Then, Luo Feng, carrying his stone blade on his back, walked in. His gaze swept across the group: the Lord of Ice Peak, the Lord of Dragon Travel, the Lord of Desolate Mirror, and the Lord of Nether Marquis were the ones accompanying him on this mission. In terms of pure strength, the Lord of Nether Marquis was slightly weaker, but the other three were extraordinary, all beings of immense antiquity.

It was one thing for the Lord of Ice Peak and the Lord of Dragon Travel to have received guidance from the Primal Ancestor; the Lord of Desolate Mirror, however, was the very founder of the Universe Mercenary Alliance!

"Luo Feng."

"Luo Feng."

"Galaxy."

"Luo Feng." All four looked up and spoke simultaneously.

The Lord of Desolate Mirror stated gravely, "For this battle, I will leave one clone behind; the other three clones will fight alongside you."

"This will make our team even stronger," Luo Feng remarked, while internally marveling. The Lord of Desolate Mirror often sought personal gain for the Universe Mercenary Alliance under him, yet when it mattered most, he was unwavering. Most Universe Masters who possessed clones usually had only a couple. The Lord of Dragon Travel, for instance, had a clone.

However, most possessed only two total clones: one staying in their God Kingdom, and the other venturing out to fight—that was the norm. Those like Desolate Mirror, Luo Feng, and Chaos, who possessed several clones, were rare. Such a Universe Master was worth several times their number. This was also one reason why the overall strength of the Universe Mercenary Alliance was slightly superior to that of the Universe Bank of Stars or the First Universe Bank.

"For this battle, the Lord of Desolate Mirror, the Lord of Ice Peak, the Lord of Dragon Travel, and the Lord of Nether Marquis—the four of you will act together," Luo Feng commanded. "With this configuration, especially with the Lord of Desolate Mirror bringing three clones... together, you should be confident even in taking on the attacks of Universe’s Strongest. But direct confrontation during chaotic melee is dangerous, so it is best to fight around the Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum."

"Mm."

"Agreed."

Desolate Mirror, Ice Peak, and the others nodded one by one.

Their confidence was not blind arrogance. After all, any single one of the three neighboring pinnacle races could match humanity. If those three converged to attack a Universe’s Strongest, and if their own numbers of Universe Masters were also greater, humanity would certainly be at a severe disadvantage in such a brawl. To indulge in heroism at such a time would be courting death.

Of course, possessing the combat strength of a sixth-tier Universe Master granted one the capital for heroism.

"What worries me most," Desolate Mirror murmured, "is that the other factions might act in concert! It is almost certain the three pinnacle races will move. But if other super-factions also join the fray—what’s most terrifying is if those lone Universe’s Strongest intervene..."

Luo Feng, Ice Peak, Nether Marquis, and Dragon Travel instantly fell silent.

Every face grew grim.

Indeed.

The Nine Super Factions of the Primal Universe: the Ancestor God Sect, Humanity, the Demon Race, the Mechanical Race, the Bug Race, the Prison Race, the Crystal Race, the Northern Frontier Alliance, and the Beast Race Alliance! Among these nine, the eight that might become enemies—the Ancestor God Sect, the Demon Race, the Mechanical Race, the Bug Race, and the Beast Race Alliance—all possessed Ultimate Supreme Treasures.

The Prison Race, the Crystal Race, and the Northern Frontier Alliance did not.

The Prison Race and the Crystal Race, precisely because they lacked Ultimate Supreme Treasures, along with their remote locations and slightly weaker overall power—this is why, despite fighting fiercely, races like Humanity, the Demon Race, the Mechanical Race, and the Bug Race looked down upon those two factions somewhat.

It must be known that besides the Nine Super Factions, there were also quite a few lone Universe’s Strongest, such as Sitting Mountain Guest, the Creator of Beginning Island, the Founder of Black Cosmos, the Void True Demon God, and the Beast Progenitor—every single one an ancient, immensely powerful Universe’s Strongest being.

In fact, the leader of the Northern Frontier Alliance was originally a lone Universe’s Strongest who was eventually persuaded to join, but even so, he only held a nominal title and offered occasional assistance. That Northern Frontier Leader possessed an Ultimate Supreme Treasure but would never exert himself for the Northern Frontier Alliance. Even if the Northern Frontier Alliance were to collapse, that Leader likely wouldn't lose a wink of sleep.

In the Primal Universe, there were over ten Universe’s Strongest in total.

And they all had their own grudges.

For instance, the Beast Progenitor considered himself the "Guide of the Demon Race" and the "Leader of the Beast Race," the true progenitor of both; hence his self-proclaimed title, "Beast Progenitor." He once enjoyed immense glory, but later, the Beast Race Alliance and the Demon Race both broke free from his control. This entanglement is one reason the Demon Race constantly claims that "Beast Race members are part of the Demon Race." Their complex ties are profound.

Regardless, every one of these lone Universe’s Strongest was difficult to provoke.

Some were mysterious, like the Northern Frontier Leader, Sitting Mountain Guest, or the Creator of Beginning Island.

Others had famous, powerful battles under their belt, like the Founder of Black Cosmos, the Beast Progenitor, or the Void True Demon God...

They originated as special life forms and were far more ancient!

Except for the unfortunate Beast Progenitor, who lacked an Ultimate Supreme Treasure, every other one possessed one.

"Nine Super Factions, lone powers," Luo Feng worried internally. "The lone powers are even more mysterious. They don't need to strive for a race; each one fights for themselves, and every one is an ancient special life form, like my teacher, Sitting Mountain Guest. This group of lone wolves is in no way inferior to the Nine Super Factions."

"The temptation of the Duan Dong River inheritance, the yearning to transcend reincarnation... that desire is considerable for them too."

The invisible pressure caused Luo Feng, Ice Peak, Dragon Travel, Desolate Mirror, and Nether Marquis in the hall to fall silent for a long while.

"Hmph."

The Lord of Dragon Travel spoke hoarsely, "No matter who the enemy is, there is only battle! We humans have no other choice!"

Luo Feng, Desolate Mirror, Nether Marquis, and Ice Peak all felt a spark in their eyes.

That was right.

If the enemy attacked, what choice did the human race have? They could only fight!

In the three side halls of the City Lord's Mansion, three teams waited silently. In this waiting, the killing intent brewing in each of their hearts intensified— "Hurry!"

A voice sounded in each of the three side halls simultaneously.

Luo Feng, Ice Peak, Dragon Travel, Desolate Mirror, and Nether Marquis rose as one, then vanished in a flash of teleportation.

The Main Hall of the City Lord's Mansion.

Luo Feng's team, including the Lord of Ice Peak; the team led by the Lord of Darkness, including the Lord of Green East; and the team led by the Lord of Peng Gong, including the Lord of Void Gold—all three teams appeared at once. These powerful entities all turned their gaze toward the City Lord of Chaos.

"Everyone," the City Lord of Chaos’s gaze swept over them. In the eyes of every Universe Master, a fighting spirit blazed; they were all prepared for a bloody war.

"The Demon Race, the Bug Race, the Mechanical Race. According to the Primal Ancestor's speculation, the Universe’s Strongest of the three races held a meeting, and just moments ago, the three races acted almost simultaneously," the City Lord of Chaos stated gravely.

Luo Feng, the Lord of Darkness, the Lord of Peng Gong, and the others felt their gazes sharpen with fierce intensity.

They had indeed made their move!

"Furthermore, each of these three contingents includes a Universe’s Strongest," the City Lord of Chaos continued. "The moment their God Kingdom Teleportation appeared in space, the Primal Ancestor sensed it. However, each was obstructed by a Universe’s Strongest forcing open the virtual universe, so we still don't know which of these three teams belongs to the Bug Race, and which belongs to the Demon Race."

"I believe the news of Giant Axe's demise should spread quickly throughout the Primal Universe," the City Lord of Chaos said grimly. "It should soon attract the attention of other super-factions, first-rate powers, and even the lone Universe’s Strongest."

"Therefore, the first battle must be a deterrent to all parties, making some factions hesitate. If our race appears weak... it will definitely signal to other factions that if they wait too long, they won't get any benefits. I fear that by then, all major factions and lone Universe’s Strongest will swarm in, and then our human race will truly have to retreat from the Primal Universe." Silence descended upon the room.

It was true.

What did having two or three Ultimate Supreme Treasures matter? If the Nine Super Factions, numerous top powers, and lone Universe’s Strongest all attacked together, it would be a case of whoever stands in the way dies. Unless they hid forever within the Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum. But if they could only hide, how could they protect their territories?

"The Primal Ancestor and I have discussed this. For the first battle, our human race must unite our three small teams to attack one of theirs!" The City Lord of Chaos’s eyes were sharp as he roared, "Unite, and decisively cripple one of their teams! Inflict heavy losses upon them. This must startle all other forces so they dare not move rashly."

"Agreed."

"Crippple them!"

"Attack one team with full force, annihilate that one team," Luo Feng and the others snarled through clenched teeth. They knew this was difficult, but they had to strike decisively.

If they couldn't even cripple this one team, the ensuing onslaught from all other factions would be a nightmare.

"Good!" the City Lord of Chaos declared. "Depart immediately. Of the three coordinate points designated for our teams, go to whichever is easiest to reach and destroy that target team."

"Yes."

"Depart!"

"Depart!"

They roared the command, suppressing the surging anger in their hearts. All of it would explode during the battle!

The three teams, composed of the human race’s most powerfully attacking super-entities, swiftly left Chaos City and arrived in the Primal Universe.

"This coordinate point allows for immediate arrival." The virtual universe now served as the supreme command center, with the City Lord of Chaos managing the overall situation. All three teams brought along a large number of Immortal Gods, many of whom had numerous tokens scattered across the universe, allowing for the fastest possible God Kingdom Teleportation to that location.

"Go!" "Go!"

"Go!"

A Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum, a black pyramid, and an ancient palace (an apex palace supreme treasure, whose offensive power was limited by the restrictions of the Primal Universe; an apex palace supreme treasure could never be shattered). These were the vessels of Luo Feng’s, Darkness’s, and Peng Gong’s teams, respectively.

Boom~~~

Amidst dazzling golden light.

Space warped!

The light of the God Kingdoms pierced through space, connecting to a distant point, instantly teleporting the Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum, the black pyramid, and the ancient palace—all bathed in golden light—to that spot.

"You are about 120 light-years from the target. Here are the detailed coordinates," the City Lord of Chaos notified them via the virtual universe. Inside the Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum, Luo Feng, clad in silver armor, sported two pairs of spread silver wings on his back and carried his stone blade. He also carried an apex soul supreme treasure to guard his soul. With his will, supplemented by the apex soul-type supreme treasure...

He would not fear an attack from ten Void True Demon Gods!

"Teleport!"

"Teleport!"

"Teleport!"

The three teams teleported almost simultaneously. The Tomb-Boat of Mausoleum, the black pyramid, and the ancient palace leapt across the 120 light-years, appearing in a patch of silent, pitch-black space. There were no stars nearby, only a massive, greyish ship distorted by warped space in the distance. As soon as Luo Feng's three teams materialized via teleportation, a vast, ancient aura erupted from that massive ship, sweeping toward them.

"It’s the Demon Race!" Upon seeing the colossal vessel, Luo Feng and the others immediately identified their intended target.