629: Chapter 1: Alliance, Petrified Light

Inside the Serpent People's council hall, the atmosphere was solemn and serious.

Huge stone pillars supported the towering dome, and the walls were carved with the heroic deeds of generations of Serpent People experts, flickering with mysterious light.

"Queen, the experts of our race are ready!"

The current Great Elder of the Serpent People, though hunched, had undiminished presence. His eyes showed tenacity and loyalty as he respectfully spoke to Ding Lingxuan, who was seated in the main seat.

He bowed slightly, clasped his hands, and stood tall, showing utmost respect for the Empress.

"Currently, our race has three Early Stage Third Order, eleven Peak Second Order, over a hundred Late Stage Second Order, Second Order..."

The Great Elder reported the situation of the experts within the race in detail, his voice steady and strong.

However, Ding Lingxuan raised her hand to interrupt the Serpent People's Great Elder. She had a graceful figure and wore a magnificent serpent-patterned long robe. The scales on the robe shimmered with a faint golden light, complementing her fair skin.

Her long, black hair cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulders, and her golden eyes held innate majesty.

In her opinion, only the Early Stage Third Order Serpent People were worth her attention; the rest were practically useless.

She sighed softly, thinking to herself, 'The strength is still too weak. Seeking my true body will surely be fraught with danger. I need to get some powerful cannon fodder.'

Even though she would travel with Li Wuji, she knew well that the journey would be full of hidden dangers and perilous situations.

If she didn't have enough cannon fodder, then she herself might become the cannon fodder.

Thinking of this, her eyes became colder, and she slowly asked, 'Where is the Fire Race Alliance?'

'Reporting, Queen, the Fire Race Alliance is located on the Glazed Volcano, three hundred thousand li south of here.

There are over ten types of Foreign Races within the Alliance, and their strength is quite formidable!'

The Serpent People Great Elder said respectfully, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

'Over ten types? That should be enough!'

The corner of Ding Lingxuan's mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a subtle smile.

After speaking, she pointed at the Serpent People Great Elder's glabella from a distance. Streams of specific information about the Fire Race Alliance flooded into her mind like a tide.

She closed her eyes and carefully browsed through the information, her expression sometimes solemn, sometimes relaxed.

A moment later, she withdrew her finger, took a step, and instantly vanished from the spot.

Her figure was like a ghost, leaving behind only a faint afterimage.

The Serpent People Great Elder seemed to wake from a dream, his body staggered, and then he quickly knelt down in the direction Ding Lingxuan had left.

His eyes were full of fervor, and he said loudly, 'Respectfully seeing off the Queen!'

Crossing a distance of ten thousand li was not difficult with Ding Lingxuan's speed.

After several hours of traveling at full speed, she arrived above a volcano that was a thousand zhang tall.

This Glazed Volcano was like a sleeping giant beast, emitting a scorching Aura.

The crater continuously spewed thick smoke and hot magma, emitting deafening roars.

Looking from the crater, one could clearly see humanoid creatures whose entire bodies were crimson, as if flames were flowing through them.

Their bodies were surrounded by fiercely burning flames, and each breath they took exhaled a ball of fire, as if they were the embodiment of flames.

These were the people of the Fire Race. They feared no flames and were the natural darlings of fire.

And on the mountainside and at the foot of the mountain, houses were arranged in an orderly manner.

The walls of the houses were built from special rocks that could withstand high temperatures and the invasion of flames.

There were also considerable Auras inside, some of which even belonged to the Serpent People.

Evidently, these were the other Foreign Race species of the Fire Race Alliance. Ding Lingxuan sensed them and found that there were quite a few King Realm Experts.

"Who are you?"

Suddenly, a low shout exploded from the distance, the sound like a great bell, causing the air to tremble.

Immediately after, several figures shot up from the Glazed Volcano crater. Their speed was extremely fast, like meteors streaking across the sky.

Ding Lingxuan hovered in mid-air, surrounded by faint fluctuations of spiritual energy.

The spiritual energy was like gentle clouds and mist, tightly enveloping her. Her clothes fluttered gently in the wind, as if a Fairy had descended, yet she did not lack majesty.

"I am Empress Ding Lingxuan, here to visit the Fire Race Alliance."

Her voice was cold and clear, echoing beneath this scorching sky, inspiring awe.

Every word seemed to carry an invisible power, lingering in the air for a long time.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the Fire Race experts who had shot up into the sky slightly changed, because Ding Lingxuan had not hidden her Serpent People body but had revealed it.

They quickly exchanged glances, their eyes filled with vigilance and doubt.

Among them, a Middle-aged man wearing fiery red armor and exuding a scorching Aura stepped forward and cupped his hands.

'So it is the Queen of the Serpent People who has arrived. Please forgive us for not coming out to greet you sooner.

I am Yan Lie, the Vice Alliance Lord of the Fire Race Alliance. I didn't expect the Serpent People to have an expert like you, Lord. May I ask the purpose of your visit today?'

Ding Lingxuan nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Her gaze was like a sharp blade, taking in everything around her.

Having made her calculations, she said calmly, 'Where is your Alliance Lord? My purpose for this trip is clear: I wish to form an Alliance with the Fire Race Alliance to jointly resist the coming great calamity.

But before that, I need to confirm the Alliance's strength and everyone's sincerity.'

This was naturally just an excuse. Since the Fire Race could emerge out of nowhere, they must be extraordinary. She needed to ascertain their methods and figure everything out clearly.

Upon hearing this, Yan Lie frowned slightly, but feeling the other party's might, he naturally did not dare to be negligent and said respectfully.

'The Alliance Lord and the other experts have gone out to attack a forbidden area and will not be able to return in a short time. Anything you wish to discuss, Queen, you can tell me; it will be the same.'

Upon hearing this, Ding Lingxuan smiled. Her smile was like a ray of light in the endless dark night, brilliant and dazzling.

That smile seemed to dispel all darkness, making people feel incredibly warm.

Everyone, including Yan Lie, was startled and couldn't help but lose their focus. They had never seen such a beautiful yet majestic smile.

"That's good then. You can go die!"

The next moment, the light in Ding Lingxuan's golden eyes flared brightly, like two golden suns illuminating the entire Glazed Volcano.

The light was incredibly dazzling, stinging people's eyes.

"Ah..."

Some of the Foreign Race experts who were rushing over hadn't even reacted before they felt their life energy rapidly draining away.

At the same time, they were horrified to discover that their physical bodies were petrifying, and the petrification was spreading rapidly.

Expressions of extreme fear appeared on their faces, and they let out cries of despair.

"We are all Foreign Races, what is the meaning of this?"

Yan Lie and the other Foreign Race experts were also extremely horrified. Fortunately, they had been wary of Ding Lingxuan from the start and immediately used various methods to temporarily resist the petrifying light.

"What do I mean? Naturally, I need you to offer up your life energy. Isn't this also a form of Alliance?"