Chapter 136: The Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun and a Master Level Spirit Array (Two in One)
"The Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan?"
Deep beneath the magma below the Sky Burning Qi Refining Tower at Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, Xiao Tiance sensed Zhu Kun's presence. At that exact moment, the slumbering Zhu Kun stirred awake, frowning as he looked toward Xiao Tiance's location.
Though he scanned his surroundings, he found nothing unusual. Still, as a peak 9 star Dou Saint, one of the strongest beings in the world, Zhu Kun's instincts were sharper than his vision.
A Tense Introduction
Within the magma, Xiao Tiance observed Zhu Kun. "Impressive," he thought. "As expected of the Dragon Emperor. His perception is extraordinary."
Even though Xiao Tiance had concealed his soul probe behind a spirit array, Zhu Kun still detected his presence. Though the dragon made no moves, he remained on high alert, his sharp gaze locked in Xiao Tiance's direction.
Xiao Tiance smirked. With a wave of his hand, he dispelled the spirit array.
"Boom!"
The release of energy instantly set Zhu Kun on edge. His entire body tensed, a primal sense of danger coursing through him.
"Who are you?" Zhu Kun demanded. His Dou Qi surged, rattling the chains that bound him as if he were ready to defend himself at a moment's notice.
Despite his threatening posture, Zhu Kun was cautious. Even at his peak, he would have been wary of someone exuding this level of danger. Now, trapped and weakened, he could only muster 80% of his full strength.
"He doesn't exude a single hint of Dou Qi," Zhu Kun realized, his instincts screaming at him. "But that makes him even more dangerous."
Xiao Tiance finally broke the silence. "It's almost comical to see the mighty Dragon Emperor Zhu Kun, ruler of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan, reduced to a prisoner in such a confined space."
Zhu Kun narrowed his eyes but refrained from attacking. As much as the taunt irked him, he knew he wasn't in any position to act recklessly.
Xiao Tiance moved closer, his tone calm and measured. "Let me introduce myself. Xiao Tiance, of the Xiao Clan."
Zhu Kun's wariness deepened. He hadn't expected the man to introduce himself so openly.
"Xiao Clan? One of the Eight Great Imperial Clans?" Zhu Kun asked coldly.
"Precisely," Xiao Tiance confirmed with a nod.
"Why have you come?" Zhu Kun pressed.
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Surely you already know the answer. The Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Cave."
"Do you possess the complete Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade?" Zhu Kun asked sharply.
"Not yet."
"Then leave," Zhu Kun said curtly. "Without the complete jade, even you cannot open the Ancient Emperor's Cave."
Zhu Kun's tone carried a warning, but his body remained in a defensive stance, ready for any sudden moves.
Unusual Hospitality
Xiao Tiance ignored Zhu Kun's warning. From his storage ring, he retrieved a table, two chairs, and several bottles of fine wine.
Under Zhu Kun's bewildered gaze, Xiao Tiance seated himself and gestured to the spread. "There's no need to be so tense. If I intended to harm you, these chains wouldn't save you. Instead, why not join me for a drink? This wine is infused with heavenly treasures its flavor is unparalleled. Care to indulge?"
Zhu Kun hesitated. It had been centuries since he'd last tasted wine. The mention of heavenly treasures was enough to awaken his long dormant desire for indulgence.
With a slight snort, Zhu Kun finally relented. "I'm not drinking because of your wine. I've simply grown tired of standing."
Taking a seat, Zhu Kun grabbed a bottle and poured the liquid down his throat.
"Ah, excellent! Truly excellent!" Zhu Kun exclaimed, savoring the taste. Without hesitation, he reached for another bottle.
A Cautious Conversation
After finishing three bottles, Zhu Kun leaned back and studied Xiao Tiance. "It's been millennia since Tuoshe Ancient Emperor ascended, yet here you are a truly formidable individual. Even without displaying any Dou Qi, you exude a level of danger I rarely encounter."
Xiao Tiance chuckled. "You flatter me, but few beings can compare to you, Emperor Zhu Kun. With your unparalleled physique and strength, only a handful could ever stand against you. But I am curious why remain here, bound by these chains? Surely, with your strength, you could have broken free by now."
Zhu Kun's expression darkened, a mix of resentment and frustration crossing his face. Glancing down at his chains, he gestured toward the ancient bronze door in the distance.
"The chains alone are not the issue," Zhu Kun admitted bitterly. "That accursed Tuoshe Ancient Emperor was a cunning bastard. Every time I came close to breaking free, the door would emit a strange force that subdued me."
He clenched his fists. "If I ever encounter that bald headed scoundrel again, I will exact my revenge."
Xiao Tiance's gaze shifted toward the bronze door. Though he studied it carefully, he could discern little.
As if to demonstrate, Zhu Kun channeled his Dou Qi, pulling at the chains with all his might. Suddenly, an invisible force emanated from the door, immobilizing Zhu Kun and forcing him to cease his efforts.
"A spirit array," Xiao Tiance murmured, his eyes narrowing.
Recognition
Zhu Kun froze. "You... you recognize spirit arrays?"
Xiao Tiance smirked. "Naturally. This particular array is formidable, even by spirit array standards. It's no wonder it has kept you bound for so long."
For the first time, Zhu Kun felt genuine surprise. Spirit arrays were an ancient art, lost to most of the current world.
"You're a spirit array master?" Zhu Kun asked, his tone tinged with awe.
Xiao Tiance didn't confirm or deny, but his smile deepened. "Let's just say I know enough to appreciate the complexity of this one. Perhaps... I could even unravel it."
Zhu Kun's breath hitched. After millennia of entrapment, the possibility of freedom suddenly felt within reach.
Though unsure of the exact nature of the energy radiating from the bronze door, Zhu Kun remembered the ancient words of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor: "Spirit arrays."
Hearing the term again after thousands of years, Zhu Kun was both astonished and excited.
Similarly, Xiao Tiance was overwhelmed with delight. As the only spirit array master in the Dou Qi Continent, no one was more familiar with this ancient art than him.
The energy radiating from the bronze door was undoubtedly from a spirit array. Not just any spirit array it was a grandmaster level spirit array.
In the context of the Dou Qi Continent, this was equivalent to the strength of a Dou Emperor. Compared to the Great Thousand World, it aligned with the power of a lower Earthly Sovereign.
"A grandmaster level spirit array! Who could have imagined? What a priceless discovery!"
Xiao Tiance couldn't contain his joy, laughing uproariously.
A Revelation
Seeing Xiao Tiance's reaction, Zhu Kun quickly interjected. "Xiao Clan boy, do you know what a spirit array is?"
After a moment, Xiao Tiance composed himself. "Indeed, I do. On the entire Dou Qi Continent, I dare say no one knows more about spirit arrays than I do. I never expected to find one here, and a grandmaster level spirit array at that!"
Zhu Kun's heart raced with hope. "Can you break it? If you release me, I will owe you three favors what say you?"
Xiao Tiance ignored the offer, his thoughts racing.
He now understood why the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's Jade was essential to access the cave. The jade served as the array's core, crafted by the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor himself. Only a complete jade could deactivate the array and grant entry.
Xiao Tiance retrieved the three fragments of the jade from his spatial ring, fusing them into a partial whole. Though incomplete, it was enough for him to glean its secrets.
When he brought the jade fragment close to the bronze door, faint patterns began to emerge, forming intricate lines.
"Remarkable! The array core split into eight fragments yet still maintains the array's function. And judging by the energy source, the cave's numerous Heavenly Flames are likely powering this array. Truly a masterpiece Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, your ingenuity is unparalleled!"
As Xiao Tiance laughed in awe, Zhu Kun grew increasingly impatient. His long confinement weighed heavily on him, his thoughts consumed with worry:
"Is my child alive? Has my clan survived? What has become of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan?"
The Truth About the Array
After carefully studying the jade's patterns, Xiao Tiance stored it away and turned to Zhu Kun.
"If you wish to escape, the spirit array must be destroyed. Unfortunately, I am only a ninth tier spirit array master, not yet at the grandmaster level. For now, I cannot free you."
This statement was half true. Xiao Tiance had the ability to release Zhu Kun but chose not to.
The reason was simple: the Xiao Clan's strongest member, Xiao Qing, wasn't powerful enough to contend with Zhu Kun. Even with the support of Tian Luo, who was busy securing the Thunder Clan's jade, they could only hope to barely match Zhu Kun in a fight.
More importantly, Zhu Kun's hatred for the Sky Phoenix Clan was notorious. If he discovered the whereabouts of Ling Yun and Huang Min, Xiao Tiance was certain Zhu Kun would show no mercy.
Thus, for the safety of his allies and to ensure his own goals, Zhu Kun had to remain confined for now.
A Ray of Hope
Zhu Kun's initial disappointment was replaced by cautious optimism. "So, while you can't free me now, there's a chance you could in the future?"
Xiao Tiance nodded. "Precisely. I am already at the peak of the ninth tier. Reaching the grandmaster level is only a matter of time perhaps tomorrow, perhaps next month. And studying this array will undoubtedly aid my progress. Once I achieve the grandmaster level, freeing you will be as simple as lifting a finger."
Zhu Kun remained silent, his mind racing. He wasn't naive he knew Xiao Tiance had ulterior motives. But his desire for freedom outweighed his suspicion.
"Very well," Zhu Kun agreed after a long pause. "If assisting you will help me escape, I'll cooperate. And the promise of three favors still stands."
The Bargain
Xiao Tiance smiled. "Thank you for your assistance. To reassure you, I can share some important news about the Ancient Void Dragon Clan."
Zhu Kun's eyes narrowed. "What news?"
Though impatient to leave, Zhu Kun couldn't ignore news about his clan.
Xiao Tiance leaned forward, his voice steady. "After your disappearance, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan splintered. Without a Dragon Emperor to maintain unity, the clan divided into four factions, each claiming a separate Dragon Island. For years, the clan has been silent, with no significant activity in the Central Plains."
Zhu Kun clenched his fists, a mix of anger and resignation crossing his face. "I expected as much. The Ancient Void Dragon Clan could never remain united without a ruler. This is my fault I was too greedy, and the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor's trap was my punishment. I have no one to blame but myself."
Seeing Zhu Kun's somber acceptance, Xiao Tiance nodded. "It seems you anticipated this. However, my second piece of news might bring you some relief: your child is still alive."
An Emotional Shock
"Boom!"
The words struck Zhu Kun like a thunderbolt.
"Alive?" Zhu Kun whispered, his voice trembling.
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