Chapter 400: Chapter 400: Connecting Strings

Chapter 400: Connecting Strings

Inside the grand hall, Elder Zhuli gazed at the dragon-phoenix origin fruit mark on Zi Yan's palm and took a deep breath. He then approached Xiao Ze and solemnly performed a grand salute.

"Elder Zhuli, what is this for?" Xiao Ze hurriedly helped Elder Zhuli up. As the third elder of the Void Ancient Dragon clan, Zhuli held a noble status, and more importantly, he was Zi Yan's elder, making Xiao Ze feel unworthy of such a grand gesture.

"Lord Xiao Ze, the dragon-phoenix origin fruit holds great significance for the Void Ancient Dragon clan. Thank you for your help," Elder Zhuli said earnestly. "If you ever need the assistance of the Void Ancient Dragon clan, I will do everything in my power to help."

"Elder Zhuli, you're too kind. Zi Yan is my friend, and helping friends is only natural," Xiao Ze replied with a smile, not giving much thought to Zhuli's promise. Given Zi Yan's noble status, especially after refining the dragon-phoenix origin fruit, she would undoubtedly become the future dragon emperor of the Void Ancient Dragon clan. Xiao Ze was confident that if he ever needed their help, he would receive their full support due to his close relationship with Zi Yan.

Elder Zhuli paused and glanced at Zi Yan before looking back at Xiao Ze, a realization dawning upon him. Considering this possibility, a subtle smile appeared on his face, which he quickly hid with a cough.

If Zi Yan could indeed form a deeper bond with Xiao Ze, it would greatly benefit the Void Ancient Dragon clan. Though they resided in the endless void, seemingly detached from worldly matters, the Void Ancient Dragon clan was well aware of the changes in the Dou Qi continent's power dynamics. Xiao Ze, as the first vice president of the Pill Tower in history, had directly presided over the Pill Assembly and was almost certain to become the president of the Pill Tower in the future. This was unprecedented, and unless he perished prematurely, he was set to succeed the current three presidents.

Given his age, just in his twenties, Xiao Ze's potential seemed limitless compared to the elders. If the Void Ancient Dragon clan could maintain a good relationship with such an extraordinary talent, it would greatly benefit their development. Moreover, Xiao Ze's current status was not much lower than Zhuli's, being a vice president of the Pill Tower and an eighth-rank peak alchemist, which even Dou Sheng experts would treat with respect.

With this in mind, Elder Zhuli's smile grew even brighter as he eagerly inquired about Xiao Ze's acquaintance with Zi Yan. The girls, noticing Elder Zhuli's sudden change in demeanor, were stunned. Was this the same composed Void Ancient Dragon elder they had met earlier?

Zi Yan also frowned at Elder Zhuli. She had never seen him behave this way before. Recalling how Zhuli had glanced at her and then at Xiao Ze before his attitude shifted, Zi Yan had a suspicion. Medusa and the others also seemed to understand, their expressions turning playful as they looked at Zi Yan.

Feeling a bit flustered, Zi Yan interrupted Elder Zhuli's continuous questioning. "Hey, I've already told you how I met Xiao Ze the first time we met. The most important thing now is to deal with the dragon-phoenix origin fruit! That's why Xiao Ze came to Ancient Dragon Island."

Elder Zhuli, realizing the awkwardness of the situation and the other girls' expressions, coughed and said, "My apologies. However, the dragon-phoenix origin fruit is extremely rare in our records. I'll need to consult the ancient texts to find out how to refine it."

Elder Zhuli quickly left to avoid further awkwardness. This time, he didn't discuss who should use the dragon-phoenix origin fruit because Xiao Ze had practically implied that it was meant for Zi Yan. There was no dispute about its user.

"Why are you all looking at me? It's not like I told Elder Zhuli to play matchmaker," Xiao Ze shrugged, sensing the girls' gazes.

The girls, feeling helpless, realized they couldn't blame Elder Zhuli.

"Xiao Ze, didn't you say you had a plan for handling the dragon-phoenix origin fruit?" Zi Yan asked, changing the topic.

"Yes, I have some ideas. But if Elder Zhuli finds useful information in the ancient texts, it will give me more confidence," Xiao Ze replied. He indeed had thoughts on how to handle the dragon-phoenix origin fruit. In the original story, the fruit's immense energy was too overwhelming for Zi Yan to absorb fully, causing it to crystallize and trap her inside. As an alchemist, Xiao Ze had seen this issue many times. Powerful heavenly materials often contained too much energy for the human body to handle, requiring other ingredients to make the energy more manageable and easier to absorb.

The dragon-phoenix origin fruit, however, was far more potent than any other material Xiao Ze had dealt with. Without his peak Dou Zun strength and the help of the source emperor flame, he wouldn't be confident in making its energy gentle enough for Zi Yan to absorb.

Just then, there was a knock on the grand hall's door. "Come in," Zi Yan said.

A burly man in black armor entered, and Zi Yan smiled. "Uncle Hei, what brings you here?"

"Third Elder instructed me to deliver this essence blood to Lord Xiao Ze. He also asked me to convey that your help to the Void Ancient Dragon clan makes this essence blood rightfully yours," Hei Qing said, presenting a purple-glowing jade bottle. Inside were five drops of essence blood emitting a terrifying aura, the essence blood of Dou Sheng experts from the Void Ancient Dragon clan.

(Chapter ends)