The day after the ceremony, Qing Ling led Yan Zhen, Cai Lian, and the others to the Snake Woman Palace, which neighbored the Goddess Palace. This was the independent residence that the Snake God Clan had prepared for Cai Lian and her daughter.
The Snake Woman Palace was slightly inferior to the Goddess Palace in both location and scale. Functionally, it served as the living quarters for Goddess candidates. Yan Yan was currently one such candidate, while Cai Lian acted as her guardian elder.
Under Qing Ling’s guidance, the group toured the Snake Woman Palace and assigned rooms to everyone.
At noon, the Flower Snake Saint Lord arrived. She said that the clan leader hoped to meet Cai Lian and Yan Yan.
Yan Zhen and Qing Ling expressed their desire to accompany them.
The Flower Snake Saint Lord had no objections.
After informing the three beautiful masters, the four of them followed her to Giant Snake Island at the head of the snake territory. Deep within the palace there, they met the Snake God Clan’s leader, the Scarlet Python King.
The Scarlet Python King usually appeared via avatar when necessary, to avoid perceptive individuals detecting anything unusual. Her willingness to meet Yan Zhen and the others in person demonstrated her sincerity.
The Scarlet Python King was deathly ill. Her cultivation had even dropped from Eight-Star Mystic Saint to Seven-Star Mystic Saint, leaving her aura utterly feeble.
Yet Yan Zhen knew better. A veteran Mystic Saint was still a veteran Mystic Saint. Despite her near-death appearance, she could still shatter heavens and extinguish worlds if she fought.
Upon seeing Cai Lian and Yan Yan, the Scarlet Python King probed their bloodlines once more. After repeated confirmations, joy flooded her face, bringing a touch of color to her pale cheeks.
“If not for this king’s grave illness, I would personally teach Little Yan’er myself.”
The Scarlet Python King laughed heartily. She even gifted Yan Yan a Protective Snake Scale as a meeting present.
Yan Yan was sweetly charming, addressing her as “Clan Leader Grandma” with genuine warmth.
Only after a good while did the Scarlet Python King’s gaze shift from the mother-daughter pair to Yan Zhen.
“You must be Yan Zhen. Handsome enough, though your strength leaves something to be desired. Still, Qing’er says you’re destined to become an Emperor. This king will watch closely to see what makes you special.”
Yan Zhen smiled faintly.
“Rest assured, Scarlet Python Clan Leader. I won’t lead the Snake God Clan into anything unwise. This alliance serves the God Race’s interests. I hope you can see that clearly.”
The Scarlet Python King curved her lips.
“You’re blunt, boy. That poise alone marks you as exceptional.”
Yan Zhen shook his head.
“Just speaking plainly. If you can’t handle that, Clan Leader, then there’s no point wasting time. I’m not afraid of godlike foes—only pigheaded allies.”
The Scarlet Python King paused, then smiled again.
“Interesting. A human like you is a rarity.”
After a moment, she steered the conversation to business.
“I’ve heard from the Flower Snake Saint Lord that you plan to have the Snake God Clan and Dragon God Clan publicly announce their alliance, forcing the Phoenix God Clan to join?”
“No force needed. They’ll realize the gravity themselves.”
“True. Even this king would have no choice. But I can’t guarantee true unity between our clans.”
Their styles clashed too sharply.
The Snake God Clan favored subtlety and sneaky maneuvers, while the Dragon God Clan was bold and brash, charging head-on like true heroes. They were polar opposites, hard to mesh.
People who rubbed each other the wrong way—throw them together, and it was a miracle if they didn’t start fighting on the spot.
“No issue,” Yan Zhen said without concern. “The alliance is more about aligned stances. We’ll operate independently otherwise, uniting only when it counts. As long as we share a common enemy, petty squabbles fade.”
The Scarlet Python King grew fonder of Yan Zhen. Young as he was, his vision was vast—a vital trait for any leader.
Three days later, the Scarlet Python King set out for Holy Spirit City at the border of Dragon Phoenix Snake Three Clans’ territories, accompanied by the Flower Snake Saint Lord, Snake God Maiden Qing Ling, Cai Lian, and Yan Zhen.
At the same time, the Myriad Dragon King, Jade Dragon Consort, and Long Ying arrived in Holy Spirit City as well.
Also known as Peace City, Holy Spirit City was where the three clans had once forged their peace pact. It served as their hub for exchanges and trade, home to citizens of all three races.
The arrival of the two clan leaders naturally meant discussions on the alliance.
The Snake God Clan leader and Dragon God Clan leader arrived quietly, but word soon reached the Phoenix God Clan. Their leader, the Demon Phoenix King, grew deeply uneasy upon hearing the news.
The Dragon God Clan still held Huang Feng Saint Lord, Phoenix Goddess, and others captive. Not long ago, the Snake God Clan had rejected the Phoenix God Clan’s plea to ally against the Dragon God Clan. Now, those two were joining forces—a catastrophe for the Phoenix God Clan.
The Demon Phoenix King wasted no more time. She rushed to Holy Spirit City with her personal guards.
In the heart of Holy Spirit City, within Holy Spirit Palace, the Myriad Dragon King and Scarlet Python King had just finalized terms when the Demon Phoenix King appeared.
Everyone present had anticipated this. In fact, they’d been waiting for her.
“Meeting behind my back, you two? Got some dirty secret?”
The Myriad Dragon King still seethed over the Phoenix God Clan’s attempt to abduct Long Ying. He had no patience for her barbs.
“Quit throwing shade, Demon Phoenix. This king’s business is none of yours!”
The Scarlet Python King said coolly,
“To be frank, Demon Phoenix, the Dragon and Snake Clans have decided to ally. We’ll advance and retreat together.”
The Demon Phoenix King hadn’t expected such openness. She gritted her teeth.
“You two clans allying? What are you plotting?”
“Naturally, to face our common enemy.”
Common enemy? Did that mean her Phoenix God Clan? Alarm surged in the Demon Phoenix King.
“The peace pact has a century left. Are you breaking your oaths?”
“Relax. We’re not targeting the Phoenix God Clan. It’s a mysterious evil group—the Demon Domain.”
At the mention of Demon Domain, the Demon Phoenix King frowned.
“If memory serves, that’s a Seven Continents force. What business do they have in our Eighth Continent?”
“Their tendrils have already reached the Eighth Continent,” Yan Zhen interjected from the side. “You just don’t know it yet, Demon Phoenix King.”
Her phoenix eyes swept over him, then darkened. She snapped coldly,
“Who’s this brat? This isn’t your place to speak.”
Yan Zhen didn’t rise to the bait. He smirked.
“It is now. I’m the one who orchestrated the Dragon and Snake alliance. Your clan’s people? My masters and I beat them before the Dragon God Clan locked them up.”
“So it’s you stirring trouble!”
The Demon Phoenix King slammed the table and shot to her feet. Her Eight-Star Mystic Saint aura crashed down, blanketing the entire city. The world grew stifling.
Yan Zhen stood between the Myriad Dragon King and Scarlet Python King, facing her squarely. Unfazed, he said,
“What, Demon Phoenix King? Going to throw down? Friendly advice: think it through first.”
A mere Mystic Venerable daring to taunt her Eight-Star self? He was begging for death.
No sooner had that thought crossed her mind than enlightenment struck. Her momentum faltered.
If the boy spoke true, he represented both Dragon and Snake Clans. Striking him would mean the Phoenix God Clan openly provoking both leaders—shattering the peace pact first and inviting a justified two-clan assault.
The Demon Phoenix King broke out in a cold sweat. She withdrew her Mystic Power, glaring daggers at Yan Zhen.
“Who are you? State your name!”
