People of the Heavenly Snake Mansion

Su Heng tore off the green-clad figure's outer robe in one swift motion. Amid the emerald glow, a woman's fiery, seductive figure was laid completely bare in the desert breeze.

She appeared to be around thirty, still alluring despite her age. A simple green garment wrapped around her curvaceous, exquisite body, while her jade-like long legs and flat, powerful waist were exposed to the air.

She was dressed like a typical desert traveler!

Yet this woman was clearly no desert traveler. Most travelers in the Tagor Desert had their skin darkened by the blazing sun, but she was different. Her skin was tender and white as snow, clearly untouched by wind and hardship.

Or rather, the desert's meager hardships were simply incapable of affecting this woman.

"Senior, you may speak now. Who are you? Where did you come from? What are you here for?"

Su Heng already had a good idea of her identity, but he still wanted confirmation from her own mouth.

More than ten days ago, Little Gold had been sent to scout out the Mo Family's terrain. Yet when it returned, it had been trembling in terror, curled into a ball as it kept burrowing into Qing Lin's arms.

According to Qing Lin, Little Gold had encountered an extremely powerful magical beast. Its bloodline had been suppressed, and it had been scared out of its wits.

At the time, Qing Lin had thought that the Mo Family was secretly harboring a powerful magical beast. But the moment Su Heng heard that, his first thought was that someone from the Heavenly Snake Mansion had arrived.

Ever since meeting Qing Lin, Su Heng had known from his memories of his previous life that the Heavenly Snake Mansion would sense Qing Lin's Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes and send two Dou Emperors to take her away.

Su Heng had known this day would come sooner or later. He simply had not expected it to come so quickly.

Just as Su Heng was lost in thought, the green-clad woman under control slowly spoke.

"I... I am... from the... Heavenly Snake Mansion... Green Man."

Although her body was controlled by Qing Lin and even speaking was difficult, Green Man clearly had no intention of giving up resistance so easily.

She nearly exhausted all her strength trying to resist the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes. Surging blue-green dou qi erupted from her body, but it was ultimately useless.

The Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes possessed absolute suppression over snake-type magical beasts. The pressure originating from deep within the bloodline made it impossible for Green Man to gather dou qi and mount any meaningful resistance.

"I advise you not to struggle. The moment I saw you, I knew you were a snake-type magical beast that had taken human form. Qing Lin was fully prepared. You cannot resist at all."

The instant he saw Green Man, Su Heng had written several words in Qing Lin's soft little palm: The newcomer is a snake-type magical beast.

That was why Qing Lin had been able to react in time and immobilize Green Man the moment she entered her range of control.

"Besides, we have no old grudges or recent enmity. If you cooperate properly, I will not do anything to you. But if you insist on being stubborn and trying something..."

At this point, Su Heng suddenly gave a wicked smile. He walked to Green Man's side, lightly lifted her chin, and said in an extremely flirtatious tone,

"I would not mind giving my hardworking father another maid to serve tea, pour water, and warm his bed."

Su Heng had no interest in an old woman like this, but giving her to his father as a concubine would be fine. His mother was generous and broad-minded anyway; she would not care about such a thing.

Besides, who was Green Man? A Dou Emperor of the Heavenly Snake Mansion! A powerhouse capable of fighting two two-star Dou Emperors at once. If she truly became a maid, then throughout the entire Gama Empire, no one would dare provoke the Su Clan.

Upon hearing Su Heng's words, Green Man's face went pale with fright. She immediately became obedient. Given the ruthlessness Su Heng had just displayed, she did not even dare gamble on a chance.

"I understand. I'll talk. Ask me anything, and I'll tell you."

Green Man lowered her head dejectedly and no longer dared struggle. Qing Lin had only suppressed her cultivation for now and had not begun controlling her mind.

With Qing Lin's strength as a Six-Star Great Dou Master, she could already easily control snake-type magical beasts at the Dou Emperor level. Unless it was a snake-type magical beast with an exceptionally powerful bloodline like the Seven-Colored Heaven-Swallowing Python, all would bow their heads in submission.

"What kind of place is the Heavenly Snake Mansion? Why did you come here? Why did you attack Qing Lin?"

Su Heng stepped back and shouted sternly in a show of anger.

In truth, Su Heng knew everything about the Heavenly Snake Mansion. He simply wanted Green Man to explain it all to Qing Lin herself.

In fact, Su Heng was extremely conflicted at this moment. Going to the Heavenly Snake Mansion would be an enormous opportunity for Qing Lin.

If the Misty Cloud Sect was the greatest faction in the Gama Empire, then the Heavenly Snake Mansion was the strongest faction in the entire Northwest Continent of the Dou Qi Continent.

The Ice Emperor Hai Bodong had once said that the Misty Cloud Sect ranked as second-rate within the Northwest Continent, while the Heavenly Snake Mansion was first-rate. At a sect convention in the Northwest Continent, they had defeated the leaders of many sects and nearly become the overlord of the region.

By that standard, the master of the Heavenly Snake Mansion should be at the peak of the Dou Ancestor realm or a low-star Dou Venerable.

For Qing Lin, going to the Heavenly Snake Mansion was not a bad thing, because they would devote all their efforts to nurturing and caring for her.

Aside from wanting to arrange a marriage between Qing Lin and the son of their former leader, the Heavenly Snake Mansion would be tremendously helpful to Qing Lin. They could be considered a very good group of people.

If Su Heng prevented Qing Lin from going to the Heavenly Snake Mansion, then he would be causing her to miss the opportunity to become a Dou Emperor or even a Dou Ancestor for the sake of his own selfish desires.

He truly loved Qing Lin, so naturally he did not want to delay her future like that.

Yet emotionally, Su Heng truly could not bear to part with Qing Lin. He had long grown accustomed to having her by his side. The two of them cared for and supported each other, relying on one another through hardship.

Thus, Su Heng decided to let Qing Lin make the choice herself. As the bearer of the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes, Qing Lin could sense some of the emotions of snake-type magical beasts. Perhaps Green Man's sincere goodwill would give Qing Lin a new perspective on how she should analyze and consider this matter.

"Our Heavenly Snake Mansion is a magical beast clan descended from the Ancient Heavenly Snake bloodline. We are located in the Heavenly Snake Empire and are also one of the factions of the Northwest Continent..."

"The elders of our clan sensed the emergence of the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes and wished to invite the Holy Maiden back to the clan for training. That is why they dispatched White Fang and me to welcome the Holy Maiden."

Green Man spoke with complete sincerity, without the slightest hint of falsehood. Qing Lin could sense this as well.

Therefore, upon hearing Green Man say that she bore no ill will, Qing Lin relaxed slightly. The emerald glow in her eyes dimmed somewhat, and the murderous chill from before faded.

"You said White Fang? Who is he? Where is he now?"

White Fang was naturally the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor. Su Heng knew he was currently lying in ambush somewhere, waiting to support Green Man, but Qing Lin did not.

If the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor made any extreme move and enraged Qing Lin, things would become serious!

Su Heng did not want a conflict with the Heavenly Snake Mansion. They truly were not bad people.

"Make him come out!"

Qing Lin glared fiercely at Green Man, who was suppressed by the eerie light. Green Man immediately trembled all over in terror.

Faced with Qing Lin, who had activated the power of the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes, Green Man did not dare delay in the slightest. She immediately placed a slender jade finger in her mouth and blew a whistle.

A sharp, resounding whistle mixed with a strange sound wave spread toward the distant desert.

Boom...

Not long after the whistle rang out, a thunderous rumble suddenly sounded from the distant desert horizon.

A massive serpent more than a dozen zhang long suddenly soared into the sky before speeding toward them. Its enormous shadow blotted out the sun and covered the earth like dark clouds pressing down upon the land.

The serpent flew at terrifying speed. With a twist and swing of its huge tail, it seemed to teleport. The black shadow flickered several times, and it had already arrived not far from Su Heng and the others.

As the giant serpent approached, its full appearance entered Su Heng's sight. Though he had been mentally prepared, seeing the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor in person still left Su Heng deeply shaken, his limbs trembling.

The Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor was entirely black. Its obsidian-like scales glimmered with an unusual light beneath the sun, while streaks of vibrant patterns faintly drifted across the surface of its body.

Eight black wings tinged with purple grew from the sides of its body. A black spiral horn extended from the top of its head, its tip flickering with a faint purple glow.

The horn and the bones atop the serpent's head vaguely formed the shape of a crown. What impressed Su Heng most, however, was the intelligence and cunning in its triangular pupils, no less than that of a human.

"This junior, Su Heng, greets Senior White Fang. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call you the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor?"

Su Heng glanced at the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor behind him, then respectfully bowed with considerable reverence.

Although he had no real connection with this giant serpent, his favorable impression of the Heavenly Snake Mansion made Su Heng remain courteous. He did not commit any breach of etiquette.

"Brat, you have good eyes. You recognized this emperor after just one glance!"

The Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor's enormous jaws slowly opened and closed. Its crafty gaze swept toward Green Man, who was suppressed by Qing Lin. Then, its massive body shrank at a visible rate until it was the size of a human, though it retained its serpent form.

This transformation was extraordinarily refined. As an Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor, White Fang was already exceptionally fast. By shrinking its body, it could naturally move even faster, while its smaller form would cause less destruction in battle and avoid affecting Qing Lin.

As for Su Heng? In its eyes, he was insignificant. If necessary, it would simply kill him.

"Senior, are you preparing to attack this junior? I advise you not to do that. Otherwise, Qing Lin and I will not be polite."

White Fang's little scheme was completely obvious to Su Heng. He quickly retreated behind Qing Lin and gave her a signal.

The emerald glow in Qing Lin's eyes immediately erupted, then began to condense as it gradually gathered above Green Man's head. Once the eerie light converged into a single spot, Green Man would completely lose her consciousness and become Qing Lin's pet.

In truth, Green Man had been physically controlled by Qing Lin's Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes for some time already. As long as Qing Lin wished it, a single thought would be enough to completely subdue her.

White Fang might possess divine speed, but no matter how fast it was, it could not be faster than a thought. Thus, Green Man was more frightened than anyone else.

She did not wish to become Qing Lin's pet, much less turn against White Fang.

"Stop! Don't! Don't! White Fang, don't act recklessly!"

The terror of imminent subjugation made Green Man howl madly. Tears filled her eyes as despair rose in her heart. She continuously begged Su Heng and Qing Lin for mercy while repeatedly waving at White Fang, signaling it not to move.

"Qing Lin, don't act yet."

Su Heng tugged Qing Lin's little hand and spared Green Man for the moment.

"Brat, release Green Man. We can discuss anything. Our Heavenly Snake Mansion bears no ill will. We only wish to bring the Holy Maiden back."

Seeing Green Man beg frantically, White Fang was startled as well. It had merely prepared to attack, yet Su Heng had immediately seen through it and turned the threat back on it. This human's scheming was truly rare.

"Hmph. Give me a reason why I must discuss things properly with you. Otherwise, I would not mind having Qing Lin take two Dou Emperors as pets at once."

Although Su Heng was bluffing, it was not entirely impossible. Both White Fang and Green Man's expressions changed, and the aura around them weakened considerably.

"Little girl, you bear the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes. You are the Holy Maiden our Heavenly Snake Mansion sees only once every several centuries."

"Not long ago, the elders of our clan sensed that the Bi-Snake Three-Flower Eyes had emerged. The mansion master then ordered the two of us to enter the Gama Empire and invite you back. As long as you are willing, we will never harm anyone."

White Fang deliberately slithered to a position farther from Su Heng before speaking respectfully to Qing Lin.

"Yes, Holy Maiden. Every word White Fang said is true. Please show mercy."

Qing Lin and Green Man had already formed a certain spiritual connection, so Qing Lin could naturally sense that Green Man was not lying.

"I will not go with you. I will not leave Brother Su Heng. If you truly bear no ill will, then leave."

Qing Lin's expression darkened as she directly rejected White Fang's request. She walked to Su Heng's side, wrapped her arm around his, and spoke with utter resolve.

"Holy Maiden... If you stay with this little... little brother, you will only delay your future. He may be a Third-grade Alchemist, but our Heavenly Snake Mansion is the number one faction in the Northwest Continent. He cannot give you anything at all."

White Fang had initially wanted to curse him as a brat, but upon seeing Qing Lin's determined gaze filled with love, it forcibly changed its words.

It had no desire to provoke Qing Lin. She could handle it as easily as handling a little bug. If Qing Lin suddenly attacked, it would neither be able to evade nor escape. No matter how fast the Eight-Winged Black Snake Emperor was, it could not be faster than light.

"I have no interest in the number one faction of the Northwest Continent. Leave!"

Qing Lin's expression was firm. She had no desire to pay attention to White Fang or Green Man, and the two could only look at each other in silence.

Using force was clearly impossible. Green Man would be turned into Qing Lin's pet immediately, then battle White Fang. Once Green Man restrained White Fang, Qing Lin would only need a brief moment to recover before taking White Fang down as well and completing a double kill.

What about attacking Su Heng to distract Qing Lin and taking the chance to knock her unconscious?

If White Fang and Green Man had come to kill someone, they would have chosen that plan without hesitation. But they had genuinely come to invite her. Su Heng's relationship with Qing Lin was obvious. If they dared touch Su Heng, they would undoubtedly be doomed.

They were merely somewhat proud, not tired of living and seeking death.

But Qing Lin only wanted to remain with her beloved, and she had no interest whatsoever in the Heavenly Snake Mansion. The two of them could not persuade her at all.

The situation fell into a stalemate. Fight? They could not. Negotiate? They had no idea what to do...

After a long while, Green Man finally thought of a solution. She turned gently toward Su Heng and asked softly,

"Little brother, would you be willing to join our Heavenly Snake Mansion?"

Green Man was indeed quick-witted. She had figured out that Qing Lin listened completely to Su Heng. Although the Heavenly Snake Mansion had never recruited humans before, Green Man still had a little influence within the mansion. Making an exception for the Holy Maiden would be possible.

Moreover, Su Heng was already a Third-grade Alchemist at such a young age and possessed four Beast Flames. His future potential was limitless. As long as he could break through to become a Sixth-grade Alchemist, he would have a place in the Heavenly Snake Mansion and earn respect.

No matter how one looked at it, this deal would not be a loss!

"Yes! Little brother, would you be willing to join our Heavenly Snake Mansion? Green Man and I will vouch for you. No one will dare bully you. As long as you agree, this matter will be easy to handle."

White Fang's reaction was not slow either. It immediately understood Green Man's intentions and promptly cooperated with her.

Under the two women's eager gazes, Su Heng gave them an answer that was fairly satisfying.

"Sure. The Heavenly Snake Mansion is the number one faction in the Northwest Continent, and I am being invited by two Dou Emperors. Do I have any reason to refuse?"

"However, you two are offering nothing but words. How can I be sure this is a sincere invitation rather than a delaying tactic?"

At this moment, Su Heng was rather impressed by these two magical beasts. They had actually come up with a solution in such a short time.

For Su Heng, joining the Heavenly Snake Mansion carried no psychological burden or obstacle at all, because he had always had a favorable impression of the organization.

Moreover, in his memories of his previous life, when Qing Lin appeared in the Central Plains during the middle and later stages, she had personally said that the Heavenly Snake Mansion treated her very well. Su Heng had even fewer concerns because of that.

Besides, if he truly joined the Heavenly Snake Mansion, Su Heng himself could gain a huge amount of resources and find the Su Clan a backer that no one would dare provoke. It was entirely beneficial and without harm.

However, he could not leave with Qing Lin just yet. The Mo Family had not been completely uprooted, and the Su Clan still needed him to handle the aftermath and look after them. In the short term, he could not leave the Gama Empire.

But Su Heng would never obstruct Qing Lin from obtaining the opportunity she deserved. After weighing everything, having the Heavenly Snake Mansion take the initiative to invite him was the best solution and the best way forward.

All that remained was to persuade Qing Lin and have her wait for him for a while.