It had not been long since they last met. Jiang Haokong was well aware of Lu Yuan's cultivation realm.
He had been in the Void Saint Realm—the first of the three realms of the Saint Domain—just as Jiang Haokong himself had been when he first descended. Yet only a few days had passed, and the man had actually broken through.
He had stepped directly into the Demi-Saint Realm. Jiang Haokong knew that although this was an advance of merely a single realm, the increase in strength was definitely not something to underestimate.
This was especially true for someone among the ranks of chosen prides. Furthermore, after reaching the Saint Realm, no matter how peerless a cultivator's talent, they would typically endure an extended period of plateau, unable to make further rapid progress.
The reason was simple: the higher the realm and the further along the stage of evolution, the harder cultivation became.
At the same time, Jiang Haokong was fully aware that the Milky Way Star Sector had revived only recently—a few years at most. Reasonably speaking, it should have been utterly impossible to progress so swiftly. One could say that the gulf between the Void Saint Realm and the Demi-Saint Realm was as vast as the entire distance from the Initial Realm to the Saint Realm. If someone could make such rapid strides in only a few years, anyone could advance triumphantly. Yet Lu Yuan had actually achieved it.
Now, the truth lay plain before his eyes.
"This..." Jiang Haokong was at a loss for words.
"Indeed." Lu Yuan naturally did not deny it. After reaching the Saint Realm, concealing his realm with only the Innate Qi Robe was difficult. Besides, he had not actively restrained his aura since there was no need to do so, making it entirely natural that Jiang Haokong had noticed.
Originally, Jiang Haokong had already felt indignant that Lu Yuan could suppress him while they were in the same realm, and had hoped to win back his face at some point. But now that the man had advanced even further, he naturally felt an acute sense of urgency. If they fought again, he would certainly be no match; with the suppression of a higher realm, Lu Yuan could defeat him with ease.
His thoughts churning, Jiang Haokong fell silent before speaking: "The power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth is growing weaker and weaker. It is about time for me to enter secluded cultivation as well; my realm ought to rise another step." Having said his piece, he turned and walked away, not bothering to wait for his sister's reaction.
Seeing this, Jiang Ningxian felt somewhat helpless.
She still felt obliged to offer Lu Yuan an explanation. "My brother is just like that. Please don't take offense."
She knew her younger brother. Although his moral character was upright, he had always held his chin high. Ever since his birth, he had never thought much of his peers, or even of those in the same realm as himself. Given his status, he certainly had the right to be proud—yet no sooner had he descended than he was suppressed. He hated being surpassed, even back in the Desolate Flame Star Domain, so he was undoubtedly feeling the pressure now. Still, this was for the best; it would help temper his arrogant nature.
"It is fine." Lu Yuan shook his head, not minding in the least. "Cooperation is mutual, after all."
Jiang Ningxian gave a faint smile, then continued, "You must take what I told you just now to heart. Although with your current strength you need not fear anyone in this world, both the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan possess profoundly deep foundations and endless methods. You must never let down your guard."
Had this been earlier, she certainly would not have offered such warnings, but things were different now.
Lu Yuan replied, understanding that she was showing genuine concern. "Understood. Rest assured."
Lu Yuan had always been clear-minded; he was someone who understood his goals completely. Just as she had said, neither the Eternal Clan nor the Ji clan was an ordinary power, and neither could be judged by standard logic.
Jiang Ningxian nodded, knowing he was not a reckless person.
Then, as if recalling something, Lu Yuan added, "Thank you for all your help during this time, and please convey my thanks to Elder Jiang for his hard work as well."
Lately, Elder Jiang had been continuously guiding Zhu Qingyu and the others in their cultivation and evolution. The Divine Son of the Jiang clan was also quite decent in many respects; according to Little Heavenly Master Chunyang and the others, he did not put on airs, was easy to get along with, and would answer their questions. Lu Yuan knew that Jiang Ningxian must have played a role in this, and so he made sure to express his gratitude.
The two exchanged a few more remarks before parting ways. Over such minor matters, there was naturally no need to say much more. Only, at this moment, neither of them realized what lay ahead.
Lu Yuan returned to his room to consolidate his realm. While steadying his cultivation, he also used the Investiture Decree to confer titles upon several more individuals, bringing them into the Heavenly Court.
However, Lu Yuan had never considered conferring titles upon Zhu Qingyu and the others just yet. Conferring titles too early might negatively affect their future path, so he had been waiting for the ideal moment. The way to resolve this was very simple: possessing strength invincible in this world. Lu Yuan placed immense value on that point. But that was fine; he had been preparing all along.
In the period that followed, aside from his interactions with Jiang Ningxian, Lu Yuan kept a close eye on the shifts occurring beyond the planet. More and more extraterrestrial beings were drawing near. Satellites could only detect a fraction, but he could still sense that the starry sky was likely already crowded with arrivals from various star domains.
Even if they had not yet descended or made a move against him, what about the future? One could hardly wait until danger was upon them before trying to find a solution.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
In the extraterrestrial reaches of space, within the Solar System.
The celestial bodies here were no longer as sparse as they had been in the old era. Just as Lu Yuan had anticipated, beings from various domains had essentially arrived. Some of the most powerful figures had even used immense abilities to relocate small celestial bodies here, using them as temporary footholds. To beings of such caliber, such a feat was hardly worth mentioning.
Viewed from a greater distance, one would discover that the entire Earth was now completely encircled by numerous celestial bodies and crisscrossing streaks of formidable auras.
In the core of this region, enveloped by these surrounding stars, stood a great hall. It stood suspended directly in the void of the universe, cast in dark gold, exuding an air of antiquity and desolation. Dazzling rays of radiant mist surged across its surface, illuminating the dark, barren universe around it. From this alone, one could tell that the significance of this grand hall was far from ordinary. In the distance, members of the great clans from other star domains dared not draw near, completely unwilling to provoke it.
Before the hall, figures appeared one after another. Each wore ancient attire, both men and women. Without exception, every one of them appeared exceedingly noble, like sovereigns under the starry sky, exuding an overwhelming pressure simply by standing there. These were true geniuses of tremendous potential; before their descent, every one of them was at least in the Saint Realm. All were waiting for the final opportunity.
One of the men gazed at the emerald-green great star of life in the distance—Earth—and spoke with a smile: "A little more time, and we should be able to descend."
"Just how much longer must we wait? I can hardly bear it any longer!" A woman walked forward, her eyes blazing with boundless fury and her voice laced with venomous hatred. "Lu Yuan slaughtered my father and destroyed my entire family! Right now, all I want is to go down there immediately and hack him to pieces to quench the hatred in my heart!"
She was none other than the woman the Zhou family had sent away—the one Lu Yuan had slain once, yet who had survived: Zhou Yunqiong!
Chapter 249