438: Father and daughter meet

Lin Xiu's arrival in the Ancient Dragon World startled all the Elders of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan, who rushed over, thinking there was some trouble that required their help.

Zi Yan, standing by, said she could deploy troops at any time.

Feeling everyone's enthusiasm, Lin Xiu was touched but quickly explained that he only needed to speak with Zi Yan privately and might take her away from the Ancient Dragon World for a period.

Fortunately, after all this time, the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan had stabilized, and the Dragon Emperor's temporary departure wouldn't have much impact.

Only a small number of Elders, worried about the Dragon Emperor's safety, suggested bringing a few Elders along.

However, this request was directly rejected by Zi Yan.

If even Lin Xiu couldn't provide a sense of security, bringing a few Elders would only increase casualties.

Everyone gradually dispersed. Zi Yan led Lin Xiu to her residence, then, completely abandoning her Dragon Emperor image, hung onto Lin Xiu and softly recounted her experiences of these past days.

Lin Xiu listened silently.

After a long while, Zi Yan lifted her head from Lin Xiu's chest, "Where are you taking me?"

Lin Xiu's face showed a hint of doting affection, "Do you remember what I told you about your father earlier?"

Zi Yan nodded, a flicker of resistance in her expression, "I don't want to see him."

"You have to. I've gotten into trouble, and I need him to protect me."

Lin Xiu said with a bitter face.

"Even this Emperor can't?"

Zi Yan sat up straight, her face radiating majesty and domineering Qi.

Lin Xiu was helpless, "The opponent is a Peak Dou Sheng, with one foot almost in the Dou Di realm."

"Soul Emperor?"

Zi Yan thought for a moment, a hint of worry appearing on her face, "You met him and even fought him?"

"Yes, at the Purification Lotus Demon Flame."

Lin Xiu replied.

Zi Yan immediately got up from Lin Xiu, her eyes showing concern, "How are you? Are you injured anywhere? After taking control of the other three islands, the clan has many rare medicinal ingredients. Just ask if you need any."

Lin Xiu shook his head and pulled Zi Yan into his arms... Canaan Academy.

In a courtyard, a child, a little over a meter tall, was practicing a Fighting Skill, guided by a man beside him.

Slap!

Lin Yinan's peripheral vision briefly glanced at the Dan Beast next to him, and a red mark appeared on the back of his hand.

"Don't get distracted."

Seeing Lin Yinan pout and look over, Xiao Xuan's expression was serious. Unconsciously, he had watched little Yi Nan grow from wobbling when he walked to his current size.

However, the older this child got, the naughtier he became.

The little fellow was very intelligent, seeming to inherit Lin Xiu's cleverness. At such a young age, he already knew his parents' status was extraordinary.

He often relied on his identity to cause mischief in the Cultivation Alliance.

"Daddy! Daddy is back!"

Lin Yinan's eyes lit up, but then Xiao Xuan's willow whip struck, instantly stopping his eager lunge.

"No one can save you today. Practice well; you can only rest after you've finished."

Xiao Xuan's face was stern.

Then he turned and, when he looked at the figure beside Lin Xiu, his gaze paused slightly.

"You're finally back. And this is?"

Xiao Xuan asked.

"Zi Yan, the current Dragon Emperor of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan."

Lin Xiu put his arm around Zi Yan's waist and smiled, introducing them.

"Daddy..."

Lin Yinan looked aggrieved, tears welling in his eyes but never falling.

"Looking at me won't help. Practice well; don't worry, your body won't break down. Your father is very skilled at refining medicine."

The education Lin Xiu received in his previous life did not encourage doting.

Especially since his future status would only be higher, he didn't want his son to become someone who paraded around and bullied others by relying on his power.

"You're back?"

Little Fairy Doctor entered from outside the courtyard, a smile appearing on her face when she saw Lin Xiu. When she caught sight of Zi Yan, she paused slightly, "Are you Zi Yan?"

After her Dragon Emperor Bloodline was activated, Zi Yan had transformed into a young woman. It was Little Fairy Doctor's first time seeing her, and she felt a sense of familiarity looking at her purple hair and facial contours.

"Long time no see, Little Fairy Doctor Sister."

Zi Yan smiled slightly and embraced Little Fairy Doctor affectionately.

Lin Xiu let out a slight sigh of relief.

That night, a large group of people gathered for dinner.

When Su Qian saw Zi Yan transform into a young woman in the blink of an eye, a trace of daze flashed across his face.

It felt like not much time had passed, yet there had been more changes than he had experienced in over a hundred years previously.

Not only had the children grown up and their strength increased, but even he had advanced to Dou Sheng.

A few years ago, he would never have dared to imagine such a day.

Lin Xiu sat at the head of the table, with Zi Yan and Little Fairy Doctor beside him, followed by Yao Tianhuo, Xiao Xuan, Xiao Chen, Xiao Yan, Xun'er, Han Yue, and others.

On the other side were the academy's guardians, the Hundred and Thousand Elders, Grand Elder Su Qian, and then some of the Cultivation Alliance's main forces, such as Old Demon Tianming, Yao Chen, and others.

A little further away, in front of the set-up charcoal fire, Lin Dun's hands moved so fast they were a blur, not even letting Leng Bai, Du Chaoping, and others help him.

Even further out, there was a large circle of people, including Wu Hao and Hu Jia, who had become academy Elders, or new students who had recently joined the academy.

From all directions, gazes occasionally turned towards the man in the center of the crowd, their expressions complex.

There was emotion, and wistfulness.

There was envy, and also jealousy.

There was awe, and also admiration.

Although Lin Xiu didn't put on airs, he still noticed that many of his former friends, when facing him, still unconsciously showed a hint of restraint.

The banquet lasted almost until dawn.

"That's enough. You've been grilling all night; you're almost cooked yourself."

Lin Xiu bumped Lin Dun with his shoulder and handed him a cup of wine.

Seeing this, Lin Dun didn't take it immediately. Instead, he repeatedly wiped his hands on his clothes, then took the cup with both hands.

Lin Dun's face, reddened by the charcoal fire, was radiant with a smile, no less bright than the rising sun in the sky, "Brother Xiu, I'm not tired."

The two clinked cups.

After taking a sip, Lin Xiu smiled, "I have to go get busy."

"Next time, I'll ask you to grill. After all these years, yours is still the most delicious."

Zi Yan walked over, her greasy hand, without caring about Lin Dun's thoughts, patted his shoulder.

"Alright, Brother Xiu, if you want to eat, just call me anytime."

Lin Dun agreed with a smile.

He knew how heavy the burden on Brother Xiu's shoulders was now.

Time flew by; they were no longer the people who could aimlessly eat, drink, and play in the academy... "What is it that requires such secrecy?"

Looking at Lin Xiu in front of him, Xiao Xuan allowed him to seal his five senses and asked with a smile.

Lin Xiu smiled faintly, "It's a major event that will absolutely astound Senior Xiao."

"Can it be more shocking than the Bodhi Ancient Tree?"

Xiao Xuan was a little unconvinced. He had lived for so many years; what hadn't he experienced?

It seemed there was nothing else besides the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's Cave Abode.

Lin Xiu didn't hide anything from Zi Yan and extended his hand to her with a smile.

Zi Yan hesitated for a moment but still placed her hand in Lin Xiu's palm.

Their fingers intertwined.

Since her heartless old father could help Lin Xiu, then she would go see him...

Dark red magma slowly flowed.

Below it, there was a huge space, with a thin membrane blocking the magma from entering.

The space was filled with an ancient, deathly silent Qi.

In the center, a faint light shimmered, illuminating a colossal gate spanning ten thousand zhang.

Buzz!

The Void Realm trembled.

Below the gate, in the dark, pitch-black depths, two rays of light suddenly lit up, which were a pair of eyes.

Seemingly sensing the fluctuation, these eyes looked towards the source of the Void Realm's tremor.

With a flash of light, three figures appeared.

The owner of those eyes seemed to catch an incredible scent. The expression in his eyes froze, then was replaced by an excited look, and his pupils gently trembled.

"Child... My child!"

Zhu Kun felt the familiarity in his Bloodline and began to tremble all over, transforming into a streak of light and rushing forward.

Boom!

Xiao Xuan and Zi Yan had just regained their vision when they heard a loud bang. They immediately took a defensive stance and looked forward.

The next second, their gazes froze.