Ever since stepping into this place, besides the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, Lu Yuan had sensed another entirely different aura.
Clearly, to protect such an important treasure, the Celestial Clan had deployed a powerhouse. Yet when one thought about it, this was completely normal. After all, that was the legendary Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
No matter the perspective, it was immensely important. Even if its purpose could not yet be discerned, no one would deny that one day in the future, it was bound to display the power it rightfully held.
Precisely because of this, the Celestial Clan believed the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token would allow them to turn their fortunes around someday. After sensing this presence, Lu Yuan did not advance further.
He simply stood where he was, his gaze tranquil and his tone calm, saying softly, "Since you know I have arrived, there is no need to stay hidden. Come out and fight; otherwise, I will just take it directly."
Lu Yuan could sense that the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token was not far from him. Finding it would be remarkably simple. However, he also knew the guardian would never just stand by and watch. Therefore, regardless of how things played out, it was best to settle the trouble first.
"The aura emanating from you is very strong."
"Yet I was unaware when such a figure arrived on the Celestial Star."
A voice sounded, laced with perplexity, and continued, "Are you from the Jiang clan, or the Maha Clan? You do not appear to be either."
As the words fell, a figure stepped forth into the expansive space. It was an elderly man bearing a pair of wings upon his back, his entire body enwreathed in lightning, and a perilous aura rolled off him from head to toe.
Both the lightning and his wings had turned entirely pitch-black, as though even his very origin had been altered under the influence of some eerie power.
Moreover, this person's cultivation had actually reached the level of a Creation Immortal bordering on a Heavenly Position Immortal. Lu Yuan was not surprised by this. That was the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, after all; naturally, anyone assigned to guard this place was no ordinary being. Thus, even with a massive battle erupting outside, this elder remained stationed where he was.
"Who I am does not matter. What matters is that you should know why I have come here," Lu Yuan said. Even having discerned the other party's cultivation realm, he did not appear to take it to heart.
After all, it was not as though he had never faced such an existence before. At worst, it was merely another battle. What truly concerned him, however, was whether this clash would attract outside attention.
If even the Extraterrestrial Demons learned of the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, matters would become exceptionally troublesome.
"I know. Yet I have a question: how did you learn of this object?"
"Was it Jiang Taiyu? But why would he inform an outsider..."
"...of something so critical?" the Celestial Clan elder spoke once more, his expression shifting. In his eyes, this man belonged to neither the Jiang clan nor the Maha Clan.
"No need for so much nonsense. Make your move." Lu Yuan had no intention of trading further words. With that, he took a step forward, his aura surging forth continuously.
Yet out of concern that a fierce battle here might draw outside notice, he chose not to unleash his full power.
Even so, his might was formidable enough. Terrifying power billowed forth, causing this space to tremble.
Obviously, this was a pocket world carved out by an expert of the Celestial Clan. Pocket worlds were typically unstable; one careless move could shatter it completely. Thus, it was best to hold back some strength.
However, the Celestial Clan elder before him had no such reservations.
His aura erupted into violence as bolts of lightning crashed, seemingly capable of destroying all things. His wings flapped, the power of wind and thunder churning, making him look like a god of thunder descending to the mortal realm.
In an instant, he appeared right before Lu Yuan and threw a punch. Rumble! Enormous power surged and poured out in a flash.
One had to realize that this was an existence whose strength approached the Heavenly Position Immortal realm.
Moreover, blessed with the power of the Extraterrestrial Demons, he was remarkably potent. Even Lu Yuan's expression changed slightly upon witnessing this.
The reason was simple: he could not fathom why his opponent dared to unleash his full might at a time like this. Was the elder not afraid that the Extraterrestrial Demons would detect the battle here and discover the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token?
Boom! Another resounding crash echoed. Under that immense force, Lu Yuan fell back. After all, the elder had struck with everything he had, while Lu Yuan had held back. Between the two, Lu Yuan took the brunt of the disadvantage.
"If this is the extent of your abilities, I fear it will be difficult for you to achieve your goal and obtain that object." Seeing that he held the upper hand, a smile surfaced on the Celestial Clan elder's face.
At first, because he could not see through Lu Yuan's depth, he had remained guarded. But now that he confirmed the other party was merely an ordinary Creation Immortal, he relaxed.
Naturally, he was still somewhat puzzled in his heart: if that was all, why had Jiang Taiyu sent this person down?
"I don't understand." Lu Yuan spoke up at this moment. Looking at the elder, he said plainly, "This is merely a pocket world, incapable of withstanding a violent clash. You dare attack so heedlessly—are you not afraid this place will be discovered and the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token exposed to the Extraterrestrial Demons?"
He was certain the elder dared not disclose the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token to the Extraterrestrial Demons; otherwise, they would not have kept it hidden all this time. It was precisely because of this that Lu Yuan wondered: under such circumstances, how did this man dare to strike with full force?
"This space has been thoroughly reinforced by my clan."
"It is connected to the great momentum of the Lei Ji Mountain Range, the ancestral land of our Celestial Clan. Never mind me—"
"Even if a Supreme Immortal were to strike in person, they could not hope to break it in a short period!" the Celestial Clan elder said, his tone carrying a distinct note of arrogance.
He held absolute confidence in this. That was why he had unleashed his full strength from the very beginning, knowing that whatever he did, he could not break this pocket dimension.
"So that's how it is. It seems I overthought things." Hearing this, Lu Yuan was momentarily stunned before shaking his head wryly.
Indeed, the Celestial Clan was one of the top hundred clans after all, possessing their own deep heritage. In no respect should they be underestimated. He had simply been overly cautious.
However, in the eyes of the Celestial Clan elder, Lu Yuan's reaction seemed like genuine surprise. The elder assumed Lu Yuan had not anticipated a powerhouse like himself standing guard here, paying no heed to the battle raging outside.
With that thought, a smile touched the elder's face, and he continued, "No matter what you say now, it is useless. Since you have come, do not expect to leave."
As he spoke, the power of lightning about him grew even denser.
Evidently, at this very moment, the Celestial Clan elder had developed murderous intent.
Yet Lu Yuan smiled as well.
Drawing himself up, a grin spread across his face as he said, "In that case, there is no need for me to hold back any longer!"
Chapter 492