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**
"Emperor's Origin Qi, the fundamental energy needed for ascension to the Dou Di Realm!"
Looking at the five-colored light sphere floating not far in front of him, about the size of a basin and radiating a faint brilliance, Wei Yang smiled.
Half a portion of Emperor's Origin Qi? That's enough!
When the time comes, once I pair it with that half piece of the Emperor-grade Nascent Pill, it'll be more than sufficient for ascension!
A full portion of Emperor's Origin Qi was enough to help Xiao Yan advance from a Six-Star Dou Sheng directly to the Dou Di Realm! Half of it—if used by someone at the Half-Step Dou Di level—should be barely enough. Of course, that would depend on one's luck.
Thinking of this, Wei Yang felt a wave of relief and joy surge through him. The smile that started quietly grew louder and louder, until it turned into uninhibited laughter.
"Haha… hahaha! Hahahahahaha~!"
In the dark void—
Wei Yang sat cross-legged, holding the black iron scroll in his hand. His eyes slowly opened, a sharp glint flashing within them. Forming hand seals in quick succession, his vast Soul Power and Dou Qi surged forth, layering nine seals upon the black iron scroll.
A faint Saint aura spread through the air before retracting again. Then, he took out a sturdy metallic box, placed the scroll inside, closed the lid, and once again sealed it with nine layers of restrictions before storing it carefully.
In the past, he hadn't cared much about it, but now that he knew half of the Emperor's Origin Qi resided within that black iron scroll, how could Wei Yang not treat it with utmost caution?
After completing these precautions, he let out a long breath, the smile on his face growing even brighter.
"Kid, seeing how you've been tinkering with that black iron scroll ever since your breakthrough, and now laughing so happily… looks like it brought you quite the harvest?" Zhu Kun's voice echoed gently in Wei Yang's ears.
Wei Yang turned his head toward the bronze gate. There, Zhu Kun's gaze was directed at him, curiosity flickering in his golden eyes.
A faint light flashed deep within Wei Yang's eyes.
If I gave this half of the Emperor's Origin Qi to Zhu Kun… would he be able to ascend to Dou Di Realm?
With Zhu Kun's foundation and accumulation, it might be possible. Of course, that was just a passing thought. He certainly wouldn't actually hand it over.
"I did gain quite a bit," Wei Yang replied with a smile.
Standing up, his figure flickered and appeared before the bronze gate. He first glanced at Zi Yan, who still lay there fast asleep, before looking toward Zhu Kun.
"Getting ready to leave?" Zhu Kun asked.
"Yeah. I've been out long enough this time. It's time to head back—there are still other matters I need to handle," Wei Yang nodded.
Zhu Kun fell silent for a moment before shifting his gaze toward Zi Yan. Over the past three years, she hadn't awakened, but her aura had been steadily growing stronger. By now, she had reached the peak of the Nine-Changes stage.
Zhu Kun's gaze softened even more. "My daughter will need another year or so to completely absorb the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit's energy. When that time comes, becoming a Dou Sheng won't be a problem."
Wei Yang nodded, a hint of envy flickering in his expression.
That little girl really was blessed—straight to the Dou Sheng Realm in one step.
"When that time comes, she'll also leave here and return to the clan," Zhu Kun said with clear reluctance in his voice. It hadn't been easy to see his daughter again, and now he couldn't bear to let her go. But he knew Zi Yan didn't belong to this dark void.
This place was a prison—one that bound him. He couldn't allow his daughter to be imprisoned here as well. Looking at Wei Yang almost pleadingly, Zhu Kun said softly, "When she returns to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan in the future… please, look after her."
Wei Yang understood what Zhu Kun meant. He nodded solemnly. "Senior, rest assured. As long as I'm around, I won't let anyone bully her."
"Good… good… good." Zhu Kun nodded gratefully. "Thank you."
"Senior, please don't worry. I'll find a way to gather the ancient jade fragments and free you from this place."
After a pause, Wei Yang continued, "I've learned some things about the ancient jade. There are eight pieces in total, each held by one of the Eight Ancient Clans. Once Zi Yan unites the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, we'll reach out to those Ancient Clans and try to collect all eight pieces to restore your freedom."
"It's enough that you have the heart for it," Zhu Kun said with a gratified smile, then added with a word of caution, "But remember, the Eight Ancient Clans are anything but simple. You mustn't act rashly."
"I understand," Wei Yang nodded.
He then looked at Zi Yan one last time before turning around. "Senior, I'll take my leave. When Zi Yan awakens, tell her to come find me at the Falling Star Pavilion."
"Alright."
Wei Yang departed. His figure flickered and disappeared through a ripple in space, vanishing completely from the dark void.
Zhu Kun sat silently, watching in that direction for a long time. Only after a while did he withdraw his gaze, sweeping his eyes over the now quiet and lifeless void, a faint trace of disgust flashing in them.
It was precisely this seemingly fragile space that had imprisoned him, rendering him unable to move even an inch.
All he could do was remain here in this endless solitude, guarding Tuo She Ancient God's Cave Mansion, waiting for the successor destined to collect all the ancient jade fragments and appear one day.
"Hahahahaha~!"
Zhu Kun slowly rose to his feet, his body emanating a terrifying aura that seemed to dominate heaven and earth. His laughter echoed through the void.
Within that laughter was joy—but also the deep frustration and resentment that had been suppressed for countless years. With a wave of his sleeve, a flash of purple light appeared as he stored away the still-slumbering Zi Yan.
As his laughter spread, a powerful surge of purple radiance erupted from Zhu Kun's body. The purple light expanded and grew in size. His human form vanished, replaced by an enormous, majestic creature that once again filled the vast darkness of the void.
"Tuo She Ancient God, you old bastard~!"
The colossal dragon opened its maw and roared, then hurled its massive head straight at the bronze gate!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One violent impact after another resounded through the void. Even though he couldn't shake the bronze gate in the slightest, Zhu Kun didn't care. He simply wanted to vent—the pent-up fury and unwillingness festering in his heart.
"Tuo She Ancient God! I know you're in there! I know you can see me, hear me! Come out here, you hear me—come out!"
After roaring and ramming for a long time, his anger finally subsided.
Once his frustration had been released, Zhu Kun gradually calmed down. He coiled his immense body in the darkness, his huge dragon eyes slowly closing.
As his enormous, ferocious dragon head slightly parted its jaws, within the small, strange space wrapped in purple light, the sleeping Zi Yan's eyelids seemed to tremble faintly.
—
At the bottom layer of the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower—
A transparent, formless flame was flitting about playfully in the air. Su Qian stood nearby, stroking his beard with a smile as he watched the flame dance.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Su Qian's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the passage leading down into the magma world below. The Fallen Heart Flame also froze in midair.
Swish!
A ripple of space appeared, and in the blink of an eye, a black-clad figure silently emerged at the edge of the tunnel entrance.
"Elder Su Qian, it's been a while. And you too, Fallen Heart Flame." Wei Yang smiled.
"Oh, it's Wei Yang." Su Qian's face relaxed. Taking a few steps forward, he chuckled, "You finally decided to come out, huh? You shut yourself up in that damned place for three whole years—that's quite a long retreat."
The Fallen Heart Flame drifted closer, curiously 'observing' Wei Yang.
"And where's Zi Yan?" Su Qian glanced behind Wei Yang, but not seeing anyone, couldn't help asking.
"Zi Yan is still in seclusion. She hasn't awakened yet—it'll probably take a little more time," Wei Yang replied.
"I see. About two years ago, Xiao Yan went down there to look for you both, but he came back up pretty quickly—and he seemed injured. He didn't say much, only that you two were fine and told me not to worry," Su Qian said with a frown. "Now you're letting Zi Yan stay down there alone to cultivate—will that be alright?"
Although he didn't know exactly what dangers lurked below, the fact that even Xiao Yan, who had already reached the mid-rank Dou Zun level, had come back injured said a lot.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine. I've already taken care of everything down there," Wei Yang said. "All the dangers have been eliminated."
"That's good then." Hearing that, Su Qian finally looked reassured.
"Still, Wei Yang, something about you feels… different," Su Qian said, squinting slightly as he examined him with curiosity and uncertainty.
It had only been three years, yet Wei Yang seemed completely transformed. Su Qian couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but the change was undeniable.
Even though Wei Yang had concealed all traces of his aura, just standing there gave Su Qian an indescribable sense of danger. It was an unfamiliar and unsettling feeling—one that even Xiao Yan didn't give off.
"I've made some progress." Wei Yang smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.
Seeing that, Su Qian tactfully didn't press the matter. He led Wei Yang out of the tower's lowest level, heading upward, while the Fallen Heart Flame floated lazily behind them.
Su Qian shot the playful little flame an exasperated glare but didn't bother scolding it. Instead, he turned back to Wei Yang. "So, you're planning to leave now?"
"Yeah, I've got some business to take care of back in Central Plains."
"And Zi Yan?" Su Qian still sounded a bit uneasy.
"When she finishes her seclusion, she'll come up on her own. Don't worry about her," Wei Yang said. "Her strength now is nothing to underestimate. When she emerges, she might even surpass me."
"Surpass you?!" Su Qian's eyes widened in disbelief.
Given Wei Yang's current presence, he was clearly far stronger than Xiao Yan had been two years ago—likely a high-level Dou Zun by now.
Zi Yan surpassing him upon exiting seclusion?
Wouldn't that mean… Peak Dou Zun?!
Unimaginable.
"You'll see when the time comes." Wei Yang chuckled, then shifted the topic. "Oh, before I leave, I'll help reinforce the academy's spatial barrier. I noticed it's gotten rather damaged lately."
"Reinforce the barrier? That's great news!" Su Qian's eyes lit up immediately.
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