Jiang Ningxian tilted her exquisite face up, dimples showing at the corners of her mouth.
She possessed a unique temperament, but when she smiled, she was genuinely charming. Her words carried a playful, mischievous teasing.
"Oh? What does Fairy Jiang mean by that?" Lu Yuan smiled as well, deeply amused.
"Calling me 'Fairy Jiang' is far too formal. From now on, just call me Xiao Xian'er. We're good friends, and that's what my family calls me anyway." Jiang Ningxian smiled, then continued, "Spreading word of your grave injury to outsiders—once that rumor is established as fact, those people will definitely seek you out of their own accord. But they don't know you have already stepped into the Saint Realm. They'll think they're only coming to wipe away their past humiliation.
"Honestly, it's fortunate you aren't my opponent. Otherwise, even I would find dealing with you quite a headache." She was truly exceptionally sharp, discerning Lu Yuan's upcoming plans at a single glance.
Of course, that was also because she possessed a considerable amount of information. Had it not been for that, even with all her wit, Jiang Ningxian would likely have fallen for it too. The reason was exceedingly simple.
Standing against immortals and suffering severe wounds as a result—that excuse was simply too airtight. And the reason she believed he would make a dreadful opponent extended beyond that: Lu Yuan's talent and calculating mind were both frighteningly formidable.
"He who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword. Since they harbor such intentions, they naturally ought to bear the consequences. Besides, my plan is entirely a case of the willing taking the bait. If they never intended to be my enemy in the first place, they wouldn't face the slightest problem.
"Moreover, Heaven and Earth are still undergoing transformation. There is no telling when Saint Realm beings might descend.
"Given the mindset of the Celestial Clan and the Three-Headed Ghost Clan, they will definitely want my life. I simply have no desire to hunt them down one by one at their doorsteps—that is all." Lu Yuan spoke, voicing the deepest considerations in his heart. If it were merely extraterrestrial beings who were only in the Sovereign King Realm, they would not be worth such elaborate trouble. The key was to draw out certain Saints.
He had already deduced and foreseen that as Heaven and Earth continued to change, Saints would inevitably descend.
That was when he would truly strike, delivering a crushing blow to the extraterrestrial beings. Of course, just as he had said, those who did not wish to make an enemy of him—such as the Jiang clan—might even cooperate, never reaching this point.
"I understand. In that case, is there anything you need my assistance with?" Jiang Ningxian asked, thinking she could lend a hand if it was within her ability. To her, teasing those with ulterior motives sounded rather amusing.
"This time, I alone am enough." Lu Yuan shook his head. He had no desire to owe too many favors, even though their relationship had already transcended a mere alliance.
"If that's the case, I'll just wish you every success in advance." Jiang Ningxian did not press further, adding, "If any word arrives from beyond the realm, I will notify you immediately." With that, she flashed Lu Yuan a bright smile, placed her hands behind her back, and skipped happily into her residence.
Seeing this, Lu Yuan also smiled faintly. Without lingering, he entered his cultivation chamber to stabilize his realm.
Over the days that followed, events unfolded precisely according to plan. As more rumors were continuously released, speculation regarding Lu Yuan's injuries grew louder and louder.
Some extraterrestrial beings were already on the verge of losing their patience, deliberately stirring up conflicts with Earth's Awakened.
The authorities responded swiftly, yet without their former unyielding stance, issuing repeated warnings instead.
As a result, the populace began to wonder: was King Lu truly not long for this world? Previously, whenever extraterrestrial beings provoked them, the authorities had virtually always struck back with overwhelming force. Now, they had become far more conservative, and no one from the Heavenly Court had mobilized. Only troops comprised of Awakened were deployed, followed by official warnings from the top brass.
This inevitably raised suspicions even further, sowing panic among the people. If something happened to Lu Yuan, no one would be able to suppress the extraterrestrial beings, and at that point, life would turn grim for everyone. The situation escalated rapidly.
Some even went directly to Mount Tai to inquire about the true state of affairs. After all, Lu Yuan had not shown himself for quite a while, which defied his usual patterns.
Previously, his secluded cultivation lasted only a month or two at most, but now it had dragged on for over three months. Regrettably, they received no answers.
In the eyes of outsiders, this silence appeared to be a sign of panic and guilt. Nearly everyone began to grow certain that Lu Yuan was indeed gravely wounded—or perhaps on the verge of falling.
Seeing that the fire had been stoked enough, the authorities decided to act, issuing an official statement.
They declared that the recent rumors regarding King Lu's injuries were utter nonsense. King Lu was currently in seclusion seeking to break through to an even higher realm; it was a crucial juncture, which was why he had not appeared. They urged citizens and Awakened not to indulge in wild speculation.
To the public, this message seemed like a rumor-quashing attempt, yet it sounded feeble, almost like an excuse. Everyone knew that Lu Yuan was the authorities' greatest combat asset, serving as a deterrent against extraterrestrial beings much like the thermonuclear weapons of the old era. Naturally, they would never admit his vulnerability.
"Could King Lu really have met with misfortune?"
"I don't believe it. It's impossible. He is the strongest, the invincible powerhouse under the starry skies!"
"But... looking at the situation and the authorities' response, things look grim for King Lu. What he faced were the Ranked Immortals!"
Earth's Awakened were all caught up in anxious discussions, their hearts tangled with turmoil and panic. Without Lu Yuan's protection, what would become of Earth's future? Out in space, countless entities were already watching like tigers stalking their prey.
"Hahaha! I knew it! Something must have happened to Lu Yuan, or he couldn't have stayed hidden for so long!"
"Those mortals thought they could bluff us? What a joke! Facing the Ranked Immortals, how could a mere Sovereign King Realm cultivator come away unscathed?"
"He has reached his end. He was too arrogant before, and now retribution has arrived. Mark my words, news of his death will spread soon enough. Just wait and see!"
"Why wait? How long did that man suppress us before, keeping us from seeking the fortunes of this world as we pleased? In my opinion, we should take the initiative, strike, and slay him to wash away this disgrace!"
"Precisely! He's heavily wounded and doesn't have long to live. His strength must have plummeted. As for that rabble of mortals on Mount Tai, they are nothing to fear!"
"Good. Then let us make a plan, unite completely, and see to it that Lu Yuan pays the ultimate price!"
The extraterrestrial beings grew immensely excited, convinced beyond doubt that something had happened to Lu Yuan. They began scheming to wipe out the humiliation of having been suppressed. Of course, none dared to act alone.
A great name casts a long shadow. Lu Yuan had exerted far too much pressure on them before; his combat power was terrifying, capable of slaughtering Saints. Even if wounded, he was not someone ordinary individuals could handle. Only by rallying more allies could they ensure absolute success.
Having made up their minds, they sprang into action immediately. Meanwhile, the Zhou family, lying low deep within the secluded mountains and dense forests, received the news as well!
Chapter 215