At that instant, with Lu Yuan at the epicenter, immense power surged outward as streams of light pulsed alongside it.
A peerless aura slowly radiated out, felt almost instantaneously by nearly everyone present.
It was an intensely suffocating pressure that most found impossible to bear. Even those in the Immortal Realm could not help the hairs on their necks rising, their faces turning pale, for that power was simply too magnificent and vast.
It was as though a supreme being stood directly before them—no matter how desperately one struggled, breaking through would be impossible.
Even the Creation Immortals of the two major factions, who had been composed and full of murderous intent at first, froze in their tracks. A look of astonishment entered their eyes as they stared across at him.
As for the Heavenly Court members, Lu Yuan had not directed his aura toward them when releasing it.
Thus, Zhu Qingyu and her companions felt no crushing pressure. Yet they could still perceive that invincible posture. At this moment before them, though Lu Yuan simply stood in place, his entire being had transformed into an invincible powerhouse, enveloped in rays of light, resembling an immortal that had truly ascended. And this was their King Lu, Master of the Heavenly Court.
At this moment, Zhu Qingyu and Ice Fairy suddenly felt at ease. It was not merely because of that power, but simply because Lu Yuan stood there.
His presence alone seemed capable of bearing the weight of heaven and earth, strangling every crisis in its cradle. With their minds set at ease, they also understood that they should not become a burden.
Thus, they chose to withdraw even further, allowing him to fight without distraction in the moments to come. Meanwhile, Lu Yuan no longer hid his aura, laying bare the full might of a Creation Immortal.
Vast power surged, waves of immortal light swirling around his body. Merely standing there, he commanded undeniable reverence—this was the true bearing of a supreme powerhouse.
Across from him, everyone from the two factions, including the two Creation Immortals, was utterly stunned. They stared blankly at what was unfolding, scarcely able to believe their eyes.
"How is this possible? He reached the Creation Immortal Realm?"
"Wasn't it said that he only attained Grotto-Heaven Immortal not long ago?"
"Indeed, he was still at that level the last time we saw him. How much time has even passed?" This development completely baffled the members of the two factions, especially the Grotto-Heaven Immortals among them.
Several centuries, or even millennia, had passed since they had entered this realm, yet to this day they had seen no possibility of taking another step forward.
One had to know that once in the Immortal Realm, let alone advancing to the next major stage, even the slightest incremental rise in strength was extraordinarily difficult.
After all, at this level, even within the same realm, disparities could be immense. Having just entered Grotto-Heaven Immortal versus being at the peak of Grotto-Heaven Immortal—their combat capabilities were worlds apart. And as for Lu Yuan, they knew when he had broken through to Grotto-Heaven Immortal. Had even a year passed since then?
Not at all—it had been a mere matter of months. Yet here he was, directly at the Creation Immortal Realm. What did that even mean?
Even if he had obtained great era providence, could it truly be so terrifying? The more the people of the two factions dwelled on it, the more terrified they became.
They had originally been brimming with confidence in their plan, but now their faces grew pale, and a desire to retreat crept into their hearts. For each of them knew that if they clashed with the man before them, then bar any unforeseen miracle, only one outcome awaited them: annihilation.
"Snap out of it! Do not let his might intimidate you!" Just then, however, the Creation Immortal from the Eternal Clan barked sharply.
A formidable aura surged from his body, shaking the mountains and rivers for ten thousand li around. This was even with the surrounding space sealed; otherwise, with his might, the power he unleashed would have been felt by every single person on Earth. Such was the true powerhouse. Now, he looked across the crowd and spoke again: "He has merely just entered the Creation Immortal Realm! The disparity between him and beings such as us remains vast. As long as we strike, the outcome will not change in the slightest." His meaning was simple: he believed Lu Yuan had only just stepped across the threshold of Creation Immortal.
Even if his strength was greater than before, so what? There were two Creation Immortals here now.
"Indeed," the Ji clan's Creation Immortal chimed in, his tone grave. "He broke through not long ago, and this is our opportunity. Hesitate no longer—strike directly!"
Both of them shared the same sentiment at this moment, believing Lu Yuan was merely an early Creation Immortal, whereas they had cultivated in this realm for untold years. Whether in experience or other aspects, they ought to crush him completely. However, if one listened closely, one would realize that even the two of them lacked real confidence deep down.
It was not that they feared Lu Yuan, but rather that his cultivation speed was too astounding—appalling and unheard of.
If a true clash ensued, would they really gain the upper hand? Neither knew. But the problem now was that there was no way out. Thus, as soon as the words left their mouths, the Creation Immortals of the Ji clan and Eternal Clan wasted no more words and stepped forward together. Boundless auras swept out from them, and both transformed into streaks of radiant light.
Terrifying power reverberated, shaking this entire expanse of ten thousand li of mountains and rivers. On the other side, the Grotto-Heaven Immortals and Undying Immortals of both clans, seeing this unfold, also realized there was no turning back—their only choice was to fight.
"If so, let me wake you to reality," Lu Yuan spoke at that moment. In an instant, facing the two incoming Creation Immortals, he threw a punch.
At his realm, unless circumstances were extraordinary, he rarely resorted to divine abilities anymore. A simple punch without any fancy flourish was enough to display his true might.
Boom!
The punch went forth, and heaven and earth trembled in response. Bolts of lightning surged across the void. His fist seemed to carry the full majesty of heaven and earth.
Opposite him, the two Creation Immortals wore solemn expressions as they brought forth their ultimate techniques. Could they afford to hold back at a time like this? Naturally not. Nor did they view Lu Yuan as a mere insignificant junior anymore, but as a formidable adversary who could not be overlooked. When they struck, it was with everything they had.
Thus, in the next instant, blazing radiance erupted from their bodies, making them appear like two blazing suns. Behind them, the other immortals also unleashed their attacks.
Two Creation Immortals, six or seven Grotto-Heaven Immortals, and more than a dozen Undying Immortals—a force of such numbers could easily pacify an entire star domain without breaking a sweat.
Yet, when the techniques they unleashed collided with Lu Yuan's single punch—
Below, the earth cracked open into colossal chasms, and torrents of magma gushed forth amidst massive earthquakes. The creatures dwelling there were wiped out in an instant. Fortunately, this was deep within the Hengduan Mountains, where living beings were scarce and no mortals lived. In the sky above, the void tore apart, revealing gaping rifts.
Countless bolts of thunder roared. It was, in the truest sense, an earth-shattering cataclysm.
Chapter 446