Golden runes emerged around the perimeter of Earth.
Every single one seemed to contain profoundly arcane power. It was precisely because of them that everything here had remained protected.
They had been established long ago by ancient sages to shield this star sector and their descendants. For countless years, myriad living beings had lived out peaceful lives beneath their protection.
Yet with the relentless erosion of time, the Severance of Heaven and Earth could finally hold on no longer. No one could withstand the scouring torrent of time.
Not even immortals were an exception, let alone the measures once deployed by the ancient sages. Countless runes surfaced, then dissolved into specks of starlight and slowly dissipated.
It was a magnificent sight, appearing grand and splendid against the dull, freezing cosmos. Yet behind that splendor lurked boundless peril. Without the runes' protection, this world would be laid bare before the entire universe, and any powerhouse could easily descend.
"It has finally begun to dissipate. We have truly waited far, far too long."
"Indeed. Now, even immortals can descend."
"Then what should we do once we descend?"
Voices arose in succession. As they watched the runes fade away, a stir of ambition flickered in their eyes.
Some even wanted to descend straight away, but ultimately held back. After all, the entities from the Eternal Star Sector and the Ziwei Star Sector had not made a move yet.
Under such circumstances, it was better to exercise restraint. Otherwise, trouble could easily arise—what if they incurred the displeasure of those mighty clans?
"Third Ancestor, we can descend now." Seeing this, a look of shrewdness surfaced in the Ji Clan Divine Son's eyes, harboring killing intent deep within. The reason was exceedingly simple.
In his mind, the moment the restriction of the Severance of Heaven and Earth vanished would be the hour of Lu Yuan's death. Though it had taken much longer than he had anticipated, as long as the objective was achieved, whether it happened earlier or later hardly mattered.
"No rush." The Ji Clan Third Ancestor shook his head. "Wait until it dissipates more completely." He remained cautious, unwilling to descend rashly.
Earth's ancient sages had each shaken the universe in their time. The Severance of Heaven and Earth they deployed imposed even greater restrictions on those with higher cultivation and greater strength. Even he did not dare take it lightly.
What if he descended only to be targeted and suffer injuries? It was not that the Ji Clan Third Ancestor was afraid; rather, in the current situation, it was best to maintain peak condition. Hearing this, the Ji Clan Divine Son said nothing more.
In any case, Lu Yuan could not escape. Without the restriction of the Severance of Heaven and Earth, what else could he rely on?
Time slipped by, bit by bit.
Finally, after an unknown span, every rune above Earth vanished completely.
The Ji Clan Third Ancestor hesitated no longer and immediately stepped forward. Following behind, the various extraterrestrial clans trailed closely in his wake.
And this descent was vaster than any before—not only in sheer numbers, but more importantly, in the countless powerhouses among them.
Mount Tai, Jade Emperor Peak.
Lu Yuan stood atop it, leading his people. At this moment, nearly everyone looked up toward the heavens with solemn expressions.
They watched as countless rays of golden radiance faded in the void above. Afterward, the auras emanating from the void grew increasingly majestic, constantly surging downward.
Everyone understood clearly that these belonged to the extraterrestrial powerhouses standing outside Earth, waiting for the Severance of Heaven and Earth to vanish before descending.
As those auras shook the air and endless radiance flooded the firmament, everyone's expression shifted. They stood at the ready, knowing that extraterrestrial beings were about to descend en masse. Though their own cultivation fell short and their preparations remained incomplete, every person's gaze was resolute.
Everything that had transpired beforehand made them realize that even if not all of the invaders were hostile, someone would inevitably come to target the Heavenly Court, to target King Lu.
Beside him, Jiang Ningxian turned her gaze toward Lu Yuan, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately kept silent.
Lu Yuan noticed, yet even so, no significant emotion stirred upon his face.
He stood in place, looking placid. In truth, Lu Yuan had already sensed a colossal aura approaching, heading straight for Mount Tai.
He merely did not know whether it belonged to the Eternal Clan or the Ji clan. But in any case, the visitors harbored ill intent.
Of course, he harbored no fear. Even knowing that top powerhouses would descend, he still held an ultimate trump card that left him entirely unafraid.
Rumble!
Suddenly, a violent roll of thunder erupted. The next moment, waves of formidable auras surged outward.
In a single instant, mountains and rivers trembled, and the cloud layer shattered outright, resembling the onset of the apocalypse. Everyone looked up at the firmament, where silhouettes began to emerge.
Looking down from above like gods, they seemed to hold dominion over life and death. More crucially, the aura of every single figure was exceedingly terrifying.
Beyond them, no other beings appeared. Clearly, even if certain major extraterrestrial clans harbored grudges against Lu Yuan, the lessons of their past encounters kept them from showing themselves now, content to wait in the shadows and observe how the situation unfolded.
Yet the Ji clan, on the advice of their Divine Son, could endure it no longer. The moment they descended, they made straight for Mount Tai.
Before long, as those silhouettes drew closer, their features gradually became clear. Two figures led at the very front: one old, one young.
Both radiated an aura and an imposing might so immense that the void faintly trembled around them.
Behind them were dozens of others whose realms were by no means low—at the very least in the Great Saint Realm, just a single step away from stepping into the Immortal Realm.
It had to be said that the Ji clan's strength and foundation were truly terrifying. This force alone was enough to send chills through many star sectors.
After all, the two leading them had genuinely attained the Immortal Realm.
"Lu Yuan, it has been a while." The Ji Clan Divine Son spoke at last, devoid of any mocking levity, saying simply, "I told you before that you could not escape and would inevitably pay the price. That day has arrived." Now, he had come in person, even if his strength was not yet fully restored.
In truth, the Ji Clan Divine Son was confident that even without the Third Ancestor, his current strength alone would suffice to defeat Lu Yuan. Slaying him might prove somewhat difficult, but by no means impossible.
Yet for safety's sake, he had not acted alone, unwilling to allow any mishap to occur. Having let the man live a little longer, it was time to bring this to an end.
"A price?" Hearing this, Lu Yuan shook his head and said, "Back then, I could slay your projection. Today, I can slay your true body."
Chapter 372