Ultragenic Warlord

Chapter 248: Phoenix's Brinkmanship

What happened between the winged and the humans quickly became common knowledge to all the competitors in the galactic stage. After all, as one of the four prime races, the winged were under constant scrutiny, and the humans had risen to fame after expounding on the theory of limit fragments.

The clash between two such races naturally drew considerable attention.

Just as Zhang Lie and the others were discussing how best to deal with the winged, quite a few races were pondering the affair as well. In the nightdemons' waiting room, Pu Kui asked her team, "What are your perspectives on this clash between the humans and the winged?"

Fu Bo immediately replied, "Your Highness, we've never gotten along with the winged, so of course we'd stand with the humans. After all, they possess the key to these so-called limit fragments!"

"Right, Highness! Given what Phoenix did during the competition, the winged surely aren't going to secure Zhang Lie's cooperation, and we'll be able to work with him first!" another nightdemon added.

Indeed, Zhang Lie had stated that he would cooperate with four races in their limit fragment development. One of these four races would be the night spirits, which meant that at least one of the four prime races would be unable to secure his help until the second set of openings.

The looming enmity between the winged and the humans meant that the remaining three spots for Zhang Lie's assistance would undoubtedly go toward the nightdemons, aquatic and starbeasts. As for the winged, they would either have to kidnap Zhang Lie and forcibly acquire his help, or to develop their own research program based on whatever information was publicly available.

The choice was obvious: the remaining three prime races would surely stand with Zhang Lie.

"Indeed, there's nothing more to be said. We side with the humans. There's no need for us to interfere with the competition itself; I'm sure Zhang Lie can handle that on his own. We can, however, help protect him outside of the tournament grounds. If any external parties try to assault Zhang Lie, have our forces take care of them. Fu Bo, once today's matches are over, accompany me to visit that wounded human!"

"Yes, Highness!"

Pu Kui reacted quickly and decisively, as did Lianna of the aquatic.

The relationship between the aquatic and the winged had never been very good; apparently, before they became sapient, their species had been natural enemies of each other, and their relationship hadn't improved significantly since then.

In the aquatic race's waiting room, the aquatic competitors were all cheering happily.

"Haha, that crazy asshole's finally found his match! I'm sure he'll pay a price for his arrogance now!" Lianna smiled.

"Lianhua, you've fought against one of the humans. What do you think?"

"The human I fought was surprisingly polite, and surprisingly strong. Even ignoring our feud with the winged, the humans have limit fragments that we have to acquire at any cost."

"Ah, good! Then we'll head over to the humans' hotel together," Lianna decided.

The starbeasts did the same.

Indeed, this wasn't a decision limited to just the four prime races. The blood demons, night spirits, and all other races that wanted to secure Zhang Lie's cooperation all decided to side with the humans.

Almost immediately after the end of the competition that day, the races' representatives all rushed toward Zhang Lie's hotel, causing Chu Feng's ward to quickly become crowded.

Of course, there were other races who viewed the humans in a hostile fashion, who disdained the humans, who disdained Zhang Lie, and who disdained these so-called limit fragments for disrupting the order among these races that had existed for centuries. These races sent representatives to Phoenix of the winged.

By the Nike Hotel, outside Chu Feng's ward, various representatives from the sympathetic races were expressing their condolences and dissatisfaction with the winged. Many were doing it perfunctorily to get into Zhang Lie's good graces, but even so, he thanked them for their support.

That said, Zhang Lie viewed this as a conflict between the humans and the winged, and he had no intention of causing a conflict that would drag the other races in. As a result, he scheduled an impromptu meeting with several of the representatives from the strongest races.

"Good evening, everyone. First, let me thank you for being here today to visit one of my injured teammates, but I hope that none of your races will try to take part in the conflict between the humans and the winged."

His first words left the representatives quite confused.

"But why? Mr. Zhang Lie, there's no need to worry. The aquatic is prepared to stand against the winged!" Lianna announced, standing up.

"Indeed! Mr. Zhang Lie, the nightdemons are at your back!" Pu Kui stood up as well.

After sensing Zhang Lie's strength for herself, she knew just how strong the human delegation was. And with both the nightdemons and the aquatic speaking up, the starbeasts couldn't lag behind. They were quickly accompanied by the blood demons and night spirits, but no matter how many races promised their support, Zhang Lie didn't change his mind.

In truth, Zhang Lie simply wanted to demonstrate the humans' strength, so at least before the competition was over, he would refuse help from the allied races.

The representatives of those races eventually left. Although Zhang Lie hadn't accepted their help, they had made their positions clear, and he had recognized them.

The Sufei Hotel was likewise thrumming with visitors.

Ali's diagnosis had just been released: his two arms had been crippled and removed completely, while the genetic core in his chest was cracked and leaking. His arms and strength would never be as good as new, unless Phoenix could become the champion of the Void Cup and acquire the potent regenerative treasure that would be its prize.

Quite a few races who were antagonistic to Zhang Lie expressed their position under the guise of wishing Ali well, but strangely, Phoenix behaved much the same way as Zhang Lie. Although he recognized them and thanked them for their efforts, he refused any help, and indicated that he would settle affairs himself.

Phoenix wanted to defeat the humans and show off the true might of the winged on his own—and perhaps to subdue Zhang Lie and force the three other prime races under his sway.

Once the other representatives had left the hotel, Phoenix slunk back to his suite. What had happened to Ali that day was, undoubtedly, his fault. That said, he had already made a decision for himself, and no matter what, he wouldn't be swayed from his path. He just wished that it were him, not Ali, who had to pay the price.

"Well, Young Master? Are you finally regretting your choice?" A familiar figure appeared outside his suite—none other than Hong Yu, whom he had chased out in pique.

Hearing her provocation, Phoenix became resolute once more. All that was happening now was what had to be done to secure the winged's primacy out of all the races in the Milky Way. "Regret? You've followed me for three whole years, haven't you? Have you ever seen me regret a decision I've made?"

Phoenix felt a mantle of self-confidence returning to him.

"Young Master, with regards to certain problems, I believe I understand you better than you do yourself. You have seven peak gene fragments, as well as an ancestral soul of the winged harbored within your body. You intend on dominating Zhang Lie and hence to monopolize these limit fragments for yourself. Am I wrong?"