Chapter 103: Withstanding the Nuclear Blast: The Strongest Human? Slaying the Sacred Angel!

"So, their true motive was to kill King Lu."

"To actually deploy a thermonuclear weapon... how utterly sinister."

"I knew we couldn't trust these Westerners! This was definitely the Holy Knight's plot all along!"

"Damn them! They deserve to die! Too cowardly to face him in open combat, resorting to underhanded schemes instead!"

The viewers watching the live broadcast realized the truth the moment they saw the nuclear weapon launch. Instantly, a torrent of curses erupted from the crowd.

They had thought the invitation to Mount Olympus to discuss the formation of a human alliance was genuine. Who could have known it was a trap from start to finish, a conspiracy engineered solely to eliminate King Lu?

First, it was the intercontinental ballistic missiles. Now, they had deployed the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. Rage consumed the populace, their voices raised in fierce condemnation. Yet, beyond their anger, they were utterly powerless.

Elder Ji, Zhu Qingyu, and the others could only watch in helpless silence as the nuclear warhead reached its apex and began its descent.

Meanwhile, in the Holy City at the foot of Mount Olympus, Lu Yuan looked up at the nuclear weapon descending from the sky. His expression remained unchanged, calm and observant.

In the next instant, a golden aura erupted from his body, and an eleven-level Blood-Qi Pagoda manifested around him. With a mere lift of his foot, a majestic, boundless power surged forth.

Instantly, the pentagram formation formed by the five ancient holy artifacts shattered.

With a sweep of his right hand, Lu Yuan gathered all the ancient holy artifacts into his possession. After all, these were prime materials to facilitate the evolution of his Daluo Sword Embryo.

"He broke free?"

Atop Mount Olympus, the Holy Angel and the Holy Knight were struck with panic. Even when fully activated, the five ancient holy artifacts had failed to bind Lu Yuan? Did this mean their plan was about to fail?

Back home, the viewers watching the live stream were instantly heartened, shouting for him to escape. They knew that with Lu Yuan's strength, escaping would be trivial; even if the nuclear weapon detonated, it wouldn't be able to harm him if he fled.

But in the next moment, everyone froze.

They saw Lu Yuan slowly raise his head.

His gaze was calm as he stared at the falling nuclear warhead. Without a shred of hesitation, he bent his knees. The Ancestral Dragon Breathing Technique activated, and nine cave-heavens manifested around him, granting him a ninefold boost in combat power. He leapt into the air, ascending a hundred meters in an instant. Facing the thermonuclear weapon head-on, he channeled his maximum power and threw a punch.

He was going to clash with a nuclear bomb?

This was the final, incredulous thought in everyone's minds.

Rumble!

In the next instant, a deafening explosion shook the heavens. A colossal mushroom cloud bloomed directly over the Holy City.

The cataclysmic blast sent flames shooting into the heavens, completely swallowing Lu Yuan's figure.

Below, the buildings of the Holy City collapsed in massive swaths, instantly turning to ash. Under the raw power of the thermonuclear weapon, everything seemed to disintegrate. No physical object could withstand it; all was torn apart with ease.

The viewers saw only a blinding flash of light, followed by nothingness.

Silence. Absolute silence.

The last image they had witnessed was Lu Yuan, after breaking free from the Holy See's five ancient holy artifacts, choosing not to flee. Instead, he had leapt into the sky to face the thermonuclear weapon head-on.

This...

No one knew what to say. It was a nuclear weapon. Anyone in their right mind would run, knowing that no matter how powerful an Awakened was, they could not survive a direct hit. Yet, Lu Yuan had done exactly that.

Elder Ji and the others were dumbfounded, standing frozen in complete silence.

However, the Holy Angel and the Holy Knight reacted differently. The panic they had felt when Lu Yuan broke free vanished, replaced by sneers of satisfaction.

They believed he was far too arrogant. Did he really think his individual strength could rival humanity's most destructive weapon? Did Lu Yuan truly believe he was a god?

After a brief silence, the Holy Angel stepped forward into the camera's view and spoke slowly.

"Lu Yuan, the King of the East, showed no respect for the divine. He slaughtered my twelve apostles. He was a Satan, a heretic. The thermonuclear weapon was his final judgment. Lu Yuan is dead!"

"With his demise, the so-called human alliance cannot possibly be established. Even if it is, it must be led by the Holy See and Mount Olympus."

He possessed golden hair, typical Western Caucasian features, and three pairs of glowing wings on his back. His eyes were filled with arrogance. Because he stood close to the microphone, his voice carried clearly to all.

And those words made their intentions clear to everyone watching the broadcast. Lu Yuan was dead, the human alliance was aborted, and this was a warning to the East.

"He was an honored guest, after all. It is rather unfortunate he died this way," the Holy Knight added, stepping forward with a smile. "But our friends in the East need not worry. Once the nuclear fallout settles, I will personally collect his remains and send them back."

He paused, then added mockingly, "Of course, that is if any remains are left."

Beside him, the Holy Angel couldn't help but chuckle.

Lu Yuan's death meant the removal of a major thorn in their side. After all, his existence had disrupted the balance between the East and the West, which was highly undesirable.

"Despicable! Utterly despicable! To use such underhanded tricks and then have the gall to speak like that!"

"I can't take this anymore! I'm going to Mount Olympus! Even if it costs me my life, I'll make them pay!"

"Count me in! Even if the government won't act, I must go. King Lu held back the beast tides twice; he saved us all. He cannot die in vain!"

Throughout the nation, the viewers watching the live stream were driven to madness, their fury reaching a boiling point. Believing that Lu Yuan had perished in the nuclear blast, and provoked by the smugness of the Holy Knight, their collective rage boiled over. Many openly declared their intent to march on Mount Olympus.

Meanwhile, Elder Ji and Elder Yun exchanged looks, their eyes burning with rage. They knew better than anyone how much Lu Yuan had contributed to the nation. Take Mount Tai, for instance—thanks to him, beast tides no longer plagued the country, saving countless lives from peril.

Cold, murderous intent flickered in their eyes. The Holy See and Mount Olympus had to pay, regardless of the consequences.

Beside them, Zhu Qingyu's face was pale, but her eyes remained glued to the screen. She refused to believe Lu Yuan was dead. Suddenly, her expression shifted. "Elder Ji, Elder Yun, Director Zheng, look!"

At her words, everyone turned their attention back to the screen. Their eyes widened.

As the nuclear explosion subsided, the dust and smoke began to clear.

From the high heavens, a figure descended. He was enveloped in a golden shroud of blood and qi, with the eleven-level pagoda hovering around him. The nine cave-heavens rotated slowly, radiating a blinding light as he touched down in the ruined Holy City like a god descending to the mortal realm.

At the same time, the enraged citizens back home witnessed this scene and froze.

King Lu was not dead. Moreover, he did not even look injured.

"Is that really King Lu? He survived a nuclear blast?"

"Yes, it's him! That signature golden blood and qi... King Lu is alive! And he doesn't even seem to be hurt!"

"Heavens, how is this possible? Can a human truly withstand a nuclear bomb and survive at such close range?"

"Unbelievable! King Lu is without a doubt the strongest human alive—a true king in every sense of the word."

After the brief shock, the entire nation erupted in celebration.

Previously, everyone had assumed Lu Yuan had been vaporized by the nuclear blast, falling victim to the Holy Knight's treachery. Yet here he was, landing steadily on the ground. Just like when he faced the intercontinental missile at the Jade Emperor Peak, this was a miracle—an absolute miracle.

Atop Mount Olympus, the Holy Knight, the Holy Angel, and the others stared in disbelief. The smiles on their faces froze, leaving them utterly speechless.

A thermonuclear weapon had failed to kill Lu Yuan? Just how powerful was he?

But shock quickly gave way to fear—an unprecedented, paralyzing terror. Since Lu Yuan was alive, it meant he would undoubtedly storm Mount Olympus next. Everyone present, including themselves, would die.

In an instant, a cold shiver ran up their spines.

Meanwhile, amidst the ruins of the Holy City, Lu Yuan stood tall, his clothes pristine and free of dust. His surging golden blood and qi rippled like ocean waves, bursting with immense power.

"As expected of a nuclear weapon. Even with my current strength, I had to deploy my ultimate defenses to ensure I emerged unscathed. It seems tanking nuclear bombs head-on isn't something I should do often, at least not at my current stage."

Lu Yuan assessed his condition. Withstanding the blast had consumed more than half of his energy. His Blood-Qi Pagoda had been under immense strain, and he had even been forced to deploy his Primordial Qi Shroud. This was unprecedented, but to be expected from the pinnacle of human technology. After all, he was currently only in the Shackle Realm.

Nevertheless, he had successfully verified his limits through this ordeal. The only thing on Earth that could pose a slight threat to him now was a thermonuclear weapon, and even that was far from fatal.

As for the radiation, which others dreaded, Lu Yuan's physique and internal organs had been tempered by various divine treasures; he was completely immune to it. The only concern was the sheer force of the explosion itself.

"My strength is verified, and my goal achieved..." Suddenly, Lu Yuan cut off his thoughts and looked up at Mount Olympus. "Now, it's time to kill."

The moment the words left his lips, he channeled his energy and leapt.

Below him, the ground shattered in concentric rings, forming a crater a hundred meters in diameter. Lu Yuan soared into the sky, triggering a sonic boom as he instantly closed the distance to Mount Olympus.

With rapid strides, he scaled the mountain at breakneck speed, activating his Martial Dao Eye to locate the Holy Knight and the Holy Angel.

The entire sequence was broadcast live. The viewers' jaws dropped once more. He was truly invincible. This was no human; this was a true dragon!

"Run! Go, quickly! All of you, hold off Lu Yuan!" The Holy Knight shouted, abandoning all pretense of dignity. Summoning his fiery steed, he bolted toward the ancient castle above. It was a relic left behind by the legendary gods of Olympus, protected by powerful restrictions. He hoped it would stop Lu Yuan.

The Holy Angel's eyes were also wide with terror. Flapping his glowing wings, he took to the air and followed closely behind. They knew Lu Yuan was coming to kill them. At this moment, fear consumed them; their only thought was escape.

They completely abandoned the journalists and subordinates around them. The Holy Knight even ordered his men to block Lu Yuan, if only to buy them a few precious seconds.

The Awakened of Mount Olympus froze upon hearing the command. How were they supposed to block him? Nevertheless, gritting their teeth, they stood their ground, preparing to obey.

The journalists panicked, utterly at a loss. Most of them were ordinary humans; where could they possibly run?

Before long, Lu Yuan reached them. Shrouded in golden blood and qi, his expression was cold. He paid no heed to the opposing Awakened. With a single step forward, his heart pulsed slightly, releasing a controlled shockwave of energy that instantly reduced them to a mist of blood.

He spared the journalists, however, as he would have use for them later. After ordering them to remain and keep broadcasting, Lu Yuan resumed his ascent of Mount Olympus, heading toward the place revered by the West as the cradle of myth and the home of the gods.

Like a terrifying demon lord, his presence was overwhelming as he reached the summit. Not far off stood a towering ancient castle, radiating the passage of time, clearly having stood for eons. A peculiar and powerful energy ebbed from within, formidable enough to command caution. Yet Lu Yuan ignored it, marching forward, his aura intensifying with every step.

"King of the East, if you attack, it will be an act of war! Halt your advance!"

"This is the domain of the gods, blessed by their power. You cannot enter!"

Below the castle, the Holy Knight appeared. Knowing he had nowhere left to run, he chose to rely on the castle's defenses to negotiate. As long as he could survive, he was willing to make concessions. He had no choice; this man was simply too monstrous.

In response, Lu Yuan said nothing, continuing his steady advance.

"Lu Yuan, I can overlook the slaughter of my twelve apostles! Let us end this conflict here!" the Holy Angel shouted from the side. "I will seriously consider the human alliance you proposed. Return to your home, and God will forgive you."

Despite his terror, he still could not shed his arrogant posture, speaking as if he were bestowing a favor, confident in the castle's formidable restrictions.

Boom!

In the next instant, Lu Yuan acted. Taking a step forward, he breached the castle's perimeter.

Instantly, beams of light erupted around him, striking with lethal intent. Yet, the moment they touched his golden blood and qi, they were shattered, posing no threat at all. After all, if he could withstand a thermonuclear weapon, what did a few defensive restrictions amount to?

Before the Holy Angel could react, Lu Yuan closed the distance and stomped heavily on his chest.

Boom!

The movement was too swift. The Holy Angel had no time to dodge and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Crack! Crack!

Lu Yuan's foot seemed to carry the weight of a mountain, shattering the angel's bones and causing blood to seep through his skin. The disparity in their strength was absolute.

"Does your God know you are about to die?" Lu Yuan's voice fell like a death knell. In the next moment, he increased the pressure, intent on crushing the Holy Angel worshipped by countless Westerners!