CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER87-THE DIVINE RACE’S REQUEST FOR ALLEGIANCE

Why did they dare?

The answer that surfaced in their hearts was so unbelievable that even they couldn’t fully accept it.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Leo chuckled softly and shook his head.

Their vision is still too narrow, their courage too small, he thought.

But he couldn’t really blame them. After all, he was truly invincible in every sense of the word.

After a long silence, Felix seemed to have made up his mind. His voice carried unprecedented solemnity as he said,

"President, I wonder if my Divine Race would have the honor of becoming a vassal force under Dalton?"

The moment those words left his mouth, not only did the Divine Race members behind him stare at him in shock, even the Undead Race delegation was visibly stunned.

"Chief! Why?!"

The Divine Race warriors looked at their leader in disbelief.

They could not accept that such a request for subordination would come from their ever-proud patriarch!

Even in the age when the Human Empire stood at its zenith, the Divine Race had never bowed to anyone—they had always remained proudly independent!

Hardiman of the Undead Race was equally shocked, but he quickly regained his composure and fell into deep thought.

From the main seat, Leo sat in quiet contemplation.

He understood perfectly well what Felix was thinking.

The last cataclysm that swept through the planes had reduced the once-glorious Human Empire to dust.

Both the Divine Race and the Undead Race had barely survived by withdrawing from the world, paying an enormous price just to endure.

But what about the next time?

And the time after that?

Facing the overwhelming might of the Clawclash Empire, they knew they had no chance of resistance.

Their only path to survival lay in finding a protector strong enough to weather the coming storms.

And Felix had chosen Dalton—

Believing that Dalton possessed the strength to face whatever chaos the future might bring.

Leo had to admit—Felix’s insight was sharp, his resolve extraordinary.

After a brief moment of silence, Leo finally nodded.

"Your request is granted."

The Divine Race had endured since time immemorial, their heritage profound and unfathomable.

Dalton was powerful, yes—but it was still young. In the measure of ages, it lacked true accumulation.

Accepting the Divine Race would undoubtedly fill that gap.

And with Leo himself overseeing everything, he had no reason to fear any hidden treachery.

Upon hearing Leo’s approval, Felix’s face broke into a look of deep relief.

"On behalf of the Divine Race, I express our heartfelt gratitude to the President for accepting us."

Beside him, Hardiman’s lips parted slightly—as if he wanted to say something—but in the end, he held his tongue.

Leo caught that hesitation but chose not to address it.

If the Undead Race also wished to join, he wouldn’t refuse.

But since they hadn’t asked, he wouldn’t extend an invitation either.

After all, Dalton would stand tall with or without them.

And as for the Clawclash Empire?

Let them come—Dalton would meet them head-on!

"To change the subject," Leo said with a faint smile, "aren’t you two interested in the three newly-emerging Ancient Human Ruins?"

At that, Hardiman immediately responded,

"President, my Undead Race is very interested. I wonder if we might collaborate with Dalton in exploring them?"

Felix quickly followed,

"My Divine Race is also willing to follow the President’s arrangements."

Leo nodded approvingly.

"Good. Then, for now, the three of us shall join forces and watch each other’s backs."

He then summoned Elarielle, Elizabeth, and the others to the grand hall.

"President."

They bowed respectfully.

Leo gestured toward the two guests.

"These are the patriarchs of the Divine Race and the Undead Race—Felix and Hardiman.

They wish to cooperate with us in exploring the ruins. Discuss the details among yourselves."

"As you command!"

Within the grand hall, as discussions began, both the Divine and Undead representatives quickly noticed the staggering power radiating from Elizabeth and the others.

Though these Dalton elites had yet to reach Sanctuary Rank, the density and refinement of their auras made even the long-lived elders of the two ancient races feel faint pressure.

It was unimaginable what kind of training these people underwent daily—or what kind of resources Dalton must be pouring into their growth.

Soon, Elizabeth and her companions began negotiations with the two races regarding the exploration of the Human Mage Tower, the Sky Council, and the Church of the Divine Edict ruins.

Watching the talks progress smoothly, Leo quietly slipped away.

He knew full well that the ruins were fraught with danger—

But he also knew his subordinates would overcome whatever awaited them.

After all, he had already left hidden safeguards within their bodies—

And in the shadows, Koro, who had ascended to Sanctuary Radiance Rank, would be guarding them.

No accident would befall them.

As for the Divine and Undead Races—

They had survived endless eons without extinction; clearly, their means and foundations were formidable.

Leo had no reason to underestimate them.

With their participation, he could truly rest easy.

World Tree Courtyard

Leo sat cross-legged in midair, surrounded by countless runes and energy circuits pulsing softly around him.

Each strand seemed to connect to the very laws that wove the universe together.

Whooo—

He exhaled lightly.

In an instant, all radiance around him faded, and the space returned to stillness.

"Authority Rank..." he murmured.

Between Sanctuary Rank and Authority Rank, there lay nine vast chasms—

Each one a gulf as deep as heaven and earth.

He gazed at his hands in silence for a while before casting another spell of Grand Prophecy.

Instantly, a moving vision unfolded before him—

A towering black spire piercing the heavens, standing amidst an unknown star field.

Within the grand hall at its summit, several beings whose auras rivaled the power of stars themselves sat in deep meditation.

"Clawclash Empire, is it?"

Leo’s voice resonated across endless space and time—directly within the tower’s upper hall.

Boom!

The meditating figures snapped their eyes open at once.

A tide of overwhelming mind power swept through the surrounding star systems.

"Who’s there?!"

Their furious roars echoed through the void—

But they found nothing. No presence, no trace, not even a hint of foreign energy.

Their expressions darkened.

The one who seemed to be the leader calmed first, speaking in a deep, steady voice:

"I don’t know who you are, stranger—but what business do you have with the Clawclash Empire?"

Leo’s tone was flat.

"You could say I do have business."

The moment they heard that voice again, all of them felt their souls tremble.

Someone who could completely bypass their perception must be a being of unimaginable power.

Cold sweat beaded down their temples.

"Then... may we ask what your purpose is?"

The leader’s tone now carried a subtle hint of fear.

Leo’s voice turned faintly cold.

"It’s simple. I need you all to cooperate with something."

They looked at each other in confusion.

Leo didn’t bother explaining further.

"I don’t like how you look," he said flatly. "So I’m going to teach you a lesson. Any objections?"

He paused—then added lazily,

"Not that it matters. I feel like being unreasonable today."

"What—?"

They froze, thinking they must have misheard.

But a heartbeat later—

A colossal, translucent hand blotted out the heavens above them, descending silently yet with irresistible force.

"NO—!!"

BOOOOOOM—!

The explosion shook the stars themselves.

The entire black spire shattered like a sandcastle under a tidal wave, collapsing into cosmic dust.

The mighty figures within were crushed into the ruins—

left lying neatly among the debris, eyes blank, staring at the warped starlight above them.

Their faces were filled with bewilderment and disbelief.

They’d been beaten—just like that?

They hadn’t even understood what happened.

Who was that being?!

Someone whose strength defied comprehension—

And who had just pummeled them without even giving them the chance to resist.