Sure enough, when Lu Yuan walked out, Jiang Ningxian was right there in the courtyard.
The two had grown well acquainted by now, and neither needed an appointment before meeting. Lu Yuan felt some urgency, eager to know whether there was any way to stop the extraterrestrial Ranked Immortals.
Yet he maintained his composure, refraining from asking right away. Only after inviting her to sit did he speak: "How did it go?"
The more critical the situation, the less one could afford to panic; calm was essential. Panicking, after all, would do nothing to change things.
"There is indeed good news," Jiang Ningxian nodded and continued. "If we want to stop the Ranked Immortals from using the aura of their ancestral stars across the astral domains to affect Earth, the key lies in the Severance of Heaven and Earth. In this world today, no entity exists that can contend with them.
"We can only rely on the trump cards left behind by the ancient sages. Otherwise, they will eventually forge a passage and descend in full force." This was the conclusion she had drawn through deduction and ancient records within her clan.
In truth, the Jiang clan did not wish to see this happen either. If it did, all of Earth would be plunged into chaos, and countless lives would be swept up in the aftermath. Her clan knew all too well what the various astral domains intended.
However, the news had reached the Jiang clan too late. Furthermore, this was a joint effort undertaken by the great clans of the various astral domains, including some ranked among the top ten. Even if the Jiang clan possessed certain countermeasures, carrying them out would be exceptionally difficult; time had simply run out.
"So, in the end, we still have to rely on ourselves." Lu Yuan pondered briefly upon hearing this, then asked, "However, the protection of the Severance of Heaven and Earth is steadily fading. If the astral domains dare to make a move, they must possess a degree of confidence. How can we use that same method to prevent their full descent?"
Back then, the sages of the human race had used supreme divine powers to seal off Earth, stripping this world of the extraordinary in the process. Yet doing so had also protected all living beings to a certain extent. Now, the path of evolution was reopening simply because the passage of time had worn the sages' seals away, something no one could reverse. How could the Severance of Heaven and Earth still be used against extraterrestrial beings?
"The ancient sages naturally left behind contingencies," Jiang Ningxian said with a faint smile. "Even after countless ages, they can still be activated. Their potency may not be what it once was, but it remains potent nonetheless.
"In your world, the bright moon in the sky is one such contingency. It can temporarily manifest the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth once more, granting one more round of protection. To put it another way, it functions much like an array formation, and activating it isn't difficult—it requires the Nine Cauldrons.
"The Nine Cauldrons anchor the world's fortune and are divine artifacts in the truest sense. Utilizing them will reawaken the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth."
Her explanation was clear enough: to avert the full descent of the Ranked Immortals from the various astral domains, this was the only viable path. They had to borrow the contingency left by the ancient sages, for there was no other alternative.
"Using the Nine Cauldrons to trigger the Severance of Heaven and Earth?" Lu Yuan thought for a moment, then asked, "So someone needs to travel to the moon?"
According to her, the moon itself was a contingency arranged by the ancient sages to protect this world, serving as a final resort.
"That's right," Jiang Ningxian nodded. "Though you only have the Yongzhou Cauldron in hand, that is enough."
The ones capable of executing the Severance of Heaven and Earth were the ancient sages led by Emperor Zhuanxu, one of the Five Emperors. Before beings of their stature, even so-called Ranked Immortals amounted to very little. In fact, if all went well, it could deliver a devastating blow directly to the extraterrestrial beings.
Of course, this was merely a contingency. At the same time, she explained that by offering blood sacrifices to commune with the Yongzhou Cauldron, the contingency could be activated even from Earth, though its power would be slightly diminished.
Thus, Jiang Ningxian's point was simple: if Lu Yuan wanted to stop the Ranked Immortals, he needed to start preparing immediately. The longer he waited, the greater the variables would become. As for traveling to the moon, that could be set aside for now. After all, the powerhouses of the various astral domains likely knew this as well and would never allow him to make the journey unimpeded.
"There are only three opportunities, while the powerhouses of the various astral domains watch like tigers stalking their prey."
"If we merely stop them, it hardly seems worth the cost." Yet at this moment, Lu Yuan spoke up, a trace of a smile in his eyes, and continued, "Rather than that, why not make them suffer a painful blow?"
He knew all too well that these extraterrestrial beings held themselves in high esteem, fancying themselves superior civilizations. They respected strength and feared authority, but cared nothing for virtue. Consider how many bloody battles the entire Huaxia civilization had weathered just to survive. Facing such a crisis, striving merely for self-preservation would never suffice. When one thought about it carefully, the ancient sages who had established the Severance of Heaven and Earth must have realized this as well.
Self-preservation was merely the foundation; strengthening oneself was the true path forward!
"You... you mean you want to take the initiative and attack?" Jiang Ningxian looked surprised, but her expression soon gave way to understanding.
The Lu Yuan she knew was indeed that sort of person. No matter what kind of adversary he faced, cowering for the sake of self-preservation was never his style. Just as when he faced the encirclement of three Saint Realm experts, he had still confronted them head-on. Even so, she still felt that doing this was exceedingly dangerous.
"I know your concerns," Lu Yuan said after a moment's thought. "Yet there are some things that simply must be done."
In truth, there was something he had left unsaid: he might eventually leave this world in the future. Before that happened, if there was anything more he could accomplish, it was his duty to see it through.
"I understand." Jiang Ningxian took a deep breath. "When the time comes, I will lend you a hand."
She knew that once he made a decision, he would not change his mind. And as his partner and friend—not to mention having no desire to see this world plunge into catastrophe—she was bound to act. The Jiang clan could not remain in hiding forever.
"Thank you." Lu Yuan did not refuse and accepted her offer, knowing full well that this would be difficult to accomplish on his own.
However, there was no immediate rush. According to Jiang Ningxian, the preparations of the Ranked Immortals from the various astral domains had not yet reached their critical juncture. Waiting about half a month longer would yield better results when striking, perhaps even inflicting injury upon the immortals themselves. After all, as the ones actively channeling power, they would bear the brunt of the backlash.
The two of them then discussed further details before preparing to part ways.
Just before leaving, however, Jiang Ningxian suddenly turned back and asked, "Lu Yuan, are you preparing to break through to the Saint Realm?"
Hearing this, Lu Yuan nodded and added, "Yes, though I still haven't been able to take that final step."
"Tsk, tsk. How long has it even been since you reached the Sovereign King Realm, and you're already preparing to push into the Saint Realm? If those so-called Divine Sons and Holy Maidens saw this speed, they'd die of envy. Across the entire starry sky, hardly anyone in the younger generation can rival you."
Jiang Ningxian sighed in amazement, then continued, "Well, as it happens, I have some experience. Let me share it with you."
"Experience?" Lu Yuan caught the critical detail and blurted out, "You've entered the Saint Realm?"
Chapter 196