The Lei Ji Mountain Range, an ancestral land of the Celestial Clan, had now fallen entirely into their hands. Securing this expanse of renowned mountains and grand rivers dealt a major blow to the Extraterrestrial Demons.
Before this, the two sides had been locked in a stalemate, evenly matched. Now, they had scored a monumental victory, fundamentally shifting the current situation. Once their initial excitement settled, the crowd could not help turning their eyes toward Lu Yuan.
Aside from a select few, none of the people present had any idea who he was. Curious gazes filled their eyes, but no one stepped forward to question him. During the intense battle just now, everyone had seen how terrifyingly powerful he was—capable of obliterating even Creation Immortals. He was a powerhouse in the truest sense, so no one dared question him lightly.
However, Mo Gang of the Maha Clan walked over at this moment, a grin breaking across his face. "I knew that if you made a move, the outcome would be completely different! I just never imagined that we would truly capture the Lei Ji Mountain Range."
He was delighted inside, and the look in his eyes as he regarded Lu Yuan was filled with deep respect. This was a world of difference from his initial attitude. The Maha Clan revered power above all else. Mo Gang, in particular, was acutely aware of Lu Yuan's true strength, knowing this was far from his limit. Thus, to him, the man before his eyes thoroughly deserved such deference.
"You flatter me. Without all of you, this grand victory would never have happened," Lu Yuan replied. He did not attribute all the credit to himself, nor did he linger on it. After all, from beginning to end, this endeavor was helping him secure the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token. If anyone needed thanking, it was the people here.
Hearing this, Mo Gang only smiled and said nothing further.
Beside them, Jiang Ningxian and her brother approached. Just as they were about to speak, an authoritative voice rang in everyone's ears.
"You have all fought hard. Take time to rest and recuperate first."
It was Jiang Taiyu. As his words fell, he descended from the void. Wasting no words on pleasantries, he looked at Lu Yuan and said, "If you need to enter secluded cultivation, go to the Leixiao Palace. It's enough for us to stay here."
Jiang Taiyu knew very well that the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token was now in hand, and what came next was refining it. Although no enemies remained in the Lei Ji Mountain Range, that did not guarantee complete safety. Therefore, Jiang Taiyu meant for Lu Yuan to go to a safer place. Matters concerning the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token demanded the utmost prudence.
"Yes, I happen to have gained some new insights," Lu Yuan replied with a nod. "I truly do need some seclusion."
Naturally, the sooner he fused the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token, the better. But certain secrets could not be disclosed just yet, so he merely claimed to have gained insights into cultivation. With that, Lu Yuan gave a slight nod to everyone present. Without another word, he took a step forward and vanished on the spot.
In this battle, they had seemingly gained the upper hand over the Celestial Clan and the Extraterrestrial Demons. Yet danger still lurked; even more formidable enemies might descend in the days ahead. Growing stronger a day earlier meant facing future crises with greater ease.
After Lu Yuan departed, a trace of doubt flitted through Jiang Ningxian's eyes. She glanced at her father; with her keen wit, she quickly deduced that the two were keeping something hidden.
Jiang Taiyu merely smiled, knowing his daughter had guessed something, but offered no explanation. Afterward, he departed as well. The Lei Ji Mountain Range had been tainted by the power of the Extraterrestrial Demons, and what needed to be done now was to purge that corruption. Now, both of the Celestial Clan's ancestral lands were firmly under their control. If things continued along this trajectory, driving out or even annihilating the Extraterrestrial Demons in the future would be well within reach.
Of course, Jiang Taiyu did not believe the crisis had been averted. After all, they were currently only dealing with the Celestial Clan; the Ji clan and the Eternal Clan had yet to make their moves. Those were the factions they truly needed to be wary of.
As for the others, they retreated to rest and recover. Although this had been a complete victory, many had still sustained injuries.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan soon arrived at his residence within the Leixiao Palace. Stepping straight into the room, he used his techniques to seal the surrounding space. Without delay, he sat cross-legged and adjusted his aura and condition. The prior battle against the Celestial Clan members had hardly taken a toll on him, so this preparation did not take long.
Once ready, Lu Yuan brought out the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token.
Just like the ones before, it was archaic and imbued with an inexplicable power, giving off faint wisps of purple radiance that resonated with the token inside his body. Only in Lu Yuan's hands would the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token produce such a reaction; anyone else would never witness it. After all, no one else had refined the tokens directly or gathered as many as he had.
"Next is refining it. I wonder if this time... will deepen my comprehension once more," Lu Yuan murmured, looking at the ancient token before him with a flicker of anticipation on his face.
He had lingered in the Creation Immortal Realm for quite some time now, unable to break through to the next level despite his efforts. The Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token contained a uniquely immense power, and more importantly, the fusion process would impart profound insights. Of course, Lu Yuan merely hoped for the best without pinning all his expectations upon it.
Taking a deep breath, he began the refining process.
In the next instant, his surroundings shifted once again. Lu Yuan found himself seemingly transcending all things, standing amidst the cosmic starry sky. Countless stars moved around him, rising and vanishing in illusionary birth and destruction. This spectacle was just as it had been before, and Lu Yuan immersed himself completely in it. Even more crucially, the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token began to resonate with the consolidated token within his body.
Endless purple halos surged forth, completely enveloping Lu Yuan. Bathed in purple light, he emanated an unprecedented aura—one that looked down upon all creation in the heavens, reigning supreme over everything. He was just like a true Human Sovereign Heavenly Emperor.
It seemed that with the gathering of the eighth token, the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token had begun to undergo a tremendous transformation. Through this, Lu Yuan also came into contact with an unprecedented supreme power, though he was not conscious of it at this moment, entirely absorbed in the illusionary rise and fall of the cosmos.
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
Rumbles echoed in his mind as if rolling in from ancient antiquity. At that moment, the eighth Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token finally merged as one, radiating an infinite, boundless divine radiance!
Chapter 497