Amidst the puzzled gazes of the few people, Jiang Yun looked towards Zi Yan who was quietly sitting aside.
"What's wrong?" Zi Yan asked, feeling a bit strange as she glanced up and down at herself.
Hmm, can't see my toes when I look down, nothing wrong there!
"Zi Yan, I think I've found your father!" Jiang Yun hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.
Her body momentarily stiffened, and her expression froze. Zi Yan looked up at Jiang Yun, her eyes filled with an unprecedentedly complex emotion.
"Brother Jiang Yun, do you know where Sister Zi Yan's father is?" Qing Lin asked in surprise.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to Jiang Yun. They were well aware of Zi Yan's background as a run-away Supreme Beast, a member of the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan.
Meeting Jiang Yun since young and being picked up by Grand Elder Su Qian at Jia Nan Academy where she grew up, there had never been any powerful individuals from the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan searching for Zi Yan during this time.
How did Jiang Yun suddenly find Zi Yan's father?
"Just some speculation!" Jiang Yun nodded, "After my closed-door training in the magma space underground, I encountered a Taixu Ancient Dragon with a similar aura to Zi Yan, which led to my guess. However, the final result still requires Zi Yan to verify it herself."
"There's actually a Taixu Ancient Dragon hidden beneath the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower?" Medusa remarked in surprise.
Everyone's hearts were filled with curiosity. Why would an adult Taixu Ancient Dragon, at least an eighth-order magical beast, stay in the magma world below?
"Could it be that something happened to Zi Yan's father?" The smart ones immediately grasped the situation.
"The situation is a bit complicated; I'll explain to you all later." Jiang Yun replied vaguely, then turned to Zi Yan and asked, "Zi Yan, do you want to meet him?"
The courtyard fell silent. Faced with everyone's gaze, Zi Yan turned her head away and said bitterly, "I don't want to see him. I... I... I've never had a father anyway!"
Growing up together, how could Jiang Yun not understand Zi Yan's character? She was inherently eager for family love, just too proud to admit it!
In this respect, she was exactly like Medusa. No wonder the two of them were always at odds!
"Then we won't see him. However, Uncle is trapped alone in the underground world and seems quite pitiable. Besides, I promised Uncle to bring you to meet him and confirm his identity. It seems I'm going to break my promise." Jiang Yun said softly as he walked to Zi Yan and pulled her into his embrace.
With Jiang Yun's words, Zi Yan, who had her head buried in his arms, hugged him even tighter, her body trembling slightly. A muffled voice came from his embrace, "Really, Little Yun always likes to make decisions for others. But I don't want to make you a promise-breaker."
Hearing Zi Yan's words, Jiang Yun's eyes were filled with tenderness. He reached out and patted her head, then looked at the others, "Zi Yan and I will make a trip out. I'll give you all a surprise when we return. If the Grand Elder comes by, let him know for me."
Medusa and the others were somewhat puzzled but nodded in agreement. After all, it would only take a few days, just like a closed-door training session.
With a nod, Jiang Yun and Zi Yan's figures gradually faded away!
From the moment Jiang Yun saw Zhukun, he had already planned to involve the old father-in-law. With the guidance of a Nine-Star Dou Saint, it was practically giving everyone a boost.
The benefits are too good to pass up!
With a gentle breeze, Jiang Yun didn't linger and directly took Zi Yan toward the Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion.
In no time, the two of them stepped into the space that Soul Heavenly Emperor, Gu Yuan, and the like dreamed of.
As soon as they arrived, their vision blurred, and Zhukun's figure appeared before them.
At this moment, Zhukun didn't even glance at Jiang Yun, who had saved him. His eyes were fixated solely on Zi Yan, and his golden pupils were filled with a particularly gentle light.
The moment Zi Yan entered, she felt the resonance in her bloodline. The heart that had been still for countless years suddenly beat vigorously. His eyes were fixed on Zi Yan, and he murmured.
"Child..."
"Who's your child!"
With such a feeling, it was natural for Zhukun. Zi Yan felt the same. At this moment, she was already certain that the man in front of her was her father.
Zhukun, excited, stepped forward and gently took Zi Yan's hand. As their hands touched, two dazzling golden lights burst from their bodies and perfectly merged where their hands joined.
"Buzz!"
A terrifying bloodline pressure emanated from the two of them.
If there were any Dou Zun or Dou Sheng level individuals from the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan present, they would bow respectfully under the bloodline pressure from these two Dragon Emperors, from different generations.
"Child, see? See this bloodline resonance? This only occurs between the closest bloodlines of the same origin," Zhukun, looking at the dazzling golden light, spoke with extreme excitement, as if trying to convince Zi Yan.
Zi Yan stared blankly where their hands intersected, but immediately thought of her experiences over the years. She looked at Zhukun with both unfamiliarity and grievance, pulled her hand back, and with tear-filled eyes, stubbornly said, "I am an orphan, with no father, no mother."
The voice was cold, but it had a tinge of heartache within.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been greedy for this Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion. It's that wretched Tuo She Ancient Emperor who trapped me here. Back then, I sent you out to avoid you being imprisoned here like me. It's all my fault. I was too arrogant!"
Seeing Zhukun constantly repenting, Zi Yan's heart ached slightly. Her mind was in chaos. She bit her lip and buried her head in Jiang Yun's arms. Jiang Yun could feel the trembling and slight dampness of his clothes.
Seeing this, Zhukun momentarily forgot his anger over losing his little girl and looked at Jiang Yun for help.
He had figured it out. The youngster before him, who claimed Zi Yan was his friend, was clearly lying. Who treats a friend by holding them so closely?
However, considering Jiang Yun allowed their reunion and that Jiang Yun was quite excellent in all aspects, he reluctantly accepted Jiang Yun's identity.
What else could he do? He, the father who just met his daughter, likely held less weight in her heart compared to this young man.
Now, giving her time to slowly accept him was most important. Later, once Zhukun showcased his difficulties as a father, the matter would be resolved.
Jiang Yun patted Zi Yan's head gently, speaking soft-heartedly, "Zi Yan, Uncle didn't act intentionally. He wanted to gain the Ancient Emperor's inheritance to provide you a better foundation. Plus, he was trapped here alone for thousands of years; it was lonely and pitiable."
Feeling comforted by Jiang Yun, discerning Zhukun's hardships, Zi Yan looked up hesitantly at Zhukun. Seeing this, Zhukun hurriedly added, "Yes, yes. As your father, I had no choice but to let you wander outside."
With a sigh, recalling the past, Zhukun said helplessly, "Back then, my strength had reached the peak of a Nine-Star Dou Saint, soul realm at the Emperor level. I was seeking a breakthrough opportunity, bringing you along, searching the continent."
"By chance, I discovered this Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion. Arrogantly relying on my strength, I tried to force it open, only to be trapped by Tuo She Ancient Emperor's setup. As I realized the danger, it was too late. In the final moments, I managed to send you out."
"And I became the guardian of this cave mansion, waiting eternally until the holder of the ancient jade came to open it, thus fulfilling my forced duty."
"Aren't you too powerful to escape?" Zi Yan, having steadied her emotions, looked at Zhukun, feeling somewhat sorry for him, subconsciously asked.
Seeing Zi Yan finally speak, Zhukun was overjoyed. He furiously replied, "The levels of Dou Emperor and Dou Saint are vastly different. This place forms its own space, even I can't break through the seals left behind."
"Little Yun, do you have a way to save him?" Upon hearing of her father's struggles, Zi Yan looked curiously at Jiang Yun.
With Zi Yan's inquiry, Zhukun gazed curiously at Jiang Yun, wondering how this mysterious young man would respond.
After pondering for a bit, Jiang Yun slowly shook his head, under Zi Yan's expectant gaze, "Senior Qingming said he couldn't break through the seal for now."
Hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed in Zi Yan's eyes!
"Is there any way to get you out?" Zi Yan, unwilling to give up, asked Zhukun.
Zhukun's gaze turned emotional. Blood indeed proves true. Even initially feeling distant, she still cared.
"Zi Yan, to open this Ancient Emperor's Cave Mansion, one must find the Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade. Once the mansion opens, I can leave." Zhukun explained gently.
"Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade?" The unfamiliar name made Zi Yan instinctively look toward Jiang Yun.
"The Tuo She Ancient Emperor Jade was split into eight pieces a thousand years ago, held by the eight ancient emperor clans respectively. Currently, our strength is not enough to gather them." Jiang Yun provided the answer, not disappointing Zi Yan.
"The eight emperor clans?" Zhukun remarked with interest, "Back in my days, there were more than eight. These clans are not weaker than the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan. Zi Yan, don't act rashly without sufficient power."
"That Gu Xun'er is from one of those clans, right?" Zi Yan recalled and asked Jiang Yun.
"Gu Xun'er is from the ancient Gu clan, one of the eight great emperor clans. Its clan leader, Gu Yuan, is also a Nine-Star Dou Saint!" Jiang Yun nodded, gazing intently at the father and daughter, continuing, "Additionally, the Soul clan's leader is also a Nine-Star Dou Saint. With these two, alongside Uncle, they are likely the ones closest to becoming Dou Emperors now!"
"As for the remaining emperor clans, their leaders are either eight-star or seven-star Dou Saints. Though not as powerful as the Gu and Soul clans, they are the true pinnacle powerhouses of the Dou Qi continent!"
Upon learning the tip of the iceberg of the eight emperor clans' strength from Jiang Yun, Zi Yan felt an overwhelming pressure. Rescuing her father seemed like a long and arduous path!
"It's okay, Zi Yan. I've been here for so long, now seeing you is enough. Just visit often, and I'll be content." Sensing Zi Yan's low spirits, Zhukun comforted kindly.
Knowing that the emperor jade was in the hands of such powerful forces left nearly no hope of gathering it. It was clear why no one bearing the jade had come for so many years.
Not wanting his daughter to face such overwhelming enemies all at once, Zhukun decided to be content with what he had. At least, with Zi Yan visiting, he could feel fulfilled!
"Little Yun, you must have a way, right?" Hearing Zhukun's heart-wrenching words, Zi Yan grew more anxious and turned, seeking help from Jiang Yun.
"Of course!" Seeing her look, Jiang Yun smiled, ruffling her hair lovingly.
"Uncle, right now I can't entirely break the seal to bring you out, but I can break a corner of it."
"You have such means!" Zhukun was amazed at Jiang Yun. Breaking this space, even with his strength, felt impossible after countless attempts.
"After breaking the seal, what next?"
Looking at Zhukun, Jiang Yun smiled and said, "Uncle already possesses an emperor realm soul. A perfected heavenly soul is akin to a physical body and can fight with others."
Quick to catch on, Zhukun exclaimed, "You mean, send my soul out first!"
Excited from hearing Jiang Yun's plan, Zi Yan's eyes sparkled as she looked at Jiang Yun.
"An emperor realm soul can rival eight or nine-star Dou Saints. As long as you avoid the Sky Emperor of the Soul clan and Gu Yuan, your soul in this continent will be safe. It's almost like having your true body out." Jiang Yun nodded, seriously affirming.
"Let's try it right away. I can't wait to see the outside world!" Zhukun was elated. After being trapped here for thousands of years, he had grown unbearably tired of it.
Though only his soul, the sensation would be all the more profound, practically as if he were truly out.
"Little Yun, I knew you could do it!" Excitedly leaping up, Zi Yan hugged Jiang Yun's neck and gave him a big kiss, despite Zhukun's wide eyes.
"What are you staring at!" After the kiss, noticing Zhukun's gaze, Zi Yan snapped angrily. This cheap father had no sense at all, immediately shouting in anger.
"Crack—" Jiang Yun seemed to hear a sound of heartbreak. Just then, the agitated Zhukun now crouched in a corner, looking utterly defeated.
(The chapter ends here)