Chapter 132: The Power to Invest Immortals and Gods, the Prototype of the Celestial Court, Sequence Ten

At the Mount Tai Trial Academy.

“What is it?” Lu Yuan asked with a smile, having naturally noticed Jiang Ningxian’s gaze.

Since the two of them had met, this was the first time he had seen her look like this.

“Nothing.”

Jiang Ningxian came back to herself and continued, “I simply remembered that in our clan’s ancestral records, one of our forebears seems to have said something very similar to you.”

The ancestor she referred to was naturally Shennong, one of the Three Human Sovereigns and a common forefather of the Chinese people.

He was also the figure she revered most deeply. In the ancient era, he had led humanity in carving out a path of survival.

Even when facing powerful beings from various star domains, he had remained calm and composed, slaughtering every opponent before him.

He had been a truly supreme existence, renowned throughout the entire universe.

That was what had been recorded in the Jiang clan’s ancestral texts.

It was precisely because Lu Yuan had spoken words identical to those of that ancestor that Jiang Ningxian had been momentarily distracted.

Lu Yuan, standing nearby, nodded after hearing this but said nothing more.

According to the information he had obtained earlier, the Human Sovereign Shennong had once also served as the Celestial Emperor.

This gave Lu Yuan an entirely different perspective on the so-called Ancient Celestial Emperor Token. In particular, he wondered how the method of conferring titles upon immortals and gods had come to exist.

One had to understand that anyone worthy of being called an immortal or a god was an existence beyond the eighth stage of evolution.

Throughout the entire universe, such figures were world-shaking powerhouses. Yet even beings of that caliber had merely been appointed by the Celestial Emperor.

What level, then, had the Celestial Emperor himself reached?

No wonder.

He had merely refined a single drop of Human Sovereign blood, yet it had caused his bloodline to undergo a complete transformation, elevating it to the level of a First Generation bloodline.

“All right.” Jiang Ningxian’s voice sounded once more. “As time passes, the power that separates Heaven and Earth will gradually weaken. More great clans from various star domains are about to descend. The situation throughout the world is changing. Remember, unless absolutely necessary, do not draw attention to yourself.”

It was a warning.

Although Jiang Ningxian knew that Lu Yuan was extremely powerful, possessed extraordinary talent, and had grown up in this world, he had not yet evolved to a sufficient level or become a true powerhouse.

When necessary, one had to lie low.

Only by surviving would he have a chance of reaching the end of the evolutionary path.

“Thank you for the reminder. I understand.” Lu Yuan answered with a faint smile in his eyes.

Indeed, the beings from beyond this world were all powerful, but he was not afraid of them.

If matters truly reached that point, he would never choose to hide. He would strike with overwhelming force.

Jiang Ningxian was exceptionally intelligent and naturally sensed what he was thinking. She did not say anything further, merely sighing before telling him that if he encountered any trouble in the future, he could come to her at any time. After all, the two sides were allies.

Since they had joined forces, they naturally ought to unite against those harboring ulterior motives.

That had also been the purpose of her visit: to inform Lu Yuan of the situation.

Now that her goal had more or less been achieved, she did not stay any longer.

She returned to her quarters.

Lu Yuan, meanwhile, smiled as he walked back to his own room.

According to Jiang Ningxian, the Ancient Celestial Emperor Token was a forbidden object.

It possessed extraordinary and mighty abilities, and he finally had some time to study it.

Several days passed quickly.

News that beings from beyond this world had descended upon Mount Tai and attempted to cause trouble, only to be slain by Lu Yuan, spread through the internet and other channels until it reached the ears of everyone.

From ordinary people and awakened ones to the leaders of the various major powers, all learned of what had happened.

For a time, the entire world erupted.

People proclaimed that King Lu was invincible and the strongest human alive.

This completely established Lu Yuan as the foremost combatant among humanity.

As for the disciples and leaders of the Three Immortal Islands, the moment they received the news, their first thought was one of relief.

Fortunately, they had not persisted in opposing Lu Yuan back then. Otherwise, given his strength and methods, he could have flattened the Three Immortal Islands without the slightest difficulty.

Thinking about it now, preserving their lives and teaching those students on the mainland did not seem so bad after all. At least they had not suffered any great loss, had they?

The authorities, however, did not relax. They continued ordering all the Dawnland Academies to recruit students.

They also maintained surveillance over the extraterrestrial creatures that had descended into this world.

Although the task was extremely difficult, the authorities were still the authorities. They controlled abundant resources and possessed countless methods at their disposal.

Moreover, they had the assistance of the awakened ones throughout the country, and so they had managed to gather some information.

Apart from the Underworld Bull Clan, there were several other races as well.

However, because no one had rashly approached them, little was known about them.

The authorities merely released Lu Yuan’s previous instructions to the public, treating them as a warning.

Another piece of news caused countless awakened ones throughout the country to tremble.

The authorities announced to the outside world that the Celestial Court had been established, with King Lu as its ruler. Anyone with the ability and the will to join could apply. Those who passed the trials would become members of the Celestial Court.

The Spirit King Macaque, the Peacock King, and the Nine-Tailed Fox King of Mount Tai had already joined in order to demonstrate their sincerity in cooperating with humanity.

It could be said that this announcement caused an earthquake.

Ever since Lu Yuan had displayed his strength, he had gained countless supporters and admirers. There was no telling how many people longed for a glimpse of his true form.

Based on the information released by the authorities, some awakened ones began to speculate.

If they joined the Celestial Court, would they have a chance to follow King Lu at his side in the future?

As a result, countless people signed up immediately.

Naturally, they still had to pass the trials.

The first hurdle required applicants to have reached at least the Shackles Realm, eliminating a great many people at once.

However, after the second resurgence of Heaven and Earth, many awakened ones had benefited and begun entering that realm.

Zhu Qingyu, the Ice Fairy, the Pure Yang Little Celestial Master, and the monk Huikong were among them. They all passed the trials successfully and entered the Celestial Court.

There was also Asura. After the Celestial God Corporation was destroyed by Lu Yuan, he had broken free from their control, and his evolution had advanced with astonishing speed.

Some previously unknown awakened ones from among the common people also revealed formidable strength and passed the trials without difficulty.

In short, aside from Lu Yuan, the master of the Celestial Court, the organization finally had a considerable number of members.

More than a hundred in total, all outstanding figures among the awakened.

They would receive preferential access to resources from the authorities.

In addition, Jiang Ningxian had bestowed upon them extraterrestrial spirit fruits, rare herbs, and other treasures.

Under such conditions, the framework of the Celestial Court had already been established.

Given sufficient time, it would inevitably become the most terrifying and powerful force on Earth.

At that moment, in a certain mountain forest in China—

Although it could not be considered a famous mountain or grand range, it had undergone tremendous changes after the mutation.

Dense mist surrounded the area, completely isolating it from the probes of modern instruments.

Even some exotic beasts had never set foot there.

In truth, there were countless places like this across the world today: remote, uninhabited, and seemingly cut off from civilization.

But this place was different.

Amid the mountains and forests stood clusters of buildings constructed in an antique style. Pavilions, terraces, towers, rockeries, and flowing water could all be found there. Anyone who wandered in by accident would feel as though they had stepped into the ancient past.

“The Celestial Court?”

Within one of the courtyards, a tall man dressed in black spoke slowly.

“This native human from the Milky Way Star Domain is truly audacious.”

He was extraordinarily handsome, with fair skin and keen, piercing eyes.

His entire being radiated an overwhelmingly powerful aura that inspired fear.

Every movement he made seemed to shake the air like wind and thunder, causing ordinary people to instinctively keep their distance.

“Indeed. I never expected Lu Yuan to be so arrogant either.”

A woman’s voice came from behind him. It belonged to Zhou Yunqiong, who had disappeared some time ago.

That was right. This ancient-style complex of buildings was the new refuge the Martial Zhou Corporation had found after abandoning its former base.

Nearly everyone knew of the enmity between Lu Yuan and the Zhou family, and the higher echelons of the family had been deeply troubled by it.

Lu Yuan was simply too powerful. If a conflict broke out, the Zhou family would certainly be unable to withstand him, no matter how deep its foundations were.

In the end, they had chosen to lie low and conceal themselves completely.

“This is no longer a matter of arrogance. He is courting death!” the man in black declared, his words filled with domineering confidence. He showed no fear of Lu Yuan.

“What? You intend to act?” Zhou Yunqiong frowned. “Your clansman Yi died at his hands.”

“He does not yet possess the qualifications to concern me. As for that useless Yi, dead is dead. It is nothing worth mentioning.” The man shook his head. “However, offending the Celestial Clan cannot come without a price. I will have the Underworld Bull Clan cause him some trouble.”

Zhou Yunqiong said nothing, merely nodding as though she understood what he meant.

But soon doubt appeared in her eyes, and she asked, “What if it has no effect?”

“It does not matter.” The man waved his hand. “Once the suppression imposed on me by this world completely disappears and I recover, I will personally take his life.”

“The tenth-ranked heir of the Celestial Clan’s younger generation—if he takes action, there naturally will be no problem.”

A middle-aged man appeared. He was Zhou Yunqiong’s father, and a trace of reverence colored his voice.

Among the great clans of the hundred strongest star domains, the ten most exceptional members of each younger generation were ranked in sequence. Their bloodlines and strength were all at the very pinnacle.

The young man in black before them was one such formidable existence, a heaven’s favorite no matter which star domain he was placed in.

“By the way, before I departed, an important figure from the Ji Clan instructed me to give you this.” The young man ignored the head of the Zhou family and instead looked toward Zhou Yunqiong.

He took out a jade box and continued, “This object can fully awaken the deepest bloodline within your body and even purify it once more. That important figure thinks highly of you. Do not disappoint him.”

“Rest assured. I understand.” Zhou Yunqiong gazed at the jade box, her eyes shining with delight.

Had she not schemed for so long precisely for the sake of things like this?

At last, she was receiving her reward.

The head of the Zhou family was equally thrilled, showing no anger at being ignored.

He knew that once his daughter refined this object, the Zhou family would inevitably rise. In the future, it might even become an independent great clan.

“You must make haste. The changes in Heaven and Earth are progressing faster than expected. Many people are about to descend. The strongest heirs of the various star domains, and even their divine sons and saintly daughters, will arrive before long.”

The young man of the Celestial Clan added this final warning.

Even with his usual arrogance, his brows drew together tightly as he spoke.

The reason was simple. The so-called divine sons and saintly daughters were the strongest among the ranked heirs. Each great clan possessed only one or two of them.

Even he would have to retreat rather than confront one directly.

What was more, he had received word that a saintly daughter of the Jiang Clan had descended long ago.

Unfortunately, she had left no trace, which made him somewhat uneasy.

However—

This world was extraordinary. At the dawn of each resurgence, endless opportunities and blessings emerged.

It was also his chance to rise.

(End of Chapter)