Two Foxes and a Dog

Yan Shi and Feng Li did not head to the Misty Cloud Sect first.

They first found the Jia Ma Imperial Family and told Jia Xing Tian everything that had happened.

Jia Xing Tian pondered for a long time after hearing them out, then finally told them that he would inform the Misty Cloud Sect of the news.

"Great-Grandfather... do I still need to marry into the Xiao Family?" Yao Ye stepped forward and asked.

"Set off for Wutan City first. I'll go to the Misty Cloud Sect and sound them out, see how that old fellow Yun Shan is doing now."

"An alliance with the Snake People Clan is nothing much. The Chuyun Empire, Luo Yan Empire, and Mu Lan Empire are all no weaker than our Jia Ma Empire."

"If the Misty Cloud Sect can be used by our imperial family, then we need only maintain Yao Yue and Xiao Yan's master-disciple relationship. If not, let the Misty Cloud Sect fight the Snake People Clan, while we further deepen our ties with them."

"But no matter what, we must never stand against Xiao Yan."

Jia Xing Tian let out a long sigh. How could he not know of the blood-deep enmity between the Snake People Clan and humans? But so what? Humans slaughtered one another without end as well.

Xiao Yan possessed methods on the level of a Dou Ancestor, and with Queen Medusa having broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm, the Jia Ma Imperial Family was already at a disadvantage when facing Xiao Yan.

"Should we manage public opinion? Some may say that my marriage into the Xiao Family is beneath me. Would that anger Xiao Yan?"

"We should manage it. Say that we are the ones reaching above our station—if even the Snake People Clan follows Xiao Yan's lead, and Queen Medusa has broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm, then our imperial family is already no match for them." Jia Xing Tian sighed again.

"...I understand, Great-Grandfather." After making some preparations, Yao Ye got ready to head to Wutan City to find Xiao Ding.

Xiao Ding did not love her. Yao Ye knew that clearly. However, for the Xiao Family's sake, Xiao Ding would certainly marry her and would be willing to treat her well. Yao Ye knew that just as clearly.

With this, the Jia Ma Imperial Family could practically be said to have taken the Xiao surname. Yet Xiao Yan had so dramatically subdued the Snake People Clan. If the Jia Ma Imperial Family did not wish to be cast aside, they could only deepen their connection with the Xiao Family.

The Misty Cloud Sect was the most powerful human force in the Jia Ma Empire, even surpassing the imperial family.

If not for the Misty Cloud Sect's ironclad rule that the sect could not seize imperial authority, the Misty Cloud Sect would likely have controlled the entire Jia Ma Empire long ago.

Because of this, the Jia Ma Empire's imperial family had always been extremely wary of the Misty Cloud Sect. It was only with the emergence of Jia Xing Tian and the Surging Dragon Beast that this generation of the imperial family finally possessed strength capable of making the Misty Cloud Sect somewhat wary.

Thus, the battle-hardened elite legion stationed by the Jia Ma Imperial Family at the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain had managed to coexist peacefully with the Misty Cloud Sect all this time.

The imperial family had deployed that legion here for many years, and its purpose was obvious to nearly everyone—they were guarding against the Misty Cloud Sect.

The imperial family had no choice but to be on guard. The Misty Cloud Sect stood atop Misty Cloud Mountain, only several dozen li from the Imperial Capital. The two were far too close together, and for a Dou Emperor powerhouse, that distance was within easy reach.

Jia Xing Tian made no attempt to conceal the aura of a Peak Dou Emperor. It shot into the heavens as he flew into the Misty Cloud Sect.

"Jia Xing Tian, what are you trying to do?!" Misty Cloud Sect Great Elder Yun Leng sensed the overbearing aura and immediately flew before Jia Xing Tian to confront him.

"It isn't about what I'm trying to do. Your Misty Cloud Sect has caused a huge mess," Jia Xing Tian said unhurriedly.

"What a joke! Who would dare provoke our Misty Cloud Sect?"

"Pill King Gu He invited your sect leader deep into the Tagor Desert in search of a Heavenly Flame. Queen Medusa broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm and detained them."

"Queen Medusa demands that the Jia Ma Empire provide the Snake People Clan with a place to live, with all expenses borne by your Misty Cloud Sect."

"The Jia Ma Imperial Family naturally does not need the Misty Cloud Sect to pay. However, even if we provide the Snake People Clan with a place to live, we cannot guarantee that Queen Medusa will release them."

Jia Xing Tian's words made Yun Leng's expression shift. He wanted to refute him, yet had no grounds to do so. He could only darken his face and say, "Then what do you intend to do?"

"It is actually quite simple. So long as we join forces, with me, a Peak Dou Emperor, taking command of your Misty Cloud Sect's Cloudy Smoke Covering Sun Formation..."

"In your dreams!" Yun Leng was like a furious lion. "Jia Xing Tian, you clearly want to exploit this crisis! You are plotting to seize our Misty Cloud Sect's Cloudy Smoke Covering Sun Formation!"

"You may eat carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly. I am clearly worried for Gu He and Yun Yun's safety. Queen Medusa has already broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm. Even the Cloudy Smoke Covering Sun Formation needs a Dou Emperor to lead it if it is to contend with her," Jia Xing Tian said earnestly.

"Hmph. A Dou Ancestor? Who said our Misty Cloud Sect has no Dou Ancestor?" Yun Leng sneered.

"Oh? Could it be that Yun Shan has broken through to the Dou Ancestor realm? The heavens truly favor our Jia Ma Empire!" Jia Xing Tian's face filled with delight.

Yun Leng coldly stared at the shameless fellow Jia Xing Tian. He took a cloud-white flute from his Storage Ring, brought it to his lips, and blew hard.

At once, a strange, piercing tone emerged from the flute and spread throughout the entire Misty Cloud Sect.

In Jia Xing Tian's perception, a vast and majestic aura arose from deep within Misty Cloud Mountain. Carrying unrivaled pressure, it descended as though it would tear open the sky!

All Misty Cloud Sect disciples could not suppress the reverence in their hearts and knelt toward where the aura spread from. Even Yun Leng, the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder, respectfully bowed.

A white figure appeared in Jia Xing Tian's line of sight from afar. This figure had no Dou Qi Wings, instead stepping directly through the air. In an instant, he arrived before Yun Leng and Jia Xing Tian.

Yun Shan did not appear particularly old. His face lacked the wrinkles expected of an elder; instead, it was like warm jade emitting a faint glow.

"Hehe, truly enviable. It seems that breaking through to the Dou Ancestor realm really brings considerable benefits!" Jia Xing Tian stepped forward with a smile.

"Yun Leng, explain yourself. You know what I said: unless it is an extremely serious matter, do not disturb my secluded cultivation." Yun Shan ignored Jia Xing Tian and looked at Yun Leng instead.

"Old Sect Leader, you finally came out! Jia Xing Tian came right to our door demanding the Cloudy Smoke Covering Sun Formation!" Before Yun Shan, Yun Leng was like a child, crying out in grief.

"Where is Yun Yun?" Yun Shan frowned. With Yun Yun present, Jia Xing Tian could never have forced the Misty Cloud Sect like this.

"Misfortunes never come singly! Sect Leader Yun Yun escorted Pill King Gu He into the Tagor Desert in search of a Heavenly Flame, but Queen Medusa, who broke through to the Dou Ancestor realm, detained them and demands that our Misty Cloud Sect pay to ransom them!" Yun Leng wailed even more miserably.

Yun Shan's mind immediately buzzed. Was this not far more important than Jia Xing Tian coming to their door? What was Yun Leng thinking? If Yun Yun were still here, would Jia Xing Tian dare come over?

"Ahem, Queen Medusa merely seeks a place for the Snake People Clan to live. Our imperial family can handle that ourselves. It is only that without Dou Ancestor-level strength, I fear Queen Medusa may be unwilling to release them," Jia Xing Tian hurriedly tried to smooth things over.

"So that is how it is." With a turn of thought, Yun Shan understood the situation. The imperial family was not worth worrying about; their attempt to exploit the crisis was one thing, but Queen Medusa was the truly difficult one to deal with.

"I will make a trip to the Snake People Clan. Leave the matter of dividing the territory to the imperial family."