In the depths of the Void—Ancient Dragon Island.
Yao Yunting's gaze fell upon the vast island suspended amid endless emptiness, his eyes filled with awe. To carve out a stable space for habitation in the Void was a feat far more difficult than opening an independent dimension. Only the Ancient Void Dragons, born with the supreme mastery of spatial power, could accomplish such a grand undertaking. Hidden within the endless void, their location shifted unpredictably. Without an insider's guidance, it was impossible for anyone to find them—not even the other ancient clans.
"Elder Yao, please follow me." Elder Qing Shan smiled faintly, pride gleaming in his eyes. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe indeed possessed the right to be proud.
"Oh—thank you." Yao Yunting snapped out of his daze.
Landing upon Ancient Dragon Island, the sight before him made his heart tremble. Endless mountain ranges stretched into the distance, vast forests swayed under invisible winds, and within them pulsed the powerful auras of mighty beings.
This was the heritage of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe.
Following Elder Qing Shan deeper into the island, accompanied by four other dragon elders, Yao Yunting's respect grew heavier with each step. He began to understand—this tribe was not weak, far from it.
'When I return, I must report truthfully to the Clan Leader. We must treat the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe with greater goodwill. Our Yao Clan is known for its pills; surely, the dragons would not refuse a friend like us.'
After a long walk, they finally arrived at the grand throne hall.
Elder Qing Shan announced their arrival with respectful formality before leading Yao Yunting inside. The towering doors slowly opened, revealing a vast interior built in the rough yet majestic style of magical beasts—simple, unadorned, yet brimming with raw strength.
There were not many people within the hall, yet Yao Yunting's awe deepened.
He could faintly sense several powerful perceptions sweeping across him—each belonging to a being whose strength surpassed even his own Clan Leader.
"Dragon Emperor, the guest from the Yao Clan has arrived," Elder Qing Shan said reverently, his tone filled with devotion.
"Mmm~" came a lazy, melodious response.
It was Zi Yan's voice, though she was only presiding here on Liu Xi's behalf. He had wanted to meet this visitor personally—to better understand the motives and intentions of the ancient clans. Otherwise, Zi Yan would have preferred to spend the afternoon playing with Erlong.
They were so alike.
Both dragons, both innocent and spirited. To Zi Yan, Erlong was like a reflection of her younger self—she couldn't help but pour all her affection into the little one.
Yao Yunting lowered his head deeply. On the distant throne sat a woman shrouded in an aura of majesty and allure. That languid, velvet-soft voice sent tingles down his spine.
'So this is the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe… just as the legends say—dignified, alluring, untouchable.'
Suppressing thoughts he shouldn't have, Yao Yunting stepped forward and bowed respectfully, his voice loud and clear.
"Yao Yunting of the Yao Clan greets the Dragon Emperor!"
High upon the throne, Zi Yan regarded him calmly, her tone faint as she spoke—just as Liu Xi had instructed.
"Rise. Speak. What business brings you here?"
Yao Yunting straightened and quickly retrieved a gilded invitation scroll. Holding it respectfully in both hands, he said, "The Yao Clan humbly invites the Dragon Emperor to attend our Yao Clan Medicinal Ceremony. This ceremony will be grand beyond compare. Moreover, with the Hun Clan's cruelty spreading chaos across the continent, the Four Clan Alliance wishes to extend friendship to the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe—to stand together against a common enemy."
Elder Qing Shan took the scroll, inspected it carefully, then enveloped it in Dou Qi and sent it upward into Zi Yan's hand.
Zi Yan unfurled it with a casual glance—flowery words and empty courtesies filled its surface; there was no meaningful information at all.
Remembering Liu Xi's instructions, Zi Yan finally turned her golden eyes upon Yao Yunting, her tone calm but probing.
"You have fought the Hun Clan for over a year now—your enmity runs deep. Yet you open your spatial realm for all to enter so publicly. Aren't you afraid the Hun Clan will infiltrate and destroy your event from within?"
Yao Yunting hesitated, his lips twitching. After some thought, he bowed again and said. "This is no secret. There is no harm in telling the Dragon Emperor in advance."
"The Yao Clan Medicinal Ceremony is an open stratagem, not a hidden one. After a year of battle, though we have slain countless Hun Clan experts, our alliance too is weary. We hope to use this event to draw out the Hun Clan—to weaken them before striking the final blow."
"The Four Clans have already linked our spatial realms together. Our powerhouses stand ready; one message is all it takes to gather the army."
"If the Hun Clan does not appear, the Medicinal Ceremony will boost morale and soothe our warriors' hearts. The pills refined there will serve as rewards for those who have rendered great service."
"But if the Hun Clan comes, then with the Hun Tiandi restrained by Clan Leader Gu Yuan, their remaining strength cannot hold against us. We will sever one of their arms with a single strike."
"They seek to destroy us one by one—then we shall tear a chunk of flesh from their own."
His words were firm, resolute.
Zi Yan, however, frowned. To bait the Hun Clan with such an open ceremony… she could see at once the danger hidden within.
Her tone turned cold, the lazy charm replaced by unshakable authority. A wave of power surged from her, filling the hall with oppressive might. Her violet-gold eyes glimmered with restrained fury as her voice cut through the air.
"If the Hun Clan stays away, all is well. But if they come—and this Medicinal Ceremony becomes a battlefield—what then of my Ancient Void Dragon Tribe? Would you have us serve as your sword and shield?"
The immense pressure descended instantly. Yao Yunting's face turned pale as his body trembled; the very air rejected his existence. His Dou Qi shrank within his meridians, sluggish as if mired in stone, and even moving became difficult.
"N-No… I wouldn't dare…!"
He stammered rapidly, terrified she might crush him with a thought. The might of the dragons—its weight pressed upon his soul.
"The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe would be our most honored ally," Yao Yunting blurted hastily. "The Four Clans will guarantee your safety. The Hun Clan may be strong, but they, too, have limits!"
"Clan Leader Gu Yuan will restrain Hun Tiandi himself. Without him, the Hun Clan lacks any who can shoulder the heavens. If they dare appear, we will crush them under the combined might of the Four Clans. You have my word—Dragon Emperor, please rest assured!"
Zi Yan's gaze lingered upon him. Then, hearing Liu Xi's telepathic message in her mind—"... You can agree. I must attend this personally."—her expression softened.
"Very well," she said faintly. "This Emperor will trust you—for now. I shall send representatives to your Medicinal Ceremony. Whomever I send will have full authority to act on my behalf. Do not question their decisions."
"Hu…"
Yao Yunting exhaled deeply, his limbs weak. The crushing pressure faded at last, leaving behind the aftertaste of dread.
At least he had survived.
Seeing the Dragon Emperor's agreement, he bowed low once more. His mission was complete—though the true negotiations would begin only at the Medicinal Ceremony itself.
"In that case, I, Yao Yunting, shall take my leave."
Without lingering a moment longer, he withdrew quickly, escorted by Elder Qing Shan.
(End of Chapter)
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