Chapter 587: Goodbye, Zi Yan

"Could it be that the Three Great Dragon Kings believe we are lying to them?" said an Elder who had just returned from outside, frowning deeply.

The Grand Elder, Qing Shan, seated at the head, shook his head and said: "No, when the Dragon Emperor completed the inheritance and ascended the Dragon Emperor's throne, the Ancestral Inheritance Sites of all Three Great Dragon Islands would have transmitted the news—there is no way the Three Great Dragon Islands could be unaware."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions darkened; when something unusual happens, there must be a hidden cause. Logically, once Zi Yan returned and received full recognition from the spirits of all past Dragon Emperors, becoming the true Dragon Emperor, the Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan should have had no reason to continue its civil war.

Originally, the Three Great Dragon Kings split the islands precisely because the Old Dragon Emperor vanished without explanation, and even Zi Yan was lost outside, her whereabouts unknown. Thus, they claimed that a dragon clan cannot be without a leader and demanded a new Dragon Emperor be elected.

But because their bloodlines and strength were far below what the Dragon Emperor required, they could not gain the recognition of the spirits of past Dragon Emperors in the Dragon Tomb, so none would submit to another, sparking the civil war.

This civil war lasted for thousands of years.

Now that Zi Yan has returned and the Dragon Emperor has reclaimed the throne, the Three Great Dragon Kings have no justification for continuing the war—they should have returned to East Dragon Island long ago.

The civil war has indeed ceased, yet the Three Great Dragon Kings have been slow to come pay homage to the Dragon Emperor—this is definitely suspicious.

At this moment, the Second Elder, who had been silent and meditating with closed eyes, slowly opened his eyes, his expression grave: "I just received word from my covert agents on the Three Great Dragon Islands. A few days ago, the Southern and Western Dragon Kings dispatched subordinates to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan."

!!!!!!

At these words, every Elder in the hall was stunned—sending envoys to the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan at this time is certainly not a good sign!

Because the Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan split, the Shou Yu region is now controlled by these two Magical Beast Families. After thousands of years of development, their strength is no longer something the weakened East Dragon Island can afford to ignore!

"Could it be that the Three Great Dragon Islands plan to rebel?!" Hei Qing cried out in alarm, his eyes filled with terror.

If the original split was understandable—caused by the absence of a Dragon Emperor and the resulting chaos—then now, with the Dragon Emperor returned, yet planning to ally with outsiders against the Dragon Emperor Adult, that is unmistakably rebellion and betrayal!!

"If the Three Great Dragon Islands join forces with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan, even if the Dragon Emperor has inherited all the legacy..."

As soon as he finished speaking, unease and anxiety filled the entire hall.

At this moment, Hei Qing stammered: "Umm... the Three Great Dragon Kings can seek outside aid—we can too. The Yan Alliance, where Master Xiao Yan is based, is now one of the strongest factions in Zhong Zhou, and has already defeated the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan, seizing most of the Huang Quan Shan Mai territory. He should be willing to help us."

Hearing Hei Qing's words, Zhu Li suddenly realized and slapped his hand: "That's right! With the Yan Alliance's current strength, it's far stronger than the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan, and even rivals the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan! With Yan Alliance's support, even if the Three Great Dragon Islands unite with the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan and the Nine Underworld Earth Snake Clan, we on East Dragon Island need not fear!"

"Xiao Yan... is that the man who brought back the Dragon Emperor Adult?"

"That's truly excellent."

"I remember Master Xiao Yan left behind a Soul Jade—now is the time to contact him."

At this moment, Zi Yan, who had remained silent, spoke firmly: "No."

!?

Zi Yan slowly opened her eyes. She wore a magnificent purple robe, its flowing lines enhancing her noble and elegant appearance, clinging to her body and highlighting her full, graceful figure—her waist slender, her hips rounded and lush, radiating irresistible charm.

Now, Zi Yan appeared supremely noble, wearing a crown adorned with countless precious gems and pearls, emitting dazzling light, as if she were the very center of the hall.

Her face was dignified and regal, her gaze carrying an air of supreme authority, her skin as white as snow, her eyes deep and bright, having shed the childish capriciousness of her earlier years. Her hairstyle was elaborate: her long purple hair bound into a massive topknot, secured with delicate golden hairpins, making her appear even more noble and refined.

Standing tall with chest out and head held high, she exuded confidence and pride. As Dragon Emperor, Zi Yan's demeanor and movements were filled with authority and self-assurance, impossible to ignore. Her voice was clear and resounding, each word sounding like a vital command.

The previously noisy hall instantly fell silent.

Zhu Li naturally understood why—Zi Yan did not want to drag Xiao Yan into this. This was a matter for the Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan alone, and the adversaries they now faced were all Dou Sheng-level experts; the Three Great Dragon Kings were all at the late stage of Three-Star Dou Saint, with the strongest Northern Dragon King nearly reaching Four-Star.

Together, the Three Great Dragon Kings could rival a Five-Star Dou Saint. She did not want Xiao Yan involved.

On East Dragon Island, Zi Yan was heaven itself—no one dared oppose her. She said no, and that was final, even if every person present thought the decision unreasonable.

The Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan dared not oppose her—but someone dared to contradict Zi Yan.

"What do you mean 'no'? I think we need it."

At that moment, a rebuttal voice came from outside the hall, and then a black flame appeared in Space, forming a black hole.

"Who?!"

Crack! Crack! Crack! Each Dou Saint Elder rose to their feet; the Grand Elder and Second Elder immediately positioned themselves before Zi Yan. The Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan had not sensed anyone infiltrating through Space!!

The Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan were masters of spatial power, but the Void Swallowing Flame, evolved into Heavenly Emperor Fire, was no weaker.

A man in a black robe, his hair slightly curled, stepped out from Space. Xiao Yan's eyes held a hint of reproach as he looked at Zi Yan and said: "Zi Yan, aren't you being a little too distant?"

Seeing this long-absent figure, Zi Yan's eyes flickered with a strange emotion, and she blurted out those two words: "Xiao Yan!"

Hearing Zi Yan's words, everyone in the hall instantly understood—this was Xiao Yan!

Upon realizing the newcomer was Xiao Yan, all the East Dragon Island elites exchanged glances—this was the Dragon Emperor's son-in-law!

"H-how did you get here?" Zi Yan looked at Xiao Yan in surprise, her surprise mixed with unmistakable joy.

"What, didn't the Dragon Emperor Adult once say I could come whenever I pleased? Are you going back on your word?" Xiao Yan teased with a smile.

Zi Yan was the Dragon Emperor of the Vast Void Ancient Dragon Clan, but to Xiao Yan, she was still just the little girl who had chased after him, begging for medicinal materials to make candy pills.

Seeing Xiao Yan's appearance, Zi Yan's tense body slowly relaxed. She waved her sleeve and said: "That's enough for today. All Elders, maintain vigilance in all directions and recall all clan members who have left."

"Yes, Dragon Emperor Adult!"

The Grand Elder and Second Elder, who had been in seclusion, cast a deep look at Xiao Yan, then expressed astonishment—they could not perceive his strength at all!

Remember, the Grand Elder and Second Elder were both Two-Star Dou Saints!

"This man's strength is formidable!"

"Yes, he gives me a very dangerous feeling."

After everyone had left, Zi Yan, like a deflated balloon, let out a deep sigh: "Aaaah~~~~"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile and said: "You've grown up."

"Being a ruler is exhausting," Zi Yan tore open Space and said to Xiao Yan: "Let's find somewhere to get some fresh air—I hate this place."

In an instant, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan stood atop a quiet mountain peak on East Dragon Island. Xiao Yan sat on the grass, overlooking the sea of peaks below, and said: "You're doing well as Dragon Emperor—East Dragon Island is much better than before."

After taking a deep breath, Zi Yan's Dragon Emperor dignity instantly crumbled. She pouted, her face scrunched up: "Being Dragon Emperor is so tiring. It's not fun at all."

"Every day is either cultivating inherited beast techniques or dealing with endless affairs—and the medicinal materials are so disgusting, I'm about to throw up."

It was even more painful than when she fled through the great forest outside the Inner Court—back then, at least she could fight back. This cultivation was just so boring!

"You're ridiculous... here, I made these with Bodhi Seeds." Xiao Yan pulled a jade bottle from his storage ring, filled with tiny, emerald-green, exquisite candies.

Bodhi Seeds! Made into candies! How extravagant!

Feng Qing'er would cry herself to death.

But only candy refined with a Bodhi Seed could match Zi Yan's status as Dragon Emperor.

Zi Yan's beautiful eyes sparkled brightly as she snatched the gift Xiao Yan brought, poured out one item, and put it into her mouth; a sweet, life-giving aura surged through her mouth.

The sweet flavor instantly eased Zi Yan's gloom.

With a sharp hiss, Zi Yan lunged at Xiao Yan, knocking him to the ground. She clamped her arms tightly around his neck, rubbing her cheek against his, and grinned: "Xiao Yan, you're the best."

"Ah, yes, yes, yes—whoever gives you candy is the best, right?"

"No way! I don't want candy from anyone else."

Feeling Zi Yan's warmth, Xiao Yan could only submit; after all, she had truly suffered these past years—a little girl suddenly shouldering the survival of an entire race, the pressure unimaginable.

"Xiao Yan."

"What?"

"Why don't you be the Dragon Emperor?" Zi Yan said, the candy in her mouth, hugging Xiao Yan's neck tightly, her words shocking.

"Huh?!"

Zi Yan let go of Xiao Yan and rolled around on the grass: "Aaaah! I don't want to work! I don't want to be Dragon Emperor! Why me?!"

Xiao Yan sat up, watching this girl rolling on the grass—the Dragon Emperor Adult, who once terrified the Three Great Dragon Kings—and couldn't help but laugh and sigh.

The Three Great Dragon Kings fought for a thousand years just to become Dragon Emperor! And now that you've become Dragon Emperor, you're unhappy?

If the Three Great Dragon Kings found out, they'd probably spit blood.

"Who ever gives away their kingdom to someone else? Even if I agreed, your Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan would never let a human become Dragon Emperor," Xiao Yan said with a bitter smile, shaking his head—you're dreaming.

"Hehe." Zi Yan suddenly revealed her long-absent sly smile, teasingly saying: "Zhu Li said I can choose my own husband. Why not marry you, then you become Dragon Emperor—I'd be free."

Xiao Yan was furious—he laughed in anger. You're not looking for a husband, you're looking for a free laborer!

But Xiao Yan didn't notice: when Zi Yan said she'd marry him, a faint blush flashed across her cheeks, and her voice softened slightly.

Clearly, this wasn't entirely a joke—or perhaps not just a joke.

"You wanted to trick me into refining a Transformation Pill for you back then, and now you want to trick me into working for you. No way!" Xiao Yan turned his head away, refusing to deal with this Dragon Emperor Adult who wanted to quit.

"Ahh." Zi Yan instantly looked wounded, let out a soft hum, and reverted to her tiny form from Jia Nan Academy, leaping onto Xiao Yan's back, wrapping her arms and legs around him, whining: "Just help me, okay?"

In the Space above, the Grand Elder and Second Elder wore fatherly smiles as they watched this scene; though Xiao Yan had blocked sound with Soul Force, he hadn't sealed Space.

"Hehe, this Xiao Yan really is quite good—no wonder Zhu Li always speaks highly of him," the Grand Elder stroked his beard, smiling with satisfaction.

"Most importantly, the Dragon Emperor Adult is happy. I've been out of seclusion so long—I've never seen the Dragon Emperor Adult act like this before," the Second Elder nodded.

As the two discussed how to lure away this married man, suddenly, the entire Space of East Dragon Island crackled—crack, crack, crack—the entire East Dragon Island was sealed off!

In an instant, powerful auras emerged from Space—each aura at least Dou Zun, the strongest nearing Four-Star Dou Sage!

Whether Dou Zun or Dou Sage, their numbers vastly outnumbered those of East Dragon Island.

Wooooo! Alarms blared across East Dragon Island. The Grand Elder and Second Elder's faces turned pale; they instantly appeared above the island, staring at the three figures at the front, their expressions dark as storm clouds.

"Are you three trying to betray the Dragon Emperor?! Leading an army to besiege East Dragon Island?!" The Grand Elder's face flushed red, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at the South, North, and West Dragon Kings—worst-case scenario had come true!

The Three Great Dragon Islands really were rebelling!

The North Dragon King sneered: "Betrayal? Qing Shan, your East Dragon Island used a Forbidden Technique, dragged in some random girl pretending to be Dragon Emperor Bloodline, aiming to overthrow our Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan. We've come to restore order—you're the ones betraying the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan!"

"Hmph, the North Dragon King speaks truth. Hand over that fake Dragon Emperor, or don't blame us for ignoring kinship," the West Dragon King snorted.

The South Dragon King, silent until now, gazed at a peak on East Dragon Island. Though Xiao Yan had blocked sound with Soul Force, the South Dragon King recognized Zi Yan at a glance.

Besides the South, North, and West Dragon Islands, the Heavenly Demon Phoenix Clan brought by the Three Heavenly Phoenixes, and the Nine Underworld Snake Clan led by Yao Ming, were also present.

Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing—heavens, some people still didn't know their own death sentence. Did they really think he was dead?

(End of Chapter)