Bai Ze's voice was cold and dismissive, laced with mockery. His deliberate provocations seemed designed to stoke the hatred of the Lich clan and they worked.
Below, the Lich Archmage's crimson eyes beneath his robe narrowed in visible displeasure. Sensing the subtle emotional shift, Bai Ze knew his taunts had hit their mark. Without hesitation, he pressed the attack.
"Moreover," Bai Ze continued, his voice firm and unyielding, "Besides the deep-seated enmity between our races, there is also a personal grudge between us!"
Hearing this, the Lich Archmage, standing aboard the interstellar vessel, raised his head, puzzled.
According to his subordinate's reports, this human Creator had launched an unprovoked attack on their space station. Aside from the orders from the human race to prevent the Lich clan from finding the Sacred Tree Spirit, the Archmage could think of no other possible grievance.
But what Bai Ze did next left him completely stunned.
From the shadows, a petite figure emerged a golden-haired elven maiden, walking gracefully through the void of space. A dense aura of life energy radiated from her, and the rhythmic pulse of the Sacred Tree's Heart glowed brightly on her chest.
The Archmage's mouth hung open in shock. After searching across galaxies for so long, how could he not recognize the Sacred Tree Spirit?
To his disbelief, the Sacred Tree Spirit, which had eluded them for years, was standing right here, next to this human Creator.
"That's right," Bai Ze said, his tone calm yet piercing. "The Sacred Tree is under my protection, and your Lich clan dared to trespass on my domain to steal what is mine. Tell me was I not justified in eradicating them?"
Bai Ze's sharp words left the Archmage momentarily speechless.
Though it was a stretch of the truth, it wasn't far off the mark. After all, if the Liches were left unchecked, they would invade his planet to claim the Sacred Tree's Heart.
The Archmage's expression shifted as realization dawned. His previously stoic face twisted into a sinister grin.
"Heh heh heh… I see now. So that's how it is."
"If that's the case, this simplifies everything."
Knowing that the Sacred Tree Spirit was right in front of him, the Archmage felt an exhilarating surge of satisfaction. All they needed to do was defeat Bai Ze, and the Lich clan could claim the Sacred Tree's Heart they had yearned for.
With this in mind, the Archmage took a step forward and declared in a commanding tone, "If that is your stance, then there is nothing left to discuss."
"In the myriad races of the universe, strength reigns supreme. Allow me to demonstrate this truth with power!"
Without giving Bai Ze a chance to respond, the Archmage raised his staff high. Instantly, 5,000 interstellar warships behind him roared to life, blue flames bursting from their engines as they prepared to advance.
Far from appearing worried, Bai Ze smiled a knowing, calculated smile.
Everything was going according to his plan.
It would have been impossible to provoke the Lich Archmage into a reckless all-out assault without proper motivation. But by revealing the Sacred Tree Spirit and framing it as a personal vendetta, he had ensured that the Archmage would stop at nothing to claim victory.
"Move into action! Proceed as planned!" Bai Ze's command echoed across the ranks of his troops.
His words ignited the fighting spirit of the two tribes under his command.
"We fight for our god! Hold the line! Charge!"
"Almighty God, grant us strength!"
With fervent cries, the Sea Emperor's tribe unleashed powerful water orbs, while the Great Roc tribe whipped up devastating tornadoes, launching an assault on the approaching warships.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Tree Spirit, standing as the center of attention, gazed at the sky and nodded slightly toward Bai Ze. Without hesitation, she retreated, enveloped by a protective barrier.
Seeing this, the Lich Archmage could no longer contain his impatience. He raised his staff high, chanting an incantation in an ancient, guttural language.
"Leader! Look to the sky!" someone shouted. "Something is descending!"
"Fireballs! Scatter! Everyone, spread out!"
The leaders of Bai Ze's forces immediately issued commands.
From the distant void, fiery orbs resembling glazed meteors plummeted toward their location. At the same time, the Lich warships unleashed a relentless barrage of weaponry, beams of light cutting through the dark void.
Several Lich Kings, exuding terrifying auras, descended from their vessels and charged into the midst of Bai Ze's troops.
Despite their valiant efforts, the combined might of the enemy forces proved overwhelming. One by one, warriors from Bai Ze's allied tribes fell in battle.
Yet, even in death, they activated their self-destruct abilities, taking down Lich soldiers with them in one-for-one exchanges.
"Ah, self-destruction?" the Archmage sneered. "An interesting tactic, I'll admit."
"But if this is all you have to offer human Creator, then you are woefully naive if you think it will suffice against the might of the Lich clan!"
"You will learn our Lich clan is not to be trampled upon by the likes of you!"
With arrogant confidence, the Archmage swung his staff once more. A cascade of dazzling lightning, as vibrant as the aurora, struck Bai Ze's troops, causing massive casualties.
Battered and bruised, the two tribes began a tactical retreat.
But the Lich forces were relentless, pursuing them without mercy.
In the face of such overwhelming firepower, Bai Ze's troops were forced back to the edges of their home planet.
Boom!
A deafening sonic boom shook the cosmos as the Lich warships pressed forward with unstoppable momentum, drawing ever closer to Bai Ze's planet.
"Nowhere left to run," the Archmage proclaimed with a sneer. "Behind you lies your homeworld. You now face the full wrath of the Lich clan!"
"All forces, charge! Leave no one alive annihilate them all!"
At his command, the Lich warships surged forward at maximum speed. The sheer velocity caused flames of friction to ignite around their hulls, painting the void with vibrant streaks of light.
It was clear: the Lich forces intended to crush Bai Ze's defenses in one decisive blow.
Against such overwhelming odds, Bai Ze's forces seemed small and powerless.
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