From the fake emperor to the concubine

"Damn it, I didn't expect the Zheng family to actually come knocking on our door one by one demanding an explanation," a sect leader said worriedly.

“If even Qingye Valley can’t hold out, how can we?” another sect leader asked worriedly.

"Why don't we unite to fight against the Zheng family?" someone suggested.

"An alliance? Easier said than done. When it really comes down to it, who dares to go toe-to-toe with the Zheng family?"

All the major powers began to worry about their future, and some even started to consider making overtures to the Zheng family.

Meanwhile, at the Demon Heart Sect, Qi Yang's secluded cultivation still made no progress.

The betrayal by Qingye Valley made his state of mind even more unstable, and he almost went mad several times.

"Damn Qingye Valley! Damn Zheng family!" Qi Yang roared angrily, but there was nothing he could do.

He is now trapped in his seclusion room, unable to go out to handle affairs, and unable to make progress in his cultivation. He is truly in a dilemma.

"Sect Master, the situation outside is getting worse," Vice Sect Master Chu Yuehua reported to Qi Yang via a communication talisman. "Several allied forces have secretly indicated to us that if the Zheng family continues to exert pressure, they may consider siding with the Zheng family."

"These opportunists!" Qi Yang roared, furious. "They enjoy our benefits all the time, and now that they're in trouble, they want to run away!"

"Sect Master, what should we do now?" Chu Yuehua asked.

"Give me a little more time, and I'll break through soon!" Qi Yang said through gritted teeth. "Once I break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, I won't have to fear the Zheng family anymore!"

But he himself wasn't sure, and with his current state of mind, breaking through was no easy task.

Meanwhile, at the Zheng family's residence, a new round of action plans has been finalized.

"Clan leader, after a week of training, the overall strength of our clansmen has increased by at least 20%," Zheng Tianming reported. "Now is the perfect time to launch another attack."

“Very good, then let’s proceed according to plan. Our next target is the East China Sea branch of the Heavenly Serpent Sect,” Zheng Tianhao decided.

"Clan leader, I'd like to bring more people this time," Zheng Chengbai requested. "Although the Heavenly Serpent Sect's branch is not as powerful as the main branch, it's still much stronger than Green Leaf Valley."

“Okay, you can take ten people this time,” Zheng Tianhao agreed. “Remember, the main goal is to get an explanation; try to avoid violence if possible.”

"Understood!" Zheng Chengbai nodded excitedly.

“However, the requirements can be raised a bit this time,” Zheng Tianhao added. “After all, the Heavenly Serpent Sect is much wealthier than the Green Leaf Valley.”

"Haha, the clan leader is brilliant!" Zheng Chengbai laughed heartily. "I'll make them bleed profusely!"

Three days later, on the shore of the East China Sea.

Zheng Chengbai, accompanied by ten elite members of his clan, stood before a solitary island shrouded in thick fog. This island was the location of the East Sea branch of the Heavenly Serpent Sect—Poisonous Serpent Island.

Unlike the picturesque scenery of Green Leaf Valley, Viper Island has an extremely eerie atmosphere. A pale green poisonous fog permeates the island, and even the seawater has an eerie dark green hue.

“Young Master, this place looks unsettling,” a member of the clansmen accompanying him said, frowning.

“The Heavenly Serpent Sect is a sect that cultivates poisonous arts, so this kind of environment is actually an advantage for them.” Zheng Chengbai squinted as he observed the island ahead. “Everyone be careful; there could be poison everywhere here.”

As soon as they approached the island, a small boat emerged from the poisonous fog, carrying two monks dressed in green.

"Who goes there? How dare you trespass on Viper Island!" one of them shouted sternly, his voice filled with obvious hostility.

"Zheng Chengbai of the Zheng family has come to visit the East China Sea branch of the Heavenly Serpent Sect!" Zheng Chengbai responded loudly.

Upon hearing the name Zheng family, the two green-robed cultivators were visibly taken aback and exchanged a glance.

"The Zheng family. What are you doing here?" The man's tone became cautious.

"Of course we have something to discuss," Zheng Chengbai sneered. "Has your Heavenly Serpent Sect even stopped seeing its guests?"

The two cultivators hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Please wait a moment, I will go and report to the leader."

After saying that, one of them rowed the small boat and quickly disappeared into the poisonous fog.

A moment later, a deep voice came from the island: "Friends of the Zheng family, since you're here, let's go aboard and have a chat."

Soon, the poisonous fog began to dissipate, revealing a passage leading to the island.

Zheng Chengbai and the others sailed their boats along the passage to the island.

As soon as they landed, they saw the buildings on the island. Contrary to their expectations of a gloomy place, the architecture of the Heavenly Serpent Gate was quite distinctive, with green tiles and carved beams.

"Friends of the Zheng family, welcome to Viper Island." A tall, thin middle-aged man approached. "I am Snake Wuji, the leader of Viper Island."

This Snake Wuji appeared to be around forty years old, with a pale face and narrow eyes, indeed bearing some snake-like features. Most strikingly, his left hand was a deep green, clearly a result of practicing poison techniques.

"I have long admired the name of Serpent Master," Zheng Chengbai said, cupping his hands in greeting, but his tone clearly lacked the proper politeness.

Snake Wuji squinted at Zheng Chengbai and the others, and said, "The Zheng family has been making quite a stir in the cultivation world lately. You even took down Green Leaf Valley. I wonder what brings you to our Poisonous Snake Island this time?"

"Snake Helmsman, you're asking a question you already know the answer to," Zheng Chengbai said, getting straight to the point. "Three days ago, was someone attacking our Zheng family?"

"Oh? Is that so?" She Wuji feigned surprise. "How come I didn't know?"

"Is that so?" Zheng Chengbai sneered. "Then let me remind the leader. The bodies of those three Foundation Establishment cultivators sent by your Heavenly Serpent Sect are still lying around in our Zheng family's possession."

Upon hearing this, She Wuji's expression finally turned serious.

Indeed, the East Sea branch of the Heavenly Serpent Sect sent three capable disciples to participate in the attack on the Zheng family, but all of them were killed in battle. This was a huge loss for the branch, which was already short-handed.

"Even if this were true, it would be the personal action of our disciple and has nothing to do with the Heavenly Serpent Sect," She Wuji still tried to argue.

"Personal actions?" Zheng Chengbai's voice turned cold and sharp. "Snake Helmsman, do you think I'm a three-year-old? Personal actions of a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Don't you find it ridiculous to say such a thing?"

Snake Wuji's face darkened; he knew that arguing was pointless.

"So, what does Young Master Zheng want?" he asked directly.

"It's simple: compensation and an apology," Zheng Chengbai stated his terms. "Fifty thousand spirit stones, three hundred bottles of pills, plus a written apology."

"What? Fifty thousand spirit stones?" She Wuji almost jumped up. "Young Master Zheng, this is outrageous!"

"Outrageous demands?" Zheng Chengbai sneered. "Snake Helmsman, do you think it's expensive? Then I can take your lives for free."

As he spoke, he began to exude a powerful aura.

Unlike Qingye Zhenren's fear, She Wuji, although feeling the pressure, did not immediately give in.

"Young Master Zheng, I admit you are very strong, but our Heavenly Serpent Sect is not to be trifled with," She Wuji said coldly. "Fifty thousand spirit stones is indeed too much for us."

"So what do you mean?" Zheng Chengbai narrowed his eyes.

"A maximum of ten thousand spirit stones and fifty bottles of pills," She Wuji said through gritted teeth. "This is our limit."

"Ten thousand?" Zheng Chengbai laughed loudly. "Snake Helmsman, are you giving alms to a beggar?"

"Then what do you want?" She Wuji's tone hardened. "At worst, we'll both die!"

The atmosphere instantly became tense. The clansmen behind Zheng Chengbai placed their hands on their weapons, while the Tian She Sect disciples beside She Wuji also prepared for battle.

"A fight to the death?" Zheng Chengbai sneered. "Snake Helmsman, are you sure your net can catch me, this fish?"

"You'll know once you try," Snake Wuji said, not giving an inch.

Just as the two sides were about to clash, a majestic voice came from the depths of the island:

"stop!"

As the sound rang out, an old man dressed in purple emerged from the buildings. The old man had white hair and beard, but was vigorous and exuded an aura far stronger than that of She Wuji.

"Master!" She Wuji immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing the old man.

"Greetings, senior." Although Zheng Chengbai did not know the old man's identity, judging from his aura, he was definitely a master in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"I am an elder of the Heavenly Serpent Sect, the Poison Dragon Prince," the old man said slowly. "Young Master Zheng, I have long admired your name."

"So it's Senior Poison Dragon Prince. This junior greets you." Zheng Chengbai cupped his hands in greeting.

Poison Dragon Prince is a well-known figure in the cultivation world, possessing immense strength and ruthless methods. It is said that his mastery of poison techniques has reached its pinnacle, and even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators dare not easily provoke him.

"Young Master Zheng is indeed remarkable for his age," Poison Dragon Prince said, sizing Zheng Chengbai up and down. "However, on my Poisonous Snake Island, it's not up to outsiders to cause trouble."

The words were spoken politely, but the threat was quite obvious.

“Senior, you misunderstand,” Zheng Chengbai said neither humbly nor arrogantly. “This junior has only come to seek an explanation and has no intention of causing trouble.”

"An explanation?" Poison Dragon Prince sneered. "Then tell me, what kind of explanation do you want?"

Zheng Chengbai repeated the previous conditions.

After listening, Poison Dragon Prince shook his head and said, "Fifty thousand spirit stones is indeed too much. Although our Heavenly Serpent Sect is not poor, we are not lambs to be slaughtered."

"So, what does that mean, senior?"

"Thirty thousand spirit stones and one hundred bottles of pills," Poison Dragon Prince stated his new terms. "This is our bottom line."

Zheng Chengbai considered it for a moment. Thirty thousand spirit stones was less than what he had asked for, but it wasn't too little either. Moreover, he didn't want to start a war easily against a master like Poison Dragon Prince.

“Okay, but I have one more condition,” Zheng Chengbai said.

"What conditions?"

"A written apology, acknowledging the mistake, and a guarantee that they will no longer be enemies of the Zheng family."

This condition made Poison Dragon's face turn ugly.

For cultivators, face is sometimes more important than life itself. Asking them to issue a written apology is tantamount to slapping them in the face.

“This…” Poison Dragon Prince hesitated.

"Senior, this condition isn't unreasonable, is it?" Zheng Chengbai pressed on, "After all, you attacked us first."

After a long silence, Poison Dragon Prince finally said, "An apology letter can be written, but we'll decide on the content."

“Okay, as long as it expresses apology.” Zheng Chengbai agreed.

Just as the two sides were about to reach an agreement, a disciple of the Heavenly Serpent Sect suddenly ran over.

"Master! Elder! Something terrible has happened!" the disciple exclaimed in a panic.

"What's wrong? Why are you panicking?" She Wuji asked, frowning.

"News has come that the Demon Heart Sect is contacting various major powers, trying to form an alliance to deal with the Zheng family!" the disciple said hurriedly.

Upon hearing this news, everyone present changed their expressions.

"The Demon Heart Alliance?" Zheng Chengbai narrowed his eyes.

"Is the news true?" Poison Dragon Prince asked.

“Absolutely true! It was a message personally sent by our spies on the mainland!” the disciple said with certainty.

Poison Dragon Prince and Snake Wuji exchanged a glance, both seeing the complex emotions in each other's eyes.

If the Demon Heart Sect is indeed forming an alliance, then the Heavenly Serpent Sect will face a difficult choice: join the Demon Heart Sect's alliance or reconcile with the Zheng family?

"Seniors, it seems you need to reconsider," Zheng Chengbai said meaningfully. "Choosing to be enemies with the Zheng family now may not be a wise move."

Poison Dragon Prince gave Zheng Chengbai a deep look and said, "Young Master Zheng is right, this certainly needs careful consideration."

"Then let's negotiate."

"Proceed as planned," Poison Dragon Prince decided. "Thirty thousand spirit stones, one hundred bottles of pills, plus a letter of apology. Our Heavenly Serpent Sect East Sea Branch accepts these conditions."

Although She Wuji felt sorry for her, he knew that now was not the time to dwell on such things.

“Very good.” Zheng Chengbai nodded in satisfaction. “Then please have Serpent Helmsman make the preparations.”

Half an hour later, the people from the Heavenly Serpent Sect delivered 30,000 mid-grade spirit stones and 100 bottles of various pills.

Although the apology was worded tactfully, it clearly acknowledged the mistake and promised not to be an enemy of the Zheng family again.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you," Zheng Chengbai said to Du Longzi as he put away his things.

"Young Master Zheng, I have a favor to ask," Poison Dragon Prince suddenly said.

"Please speak, senior."

"If the Demon Heart Sect really forms an alliance to deal with the Zheng family, what countermeasures do you have?" Poison Dragon Prince asked tentatively.

Zheng Chengbai smiled and said, "Senior, rest assured, since our Zheng family dares to stand up, we naturally have the confidence to deal with it. However, if the Heavenly Serpent Sect is willing to stand on our side, that would be even better."

"This requires our sect leader to decide." Poison Dragon Prince did not immediately express his opinion.

“Of course, the Zheng family has never forced anyone to do anything against their will,” Zheng Chengbai said magnanimously. “However, I believe that intelligent people know how to choose.”

After bidding farewell to Poison Dragon and the others, Zheng Chengbai led his team, which had gained a great deal, away from Poison Snake Island.

"Young Master, although the harvest this time is not as good as that of Green Leaf Valley, it's still quite good," a clansman said excitedly.

“Yes, and we also obtained an important piece of information,” Zheng Chengbai said thoughtfully, “The Demon Heart Sect is actually forming an alliance; it seems they’re really in a hurry.”

"Should we go back and report to the clan chief ahead of time?"

“Of course we must.” Zheng Chengbai nodded. “This news is very important; the clan leader must know as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, on Snake Island.

"Master, aren't we being too weak?" Snake Wuji said unwillingly. (End of Chapter)