The two Divine Sons represented two of the most powerful factions in the starry sky, hailing from the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan. Regardless of the faction, their names commanded immense reverence wherever they were mentioned.
As Divine Sons, they were destined to become supreme powerhouses of the star sectors in the future. These two in particular possessed the potential to sway the course of the entire universe.
Ever since their rise, neither had ever tasted defeat. Yet now, they had suffered a loss at Lu Yuan's hands.
Naturally, it was intolerable to them. Of course, that was merely how it appeared to outsiders. The true dread gnawing at the two Divine Sons was the fear that Lu Yuan would mature completely. Once that happened, they would be utterly powerless to contain him, and he might even become an existential threat to them.
They certainly did not want such an outcome to come to pass.
Yet in the eyes of many extraterrestrial beings, Lu Yuan's actions had provoked the two Divine Sons' wrath, and they would undoubtedly do whatever it took to reclaim their lost prestige. However, many also believed they would fail once again, just as before.
After all, how many times had they allied? How many people had they sent down? And what was the outcome? The ultimate victor had always been Lu Yuan.
On top of that, the Milky Way Star Sector was shielded by the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth. Some began to feel that it was time to sue for peace with Lu Yuan. Continuing this feud would bring them no benefit whatsoever.
Before taking that step, however, they needed to lie low for a while and avoid acting rashly.
Even so, Jiang Ningxian had already deduced most of it. She understood clearly that the extraterrestrials' initial arrogance and insolence upon descending had been built on the premise that Earth lacked a powerhouse to hold the fort.
Now that it had one, everything changed. In this world, raw strength was the sole basis for having a voice.
Lu Yuan's ascension to the Immortal Realm carried monumental significance that no one could overlook. Even the great clans ranking among the top ten star sectors were no exception.
Jiang Ningxian knew that some would inevitably come seeking peace to dissolve past grudges. Yet she showed no reaction and took no action regarding the matter. Everything had to wait for Lu Yuan to decide for himself.
During this time, the descent of extraterrestrial beings did not halt; instead, their numbers multiplied.
As time went on, Earth's transformation grew increasingly intense. Not to mention the famous mountains and great rivers, even ordinary peaks and valleys began producing all manner of spiritual fruits and extraordinary herbs. Due to their limited age, their efficacy was not particularly great and they were not exceptionally precious, but the sheer quantity was staggering.
Under these conditions, Earth witnessed yet another explosion of Awakened. People who had failed to awaken during the first and second waves somehow embarked on the path of evolution and began cultivating. In less than a month, their numbers swelled by several hundred thousand—a terrifying and awe-inspiring figure.
More importantly, the extraterrestrial beings who had already descended into this world discovered that cultivating and evolving here was indeed far faster than beyond the domain.
Just as previously anticipated, this place possessed uniquely blessed conditions. That was precisely why people kept descending without pause.
Who did not wish to break through to higher realms? After all, some had languished in a particular realm for an exceedingly long time; if they failed to break through soon, they might die of old age. Now that an opportunity lay right before them, where descending to this world could grant them a chance to take a step further, who would be unwilling?
In truth, Lu Yuan had already foreseen this before entering seclusion, yet he did not intervene. He had no intention of making an enemy of the entire universe, so there was no need.
During this period, people from several more star sectors arrived. They also belonged to the top hundred star sectors, though their rankings were not particularly high. At the same time, they were allies of the Jiang clan from across the starry sky, and their descent was meant to reinforce the Heavenly Court's strength.
The Jiang clan placed immense value on Earth and the Heavenly Court. Knowing the two Divine Sons would not let matters rest, they continued dispatching forces to guard against any potential mishaps. This way, even if Lu Yuan did not act personally, they would have nothing to fear from foreign enemies. It was also meant to ease his burden, even if they never openly said so.
During this period, the Heavenly Court expanded continuously. More and more people broke into the Saint Realm, while the strongest among the younger generation pushed toward the Demi-Saint Realm. All in all, the Heavenly Court's foundation and power surged once again at an astonishing pace.
As for Jiang Haokong, he naturally entered seclusion once more. However, he chose to depart Earth directly.
Breaking into the Immortal Realm here was exceptionally difficult due to suppression. Lu Yuan had managed it because he was a native of this world, meaning the suppression on him was minimal, allowing him to break through once he reached a certain threshold. Although the Jiang clan's ancestors also hailed from Earth, they had departed countless years ago, long before the Severance of Heaven and Earth. Thus, his circumstances were much like those of the Ji clan; if he wished to break through as quickly as possible, leaving was the only option.
Yet even he lacked confidence as to whether he could surpass Lu Yuan after doing so.
Naturally, everyone knew that only after the effects of the Severance of Heaven and Earth vanished completely would the true grand era arrive.
Just like that, three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Lu Yuan, having remained in continuous seclusion, finally mastered the power of the Immortal Realm completely.
His soul and physique had adapted thoroughly. Even though his cultivation realm had not advanced, his combat strength had undergone a transformation.
If he were to face the projections of the two Divine Sons again, he could likely dispatch them in a single blow. The Immortal Realm was exceedingly unique; even the slightest edge translated into an immense disparity.
Having reached this realm, Lu Yuan felt with growing clarity that evolution and cultivation grew far more arduous the further one progressed, and the gaps between cultivators expanded accordingly. Had the two Divine Sons descended in their true bodies rather than as projections back then, he might truly have been unable to withstand them. They were, after all, genuine peerless chosen prides.
Without dwelling on it further, Lu Yuan stepped out of his room. After being in seclusion for so long, he was still unaware of recent developments in the outside world.
Soon, Zhu Qingyu and the other younger members learned of his emergence and hurried over.
They recounted the recent situation. Upon hearing that Jiang Ningxian had arranged everything in good order, a surge of gratitude welled up in Lu Yuan's heart. Her presence had indeed resolved a great deal of his lingering concerns. A person's time and energy were ultimately limited.
Most importantly, in the entire Heavenly Court—and indeed, in this entire world—he was likely the only one capable of holding everything down. With Jiang Ningxian assisting, things were undeniably much easier.
At the same time, the Golden-Winged Great Peng arrived. This time, however, it brought Yinglong along.
Ever since joining the Heavenly Court, Yinglong had remained in secluded cultivation. Now, it had broken into the Saint Realm and faintly touched the Demi-Saint Realm. Aside from Lu Yuan, it was the fastest-cultivating being in this world.
And Yinglong had come bearing news!
Chapter 357