Moreover, what made Zhukun somewhat conflicted was that aura of bloodline on Xu Ran...
It was the kind of aura that only the Dragon Clan could produce.
And that bloodline pressure from a superior to an inferior signified that Xu Ran was a more powerful Magical Beast, and moreover, a Dragon Clan Magical Beast.
"Weren't you curious about what I look like?" Xu Ran teased, turning his head to look at Zi Yan, then black mist enveloped him.
Zhukun and Zi Yan both felt their bloodlines being stirred and suppressed. Their once proud Ancient Void Dragon Bloodline was so suppressed that they dared not move at all. Moreover, the veneration and worship for Xu Ran deep within their Ancient Void Dragon Bloodline profoundly influenced their bodies. How could they not kneel before the Ancestral Dragon?
Being the weaker in strength, Zi Yan could not control her own body and knelt down straight away.
"Damn it, you actually made me kneel for you? You're dead meat," the haughty Zi Yan thought to herself, yet she dared not even blink, staring straight ahead.
What on earth was that?
Why did it elicit such a strong response from her body?
Just now, she felt as though her body was no longer her own. If she did not act according to the thoughts in her bloodline, she might even be abandoned by the Ancient Void Dragon Bloodline within her.
That feeling was ludicrous, yet its existence was so real.
"Bang."
Following Zi Yan, Zhukun too couldn't control his own body and kneeled down on his own initiative.
His eyes were filled with shock, his face devoid of much shame, but rather only unease and awe.
He faintly guessed that, at least for him, this was a superior being.
"That is..."
Zhukun and Zi Yan's eyes widened in shock.
That seemingly age-old presence that had witnessed the changes of heaven and earth yet still existed, as well as that huge body winding for countless miles, the end of which couldn't be seen with the naked eye.
Just one of its giant eyes was the size of thousands of adults.
Zhukun's own body was still massive, but compared to Xu Ran, it was pitifully small.
That was a dragon, pitch black in color, a kind of black that seemed capable of devouring all things in the world, even space itself.
"There really is such a terrifying creature in this world. This is a Dou Di! This is an elder of our Dragon Clan."
"No. Ancestral Dragon..."
Zhukun recalled what Xu Ran had said to him earlier. Xu Ran was the Ancestral Dragon, the ancestor of all Dragon Clan? Although unbelievable, a Dou Di wouldn't possibly lie.
"Junior Zhukun pays respect to the elder," Zhukun said, kowtowing to Xu Ran with his head to the ground.
His eyes were full of fervent veneration. At the same time, there was also a touch of regret.
He had actually offended the elder, and even doubted the elder. With his bit of strength, would a Dou Di resort to using Zi Yan to threaten him? Moreover, it was a great joy for Zi Yan to establish a good relationship with this elder.
"Tch." Zi Yan saw Zhukun's attitude toward Xu Ran change to such an extent in submission, and she felt some joy in her heart, yet she huffed haughtily. Even if Xu Ran was such a powerful and boundless Dou Di, he was still very gentle in her heart.
However, now she found that Xu Ran had left a deep imprint in her heart, one that could never disappear. Just like the scene before her now, it's something she would never forget for the rest of her life. The shocks Xu Ran gave her were far too many and far too deep.
"This guy, I had never even contemplated that sort of thing before."
A month ago, she had never thought that she would come to like someone in her future life. She had never considered that question before. But after meeting Xu Ran, she had never seriously considered it, yet she naturally came to regard Xu Ran as her special person.
Sometimes, when the time comes, it's best to just let things take their natural course.
"Now you know, right? I have never deceived you." Xu Ran returned to his human form and came to Zi Yan's side, helping her to stand up.
"Hmph. You bullied me, don't think I'll forgive you that easily." Zi Yan turned her flushed little face away, and however you looked at her, she was clearly saying one thing and meaning another.
"You should get up too." Xu Ran turned to Zhukun, who by now had also transformed into his human form. Seeing that Xu Ran seemed to have no intention of punishing him, he instantly heaved a sigh of relief, respectfully standing to one side.
"Senior came for this cave dwelling?" Zhukun asked with curiosity.
He really hadn't expected that there would be a Dou Di on the Continent.
There shouldn't be many things in this world that could spark the interest of a Dou Di.
"It's both yes and no. I don't have much interest in the things inside. But I also won't help you take away the things from this cave dwelling. Since the Tuo She Ancient Emperor has designated the Tuoshe Ancient Jade as the key, then it is up to your destiny," Xu Ran said with a glance at Zhukun.
"What the great one said is true."
Seeing his thoughts exposed, Zhukun coughed lightly to alleviate his embarrassment.
Even if he didn't obtain the items in the cave dwelling, he still didn't feel any loss. With a genuine Dou Di right in front of him, just a few pointers from Xu Ran might present him with the opportunity to break through to Dou Di.
Even if he obtained the Tuo She Ancient Emperor's treasures and acquired Yuan Qi, he would still need to comprehend it himself. But if a Dou Di guided him, he could avoid the wrong path with absolute certainty, after all, the other party had walked this road before.
And besides, this one was the king of their Dragon Clan.
When the time came, if others broke through to Dou Di, he wouldn't just watch him without intervening, would he?
If he became powerful, he could also match Xu Ran.
Moreover, he felt that Xu Ran was no ordinary Dou Di—he was the Ancestral Dragon! Even if he broke through to Dou Di, the gap between him and Xu Ran was probably vast, like a chasm.
"Since the great one is the Ancestral Dragon, the supreme and unparalleled Dou Di, then you are the Emperor of our Ancient Dragon Tribe. From now on, I, Zhukun, am willing to serve you loyally for life, never to betray," Zhukun respectfully said.
Though he hoped Xu Ran would help him become a Dou Di,
his respect for Xu Ran was genuine and these words were completely from the heart.
Ever since he knew Xu Ran's identity, his bloodline was completely subservient, and so was he.
And this reverence and worship for Xu Ran would grow ever deeper with the bloodline's influence on Zhukun, ultimately branded deep within Zhukun's body and soul, making it impossible for him to ever betray.
"I have no interest in being the Dragon Emperor. You are still the Tai Xu Ancient Dragon Emperor. You have been trapped here for so many years, and there has been a great change in the situation outside. The Ancient Dragon Tribe is now divided. Once you go out, you need to take firm control of the Ancient Dragon Tribe," Xu Ran instructed.
"Yes. I will faithfully carry out my lord's orders," Zhukun respectfully said. He had left for so long and had already anticipated the internal strife within the Ancient Dragon Tribe. But once he got out, the Ancient Dragon Tribe would once again fall into his hands.