Lu Yuan had prepared long ago. Thus, when the Ji clan descended, he remained calm and composed.
When he spoke just now, his voice had been very soft. It seemed as if he had uttered nothing more than an ordinary remark, yet it carried peerless confidence and an invincible conviction!
For back then, the Ji Clan Divine Son's projection had essentially possessed the strength of someone newly entered into the Immortal Realm. At the same cultivation level, Lu Yuan had emerged victorious, and now he too had stepped into the Immortal Realm.
Furthermore, he had completely adapted to this newfound power. So what if the other party's true body had descended now?
If a battle was what he wanted, Lu Yuan would gladly oblige. At the same time, Lu Yuan held absolute certainty that should they clash, victory would definitely be his.
This was what it truly meant to possess an invincible conviction. Up above, the Ji Clan Divine Son seemed to have been provoked by those words. Indeed, ever since he had emerged into the world, Lu Yuan was the first to make him experience what defeat felt like.
It was also the very first time he had lost to someone of his own generation, and at the same realm no less. This was something the Ji Clan Divine Son could not endure, and having it spoken so bluntly in front of everyone naturally ignited his fury.
Still, he was a chosen pride after all and would not lose control over a few words. Taking a deep breath, he looked toward Lu Yuan and said, "I know you are formidable, the strongest adversary I have ever faced.
"Yet I did not come here to fight a duel with you. I came for only one thing—to kill you!" The Ji Clan Divine Son was furious, but he had no desire to let any accidents disrupt this plan.
Weighed against each other, his pride was far less important than ensuring the opponent's absolute death. After all, once someone was dead, nothing else mattered.
Moreover, it would eliminate a future menace for his clan. At a time like this, he naturally would not act recklessly; he knew clearly what took priority.
"Indeed. That you were able to break into the Immortal Realm in such a short time truly makes you a chosen pride. Unfortunately, since you cannot be used by our Ji clan and have chosen to stand against us, we cannot allow you to live." The Ji Clan Third Ancestor spoke. His strength surpassed that of the Divine Son, having already reached the Grotto-Heaven Immortal realm.
That was the second realm of immortality, a level that could not be overlooked anywhere in the vast universe. The Ji clan had dispatched such an expert precisely out of fear that Lu Yuan would grow into a catastrophic menace.
Thus, this Ji Clan Third Ancestor had also come with the sole purpose of slaying Lu Yuan.
At this moment, his tone was utterly ruthless. In his eyes, Lu Yuan was virtually already a corpse.
"The Ji clan is domineering indeed. If someone cannot be used by you and refuses to obey, they must be killed? Where in the world is the sense in that?" Jiang Ningxian spoke up at that moment, mockery lacing her words.
Had anyone ordinary spoken like this, they would never have dared, and the Ji clan would have struck immediately upon hearing it.
Yet upon seeing that it was Jiang Ningxian, even the Ji Clan Divine Son held his tongue, while a smile involuntarily surfaced on the Third Ancestor's face.
"Ah, it is Niece Ningxian. Naturally, our Ji clan is not that overbearing.
"However, when someone overestimates themselves and seeks to challenge our authority, we have no other choice." He spoke with apparent courtesy, but whether it was merely superficial or genuine, most people present knew full well.
This was also because of Jiang Ningxian's status; she was not only a Holy Maiden, but also the daughter of the Master of the Jiang Clan. Even the Ji clan had to show some courtesy.
"Even so, this is merely a matter between juniors. What business does an old fossil with one foot in the grave like you have sticking his nose in?" Jiang Haokong spoke up as well, showing none of his sister's politeness and bluntly voicing what he truly thought.
After all, he had no fear of offending the so-called Ji clan. That confidence stemmed from his own strength, and of course, the clan backing him.
The Third Ancestor maintained his courteous front, yet his tone grew somewhat cold. No one liked being told they had one foot in the grave, especially when it was true.
"Right and wrong—does it all depend solely on your say-so?" Jiang Haokong shook his head and added.
"What if I feel you pose a threat to me, so I have my father step in personally? Would that be fine?" The Master of the Jiang Clan was one of the pinnacle powerhouses across the entire starry sky, a true colossus.
Thus, when Jiang Haokong uttered those words, several members of the Ji clan could not help but pale.
If the Master of the Jiang Clan were to descend, who could bear the consequences?
"Utterly unreasonable!" the Ji Clan Divine Son snapped. "This is a grudge between our Ji clan and Lu Yuan. It has nothing to do with your Jiang clan. We do not wish to make an enemy of you, so we hope you will stay out of this. Otherwise, our Ji clan does not fear your Jiang clan either!" He truly did not want to waste any more time; delays spawned complications.
Who knew what might happen if they lingered? It was far better to strike without delay.
"You two, step aside as well.
"I have business to attend to." The Ji Clan Third Ancestor shared that sentiment, unwilling to waste words. He fixed his gaze upon Lu Yuan and took a step forward. "Today, let us bring an end to it all." As he spoke, terrifying strands of aura descended from his person without the slightest reservation.
In an instant, the mountains and rivers shuddered, and the firmament seemed on the verge of tearing apart. It was only because Mount Tai lay beneath them; otherwise, this sheer might alone would have shattered every surrounding mountain. At the same time, the Ji Clan Divine Son said nothing more and stood to the side.
If it meant achieving their goal, so what if they joined forces? Meanwhile, Lu Yuan remained as he had been before, entirely devoid of fear.
Facing the approach of two formidable powerhouses, he knew that this time he would have to reveal his true trump card. Even if its outcome was uncertain, even if it could only be used once or twice, that was enough.
"Wait!" But right then, Jiang Ningxian walked over and shook her head. "You have already done so much. That is enough. Now, it is time for us, as your partners, to take action. You need only watch from the side." From their very first conversation, the alliance between the Heavenly Court and the Jiang clan had been forged on equal footing.
In that regard, the Jiang clan had barely done anything up until now. Surely they could not leave a single person to shoulder it all alone.
And so, she and Jiang Haokong stepped directly in front of Lu Yuan.
"You two, I have said that this is a grudge between our Ji clan and this man. If you insist on having your own way, do not blame us for being impolite." The Ji Clan Third Ancestor was also growing incensed.
His mission this time was to execute Lu Yuan. Being obstructed like this naturally tested the limits of his patience.
Thus, having spoken, the aura radiating from his body grew even more ferocious than before. His aim was to force the brother and sister to back down in the face of danger.
After all, under the current circumstances, the Ji clan truly had no desire to directly antagonize the Jiang clan.
"What arrogant words! To think you dare lay a hand on my clan's Divine Son and Holy Maiden. Fine then—let's see you try!" Right at that moment, another voice boomed down from the sky.
Chapter 373