Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

They wanted Zhu Kun to step in and help the Lei Clan exchange the Tuoshe Ancient Jade for people.

Zi Yan quickly told Zhu Kun the news.

Upon hearing this news, Zhu Kun considered Su Baichen's current situation and concluded that he probably wouldn't be able to return.

Without hesitation, they crossed the spatial distance and arrived in the White Dust Realm in no time.

Chapter 411 Zhu Kun: I am very familiar with the ancient emperor's cave!

In the void beyond the White Dust Realm, this place is like solidified black amber, where a fierce wind sweeps by, tearing out fine spatial cracks.

The Soul Emperor stood at the forefront, his dark robe fluttering in the wind, the Soul Clan totem embroidered on his sleeves gleaming with a chilling light in the dim light.

Behind him, several Soul Clan Battle Saints stood with their hands at their sides, their auras as deep and unfathomable as a prison, while the Thunder Clan members, whose battle qi had been sealed, floated haphazardly, unconscious, like a string of lifeless puppets.

Opposite him, Zhu Kun stood in mid-air, the imperial pressure of the Ancient Void Dragon enveloping the entire void like a mountain, with the people of the White Dust Realm standing behind him.

Zhu Kun's gaze swept over Hun Tiandi, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

The Soul Emperor didn't care at all. He even bowed slightly to Zhu Kun in front of him, his tone unusually humble: "I am the Soul Emperor, greetings to the Old Dragon Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kun casually waved his hand, his voice booming like a bell: "No need for formalities. In the Dou Qi Continent, the strong prey on the weak, and the mighty are respected."

"We are now at the same level, so there is no need for such formalities."

He was straightforward and impatient with beating around the bush, saying directly, "Speak your mind, get straight to the point."

The Soul Emperor smiled and nodded, but a barely perceptible hint of anxiety flashed in his eyes: "I want the Tuoshe Ancient Jade in the old Dragon Emperor's possession. You may name your price. As long as my Soul Clan can afford it, I will not haggle!"

He knew perfectly well that even with the help of the Void Devouring Flame, his chances of winning against Zhu Kun at his peak were less than 70%.

Moreover, this is only the outer edge of the White Dust Realm!

The Soul Emperor's gaze inadvertently swept over the seemingly calm void behind him, which was actually a barrier with undercurrents.

Even though Su Baichen wasn't present, his skill was enough to make him hesitate to act rashly.

"If that bastard Su Baichen has left his backup plan in this White Dust Realm..." Soul Emperor felt a cold sweat break out in his heart.

The chances of winning if we take action here are less than 50%!

In a contest of the level of the Soul Emperor, having less than a 50% chance of winning is tantamount to courting death.

But time is life, and it is also the key to victory or defeat.

The collection of ancient jade pieces is urgent; every moment of delay increases the unpredictability of this life-or-death competition.

He could almost see Gu Yuan leading that group of ancient immortals, gradually recovering from their confusion, and approaching them by following their scent.

Once the ancient clans fully realize the situation and unite with the two major forces of Ancient Dragon Island and White Dust Realm to form an encirclement and annihilation force, it will be too late!

At that time, let alone breaking through to the Dou Di realm, the entire Soul Clan will likely face annihilation.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kun threw his head back and laughed loudly, his voice echoing across the land: "Hahaha, that's exhilarating! No wonder you're the Soul Clan Chief who can stir up the winds and clouds across the continent!"

A cunning glint flashed in his eyes, as if he were eyeing a plump lamb.

“My conditions are simple—all the Thunder Clan prisoners behind you belong to me. In addition, I will give you three portions of Spirit Essence, and…”

He rattled off an astonishing list of resources in one go.

This is undoubtedly an outrageous demand, intended to fleece this mainland tycoon.

However, after hearing this, the Soul Emperor's face remained completely expressionless.

With a flick of his wrist, three ancient-looking storage rings pierced through the void and flew towards Zhukun.

"Everything you asked for is here. The extra portion is a small gift from a junior to a senior."

Zhu Kun took the ring, scanned it with his divine sense, and the smugness on his face instantly froze, turning into disbelief and astonishment.

Even having lived for thousands of years and seen countless rare treasures, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: [A miscalculation! A huge miscalculation! We didn't fleece them enough! I never imagined the Soul Clan's resources were so unfathomable; this amount of material is nothing to them!]

He has a generous and forthright personality; having already accepted the gift, he would not go back on his word.

With a flick of his palm, the Thunder Clan's Tuoshe Ancient Jade appeared.

"then!"

The Soul Emperor took the Tuoshe Ancient Jade, his fingertips tracing every line, his spiritual power seeping in like a tide, repeatedly examining it.

This caution stems from the lesson learned from being deceived by the Thunder Clan in the past.

"Don't worry!" Zhu Kun saw through his thoughts and said indifferently.

"I wouldn't stoop to fooling you with a fake."

After confirming the authenticity of the ancient jade, the Soul Emperor's gaze swept over the crowd, a cold smile playing on his lips: "I'll borrow your possessions for now, but once I reach the Dou Di realm, I will repay you a hundredfold!"

With this in mind, he did not hesitate any longer. He led the Void Devouring Flame and the Soul Clan members, transforming into streaks of light that instantly tore through the void and disappeared, leaving Lei Ying and the others bewildered in the wind.

"Father!" Lei Dong, the young patriarch of the Lei clan, cried out in grief and was the first to rush forward to support the swaying Lei Ying.

Lei Ying's face was ashen, his breath weak as a thread, and he coughed up blood as he said, "Cough cough cough... The Soul Emperor... is truly beyond human strength to defeat. I, your father, couldn't even last three moves against him!"

Recalling what had just happened, Lei Ying was able to hold his own against the Void Devouring Flame with the help of others, but against the Soul Emperor, he was like an infant facing a giant, utterly powerless.

Zhu Kun glanced at him and poured cold water on him without any mercy: "Hmph, if it weren't for your battle qi attribute being able to counter him, you wouldn't even be able to withstand a single move."

Lei Dong was both shocked and furious, but dared not show the slightest disrespect to the old Dragon Emperor, and could only help his father up.

Lei Ying struggled, looked up at Zhu Kun, his eyes full of pleading: "Senior Zhu Kun, please set off immediately to pursue the Soul Emperor!"

"He has collected all the ancient jades, which means he holds the key and map to open the Dou Di's cave. He will definitely be able to find the ancient emperor's cave quickly!"

"If he succeeds, the consequences will be unimaginable!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kun's thick eyebrows furrowed, and he said unhappily, "What? Are you ordering me to do something?"

"I wouldn't dare! This junior would never have such an intention!" Lei Ying's heart trembled, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

"Hmph, that's more like it."

Zhu Kun snorted coldly, then said in an almost arrogant tone, "It's just finding the cave of the ancient emperor Tuoshe, what's the big deal!"

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking down on the world as if he were recounting a trivial matter: "I know that place very well; I could find it with my eyes closed!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Lei Ying, Lei Dong, and the few remaining powerful members of the imperial clan were all dumbfounded, as if they had heard the most absurd yet shocking words in the world.

They had devoted countless years to searching for clues to the ancient emperor's cave, but to no avail. Yet this Dragon Emperor before them spoke such words so casually!

A startling conjecture instantly exploded in everyone's minds: Zhu Kun knew the location of the cave! And he was extremely familiar with it!

Could it be... that he had already gone in and even obtained the inheritance?

If that's the case, why hasn't he broken through to the Dou Di level?

With his keen insight, Zhu Kun instantly saw through everyone's thoughts and spat out in annoyance, "Alright, stop guessing! Just mentioning that godforsaken place makes me furious!"

The group exchanged bewildered glances, and in the end, they could only forcefully suppress the turbulent emotions churning within them, daring not to utter another word.

In the void, only Zhu Kun remained, gazing at the horizon where the Soul Emperor had departed, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in his eyes.

[Void Devouring Flame, the little black flame that narrowly escaped from the cave back then!]

Chapter 412 The Heart of the Rainbow Scale

In the White Dust Realm, within a garden.

After seeing off the Soul Emperor, Zhu Kun did not rush back to Ancient Dragon Island. Instead, he strolled leisurely through this small world full of strange rhythms with his hands behind his back.

The spatial structure here was incredibly stable, and the air was filled with a spatial law that made him feel very comfortable.

[Su Baichen's spatial manipulation skills are already on par with mine!]

[What a pervert!]

Reaching a tree, Zhu Kun suddenly stopped. Without turning around, he smiled at the empty space behind him and said, "Come out. What's the matter that you've been following me so suspiciously?"

"In this White Dust Realm, there are few who can sneak around under my nose for so long."

As the words fell, ripples spread across the void behind them, like the surface of water. A graceful and exquisite figure slowly emerged from the void.

The newcomer was dressed in a red brocade dress that accentuated her perfect curves. Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her brows exuded an aura of majesty and nobility that commanded all snakes. She was none other than Cai Lin, one of the two de facto leaders of the White Dust Realm.

"I am Cai Lin, and I greet Senior Zhu Kun!"

She was elegant and graceful, bowing respectfully to the emperor of the Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan, displaying impeccable manners and neither servility nor arrogance.

"Oh? You're Cai Lin!" Zhu Kun turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his golden pupils, followed by intense interest.

He had naturally heard of this name, the woman who led the snake people to glory and now holds sway over half of the White Dust Realm.

"It is indeed I, your humble servant." Cai Lin nodded slightly.

"Indeed, the strength of a six-star Dou Sheng is extremely rare even in the Central Continent."

Zhu Kun's eyes were sharp, and he saw through her cultivation level at a glance. His tone was full of undisguised admiration.

"It seems that the resources of the White Dust Realm are quite nourishing."

Cai Lin smiled modestly and said softly, "It's all thanks to my husband and the foundation of the White Dust Realm that I was able to break through. I dare not show off in front of such a powerful senior."

"No need to be so formal." Zhu Kun waved his hand, his expression softening.

"You are the older sister of my silly girl."

"And I've also heard Ziyan mention you. She said you used to take good care of her, and even always protected and pampered her."

When Zi Yan was mentioned, Cai Lin's smile became more sincere, and her sternness turned into gentleness: "Zi Yan is a very good younger sister. She is lively and straightforward, and we all like her very much."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Kun's lips curled up slightly, and a huge weight was lifted from his heart.

He was so shrewd that he instantly understood the deeper meaning behind those words.

"Ziyan is a very good younger sister"—this is a clear statement: we acknowledge and accept her identity, she is one of us.

“We all like her very much”—this was to reassure his old father: Don’t worry, we won’t bully her, on the contrary, we will protect her, and no one will dare to bully her.

Two simple sentences directly expressed his attitude towards Zi Yan.

As a father who felt guilty towards his daughter, Zhu Kun immediately switched into talkative mode, sighed, and said earnestly, "Hey, don't laugh at me, my girl is very talented, but she is as simple-minded as a blank sheet of paper, you could even say she's a bit slow-witted."