"We can't accept them all."
Just then, City Lord of Chaos spoke, his voice steady and calm.
The hall fell silent at once. Everyone turned to look at City Lord of Chaos.
As the chief steward of the Human Race, City Lord of Chaos's words had always carried great weight.
"These factions are pledging allegiance to us out of fear, not loyalty," City Lord of Chaos said slowly. "They can betray the Snow Border Alliance and the Demon Beast Alliance today, and they can betray us tomorrow. So we can't accept everyone who comes to us."
"Chaos is right." Darkness Master's hoarse voice rang out. "Although the Human Race has grown powerful, our foundations are still unstable. If we rashly accept too many vassal races, we'll only make our ranks bloated and chaotic, weakening our strength instead."
"Then what do you think we should do?" Founder Giant Axe asked.
Though Giant Axe had just received an astonishing reward, he remained composed, showing no sign of being carried away by his sudden surge in power.
Countless eras of restraint had long since forged his steadfast, composed character.
"Choose only the best; better to have none than to accept the unworthy," City Lord of Chaos said. "First, we can prioritize races that have close ties with humanity and a good reputation. Second, we can consider accepting powerful races that have Universe Masters. As for races of average strength and poor standing... we should put them aside for now and see how things develop."
"Chaos is right." Founder Giant Axe nodded. "Also, any Universe Masters who come over must make a public declaration of allegiance and leave their core clansmen in the Initial Universe under supervision, to guard against betrayal."
"Of course." Desolate Mirror Lord smiled. "These fellows are only hoping to survive now. That's a small price to pay!"
"By the way, Giant Axe," City Lord of Chaos said suddenly, "we also need to plan carefully where to settle the races that come over. Our current territory is vast, but it'll still be a tight squeeze to accommodate so many races."
"Then we'll expand our territory."
Founder Giant Axe spoke with firm resolve, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "The Monster Race, the Insect Race, and the Machine Race have targeted the Human Race for countless years. They've also assassinated who knows how many of our geniuses. Now it's time to pay them back."
At his words, everyone was galvanized!
Expand their territory!
That meant the Human Race would take the initiative and declare war on those pinnacle races!
That would have been unimaginable in the past!
But now, everything was different!
"Giant Axe, who do you plan to strike first?" Desolate Mirror Lord asked eagerly.
"The Monster Race." Founder Giant Axe's voice was cold. "Dream Demon Ancestor and Tremor Demon Ancestor bullied our human powerhouses plenty in the Universe Ocean back then. It's time to settle that score!"
"Good!"
"Let's strike the Monster Race!"
"Let them see who rules the Primal Universe!"
All the human Universe Masters in the hall were fired up!
Countless eras of restraint, countless eras of humiliation.
At last, today they could wash it all away!
In the deepest reaches of the universe, Original Ancestor sat quietly in confinement.
His gaze seemed to pierce through endless spacetime, witnessing scene after scene from the Human Race's highest roundtable meeting.
"Giant Axe... Chaos... you've done well."
A gratified smile appeared on Original Ancestor's face.
Demon Beast Alliance, Ancestral Hall.
"What did you say?"
Beast Ancestor sprang up from his throne. Divine power surged across his dark golden scales, and his eyes blazed with fury. "That fellow Miao Yun has led the entire Ethereal Alliance over to humanity?!"
"Y-yes, Alliance Leader."
Lord Juefeng lowered all nine of his heads, his voice trembling slightly. "The information has been confirmed. Miao Yun Master personally contacted Desolate Mirror Lord and signed a vassal contract. All nineteen Universe Masters of the Ethereal Alliance have publicly declared that they will henceforth become vassal races of humanity."
"Bastard!"
Beast Ancestor slammed a palm against the armrest of his throne. The entire divine hall shuddered violently from the blow.
He had only just emerged to unite the three major alliances, and had barely managed to assemble a force of more than sixty Universe Masters.
Now the Ethereal Alliance had defected outright, taking nineteen Universe Masters with it!
Nearly a third of their strength was gone just like that!
"That little wretch Miao Yun! When he begged me to become Alliance Leader, he made all sorts of grand promises. Now humanity has shown the slightest hint of strength, and he can't wait to lick their toes!"
Beast Ancestor was incensed, murderous intent filling his scarlet eyes. "Pass on my orders! Summon all the Universe Masters. I'll personally act and wipe out the Ethereal Alliance!"
"Alliance Leader, please think this through!"
Lord of Nightfall hurriedly spoke up. "If Miao Yun dared to defect, he must already have humanity's protection. If we rashly attack, I'm afraid..."
"Afraid of what? Afraid of going to war with humanity?"
Beast Ancestor cut him off with a sneer. "The Ethereal Alliance hasn't officially moved into human territory yet. Its races are still in their original lands! If we don't strike now, once they're safely under humanity's wing, we'll never get another chance!"
Lord Juefeng and Lord of Nightfall exchanged glances, both seeing the worry in the other's eyes.
They knew, of course, that now was the best time to strike.
But the question was, would humanity stand by and do nothing?
"Alliance Leader, what if humanity intervenes..." Lord of Giant Rock said in a rumbling voice.
"Then we fight!"
A trace of madness flashed in Beast Ancestor's eyes. "If I can't even endure this, how will the Demon Beast Alliance establish itself? Who will take me seriously?"
At those words, everyone fell silent.
That was true. Who would sincerely follow an Alliance Leader who didn't even dare punish a traitor?
"I've made up my mind."
Beast Ancestor slowly rose to his feet. Blood-red divine power began to burn across his dark golden scales. "If Miao Yun wants to be humanity's dog, I'll show him that being a dog comes at a price!"
Human territory, Virtual Universe.
"Beast Ancestor is going to attack the Ethereal Alliance."
City Lord of Chaos's voice rang out at the highest roundtable meeting. "Just now, all the Universe Masters of the Demon Beast Alliance were summoned. Their target is the Ethereal Alliance's territory."
"They're moving fast."
Desolate Mirror Lord furrowed his brow. "Miao Yun and the others have only just signed a contract with us, and Beast Ancestor can't hold back already."
"That's only natural." Dragon Walk Master snorted. "The Ethereal Alliance is the first subordinate alliance to publicly pledge allegiance to us. If Beast Ancestor doesn't respond, his Demon Beast Alliance will become a complete laughingstock."
"What should we do, then?" Peng Gong Lord asked. "Miao Yun just asked us for help, hoping humanity would send troops to protect their races."
"Of course we'll send troops."
Founder Giant Axe spoke, his rough voice resolute and unquestionable. "Since Miao Yun has pledged allegiance to us, he's one of our own. If we can't even protect our own vassals, who'll dare pledge allegiance to humanity in the future?"
"Giant Axe is right." City Lord of Chaos nodded. "Besides, this is a perfect opportunity to establish our authority."
"Establish our authority?"
Before you continue