Clouds drifted lazily across the endless blue sky. Occasionally, a gentle breeze swept by, stirring a sea of green that stretched endlessly across the grassland below.
Suddenly—Boom!—a violent fluctuation tore through the sky. A massive black space gate materialized out of nowhere. Ripples of spatial energy danced as figures emerged one after another from the portal, stepping into this unfamiliar world.
"So this is the Ancient World? The spiritual energy here is so dense... It's at least several times stronger than the outside world," Ya Fei marveled, her eyes scanning the horizon.
"As expected. This is a realm only Dou Sheng powerhouses can access. Such mystical power is truly remarkable."
Though this land wasn't as vast as the Dou Qi Continent, the spiritual energy was far more concentrated. Cultivation here would yield results twice as fast with half the effort.
Ever since the arrival of Ya Fei, Qing Lin, the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings—both elder and younger—Mu Qingluan, Ye Feng, Xiao Yixian, and Xiao Yu, ominous black clouds began forming on the distant horizon.
"Is that... a flying warship?" Xiao Yixian's pupils contracted.
A warship—one long lost to this world—now hovered in the sky once more.
"Want it?" Ye Feng asked casually.
The vessel floated freely, suspended by a powerful and ancient formation that defied gravity.
"Mm." Xiao Yixian gave a soft nod.
"When I have time, I'll create a separate dimension for us. A space we can call home," Ye Feng said as he looked at the beauty beside him. With more companions joining him over time, he felt a strong urge to build a place of belonging—one even greater than the Ancient Clan's stronghold, with energy to match.
The black cloud of warships approached, lightning crackling in its depths. Finally, it came to a halt in the sky. From the golden warship at the front, an elderly man stepped forward.
"May I ask, who is Ye Feng?"
"I am," Ye Feng answered, stepping out calmly.
"You truly are as handsome as they say. Young Master Ye, the Clan Leader has personally instructed me to welcome you with the utmost respect. Please, come aboard."
Ye Feng stepped confidently onto the golden warship. Behind him, Xiao Yixian, Ya Fei, Mu Qingluan, the Amethyst Winged Lion Kings, Xiao Yu, and Qing Lin followed.
"Everyone else, please wait."
The old man blocked the path of the Three Giants of Danta, gesturing toward the ordinary black warships behind. "These vessels are for you."
The difference was clear. The golden warship was a symbol of prestige, while the black ships were simple and functional. The Ancient Clan had made their stance known without a word.
But the Danta trio showed no resentment.
After all, Ye Feng had recently guided someone who went on to win the Alchemy Association championship. He had defeated the Three Thousand Flames—a being that even the Danta couldn't suppress—with just three casual blows. He had even taken over the cave of a Dou Sheng powerhouse with sheer might.
Each act was the stuff of legend.
The three alchemists of Danta accepted their position with humility. How could they not yield to someone like that?
"Qing Lin, how are Zi Yan and Qing'er doing?" Ye Feng asked.
"They're cultivating together. According to the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan's scouts, Zi Yan is using the Three Thousand Flames to refine the Dragon Emperor Crystal Layer that sealed her onto Qing'er's body. Meanwhile, the elders of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan are heading toward the Phoenix Clan's territory," Qing Lin reported calmly.
In the original fate, Zi Yan had been the one to obtain the Dragon Phoenix Origin Fruit. But due to Ye Feng's intervention, it was Feng Qing'er who received it this time.
In the previous timeline, Xiao Yan had helped Zi Yan unlock her Dragon Phoenix Bloodline by using his Heavenly Flame to break the seal. Now, with the Three Thousand Flames in her possession, Zi Yan could do it herself—gaining the noble Dragon Phoenix Bloodline in the process.
Soon, Ye Feng's two beast companions would evolve into creatures bearing the most exalted of all bloodlines—the blood of the Dragon Emperor.
Ya Fei, managing finances, and Qing Lin, responsible for miscellaneous affairs, were both his personal maids. And then there was Queen Medusa—political tactician and manager of all formal matters within Ye Feng's growing sphere of influence.
"Qing Lin, you look worried."
"Young Master Ye… the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan and the Sky Demon Phoenix Clan have always been old enemies. I'm afraid their elders might start a war."
"You worry too much. Once Zi Yan and Qing'er fully awaken their Dragon King bloodlines, they'll each lead their own races. At that point, they'll keep their clans in check and bring peace."
Ye Feng turned his gaze toward Mu Qingluan, his other mount.
"Qingluan, are you worried too?"
"N-no," she stammered.
"You can't hide from your master. You're concerned about the Dragon and Phoenix Supreme Bloodline, aren't you?"
Mu Qingluan gave a silent nod.
"Let me tell you a story. Long ago, there was a snake that refused to become a dragon like the others. While most evolved into dragon subtypes, this one kept evolving as a snake. In the end, it became a Teng Snake—a soaring serpent as mighty as a five-clawed golden dragon."
"Teng Snake?" Mu Qingluan blinked.
"Yes. Even after reaching such heights, it didn't change its name to Tenglong. It remained Tengshe. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because dragon subtypes are often enslaved by immortals. The Teng Snake, proud and unyielding, refused to bow. It remained a snake—one that stood as an equal to the noble five-clawed golden dragon."
Mu Qingluan fell silent, her mind spinning with Ye Feng's words.
She had always believed the dragon and phoenix reigned supreme. That no matter how hard her Qingluan race trained, they'd never break into the top two ranks among magical beasts.
But now, Ye Feng's story opened a new door in her heart.
"Mr. Ye," Ya Fei interrupted softly, "we seem to have strayed from the fleet."
Indeed, while the rest of the black warships sailed toward a distant city, only the golden warship Ye Feng and his party rode veered toward a dense forest.
Ye Feng looked to the ancient elder nearby.
With a warm smile, the elder explained, "Young Master Ye, Miss Ya Fei, and esteemed companions—the Clan Leader has personally invited you to the Ancient Palace."
"Ancient Palace?" Ya Fei asked.
"It's where our clan holds its most important meetings. Think of it as the royal palace of our tribe. The Clan Leader wishes to discuss something significant with Young Master Ye."
"What kind of matter?"
"I am merely an elder. The Clan Leader did not share the details with me."
---
Atop a distant mountain, a lone woman stood, watching the golden warship glide toward the Ancient Palace.
"My father… He actually sent the golden warship to greet Ye Feng—one that only he's ever used. And now he's brought him to the Ancient Palace as well..." she muttered.
In the quiet forest behind her, an elderly voice responded.
"The Clan Leader has instructed that this matter be discussed with Ye Feng alone. Even you, Miss, are not permitted to attend. As for me—I know even less."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Check my Pâtreon for (40) advanced chapters
Pâtreon .com/Fanficlord03
Change (â) to (a)
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9