Chapter 705: D D D D D

In the Manhuang Ancient Domain, Xiao Yan had also entered; it was desolate, with a peculiar desolation and bloody aura that drastically altered the temperament of its magical beasts, making them insanely bloodthirsty, and many ancient wild beast species still survived there—it was a human forbidden zone.

"I went to the Manhuang Ancient Domain even after becoming an Emperor, but found nothing," Xiao Yan shook his head; the Manhuang Ancient Domain lay just beyond the borders of Xiao Yan's sphere of influence.

Even the Miter Guild could not establish a branch in the Manhuang Ancient Domain, and though the Three Great Demon Beast Families were all under Xiao Yan's control, the magical beasts within the Manhuang Ancient Domain were ancient wild beasts, ferocious in nature—even the Three Great Families dared not enter lightly.

So Xiao Yan went there at once, but found nothing.

"That's not certain," Zhu Kun's eyes flickered with unusual light; he placed a large hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder and smiled. "Though you've become a Dou Emperor, some ruins and legacies are hidden so deeply they appear like ordinary ruins—even Imperial Soul Force may not detect them. Without special bloodline guidance, you won't find them."

Three Elders Zhu Li nodded and said: "I recall our clan's ancient texts record that an extraordinary prodigy from the ancient Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan once participated in the great war and perished in the Manhuang Ancient Domain. If we could find his Hai Shi and awaken his lingering soul, we might uncover something."

Grand Elder Zhu Huo smiled: "Indeed, perhaps the lingering soul of that Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan elder still remembers something about the ancient era. Who knows?"

At this moment, Zhu Kun and the two Elders smiled warmly at Xiao Yan; Xiao Yan looked puzzled and asked: "Going back to the Manhuang Ancient Domain isn't a problem—then, Uncle Zhu Kun, please lead the way."

Zhu Kun patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and said: "Why do you need me to lead? In terms of bloodline, Zi Yan's is far superior to mine—she can trigger bloodline resonance."

Three Elders grinned: "Besides, ancient texts record that this elder consumed the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit—only Zi Yan can sense the location of his remains."

"We might even find some Dragon Phoenix Bloodline Essence to enhance Zi Yan's bloodline—His Majesty the Dou Emperor should be willing to help Zi Yan strengthen her power," Grand Elder added.

Zi Yan was certainly not a true Dragon Phoenix; she had merely consumed one Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit—not born as one—her body possessed only a certain degree of Dragon Phoenix bloodline and power, but the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon bloodline still dominated.

If measured by bloodline, a true Dragon Phoenix would surpass Cai Lin's Nine-Colored Swallowing Sky Python in rank, but Zi Yan's Dragon Phoenix bloodline was artificially enhanced, still far from the complete, true form.

Xiao Yan thought for a moment and nodded; he hadn't seen Zi Yan in a long time. "By the way, where's Zi Yan?"

"She's in seclusion, trying to strengthen her power so she can accompany you to the Great Thousand World once you open the passage," Zhu Kun replied.

Zi Yan's current strength is only Five-Star Late Dou Sheng, far weaker than Zhu Kun's. But in terms of potential, her potential even exceeds Cai Lin's.

Xiao Yan's Soul Force Perception swept across the entire Dragon Island; the vast Dragon Island instantly came under his control, and soon he located Zi Yan, who was in seclusion.

Saying Zi Yan was in seclusion was misleading—she was actually sleeping. For magical beasts, eating and sleeping was the best form of cultivation.

Xiao Yan bowed to Zhu Kun and the others, then stepped forward and vanished.

Watching Xiao Yan's retreating figure, Zhu Kun and the three old men wore satisfied expressions.

"Zi Yan, Father can only help you this far—some happiness must be earned by yourself," Zhu Kun silently nodded; though he had been a neglectful father, now that he had returned, he couldn't remain neglectful.

"Heh, though the Dragon Emperor Adult is somewhat slow-witted, such matters are instinctive for magical beasts."

"Indeed. Back then, I never needed teaching—it was instinct."

Xiao Yan stepped forward and arrived atop the highest peak of the Ancient Dragon Island's Shan Mai; there, a colossal dragon lay coiled and sleeping, its body wreathed in thick Purple-Black Flame—this was naturally a sub-flame of Three Thousand Yan Flame.

Xiao Yan could sense Zi Yan's aura steadily rising—she must have consumed some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Soon after Xiao Yan arrived, the coiled, sleeping Zi Yan twitched her nose, then suddenly opened her eyes, her voice thunderous: "Xiao Yan! What are you doing here?"

Zi Yan leapt to her feet, and the entire mountain range trembled violently; her excited voice rang like a Heavenly Rank sound-based Dou Technique, warping and shattering even Space.

"Change back to human form first—you move once and the mountain breaks," Xiao Yan chuckled.

"Oh."

A burst of Purple Light illuminated the sky; from within the blinding radiance, a petite, adorable figure descended. Zi Yan had reverted to her appearance from when she was at Jia Nan Academy, arms outstretched, launching herself at Xiao Yan and wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Hehe, Xiao Yan, what brings you here? Did you come looking for me?" Zi Yan grinned, showing her white teeth—clearly, she was overjoyed.

"Yes. I'm going to the Manhuang Ancient Domain to find an ancient elder of the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan who perished there—I hope to awaken his lingering soul and ask about the Great Thousand World. I also want to help you strengthen your power," Xiao Yan gently set Zi Yan down and smiled.

"Manhuang Ancient Domain? Great! I've never been there! When you all went to search for the Bodhi Ancient Tree, I didn't go," Zi Yan's eyes sparkled like stars; back then, she had been focused on inheriting the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Clan's legacy and becoming Dragon Emperor to unify Dragon Island, so she hadn't joined the Manhuang Ancient Domain expedition and hadn't gained insight beneath the Bodhi Tree.

"Alright, let's go," Xiao Yan waved his hand; Black Flame surged forth, instantly folding the spatial distance to the Manhuang Ancient Domain, reducing it to zero!

Zi Yan's Jade Hand gripped Xiao Yan's arm and stepped forward with a smile, entering the passage like a portal—crossing the Black Flame corridor, they appeared in Man Huang Zhen.

"So this is Man Huang Zhen!" Zi Yan stretched lazily; in a sense, she had just woken up and was out to play.

"There are far fewer people now," Xiao Yan looked at the sparse crowds of Man Huang Zhen, gazing toward the nearby Manhuang Ancient Domain, memories flickering in his eyes.

Here, he had not only obtained the Bodhi Heart—he had also endured Hundred Lifetimes Reincarnation.

Of course, the Bodhi Ancient Tree was no longer in the Manhuang Ancient Domain; Xiao Yan could now locate it, but he had no intention of interfering with it.

Man Huang Zhen was the closest human City to the Mang Huang Ancient Region. It was utterly different from when the Bodhi Ancient Tree first emerged—very few dared enter the Manhuang Ancient Domain to seek treasures.

Though everyone knew the Manhuang Ancient Domain held countless precious Treasures, its fearsome reputation meant few dared enter—thus, this town remained desolate year-round.

Back then, Xiao Yan and the others had entered the Manhuang Ancient Domain with extreme caution, not daring the slightest carelessness—but now…

"Let's go. We'll enter the Manhuang Ancient Domain directly—whether we find anything depends on your treasure-finding talent," Xiao Yan turned to Zi Yan; when it came to treasure-finding, only she could be relied upon.

Xiao Yan's Soul Perception could penetrate the Manhuang Ancient Domain's shielding, but some things were inherently dormant, releasing no aura whatsoever—these required special bloodline sensing.

"Hehe, if you want me to find it, you've got to refine Pills for me," Zi Yan crossed her arms, flicking her twin braids.

"Don't worry—I'll find time to refine some Nine-Star Golden Pills to boost your power after this is done," Xiao Yan nodded in agreement.

Even the best cook cannot make a meal without rice—without Medicinal Materials, Xiao Yan couldn't do anything. But due to the last auction, Ya Fei had acquired many Nine-Star Medicinal Materials, and most importantly, Nalan Yanran had spent that time searching for Nine-Star main ingredients, exchanging them for vast amounts of Yan Yuan—all these Medicinal Materials naturally ended up in Xiao Yan's possession.

No wonder Nalan Yanran was so angry—they were her hard-earned money.

The two strolled leisurely, unhurried, first touring Man Huang Zhen before heading toward the Manhuang Ancient Domain. Naturally, Zi Yan's adorable appearance quickly drew the attention of numerous Mercenary Groups entering the Manhuang Ancient Domain to seek treasure.

The result, of course, was…

"What?! The Manhu Tiger Mercenary Group was wiped out?!"

"How is that possible? The Manhu Tiger Mercenary Group was among the top three in Man Huang Zhen—they frequently entered the Manhuang Ancient Domain seeking treasure, filled with powerful warriors, and their leader was a Nine-Star Dou Zun—how could they be wiped out?!"

In Man Huang Zhen, countless people gathered around.

"It's true—I was there and saw it. The leader's son, Hu Xiao, kicked a metal plate—he teased a little girl and got killed, so the whole Mercenary Group went for revenge." The man swallowed hard, his eyes filled with terror.

"Tell us quickly!"

"The result? The little girl's male companion merely snapped his fingers—and in an instant, all hundreds of members of the Mercenary Group, every Dou Huang, Dou Zong, even Hu Man the Nine-Star Dou Zun, were reduced to ash."

Sssssss!!!

Everyone present instantly widened their eyes and gasped sharply.

"Just a finger snap?"

"Yeah—in an instant."

At that moment, a wind blew, and ash of unknown origin drifted through the air, sending chills down everyone's spines.

"Do you remember what that person looked like? If I ever meet him again, I need to avoid him."

"Yes." The eyewitness man was no weakling—he instantly unleashed his Soul Force to reconstruct the man's appearance from his memory.

"Kuang!!!" The moment they saw the face, one of them turned as pale as a ghost, his face draining of all color as he collapsed onto the ground.

"What's wrong? Do you know him?"

"D-D-D-D-D-D-D-Dragon Emperor, Xiao Yan!"

(End of Chapter)