After quickly adapting to his surge in strength, Chen Xiao retracted the Dragon Emperor Ancient Armor and stood up.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
His strength had skyrocketed from a Two-Star Dou Zun to a Five-Star Dou Zun, and this also provided him with another means of survival. This was truly a significant gift.
His trip to the northwest had yielded even greater rewards than he had imagined!
"No need for pleasantries. Since you're awake, you should prepare to depart. Qing Shan will cooperate with you throughout the journey. I have only one request: you must obtain the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!"
The old Dragon Emperor waved his hand and said seriously.
The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was something even the old Dragon Emperor could not overlook. Obtaining it would allow Zi Yan to rapidly improve her strength without any hidden dangers.
Otherwise, even if he personally intervened, it would be difficult for Zi Yan to reach a level where she could suppress the three Dragon Kings in a short period.
"Uncle, rest assured, the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is a must-get!"
"Good, go now. Return soon. I've already briefed Zi Yan and Qing Shan on the other matters."
The old Dragon Emperor waved his sleeve, and the three of them were gently sent out of the peculiar space.
It wasn't until they emerged from beneath Jia Nan Academy that Chen Xiao learned from Zi Yan that they had been inside for a full half-month.
Outside the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower.
Sensing a wisp of aura deliberately released by the three, Su Qian immediately rushed over.
"Old Man Su, we have urgent matters and need to travel to the Beast Region. We'll visit you again next time."
Eager to head to the Ancient Ruins, Zi Yan didn't linger for pleasantries and spoke first to bid farewell.
Seeing Zi Yan's serious expression, Su Qian smiled and nodded.
"You've all grown. I can't help you much now, so I can only say, be careful on your journey."
"Take care, Grand Elder. Please also convey my regards to Qing Huan and Xing Yao when they finish their cultivation."
Chen Xiao and Zi Yan exchanged brief goodbyes. Although the Grand Elder Qing Shan didn't speak, he cupped his fists in a gesture of respect.
As a Dou Sheng expert, showing such politeness to a Dou Zong was already a very generous act.
This was also thanks to the care Su Qian had shown Zi Yan in the past.
...
Upon returning to the Central State from the northwest, Chen Xiao took the opportunity to visit Qifeng Mountain.
"Pavilion Master."
As he emerged from the spatial passage, Heavenly Flame Honored One, who happened to be in the plaza, immediately greeted him.
"Mhm, has Qing Lin returned?" Chen Xiao asked, sensing the powerful heat waves emanating from the backyard.
"She has returned. The few ladies are all over there now."
"Alright, you may go. Adjust your condition during this time. When I return, you will be able to be resurrected."
Chen Xiao gave his instructions and, without waiting for Heavenly Flame Honored One's stunned reaction, headed towards the backyard with Zi Yan.
As for the Grand Elder Qing Shan, he had already left upon arrival, stating that he needed to call Hei Qing back to formally pay his respects to His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.
In the backyard.
As Chen Xiao and Zi Yan arrived, they were immediately hit by a wave of heat.
The source of this heat wave was none other than Cao Ying, who was meditating in the small courtyard.
Her eyes were closed, her pretty face slightly flushed, and her hands were in cultivation gestures. She sat there like a human volcano, the surrounding temperature rising significantly due to her presence.
Besides Cao Ying, there were several other figures in the courtyard.
Cai Lin, holding Yao Yao, Little Fairy Doctor, and Qing Lin, who had just returned from the Beast Region.
"Daddy~"
Meeting their gazes, Chen Xiao smiled and nodded. He took his daughter from Cai Lin's arms while sensing Cao Ying's condition.
"Ying'er's refinement has entered the right track. She should succeed soon."
When he had sensed the commotion in the backyard upon his return, Chen Xiao had already had some suspicions.
Now, seeing it, it was indeed true. Cao Ying had begun refining her fourth Heavenly Flame!
The Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame was ranked too low, and with Cao Ying's current strength and experience, it would be difficult for her to fail. Moreover, she had Qing Lin and Little Fairy Doctor guarding her.
Therefore, Chen Xiao hadn't been anxious at all from the beginning.
Cai Lin and the other women all nodded. They had witnessed the entire process of Cao Ying refining the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame and were even more aware of the changes in Cao Ying's condition.
"Zi Yan, you and your father..."
Hearing Cai Lin's question, Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin also looked at Zi Yan.
Zi Yan, while playing with Yao Yao in Chen Xiao's arms, chuckled, "I've met him. The old man is quite pitiful, so I reluctantly accepted him."
Upon hearing this, the women all chuckled lightly.
Based on their understanding of Zi Yan, the process was likely not that simple.
It was good that they had recognized each other.
As the favorites of the group, Zi Yan's situation had a good outcome, and they were all genuinely happy for her.
After they chatted for a while, Chen Xiao finally spoke.
"Ying'er still needs some time to finish. I won't wait for her. Zi Yan and I are going to the Beast Region. Qing Lin, will you accompany us? Xian'er will stay and guard the Purple Firmament Pavilion."
Regardless of whether there were threats, it was necessary to have a strong person stationed there.
Furthermore, this trip to the Ancient Ruins was not for fighting.
With Grand Elder Qing Shan accompanying them, it was unlikely they would encounter any danger along the way.
Bringing Qing Lin along was simply because they wanted an extra pair of hands, making it more convenient to search the Ancient Ruins.
Coincidentally, Qing Lin's Three-Flower Pupils had spatial abilities that could hold people, so bringing her along was equivalent to bringing a small team.
Cai Lin had long understood Chen Xiao's intentions and was not surprised by this.
Qing Lin and Little Fairy Doctor nodded in agreement, having no objections.
They didn't linger for too long. After spending half a day with them, Chen Xiao decided it was time to depart.
When they arrived at the plaza below the Lightning Tower, Grand Elder Qing Shan was resting with his eyes closed, while Hei Qing and Hai Bo Dong were chatting with Heavenly Flame Honored One.
"Hei Qing, greetings, Your Majesty Dragon Emperor!"
Catching sight of Zi Yan out of the corner of his eye, Hei Qing immediately stopped talking, stood up, and bowed respectfully.
He had already heard from Grand Elder Qing Shan that Zi Yan had become the new Dragon Emperor.
Naturally, his attitude should also change accordingly.
"Uncle Hei, have you found any clues?"
Zi Yan was still a little unaccustomed to the change in her identity, but she was also trying her best to adapt. After helping Hei Qing up, she asked.
She was asking about the Heavenly North Ruins.
"Not yet. The Heavenly North is quite vast. Your Majesty Dragon Emperor, you can just call me Hei Qing from now on."
Hei Qing scratched his head, not daring to accept Zi Yan's form of address.
Zi Yan nodded slightly, not surprised.
"Then you can continue your search. From now on, this matter will be fully entrusted to you."
Hei Qing's smile froze, but he could only reluctantly agree.
In fact, he also really wanted to see what the legendary Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit looked like.
"Brother Hei Qing, searching for ruins is not a matter of a day or two. There's no need to rush, just take your time. When we get back, you can come with us to see the Old Dragon Emperor," Chen Xiao said.
He already knew that the Old Dragon Emperor had asked Zi Yan and Grand Elder Qing Shan not to publicly announce the news of finding him on a large scale.
However, Hei Qing had known about this matter from the very beginning, so there was no need to hide it from him.
"Really?! Then hurry back!"
Trembling hands, an excited heart. Such a sight on a large man was quite a contrast.
Chen Xiao smiled and nodded, not saying anything more to him. He then looked at Grand Elder Qing Shan, who had already stood up.
"Grand Elder, let's set off."
Grand Elder Qing Shan couldn't have wished for anything more. Without any hesitation, he tore open the space in front of him and stepped into it first.
Chen Xiao, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin followed closely behind.
...
The azure sky was cloudless, appearing like a vast blue mirror, clear and pure.
Hiss~
Suddenly, the silent sky seemed to be torn apart by an invisible hand from within, revealing a spatial rift several zhang wide.
Immediately, four figures emerged from it, standing in the sky as if walking on flat ground.
"Young Master, this is the Beast Region."
"Within the Beast Region, nearly seventy percent of the magical beast families on the Dou Qi Continent are gathered. This is the world of magical beasts, including two of the three major tribes in the magical beast world, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Tribe and the Nine Nether Earth Python Tribe. They reside here, and each possesses numerous subordinate races."
"Once you enter the Beast Region, their eyes and ears are everywhere. Any significant movement will not go unnoticed. When I came to retrieve the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame before, I killed quite a few Heavenly Demon Phoenix scouts."
Looking down at the rippling forest sea below, Qing Lin explained calmly.
She had visited the Beast Region once before and had some understanding of the situation here.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, not paying much attention.
As he said before, they were here to dig up graves, not to fight.
Zi Yan remembered something and said with a smile, "That Feng Qing'er from last time, after the Wind and Lightning Pavilion was destroyed, she must have returned to the Beast Region. She might have even secretly reported us. If the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Tribe finds out we're here, they might not be able to resist causing trouble."
Hearing her mention this, Grand Elder Qing Shan became a little more serious.
"Your Majesty Dragon Emperor, although my clan hasn't been active in the Central State for a long time, we still have some understanding of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Tribe. This tribe's overall strength is not bad, and they have several Dou Sheng powerhouses. Their Clan Leader, Huang Tian, has even reached the Five-Star Dou Sheng level, which is even stronger than those three Dragon Kings!"
The Grand Elder of Green Mountains is currently the strongest fighter on Eastern Dragon Island, possessing a cultivation base of a mid-stage Two-Star Dou Sheng.
This is also why Eastern Dragon Island's situation has become increasingly difficult.
As for Huang Tian, he is a Five-Star Dou Sheng!
The gap is immense!
If it were in the past, knowing he had a grudge with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan, he might have worried about bringing Zi Yan into the Beast Region.
But the past is the past, and the present is the present!
After meeting the Old Dragon Emperor, these worries have vanished.
Even Chen Xiao received so many benefits from the Old Dragon Emperor, let alone his own daughter Zi Yan.
"It's fine. If that Huang Tian dares to come, I'll make sure he dies!"
Life-saving trump cards shouldn't be used carelessly, but that doesn't mean they can't be used.
Zi Yan was fearless, not taking the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's threat to heart at all. She waved her delicate hand, displaying her arrogant nature.
Chen Xiao found it amusing and shook his head, "We might not necessarily clash with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan this time. That Ancient Ruin is in the Beast Bone Mountain Range, which falls within the territory of the Nine Nether Earth Pythons. The Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan's influence likely won't reach here."
After chatting in the sky for a while, the four continued their journey.
Although the Beast Region's area is not comparable to Central State, it cannot be underestimated. The overlapping mountain ranges, stretching as far as the eye could see, are enough to make one feel the unique wild aura of this region.
Even though the Beast Region is known as the Hundred Thousand Mountains, this is merely a figurative term. If calculated precisely, the number would far exceed this. These mountain ranges extend to places beyond human reach, and with the passage of time, countless opportunities have been left within these endless mountains, waiting for fated individuals to discover them.
For example, the Ten Thousand Beast Spirit Flame that Qing Lin recently brought back.
The destination for the four was the Beast Bone Mountain Range. Although none of them had been there before, this mountain range is quite famous within the Beast Region.
This is because the mountain range possesses a terrifying ocean of bones. Countless beast skeletons are discarded here. As time passes, these skeletons gradually release a peculiar beastly energy contained within their bones. This energy is of no use to humans, but it serves as a good supplement for Magical Beasts, making the Beast Bone Mountain Range a favored gathering place for many Magical Beasts.
Because of this, the four didn't need to inquire deliberately. A cursory scan over the territory of the Nine Nether Earth Pythons easily revealed the bone-white mountain range.
"This must be it. I can feel that the space here is indeed a bit unstable."
Upon arriving near their destination, Zi Yan immediately sensed something.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly. Unstable space was normal.
If they hadn't intervened, this Ancient Ruin would have only lasted another five or six years before emerging.
"His Majesty the Dragon Emperor is correct. There is indeed a space hidden here, but it's constructed rather crudely. The owner's strength likely doesn't exceed that of a Two-Star Dou Sheng," Grand Elder Green Mountains made a more authoritative judgment.
"Grand Elder, how long will it take to break through?"
"Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor, rest assured, a few breaths of time will suffice. Even when the owner of this ruin was alive, I doubt he could have stopped me from entering, let alone now."
Grand Elder Green Mountains smiled proudly, his gaze sweeping over the numerous Magical Beasts active in the mountain range.
"It's just that there are too many Magical Beasts gathered here, and it's not far from the core area of the Nine Nether Earth Pythons, the Nether Snake Vein. Once the ruin is broken open, there will inevitably be some commotion, which might alert them. Therefore, to maintain secrecy, these Magical Beasts..."
As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Grand Elder Green Mountains' eyes.
At that moment, Chen Xiao and the other two sensed that the space where the Beast Bone Mountain Range was located quietly rippled. The movement was not large, but it contained fatal danger.
Within the mountain range, countless Magical Beasts were absorbing the peculiar beastly energy pervading the area, completely unaware that danger was approaching.
By the time the spatial ripple passed, it was too late for them to escape.
Like a gentle breeze sweeping through a cluster of candles, one Magical Beast after another silently fell to the ground under their watchful eyes, blood spilling, flesh and bone separating!
In just a few breaths of time, all the Magical Beasts in the entire Beast Bone Mountain Range were silently annihilated!
Witnessing the entire process, Chen Xiao and the other two were deeply moved.
Due to first impressions, their impression of the Grand Elder had always been kind and approachable.
Especially Chen Xiao and Zi Yan, who had even seen the Grand Elder crying profusely before.
Only now, to ensure that there were no flaws in the matter of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, did this Grand Elder reveal his ruthless and decisive side.
Tens of thousands of Magical Beasts were killed on the spot without the slightest hesitation!
Taking a deep breath, Chen Xiao raised his hand and cast dense Rune Seals, completely sealing the Beast Bone Mountain Range.
Zi Yan also waved her delicate hand, setting up a Barrier.
"Qing Lin, leave one person to guard outside and clean up the traces."
Qing Lin nodded in agreement. Her Three-Flower Pupils activated, and a figure darted out, moving like a ghost through the mountain range, cleaning up traces while collecting the Magic Cores scattered on the ground.
Although these Magic Cores were not of particularly high grade, their sheer number represented a considerable harvest.
After completing all this, the three finally looked at the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder's expression remained unchanged as he stepped forward.
Immediately, he extended a pair of powerful hands and gently stirred the space in front of him.
In an instant, the space before them seemed to become like thick, layered paper, unfolding with rings of ripples.
After a moment, the space was finally completely broken open. Looking inside, the outline of a grand hall could be vaguely seen.
"Let's go!"
-----------
Machine Translation by: beta.randomtranslator.com
Read 1400+ original & fanfic translations and Translate for Free at: www.randomtranslator.com