“Originally, the plan was… for the three races to join forces and capture a group of Human Race Universe Masters in one fell swoop. This was to coerce the Human Race, but now it seems that even if the combined strength of just the three races succeeds, the losses will be astronomical. It seems we must rely on those vassal races.”

“Hmph, vassal races! There’s no way those vassal races will fight to the death for us without tangible benefits.”

“It can’t be helped. Vassal races are, after all, inferior to our own race. If we give them benefits now, they will remain within our sphere of control later. If we further disperse the inheritance, allowing the Prison Race, Crystal Race, Starry Sky Beasts, and others to obtain it, then our race will lose its significant advantage.”

“Indeed.” The Demon Race, Machine Race, and Bug Race all maintained vassal races.

Much like the Human Race, they too had vassal races, forming an alliance known as the Hong Alliance!

However, at the initial outbreak of the conflict, none of the four peak races utilized their vassal races. This was because involving the vassal races meant sending out their respective Universe Masters. And these Universe Masters were not fools; they would not willingly serve as cannon fodder. Without proper terms, they would not die for the cause.

The Demon Race and the other two races had previously assumed that once they secured the inheritance, there would be no need to share it with their vassals.

But the outcome of this single engagement instilled a deep apprehension in the three races, prompting them to immediately begin rallying whatever strength they could.

“Dream Demon Ancestor, Quake Demon Ancestor, the results of this battle have spread. The Human Race is exceedingly powerful. As for the Universe Masters among our vassal races, perhaps each clan only has one or two, or maybe three. No matter which one falls, it is a catastrophe for their respective clans. Therefore, we must be cautious. We have four conditions.”

“Speak,” Quake Demon Ancestor responded.

“First, if we are to participate, we must be allowed to assemble together; we cannot be separated.”

“Second, if any of us perish, the Demon Race must treat their clan with utmost kindness. Their territory shall not be diminished, nor shall foreign powerhouses interfere with their clan’s development.”

“Third, post-war, should we obtain any inheritance from the Duandong River lineage, we ask for nothing grand—only the informational insights regarding the cultivation required to become the ultimate powerhouse.”

“Fourth, in the future, if the Demon Race establishes a Holy Land Universe, one-tenth of the space must be reserved for our vassal races.” It was evident the vassal races had conferred beforehand; their demands were carefully weighed, avoiding avarice. Regarding the inheritance experience, they only sought the cultivation guidance to become the strongest beings, because for them, the birth of just one Universe Master would grant their clans a true foundation!

“Fine! I agree to your terms.” Quake Demon Ancestor deliberated briefly, then readily accepted.

The Demon Race, Bug Race, and Machine Race began offering terms to court their vassal races, drawing the Universe Masters of those vassal races into this terrifying war!

In Human Race territory, on an ordinary life planet teeming with unparalleled prosperity, billions of humans lived beneath skyscrapers that pierced the clouds.

On the rooftop of one such skyscraper.

Whoosh!

A hazy silhouette gradually coalesced, solidifying into a figure clad in magnificent purple robes, flowing silver hair cascading down. His features were beautifully androgynous, his eyes glimmering with starlight—each speck seeming to hold a revolving universe. With a wave of his hand, three figures materialized behind him.

One was a hulking, mountain-like rock entity; another, a lovable yellow-furred strange beast; the third, a person whose entire body shimmered as if composed of moving water.

“Island Master,” the three powerhouses called out in unison.

“Choose a place and settle in temporarily,” the purple-robed figure murmured, gazing far into the distance. His sight pierced the atmosphere, sliced through layer upon layer of spacetime, finally reaching that immensely colossal continent floating in the cosmic void—the primary base of the Virtual Universe.

“The Demon Race took a hit, and now, the Demon, Bug, and Machine Races will certainly exert their utmost effort without any slackening. However, in the shadows, those friends of mine are likely growing restless. Most have probably already entered Human territory. With Giant Axe dead, the Human Race’s greatest anchor now is the Primal Universe!” the purple-robed figure chuckled lightly. “And the passage from the Primitive Universe to the Primal Universe relies on the cosmic channels! These channels were established when Primordial Master was still active. Since Primordial Master is now permanently suppressed and unable to build new channels connecting the Primal and Primitive Universes, these existing pathways are critically important.”

“If those channels are destroyed,”

“Then the Human Race will rely on Universe Masters acting as mere couriers every time they need to return from the Primal Universe to the Primitive Universe.”

“As far as I know, there are exactly two channels connecting the Primal and Primitive Universes: one is located at the Virtual Universe headquarters, and the other is in the Primitive Secret Zone.”

“Judging by the defense levels,”

“The first great battle will take place at the Virtual Universe headquarters.”

“The second, and final, war will be fought there, in the Primitive Secret Zone,” the purple-robed figure whispered softly.

In the entirety of the Primitive Universe, the Nine Superpowers combined held only a slight edge over the independent strongest beings. Facing this great storm, this cohort of solitary peak experts naturally had their own strategic considerations.

Clearly, the astonishing results of humanity’s first battle compelled even these independent powerhouses to rethink their positions thoroughly.

…

In the Human Race territory, within the Primitive Secret Zone.

Luo Feng, Lord of Darkness, and Lord Peng Gong were gathered together, sharing drinks.

“The Demon, Bug, and Machine Races have gone silent now!” Lord of Darkness slammed his cup down, speaking gravely. “They made their moves right after the war began. We went out to fight the Demon Race, only for all three races to retreat. That retreat happened half a month ago, and there’s still been no activity.” Lord Peng Gong shook his head and laughed lightly. “The result of our first battle! It put pressure on those three races… Once preparations were made and the news spread to the other clans, the Bug, Demon, and Machine Races naturally had no need to rush the timeline anymore.”

Luo Feng nodded. “Correct. Their initial lightning attack was meant to crush us quickly. Now that swift victory is impossible, they naturally seek a more stable approach, unwilling to pave the way for other factions.”

“Indeed, other factions!” Lord of Darkness frowned.

“But it’s not just other factions; there are those independent strongest beings as well.” Luo Feng also set down his cup. “Primordial Master informed us that according to his surveillance, there should be several Universe Masters currently within our Human Race territory. But they remain inactive, likely all independent powerhouses.”

“Independent powerhouses!” Lord Peng Gong and Lord of Darkness both frowned.

Terrifying entities.

Only Universe Masters could force surveillance from the Virtual Universe to retreat. In the past, Primordial Master generally disdained surveillance. But now, as the fate of the Human Race hung in the balance, he was constantly monitoring, keeping abreast of the movements of all forces in the entire Primitive Universe.

“Fortunately, the results of that first battle have significantly eased the pressures facing our race. Many forces have already come to pledge allegiance,” Luo Feng stated quietly.

“Mmm,” Lord Peng Gong smiled too. “The Misty Peak Alliance and the Thorn Ring Alliance are two relatively strong forces.

And there are weaker entities, various scattered clans, etc. But any clan daring to pledge allegiance must at least possess Universe Masters. The total number of Universe Masters who have now defected to us has reached ninety-two!”

“The situation is much better,” Lord of Darkness concurred.

Before the first battle, even the vassal races of the Hong Alliance itself—those Universe Masters—were exceedingly wily, unwilling to casually die for humanity. They feared that if humanity lacked the strength to resist, their own sacrifices would be pointless. Thus, before the first battle, the Human Race made no attempt to call upon those vassal Universe Masters.

But things were different now. The outcome of the first battle served as reassurance to the Hong Alliance’s own vassals: at least there was still a chance to contend!

The Hong Alliance itself, plus the ninety-two defecting Universe Masters.

“Although we are still weaker compared to the coalition army that is soon to arrive, we now possess the strength to fight!” Luo Feng said solemnly. “Based on projections, the Demon Race, Machine Race, Bug Race, Prison Race, and Crystal Race—these five races will likely all move against us.”

“The critical factor in this war now lies with the Northern Border Alliance, the Ancestor God Sect, the Starry Sky Beast Alliance, and the independent strongest beings. If any of these powers align with us, our odds of victory will increase!”

“The leader of the Northern Border Alliance is an independent strongest being. Without his support, the Northern Border Alliance likely lacks the confidence to enter the fray. It mainly depends on the Northern Border Alliance Leader,” Lord of Darkness mused. “The attitude of the Ancestor God Sect and the Starry Sky Beast Alliance is harder to fathom. These two factions have always maintained a somewhat aloof position.”

“Aloof? When facing the temptation of transcending the cycle of reincarnation, can anyone truly remain aloof?” Lord Peng Gong scoffed. “The Ancestor God Sect seems powerful now, bolstered by the essence of the universe. But once this reincarnation era ends… they must all leave the Primitive Universe! Without the universe’s support then, the Ancestor God Sect’s strength will surely diminish. Aren't the Universe Masters of the Ancestor God Sect—those three Ancestor Gods—forced to consider the prospect of transcendence? And as for the Starry Sky Beast Alliance, that old Beast God is cunning; we must be wary.

If they intended to help humanity, they should have made some move to contact us, but they haven't sent any signal.”

Luo Feng also frowned.

Yes.

Relying on the first battle, they managed to secure the allegiance of some second-tier forces and scattered clans willing to gamble on humanity’s side. But truly major super-factions offered no help, and not a single Universe Master stepped forward for humanity. The Human Race’s disadvantage remained significant.

Just as Luo Feng, Lord of Darkness, and Lord Peng Gong were discussing matters,

“Hm?” Luo Feng suddenly flipped his hand, and a token appeared.

Lord of Darkness and Lord Peng Gong both turned to look at him.

“Ah,” Luo Feng revealed a trace of joy, looking up at Lord of Darkness and Lord Peng Gong. “Darkness, Peng Gong, I have something urgent to attend to. If I handle this matter successfully, it will be of great assistance to this war effort. If anything critical arises, contact me directly through the Virtual Universe.”

“Good, go ahead,” Lord of Darkness replied.

“Something helpful? Hurry up and go!” Peng Gong urged him on.

Luo Feng immediately stood up, a surge of elation in his heart. Giant Axe had just fallen, and now he was finally being contacted by Teacher Sitting Mountain Guest.

Now, Sitting Mountain Guest had finally arrived in Human territory and requested an audience.