Mount Tai, preeminent among the Five Great Mountains of the old era, had been steeped in countless legends since antiquity.
Following the global mutation, its transformation had grown even more astonishing. Atop its highest point, Jade Emperor Peak, the ruins of a Heavenly Palace had emerged, steeped in profound mystery.
Now, after several years of ongoing shifts, Mount Tai had changed anew. Towering between heaven and earth like an ancient beast crouched upon the vast land, it radiated an overwhelming majesty. Ordinary eyes could not even glimpse its far reaches; it seemed to merge seamlessly into the firmament, so lofty that standing upon its summit felt like touching the stars.
Originally, as the world's most mysterious and renowned peak, Mount Tai would have been fiercely contested by every faction.
Extraterrestrial beings in particular would undoubtedly have set their sights on Mount Tai as their foremost target to plumb its secrets.
Yet everyone now knew that this mountain was the stronghold of the authorities and the Heavenly Court. Guarded by numerous powerhouses, it was, above all, where Lu Yuan had entered seclusion.
Under such circumstances, virtually no one dared set designs on Mount Tai. Lu Yuan was the undisputed foremost expert on Earth, invincible beneath the starry skies, the slayer of saints.
Thus, throughout the years following the global mutation, cultivators had sought fortunes elsewhere. But things were different now.
Everyone believed that Lu Yuan had suffered grievous wounds from the Ranked Immortals during the battle beyond the heavens, on the brink of death.
Some even wondered if he was still drawing breath at all. Because of this, the extraterrestrial beings had banded together, rushing toward Mount Tai with all possible speed. Meanwhile, the authorities made no move in response.
This only solidified what everyone suspected: even if Earth’s foremost expert was not dead, he was surely facing a mortal crisis.
Every eye was watching, eager to see how events would unfold. The public began to panic, dreading that something had happened to Lu Yuan.
If he fell, extraterrestrial beings would dominate this world, and no one knew what horrors would follow.
Meanwhile, news also spread that Earth's Awakened were rushing to Mount Tai, determined to shield Lu Yuan and stand against the alien host.
Yet few held any hope for their success. The disparity in strength was simply too vast; the outcome of a battle seemed all too obvious.
Time trickled past. A few days later, atop Mount Tai, what should have been a clear and sunny day was shadowed by a colossal bank of dark mist gathering a hundred li away.
The dark clouds were no natural formation, but the condensed auras of countless powerful beings. Each of them was formidable, and most possessed the ability to fly through the air, testament to their formidable cultivation realms.
At Mount Tai Trial Academy, the senior leadership received the news immediately via detection instruments and sprang into motion.
Granted, the authorities possessed plenty of advanced modern technology, but by this stage, it had largely lost its utility.
Yet the leaders paid it little heed and showed none of the panic one might expect. King Lu was right behind them!
When the leaders arrived at the perimeter of Mount Tai, they were stunned to discover that beyond the approaching extraterrestrials in the distance...
...not far off stood over ten thousand Awakened. They were lined up before the Trial Academy, every single face hardened with resolve.
Just as anticipated, they refused to merely remain the protected. They had chosen to come to Mount Tai, using their own strength to defend Lu Yuan—to stand for the man who had rendered boundless service to Earth and Huaxia.
Perhaps they were not strong enough, yet they had still stepped forward, rushing to Mount Tai as fast as they could.
"When King Lu chose to step forward and protect the people and all living beings, he made the right choice."
"Our Huaxia hasn't let him down." Seeing this, Elder Ji was deeply moved and amazed. The Awakened standing outside the academy gates also noticed the arrival of the leadership.
Finding no trace of Lu Yuan among them, they furrowed their brows. Not out of resentment, but out of worry—worry that King Lu was truly injured.
That ripple of doubt was brief. They quickly turned their gaze forward once more, their eyes filled with determination. Meanwhile, as time progressed...
...the dark bank of clouds drew closer and closer. Finally, after several hours, it descended fully before Mount Tai.
At the vanguard of these beings stood four great races: the Three-Headed Ghost Clan, the Origin Demon Clan, the Nether Bull Clan, and the Yin Sparrow Clan.
To everyone's surprise, numerous humans were also among them. The five great elders of the Zhou family stood right beside the four clans.
By now, most people knew that the Zhou family maintained close ties with a powerful extraterrestrial starfield. Even the Yin Sparrow Clan treated them with considerable courtesy, and the Nether Bull Clan showed them great respect. Yet Earth's Awakened could not fathom why fellow humans would collude with alien creatures.
Hadn't it been said that the Zhou family's eldest young mistress, Zhou Yunqiong, had been classmates with King Lu back in the old era? The senior officials understood the reality behind it, so Elder Ji stepped straight forward.
He looked toward the beings opposite him, cleared his throat, and said, "Before this escalates beyond repair, I advise you all to leave immediately. Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what will follow." Just as before, he made no mention of Lu Yuan, and his tone was not harsh, sounding more like gentle persuasion.
Yet this only convinced the onlookers that Lu Yuan was truly in trouble. Otherwise, the authorities would never have taken such a placating stance.
"Hmph! Arrogant words!" Before the four extraterrestrial races could speak, one of the Zhou family elders sneered. "This is no longer the old era. The strong rule supreme. With the mighty experts of the extraterrestrial races descending upon this realm, the so-called authorities can no longer dictate terms." He spoke with overbearing arrogance, bolstered not only by his own strength, but by the imposing might of the extraterrestrials at his side.
Under normal circumstances in the past, he would never have dared address Elder Ji in such a manner.
"Can no longer dictate?" Elder Ji showed no anger, merely replying, "We have King Lu, the invincible beneath the starry skies. If you dare take one more step forward, it means war!"
"So what if it's war?" The Zhou elder retorted without the slightest courtesy. "Lu Yuan executed our young mistress in the Kunlun Secret Realm—a capital offense! Of course, if the authorities hand him over, perhaps some matters can still be negotiated." By now, almost everyone was convinced that Lu Yuan was wounded and nowhere near his peak.
If he came out, it would be no different from throwing his life away. That is, if he wasn't dead already.
"Everything that happened was brought upon the Zhou family by your own hand!" Elder Yun, possessing a fiery temper, strode forward and bellowed, "Let me tell you: the rumors of King Lu being injured are completely false! He has already taken another step forward! You still have a chance to turn back. Retreat! Take one more step, and blood will flow like rivers!"
"Hahaha! Another step forward? Are you saying he has already become a saint?" The leader of the Yin Sparrow Clan spoke up, its tone chilling. "Absolute nonsense! Beneath the might of the Ranked Immortals, he was lucky enough not to die, yet you claim he achieved sainthood? Laughable! What if we take another step? What if it means war? Do you truly dare to fight?" With that, it led the extraterrestrial host forward.
Yet right at that moment, a surge of saintly will abruptly descended between heaven and earth.
Chapter 219