The Heavenly Court had undergone tremendous changes.
This was especially true regarding its overall strength.
Compared to the top hundred star sectors, it did not lag behind in the slightest.
If Lu Yuan was factored in, it could even contend with the top ten star sectors.
Everyone acknowledged this, and what needed to be done now was to demonstrate the Heavenly Court's foundational strength.
Previously, in the eyes of extraterrestrial beings from various domains, the Heavenly Court was indeed powerful, but it was still immature. Its foundation was particularly thin. As a result, although the beings of various star sectors felt wary of the Heavenly Court, their wariness never amounted to dread.
That was why when the two great factions descended and demanded that certain beings take action, those beings had deliberated and complied, believing that compared to the Ji clan and the Eternal Clan, the Heavenly Court truly amounted to nothing.
Now, however, Lu Yuan intended to reverse everyone's perception and carve the Heavenly Court's true power deeply into the hearts of all.
Thus, on this day.
Atop Jade Emperor Peak on Mount Tai, all the core personnel assembled.
At the same time, the Eternal Warship hovered above their heads, exuding an imposing grandeur.
Before long, following Zhu Qingyu's command, everyone boarded the warship and set off toward Kunlun.
Lu Yuan and Jiang Ningxian were naturally on board as well, though Lu Yuan now left specific matters to his subordinates. Power within the Heavenly Court, in particular, was not something he kept tightly in his hands; he was entirely indifferent to it. After all, authority had never been his goal. Even founding the Heavenly Court had merely been to better protect the people.
On this point, everyone in the Heavenly Court was well aware.
Because of this, they held the true Lord of the Heavenly Court in even deeper reverence.
"You're truly set on forging the Heavenly Court's renown this time," Jiang Ningxian said with a smile as she looked at him, understanding his thoughts completely. "If we can safely weather the crisis of the extraterrestrial heavenly demons, then the Milky Way Star Sector truly has a chance of squeezing into the top ten star sectors."
In truth, she felt deep emotion and a touch of wistfulness.
Back when she had first arrived on Earth, the beings here had only just stepped onto the path of cultivation and evolution. Many were frail and weak, and she had initially thought this star sector had an extremely long road ahead of it.
Yet who could have imagined that in so short a time, everything would change completely?
And all of this had happened under Lu Yuan's leadership.
This was why Jiang Ningxian felt so sentimental now.
"As you say, if we can truly weather this crisis safely, I won't be able to stay presiding over the Heavenly Court forever. Consider this making some preparations before I leave."
Lu Yuan was well aware that he could not remain the so-called Lord of the Heavenly Court indefinitely. There were things he had no interest in managing, which was why he had entrusted them to Zhu Qingyu. What he was doing now was merely moving things forward slightly ahead of schedule.
Beside him, Jiang Ningxian nodded.
She felt no surprise, for from the beginning, she had known what Lu Yuan's intentions were.
After that, neither of them spoke further, both looking ahead.
Although Lu Yuan was not piloting the Eternal Warship, its speed remained remarkably fast. Even traveling from Mount Tai to Kunlun took only half a day.
It was worth noting that after undergoing multiple mutations, Earth had expanded tremendously, becoming not much smaller than the sun of the old days. To cross such a vast distance in a mere half-day showed just how swift the Eternal Warship was.
Meanwhile, at Kunlun.
Beings from various star sectors had gathered once more, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Some stood on the earth, while others hovered proudly in the sky.
Every single one of them fixed their gaze in the same direction, eyes filled with shock.
There, at one of Kunlun's main peaks, a purple radiance surged forth incessantly.
Vast, boundless purple mist billowed, dyeing the entire sky purple. They could all sense that within it, some formidable power seemed to be brewing.
"Is it truly the great era providence? If we could obtain it, wouldn't we soar into the heavens in a single bound?"
"It must be! After descending to Earth for so long, we thought it was just a myth, yet here it is!"
"The Great Tribulation is imminent—we must seize this opportunity!"
Voice after voice rang out, laden with anticipation.
They all knew full well how precious the great era providence was.
If one could obtain it entirely, it could directly build a top ten star sector.
This was the very reason beings from various star sectors had descended to Earth in the first place.
Now that the great era providence was about to emerge, to them, it was a genuine fortune of a lifetime.
Although going after it might bring them face-to-face with the Heavenly Court, the stakes were too immense for them to hold back.
With a chance to soar into the heavens right before them, who wouldn't want to seize it?
*Rumble—*
Just then, a roar reverberated across the heavens.
At the same time, a formidable power descended slowly.
A terrifying aura spread out, saturating Kunlun.
Everyone looked up, eyes filled with doubt.
Soon, however, that doubt turned to shock.
High in the distant sky, a colossal warship cleaved through the void, heading toward them.
Aboard it stood figure after figure, exuding overwhelming might.
Originally, this vessel had belonged to the Eternal Clan.
Yet after that fateful battle, everyone knew what the appearance of the Eternal Warship signified: the Heavenly Court.
All at once, hearts began to hammer.
The Heavenly Court of today was tremendously strong, completely different from what it used to be. It even possessed beings of the Immortal Realm. They had anticipated that the emergence of the great era providence would draw the Heavenly Court out, but never in such overwhelming fashion.
"Look, the one leading them seems to be the Lord of the Heavenly Court, Lu Yuan!"
"I didn't expect him to appear in person!"
"Then the great era providence..."
Certain beings who had previously been determined to claim the great era providence now trembled in fear upon seeing Lu Yuan.
In that battle, four Heavenly Position Immortals had been slain.
Everyone knew that the Lord of the Heavenly Court had grown into one of the most powerful beings in this universe.
His arrival was undoubtedly for the great era providence. That meant they would not only have to face the Heavenly Court, but Lu Yuan himself. If a fight broke out, what would the outcome be?
In an instant, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, panic setting in.
They knew that even if all the extraterrestrial beings banded together, they would likely still be no match for Lu Yuan.
And as for the great era providence...
Those who had previously moved against the Heavenly Court felt their scalps tingle with terror.
They could not help but wonder: would Lu Yuan seize this chance to settle old scores?
Chapter 568