Liu Xi was immersed in a state of profound enlightenment. His vast ocean of Dou Qi was constantly being compressed—refined again and again like molten iron hammered by invisible force—until it condensed into something purer, denser, and infinitely stronger.
But this transformation was not limited to his Dou Qi alone. His entire body—bones, blood, muscles, skin—was undergoing reconstruction. Everything within him was being reforged into perfect harmony. This was the first step toward the transcendence of the mortal into the sacred.
The Dou Saint Realm.
It was the threshold that separated the ordinary strong from the true apex beings of the continent. Without stepping into the Dou Saint Realm, one had no right to call themselves a top-tier powerhouse. Only after passing through this gate could one truly qualify to compete for the ultimate peak—the Dou Di Realm.
Inside the cave, the air was thick with heat and residual energy. The walls were charred and fractured, pockmarked by signs of past explosions. The only pristine place left was a smooth stone platform at the center.
Atop it floated a cocoon of light, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat. With every beat, it drew in a torrent of heaven and earth energy, flooding the cave with power.
Each pulse also caused the aura it emitted to grow heavier and more terrifying, vast like the ocean, immovable like a mountain.
No one knew how long it took before the cocoon reached its limit. Then—like a bubble bursting—it collapsed, its energy suddenly falling silent.
Rip—
The dull cocoon split open, and a figure stepped forth. His body was lean yet defined, every muscle line sculpted with perfect precision, containing limitless explosive strength beneath the calm surface. His features were handsome, his expression serene, and there was a subtle warmth in his gaze.
Realizing he was completely bare, Liu Xi gave a helpless chuckle and immediately drew upon the surrounding natural energy. Azure light shimmered, weaving and condensing into a long, flowing robe that draped over his frame.
"That's better," he muttered. "Wouldn't want to catch a chill after becoming transcendent."
He exhaled deeply, eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction. "So this is the 1-Turn Dou Zun… The road to Saint transformation truly isn't easy. To reach true sainthood, I'll have to undergo nine turn change in total."
A bitter smile tugged at his lips. After so much effort to reach the peak of 9-Star Dou Zun, he now stood at the beginning once more.
"Still," he murmured, "I've plenty of Dou Zun Gel left—and I haven't even used the Half Saint Gel yet. Otherwise, this ninefold journey would take far longer."
His gaze turned thoughtful. "It's been nearly a year since I began this seclusion. I wonder what the continent looks like now. Perhaps… it's time to go see for myself."
The quiet of solitude had grown dull after months of stillness. He wanted to stretch his legs—if only for a while.
But before leaving, Liu Xi raised his hand, pulling a massive boulder toward him. With two fingers extended like a blade, he unleashed sharp threads of Dou Qi that sliced the rock into a tall, smooth stone monument.
Hovering it before him, Liu Xi lifted his hand again, his finger glowing faintly as he carved eight powerful characters into its face:
"Here lies Saint Zhao Hua—may he rest in eternal peace."
The characters glowed briefly before settling into the stone. Liu Xi pressed the monument upright into the ground, embedding it firmly before bowing slightly.
"This is East Dragon Island," he said softly. "Your ashes are buried here. No one will disturb your slumber. Rest well, Senior."
He turned away without a smile, his expression calm yet resolute.
Saint Zhao Hua—once a Dou Saint whose name shook an era—was now nothing more than dust beneath stone. Had Liu Xi not taken possession of the complete remains, they would have been scavenged by others, scattered across the world.
A shadow flickered through his eyes. "I won't allow myself to meet that same end. My bones, my blood—no one will fight over them. I will reach the Dou Di Realm… no matter what."
With a wave of his hand, he sealed the cave completely. This place would remain undisturbed forever—the Sage's final resting ground.
Then, spreading his wings of Dou Qi, Liu Xi soared toward the heart of East Dragon Island.
Almost immediately, he sensed something was wrong. Patrols had doubled in number, their formations tighter, their gazes fierce. Each dragon guard carried weapons gleaming with killing intent.
The entire island had transformed into a fortified bastion. A suffocating atmosphere of cold vigilance and imminent war hung over everything.
Even Liu Xi was halted midway until Hei Qing arrived and escorted him personally.
As they flew, Liu Xi noticed the grim determination on Hei Qing's face. His bronze eyes burned with fury and bloodlust.
Liu Xi's heart sank. Only one thing could drive East Dragon Island to this state—Zi Yan.
"What happened?" Liu Xi asked, his voice sharp. "Why does it look like the island's preparing for war? Did something happen to Zi Yan?"
Hei Qing clenched his jaw, his aura surging with rage. After a moment, he finally spoke through gritted teeth.
"We've been betrayed."
Liu Xi's expression hardened instantly. East Dragon Island having a traitor could mean only one thing—Zi Yan's existence had been exposed to the other three Dragon Islands.
"And Zi Yan?" he pressed. "How is she?"
Hei Qing's voice grew heavy. "Not well… At first, only a few knew of her. But that changed when she completed the absorption of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit."
His body trembled slightly, eyes flickering with fervent awe rather than fear.
"That day—her dragon might filled the heavens. Every ancient dragon on the island could feel it. It was like witnessing the rebirth of the Dragon Emperor! That aura couldn't be hidden. Her awakening spread through the entire void."
"But… after displaying that unimaginable power, Zi Yan fell into deep slumber again. No one knows when she'll awaken."
Liu Xi's expression turned grave. The power of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit was too immense. Even as a Dou Zun, Zi Yan couldn't fully digest it, forcing her into a dormant state of refinement.
That meant her presence—and her identity as the new Dragon Emperor—was completely exposed.
East Dragon Island alone could never withstand the combined might of the other three islands. At this moment, there wasn't even a single true Dou Saint guarding the East Dragon Island.
Meanwhile, the other three islands were led by Dragon Kings—each a 3-Star Dou Saint—backed by their own Elders and Commanders. Their strength far surpassed the East Dragon Island.
Liu Xi felt the weight of urgency settle heavily upon him. Fortunately, he still had the blood crystal gifted by Zhu Kun—his trump card capable of unleashing Saint-level might in a crisis.
But that power was temporary. The real solution lay with Zi Yan.
If she awakened, if she reclaimed the full might of the Dragon Seal, even the three Dragon Kings together would not dare challenge her.
"Take me to see her," Liu Xi said solemnly. "Let me try—maybe I can help."
Hei Qing nodded without hesitation. Elder Zhu Li had already given such instructions: once Liu Xi emerged from seclusion, he was to be brought to Zi Yan immediately.
"Understood. Follow me."
As they took flight toward the highest mountain on East Dragon Island, Hei Qing couldn't help but feel a surge of awe. The aura radiating from Liu Xi was even stronger than his own now—steady, restrained, and terrifyingly deep.
'Perhaps,' he thought, 'the one who could truly change our fate… had finally returned.'
(End of Chapter)
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