A Saint Domain was a unique territory formed around the body once one's comprehension of heaven and earth reached a certain level. Within this domain, the caster could unleash their greatest might.
More importantly, outsiders found it exceedingly difficult to shatter, making it virtually an integrated bulwark of offense and defense. Naturally, the higher one's talent and the greater one's cultivation, the more formidable the domain became.
Take Lu Yuan's Saint Domain, formed outside his body after breaking through into the Demi-Saint Realm: even if he stood completely still, anyone in the Sovereign King Realm would be incapable of threatening him in the slightest without external aids.
Even a Void Saint would be firmly suppressed and utterly unable to contest it. This was one of the Demi-Saint's most formidable powers.
Moreover, as cultivation continuously advanced, the power of a Saint Domain would undergo all manner of unfathomable transformations.
Back then, Lei You of the Celestial Clan had been in the Demi-Saint Realm. The reason he was defeated and slain was not merely because of Lu Yuan's prowess, but also due to another factor.
Lei You had been suppressed by the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth, unable to bring his true strength to bear. Even when he tried to do so at the end, he had been powerless to break through the suppression. That was why Lu Yuan had emerged victorious in that fierce battle.
Otherwise, slaughtering all three Saint Realm experts would have been utterly impossible. Of course, things were completely different now.
So long as they were in the same realm, Lu Yuan was confident he was invincible. Now, he was even confident in confronting a Great Saint who had reached the eighth stage of evolution.
However, how that would turn out in practice would only be known after fighting. After all, the further along the path of evolution one went, the wider the disparity became.
Those levels possessed all kinds of unfathomable powers. But having now stepped into the Demi-Saint Realm, Lu Yuan had improved in every aspect.
For instance, during his previous cultivation, he had opened one hundred and eight grotto-heavens with the Ancestral Dragon Breathing Method. Indeed, that was nearly double the previous number, and his physique, soul, and other facets had widened the gap with his former self immensely.
It could be said that Lu Yuan's combat strength had reached a terrifying level. He could now effortlessly defeat himself back when he had been in the Void Saint Realm.
This was evolution—the leap following a breakthrough between realms. Calling it a complete metamorphosis was no exaggeration.
"With my current strength, even if the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth wanes once more, I should be able to take control of the overall situation," Lu Yuan muttered to himself. He understood that Saint Realm figures might now descend, but those above them—the immortals—could not.
If the Saint Realm and the preceding realms occupied entirely different planes of life, the same held true between saints and immortals.
The stronger a being was, the heavier the restrictions imposed by the Severance of Heaven and Earth. Otherwise, those truly terrifying powerhouses would have descended long ago. After all, this was an arrangement left behind by ancient sages to protect future generations—how could it possibly be simple?
Thus, having reached this stage, Lu Yuan's sense of crisis had lessened considerably. Nevertheless, he could not let his guard down entirely.
It merely meant he finally possessed the strength to command the situation.
"Let's see what changes have occurred in the Heavenly Court." Dwelling on it no further, Lu Yuan rose to his feet and exited the chamber.
He knew that upon descending, Jiang Haokong had brought an abundance of resources and delivered them all to the Heavenly Court. There were also various breathing methods and visualization methods. With these, the Heavenly Court's strength would surge once again.
And this was one of the aspects Lu Yuan valued most about establishing the Heavenly Court.
Soon, he met with Elder Ji, Elder Yun, and the others, as well as the younger generation led by Zhu Qingyu and Ice Fairy. Though not much time had passed, Lu Yuan found that everyone's progress was astonishingly rapid.
Several among the younger generation had directly entered the Sovereign King Realm. This was incredible considering how briefly they had been cultivating.
The Four Divisions had also made tremendous strides. Most pleasantly surprising were the Thirty-six Heavenly Generals. When selected, they had merely been in the Shackle Realm, yet now every single one of them had stepped into the Golden Body Realm.
Practically every day brought a new transformation. In this regard alone, the Heavenly Court's foundation had climbed several tiers in a short span. Then there was Chen Song, who received ample care due to his connection with Lu Yuan.
Although he belonged to neither the Four Divisions nor the Thirty-six Heavenly Generals, his own diligent efforts had yielded enormous progress.
The present Heavenly Court might not yet count as mighty, but it was certainly no longer a faction anyone could bully at will.
Lu Yuan understood clearly that beneath the starry sky lay countless star sectors and living beings, but not all of them were strong. The only ones truly worthy of attention were the top hundred star sectors.
Now, the Milky Way represented by the Heavenly Court had also begun its metamorphosis. Blessed with unique advantages, given sufficient time, it would sooner or later soar to the heavens and experience a true rise.
"Though the ancient sages sealed Earth and the entire star sector with the Severance of Heaven and Earth, they also left behind numerous contingencies for this world. Remaining dormant for countless ages, when it finally erupts, it will be terrifying indeed." Knowing this, Lu Yuan felt slightly more at ease. For now, Earth and even the Milky Way Star Sector appeared frail.
Yet everything had only just begun. In the future, it would undoubtedly rank among the top hundred star sectors. That was beyond question.
After all, during its zenith, Earth had ranked in the top ten. It was the birthplace of the ancient Heavenly Court.
Lu Yuan estimated that with the Heavenly Court's current strength, dealing with minor extraterrestrial clans was well within its capability. After preparing for so long, their efforts were finally bearing fruit.
After urging everyone not to slacken, Lu Yuan took his leave. He had a premonition that this peaceful period would not last much longer. Once those extraterrestrial beings were fully prepared, they would bare their ambitions, and the famous mountains and great rivers would all become their targets.
That likely included Mount Tai as well. In his previous life, extraterrestrial beings had done precisely that, wreaking immense slaughter.
"Lu Yuan." Right then, a voice called out.
It was Jiang Ningxian, looking rather grave. "I've received word that the Eternal Clan has already descended. The Ji clan has also entered the Milky Way Star Sector. Before long, a true chaotic war may break out."
The Eternal Clan and the Ji clan would inevitably make a move against Lu Yuan in the future.
Their grudges had been forged long ago. Now, it was merely that the time was not yet ripe.
Jiang Ningxian understood this all too well, which was why she had specially come to warn him upon receiving the news; she did not want anything to happen to him.
"I expected as much. But my answer remains the same: if they want a fight, I will entertain them to the very end." Hearing her words, Lu Yuan merely chuckled and shook his head. Certain things were unavoidable, and even if given another chance, he would make the same choice.
"Good! Truly worthy of someone who fought me to a draw—what spirit!" Jiang Haokong walked out.
"No matter the foes, there is no need for fear. Whoever stands in our way, we shall suppress them with raw might." Jiang Haokong deeply appreciated Lu Yuan's words.
He was a warmonger by nature. As for claiming Lu Yuan had fought him to a draw, he felt that back then he had not used his full strength and had been suppressed by the laws of this world.
Soon, however, Jiang Haokong looked at the person before him and suddenly blurted out, "Huh? You broke through?"
Chapter 248