Chapter 70: An Ordinary Serpent-Woman?
Where there are people, there is conflict—a truth as old as time.
In the Dou Qi Continent, strength reigns supreme. To achieve powerful cultivation, one needs not only talent, but vast resources. A shallow pond cannot raise a dragon. Xiao Lin understood this well. His Xiao Clan had reached its limit. To grow further, they needed support from the Jia Ma Empire's royal family—to truly become a part of the empire.
As for breaking through to the Dou Huang realm… Xiao Lin no longer held hope. With his talent, unless he encountered some extraordinary opportunity, the Dou Wang realm was his ceiling.
All he could do now was place his hopes on the younger generation.
For that, he was willing to do anything—to give his descendants a better cultivation environment. If one genius emerged in the future, the Xiao Clan might have a chance to return to the Central Plains, rather than remain buried in a "small place" like the Jia Ma Empire.
As the clan head of this generation, Xiao Lin naturally knew some of the clan's past. When his father handed him the position, he had explained much—specifically, never to return to the Central Plains unless one reached the Dou Zong realm.
Family legacy above all.
What is the Central Plains truly like… Xiao Lin wondered as he gazed at the distant sky. In his youth, he too had wanted to travel and experience the Central Plains. But duty and responsibility had chained him to the empire.
No one could truly live however they wished.
Nalan Jie, unaware of his old friend's thoughts, turned to the imperial elder beside him and asked, "Elder Jia, I think in a few days we'll be able to leave. The Magic Beast Mountain Range seems quiet enough."
Bound by protocol, they hadn't entered the mountain's core to question the Amethyst Winged Lion King directly, fearing it would trigger unnecessary conflict.
"Yes."
Elder Jia nodded in agreement.
Over half a month had passed since that battle. If any chaos from the fight had spilled outward, it would've happened by now. Everything was calm. There was no need to stay longer—Dou Wangs didn't have time to waste watching the forest.
The only reason they'd been dispatched in the first place was because an unknown Dou Huang had gotten involved.
Unfortunately, they still hadn't uncovered that Dou Huang's identity. Whether the individual was a hidden force of the Jia Ma Empire or someone from another region remained unknown. If it was the former, they might be worth recruiting. If the latter, it wasn't worth bothering.
As the two conversed, a powerful aura suddenly surged from the distance, swiftly approaching.
?!
All three men were startled. They exchanged glances and soared into the air, forming a triangle with Elder Jia at the lead.
Soon, a figure appeared. His aura wasn't strong—peak Da Dou Shi at most—but his speed was frightening. Within a few breaths, he had crossed several hundred meters. Before they could even get a clear look at him, the true source of the powerful aura appeared.
"A Dou Huang?!"
The trio's expressions hardened. They sensed it clearly. And it looked like the two were in a chase.
A Dou Huang chasing a Da Dou Shi?!
Not funny. Especially since that Da Dou Shi was moving ridiculously fast.
Just as the three finished sizing them up, the Da Dou Shi came to a sudden halt near them. A burst of powerful force rippled out as his figure came into focus.
He was very young, tall and slender, dressed in a silver-white robe. Half his face was hidden behind a mask, and his long black hair was loosely tied behind his head. A small green-furred Rank 2 Green Wood Fox rested on his shoulder. His aura was refined—elegant and noble.
The youth calmly glanced over at the three, his gaze unwavering.
Moments later, the Dou Huang arrived behind him, eyes fixed solely on him, full of urgency and fury. She barely noticed the others and was about to lash out at the youth.
"There are people here."
Yao Yan pointed to the three Dou Wangs ahead, reminding Cai Die to mind her image—and conveniently shifting her focus.
It worked. At his words, her gaze turned to the trio, a hint of surprise flashing in her peach blossom eyes. She moved closer to Yao Yan and whispered, "They're the ones from yesterday."
Yao Yan wasn't surprised. But he had no interest in interacting. Honestly, the Amethyst Winged Lion King was more interesting than three average Dou Wangs.
"Let's go."
He gestured to leave with Cai Die.
As long as she didn't provoke them, he was confident the trio wouldn't stop a Dou Huang without cause.
But this time, Yao Yan was wrong.
The elder Dou Wang in the lead suddenly asked, "You're a Dou Huang of the Serpent Tribe, aren't you?"
Compared to Yao Yan, whose identity was difficult to gauge, Cai Die was far easier to identify. That enchanting, elegant blue snake tail was unmistakable—especially in the Jia Ma Empire, where the upper echelon had all clashed with serpent-tribe leaders at one point or another.
They had been neighbors—and enemies—for centuries.
The two Dou Wangs beside Elder Jia immediately spread out, blocking their path.
Cai Die glanced down at her tail and sighed. She knew it had caused trouble. She looked apologetically at Yao Yan, her eyes tinged with guilt. Though she knew of the tension between the serpent tribe and the empire, she hadn't expected such open hostility.
She hadn't done anything…
"It's fine."
Yao Yan said softly. Then he looked at the three Dou Wangs and replied calmly, "And if she is?"
"The Serpent Tribe and Jia Ma Empire are enemies. If she's a Dou Huang and entered imperial territory without permission, I must ask your intentions. And the battle in the Magic Beast Mountain Range half a month ago—was that you?"
Elder Jia's expression turned cold as he questioned them.
A Dou Huang from the Serpent Tribe suddenly appearing in the empire's domain, even fighting with the Amethyst Winged Lion King, and then staying hidden for over two weeks… It was hard not to suspect they had joined forces.
The Amethyst Winged Lion King was the ruler of Tier 6 magical beasts. Even a Dou Huang wasn't guaranteed to win against it. Its forces included three Tier 5 lion kings and a dozen other powerful beasts. If it truly allied with the Serpent Tribe—it would be catastrophic.
Yao Yan remained calm. "It's true. But it was a misunderstanding. We bear no ill will toward the empire—we're merely passing through."
"Good enough!" Elder Jia's eyes gleamed. "Now then—what is this Dou Huang's relationship to Queen Medusa?"
He had what he wanted. Without waiting for an answer from Yao Yan, his gaze locked onto Cai Die. His tone was sharp. He didn't remember the Serpent Tribe having a Dou Huang this powerful. Which meant… he knew who she was.
Nalan Jie and Xiao Lin realized it too—if what they suspected was true, then this matter likely involved Hai Bodong as well.
Cai Die immediately shook her head. "I have nothing to do with Queen Medusa. I'm just an ordinary serpent-woman."
Then she looked at Yao Yan and playfully raised an eyebrow, as if asking, Wasn't that smart of me?
Yao Yan silently gave her a thumbs-up.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997