Upon a vast plaza outside the Thunder Firmament Hall, figures gathered one after another, each emanating a powerful aura.
They were all existences at or above the Grotto-Heaven Immortal realm, each possessing formidable strength. Together, they numbered over a thousand.
These were powerhouses hailing from various races across the starry skies who had answered Jiang Taiyu's invitation to come to the Celestial Star and confront the Extraterrestrial Demons.
Thousands of beings at or above the Grotto-Heaven Immortal realm—even across the vast expanse of the entire universe, this constituted a terrifying force.
At this moment, everyone knew they were about to strike and launch a counteroffensive against the Extraterrestrial Demons. Thus, none dared let down their guard, their expressions exceptionally solemn.
Meanwhile, atop the highest vantage point, Jiang Taiyu appeared with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression tranquil. He still wore the demeanor of a refined scholar, showing nothing outwardly remarkable.
Not even the slightest trace of a formidable aura radiated from him. He appeared as ordinary as any middle-aged man could be. Yet the instant he appeared, the gazes of nearly every powerhouse present snapped toward him.
"You have all been on the Celestial Star fighting the Extraterrestrial Demons for some time now," Jiang Taiyu began, his tone calm and composed. He continued, "And all along, we have remained on the defensive, merely dispatching experts to respond wherever trouble arose. I know that if we carry on like this, we will only be led by the nose. If so, why not take the initiative and seize back the famous mountains and great rivers held by the Extraterrestrial Demons?"
The moment these words left his mouth, every powerhouse present let their aura surge forth.
Previously, they had refrained from launching major offensives simply because the Extraterrestrial Demons were too mysterious and possessed immense power. Thus, they had been forced into a reactive posture—always waiting for the enemy to strike before responding. But after this period of engagement, they had gradually come to understand the Extraterrestrial Demons.
The demons were indeed formidable, but they were by no means invincible. So long as one possessed sufficient strength to slay them, it was far from an impossible task. Now, the time had truly come to strike back. Furthermore, a supreme powerhouse like Jiang Taiyu was personally joining the fray.
With this in mind, absolute confidence filled everyone's hearts regarding this proactive assault. Soon enough, someone spoke up—a member of the Maha Clan.
"Domain Lord Jiang, just tell us what needs to be done! When I answered your call, I had already resolved to fight to the death. Give the word, and I shall not shirk my duty against the Extraterrestrial Demons!"
Such was the attitude of the Maha Clan, and also that of the vast majority present.
To them, the Extraterrestrial Demons were potent and terrifying, wielding all manner of unfathomable powers. Yet so what? They were foreign invaders. Since they were invaders, one had to fight them to the bitter end. Moreover, those capable of coming to the Celestial Star at such a time and willing to do battle with the Extraterrestrial Demons had basically made their stances clear when they first set out—setting aside those harboring ulterior motives, of course.
Now that Jiang Taiyu called upon everyone to take the initiative and attack, no one objected.
"Good!" A faint smile appeared on Jiang Taiyu's face. Wasting no further breath, he stated directly, "This time, we shall strike straight at the Celestial Clan's other ancestral land: the Lei Ji Mountain Range. Rumor has it that this was the birthplace of the Celestial Clan. Furthermore, most of the Celestial Clan's powerhouses and upper echelons are currently gathered there. Our objective is very simple: take the offensive, and even if we cannot wipe out all the Extraterrestrial Demons, we will utterly eradicate these traitors."
When it came to hatred, the Extraterrestrial Demons were one thing. For regardless of circumstances, the demons were an overt enemy. But the Celestial Clan was different. They had led wolves into their own home. At the most critical juncture, they had surrendered the Celestial Star, offering it as the main battlefield for the enemy to devour this star domain.
What kind of conduct was that?
Treason! In the eyes of the myriad races of the starry skies, the entire Celestial Clan was completely unpardonable and utterly wicked. Hearing that they were marching to exterminate the Celestial Clan, everyone instantly responded with fervent enthusiasm.
"That's right! The Celestial Clan brought wolves into our midst and betrayed this universe! They deserve to die!"
"I've long wanted to annihilate this so-called Celestial Clan!"
"Yes! This time, we wipe out the Lei Ji Mountain Range!"
One creature after another chimed in. Some were humanoid, while others possessed the bodies of lions with human faces. Though their forms differed, their burning hatred for the Celestial Clan was identical. They could hardly wait to set out this very instant.
"Good!" Seeing this, Jiang Taiyu uttered another word of approval. Without unnecessary chatter, he raised his hand.
Boom!
In an instant, the void trembled, and a colossal passageway materialized before everyone. Having established it, Jiang Taiyu pronounced two more words: "March forth!"
As the words fell, he turned his head and cast a glance at Lu Yuan.
From start to finish, this Domain Lord-level supreme powerhouse had maintained that this battle was directed at the Celestial Clan, never revealing the true objective. For one, he did not want word spreading far and wide; for another, he had to guard against those lurking in the shadows.
And that final look was telling Lu Yuan that once the battle commenced, he was to bide his time for an opening, then strike directly to seize the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
Lu Yuan naturally understood this. He knew Jiang Taiyu was using this battle to draw the full attention and firepower of both the Extraterrestrial Demons and the Celestial Clan. This would create an ideal opportunity for him, making it far easier to claim the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
"Let us head out as well," Jiang Ningxian spoke up at that moment.
Lu Yuan nodded at once. Without hesitation, they stepped into the passageway alongside the army.
The Celestial Star was vast, but in the eyes of a figure like Jiang Taiyu, its expanse mattered little. The corridor he constructed could cross boundless distances in an instant. Thus, when everyone stepped out from the passageway, they saw a colossal mountain range in the distance.
That mountain range soared into the clouds, seeming to connect directly with the starry sky. Even more chilling was the endless, layered black haze blanketing the mountain range. This mist emanated a mysterious power that prevented even sunlight from penetrating. Upon closer inspection, one could even discern arcs of black lightning dancing within the mountains.
Evidently, this region had been thoroughly corrupted by the power of the Extraterrestrial Demons; even the aura wafting from it felt entirely discordant with this world.
This place was the Celestial Clan's other ancestral land—the Lei Ji Mountain Range. Everyone halted here, awaiting only Jiang Taiyu's order. Once given, they would immediately attack and initiate the battle. After all, the Lei Ji Mountain Range counted as a legendary mountain. If they could wrest it from the grasp of the Extraterrestrial Demons while dealing a heavy blow to the Celestial Clan, then for those present, the purpose of this campaign would be fulfilled.
However, Jiang Taiyu was in no hurry. He waited. The Celestial Clan and the Extraterrestrial Demons had likely already sensed their arrival and were currently massing their forces. He was waiting precisely for this moment—to draw out the enemy forces so their defenses in the Lei Ji Mountain Range would thin, thereby creating an opportunity to seize the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
As for Lu Yuan, after arriving here, he noticed that the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Tokens within his body were giving off a peculiar resonance. Just as Jiang Taiyu had said, the eighth ancient token truly existed here!
Sensing this, a smile touched Lu Yuan's lips.
At the same time, within the Lei Ji Mountain Range, some peculiar power seemed to be churning to life in response to their arrival.
Rumble, rumble!
Soon, violent claps of thunder reverberated through the air. Across the heavens, boundless black mist surged as if seeking to engulf everything.
An eerie aura festered across the earth. It belonged to the Extraterrestrial Demons and the Celestial Clan. Sensing the enemy army bearing down upon their borders, they had reacted in an instant, assembling their forces.
The first direct, frontal battle between the two sides was about to begin!
Chapter 489