After explaining a few matters to Elder Ji and the others, Lu Yuan headed back toward his quarters, walking side by side with Jiang Ningxian.
Elder Jiang trailed behind them, looking entirely unassuming—none could tell that out in deep space beyond Earth, he had stood alone against twelve Demi-Saints.
"Qingyu, what are you looking at?"
Just then, Ice Fairy, who was about to leave with the rest of the group, noticed that Zhu Qingyu beside her was staring intently at the receding backs of Lu Yuan and Jiang Ningxian.
Her gaze slightly dazed, Zhu Qingyu could not help murmuring, "Rourou, tell me... don't the two of them look like a perfect match?"
Ice Fairy was taken aback by the question. Seeming not to catch the subtle undertone, she simply nodded. "Fairy Jiang is the descendant of a prominent extraterrestrial clan, possessing an extraordinary status. King Lu has peerless talent, an unyielding character, and invincible combat strength. Indeed, there is much in common between them."
She genuinely believed this in her heart, knowing well that Jiang Ningxian was not nearly as simple as she appeared on the surface. The Jiang clan was a prominent power across the entire starry sky, undeniably formidable. In this incident where extraterrestrial Ranked Immortals intervened, she had been the only one capable of offering King Lu any assistance.
Hearing those words, Zhu Qingyu's gaze flickered slightly. Still, she said nothing more, turning around and walking away.
***
Meanwhile, on the way back, Lu Yuan glanced at Jiang Ningxian and said softly, "Thank you for your help this time."
"Is there any need for such words between you and me?" She smiled and replied, "We're friends, after all, and our goals align. There's no need to be so polite from now on."
A radiant smile lit up Jiang Ningxian's breathtaking face, dazzling enough to leave anyone spellbound. What she had just said came straight from the heart. Toward Lu Yuan, beyond their prior cooperation, Jiang Ningxian now felt a unique sentiment.
"Mm."
Lu Yuan nodded, saying nothing more, yet he firmly engraved this favor in his heart. If an occasion arose where he could lend a hand in the future, he naturally would not hesitate. For some matters, endless words were useless; what truly mattered was action.
Soon, both returned to their respective quarters.
Carrying injuries, Lu Yuan immediately entered secluded cultivation. This time, his goal was the Saint Realm.
Outside the courtyard, squads of soldiers patrolled continuously, refusing to let anyone disturb him.
"Holy Maiden, calculating the time, the Divine Son should have arrived in the Milky Way Star Sector by now," Elder Jiang reported in another courtyard, relaying the latest news he had received.
"I know. Hopefully he behaves himself when the time comes." Jiang Ningxian nodded, then slowly raised her hand. Her fair arm radiated a distinct aura under the sunlight, wisps of luminescence circulating across it. "The power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth has dissipated a bit more. Though the various clans cannot descend in full force, even stronger individuals will be able to come forth."
She continued, knitting her brows, seemingly worried about something—yet it was neither for herself nor for her clansmen.
Having stayed by her side for so long, Elder Jiang sensed it immediately. Was this worry... because of that Lu Yuan?
He could not help sighing inwardly. On second thought, there was nothing wrong with that, and given the Holy Maiden's status, it was not his place to pry. Afterward, neither spoke further, knowing well that the situation ahead would grow increasingly grim. Even as powerful as the Jiang clan was, they could hardly claim complete control over everything.
***
And so, time slipped by bit by bit.
The outside world had been anxiously awaiting news regarding the battle beyond Earth. Ever since the projected imagery of the top hundred star sectors vanished, many people realized Earth's crisis was temporarily averted, but no one could say for certain.
It was not until messages began circulating within the extraterrestrial community from their respective clans that the truth came to light: The Ranked Immortals' plan had failed. Not only had they failed to open a passage, but under the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth, they had suffered severe injuries—to the extent that several immortals needed seclusion to nurse their wounds.
After all, those were methods left behind by ancient sages of Earth; even if not fully activated, they were exceptionally difficult to withstand.
This completely shocked the extraterrestrial beings, who found it unbelievable. After scheming for so long, with immortals of the top hundred star sectors stepping in, they had actually ended up failing—and all against a mere cultivator in the Sovereign King Realm!
In the past, no one would have believed it, yet the fact lay right before their eyes.
Resigned, the extraterrestrials quieted down one by one. Failing to open the passage meant that the powerhouses of their clans would not be descending anytime soon. Lu Yuan remained someone they could not contend with.
The news soon reached the ears of Earth's Awakened and the general public. The authorities subsequently announced the matter officially: the chance for a full-scale invasion by extraterrestrial beings had been thwarted.
All because King Lu had stepped forth.
Instantly, everyone was exhilarated, and some Awakened let out roaring cheers.
Ever since the top hundred star sectors were projected across the heavens, a sense of impending doom had weighed heavily on every heart. They had felt that this world would soon become the domain of outsiders. With those extraterrestrial powerhouses present, the native people of this world would face hardship and likely persecution, to the point where some had already begun seeking refuge with foreign clans.
Although Lu Yuan had ultimately ventured into deep space to resolve the crisis, few had truly believed he could succeed. The opponents were simply too formidable.
Yet what had happened?
King Lu had truly succeeded, resolving the crisis.
For this reason, Lu Yuan's name resonated across all of Earth once more. Within the country and abroad alike, everyone chanted the name of King Lu, acclaiming him as truly unmatched. After all, how much dread had this deed lifted from the minds of countless people?
What was more, people revived the previously mentioned title of "Human Sovereign," believing Lu Yuan was fully worthy of bearing it. Everyone knew that following Earth's revival and evolution, numerous crises had arisen, yet in the end, every single one had been resolved by him. This was a tremendous achievement. People had not brought it up before simply because the title of Human Sovereign was too weighty for anyone to bear.
Now, however, things were completely different. In terms of merit, the title was thoroughly deserved.
Furthermore, the reasoning of some citizens and Awakened was very simple: he had saved them from peril and protected countless lives. If he was not the Human Sovereign, who was?
Under these circumstances, many began traveling to Mount Tai of their own accord, wishing to pay their respects to Lu Yuan and express their gratitude. At the same time, powerful Awakened who had previously hesitated, unwilling to accept constraints, now voluntarily chose to join the Heavenly Court, eager to follow Lu Yuan.
The extraterrestrial beings were well aware of this. Every one of them felt the denizens of Earth were making a fuss over nothing. Daring to bestow the title of Human Sovereign so recklessly—did they not worry Lu Yuan could not bear the weight? Across endless epochs in the deep space, how many had ever earned such a title? In their eyes, Lu Yuan was not worthy at all.
Yet none dared voice such thoughts aloud, fearing they would provoke him.
At the same time, the extraterrestrials sighed in despair. They had thought they would no longer be suppressed, but who could have foreseen this? The dizzying swing between heaven and hell was truly hard to endure.
However, this mood did not last long. In fact, Earth's public and Awakened enjoyed their excitement for only a few days.
A piece of news surfaced—not official, but rather through the grapevine. At first, only a few knew of it, but in time, it spread wider and wider, circulating incessantly.
Word had it that following the battle beyond Earth, Lu Yuan was gravely injured and on the brink of death!
Chapter 211