Chapter 1563: Chapter 55, Picking Up a Bargain_2
Elder Golan said with a heavy heart.
Knowing well that he was being used as a pawn, he dared not refuse.
In the midst of their conversation, three Eighth-order Strongmen of their clan unfortunately fell in battle due to exhaustion slowing their reflexes.
Without potions that could instantly restore them, continuing to fight like this would soon lead to a peak in the loss of the Giant Foot Centipede Clan’s strongmen.
Accumulating some foundation isn’t easy, and it can’t be all wasted on a moment’s impulse.
Shouting “perish together” was just for effect; to actually exchange life for life, Elder Golan hadn’t lived enough yet, nor had the other strongmen of the clan.
“Stop!”
The command was issued, but a battlefield with eyes red with killing wasn’t one where you could just shout for it to halt.
The war below continued, while the standoff of the strongmen in the sky paused temporarily.
Golan was already very satisfied with this outcome.
Being able to preserve the high-end power of the clan was good enough, as these Eighth-order Strongmen were all seeds for breaking through to the Sanctuary level in the future.
If these foundations were extinguished today, the Giant Foot Centipede Clan wouldn’t see the rise of a new Sanctuary in the next twenty years.
In such an era of contention, a gap in strongmen is extremely dangerous.
High-end power cannot ensure a race’s prosperity, but they can at least ensure its continuation.
Looking at the continent’s history, there are examples of declining races making a miraculous comeback.
As long as the race exists, anything is possible.
Whether it’s a racial curse or some other reason, once the race itself is extinct, the remaining strongmen find it extremely difficult to advance further.
The two are actually bound!
How long it takes for a small clan to make a comeback is hard to define; it’s mainly dependent on reproductive ability and racial talent.
In this regard, the Human Race is an inspirational example.
From a minor clan, they grew to become the continent’s overlord, taking only a little over a thousand years in total.
For ordinary people, it’s a long stretch of time; but for the peak strongmen of longevity races, it’s just a chapter of their lives.
Theoretically speaking, as long as one can break through to the Third Order of the Sanctuary, even humans can endure for a thousand years.
…
After briefly explaining the cause and effect, as well as the beasts’ demands, Elder Golan fell silent.
Being the decision-maker, the King Centipede was flabbergasted right there. Had he known there were so many terrifying beasts in the Black Forest Mountain Range, he wouldn’t have expanded towards the Black Stone Mountain Range.
This was all due to inexperience!
The Earth Core World didn’t have such beast congregations, so the Giant Foot Centipede’s leaders assumed that the surface world’s beast power was limited.
After realizing how tough the Human Race was to deal with, they decided to expand towards the Black Stone Mountain Range as a second choice, hoping to carve out a territory between the two kingdoms.
The current situation is that no territory has been gained, but a graveyard has been established instead.
The battlefield casualties inflicted by the beast tide on the centipede army were also in the tens of thousands.
“They haven’t even left us a chance to retreat to the Earth Core World, clearly suggesting the surface world’s level of competition is no weaker than that of the Earth Core World.
The surface world’s races possess richer resources, so it makes sense that their strength surpasses ours.
The enemy only gave us one hour, a third of which has already passed, leaving us with little time for decision-making.
We’re once more at the point of deciding our clan’s fate, whether to fight these beasts or deploy forces as they demand. Let’s hear everyone’s thoughts!”
The King Centipede said nervously.
This was the first time since his ascension that he felt so uncertain inside.
In the past, no matter how big the trouble, he faced it with calmness.
But this time was different; the Giant Foot Centipede Clan was too weak, and the situation altogether out of control.
“Your Majesty, we have no choice now!
According to these beasts, the Alpha Kingdom hasn’t retaliated not because they fear us, but due to an agreement with them.
If the information is true, as soon as they permit the Alpha Kingdom to send troops, a great war will erupt immediately.
At that point, we’ll be attacked on all sides, dealing with harassment from the beasts, facing retaliation from the Alpha Kingdom, and possibly even getting stabbed in the back by the Dark Forest People.
As long as the beasts can ensure the Human Race won’t attack the Black Stone Mountain Range, following their demands might actually be an opportunity.
If we can’t defeat the Alpha Kingdom, can we not defeat the Dark Forest People?
Judging from the intelligence gathered, the power gap between the two kingdoms isn’t small, and the Dark Forest People also have to face threats from the Alien Coalition.
As long as our appetite isn’t too large and doesn’t touch their bottom line, the Dark Forest People shouldn’t fight us desperately.
First, probe the Dark Forest People’s strength; if they are strong, taking a few counties close to the Black Stone Mountain Range will suffice.
If not, then seize one or two provinces first and observe the continent’s situation before deciding on the next step!”
Prime Minister Javat proposed.
Having served the King Centipede for many years, he read the answer in his leader’s eyes.
The current response seemed like a proposal, but in fact, it was to strengthen the King Centipede’s confidence.
The centipedes wanted to oppose, but in the end, swallowed back their words. They indeed had no better option now.
This plan, though risky, at least possessed some feasibility.
…
Blood Moon Defense Line.
Unaware that the beasts had helped him significantly, Hudson was still troubled over how to incite the Giant Foot Centipedes to invade the Black Forest Kingdom from the south.
“What’s this about disturbance in the Black Stone Mountain Range and a beast tide impacting those stinky centipedes’ base?”
Hudson asked in shock.
A beast tide erupts every few decades, and the Noble Lords near the Black Stone Mountain Range are experienced in dealing with them.
When building the Blood Moon Defense Line before, someone stirred trouble, causing a beast tide incident.
For a fledgling territory, a beast tide is a disaster; for a powerful territory, it’s an opportunity.
With the influence of production capacity development, the nations of the Human Race can now afford some Big Stomach King Magical Beasts.
The “Magical Beast Legion” is replacing the traditional Knight Corps, becoming the strongest military formation of the era.
No noble of the Alpha Kingdom wouldn’t want to create a powerful Magical Beast Legion.
But capturing beasts in the mountains is fraught with danger; small-scale efforts are feasible, but overdoing it provokes retaliation from Sanctuary Divine Beasts.
Established nobles prefer to commission expensive mercenary tasks rather than personally venturing to capture beasts.
Typically, they don’t take action, except in one instance—during a beast tide.
In a beast tide, capturing a multitude of beasts doesn’t catch the attention of Sanctuary Divine Beasts.
Hudson’s own Magical Beast Legion is still in its infancy, claiming to be a legion is just gilding the lily.
To truly form a legion, one needs at least four to five thousand beasts, and Hudson has only accomplished a fifth of that.
Other noble lords have an even larger deficit; the entire Alpha Kingdom’s Royal Family managed to assemble a thousand Magical Beast Knights.
This was achieved with the extensive use of Maturity Potions; without them, they wouldn’t even have that foundation in a few years.
“Marshal, the news has been verified.
Those unfortunate centipedes expanded recklessly in the Black Stone Mountain Range, slaughtering many beasts, likely drawing the attention of higher Sanctuary Divine Beasts.
The current beast tide is probably the beasts’ retaliation against them.
This beast tide has a lot of High-order Demon Beasts, and our people don’t dare to venture close for observation.
Regrettably, since the battle erupted in the Black Stone Mountain Range and not elsewhere, we can’t take advantage of it!”
Governor Piers said with a look of regret.
Seeing this, Hudson slightly smiled. Indeed, they were kindred spirits; their thoughts aligned remarkably well.
Thoughts aside, Hudson didn’t act rashly. To capture beasts, his dragons and bears had landed on several Sanctuary Divine Beasts’ blacklists.
Fortunately, they didn’t know the dragons and bears’ purpose in capturing beasts, assuming they were just encroaching on territory.
According to Sanctuary Divine Beasts’ rules, encountering territorial disputes just means driving one another away with a fight.
A single such maneuver is enough; continuing would surely result in exposure.
Recognizing the risk for his territory’s safety, Hudson decisively chose to halt.
“Your Excellency Governor, a major conflict naturally entails opportunities, but for political reasons, we cannot intervene openly.
Let the mercenary groups handle it; they are most familiar with the Black Stone Mountain Range. There’s a chance to capture a few stray beasts.
Leave the rest to fate!
The centipedes have remarkable talent for inciting hatred, who knows how those Sanctuary Divine Beasts will torment them!”
…