Chapter 176: The Ownership of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit!
"Father, I've already collected the senior's remnant soul and remains. I absolutely won't let the senior be left adrift in a foreign place!"
"Mm!" Zhu Kun nodded, his expression improving considerably. Then, he turned his head and swept a glance over the group, his gaze lingering a moment on Jiang Yun.
Inwardly, he couldn't help but mutter. How come this kid's luck is so heaven-defying? Now he's even produced a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. The day Jiang Yun tells me he's found Origin Qi, I won't even be surprised anymore.
Putting a stop to his wild, random thoughts, Zhu Kun's expression turned solemn. With the utmost gravity, he said, "Zi Yan, you can't go running around outside anymore. We're returning to Dragon Island right now."
"I understand, Father!" Zi Yan was not one who couldn't grasp the gravity of the situation either. Equally serious, she looked at Zhu Kun.
Zhu Kun nodded toward Zi Yan, then looked at Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian and said: "This was sudden and unexpected. Let's all return to Dragon Island together. We'll decide on everything else afterwards!"
Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian naturally had no objections and nodded one after another.
Seeing this, Zhu Kun raised his hand and swept it outward, tearing open a spatial passageway that led directly to the void Dragon Island. Jiang Yun and the other two took the lead and walked inside.
Zhu Feng, still completely unaware of what was happening, also followed behind the group under Zhu Kun's meaningful glance.
Zhu Kun, remaining at the very rear, gazed at the ruins hidden within the void. He murmured quietly, "After all, this is the place where a member of our clan fell—and the place where the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit took form. I've never encountered one before. It is still well worth researching."
As his voice fell, Zhu Kun's large hand reached out. Heaven-penetrating mighty power erupted. The enormous Dou Sheng ruins ahead immediately began to shrink rapidly. Finally, Zhu Kun held it in his palm and turned, stepping into the spatial passageway.
With the group's departure, the spatial passageway closed once more. The Skeletal Mountain Range remained the same as it had been since time immemorial. No one would ever know that an enormous Dou Sheng ruin had once existed here.
In the blink of an eye, the group had gone from the Beast Domain to the great hall of Dragon Island.
Looking at Zhu Ming, seated at the head seat beneath the Dragon Emperor's throne, Jiang Yun and the others were somewhat unfamiliar with him. Zhu Feng, on the other hand, had excitement flash through his eyes. He bowed respectfully.
"Zhu Feng pays respects to the Third Elder!"
Hearing Zhu Feng's words, Jiang Yun and the other two were slightly surprised. They hadn't expected that a major figure had truly returned. Back when they were on Dragon Island, they had already learned about the state of Dragon Island during Zhu Kun's reign.
They knew that this Third Elder had already been an eight-star Dou Sheng back then. They hadn't imagined that during this period, Dragon Island had actually regained such a great expert.
"We pay respect to Senior!" Coming back to their senses, Jiang Yun and the other two also saluted.
"Zhu Ming greets the Princess. This old man is merely an insignificant pawn in His Majesty's hands. The Princess need not stand on ceremony." Zhu Ming also rose and looked at Zi Yan kindly. Although he had never met Zi Yan, the dense, rich Dragon Emperor bloodline within her was, in his eyes, already the most compelling proof.
"Hahaha! Zhu Ming, since when did you become so bookish and refined?!" Following closely behind, Zhu Kun's figure strode out from the spatial passageway behind them and laughed heartily.
"Father—"
"Your Majesty—"
After emerging, Zhu Kun nodded toward the group, a gesture of acknowledgment. Then, pulling Zi Yan along, he looked at Zhu Ming and said, "This is the Third Elder of Ancient Dragon Island from back then, your father's right and left arm." Then, he sighed. "What a pity—those two old things, Zhu Wu and Zhu Mu, still haven't responded. I wonder if they've died off somewhere, without even anyone to collect their corpses!"
Seeing the sorrow in Zhu Kun's eyes, the group did not know how to comfort him for a moment. In the end, it was Zhu Feng who laughed and said, "Once they get word of Your Majesty, even if they're dead, I imagine the Grand Elder and Second Elder's souls will crawl back."
"Hmph!" Hearing this, Zhu Kun gave a displeased snort. "Even if they crawl back, the beating they deserve won't be any less. If they still don't return, once this old man gets out, I'll drag them out of the void myself."
After venting this mouthful of ill humor, Zhu Kun collected his emotions. Pointing at Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian beside him, he said, "This is Jiang Yun—you already know of him. This is Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan's friend."
Watching Zhu Kun, who had suddenly become somewhat reluctant and begrudging, Zhu Ming felt a bit of amusement in his heart. Whenever it came to matters involving the Princess, His Majesty tended to become a bit childish.
After amiably expressing goodwill toward Jiang Yun and Xiao Yi Xian, Zhu Ming was also inwardly rather shocked. This Jiang Yun was even more terrifying than what Zhu Kun had previously described.
Such talent—even over the span of his own long, long years—was one of a kind.
At this moment, Zhu Kun's expression suddenly turned grave. Looking at Zhu Feng beside him, he said, "Zhu Feng, withdraw for now. Without this Emperor's command, no one is to enter!"
"At your command!" Hearing this, Zhu Feng's expression stiffened with solemnity. He cupped his fists.
Zhu Kun's grave demeanor also made Zhu Ming grow serious. He looked at Zhu Kun with a solemn face. "Your Majesty, has something happened?"
In an instant, the aged, declining Zhu Ming radiated a terrifying aura from his entire body—like an abyss. It made Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian at the side repeatedly cast their gazes over.
In their perception, the Zhu Ming before them—whose entire body had just been radiating an aura of decay—had, in that split second, become exceptionally terrifying. Even more terrifying than the Zhu Zhou they had met before.
And Jiang Yun, with his even deeper perception, saw the energy tides swirling within the void around Zhu Ming. He was somewhat surprised inwardly. He hadn't expected that this Zhu Ming was actually a nine-star Dou Sheng.
At this moment, Zhu Kun looked at Zhu Ming with an utterly calm expression and said, "It's nothing. We just discovered a Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, that's all."
"What—"
After a split second of stunned blankness, Zhu Ming exclaimed, "The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit?!"
"The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit has appeared again! Your Majesty, where is it?! Even if it costs this old man's life, I must seize it for our clan!"
Instantly, a sharp, fierce divine light flashed through Zhu Ming's eyes. It was as if he had returned to the era when the Ancient Dragon Clan was at its peak—when any enemy who stood before them would be torn to shreds.
"Look at you. At your age, can't you learn from this Emperor and be a bit calmer? The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is already in Zi Yan's hands. Don't get all worked up!"
Watching Zhu Kun calmly lecture Zhu Ming, Zi Yan, Jiang Yun, and Xiao Yi Xian exchanged glances, the corners of their eyes twitching uncontrollably. Back when Zhu Kun had first learned of it, that was NOT the reaction he had shown.
"To think it's actually with the Princess!" Hearing Zhu Kun's words, Zhu Ming was also somewhat stunned. His gaze shifted toward Zi Yan beside him. Speaking with agitation, he said, "Your Majesty, this is a tremendous cause for celebration! Your Majesty is currently trapped within the Ancient Emperor's space. Your Majesty's strength has long since reached the heavens. You are only a single step away from Dou Di. Yet you are hard-pressed to escape. If you were to become the supreme Dragon Emperor, you might not necessarily be unable to fight your way free..."
"Enough!" Abruptly, Zhu Kun cut off Zhu Ming's words.
Then, he turned his head to look at Zi Yan. At this moment, Zi Yan's eyes flickered with a look of delighted surprise. She looked at Zhu Kun and hurriedly spoke, "Father, is it true that as long as you become the supreme Dragon Phoenix, you can break the seal?"
Jiang Yun, standing to the side, let his gaze wander between Zhu Kun and Zi Yan. In his heart, he had no worries at all. He had already deduced the answer from Zhu Kun's reaction.
Admittedly, if Zhu Kun became the Dragon Phoenix and could break free, it would be a good thing for Zi Yan, for the Ancient Dragon Clan, and even for him. But from a long-term perspective, he would much prefer that Zi Yan was the one to consume the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit.
Zhu Kun did not immediately answer Zi Yan's question. Instead, he stared fixedly at Zhu Ming until Zhu Ming let out a sigh and said, "Since Your Majesty's decision is already made, your subordinate has no right to interfere. However, I still hope Your Majesty will consider this carefully!"
Having said this, Zhu Ming's figure slowly dissipated within the great hall!
Watching the vanished Zhu Ming, then looking at Zhu Kun, Zi Yan—who was far from slow-witted—instantly grasped what Zhu Kun was thinking. With a serious expression, she said, "Father, if becoming the Dragon Phoenix truly can set you free—then you should take this Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."
Zhu Kun turned back and looked at Zi Yan seriously. "This Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit must be yours. Your father has already become a peak nine-star Dou Sheng with an Emperor Realm soul. I am only a half-step away from Dou Di. Consuming the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit now would not allow me to fully unleash its potential."
"But you are different." Suddenly, Zhu Kun spoke with the utmost gravity. "You are your father's sole bloodline. Compared to me at the same age, Zi Yan, your talent is even more formidable. What's more, you have yet to cross the most crucial threshold—Dou Sheng!"
As he spoke, Zhu Kun suddenly paused and looked around at everyone. With a smile, he asked, "Do you know why it's said that 'beneath Dou Sheng, all are ants'? Before Dou Sheng, battles crossing realms exist everywhere—Dou Wang fighting Dou Huang, Dou Huang fighting Dou Zong, and so on. But only at the Dou Sheng stage is it such that even a peak Half-Saint, no matter what, can never defeat a Dou Sheng. Do you know why?"
Jiang Yun and the other two exchanged glances. Zi Yan asked curiously, "Is it because, the further one advances in cultivation, the greater the energy gap between adjacent levels becomes?"
"Yes, and no." Zhu Kun shook his head with a smile and continued, "Dou Sheng is a leap in the very essence of life itself. Whether it's Dou Qi, soul, or physical body—all are elevated in every aspect. That is the fundamental difference between a Dou Sheng and those beneath that realm."
"That is why your father says that you, Zi Yan, are far more suited for the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit than I am." Finally, Zhu Kun smiled and patted Zi Yan's shoulder.
"But..." Even so, Zi Yan still looked at Zhu Kun with some hesitation, her heart locked in an inner battle between heaven and man.
"If, in the days to come, after entering the Great Thousand World, you still want to be able to help Jiang Yun—then listen to me. What's more, ten thousand years have already passed—a few more years won't make a difference!" Seeing this, Zhu Kun whispered softly into Zi Yan's ear.
"I understand!" In the end, Zi Yan glanced at Jiang Yun and nodded with resolute seriousness.
"Hahaha!" Seeing that Zi Yan had finally made up her mind, Zhu Kun immediately burst into roaring laughter. "Good! Good! Good! My Ancient Dragon Clan shall once again welcome a supreme Dragon Phoenix!"
After his excitement subsided, Zhu Kun looked at Zi Yan and said, "There's no time to lose. Let's begin right now!"
As his voice fell, Zhu Kun swept his sleeve and once again opened a spatial passageway. To the three beside him, he said, "Follow me!"
Zhu Kun was the first to enter the spatial passageway. The three exchanged a glance and walked into the passageway one after another.
Heaven and earth spun. When they emerged from the spatial passageway, what met their eyes was an enormous spatial barrier. This thing, Jiang Yun and the other two were all too familiar with—it was the very same kind of Beast Spirit Barrier that had formed in the ancient forest after the Taixu Ancient Dragon and Ancient Heavenly Phoenix fell.
"This is...?" Looking at the Beast Spirit Barrier before her, Zi Yan cast a questioning look toward Zhu Kun beside her.
Zhu Kun's gaze, tinged with complicated emotions, looked at the Beast Spirit Barrier. He explained quietly, "Back then, I said that the Ancient Dragon Clan has three great treasure grounds. They are the Dragon Tomb, the Dragon Blood Pool, and finally—this place."
"The Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit has appeared six times throughout history, bringing my clan and the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Clan a supreme magical beast each time. Those were the most glorious eras for our two clans. And the supreme Dragon Phoenix that my clan lost—it lies right within that Beast Spirit Barrier."
"What—!"
Hearing Zhu Kun's words, even Jiang Yun was taken aback. He looked at the Beast Spirit Barrier with some surprise. He had never imagined the Ancient Dragon Clan actually possessed the remains of such an existence.
"Zi Yan, for you to consume the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit, that place within is the optimal location. It will most certainly bring about an earth-shaking transformation in you!" Zhu Kun pointed at the Beast Spirit Barrier, his gaze burning fiercely as he looked at Zi Yan.
"I understand!" Hearing this, Zi Yan nodded solemnly. Then, she looked at Jiang Yun beside her. Her expression shifting, she pouted gloomily and spoke in a muffled, unhappy tone, "Xiao Yun, we're going to be separated again. But wait for me—this will be the last time. When I come out of seclusion, whoever dared bully you—I'll be able to help you beat them all back!"
As she spoke, Zi Yan brandished her fist, speaking in a 'fierce, vicious' manner.
"I know. I'll also use this time to properly search for the path to the Saint realm. Otherwise, when the time comes, you'll have left me far too far behind!" Jiang Yun grinned and tugged at Zi Yan's cheek, speaking softly.
Shaking her head with dissatisfaction, she flung Jiang Yun's hand off. Burying her head in Jiang Yun's chest, she butted him lightly with it.
Very quickly, Zi Yan lifted her head and looked at Xiao Yi Xian beside her. Seeing this, a serene, tranquil smile appeared on Xiao Yi Xian's face. "Zi Yan, rest assured—I'll keep an eye on Jiang Yun!"
Furrowing her brow in thought for a moment, Zi Yan nodded with the utmost solemnity, making Jiang Yun's eyelid twitch uncontrollably at the side. Then, Zi Yan looked toward Zhu Kun beside her.
Seeing this, Zhu Kun gave a word of instruction. Raising his hands, he formed a complex, intricate string of hand seals. The Beast Spirit Barrier immediately erupted with intense purplish-gold light. In the next instant, a passageway large enough for a single person to pass through took shape.
Seeing this, Zi Yan immediately walked toward the interior of the Beast Spirit Barrier. In that very instant, terrifying pressure surged toward her from all directions. The bloodline within her let out a mournful, grieving cry, as if wanting to submit and bow in fealty to the existence within.
Just then, the pattern of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit on the back of Zi Yan's hand abruptly erupted with a burst of purplish-gold radiance. In that split second, the overwhelming pressure Zi Yan had just felt instantly vanished like smoke.
Instead, what she felt was wave after wave of soothing comfort, as if she were in a warm, gentle embrace. During this process, under a mysterious power, the bloodline within Zi Yan's body began undergoing an astonishing metamorphosis.
As Zi Yan fully entered the Beast Spirit Barrier, Zhu Kun's heart also quietly breathed a sigh of relief. That oppressive force just now—even with his Emperor Realm soul, he had still felt a wave of acute discomfort.
"Next, we simply wait quietly for Zi Yan to emerge!" The three cast one last glance at the now-calm Beast Spirit Barrier before departing from this place.