Lu Yuan had a feeling that after fusing the fifth token, the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token would definitely undergo some changes. Of course, he did not know what those would be; only by doing it would he find out.
He felt a stir of anticipation. After all, a long time had passed since he obtained the last ancient token.
Furthermore, he harbored another thought: he hoped to seize this opportunity to find the path forward to the Creation Immortal realm above Grotto-Heaven Immortal.
Following the fierce battle with that member of the Ji clan, Lu Yuan realized the supreme importance of immense strength all the more acutely. At this stage, even if he exerted his utmost power, he could not battle across realms.
It was clear that the disparity after reaching the Immortal Realm was vast beyond measure—virtually impossible to bridge through natural talent alone.
And that was merely a Creation Immortal. What if he faced an even higher Heavenly Position Immortal, or a Supreme Immortal? How terrifyingly powerful would a Domain Lord-level being be?
Lu Yuan had no way to gauge it. Thus, what mattered now was finding ways to continuously grow stronger. Only peerless might would allow him to face whatever was to come with ease.
After all, Lu Yuan's ultimate goal was to confront those legendary Extraterrestrial Demons. Therefore, after finishing his conversation with the Jiang clan members, he took his leave directly.
Meanwhile, watching his retreating figure, Jiang Huanyun grew lost in thought. He then turned to the siblings beside him, Jiang Ningxian and Jiang Haokong, and remarked, "This young man is truly extraordinary. He is strong—in every sense of the word. Never before have I seen anyone achieve Grotto-Heaven Immortal in such a short span of time.
"Moreover, even a Creation Immortal perished at his hands. Perhaps in the future, the Jiang clan will have to rely on him."
Had an outsider heard these words, they would surely have been astounded and found it impossible to believe.
What kind of power was the Jiang clan? They had perpetually held a place among the starry sky's top ten. Whether in foundation or heritage, they were an existence that filled the starry sky's myriad clans with awe and dread, untouchable and unchallenged.
Yet now, someone was claiming that the Jiang clan might need to rely on an outsider. And the one saying it was none other than one of the Jiang clan's own members.
It naturally defied belief. Beside him, Jiang Ningxian remained silent, but Jiang Haokong looked thoroughly astonished.
He had wanted to object, but in the end abandoned the thought. Having descended to this world for so long, he had come to understand Lu Yuan quite well. Looking back at everything, things might truly unfold just as the Fifth Ancestor said.
"In his hands, the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token may unleash even greater power." In the end, Jiang Huanyun said no more and dismissed the two.
This expedition to Mount Emei would undoubtedly trigger a massive earthquake. Five Grotto-Heaven Immortals and a Creation Immortal had died. Even for a colossus like the Ji clan, such a loss was horrifying, and they would be utterly enraged.
Furthermore, now that the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token had found an owner, many would surely set their sights on it. Thus, certain developments had to be reported back to the Jiang clan.
Jiang Huanyun knew that the unfolding situation would soon exceed even his ability to control. Perhaps the next powerhouses to descend would be stronger than him.
The clan would need to dispatch true heavyweight figures. Jiang Ningxian and her brother exchanged a glance, ultimately saying nothing more.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan had returned to his quarters. However, he did not immediately choose to fuse the fifth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
Instead, he first calmed himself to stabilize his condition. He had no choice; the previous fierce battle had taken a significant toll on him. What if something unexpected and hard to control occurred during the fusion? Only at peak condition could he handle any eventuality.
"After reaching the Immortal Realm, each subsequent tier grants mastery over a unique ability: an Undying Immortal can reshape the flesh; a Grotto-Heaven Immortal can open a small space; and a Creation Immortal can create things from the void. What about the even higher Heavenly Position Immortals and Supreme Immortals?" Lu Yuan sensed that reaching those realms meant beginning to grasp the power of certain universal laws.
Though not yet all-encompassing, thinking about it now, the difference was truly monumental. Whether in the Saint Realm or lower realms, everything fell within the scope of what mortal strength could achieve; the distinction lay merely in raw power. But the Immortal Realm was entirely different, having touched upon the forces of fundamental laws.
It was quite literally the stuff of myth. Consequently, his anticipation for the subsequent realms deepened. Lu Yuan ceased dwelling on it further.
He closed his eyes directly. Auras began to emanate from his body as various gentle energies surged.
Soon after, his condition gradually stabilized, and the previous depletion slowly began to replenish.
Thus, time trickled away. Before he knew how long had passed, Lu Yuan suddenly snapped his eyes open, a wry smile surfacing on his face.
He had merely overextended himself, yet full recovery had taken three whole days. But it was only natural; after all, the power he now wielded was completely different from before.
He did not stand up. Taking a deep breath, he submerged his consciousness.
*Hum—*
Abruptly, Lu Yuan noticed that the fifth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token he had obtained was resonating with the earlier ones, their radiating purple auras weaving together. But because he had not taken deliberate action, the fusion had yet to commence.
However, the time was ripe. With that thought, Lu Yuan initiated the process.
*Dong—*
In that very instant, a thunderous roar erupted within his mind, like the detonation of countless bolts of lightning. An inexplicable aura surged continuously from his body, while a purple glow diffused through the entire room.
At this moment, Lu Yuan saw that within his mind, the fifth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token was already fusing with the rest. Intertwining with one another, mysterious runes circulated around them.
More importantly, as the fusion progressed, a brand-new aura began nourishing Lu Yuan's soul and physique.
At this very moment, he felt as if he had arrived in the extraterrestrial starry sky, seated high above billions of stars, gazing upon all of creation.
Yet this sensation was not one of looking down with haughty detachment. Rather, it was looking upon them on equal terms—gazing equally at every living soul. Precisely because of this, the myriad beings inhabiting those billions of stars began to respond.
A single thought spanned ten thousand years; wherever his gaze reached, billions of living beings welcomed him, as though he had fused entirely into one with this world.
*Human Sovereign, Heavenly Emperor!*
Suddenly, such a thought surfaced in Lu Yuan's mind. Indeed, what he was experiencing right now was the feeling of a Human Sovereign, a Heavenly Emperor.
Not looking down arrogantly from on high upon all people, but treating all things with equality. The feeling was profoundly wondrous, as if he had received the acknowledgment of the entire world, standing as the co-ruler of heaven and earth.
"The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token truly bears a deep connection to the Human Sovereign Heavenly Emperor. Could it be that obtaining this item allows one to truly become the Human Sovereign Heavenly Emperor?" Lu Yuan suddenly thought to himself, finding it incredible.
Soon, however, he dismissed the notion.
Chapter 414