"Old Beast God," Luo Feng sat cross-legged within a hall of profound tranquility, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation.

"I never expected that we humans wouldn't even seek him out, and yet he came looking for me first."

The factions the Human Race needed to win over fell into three categories.

One was the vast number of unaffiliated Universe Masters from various races. Individually, they might seem weak, but aggregated, they formed the most powerful and crucial bloc of strength!

The second group comprised factions with extremely modest demands, such as the Ancestor God Sect and the Star Beast Alliance.

The final category was the strongest of the reclusive powerhouses!

As for those scattered Universe Masters from various races, winning them over—the Human Race was indeed willing to pay certain costs! Because these concessions... would not interfere with the Human Race's future grand schemes! However, negotiating with the Universe Masters, the Ancestor God Sect, or the Star Beast Alliance... would be far more troublesome, because what they truly desired, the Human Race clearly understood, was the method for Transcendence from Samsara!

Firstly, the Human Race had no certainty regarding achieving Transcendence from Samsara! This was because higher-level information was utterly obscured by the Will of the Origin.

Secondly, if they failed to secure the method for Transcendence from Samsara, the reclusive powerhouses and other factions would likely demand detailed cultivation experience on how to reach the 'Limit of the Universe Master', which represented the future peak combat power of the Human Race. After all, the 'Limit of the Universe Master' was equivalent to the strength of the former Primal Ancestor.

To allow other races, to allow the reclusive powerhouses, to produce several entities with 'Primal Ancestor' level combat power?

Once there was no advantage at the pinnacle of strength, how could the Human Race ever become the 'Number One Force in the Sea of Universes'? How could they achieve true, invincible majesty?

"Even within the Human Race, there are disputes, opinions are not unified," Luo Feng mused internally. "Everyone is watching how many of these unaffiliated factions we manage to win over. If we can secure enough of the scattered Universe Masters... even losing a few reclusive powerhouses won't affect the overall situation."

Humanity waited.

Waiting to see how many Universe Masters they could recruit! Waiting to see how many on the other side would remain neutral!

Thus...

They could gauge the strength of both impending fronts. If the Human believed they could withstand the combined forces! Then there would be no need to pay excessively high prices to the Star Beast Alliance and the like. After all, the Human Race needed to consider not just the present, but the future!

That very day.

About three hours after Luo Feng arrived at his Master's location, the Old Beast God arrived.

"Luo Feng!" His voice resonated throughout the palace area.

Whoosh!

Luo Feng immediately flew out and soon spotted the colossal entity suspended in the void. It was a winding form bearing a massive dragon head, upon which rested nine sharp horns forming a crown. Its immense, serpentine body was supported by colossal hooves, each hoof bearing nine claws.

"He actually came in his true form," Luo Feng thought. "This Starry Sky Progenitor is clearly demonstrating his sincerity."

"Starry Sky Progenitor," Luo Feng called out loudly, his voice echoing in the void.

The Starry Sky Progenitor, suspended in the emptiness, slightly stretched his massive body, though his head remained fixed on Luo Feng, bearing a hint of familiarity. "It's been the second time we’ve met since our time in the Beast God Realm, hasn't it?"

"It has indeed been a long time since I saw the Progenitor," Luo Feng smiled. "Back in the Beast God Realm, the Progenitor aided me. Luo Feng has always been deeply grateful."

"Hahaha..." The Starry Sky Progenitor laughed, his powerful voice booming through every inch of the surrounding space. "No need for gratitude."

In truth, the reason Luo Feng was able to enter the Beast God Realm was primarily because the Starry Sky Progenitor owed Zuo Shan Ke a debt.

"Since we share some history, I'll be direct," the Starry Sky Progenitor stated plainly. "You are well aware of the current situation, Luo Feng! The Human Faction versus the Coalition Faction... two hostile camps. Right now, the Coalition Faction is actively recruiting all sides, and just from what I know, many have already defected to them."

"Some have defected to us as well," Luo Feng replied with a slight smile.

"True," the Starry Sky Progenitor conceded. "But every race understands the threat your Human Race poses! Those unaffiliated factions know it too—never mind the promises your Human Race makes, what are promises worth? The survival and propagation of universe races are inherently brutal and bloody. Once your Human Race truly grows powerful, who can guarantee you won't break your word?"

Luo Feng sighed inwardly.

Yes.

That was their greatest weakness.

"It's inevitable that while recruiting the various unaffiliated factions, your Human Race cannot compete with the Coalition Faction," the Starry Sky Progenitor declared. "Therefore, you should ally with my Star Beast Alliance, the Ancestor God Sect, and those reclusive supreme experts."

"Oh?" Luo Feng listened intently.

"I have spoken with the three Ancestor Gods of the Ancestor God Sect," the Starry Sky Progenitor looked at Luo Feng. "My Star Beast Alliance and the Ancestor God Sect will advance and retreat as one!"

Luo Feng was startled.

These two transcendent powers had actually formed an alliance! Once banded together, their influence would naturally be immense, giving them much greater leverage when negotiating with the Human Race, or even the Coalition Faction.

"Our conditions are simple," the Starry Sky Progenitor stated slowly. "One: We require the guidance from ancient civilizations on cultivating from the Universe Master level to becoming a Universe Master at the Limit. Two: We require detailed guidance on cultivating towards Transcendence from Samsara."

"If your Human Race agrees, Luo Feng, the Star Beast Alliance and the Ancestor God Sect will immediately join your Human Faction." Luo Feng's heart tightened.

Here it comes!

This was truly the demand. In fact, due to their differing positions, the requirements from various factions had subtle variations. Smaller factions dared not hope for Transcendence from Samsara immediately; they merely hoped to produce a Universe Master so their own race could at least be guaranteed eternal survival across three cycles of Samsara.

"Progenitor," Luo Feng stared fixedly at the Starry Sky Progenitor. "Are you unaware of the Will of the Origin?"

"The Will of the Origin of the Original Universe?" the Starry Sky Progenitor replied slowly. "Of course, I know."

"Since you know, you should also understand... any information surpassing Samsara, including higher-level cultivation experiences, is fundamentally concealed by the Will of the Origin of the Original Universe," Luo Feng gazed remotely toward the Starry Sky Progenitor in the void. "Therefore, we humans don't even know how to breach Samsara ourselves."

The Starry Sky Progenitor countered, "I have spoken with the three Ancestor Gods, naturally I understand. When I ask your Human Race to provide detailed guidance for cultivating to Transcendence from Samsara, you only need to provide what is sufficient! For example, achieving the 'Limit of the Universe Master.' Beyond that limit, I will naturally strive through my own efforts!"

"Can you agree?" The Starry Sky Progenitor pressed Luo Feng. "If you agree, the Star Beast Alliance and the Ancestor God Sect will instantly join the Human Faction. Not just us two forces; in fact, I estimate that many of the reclusive supreme experts share the exact same view. You can win them over with the same terms. It simply depends on whether your Human Race is willing to pay the price, or not."

"Nothing gained without some sacrifice!"

"This requires a decision from your Human Race!" the Starry Sky Progenitor looked at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng fell silent.

A decision?

In reality, the reclusive supreme experts, the Star Beast Alliance, and the Ancestor God Sect... they didn't care whether the Human Race expanded its influence in the future, because they were indifferent to territory! Whether another powerful faction emerged in the Sea of Universes, one stronger than the Holy Land Universe, they didn't care.

They merely needed to obtain the 'Inheritance'—the cultivation inheritance that reached the absolute limit!

As for the method?

Once the inheritance was secured, the method became irrelevant. Joining the Human Faction or the Coalition Faction... it mattered little! It all depended on which side made the offer viable.

The Starry Sky Progenitor watched Luo Feng.

After a long pause.

"Progenitor," Luo Feng finally spoke.

"How is it?" The Starry Sky Progenitor showed a rare flicker of nervousness, as this involved his fate, and the fate of the Star Beasts.

Luo Feng stated solemnly, "I have considered this deeply, but this matter is not one I can decide alone. I must return... and consult carefully with my teacher, City Lord of Chaos, and the other esteemed members. If my Human Race ultimately agrees... I will personally notify you immediately, Progenitor. If we do not agree, I will notify you through Teacher Zuo Shan Ke."

"Good!" The Starry Sky Progenitor let out a low roar. "Then the Ancestor God Sect and I will await your Human Race's reply."

Boom!

The Starry Sky Progenitor vanished instantly.

Luo Feng stood silently for a long time...

That day, even though Luo Feng's true body was at Teacher Zuo Shan Ke's location, he used the 'Virtual Universe' to contact City Lord of Chaos.

"Luo Feng, shouldn't you still be with Zuo Shan Ke having him help refine that supreme treasure? Why are you contacting me so suddenly?" City Lord of Chaos realized that Luo Feng must have something of great importance.

The two sat down.

"It's like this, the Old Beast God from the Star Beast Alliance met with me and presented his terms," Luo Feng stated gravely.

"The Old Beast God?" City Lord of Chaos was startled, then immediately inquired, "What terms?"

"It was just as we suspected initially."

Luo Feng sighed. "One, the ancient civilization's inheritance guidance on cultivating from Universe Master to the Limit of the Universe Master. Two, guidance on cultivating to the Limit of the Universe Master!"

City Lord of Chaos immediately frowned.

The Limit of the Universe Master? That meant the combat power of the former Primal Ancestor!

"And he stated that his Star Beast Alliance and the Ancestor God Sect advance and retreat together," Luo Feng continued solemnly. "They have likely formed an alliance."

"The Ancestor God Sect?" City Lord of Chaos hesitated. "The Ancestor God Sect... they shouldn't be this desperate; their demands probably aren't as high as the Star Beast Alliance's."

"Hmm?" Luo Feng was puzzled.

"Oh, as you've risen step by step and roamed the Sea of Universes, you've missed some common knowledge," City Lord of Chaos chuckled. "The three Ancestor Gods of the Ancestor God Sect are actually only Universe Masters, not Universe Masters at the Limit."

"What!" Luo Feng was greatly shocked.

The three Ancestor Gods...

Were only Universe Masters?

"This is a secret, though only known to the upper echelon," City Lord of Chaos shook his head. "First, the Ancestor God Sect was established long ago with three Ancestor Gods! Is it really so easy for Universe Masters at the Limit to be born, and for three of them to immediately join the Ancestor God Sect? Second, the three Ancestor Gods have never entered the Sea of Universes! Third, the troubles encountered in the Sea of Universes have always been resolved by figures like the Lord of Nine Nethers and other Universe Masters."