Chapter 1221: Swallowing Trust

On the mountaintop, the two quietly embraced.

After an unknown period, they gradually disengaged from their embrace. Yao Yao stretched, revealing her graceful and slender figure. On her usually cool face, there was a rare hint of playfulness as she mused, "I wonder how Tun Tun is doing now."

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan remembered the scale Jin Ling'er had brought. He immediately clasped his hand, producing the shimmering, iridescent scale. "It had someone deliver this to me earlier; it was probably a message. But I was so busy with your matters, I didn't have time to deal with that little rascal," Zhou Yuan said with a chuckle.

Yao Yao found it both amusing and exasperating. She shook her head, took the scale, and ran her finger over it. Immediately, a burst of light erupted from the scale, forming a glowing screen before them.

On the screen, a majestic beast's head emerged. The beast's entire body was covered in purple-gold scales, conveying mystery and nobility. Even as an image, one could still feel the supreme, ancient, and formidable power emanating from within it. At first glance, Zhou Yuan was stunned. Such a powerful and ferocious beast was truly awe-inspiring. However, when he saw the beast's eyes and the familiar glint of intelligence within them, he recognized it immediately. This creature was none other than Tun Tun.

Compared to before, Tun Tun had undoubtedly grown much larger, and its current form was a far cry from its previous adorable appearance. Perhaps, having left Yao Yao, there was nothing left in the world worth it trying to be cute for anymore.

Tun Tun raised a paw and tapped the screen, then let out two dry, incredibly majestic roars, suppressing its voice. Next, its paw scraped across a stone slab in front of it, sending chips flying. A moment later, it held up the slab, looking rather lazy.

Zhou Yuan looked at the slab, and his mouth twitched. Scrawled crookedly on it was a line of text: "Zhou Yuan, you pervert, hurry to the Golden Leonic Clan in All-Beast Heaven to find your grandpa! I desperately need a thug, one head!"

Zhou Yuan's face darkened, and he gritted his teeth, exclaiming, "That little bastard is asking for a beating!" His words were full of indignation. What did it mean, "pervert"? And daring to call itself "grandpa," asking him to be a thug? How could it even refer to him as "one head"?! Did it think he was a pig? That little scoundrel had become even more detestable after a few years apart!

Yao Yao's lips also curved slightly at this comical scene. She waved her hand, dispersing the light screen, put away the scale, and said, "It seems Tun Tun has run into some trouble as well."

Zhou Yuan retorted irritably, "I completely don't want to bother with it." Of course, these were just words said in anger. Although that little scoundrel Tun Tun was annoying, it was truly a love-hate relationship.

As they spoke, the void behind them rippled slightly, and Cang Yuan emerged, accompanied by Zhuan Zhu, Xi Jing, and others. Cang Yuan looked at them with a knowing smile. Seeing this, Zhou Yuan and Yao Yao's faces flushed slightly.

"Master.""Grandpa Hei."

Cang Yuan nodded with a smile, while Zhou Yuan gestured to Zhuan Zhu, Xi Jing, and the others, introducing them. Yao Yao gave them a slight nod. Although she offered a faint smile, her inherent coolness and detachment were undeniable. This was normal, given her personality; in the entire world, perhaps only Zhou Yuan, Cang Yuan, and Tun Tun truly mattered to her. Everyone else found it difficult to capture her full attention. Had it not been for Zhuan Zhu and Xi Jing's previous care for Zhou Yuan, she might not even have offered a smile. However, neither Zhuan Zhu nor Xi Jing were surprised by her attitude, nor did they feel offended. After all, they were well aware of Yao Yao's true identity.

"Yao Yao, I'm finally relieved that you've woken up," Cang Yuan said, looking at her with a benevolent smile, his voice filled with emotion. Ever since he had stolen Yao Yao, who was still within the divine stone back then, he had spent years hiding. During this time, he not only had to guard against the Saints of the Heavens but also contend with the Saints of the Sacred Race. The efforts and dangers involved were simply inexpressible. Fortunately, after so many years of hardship, everything had come to an end today. Yao Yao's consciousness was now stable. Presumably, the Saints of the Heavens would no longer dare to directly target her, and even Grand Elder Wan Zu would have to restrain himself. Thus, within the Heavens, she was temporarily safe.

Yao Yao softly said, "Grandpa Hei, you've worked hard all these years." Of course, she knew that Cang Yuan had gone to great lengths, hiding everywhere and exhausting his ingenuity to protect her throughout these years.

"You practically grew up under my watch. I have no children of my own, so in my eyes, you are like a biological daughter. No matter what, I had to protect you," Cang Yuan said, touched. Although Yao Yao's identity was significant, Cang Yuan's affection for her was not solely born from that. "Besides, you should also know that I wasn't the only one who worked hard." Cang Yuan glanced at Zhou Yuan with a smile. Yao Yao's eyes softened slightly as she nodded.

"What are your plans next? I might be going to the Ruins of End God Palace for a while; some matters still need to be clarified," Cang Yuan asked. He had taken Yao Yao away earlier, and although many Saints in the Ruins of End God Palace supported him, it was ultimately somewhat against the rules. This time, upon his return, he needed to resolve these issues and also ensure the Ruins of End God Palace definitively established its stance regarding Yao Yao. Zhou Yuan had originally come to Hunyuan Heaven for the sole purpose of waking Yao Yao, and now that objective had been achieved.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuan seemed indifferent, simply looking at Yao Yao. Yao Yao pondered for a moment, then said, "I plan to have Zhou Yuan take me around Hunyuan Heaven to see everything. Afterward, we'll make a trip to All-Beast Heaven to retrieve Tun Tun."

"Not directly to All-Beast Heaven?" Zhou Yuan asked, surprised. Tun Tun sending him a message likely meant it genuinely needed help.

"No hurry," Yao Yao shook her head slightly and said, "It's good to let that arrogant fellow suffer a bit first." She winked at Zhou Yuan, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. This made Zhou Yuan realize that Yao Yao was helping him get some revenge. How dare that little scoundrel Tun Tun be so arrogant earlier, even using "head" as a unit of measurement for him! This made Zhou Yuan involuntarily puff out his chest. It seemed his status was still a bit higher than Tun Tun's! But then his expression turned peculiar. Had he really fallen to the point of vying for favor with that little bastard? Zhou Yuan's heart was a mix of joy and sorrow.

At this moment, Cang Yuan also nodded, then gravely reminded, "Yao Yao, although your seal is now broken, try to use powerful abilities sparingly... Given your identity, the Saints of the Heavens should show you some deference." As he spoke, he glanced at Zhou Yuan, the meaning in his eyes making Zhou Yuan understand. It was undoubtedly about the divine nature within Yao Yao. This caused Zhou Yuan's heart to sink, but he had no immediate solution other than to continuously improve his own strength. Yao Yao's eyes flickered, but she said little, simply nodding in assent. "I'll be careful."

Seeing this, Cang Yuan said no more. They were no longer the naive youths they once were; with their current experience and strength, they were capable of venturing through the Heavens. "Then let us part ways here for now. If you encounter any urgent situations, you can crush the jade slip I gave you earlier, and I will naturally sense it," Cang Yuan reminded Zhou Yuan again.

Once Zhou Yuan nodded, Cang Yuan wasted no more time. With a flick of his sleeve, a mighty force enveloped the others, and they vanished into thin air.

Watching them disappear, Zhou Yuan turned to Yao Yao, grinning. "Are we going to have our own world for a bit first?" Yao Yao glanced at Zhou Yuan, whose eyes were filled with mischievous delight, and her lips curved slightly. "Do you really think I just plan to have you take me around Hunyuan Heaven to look around?"

Zhou Yuan paused, feeling a sense of unease. "Otherwise?"

Yao Yao slowly said, "Although cultivating to the Nascent Source stage in just a few years is decent, your understanding of the Ancestral Dragon Scripture, which I gave you, still seems incomplete. So, for the next period, I will put you through some special training to deepen your comprehension of it."

Zhou Yuan's face instantly became bitter, and he groaned inwardly. He had thought it would be a sweet world for two, but now he realized he was wrong. This was likely going to be a hellish special training! This isn't how it was supposed to go!