Chapter 43: The Serpent God Priests
It wasn’t that the Serpent Queen didn’t want to tell them. It was that if she did, they would definitely obstruct her plan. The risks were too high. One mistake, and the Water City would be doomed.
But she knew this was the only way to save the city, to save her people.
The lost territories could be reclaimed later.
“I have my own plan. You’re all dismissed.”
“But Your Majesty…”
“Dismissed!”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
…
After they left, she sighed wearily. Yun Xiu, beside her, said calmly, “Why not tell them? Otherwise, there might be… unforeseen consequences. ”
She shook her head.
“It’s not time yet.”
“—There’s no harm in telling them now.” Yan Zhen entered the room, his voice serious. “Your Serpent Generals are loyal to you. If you explain properly, they’ll understand.”
“It’s not that simple…”
“No, he’s right.” Yun Xiu’s words were sharp. “You’re just used to giving orders. You never consider… discussing things with others.”
“It’s none of your concern. I know what I’m doing.”
She crossed her arms, turning away stubbornly, her posture a haughty version of “la la la, I can’t hear you.”
He walked towards her, his voice sincere.
“You don’t have to carry this burden alone. Yun Xiu and I will help you.”
Yun Xiu added, “Creating discord between you and your subordinates isn’t wise.”
However, she was incredibly stubborn.
“I said I have it under control! Drop it! It’s late. Go to bed.”
She walked towards the exit, then, grabbing his wrist, pulled him along.
Yun Xiu, startled, quickly followed.
The Serpent Queen accelerated, using a Mystic Power-enhanced movement technique, transforming into a streak of red light, heading towards her bedchamber.
Yun Xiu, transforming into a silver whirlwind, gave chase.
They both rushed into the room, the door slamming shut behind them.
“Tsk.” The Serpent Queen glared at Yun Xiu. “This is my bedchamber!”
Yun Xiu said calmly, “You said I could stay here.”
“I changed my mind.”
“A queen’s words are absolute.”
The Serpent Queen’s eyes narrowed, then, after a moment of silence, she said, “I’m going to bathe with my beloved consort now. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave.”
He frowned.
“Don’t call me your ‘consort.’”
Yun Xiu immediately said, “Did you hear that? He doesn’t want to bathe with you.”
“I want to bathe with him.”
“I won’t let you force him to do anything!”
“Heh, you just want to bathe with him too, don’t you? You repressed woman!”
“Who’s repressed?! And you have no right to say that! You’re the same!”
“So you admit it?”
“I’ll admit it if you admit it!”
“Childish.”
“You too.”
“…”
“…”
He felt another headache coming on, unable to interrupt their bickering. When they finally paused, he quickly said, “Let’s just… bathe together!”
They both glared at him, their voices overlapping.
““In your dreams!””
— Heh, they’re so in sync.
He chuckled wryly.
“Ahem!” A flame-like mental wave emerged from the Serpent Queen’s forehead, Yan Yan’s childish voice echoing from within. “Mother, Aunt Yun, this isn’t good! You’re making Father uncomfortable!”
The Serpent Queen frowned, her voice cold.
“Children shouldn’t meddle in adult matters!”
Yan Yan’s voice was filled with grievance.
“Father~~~ Mother is being mean to me again!”
He could easily imagine her pouting.
He smiled wryly.
“Okay, I just wanted to let you know… I’ll be staying in the Fire Refining Starry Sky for the next few days. Don’t worry about me.”
“Staying inside the entire time?” Yun Xiu’s voice was filled with concern. “At least… come out for some fresh air during your breaks.”
“What kind of cultivation is so important?” The Serpent Queen was displeased. “You should at least spend some time with Yan Yan.”
“It’s just… I don’t want to be distracted.”
—“That’s not true!” Yan Yan interrupted. “Father is just hiding in the Fire Refining Starry Sky because he doesn’t want to hear Mother and Aunt Yun arguing!”
They both froze. They had considered that possibility, but they didn’t want to admit it.
“I… wouldn’t argue with her.”
“I wouldn’t argue with her!”
“You were the one who started it!”
“You were the one who interfered!”
“Look, you’re doing it again! If I were him, I wouldn’t want to stay here either!”
Yan Yan said, her tone like that of a wise elder.
They both looked at him, finding him wearing a wry smile, then fell silent, their words catching in their throats.
“It’s not really about you two. It’s mostly my own… issue.” He tried to comfort them. “We’re about to embark on a dangerous mission. I want to improve myself as much as possible before then. I don’t want to be a burden.”
“You don’t have to push yourself so hard.” The Serpent Queen lowered her head. “I’ll take care of everything.”
Yun Xiu, surprisingly agreeing with her, said, “Yes, Yan Zhen, we’ll find a way…”
“I feel like I should… contribute.” He scratched his cheek, his voice shy. “After all, you’re both… my women.”
They both blushed at his blunt words, their hearts filled with a mixture of joy and annoyance.
He also realized his words were… inappropriate. Before they could react, he escaped into the Fire Refining Starry Sky, seeking his Beautiful Sect Master’s comfort… or rather, her guidance.
…
Before dawn, he successfully drew the Water Rune, imprinting it on his sea of consciousness.
With the Water Rune complete, his Spiritual Power increased slightly. Activating his Spiritual Perception, he felt the world around him becoming clearer, more transparent. And the Water Rune’s gentle, harmonious nature significantly accelerated his Spiritual Power’s recovery speed.
Each rune of the Ancestral Talisman Scripture, once imprinted, enhanced his abilities. The Fire Rune increased his Spiritual Power’s output, the Wind Rune its circulation speed, the future Earth Rune its resilience, the Gold Rune its sharpness… Combining all nine runes would form the “Ancestral Rune,” enhancing his Spiritual Power in all aspects.
…
With the Water Rune finally complete, he claimed his reward.
[Special Trump Card: Slippery. Upon activation, makes Host incredibly slippery, like a mudfish, able to enter and exit any… opening with ease.]
“…”
— What’s the use of this card?! They’re not even trying to hide it anymore! Just giving me random rewards! System, get out here!
[Ding! The system is here. What are your commands, Host?]
— What can I even do with this card?
[The purpose of a Special Trump Card depends on Host’s choices.]
— Then why did you give me this card?
[It’s the result of extensive calculations.]
— You just want to see me… do things, don’t you?
[Ding! Friendly System Reminder: The System is not capable of experiencing… those things. Please don’t have strange thoughts about the System, Host.]
“…”
[Any other questions, Host?]
— No, get lost.
[Goodbye, Host. Mwah~]
“…”
This system was getting more and more shameless. It was unbearable.
He grimaced.
…
With the Water Rune complete, the next step was to create the sword embryo, using his Spiritual Power, like a small hammer, to forge the Gold and Silver Fire.
Not the flames themselves, but their core essence, shaping their form.
From now on, when he summoned the Gold and Silver Fire, it would manifest as a sword, the flames merely an accessory.
“Zhen’er, when forging the sword embryo, you need to integrate the power of the Water, Fire, and Wind Runes. Fire as the main element, wind as support, and the Water Rune to stabilize the embryo’s form.”
“Okay.”
“Forging the Gold and Silver Fire is a long process. Don’t rush it. Take your time. During the process, your Spiritual Power and rune application skills will improve. It’s excellent training. And it will also help you suppress the Evil Spirit Dragon Breath Fire’s side effects.”
“I understand, Master.”
She flipped her hand, summoning a small, dark blue cauldron, its surface shimmering with colorful light. She smiled.
“This is my personal weapon, forged from the Gold and Silver Fire, the Star Palace Cauldron. It’s inscribed with the power of the twelve constellations, making it a powerful tool for both combat and pill refining.”
He examined it, his first impression being its ornate beauty, like a fragment of the starry sky embedded within it, his second impression its immense power, its aura intimidating, its heat palpable.
Hot.
He remembered the script mentioning how she had used this cauldron to refine a Mystic Venerable alive!
“…It took me nearly ten years to forge this Star Palace Cauldron. If I reach the Saint realm, it will also ascend, becoming a Saint-level artifact.—Have you noticed anything… unique about it, Zhen’er?”
“Unique? You mean the constellation patterns? They don’t look like they were… carved.”
“Exactly. They appeared naturally during the forging process. The more intricate the patterns, the higher the quality of the finished product. And the patterns’ formation is influenced by the materials and techniques used. This is the essence of ‘tool forging’ in Mystic Refining.”
He nodded thoughtfully.
She smiled faintly.
“That’s enough talk. I’ll demonstrate. Watch carefully, Zhen’er.”
…
For the next few days, he spent his time in the Fire Refining Starry Sky, forging the Gold and Silver Fire, shaping the sword embryo.
Whenever he felt tired, he would stop, meditating to recover his Spiritual Power.
She was a strict teacher, meticulous and demanding, a stark contrast to her usual gentle and affectionate demeanor.
…
Five days later, the sword embryo was finally complete. Although it was still rough, its power far surpassed that of simply condensing flames into a sword.
He swung it experimentally, finding it perfectly balanced, an extension of his own body.
That was the advantage of a “personal weapon.” No need for attunement. It was instantly in sync with him.
He was excited. This was his first true weapon, and he would use it until the very end.
He wanted to continue refining it, but he was worried about the situation outside, so he left the Fire Refining Starry Sky.
…
As expected, something had happened.
During the past five days, the Western and Northern Fortresses had also “fallen.” The Sand Scorpion army, their forces combined, was marching on the Water City. They would arrive within three days at the latest.
This was in line with their predictions. The Serpent Queen’s plan was proceeding smoothly. However, her subordinates were growing restless.
Not only the Serpent Generals and the ministers, but even the soldiers and citizens who had been evacuated were starting to complain.
— Why aren’t we fighting? Why are we surrendering our territory? Where’s Her Majesty’s usual decisiveness? Why isn’t she retaliating?
Finally, someone, unable to endure it any longer, went to the temple…
This incident alerted the three Serpent God Priests.
In the Water City, royal authority and divine authority coexisted. The Serpent Queen, as the “Daughter of the Serpent God,” held supreme power. However, the three Serpent God Priests were her elders, their status revered, and even she couldn’t ignore them.
…
He arrived at the main hall, finding her confronting the three elderly women.
In the script, he wasn’t supposed to meet them until his proposal. This was much earlier, but their appearance hadn’t changed, their auras radiating an air of… entitlement.
It seemed the Serpent Queen had revealed her plan, but her subordinates strongly opposed it.
Her plan, venturing alone into the Crimson Sand Scorpion King’s lair to use the Great Crimson Skyfire to evolve her bloodline, sounded simple, but it was incredibly dangerous.
First, the Great Crimson Skyfire clashed with the Serpent Clan’s Yin, cold-blooded nature. Using it to evolve her bloodline was incredibly risky. She could even die.
Second, if the Crimson Sand Scorpion King sensed something amiss and returned with his forces, she would be killed.
They even suspected she was deliberately sacrificing herself to save the Water City.
She said coldly, “I’ve already told you, this is the only way to save the Water City! Defending it directly is futile!”
“But we can’t let you risk your life!” The High Priestess argued. “Even if the Water City falls, you can’t die! Don’t you understand, Serpent Queen? Anyone can take risks, but not you!”
Her Serpent God Bloodline, nearing atavism, making her the “Daughter of the Serpent God,” was incredibly rare.
If she died before producing an heir, even if the Water City survived, it would eventually decline.
Because the Serpent God Bloodline was the key to maintaining the oasis.
Without it, the oasis would be swallowed by the desert, and the Water City would cease to exist.
…
She naturally understood her importance. That’s why she hadn’t told them. But she hadn’t expected those traitors to summon the three old geezers! How dare they!
She glared at the eight Serpent Generals, kneeling silently, her anger intensifying as she saw Ye Mei among them.
— With Yun Xiu here… how embarrassing!
“I guarantee I’ll successfully evolve my bloodline and return to defeat the Crimson Sand Scorpion King… You just have to defend the Water City for ten days! There’s no better plan!”
“What guarantee can you offer? Your life? Hmph!”
“—I’ll guarantee it.”
Yan Zhen appeared, his movements a blur of starlight, his arrival dazzling.
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