— — — — — —
"Fine."
Renzo gave a small nod.
He waved his hand, stowing away the droplet of essence blood in front of him. Without sparing Zhu Kun another glance, he led Qing Lin and Fairy Doctor deeper into the Tou She Ancient God Mansion
A few minutes later, the place was stripped clean.
Whether it was the Dou Di Tier pill or the Tou She Ancient God's inheritance, Renzo swept everything into his pocket world.
The corner of Zhu Kun's eye twitched violently.
This guy was ruthless.
Scraping the ground three feet deep wasn't even an exaggeration—but Zhu Kun didn't dare covet anything, not even the Di Pill or that priceless inheritance.
Because the man standing before him was almost certainly stronger than a Dou Di.
And he wasn't eager to die.
In fact, what was on his mind now was how to build a good relationship with Renzo. Maybe, just maybe, he could get this man's help in breaking through his current limits.
After all, Renzo had surpassed the Dou Di realm. That meant he had to know the way forward.
"Heh. Just imagine it. When the eight ancient clans finally gather the Ancient God's Jade and open this cave… only to find it completely looted. Their faces are going to be priceless."
The thought suddenly made Zhu Kun look forward to that day.
"Alright. That should be everything. Let's go."
Renzo swept the cavern one last time with his spiritual sense, confirming there was nothing left worth taking.
"Mm!"
Qing Lin and Fairy Doctor both nodded and moved to his side.
Renzo flicked his wrist. Zhu Kun blinked in shock as the space around them rippled, and in the next moment, they were standing back outside—at Jia Nan Academy.
"…We're already out?" Zhu Kun stared, dumbfounded.
No need to break seals or shatter barriers?
It was like the restrictions didn't even exist to him.
As if this cave mansion was Renzo's private garden—come and go as he pleased.
"What else did you expect?" Qing Lin tilted her head, looking at Zhu Kun as though he were making a fuss over nothing.
Her Brother Renzo had always been like this. What could possibly block him?
"You really don't get it…" Zhu Kun muttered, twitching. He couldn't be bothered to argue with the little girl.
"What are you people doing here? What's your purpose at our academy?"
At that moment, Su Qian, Jia Nan Academy's Great Elder, arrived with several high-ranking elders, having sensed the disturbance. His eyes narrowed slightly when he spotted Renzo's group—especially Zhu Kun.
The aura rolling off Zhu Kun was unmistakably that of a Dou Saint, and not just an ordinary one. It was deeper, stronger, far above even their dean's.
And… for some reason, there was a strange familiarity about it.
Do I know him? But I don't remember anyone like this…
"Purpose?" Renzo chuckled. "Already achieved. I helped you subdue that arrogant, uncontrollable Fallen Heart Flame of yours. And I even left you a newborn one in its place. Make sure to raise it properly this time, and don't let it turn out like the last one."
He smiled lazily as he spoke.
The deed was already done, and he hadn't gone overboard. In fact, what he'd done was more a favor than harm to the academy. No need to hide it. Even if Su Qian and the others felt uneasy, Renzo's strength left them no choice but to accept it. They might even feel obliged to thank him.
"What?"
"Your goal was… the Heart Flame?"
"What do you mean you left us a newborn one?"
Su Qian and the other elders looked at each other in shock, utterly confused.
"What kind of nonsense is that? Don't tell me a Heavenly Flame can give birth."
"Exactly what it sounds like. If you don't believe me, send someone down and see for yourselves," Renzo said with a dismissive wave. Then he pointed toward Zhu Kun. "By the way, is Zi Yan in the academy? Go call her. This guy is her father—he just got out."
"I can already sense Zi Yan's aura!"
Zhu Kun's voice shook with excitement, though his face showed more guilt than joy. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to face the daughter he'd abandoned.
'Will Zi Yan even forgive me…?' he thought, heart heavy. After all, she'd grown up believing she'd been thrown away.
"What? This man is Zi Yan's father? Then… sir, you're one of the Ancient Void Dragons?"
Su Qian's eyes widened. He gave Zhu Kun a searching look. "Do you have proof?"
He wasn't about to let some stranger get close to Zi Yan without being certain.
"This is all the proof you need."
Zhu Kun unleashed his aura in full. The peak Dou Saint pressure and the pure, undeniable bloodline of the Ancient Void Dragons rolled out at once.
If he hadn't been holding it back, Su Qian and the others would've been crushed flat on the spot.
"Dou… Dou Saint?!" Su Qian sucked in a sharp breath. "It's true… and this aura—it's genuine Void Dragon blood! Who exactly are you?"
"The Dragon Emperor. Zhu Kun," he said gravely.
Just then, Zi Yan came running, drawn by the familiar aura. She arrived in time to hear his words and see him standing there. Her eyes filled instantly with tears.
"F-Father? Is it really you?"
Zhu Kun's head snapped around. His own eyes reddened, his body trembling as he staggered toward her. "It's you… Yan'er, it's really you! I'm so sorry. I've wronged you all these years!"
He reached out, desperate to embrace her.
But Zi Yan flinched away. Her little face scrunched up in anger as she shouted through tears, "Then why did you abandon me? Do you know how I grew up? I thought I had no father, no mother—that I was just some unwanted stray! Wuu…"
Her sobs broke loose, shaking her small body.
"I…" Zhu Kun froze, at a loss. For once in his life, the mighty Dragon Emperor had no words.
Renzo walked over with Qing Lin and Fairy Doctor, gently patting Zi Yan's head. "It wasn't his choice. I was the one who just freed him from a seal. Your father didn't abandon you—he was tricked and imprisoned all these years, unable to get out."
"Eh?"
Zi Yan blinked, her tears halting. She looked at Renzo, then turned back to Zhu Kun. "Is… is that true?"
"Yes! Yes!" Zhu Kun nodded frantically, shooting Renzo a grateful look. Coming from him, it sounded like an excuse. From Renzo, it was truth.
"Can you forgive me, Yan'er? I swear I'll never leave you again. I'll make it up to you tenfold, I promise!" Zhu Kun's voice shook with hope.
Zi Yan bit her lip, her little face torn. Instinctively, her gaze drifted to Su Qian.
After all, it was Su Qian who had cared for her all these years, treating her like his own granddaughter.
"Silly child," Su Qian said warmly, walking over with a smile. "Now that the truth's out, and this is your father, what's there to hesitate over?"
He turned to Zhu Kun, bowing slightly. "So, you're the long-lost Dragon Emperor himself. Who would've thought little Zi Yan was your daughter? Truly unexpected."
"The past is complicated," Zhu Kun said, returning the bow with rare solemnity. "But I can see how much she trusts and relies on you. You've taken great care of her all this time. For that, you have my deepest thanks. I'll see to it you're properly rewarded."
"You have my protection, I, Zhu Kun. Even if you offend every one of the Eight Ancient Clans, it won't matter — as long as I'm here, no one can touch you."
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