At this very moment.
On this vast land, three races of vastly different appearances had miraculously gathered.
They all had some past connections with the human race, and due to considerations of mutual benefit, they had come to offer their support.
The Celestial race had the most ninth-tier existences, a total of fifty.
The other two races were not as numerous; the Fire Crow race had only six, and the Undead race had only three.
However, six Fire Crows could form a grand formation, capable of fighting two opponents each, meaning their six individuals were equivalent to twelve ninth-tier combatants.
The remaining three from the Undead race were leaders among their kind. In their lifetimes, they had been prominent figures, all possessing formidable strength.
Even Elder Ge would have been considered their equal.
At this sight of reinforcements arriving, Fuyaozi and the others showed signs of excitement.
The Celestial race, being humanoid in form, was considered part of the human race. The two races had once enjoyed a period of close alliance, though later minor disputes had strained their relationship, making them less intimate.
Nevertheless, the camaraderie between the two races had always persisted.
Of course, their willingness to support the human race stemmed not only from their existing friendship but also from the principle of mutual dependence.
For if the human race were to fall, given the predatory nature of the beast race, the Celestial race would likely be the next target, and they too would face inevitable destruction.
The strength of the Celestial race was comparable to that of the human race among all the races. After annihilating the humans, the beast race might then set their sights on the Celestials.
This was something the Celestial race could not tolerate. Therefore, supporting the humans against a formidable enemy became a reasonable and justifiable course of action.
The Celestial race had a sparse population and a harsh native environment.
Consequently, the territory of Blue Star had become their land of survival, and protecting it was something they were determined to do.
Fuyaozi expressed his gratitude, "Thank you all for your support. Our human race remembers your kindness and will surely assist you with all our might should you ever face hardship."
Yan Jun also showed a look of gratitude, "Esteemed allies, there is no time to delay. We must prioritize the rescue of Elder Ge."
The thought of Elder Ge brought a wave of sorrow to everyone’s faces, and they anxiously urged, "With your aid, these monstrous beasts are no longer a threat. Please, come quickly!"
The Charioteer led the way, saying, "I will guide you!"
"Excellent!"
After exchanging a few words, they ceased further discussion. The immediate priority was the rescue.
Fuyaozi turned back to see many humans below the ninth-tier looking expectantly at them.
Fuyaozi said, "You have all worked hard. Please accompany us once more!"
Now filled with hope, the people held no resentment and exclaimed, "Your modesty, Daoist Master. This is our duty!"
"Indeed, the beasts harbor a desire to destroy us; how can we stand idly by?"
"We are deeply moved that Elder Ge was willing to cover our retreat. Now that there is a chance, we must repay his life-saving grace."
"Esteemed sirs, please lead the way. We will fight alongside you to vanquish the enemy and rescue Elder Ge!"
Fuyaozi thanked them again before turning and flying towards the Supreme Academy.
...
On the other side.
In the underground passage.
Lin Fan said, "Brother, we have lost."
He hadn't been optimistic about the human race's chances, but their defeat now filled him with profound sadness.
After all, he was human.
Lin Yu's expression was somber. He harbored a sense of resentment, questioning why his cultivation progressed so slowly.
If he possessed ninth-tier strength now, he could have easily slaughtered a thousand ninth-tier beasts.
Alas, he lacked such power, and the upgrade points required to reach the ninth tier were an astronomical figure, not something attainable in a short period.
He could only place his hope in the continuous improvement of his own strength, which would in turn enhance the strength of his clones.
He took out a soul bead, chewed it, and swallowed it.
Immediately, a cool sensation spread through his brow, and his soul was slightly strengthened.
Then, he took out a tier-three Blood and Flesh Pill and activated his innate talent, Life Drain.
Feeling the changes in his body, his inner turmoil subsided.
"I have done my best. If the human race is truly defeated, I can only seek revenge for them later!"
Lin Yu, having transmigrated, did not possess an overwhelming sense of racial loyalty. All he could do was act to the best of his ability and leave the rest to fate.
He then spawned another two thousand clones, dispatching them to assist on the battlefield, while Lin Yu's gaze turned towards the Nest of Life.
This was a new ability awakened after his Life Drain talent reached SS-rank.
It was an independent space capable of storing life-related objects (but not living beings). Currently, the corpses of deities were stored within this space.
"Due to the inherent characteristics of deities, even at my sixth tier, I could not absorb a trace of their power. Now that I am an eighth-tier, I wonder if I can absorb the flesh of deities to rapidly increase my strength?" Lin Yu murmured to himself.
Lin Fan turned to him and said, "Main body, give it a try!"
Lin Yu nodded, deciding to test it.
He first commanded a portion of his clones to attack beasts below the ninth tier, then sent another portion to ambush the beast armies of the Golden Ape King and the Crimson Snake King. Only after that did he activate his Life Drain talent.
With a slight shift of his thoughts, a surge of gluttonous urges flooded his mind, causing him to frown.
Enduring the discomfort, he focused his target on the corpse of a deity. Immediately, a small black hole appeared above the deity's corpse.
"Devour!"
A faint divine light emanated from the deity's corpse and was absorbed into the black hole.
Lin Yu was momentarily stunned, and then an uncontrollable surge of power manifested within his body.
This power, just like before, roamed erratically within him, but Lin Yu was no longer the same as he once was.
He gritted his teeth, mobilizing the energy within him to suppress this power with all his might.
"Not good, this power has sentience!"
Lin Yu discovered that the power of deities was indeed miraculous; the strength from the deity's corpse carried a faint will.
Lin Fan reminded him, "Main body, use the Soul Soothing Technique!"
The Soul Soothing Technique possessed the effect of pacifying and purifying the soul.
Upon hearing this, Lin Yu's thoughts stirred, and he activated the Soul Soothing Technique.
Instantly, strange fluctuations emanated from his mind. This power was remarkably effective, capable of soothing souls and dispelling resentment.
As this power swept over the divine power within him, silent roars echoed in his mind.
Lin Yu was startled and quickly intensified his efforts.
*Crack!*
A crisp sound was heard. The will of that power was purified, and the power within his body also became much more docile.
Lin Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
The subsequent process was much simpler. This power, now without resistance, was easily refined and absorbed by him.
Immediately, his internal strength surged by a small margin. Though still minimal, it was more than ten times that of absorbing a tier-three Blood and Flesh Pill.
Furthermore, Lin Yu discovered that the energy within his body had become more condensed.
He sensed it carefully and found that it had condensed by approximately one percent.
Although it was only one percent, it allowed his clones' strength to increase by two percent.
"Continue to absorb the power of the deity's corpse. If one percent of power condenses from each fragment, then one hundred fragments would mean one hundred percent! I wonder if by devouring this entire deity's corpse, I will possess the energy intensity of a deity?"
To slay a deity as a mortal?
The mere thought sent shivers of excitement down his spine.