At this moment, virtually everyone was watching.
The scale of this event was truly unprecedented. Compared to this, even Lu Yuan's previous feat of slaughtering saints paled in comparison.
Everyone knew that the arrival of experts from various star systems was the inevitable trend of the future, for Earth's seal would eventually fade away. What Lu Yuan was doing now was defying heaven itself. Moreover, this time, the Ranked Immortals across the star systems were joining forces.
Everyone knew Lu Yuan was exceptionally strong, utterly without rival under current circumstances. Yet that was only within the confines of this world. Once he departed, he would confront even more terrifying beings. Could he still guarantee invincibility?
At the Trial Academy on Mount Tai, the Heavenly Court's divisions and the top brass of the official government had all assembled. Over this period, as the Heavenly Court grew steadily in power, Elder Ji and the other leaders had relinquished a portion of their authority, transitioning it to the Heavenly Court divisions led by figures like Zhu Qingyu.
Their reasoning was simple: they knew the government would inevitably struggle to endure in the future. Meanwhile, individuals like the Ice Fairy and Young Celestial Master Chunyang were juniors that everyone held in high regard, possessing both upright character and immense talent. Therefore, in the future, Elder Ji and the others intended to hand over all power. Down the line, the Heavenly Court would be the government, and the government would be the Heavenly Court.
As the Lord of the Heavenly Court, Lu Yuan would naturally be the one in total control. This was the consensus among the high-ranking officials. Knowing they would ultimately be phased out by the changing era, it was far better to plan ahead.
Now, Lu Yuan was about to ascend to the moon and battle in the starry sky to protect all living beings on Earth. In every respect, everyone needed to gather together.
Even though some among them did not agree with this course of action, viewing it as far too reckless, there were no better alternatives right now. To ensure Earth's civilization was not critically undermined, this was indeed what had to be done; they needed to buy time.
Soon, amid everyone's watchful wait, Lu Yuan appeared.
He still looked calm and composed, entirely free of tension. He had known long ago that Elder Ji and the Heavenly Court divisions would be waiting here. Seeing them before the battle would help set everyone's minds at ease.
"King Lu, are you... truly confident?" Elder Yun was the first to step forward, hesitation clear in his expression.
He had originally wanted to dissuade Lu Yuan, believing the chances of success were far too slim. In his heart, he felt that Lu Yuan was the future of Earth's human race. As long as Lu Yuan lived, no matter what happened down the line, this world's civilization would still have a chance—even if countless beings suffered great catastrophe in the interim. But knowing Lu Yuan had made his choice, Elder Yun knew it could not be changed, though worry still lingered in his heart.
"Whether I am confident or not, we'll only know once I try," Lu Yuan replied, a smile still on his face.
This was the truth, for he genuinely did not know whether he could succeed. After all, what he had to face this time were the Ranked Immortals. Until the very end, no one could foresee the outcome.
"King Lu, those beyond Earth already know of your intention to ascend to the moon and do battle in the starry sky. Many of them have already assembled, clearly intending to stop you from reaching the moon," Elder Ji said, stepping forward to report the extraterrestrial situation.
At the same time, he brought up a video feed captured by satellites in outer space. The footage was straightforward: numerous extraterrestrial experts had blockaded the perimeter of the moon to keep Lu Yuan from approaching. They seemed to know that the follow-up measures of the Severance of Heaven and Earth could be activated from the moon to impede their descent.
Lu Yuan examined the feed. Among them were experts of the Saint Realm, and quite a few of them at that. However, the Ranked Immortals were not present; they likely had not arrived yet.
Even so, he understood the gravity of the situation.
"I understand," Lu Yuan nodded, then looked toward everyone present. There were the Heavenly Court divisions led by Zhu Qingyu, as well as the Peacock King and the other Beast Kings.
With nothing else that needed explaining, he merely said softly, "Wait for my return."
With that, he strode straight forward.
However, Lu Yuan did not set off immediately, for just then, Jiang Ningxian and Elder Jiang arrived.
"I said I would lend you a hand, and I certainly will not break my word," Jiang Ningxian said, her expression solemn. "Although the Ranked Immortals have yet to arrive, those Saint Realm experts are still a huge problem, and there may even be Great Saints among them. Therefore, Elder Jiang will accompany you to hold some of them off." The number of extraterrestrial experts was far too great; relying on Lu Yuan alone was definitely out of the question.
She had already given Elder Jiang several trump cards bestowed by her clan's elders, which were enough to contend with a Great Saint. Under the current circumstances, this was the utmost she could do.
Lu Yuan voiced his gratitude. They had already discussed this beforehand, and he had agreed. Indeed, if he wanted to face those extraterrestrial Ranked Immortals and shatter their plans, going it entirely alone would not work. He had to succeed, or the situation thereafter would become disastrous.
"King Lu, we can depart at any time," Elder Jiang said. He looked aged, yet a tremendous power was contained within his body. Clearly, because he had entered Earth, his cultivation had been suppressed, and he had been slowly recovering it.
With the assistance of this elder and the Jiang clan, Lu Yuan felt much more confident. He turned and nodded to the crowd.
Without hesitation, he took a step forward, ascending to the heavens. His entire form transformed into a streak of flowing light, shooting straight toward the sky.
As for Elder Jiang, he was in no hurry. Serving as a hidden card, he naturally would not follow right on Lu Yuan's heels. At the same time, he employed concealment techniques to mask his presence, preparing to lend aid at the critical juncture.
Shortly after Lu Yuan took to the sky, living beings across the entire world received the news almost simultaneously.
"Is King Lu really going to fight on the moon?"
"Unbelievable... King Lu is still King Lu, through and through!"
"Can he really stop the extraterrestrial beings from descending en masse this time? How is he going to do it?"
Awakened individuals and ordinary citizens across Earth all looked up toward the firmament upon hearing the news. Some wished they could witness with their own eyes what was unfolding beyond the atmosphere. Unfortunately, breaking out into outer space required sufficient strength.
If this battle erupted, it likely could not be displayed before everyone's eyes. As a result, people quickly turned their attention to official announcements. The government had satellites in outer space and would surely release updates as soon as possible.
Today's battle could very well dictate the course of Earth's civilization.
The extraterrestrial beings were also astonished by Lu Yuan's boldness. They had assumed his declaration was mere bravado, but seeing him truly step into the skies and charge toward outer space, they could not help feeling shocked.
Yet what did boldness matter? The key was whether he possessed the strength to match it. Did he think that by his efforts alone, he could halt the grand tide of extraterrestrial forces descending upon Earth?
That was clearly impossible. The Ranked Immortals had taken action, projecting their Ancestral Stars toward Earth, and had long since made ample preparations. How could a mere Sovereign King Realm cultivator possibly stop them? Even a Saint Realm expert could not do so.
Thus, at this moment, the extraterrestrial beings were all waiting for news of Lu Yuan's defeat.
Meanwhile, in outer space, the assembled experts of various star-spanning races all turned their gazes toward Earth, each and every one of them radiating a formidable aura.
Chapter 200