Elder Ji, Elder Yun, and the others were thoroughly shocked when they witnessed this sight.
The younger generation, who had recently grown considerably in strength and confidence thanks to the rapid evolution across the world, were also pale with horror and disbelief upon seeing what was taking place in outer space.
Setting aside their technological capabilities for a moment, the mere sight of vessels emerging from the depths of space was enough to cow a vast crowd into taking things dead seriously.
Moreover, star warships measuring ten thousand meters in length were simply beyond imagination.
This was a scene that belonged strictly in movies, yet it had now descended into reality—right in outer space.
Elder Ji and the others finally understood why Lu Yuan had instructed them to pull back their forces before entering seclusion once more.
The fundamental reason was that those entities beyond Earth were simply too formidable, possessing unpredictable means.
Thus, at this moment, they kept their eyes fixed on the feed, eager to monitor every development as it unfolded.
Before long, several more days passed.
Scores of star warships drew near Earth. Surprisingly, however, their speed slowed, and they made no immediate move to enter directly. Instead, they paused in the extraterrestrial void. Whether by intent or coincidence, meteorites began to cluster around the warships.
At the same time, even more objects emerged through that corridor—including a complete celestial body.
Yet its surface reflected a metallic sheen, and its diameter was relatively small, appearing to measure less than ten thousand meters.
It did not seem to be a true celestial body at all, but rather some sort of spacecraft.
Such a sight was undeniably terrifying.
After deliberating, the leadership knew it was impossible to keep this hidden forever and decided to make the news public. After all, a day of reckoning would come sooner or later.
Under these circumstances, informing the public and all Awakened served as preparation in its own right.
Otherwise, an abrupt appearance down the line would catch everyone off guard; it was better to lay bare the truth from the start.
Naturally, they were well aware that this would cause short-term panic.
"Aliens have appeared in deep space! Go check the latest news!"
"A livestream is already running! The government launched it, capturing tons of footage using space probes!"
"Heavens, is there really life beyond our world? Where did they come from? Why have they descended upon our world?"
Sure enough, once the footage and reports from deep space were broadcast through official channels and livestreamed, the entire world was stunned.
People could hardly believe it. It felt utterly absurd, defying all their prior understanding.
Yet the facts lay right before their eyes; no matter how shocking, they had to accept reality.
Fortunately, having already weathered the baptism of various monumental events in the New Era, people eventually managed to accept it, despite their panic and dread.
Everyone followed the situation intently.
It was truly under the gaze of the entire world.
They realized that perhaps yet another era was about to begin.
And it was on this very day that, through space probes, the leadership made an alarming discovery.
After coming to a halt, the warships began to gather an immense concentration of energy. At the same time, a cannon barrel erupted with intensely blazing light—the very same cannon that had obliterated a comet upon its initial appearance.
This time, however, the cannon was aimed directly at Earth, and the energy it gathered was far more terrifying than before.
"Are they... are they preparing to attack us?"
"They come with ill intent! They truly mean harm! With such immense energy, how can we possibly withstand it?"
"Can we retaliate with thermonuclear weapons? No, it seems too late, and they might not even be effective!"
"Then what should we do? Are we just supposed to sit here and wait for death?"
"If that attack lands, it will deal a catastrophic blow!"
Everyone was shocked and furious, yet dread overwhelmed all else.
The reason was simple: the energy accumulating within that star warship was astronomical, and this time, more than a dozen warships were powering up simultaneously. How immense would their destructive power be?
When Elder Ji and Elder Yun saw this scene, they were stunned, looks of despair involuntarily spreading across their faces.
Entities from beyond their world had appeared, and before Earth could even figure out who or what they were, an attack had already been unleashed.
For a time, panic spread everywhere.
It felt as though doomsday itself was at hand.
Soon, however, Jiang Ningxian emerged from her residence. She sought out the leadership and told them not to worry, explaining that although heaven and earth had transformed, certain ancient measures still remained, meaning there would be no immediate catastrophe.
Sure enough, as if to corroborate her words, once the dozens of star warships had accumulated sufficient power, they unleashed beams of light in a direct barrage.
Yet just beyond Earth, immense runes suddenly manifested.
These runes glowed with a gentle luster and appeared somewhat fragmented, but in the end, they deflected every single beam of light.
The terrifying energy never reached Earth. Everyone was shielded by some mysterious mechanism.
All of this unfolded before everyone's eyes through the livestream.
Involuntarily, people breathed a sigh of relief.
Though they did not know what those protective runes encircling Earth were, at the very least, disaster had been averted.
Soon, however, humanity was shaken once more. They spotted figures and colossal beasts appearing upon the star warships. Due to the immense distance, their exact forms remained indiscernible.
The crux of the matter, however, was that some of these beings stood directly exposed to outer space without any protection whatsoever.
Upon seeing this, Elder Ji, Elder Yun, and the others wore expressions of grave solemnity, realizing the terrifying strength of these beings.
In the evolutionary system they had established, not even someone at the fourth stage, the Golden Body Realm, could survive in the vacuum of space.
One would have to reach the fifth stage of evolution—a realm that had not even been named yet.
From this, one could deduce that these extraterrestrial beings were at least at that level. And clearly, those entities were bound to descend sooner or later.
"Those entities are exceptionally powerful. Once they descend, the global landscape will undergo another shift."
Inside a conference room at Mount Tai Trial Academy, every gaze was solemn and laced with deep anxiety. From what had just transpired, everyone understood that the road ahead would be fraught with trouble.
The authorities' power was no longer sufficient to maintain absolute control over the situation; even thermonuclear weapons would be of no use.
Once those beings in outer space descended, there would essentially be no way to stop them.
If they harbored hostility, a cataclysmic war would inevitably erupt.
"We must discuss this matter with King Lu," someone spoke up, offering a suggestion. "We can hear King Lu's thoughts."
"Hearing his opinion is fine, but in the end, whatever needs to be done will depend on our own efforts," Elder Ji remarked. He believed they could not rely on King Lu for everything, though he agreed that future steps should be discussed with him.
"I share the same view. However, King Lu is currently in seclusion. For now, it is best that we continue monitoring those extraterrestrial beings."
"At least for now, a mysterious power still protects Earth, keeping us safe for the time being. This grants us a much-needed buffer."
Elder Yun chimed in, agreeing with Elder Ji's words. He knew they could not disturb Lu Yuan, and since the extraterrestrial entities could not yet descend, they could use this time to build up their own strength to face future crises.
"Agreed."
Upon hearing this, the others promptly gave their consent.
Fortunately, on their side, they also had Jiang Ningxian from the Desolate Flame Star Domain.
If something truly proved insurmountable, they could still consult her, which proved their earlier decision had been the right one.
Meanwhile, within a certain building, Lu Yuan sat cross-legged as before, circulating the Ancestral Dragon Breathing Method and his visualization method.
Unlike before, however, his current seclusion was not meant for breaking genetic shackles.
He had already reached the absolute limit and could shatter no more. What he needed to do now was unleash all his accumulated power to break through into the next realm.
*Hum, hum, hum—*
His golden vitality had long since receded inward.
Yet from within his body, an even more formidable power surged forth.
A domineering aura radiated outwards, causing the very air to vibrate with low hums.
Arcs of lightning coiled continuously around him, creating an extraordinary sight.
The 108 genetic shackles that had long been broken now released billowing, torrential energy like an erupting volcano, utterly terrifying.
*Thump-thump—*
*Thump-thump—*
His heart pounded.
His internal organs radiated brilliance.
Under the impact of that formidable power, Lu Yuan's cells and every fiber of his flesh were undergoing a profound transformation.
This process had been underway for some time and had now truly reached its peak. Moreover, thanks to the mysterious seals between heaven and earth beginning to lift, his progress went exceptionally smoothly.
At long last, after an unknown passage of time, all his genetic shackles were fully mythologized. Their boundless power was completely unleashed, flooding into every corner of his physical frame.
*Rumble!—*
Accompanying a tremendous roar, Lu Yuan was bathed entirely in golden radiance.
A great sun blazed forth directly behind him, accompanied by fifteen grotto-heavens.
The Shackle Realm was broken, giving rise to brand-new energy that propelled his evolution forward once more.
Golden light wrapped around his skin, and his pores rhythmically exhaled and inhaled pure essence.
His physique was reinforced to a staggering degree.
His limbs and torso erupted with an even more intimidating aura.
The Golden Body Realm—achieved!
The power unleashed by breaking 108 genetic shackles propelled Lu Yuan straight to the pinnacle of this realm the moment he broke through.
There was no helping it; his foundation was simply too formidable, and his prior accumulation far outstripped that of ordinary beings.
Otherwise, he would not have lingered in the Shackle Realm for so long.
*Buzz—*
The next instant, Lu Yuan opened his eyes, a daunting light flickering within his pupils.
"This breakthrough has strengthened my physical body and brought changes to my divine abilities. More importantly, my Martial Dao Heavenly Eye has transformed as well. Truly remarkable."
Sensing the state of his being, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face. Compared to his time in the Shackle Realm, his combat power had multiplied by at least tenfold.
Furthermore, the Golden Body Realm came with two signature abilities: flight and the Golden Body Dharma Idol.
Naturally, Lu Yuan did not rush to test them out. Having just broken through, he needed time to adapt to the power of the Golden Body Realm.
Only by thoroughly understanding one's own capabilities could one unleash maximum combat power.
He had always operated this way, knowing full well that complacency had no place here.
"I'll stop here for now. Who knows how long this seclusion has lasted."
Instead of continuing, Lu Yuan decided to emerge. According to his memories, the onset of the second revival would be accompanied by many monumental events.
Thus, he walked out of the room, retrieved the communicator specially provided by Elder Ji and the others, and powered it on.
He did not even need to search; the entire internet was buzzing over a single topic.
[Extraterrestrial Beings Have Appeared, Imminent Descent: Blessing or Curse for Earth?]
Beneath this prominent headline was a link to the livestream.
Lu Yuan tapped straight into it.
Through the messages and discussions on the screen, he quickly grasped what had taken place recently.
Setting the communicator down, Lu Yuan's gaze grew solemn. Soon, however, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Have they finally... arrived?"
Chapter 124