Especially since these beastmen were all elite warriors, their flesh and blood fused into the Iron-Blood Great Wall could generate even more bricks. No matter what they were used for, corpses and remains were one of the most common resources. Bones could be refined into Bone Crystals, flesh and blood could be used to temper the city walls, and even if utterly useless, they could be thrown into the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower to be devoured and refined as fuel for the pagoda.
"This… is the dowry offered by King Behemoth."
In a tent, Yi Tianxing saw several large chests lined up in succession. These treasure chests were clearly extraordinary, emitting a bronze hue with a strange luster flowing across their surfaces. Ancient yet covered in intricate, shifting patterns.
These were no ordinary treasure chests.
They held their own pocket dimensions, and more importantly, preserved the contents inside against the ravages of time. The effects of aging were reduced to the absolute minimum. If filled with elixirs or spirit herbs, they could be stored for centuries with minimal potency loss.
There were twelve such chests, filled to the brim with rare and priceless treasures. It was evident that King Behemoth came with utmost sincerity in his proposal, selecting the finest gifts—items so precious that any cultivator would kill to possess them.
"Hmph. King Behemoth, you're trying to slap me in the face? Well then, I'll be confiscating this treasure. These are my spoils of war now."
Yi Tianxing scoffed coldly.
With a wave of his hand, he didn't even bother to check what was inside. He simply stored them into the Heavenly Emperor Pagoda, intending to examine them later.
"You actually killed the entire army of the Myriad Beasts Royal Court?"
In the Serpent Valley, mist churned as the Serpent Empress stepped out, clad in a five-colored imperial gown. Clutching her serpent staff, she surveyed the battlefield and frowned slightly. The overwhelming scent of blood in the air made her eyes flicker with astonishment.
"I said I would kill them. So they had to die," Yi Tianxing replied calmly. "They threatened you—capital offense. No mercy."
Serpent Empress – Queen of the Serpent Clan, a proud and enigmatic figure tied to Yi Tianxing.
"King Behemoth won't let this go easily," she said with a hint of warmth in her voice, though quickly followed by concern. "This loss of a full elite army, and most of all, the humiliation—it'll drive him into fury."
The Serpent Valley would now be a thorn in the side of King Behemoth, an eyesore he would seek to destroy.
"He wants vengeance? What makes him think I'll let it go?" Yi Tianxing's voice was sharp. "He dared covet my woman—what, did he think I would just smile and let it pass? And what of my child? Raised by another man? A joke."
Just thinking of the possible consequences—the humiliation, the danger to his child—ignited a storm of fury in his heart.
"Who's your woman?" the Serpent Empress snapped, glancing sideways at him, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed a hidden shyness.
The sharpness in her voice was gone, replaced with the teasing of lovers.
"Whether you admit it or not, the truth is the truth," Yi Tianxing said with a smile. "We are both cultivators. No need to skirt around it. Come back with me to Da Yi. Only there will you be safe. You and our child will have the best care. The palace is the safest place to await the birth."
Da Yi – Yi Tianxing's empire, representing order, power, and security.
In this chaotic world, it was no small feat for a child to be born and raised safely. Now that he knew she was pregnant, he would not allow her to remain in this perilous valley—even if he had to carry her away by force.
"I'll give you until tomorrow morning to decide," he said. "Whatever choice you make, my own decision will not change. But I still hope you'll choose something we can both live with."
His words were steady, yet firm—this was not a negotiation.
"Hmph!!" the Serpent Empress snorted before turning and returning to the valley, leaving only her graceful silhouette behind.
She hadn't refused outright.
Yi Tianxing's domineering words might seem forceful, but for some reason, they stirred a ripple in her heart.
"Greetings, my King."
At that moment, Dog King and others emerged from the shadows and bowed respectfully.
Dog King – A loyal beast general under Yi Tianxing, often in charge of reconnaissance and support.
"No need for formalities," Yi Tianxing waved them off.
"Your Majesty, should we notify the War Council and dispatch a unit here?" Dog King asked carefully. He'd overheard the entire conversation—this was no trivial matter. If the Serpent Empress entered Da Yi, she'd be a royal consort. And pregnant? That meant a royal heir.
This would send shockwaves through Da Yi's court. Whether it was a prince or a princess, it meant the royal bloodline would continue.
"No need. With me here, no one will dare act up. Stand down for now. I'll call if I need you."
The matter would be settled by tomorrow. No need for military intervention just yet.
That night, on the island at the center of the lake, the Serpent Empress sat in a bamboo pavilion, tossing rice grains into the water, watching the fish stir and swarm. Yet her eyes were filled with complex emotion, lost in thought.
She was torn—should she go to Da Yi or not? Saying yes meant becoming Yi Tianxing's woman. Saying no might not stop him anyway.
Time passed, and midnight arrived.
"Hmm? What's that?"
Yi Tianxing, who was stargazing outside the valley, suddenly let out a soft exclamation.
To the north, two bright red lanterns flickered in the wilderness. Their glow shimmered in and out, casting a strange chill over the night.
He could feel something eerie from their presence.
"Red lanterns… appearing at midnight?" His eyes narrowed. "This isn't ordinary. In the wilderness? Something strange is at play."
"Interesting. Looks like tonight won't be boring."
These lanterns appeared exactly at midnight—the hour of yin-yang transition.
Red Lanterns – Also known as Ghost Lanterns (鬼灯), these are ominous omens tied to the supernatural. Their appearance often heralds deadly encounters… or great opportunities.
"Red Lanterns… Ghost Lanterns," the Serpent Empress murmured, suddenly appearing beside him. Her gaze locked on the strange lights, face solemn. "Anything could appear tonight…"
"Looks like the ghosts and monsters are out in force," Yi Tianxing said, watching shadows chase after the red lanterns in the distance—spirits, specters, demonic beings, all rushing toward them.
"Let's go. This could be a rare opportunity," the Serpent Empress said, her eyes lighting up. "Ancient legends say encountering red lanterns can lead to great fortune."
"Let's find out for ourselves," Yi Tianxing replied without hesitation.
The real draw wasn't just the mysterious lights, but the chance to spend time alone with the Serpent Empress—to better understand the woman who now carried his child.
And if the rumors were true… they might both walk away with unimaginable gains.