Leaving Shennongjia, a Three-Way Alliance Targets Shanghai!

"Yes, Master!" Hearing these words, the Golden-Winged Great Peng grew rather excited as well. In the past, it had spent virtually all its life out in the wilderness, never coming into contact with the human world. For one, it had felt its strength was not yet high enough and that the human world was somewhat dangerous. Furthermore, there was a degree of mutual hostility between their two species, and it did not wish to court trouble. Now, things were different. Its bloodline had been purified and evolved once more, and backed by the strength of its master, it no longer harbored any reservations. It too wanted to see what the modern human world looked like. Lu Yuan smiled faintly and leapt onto the Golden-Winged Great Peng's back. The great bird spread its wings and surged directly into the vault of heaven. Soon, at the peng's breakneck speed, Bagua Lake shrank into the distance, growing smaller and smaller. Before long, Lu Yuan had left the perimeter of Shennongjia. He picked up his phone, only to find that so much time had passed that its battery had died and powered down. Naturally, this posed no problem for him at all. Circulating the Heavenly Thunder Orthodox Method, arcs of electricity crackled across his palm. Indeed, Lu Yuan had been keeping his phone operational this way for some time. It required meticulous control, lest the device be completely fried. Even so, it drastically shortened the battery's lifespan. Still, that hardly mattered; he could simply replace it later. It was not a difficult feat for him. After all, using a phone was the quickest way to stay informed about the outside world. Shortly after, the screen lit up, and signal bars appeared. *Ring, ring, ring—* Just as Lu Yuan was about to browse the news and forums, a ringtone sounded. The caller ID showed Ice Fairy. Seeing this, his eyes flickered. Ever since they exchanged contact information, this was the first time she had taken the initiative to call him. Quite a rarity. Yet a call coming through the moment his phone turned on meant something was definitely afoot—and no trivial matter at that. Could it be... because of what happened last time? After a brief thought, Lu Yuan did not decline, choosing to answer. "Hello? Is this Mr. Lu? I finally got through to you." A gentle yet anxious voice came through the receiver. Just as expected, Ice Fairy had been repeatedly trying to contact him over this period. Now that the call had finally connected, she breathed a long sigh of relief. With time having passed, the situation had seen numerous developments. "Yes. What is it?" Lu Yuan replied. Though he already had an inkling, he still needed to confirm. "Do you remember the Western church members you killed before?" Ice Fairy spoke, recounting everything regarding Tianshen Technology and recent events. This included Tianshen Technology and the eleven apostles preparing to hold a public trial for Asura outside Shanghai. She also informed him that this was likely a trap aiming directly at Lu Yuan. Furthermore, the day of the trial was only a few days away. Her tone turned concise. "Also, we discovered that Longevity Genetics has been closely collaborating with Tianshen Technology lately. You could say that this time, three exceptionally formidable factions are targeting you, and they are fully prepared." Naturally, Ice Fairy never doubted Lu Yuan's strength; if anything, she only ever held it in the highest regard. Yet now the circumstances were different. The Western Church, Tianshen Technology, and Longevity Genetics were all involved. Even the upper echelons of Beidou Biology and Zhendan Academy found it a thorn in their side. After all, a massive conflict could not be allowed to erupt at this time. Otherwise, it would only plunge the situation into deeper chaos. A period of hard-won stability had just been established; even if order could be restored afterward, there was no guarantee unforeseen disasters would not strike in the meantime. Hence, Ice Fairy's message was simple: Lu Yuan should avoid showing himself if possible, or wait and see how things developed, because she knew the authorities were already formulating a countermeasures plan. The actions of both Longevity Genetics and Tianshen Technology had enraged the higher-ups. They were determined to resolve them now, lest they pose far greater trouble down the road. Of course, she only kept this to herself, as it was classified. It was an utmost covert operation. The higher-ups had exerted great effort to keep the information from leaking; aside from the true core figures, hardly anyone knew. After all, both Longevity Genetics and Tianshen Technology wielded immense power, making total secrecy paramount. Thus, Ice Fairy did not disclose this to Lu Yuan either, choosing only to warn him that it was a trap. "Is that so?" Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes. "I understand. Thank you for telling me." Regardless, Ice Fairy had said all this with his best interests in mind. A word of thanks was only proper. Ice Fairy said nothing more beyond reminding him once again that the matter was extremely troublesome, urging him to exercise patience and avoid acting rashly. Yet Lu Yuan's answer was simple: "I don't like seeing others pay the price for my sake." After exchanging a few more words, he hung up. Tianshen Technology and the Western Church, as well as Longevity Genetics who had intervened afterward, were all aiming for him. But so what? Lu Yuan did not care. However, since they had gone so far as to target someone else and insisted on provoking him, there was no need to remain polite. Furthermore, Lu Yuan gleaned plenty from Ice Fairy's words: Asura had seemingly withheld the truth of that day, choosing to protect him, only to endure severe punishment and be cast aside now. True to his word, he did not wish to see others pay the price for his affairs. "Let's go. To Shanghai." Lu Yuan spoke, his expression placid. "Now, it's time to settle it all." He had never liked courting trouble, but if they insisted on knocking on his door, he might as well resolve everything in one stroke. "Yes, Master." The Golden-Winged Great Peng dipped its head, then sped rapidly in the direction of Shanghai. *** Meanwhile, aboard an airplane. "Rourou, how did it go? What did that Mr. Lu say?" Ji Yuzhen asked with curiosity. She had been right beside her during the call, so she now inquired about the situation. "I believe there is a very high chance Mr. Lu will go to Shanghai," Ice Fairy replied after a moment's thought. Her original intent in calling had been to stop him. Now, however, it seemed to have had the opposite effect. Yet it could not be helped; discussions were raging all over the internet, and he would have found out sooner or later. "A young man indeed full of courage," Ji Yuzhen could not help remarking before continuing, "Since we cannot stop him, let nature take its course. Alright, Rourou, get yourself ready too; we're almost there. "The higher-ups have decided that regardless of how things unfold, Tianshen Technology and Longevity Genetics must be completely suppressed. "Furthermore, Lu Yuan is vital. If he goes to Shanghai and a conflict breaks out, the higher-ups' stance is that if he is in danger, we must spare no effort to protect him!" As she spoke, her gaze sharpened. Following days of planning, everything was in place. Moreover, neither Longevity Genetics nor Tianshen Technology had noticed a thing, which meant everything was progressing smoothly. "Then what about Shencheng afterward? The marine mutated beasts have been rather restless lately." Ice Fairy was somewhat worried. Beidou Biology had relocated its headquarters to Shencheng not only to counter Longevity Genetics, but also to monitor the marine mutated beasts off the coast of Shencheng and safeguard the public. They had previously detected that the marine beasts were not only immense in number, but more importantly, formidable—far more dangerous than those in the Qinling Mountains. If something went wrong, it would be catastrophic. They had temporarily departed solely due to this incident. What troubled Ice Fairy was that, with their absence, if those beasts made a move, the situation in Shencheng might slip out of control. "As long as we do not actively provoke them, those beasts will not pose an immediate threat to Shencheng for now," Ji Yuzhen reflected before continuing. "And once we completely suppress Longevity Genetics, our subsequent tasks will be much easier to manage." Ice Fairy was a clever woman and immediately caught her drift, nodding without further objection. Indeed: once Beidou Biology took over full authority, there would be only a single voice of command. Protecting Shencheng afterward would become far simpler. Without another word, Ice Fairy nodded, knowing this was indeed the reality. *** As the date set by Tianshen Technology drew nearer, fervor on the internet mounted by the day. Debates over whether Lu Yuan would show up grew increasingly heated. "Only a few days left. Will Lu Yuan actually show up?" "Who knows? There hasn't been a peep about him since Sword Mountain." "The man walks alone, unaffiliated with any faction. Remarkable as his strength is, going up against three major powers at once would be terribly difficult." "Are we really going to just stand by and watch our fellow Huaxia people be targeted over a bunch of Westerners?" "What else can you do? March right up to their doorstep? Can you afford to offend Tianshen Technology?" "Let's head to Shanghai to see how things play out. Maybe something unexpected will happen." Countless people were discussing it. They had also learned that Longevity Genetics was involved. Everyone knew that Lu Yuan's slaying of Southern Sovereign had forged an irreconcilable feud between them. Yet no one had expected that they would ally with Tianshen Technology to back those apostles. To think a domestic power would turn against their own people over personal grudges! Many were incensed, but powerless to do anything about it. In the end, they suggested heading to Shanghai together. Of course, some also found it strange that the Wuzhou Group had remained completely silent throughout this period. After all, they clearly had grievances with Lu Yuan as well. And then there was Winged Celestial; there had been no news of him lately either. However, only a small minority paid attention to such details. *** Shanghai. Inside a vast conference room within the Tianshen Technology Building. Liu Changyuan sat at the head of the table. To his left sat First Apostle Wade, flanked by ten individuals—six men and three women, all bearing Western features with blond hair and blue eyes. More importantly, each of them held a cross scepter. Clearly, aside from Jennifer, all eleven apostles were present. Seated to the right were five robust elderly men. Their gazes were piercing, their auras vast and imposing. Practically all of them were in the Awakening Realm, and the leader clad in white robes appeared particularly unfathomable. These men were the clan elders of the Longevity Genetics' Wang family—its true upper echelons. "Good. Now that everyone has arrived, this will be our final discussion." Liu Changyuan looked at the gathering and opened the floor. "When that day comes, I presume everyone here will take action?" "We have only one objective, and that is Lu Yuan. As long as he appears, we will not give him any chance of survival," the Grand Elder of the Wang family spoke up. "He killed an heir of our Wang family; this feud is irreconcilable under the heavens." The other elders nodded in agreement. The Wang family of Longevity Genetics had chosen to ally with Tianshen Technology precisely because the plan targeted Lu Yuan, bolstered by the presence of the Western Church's apostles. They firmly believed that with their combined forces, Lu Yuan would have nowhere to run. Of course, even if things went awry in the end, they stood to lose nothing. Shortly after, Wade spoke as well. His point was simple: Lu Yuan had blasphemed God and had to face judgment. Should the plan fail, the eleven apostles would remain behind to track him down and slay him with everything they had. In truth, however, he harbored another objective: to use this incident to formally demonstrate their prowess to the entire world. "Very well. Tianshen Technology will deploy seven Awakening Realm experts. Combined with everyone here, we total over twenty experts—more than enough to hunt down even a mutated beast king. The moment Lu Yuan shows himself, he will be struck down by a thunderous blow." Just as Ice Fairy had guessed, they had laid a trap, simply waiting for Lu Yuan to walk right in. Success or failure, they had nothing to lose. There were even benefits to be gained. A coalition of three great powers was something no one could take lightly. To this, Wade and the others, as well as the elders of the Wang family, raised no objections. They had but a single target: Lu Yuan. "In that case, let us toast in advance to our success." Liu Changyuan smiled. With their objectives aligned, there would be no further disputes. He immediately had a glass of champagne served to everyone, convinced that nothing could go wrong with this plan. After all, Lu Yuan was only one man. No matter how strong he was, could he possibly wipe out everyone at once? Over twenty Awakening Realm experts—unless that King of Humanity intervened, he stood no chance. Seeing this, the Wang family elders and the Church's eleven apostles all smiled, raising their glasses and downing the champagne in one gulp. All that remained was to await the arrival of that day. Time trickled by. Crowds gathered in Shanghai in ever-growing numbers, eager to witness the unfolding events with their own eyes. Would Lu Yuan come? And if he did, how would he face Tianshen Technology and the Western Church? Everyone was waiting with bated breath. *** Meanwhile. At the Shennong Altar in Shennongjia. Several days after Lu Yuan's departure. Two figures appeared—a man and a woman. The young woman was dressed in ancient attire. Her countenance was peerlessly exquisite, her demeanor transcendent, like a fairy descended to the mortal realm. Behind her stood an old man in dark-red robes. He was strangely attired as well, looking entirely out of place in modern times. This young woman was none other than the person who had previously sought out Chen Song in hopes of acquiring the small cauldron. The two stood outside the altar, gazing at everything before them. The young woman extended her slender, snow-white right hand and placed it near the altar. Curiously, the mysterious formation neither barred her nor showed any reaction. Closing her eyes, she sensed it carefully. Only after a long while did she withdraw her hand, knitting her delicate brows. "Our ancestor's essence blood has already been taken. We are a step too late once again."