The two great factions certainly had no simple objective. Of that much, Lu Yuan was certain.
As for what it was specifically, he had no way of knowing. But one thing was clear: before long, an immense battle was likely to erupt.
It might very well surpass any conflict seen before. For both the Milky Way Star Sector and the Heavenly Court, it would be of paramount importance, perhaps even shaking the entire void.
After all, the confrontation had not even formally begun, yet a Domain Lord–level powerhouse was already wounded. That was deeply unusual. If this truly had something to do with the extraterrestrial heavenly demons, it would be all the more terrifying.
"I suggest that the Jiang clan also mobilize its foundational reserves and descend upon the Milky Way Star Sector,"
"because everything that follows may well detonate right here."
"Of course, the final choice rests entirely with you." Facing the three of them, Lu Yuan spoke again, his expression and tone exceedingly solemn.
Both rival factions had dispatched their foremost martial power. Whatever their underlying motive, it was bound to carry monumental consequences. Under such circumstances, one truly could not afford any complacency.
Yet the Jiang clan was still its own master. Whether they chose to listen or not, he would not force the issue. Just as he had said, it was merely a recommendation and nothing more.
"Very well. I will notify the clan at once." Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Huanyun agreed, adopting the suggestion completely.
Beside him, the Jiang siblings nodded as well. Back when the seal of the Severance of Heaven and Earth had just vanished, neither enemy faction had made such sweeping moves.
Now, however, they had suddenly swung into action. Even if their reasons remained unknown, their intentions were unquestionably momentous—especially now that their father had been injured.
Moreover, the reserves of both the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan were immensely profound. Possessing an array of formidable powerhouses, their full descent could very well exert a crushing pressure over the entire Milky Way Star Sector.
To withstand them, one had to match their might. Thus, they understood full well the rationale behind Lu Yuan's proposal and agreed immediately.
"I believe it is also necessary to alert the other great extraterrestrial clans so they can prepare as well," Jiang Ningxian added. Relying on the strength of a single clan to confront the combined might of two factions would still be stretching things thin. If other great clans from the top ten star sectors joined their side, the situation would be far more manageable.
"That reminds me—why haven't I seen a single soul from the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector from the very beginning until now?" A thought struck Lu Yuan, and he voiced it directly. As a supreme power rivaling the Bliss Star Sector,
they had never once shown themselves from start to finish, nor had they dispatched anyone. This struck him as rather strange.
Even if they were aloof, possessing peerless strength and foundation, surely they would not simply disregard the great era's providence altogether?
Yet according to Jiang Ningxian's explanation, that was precisely the case. The Heavenly Dragon Star Sector cared nothing for the great era's providence.
Throughout the numerous great wars that had erupted across the starry sky, they had always remained aloof. They took no side, neither contesting nor plundering, keeping entirely to their own domain.
Hearing this, Lu Yuan found it somewhat hard to believe. Could any faction truly remain so detached from worldly affairs?
"If you really wish to understand the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector, you can wait for Yinglong's explanation," Jiang Huanyun remarked. "It belongs to the Dragon Clan and carries its own ancestral legacy memories, which will unlock once its strength reaches a certain height. And the Dragon Clan happens to be the most vital branch within the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector. Yinglong is bound to know something."
"Of course, there is another point: the Golden-Winged Great Peng under your command should be among them as well." Put another way, the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector was a haven where exotic beasts congregated.
Yet unlike the chaotic variety in the Milky Way Star Sector, powerful bloodlines were commonplace there. Almost every inhabitant possessed one, and for that very reason, the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector possessed an extraordinarily profound foundation.
Their top-tier combat strength was exceptionally abundant, given that they all bore legendary mythical bloodlines. Once fully grown, they were terrifying beyond measure.
"I understand." Hearing this, Lu Yuan nodded. In truth, he was not overly curious about the Heavenly Dragon Star Sector;
he had merely found it puzzling that such a formidable faction had never appeared, and he feared unexpected variables might arise later. Now that he had received their explanation, he felt somewhat reassured.
Naturally, if they could ally with such a faction, it would be ideal. After all, partnering with the Bliss Star Sector was out of the question.
He had slain one of their Divine Sons not long ago. It was already fortunate enough that those monks had not come seeking trouble.
Even so, Lu Yuan knew that when all was said and done, the only thing one could truly rely on was one's own power. With nothing more to say, the three prepared to part ways and attend to their respective duties.
At that moment, however, Lu Yuan asked Jiang Ningxian to stay behind alone. There were certain things he needed her to know.
"What is it?" Jiang Ningxian asked, somewhat puzzled, though she seemed quite pleased that he had asked her to stay.
"To tell the truth, I possess five Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens. The Heavenly Court's subordinates were able to grow so rapidly in such a short time because I used those ancient tokens to bestow human dao providence upon them." With others, he might have had reason to conceal it, but with Jiang Ningxian, there was no such need.
The two of them had braved life-and-death trials together, and he had already considered confiding in her. Now was the time to speak.
"Five tokens? Human dao providence?" Hearing this, Jiang Ningxian was momentarily stunned. Soon, however, she regained her composure and said, "I knew you held great secrets, and that you might have obtained an Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token. But I never imagined you would possess as many as five." Jiang Ningxian spoke with a smile replacing her initial astonishment.
She had long harbored guesses about Lu Yuan's secrets. Yet because he had never mentioned them, she had never pried.
Sufficient trust had long been established between them. Even had he kept silent, it would not have changed anything. Of course, Jiang Ningxian truly had not anticipated that he had gathered five Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens.
As for human dao providence, she did not know much about it, nor did she intend to probe further.
Moments later, she spoke again: "I understand what you mean. But there are things you don't have to voice. Even if everyone in the world doubted you, I would still trust you as I always have. And knowing that you chose to share this with me makes me truly happy." The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens were of monumental significance; anyone who obtained them would guard the secret fiercely.
Revealing them would invite covetous eyes from all sides, placing the bearer in grave danger. Yet now, Lu Yuan had laid it all bare before her.
To Jiang Ningxian, this was an expression of absolute, unconditional trust. Far more than any secret, that was what she treasured most in her heart.
As for Lu Yuan, hearing her response did not come as much of a surprise. What did surprise him was that Jiang Ningxian had no desire to pry deeper at all. Was that itself not the truest form of trust?
For a moment, the two simply looked at each other, as if each could read what lay in the other's heart. At last, Jiang Ningxian took a step forward of her own accord.
Chapter 422