"We just received word that the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan have formed an alliance."
"Not only that, they're bustling about in every direction."
"It's very likely they're gathering a large host," Jiang Ningxian said without hesitation. "And their objective is most likely us."
She knew that if they were only dealing with Lu Yuan, there would be no need for two major factions to go through such immense trouble. They were confident that with their own strength, they could handle the Heavenly Court.
The reason they were doing this was to take on the Jiang clan at the same time, as they all stood on the same tier.
The more allies they rallied, the greater their strength would be, allowing them to handle the situation with ease. They viewed both the Heavenly Court and the Jiang clan as their adversaries and intended to deal with both in one fell swoop.
"It seems our alliance was useful after all," Lu Yuan remarked with a faint smile, showing no signs of tension. "It's actually forced two great powers to scramble for allies."
Why else would those two major powers do this if not because they lacked complete confidence? If he had felt any apprehension before, things were different now.
Not only had he just refined the final two cauldrons, but more importantly, he was allied with the Jiang clan, and today's Heavenly Court was no longer an entity anyone could push around.
With this in mind, Lu Yuan continued, "The reason the various clans have begun reducing their conflicts is likely that they received word of this as well. They want to see what those two factions plan to do and whether they can reap some benefits from it."
Hearing this, Zhu Qingyu nodded. "That's our assessment as well. So what should we do next? Should we quietly watch how the situation unfolds, stay our hand, and wait until they make a move?"
This was how the Heavenly Court had always operated.
After all, their strength had not been sufficient before. Moving rashly could easily land them in danger, and the risks would outweigh the gains.
However, upon hearing this, Lu Yuan shook his head. "No. This time, we take the initiative."
Whether it was his own subordinates or the reinforcements sent by the Jiang clan, their combined strength had already reached a formidable level. There was no need to keep lying low; otherwise, others would continue to underestimate them.
Perhaps up until now, those extraterrestrial beings had only felt fear because of him, not because they recognized the strength of the Heavenly Court. That state of affairs could not be allowed to continue.
What Lu Yuan wanted was to use this opportunity to make a name for the Heavenly Court. Conveniently, most of the extraterrestrial beings who were supposed to descend had already arrived.
This was an exceptional opportunity, one that could not be missed.
Having reached this conclusion, Lu Yuan looked at Zhu Qingyu and said, "Go see who is probing toward the five super cities. Once you find them, do not hesitate—strike immediately and cut them down. If any among them belong to factions with past grudges against us, like the Celestial Clan or the Yin Sparrow Clan, slaughter them without mercy."
Indeed, since they dared to disregard the rules he had previously established, they would have to pay the price.
And this time, there would be no discussion—only immediate action.
"This..." Nearby, Ice Fairy and the others exchanged glances upon hearing his words. It wasn't that they had never fought before, but striking without prior warning and unleashing a merciless slaughter was truly shocking, completely unlike the Heavenly Court's previous style.
"Don't worry. If anything arises that the Heavenly Court cannot handle, my Jiang clan will assist from the sidelines," Jiang Ningxian spoke up suddenly, her expression turning solemn. "My Jiang clan has always been benevolent and kept to ourselves. Perhaps because of that, many great clans have forgotten how our Jiang clan earned its name among the top ten clans in the first place."
Her voice was laced with a chilling edge, devoid of any leniency.
It was hardly surprising. Those great extraterrestrial clans knew full well that the Heavenly Court and the Jiang clan had allied, yet they still chose to make a move. Why?
Because in the past, the Jiang clan generally avoided fighting, resolving matters through words whenever possible.
Jiang Ningxian saw clearly that this time, nothing short of slaughter would suffice.
Zhu Qingyu nodded.
Everyone present was an outstanding talent among the younger generation. How could they fail to grasp the significance of this strike?
The purpose was to display their might before all the clans of the starry sky.
And in the future, because of this, the name of the Heavenly Court would resound across the cosmos.
Without another word, everyone left to carry out the orders.
Soon, only two people remained in the room.
"Now that you've fully refined the Nine Cauldrons, do you feel anything special?" Jiang Ningxian asked after the others had departed.
She knew more about the Nine Cauldrons than anyone, and since he had just emerged from seclusion, she took the chance to ask.
"Inside them resides a mighty power of providence, utterly terrifying," Lu Yuan said frankly, holding nothing back. "If utilized properly, this power of providence can achieve a great deal."
Of course, he only spoke of the Nine Cauldrons; he mentioned nothing of other matters, such as the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
"The Nine Cauldrons anchor the human race's providence, not just for this world, but for the entire universe. Yu the Great succeeded the Five Emperors and was also an extraordinary genius of his era." Jiang Ningxian nodded upon hearing his words.
As for the importance of the Nine Cauldrons, let alone the two of them, even ordinary mortals were aware of it; there were simply too many legends surrounding them.
Unfortunately, the Jiang clan had held two of them in vain without knowing the method to unlock them. Bestowing them upon Lu Yuan had been done in hopes that he could bring out their profound mysteries.
Evidently, that had been the right choice.
Thinking this, Jiang Ningxian drew a soft breath, turned back to Lu Yuan, and said again, "In the Dragon Prison, you were infected by that Extraterrestrial Demon's black blood. Later, I looked through our clan's ancient records and found that the black blood is exceedingly troublesome. Touching it brings great calamity. You..."
She had kept this in mind all along—not out of suspicion, but out of genuine concern for Lu Yuan.
Powerful methods usually left behind lingering repercussions, and in her heart, she feared it would pose some hidden danger to him.
However, Lu Yuan did not reply immediately upon hearing her concern.
To explain it, he would have to reveal the existence of the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
That matter was simply of too great a consequence; it wasn't merely a question of trust. He could trust Jiang Ningxian completely, but the same could not be said for the Jiang clan behind her. In any case, caution was never misplaced.
In the end, Lu Yuan met her gaze and said slowly, "To resolve the black blood, I indeed employed a certain method. However, the matter has far-reaching implications, and I cannot explain it to you directly. But I can promise you that one day, you will know."
Since he was unwilling to deceive her yet could not reveal everything, this was the only answer he could give.
Hearing this, Jiang Ningxian did not press further. Everyone had their own secrets; how could one lay everything bare?
She understood completely.
Chapter 380