"Just wait."
A serpentine warrior, upon hearing this, gave Elder Slenderwaist a long, cold glance before turning and walking deeper into the valley.
Elder Slenderwaist's expression remained calm, showing neither unease nor impatience. She calmly surveyed the valley, her gaze softening as it swept over the many young snakefolk.
These were the future of the snakefolk.
The younger generation always evoked a sense of hope and anticipation.
"There are probably far more snakefolk in this Snake Valley than expected. With so many offspring raised closely together, once they mature, it would be easy to raise an army of a million. And from the looks of it, these warriors are anything but weak—most of them are at the Life Aperture Realm, clearly elite fighters."
— Elder Slenderwaist pondered silently.
She had already formed an impression of the Snake Valley's strength, and it didn't surprise her. If the Snake Queen had truly awakened the Medusa bloodline, she would be the Mother of Ten Thousand Serpents. Any snakefolk living near her would naturally grow stronger, their cultivation advancing at twice the usual speed. This was the power of bloodline influence.
It was no exaggeration to say that Snake Valley was likely the strongest of all snakefolk tribes. And with time, its strength would only grow.
In the heart of Snake Valley was a lake. At the center of the lake stood a small island, upon which houses had been built, blending naturally into the scenery. A bamboo forest surrounded the area, and snakefolk maids and guards stood vigil in the shade of the bamboo groves.
At that moment, the Snake Queen lay lazily on a long bamboo recliner. Her entire body exuded an indescribable allure, and her posture was strikingly seductive.
A maid quickly walked in and approached the Queen.
"Snake Queen," she whispered, "a powerful fellow clanswoman is here asking to see you. Also, outside the Snake Valley, a large army of beastmen has arrived. According to our scouts, they've completely surrounded the valley. Among them is a Silver Behemoth. It's clear—they're not here with good intentions."
The maid quickly reported all the intelligence they had gathered. Clearly, the Snakefolk had already discovered everything happening outside the valley. And they knew—the beastmen were not here to pay a friendly visit.
"A fellow snakefolk comes calling, and beastman armies arrive at the same time… So, the Behemoth King has finally shown his hand. How eager he is."— The Snake Queen's eyes flashed coldly.
She had long foreseen this day. What she didn't expect was how quickly it would come.
"Let her in. Bring her directly to the lake island," the Snake Queen said calmly after a moment's thought.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the maid replied respectfully, then turned to leave.
Soon, she found Elder Slenderwaist and escorted her all the way to the lake island.
As Elder Slenderwaist saw the Snake Queen for the first time, a deep awe stirred in her heart.
What a queen. That face… that aura… No wonder the Behemoth King is obsessed with her. She's a true rare beauty—one in a million. Especially that regal air—clearly inherited through her bloodline.
"I greet the Snake Queen. I am Elder Slenderwaist of the Blackscale Snakefolk. You may call me Elder Slenderwaist," she said respectfully, despite her admiration.
As she spoke, she could feel a subtle, invisible pressure—a bloodline suppression—that confirmed her suspicion: the Queen's bloodline was extraordinarily noble and powerful.
"Why have you come to see me?" the Snake Queen asked plainly, still reclined, her tone calm and unreadable.
"To be frank, I've come to propose a marriage on behalf of someone," Elder Slenderwaist answered directly.
"The Behemoth King."
"Yes, His Majesty the Behemoth King," Slenderwaist nodded. "He has established the Ten Thousand Beasts Royal Court and now rules over the beastman tribes. He has always admired you deeply. If you were to marry him, it would be a union of great joy. You would be second only to the King himself, wielding immense power."
She continued, "The Behemoth King is a brilliant leader. With his strength, he has united our kind and built a true Royal Court. At this moment, only the Great Yi Dynasty of the human race can compare. Becoming Queen of the Royal Court would give you the platform to achieve far more. Only with power can we survive and prosper in this world."
Her words were filled with persuasion.
"It's not happening. I won't agree. If anyone wants to marry him, let them do it themselves," the Snake Queen replied icily, her voice devoid of emotion. Clearly, she had no interest in the offered status or power.
Elder Slenderwaist frowned slightly.
To be honest, if it were her, she would never hesitate. Nothing compared to becoming Queen of the Royal Court. That was the ultimate prize.
"In that case, allow me to present the betrothal gifts His Majesty has prepared," she said, quickly shifting her tactic.
"If status and power don't move you, perhaps practical treasures will."
"This is the Beautifying Pill. It preserves youth and beauty—something every woman dreams of."
— She revealed a glossy pill.
The Beautifying Pill was made from Vermilion Beauty Fruit, Lotus Petal Herb, Jade Skin Berry, and other rare ingredients. It could erase scars and preserve a woman's appearance for over a century. It was a Profound-grade pill—not top-tier, but still highly desirable among women.
The Snake Queen's eyelids twitched slightly. Even she, immune as she was to vanity, couldn't deny the appeal of eternal beauty. Still, she didn't let her face betray anything. Such a thing wouldn't shake her.
"This is the Mystic Moon Soul Pill," Slenderwaist continued, revealing another treasure.
This is a top-tier pill that enhances the soul, a true heaven-grade treasure. It wasn't even man-made—it was formed naturally by the world itself.
Made from Moongrass, Soul-Cleansing Flower, and Mystic Spirit Fruit, the white pill bore a crescent moon imprint and radiated spiritual energy. It could repair soul damage and enhance the user's divine soul—an extraordinary boon.
"This is the Soul-Cleansing Lotus, a peak Earth-grade spiritual herb that strengthens the soul and washes away karmic sins. It can even be used to refine powerful soul-restoring elixirs."
Once more, she brought out another treasure.
This plant absorbed soul fragments from the dead to grow. It enhanced the user's soul and purified the spirit—an extremely valuable resource.
"Hmph. The Behemoth King really did his homework," the Snake Queen said coldly.
Indeed—her Medusa bloodline gave her dominance over all snakes, but at a cost. When her hair transformed into snakes, her consciousness would splinter, and she'd have to divide her attention. This meant her spiritual will and soul strength were of paramount importance.
These soul-enhancing gifts struck directly at her weakness.
"This is just His Majesty's goodwill," Slenderwaist said quickly. "There is more—the Soul Dew Vine. I hear you've been seeking this."
This rare vine grew in places filled with death and suffering. It absorbed soul energy over millennia. After three thousand years, it bore fruit that dramatically enhanced the soul. The longer it aged, the more potent it became—up to nine thousand years. It was a Supreme Immortal-grade treasure.
"Enough!" the Snake Queen suddenly snapped. "I don't care what he's offering. Take it all back. I do not want any of it!"
Her tone was now sharp and unmistakably cold.
"Does the Snake Queen not realize that a beastman elite army, including a Silver Behemoth, currently surrounds Snake Valley? They are ready to strike at any moment. With Snake Valley's current strength, you would not be able to resist."
— Elder Slenderwaist's voice turned steely.