The news came from Mount Kunlun.
What was more, Zhu Qingyu had delivered it in person.
Atop Jade Emperor Peak, the core members of the Heavenly Court, Lu Yuan, and the others were all present. Beside them stood the Golden-Winged Great Peng and the other mutated beast kings.
At first, everyone assumed the report concerned the extraterrestrial heavenly demons. But after hearing it, they were utterly astonished.
Not only was it unrelated, but it was another monumental matter entirely.
"A few days ago, an earthquake struck Mount Kunlun, accompanied by auspicious purple mist stretching over thirty thousand li," Zhu Qingyu said, as the Ice Fairy nodded beside her. "I sense that some powerful force is brewing within, though I can't say for certain what it is."
Seeing that it was not about the extraterrestrial heavenly demons, the two had originally intended to investigate on their own to see what it was. In the end, however, they sensed that they would likely be unable to control the power brewing within. After a brief hesitation, they chose to come to Mount Tai instead.
Meanwhile, the anomaly at Mount Kunlun was immensely shocking. It had already drawn extraterrestrial beings there; all knew that something major had occurred, but none knew what it was, and they wished to uncover the truth.
Hearing this, Lu Yuan could not help the look of puzzlement that rose in his eyes. He knew of Mount Kunlun's mystique, but he had no idea what this signified.
Therefore, rather than speaking immediately, he turned to Jiang Ningxian beside him to hear her thoughts.
"I think the time has come," Jiang Ningxian said, voicing her conjecture. "That power might... be the legendary great era providence."
As soon as those words left her mouth, everyone present was startled, finding it hard to believe.
They had known long ago that the purpose of the extraterrestrial beings descending to Earth was to obtain this great era providence. Rumor had it that it was a unique kind of power, and more than a single wisp. Whoever obtained it would receive the unseen blessing of heaven and earth—truly a wondrous, mystical thing.
Initially, when the Heavenly Court learned of this, they were keenly interested. But as time passed and the great era providence never appeared, coupled with the looming threats of the Ji clan and the Eternal Clan, they had gradually forgotten about it. In the end, many had come to believe that the so-called great era providence was merely a myth rather than reality, and so they had stopped paying attention to it.
Yet now, just when everyone had put it out of their minds, it had suddenly surfaced again.
Even Lu Yuan felt a jolt of surprise upon hearing her hypothesis. He, too, had begun to forget, but now that she had reminded him, everything clicked into place.
"Since it is the great era providence, we naturally cannot let it slip by."
Lu Yuan rose to his feet. After a moment of thought, he spoke again, "Assemble a contingent of Heavenly Court troops to head for Kunlun. I also want to see for myself what this great era providence really is."
If it truly possessed the legendary effects, his plan was simple: seize the great era providence and bestow it upon the Heavenly Court so that everyone could benefit. Through this, the Heavenly Court would grow even stronger.
After all, Lu Yuan had already been contemplating how to empower his subordinates before catastrophe struck. The power of destiny could not be utilized again for the time being, and though "great era providence" shared the characters for destiny, it was clearly a distinct power. If it could truly bless the Heavenly Court, it would bring immense benefits.
Thus, this move was an absolute necessity.
"Understood!"
Zhu Qingyu and the others nodded in unison. Though they had never seen the great era providence, after hearing so much about it, they understood that obtaining it would be a tremendous boon for the Heavenly Court. Without hesitation, they immediately moved to make preparations.
However, Jiang Ningxian chimed in, reminding them that there was no need to assemble everyone just yet.
Although the great era providence had revealed signs of its presence, it had not fully emerged. It still needed to gestate for at least ten to fifteen days, giving everyone ample time to prepare.
Hearing this, Zhu Qingyu and the others understood and took their leave from Mount Tai.
"The extraterrestrial beings won't let the great era providence slip by either," Jiang Ningxian remarked, turning to Lu Yuan once the others had departed. "After all, that was their sole purpose from the start."
Her point was clear: when the time came, the beings from the various star sectors would make their moves as well. After all, everyone now knew that the extraterrestrial heavenly demons were on the verge of descending upon this universe. Every ounce of additional strength meant one more chance at self-preservation. On this matter, even if they feared the Heavenly Court and Lu Yuan, they would still choose to act when the critical moment arrived.
"Let them think what they will. Since this great era providence originated from Earth, it belongs on Earth," Lu Yuan replied, a smile touching his eyes. Just as he said, this power was nurtured by this very planet; why should they hand it over to others?
At his words, Jiang Ningxian nodded, sharing the same sentiment.
In truth, the Jiang clan had entertained thoughts about the great era providence in the beginning. But with Lu Yuan's rise, they had come to realize that the person himself might be far more important than any great era providence.
Furthermore, the Heavenly Court and the Jiang clan were now virtually one and the same, practically indistinguishable. Under such circumstances, there was no need to compete. As for the experts from the other star sectors, Jiang Ningxian considered it carefully and felt they could stir up no great waves; today's Heavenly Court was far from what it used to be.
And of course, there was an even more crucial factor: Lu Yuan stood at the helm.
Now, throughout the entire universe, who could match him apart from existences at the Supreme Immortal realm?
As long as he appeared, he could decide the situation once and for all, leaving nothing else to worry about.
"Still," Lu Yuan said as a thought struck him, continuing after a brief pause, "during the Heavenly Court's previous crisis, when the powerhouses of the two great factions appeared, several great clans from other star sectors stood forward at the critical moment. We cannot overlook them.
"Kindness must be repaid. Once we seize the great era providence, we can share a portion with them."
Originally, Lu Yuan had considered bringing those great clans under his banner if possible—in other words, conferring titles upon them through Heavenly Emperor edicts. That way, the Heavenly Court's strength could be enhanced even further.
Yet some things could not be forced. Lu Yuan believed that everything had to be of their own accord. Furthermore, one matter was distinct from another: since those star sector clans had stepped forward at the pivotal moment—even if they had not made much of a difference—his side had to show appreciation regardless.
Beside him, Jiang Ningxian smiled warmly upon hearing this. She naturally had no objections; in everything, she deferred to Lu Yuan.
In the days that followed, everyone began making preparations while awaiting the full gestation of the great era providence. The wait was not long; a few dozen days flew by in the blink of an eye.
This time, however, was different from the past.
Lu Yuan deliberately summoned all core personnel to Mount Tai.
Then, he deployed the Eternal Warship, setting out as if embarking on an imperial expedition.
Beyond rallying their people, this grand display served another purpose: to awe the various clans of the star sectors and make them realize that today's Heavenly Court was truly not what it once was!
Chapter 567