Upon returning to Qingce Manor, Chen Guan realized he had spent the previous fortnight underground. Zi Yan and the others would have been furious if they hadn't known there was no one to threaten him.
The crowd's reaction to Bodhi, who had appeared with Chen Guan, was quite remarkable. From his appearance, Bodhi looked like a close brother to Chen Guan.
After Chen Guan's explanation, the crowd gradually calmed down. Yun Yun, Xuan Kongzi, and the others then solemnly thanked Bodhi.
Without exception, they had all benefited from the ancient Bodhi tree. Though it had come through Chen Guan's hand, it was only natural to express gratitude upon meeting the true owner.
"Alright, we're all family, so there's no need to be so formal. Teacher, send a message to Gu Yuan. I'll open the Ancient Emperor Cave in three days. Zi Yan, return to Dragon Island and inform Elder Kong and the others that it's time to welcome the Old Dragon Emperor back."
Although Gu Yuan's movements were stealthy, Chen Guan could sense he was secretly watching. Clearly, Gu Yuan wouldn't miss the Ancient Emperor Cave.
Even without notice, he would definitely go.
Given that, Chen Guan offered him a way out.
"Okay!" Xuan Kongzi responded.
Zi Yan nodded emphatically.
After so long, she'd finally shed her disapproval of the old Dragon Emperor, though she simply refused to admit it.
Everyone could see this.
...
Day and night passed, and in the blink of an eye, three reincarnations had passed.
In the former inner courtyard of Canaan Academy, magma swirled crimson.
Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, and the Black Horn Territory warriors gathered there watched in horror as a vast rift suddenly tore through the sky, emanating an indescribable, terrifying aura.
The next moment, figures radiating a powerful aura emerged from the spatial rift. Behind them, giant dragons, claws and fangs bared, roared and leaped forth, terrifying the group of novices into a frenzy, fleeing in panic, no longer daring to linger.
Only when a thousand miles had vanished from view did the dragons that once obscured the sky transform into humanoid forms, transforming into a ferocious army.
Upon learning of the return of the invincible Old Dragon Emperor, nearly the entire Ancient Dragon Clan mobilized, even the current Grand Elder, who had been in seclusion since the unification of Dragon Island, was awakened.
With Dragon Island unified, Zi Yan ascending to power, and Chen Guan and others assisting, the Grand Elder had anticipated the Ancient Dragon Clan's rapid rise to power.
However, upon awakening, witnessing the drastic changes on Dragon Island, and learning of recent events, he was still stunned.
It took him a long time to process this overwhelming information, tears streaming down his face. His first act was to resign his position as Grand Elder.
There was no other way. Compared to Zhu Kong, Zhu Wen, Ming Xie, and the others, he was vastly inferior in both strength and seniority. While Zhu Kong and the others didn't care, he had always felt the heat of the moment, and now, willingly and without complaint, he relinquished the position.
Returning to the point
, after a brief pause above the lava, Chen Guan, without hesitation, waved his hand, and led the group deep into the magma.
Such a formidable formation was enough to sweep across the Dou Qi Continent
. The Flame Lizardmen's attempts to stop them were like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, barely making a ripple. Soon, the vast army arrived at the gates of the Ancient Emperor's Cave.
Zhu Kun had already received Chen Guan's notification, and now, sensing the presence of countless clansmen and the prospect of soon regaining freedom, he felt immense excitement, yet he forcibly suppressed it.
Therefore, when the army arrived, they saw Zhu Kun, radiating dominance, resting upon a throne formed from condensed Dou Qi.
The throne was level with the Ancient Emperor's Cave, and Zhu Kun sat there in a state of calm, like the emperor of this place!
Seeing this scene, Chen Guan, Zi Yan, and others who knew Zhu Kun were speechless, but this did not dampen the ancient dragon army's fervent excitement.
"Your Majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
"Lord Dragon Emperor!"
Waves of excited cheers rang out, and the crowds knelt down with a clattering sound. The elders were filled with tears, their emotions overflowing.
Influenced by their emotions, even the returning elders, such as Zhu Kong and Zhu Wen, who had already met Zhu Kun, were filled with tears.
Zhu Kun faintly opened his eyes, a mighty dragon aura emanating from him. He gazed at the kneeling tribesmen below, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.
There was relief, there was relief, and alongside excitement, there was also a hint of well-concealed guilt.
"It's wonderful to witness this again!"
"Rise, my people."
"After today, I will return to Dragon Island. However, I have failed in my duties as Dragon Emperor. Zi Yan has done a far better job."
Quickly calming himself, Zhu Kun brushed off his sleeves, rose, and faced the tribesmen frankly.
His words did not stir the crowd. To Dragon Island, it made no difference whether Zhu Kun or Zi Yan held the position of Dragon Emperor.
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Seeing the mood calm down, Chen Guan led his group forward.
"Uncle, begin."
Seven pieces of blazing ancient jade flew out and, under Chen Guan's control, joined together.
Zhu Kun waved his hand, and the last piece of ancient jade flew out, filling the only missing piece.
Ten thousand years after being split into eight, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade was finally reunited!
As the last piece of ancient jade joined, the complete jade immediately responded.
A hazy hue emanated from the ancient jade, eerily emanating a faint mist. Within this mist, an elderly man with magnificent long hair emerged.
Instantly, an aura of supreme authority suddenly spread, like an unshakable mountain bearing down upon everyone. This pressure, seemingly endless, calmed the violent fire lizardmen within the magma and horrified the powerful figures of the Black Horn Region beyond, some of whom plummeted to the ground.
Somewhere in the void, Lei Ying and Yan Jin met.
Upon learning that Chen Guan was about to open the Ancient Emperor's Cave, the two clan leaders, unable to suppress their curiosity, secretly followed.
"Is this the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor?!"
"A Dou Di, so terrifying!"
"I feel like with just this little imperial power, if he had any ill intentions, he could easily kill us."
"Show yourself! Chen Guan must have noticed us long ago. If he had any plans against us, he would have stopped us long ago."
"Yes!"
After several exchanges, the two emerged from thin air, quietly appearing among the ancient dragon army.
At the entrance to the Ancient Emperor's cave, Chen Guan, holding the ancient jade in his hand, took a few steps forward. A vast surge of Dou Qi suddenly erupted, pouring into the jade in his hand. The quietly permeating pressure once again made everyone, including Zhu Kun and Gu Yuan, tremble with fear.
Chen Guan's power seemed to have surpassed the level of a Dou Sheng!
Only Bodhi remained calm. Partly because he had witnessed Chen Guan's transformation firsthand and had known it all along.
Partly because, at his peak, he too had transcended the realm of a Dou Sheng!
As Chen Guan's vast Dou Qi poured in, the ancient jade's radiance intensified. After a long moment, as if reaching a critical point, a brilliant beam of light suddenly emanated from it, landing on the cave's upper door.
"Boom!"
The door, sealed for millennia, rumbled open before the crowd, slowly opening before them. A scent of antiquity, steeped in time, emanated from within.
The hazy glow suddenly expanded, its overwhelming pressure intensifying. Without Dou Sheng strength, it was unbearable.
The Ancient Emperor's Cave was beyond the reach of ordinary men!
Zhu Kun rubbed his hands in excitement. It was for this very reason that he had been trapped here for millennia.
Now, at last, his wish was finally fulfilled.
Chen Guan's eyes gleamed. This Ancient Emperor's Cave felt strangely familiar to him.
He knew full well that this familiarity stemmed from the Pure Lotus Demonic Fire and the Void Devouring Flame!
"Those below the level of Dou Sheng should act within their capabilities."
"Let's go, let's take a look at this legendary Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion!"
With that instruction, Chen Guan took the lead and stepped forward, stepping into it without hesitation.
Zhu Kun, Gu Yuan, Bodhi, Zi Yan, Medusa and others followed closely behind.
Soon, all the Dou Sheng masters had entered.
The rest of the crowd stared at the open cave door, and eventually, hundreds of people followed in, struggling to withstand the pressure.
This is the legendary Dou Emperor's Cave Mansion. It would be a great regret to not be able to see it.
Soon, only the last group of people who felt they could not withstand the pressure were left at the door.
It was also at this moment that a weak, almost inaudible voice suddenly reached the mind of the powerful Black Horn Territory in the outside world, not far away.
"I am the Soul Emperor, sealed underground. Give me a hand. If I break the seal and revive the Soul Clan, I will make you the Soul Clan's Great Elder!"