BTTH : Emperor Yang

After half a year away, when Wei Yang once again returned to Ancient Void Dragon Island, what he saw was a scene of prosperity and lively activity.

On the vast, continent-like floating island, towering peaks rose straight into the sky. Mist curled among the mountains, and from time to time a massive Ancient Void Dragon would soar through the clouds. Deep dragon roars echoed endlessly across the island.

The current Ancient Void Dragon Island was formed by uniting the four Dragon Islands. Not only was its size enormous, but the number of Ancient Void Dragons had also continued to increase over this period.

It seemed that many wandering dragons roaming the void had already begun returning one after another. Wei Yang hovered in midair. His soul perception swept across the island, and his brow couldn’t help but twitch slightly.

Within his faint senses, the number of Dou Sheng experts on the island had actually surpassed ten. Among them were several unfamiliar auras he had never sensed before. A single clan possessing more than ten Dou Sheng experts... was terrifying to an absurd degree.

”As expected of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan. Even after a civil war, once unified, their strength is still this overwhelming. Looks like those rumors claiming that, at their peak, the Ancient Void Dragon Clan could contend with ancient clans like the Gu Clan and the Hun Clan... weren’t exaggerated at all,” Wei Yang said softly with a nod of admiration.

”Though the Ancient Void Dragons rarely interact with the outside world, their reputation has never been something anyone dares to underestimate,” Ah Da added from behind him.

Among the four Dragon Islands, there had originally been many strong experts. Though they had suffered losses in the civil war, the high-end power—Ban Sheng and Dou Sheng—had barely been affected.

Well... except for the Three Dragon Kings.

Now that the four islands were united, all these experts had returned under one banner, and with wandering dragons constantly coming home, their lineup was naturally astounding. With this alone, the title of ”Number One Magic Beast Clan” was more than well deserved.

Seeing the Ancient Void Dragon Clan maintain such strength left Wei Yang deeply relieved. At least everything he had done hadn’t been for nothing. The defenses surrounding Dragon Island were much stricter than before. Squads of dragon guards patrolled in intersecting routes.

They quickly noticed Wei Yang and Ah Da. But after recognizing them, the vigilance on their faces vanished, replaced by respect. They bowed from afar before continuing their patrol.

Wei Yang smiled lightly, then moved forward with Ah Da, flying straight toward the heart of the island. After a few flickers of movement, they landed in front of the central dragon hall.

Inside a side hall.

Wei Yang was conversing with the Grand Elder Qing Shan.

From the elder, he learned that Zi Yan, the newly appointed Dragon Emperor, had basically run off to play not long after stabilizing the clan. She had completely dumped all responsibilities behind.

”That girl... still the same. She’s probably wandering around in Falling Star Pavilion right now,” Wei Yang said with a helpless shake of his head.

She might have grown up, but her personality was still exactly the same as when she was a little brat. Asking her to sit in the dragon hall every day dealing with endless administrative matters... that was probably worse than killing her.

Seeing the faintly resentful look from Grand Elder Qing Shan, Wei Yang raised both hands innocently. ”This has nothing to do with me. If you want to complain, complain to Xiao Yan. You know I just came out of seclusion from the Lightning Pool.”

At that, the Grand Elder could only let out a bitter laugh. He was well aware of what their Dragon Emperor was like.

”Speaking of which... in just half a year, your strength has increased again, Mr. Wei. Even I can no longer see through you clearly,” the Grand Elder said, studying Wei Yang with a sigh.

”Late-stage Five-Star Dou Sheng. I encountered some opportunities inside the Void Lightning Pool,” Wei Yang replied with a faint smile.

He didn’t hide anything but didn’t elaborate either. Deep within the Void Lightning Pool existed countless Black Demon Lightnings—something even a Four or Five-Star Dou Sheng couldn’t easily overcome.

Add to that the even more dangerous Nine Mysterious Golden Lightning... if news spread, some Ancient Void Dragon experts might go rushing in and get themselves killed.

”So you’ve already reached late-stage Five-Star Dou Sheng...” The Grand Elder drew in a sharp breath before falling silent.

From early Four-Star to late-stage Five-Star Dou Sheng in just half a year...what could he even say? Young people these days... truly monsters. What kind of heaven-defying opportunity did that require?

After a bit more casual conversation, Wei Yang rose to his feet and cupped his hands with a smile: ”I came here this time specifically to say goodbye. I’ve been out for quite a while, so I should return home and take a look.”

”Haha, if that’s the case, then I won’t keep you. Safe travels, Mr. Wei,” Grand Elder Qing Shan said, also rising to see him out. ”Do visit us often in the future.”

”Haha, definitely. Grand Elder, no need to send me off. Help me pass along my regards to the other elders. When I have time, I’ll come to Dragon Island again as a guest.”

Outside the hall, Wei Yang gestured for the elder to stop. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, the space before him split open. Right after, he stepped inside with Ah Da. As the spatial crack closed, the figures of Wei Yang and Ah Da disappeared completely.

”If there is ever a need, Mister Wei may simply send someone to Dragon Island with word. My Ancient Void Dragon Clan will go all out and spare no effort,” Grand Elder Qing Shan stroked his beard and smiled, his calm voice drifting slowly into the depths of the spatial passage.

”Alright.” A clear, light laugh echoed faintly from deep within the space before gradually fading away.

”So that was Wei Yang? Truly an extraordinary young man.”

As the space trembled slightly, more than ten figures stepped out from the distortion. One of them, a Four-Star Dou Sheng, spoke.

Every one of these figures was a high-ranking elder of the Ancient Void Dragon Clan — all of them Dou Sheng powerhouses. The Second Elder, Lie Shan, and Zhu Mu were also among them.

”Yes, truly extraordinary.”

Grand Elder Qing Shan nodded slightly, gently stroking his gray-and-white beard as he sighed.

”They call him the most monstrous talent of this era. And there’s also Xiao Yan, whom you all met earlier. His talent is not much weaker.”

”Those two, senior and junior brothers both coming from that remote Northwestern Region, managed to rise at such speed within just twenty years. It’s so fast it leaves people breathless.”

”Twenty years... If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d never believe such a miracle. How do they even cultivate? Twenty years... I take naps longer than that.”

The Four-Star Dou Sheng Ancient Void Dragon, a burly middle-aged man, crossed his arms and shook his head, completely stunned.

”You know, just half a year ago, he was only at early Four-Star. But seeing him now, he’s already at late-stage Five-Star. It doesn’t make any sense, yet the truth is right in front of us.” The Second Elder let out a bitter smile.

”No wonder even the Old Dragon Emperor, with his pride, gave a personal order that we must maintain a good relationship with this Wei Yang.” Grand Elder Qing Shan sighed.

”Even His Majesty the Old Dragon Emperor said so? The dragon-shaped jade pendant that Hei Qing brought back — I’ve seen it too. It indeed carried the Dragon Emperor’s aura.” Hearing this, one of the elders became visibly excited.

He looked urgently at the Grand Elder and the Second Elder: ”Quickly, tell us. What else did the Old Dragon Emperor say in the jade? What message did he leave?”

The moment those words fell, everyone’s expressions turned serious. All eyes locked onto the Grand Elder and the Second Elder.

They had all seen the jade pendant, but the information within it had already faded completely. Only the Dragon Emperor’s lingering aura remained. Thus, only the Grand Elder and the Second Elder knew exactly what message the Old Dragon Emperor had left.

The unification of the dragon race, the ascension of a new Dragon Emperor, and that Dragon-Phoenix Constitution — all of these were major events worth celebrating.

But to many of the older generation, the greatest joy was that the Dragon Emperor, missing for a thousand years, was not dead. After all, when Zhu Kun vanished back then, the blow to the Ancient Void Dragon Clan was devastating.

Many powerhouses simply couldn’t accept it — some even went mad, and with the clan falling into internal chaos, a large number of Ancient Void Dragons chose to leave, wandering into the void just to avoid witnessing the turmoil.

Yet even while wandering, many of those Ancient Void Dragons clung to the same hope — even if they had to search the entire continent, they would find the Old Dragon Emperor. It was clear how irreplaceable Zhu Kun’s prestige was within the clan.

Therefore, everyone naturally burned with anticipation to know the details of the message he had sent back.

”There are some matters where the fewer people know, the better. The implications are too great — they concern a legendary Emperor. But there are certain things I can tell you.”

The Grand Elder hesitated briefly before nodding. Then he flicked his sleeve, turned around, and stepped into the main hall: ”Come with me.”

Behind him, the dozen powerhouses followed with faces full of excitement.

**