's neck, her tender cheek rubbing against his face in an extremely intimate manner.
"Alright, alright, enough already. I haven't bathed in half a month!" Xiao Yan protested, dodging her affectionate nuzzling. Why are you acting like a cat?!
The two old dragons, Zhu Li and Qi You, exchanged glances at Zi Yan's clingy and intimate actions. They both saw a hint of astonishment in each other's eyes and couldn't help but swallow nervously!
Xiao Yan was a human and didn't understand. Venerable Yao was an alchemist, not an expert on magical beasts, so naturally he hadn't left much knowledge about magical beasts.
For a magical beast, strength and bloodline were tied to physical maturity. Zi Yan's bloodline was so high that her growth was slow, and only now at Rank 8 had her body reached its complete form. This was similar to Cai Lin back in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower; after her body matured, she was driven by a primitive impulse to 'attack' Xiao Yan.
Just imagine: if Xiao Yan were an Ancient Void Dragon and both were magical beasts, what would this mean now?
That's why the two elders were so shocked. In the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, this represented a certain primal urge!
Zi Yan had spent too much time among humans and didn't know these things. Her actions were purely subconscious instinct. And Xiao Yan, as a human, was even more clueless.
"It seems Grandmaster Xiao Yan and the Dragon Emperor are unaware of certain things."
"Er, mm."
For a moment, both elders felt their scalps tingle. How could they possibly explain this? It was a matter of instinct!
And as for opposing it... no one in the entire Ancient Void Dragon Tribe could oppose the Dragon Emperor. Her father wasn't around, which made Zi Yan a complete dictator! The sole sovereign of their tribe!
Of course, with both parties being completely unaware, the moment passed without incident.
After being clingy for a little longer, Zi Yan pulled back. A purple-gold light enveloped her body with a soft hum.
When the light faded, she was dressed in magnificent purple-gold robes. A dragon and a phoenix danced upon the fabric as if they were alive, exuding an undisguisable noble aura. Her body was tall and slender, and her long purple hair cascaded down like a waterfall, past her slender, graspable waist, and draped over her perky bottom.
Zi Yan's originally purple eyes had transformed into a mysterious and bewitching purple-gold color. Under the gaze of these eyes, all of dragon-kind would be forced to submit.
Behind her stretched a pair of purple-gold wings. These wings were even more formidable and domineering than the Ancient Phoenix Wings Xiao Yan had refined. After all, Zi Yan's were real!
Zi Yan's expression turned serious as she slowly flew into the sky.
'Heaven Phoenix wings and an Ancient Dragon body… tsk tsk, this girl's strength has soared.' Xiao Yan watched her with a mixture of relief and envy.
For magical beasts compared to humans, bloodline was everything. If one wasn't afraid of death and successfully evolved their bloodline, their cultivation would advance rapidly.
Bloodline was both shackle and power!
Betting one's life to break through the shackles, in exchange for a power that made others envious!
Moreover, Xiao Yan knew he had only helped Zi Yan complete the final step of her evolution. The terrifying energy of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit had not yet been fully absorbed. Coupled with the inheritance grounds of Eastern Dragon Island, her strength was poised to rise even further!
Gazing at the pair of purple-gold wings on Zi Yan's back, the excitement on the faces of Hei Qing and the others intensified. A moment later, they finally dropped to their knees in the sky, their respectful voices filled with a piety that came from the bottom of their hearts.
"We respectfully welcome the Dragon Emperor!"
"We respectfully welcome the Dragon Emperor!"
The other experts of Eastern Dragon Island knelt in unison, their expressions fervent as their shouts echoed through the sky.
Xiao Yan stretched his back and twisted his neck, producing a series of cracking sounds from his bones. He said with some fatigue, "Whew, finally done helping you, you little rascal."
This half-month had been more tiring for Xiao Yan than refining pills. If alchemy failed, at most the medicinal ingredients were lost. But this time, failure wasn't an option. Xiao Yan had been in a state of high concentration for half a month; it would be strange if he wasn't tired.
"Xiao Yan."
"Hm?"
Zi Yan pricked her fingertip with a soft hum. A drop of rich, purple-gold essence blood condensed there. Before Xiao Yan could react, she flicked her finger and the drop of blood shot into his body with a swoosh.
The moment the essence blood entered him, countless purple-gold dragon scales materialized all over his body, covering him from the neck down like a suit of indestructible armor.
Though Xiao Yan didn't know exactly what it was, he could feel its immense protective power.
"Zi Yan... you haven't even fully refined your power yourself." Xiao Yan looked helplessly at Zi Yan, whose face had turned somewhat pale.
"I know you're heading to the Gu Realm. This Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor can protect you. If you're in mortal danger, I'll sense it and come to save you." Zi Yan's expression was serious; when it came to Xiao Yan's safety, she dropped all playfulness.
Xiao Yan looked at Zi Yan's serious expression and knew he had to accept this kind intention.
"Alright. But I estimate your Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor won't get much chance to show its worth." Xiao Yan conceded before shrugging with a confident smirk.
Not long after, Zi Yan reluctantly departed. She had too much to do: summon the elders who were away, awaken the First and Second Elders from their seclusion, and enter the inheritance grounds to completely refine the remaining power in her body. Only then would her strength be sufficient to face the three other Dragon Kings!
Xiao Yan watched her go and then turned to Hei Qing. "Brother Hei Qing, is there anywhere on Dragon Island for body tempering and refining essence blood?"
He needed to thoroughly refine not just Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor but also the three remaining drops of Ancient Dragon Essence Blood and the essence blood from Saint Zhao Hua's skeleton.
"Body tempering?" Hei Qing looked at Xiao Yan strangely. Normally, body-tempering locations suitable for humans could be found anywhere on Dragon Island.
But this Xiao Yan... the more he looked, the less human he seemed! Possessing the Dragon Phoenix Ancient Armor, even the body-tempering grounds Hei Qing frequented were probably no longer suitable.
"In a certain void location outside the island, there's a Void Lightning Pool... even I dare not approach it easily. You, however, should be able to go there," Hei Qing said.
Xiao Yan smiled politely. "That sounds perfect. Brother Hei Qing must be joking, though. I'll only dare to wander around the edges. How could I possibly go inside?"
Complete disbelief crossed Hei Qing's face. Who are you fooling!
Xiao Yan naturally didn't set off immediately. He had been too tired recently. After resting for half a day, he followed Hei Qing toward the Void Lightning Pool.
About a quarter of an hour later, Xiao Yan arrived at a location in the void that had no coordinates.
What appeared before him was a 'lake' nearly ten thousand feet across. However, this 'lake' didn't contain ordinary water but was filled completely with brilliant, silver lightning.
This was a true lightning pool, formed from the lightning of heaven and earth!
Standing before the lightning pool, the continuous rumble of thunder spreading from within made one's heart tremble. Before its scale, a person seemed extraordinarily small.
'Such concentrated lightning force. With its help, I can refine all of this essence blood.' He knew that if one's cultivation increased too quickly, their Dou Qi would become unstable.
Usually, he used his Heavenly Flames for body tempering to compress his Dou Qi, but since he couldn't find any more Heavenly Flames, he had to resort to a more brutal method.
A fervent glint appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes as he stared at the Lightning Pool. If he could refine all the essence blood, his strength would increase significantly!
'There's still more than half a year before the Heavenly Tomb opens...' Xiao Yan steeled himself. He would spend these months in the lightning pool!