There is an old saying on Earth: There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

This pathetic notion of Social Darwinism fully exposes Earthlings as nothing but a bunch of brutal murderers.

Whether it was Severston, or Leoz, or even the Caramel Snail, they all once more or less were willing to accept Earthlings just like they accepted the Dragon Race, yet the results are evident for all to see.

There is no hatred without reason in this world. Sympathy towards Earthlings will only invite their endless demands. At least for now, eliminating Earthlings is the only correct thing.

Is Leoz a very brutal person?

Though he has countless lives on his hands now, at the very least, he still has empathy and humanity, willing to lend a hand to those in distress, but Leoz never considers himself a brutal person.

His goal has always been clear: to establish a foothold in this chaotic world, in an era where the various layers of the Starry Abyss are competing for supremacy, to reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to him, at any cost.

So this isn't brutality, it can only be called ruthless tactics.

Severston's goal is also simple: to reclaim his Godhood, while the Caramel Snail seeks revenge. These two are his closest companions, and their goals align closely, not to mention Caramel Snail was personally nurtured by Leoz. Even when they search for Gio Zieou in Zhou Yuan later, it would only strengthen their bond.

The three of them are natural allies.

Thus, with the addition of the so-called "Lord of Incompetence" mentioned by Severston, their group's combat capability is quite decent.

Oshen, although quite compatible with Leoz in battles, cannot be said to be perfectly complementary, but they have seamless synergy. If there were to be a choice for a battle partner, then Oshen would certainly be the most suitable.

It's a pity... Oshen still stands on the side of the Starry Abyss.

After descending to the Border Abyss, the problem of insufficient individual capability was exposed. He can no longer work solo as before since his true form is still growing. Several instances and large-scale tasks can only be attempted by forming a team.

Whether to pull Oshen, who is Long Yuqiong, into his team is a problem he must face.

After some discussions, Leoz ultimately gave up on this plan.

——Such a foolishly loyal vassal, no matter how capable, is nothing but a lackey without autonomy and soul. He can be used for certain issues, but not in others.

Once they leave the Border Abyss, Long Yuqiong can be kicked out of his team.

No problem with the others, Yueyue, Yutianxiao, and Night Fighting Sword, these ones, though haven't removed their filters, are quite close to him, or directly Niuniu's companions, can continue to form a team together.

As for Xia Yubing… this woman took over Qiu Yun's body, extending her life for a considerable time and she has a deep relationship with Caramel Snail. Although Xia Yubing is currently in Long Yuqiong's team, at least for the sake of Caramel Snail, she won't betray him.

[Oh right, speaking of which, it's already version 2.0; by version 2.58, that kid should fall into the trap.]

Leoz contemplated:

[The true genius that let [the Sovereign] take the stage… that little ghost can be brought in.]

Esports is always the domain of the young. The younger one is, the better their reaction and learning ability, and it is inevitable for newcomers to surpass the predecessors.

Besides reliable top-tier talents for his team, it's more important to attract more like-minded [Sovereign] players. By version 2.58, "Starry Abyss" will introduce an important character.

Speaking of which, choosing to reincarnate, pairing with an alternative account to bring in several top players for labor, or else, the damage from Underwater Abyss Port's closure alone would heavily impact his plans.

Kidnapping Glina was no coincidence either.

The Underwater Abyss Port at Red Mist Star is very close to the one Leoz is set to inherit in Oxiulia, but as a vassal of the "Crimson Blood Alliance," Oxiulia cannot establish diplomatic relations with the Empire.

In these days, aside from continuing the legend of the Invincible True General, Leoz also gathered a lot of information about resources near the Grand Duchy of Oxiulia, which included a decent task.

Once they're down there, Leoz would arrange for them to head to his territory, then legitimately grant them citizenship.

Leoz himself would stay in the palace, develop safely, expanding territory, leaving the dirty work and hard labor for the players to handle.

——They will still have to pay taxes to me when the time comes.

Now, as top players such as Caramel Snail submerge, more things can finally be put on the agenda.

While Leoz was scheming, Xia Yubing had already brought Glina over, looking pleased.

"Looks like the talks went well?" Yutianxiao said.

"Yes. Miss Glina expressed understanding of our actions and agreed to help us leave," Xia Yubing said, "Everything is proceeding very smoothly. Next, she will use a magic item to take you in and descend together into the Starry Abyss."

"Let me clarify one thing," Glina said, "This is not free. As payment, you little fellows must agree to one of my demands."

"Demand?" Long Yuqiong frowned, "We are not mercenaries—"

"It's not your place to speak, inferior Dragon Race."

Glina's gaze swept coldly as she said:

"Dare to lay hands on your Emperor, the Ancestor of the Dragons will impose punishment on you!"

"I am from the Starry Abyss, Leviathandal does not concern me," Long Yuqiong said indifferently.

"Alright, alright, Miss Glina, this lad is lacking in manners, please forgive him,"

Xia Yubing immediately came to the rescue:

"We will surely fulfill any demand you propose, we'll be there whenever needed, just… you know, once we reach the lower Starry Abyss, we'll be beset by curses for sure. Besides, our little strength might not even be able to fight an ant in the Border Abyss, so please give us some room to adapt."

[This girl really knows how to talk.]

Leoz thought to himself:

[At first glance, it seems like she's condemning Long Yuqiong's rudeness, but she's actually seizing on Long Yuqiong's words to buy us time for growth and development—just dragging it out for as long as possible, anyway, the Border Abyss is so big, where could she find us?]

Even if she is the little princess of the Radiant Dragon, by the time she descends, she'll have six layers of curses on her. It'll take her at least seven or eight years to catch a break.

Besides, deliberately, none of them brought a [Raiding] Pathway user, no one to help Glina share the curses, her Attributes will definitely be weakened a lot compared to them.

Xia Yubing's planning is indeed good, but sadly, this person has no combat ability, no value to recruit.

"That's more like it."

Sure enough, Glina snorted coldly, then turned to Leoz again:

"By the way, how did you end up mingling with him?"

"What?" Xia Yubing looked confused, "Truly… he's our companion after all."

"Companion." Glina's gaze wavered, "Is that so? Seems it's not just one family communicating with the Secret."

[Not just one family?]'Communicating with the Secret?'

Leoz and Severston exchanged a glance, understanding each other's meaning.

"If there is time, we can have a private chat," Leoz said, "However, I stand only on the side of the Starry Abyss masses."

"...Interesting."

Glina rested her chin in her hand, scrutinizing the chiseled, cold face of the True General, and smiled slightly:

"They say, 'Lichi Peak,' is quite independent even among those thirteen people."

[More than one?]

That's a blind spot in Leoz's knowledge: "I always thought it was just the title of a Demigod; I know about that peak, it's the highest summit in the Haines range, known as the 'Spear of the World'…"

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