Chapter 402: Zi Yan Enters Seclusion
In the grand hall, the overwhelming soul force surged into the fire cauldron, completing the final step of the alchemy process.
Roar— Chirp—
Two piercing sounds erupted simultaneously from within the fire cauldron. The dragon's roar and the phoenix's cry, carrying immense pressure, spread far and wide, drawing numerous hidden gazes toward the grand hall.
Inside the hall, Elder Zhu Li and Hei Qing fixed their eyes on the fire cauldron, as if it were refining a Void Ancient Dragon and an Ancient Sky Phoenix. The terrifying pressure could be felt even through the cauldron, leaving them in awe.
"Disperse!" Xiao Ze shouted softly. The fire cauldron disintegrated into golden flames, which then converged into Xiao Ze's palm. With a flick of his wrist, he put away the golden flames.
The object inside the cauldron was finally revealed to everyone. It was still a peculiar fruit, but the gold and purple hues were now deeper, appearing as dark gold and ink purple. The dragon and phoenix on the fruit seemed more lively, and visible energy ripples emanated from it.
Zi Yan tilted her head slightly, blinking as she asked Xiao Ze, "Xiao Ze, why is it still a fruit? I thought you were going to turn it into a pill."
Xiao Ze, slightly annoyed, explained, "Turning it into a pill is not that simple. It would take a long time and might alter its effects. Moreover, a pill made from the dragon-phoenix origin fruit and other materials would be at least a ninth-rank pill, attracting Black Demon Lightning, which no one here could withstand."
"Anyway, the dragon-phoenix origin fruit is now ready for you to consume. The added ingredients have made its wild energy more gentle and even enhanced its effects."
Xiao Ze handed the fruit to Zi Yan. "You should consume it quickly. The energy surrounding it protects the fruit, but over time it will dissipate, making the fruit prone to contamination."
Zi Yan, startled by his words, carefully held the energy-surrounded fruit and looked at Elder Zhu Li.
"Since Lord Xiao Ze has spoken, we should not delay. Let's head to the Dragon Hall to refine the dragon-phoenix origin fruit," Zhu Li said confidently, trusting Xiao Ze's alchemy skills. He believed that Xiao Ze, considering his friendship with Zi Yan, wouldn't let anything go wrong. Moreover, if something did happen, they could seek further help from Xiao Ze.
Leading the group to the Dragon Hall, Elder Zhu Li explained, "I'm sorry, but the Dragon Hall is a sacred place for the Void Ancient Dragon clan and extremely important."
"That's fine, Elder Zhu Li. Let Zi Yan enter and start refining the fruit quickly," Xiao Ze replied with a smile, understanding and respecting the clan's traditions.
Grateful, Zhu Li nodded and instructed Hei Qing to take care of Xiao Ze and the others. He then opened a spatial tunnel with a flicker of silver light and led the way in.
Zi Yan, holding the dragon-phoenix origin fruit, looked at Xiao Ze, who smiled and waved. "Go on. After refining the fruit, you might reach the ninth rank and become a Dou Sheng."
Biting her lip, Zi Yan said with some reluctance, "Xiao Ze, I feel this refining process will take a long time. We just met again, and now we have to part."
"Don't worry. We have this," Xiao Ze replied, showing his right hand, which was empty, but Zi Yan understood and smiled. She had experienced the benefits of the golden tree Xiao Ze had given her, which allowed for communication regardless of distance.
"Alright, I'm going in." Zi Yan smiled at Xiao Ze, then nodded to Xiao Yi Xian, Medusa, and Qing Lin before entering the silver spatial tunnel. The group watched until the tunnel disappeared.
"Lord Xiao Ze, let me show you around Ancient Dragon Island. We wouldn't want Elder Zhu Li to think I didn't take good care of you," Hei Qing offered.
"Thank you, Elder Hei Qing," Xiao Ze replied with a smile. Under Hei Qing's guidance, the group began their tour of Ancient Dragon Island.
As they explored, it was clear that no one had yet connected Xiao Ze to the Xiao Clan of the ancient races. Unlike in the original story, where Hei Qing recognized Xiao Yan and mentioned knowing Xiao Xuan, there were no such recognitions here. This was likely because the vast Dou Qi continent had countless people with the surname Xiao, and without the influence of the Soul Hall spreading information, Xiao Ze's identity remained a secret.
Reflecting on this, Xiao Ze felt reassured. It meant the Xiao Clan was still protected from the Soul Hall's notice. He didn't know how the Xiao Clan had been exposed in the original story, possibly after Xiao Yan's fame in the Jia Ma Empire. But with his interventions, that scenario no longer existed.
Xiao Yan's real entry into the Soul Hall's sights was due to his involvement with the Anti-Yun Lan Sect Alliance and his status as a disciple of Yao Lao in Central Plains. By then, Xiao Yan had little connection to the Xiao Clan.
Thinking of his third brother, who was still fighting the Soul Hall, Xiao Ze felt no immediate concern. Without the lure of the Xiao Clan and the ancient emperor jade, the Soul Hall's interest in Xiao Yan hadn't escalated to the level of involving their highest leaders. The pursuit remained lukewarm, even providing Xiao Yan with opportunities for growth.
This allowed Xiao Ze to avoid intervening directly.