Fey Evolution Merchant Chapter 3116: Snake Lord in Control!

“Encase these two Snake Lords within the sealed ice crystals. My extreme cold roots' power will induce a profound slumber. If we were to place them inside the Spirit Lock spatial zone, they would likely obliterate everything within it upon breaking free, despite any restrictions Autumn and I might impose.

“While we are contending for this top-grade blessed land, we will not be able to monitor them constantly. Until you possess absolute dominance over them, their pledges are not to be trusted.”

Lin Yuan had been pondering how to manage the remaining two Snake Lords, and Winter’s suggestion provided the perfect resolution.

A half-hour elapsed rapidly.

The three Snake Lords treated the world as their parchment and spiritual energy as their ink, writing feverishly. They manifested every scrap of intelligence they possessed onto the scrolls.

Lin Yuan, Autumn, and Winter individually scrutinized the data provided by the trio. Following this review, the three of them gained a comprehensive perspective of the current state of the Sky Beyond the Clouds.

Winter let out a small sigh. “Young Master, the landscape of the Sky Beyond the Clouds has shifted significantly over the years. Upon my return, I sensed the atmosphere was far more tranquil than in the past. I initially dismissed it as a whim, but it appears my intuition was correct. The reason is that every major faction is now preoccupied with the abyss.

“Resources within the abyss are incredibly plentiful. However, because the environment is hostile to the lifeforms of the Sky Beyond the Clouds—and even masters find it difficult to recover their energy there—the abyss was long considered a forbidden zone. Recently, however, various factions have utilized crude methods to sustain their energy levels within the abyss, leading them to dispatch massive expeditions to explore its depths.

“This intrusion sparked resentment among the abyss's denizens, prompting powerful entities there to seek vengeance. Consequently, the friction between the two sides has been steadily intensifying.”

Winter viewed the abyss exploration as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provided a path to acquire the supplementary resources vital for the evolution of powerful lifeforms. On the other, it ignited a cycle of retaliation between the Sky Beyond the Clouds and the abyss. This rising tension made the prospect of a massive war highly probable.

After reviewing the compiled reports, Autumn remarked, “The individual in the center has provided the least amount of intelligence to the Young Master. Shall I assist you by disposing of him? We have lingered here long enough; it is time to depart. As for the others, we can offer them a choice: will they pledge their Cultivation and cooperation to us, or do they wish to be erased like the Snake Lord in the middle?”

As he spoke, Autumn’s piercing gaze swept over the gathered experts, many of whom had reached the peak of the Holy Spirit level or even slightly transcended it.

Autumn’s declaration sent a cold shiver through the experts. They had no delusions about their survival if they refused. They understood that in such a volatile situation, staying out of trouble was the only path. Silence was the only alternative to compliance.

These masters represented various factions and held significant authority within them; some were even faction leaders themselves.

Their presence in South Face City to support the City Lord wasn't merely to fight for the top-grade blessed land, but to harvest secondary benefits. They had assumed Xie Lin’s side was the most secure, never imagining he served an evil power like the Ancient Snake Gu Palace.

In truth, from the moment the Snake Lords appeared, these experts felt trapped by Xie Lin. Two had attempted to resist his control previously, but they were ruthlessly suppressed by the Snake Lords.

Remaining under Xie Lin’s thumb would surely lead to a grim fate. In a sense, Lin Yuan’s intervention was a lifeline. Without a second thought, they all moved to join Lin Yuan’s camp.

Xie Lin watched the scene unfold in a state of shock, unwilling to accept the reality before him. He had summoned these people to be his quarry, yet the true prey turned out to be the four Snake Lords.

One Snake Lord was dead, and another was on the verge of execution.

Xie Lin’s conviction shattered. Even though Lin Yuan felt no pity for him, he couldn't kill him yet. As the City Lord of South Face City, Xie Lin remained a vital tool for Lin Yuan’s upcoming plans.

Lin Yuan looked toward Autumn and said, “Since the Snake Lord in the center provided the least value and resists our control, Autumn, send him on his way.”

The middle Snake Lord frantically pleaded, “I was only in charge of combat deployments! I never concerned myself with intelligence gathering. Please, give me another chance. I am ready to submit. I will not fail you in any other task!”

Under normal circumstances, Lin Yuan might have accepted a Snake Lord’s surrender. However, the current situation required a sacrifice. If he didn't kill a Snake Lord for the Ancestral Contract Brahma Snake, it wouldn't gain the strength necessary to dominate the other two. Since this Snake Lord was the least informed and the weakest, he was the logical choice for elimination.

Lin Yuan offered no mercy, and Autumn did not hesitate.

Lin Yuan then questioned the remaining two Snake Lords, “Aside from the four of you, has the Ancient Snake Gu Palace sent anyone else to South Face City?”

Trembling, the two Snake Lords replied quickly, “Lord, there are no other arrangements. Currently, only the four of us have fully awakened.”

The Snake Lord sighed inwardly. When he first learned of the top-grade blessed land opening in South Face City, he had been arrogant, believing no one could challenge the Ancient Snake Gu Palace.

Now, before they could even make a move, two were dead and the survivors were enslaved. It was a pathetic turn of events.

Lin Yuan’s interest was piqued. “Your Ancient Snake Gu Palace has eight Snake Lords in total. Since the other four are still in a deep sleep, I am curious about their location. How can they be roused? I’m sure you’d enjoy a reunion with your old comrades. I can provide that opportunity.”

The two Snake Lords realized exactly what Lin Yuan meant. He wanted their locations so he could dismantle the Ancient Snake Gu Palace entirely!

Divulging the location of their sleeping brothers felt like a betrayal, yet they knew refusal was not an option.

The strongest Snake Lord answered, “Lord, the others reside on Snake Island, our main headquarters. We came for this blessed land specifically to use its power to revive them. If you wish to find them, I can lead you there.

“However, reviving them requires a vast amount of high-purity Qi. The concentration must be very specific, making the process difficult. But Lord, if you can wake them, they will surely submit to your might. If you intend to move against the Supreme Poison Valley, we would be powerful allies!”

When resistance is impossible, the wise seek new opportunities. This Snake Lord was such a person. While snake-species feys were known throughout the Sky Beyond the Clouds for their cruelty, they were also famously loyal once conquered by a superior power.

Lin Yuan was indeed interested, as the Ancestral Contract Brahma Snake could eventually control these four as well, granting him a massive boost in high-level combat strength.

“We will discuss that later. For now, the two of you will be sealed in Winter’s ice crystals. I will release you when it is time to travel to the Ancient Snake Gu Palace’s lair.”

After securing the Snake Lords, Lin Yuan turned to Xie Lin. Rather than wasting words, he had the Ancestral Contract Brahma Snake seize control of him. While the snake couldn't yet dominate Snake Lords, controlling Xie Lin was simple.

Following this, Lin Yuan took control of the other Holy Spirit level masters. These experts were then ordered to remain under Xie Lin’s public command, keeping the alliance's appearance intact.

For now, no one in the Sky Beyond the Clouds knew the Ancient Snake Gu Palace had fallen under Lin Yuan’s shadow. This maneuver guaranteed him a significant advantage in the future.

Furthermore, Lin Yuan had learned that the factions weren't just after the blessed land; they were searching for a hidden ruin. The blessed land likely served as a seal to keep the ruin hidden.

This intel came from the desperate Snake Lords who had no way to lie while under his power.

Lin Yuan believed the information was likely accurate and would be proven soon enough.

As Lin Yuan exited the City Lord Manor, he found Ling Muzhuo waiting anxiously at the gates.

Ling Muzhuo sighed in relief upon seeing him. “Brother Lin, are you alright? Did those monsters from the Ancient Snake Gu Palace cause you trouble?”

Seeing Ling Muzhuo’s sincere worry, Lin Yuan didn't hide everything. Though he omitted the details, he informed Ling Muzhuo that the Ancient Snake Gu Palace threat had been neutralized.

He didn't mention he now controlled them, as the Snake Lords wouldn't be able to assist openly during the upcoming struggle for the ruins anyway.

Ling Muzhuo was stunned. He hadn't expected Lin Yuan and Autumn to actually wipe them out. This was excellent news, and it reinforced his desire to maintain a strong bond with Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan then tested the waters. “Brother Ling, your Fortune Treasure Palace has many eyes and ears. Can you find out why so many powers are converging on South Face City? Is it truly just for the blessed land? If so, why would the Faerie Institution secretly send a faerie king?”

Ling Muzhuo’s face darkened with gravity. “Brother Lin, where did you hear this? Our sources haven't mentioned a faerie king, only the two high faeries.”

The Fortune Treasure Palace prided itself on its intelligence network. If they had known about a faerie king, they would have sent far more than three guardians. Having observed Lin Yuan, Ling Muzhuo knew he wasn't one to spread baseless rumors.

Lin Yuan didn't reveal that Spring had sensed the faerie king. Instead, he lied, “I learned it from the Snake Lords. It’s likely true. They’ve been lurking here for a while and have a firm grasp on the arriving factions. I suspect there is more to this than a top-grade blessed land. Had you really heard nothing?”

Ling Muzhuo smiled bitterly. “Brother Lin, look at me—do I look prepared? If I knew, I’d have brought more protection. If a faerie king is involved, then this is definitely about something deeper. Give me two days; I’ll uncover the truth.”

Though he had been calm before, Ling Muzhuo now realized the situation was rapidly spiraling out of his control.