Indeed. What Lu Yuan needed to do was not merely resolve the immediate crisis.
More importantly, he had to gather all those forces together. The stronger he grew and the more time passed, the stronger his premonition became. This world—no, the entire universe—was about to face a Great Tribulation.
And that tribulation, clearly, would be brought about by the Extraterrestrial Demons. Against an existential calamity and sworn enemy feared even by the Human Sovereign, the Heavenly Emperor, and the ancient sages, relying solely on his own strength would never suffice. But if he could unite all the forces in the universe...
Lu Yuan knew this task would be dauntingly difficult. Yet if he did not try, what would happen once that great catastrophe arrived?
Fortunately, he still had some time, allowing him to make ample preparations. In the days that followed, Lu Yuan carried on as usual.
He cultivated and evolved, discerning the path ahead. At the same time, he gave guidance to members of the Heavenly Court, including not only Zhu Qingyu and the younger generation, but others as well.
All in all, he truly wished to do everything within his power to make the Heavenly Court a fraction stronger.
Only by doing so could they face the recurring crises with greater confidence. Besides, that was precisely what he had been doing all along.
Meanwhile, beyond the planet, boundless radiance emerged within the Solar System. Colossal auras pulsed continuously, surging in wave after wave, their turbulence threatening to shift the very stars from their courses.
Beyond Earth, a multitude of extraterrestrial beings had gathered in the void. Shrouded entirely in blinding brilliance, their true appearances remained completely obscured. Among them were powers ranked in the top ten of the top hundred star sectors.
"Word has it that the Jiang clan has chosen to ally with this so-called Heavenly Court of Lu Yuan's?" at that moment, someone from one of the factions spoke. It was a tall, black-robed elder with a cold expression.
Merely standing there, he exerted an immense pressure that warned others not to approach lightly.
"Indeed, Third Ancestor. Could this cause trouble for our plans?" asked a figure beside him. This person was none other than the Ji Clan Divine Son.
He had returned to this star sector. Though his injuries were not completely healed, they no longer significantly impeded his combat strength.
At the same time, the Ji Clan Divine Son had called forth some of the clan's formidable powerhouses. Under their original plan, they were meant to arrive later. After all, the Ji clan had little interest in the resources and fortunes on Earth; they had simply intended to wait until the Severance of Heaven and Earth completely faded, then seize that wisp of great era providence amid the chaos.
Later, however, spurred by the Ji Clan Divine Son's warnings, the clan began to take Lu Yuan seriously. They realized he would become a formidable foe, and failing to eliminate him quickly would make things troublesome and difficult later on. Thus, this Third Ancestor of the Ji clan had arrived. His cultivation and strength surpassed the Ji Clan Divine Son's by a step.
Upon hearing the question, the elder shook his head slightly and replied, "The Jiang clan is powerful, but our Ji clan does not fear them. Besides, did you not mention that factions from both the Eternal Clan and the Pure Land Star Sector harbor murderous intent toward Lu Yuan? However mighty the Jiang clan may be, do they dare face an alliance of these three star sectors alone? They would be overestimating themselves." In his eyes, while the Jiang clan certainly warranted attention, they could never pose a fatal threat.
At worst, they would be a nuisance when the time came. One thing was certain: unless they had gone completely mad, the Jiang clan would never wage an all-out war over Lu Yuan.
"That is good to hear." A faint smile appeared on the Ji Clan Divine Son's face. By now, his grudge against Lu Yuan was no longer merely personal.
The man had to die. The Eternal Clan was making its move, and the Ji clan was uniting various factions, all awaiting the moment the power of the Severance of Heaven and Earth dissipated entirely.
When that time came, numerous experts would descend and strike at Lu Yuan together. He refused to believe the man could turn the tables and reverse his fortunes under such circumstances.
With these thoughts in mind, the Ji Clan Divine Son turned his head. "Third Ancestor, by your estimate, how much longer can the Severance of Heaven and Earth hold out?" Everything now hinged on when the restriction would break. Naturally, it could not last too long, lest it grant Lu Yuan more time to grow.
"At most half a year. If it is faster, perhaps only three months," the Third Ancestor replied, giving his estimation.
He felt the estimate was sound. The Severance of Heaven and Earth had shielded the Milky Way Star Sector for untold ages. Now that this world was reviving, it could not endure much longer.
"Only half a year, or perhaps three months?" Hearing this, the Ji Clan Divine Son smiled. The timeframe was too short. No matter how talented Lu Yuan might be, he could do little more than polish his combat strength.
As long as he did not break through from an Undying Immortal to a Grotto-Heaven Immortal, or even a Creation Immortal, nothing would pose a problem.
Saying no more, he closed his eyes, intending to use this window to heal his injuries completely. If he could personally execute Lu Yuan when the time arrived, nothing would be more satisfying.
Yet it was not only the Ji clan; extraterrestrial races from all quarters harbored their own designs toward Earth and the Heavenly Court.
After all, during the early stages of this star sector's revival, countless clans had seen their members slain by Lu Yuan. In their eyes, the time for vengeance had arrived. As for what their kin had done back then, what did that matter to them?
All that mattered was that Lu Yuan had killed their people. Now that the various clans were banding together, would they truly fear him alone?
At this moment, nearly everyone was waiting for the final hour.
Namely, the moment the Severance of Heaven and Earth completely dissolved.
Mount Tai.
On this day, a powerful surge of aura burst forth from somewhere on the mountain.
Immediately after, a second aura erupted in kind. In an instant, under the sway of that immense presence, the mountains and rivers trembled, and brilliant rays of auspicious light stretched across the firmament.
Seeing this, the members of the Heavenly Court who were cultivating looked puzzled, unsure of what had transpired.
One thing, however, was certain: someone had broken through, and their strength was formidable. Yet the auras did not belong to Zhu Qingyu or the younger generation, nor did they belong to the Beast Kings.
Inside his quarters, Lu Yuan opened his eyes, a smile gracing the corners of his lips. He stepped out of the room and looked toward another courtyard—the residence of the Jiang siblings, Jiang Ningxian and Jiang Haokong.
Having already attained the Immortal Realm earlier, Lu Yuan could not have advanced so quickly. The ones breaking through now were those two.
Before long, the brother and sister walked out, one after the other. From their lingering auras, it was clear that both had now reached the Immortal Realm.
"Sister, you were faster than me again this time," Jiang Haokong spoke with a grin. He showed none of the helpless frustration he felt when facing Lu Yuan, clearly delighted for his sister and untroubled by her beating him to the breakthrough.
Yet upon hearing his words, Jiang Ningxian showed no trace of a smile, her expression grave instead.
Chapter 370