Battle Through the Heavens: Harmony of Flame and Shadow

In the sky above, a massive Taixu Ancient Dragon soared, its colossal form stretching for tens of thousands of feet. The serpentine and sprawling purple-gold dragon body exuded an aura of boundless power. 

As the dragon scales flared and contracted, ripples spread through the void, making it seem like it was in another dimension. Any attack attempting to land on the dragon's body would have to penetrate layers of this rippling space. 

Behind the Taixu Ancient Dragon grew a pair of enormous wings near ten thousand feet wide. With each subtle movement of these wings, an extreme sharpness gleamed. 

This dragon-phoenix form, though somewhat terrifying and hideous, radiated an exquisite violent beauty upon closer inspection. 

Following closely behind, a nine-colored pillar of light shot up into the sky. At its center, a massive nine-colored Devouring Python appeared, emanating an ancient aura that conveyed a sense of its terrifying power at a single glance. 

At this moment, the aura of the nine-colored Devouring Python was in no way weaker than that of the Supreme Dragon-Phoenix beside it. 

"Boom!" 

Before everyone's shock could end, another ancient serpent crossed the sky. Its violent, murderous intent was palpable, forcefully claiming a space in the sky dominated by the nine-colored Devouring Python and the Supreme Dragon-Phoenix. 

The sky where the ancient serpent hovered turned blood-red. 

The massive serpent had nine heads, each with sharp fangs. It looked horrifyingly sinister, and the strangest part was the three green flowers within each of its nine eyes, forming an eerie pattern. 

As the pattern spun, it seemed capable of drawing in one's soul, sending shivers down the spine. 

While everyone was in shock, Jiang Yun turned his gaze to another side, where the white-clad Little Doctor Fairy stood, a thousand-foot Bodhi Tree rustling behind her. 

Although her presence was not as overwhelming as the three, the strength contained within each of the four was essentially the same, all having reached the Dou Di (Dou Emperor) realm, or quasi-Heavenly Supremes. 

The three formidable ancient beasts momentarily fazed everyone, but Jiang Yun and Zhu Kun could tell that while their auras were similar, the pressure from the Supreme Dragon-Phoenix was the most intense. 

"What do you think, Father-in-law? In the True Dragon clan, where would Zi Yan's bloodline rank?" Jiang Yun asked Zhu Kun softly, looking at Zi Yan. 

He had met the True Dragon Emperor but had never engaged him in battle. Such mighty beings had long achieved a state of return to simplicity, making it impossible for Jiang Yun to gauge their depth without actual combat. 

Zhu Kun, upon hearing this, carefully looked at Zi Yan. A moment later, he gravely said, "Though Zi Yan has obtained the Dragon-Phoenix Origin Fruit and has become a Supreme Dragon-Phoenix later on, the Taixu Ancient Dragon is the foremost magical beast in the Dou Qi Continent and not weak even in the Great Thousand World. However, it still cannot compare to the top-tier True Dragon bloodlines. I believe the same is true for the ancient Heavenly Phoenix."

"Though Zi Yan is now the only Dragon-Phoenix in the Great Thousand Universe, in my opinion, she still falls short of the current top-tier bloodlines of the True Dragon clan. I don't know about the True Dragon Emperor's bloodline strength, but the current Patriarch of the True Dragon clan has a bloodline power that surpasses Zi Yan's!"

The True Dragon Emperor is an ancient elder of the dragon clan who has survived the war of fifty thousand years ago. Naturally, he is not the current Patriarch, who is an early-stage Saint True Dragon with formidable strength. 

Upon hearing the answer, Jiang Yun was not disheartened. He nodded and smiled, saying, "It seems that Zi Yan's bloodline power ranks near the top in the True Dragon clan, which, in a way, means she has the potential of a Saint."

"Jiang Yun, being a Saint isn't enough!" Zhu Kun said solemnly, contrasting Jiang Yun's light-hearted tone. 

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Yun's eyes. He naturally understood what the Supreme Dragon-Phoenix symbolized, not just in the Dou Qi Continent but also in the Great Thousand World. 

Over tens of thousands of years, a Dragon-Phoenix's whereabouts in the Great Thousand World have become an enduring legend. True Dragons and True Phoenixes are already in the top three mythological beasts standing at the apex of the Great Thousand World. Combining their bloodlines yields an undeniably supreme beast.

If Zi Yan's Dragon-Phoenix identity were to be exposed, it could cause substantial upheaval among the mythical beast clans in the Great Thousand World. Countless magical beasts trapped at the peak of the Saint level might seek to explore the mystery of the Dragon-Phoenix. 

Without overwhelming power, Zi Yan would face unending challenges and threats from those unclear about her true strength until she fully matures. Zhu Kun worries that Zi Yan might end up in an awkward position due to not reaching a high enough level of power. 

"There's no need to worry; I'm here," Jiang Yun's voice eased Zhu Kun's anxious heart. 

Of course, Jiang Yun wasn't an easy target. In seven short years, he had fought from the West to the North, and then to Tianluo, the whole way with lightning and fire. Not only did he break through to the pinnacle of Celestial Supreme in a short time, but the number of demon emperors who fell at his hands exceeded ten. 

Let alone, many Heavenly Supremes were defeated by him, not taking even Maha Ancient Tribe's face into account. He could certainly protect Zi Yan. 

At this moment, the breakthroughs were nearing completion. The beastly forms gradually shrank until, under the watchful gazes, four beautiful feminine figures emerged, revealing Zi Yan, Medusa, Qing Lin, and Little Doctor Fairy. 

Moments later, the four women's figures flickered and disappeared from sight. Witnessing this, Jiang Yun turned his attention to the void far away, eyeing some 'old friends' whose faces still bore shock as they watched the four women's breakthroughs. 

Among them, Jiang Yun spotted Gu Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Dan Tower Ancestor. 

Breaking through to the Dou Di relying solely on one's efforts is extremely slow. Even after defeating the Nihility Devouring Flame and Nirvana Demon Fire, Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had to retreat for a millennium to breakthrough to Dou Di. 

Though Jiang Yun had lifted the seal on the dimension, speculating how long it would take Gu Yuan to breakthrough independently was uncertain. 

Unexpectedly, without diverse flame opportunities, Xiao Yan still shone on Dou Qi Continent. 

Retracting his gaze, Jiang Yun disregarded everyone and turned back with Zhu Kun into the depths of Dragon Island. 

"Dragon Island has gained four more Dou Dis; I wonder when my breakthrough will come?" Gu Yuan watched the four women leave, unable to hide his envy. Though his cultivation had seen progress over the years, it was still too slow! 

"Brother Xiao Yan…Brother Xiao Yan…" Gu Xun Er softly called out to the absent-minded Xiao Yan beside her.

"Oh, Xun Er!" Snapping out of it, Xiao Yan looked at his wife, rubbing his nose lovingly.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what were you looking at?" Gu Xun Er pouted, her charming eyes filled with curiosity.

"I think I saw Jiang Yun…" Xiao Yan responded hesitantly. 

"What!!!"

"Little Yun, I broke through to Dou Di!" Zi Yan, who had just broken through, excitedly lunged into Jiang Yun's arms. Medusa and the other two watched this scene with smiles, opting not to join the fuss. 

"Congratulations, Zi Yan!" Jiang Yun held Zi Yan's slender waist, feeling the joy emanating from the girl in his arms and warmly responding.

"Little Yun, now that I've broken through to Dou Di, wherever you go, I'm coming along. You can't leave me behind anymore!" Clinging tightly to Jiang Yun, Zi Yan buried her face in his chest, inhaling his scent greedily. 

"We feel the same!" Simultaneously, Medusa, Qing Lin, and Little Doctor Fairy echoed their sentiments. 

Seeing the resolute expressions of the women, Jiang Yun smiled warmly and consoled, "This time, I won't leave you. I've laid a foundation in the Great Thousand World. This time, we will go together in seven days. For now, let me help you stabilize your realms." 

Seven days passed quickly. With Jiang Yun's help, the four women stabilized their new Dou Di realms. 

A possibly true rumor about Jiang Yun's return spread rapidly across the Dou Qi Continent, causing a massive commotion. Though not confirmed, the coincidence of the four women's simultaneous breakthroughs made many more certain that Jiang Yun had indeed returned. 

During these days, numerous 'old friends' came to Dragon Island, hoping to visit Jiang Yun, but all were turned away by Zhu Kun. Explaining one by one was too troublesome. Once Jiang Yun anchors the Dou Qi Continent to Tianluo Continent, bridging the inter-dimensional passage, all Half-Saints and above could cross the void to the Great Thousand World, and everything would be clear. 

On this day, in the central square of Dragon Island, ninety-nine percent of Dou Shengs were gathered. 

Following the emergence of two new Dou Dis, the legacy of their presence greatly boosted the Ancient Dragon Clan's strength. Now, Dragon Island housed over a hundred Dou Shengs, marking its most prosperous era in millennia. 

With a glance at the familiar faces among the Dou Shengs, Zhu Kun laughed heartily, "Hahaha, my younglings, I have already explored the situation in the Great Thousand World. We have built a vast territory there. When I said I wanted the Taixu Ancient Dragons to reclaim their glory in the Great Thousand World, I meant it. Now let's create an even brighter future for our Ancient Dragon Clan in the Great Thousand World!" 

"Roar!!!"

Though long-lived, the ancient dragons' blood burned with Zhu Kun's rousing words, recalling their days of dominance. 

The Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan was filled with high spirits, their roars echoing through the heavens, piercing layers of the void, reaching further distances. 

"Let's set off!"

Seeing the enthusiasm, Zhu Kun burst into laughter. Suddenly, a brilliant golden light emanated from him, revealing the power of a Heavenly Supreme, previously restrained but now earth-shattering. 

The power of a Heavenly Supreme was overwhelming for the Dou Qi Continent to bear. The void began to fracture as energy converged from all directions, forming ominous layers of clouds overhead. 

The dimensional womb started protesting in Jiang Yun's ears. 

"Alright, alright, I'll lend a hand!" Hearing the plaintive cries of the dimensional womb, Jiang Yun chuckled. Dark and light energies surged within him, his hand waved across the void, and in an instant, the Dou Qi Continent seemed caressed by invisible hands. The fractured void began to mend, and the rampant energy gradually subsided. 

At this moment, Zhu Kun's power seemed as though a Dou Sheng was unleashing its might, a scene drawing delighted amazement from Zi Yan, Medusa, and the others. 

Jiang Yun had explained the hierarchy of power in the Great Thousand World, clarifying the strength of the Celestial and Heavenly Supremes. Now facing the power, as Dou Dis, the women felt a direct impact, marveling at the vast difference in strength. 

Seeing Jiang Yun's effort to stabilize the situation, Zhu Kun felt reassured. Instantly, his Heavenly Supreme power erupted fully, warping and shattering space before him. 

Jiang Yun had already provided the coordinates for Tianluo Continent to Zhu Kun. With the Ancient Dragon Clan's spatial talent, creating a spatial passage was manageable, especially under Jiang Yun's supervision. 

With Zhu Kun funneling his energy into the spatial nodes, the initially unstable nodes began forming a stable passageway. The inter-dimensional passage linking the Dou Qi Continent and Tianluo Continent officially took shape.