Even though these three Celestial clansmen had accepted the power of an Extraterrestrial Demon, making them far more formidable than others of their cultivation realm, before Lu Yuan, they could not withstand even a single blow. Moreover, it had all occurred in an instant, before anyone could react.
At the same time, Jiang Ningxian and the others nearby sprang into action, casting techniques to safeguard all the remaining ordinary beings.
Although not many were left, to save even a portion of them was already an accomplishment. At least, unlike before, they had not arrived a step too late, forced to watch helplessly. Jiang Ningxian and her companions were all above the Immortal Realm, their strength undeniably formidable.
After protecting the survivors, they relocated them to a relatively safe place. Everyone knew full well that a massive battle was about to erupt.
If these mortals were left here, the immense might of the impending clash would reduce them to ash in an instant. Then everything they had just done would be in vain. Thus, having moved the crowd, they also deployed arts to temporarily seal off the surrounding area, preventing the power unleashed here from spilling outward.
And this was all Jiang Ningxian and the others could manage for now. The reason was simple: the moment they appeared, they had sensed an extraordinarily vast and incomprehensibly terrifying power lingering in this place, one that made even them feel endangered.
The Jiang clansmen realized immediately that they had found the Extraterrestrial Demon. And the aura radiating from it was remarkably potent.
Jiang Haokong’s expression turned exceedingly grave. He stared at the altar not far away, primed for battle at any moment. In his perception, the shadowy black figure upon it had already surpassed a Grotto-Heaven Immortal, standing at least at the level of a Creation Immortal.
Jiang Haokong held immense confidence in his own strength, yet he was well aware that in a situation like this, one could not act rashly. He had no assurance of victory.
"Is that an Extraterrestrial Demon?" one of the Jiang clansmen murmured, his expression full of shock. The figure enshrouded in mist upon the altar exuded an aura of might that indeed struck fear into him. Not just him—nearly every Jiang clansman present clearly understood they were no match for it.
This was their first time laying eyes on an Extraterrestrial Demon. Unfortunately, its face remained hidden. Mystery and the unknown typically denoted danger, so none of them made a reckless move.
"I didn't expect you to track me down so quickly and disrupt my plans," the Extraterrestrial Demon spoke, its voice raspy and dripping with lethal intent.
According to its original plan, once it finished absorbing the life essence radiating from this planet, its strength would climb another tier, reaching the level of this world's Heavenly Position Immortals. Who could have foreseen that it would be caught so soon? The thought filled it with rage.
"No matter. I shall simply dispose of you first." The Extraterrestrial Demon rose, and the black mist swirling around it surged out in rolling waves.
In a mere instant, it enveloped the entire planet, plunging everything into darkness.
To its mind, the identity of those standing before it did not matter. What mattered was that its plans had been derailed; they had to be eliminated. Thus, the Extraterrestrial Demon unleashed its aura without reservation.
Sensing this, the Jiang clansmen present all changed color. The black mist carried a repulsive energy, so much so that simply standing there inflicted an unprecedented feeling of oppression and agitation upon them. Jiang Ningxian and Jiang Haokong immediately noticed something amiss.
They instantly realized their own power was being suppressed by the Extraterrestrial Demon's influence. Under such circumstances, once the battle began, they would be utterly unable to unleash their full strength.
Was this the power of an Extraterrestrial Demon?
*Buzz, buzz, buzz—*
Yet in the next instant, an entirely different aura emerged.
Upright, majestic, and brimming with unyielding yang vitality, it instantly dispelled the gloom weighing upon everyone's hearts.
"From here on, none of you need to intervene. Leave it to me," Lu Yuan said. Layers of radiant light draped over his body, seemingly bringing light back to this planet plunged into darkness.
He stood there, radiating absolute confidence, paying no mind to the Extraterrestrial Demon's oppressive might.
"Alright. Don't worry about the rescued mortals—we will protect them," Jiang Ningxian nodded. She showed no intention of interfering or offering assistance.
She knew full well how formidable the Extraterrestrial Demon was, and that it wielded all manner of bizarre, sinister powers. Therefore, Lu Yuan had to be the one to fight; what they needed to do was ensure he had no worries from behind.
Even Jiang Haokong, who had previously clamored to battle an Extraterrestrial Demon, fell silent now. He knew this was no joke. A single misstep could doom them all.
Still, a doubt lingered in their minds: could it be that all Extraterrestrial Demons were this powerful?
Of course, no one answered.
Lu Yuan merely took a step forward, positioning himself directly opposite the altar. Golden blood and qi surged and leapt within him, and his entire body radiated a magnificent aura capable of trampling mountains and rivers.
"I can see you are the strongest among them. And you slew those three in a single blow just now.
"Impressive. You are qualified to be my opponent—though only just. Once I finish you off, I will personally destroy this planet." The Extraterrestrial Demon spoke and took a step forward as well. Though cloaked in black fog, its speech and mannerisms were remarkably similar to those of a human.
Of course, Lu Yuan gave no thought to such things at this moment.
The anger in his eyes had already been replaced by calm. Hearing the demon's words, he offered no verbal reply.
His answer was merely a single punch.
*Boom!*
In a flash, a golden fist materialized, carrying an unprecedentedly terrifying aura. Heaven and earth trembled, and the black mist cloaking the entire planet was instantly torn apart and dispersed.
Yet the Extraterrestrial Demon showed no panic at the sight; it did not even flinch. Rays of black divine light erupted from its form, instantly colliding with the golden fist.
*Sizzle—*
The thunderous roar one might expect never came. Instead, the collision sounded as though something was being dissolved by corrosive venom.
Even space itself began to warp at that moment, unable to endure the sheer force. Lu Yuan sensed a chilling, stifling chill invade him. Only by unleashing another burst of his vital blood and qi was he barely able to cast it off, yet he took a slight step backward.
Indeed, he had been pushed back.
For the first time since he began his path of cultivation and evolution, he had retreated in battle against an enemy!
Chapter 474