Chapter 681 The Four Reunite
If Zi Yan and Xiao Ling were here at this moment, they would definitely recognize the two figures outside the barrier at a glance. The aloof woman on the left, with a plain white dress and snow-white hair reaching her waist, is none other than Little Fairy Doctor; the one beside her with lively blue hair and purple clothes that accentuate her figure is Qing Lin.
As the people closest to Xiao Ling and Zi Yan, they naturally wouldn't be overlooked in such a momentous event as the reunion on Gulong Island, which concerns the rise and fall of their clan.
Half a month ago, Zi Yan had already used the Dragon Emperor's token to activate the communication dragon talisman and send a message to the Starfall Pavilion, inviting Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin to gather on the newly reborn Ancient Dragon Island to witness the revival of their race.
However, the two suddenly appeared outside the barrier several days earlier than expected, making it difficult for the Dragon Armor Army stationed there to discern their intentions, which triggered this warning.
Before the void turbulence at the edge of the barrier had completely subsided, several Dragon Armor soldiers clad in black gold dragon armor darted to the inside of the barrier like arrows released from a bow. The dragon-patterned longswords in their hands gleamed with a cold light, and their eyes were fixed on the two figures outside the barrier.
The leader of the Dragon Armor Army had a solemn expression. The dragon patterns on his black armor glowed slightly as he activated his fighting power. He said in a deep voice, "This is the forbidden area of Ancient Dragon Island. No one who is not a member of our Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan is allowed to enter! Who are you? Why are you trespassing into the barrier area of Dragon Island?"
His voice, imbued with fighting spirit, pierced through the barrier, carrying undisguised vigilance.
After all, Ancient Dragon Island had just reunited after internal strife, and the entire clan was extremely careful about defense. Any unfamiliar presence would trigger the highest alert, especially since these two figures did not have any dragon clan fluctuations, so they were obviously not members of the clan.
Outside the barrier, Little Fairy Doctor and Qinglin exchanged a glance upon hearing the sound, both seeing understanding in each other's eyes. They naturally knew that Ancient Dragon Island had just been stabilized, and its heavy defenses were perfectly normal.
Little Fairy Doctor gently raised her hand, signaling Qinglin to calm down, and then said loudly to the inside of the barrier, "We are not trespassing, but visitors sent by His Majesty the Dragon Emperor. Please inform him."
As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them hovered outside the barrier as instructed, their figures as still as magnolias in the wind, without making the slightest movement. Even their fighting spirit was extremely calm, indicating that they had no ill intentions.
The Dragon Armor Army commander frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over the two women. Seeing that they had indeed not made any offensive moves, his hostility eased somewhat, but he still dared not relax. He said in a deep voice, "Send a message? Do you have any token to prove it? If you have no proof, do not take another step forward!"
After saying that, the Dragon Armor Army soldiers behind him gripped their long swords tightly, and their dragon might gathered again. Clearly, they would immediately intercept the enemy if they made any sudden moves.
Seeing that the elite Dragon Armor Army remained on high alert, Little Fairy Doctor felt somewhat helpless but also understood their duty. Ancient Dragon Island had just recovered from internal strife, and such vigilance was simply their responsibility to protect their clan.
Immediately, Little Fairy Doctor looked up at Qing Lin beside her and nodded slightly. Qing Lin understood and stepped forward to stand in front of Little Fairy Doctor, raising his right hand slightly as his fighting spirit slowly flowed into the back of his hand.
In an instant, a purple-gold dragon mark on the back of her right hand suddenly lit up. The ancient patterns flowed as if alive, and a pure and majestic dragon aura spread from the mark.
At the same time, a phantom image of an ancient dragon slowly condensed in front of her, its horns sharp and its scales shimmering. Although it was only a fleeting image, it exuded a terrifying power originating from the royal bloodline.
"This is..." The leader of the Dragon Armor Army's pupils shrank suddenly. When that familiar dragon might of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan rushed towards them, he and the soldiers behind him all felt a tightness in their hearts. The dragon blood surging in their bodies actually stagnated at this moment, as if they were facing the supreme pressure of the royal family.
Fortunately, they were all elites of their clan, and they quickly steadied themselves. Looking at the shimmering dragon mark, they exclaimed in surprise, "It's the mark of the Ancient Dragon Clan of the Primordial Void! This aura... there's no mistake, it's definitely the mark left by His Majesty the Dragon Emperor!"
The rest of the Dragon Armor Army soldiers nodded in agreement, their wariness instantly fading.
It should be understood that the person who can have His Majesty the Dragon Emperor personally plant a special dragon seal is no ordinary person; he must be someone with a very deep connection to the royal family and someone worthy of the entire clan's trust.
The two women before him, who possessed the Dragon Emperor's Mark, clearly had a close relationship with His Majesty and were definitely not malicious intruders.
The commander sheathed his longsword, bowed slightly to the two women outside the barrier, and said in a respectful tone, "I apologize for my earlier offense. As you are distinguished guests who possess His Majesty's Dragon Seal, we will now open the barrier for you. Please wait a moment."
After saying that, he turned around and gestured to the soldiers behind him. Several Dragon Armor soldiers immediately formed hand seals and cast spells. The dragon patterns on the purple barrier slowly flowed, and a gap that could only be passed by two people quietly opened.
Seeing that the Dragon Armor Army guards had completely lowered their guard, Qinglin and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a glance and nodded in tacit agreement.
She immediately withdrew her fighting spirit, and the purple-gold dragon mark on the back of her hand gradually faded, slowly disappearing beneath her skin.
The awe-inspiring phantom of the ancient dragon in front of him receded like a tide, turning into specks of purple light and dissipating into the void.
This dragon seal is no ordinary token; it was specially planted by Zi Yan for Qing Lin. Firstly, it would help her learn the unique fighting techniques of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan more smoothly, and secondly, it would be more powerful when activated by the power of the dragon seal.
Secondly, during the previous fierce battle between Qinglin and the ancient celestial serpent's soul, the Dragon Seal also emitted royal pressure, which played a significant suppressive role.
Now that the threat of the ancient celestial serpent has been nearly eradicated, the dragon seal has taken on another purpose: it serves as both a certificate of identity and a secret communication medium between the dragon and Zi Yan. In critical moments, simply injecting battle qi will allow Zi Yan, who is thousands of miles away, to sense the movement.
"Thank you for your help in informing us," Little Fairy Doctor said softly, her tone gentle and polite. Qing Lin also put away the solemnity she had shown when activating the Dragon Seal, and her eyes regained some of their liveliness.
The commander of the Dragon Armor Army quickly waved his hand, his face showing respect: "You flatter me, honored guest. This is my duty. The barrier has been opened. Please follow me. His Majesty the Dragon Emperor will be very pleased to know that you two have arrived."
After saying that, he stepped aside to lead the way, indicating that the two should pass through the gap in the barrier. Several Dragon Armor soldiers also sheathed their swords and stood at attention, their eyes no longer showing any hostility, but only reverence for the royal token and courtesy to their distinguished guests.
Seeing this, Little Fairy Doctor and Qinglin urged themselves to move again and floated towards the gap in the barrier.
The moment they passed through the pale purple barrier, the raging void currents around them were instantly shut out, and the spatial pressure that had been tearing at their souls suddenly disappeared. The two felt a lightness all over their bodies, and even their breathing became much easier.
While navigating the turbulent currents, although their cultivation levels were sufficient to sustain them, they still needed to constantly circulate their battle qi to resist the erosion, inevitably leading to some continuous consumption. Only now, having stepped into the barrier's range, could they truly relax completely.
The Dragon Armor Army commander quickly approached the two men and gestured towards the center of Ancient Dragon Island, where a magnificent palace floating above the mountains could be vaguely seen, with dragon patterns flowing on the ceiling, exuding an aura of majesty.
“Distinguished guests, the Dragon Palace in the center of the island is the residence of His Majesty the Dragon Emperor.” He spoke respectfully. “His Majesty resides in the palace and handles clan affairs daily. I will now lead the way to meet His Majesty.”
Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin exchanged a glance, their eyes flashing with anticipation, and then nodded in unison.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Commander," Little Fairy Doctor replied softly. Qinglin nodded in agreement, her gaze curiously sweeping over the surroundings. Before her eyes lay the vast land of Dragon Island, with mist rising between the rock layers. In the distance, the busy figures of the ancient dragon clan could be faintly seen. The entire island exuded a vibrant warmth, completely different from the perilous void outside.
The two then followed their leader's footsteps, flying along the void path towards the Dragon Palace, which symbolized the authority of the Ancient Dragon Clan.
However, before the three had flown a hundred feet, a ripple suddenly appeared in the void ahead, and a pale purple halo spread out like water waves.
The next moment, two figures slowly appeared from the distorted void, blocking the path the three were about to take to the Dragon Palace.
The leader was dressed in a purple-gold dragon-patterned robe. She was slender yet exuded majesty, and her cool and aloof eyes hinted at the noble bearing of a dragon emperor. It was none other than Zi Yan.
She was accompanied by an elder in black robes, none other than the Third Elder, Zhu Li.
The commander of the Dragon Armor Army trembled upon seeing the newcomer's appearance. He immediately stopped and knelt on one knee in front of the void, bowing respectfully with clasped hands. His tone was extremely respectful: "Your subordinate greets His Majesty the Dragon Emperor! Greetings to Elder Zhuli!"
The surrounding Dragon Armor Army soldiers also knelt down in unison, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
Zi Yan's gaze swept over the kneeling guards, finally landing on Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin. Her originally stern expression softened instantly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“You arrived a few days earlier than expected. I was still dealing with clan affairs when I sensed the aura of the Dragon Seal, which is why I came here specifically to find you.”
Little Fairy Doctor looked at Zi Yan, whose temperament had become increasingly composed, and smiled warmly: "After receiving your message, Qing Lin and I set off together. I didn't expect to be stopped by the guards as soon as we entered the island. Fortunately, we had the Dragon Seal as proof, so we didn't cause any trouble."
Qinglin nodded with a smile: "Yes, this Dragon Island is much more impressive than the Starfall Pavilion!"
Zhu Li stroked his beard and chuckled, "His Majesty learned of the unusual movement of the Dragon Seal and knew that my two young friends had arrived. He specially brought me here to greet you, so that you wouldn't get lost on the island."
As he spoke, he waved his hand at the kneeling commander, "Get up. These two are His Majesty's close friends. If you see them on Dragon Island in the future, you must treat them with the highest level of courtesy and not be negligent."
The commander quickly stood up, his face showing a mixture of relief and respect. Fortunately, he hadn't been impolite. It seemed that the relationship between these two and their Dragon Emperor was probably closer than they had imagined.
"Xiao Ling is currently studying his pills inside the barrier. I'll show you around Ancient Dragon Island first and tell you about what's been happening these past few days. I guarantee you'll be quite surprised." Zi Yan looked at Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin, a relaxed smile spreading across her lips, and waved her hand forward.
The Zi Yan before them had long since shed her youthful naiveté, her brows now bearing the composure and majesty of a Dragon Emperor. Yet, when facing her closest friend, she unconsciously revealed a long-lost vivacity. Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin, seeing her like this, couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Little Fairy Doctor deliberately dragged out her words, her eyes brimming with laughter: "Then we'll have to trouble His Majesty the Dragon Emperor to tell us the story of this newly reborn Ancient Dragon Island."
Hearing this teasing nickname, Zi Yan shook her head helplessly, but the smile on her lips deepened.
Now that she holds the throne of the Dragon Emperor, everyone in her clan is in awe and respect. Only her closest relatives can still laugh and joke without any restraint, allowing her to find a moment of ease and warmth amidst her heavy responsibilities.
Without another word, she lightly raised her hand and waved it towards the void. Instantly, ripples of pale purple spread across the surrounding space, with ancient dragon patterns appearing and disappearing within the ripples. "Hold on tight."
Before she finished speaking, she naturally grabbed the wrists of the two men, and their figures gradually faded away with the fluctuations in the void, disappearing into the horizon in an instant, leaving only faint ripples in the void.
Only a few Dragon Armor Army guards and Zhu Li remained, exchanging surprised glances. They were astonished that the usually dignified and aloof Dragon Emperor could be so easygoing and approachable.
Zhu Li stroked his beard and sighed softly, a smile hidden in his eyes. He waved to the guards, "His Majesty is showing his distinguished guests around. You may all go about your duties."
After saying that, he turned and flew towards the Dragon Palace, feeling helpless. He had just been discussing clan affairs with His Majesty, but now, all the piles of documents and matters awaiting approval were going to fall on his shoulders.
……
For the next half day, Zi Yan took Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin for a stroll on the rebuilt Ancient Dragon Island.
She recounted everything in detail, from the purple barrier surrounding the area to the dragon's energy flowing between the rock strata; from the busy figures of the people rebuilding their homes to the dragon spring hidden deep in the valley that has never dried up.
Zi Yan recounts how the Four Dragon Islands traversed the vast void to merge into one, describes the awe-inspiring moment when the protective barrier of the clan was formed, and also recounts the gradual planning for the clan's revival.
Little Fairy Doctor and Qinglin listened intently, gazing at the giant island that carried the hopes of the Ancient Dragon Clan of the Void, their eyes filled with amazement and satisfaction.
After the three had enjoyed their tour and returned to the Dragon Palace to rest, they happened to encounter a figure walking out of the alchemy barrier.
Xiao Ling's robes still carried a faint scent of medicine, and his fingertips retained the warmth from refining pills. Upon seeing the long-lost figure in the hall, he was first taken aback, then a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"Xian'er, Qinglin, it's been so long..."
The four people, who had been separated for a long time, sat together. Without saying much, the concern and longing in each other's eyes were already flowing.
Zi Yan smiled and called over the most skilled chef in the clan to bring out the rare and precious ingredients that had just been acquired from the island: a rich soup made from thousand-year-old dragon blood vines, candied fruit made from purple-gold dragon scale fruit, and spirit rice cooked with dragon saliva spring water... Before long, a sumptuous dinner table exuding rich spiritual energy was ready.
The four sat around the jade table in the Dragon Palace, their cups filled with sweet dragon's saliva wine, enjoying the delicacies while chatting about their experiences since they parted ways.
Xiao Ling spoke of the various sights within the Void Thunder Pool, Zi Yan discussed the progress of clan affairs, Little Fairy Doctor shared interesting stories about the Starfall Pavilion, and Qing Lin excitedly described her experiences traveling through the Central Plains during this period.
Laughter and cheerful voices echoed through the Dragon Palace, dispelling the weariness and fatigue of the past, leaving only the warmth of reunion and anticipation for the future. (End of Chapter)
