Darkness surrounded him.
A faint voice echoed in the void — someone was calling his name. Liu Xi's consciousness stirred, and the moment his eyes opened, the darkness receded like an ebbing tide.
The first thing he saw was Zi Yan's worried little face hovering over him, her violet eyes filled with concern. Then, behind her, stood a middle-aged man in black robes, rubbing his hands awkwardly with a forced smile on his face.
Liu Xi's memories rushed back all at once — the titanic dragon, the crushing aura, the pain, and the moment everything went black. Instinctively, he looked down at himself. His soul was intact, his Dou Qi steady, and his body… whole. Not a single part missing.
He exhaled sharply. 'Still alive. Thank heavens.' The last thing he remembered was being crushed unconscious beneath the Old Dragon Emperor's killing intent. Just a thread of that power had been enough to make his body collapse. Truly terrifying — the might of a 9-Star Dou Saint, standing just below the realm of a Dou Di.
Now it seemed that Zi Yan and her father had reconciled. If that was true, then perhaps his head was safe — at least for now.
"Zi Yan," he murmured softly, sitting up, "I'm fine. But… where are we now?"
Seeing him awake, Zi Yan's tense expression melted into relief. Her face brightened with a delighted smile. "Big Brother! You're awake, that's great!"
Her joy lasted barely a second before she turned sharply to the black-robed man — her father. Her delicate brows furrowed as she snapped, "And you! What are you grinning for? It's all your fault! Hurry up and apologize to my Big Brother!"
The once-mighty Dragon Emperor cleared his throat and gave a dry laugh, all trace of imperial authority gone. "Ah, fine, fine. As long as you're not angry anymore."
Liu Xi blinked, his lips twitching. 'This… this can't be the same being who nearly killed me a minute ago.'
How the mighty had fallen. Fatherly love truly was an incredible force — powerful enough to turn a peak Dou Saint into a nervous old man desperate to please his daughter.
The man — the Old Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun — stepped forward, his voice calm and deep, filled with restrained power. "Little brother, I am Zhu Kun. I was… impulsive earlier. Please forgive my recklessness."
But when Zi Yan wasn't looking, those ancient golden eyes flicked toward Liu Xi, sharp and cold. A silent message passed between them.
'Boy, don't get too close to my daughter. No hugging, no touching. Or I'll crush you like a bug.'
Liu Xi: …
He sighed inwardly. Fair enough — if he were the father, he'd probably react the same way. 'If some brat dared touch my daughter, I'd beat him bloody before asking questions.'
Smiling faintly, Liu Xi replied, "No harm done. I was the one who acted presumptuously first. And since I'm still breathing, I can only thank Senior for your mercy."
Zhu Kun's stern gaze softened slightly. 'At least the boy knows how to behave,' he thought, giving a satisfied nod.
"See, Zi Yan? The young man has already forgiven me. He's got a generous heart, just like you," Zhu Kun said with a chuckle.
But Zi Yan's lips pressed into a stubborn pout. She moved to Liu Xi's side, her small hands curling into fists. "Don't twist things. I haven't forgiven you. My father disappeared long ago. I grew up alone — always alone… until I met Big Brother."
Her voice trembled as she spoke, tears glimmering at the corners of her eyes. For all her strength, she was still that little girl who had spent her childhood wandering and fighting to survive.
Even Zhu Kun — an ancient being who had lived countless years — faltered. His eyes reddened, a deep sorrow flickering within them. "Zi Yan, I…"
Before he could finish, Liu Xi placed his hand gently atop Zi Yan's head, ruffling her hair. That single gesture made Zhu Kun's expression darken instantly — if not for his daughter's presence, Liu Xi was certain he'd already be hanging upside down by his ankle.
But Liu Xi's voice remained calm and warm. "Zi Yan already knows in her heart. Whether she chooses to acknowledge it or not… that's for her to decide. What matters is following her own heart — so she'll never regret it later."
Zi Yan's teary eyes lifted toward him. Slowly, she nodded. "Mm."
Then, glancing at her father, her expression softened just slightly. "Big Brother and I came here looking for the treasure behind that bronze gate. Can you open it?"
Zhu Kun froze, his pride stung by the gentle intimacy between them. That boy — standing beside his daughter as though he belonged there — it gnawed at him. Still, he managed to keep his tone composed.
"That bronze gate leads to the Toushe Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion. Without the Ancient Jade, no one can open it. When I first came here, I tried to break through by force… and paid the price. The old monster sealed me within this space. I've been waiting ever since — waiting for someone bearing the jade."
Zi Yan frowned, disappointment clouding her features. "So without the Ancient Jade, we can't free you… and we can't open the gate either? Then we came all this way for nothing!"
Her words carried no malice, but Zhu Kun's heart twisted painfully. Yet beneath the sadness, he noticed something — Zi Yan had called him "you," not "that man." The hostility in her tone was fading.
Seeing her crestfallen, Zhu Kun straightened, voice filled with determination. "Don't worry! If that door can't be opened, you still have your father. I might not have many treasures here, but the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's wealth is endless. Once we return, anything you desire will be yours!"
Liu Xi coughed lightly. It was time the old dragon faced reality. His tone grew serious. "Senior… the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe isn't what it used to be. I've been there. The tribe is split into four factions. Only the East Dragon Island remains loyal to Zi Yan — the other three are hostile. They want her dead."
"What?!"
The roar shook the void. Even a fraction of Zhu Kun's rage unleashed suffocating pressure that made Liu Xi and Zi Yan's bodies go cold. For an instant, they felt the edge of death once more.
"These ungrateful beasts! All of them deserve to die!"
The outburst ended as quickly as it began. Seeing Zi Yan pale under the pressure, Zhu Kun instantly restrained his aura. His expression softened again, and he reached out gently. "My child… you've suffered too much."
Then, without hesitation, he lifted his right hand. Two fingers curved into a blade. With a sharp motion, he sliced open the scales and flesh over his heart. Blood gushed forth, glowing faintly with golden light. From within, he pulled out a palm-sized purple-gold seal shaped like a coiled dragon.
"This is the Dragon Seal. Together with the Dragon Slaying Sword, it represents the authority and power of the Dragon Emperor. The sword can only be wielded by one with pure royal blood — even I cannot pass it directly. But the Dragon Seal… though it drains the wielder's strength depending on their cultivation, it carries the bloodline's protection."
"With this in your hand, no one will dare touch you. One day, when your strength catches up — the Dragon Emperor's throne will be yours."
His words were firm, each syllable carrying the weight of an oath. Blood trickled down his chest, the wound already knitting shut, but the crimson mark remained vivid.
Zi Yan stared blankly at the glowing Dragon Seal. Her heart trembled. She didn't know whether to take it or not.
Yes, she still resented him — resented the years of loneliness, of surviving among beasts. But as she looked into her father's tired eyes, that hatred began to fade.
Finally, she turned toward Liu Xi, silently seeking his judgment. Her expression was uncertain, almost pleading.
Liu Xi smiled faintly and nodded. "Take it. This is why we came here."
Turning back, Zi Yan bit her lip and extended her small hand. "I'll take it. But once I gather the Ancient Jade and release you… we'll be even. No debts, no ties."
Zhu Kun only smiled — a tired, gentle smile. "As you wish."
(End of Chapter)
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