Atop Jade Emperor Peak on Mount Tai.
Lu Yuan sat cross-legged just as before.
His eyes were closed, and strands of purple qi swirled around him.
This purple qi did not stem from the Ancient Heavenly Emperor Token; instead, it carried an inexplicable power.
It was the great era providence.
For some time now, Lu Yuan had been studying this great era providence, and he had essentially grasped its functions.
Just as he had previously thought, great era providence was nurtured by heaven and earth. When bestowed upon living beings, no matter the amount, it would never cause a backlash.
More importantly, whenever someone possessed such power, they would receive the favor of heaven and earth. Whether in cultivation or other matters, they would gain unexpected benefits. Lu Yuan understood this clearly.
Furthermore, after days of study, he had discovered another crucial point: there was no repulsion between great era providence and destiny power. On the contrary, the two could intertwine harmoniously.
Previously, the reason Lu Yuan had not chosen to immediately utilize the great era providence was precisely out of concern over this, fearing it might cause severe issues.
Looking back now, he had merely overthought it.
Even so, he did not consider his caution misplaced. The reason was simple: the more critical the juncture, the more prudent one had to be. One could not simply plunge ahead the moment potential benefits appeared.
After all, the Heavenly Court's followers—people like Zhu Qingyu—were his subordinates, but they were not tools.
What Lu Yuan wanted was to give them sufficient strength so that even if he departed in the future, the Heavenly Court would remain the Heavenly Court. On this point, he had always seen things clearly: the establishment of the Heavenly Court was a foundation laid for everything to come.
Therefore, every time he elevated the strength of Zhu Qingyu and the others or bestowed destiny power upon them, he never rushed into it recklessly, but instead paved a safe and secure path for them first.
And now, Lu Yuan's research into the great era providence was essentially complete.
He also understood that it was time to put it to use. As time passed, he realized that the day the Great Tribulation descended was likely drawing closer and closer. The Heavenly Court's overall strength and foundation had to be elevated.
Previously, he had possessed no viable way to achieve this on such a scale. Now, however, the situation was completely different. He had not anticipated stumbling upon the unexpected windfall that was the great era providence.
Without lingering on his thoughts, Lu Yuan first summoned Zhu Qingyu and inquired which extraterrestrial beings had stepped forward to stand alongside the Heavenly Court during its earlier crisis.
He had stated before that toward these trustworthy extraterrestrial great clans who could be relied upon at critical moments, even if an alliance were not necessarily forged, proper gratitude was at least owed. After all, these beings might also serve as a pillar of strength when confronting the extraterrestrial heavenly demons in the future.
"Reporting to King Lu, there are nine great clans in total. It is not a large number, but they all hail from the top one hundred star sectors," Zhu Qingyu answered without the slightest concealment, already knowing why he was asking. "They made contact with our Heavenly Court long ago, and they also stood with us to contend against other clans. They are indeed trustworthy."
"Good. Then I bestow upon you nine strands of great era providence," Lu Yuan said. "Make contact with them and hand these over. As for how they divide them among themselves, you need not concern yourself."
Hearing her report, Lu Yuan confirmed that those clans truly warranted a strand of great era providence each. However, he would not attend to this matter in person; delegating it to his subordinates was enough.
Moreover, Zhu Qingyu had already become the de facto second-in-command beneath him, holding real authority within the Heavenly Court. Having her handle it was the best course of action.
With that, Lu Yuan waved his hand, sending nine purple strands of great era providence surging directly into Zhu Qingyu's body.
However, this providence did not yet belong to her, as it still had to be refined. Zhu Qingyu clearly understood what she needed to do next, nodding immediately as she prepared to take her leave.
"Wait," Lu Yuan spoke up again. "Once you have seen to this, summon all core members to Jade Emperor Peak."
"Understood, King Lu." Hearing his order, Zhu Qingyu turned and descended from Jade Emperor Peak.
Soon after, Jiang Ningxian arrived.
Watching Zhu Qingyu's departing figure, she pondered briefly before speaking, "Great era providence is of utmost importance; it ought to be put to proper use. As for me, I have no need of it. You built the Heavenly Court with your own hands, and once the tribulation descends in the future, you will need people to charge the front lines. Without sufficient strength, that will be utterly impossible."
Her meaning was plain: use the great era providence where it was most needed.
Jiang Ningxian herself was not particularly attached to receiving it, for her strength was already formidable. In a little more time, she would be able to step into the Creation Immortal Realm. Once there, even when the extraterrestrial heavenly demons descended, she would possess a measure of ability to protect herself.
"That is not so," Lu Yuan replied with a smile. "From the Heavenly Court's founding until now, you and Haokong have done a great deal. Furthermore, whether in talent or other aspects, both of you siblings are exceptionally outstanding within the universe today. If aided by the great era providence, you will surely grow even stronger, and perhaps before long you may attain the Heavenly Position Immortal realm."
He knew she was reluctant to take it, but one matter had to be kept distinct from the other. Of the ninety-nine strands of great era providence, aside from the largest strand which he had great use for, the rest could all be distributed wherever he saw fit.
After all, contending against the extraterrestrial heavenly demons in the future was not something he could accomplish alone.
Jiang Ningxian wanted to say more upon hearing this, but Lu Yuan raised a hand to stop her. "Persuade me no further. You know that once my mind is made up, it will not change."
At his words, she was left speechless, knowing full well the truth of it. Once Lu Yuan reached a decision, no one could sway him.
Shortly after, Jiang Ningxian departed as well.
In Lu Yuan's plans, there were also outstanding disciples of the Jiang clan worthy of cultivation. Bestowing great era providence upon them would undoubtedly yield excellent results. On this matter, Lu Yuan had made his choice long ago.
As for the largest portion of the great era providence, Lu Yuan intended to bestow it directly onto the Heavenly Court itself.
Indeed, this great era providence was truly peculiar. Beyond working on living beings, it could be applied to everything else as well.
Of course, "Heavenly Court" was an abstract concept, but that presented no hurdle for Lu Yuan.
The reason was exceedingly simple: after all, the names inscribed upon the Investiture Decree represented the Heavenly Court. Thus, all he needed to do was place that great era providence upon the decree.
Thereafter, the Heavenly Court would effectively be empowered with a share of great era providence.
As for what exact effects would manifest, Lu Yuan did not yet know. Yet it would certainly be better than the present.
However, before doing that, he needed to properly distribute all the other strands of great era providence.
Chapter 572