Border Thunder, Serpent People Establish a Nation! (2-in-1 Chapter)

The border of the Jia Ma Empire, Black Mountain Fortress.

Though it had always been a vital military stronghold, it usually maintained a sense of order.

Yet now, both inside and outside the fortress, a suffocating air of slaughter and tension permeated the atmosphere.

Upon the city walls, blades were drawn from their scabbards and crossbows were notched.

The soldiers' eyes were sharp yet laced with exhaustion, fixed intently on the horizon where the endless, cloud-like expanse of the allied forces' encampment loomed.

The three great empires of Chu Yun, Luo Yan, and Mu Lan had amassed a million troops at the border.

The auras of Dou King and Dou Emperor powerhouses rose into the sky without restraint, like pillars of smoke, carrying naked provocation and threats.

Small-scale skirmishes and probes had already begun, and the air seemed to drift with the faint scent of blood.

Inside the main building of the fortress, the atmosphere was as heavy as an impending storm.

Jia Xingtian sat at the head of the table, his expression grim.

Hai Bodong, Nalan Jie, Mite Tengshan, and other top experts of the empire lined both sides, all wearing solemn faces.

The number of experts on the opposing side far exceeded their estimates; there were no fewer than ten Dou Emperors visible on the surface alone.

There were dozens of Dou Kings, and even more daunting were the three figures whose auras were obscure and profound, possessing the combat strength of low-star Dou Ancestors.

They were none other than Xie Biyan, Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect; Yan Luotian, Sect Leader of the Golden Goose Sect; and the three elders of Mu Lan Valley, who practiced a combined attack technique that allowed them to reach the level of a one-star Dou Ancestor when fighting together.

Although the Jia Ma Empire had Jia Xingtian, a newly ascended Dou Ancestor, to hold the line, their high-end combat power remained stretched thin, and the pressure was immense.

"Those bastards, do they really think my Jia Ma Empire is a soft persimmon!"

The Ice Emperor, Hai Bodong, had a fiery temper and slammed his fist onto the table.

His ice-attribute Dou Qi caused a layer of white frost to instantly cover the tabletop.

"It seems the turmoil at the Misty Cloud Sect and the previous unrest in the Imperial Capital have made them think there is an opportunity to be exploited."

Jia Xingtian's voice was low.

"Those who have come this time do not have good intentions; a bitter battle is likely unavoidable."

Just as everyone's hearts were heavy, the space above the fortress rippled without warning.

The next moment, four figures appeared silently within the main building like ghosts.

The leader, dressed in black, had a handsome, youthful face and eyes as deep as an abyss; it was Lin Chen.

To his left, a woman with a peerless face and a fiery figure stood gracefully, dressed in purple robes.

Her pale purple eyes swept over everyone present with indifference, and the pressure of a three-star Dou Ancestor spread out like a physical force.

This pressure made even Jia Xingtian, a newly ascended Dou Ancestor, feel a chill in his heart!

She was none other than Queen Medusa!

To his right, a little girl in white with a purple ponytail was looking around curiously.

The little girl was chewing on something, looking completely harmless.

But Jia Xingtian and the others dared not underestimate her in the slightest, for they could not fathom the depth of this little girl at all!

She was naturally Zi Yan.

"Master Lin!"

"You have finally arrived!"

Seeing Lin Chen appear, Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, and the others felt as if they had found their backbone.

They rose one after another, their faces filled with excitement and a sense of relief.

With this unfathomable young master present, the crisis before them suddenly seemed like nothing at all.

"I am already aware of the situation."

Lin Chen's gaze swept over the map, his tone flat.

"They are merely clowns; we shall resolve them all at once."

His tone was as relaxed as if he were going on an outing rather than facing a million troops and three Dou Ancestors.

Yet, this calmness instilled immense confidence in Jia Xingtian and the others.

"Master, the enemy has three Dou Ancestor-level combatants, we..."

Nalan Jie was still somewhat worried.

"It is of no concern."

Lin Chen interrupted him.

"Prepare to strike."

There was no need for excessive tactical discussion; in the face of absolute power, any scheme or trick appeared pale and laughable.

Half an hour later, the heavy gates of Black Mountain Fortress slowly creaked open.

Led by Lin Chen, Jia Xingtian, Queen Medusa, Hai Bodong, Zi Yan, and several Dou Emperors and over a dozen Dou Kings from the Jia Ma Empire transformed into streaks of light.

They were the first to charge out of the fortress, hovering in the sky before the two armies!

The opposing coalition forces had clearly already sensed them.

In an instant, dozens of formidable auras rose into the sky above the encampment!

The three figures in the lead possessed the most terrifying auras.

They were the strongest of the three-nation coalition: Xie Biyan, Sect Leader of the Ten Thousand Scorpion Sect of the Chu Yun Empire (a one-star Dou Ancestor); Yan Luotian, Sect Leader of the Golden Goose Sect of the Luo Yan Empire (a one-star Dou Ancestor); and the Three Elders of Mulan from the Mu Lan Valley of the Mu Lan Empire (whose combined attack could reach the level of a one-star Dou Ancestor).

The experts from both sides stood in confrontation in the air, their powerful auras colliding.

The clouds in the sky were torn apart, and the atmosphere became stifling to the extreme.

"Jia Xingtian, I didn't expect you to truly break through to the Dou Ancestor realm. We underestimated your Jia Ma Empire."

Xie Biyan spoke with a sinister, raspy, and unpleasant voice.

"However, do you think that with just you alone, you can stop the three of us Dou Ancestors?"

"If you know what's good for you, hand over half of the empire's resources, and perhaps we might leave you a path to survival!"

"Bah! You old poison-peddler, keep dreaming!"

Hai Bodong retorted immediately.

"Jia Xingtian, even if you are a Dou Ancestor, the three of us working together can suppress you!"

Yan Luotian sneered.

"Not to mention, the army we brought is enough to trample your Black Mountain Fortress into the ground!"

"Noisy."

Just as both sides were trading barbs, a calm voice that clearly reached everyone's ears rang out.

Lin Chen took a step forward.

His gaze swept indifferently over the dozens of experts on the other side, finally landing on Xie Biyan and the others.

"So it is you lot who want to trample the Jia Ma Empire?"

Wherever his gaze fell, Xie Biyan and the others felt their souls trembling.

It was as if they were being stared at by an ancient deity; that invisible pressure nearly caused the Dou Qi within their bodies to stagnate!

"Brat, who are you? This is no place for you to speak!"

The Great Elder of the Mu Lan Valley shouted sternly.

At the same time, they activated their combined attack technique, their three auras weaving into a golden light shield in an attempt to resist Lin Chen's pressure.

Lin Chen couldn't even be bothered to reply; he simply raised his right hand slowly.

"Since you have come, then all of you shall stay."

"Boundless Blood Sea..."

"Open!"

"Hum--!!!"

A dark red domain, even more condensed and terrifying than the one at the Misty Cloud Sect, erupted violently with Lin Chen at its center!

The domain expanded at an extreme speed, like a giant bowl turned upside down.

In an instant, it enveloped the three opposing Dou Ancestors, dozens of Dou Kings and Dou Emperors, and a vast expanse of the coalition's elite troops below!

"A domain?! It's this cursed thing again!"

A few individuals who had suffered at the Misty Cloud Sect exclaimed in shock.

But for most, it was their first time experiencing it!

In an instant, every enemy shrouded by the domain felt as if they had fallen into an endless abyss of blood!

Their movements became more than ten times more difficult!

Their Dou Qi circulation became sluggish and obstructed!

Even more terrifying, countless phantom vengeful spirits shrieked as they lunged forward, crazily assaulting their souls and minds!

Especially for Xie Biyan and the others, the suppressive force within the domain was specifically amplified against them.

Their Dou Ancestor auras were suppressed so tightly that they could barely exert even seventy percent of their peak strength!

"Not good! Quickly, join forces to break this domain!"

Xie Biyan screamed in horror.

He formed seals with his hands, and pitch-black poison Dou Qi condensed into a massive scorpion pincer, smashing fiercely against the domain barrier.

Yan Luotian and the Three Elders of Mulan attacked simultaneously as well.

Golden Dou Qi and the light of their combined technique intertwined, the three attacks layering together.

They erupted with power sufficient to shatter mountains!

However, before the attacks could even touch the domain barrier, Lin Chen's figure had already appeared before Xie Biyan like a ghost.

"Your opponent is me."

Lin Chen's tone was indifferent as he casually struck out with his right hand.

The palm, which appeared slow, contained an irresistible force.

It pierced directly through the pitch-black Poison Dou Qi and struck Xie Biyan squarely in the chest!

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, Xie Biyan was struck as if by a heavy blow.

His body flew backward like a kite with a broken string, blood spraying wildly from his mouth.

The dark, poisonous blood traced an arc through the air.

His body, which he prided himself on as a Dou Ancestor, had its bones shattered by this single palm, and the Dou Qi within him instantly fell into chaos!

"A one-star Dou Ancestor dares to act presumptuously before me?"

Lin Chen's figure flickered, catching up to the flying Xie Biyan once more.

His left hand formed a claw, locking onto the man's throat and pinning him fiercely against the void.

Xie Biyan struggled desperately.

Yet, he felt his neck gripped by iron pincers; no matter how he circulated his Dou Qi, he could not break free.

His eyes were filled with fear and disbelief—could this youth truly be this strong?

Having dealt with Xie Biyan, Lin Chen turned his gaze toward Yan Luotian.

At this moment, Yan Luotian was attempting to evade Queen Medusa's attacks, only to find himself locked on by Lin Chen.

"Trying to leave?"

Lin Chen tapped his fingertip.

A blood-colored finger beam tore through the air, moving at an extreme speed.

It instantly pierced through Yan Luotian's Dou Qi defense and struck his Dantian with precision!

"Crack!"

It sounded as if glass had shattered.

Yan Luotian's body stiffened; the Dou Ancestor origin within his Dantian had been severely damaged by this finger beam!

He looked down at his Dantian, all color draining from his face.

He let out a shrill, miserable howl: "My Dou Ancestor origin!"

Before he could react, Queen Medusa's figure appeared behind him.

With a wave of her slender hand, seven-colored Dou Qi swept out like a sharp blade.

It severed Yan Luotian's arm in one stroke!

With the power of a three-star Dou Ancestor erupting, Yan Luotian had no power to resist.

Queen Medusa kicked him in the chest, sending him crashing heavily toward the ground, completely incapacitated.

The remaining Three Elders of Mulan, seeing Xie Biyan captured and Yan Luotian severely wounded, were already scared out of their wits.

Daring not to fight any longer, they turned to break through the domain and flee.

"Stay."

Lin Chen's voice rang out.

The sea of blood within the domain instantly boiled, and countless Blood-colored Tentacles shot out.

They wrapped around the Three Elders of Mulan like a tidal wave.

The three men desperately circulated their combined attack technique, golden light flickering incessantly.

Yet, they still could not break free from the binding of the Blood-colored Tentacles.

Hai Bodong seized the opportunity to rush forward, an ice spear coalescing in his hand.

He thrust it fiercely into their Dou Qi defense, freezing them into three ice statues, unable to move.

In just a few short breaths, three low-star Dou Ancestors had been crushed by Lin Chen!

The Dou Emperors and Dou Kings below watched this scene and fell into utter despair.

Lin Chen finished with the Dou Ancestors and swept his gaze toward them, a cold arc curling at the corner of his mouth.

"It is your turn."

Lin Chen waved his right hand, and the sea of blood within the domain surged.

Countless blood-colored blades appeared out of thin air, raining down upon the Dou Emperors and Dou Kings below.

These blood-colored blades contained terrifying piercing power.

The defenses of those Dou Emperors were like paper before them, instantly pierced through!

Screams rose one after another; in less than ten breaths, more than half of the dozens of Dou Emperors and Dou Kings had fallen.

The remainder were also surrounded and slaughtered by Zi Yan and the Dou Emperors of the Jia Ma Empire, leaving them without the slightest power to resist.

Zi Yan was the most excited, shrieking and hollering as she charged into the enemy ranks.

Her tiny fists swung through the air, each strike imbued with terrifying, immense strength.

One by one, the Dou Kings were sent flying by her punches, their bones shattered and tendons snapped in a truly gruesome sight!

Lin Chen himself hovered in the center of the domain, watching the battlefield with cold indifference.

Occasionally, a stray fish would attempt to attack him, but they were unable to even get close.

Before they could reach him, they were dragged into the sea of blood by the Blood-colored Tentacles within the domain, transformed into mere nutrients.

Below, the Allied Forces of the three empires saw their three Dou Ancestors easily suppressed and their top powerhouses defeated as easily as chopping melons and vegetables; they were already scared out of their wits.

Their morale collapsed completely!

A million-strong army, defeated without a fight, trampled over one another, discarding their armor and weapons as they fled in a frantic retreat!

The Jia Ma Empire's army seized the opportunity to press the attack, expanding their victory.

In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the battle in the sky had already ended.

Xie Biyan had his cultivation crippled by Lin Chen and was tossed onto the ground.

Yan Luotian's dantian was heavily damaged, his arm severed, and he lay on the verge of death.

The Three Elders of Mulan were frozen into ice sculptures, having lost consciousness.

As for the Dou Kings and Dou Emperors, most were slaughtered, a few were captured alive, and not a single one escaped.

The high-end combat power of the three-nation alliance had been completely wiped out!

The million-strong army was scattered for a hundred miles, with countless dead and wounded!

Before the Black Mountain Fortress, corpses littered the fields, and the air was filled with wailing.

But more numerous still were the prisoners kneeling on the ground in surrender.

The Blood Sea Domain slowly receded.

Sunlight spilled down once more, yet it could not illuminate the blood and carnage across the battlefield.

Jia Xingtian and the others looked at the scene before them, still feeling somewhat dazed.

A massive crisis capable of destroying their nation had been crushed and resolved by Lin Chen alone?

The gazes they cast toward that black-robed figure ahead were filled with boundless awe.

Lin Chen drifted down, standing before Xie Biyan and the other captives.

"Now, we can discuss terms."

His voice remained calm, yet it sounded like the whisper of the Grim Reaper.

It caused Xie Biyan and the others to tremble violently.

Several days later, the news reached the imperial capitals of the Chu Yun, Luo Yan, and Mulan empires.

The entire nations were shocked, and the people were struck with terror!

Under the threat of absolute force, the emperors of the three nations had no choice but to dispatch delegations.

They traveled with bowed heads to the imperial capital of the Jia Ma Empire to sign a humiliating armistice treaty.

The treaty primarily included:

1. The three nations must pay a massive war indemnity to the Jia Ma Empire, including gold coins, medicinal herbs, monster cores, and mineral resources; the amount was so vast that it would leave the treasuries of the three nations empty for a decade.

2. Cession of vast, fertile lands and important cities bordering the Jia Ma Empire and the Tagor Great Desert.

3. Recognition of the Jia Ma Empire as their suzerain state, with annual tributes and yearly pilgrimages to the court.

In the imperial palace of the Holy City, Jia Ma Empire.

The envoys of the three nations were pale-faced, trembling as they stamped the treaty with their national seals.

Lin Chen sat high upon a seat beside the dragon throne (Jia Xingtian had insisted he take the seat of honor).

Jia Xingtian, Hai Bodong, Queen Medusa, and Zi Yan stood in rows on either side.

Watching the signing of that treaty, which forfeited their rights and humiliated their nations, the people of the Jia Ma Empire all felt a sense of pride and vindication.

At this moment, Lin Chen spoke again, his voice echoing throughout the great hall:

"Furthermore, the lands ceded by the three nations will not all be annexed into the Jia Ma Empire."

The crowd was stunned, and even Jia Xingtian looked at Lin Chen in confusion.

Lin Chen turned his gaze toward the cold and beautiful Queen Medusa beside him and said indifferently: "The environment of the Tagor Great Desert is harsh, and it is not easy for the Snake-People Tribe to survive."

"The ceded lands will be merged to establish a new kingdom—the Snake-Person Empire."

"Queen Medusa shall serve as its first Empress."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was astonished!

Queen Medusa's delicate body trembled slightly, her pale purple eyes snapping toward Lin Chen.

Her gaze was filled with an incredibly complex light of disbelief.

She had not expected that Lin Chen would secure such a massive foundation for her and the Snake-People Tribe!

A true empire, possessing fertile lands and cities!

This was ten thousand times better than being trapped in the desert!

The envoys of the three kingdoms looked ashen, yet they dared not speak their anger.

Jia Xingtian and the others were only slightly surprised before immediately reacting.

They offered their congratulations to Queen Medusa one after another: "Congratulations, Empress Medusa!"

They had long since treated Lin Chen's words as gospel, and besides, this move would provide the Jia Ma Empire with a solid and reliable ally.

Queen Medusa took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in her heart.

She bowed solemnly toward Lin Chen: "Thank you."

She understood that this generous gift meant the fate of the Snake-People Tribe would be completely transformed.

Lin Chen nodded slightly, accepting the gesture with composure.

This was the rightful foundation he had secured for the Snake-People Tribe after facing the crisis together with Queen Medusa.

The smoke of war at the border thus ended in a total victory for the Jia Ma Empire and the Snake-People Tribe.

The prestige of the Jia Ma Empire soared, making it the undisputed hegemon of the Northwest Continent!

The Snake-People Tribe had also ushered in a new beginning!

Having dealt with these trivial matters, Lin Chen's gaze once again turned toward the distance.

It was as if he had pierced through space, landing within the borders of the Chu Yun Empire.

"Next, it is time to go and claim that Nether Poison Fire."