Chapter 444. Joining Forces Once More, The Future
The Ji Clan and the Eternals had joined forces for one reason alone—to deal with Lu Yuan. Even after they learned of the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token, they maintained their alliance. Of course, the alliance was extremely shallow.
After all, they each had their own plans. They wanted to turn on the other and grab the token first for themselves. It was far too important to both of them, and neither could simply hand it over to the other.
However, things were different now. The rumor that had spread like wildfire meant that it would be extremely difficult to obtain the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token.
Even if they hadn't wanted to join hands, they were forced to do so.
After all, even a power like the Ji Clan couldn't take on all the clans and races across the entire universe by themselves. Lu Yuan was among them as well, and there was also the Jiang Clan to consider. They had to tread a little more carefully.
Where the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token was concerned, neither side dared lower its guard. Both the Ji Clan and the Eternals were aware of the token's significance, after all.
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan had finally digested his gains upon his recent breakthrough to the Grotto-Heaven Realm. Now, he emitted zero aura, making him seem like an ordinary civilian. This was what someone would look like once their power had reached a certain threshold; they would have complete control over their power.
When Lu Yuan had just entered the Immortal Realm, he hadn't been able to do that on his own, but now, it was a different story.
More than that, Lu Yuan found that his bond with the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token had grown closer than ever, thanks to that recent battle. In addition, Lu Yuan's growth in strength meant that he could bestow the blessings of Providence upon a few more people. He could also mobilize a bigger chunk of that power than before. By bestowing Providence upon his people, their evolution would become faster than ever before.
"Looks like I'll need to find a chance to write the names of Zhu Qingyu and the others on the Investiture Edict," Lu Yuan murmured to himself.
The power of Providence held within the Investiture Edict had become extremely vast, thanks to the Nine Cauldrons. Unfortunately, he still couldn't wield all of it. For now, he could only focus on becoming even stronger.
Zhu Qingyu and the others had all reached the Sage Realm, and their evolution had clearly slowed down. Even with the ongoing Global Awakening, they still couldn't maintain the same rate of advancement as before.
Lu Yuan knew that the Sage Realm was just the starting point. As the first group of people to reach that realm in this world, they had to become an Immortal as soon as possible.
After all, they would have to face everything on their own in the future. Naturally, all of this would have to wait until he had collected the fifth Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token. For now, he still wasn't that proficient at wielding the power of Providence, so he had to take things slowly.
Soon, he heard from Jiang Ningxian that the rumor had spread everywhere. At this point, even a random child on the street was aware that the Ji Clan and the Eternals were planning on taking the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token for themselves.
Those from the Outer Cosmos were shaken, including those unaware of the truth behind the token. After all, the token had the words "Celestial Emperor" attached to it, so how could they not understand that it was an extraordinary item?
As a result, even though they knew that the Ji Clan and the Eternals were definitely cooking something behind the scenes, they couldn't care less. As long as they had a chance to obtain the token for themselves, they would be there.
If they somehow obtained that token, it could be their golden opportunity to reach the apex. Faced with that kind of temptation, many people became courageous and brave. At the critical juncture, they would surely make their own move to change their destiny.
There was one more thing. Among those who wanted to act were the great clans and races in the top ten. In the universe, the gaps between the clans and races in the top ten were small. This was exactly what the Ji Clan and the Eternals were worried about, and the movements of the top ten clans had forced them to work with each other.
"You can say that we've achieved our goal. When the time comes, things are going to become really chaotic," Jiang Ningxian remarked, sounding quite pleased. She could already imagine it.
Had it not been for this plan, they would have been forced to face the Ji Clan and the Eternals together, which would have been incredibly difficult. They would come at the Jiang Clan and the Celestial Court with all their might.
But now, the Ji Clan and the Eternals would have to deal with the other clans and races as well. In one fell swoop, the pressure on the Jiang Clan and the Celestial Court had eased significantly.
"Then do you know when they'll make their move?" Lu Yuan asked, wanting something more concrete.
However, Jiang Ningxian only shook her head. "There's no need to worry about that. Right now, every clan in the Outer Cosmos has its eyes on the Ji Clan and the Eternals. The moment they make a move, everyone will know it."
Things had grown a little chaotic, true, but it had saved them a great deal of trouble.
Of course, Lu Yuan couldn't help but agree with everyone's response to the rumor.
This was the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token, after all. Anyone who knew even a little of the truth behind it would never let it slip past them. So, from here on, the two of them just had to watch and see how things would unfold.
"By the way, how's the Sukhāvatī Starfield recently?" Lu Yuan asked. He had killed those so-called eighteen Venerables, after all. Even though he couldn't truly kill the Child of the Present Buddha in the end, a grudge was made all the same.
They were bound to attack them at some point.
"I know what you're worried about, but there's really no need for it," Jiang Ningxian answered at once. "The Sukhāvatī Starfield is split into three spiritual lineages. The Child of the Present Buddha doesn't speak for the whole Sukhāvatī Starfield. Even if there's friction, they won't treat you as an enemy.
"Back then, the Sukhāvatī Starfield only moved against the Eternals because the two of them had pushed things too far between themselves. You may have a bit of bad blood with them now, but it's not like it's irreconcilable."
At that, she added, "Of course, the spiritual lineage of the Present Buddha definitely has a different opinion of you now. But all in all, you really don't have to worry about the Sukhāvatī Starfield."
At that, Lu Yuan nodded, and his heart eased a little. It wasn't out of fear. Even if the Sukhāvatī Starfield truly came after him, it would be no big deal. He was only worried it could disrupt his later plans for the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token.
It was a great thing that they wouldn't attack him just yet. Otherwise, if the Eternals, the Ji Clan, and the Sukhāvatī Starfield truly joined hands against him, he would be in grave danger.
The peak-level clans and races of the Outer Cosmos numbered only ten, so three of them banding together meant a full third of those top ten clans had decided to make a move against him. Naturally, even a child could tell that Lu Yuan would be in deep trouble by then.
Fortunately, Jiang Ningxian's words had eased his worries.
"So all that's left now is to wait quietly for them to make their move," Lu Yuan said. The board was taking shape. Once the Ji Clan and the Eternals had finalized their plans, they would then make their move.
Those two clans wanted to obtain the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token, no matter what. However, Lu Yuan would never let them have their way, and he was absolutely confident that he could stop them, even if they had joined forces!