Omen of War

"We cannot accept them all."

Just then, the City Lord of Chaos spoke, his voice steady and calm.

The great hall fell silent instantly, and everyone turned their gaze toward the City Lord of Chaos.

As the chief steward of the human race, the words of the City Lord of Chaos always carried immense weight.

"These factions are defecting to us not out of loyalty, but out of fear," the City Lord of Chaos said slowly. "They can betray the Snow Border Alliance and the Demon Beast Alliance today, so they can betray us tomorrow. Therefore, we cannot accept everyone who comes knocking."

"Chaos is right," the hoarse voice of the Darkness Master rang out. "Although our human race has grown strong, our foundations are not yet stable. Rashly accepting too many vassal races will only make our internal structure bloated and chaotic, ultimately weakening our strength."

"Then, in your opinion, how should we respond?" Founder Giant Axe asked.

At this moment, although Founder Giant Axe had just received a heaven-defying reward, his expression remained composed, showing no signs of getting carried away by his sudden surge in power.

Countless epochs of forbearance had long since forged his resilient and steady character.

"Select the best and reject the rest; better to have a shortage than to accept the inferior," the City Lord of Chaos said. "First, those races with close ties to humanity and a good reputation can be prioritized. Second, those with significant strength, possessing Masters of the Universe, can be accepted at our discretion. As for those with mediocre strength and poor reputations... set them aside for now and observe their future conduct."

"Chaos is right," Founder Giant Axe nodded. "Furthermore, for those Masters of the Universe who defect, we must force them to make a public declaration and keep their core clansmen in the Initial Universe under surveillance to prevent betrayal."

"That goes without saying," Desolate Mirror Lord laughed. "These fellows are only looking to survive right now; these are minor matters!"

"By the way, Giant Axe," the City Lord of Chaos suddenly said, "how we settle these defecting races also needs careful planning. Although our current human territory is vast, it will be a stretch to accommodate so many races."

"Then we shall expand our territory."

Founder Giant Axe said decisively, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "The Demon Race, the Insect Race, and the Machine Race—for countless years, they have been eyeing our human race and have assassinated countless of our geniuses. Now, it is time to pay them back."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone felt a jolt of excitement!

Expand the territory!

This meant that the human race would take the initiative to strike and declare war on those peak races!

In the past, this was simply unimaginable!

But now, everything was different!

"Giant Axe, who do you intend to strike first?" Desolate Mirror Lord asked impatiently.

"The Demon Race," Founder Giant Axe said coldly. "The Dream Demon Ancestor and the Tremor Demon Ancestor bullied our human powerhouses quite a bit back in the Universe Ocean. Now, it is time to settle that account!"

"Good!"

"Strike the Demon Race!"

"Let them know who the true master of the Primal Universe is!"

Inside the hall, all the human Masters of the Universe were filled with burning passion!

Countless epochs of forbearance, countless epochs of humiliation.

Finally, today, they could wash it all away!

In the deepest reaches of the universe, the suppressed Original Ancestor sat quietly.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the endless space-time, witnessing the scenes unfolding at the highest human roundtable conference.

"Giant Axe... Chaos... you have done well."

A gratified smile appeared on the face of the Original Ancestor.

Demon Beast Alliance, Ancestral Hall.

"What did you say?"

The Beast Ancestor stood up abruptly from his throne, divine power surging over his dark golden scales, his eyes filled with fury. "That fellow Miao Yun took the entire Ethereal Alliance and defected to the humans?!"

"Y-yes, Alliance Master."

The nine heads of Lord Juefeng were all bowed low, his voice trembling slightly. "The information has been confirmed. Miao Yun Master personally contacted the Desolate Mirror Lord to sign a vassal contract. All nineteen Masters of the Universe of the Ethereal Alliance have publicly declared that they are now a vassal race of humanity."

"Scoundrel!"

The Beast Ancestor slammed his palm onto the armrest of the throne, causing the entire divine hall to tremble violently.

He had only managed to scrape together a lineup of over sixty Masters of the Universe after coming out of seclusion to integrate the three major alliances.

Now, the Ethereal Alliance had defected directly, taking away nineteen Masters of the Universe in one fell swoop!

Nearly one-third of his strength was gone just like that!

"That petty man Miao Yun! He spoke so eloquently when begging me to be the Alliance Master, and now that the humans have shown a bit of strength, he can't wait to lick their toes!"

The Beast Ancestor was overcome with rage, his scarlet eyes filled with murderous intent. "Pass my order! Summon all Masters of the Universe; I will take action personally to annihilate the Ethereal Alliance!"

"Alliance Master, think twice!"

Lord of Nightfall spoke up hurriedly. "Since Miao Yun dared to defect, he must have already obtained the protection of the humans. If we strike rashly, I fear..."

"Fear what? Fear starting a war with the humans?"

The Beast Ancestor sneered, interrupting him. "The Ethereal Alliance has not yet officially moved into human territory; their race is still in their original domain! If we don't strike now, once they are completely hidden under the wings of the humans, we will never have another chance!"

Lord Juefeng and Lord of Nightfall exchanged a glance, both seeing the anxiety in the other's eyes.

They certainly knew that now was the optimal time to strike.

But the question remained: would humanity sit idly by?

"Alliance Master, what if the humans intervene..." the Lord of Giant Rock said in a muffled, booming voice.

"Then we fight!"

A flash of madness crossed the eyes of the Beast Ancestor. "If we can endure even this, how can the Demon Beast Alliance continue to stand? Who else would hold me in any regard?"

Once these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Indeed, what kind of Alliance Master would truly be followed if he dared not even punish a traitor?

"My mind is made up."

The Beast Ancestor slowly stood up, his dark golden scales beginning to burn with blood-colored divine power. "If Miaoyun wants to be a dog for the humans, then I will let him know that being a dog comes with a price!"

Human territory, Virtual Universe.

"The Beast Ancestor is about to make a move against the Ethereal Alliance."

The voice of the City Lord of Chaos rang out at the highest roundtable meeting. "Just moments ago, all the Universe Masters of the Demon Beast Alliance were summoned, and their target is the territory of the Ethereal Alliance."

"That was fast."

Desolate Mirror Lord frowned. "Miaoyun and his people only just signed the contract with us, and the Beast Ancestor is already unable to restrain himself."

"That is only natural," Dragon Walk Master snorted coldly. "The Ethereal Alliance is the first secondary alliance to openly defect to us. If the Beast Ancestor does not react, his Demon Beast Alliance will become a complete laughingstock."

"Then what shall we do?" Peng Gong Lord asked. "Miaoyun has just requested our aid, hoping that humanity can dispatch troops to protect their clans."

"We must dispatch troops, of course."

Founder Giant Axe spoke up, his rugged voice carrying unquestionable resolve. "Since Miaoyun has defected to us, he is one of our own. If we cannot even protect our own vassals, who would dare to defect to humanity in the future?"

"Giant Axe is right," the City Lord of Chaos nodded. "Furthermore, this is the perfect opportunity to establish our prestige."

"Establish our prestige?"