The Behemoth King had long since estimated the strength of the Snake Valley. No matter how strong the valley was, it couldn't withstand the assault of the army outside. Even if they managed to hold out for a time, the end result would not change. Going against the entire Myriad Beast Court with only Snake Valley was undoubtedly like an egg striking a rock—there could be no other outcome.
This was clearly a combination of both soft persuasion and hard coercion. Regardless of the means, the Behemoth King would not hesitate to use whatever was necessary to achieve his goal. Even threats were on the table. Though the Serpent Queen might one day become the queen of the Myriad Beast Court, for now, it was the will of the Behemoth King that reigned supreme. Everything else could be put aside.
"Are you threatening me? Do you really think that just because I'm from the Serpentfolk, I wouldn't strike you down?"The Serpent Queen's expression turned cold as she looked icily at Elder Slenderwaist. Clearly, those words had struck a nerve.
"Of course not. This isn't a threat—just a simple fact. With your wisdom, Your Majesty, you must see that."Elder Slenderwaist showed no fear and calmly continued, "His Highness the Behemoth King desires you fiercely—he's willing to pay any price. I trust you already know this in your heart."
Indeed, it was true. But a truth spoken aloud was no less a threat.
With a massive army outside, the message was clear: submit, or face destruction.
The Serpent Queen remained silent.
"As long as you agree, there will be no need for bloodshed. Moreover, the dowry His Highness is offering is astronomical. What I just mentioned was only a small portion. There are even more rare treasures included. If you agree, these treasures will immediately be delivered into Snake Valley—to become yours."
Elder Slenderwaist continued.
The Serpent Queen stayed silent. Of course she understood. But to submit to that brute, the Behemoth King? That was utterly impossible.
"Our visit this time is with hopes of a peaceful resolution. Unless there is no other choice, we won't resort to violence. This," Elder Slenderwaist said, placing a jade scroll before her, "is the dowry list. I believe once you've read it, you'll have a decision."
Then, she stood and added, "Three days. You have three days to decide. We'll be waiting outside Snake Valley, hoping for a mutually agreeable outcome."
She gave a small bow—a gesture of respect for the Serpent Queen's noble lineage—then departed. No one stopped her, not even the warriors of the Serpentfolk.
The Serpent Queen watched her leave, expression cold and unreadable.
"Your Majesty, what should we do now?"A handmaiden by her side asked anxiously. The pressure of an enemy army weighed on everyone in Snake Valley like a heavy shackle.
"The Seven-Colored Celestial Scale Robe… Even such a treasure is included?"
The Serpent Queen picked up the jade scroll and casually flipped it open. Immediately, a rare item caught her eye: a robe radiating seven-colored light, its scales shimmering brilliantly.
This robe, according to the list, was made from the scales of the legendary Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Python. It possessed immense defensive power—techniques and divine powers cast upon it would be naturally swallowed and weakened, their strength halved or more. Even if some power remained, the robe would remain unscathed.
In battle, it was the perfect trump card.
Not only that, but it was exquisitely beautiful—something no female cultivator could easily resist. Especially for the Serpentfolk, this robe held even greater significance. The Seven-Colored Devouring Sky Python was one of the top-tier serpentine creatures, its bloodline no less noble than that of the Medusa. Wearing the robe would subtly enhance and evolve the wearer's serpent bloodline.
This hidden benefit alone was enough to drive many Serpentfolk mad with desire.
"Seems the Behemoth King truly desires you, Your Majesty. He's even offering this sort of treasure," the handmaiden exclaimed in amazement.
She had served the Serpent Queen long enough to speak candidly.
"Hmph. What use are such treasures? I have no interest,"the Serpent Queen said with disdain, glancing briefly at the scroll before looking away.
"Then what should we do now? Should we try to escape within these three days?"the handmaiden hesitated.
"Impossible. Escape is not an option. The Behemoth King brought an army—he won't give us any chance to flee."The Serpent Queen shook her head. She knew the influence of the Myriad Beast Court. Even beastmen tribes outside the Beast Plains couldn't resist their sway. The Behemoth King was royalty; establishing a royal court was simply a natural extension of his identity and power.
If escape were an option, she would have done so when the Behemoth King first proposed marriage.
"Then, Your Majesty, why not escape on your own? With your strength, they couldn't possibly capture you. Once you leave Snake Valley, the Behemoth King won't be able to find you."
The handmaiden suggested.
She knew full well that the Serpent Queen had the power to flee if she wished. However, if she fled, the entire Snake Valley would suffer the full wrath of the Myriad Beast Court—possibly wiped out in a bloodbath.
That was the only reason she hadn't already left.
"Don't worry. Snake Valley isn't as easy to break into as they think. The defensive restrictions here are formidable. If they want in, they'll pay dearly."
The Serpent Queen's voice was calm. She was confident in Snake Valley's protective formations.
"Xiaobi, I need you to do something for me."
The Serpent Queen suddenly spoke.
"Your Majesty, please instruct me,"the handmaiden Xiaobi replied respectfully, without hesitation.
"I have a letter. You must deliver it to the Great Yi Dynasty—to King Yi himself. No matter what method you use, you must reach him and place this letter in his hands."
After a moment of silence, the Serpent Queen made her decision.
"Great Yi... King Yi…"Xiaobi was stunned.
Of course she knew of Yi Tianxing. The Great Yi Dynasty's name was thunderous. Recently, it had been expanding aggressively. Through meritocratic recruitment and conquest, their territories had rapidly grown. Even among the alien tribes, the Great Yi Dynasty was spoken of with awe.
But to go to Great Yi—to approach Yi Tianxing himself—was practically a death mission for a non-human. The fairy cities of Great Yi were forbidden zones for outsiders.
"I'm not afraid to die, Your Majesty. But how can I even get near King Yi?"
"Don't worry," the Serpent Queen said calmly, "As long as you say my name, he will meet you."
When she mentioned Yi Tianxing, her tone carried a strange, indescribable emotion. Her thoughts involuntarily drifted to a memory… a certain moment they once shared in a mountain valley.
"But... how can I leave the valley when we're surrounded?"
"Don't worry. I have a way."
She looked up into the sky and said quietly.
At the same time, in a hidden location outside Snake Valley, several figures were lurking underground in a small chamber they had dug out. Before them floated a round light mirror, displaying real-time images from the surface above.
"What's going on? Why are these beastmen here? And they're elites—Minotaurs and Werewolves working side by side? This looks like a Myriad Beast Court army! The only time I've seen such a force was when the Behemoth King attacked Xuanhuang City. They're not exactly a peaceful bunch…"
"Yeah, and they've surrounded Snake Valley. Something big is going down. There's even a Behemoth elite unit present."
"Notify the boss. This is beyond us. He needs to decide the next move."
"Right. The boss always said Snake Valley was unusual and sent us to monitor it. I thought it was overkill—but it looks like we've caught a big fish."
"I was bummed to miss the Great Yi war campaign, but maybe we'll earn our merit right here!"
If one looked closely, it was clear that these individuals were Heaven Calamity Guards, elite scouts of the Great Yi Dynasty.
Among them were former members of the Twelve Fiends of Heavenly Pool: Dog King, Fu Chang, Fu Sui, Shou Wu, and Zu Dao—all key forces in the Heaven Calamity Hall, each capable of handling critical missions. Earlier, the Tong Emperor had sent them to monitor Snake Valley.
Now, their watchfulness was finally paying off.