For the next two days, Xiao Yan and Qing Lin stayed on the Ancient Dragon Island. The Elder Zulih was busy preparing for Zi Yan’s energy crystal refinement process. However, he had also instructed Hei Qian to entertain the two guests, so the two days went by swiftly in a relaxing wait. On the third day at dawn, Elder Zulih finally appeared before Xiao Yan with a serious expression, which signaled that the work would begin today.
“Little friend Xiao Yan, please follow me,” said Zulih to Xiao Yan and led the way. Xiao Yan quickly followed.
As they flew deep into the island, Xiao Yan noticed that the atmosphere on the island seemed much more solemn than usual. What was once an empty sky now occasionally saw figures passing by, their eyes scanning the void with alertness.
“Although we have done a good job keeping things under wraps, Zi Yan is too important to the Ancient Dragons. We cannot afford any mistakes. That’s why the defense on the Dragon Island has been raised to the highest level,” Zulih explained as they traveled. Xiao Yan finally understood.
As they approached the innermost part of the island, Xiao Yan began to sense a gradual rise in the ambient energy, becoming scorchingly hot.
“Here… there is actually a volcano…”
After carefully sensing, Xiao Yan’s eyes flashed with surprise. The Void Ancient Dragons indeed had significant capabilities; he hadn’t expected them to construct a real volcano on the island.
After about ten minutes of flight, Elder Zulih gradually slowed down. Following his gaze, Xiao Yan saw a massive mountain peak with a crater-like top, from which a column of white smoke rose.
“Shiiii!” Just as Xiao Yan and Zulih reached the area, a dark figure suddenly appeared before them, flying in from the distance.
“You… Venerable Ironsword? How… how are you here?” Xiao Yan’s initial quick glance turned into a stunned silence, his disbelief evident.
The figure, dressed in a black robe with a sword on his back, was none other than the Venerable Ironsword, who had accompanied Xiao Yan and the others to the Soul Palace to rescue Pharmacist Elder. At the time, Venerable Ironsword had stayed behind to hold off the Black-White Venerable, leading Xiao Yan to believe he had met a tragic fate. Yet, surprisingly, he was here.
“Haha…” Seeing Xiao Yan’s shock, Elder Zulih chuckled. Venerable Ironsword’s face also twitched, as if smiling.
“Could it be that the mysterious expert from that day was Elder Zulih?” Xiao Yan glanced at Zulih in surprise.
“Since Zi Yan left, I secretly followed her. She is too important to the Void Ancient Dragons to let her wander around freely,” Zulih smiled, stroking his beard. “I merely stabilized the spatial rift for her, but otherwise, I didn’t help much. As for Venerable Ironsword, I admire his temperament, so after you left, I rescued him from the Soul Palace.”
“I didn’t realize that I owed Elder Zulih a favor without even knowing it…” Xiao Yan laughed bitterly.
“It’s nothing,” Zulih waved his hand dismissively and then turned to Venerable Ironsword, “Are all preparations complete?”
Venerable Ironsword nodded slightly. Satisfied, Zulih turned to Xiao Yan and motioned with his hand. His figure floated toward the mountain, hovering above the one emitting the white smoke. Xiao Yan followed closely, his eyes scanning below. To his surprise, in the crater, a gigantic green tripod was floating. Looking through it, he saw a small figure quietly suspended inside—the unmistakable form of Zi Yan.
“Little friend Xiao Yan, the fire attribute energy here is extremely rich. Your Flames will be even more powerful here,” Zulih said, pointing at the tripod, his expression turning grave. “However, your Flames are overwhelmingly powerful, requiring exceptional control to ensure that Zi Yan is not burned during the refining. With your current abilities, this should be manageable, right?”
“Yes.” Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He had already mastered flame control to a high degree, so this was not a significant challenge for him.
Relieved, Zulih pointed to the surrounding mountains. “During this time, the powerhouses of the Void Ancient Dragons and I will personally guard this place to prevent any interruptions.”
Xiao Yan scanned the area, sensing the presence of many powerful auras hidden within the mountains.
“Additionally, refining the Dragon Phoenix Crystal Layer is not easy and will take a considerable amount of time. The drain on your Dou Qi will be immense,” Zulih said, producing a jade bottle filled with milky-white liquid. “This contains five drops of refined Ancient Dragon Blood, which holds immense energy. It can instantly restore a large amount of Dou Qi and also has the effect of tempering the body. If you run out of Dou Qi during the refining process, take a drop…”
Carefully taking the bottle, Xiao Yan felt the vast energy emanating from it. Even he, with his experience and knowledge, couldn’t help but marvel. He knew the value of Ancient Dragon Blood, and if these five drops were outside, they would certainly cause a frenzy among peak experts, as they could both restore and strengthen the body.
“Given the importance of this task, I must ask: though the Ancient Dragon Blood is precious, I will accept it for now,” Xiao Yan said, bowing respectfully. He took a deep breath, and his figure transformed into a streak of light, appearing above the volcano. He sat cross-legged in the air, then gently descended beside the tripod.
Seeing Xiao Yan ready to start, Zulih’s expression grew even more solemn. “Now, it all depends on you.”
Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, his gaze fixed on the small figure inside the tripod. Taking several deep breaths, he calmed his mind and slowly opened his mouth.
“Boom!” A pillar of purple-brown flames with a thread of milky-white surged out as Xiao Yan opened his mouth. The flames swelled and engulfed the entire tripod, continuously pouring into it.
With the appearance of the strange flames, the temperature in the area skyrocketed. The towering trees in the forest drooped under the heat…
The flames roared into the tripod, converging under Xiao Yan’s nearly perfect control. In a moment, a gigantic fire dragon formed within the tripod.
“Roar!” The fire dragon formed, roaring mightily and shaking the tripod violently.
“Refine!” Outside the tripod, Xiao Yan’s hand seals changed, and a command echoed from his lips.
As his voice fell, the huge fire dragon darted out, rushing towards the sleeping Zi Yan under the watchful eyes of many. Just as it was about to collide with her, the dragon’s body twisted and coiled around her, enveloping her entirely. Simultaneously, the temperature within the tripod rose to a terrifying level.
“Whhoooo…” As the temperature soared, streams of light flew in from all over the island, hovering gravely in the sky around the mountain. These were the members of the Void Ancient Dragons, all silent, not wanting to disturb Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan, focused on the tripod, poured all his energy and soul force into controlling the temperature of the flames.
Within the tripod, the flames burned fiercely. Although the intense heat created a barrier, the scene was still visible to Zulih and the other experts.
The fire dragon coiled, continually spewing columns of blazing flames from its mouth, enveloping Zi Yan. As the extreme temperature eroded her, the Dragon Phoenix Crystal Layer on her body emitted a faint, mysterious glow. The crystal layer flickered, emitting a terrifying energy that made hearts race.
Even as the flames continuously bathed her, the Dragon Phoenix Crystal Layer showed no signs of melting. But Xiao Yan remained calm. If it were that easy, Zulih would not have requested his assistance…
Xiao Yan’s face was serene, his eyes half-closed as a strange gleam flickered within.
“Under the power of the Flame, nothing remains unburned. This Dragon Phoenix Crystal Layer is no exception!”
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