“Report, envoys from the Icefang Dragon Clan have arrived.”
Hearing this news, the face of the Corpse Rat leader in the dim underground palace changed, and his teeth clenched.
“It's the Icefang Dragons again…”
And the other Corpse Rat elders all showed fearful expressions.
Since the collapse of the Eight Clan Alliance, the Icefang Dragons had been silent, but no one believed they still considered the other victor races as friends.
Now it seemed the Icefang Dragon Clan was planning to settle old scores.
After all, there was no longer anything like an alliance in this world. If the Icefang Dragons destroyed other races, it would be like the humans destroying the Giant Bear Clan; no one would dare to complain.
In an instant, the Corpse Rat leader's mind raced. He even had the impulse to burrow underground and escape the moment a fight broke out.
However, since the other party had only sent an envoy, he had to at least meet with them first.
The Corpse Rat leader led the Corpse Rat elders in a hurried march to the entrance of the underground palace.
An Icefang Dragon looked down at them, its face full of arrogance.
“The Ice King wishes to rebuild the alliance with your clan.”
“…?”
The Corpse Rat leader was momentarily bewildered.
He had been prepared to concede whatever the Ice King wanted, knowing they couldn't defeat them and had no choice but to survive.
Upon hearing that it wasn't a demand for territory or resources, the other Corpse Rat elders breathed a sigh of relief, expressions of survival after a disaster on their faces.
What was going on? Had the Ice King changed his nature?!
The Corpse Rat leader still looked incredulous as he raised his head to look at the Icefang Dragon envoy, his reaction completely different from the other elders.
“Alright, we will consider it. Is there anything else? If not, please return.”
This attitude clearly displeased the Icefang Dragon envoy, but he couldn't say anything.
No matter how much he looked down on the Nine-Headed Corpse Rat Clan, the one standing before him was still a leader.
The Icefang Dragon envoy coldly snorted, "The Ice King said it's best if you give us an answer soon."
After saying that, he turned around and left the territory without looking back.
“Thankfully, they didn't ask us to hand over resources.”
“I thought they were already prepared to seize our territory.”
The Corpse Rat elders watched the Icefang Dragon envoy's departing figure, letting out a long breath.
Only the Corpse Rat leader remained silent, turning back towards the underground palace.
Seeing this, the elders quickly followed. Once inside the palace, they saw the gloomy look on their leader's face.
“What's wrong? Isn't it a good thing that the Ice King doesn't plan to attack and exploit us?”
“A good thing?”
The Corpse Rat leader sneered, "Do you really think this is a good thing?"
“The Ice King is trying to get us to take sides again. How could that be a good thing?”
As he spoke, the Corpse Rat leader sighed, "This is the sorrow of being a weak race. We are like grass on a wall, whichever way the wind blows, we must fall."
“Now, the best option is to not participate in anything, not care about anything, and hide and watch the show. As soon as we take a side, there will be risk.”
“If the Ice King is still fighting Qian'er, neither side will bother looking for trouble with us. At least for a short time, we won't be affected.”
“But if no one responds to the Ice King, then He will definitely disregard Qian'er and attack us first. Simply put, if someone joins Him, He will have the confidence to fight Qian'er.”
“But if no one joins Him, then He will want to devour some other races to expand His strength, and then slowly plan it out.”
“Then us?”
The Corpse Rat elders looked at the leader with some confusion, clearly unable to make a decision.
After all, such a thing could easily put their entire clan in danger.
The Corpse Rat leader leaned against the wall in a somewhat dejected manner: "Let's wait and see. If someone is willing to follow the Icefang Dragons, then we won't go. If no one is willing to follow Him, then we have no choice but to go."
“Can't we surrender to the human race first?”
The Corpse Rat elders were somewhat surprised, they now felt that the Sky Crane Clan was living a comfortable life, which was really wise.
“Heh, do you think the Ice King is bad, but the human race is any better? The Sky Cranes are quite safe now, but ask them to become a victor race again?”
“They can only live under someone else's thumb forever. Whether they succeed or fail, the human race will not let them develop.”
As he spoke, the Corpse Rat leader gnashed his teeth: "Ice King, oh Ice King, you old turtle bastard…"
…
The territory of the Icefang Dragon Clan.
“Report, another group of races is requesting an audience outside.”
“Let them in.”
The Ice King sat on the high throne, showing no sign of his previous despondency.
Soon, seven or eight race leaders arrived at the palace.
“Oh, old friends.”
The Ice King looked at the leader of one of the victor races.
“You, you're not planning to form a federation too, are you? Hmm?”
What truly revitalized the Ice King, besides the admonishment from his clan's True King, were the countless leaders who had come to see him in the past few days.
Not only the victor races, but many races among the myriad races had come to implore the Ice King, wanting Him to take the lead in forming a federation.
“Yes, Ice King, I deeply regret my clan's previous behavior, and have specially brought tribute for Your Majesty.”
“Don't, I can't afford it.”
The Ice King sneered, looking at the leader of that victor race. Back when the Eight Clan Alliance broke apart, this race had ostracized him.
“I'm so sorry! It was a moment of confusion! We were incited by other races. You know, we have always greatly respected the Icefang Dragon Clan…”
The other smaller races, who weren't even victor races, were sweating profusely, barely able to utter a word.
“Well, I'm not a petty person.”
The Ice King smiled: "Of course I can agree to your request to form a federation, but I am a very fair person."
“Given your betrayal in the Eight Clan Alliance, I am very disappointed, so even if you join the federation, your voice will not be strong.”
