The interior was not a lavish palace; it was an endless black hall that floated in a timeless, starry void. An absolute, deep silence filled every corner. Shen Yi walked forward slowly, sensing the remaining, ethereal remnants of the Ancient Emperor's colossal legacy.
Ancient, multicolored flames lay sleeping in crystal niches along the walls. Strange, ghostly medicinal scents drifted from old, untouched stone tables. Bottles, precious scrolls, and powerful relics sat perfectly still, waiting only for the person deemed truly worthy to claim them.
And on a simple, stone pedestal, sealed by a thin, shimmering crystalline barrier, stood a small young child in human shape. Despite its appearance, Shen Yi recognized it as the ultimate pill.
It looked deceptively simple: a milk-white sphere with faint, glowing golden veins. But the crushing spiritual pressure it released clearly bent the air around it. It was not just a pill; it was the core, most sacred treasure of the entire mansion:
The Young Emperor Pill.
A supreme-grade medicinal pill infused with the Ancient Emperor's refined Source Qi, a peerless treasure capable of helping even a peak Nine-Star Dou Saint take the final, impossible step into the Supreme Realm.
Zhu Kun gasped sharply, his body trembling slightly with desire. "That pill... it is one of the Ancient Emperor's final, immortal creations. I planned to use it to help my ascension... but after what you demonstrated today, I cannot..."
Shen Yi interrupted gently, his tone calm and final.
"Do not worry. This one is not for us. It is for Zi Yan."
With a simple, soft wave of his hand, the thin crystalline barrier cracked like thin ice hit by a feather. Shen Yi quickly grabbed the pill despite its struggle... the baby transformed back into a round pill, its golden veins shimmering with ethereal light... and safely stored it within his inner spatial world.
Behind him, the remaining treasures... the various flame seeds, the ancient elixirs, jade slips containing lost techniques, and powerful artifacts... all floated into the air simultaneously and disappeared, one by one, into his spacious storage rings. He collected everything with a calm, purposeful action. These were not just prizes of conquest. They were vital preparations for the vast, unknown journey that lay ahead.
Only then did he turn back toward the shimmering gateway.
"Let's go. Your daughter will faint from pure excitement if she sees you walk into the Eastern Dragon Hall behind me after all these long years."
Zhu Kun let out a long, quiet breath, a sound that was less a sigh and more the acceptance of a new, greater reality. Then, he bowed his head in deep respect, not as a legendary king acknowledging a stronger enemy, but as a deeply relieved and grateful father.
"Lead the way, Shen Yi."
Together, the newly ascended Dou Supreme and the Ancient Dragon King stepped out of the vast, silent depths of the Tou She Ancient Emperor's Mansion, leaving behind the empty hall that had waited thousands of years for a man finally strong enough to claim its legacy.
Back to the Eastern Dragon Island
Suddenly, the void ripped open once more high above the royal peak of the Eastern Dragon Island, and two figures calmly walked out of it.
Zhu Kun, the Ancient Dragon King, let out a deep, satisfied breath.
"So this is what it feels like to finally be home after all this time." He gazed at the breathtaking scenery of the entire floating island below, his golden eyes wide with a mix of wonder and deep peace. The ancient dragon pulse of the island, which had been a faint song during his thousands of years of confinement, now roared in his ears like a grand, welcoming symphony.
Shen Yi merely nodded, a calm expression on his face, yet a faint smile touched his lips as he glanced toward the royal residence below. "It seems her full awakening is finally complete."
His words were instantly confirmed. A familiar, slender figure, now radiating an unmistakable, majestic energy, shot through the air toward them. In the next moment, Zhu Kun was utterly startled, seeing the deep, mature changes in his daughter's appearance.
Zhu Kun's eyes momentarily narrowed, mesmerized by the sheer nobility of Zi Yan's presence. He then focused on the spot behind her, where a pair of formidable, ten-foot-long purple-golden wings were gently flapping. The motion created a focused, powerful wind, and the faint, powerful sound of thunder was vaguely heard, shaking the soul of anyone who heard it.
In the next moment, all the overwhelming noble energy around her instantly melted away. The imperial purple-golden eyes softened, and she smiled brightly, cheerfully, looking directly at Shen Yi, then letting her gaze snap to the tall, familiar figure beside him.
"Father!" she cried out, the deep, mature sound in her voice breaking into the pure joy of a girl finally reunited. Her powerful, newly awakened form instantly blurred as she flew toward Zhu Kun, wrapping him in a fierce, tight hug that even his ancient, Dou Supreme-level body had to brace for.
Zhu Kun laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that hadn't left his chest in thousands of years, instantly returning the hug with equal warmth.
"My little girl," he murmured, his voice filled with emotion and pride. He gently pulled back, holding her at arm's length. "You have become the Empress I always knew you would be. Now, let's go home. I hear you have quite the story to tell me."
Zi Yan grinned, her eyes sparkling, then glanced at Shen Yi. "I knew you would bring him back," she said, her voice soft yet firm with a deep, absolute certainty. She stepped back and gestured with a sweeping hand toward the royal residence, her golden eyes shining.
"Welcome home, father, and welcome back, Shen Yi. Please, come with me."
Shen Yi smiled and nodded. Then, side by side with the relieved father and daughter, he quickly flew toward the royal residence to join the others, a sense of peace settling upon the ancient Eastern Dragon Island.
...
patreon.com/chaosgray
Join for advanced content and support me on my full time writing path.