On the Day of Judgment, Someone Arrives Riding a Golden Peng!

The young woman looked at the Shennong Altar before her, regret coloring her words. It had been like this before, and it was so again now. It truly was disheartening. "What?" Hearing this, the old man behind her darkened. "Holy Maiden, that was the only drop of essence blood left behind by our Jiang clan ancestor! Even the Ancestral Star had none. We must take it back." Shennong, one of the three Human Sovereigns, known as the Yan Emperor, surnamed Jiang! "Why take it back?" The young woman spoke plainly, "Our ancestor's essence blood was left for those fated to receive it, to be claimed by the worthy. "Since that person was able to obtain it, it means they were meant to have this fortune. It cannot be forced." With that, a trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes, and she could not help murmuring, "It's just such a shame. The breathing method at the Mount Li Imperial Mausoleum is gone, and now our ancestor's essence blood is gone too. Arriving a step too late every single time... am I truly destined to miss out?" "Holy Maiden, you should have taken that small cauldron. If you had, you wouldn't have been a step late every time." The old man sighed and continued, "I suspect that breathing method and our Jiang clan ancestor's essence blood have fallen into the hands of the same person." "Yes, I really want to know who this person is." The young woman shook her head, deeply resigned. Yet there was no anger in her eyes, only profound curiosity. After all, the item was already taken and likely even refined and integrated. Things had reached this point; no amount of brooding or talk would change it. The old man shook his head, then said, "By the way, Holy Maiden, a branch of the Ji clan's bloodline still remains in this world. The Sacred Lord sent us here to investigate this matter as well, and I have already made some headway. "Furthermore, word has arrived from the Ancestral Star. Many great clans across the star domains have set out, and I believe they will descend before long. "We must hurry and find a way to establish a foothold here for the time being. "Otherwise, the Ji clan will seize the initiative again." Their two most important objectives had already been snatched away beforehand. With no alternative, they could only proceed to the next step. "Huh?" The young woman pouted and could not help saying, "This world has so many fun things, and I haven't seen enough yet! Can't you give me a little more time? Let me see more interesting people and things, pretty please? "Besides, the restrictions on this star domain haven't fully opened up yet, so there's no rush." Clearly, ever since arriving here, she had found everything immensely novel. There were things here that simply did not exist on the Ancestral Star. For the moment, her playful nature was running wild. "All right," the old man said, nodding, before adding, "I hear something happened in Shanghai recently, and it's quite a spectacle. "If you want to go, Holy Maiden, this is your chance. Of course, only this once." After all, with the Holy Maiden asking, he could hardly refuse. "No problem!" Hearing this, the young woman broke into a bright smile, two distinctive dimples showing on her exquisite face. Without another word, the two slowly faded from view at the Shennong Altar. The area reverted to its previous state, as if no one had ever been there. "Master, we should reach Shanghai in about one more day." Amidst the clouds, the Golden-Winged Great Peng beat its wings, surging forward like golden lightning. Cross-legged on its back, Lu Yuan browsed his phone and nodded. "Just right. Tomorrow is the final day." Ever since ending the call with Ice Fairy, he had been traveling toward Shanghai at full speed. However, with the terrain now expanded, even the Golden-Winged Great Peng required time to traverse it. During this time, Lu Yuan also checked the news online. Indeed, it was just as he had understood. Tianshen Technology and the Western Church had laid a trap, waiting for him to walk right into it. There was also Longevity Genetics, though news about them was scarce; had Ice Fairy not informed him earlier, he wouldn't have known they were taking part as well. One could say that with the three great factions allied, the resources they could muster and the number of powerful subordinates at their command were truly terrifying. Under ordinary circumstances, they could even clash with an Awakened who had just entered the Shackle Realm. Without a doubt, this was to be an inescapable death trap aimed at him, equivalent to spreading an inescapable net across heaven and earth. Unfortunately, to Lu Yuan, it amounted to nothing at all. The so-called perilous trap was, to him, merely gathering all his potential enemies into one place. And these enemies were not particularly strong either. Especially Longevity Genetics. They had provoked him time and again, and now they were collaborating with Tianshen Technology. Lu Yuan's killing intent was already stoked, and this time, he intended to wipe them out completely. It would save him future trouble. This so-called trap was, in reality, the doomsday of Tianshen Technology, the Eleven Apostles, and Longevity Genetics. Closing his phone, Lu Yuan shut his eyes, his state of mind exceptionally calm. If killing could not stop the killing before, then now, he would simply bury every single enemy once and for all. *Skre-e-e-ch!* The Golden-Winged Great Peng seemed to sense its master's thoughts. A flap of its wings stirred a tempest that swept the surrounding clouds along with it. Its speed surged, shattering the sound barrier! On this day, outside Shanghai. A sea of people stretched out densely, beyond the horizon. All of them were Awakened, standing around the perimeter of an open tract of land. Dean Zheng of Zhendan Academy, Northern Emperor, Zhu Qingyu, Dean Liu of Shanghai Academy, along with a number of students, had all arrived. Ji Yuzhen, Ice Fairy, and others from Beidou Biology stood there as well, though due to their special status, each group occupied their own distinct area. At this moment, everyone's gaze was fixed in the same direction. In the very center of the open ground stood a cross. Beneath the cross, Asura was bound. Perhaps out of fear that the illicit torture would be discovered, Tianshen Technology had draped a cloak over him to cover his battered body. Even so, everyone present could still sense how weak Asura was right now. He no longer looked anything like one of the Five Great Awakened. Behind the cross sat several rows of seats. The Eleven Apostles, led by Wade, and Liu Changyuan sat upright, staring straight ahead. Beside them were rows of people clad in mechanized armor. These were the latest research achievements of Tianshen Technology, piloted by Awakened. Normally, according to the Awakened Regulations, they could not appear openly at will, but this was outside Shanghai, beyond those restrictions. Furthermore, the higher-ups already had a plan in place, so they chose to indulge them for now, waiting until the final moment to strike. "How abominable! Are they truly going to try Asura in the name of their so-called god?" "It looks real enough now; it's no bluff." "The time they set is twelve noon sharp. It starts in two hours." "Are we really just going to watch with our hands tied? I can't stomach this." "Sigh, I thought with Zhendan Academy present, Tianshen Technology would show some restraint. Who knew they'd double down instead..." The onlookers in the crowd lamented in fury, yet they could do nothing. This was the New Era now, and the rules were vastly different from before. Though people had begun to adapt, facing a scene like this still left a bitter taste in their mouths. Especially upon seeing the Eleven Apostles seated not far away, their rage burned even hotter. If it were only Tianshen Technology, that would be bad enough, but they had dragged Westerners into this. Strangely, Longevity Genetics had not shown up. That struck them as odd—could they have found a conscience at the eleventh hour? "Aunt, the people from Longevity Genetics haven't shown up," Ice Fairy said, glancing around with a serious expression. "They must be hiding in the shadows, waiting for the critical moment to strike." "Don't worry, our people have arrived as well," Ji Yuzhen replied calmly. During their time in Shanghai, everything had been properly arranged. All in all, today was the day the higher-ups would move against Tianshen Technology and Longevity Genetics. Meanwhile, on the other side. "The higher-ups have issued orders. Once they move against Asura, we can take action," Dean Zheng whispered as he walked over to Dean Liu of Shanghai Academy. They were naturally aware of what Ice Fairy had reported, knowing full well that Asura was completely innocent. And Asura was a citizen of Huaxia. They could never stand by and watch one of their own be tried by Western churchmen. "Mm, then we wait for the final moment," Dean Liu nodded. She had previously negotiated with Tianshen Technology's upper echelon, wanting to avoid blowing things out of proportion and keep the situation contained, but they had refused to listen. Since that was the case, there was no need to show any leniency. It was also an ideal opportunity for the higher-ups to use this incident to deter malicious factions within the country. And wiping out Tianshen Technology directly was the best and most effective method! "Senior, do you think Mr. Lu will come?" Zhu Qingyu asked nearby, gazing into the distance. Naturally, she hoped deep down that he wouldn't show up. Beside her, Northern Emperor shook his head, uncertain. Only one thing was certain: judging by the present situation, Tianshen Technology and the Eleven Apostles had laid a trap. Nearly all of those people were in the Awakening Realm, not to mention their firearms and heavy weaponry. Even he would likely meet his demise here. Strong as Lu Yuan was, he would still find himself in immense peril. Still, until the final moment arrived, no one could say for sure how things would unfold. At this moment, everyone waited, watching time trickle away. In their eyes, the two hours crawled by. In the center. First Apostle Wade and Liu Changyuan sat side by side. They exchanged a glance, but neither spoke. "Less than half an hour left. It looks like that man doesn't dare show his face," an apostle spoke up. She was also a woman, closely resembling Jennifer—the two were sisters. A glint of hatred shone in her eyes, coupled with deep disappointment at Lu Yuan's absence. "And here I thought he possessed great courage," Wade said, shaking his head with a look of disappointment. After all, if they failed to draw him out, tracking him down later would be a tremendous nuisance. "Mr. Wade, with our forces combined and Longevity Genetics lurking in the shadows, no matter how bold this Lu Yuan is, he would still flinch," Liu Changyuan said with a smile, looking at the eleven apostles beside him and the subordinates in mechanized exoskeletons behind them. He had even arranged attack helicopters behind the scenes—enough firepower to wage a small-scale war. Though he understood this would provoke the authorities' displeasure, Liu Changyuan didn't care now that he had chosen to collaborate. This was the New Era; the old rules had been shattered, and the faction backing him was far from weak, so there was no need to worry overmuch. At worst, they could simply shed all pretense of civility after this. "How boring," Wade remarked, standing up. "Fine, it's about time. Let us begin." No sooner had his words landed than the other ten apostles stood up as one. Grasping their cross scepters, they walked slowly toward the cross at the very center. Around them, the watching crowd grew tense. They knew it was starting. Soon, Wade and the others formed a circle beside the cross. As the First Apostle, he looked at Asura and declared, "For slaying a servant of God and blaspheming the Divine, according to the doctrine of our Church, you shall be sentenced to death by fire. With your life, you shall repent for the sins of your existence and obtain God's forgiveness." These words were plainly an execution, yet spoken with such high-sounding self-righteousness. The Awakened present could hardly stomach it any longer. They clenched their fists in fury, on the verge of intervening. Yet Wade did not stop there. He turned to face the crowd and spoke once more: "Furthermore, since the other true culprit has failed to appear, I declare in the name of God and the great Holy Angel: from this day forward, the Eleven Apostles, led by me, will hunt down the man named Lu Yuan with all our might—until he repents for his sins with the price of his life!" His voice was not loud, yet it dripped with imperious arrogance. Beside him, the other ten apostles gripped their holy cross implements and struck them heavily against the ground. *Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!* In an instant, waves of pure white light descended upon them. A powerful aura surged, shaking the earth as holy light enveloped every single apostle. These beams of radiance converged together, rising into the air and aiming directly at Asura. Evidently, the apostles were about to commence their so-called judgment. Seeing this, Dean Zheng, Dean Liu, and Ji Yuzhen leaned forward slightly, their expressions turning solemn. It was time for them to make their move. *Skre-e-e-ch!* Yet right at that moment, the cry of a raptor rang out, reaching everyone's ears. Hearts jolted across the field as everyone looked up at the sky in unison. High in the distant sky, a raptor draped in gleaming golden feathers hovered at tremendous speed. A formidable pressure radiated from its body, crashing down in heavy waves. The weaker Awakened turned pale under the weight of it. Before anyone could figure out what kind of creature this was— "No need to waste time." Accompanying a youthful voice, a figure leapt down from above, plummeting rapidly toward the earth like a deity descending from heaven. *Boom!* The ground shook violently, kicking up clouds of dust. Lu Yuan walked out from within. Tall and straight, his expression calm and aloof, he appeared before everyone. Standing there, he looked at the eleven apostles led by Wade, and at Liu Changming, the controller of Tianshen Technology, and said softly, "I have arrived." He came! He really came! Seeing this, countless people cried out in shock, eyes going wide. Ice Fairy, Northern Emperor, and Zhu Qingyu were all drawn in. Some among them had guessed Lu Yuan might come, but none had imagined he would arrive at this crucial moment riding a great raptor, appearing right before everyone. Wait! A raptor? Others might not think much of it, but Dean Zheng froze the moment he saw the Golden-Winged Great Peng in the sky. It seemed... he had seen it somewhere before. "Hahaha, excellent!" Just then, Liu Changyuan spoke up, drawing everyone's attention with a sharp glint in his eye. "Everyone, if not now, then when?" With a wave of his hand, Awakened piloting mechanized exoskeletons stepped forward from the distance one by one. Black gun muzzles all aimed squarely at Lu Yuan. The Church apostles also took a step forward, the cross scepters in their hands radiating flashes of white light. Even more importantly, five figures approached swiftly from nearby and entered the open ground—the five Awakened clan elders of Longevity Genetics' Wang family. All of them gathered together, encircling Lu Yuan completely, killing intent written on every face. "Very good. You have courage," Wade said, stepping forward as the holy light upon him burned brighter and brighter. "To kill an apostle is to incur God's wrath. Today shall be the day you plunge into Hell, the day you repent to God, and the day of your doom!" *Not good!* Seeing this, Dean Zheng and the others prepared to act immediately. "Too much chatter!" Right then, Lu Yuan spoke and took a step forward. Rings of faint golden vital blood slowly surfaced from his skin. Looking at the crowd around him, he said slowly, "Today, I will send every single one of you to meet your so-called god!"