The moment Zhu Kun raised his hand, the Dragon Seal drifted forward, gleaming with a faint violet-gold radiance, pulsing as if reluctant to part with its master. Hovering in the space between him and Zi Yan, it exuded a sacred pressure that stirred the very air. Under Liu Xi's steady, encouraging gaze, Zi Yan hesitated only briefly before reaching out and gently pressing her fingertip to the floating seal.
The instant her finger touched it, the Dragon Seal dissolved into a stream of light and shot straight into her chest. A pulse of violet-gold ripples spread from her heart, enveloping her entire body. Zi Yan's eyes widened slightly. The sensation was strange yet familiar — the power felt like it had always belonged to her, as if it had merely returned home.
Then, without warning, an overwhelming force surged from within the Dragon Seal, merging with her bloodline in waves. Zi Yan's small frame trembled, her face flushing red as white steam began to rise from her body. Within seconds, her skin radiated intense heat, her clothes dampened by the surge of energy.
"Zi Yan!"
Liu Xi's expression changed drastically. He immediately stepped forward, worry flashing through his eyes. Though Zhu Kun would never harm his own daughter, the sudden transformation still made his heart tighten.
"Big Brother…" Zi Yan's voice was soft and weak before her body went limp. The girl collapsed into Liu Xi's arms, unconscious.
Hot — unbearably hot. Even through his Dou Qi barrier, Liu Xi could feel the searing temperature radiating from her skin. Any ordinary person would have been burned alive by mere contact.
"Damn it!" His voice was low and furious as he glared at Zhu Kun, the calm in his eyes replaced by a cold, sharp killing intent. "Senior, what is happening to her?"
Zhu Kun, who had been silently observing, paused. For a heartbeat, his brows furrowed, but when he saw that defiant, protective look in Liu Xi's eyes, he burst out laughing. His booming voice echoed like thunder through the dark realm.
"Good! You actually dare glare at me like that? Do you know I could crush you with a single finger?"
"Then I'll make sure to stain you with my blood first!" Liu Xi's tone was flat but unwavering.
He wasn't bluffing — if he truly detonated the Heavenly Flames within his soul, even a 9-Star Dou Saint would not leave unscathed.
Zhu Kun's laughter faded. The air grew heavy with an ancient pressure that made Liu Xi's Dou Qi freeze. His body trembled, but his gaze remained firm.
Finally, the Old Dragon Emperor sighed and said calmly, "You underestimate me. That is my daughter — how could I ever harm her? The Dragon Seal carries my life's essence blood, refined over countless years. It is merging with her bloodline, purifying and strengthening it. She merely entered a temporary state of overload."
Liu Xi's frown softened slightly. Extending his Spiritual Perception, he sensed the tremendous surge of vitality within Zi Yan's body — her aura was rising rapidly, far beyond anything she had achieved before.
Even so, her flushed face and the frightening heat proved just how taxing this process was. For a 7th Rank Magical Beast to absorb the essence of a 9th Rank Ancient Void Dragon, even of the same lineage, was pushing the limits.
"Enough, boy." Zhu Kun's tone shifted, cold and imperious once again. His eyes sharpened like blades, locking onto Liu Xi. "Now, tell me — why did you approach my daughter? Spare me the nonsense about 'fate' and 'love.'"
Liu Xi gritted his teeth as the suffocating pressure crushed down upon him. His blood roared in his ears, but his gaze stayed steady. "Does it still matter?"
The abrupt reply caught Zhu Kun off guard. His brows furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
Liu Xi smiled faintly, his voice calm despite the weight bearing down on him. "The reasons from back then no longer matter. What matters is that Zi Yan chose me — and I chose her. You can threaten me, but you can't change that."
"You… she's just a child!" Zhu Kun roared, fury shaking the air. His killing intent surged again, crushing down like a mountain.
Liu Xi's body trembled violently; his vision blurred. Yet, even as blood trickled from the corner of his lips, his voice remained steady. "Then I'll wait until she's grown. You can kill me, Senior, but if you do… she'll hate you for the rest of her life."
For a long moment, silence.
Then the crushing weight vanished. Liu Xi gasped for air, his legs nearly giving out. He knew he'd barely passed the test — the first meeting with his "father-in-law" had been a trial of life and death.
Zhu Kun stared at him for a while, expression unreadable, then let out a long sigh. His gaze softened as he looked toward his sleeping daughter. "You're bold, boy… too bold for your own good."
But even as he spoke, his eyes flickered with reluctant approval.
Without warning, Zhu Kun's right hand rose again. His fingers, sharp as blades, pierced through his chest with a wet crack. Blood spilled forth, but he didn't flinch. Muttering ancient incantations, he condensed his heart's essence blood into a glowing crimson crystal, each rune shimmering with power.
"Consider this… compensation." He shot Liu Xi a glare filled with reluctant grudging respect. "You're lucky, brat."
The blood crystal turned into a streak of light and pierced straight into Liu Xi's chest.
He braced for agony, but none came. Instead, the crystal dissolved into his heart, its energy spreading through his veins. A faint mist-like energy diffused across his body, strengthening him from within. His meridians expanded; his blood pulsed with renewed vigor.
Liu Xi could feel it — his physique was evolving, his potential rising.
"Senior… this is?" he asked quietly.
Zhu Kun's deep voice rumbled like thunder. "That blood crystal will let your body adapt to the Ancient Void Dragon's bloodline. When the time comes, you can draw upon it to temporarily wield the power of a Dou Saint — without your body collapsing. As you grow accustomed, you'll also unlock an Ancient Void Dragon Dou Technique… the 'Ancient Dragon Battle Armor.' It's at least High Level Di Class. Few Dou Zun could even scratch you."
A genuine smile crossed Liu Xi's face. He clasped his hands respectfully. "Many thanks, Senior."
Zhu Kun didn't reply immediately. His eyes lingered on Zi Yan's peaceful face, then turned solemn once more. "Protect her," he said simply — not as an order, but as a plea.
Liu Xi straightened, expression grave. "I swear it — I won't fail you."
Zhu Kun nodded faintly, the corners of his mouth curving into a tired but satisfied smile.
(End of Chapter)
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