When news spread throughout the Universe that Ice Summit Master of the Human Race could exert sixth-tier combat power with an Arcana treasure, and Void River Master could defeat Wuju Master head-on with just a Clone, various forces in the Universe knew that as the Human Race grew stronger, the Hong Alliance, led by the Human Race, would one day challenge the Northern Territory Alliance, and even the Ancestral God Sect's position.
Thus, all forces in the Universe quietly waited for the Northern Territory Alliance, Demon race, Zerg, and Mechanical Race to make their moves.
Somewhat unexpectedly, the powerhouses of the Northern Territory Alliance were not in a hurry; in their view, the Demon race, Zerg, and Mechanical Race, who were closer to the Human Territory and had disputes with them, would be more anxious!
Since there were three more anxious Pinnacle races, they only needed to wait for the three races' responses.
...
In the Original Universe, in the eastern remote territory.
Here lies the East Territory Alliance, one of the Twelve top forces in the Original Universe, as well as many powerful races and ordinary, weak races.
Within a Secret Realm outside the East Territory Alliance's territory, there is a vast continent with a maximum diameter exceeding 2.7 light-years, which is the habitat and origin of a race called the 'Sora Race'.
The Sora Race is an ordinary Mechanical life race, similar in appearance to the Human Race's tiger-man branch, with mostly grayish-blue skin, as if it were a relatively rough metal.
At the center of the vast continent is a majestic mountain range, and on its highest Pinnacle stands a magnificent palace, a place where only Venerable-level powerhouses of the 'Sora Race' can enter.
Inside the magnificent palace.
Three Sora Race members sat on either side of a long table, all with solemn expressions.
"The provocations from the alien races around our race's Universe Territory are becoming increasingly severe."
A senior Sora Race Venerable said in a deep voice, "They are testing, trying to find out whether Elder Tula has truly fallen."
"It's all because of the damn East Territory Alliance and North Prison Master!"
A Sora Race Venerable with reddish skin gritted his teeth and said, "If it weren't for the battle between Jade Pendant Master of the East Territory Alliance and North Prison Master, Master would not have fallen on Original Star!"
"The news that Elder Tula might have fallen was most likely spread by the East Territory Alliance."
A female Sora Race Venerable, whose skin was less coarse and had a softer metallic luster, slowly said, "Around our race's Universe Territory, only the East Territory Alliance has such a powerful intelligence System."
The senior Sora Race Venerable said in a deep voice, "Now the race is in danger. We definitely cannot protect the Universe Territory with our current strength."
"It's not just the Universe Territory."
The female Sora Race Venerable interjected, "The treasures and Secret Techniques left by Elder Tula are things that the alien races desperately desire. If they confirm that Elder Tula has fallen…"
Elder Tula was a Universe Overlord who once obtained a Heaven-Defying Opportunity, taking a million Epochs from Cultivating to becoming a Universe Venerable, and only a few hundred thousand Epochs to become a Universe Overlord.
For alien races, the Secret Techniques created and treasures obtained by a rapidly rising Universe Overlord were an enormous temptation.
As long as the Universe Venerables of those alien races could gain something from Tula's Secret Techniques and treasures, they might be able to become Universe Overlords even faster!
"Those alien races want to seize the treasures and Secret Techniques left by Master and exterminate our Sora Race!" the red-skinned Sora Race Venerable said angrily.
"We cannot give up the Universe Territory now."
The senior Sora Race Venerable said, "The alien races' provocations must be repelled, so the race can delay for a while longer. Otherwise, we will immediately be besieged by numerous alien races."
Upon hearing this, the other two Venerables nodded. They had to strongly counter the alien races' provocations, or the alien races would take an inch for every mile.
The Universe Territory in the Original Universe is incredibly valuable, and even in this remote area, the struggle for Universe Territory is still exceptionally fierce.
When Elder Tula was present, their Sora Race occupied a small piece of territory with his Universe Overlord combat power and migrated a large number of race members to develop it.
After several million Epochs, the race finally gave birth to a super Genius. Under Elder Tula's guidance, this Genius finally became a Universe Venerable not long ago.
And this Genius was precisely Elder Holt, who called Elder Tula his Master in this palace!
Elder Tula valued Holt greatly, spending a large amount of resources to guide and Cultivate him to become a Universe Venerable. Because he was born in the Universe Territory, he had a slight hope of becoming a Universe Master, and he was also the race's hope of becoming a powerful race.
But with Elder Tula's fall on Original Star, the Sora Race once again fell into crisis, a crisis more severe and terrifying than the last!
"Other alien races are easier to deal with; it's difficult for a single race to annihilate our Sora Race, but the Fire Rat Race is different…"
The female Sora Race Venerable's voice was a bit low, "The Fire Rat Race has a Universe Overlord. They were interested in Elder Tula's Secret Techniques and treasures before and tried to exchange for them with our race."
The senior Sora Race Venerable and Elder Holt both fell silent. The pressure from the Fire Rat Race was too great.
In this remote area of the Universe, a Universe Overlord is a regional Overlord, capable of securing a small piece of territory as a stable habitat for their race.
Clans without a Universe Overlord overseeing them, who wish to acquire Universe Territory, must constantly fight and kill other alien races, secretly allowing their race members to multiply during these battles.
Once defeated in a territorial dispute, those race members still remaining in the territory will be immediately annihilated. This is a sacrifice to gain development potential for the race.
"The Fire Rat Race will not let us go."
The red-skinned Elder Holt said in a deep voice, "The reason they haven't acted is because they can't confirm whether Master has fallen or not."
"Once confirmed, the race will inevitably face the Fire Rat Race's thunderous offensive. Even if Venerable Fire Rat alone descends, we will have no chance to resist!"
The Legacy of a Universe Overlord is very valuable. If a Legacy like the Ancestral God Sect's 72 God Generals were to fall outside, it would surely attract countless powerhouses from remote areas to fight and contend for it.
Unfortunately, each of the Ancestral God Sect's 72 God General Legacies has a fixed location, and only powerful forces with many Universe Masters overseeing them can possibly control a God General Legacy location.
And the Sora Race, having once given birth to a Universe Overlord, yet being so weakened in strength, will inevitably attract the covetousness of other ordinary races for the Universe Overlord's Legacy.
"Before the alien races confirm Elder Tula's fall, we must seek protection for the race."
The senior Sora Race Venerable said in a deep voice, "In this area of the race, joining the East Territory Alliance is the best choice."
"We cannot join the East Territory Alliance!"
Elder Holt immediately stood up and said angrily, "The reason Master fell was because Jade Pendant Master of the East Territory Alliance descended to Original Star, attracting the evil existence of the Universe, North Prison Master."
"Moreover, with our Sora Race's current strength, joining the East Territory Alliance gives us no say whatsoever. The Legacy left by Master will surely have to be handed over, and the treasures will be difficult to keep as well."
"In this case, what difference is there between us and becoming a vassal? Since we're going to be vassals anyway, why don't we find a Pinnacle race?!"
"By becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle race, our Sora Race will at least be considered a member of a super force, and when we go out to contend for resources in the future, we will have some confidence!"
Finally, Elder Holt said in a deep voice, "Therefore, I believe the race can pledge allegiance to a Pinnacle race."
"Is becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle race good?"
The senior Sora Race Venerable asked in confusion, "Even if we have no say in joining the East Territory Alliance, we are still nominally independent, not a vassal of any race."
"It's only nominally independent, but in reality, there's no difference from being a vassal; we'll still be exploited by the powerful races of the East Territory Alliance." Elder Holt said coldly, "By becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle race, Master at least has hope of being resurrected."
"Even before resurrecting Master, we can first offer the valuable Materials Master obtained and ask a Universe Master to resurrect Elder Mu Yi, to quickly earn the resources and treasures for Master's resurrection."
"To resurrect Elder Tula, we need to ask a great existence like a True God to act, and the resources and treasures required are astronomical!"
The senior Sora Race Venerable retorted, "By becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle race, how can we easily accumulate such resources and treasures? Does the race's development not need resources?"
"How can we not accumulate resources?"
Elder Holt continued, "We can…"
The female Sora Race Venerable beside them, watching the two Elders arguing, felt a headache. Both of them made valid points.
However, she leaned more towards Elder Holt's plan: pledging allegiance to a Pinnacle race as a vassal, and then prioritizing the resurrection of the former race pillar, Elder Mu Yi.
This Elder Mu Yi was immensely powerful, having successfully escaped from a Universe Overlord, far stronger than these initial and middle-level Venerables.
With Elder Mu Yi present, the Sora Race would accumulate wealth faster, and there might not be no hope of resurrecting Elder Tula.
As long as Elder Tula is resurrected, the Sora Race will have hope of regaining independence. At that time, they can become a member of a super force as an independent race, a situation far better than being in the East Territory Alliance.
"Holt, if the race pledges allegiance to a Pinnacle race, which race do you think would be best?" the female Sora Race Venerable asked.
"Lei Wen, why are you…?" The senior Sora Race Venerable looked astonished.
"Elder Pewo, I think Holt is right."
The female Sora Race Venerable, addressed as Lei Wen, slowly replied, "For our Sora Race, becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle Alliance is indeed stronger than joining the East Territory Alliance."
"Alas…"
Elder Pewo, who looked older, sighed upon hearing this and asked, "Since you both think becoming a vassal of a Pinnacle race is stronger, then which Pinnacle race do you think is best to pledge allegiance to?"
"The Crystal Race!"
Elder Holt replied, "I think the race can pledge allegiance to the Crystal Race."
"The Crystal Race is not suitable."
"We cannot pledge allegiance to the Crystal Race!"
Elder Lei Wen and Elder Pewo spoke one after another.
"Why?" Elder Holt was puzzled; the Crystal Race was the most suitable target in his opinion.
Elder Lei Wen replied, "The Crystal Race is incredibly united, with no internal factions. Joining the Crystal Race is not in line with the race's interests."
"There are two continuously stable Extraterritorial Battlefields in the entire Original Universe: one for the four Pinnacle races, and one for the Crystal Race and the Prison Race."
Elder Pewo said in a deep voice, "Crystal Race powerhouses are good at cooperation. Our Sora Race's foundation is not strong to begin with, and we would only become cannon fodder on the Extraterritorial Battlefield, constantly losing the race's powerhouses and hope."
Upon hearing this, Elder Holt, combining the information provided by the two Elders, constantly simulated the scenario of joining the Crystal Race, and the result left him silent.
After a long time, he slowly asked, "If the Crystal Race won't work, then which Pinnacle race do you think is suitable to pledge allegiance to?"
"The Zerg or the Human Race."
Elder Pewo stated the names of two Pinnacle races and explained his reasons, "The Zerg is very special, the most unique among the six Pinnacle races."
"There aren't many that can truly be considered Zerg, only those Zerg Queens and Zerg warriors who have developed independent will. Our allegiance to the Zerg will not be too difficult."
"As for the Human Race, their reputation throughout the Universe is famously good, and internally, they are now divided into six major factions."
"If we pledge allegiance to the Human Race, nominally we would be vassals of the Human Race, but in reality, we would be vassals of a certain faction."
Finally, Elder Pewo slowly said, "The Human Race's Virtual Universe Network can connect almost anywhere in the Original Universe, greatly increasing the survival probability of the race's Pinnacle-Level Immortal on the Extraterritorial Battlefield, and even in Universe Secret Realms."
Holt nodded upon hearing this. Elder Pewo, the oldest Elder in the race, had just convinced him with his reasons.
"For the race, pledging allegiance to the Human Race is the best choice."
Elder Lei Wen slowly said, "Whether it's resurrecting Elder Tula or Elder Mu Yi, it requires many Pinnacle-Level Immortal to collect resources and treasures."
"The Human Race's Virtual Universe Network can increase the survival rate of Pinnacle-Level Immortal, which is very important for the race."
Upon hearing this, both Elder Pewo and Elder Holt nodded in agreement.
The Human Race's Virtual Universe Network is unparalleled in the Universe, providing a means for Geniuses and powerhouses below the Universe Venerable level to communicate and seek help quickly.
By relying on the Virtual Universe Network, the Human Race often gains the upper hand in their confrontations with the Demon race, Zerg, and Mechanical Race on the Extraterritorial Battlefield.
"Lei Wen, you once joined the Human faction and participated in the Extraterritorial Battlefield of the four Pinnacle races. Which faction do you think is most suitable for the race to pledge allegiance to?" Elder Pewo asked.
"The Human Race's six major factions are the Virtual Universe Company, Huge Axe Dojo, Universe Star River Bank, Universe Mercenary Alliance, Universe First Bank, and the newly established Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Elder Lei Wen analyzed, "Based on my understanding of the Human Race during my time on the Extraterritorial Battlefield, Huge Axe Dojo and Universe Mercenary Alliance can be ruled out first. Their styles are either too overbearing, or the powerhouses' temperaments are somewhat problematic."
"The Virtual Universe Company is the Human Race's oldest faction, with very strong power. There are quite a few vassal races subordinate to the Virtual Universe Company, so it's not suitable for our Sora Race to pledge allegiance to."
"Universe Star River Bank and Universe First Bank are both good choices, but I am more inclined to pledge allegiance to the newly established Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Lei Wen explained, "The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company was founded by Void River Master, who is comparable to True Gods. Although it has been established for a short time, it is exceptionally generous to its affiliated powerhouses, and currently, no news of any race pledging allegiance to it has been reported."
Elder Pewo and Elder Holt's eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this.
Being recently established and having no news of any race pledging allegiance meant that their Sora Race could potentially become the first vassal race under the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company!
As the first vassal race to pledge allegiance, their Sora Race would surely receive better treatment, which would be far more beneficial for the race's development than pledging allegiance to other factions.
After a moment of thought, Elder Pewo said, "Lei Wen, find a way to contact the powerhouses of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company and convey our Sora Race's intention to pledge allegiance."
Lei Wen looked at Elder Holt beside her, and seeing that he did not object, she replied, "I will contact them immediately."
Then, Lei Wen left her Divine Power Avatar and departed through her Divine Kingdom teleportation…
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