Vast mountain ranges stretched on, one after another, as all manner of formidable auras began to surge and rage without pause.
More and more beings appeared, standing suspended in the void. They were at least in the Saint Realm, their strength exceptionally potent, and they hailed from various extraterrestrial clans. Before long, their numbers surpassed ten thousand, stirring turbulent ripples through the void.
After all, with such great strength, the auras radiating from them were terrifying. They had already completely transcended the scope of ordinary living beings—such was the Saint Realm.
More importantly, Immortals were among them as well, treading the celestial vault as if looking down upon all living things. Yet, these figures remained almost entirely on the outer perimeter, choosing not to advance any further after arriving. None chose to plunge directly into the depths of Mount Emei. The present scene appeared tranquil on the surface, but in truth, anyone who made a direct move would be instantly besieged.
This concerned the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, an object none could ignore. Naturally, there was another reason they held back: this entire plan had been orchestrated by the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan. Everyone was waiting for the principal actors to arrive.
Thus, a tacit understanding formed in nearly every heart. They would wait until the two great factions showed up before deciding what to do; there was no need to rush into anything else for the moment.
Rumble!
Suddenly, another colossal roar reverberated across the sky. Dozens of figures materialized, every single one of them having reached the Immortal Realm. They, too, belonged to a star sector ranked in the top ten, possessing immense power and profound heritage.
"As expected, with a top ten star sector getting involved, seizing the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token this time will be difficult indeed," someone remarked, well aware that if a great war broke out, it would be a spectacular clash.
The cosmic clans would likely all be dragged into it. Yet the more chaotic it grew, the greater the opportunity to obtain the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token would be. The reason was exceedingly simple: to many, a muddied situation was precisely an opening to be seized.
Hum.
Not long after, the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan finally appeared. The two clans arrived together in alliance, fielding not only Saint Realm figures but also Grotto-Heaven Immortals on par with the Ji Clan Third Ancestor. One could say they had concentrated nearly all the forces they had brought down to Earth.
The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token had originally been discovered and plotted for by these two clans first. It was only due to a leak that the news had become known to all. But even so, what did it matter? To them, none of it posed any real problem, for they were now united.
Therefore, the moment they arrived, the Ji clan and the Eternal Clan did not hesitate in the slightest. They immediately began to unleash their might.
Their formidable auras were released without any restraint, surging in wave after wave, cascading down from the firmament like a torrent that caused the numerous peaks of Mount Emei below to tremble.
The Ji Clan Third Ancestor stepped forward, cast his gaze across the gathering of extraterrestrial beings, and spoke in a cool, level voice:
"I know you have many thoughts in your hearts, wishing to wrest the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token from our hands. But should anyone dare cause trouble at a time like this, we will not show the slightest mercy."
At this point, he added, "Remember, I am not joking."
With those words, the members of the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan stepped forward in unison. Their immense might coalesced directly into a storm, raging violently across heaven and earth.
Among them were not only Saint and Immortal Realm figures, but even beings like Grotto-Heaven Immortals. If they struck, the consequences would be terrifying—especially now that the two clans were joined as one, which lent an entirely different weight to the threat. As for why the Ji Clan Third Ancestor spoke in such a manner, the purpose was simple: he wanted to intimidate a portion of the crowd into staying out of the fray. If he could manage that, everything to follow would be far easier to handle.
Sure enough, the moment his words fell, the extraterrestrial beings exchanged glances.
They knew all too well that contending with these two great factions for the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token would inevitably incur their wrath, and neither clan would show any leniency. Under such circumstances, anyone who took action could easily become a prime target and meet their end.
After all, these were clans ranked among the top ten across the starry sky, renowned throughout the universe with unfathomable heritage. Unless pushed to the brink, ordinary figures truly dared not cross them recklessly. Now that the Ji Clan Third Ancestor had laid down such harsh words, many naturally began to shrink back.
"What arrogant words. Setting aside whether this Mount Emei even holds an Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token—even if it does, it is an ownerless object. And an ownerless treasure belongs to whoever has the strength to claim it. Since when did it become the property of the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan? And since when did taking it become 'wresting' it from you?"
A voice rang out, calm and seemingly devoid of any emotion. Yet it was precisely this placid tone that gave the impression of having no fear whatsoever of the two great factions.
Upon hearing this, all the living beings present turned to look.
Off in the distance, a succession of figures appeared. The man at their head was none other than Lu Yuan, standing proud in midair with his hands clasped behind his back.
The aura radiating from his body was not particularly overwhelming, yet when facing the two great factions, he did not yield an inch. Moreover, Lu Yuan's words struck home, snapping all the extraterrestrial beings out of their hesitation.
This time, it was the various clans of the starry sky facing the two great factions together. No one stood alone. Among the major powers gathered at Mount Emei, there were four premier factions in total, including the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan, all standing on the exact same footing.
Even if two of them had fully allied, could they truly ignore everyone else present? That was hardly possible. And if the rest of them joined in as well, what reason was there to be afraid?
Before long, the gazes of the onlookers lost their earlier timidness. Indeed, this concerned the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, and it belonged to the capable. Why couldn't that capable person be themselves?
"Lu Yuan, you again!" Sensing the shift in the crowd around them, the Ji Clan Third Ancestor fixed his eyes upon Lu Yuan. "I have not yet settled the score with you for the death of my clan's Divine Son. I had intended to spare you for the moment, yet you dare provoke us again!
"Do you truly think my Ji clan can be pushed around at will? Do not forget that the true powerhouses of my Ji clan have yet to arrive!"
He harbored deep hatred toward Lu Yuan, for the Divine Son had been slain right before his very eyes. No matter how one looked at it, the Ji Clan Third Ancestor bore responsibility for that failure. As for the Ji clan members behind him, each of them projected intense killing intent directed straight at Lu Yuan.
The Eternal Clan was no different; the Divine Sons of both clans had fallen to the man before them. This was an irreconcilable blood feud that could end only in death. Previously, they might have endured it for the sake of the larger picture, but now, upon seeing Lu Yuan, killing intent flared across nearly every expert of both clans!
Chapter 403