This spectacle brought immense shock to all who beheld it.
Yet even more than shock, it brought pressure. This was especially true for the Heavenly Court's ranks and the younger generation.
Every single one of them was a figure at the Great Saint level, and the two standing at the center were chosen prides and Divine Sons whose fame shook the entire cosmos.
What was more, they were beings who had already stepped into the Immortal Realm. What was an immortal? A legend, something that existed solely in mythical lore.
Yet now, such figures had tangibly appeared before them—and as enemies, no less. How could anyone present not feel an unbearable pressure?
Particularly at this very moment, the two Divine Sons stood in the firmament, looking down as if gazing upon all living things. Even though they were merely phantoms, the aura constantly pressing downward from them made it hard to breathe. Zhu Qingyu, the Ice Fairy, and the others could fully sense the vast chasm between themselves and the two clans' Divine Sons.
And the proclamation made moments ago made them feel as though a primordial mountain was about to come crashing down upon their heads.
However, very quickly, another aura surged forth from Mount Tai.
It was not grand or imposing, but exceptionally gentle. In a mere instant, it made everyone present feel all of their suffocating pressure vanish without a trace.
At the same time, a voice drifted slowly from the distance.
"Whether you can take my life depends on whether you truly have the means to do so."
It was Lu Yuan speaking, responding to the two Divine Sons. Though he had yet to emerge and his words carried no overt arrogance, they contained absolute confidence. Even with the combined pressure of both great clans and their Divine Sons bearing down, it seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever; he simply chose to retort directly.
As the sound of his voice faded, a figure walked slowly out from Mount Tai, his expression calm. It was Lu Yuan. Clad in white robes, his thick hair flowing, he possessed an indescribable bearing at that moment.
"Arrogant indeed."
High above, hearing this, the Eternal Divine Son's eyes shifted, and he spoke once more: "Then we shall see whether you possess the capital to back your arrogance, or if you are simply a fool full of empty bravado."
This was his first time seeing Lu Yuan, yet he had long heard of the man's unyielding nature from his clansmen. After all, two of his kin had already died at Lu Yuan's hands.
Coming here today was merely to resolve the matter once and for all; otherwise, how could the Eternal Clan maintain its footing in the cosmos beyond the domain?
"Did you think that obtaining a few fortunes and possessing a bit of strength allows you to disregard everything?" The Ji Clan Divine Son spoke as well, shaking his head before continuing, "The vastness of the cosmos is far beyond your comprehension. But no matter—in three days, you will understand."
Both Divine Sons held the same attitude. They acknowledged that Lu Yuan was strong, but that was all.
In their eyes, he would be a dead man before long. There was no need to waste words on him.
"Whether I am arrogant or not, you will know soon enough."
At that very moment, Lu Yuan spoke again.
His voice was not loud, yet everyone present seemed to realize something. Even the two Divine Sons' expressions shifted slightly, and the surrounding clansmen of both great clans turned grim.
For in the next instant, Lu Yuan took a single step and appeared directly in the firmament, right beside the clansmen of the two great clans.
To be precise, he stood directly face-to-face with the two Divine Sons.
"What do you think you are doing?"
The Eternal Divine Son's face fell, and he prepared to say more.
Yet Lu Yuan gave him no opportunity at all, murmuring coldly, "Nothing more than projections, yet you dare act so brazen?"
With that, without the slightest hesitation, he threw a direct punch forward.
Beside them, the clansmen of the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan sprang into action upon seeing this. Even if these were only projections, they represented their Divine Sons. This was a matter of honor and face, especially since they had come today specifically to display their might. If the projections were shattered under such circumstances, the clansmen of both great clans present would be utterly disgraced.
Yet at this very moment, Lu Yuan had already struck.
No matter how strong these clansmen were, they were merely in the Great Saint Realm. The moment Lu Yuan made his move, a terrifying aura erupted directly from his body.
Against such overwhelming might, the thirty Great Saints from both clans combined managed to endure for only a single breath before the tremendous force threw them backward, nearly sending them hurtling to the earth.
At this moment, Lu Yuan seemed like the embodiment of an invincible Heavenly Emperor, every gesture capable of shattering the heavens. Everyone was blasted back. As for the two Divine Sons at the very center, because they were mere phantoms possessing not half an ounce of true power, they were instantly blasted to pieces, leaving behind nothing at all.
Only Lu Yuan remained, standing proudly and alone in the firmament.
As for the clansmen of both great clans who had just been making a show of force toward Mount Tai and those below, all of them had been repelled, and the phantoms of the two Divine Sons were no more.
Below, Zhu Qingyu and the others watched this scene unfold, excitement immediately welling in their eyes. Earlier, the oppressive presence of the two clans had weighed heavily upon them. But now? King Lu had struck just once and completely crushed them all. True invincibility!
"Lu Yuan, you!"
Seeing his Divine Son's phantom obliterated, an elder of the Ji clan glared with fury.
"What? Do you wish to fight me as well?"
Lu Yuan responded swiftly, his expression calm and composed. He had already reined in the aura that had erupted moments before, yet despite this, his overall presence seemed only to intensify.
This was a disposition born from within, not merely derived from raw power, making it all the more terrifying.
Sure enough, after Lu Yuan spoke, that Ji clan elder shuddered violently, unable to utter a single word. He could sense that Lu Yuan did not currently harbor any murderous intent. But who knew what would happen if they continued to provoke him?
Even the members of the Eternal Clan beside him retreated. The clansmen of both great clans present knew all too well that the man before them was terrifyingly strong.
If they provoked him into fighting, everyone here would likely meet their end, to say nothing of derailing their plans. More critically, he was someone who truly would not hesitate to kill them. In the end, they all backed away, not daring to speak another word.
Where was the arrogance and disdain for all living things they had displayed moments ago?
"Very well. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."
Lu Yuan had no intention of slaughtering them either. So long as they did not cross the line, it was fine. After all, he was no bloodthirsty demon; there was no need to wipe out every last person. Otherwise, how many of the extraterrestrial beings who had descended would still be alive?
After Lu Yuan departed and returned to Mount Tai, the experts of both clans finally let out a long breath of relief. They exchanged glances, each seeing the profound helplessness in the other's eyes.
Chapter 346