Flower Snake Granny leaned on her snake staff and spoke calmly.
“According to this old one’s knowledge, the major god clans have only united once in the past thousand-odd years—when the Evil God Clan lost control and launched a war. Even then, they began by fighting separately and only joined forces when they were on the verge of collapse.
“Though there’s no deep-seated hatred between the god clans, minor frictions never cease. True unity is difficult to achieve. Even if they manage it, it’s often superficial and ineffective.
“Take the Phoenix God Clan, for instance. They’re insufferably arrogant and highly exclusive. To be frank, this old one has no interest in allying with them!”
Yan Zhen scratched his cheek, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“The Phoenix God Clan does have a bit of that reputation… That’s why I have no intention of approaching them for an alliance. If the Dragon God Clan and Snake God Clan can unite, the Phoenix God Clan will naturally understand what choice to make.”
“That’s rather presumptuous. Moreover, can young friend Yan Zhen represent the Dragon God Clan?”
“Not just the Dragon God Clan—the Heavenly God Clan as well. We’ve already paid them a visit.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord’s eyes sharpened. The Snake God Maiden explained.
“Granny, have you forgotten? Qing’er told you that Sister Zi Ji, the Heavenly God Maiden, is another of Lord Yan Zhen’s wives. And Your Highness Long Ying, the Dragon God Maiden, is also Lord Yan Zhen’s partner.”
The demoness chuckled and chimed in.
“Little sister Qing’er, Little Long Ying has become one of our sisters now—not just a partner.”
“Eh?” The Snake God Maiden froze. “Your Highness Long Ying as well…?”
Flower Snake Saint Lord’s eyes gleamed at the revelation. With three Mystic Saints offering guidance together and two major god clans marrying off their daughters, this had the makings of an emperor.
Yan Zhen smiled faintly.
“To put it bluntly, once the Heavenly God Clan and Dragon God Clan join forces, the other god clans will be in dire peril. They’ll either have to ally with someone themselves or wait to be steamrolled.”
Every god clan possessed a Clan Suppressing Divine Artifact, and clashes between such treasures were hard to decide. Clan strength was primarily measured by the star levels and numbers of their Mystic Saint experts.
The Heavenly God Clan, Dragon God Clan, and Sun God Clan each boasted Nine Star Great Saints. The leaders of the other clans were almost all Eight-Star Mystic Saints, while the Star God Clan’s leader was merely a Seven-Star Mystic Saint.
The power of a Nine Star Great Saint far surpassed that of an Eight-Star Mystic Saint. Even ten Eight-Stars banding together would struggle to defeat one Nine-Star.
If the Heavenly God Clan and Dragon God Clan united, they could crush any single clan without sustaining losses.
For the other god clans, that was nothing short of a nightmare. Fail to ally with another clan immediately, and they were as good as dead.
Flower Snake Saint Lord and the others fell silent. Though they were reluctant to admit it, the facts spoke for themselves.
Yan Zhen pressed on.
“If we don’t unite soon, the Demon Domain will pick us off one by one. Extermination might be avoided, but we’d end up as their puppets. That would only make dealing with Mo Tianjue far harder, rendering our rebirth meaningless.”
The Snake God Maiden nodded vigorously.
“Lord Yan Zhen is absolutely right, Flower Snake Granny. We can’t hesitate any longer, or we’ll repeat the tragedies of our previous lives.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord pondered for a long moment before finally speaking.
“The clan leader entrusted this entire matter to this old one. For this old one to agree to the alliance, young friend Yan Zhen must accept one condition.”
Yan Zhen blinked in curiosity.
“What condition?”
Flower Snake Saint Lord fixed her gaze on Yan Zhen and said in a low, measured tone.
“Form a marriage alliance with our Snake God Clan. Wed Your Highness the God Maiden.”
—What the hell?!
Even Yan Zhen’s quick mind hadn’t anticipated such words from Flower Snake Saint Lord. He was utterly stunned.
The Evil God Clan’s higher-ups were equally dumbfounded. There had been no mention of this in their prior discussions—why was Flower Snake Saint Lord going rogue?
The Snake God Maiden herself froze, a seductive blush blooming across her pretty face. She waved her hands frantically.
“Flower Snake Granny, w-what are you talking about?!”
She glanced at Cai Lian, hoping to disclaim any such intentions, only to meet Cai Lian’s knowing look—as if to say, You innocent little thing, fancying my husband too?—leaving her tongue-tied.
Evil Consort’s delicate brows furrowed. Yan’er’s wives and concubines might not be overly numerous, but they weren’t open to just anyone joining the fold.
Evil Consort swept a glance toward Chen Xi and Jialan Fairy. Both seemed utterly unperturbed, as if this came as no surprise.
Jialan Fairy aside, even Chen Xi wasn’t showing a hint of urgency? What a magnanimous heart!
But with them staying silent, Evil Consort held her tongue, waiting for Yan Zhen’s response.
Yan Zhen cleared his throat twice and adopted a serious expression.
“Cai Lian is from the Snake God Clan too. We’ve already formed a marriage alliance.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord replied coolly.
“Cai Lian has only just returned to the Snake God Clan. Your Highness the God Maiden, however, was raised by this old one herself. She better represents our Snake God Clan.”
“But I’m only the one proposing this. Once united, I won’t be leading the god clans. The decisions will rest with each clan’s leader.”
“This old one has little personal interest in a god clan alliance. What this old one values is you… the future emperor. Though this old one still finds it hard to fully believe, even the slimmest possibility is worth wagering on—especially since both the Heavenly God Clan and Dragon God Clan have already committed. There’s no reason for the Snake God Clan to hold back… Most importantly, Your Highness the God Maiden harbors no aversion to you.”
The Snake God Maiden flushed crimson with embarrassment.
“Flower Snake Granny, Qing’er—Qing’er doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for Lord Yan Zhen. A-anyway, this isn’t appropriate.”
She ducked her head, unable to meet the eyes of Yan Zhen or Cai Lian.
Flower Snake Saint Lord paid no heed to the Snake God Maiden’s feigned modesty. As an experienced elder, how could she fail to notice?
Before Yan Zhen’s arrival, the girl had sung his praises endlessly. Since then, her gaze had scarcely left him, all while thinking her crush was perfectly concealed.
Everyone present—save Yan Zhen himself—knew exactly what the Snake God Maiden was thinking.
Playing matchmaker was a simple favor, and placing this bet could yield massive rewards if it paid off. Even if it didn’t, securing three Mystic Saints as allies was no loss at all.
Especially Technique Saint Chen Xi.
The Dragon Phoenix Snake Three Clans were not proficient in Technique Refining. An alliance with a Technique Saint ally meant she could craft any pills they needed—a game-changer of revolutionary significance for the entire clan.
“In any case, this old one’s stance is clear: the alliance is optional. But if young friend Yan Zhen is willing to wed Your Highness the God Maiden, the Snake God Clan will offer its full support—whether that’s allying with the Nine Great Mirage Clans or pursuing other goals. What do you say?”
“…”
—You’re asking me to marry her close sister right in front of my wife and daughter? Thanks ever so much, you Snake Old Hag!
A wave of discomfort washed over Yan Zhen. He had only just met the Snake God Maiden. Even if they’d been acquainted as friends in their past lives, leaping straight to marriage like this?
It was like dropping a nuke on turn one in poker or lasering down the boss before it could even move!
After a fierce internal debate, Yan Zhen murmured.
“I think we could discuss this further—”
“—No need for discussion. It’s settled.”
To everyone’s shock—especially Yan Zhen, Yan Yan, and Jiu Youyue—it was Cai Lian who spoke up. The little vinegar jar wasn’t getting jealous?
Every eye in the room turned to the Female Monarch. Cai Lian took a leisurely sip of tea before continuing.
“We already have plenty as it is. One more won’t make much difference. Besides, it’s little sister Qing’er—far preferable to those women of dubious origins.”
