In the Ocean territory, deep inside an underwater volcanic area, the Sun Engulfing Ore Lobster capital stood, surrounded by fume-spewing volcanoes. The temperature of the water in this area was high enough to instantly kill mortal humans. The pressure and temperature made it impossible to live for most other races.
Therefore, while the Sun Engulfing Ore Lobsters had never been an incredibly strong race, they had a very solid position. No one other than very few other races were covetous of their land. As long as the lobsters remained neutral, defending the large expanse of Ocean they governed was easy.
Their main rival was the Crab clan nearby. They had a much smaller territory, and therefore, their attacks against the Lobster Clan were often and quite brutal. Both races had been slaughtering each other for a few millennia already, which explained Ebirah's irrational anger.
While the [Moon Carapace Crab Clan] would usually not want a volcanic area filled with Yang energies, in truth, it was a very necessary resource.
Excess Yang energy caused a burning sensation and increased lust. However, it was relatively easy to cure.
On the contrary, excess Yin energy could cause emotional draining and death. Yin energy, being connected with Death and many other negative aspects, had harsher effects when having an excess than Yang energy.
So, a source of pure Yang energy to counteract the effects was not only an advantage for a mainly Yin attributes society but a necessity.
Therefore, the territory of the lobsters was like a sweet candy that was begging to be eaten by the crabs.
With such temptations, the reason for the almost constant and ongoing war was more than clear.
Lately, though, thanks to Yasenia's support, the Ore Lobster's overall strength was advancing at an incredible pace. Found cornered, the Moon Carapace Crab Clan didn't have any other option but to turn and ask for help from the Ocean Chasm Empire, the Ore Lobster's strongest enemy.
"Elder, are you sure about this?"
Inside a large Coral Reef, a group of Moon Carapace Crab elders were gathered, speaking about the recent development.
"I am sure! We've been pushed back by those hot-headed lobsters for millennia! Now, it is our chance to push back! Some of our brothers and sisters might be sacrificed, but the lobsters will disappear from this world!"
One of them frowned. He had a humanoid form with a large shell on his back. "But, what about that Dragon Overlord?"
Everyone's faces became constipated. The creature that appeared not long ago had taken less than ten years to completely dominate the land and part of the Ocean.
If they angered such a being, they would probably disappear in a heartbeat.
"I mean, that Dragon is occupied with other things, right? The Ocean Chasm Empire told us that her mates are giving birth, so she must be distracted. If we eliminate the lobster clan, fighting for that would be… not worth it, no?"
Another elder asked. "Do you think the Ocean Chasm Empire has a chance against that Dragon? I heard that the dragon can summon the stars to aid her in battle."
"The stars? I've heard that her dragon form can swallow the Moon!"
A high-level elder looked at those people and massaged his temples. "Can you stop believing all the over-exaggerated stories you hear about her? Yasenia Dravory is a recently advanced fifth-realm cultivator. She is strong, but she is not a match for peak-level cultivators. Even high-level ones can face her. The problem is not her; it is those who follow her."
One of the elders asked. "Are you talking about the Astral Fairies?"
The name of Astral Fairies had spread everywhere in Distancia. Yasenia's maid division was just too strong, and they had never been defeated, creating a very scary and imposing image. Thankfully, these powers didn't know that there existed another 300 back at home, not counting the Transcendent Level ones. Otherwise, they might have a heart attack and die.
"Anyway, if we don't do this, we will just eventually die. So, it is better than waiting for our deaths."
A woman at the side asked. "What about the letter the Astral Sky Sect sent us?"
"That sounds too good to be true! How would they convince the lobsters to give us a part of their domain if we allied together? As if Yasenia Dravory can control that woman, Coraline."
Meanwhile, Coraline sat on her throne back in the lobster capital. She was leaning on her fist with a frown. "Why didn't they accept the deal? Are they retarded?"
An advisor at the side felt their lips twitch. 'Queen, I understand your thoughts, but could you be less blunt? My heart can't take this.'
Coraline cared not, however. "Like. I am willing to give them ONE FIFTH of my territory. Who in their retarded mind would decline such an offer? That's like, what, twice their territory? They would be able to flourish like never before as a species, and instead, they go and shake their shells for those cunning and malicious people from the Ocean Chasm Empire."
The people around didn't dare say a single word. Coraline really was ready to give up a lot to make it easier for the Astral Sky Alliance as a whole to dominate the Ocean. And yet, the crab people turned their backs on them, and now, they were damaging them to a point Coraline never expected.
"How is the situation?"
A military advisor spoke, his voice loud and clear. "We've lost our forts in the north, and we had to retreat our troops. The northeast has similarly failed after the north failed to defend. The northwest area is somewhat safe, thanks to the natural defensive layout. However, it won't last more than three months at this pace. The rest of our fronts are still sturdy, but we can't disregard another peak-level threat attack."
Coraline rubbed her forehead. "Peak-level cultivators are a pain… Couldn't those fossils stay in their chambers until they died, like always?"
An advisor at the side coughed. "It was Lady Yasenia who used them first, Queen Coraline."
Coraline snorted. "So what? That darling can do whatever she wants! She treats Andrea and my cute Ebirah so well. If she wants the World, just give it to her!"
The King coughed. "Wife, you are being a bit irrational. Calm yourself down."
Coraline blinked and landed her imposing gaze on the King, making him flinch. "Hm. You are right, for once. Sigh… To think that I've become agitated enough that even you were able to correct me."
The King asked, worried. "Wife, we are being cornered too fast. How about informing the Astral Sky Clan? If they suddenly attack us with ten or more peak levels, we will fall in just a few weeks. Our power has only your mother as a peak-level Epoch Core. We are powerless to resist. Not to mention, your mother, while strong, can't move outside for too long due to her advanced age."
Coraline knew that he was right. That was the most sensible option. "But… Andrea will give birth in a few days. What if Yasenia comes and can't attend Andrea's delivery?"
"You are right, Coraline. Let's leave that little girl outside for a few moments. Aren't we here to help?"
Coraline looked over to the now clothed silver-feathered harpy and sighed. "I am glad that you managed to arrive, Tengliu."
Tengliu nodded and said seriously, her violet eyes flashing with a profound emotion. "Coraline, I am not going to beat around the bush. I have a really bad premonition. You know that my premonitions are usually correct. Are you sure you want to continue down this path? Not to mention, once Yasenia discovers this, she will be…" Tengliu said carefully. "Quite angry."
"Furious is the word you are trying to find, Tengliu." Looking back, they saw the Mermaid Queen swimming over. Coraline asked. "Are you sure you can leave your clan for this situation?"
The Mermaid Queen nodded. "I've made sure to secure everything. While we are on the defensive and outnumbered, my race is not that weak to fall in a few days. Once Andrea manages to deliver her child, Yasenia will arrive and stomp them to the ground. We just need to resist."
Tengliu laughed. "You are really confident in her."
The Mermaid Queen shrugged. "One of her maids is enough to beat 4 or 5 of my clan's peak-level Epoch Cores. She has 50 of them that know how to fight together. They are virtually invincible."
While they were talking, someone burst through the door with an urgent expression. "We are being besieged from everywhere! It is a surprise all-out attack from the main division of the Ocean Chasm Empire! Even Admiral Tidal Crest is here!"
Coraline's expression fell while Tengliu sighed. "As expected."
Coraline closed her eyes for a few moments, planning out everything, and shouted. "TWO WEEKS! DEFEND FOR TWO WEEKS AT ALL COST AND THIS WILL BE OUR VICTORY."
Everyone felt a rush of motivation and shouted accordingly.
"DEFEND!"
Everyone mobilized, and the reinforcements and lobsters rushed toward the several fortresses to impede the advance of the enemy army.
Sadly for them, once they arrived at the frontlines, they understood how determined the Ocean Chasm Empire was to get rid of them. The army spanning several tens of millions was like an underwater wave.
While all of Yasenia's allies had received a few tips on how to strengthen the formations, the strengthening was certainly not enough to stop this large army.
Coraline looked over and saw Admiral Tidal Crest appearing at the front. "Coraline, Tengliu, Linghui Mingyu. If you three come with us, this attack won't occur. Resist, and the Sun Engulfing Ore Lobsters will become an extinct race!"
Coraline looked at him from a distance and smiled coldly. "Extinct? My race can't go extinct, Tidal Crest."
The enormous shark-like man frowned. "What do you mean?"
Coraline's eyes flashed with pride as she said. "As long as Ebirah is alive, my race is eternal!"
Admiral Tidal Crest's face sank. "Are you really willing to sacrifice your entire race for your daughter?"
Coraline laughed. "I am willing to sacrifice the entire World for her. What's my own race compared to that?"
Admiral Tidal Crest shook his head. "Emotional and irrational. Instead of just surrendering, you are forcing everyone to die because you don't want to suffer."
Coraline snorted. "Wrong! Do you think that I will take your words at face value? Surrender and you will leave my race alone? Nonsense! The Ocean Chasm Empire is famous because the way you became the strongest race was by breaking promises and alliances! If you didn't have absolute military superiority, you would've been overthrown long ago!"
Admiral Tidal Crest's face didn't change. "Since that's your choice…" He pointed forward and commanded. "Destroy everything!"
"RAHHHHH!"
The ocean trembled as the aura of the army made out of several tens of millions burst outward, pressuring everything.
Tengliu's smile was a bit ironic. "Hey, this is looking quite bad, isn't it?"
A barrage of enemy skills burst forward, speeding through the water and impacting the defensive formation.
BOOOM!
The massive explosion bent the defensive bubble, creating several cracks in it.
Mingyu nodded. "Quite bad, to be honest. I didn't expect them to be so ballsy. What if we hadn't diverted- Wait."
The Mermaid Queen frowned, and Coraline laughed. "Did you realize as well?"
The Mermaid Queen asked. "Who is the traitor?"
Coraline shook her head. "No idea. But we had a spy quite deep inside our power all along."
The fight that followed was extremely one-sided, and in just a few hours, that city fell, forcing Coraline and the rest to retreat backward.
Two more days followed as such, and the Lobster Ore Clan's losses were in the hundreds of millions already. Their territory had shrunk to a third of what it was, and there was only one last layer of defensive fortresses before the capital became vulnerable.