"In other words, the Domain Lords of the two major factions..."
"Have already colluded with the Extraterrestrial Demons." Hearing all of this, Lu Yuan fully understood. Put simply, the deeds of those two Domain Lords had happened to be uncovered by Jiang Taiyu.
A fierce battle had erupted among the three, but in the end, it was one against two. On top of that, both opponents had embraced the power of the Extraterrestrial Demons.
Thus, he had ultimately been overpowered. Lu Yuan was already familiar with such power, just like the black dragon from before.
Of course, as one of the topmost figures in the universe today, Jiang Taiyu was not so easily slain.
He had managed to escape successfully. But none of that mattered anymore. What truly mattered was that someone was now ushering in the Extraterrestrial Demons—and those individuals were Domain Lords.
Lu Yuan worried that the calamity might descend ahead of schedule. If so, he would have no time to prepare at all. Yet according to Jiang Taiyu, barriers existed between realms, making it difficult for those mysterious beings to break through. Still, one could never be too cautious.
"I know what you're thinking."
"At least for now, there's no immediate rush on that front," Jiang Taiyu replied. Both of them were well aware of the Extraterrestrial Demons, so no explanation was needed; they understood what it entailed. Looking at Lu Yuan, he continued, "What worries me most right now is whether those two have handed over their Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens to the Extraterrestrial Demons. If they have, disaster is truly upon us."
The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens represented the Human Sovereign Heavenly Emperors. Numerous signs indicated that the Extraterrestrial Demons had invaded this world more than once, only to be repelled each time. The reason was precisely because supreme beings of that caliber had intervened.
Yet if even such an item had been offered to the Extraterrestrial Demons, then...
Lu Yuan understood the gravity of the situation as well. However, he soon shook his head. "Senior, I don't believe they would."
Jiang Taiyu turned his head abruptly. "Why?"
"First, allying with the Extraterrestrial Demons offers certain benefits to the two Domain Lords, which is why they agreed to it. But as beings at the Domain Lord level, both are ruthless, ambitious leaders. They would never willingly subordinate themselves to another."
"The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens are of utmost importance. Even if they cannot wield them, they understand their profound significance."
"Surrendering them to the Extraterrestrial Demons would be tantamount to bowing their heads in complete subjugation."
"Given Senior's understanding of them, would they do such a thing?" Lu Yuan shared his insight. Though seemingly without hard proof, it was grounded in a sharp grasp of human nature.
They were Domain Lords, Supreme Immortals—how could they ever willingly submit to another's control? It was simply impossible. They would undoubtedly hold something back.
Beside him, Jiang Taiyu nodded in agreement upon hearing this reasoning. "Makes sense." Others might not know them, but did he not know them well?
He should have considered this earlier. It was merely because everything had happened so suddenly, coupled with the shock of the Extraterrestrial Demons, that concern had clouded his judgment.
Looking at Lu Yuan before him, he smiled. "You're even sharper than Xian'er made you out to be."
"Thank you, Senior." Lu Yuan smiled faintly but said no more. Right now, the Extraterrestrial Demons remained the paramount concern.
"Very well."
"I came here today precisely to attend to these two matters."
Jiang Taiyu rose to his feet and said, "I will issue orders for everyone in the Desolate Flame Star Domain below the Creation Immortal realm to descend upon the Milky Way Star Sector. As for the two Domain Lords, I will watch them personally. Come what may, we cannot simply sit by and wait for death."
The foundations of the Eternal Clan and the Ji clan had already been deployed here. He feared that Lu Yuan's strength alone would not suffice. As for why only those below the Creation Immortal realm were sent, the logic was simple: certain trump cards could only be deployed at the very end.
At the same time, Jiang Taiyu told Lu Yuan that he would notify the various Domain Lords of these developments. The Extraterrestrial Demons were a great enemy. By acting so recklessly, the two factions had placed the entire universe in jeopardy. It was no longer the concern of a single star domain, but a matter that affected everyone.
"I will prepare as well." Lu Yuan nodded, and then recounted the matter concerning the Nine-Color Altar on Earth.
In short, the two exchanged an abundance of information, all pertaining to the Extraterrestrial Demons. Yet even now, neither knew where those entities would emerge from. Therefore, precautions had to be taken everywhere, across the universe and on Earth alike.
Originally, there was no need to rush, but the actions of the two Domain Lords had cast everything into uncertainty.
Afterward, Jiang Taiyu departed, leaving behind his Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token. Counting this one, Lu Yuan now held six.
With matters laid bare to this extent, Lu Yuan did not hesitate and accepted it directly. Within his body, the five previously integrated tokens resonated with it, radiating layers of light.
Undoubtedly, further integration would make the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token even more formidable, while also granting him command over even greater destiny power.
Even so, Lu Yuan felt no urge to rush. The item was already in his possession; he could begin whenever he wished.
Before long, Jiang Ningxian arrived, her eyes laced with worry. "My father has left. I know he must have sensed the peril of the Extraterrestrial Demons and intends to take action."
The ancestors of both the Jiang and Ji clans had been Human Sovereign Heavenly Emperors who had once protected this world. Yet their descendants had now arrived at completely different choices. The Jiang clan upheld the ancestral will, seeking not only to protect the Milky Way Star Sector, but also refusing to hesitate now that the entire universe faced a great catastrophe.
The Ji clan, by contrast, had actively ushered in enemies from beyond this world. The contrast between nobility and baseness could not be starker. Even so, that did not erase the merits of the Ji clan's ancestors; it was merely a divergence in choices made by their descendants.
For now, Jiang Ningxian was deeply worried about her father. After all, he had been wounded in the preceding battle, and she genuinely feared what might happen.
"Since Senior has made his choice, he naturally has his own plans. All we can do now is find ways to see if we can lend a hand," Lu Yuan said, walking over with a comforting smile.
Dwelling on it further would achieve nothing. Just as they had said, the only path was to continually grow stronger to face whatever crises lay ahead.
Besides, how could a figure who had stepped into the Supreme Immortal realm meet misfortune so easily?
"I understand." Hearing this, Jiang Ningxian nodded. She had long known that with the arrival of the great era, no one would be spared. She simply hadn't expected the Extraterrestrial Demons to become involved so directly. But since it had already happened, words were useless. The only option was to prepare everything so they could face the calamity with poise when it truly struck.
After a few more words, Jiang Ningxian also departed. Evidently, her father had left her with matters that required her attention.
As for Lu Yuan, he took a deep breath and drew out the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token. Now, he could begin his preparations.
Chapter 429