Nine-Star Dou Zong-Heavenly Serpent Ancestor

Having learned that among the four Dou Zong of the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family — Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow —the second-ranked Earth Serpent possessed the cultivation of Five-Star Dou Zong, Xiao Lin naturally had some guesses about the strength of the remaining three.

"Judging from this, the Mystic Serpent and the Yellow Serpent are most likely Low-Star Dou Zong, while the Heavenly Serpent is probably a High-Rank Dou Zong expert, but we don't know what star he is!"

As he followed the Earth Serpent deeper into the Imperial Palace, Xiao Lin pondered to himself.

It can be said that among the Imperial Family of the Heavenly Serpent Empire, only the Heavenly Serpent itself can command Xiao Lin's attention.

Immediately, Xiao Lin and the Earth Serpent, each with their own thoughts, chatted idly as they entered the main hall of the Imperial Palace.

By the way, along this route, Xiao Lin also discovered a peculiar phenomenon within the Heavenly Serpent Empire.

In this empire, the image of the "snake" is almost deeply ingrained in people's minds.

Why do I say that?

Just like the name "Heavenly Serpent Empire," snakes are truly everywhere in this country.

From the living to the dead, wherever you look, you're bound to see something related to "snakes."

"Living" naturally refers to those snake-like magical beasts.

From the first rank to the Tier Six, Xiao Lin had seen them all along his journey.

Even some young children often have several Ordinary snakes hanging from their bodies, which look very spiritual.

What's most amazing is that snakes are cold-blooded animals.

For some reason, they were able to get along well with the people in the Heavenly Serpent Empire, and some of them had even formed contracts with snake-like magical beasts since childhood.

This is something that would be almost impossible in other countries!

However, within the Heavenly Serpent Empire, such things were almost commonplace for everyone.

It can be said that both the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family and the Heavenly Serpent Mansion possess all sorts of serpentine magical beasts.

As for the dead ones, it certainly doesn't mean they actually killed the live snake-like monsters.

Rather, it refers to the fact that various buildings and statues bear the shadow of "snakes".

For example, some houses have eaves shaped like snakes, some foods are made to resemble snakes, and some people have snake patterns tattooed on their bodies.

The most peculiar thing is that the two stone statues placed at the entrance of many families are not lions, but snake-like mythical beasts!

Sure enough, after entering the Imperial Palace of the Heavenly Serpent Empire, Xiao Lin had already seen countless snake statues along the way.

It's worth noting that even the flag of the Heavenly Serpent Empire features a powerful serpentine magical beast!

It is no exaggeration to say that the "snake" has become the totem of the Heavenly Serpent Empire.

Xiao Lin was amazed by what he saw.

However, this is their cultural heritage, so he naturally wouldn't say anything more.

And so, while observing the Imperial Palace of the Heavenly Serpent Empire and chatting with the Earth Serpent, Xiao Lin finally stepped into the main hall of the Imperial Palace and met the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire.

At this moment, Xiao Lin was standing on a red carpet that stretched from the entrance of the main hall to the throne, also embroidered with a snake pattern.

When Xiao Lin looked at the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire, he saw that the emperor was not wearing the traditional dragon robe that Xiao Lin was familiar with, but a black Heavenly Serpent Robe.

That's right, the black robe was tattooed with the legendary Ancient Heavenly Serpent!

This is also the symbol of the Heavenly Serpent Emperor.

At this moment, besides Xiao Lin and the Earth Serpent who had just entered, only the Heavenly Serpent Emperor was present in this Imperial Palace hall.

High on the throne, the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire also turned his gaze over.

"Your Majesty, Elder Lin, the envoy from the Jia Nan Academy, has arrived."

At this moment, the Earth Serpent respectfully bowed to the Heavenly Serpent Emperor was seated at the head of the table.

"Lin Xiao, envoy of the Jia Nan Academy, greets His Majesty the Heavenly Serpent Emperor!"

At this moment, Xiao Lin also clasped his hands in a fist salute to the Heavenly Serpent Emperor, and then nodded slightly to show his respect.

As someone representing Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Lin naturally didn't need to be as overly respectful to the Heavenly Serpent Emperor as the Earth Serpent was.

He only needs to perform the most basic courtesies.

"Elder Lin, there's no need for such formalities. It's truly a delightful thing that Jia Nan Academy is willing to participate in the Founding Ceremony of our Heavenly Serpent Empire!"

Haha, don't you think so, second brother?

The Heavenly Serpent Emperor first warmly welcomed Xiao Lin, representing Jia Nan Academy, and then asked the Earth Serpent, who was standing bowing to the side.

As for why the Heavenly Serpent Emperor would call the Earth Serpent "Second Brother"?

The reason is quite simple: the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire is the strongest member of the Imperial Family, namely the Heavenly Serpent Ancestor!

That's right, the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire is none other than the Heavenly Serpent Ancestor!

After all, apart from the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire, which other member of the Imperial Family would dare to claim the title of Heavenly Serpent Ancestor?

Unlike Jia Xing Tian of the Jia Ma Empire, although he is the guardian of the Imperial Family and the strongest, he is not the emperor of the Jia Ma Empire.

However, within the Imperial Family, Jia Xing Tian's status is higher than that of the Emperor of the Jia Ma Empire.

However, the situation in the Heavenly Serpent Empire is different.

In the Heavenly Serpent Empire, only the strongest member of the Imperial Family can become the emperor of this country and automatically inherit the title of Heavenly Serpent Ancestor!

Furthermore, the Earth Serpent is not actually the Heavenly Serpent Emperor, nor is he the younger brother of the Heavenly Serpent Ancestor.

Within the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family, the phrase "might makes right" is truly embodied to the fullest extent.

Therefore, if the strongest member of the Imperial Family becomes the emperor and inherits the title of the Heavenly Serpent Ancestor, then the Earth Serpent will naturally be the second strongest member of the Imperial Family!

Similarly, the Mystic Serpent is the third member of the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family, while the Yellow Serpent is the fourth.

In other words, the four strongest members of the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family will automatically inherit the title of Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow.

After that, they would address each other as brothers.

This is the situation of the Heavenly Serpent Imperial Family!

"Your Majesty is absolutely right; I think so too."

In this setting where outsiders are present, the Earth Serpent naturally addresses the Heavenly Serpent as "Your Majesty."

In private, he would call Heavenly Serpent "Big Brother".

The same principle applies to the Mystic Serpent and the Yellow Serpent.

"Your Majesty the Heavenly Serpent flatters us. Jia Nan Academy is equally honored to participate in your country's Founding Ceremony!"

Before I left, the First Elder repeatedly instructed me to convey the congratulations of the entire Jia Nan Academy to the Heavenly Serpent Empire.

In such situations, it's all about mutual flattery.

No matter how many nice words are said, it won't hurt him or Jia Nan Academy, right?

At the same time, Xiao Lin also took the opportunity to observe the true Dou Qi cultivation level of the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire.

He was none other than Peak Nine-Star Dou Zong!

He's probably just one step away from becoming Dou Zun expert.

However, what truly puzzled Xiao Lin was that the other party had deliberately suppressed their cultivation to the peak of the Eight-Star Dou Zong.

If the opponent hadn't been facing Xiao Lin, who possessed a Heavenly Soul Realm, even some Low-Star Dou Venerable would probably have been mistaken for an Eight-Star Dou Zong before he unleashed his full power.

It is obvious that the emperor of the Heavenly Serpent Empire, also known as the Heavenly Serpent Ancestor, deliberately concealed his true Dou Qi cultivation through some means.

Why would the other party do this?

Xiao Lin is currently unknown.

But one thing is certain: the other party is definitely plotting something!

Considering the upcoming Founding Ceremony, Xiao Lin guessed that the other party's scheme would likely be launched during this Founding Ceremony.