Earlier, Lu Yuan had come to understand Jiang Ningxian's true identity.
She had spoken with him at length about the outer domains and the various circumstances of the Jiang clan. As a result, Lu Yuan knew far more about deep space than before, particularly regarding her family.
Jiang Ningxian was their Holy Maiden, a leading figure of the younger generation whose standing surpassed even that of sequence prodigies.
She had also mentioned having a younger brother of extraordinary talent who excelled in every way. Long ago, he had been designated by the clan as their Divine Son.
Divine Sons and Holy Maidens represented the pinnacle of innate gift and potential across the major clans of the star sectors. Such titles could not be used by ordinary lineages; they were reserved exclusively for the chosen prodigies of major clans from the top hundred star sectors, serving as a symbol of absolute strength and status.
The brother and sister standing before him were precisely such figures.
"Divine Son or not, your strength really caught me off guard. You actually suppressed me in physical might! No, this won't do. We have to go again. We must settle who is stronger!" Jiang Haokong seemed indifferent to his prestigious title. His mind was entirely consumed by the fact that he had been overpowered in their earlier clash.
Such a thing had never happened to him before. Within his clan and across the surrounding star sectors, he had met and clashed with countless prodigies, yet none had ever pushed him to this point. Unwilling to accept the result, he was eager to try again and see what was truly going on.
"What is there to settle? Lu Yuan hasn't even used his true strength yet. In your current state, you are simply no match for him," Jiang Ningxian scolded without holding back in the least. She understood Lu Yuan quite well; the foundation of his evolution was exceedingly profound, having likely reached a terrifying level. With an endless stream of trump cards at his disposal, his strength was unfathomable.
Though her brother was exceptionally brilliant in every respect and ranked among the best of his generation across the entire starry sky, Jiang Ningxian could almost foresee the outcome if the two of them truly fought with all their might. Besides, there was no need for them to fight at all. Neither side bore any grudge against the other.
"Divine Son Jiang's cultivation was restricted in order to descend. Even if I held the upper hand, it was hardly a fair victory," Lu Yuan spoke up with a smile. He knew that anyone named a Divine Son had been nurtured since childhood.
Jiang Ningxian, for instance, had already reached the Saint Realm and merely suppressed her power. Lu Yuan could sense that while Jiang Haokong appeared to be only in the Void Saint Realm, a tremendous force lay dormant within him. If fully unleashed, it would be formidable indeed.
Even so, Lu Yuan had no fear. What was more, his opponent was currently in the exact same realm as himself. At this level, Lu Yuan was virtually invincible, and even facing someone a realm higher meant little to him.
"I... I still have plenty of trump cards I haven't used yet!" Jiang Haokong retorted, still reluctant to concede. However, after carefully reflecting on their bout, a hint of uncertainty crept into his heart. He, too, had sensed that Lu Yuan had held back.
The man standing before him was a prodigy by no means inferior to himself, excelling in every aspect. It was no wonder he had managed to crush the Ranked Immortals' schemes and safeguard the living beings of Earth.
"Enough, that's quite enough. Since nothing is amiss, let us head back." Jiang Ningxian shot her brother an exasperated glare before turning to Lu Yuan, a warm smile immediately gracing her face. "I know you are on the verge of reaching the Demi-Saint Realm. Strike while the iron is hot; do not let this interrupt your cultivation and evolution."
"Rest assured, I know what to do." Lu Yuan smiled and nodded, stepping forward toward Mount Tai.
The siblings said no more and followed closely behind him. Soon, the three arrived within the boundaries of Mount Tai.
Upon seeing Jiang Haokong, Chunyang, the Peacock King, and the others tensed as if facing a formidable foe. Yet once Jiang Ningxian explained the situation, everyone realized it had merely been a misunderstanding, and their wariness subsided.
Even so, Chunyang and the others looked at Jiang Haokong with a different light in their eyes. They knew this youth hailed from the Jiang clan, a prominent lineage of the star sectors, and that his status, talent, and strength were undoubtedly extraordinary. Of course, that was all. Everyone was well aware that in the battle just moments ago, this youth had still been suppressed by King Lu.
"Sister, this is my first time at Mount Tai. I want to take a closer look." Jiang Haokong paid no attention to the gazes around him. He simply fixed his eyes on the sacred site of Fengshan, his gaze filled with burning curiosity, eager to explore its secrets.
Jiang Ningxian was about to say something when Lu Yuan spoke first.
"No matter. I will have the Spirit Monkey and the Peacock King accompany you." The two knew Mount Tai far better, which would make things much easier.
Jiang Ningxian held back further objection and merely warned, "Remember, behave yourself and don't stir up trouble."
Beside her, Jiang Haokong did not answer immediately. His gaze swept over his sister, then lingered on Lu Yuan, as though noticing something peculiar. Knowing his sister well, he knew she had never been the obedient type, much like himself.
Just as Jiang Haokong was about to speak, the Spirit Monkey and the Peacock King stepped forward to invite him to tour Mount Tai. The thought vanished from his mind, and he eagerly trotted along behind them. Evidently, exploring the mountain mattered far more to him.
"That's just how my brother is,
"impetuous and rash. You'll get used to it over time," Jiang Ningxian said, turning toward Lu Yuan as her brother departed.
Lu Yuan smiled, signaling his understanding. Though they had only interacted briefly, he could tell that setting aside his martial prowess, the Jiang clan's Divine Son possessed a decent character. At the very least, like his sister, he showed neither arrogance nor condescension, displaying only a somewhat childish temperament.
Still, his true nature would only be revealed through future interactions.
Afterward, Lu Yuan inquired with Chunyang and the others about the recent developments in the outside world. Having assessed that the overall situation remained largely under control, he returned to his cultivation chamber to enter seclusion once more.
Earlier, he had already touched the barrier to the Demi-Saint Realm. It was now like a mere sheet of window paper, waiting only to be pierced. Once broken, he would take another stride forward, and both his realm and combat prowess would experience a tremendous leap.
Although the breakthrough had been interrupted, it had not significantly affected him. His foundation was simply too solid.
"If figures like Divine Sons and Holy Maidens have already begun to descend, the various clans must be launching large-scale movements as well. Soon, a brilliant era—a truly magnificent age—will unfold. There is peril, but opportunity as well," Lu Yuan murmured softly to himself, a faint smile spreading across his face.
His goal had always been to reach the highest peak of the path of evolution. Yet without sufficiently powerful rivals along the way, how could such a journey ever be deemed complete?
A clash of the mighty, the rivalry of chosen prodigies, heroes rising together across the realms—this was what Lu Yuan anticipated most!
Chapter 246