Boom!
Gu Changqing's foot slammed forward, and the force of six hundred meters around him converged into his body, pressing down on the four Elders of the Snake Tribe.
Gu Changqing had reached the sixth level of the Foundation Establishment realm. The power of the Heavenly Dao he controlled covered a radius of six hundred meters—an area in all directions, centered on him. It might not sound like much, but within that range, Gu Changqing could manipulate everything—sky, earth, all energy within that six hundred meters.
In an instant, all of it erupted.
Even if it was the four Elders of the Serpent Clan, or perhaps even an early-stage Dou Venerate expert, they wouldn't necessarily be able to withstand such power.
Thud, thud, thud—
The four Elders of the Serpent Clan felt Gu Changqing approaching, carrying with him a torrent of overwhelming might, as if the entire world was behind him. This immense power forced them to step back involuntarily.
"So strong!"
"As expected of a powerful figure!"
"He must be a Dou Ancestor expert, without a doubt!"
The four Elders exchanged glances, each reading the same realization in the other's eyes.
Only a Dou Ancestor expert could command the surrounding forces of nature as effortlessly as Gu Changqing was doing now. His imposing aura left no room for doubt.
"Haha, this must be the young master Gu Changqing! Truly a dragon among men!"
"Young Master Gu, your strength humbles us. Please!"
"Might I ask if Young Master Gu hails from the Jia Ma Empire?"
"This young lady here must be Qing Lin? How beautiful she is!"
The four Elders warmly greeted Gu Changqing and Qing Lin, showering Qing Lin with kind words while probing for information about Gu Changqing.
"Enough with the pleasantries," Gu Changqing interrupted coldly. "The reason you've summoned me is already clear. I hope the Serpent Clan will submit to me. Serve me, and I will ensure your clan prospers for a thousand years in a fertile land where your people will thrive. All I ask is that you manage this land for me. What do you say?"
Gu Changqing didn't waste time with unnecessary formalities. He laid his demands out plainly.
"This..."
The four Elders hadn't expected Gu Changqing to be so direct, especially about demanding their submission.
"Impossible! The Snake Tribe will never bow to anyone—not even a Dou Ancestor expert or a seventh-tier alchemist!"
"I agree! We can collaborate, but submit? Never!"
"Young Master Gu, we cannot accept your offer!"
The four Elders of the Snake Tribe instantly rejected Gu Changqing's proposal without hesitation.
"No matter," Gu Changqing replied, a smile creeping across his face. "You will change your minds soon enough."
"What do you mean by that?" One of the Elders asked warily.
"Submit!" Gu Changqing shouted, making his move.
He gave the nearest Elder a fierce slap, his hand moving so swiftly that the Elder didn't have time to react.
"Watch out! He's attacking!"
"You're courting death!"
"How dare you!"
"Does he think the Snake Tribe is without fangs?"
The four Elders' faces darkened as they launched a combined attack, aiming to kill Gu Changqing.
"Three Flowers Bloom atop the Crown—Open!"
"Bow before me, all of you!"
Gu Changqing had no interest in a prolonged fight. Though his sixth-tier Foundation Establishment strength could hold its own against the four Elders, if he truly wanted to subdue them, he needed to utterly crush their spirit.
With just a few moves, the four Elders were slammed into the ground, their joint combat technique completely ineffective.
"Gu Changqing, you..."
Queen Medusa could hardly believe what she was seeing. In just one round, Gu Changqing had completely overpowered the four Snake Tribe Elders, leaving her feeling like a traitor for bringing him here.
"Hmph! You too, down on the ground!"
Without hesitation, Gu Changqing slapped Queen Medusa, sending her crashing to the ground as well. She struggled but couldn't rise.
"The four Elders of the Snake Tribe," Gu Changqing said coldly, "now that you've tasted defeat, I ask you again—will you lead your clan to serve me? Or should I go a step further and make all of you slaves under the power of Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?"
"You… You would use the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils against us?!"
The Elders were visibly shaken, glancing in fear at Qing Lin.
They knew the infamous Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils was the nemesis of all snake-like magical beasts, including the Serpent Clan with their serpent bloodline. They had never imagined Gu Changqing would go so far as to threaten them with it.
"Of course. Why else do you think I'm here?" Gu Changqing said coolly. "Submit to me, and we can discuss this matter peacefully. Otherwise, don't blame me for enslaving the entire Snake Tribe. The conditions will only get harsher if that happens."
"You...! Never!"
"You think you can enslave us? Let's see if that girl by your side has what it takes to subjugate us!"
"Prove your strength now, or the Serpent Clan will never yield!"
The four Elders were still defiant, even Queen Medusa remained silent, waiting to see what Gu Changqing would do next.
"Very well," Gu Changqing said, his tone turning icy. "It seems you need a little more persuasion. Since you have so much backbone, let's see how long you can last under my Bone-Piercing, Heart-Wrenching Curse. I hope you can endure it without begging for mercy."
Gu Changqing wasted no time. He used four drops of Innate Divine Demon Blood as a medium, etching four radiant curse seals onto the bodies of the four Elders. Then, without looking back, he left the depths of the Tagore Desert with Qing Lin.
"Hmph! That Bone-Piercing, Heart-Wrenching Curse is just some cheap trick. The Snake Tribe won't... ahhh! It's... it's stabbing into my bones, tearing my guts apart... my intestines, they're being twisted...!"
"Something's wrong! I can't control my body! It's like thousands of blades are slicing into my organs. The pain...!"
"My insides... they're being torn apart again and again! My heart is being ripped out! The agony...! Queen Medusa, save us! Aaaahhhh!"
Even before Gu Changqing had gone far, he could hear the agonizing screams of the four Elders behind him.
Gu Changqing smirked. He paid no attention to the pitiful wails.
Without drastic measures, the Snake Tribe Elders would never submit willingly. He could easily overpower or even kill them, but without their genuine cooperation, managing them would be a hassle. It was better to instill true fear in them, breaking their spirits so they would wholeheartedly serve him. Only then could they be truly useful.