Chapter 346: Heavenly Snake Mansion's Submission
In the empire near the Black Corner Region, Qing Lin stared at a distant blood-colored figure. With a clench of her hand, spatial power surged, and the figure was obliterated by the forces of space without even a scream. As a Dou Zun, controlling spatial power allowed for various spatial techniques. Against practitioners who had never encountered such power, it was utterly overpowering.
Qing Lin's gaze then fell on the people from Heavenly Snake Mansion nearby, who acted restrained and respectful. Seeing her look their way, the members of the mansion quickly smiled in a somewhat ingratiating manner.
Qing Lin stepped through the void, approaching them in an instant. "Are you the higher-ups of Heavenly Snake Mansion? What do you want with me?"
A silver-haired elder stepped forward from the group, a joyful smile on his face. "Greetings, revered one. The Heavenly Snake Mansion means no disturbance; this matter is of great importance to us, and we had no choice but to disturb you."
Qing Lin frowned slightly. "Cut to the chase, less courtesy."
The elder coughed lightly, realizing Qing Lin disliked small talk, and quickly spoke up. "Might I ask if you possess the Tri-Flower Serpent Pupil?"
Sensing the people from Heavenly Snake Mansion, Qing Lin found only the elder before her reached the peak of Dou Zong. Could it be that they dared to covet her Tri-Flower Serpent Pupil?
Qing Lin went on high alert. "What if I do?"
At Qing Lin's words, everyone from the mansion showed signs of excitement, and the elder quickly responded. "Would you be interested in leading the Heavenly Snake Mansion? We would honor you as the head of our mansion!"
Qing Lin was stunned by the offer. "You want to submit to the Sky Alliance?"
"Not exactly. We wish for you to lead the Heavenly Snake Mansion, but this doesn't mean we submit to the Sky Alliance," the elder clarified, bowing slightly. "The Heavenly Snake Mansion possesses secret techniques for cultivating the Tri-Flower Serpent Pupil. Should you agree to lead us, we are willing to offer them all to ensure our protection under you."
As he finished speaking, the golden tree on the back of Qing Lin's hand flew up, opening a spatial rift in the void. As the Heavenly Snake Mansion members were astonished by the sudden change, Qing Lin's face showed delight.
A voice came through the spatial rift, "You folks from Heavenly Snake Mansion sure are bold, trying to recruit right from under Sky Alliance!"
The mansion's people were startled, the aura from the rift causing their hearts to skip a beat, even more formidable than Qing Lin's!
With Xiao Ze's words, they realized the situation was dire. The mansion's higher-ups braced themselves, and the elder gestured to calm his people, eyeing the figure emerging from the rift.
Xiao Ze stepped out from the spatial rift, his gaze landing directly on Qing Lin. Seeing her unharmed, he smiled, waving his hand to transform the floating golden tree roots back into a small tree on Qing Lin's hand.
As Xiao Ze appeared, Qing Lin moved to stand behind him, showing her allegiance to him. "The Heavenly Snake Mansion has quite the gall to think a Dou Zun would join them," Xiao Ze remarked.
The elder quickly explained, "Are you the leader of the Sky Alliance? You misunderstand; our mansion has the secret techniques for the Tri-Flower Serpent Pupil, which would greatly benefit Lady Qing Lin."
"Why not have your Heavenly Snake Mansion submit to the Sky Alliance and merge into it entirely? Wouldn't it still be under Qing Lin's command then?" Xiao Ze countered.
The elder's face showed urgency. "But that would mean the end of the Heavenly Snake Mansion's lineage!"
Xiao Ze shook his head. "This matter is not up for negotiation. It has to be my way."
He did not trust the Heavenly Snake Mansion enough to let Qing Lin go there. Even if they promised to make her the leader, it was just a promise, and as a long-standing power of the Northwest Continent, the mansion likely had hidden tactics.
Seeing Xiao Ze's firm stance, the mansion's members fell silent. "If you disagree with my terms, then please leave," Xiao Ze said, gesturing for them to depart quickly.
Though no agreement was reached, Xiao Ze harbored no thoughts of murder or plunder. After all, with his guidance, Qing Lin's Tri-Flower Serpent Pupil would surely flourish beyond anything the mansion's secret techniques could offer.
The elder looked towards Qing Lin, hoping for a chance to turn things around. But unfortunately, her stance was just as firm as Xiao Ze's, reflecting his views as her own.
Seeing this, the elder could only respond with a resigned smile. "With the rate of Sky Alliance's expansion, it won't be long before its forces directly target Heavenly Snake Mansion. I thought the rapid rise of the Yunlan Sect in the Black Corner Region was a monster's downfall, but it turns out it led to the birth of an even more formidable power."
Hearing the elder's words, Xiao Ze raised an eyebrow but offered no rebuttal. Although clearing out the Yunlan Sect remnants was their primary goal, expansion was indeed happening.
"The Heavenly Snake Mansion also can't handle the Yunlan Sect remnants. When faced with the Sky Alliance forces, the only option will be to submit..."
The elder murmured, albeit knowing the chances were slim, they had still come hoping to preserve their heritage. Unfortunately, facing the resolute Sky Alliance Leader, they had no chance to maintain the Heavenly Snake Mansion's legacy.
"I only came with a sliver of hope. Now, hearing your words, my heart has settled, and I no longer hold out hope to preserve our lineage."
With the senior members of Heavenly Snake Mansion looking somber, recognizing their deeper allegiance to their mansion, the elder formally submitted. "I am the leader of Heavenly Snake Mansion, and I lead it in submission to the Sky Alliance!"
Xiao Ze responded, "The Sky Alliance welcomes the addition of Heavenly Snake Mansion. I hope that once part of the Sky Alliance, you will adhere to our rules and avoid causing discomfort to both sides."
Scanning the people of the mansion, now part of Sky Alliance's influence, Xiao Ze was confident they could easily integrate them. With the Sky Alliance's current strength, hosting four Dou Zuns, it ranked among the top powers of the Northwest Continent.
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(End of chapter)