Chapter 1181: First Meeting of Zi Yan and Her Father

Who are you?

After Zi Yan stared at the massive beast below for a long while, she immediately asked, her voice trembling slightly.

However, although Zi Yan was asking the other party, the agitation of the bloodline within her already gave her a vague hint of the answer.

But such a matter was utterly inconceivable, so she had just subconsciously opened her mouth to ask.

Upon hearing that, the huge eyes below swelled with boundless delight and excitement.

For many years, he had constantly worried about his child's safety, fearing that the unborn little one might meet misfortune.

But fortunately, today he finally saw his child.

After a long silence, as Lin Feng and the others, who had just recovered from Zhu Kun's massive form, were about to speak, the giant dragon below slowly lifted its colossal head—spanning thousands of zhang—and exclaimed excitedly, "Child, I am your father!"

Upon hearing that, Zi Yan's face immediately drooped slightly, revealing no expression.

After a long while, she finally whispered, "I have no father; if I did, I wouldn't have been bullied by the forest beasts since childhood."

While speaking, faint mist swirled uncontrollably within Zi Yan's pure eyes.

When she was a child without a father and was bullied by the powerful beasts in the forest, what she most longed for was, like other monsters, the affection of parents.

Thus, in her youth she often secretly slipped to other beasts' dens to watch their families frolic and play.

However, that longing eventually had to be buried deep within her.

Upon hearing that, Lin Feng let out a soft sigh; after all, when Zi Yan was a child living alone in the deep forests around Heijiaoyu, she was only newly born, gifted yet struggling against adult beasts.

Later, had she not mistakenly eaten unripe Transformative Herb and been taken back to the inner courtyard by Su Qian, who knows if this girl would have survived to now.

After being brought to Canaan Academy, Su Qian, who had to manage the vast academy and wrestle with the Falling Heart Flame issue, simply couldn't find time to accompany Zi Yan.

Thus, most of the time the girl remained utterly alone, until she met him, when her life gradually began to change.

Thinking back, that gluttonous and naive little girl also harbored many little‑known sorrows.

"Child, I'm not trying to ignore you; I just can't help it!"

Hearing Zi Yan's words, the beast suddenly grew urgent, explaining, "That Tuoshe Ancient Emperor likely set a trap here; anyone who arrives first without the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's jade will be trapped here as the Ancient Emperor's guardian."

"Back then I was impatient, thinking my strength could pierce the heavens; even a Dou Emperor's stronghold could be opened with my powerful spatial manipulation, to obtain its treasures, but I never expected that in the end I would be the one trapped inside."

As soon as the words finished, after a moment of silence the beast continued, "Child, how have you been all these years?"

However, Zi Yan gave no reply to the former, silently keeping her head down.

Seeing the father and daughter stalemate here, Lin Feng couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Ahem~"

But immediately after, he stepped forward and gave two light coughs.

"Swish!"

The giant beast below, hearing the noise, swiftly turned its massive head, its huge eyes fixed on Lin Feng.

As for the latter, after diverting the beast's attention, he pretended ignorance and said, "Senior, since you are Zi Yan's father, you must be the missing Old Dragon Emperor spoken of by the Elders of the Ancient Dragon Clan. This girl is doing fine; we have already dealt with several ringleaders of the split Ancient Dragon Clan, and the clan is now reunified."

Mid‑sentence, Lin Feng's gaze instantly shifted to Zi Yan beside him, continuing, "As for the new Dragon Emperor, it is now held by Zi Yan."

After hearing Lin Feng, the beast exhaled a massive gust, which immediately swept outward, raging continuously within the space.

Then the beast forcefully nodded, looking at the still‑silent Zi Yan, flattering, "Zi Yan, that name is good. Those guys did it right; you becoming Dragon Emperor is correct; you should be Dragon Emperor."

"This old daughter‑obsessed one is probably beyond saving."

Seeing the former's reaction, Lin Feng's mouth twitched, and he muttered speechlessly in his mind.

However, the beast below seemed to notice the former's subtle move, instantly turning its colossal head of thousands of zhang and snarling at Lin Feng, "Kid, although you just gave me good information about my daughter, what the hell is that expression of yours?"

"Why are you being hostile to Lin Feng?"

"If you keep being hostile, do you believe I'll take him away from here right now!"

Seeing the former actually being hostile to Lin Feng, Zi Yan instantly resembled an enraged tigress, her fur standing on end as she glared downward.

Because she feared that this suddenly‑appeared father might bully Lin Feng, the two ended up in a chaotic clash, putting her in a difficult spot.

Thus, she instinctively stepped forward to threaten him, hoping his attitude would improve next time.

"Uh"

Seeing his own daughter now scolding this long‑lost father for a stranger made Zhu Kun feel deeply frustrated.

But immediately, as if recalling something, he hurriedly looked at Zi Yan and cautiously asked, "Good daughter, is this young man the alchemist you invited to brew pills for our Ancient Dragon Clan?"

"My daughter's taste is truly sharp; this youngster may not be as handsome and dashing as I once was, beloved by countless maidens, but if you send him, he'll become a Five‑Star Dou Saint—only a little short of my former self."

While speaking, the Old Dragon Emperor wore a look that suggested the youngster was decent.

Although his perception of the outside world had weakened due to being trapped here, by assessing attributes and soul power he could roughly confirm that Lin Feng was a fairly high‑level alchemist.

However, upon close observation one can see Zhu Kun's gaze was extremely nervous as he looked at Zi Yan, fearing the worst outcome.

Upon hearing that, Zi Yan's small face twitched slightly, replying irritably, "Lin Feng is my good friend; we rose from Dou King together to where we are now, our bond is strong. In the future I'll even give birth to many little dragons for him, so be kinder to him."

Because Zi Yan's mind was a mess and she didn't know how to handle it, she instinctively clarified to the other that she and Lin Feng were close, not strangers.

"Give birth to many little dragons?!"

Hearing those words, Zhu Kun was struck as if by lightning; his massive, boundless body suddenly stiffened, frozen in place.

At that moment, he could not take in any more words.

In his mind, only a few words kept echoing.

"It's over, this precious daughter I just met, about to be tricked away by that yellow‑hair—no, black‑hair—person, and it's the kind with no redeeming qualities at all."

At that thought, Zhu Kun's huge nostrils expelled a powerful gust.

Then he turned his head, his face feigning friendliness toward Lin Feng, suppressing his excitement and the urge to smash him, and said with a smiling grin, "Kid, your name is Lin Feng, right? Come over, I have something to discuss with you. Rest assured, I promise not to beat you half to death."

"You promise not to beat me half to death, but you never said whether you'll kill me outright."

Seeing the 'friendly' words from the continent's top daughter‑obsessed being, Lin Feng dared not approach.

While quietly stepping back, he forced a stiff smile and said, "Senior, I think there's no need to discuss further; after all, we just met and aren't familiar. I truly can't think of anything worthwhile to talk about now. Next time for sure, hehe."

While forcing an awkward laugh, Lin Feng's feet quickly stepped back a great distance, fearing the old daughter‑obsessed one below would strike.

Yet in his mind he wore a helpless expression; Zi Yan that girl, even if she truly wants to bear a little dragon with him, shouldn't say it here!

Now he has been singled out by a peerless strongman of Dou Saint peak level; can there be any good days ahead?

"Next time for sure."

And Zhu Kun, upon hearing the other's words, his massive face made it impossible for Lin Feng to discern his expression.

However, Lin Feng saw the murderous intent in that daughter‑obsessed one's heart soaring rapidly.

"Next time for sure? I think this time I'll definitely send you down!"

The next moment, the Zhu Kun below indeed, as Lin Feng had expected, became extremely irritable; his voice was so loud it made the entire little world buzz and tremble.

And his gaze at Lin Feng seemed as if he were looking at his father's murderer, yearning to rush forward, slaughter him, drink his blood, and eat his flesh!

However, Zi Yan would not tolerate Zhu Kun; seeing him dare to roar at Lin Feng, she immediately retorted angrily: "You still bully him, hmph, you stay down here by yourself!"

As soon as the words fell, Zi Yan swiftly turned, grabbed Lin Feng's arm, and tried to leave.

Only the speed was pitifully slow.

"Stop, stop, stop, good daughter, I was wrong, I won't bully him again!"

Seeing the former about to leave, Zhu Kun's fierce aura instantly faded, and he quickly softened his tone.

However, even as he spoke, a pair of eyes stared fixedly at Lin Feng.

That look seemed to say, "You kid, wait, we're not finished!"

As for the former's anger, Lin Feng could only spread his hands, his face full of helplessness.

However, having guessed what Zi Yan was thinking, he immediately reached out and seized the Zi Yan who pretended to leave, then in a conciliatory tone whispered: "Zi Yan, no matter what, he is also your father; as an adult you should be magnanimous and forgive him this time."

After giving Zi Yan a way out, Lin Feng also seized the moment to pull the girl back.

"Right, right, right, girl, we are father and daughter, the closest people under heaven; we were separated before, and this time we finally managed to meet, so we must have a good talk and deepen our bond."

Hearing Lin Feng's words, Zhu Kun, though furious that the kid had taken his daughter, still couldn't help but give a big mental thumbs‑up to the former's action.

At the same time, he also roughly understood why Lin Feng could make his daughter treat him this way.

Through his observations over this short time, he discovered that his daughter and the kid are fundamentally not on the same level.

He can't compete; his own daughter simply can't compete!

As soon as his words fell, Zhu Kun's gaze swept over Zi Yan's pretty cheek; on his massive face, a complex, nostalgic smile suddenly appeared, and he sighed lightly: "You and your mother really are alike."

"My mother?"

Hearing that, Zi Yan's eyebrows instantly furrowed.

Then she looked down at Zhu Kun and asked: "What exactly happened back then, and why didn't you try to find a way out of here?"

"I think it's impossible. Based on the senior's earlier words, this 'Gu Di Dong Fu' must be the lair of the continent's last Dou Emperor strongman, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor. That Tuoshe Ancient Emperor was an exotic‑fire‑born emperor, apparently having devoured all exotic fires on the ranking, possessing numerous exotic‑fire traits, thus his strength far exceeds a normal Dou Emperor. If a senior does not break through to the Dou Emperor realm, he will likely spend his whole life unable to escape."

Hearing the former's question, Lin Feng immediately began to explain to Zhu Kun.

Of course, although he disclosed this information, he deliberately omitted some details.

If Zhu Kun later is willing to speak, he doesn't mind sharing more information with him.

But if he doesn't say, he'll just act as if he doesn't know.

While speaking, Lin Feng's gaze unintentionally rose, intensely looking toward the near‑boundless plaza ahead and the pair of cyan stone gates beyond.

"Isn't that more than an ordinary Dou Emperor?"

Hearing this, Zi Yan immediately furrowed her dark eyebrows, her purple‑brown beautiful eyes looking at the gate ahead with extreme seriousness and disappointment.

He may not know the strength of her so‑called father, but from the two roars earlier, it was clearly far stronger than she and Lin Feng.

And with her father's such strength trapped here, she and Lin Feng this time have no chance to enter and take anything, right?

"Eh, kid, I didn't expect you not only know Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, but also these matters."

Hearing Lin Feng utter these, Zhu Kun also slightly lifted his massive dragon head, his eyes looking at Lin Feng in surprise.

He had thought that after so many years, most people on the continent had already forgotten Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, the last Dou Emperor of the continent.

Hearing that, Lin Feng's mouth twitched into a slight smile and said lightly: "Hehe, I happened to enter a Dou Saint's ruins, and from the massive ancient texts there I learned some information about the last lingering glow of the Dou Emperor era. Moreover, I also learned that in the Gu Di Dong Fu left by Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, there is a high probability of a prototype Imperial Core Pill that Tuoshe Ancient Emperor never completed."

"And now it seems that that Imperial‑grade prototype pill might indeed be inside this Gu Di Dong Fu."

Speaking of that legendary pill, Lin Feng, being an alchemist, couldn't help but have a flash of zeal in his eyes.

"Alas, it seems you kid are quite lucky; what you say is pretty accurate. Unless I can break through to Dou Emperor before I die, I definitely have no chance to charge out on my own."

Hearing that, Zhu Kun immediately let out a bitter sigh, then his mood lowered as he said: "Back then Tuoshe Ancient Emperor collected the last bits of source Qi on the continent before me, then used those source Qi to successfully break through, becoming the continent's sole Dou Emperor strongman. At that time, for the safety of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan, I led the clan to seclude themselves, only secretly keeping an eye on Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's movements."

"After advancing to Dou Emperor, within less than a hundred years, Tuoshe Ancient Emperor almost managed to control the Qi of the two north‑western continents, and only then barely forged a prototype Imperial Pill. However, perhaps for some reason, after completing the most difficult step of refining the pill, he suddenly stopped and vanished."

At that point, Zhu Kun's peripheral glance swept over Lin Feng, and a flash of light flickered in his massive pupils as he said: "Back then, I wanted to obtain the Imperial‑grade prototype pill inside, then use that pill to break through to the Dou Emperor realm. Unfortunately, I ended up trapped here."

As he spoke further, his tone grew increasingly sorrowful.

After all, his earlier wrong decision later caused the deaths of many clan members.

"This old kid still seems to be hiding something from me. Still wants to use the Imperial‑grade prototype pill inside Gu Di Dong Fu to break Dou Emperor; if I hadn't read the original, I might have actually believed it."

As soon as the former's words fell, Lin Feng immediately began to complain about Zhu Kun in his mind.

Of course, his complaints were just complaints, but he didn't bear a grudge against Zhu Kun.

After all, today was their first meeting; if it were him, he certainly wouldn't disclose such crucial information to someone of unknown origin, character, or conduct.

After all, the mention of Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's inheritance inside Gu Di Dong Fu is exceedingly important, even enough to drive Dou Saints across the entire Qi continent mad.

Therefore, this must be treated with utmost caution.

After finishing, Zhu Kun cautiously looked at Zi Yan, gave a flattering smile, his large mouth slightly open, and said: "Good daughter, how is the situation of our Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan now?"

Hearing the former's question, Zi Yan instantly lifted her head, her pink lips parting slightly, and said: "We're managing; ever since your irresponsible dragon‑phoenix vanished, our Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan split into three, a situation that lasted for thousands of years, until not long ago, with Lin Feng's help, I eliminated those three and achieved a reunified Ancient Dragon Clan."

However, at this point, Zi Yan's beautiful face flushed with anger, and she continued: "During this process, those three invited the three Dou Emperor families—Gu, Yan, and Yao—to assist. If not for Lin Feng's help, even our strongest Ancient Dragon clan would have been lost."

"The Gu, Yan, and Yao three clans?"

After hearing his daughter's explanation, Zhu Kun's expression instantly darkened, then he opened his mouth wide and raged, "Those bastards are just a second‑rate clan, yet they dare to bully the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan!"

"When I get out, I swear I'll annihilate you bastards!"

As he spoke, under the former's furious roar the entire space began to tremble violently.

As for Lin Feng and Zi Yan, they were also blasted back several hundred meters by this sound wave.

"Are you sick? Why are you shouting at us?!"

Being hurled hundreds of meters away, Zi Yan's pretty face instantly turned a bruised blue as she cursed angrily.

At this moment she finally understood why her father fell so easily into Na Tuo She Gu Di's trap.

It's fine when nothing major happens, but once something occurs her father immediately plunges into mind‑less rage—how could he avoid being tricked?

As for Zhu Kun, after that roar he realized he must have done something wrong—shouting at his own beloved daughter, he quickly curled his tail and looked at Zi Yan with a guilty expression.

Zi Yan let out a helpless sigh and did not continue to entangle herself in the matter.

But soon she recalled being ambushed on the way here and continued, "There's also the Stone Clan. We were ambushed by them on our arrival; if Lin Feng hadn't defeated that Six‑Star Dou Saint, we would have truly faced a grim fate this time."

"Stone Clan? Are those second‑rate clans all this arrogant now?"

Hearing that his beloved daughter had been ambushed and nearly killed, Zhu Kun's anger was beyond measure, yet beneath that fury a deep question lingered in his mind.

Why are those families each so arrogant?