Chapter 148: Success!

Compared to Gu Xun'er, the princess of the ancient race, Zi Yan, with her bloodline of the Dragon Emperor from the Taixu Ancient Dragon clan, is the real richest woman on the continent! Even though the ancient dragon clan is no longer at its peak, the resources Zi Yan can mobilize are probably even more terrifying than those of Gu Xun'er. After all, Zhu Kun loves his daughter more than Gu Yuan!

"Uncle, I will make a move to break open a gap later. Be prepared!" To prevent Zhu Kun from suffering greater harm, Jiang Yun squeezed Zi Yan's slender waist, moved her aside, and said to Zhu Kun in a deep voice. As the matter turned serious, Zhu Kun also became solemn and said deeply, "Dear nephew, be careful. If things don't go as planned, don't force yourself. Even if I can't come out immediately, you can still hold my dragon seal and go to the Ancient Dragon Island. The ancient dragons will follow your orders!"

Hearing Zhu Kun's words, Jiang Yun nodded silently but couldn't help feeling speechless. Father-in-law, you probably don't know, without your suppression, the ancient dragon clan would have long been divided. Elderly experts have mostly retreated into the void, indifferent to worldly matters, leaving only a few capable members behind. The once supreme race of the Magic Beast realm has fallen to the point where they can't even rival the descendants of the ancient heavenly phoenix, the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan!

If the ancient dragon clan wasn't so weak, Jiang Yun wouldn't have had to go to such lengths to rescue Zhu Kun. Only he has the power to recall the powerful members of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, to restore the former glory of the ancient dragon clan.

No matter his thoughts, externally, Jiang Yun nodded and cautioned Zi Yan, "Zi Yan, step back a bit. If anything happens, leave immediately. With senior Qing Ming around, I will be fine!" "Yes, Zi Yan, move away. The old scoundrel Tuoshe Ancient Emperor might still have some tricks!" Zhu Kun agreed with Jiang Yun's words and looked at Zi Yan with worry. To ensure her safety, Zhu Kun extended a finger, and a drop of rich purple-gold blood, radiating intense energy waves, emerged. He placed it into an exquisite jade bottle and handed it to Zi Yan. "This is a drop of my blood essence. Since we share the same bloodline, if anything happens, swallow it. It can temporarily grant you the power of a Dou Sheng, enough to protect you from the flames of the fire lizards outside."

Holding the jade bottle, Zi Yan looked worriedly at Jiang Yun and Zhu Kun. But she knew it wasn't the time to be willful and quickly put it away, moving to the edge of the space, watching the situation closely. "Come on, Jiang Yun, show me what you've got!" Ensuring Zi Yan's safety, Zhu Kun looked at the young man curiously, eager to see what Jiang Yun had in store to defy the might of a Dou Emperor.

"Senior Qing Ming!" Jiang Yun called out as he nodded to Zhu Kun. "Buzz—" An enigmatic wave spread out, and a brilliant light appeared from Jiang Yun's chest. Zhu Kun, standing nearby, felt a heart-palpitating power awakening. His expression turned serious as he stared at the radiant object above Jiang Yun's head. His pupils constricted, seemingly seeing something astonishing.

Above Jiang Yun's head hovered an ordinary seven-layered tower. Despite its ordinary appearance, it exuded a dazzling brilliance, suppressing the endless darkness within the space. "What is this?" Zhu Kun's face turned incredulous as he saw the full view of the Qing Ming Tower. His expression changed, contemplating, "This isn't something from the Dou Qi Continent. Could it be from beyond this world?"

As a peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng, Zhu Kun felt like others of his rank that something crucial was missing from the world, preventing them from breaking through to Dou Emperor. Thus, he sought the legacy of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, hoping to achieve the breakthrough.

He had seen records of the collective disappearance of Dou Emperors from the ancient texts of his clan. Now it seemed the answer might lie with Jiang Yun. Considering Jiang Yun's origin, Zhu Kun's eyes burned with curiosity. Now, he believed most of Jiang Yun's words. Perhaps today, they could really escape. "Uncle!" As Zhu Kun pondered, Jiang Yun's sudden shout pulled him back to reality.

In the next moment, the Qing Ming Tower fully awakened, emitting a terrifying wave. Suspended above Jiang Yun's head, the tower shook, its tip swaying, releasing a beam of multicolored light, containing an extremely profound power. "Boom—" The light seemed to strike a spatial node, and a faint 'crack' sound followed. The sound was light, but Zhu Kun, with his sharp senses, focused intently on the spatial node, ready to rush out of this damned seal.

However, just as he was about to act, a sudden sense of dread emerged. Behind him, the door to the ancient emperor's abode revealed a seven-colored flame. "Damn Tuoshe Ancient Emperor!" Cursing inwardly, Zhu Kun vented his rage towards the ancient emperor, but Jiang Yun's urgent call pulled him back. "Hurry, Uncle, there's still hope!" Jiang Yun, sensing the changes and hearing Qing Ming's transmission, quickly shouted.

Hearing Jiang Yun's shout and sensing the mending spatial node, Zhu Kun decisively abandoned his risky idea. A massive soul giant appeared behind him, resembling a magnified Zhu Kun. The giant soul, breathing like thunder, exuded a dominating aura, a sign of the Emperor's rank soul—the prerequisite for advancing to Dou Emperor.

Once the soul appeared, it swiftly contracted, shrinking to normal size, and in a flash, Zhu Kun escaped. "Boom—" With Zhu Kun's soul outside, the ancient emperor's abode trembled but eventually calmed down. "Phew—" Everyone sighed in relief. If Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had another trap, their only hope would have been the ancient jade.

Feeling the same relief inside, Zhu Kun felt exhilarated after millennia of captivity. "Congratulations, Uncle!" Jiang Yun congratulated Zhu Kun with a smile. "Thanks to you, and to Senior Qing Ming!" Zhu Kun smiled, respectfully bowing to the Qing Ming Tower. Addressing the mysterious upper-realm weapon with reverence.

"No need for thanks. You and Yun'er are like family now. I'm quite drained this time. I won't be able to assist for a while, so you handle these youngsters," Qing Ming's voice echoed, and the tower returned to Jiang Yun's chest. As Qing Ming fell silent, Zi Yan rushed to Jiang Yun's side, examining him worriedly.

Seeing this, Zhu Kun's earlier favorable impression of Jiang Yun faded. "Zi Yan, I'm fine. We successfully freed uncle," Jiang Yun reassured her. Hearing this, Zi Yan glanced at Zhu Kun and huffed, "Hmph! If you were hurt, he could stay imprisoned for a few more thousand years!" Zhu Kun's smile froze, feeling slighted but ultimately envious of Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun, feeling helpless, tried to mediate between the father-daughter duo. "Uncle, we will rescue you fully soon." "No rush, the soul clone acts like my real self. It's as good as me being free," Zhu Kun replied contently. He then advised, "Don't rush the ancient jade. With you and Zi Yan, it should take a hundred years. Plan it well for a chance to gather them all."

Jiang Yun inwardly grumbled but agreed outwardly, understanding that Zhu Kun's sense of time was different. "Yes!" he responded cheerfully. Zi Yan gave Zhu Kun a reluctant farewell, "I will rescue you soon... Father!" She then flew off with Jiang Yun, leaving the laughter of Zhu Kun echoing behind them.

The 'Zhu Kun' soul clone followed them, and as they exited the ancient emperor's space, countless fire lizards surrounded them. The two leaders among them shouted, "Daring to trespass in the tomb of the gods—" But noticing Zhu Kun's cold gaze, they knelt in terror, "Guardian Lord!" Seeing the leaders kneeling, the lower-ranked fire lizards followed suit, presenting an impressive scene.

"Father, they stopped me from seeing you!" Zi Yan accused, with a crafty look. Slightly admiring Zi Yan's acting skills, Jiang Yun proposed, "Your kind's fire orbs can be used for cultivation. Hand over all you have. Also, any treasures you've found down here." Trembling, the fire lizard leaders had no choice but to comply, handing over their accumulated resources.

Satisfied, the trio headed back to the Jia Nan Academy, arriving by midnight.