Undercurrents Beneath the Calm

The Dream Demon Ancestor, Shocking Demon Ancestor, Machine Race Father God, Insect Race Empress, Prison Race Demon Ancestor, and Crystal Race Saint Master from the Allied Camp were well aware of the situation, yet hearing the Northern Territory Alliance Master's words only deepened their vexation. They already harbored animosity towards humanity, and after such a fierce confrontation... how could the human race not bear a grudge? Once humanity grew powerful in the future, would they not seek retribution? Despite knowing this, the Allied Camp no longer possessed the strength to suppress humanity. Their advantage in Universe Masters was completely nullified by the opponent's two will-impacting treasures. If they truly fought on... it would be a battle of life and death, a protracted war, a war of attrition! Even if their few races were willing, the Freedom Alliance, Northern Territory Alliance, and Starry Sky Behemoth Alliance would likely not be. If the Freedom Alliance and others didn't participate, relying solely on their few races wouldn't be a war of attrition, but utter devastation!

“This battle!” the Insect Race Empress's voice, filled with endless allure, declared, “We have failed! And the rise of the human race is unstoppable... The animosity forged today will undoubtedly become the pretext for humanity to attack our races once they grow powerful.”

“Indeed.”

“Right,” they all nodded.

“Therefore, we should assist each other, forming a long-term, loose alliance specifically to counter the human threat. This alliance seeks nothing else... only that when the human threat becomes too great in the future, we can mutually assist each other and ensure our races' safe survival.” The Insect Race Empress asked, “What do you all think?”

While the Machine Race Father God, Prison Race Demon Ancestor, and others showed their approval, lone cultivators like the Northern Territory Alliance Master, E'zhou, and Xuzhen Demon God remained indifferent.

“They've retreated.”

“The Allied Camp has departed.”

Universe Masters stood above the Endless Abyssal Sea, gazing into the distance, watching the Empress Palace rapidly recede. Soon, they all sensed spatial fluctuations, indicating they had teleported away. This caused the human faction to cheer and celebrate. Humanity had been in an absolutely disadvantaged position in this battle, yet they had turned the tide with the help of the 'Endless Abyssal Sea'. Immediately, a grand procession of Universe Masters, including those from the Ancestral God Sect, all proceeded to the palace complex in the core of the Primal Secret Realm. Their guards and servants also teleported back via their God Kingdoms, and an incredibly lavish victory banquet commenced.

The native human Universe Masters were the most excited. The alien Universe Masters were also immensely pleased, for if humanity's future was prosperous, so too would be the future of the races allied with them.

After the banquet.

The alien Universe Masters had withdrawn, but the native human Universe Masters gathered together, each taking a seat. Before them lay simple yet precious delicacies and fine wines from across the cosmos.

“Our race has achieved a great victory this time!” the Chaos City Lord exclaimed, his eyes faintly glistening with tears, his voice resonant. “It also signifies that our foundation in the Primal Universe is now incredibly deep. Even those Allied forces... even if they united with all other powers in the Primal Universe, they could not shake us. The strength and prosperity of humanity are now within reach.”

“Our race has endured the era of the Original Ancestor and the era of Giant Axe, and now we enter a truly prosperous age,” the Chaos City Lord sighed. “Teacher Original Ancestor once led our race, rising from obscurity until our race stood among the pinnacle. However, Teacher was later permanently suppressed by the Primal Universe. Fortunately, Giant Axe ensured our race's status did not fall.”

A profound silence fell. The Universe Masters present either imagined those distant times or, for those who had lived through them, reminisced.

“The fall of Giant Axe brought pain to us all,” the Chaos City Lord said in a low voice. “It was only due to the crisis facing our race that we haven't pursued this matter. Giant Axe suddenly perished in the 'Land of Darkness' deep within the core of the Tilted Peak Sector. This is highly suspicious... Firstly, was the map fake? Who was orchestrating this? Secondly, how could Giant Axe, knowing the horrors of the Land of Darkness, have fallen into it? Thirdly, with Giant Axe's power, how could he have suddenly perished?”

“Of course, the Land of Darkness is in the core region of the Tilted Peak Sector and is extremely perilous. While we must pay attention to this matter, we absolutely cannot trespass without sufficient confidence,” the Chaos City Lord stated solemnly.

“Understood.”

“Right, nor can we allow this to inflict another heavy blow upon our human race.”

They all nodded in agreement. They understood that with Giant Axe's demise, humanity had already suffered enough losses; they couldn't afford another.

“In this great victory for our race, Luo Feng holds absolute paramount credit,” the Chaos City Lord said, looking at Luo Feng. “We should all raise a toast to Luo Feng.”

“Indeed, this time, it's all thanks to Luo Feng.”

“Luo Feng.”

They all raised their cups and looked at Luo Feng, having witnessed firsthand the immense extent of his contributions... especially how the Endless Abyssal Sea resisted the soul attacks of the entire Allied Camp. What a terrifying feat that was, and Luo Feng had actually survived and resisted it. At that moment, their hearts were filled with boundless gratitude and admiration.

Luo Feng also raised his cup repeatedly, saying, “To be honest, this calamity was caused by receiving the ancient civilization's message, so I also bear some fault.”

“What fault is that? Our race's prosperity relies on this ancient civilization.”

“Come, a toast!”

“To that!”

Luo Feng could only respond to each in turn.

The Chaos City Lord smiled at the sight, then said, “Alright, let's discuss another matter. This time, we captured 208 Universe Masters. Firstly, we definitely want to win them over to our side to strengthen our faction. Secondly, we must be careful to prevent their betrayal. Thirdly, how can we prevent betrayal while also winning their loyalty? How can we make them willingly stand with humanity? Please, everyone, share your thoughts...”

The Universe Masters immediately began to offer their ideas.

Soon, a simple yet effective plan was put into action.

1. Firstly, given that the situation in the Primal Universe remained perilous, numerous Universe Masters would inevitably need to gather. The Primal Chaos Universe is vast, so arranging almost all Universe Masters within it was a certainty. After all, if they were all scattered outside... it would be disastrous if they all fled.

2. However, they couldn't allow the Universe Masters to become angry or dissatisfied. Therefore, each Universe Master would have 1 epoch out of every 10 epochs to roam freely in the Primal Universe or Universe Ocean, enjoying absolute freedom! After all, cultivators spend the vast majority of their time cultivating, so allowing them to cultivate in the Primal Chaos Universe with one-tenth of their time being absolutely free... this could alleviate the dissatisfaction of those Universe Masters. At the same time, their 'free time' would be staggered, ensuring that no more than one-fifth of them left the Primal Chaos Universe at any given time!

3. Those Universe Masters would certainly be concerned about the safety of their respective races. Therefore, some Universe Knights would be assigned to each race to stand guard! Universe Knights primarily served as a deterrent; they could handle general dangers. If a major problem truly arose, humanity's main base would directly dispatch a group of Universe Masters.

4. The gradual sharing of detailed information from the ancient civilization regarding 'Universe Masters breaking through to Universe Supreme Masters' would also be implemented. The longer they remained in the human faction, the more they would be given, fostering a sense of desire among these Universe Masters.

5. When venturing into the Universe Ocean, mutual assistance would be strengthened, allowing those Universe Masters to feel humanity's power and the benefits of relying on a strong force.

The human faction immediately began making arrangements. The Universe Masters who had already been captured and whose lives were controlled by humanity naturally had no objections; they were all willing! However, when humanity hoped they would contact 'friends and fellow Universe Masters in the Freedom Alliance,' these Universe Masters hesitated, offering numerous excuses. But humanity was not in a hurry; everything was within their expectations.

Apart from the Ancestral God Sect, the other Universe Masters in the human faction soon officially joined the 'Hong Alliance,' as they would permanently be a part of it! Under humanity's various strategies... the foundation of the human race became even more solid.

Meanwhile—

In the distant East Emperor Holy Land Universe.

“The human race actually won?” The East Emperor Ancestor was clearly displeased upon learning this news. “As expected of those who obtained the Duan Dong River legacy; even now, they possess numerous methods. But this legacy... why did it not fall into my hands?” The East Emperor Ancestor was filled with anger and helplessness. He had originally hoped that humanity would be defeated, and in their predicament... he, the East Emperor Ancestor, could subtly guide Luo Feng to exchange a portion of the legacy with him, making success more probable. But now, it was troublesome.

...

Purple Moon Holy Land Universe.

“Oh?” A faint, purple-robed phantom stood there. “The Allied side lost? Even with the Freedom Alliance's help, they lost?”

“Yes, Ancestor,” Juehua True God respectfully replied.

Purple Moon Ancestor...

Since the East Emperor Ancestor transcended reincarnation, generation after generation of reincarnation eras saw many Universe Supreme Masters born. Yet, no one had been able to transcend reincarnation until the 'Purple Moon Ancestor' appeared!

“Ancestor, the Allied side lost... should we still give them the latter half of the legacy we promised?” Juehua True God inquired. “They have already lost, disappointing the Ancestor so greatly, they are simply not worthy. Even if we don't give it to them... they have no recourse whatsoever.”

Juehua True God was clearly unwilling.

“Give it, of course,” the Purple Moon Ancestor said. “Promises made are promises kept. My Purple Moon... would not lose face before these little ones.”

“The Ancestor's benevolence is a great fortune for those fellows in the Primal Universe,” Juehua True God immediately said.

The Purple Moon Ancestor continued, “Not only should we give it to the Freedom Alliance, but also to all the races in the Allied Camp—the Insect Race, Monster Race, Machine Race, Prison Race, and others... give it all to them! Impart to them the ancient civilization's experience for Universe Masters breaking through to Universe Supreme Masters.”

“Ah,” Juehua True God was stunned. Giving it to the Freedom Alliance was one thing, as it was a prior promise. But to the Allied Camp? There was no prior promise for that.

“Ancestor,” Juehua True God couldn't help but speak.

“The human race, having obtained the Duan Dong River legacy, is already rising rapidly. If we don't lend a hand, how will those Allied factions have the power to resist in the future? I still need them to curb humanity,” the Purple Moon Ancestor said. “Moreover, what is this small legacy? At most, it will allow them to produce a few more True Gods in this reincarnation era. But to transcend reincarnation? They still have no hope.”

Juehua True God also nodded. Indeed. Without the Purple Moon Ancestor's help, this reincarnation era in the Primal Universe would typically only produce 20 to 30 Universe Supreme Masters! With help, perhaps around 100 would be born. However, throughout history, across tens of thousands of reincarnation eras, each era saw a batch of Universe Supreme Masters... how many Universe Supreme Masters? Yet, only two have ever transcended reincarnation!

“As long as we don't give them the legacy for cultivating to the limit of a True God, there will be no impact,” the Purple Moon Ancestor said. “Remember to monitor all of Luo Feng's movements.”

“Understood,” Juehua True God respectfully replied.

...

Soon, the latter half of the legacy information promised by the Purple Moon Holy Land was transmitted to the Freedom Alliance. Furthermore, the Light-Traveling Master personally visited the Insect Race, Monster Race, Machine Race, Prison Race, and other races, imparting the complete legacy information to each of them, filling the Insect Race, Machine Race, and others with both pleasant surprise and apprehension.