At the highest mountain peak of East Dragon Island, Hei Qing and Liu Xi descended one after another. Seeing that Zhu Li had yet to arrive, Liu Xi wasn't anxious—worrying now wouldn't change anything.
After a short wait, Liu Xi keenly sensed spatial ripples spreading nearby. Moments later, Zhu Li stepped out from the void, his expression weary and grave. The moment his eyes met Liu Xi's calm yet serious gaze, he knew—Liu Xi had already learned of Zi Yan's condition.
"Ah… Liu Xi, my young friend, forgive the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe for such disgrace. To think traitors would dare covet Princess Zi Yan's bloodline."
Liu Xi nodded lightly. The situation was clear enough—Zi Yan had yet to awaken, but her existence had already been exposed to the other three dragon islands. It was an exceedingly dangerous predicament.
"If not for the First and Second Elders still being in seclusion, our East Dragon Island would not be in such a passive state. Hm? Wait—your aura…"
Liu Xi smiled faintly. "I've been in seclusion for quite some time; naturally, there's been some improvement. Let's skip the small talk. Elder Zhu Li, tell me Zi Yan's condition. Can I help?"
"That's precisely why I came," Zhu Li said, sighing. "We've found a possible method. The medicinal power of the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit is simply too vast. Even with her current Dou Zun strength, Princess Zi Yan cannot fully absorb it."
"Our plan is to use the most tyrannical power between Heaven and Earth—Heavenly Flames—to melt that solidified energy, allowing her to absorb it gradually."
Zhu Li's eyes glimmered with expectation. He was well aware that Liu Xi possessed multiple Heavenly Flames, and had even fused several into one far stronger flame than any single source.
"This is my duty," Liu Xi said without hesitation. "Take me to her now. Whether for Zi Yan or East Dragon Island, time is what we lack most."
His tone was calm but resolute. Even with all their preparation, Zi Yan still couldn't refine the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit—proof enough of how terrifying its energy truly was.
"Very well! Follow me. The Ancient Void Dragon Tribe will forever remember your aid!"
Zhu Li bowed deeply in gratitude, then ordered Hei Qing to strengthen patrols around the island. Hei Qing clasped his fists and swiftly departed.
Liu Xi followed Zhu Li toward the inner region of the island.
"Oh right," Liu Xi asked as they traveled, "how's Qing Lin faring in the Dragon Tomb? Is her cultivation progressing well?"
Zhu Li smiled faintly. "No need to worry, my young friend. Lady Qing Lin is doing quite well. By relying on her Jade Snake Three-Flower Pupils to absorb the Ancient Heaven Serpent's power, her cultivation has advanced rapidly."
"A short while ago, she'd already reached 6-Star Dou Zun. She's returned to the Dragon Tomb to continue cultivating. I also took it upon myself to give her all the Ancient Heaven Serpent blood essence our tribe once obtained. I expect she'll have another breakthrough soon enough."
"I see… thank you, Elder Zhu Li."
"Hehe, no need to be so polite."
Before long, the two arrived at a massive volcano deep within East Dragon Island. A surge of fiery heat rolled through the air. Countless cold gazes immediately locked onto them from all directions, though they quickly vanished when they recognized Zhu Li.
Liu Xi could still sense them, however—many powerful auras gathered nearby, giving him a clear measure of East Dragon Island's formidable strength.
"Follow me," Zhu Li said gravely. "Since Princess Zi Yan fell unconscious, this place has been under our strictest protection. I hope you won't take offense."
"It's fine," Liu Xi replied softly. "We're all doing this for Zi Yan."
As they stepped deeper into the volcano, the temperature rose sharply. Within the fiery cavern stood a massive jade-green cauldron, and inside it lay Zi Yan—silent and still.
Even from a distance, Liu Xi could see her—her mature and beautiful face serene, her eyes closed, her body encased in a layer of violet crystal, like a statue carved from amethyst.
Zhu Li didn't step closer. He looked at the motionless Zi Yan and sighed bitterly. "We were too hasty. We believed the Dragon Seal's protection would let her withstand the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit's power… but we underestimated that divine fruit, which has appeared only five times in our tribe's recorded history."
Liu Xi's brows tightened. He too had underestimated it—he'd thought Zi Yan could absorb the fruit's energy smoothly. Yet things had gone awry after all.
"Leave it to me," Liu Xi said firmly.
As he stepped forward, Zhu Li quickly stopped him and handed over a jade vial. Inside were three drops of thick, crimson-gold blood that pulsed with overwhelming vitality.
"This is Ancient Void Dragon Blood," Zhu Li explained solemnly. "It's not comparable to His Majesty's, but should your Dou Qi run dry, taking a drop will instantly restore it. I entrust Princess Zi Yan to you."
Liu Xi accepted the vial with both hands, bowing slightly. "You have my word, Elder Zhu Li. I will bring her back."
"Then everything depends on you, my young friend."
Zhu Li stepped back and stood guard a distance away, leaving Liu Xi alone before the cauldron.
Liu Xi gazed at Zi Yan's peaceful face. Once radiant with laughter, it now lay silent—he wondered if she was dreaming, and whether it was a pleasant one.
"I just came out of cultivation myself," he murmured with a faint smile. "Didn't even rest before rushing here. I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?"
His tone was gentle, tinged with affection. With a turn of his palm, a wave of azure flame burst forth, wrapping around his hand.
He pressed his palm lightly against the violet crystal layer—but there was no reaction. The energy was unimaginably dense and pure.
"Seems this won't be easy…"
The azure flame roared and expanded, taking on the vague shape of a dragon as it enveloped the entire crystalline cocoon, seeping slowly inward toward Zi Yan's body.
In the radiant purple crystal, faint azure lines appeared, each one pushing deeper toward her heart. The real problem wasn't the shell—but the raging medicinal power inside Zi Yan's body, still unrefined and blocking her Dou Qi channels.
The crystalized layer was only a symptom—the true cause was within.
'To cure it, I must treat the root.'
The violet crystal's density slowed the flame's advance, but it could not resist it for long. Soon, the cyan blaze reached Zi Yan's body.
Through his Spiritual Perception, Liu Xi sensed her heart faintly pulsing, the Dragon Seal within devouring strands of violet energy, converting them into pure Dou Qi that flowed through her.
With that reassurance, Liu Xi flared the azure flame to its fiercest, burning away the excess energy and transforming it into purer medicinal power for Zi Yan to absorb.
Billowing violet mist rose, wrapping around both of them. Yet even this was only a fraction of the sealed energy—less than one ten-thousandth of it.
(End of Chapter)
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