Chapter 351: Seniors, the Era Has Changed!
Atop the volcanic altar, under the blazing fire and scorching sun, the entire mountain radiated a dry and fiery heat. The once lush green forest sagged, the leaves drooping lifelessly. The vibrant green hues that once delighted the senses now seemed dull and lifeless under this oppressive heat.
On Eastern Dragon Island, powerful auras scattered across the land, each guarding a designated area, ready for anything. The atmosphere grew tense and stifling.
Zi Yan, born of the Dragon Emperor bloodline, was the unifying hope for the Ancient Dragon Clan. Now, having consumed the mythical Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, she bore the fate and future of the Ancient Dragon Clan on her shoulders.
Following Zhu Li's orders, Eastern Dragon Island was on full alert, the level of vigilance raised to its utmost. Every moment, they were prepared to face potential invasions from the other three dragon islands.
Whoosh!
A shadow flashed atop the mountain peak, revealing an elder with black and white hair. His expression was solemn and stern, exuding an air of unquestionable authority.
"Third Elder, all preparations are complete!" Qi You reported in a grave tone. The powerful warriors were already in position, ready to defend. With their presence, no one would dare lay a hand on Zi Yan.
"You've worked hard," Zhu Li nodded, his gaze distant as he watched the three colored flames surging atop the volcano.
"Sigh… who would have thought that the Heavenly Flame our clan once dismissed as unworthy would now be our only hope…" Qi You remarked with a sigh, his eyes on the Three Thousand Burning Flame.
The Ancient Dragon Clan had never cared much for Heavenly Flames, as they lacked expertise in soul related cultivation. Hence, when the Three Thousand Burning Flame was sealed in the Pill Tower's Star Region, no one in the clan thought it worthwhile to retrieve it.
The elder who had originally discovered the Three Thousand Burning Flame had casually left a dragon mark there, more out of whimsy than necessity a "passing through" mentality.
But now, the once dismissed Heavenly Flame had become a crucial tool for the survival of the Ancient Dragon Clan. Fate was indeed unpredictable.
"Hehe… Lu Bu is truly a blessing to our clan!" Zhu Li chuckled as he stroked his beard. "Because of him, we rediscovered our lost royal bloodline, reigniting hope for unifying the clan."
"Because of him, we obtained the legendary Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, bringing new hope to our clan's revival."
"And once again, it is because of him, using the Heavenly Flame to melt the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, that we stand a chance to achieve all this. Without him, these hopes would slip through our fingers."
"He is the benefactor of our clan!" Qi You nodded solemnly, a rare smile breaking his usually serious demeanor.
"Where is the Second Elder?" Zhu Li asked as he scanned the surroundings. Earlier, he had awakened the Second Elder from a deep secluded cultivation. At this critical moment, they needed a true powerhouse to oversee the situation.
Eastern Dragon Island's strength was formidable, with both the First and Second Elders at the Dou Sheng level, more than capable of holding off the other dragon islands. However, with the old Dragon Emperor's bloodline at stake, along with the potential of an attack from all three dragon islands, even Eastern Dragon Island might not withstand the assault.
"The Second Elder is sending messages to the elders in the void," Qi You replied, his smile widening. "Now that the royal bloodline has returned, and the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit has surfaced, it's time for the elders training in the void to return and protect the Dragon Emperor!"
"Heh…" Zhu Li couldn't help but grin. Ever since the old Dragon Emperor's departure, the Ancient Dragon Clan had become fragmented. The proud Taixu Ancient Dragons respected no one and refused to bow to each other, leading to the eventual division of the clan.
Disheartened by the chaotic state of the clan, the elder powerhouses retreated into the void to train, abandoning the clan's affairs. Though their presence ensured the Ancient Dragon Clan wouldn't face extinction, they left the internal mess for others to deal with.
Zhu Li and his peers had tried countless times to summon these elders back to maintain unity, but all their efforts had gone unanswered.
After all, you couldn't wake someone who was pretending to sleep.
But now… seniors, the era has changed!
The Dragon Emperor bloodline had returned!
With the emergence of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, those loyal to the old Dragon Emperor had no excuse not to return. If they refused, it would be an act of disloyalty, a betrayal of the Dragon Emperor.
And none of them had the courage to defy the Dragon Emperor.
Whoosh!
Another shadow appeared silently beside Zhu Li and Qi You. It was a white haired elder, his presence exuding calm yet undeniable strength.
"Second Elder!" Zhu Li and Qi You immediately bowed.
"Hmm… I've sent the messages. Now we wait for the seniors' return," the Second Elder said, waving his hand. "I've also awakened the First Elder from his secluded cultivation. The future of the Ancient Dragon Clan now rests with our new Dragon Emperor."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Lu Bu.
…
A day passed in the blink of an eye. The Three Thousand Burning Flame blanketed the altar, while the Fallen Heart Flame and Green Lotus Core Flame focused on the weaker sections of the crystal.
The combined effort of the three flames relentlessly burned the seemingly indestructible crystal.
Under the furious assault of the three Heavenly Flames, the unyielding purple gold crystalline layer began to soften. Its sharp edges rounded off, and finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone present, a single drop of purple gold liquid slowly dripped from the crystal.
"It's melting!" Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian exchanged a glance, their veiled faces lighting up with joy.
"Zi Yan is saved!"
"No… something's wrong with Yun Yun!" Medusa suddenly tensed, her expression shifting as she turned to Yun Yun.
Yun Yun's face had gone pale, her aura weakening as her body began to tremble uncontrollably.
"She's only at the peak of the Dou Zong realm her strength isn't enough…" Xiao Yi Xian murmured, her jade like hands clenching in worry.
"I'll assist them!" Zhu Li, observing from the mountain peak, noticed the problem as well. He clenched his hand, and a jade bottle containing five drops of dark golden blood appeared his essence blood, capable of restoring Lu Bu and Yun Yun to their peak states.
However, before he could act, dozens of jade bottles suddenly shot out from the volcanic altar, shattering midair with a series of sharp cracks.
In an instant, a swarm of small, fluffy creatures emerged from the swirling mist. They danced around the altar, exuding a rainbow of medicinal fragrances that enveloped the entire volcano.
"Th this… these are all eighth tier pills?!" Qi You's eyes widened in shock, his face frozen in disbelief. He had never seen so many eighth tier pills at once.
"Ridiculously rich…" The Second Elder twitched slightly, his voice tinged with envy. Even as a Dou Sheng, he had never witnessed such a scene.
Among magical beasts and even throughout the Central Plains high tier pills were rare commodities. Eighth or ninth tier pills were especially scarce. In his entire life, he had never seen a single ninth tier pill.
"This…" Zhu Li silently retracted his essence blood. Compared to Lu Bu's display, he suddenly felt like a pauper standing next to royalty.
Atop the volcanic altar, Lu Bu raised his hand and caught a small, fluffy rabbit. It transformed into a verdant green pill, which he gently fed to Yun Yun.
As the pill dissolved, Yun Yun's body trembled slightly. The boundless medicinal power seeped into her near depleted dantian, replenishing her Dou Qi in a gentle yet powerful wave.
Yun Yun felt a fragrant sweetness on her lips, and her spirit instantly revitalized. Flames surged around her once more.
Lu Bu nodded faintly, dark energy rippling across his skin as the surrounding spiritual energy of Dragon Island was drawn toward him, transforming into Dou Qi within his body.
Devouring Armor.
On the volcanic altar, beneath the blazing flames and scorching sun, the entire mountain radiated an intense heat. The once lush, green trees drooped, their leaves limp and lifeless. The vibrant greenery that once delighted the senses had now turned dull under the oppressive heat.
Across Eastern Dragon Island, powerful auras were scattered, each stationed in strategic locations, maintaining a tight defense. The atmosphere grew tense and suffocating.
Zi Yan, born of the Dragon Emperor bloodline, bore the hope of reuniting the Ancient Dragon Clan. Now, having consumed the mythical Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, she was the sole bearer of the clan's fate and future.
Under Zhu Li's orders, Eastern Dragon Island was on high alert. Everyone was prepared for an attack from the other three dragon islands, ready to defend Zi Yan at all costs.
Suddenly, Lu Bu activated the devouring ability of the Devouring Ancestor Symbol. With the power of the Ancestor Symbol and a Heaven tier cultivation technique at his disposal, he left the eighth tier pills for Yun Yun instead.
However, Lu Bu's brow furrowed slightly as an intense surge of pure, powerful energy flowed into his body.
"This is... the energy of the Dragon Emperor Origin Fruit?" Lu Bu's expression shifted. If this were Xiao Yan or anyone else, he might have secretly siphoned some benefits for himself.
But this was Zi Yan. He couldn't risk meddling if it stunted her growth, the one who would lose out would be him.
Lu Bu immediately unleashed his soul perception and quickly identified the source.
It was the energy from the melted edges of the purple gold crystal.
The crystal formed by the energy of the Dragon Emperor Origin Fruit was enormous. The edges had already melted and even evaporated under the intense burning of the Heavenly Flames, but Zi Yan at the center of the crystal was only beginning to soften.
"It seems unavoidable. Even if I don't absorb this energy, it'll simply dissipate…" Lu Bu frowned. Though it wasn't ideal, he had no choice but to absorb the wasted energy to avoid letting it go to waste.
…
Time flowed by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
The massive crystal, as large as a mountain, gradually melted under the combined efforts of Lu Bu and Yun Yun.
The energy released from the melting crystal coalesced into a magnificent scene: a golden dragon spiraling upward and a purple phoenix soaring gracefully. The energy surrounding Zi Yan was so immense and awe inspiring that it even made the Second Elder, a genuine Dou Sheng, feel a sense of dread. It was like gazing into a boundless, infinite sea.
"As expected of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit…" The Second Elder's face was heavy. This was just the energy leaking from Zi Yan's body. He didn't dare imagine how vast the full energy of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit must be.
"What I'm more curious about is Lu Bu…" Zhu Li's eyes flickered as he stared at Lu Bu's figure.
"Indeed... those eighth tier pills were all consumed by the Spirit Race girl, Yun Yun, yet Lu Bu hasn't taken a single one," Qi You muttered, his brow furrowed. He couldn't understand how Lu Bu's Dou Qi reserves remained so vast and enduring.
Even for someone at the peak of Dou Zun, sustaining such an immense consumption of Dou Qi was impossible.
"His cultivation technique must be Heaven tier…" Zhu Li also frowned. But even with a Heaven tier technique, it shouldn't provide such endless reserves. The consumption of Dou Qi when using Heavenly Flames was immense.
Qi You shook his head. The terrifying heat of the flames prevented him from extending his perception, making it impossible to investigate.
The Second Elder, after a moment of careful observation, furrowed his brows. To him, Lu Bu resembled a strange black hole, devouring everything around him bit by bit.
"Truly strange…" The Second Elder's confusion deepened. How could someone's aura feel so unusual?
But at that moment, the Second Elder's expression darkened, his gaze becoming razor sharp.
"Xuan Mo, how dare you!"
"Hahaha, Zhu Gang, I thought you'd died in seclusion!" A wild laugh echoed across Eastern Dragon Island as a robust figure appeared. Behind him followed a group of armored dragon soldiers, led by a warrior whose aura rivaled Qi You's.
"Hahaha, Zhu Gang, my king is quite interested in the royal bloodline. Hand it over!" Xuan Mo bellowed with laughter.
"Hmph… with just Western Dragon Island? You're not even close!" The Second Elder, Zhu Gang, sneered coldly and struck with his palm. The space around them froze as countless invisible blades slashed through the void, heading straight for the Western Dragon Island soldiers.
The peak Dou Zun leading them paled in fear and instinctively retreated. He hadn't expected a Dou Sheng level powerhouse to attack the juniors so ruthlessly.
"Zhu Gang, bullying the weak? Have you no shame!" Xuan Mo roared in fury and punched out, blocking the Second Elder's attack.
Xuan Mo's strength was on par with the Second Elder he was also a Dou Sheng powerhouse!
"Hmph, invading Eastern Dragon Island in force, and you dare talk of shame? Prepare to die!" Zhu Gang roared. A deafening explosion followed as a massive, thousand foot long dragon phantom coiled over Eastern Dragon Island, exuding an oppressive aura.
"Hmph, do you think I'm afraid of you?" Xuan Mo stepped forward, his aura surging as an equally massive dragon phantom materialized behind him.
"Die!" Zhu Gang roared, unleashing a terrifying punch filled with devastating force.
"You madman… Attack! Wipe out Eastern Dragon Island and seize the royal bloodline!" Xuan Mo barked. Despite his complaints, he didn't back down, fully committed to the battle.
"Kill!"
Following Xuan Mo's orders, the Western Dragon Island soldiers charged toward the Eastern Dragon Island warriors with a thunderous roar.
"Xia'ao, Western Dragon Island doesn't have the strength to pull this off!" Zhu Li sneered at the leader of the Western Dragon Island soldiers. His semi saint aura erupted as he prepared to strike.
"Kill this bastard!" Qi You shouted coldly, following Zhu Li's lead with a fierce claw attack aimed at Xia'ao.
"Hehehe… who said Western Dragon Island was alone?" Xia'ao smirked strangely.
Before his voice faded, two powerful auras suddenly descended.
Boom! Boom!
Two dark gold beams of energy shot through the sky, intercepting Zhu Li and Qi You's attacks.
"Man Yan?! Qing Yan?!" Zhu Li and Qi You's faces turned grim.
"What's this? The three dragon islands have joined forces?"
"Hehe… That's irrelevant. All you need to know is that Eastern Dragon Island is unworthy of the royal bloodline!" Man Yan sneered as his arms transformed into a fierce half dragon, half human form. He charged at Zhu Li with unparalleled ferocity.
"Zhu Li, come! Let me see how strong you've become!"
"Hahaha… Then I'll take care of Qi You!" Qing Yan laughed savagely, his clawed hand shimmering with scales as he slashed at Qi You. The attack carried a sharp, violent energy that roared through the air.
"Hahaha… in that case, I'll go claim the royal bloodline!" Xia'ao laughed and dashed forward, crossing the void in an instant to appear near the volcanic altar.
"Roar!"
A massive ancient dragon hundreds of meters long suddenly emerged, unleashing a violent dragon breath that tore through the air.
Boom!
A deafening explosion shook the mountain as the destructive energy rippled outward.
"Heh… Black Qing?" Xia'ao sneered as he emerged unscathed, his body surrounded by golden light. The devastating dragon breath hadn't harmed him in the slightest.
"I'm not in the mood to play with you!" Xia'ao smirked coldly and threw a punch.
Bang!
Dragon scales flew as blood splattered across the air.
Black Qing let out a pained scream as his massive body was sent crashing into the mountains below, his fate uncertain.
"Hmph… The royal bloodline belongs to Western Dragon Island!" Xia'ao stroked his beard with a smug smile, his gaze sweeping toward the volcanic altar.
Whoosh!
Two graceful figures suddenly appeared outside the altar, their sharp eyes fixed on Xia'ao.
"Oh… Two little bugs?" Xia'ao sneered, his hand glowing with golden energy as his aura surged menacingly.
(To be continued…)
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