145: The Dragon Emperor's Promise, The First Encounter with the Flame Emperor

Zi Yan's awakening and her decisive execution of Savage Rock and others undoubtedly dropped a bombshell within the Ancient Void Dragon Clan.

The news swept across the entire Dragon Domain like a gale, instantly bringing the previously turbulent undercurrents into the open.

The North Dragon King was furious on his North Dragon Island.

It was said that a terrifying Dragon roar shattered the Void Realm that very day, but ultimately, he did not immediately retaliate, seemingly harboring apprehension toward the newly awakened Zi Yan, whose strength was unknown.

The West Dragon King's side also temporarily fell silent, clearly re-evaluating the situation.

Meanwhile, the faction supporting the Imperial Family's legitimate line, led by Third Elder Zhu Li, saw their morale greatly boosted.

Zi Yan's return and the powerful strength she displayed gave them hope for the Ancient Dragon Clan's reunification.

The barrier around the Hidden Dragon Abyss had long been removed, and Li Ao and the other two were treated as honored guests, settled in a more secluded and luxurious palace within the core area of the Dragon Domain.

With Zi Yan's personal guarantee, no petty individuals dared to disturb them again.

In the garden behind the palace, exotic flowers and rare grasses grew everywhere, and Spiritual Qi condensed into mist.

Li Ao and Zi Yan were sitting opposite each other, with various unique Spiritual Fruits and fine wines from the Dragon Domain placed on the stone table.

Zi Yan still looked like a little girl, but her brows now carried an added sense of the Dragon Emperor's majesty and composure.

She picked up a vermilion Spiritual Fruit, tossed it into her mouth, and mumbled indistinctly to Li Ao, "I owe you a lot this time; otherwise, I don't know how long I would have slept.

That old loach, the North Dragon King, actually dared to plot against my friend! Once I completely stabilize my Realm, I must go and dismantle his North Dragon Island!"

The heroic Qi she exuded while speaking contrasted sharply with her delicate appearance.

Li Ao smiled, taking a sip of the Dragon Blood Brew in his cup.

"Your Highness has just awakened and should focus on stabilizing yourself.

The North Dragon King and the West Dragon King have been operating for many years; their roots are deep, and it is unwise to act too hastily."

Zi Yan pouted.

"I know, I know.

Old man Zhu Li is just as long-winded."

Her purple-gold eyes fixed on Li Ao, and she asked curiously, "Speaking of which, what are your plans next?

Are you staying in the Dragon Domain permanently?

Although I welcome you very much, this place isn't meant for you to stay long, is it?"

Li Ao put down his wine cup, his gaze directed toward the Central Plains, his eyes profound.

"Naturally, I won't stay long.

The Hall of Souls and I are irreconcilable enemies, and there are still many unresolved matters in the Central Plains.

Once Your Highness's situation is stable, we plan to leave."

"The Hall of Souls?" Zi Yan wrinkled her small nose, a trace of disgust appearing on her face.

"Those sneaky fellows are truly annoying.

Don't worry, when you leave, I'll give you a token.

If they dare to bully you again, just crush it, and I will immediately bring people over to back you up!"

Her words were full of dominance.

With the current power of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, if they truly mobilized all their forces, even the Hall of Souls would have to think twice.

Li Ao was touched, cupping his hands in respect.

"Then I shall thank Your Highness in advance."

"No need to be polite!" Zi Yan waved her hand, then asked curiously, "Where will you go after leaving the Dragon Domain?"

Li Ao pondered, "I might go to the Pill Tower first.

During the siege of Pill City, the Pill Tower Master lent his assistance, and now the Pill Tower has been implicated because of my affairs.

By all accounts, I should go back and check on them.

Moreover... I also need the Pill Tower's resources to refine some Medicinal Pills in preparation for my subsequent Breakthrough."

His Soul Realm had now reached the Spirit Realm Mid Stage, and his Dou Qi had reached the Peak of Eight-Star Dou Zong.

It was time to prepare for assaulting the Dou Venerate level.

And for refining high-level Medicinal Pills, the Pill Tower was undoubtedly the best choice.

"The Pill Tower, huh..." Zi Yan blinked, seemingly recalling something, and said casually, "Speaking of which, old man Zhu Li seemed to mention a few days ago that an incredible young man had recently appeared in the Central Plains.

His name also seemed to have 'Yan' in it?

He caused quite a stir at the Pill Tower, even subduing the Three Thousand Burning Flame..."

"Called 'Yan' what?" Li Ao's heart stirred, and a name nearly escaped his lips.

Just then, a cool voice carrying a trace of barely noticeable concern drifted over.

"What are you talking about?"

Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian were seen walking in side-by-side from outside the garden.

After this period of recuperation, Medusa's Origin Qi was fully restored, and her aura was even stronger than before, faintly touching the barrier of the Dou Venerate level.

Her figure was graceful, her purple eyes shimmering, making her cold and stunningly beautiful.

Xiao Yi Xian followed by her side, her temperament gentle, and the poison Qi within her body, balanced by the Nirvana Origin, added a few points of ethereal detachment to her demeanor.

The appearance of the two women immediately enhanced the beauty of the garden.

Zi Yan looked at them, especially Medusa.

Her purple-gold eyes lit up, and she said with a giggle, "Sister Medusa, you are getting more and more beautiful! And so is Sister Xiao Yi Xian!"

Her personality was straightforward; she said whatever she thought.

Hearing this, Medusa merely glanced at her indifferently without saying much, but her eyes softened slightly.

Xiao Yi Xian blushed slightly and whispered, "Your Highness is too kind."

Li Ao felt a slight warmth in his heart watching this harmonious scene, and he briefly recounted the conversation he just had with Zi Yan.

"Leaving the Dragon Domain?" Medusa looked at Li Ao.

"When will we depart?"

"We still need to wait a few days," Li Ao said.

"Firstly, to wait for Your Highness Zi Yan to completely stabilize the situation, and secondly, I need to refine some Medicinal Pills for contingencies.

Moreover..." He paused.

"Your Highness Zi Yan just mentioned that an incredible young man seems to have appeared in the Central Plains and subdued the Three Thousand Burning Flame at the Pill Tower."

"The Three Thousand Burning Flame?" Medusa and Xiao Yi Xian were both shocked.

The Three Thousand Burning Flame, ranked ninth on the strange fire ranking list, was immensely famous.

Anyone who could subdue it was certainly no ordinary person.

"Do you know that person's name?" Medusa asked.

Zi Yan scratched her head, trying hard to recall.

"It seems... he's called Xiao Yan?

Yes, it's Xiao Yan!

I heard he's not only the champion of the Alchemist Convention but also the Young Lord of Starfall Pavilion.

He's making quite a splash!"

Xiao Yan!

It really was him!

A sharp light flashed in Li Ao's eyes.

It seemed that even with his own appearance, which changed some of the plot, Xiao Yan, the Son of Destiny, was still following his predetermined path and stirring up his storm in the Central Plains.

Subduing the Three Thousand Burning Flame meant that his strength must have achieved a massive leap forward.

"Xiao Yan..." Xiao Yi Xian murmured, a trace of complexity flashing in her eyes.

She and Xiao Yan were old acquaintances, having shared a connection in the Jia Ma Empire.

A flicker of surprise also crossed Medusa's purple eyes.

She had some impression of that young man who had displayed extraordinary talent while still in the Jia Ma Empire.

"You know him?" Zi Yan looked at Li Ao curiously.

Li Ao nodded, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

"He counts as an old acquaintance.

It seems the Central Plains is getting more and more lively."

He had already decided in his heart that after leaving the Dragon Domain, besides returning to the Pill Tower, he should perhaps pay a visit to this "old friend" at Starfall Pavilion.

Xiao Yan's speed of growth made him feel a sense of pressure, but also anticipation.

Being in the same era as such a figure was both pressure and motivation.

Just as the group was talking, an Ancient Dragon warrior came to report, "Your Highness, the Third Elder requests that you and Your Excellency Li Ao proceed to the main hall.

He says there is an important matter to discuss, seemingly... related to a Human Race guest from the Central Plains."

A Human Race guest from the Central Plains?

Li Ao and Medusa exchanged glances, both feeling puzzled.

Who would visit the Dragon Domain during this sensitive period?

"Let's go take a look." Zi Yan jumped off the stone stool, waved her small hand, and displayed quite the Dragon Emperor demeanor.

The group walked toward the Dragon Clan's main hall together.

When Li Ao stepped into the magnificent and ancient main hall, his gaze was instantly drawn to the young figure standing with his hands behind his back, clad in black robes.

The person was tall and straight, with a refined appearance and a faint smile playing on his lips.

He seemed peaceful, but the depths of his eyes seemed to contain the fiery heat of a volcano and unyielding tenacity.

The Qi surrounding him was restrained, but with Li Ao's current perception, he could sense the immense power hidden beneath that calm surface—a power that was not inferior to his own, and perhaps... even surpassed it!

Standing beside the youth was an exquisitely beautiful woman dressed in white, with a cool temperament like a lotus.

It was the long-unseen "Xiao Xun Er" mentioned by Xiao Yi Xian!

The Black-Robed Youth seemed to sense something and slowly turned around, his gaze meeting Li Ao's in the air.

As their eyes met, invisible sparks seemed to fly.

A warm smile appeared on the youth's face, and he spoke loudly, his voice clearly echoing throughout the main hall:

"I am Xiao Yan.

Your Excellency must be Brother Li Ao, who recently gained fame throughout the Dragon Domain by assisting Your Highness Zi Yan in her awakening?

I have long admired you."

Xiao Yan, the Flame Emperor, formally met Li Ao, who possessed the Nirvana Origin, right here!

The future landscape of the Central Plains seemed to quietly open a new chapter due to the meeting of these two peerless Prodigies.