Chapter 408: Cooperate
The main hall of the alpha werewolf's palace was dimly lit, the air thick with a pungent odor of decay. A tattered carpet lay beneath Alex's feet, and rows of flickering candles lined the walls, casting long, dancing shadows.
At the far end of the hall, a burly, hairy man sat upon a throne, his gaze fixed on Alex as she stood at the entrance.
"Undead lord," the alpha werewolf's voice boomed, raspy and gruff, a hint of menace in his tone. "What brings you to my Skyreach Mountains?"
"You know me?" Alex asked, puzzled. She had no recollection of ever meeting the alpha werewolf of the Skyreach Mountains.
"More than just know you," the alpha werewolf chuckled, rising from his throne. "I've heard countless tales of the undead race's exploits lately. There's no denying the undead empire's strength. So, have you come to eliminate me?"
Alex was taken aback. This alpha werewolf was even more intelligent than she had anticipated. But why did he think that she, a mere Emperor level being, could defeat him? He was a third-stage Sovereign level being, holding a significant advantage.
"You jest," Alex replied calmly. "I'm only at Emperor level. I have no intention of conquering the Skyreach Mountains."
"Hmph, I wouldn't be so sure," the alpha werewolf scoffed, stepping closer, his towering figure casting an imposing shadow over her. "I distinctly remember that the Godhead from the Snowy Mountains fell into your hands. But think carefully. I can ascend to pseudo-godhood at any moment. You can't win."
Alex's heart skipped a beat. He had seen through her plan. This alpha werewolf was no fool.
But she didn't flinch under his oppressive aura.
The alpha werewolf had remained at the third stage of Sovereign level for so long, clearly aiming to become a true god. He wouldn't choose to become a pseudo-god unless absolutely necessary.
Such a choice would permanently sever his path to true godhood.
"Hahaha!" The alpha werewolf suddenly burst into laughter. "We both know that the undead empire has the potential to unify the Eldoria continent. How about we cooperate? I have a small request."
"Help you eliminate Eternal Night City?" Alex frowned.
"Clever girl," the alpha werewolf said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Once it's done, the werewolf race will acknowledge your undead empire's dominance over the Eldoria continent."
It seemed the alpha werewolf had anticipated her arrival. His request was difficult to refuse.
Although he praised the undead empire's strength, they both knew that the undead race couldn't unify the Eldoria continent on their own. They were developing rapidly, but time was running out.
"Alright, what do I need to do?" Alex asked after a moment of contemplation. She couldn't handle the Skyreach Mountains or Eternal Night City on her own. But she had to destroy the continent's core of will. It was an obstacle to her becoming a true god.
"Simple. Eliminate all the vampires. You can have their corpses," the alpha werewolf said, his grin widening. He knew she would agree.
"When the Vampire Antediluvian is cornered, he'll surely ascend to pseudo-godhood. This will weaken his faith power."
Alex understood his reasoning. It seemed he didn't intend to ascend to pseudo-godhood and fight the vampire himself.
The alpha werewolf seemed to sense her confusion. "That's right. You'll help me deal with the Vampire Antediluvian. Don't worry, his strength in that state is comparable to a pseudo-god. My only condition is that you capture him alive. Only I can kill him!"
"Capture a pseudo-god alive?" Alex raised an eyebrow, skeptical. If the vampire fought back with all his might, the undead empire would suffer heavy losses.
"It won't be that difficult," the alpha werewolf assured her, his confidence unwavering. "We just need to exhaust him. I'll seize the opportunity to strike. You know my blood can kill him."
Seeing Alex still weighing the pros and cons, he dropped another bombshell.
"Their antediluvian has been stuck at the third stage for so long. The vampires are starting to waver. If they side with the World's Heart, it won't just be one pseudo-god we have to deal with."
"I see. That is a problem," Alex conceded, finally understanding the alpha werewolf's plan.
His goal was to become a true god, so he didn't want to ascend to pseudo-godhood. But if he didn't act, the werewolves would be wiped out by the vampires. He had to strike first.
"Don't worry, I always keep my word. Besides, the core of will is useless to me."
At this point, Alex had no choice but to trust the alpha werewolf.
"Alright, I'll trust you this once."
"You won't regret this decision," the alpha werewolf said, his grin returning.
...
Alex returned to the undead Imperial Capital. After learning more about the two races, she no longer dared to launch a surprise attack.
Especially against the vampires. If they were already considering siding with the World's Heart, her attack would give them a legitimate excuse.
The alpha werewolf's plan was simple. He would propose a truce with the vampires and challenge their Antediluvian to a one-on-one duel between third-stage Sovereign level beings.
The winner would absorb the loser. It seemed reckless, especially considering the stakes involved, but he seemed confident that the vampires would agree.
That was the alpha werewolf's problem, not hers. Her task was to wipe out the vampires while they were distracted by the duel and then help the alpha werewolf exhaust the Vampire Antediluvian after he ascended to pseudo-godhood.
The alpha werewolf needed some time to set things in motion, so the duel was scheduled for three days later.
"This werewolf doesn't care about the core of will. It means his goal is to become a true god. He intends to remain neutral," Alex mused. He was a strange creature indeed.
As she sat on her throne, she suddenly felt her experience points reach a critical threshold.
The next moment, Death Spirit appeared before her.
"My great Queen, the Sea Race deployed four second-stage Sovereign level beings. They've all been slain!"
"Bring their corpses back immediately."
Alex issued the order without hesitation. It seemed the Sea Race was making their move. They were still unsure of the undead race's true strength and were hesitant to deploy pseudo-gods.
This was perfect timing. She was short on high-level combatants. These four corpses could provide her with two Sovereign level undead.
Death Spirit knew what to do without further instructions.
Within minutes, the four Sovereign level corpses were transported to the undead Imperial Capital through the Portal of Transit.
Their souls were fused, one becoming a Death Angel, the other a Death Dragon.
The undead empire had gained two more powerful combatants!
Although she couldn't replicate beings above first-stage Sovereign level, Alex still had her trump card.
"Join the Sea Race battlefield and report any unusual activity immediately."
The two newly summoned undead and Death Spirit departed. Alex headed towards her bedroom.
After an hour of rest, she took a bath and changed her clothes.
Then, she sat on her bed and began her breakthrough to Sovereign level.
The process was smooth and silent, without any outward signs of energy fluctuations.
But the effects were undeniable. Alex's power surged once more. Finally, she had the strength to execute her plans.