Inside the grand palace, the air shimmered with dragon might.
Seated atop the throne, Zi Yan radiated a dazzling purple-gold glow from her eyes. Her beautiful face carried an expression of cold authority as she spoke calmly, "The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe has lain dormant for too long. The Beast Region has been in chaos for too long. The beasts have forgotten our tribe's majesty—even the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe dares provoke us now."
"Now that the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe stands united once more, our dominance must return to the Beast Region—beginning with the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe!"
Below the throne, the assembled dragons erupted in emotion. The young burned with passion; the elders trembled with tears. In ages past, the Ancient Void Dragons had annihilated all ancient magical beasts and stood at the pinnacle of the world, equal to the Hall of Souls, the Gu Clan, and other ancient powers.
And now, that long-lost glory was on the verge of rebirth.
Elder Zhu Li bowed deeply. "Dragon Emperor, after the unification, the elders who once ventured into the Void have sent word—they're returning soon. Shall we wait for their arrival? Among them are several who once served the previous Dragon Emperor, including three commanders of the Imperial Guard. They never gave up searching for him. If not for the information you brought back regarding the old Dragon Emperor, they would never have agreed to return."
At the mention of those commanders, every Ancient Void Dragon's expression turned solemn. Reverence filled their eyes—for those three, like the former Dragon Emperor, were legends.
In the days of their supremacy, the Ancient Void Dragons had countless experts, even among the Dou Saints. But when the old Dragon Emperor vanished, the three commanders, all high-level Dou Saints, left the tribe in guilt, vowing not to return until they found their emperor's trace.
Had those mighty ones not left, the tribe would never have declined so far. Even without the old Dragon Emperor, the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe could still have rivaled the Yan and Lei Clans.
If those elders returned, their ancient power would easily restore the tribe's former glory—and even mighty clans like the Gu and Hun would have to respect their strength.
Zi Yan hesitated for a brief moment before shaking her head. "No need. The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe has already lost both the Three Heaven Phoenix Elders and their Tribe Leader, Huang Tian. They're at their weakest. With my Dragon Phoenix Physique and my breakthrough to 5-Star Dou Saint, this is the best time to subdue them. If we can bring them under our banner, it will greatly strengthen us."
The elders nodded in agreement. Though both the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe and the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe had risen while the dragons slept, they were nothing compared to the true might of the Ancient Void Dragons.
Zi Yan continued, "Elder Qing Shan will lead the army. Mobilize all our forces—Dragon Guards, Dragon Armor Army, and Barbaric Dragon Legion. This will serve as both a campaign and a training exercise. The goal is absolute victory—to crush the Phoenix Tribe's will to resist."
"Yes, Dragon Emperor!" Qing Shan bowed deeply. Among the tribe, only he could barely rival Zi Yan in strength, having reached Late 3-Star Dou Saint. The Ancient Void Dragons respected power above all, and thus, his authority was absolute.
Suddenly, Zi Yan paused mid-sentence, then waved her hand lightly. "That's all for today's council."
The elders exchanged glances, puzzled but not daring to question her. They bowed and quietly withdrew.
When the hall finally emptied, Zi Yan's commanding aura softened—just as a teasing voice echoed from behind.
"Truly majestic, Dragon Emperor. Such domineering poise, deciding the fate of an entire tribe with a single word… admirable as always."
Zi Yan rolled her eyes playfully and stretched lazily, her slender waist and graceful curves drawing the eye. "Hmph, I haven't changed one bit. Come sit, Big Brother."
She patted the throne beside her, motioning for Liu Xi to join her, pouting as she added, "You've improved so quickly. Without a word, you've already reached 4-Star Dou Saint, and yet not a whisper of it reached Central Plains. You kept me in the dark for so long."
Liu Xi chuckled and climbed the steps, sitting down beside her on the throne without hesitation. "Just a stroke of luck. Revealing my strength would only bring trouble. Better to stay hidden. Fortunately, I came in time—had my power been any weaker, the consequences might've been disastrous."
Zi Yan shifted, resting her head on his lap, her long lashes fluttering as she murmured, "I thought I'd never see you again…"
Liu Xi stroked her soft purple hair gently, his tone soothing. "It's all over now. When you move against the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe, take Feng Huang and Kun Huang with you. They're both Dou Saints—if you can subdue them, all the better. I've already turned Huang Tian into a puppet; use that as proof of victory. Shattering their morale might make them surrender without bloodshed. Then, when the time is right, have Qing Lin bring the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe to pledge allegiance. We'll see who in the Beast Region dares oppose the Ancient Void Dragons."
Zi Yan thought for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, her body trembling. "Big Brother, you're awful!"
"You don't want a war? I was hoping to use battle to establish authority—make them bow through blood and fear."
Liu Xi toyed idly with a lock of her hair, smiling faintly. "Why waste strength when you can win the whole thing? If we plan to seize the Ancient Jade and rescue father-in-law, we'll eventually clash with the ancient clans of the Central Plains. The deeper our foundation, the better our chances."
"Hmm? Father-in-law?" Zi Yan's face flushed crimson. She wriggled in his lap, trying not to laugh, though her lips betrayed her amusement. "That's… still a bit early, isn't it?"
Liu Xi chuckled. "Sooner or later."
He lowered his head, his hand brushing down her smooth cheek, tracing the delicate line of her collarbone—and further down, and further still…
In that moment, sitting upon the Dragon Emperor's throne with the Dragon Emperor herself in his arms, Liu Xi couldn't help but think—this was what the peak of life truly felt like.
---
Three days later.
The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe's three armies gathered. Auras of countless Dou Saints glittered like stars across the sky, while Zi Yan herself shone as the moon among them—radiant and supreme.
Of the once-feared Three Heaven Phoenix Elders, two remained—Feng Huang and Kun Huang—but upon seeing Huang Tian reduced to a puppet and sensing Zi Yan's overwhelming power and noble bloodline of both Ancient Void Dragon and Ancient Heaven Phoenix, their courage shattered.
Their will broken, they submitted completely to Zi Yan, becoming her guides.
Leading the army, Zi Yan surrounded the Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe's territory. Dragons filled the heavens, their roars shaking the land. Waves of Dou Saint power intertwined, sealing every direction.
Under the Ancient Void Dragons' control of spatial energy, no message could escape—no help could arrive.
Within, the Phoenix Tribe had no strong leader; without, no allies remained. When they saw the puppet of Huang Tian and the surrendered Feng Huang and Kun Huang, their resistance crumbled entirely.
The Heaven Demon Phoenix Tribe—once second only to the dragons—surrendered without a fight.
The news swept through the Beast Region like wildfire.
The entire realm trembled.
(End of Chapter)
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