Cai Lian’s bloodline concentration had risen by that single percentage point thanks to the influence of the Great Crimson Heaven Flame.
Compared to her previous life, she had grown far more adept at harnessing its evolutionary power after her rebirth. On top of that, she had been cultivating with Yan Zhen’s Great Crimson Heaven Flame lately, so this minor breakthrough was an unexpected delight.
As for Yan Yan’s Snake God Bloodline evolving from Saint-level to God-level, that was because she had begun cultivating while still in the womb.
The Human Blossom Power within her Companion Extreme Flame, the Three Flowers Gathering Spirit Fire, had long been stimulating the latent potential of her Snake God Bloodline, triggering a powerful atavism.
It was both a fluke and inevitable.
After absorbing Yan Yan’s Snake God Blood, the massive Snake God Statue nearly came alive. It threw its head back in a deafening roar, as if proclaiming the birth of a God-level bloodline to the world.
Yan Yan’s cultivation also leaped from the Mystic Master Realm straight to the Mystic Lord Realm. Power of heaven and earth churned violently, forming a colossal vortex that poured into her petite frame.
The entire Snake God Clan was shaken. Flower Snake Saint Lord and the others were over the moon!
They had heard that the Heavenly God Clan had produced a Heavenly God Maiden with a God-level bloodline, leaving them green with envy. Who could have imagined their own Snake God Clan would now have one too? It was like a pie falling straight from the sky!
Flower Snake Saint Lord rose to her feet at once and issued a strict order. No one present was to breathe a word about the God-level bloodline.
“From this day forward, Cai Lian and her daughter Yan Yan are direct members of our Snake God Clan’s main lineage. Add their names to the clan registry. Grant Cai Lian the status of elder, and list Yan Yan as a candidate for the next God Maiden. Our Snake God Clan will rise! Hahaha…”
Snake Old Hag was smug as could be, while the other Snake God Clan leaders bounced around like excited monkeys.
“Send out the order: the whole clan feasts for three days, and double everyone’s monthly stipend this month to celebrate.”
Cheers erupted from every member of the Snake God Clan in attendance.
If Cai Lian and Yan Yan had only Mystic-Grade or Heaven-Grade bloodlines, it would have put real pressure on them. But Saint-level and God-level bloodlines? That only made them all swell with pride.
Cai Lian took her daughter’s little hand and returned to Yan Zhen’s side.
“Congratulations, Sister Cai Lian.”
Both Qing Ling and Jiu Youyue offered their warm words.
A rare smile graced Cai Lian’s face, rendering her beauty utterly peerless.
“What about Baby? What about Baby?” Yan Yan crowed triumphantly. “Baby has a God-level bloodline—way better than Mother Concubine or Aunt Qing!”
She remembered the events that had unfolded in the Snake God Clan during her previous life.
To make her mother proud (and to uphold her big sister’s position), she had started cultivating from the womb. Now, her efforts had finally borne fruit.
No one could look down on her mother anymore—not when she had such a ridiculously awesome daughter. Umph~
“Congratulations to you too, Yan’er.” Qing Ling smiled sweetly. “Why don’t you talk to Flower Snake Granny? Let Yan’er become the God Maiden. Aunt Qing can step down to elder instead.”
That would make it far easier for her to stay by Lord Yan Zhen’s side~
Yan Yan had never served as God Maiden before. Both Aunt Qing and Aunt Zi had held the position, so she was terribly curious. Her eyes lit up instantly.
“Yay! Baby wants to be God Maiden. Aunt Qing is the best!”
Qing Ling nodded.
“It’s settled, then.”
Cai Lian hurriedly interjected.
“Don’t listen to this girl, Qing’er. She’s just chasing the novelty. Give it a few days, and she’ll forget all about it.”
Exposed by her mother, Yan Yan blushed and muttered guiltily.
“No way. Mother Concubine always teases Baby like that. It’s not cool at all.”
Yan Zhen ruffled his daughter’s hair.
“Being God Maiden is a lot of trouble. You’d have to handle clan affairs every day and be as diligent as your Aunt Qing and Aunt Zi. I’m heartened that you have such resolve, my child.”
Yan Yan deflated on the spot. God Maiden had to be diligent? She wasn’t one to slack off, but diligent? Not exactly her strong suit.
“Um… maybe Baby won’t be God Maiden after all. As the saying goes, gentlemen don’t take what others love. Baby can’t steal Aunt Qing’s spot.”
The adults all chuckled softly. Yan Yan giggled along with them, proclaiming herself a good girl.
Cai Lian let out a gentle sigh and stroked her daughter’s hair with maternal affection. In her heart, she mused that while she might not be wisdom incarnate, she was no slouch in smarts. So how had she ended up with such a adorably dimwitted daughter?
Since it wasn’t her fault, it had to be the other one’s.
The Female Monarch shot her husband a sidelong glance. That fool—chasing after women he shouldn’t (evil concubines, no less) while turning away the sweet girls he ought to welcome into the fold. Hmph.
Flower Snake Saint Lord and the others soon crowded around, their gazes on Yan Yan burning with fervor, as if they had unearthed a priceless treasure.
“You’ve given this old body the surprise of a lifetime… Cai Lian, Holy Son Yan Zhen, might Little Yan’er take me as her master? I vow to teach her well and help her flourish.”
Yan Zhen smiled faintly.
“That depends on what Yan’er wants. She can cultivate with whomever she chooses.”
After all, Yan’er had been a Mystic Saint powerhouse in her previous life. Though it was thanks to his Imperial Bloodline, she wielded power with masterful proficiency. She had no need for a master.
A Six-Star Mystic Saint like Flower Snake Saint Lord held no edge over her.
Yan Yan shook her head firmly.
“Baby doesn’t want to take a master. Baby just wants to stay with Father Emperor and Mother Concubine and live happily ever after.”
Yan Zhen turned to Flower Snake Saint Lord with a wry smile.
“Nothing to be done, then. Yan’er is still too young for these matters. No need to rush.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord grew anxious. This was a God-level bloodline! She needed to foster a sense of belonging to the Snake God Clan. The best way was to take her as a disciple, let her grow up healthy and happy within the clan, and make it feel like home.
“A child’s education must start young. This old body may not be much, but I do have insights into guiding Snake God Bloodlines.”
“Flower Snake Granny.”
Qing Ling called out suddenly, then sent a private transmission revealing that Little Yan’er had been a Mystic Saint powerhouse in her previous life—one whose strength was no less than her own.
Flower Snake Saint Lord froze in shock. This child had been a Mystic Saint in her past life? Impossible!
From the granny’s expression, Qing Ling could guess her thoughts and added, “Lord Yan Zhen’s Imperial Bloodline allowed Little Yan’er to ascend to Mystic Saint in one go.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord’s emotions grew complicated. On second thought, their vast Snake God Clan had precious little to offer that could retain someone like her.
“No need to overthink it, Granny,” Cai Lian said. “Yan’er and I both carry Snake God Blood. We’ll always be part of the Snake God Clan, no matter what.”
Flower Snake Saint Lord trembled inwardly, a realization dawning.
Yes… they had Snake God Bloodlines. They were one of them. What more was needed? Turn them into tools for the clan’s rise? Obedient puppets?
Just like yesterday’s presumptuous marriage proposal—seeming sincere on the surface, but truly aimed at binding Yan Zhen to the Snake God Clan while wounding the devoted Qing’er and the returning Cai Lian.
“Sigh, this old body has gotten too attached.” Flower Snake Saint Lord sighed. “Age hardens the mind, leaving no room for flexibility. I apologize to you all—Holy Son Yan Zhen, forget I ever mentioned yesterday’s terms. From now on, the Snake God Clan is your family by marriage. If you need any help, just say the word.”
