Chapter 112: The King's Majestic Serpent

Zhou Tian, however, did not consider the true nature of the being before him. How could such a creature fail to sense his murderous intent? The moment that flicker of killing intent appeared in Zhou Tian's eyes, unexpectedly, the serpent king's movements were even swifter. It gave Zhou Tian no chance to strike, and just as he was about to act, the serpent king had already coiled around him.

Zhou Tian had no idea how the serpent king had managed to get onto him. Suddenly, he felt his body tighten, and the serpent king's head rested against the back of his skull. They were entwined so closely that to an outsider, it might even have looked like a mating ritual.

For a moment, Zhou Tian dared not move. Although he believed the serpent king could not truly harm him, if the creature were to attack, he would likely have to rely on his celestial armor to defend himself. Given his current situation, using the armor would instantly reveal his identity to the other beast kings. Without understanding the serpent king's true intentions, Zhou Tian was unwilling to expose himself so easily.

Time passed, and Zhou Tian grew increasingly uneasy. The serpent king appeared to be engaging in courtship behavior, as if Zhou Tian were a female snake. If Zhou Tian were a snake through and through, he might have responded accordingly, but despite his serpentine form, he had always regarded himself as human. From a human aesthetic standpoint, how could a female snake be considered alluring?

Yet the serpent king seemed oblivious to this. After persisting for some time without any reaction from Zhou Tian, the creature climbed off, clearly displeased, and muttered, "Has that ability already vanished? How come I get no response after all this time?"

No one likes to have their virility questioned, whether female snake or woman. Hearing the serpent king’s words, Zhou Tian, though aware this was the perfect opportunity to escape, couldn’t help but retort sarcastically, "Whether I've lost that ability isn’t for you to decide. If you weren’t so lacking in charm, I might have responded—but you scare me away."

“What did you say?” The serpent king snapped, whipping her tail and flinging Zhou Tian away.

"I may be the most beautiful female serpent on the outskirts of the demon beast forest, but you dare say I can't affect you? You truly deserve death!"

"Most beautiful? You just look like any ordinary female snake," Zhou Tian sneered.

Suppressing her anger with a few deep breaths, the serpent king looked at Zhou Tian with disdain before speaking. "I thought you were something special, but it turns out you’ve been living among humans so long your tastes have become like theirs. I had intended to use my true form to tempt you, but that seems pointless now." Saying this, her snake skin suddenly shrank, and in moments, an incomparable beauty stood before Zhou Tian, naked and radiant.

Zhou Tian couldn’t help but react shamefully.

When faced with a snake, no matter how beautiful in her kind’s eyes, Zhou Tian’s human appreciation would not stir any response. But seeing such a stunning naked woman before him, and with his faculties intact, how could he not have some reaction?

Thankfully, he was still in his snake form, so his response was subtle. Though from the serpent king’s perspective, his reaction was unmistakable.

The serpent king caught the change immediately, smirking as she approached Zhou Tian. He hastily stepped back, clearly overwhelmed and unwilling to let her come closer. Seeing her relentless advance, Zhou Tian even pleaded, “Please, just let me go! I’m scared of you, alright? Can I leave now?”

"What do you think?" She rolled her eyes and declared, "Though you’re rude, I like that kind of male snake. From today on, you’re mine."

Zhou Tian was struck dumb. What did it mean to be her male snake? The phrase sounded all too familiar.

Seeing the serpent king make decisions on her own, Zhou Tian protested, “I refuse. I’m not interested in being your male snake. You’d better find someone else!” Saying this, he prepared to force his way out of her territory.

Just as Zhou Tian reacted, the serpent king was unhurried. She glanced at him coolly and said, "Don’t you want to know how to save your city from danger?" Zhou Tian had no choice but to stop.

Right now, his top priority was resolving the crisis facing the capital. Upon hearing her words, he urgently asked, “What method? Tell me quickly.”

The serpent king smiled confidently, then looked at Zhou Tian with a hint of threat. “If you become my male snake, I’ll tell you. Otherwise, why should I help a stranger?”

“You…” Zhou Tian was furious. He had heard of men abducting women, but a woman forcing a man was rare indeed. For Zhou Tian to personally experience such a thing was even more extraordinary.

But he felt no honor in it. Despite her beauty, there was no affection between them, and he was unwilling to become intimate so casually. Moreover, he could not tolerate the serpent king’s temperament. If they ended up living together, even if they married, Zhou Tian might well run away from the wedding.

Seeing Zhou Tian’s outright refusal, the serpent king grew angry. She believed it was Zhou Tian's privilege to be chosen by her. His continued rejection had already irritated her, and now, using his concerns as leverage to coerce him only fueled her resolve to persist.

The more elusive something is, the more precious it seems. Had Zhou Tian agreed from the start, their relationship would likely have ended with nothing more than a union. Unless she bore his child, they might never meet again—or if they did, they might be enemies.

But Zhou Tian’s repeated refusals awoke the serpent king’s competitive spirit. Though her plan might have been to make him fall in love and then abandon him in revenge, at least now she no longer saw him merely as a breeding tool.

Her anger flickered briefly before she spoke: “If it were anyone else, the only solution to your predicament would be to fight desperately. But you are different. Perhaps because you’ve lived among humans too long, you seem to have forgotten who you really are. You are not only the ruler of a human city; you are also one of us, a member of the demon beast clans. Humans occupying the demon beast forest must expect our attacks. But if it’s a demon beast who holds that territory, we beast kings have no reason to attack.”

Hearing this, Zhou Tian finally understood.

Indeed, as the serpent king said, the demon beasts’ assault on his city was in keeping with the original agreement between humans and the demon beast forest. If Zhou Tian occupied the capital as a demon beast, then the beast kings would have no reason to attack. Their withdrawal would resolve the city’s crisis.

“Don’t get too excited,” the serpent king warned, seeing Zhou Tian’s hopeful expression. “Though the beast kings have agreed not to attack while a demon beast holds the territory, do you think any demon beast can claim land?”

“Is there some kind of rule?” Zhou Tian asked. Unlike the serpent king, a true forest demon beast, Zhou Tian only wore the guise of one and knew nothing of the forest’s customs. He was grateful to learn.

“The demon beast forest is divided into three areas: core, central, and outskirts. Each area has multiple beast kings, and within their domains lie dozens or even hundreds of territories. Each territory is governed by a demon beast lord, and beneath them are ordinary demon beasts.”

“So, if I want you all to withdraw and gain control of the territory where my city stands, I need to become a new beast king?”

“Are you an idiot?” The serpent king sneered. “Do you think becoming a beast king is so easy? Even I, only a beast king of the outskirts, possess pseudo-saint-level power. Besides strength, I rely on clan influence to maintain my position. You have no such backing. Without support from the core area, you’re dreaming if you think you can become a beast king.”

“Then what are you saying—”

“I never said you’d become a beast king. What I mean is, starting today, you’ll be one of my lords. I’ll discuss with the other beast kings whether you can govern the area where your city lies.”

“That’s great!” Zhou Tian exclaimed excitedly, then shyly thanked her. “I really appreciate your help. If not for you, I might never have found a way to save my city’s crisis. Though I won’t be your male snake, if you need anything, I’ll do my best to help.”

“I never expected repayment, and you can’t repay me anyway,” the serpent king interrupted curtly before using her divine sense to communicate with other demon beasts.

Watching this, Zhou Tian grew anxious.

To his surprise, the serpent king’s expression darkened as the discussion went on. Afterward, she looked at Zhou Tian grimly and said, “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Good news.”

“The good news is that upon learning you are a demon beast, the other beast kings have decided to temporarily halt their attacks on your city.”

Zhou Tian exhaled with relief. But when he heard the serpent king’s next words, his heart tightened. “And the bad news?”

“The bad news is, they haven’t abandoned their intention to attack. Although I’ve declared you my lord, this time I’ve drawn them all out of their territories. If they simply returned, they would be displeased. So, they devised a way to trouble you.”

“What way?”

“A territory contest.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means, under the supervision of us beast kings, you will fight the other demon beasts. Whoever wins ultimately gains control of the territory where your city stands.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Tian wasn’t discouraged, but instead adopted a carefree attitude. “Then let them come!”

“Let them come? Who do you think you are? These creatures hold a grudge against you for tricking them. Territory contests forbid us beast kings from intervening. Though it’s one-on-one combat, with successive battles, even I can’t guarantee survival. If you go—” She left the threat hanging, but the meaning was clear. Given Zhou Tian’s displayed strength, she doubted he could endure the continuous fights.