Wu Tao also wore a smile.
In a way, once the plan to use pills as currency was truly implemented, they had become grasshoppers on the same rope. If anything went wrong, no one would escape unscathed.
On the other side.
A gentle breeze brushed past, parting the clouds to reveal the majestic outline of a colossal structure.
Even this corner of it was awe-inspiring, with pavilions among the clouds, towers of white jade, misty edifices, and resplendent mansions, all embodying heavenly beauty and reaching the zenith of grandeur.
Above this structure, four large characters were inscribed: "Maitreya Celestial Palace."
Countless nimble cloud boats sailed slowly into the harbor below the celestial palace.
Innumerable Heavenly beings, with wings on their backs, were building their homes centered around the Maitreya Celestial Palace.
The Maitreya Celestial Palace was the heart of the Heavenly race, its vastness comparable to the Giant King's Palace.
However, unlike the Giant King's Palace, the Maitreya Celestial Palace's magnificence, exquisiteness, and beauty were in no way inferior to human architecture.
Vast expanses of breathtaking architectural clusters met the eye.
Though the style of these buildings differed from that of humans, the distinctions were clear.
Houses constructed from pure white cloud stone and colorful feathers exuded an exotic charm.
Seen from afar, they formed layers upon layers, with tens of thousands of miles of clouds intertwined with multicolored light. Standing below and looking up, the vast structures overhead resembled the wings of a pair of giant doves, grand and spectacular.
The Heavenly race could control the power of clouds, fly through the air, soar with their wings, and cultivate unique cloud manipulation abilities. These powers made them fearless of any enemy.
Since the Primordial Era, when all races joined forces to overthrow the rule of the Ancient Gods, they entered the Desolate Era, an era of inter-racial conflict.
During that time, the Heavenly race was not particularly prominent.
The power of all races in the Desolate Era was so immense that even humanity, the current overlords of heaven and earth, could not catch their breath.
In the Desolate Era, there was a race on the earth called the Crystal Earth Tribe. By standing on the earth, they could rely on their innate divine abilities to absorb power from the earth, becoming invulnerable and immensely strong, practically immortal.
Unfortunately, as soon as they left the protection of the earth, they became mere fish on a chopping block, at the mercy of others.
In the oceans of the Desolate Era, there was a race that could contend with the Dragon race at the time. Although they lacked the Dragon race's divine abilities, they were intelligent and resourceful, adept at creating all sorts of weapons, treasures, and giant sea vessels. Their name was the Merman race, and they established an unprecedented maritime civilization.
Intelligence was the spark of civilization, but excessive greed could destroy an entire civilization.
A widespread internal conflict broke out within the Merman race, with countless merfolk attacking their own kind. The Dragon race, which had been watching covetously, took this opportunity to destroy the glorious Merman race.
In the skies of the Desolate Era, the Sky Roc race also soared, their speed far exceeding that of light, traversing tens of thousands of miles in mere breaths.
However, the Sky Roc race's divine abilities were solely centered on speed. Without their soaring speed, they were like eagles turned hens, reduced to clucking on the ground, their combat power diminished by over ninety percent.
In the Desolate Era, there was a race called the Everlasting Race. By relying on the power of plants with the wood element, they could be born immortal and live forever.
But the so-called immortal Everlasting race, without the replenishment of wood-elemental plant power, could not even last for a moment, let alone live forever.
In the Desolate Era, there was a race called the Thunder race, who could manipulate lightning from birth.
Alas, once deprived of the support of lightning power, they were like fish out of water, utterly useless.
So many powerful races were annihilated by the human race.
The biggest reason was that although their innate divine abilities were strong, their weaknesses were obvious. As long as they were targeted specifically, eliminating them was not a problem.
On this world, there is no such thing as fairness. The distinction between strength and weakness, the dual birth of good and evil, will never change.
Perhaps, in a sense, the fairness sought by those who demand it is the greatest unfairness.
Heaven and Earth are different.
The Heaven and Earth that nourish all things, after giving birth to a race, bestow upon it both advantages and disadvantages.
Races with prominent advantages and disadvantages were like castles built on sand. In the late Ancient Era, after the rise of humanity, they were swept away one by one in a very short period, collapsing with a roar.
The Giant race and the Heavenly race, who had no obvious weaknesses, relied on their exceptionally strong power and lack of discernible vulnerabilities. In that magnificent era, when human dominance reached its peak, they managed to survive precariously, preserving their racial heritage under the pursuit of humanity.
Following this, the Golden Crow race brought them to Cloud Continent.
Then came the great war between the Giant race, the Heavenly race, and the Golden Crow race.
Yu Xuelli, one of the three Heavenly Kings of the Heavenly race, cultivated the laws of prophecy and observation within the Great Dao of Destiny.
For some unknown reason, Yu Xuelli had a persistent feeling of unease lately, as if a major upheaval was imminent for the Heavenly race, or perhaps a great disaster that could overturn their race.
"No need to wait any longer. This new king of the Demon race is a warmonger. We must return as soon as possible to inform King Michael of the Angels and prepare for battle in advance."
...
At this moment, Yu Xuelli's eyes seemed to see the future unfolding.
The trumpets of war had sounded, and the once snow-white Cloud Continent was stained crimson with blood.
Countless flapping wings, their pure, luminous, and sacred kin soaring through the sky, fell to the ground like rain.
And then.
She saw it. The Giant race, taller than mountains, and the human race, appearing from nowhere, joined forces to form a great army, raising their axes against the Heavenly race and initiating a massacre.
...
This war, in the end, drew all intelligent races into its embrace.
Fields covered with bones, seas of blood formed from flowing gore – this was the nightmare of countless beings.
...
All of this made Yu Xuelli tremble all over.
"Is this the future? How could the future be like this?"
With her Destiny Eyes, she could see what other archangels could not. She gazed at the source of darkness, Liu Haotian.
Boundless dark energy enveloped everything in this world, and far too many terrifying events unfolded in succession.
The darkest, most twisted, most bloody, there was no "most terrifying," only "more terrifying"...
Yu Xuelli, who had reached the Legendary realm, felt as insignificant as an ant, with no distinction whatsoever.
Even though she stood at the pinnacle of the Angelic race, possessing power and status that countless admired, it was still the same!
In the Insectoid Hive, within the Hive.
Upon her throne, Lina Luosi's face showed a hint of anxiety. Due to the encroaching demon army, she had not slept for many days.
After all, although the Hive's troop production speed was fast, it could not withstand such high-intensity warfare.
The lower-level insectoid soldiers were relatively fine; they could be produced in large batches anytime with sufficient energy.
However, in terms of high-end combat power, especially Insectoid Lords at the Legendary realm and above, once they died, it was difficult to replenish them in a timely manner.
Currently, within the Insectoid Hive, there were fewer than a hundred Insectoid Lords at the Legendary realm and above, including Lina Luosi.
The overall strength of the Insectoid race had greatly diminished, and there was a risk of them suffering the same fate as the Undead race.
With the situation having reached this point, Lina Luosi knew she could no longer wait passively, otherwise, she would lead the entire Insectoid race to their doom.
Lina Luosi had decided to sacrifice herself to ensure the Insectoid race's survival.
...
However, before that, she had to discuss matters with the Insectoid Grand Commanders and make the worst-case scenario plans.
After all, if this ambitious Demon King did not fall for the honey trap, she would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den, never to return.
...
Among the Insectoids, it was a matriarchal society.
The entire high command of the Insectoid race was composed of females, which was entirely different from other races.
Below the throne stood five beauties, each with her unique charm.
These five beauties were the remaining five Insectoid Grand Commanders at the late Legendary realm and above.
The strongest among them was Yili Yanran, clad in golden armor, who had already reached the peak of the Legendary realm.
Although Yili Yanran was covered in armor, her graceful figure could not be concealed, and every movement exuded a mature and voluptuous charm.
Another was Alicia.
Her beauty was also extraordinary, with delicate brows, cherry lips, fair skin, and a full, alluring figure exuding charm.
The third, Emma Al.
Emma Al possessed an elegant and noble bearing, complemented by a purple sheer silk dress, perfectly showcasing her best qualities.
The fourth, Armanda.
Armanda was exceptionally beautiful, with a cold demeanor like an eternal glacier, but this did not detract from her beauty.
On the contrary, it would ignite a greater desire for conquest in any man who saw her.
The fifth, Amelia.
Amelia had a delicate and refined face, dressed in elegant clothing, clearly indicating she was a high-level Insectoid of the strategist or intellectual type.
Lina Luosi rubbed her temples and said with some fatigue, "The enemy army is pressing in, and escape is impossible. I, Lina Luosi of our race..." She stood up, paced twice, and sneered, "Joining forces with the Angelic race to destroy the Demon race and dominate Hell..."
"This strategy, while seemingly good at first glance, is actually... heh heh..."
"Let's not even mention what the outcome would be if we invited a fierce tiger to deal with a wolf."
"I don't care what you discussed or what agreements you reached with the representative of the Angelic race."
"I just want to tell you, Amelia, that before the Angelic army enters Hell, Satan can lead the demon army to annihilate our entire Insectoid race..."
"Just this point alone, your so-called..."