Global Awakening: I'm the Only One Ready

Chapter 263. One More Step and It's War? A Sage's Aura

Since ancient times, Mount Tai had been the subject of countless legends, as it was the most revered mountain out of the Five Sacred Mountains. After the Global Awakening, the changes it underwent were nothing short of astonishing.

Its tallest peak, the Jade Emperor Peak, housed the ruins of celestial palaces, which remained shrouded in mystery.

The several years of continuous change had made Mount Tai completely unrecognizable. Now, it stood like a behemoth on land. It was incomprehensibly massive.

Even if one were to crane one's neck backward, one still wouldn't see its end. It stretched up, piercing the firmament. It seemed high enough that people believed one could reach out and touch the stars at its tallest peak.

As the most mysterious and famous mountain in the modern world, Mount Tai was a place every faction ought to fight over. The beings from the Outer Cosmos would have made it their first target, as they ought to be eager to uncover its secrets.

However, everyone knew that Huaxia's top officials and the Celestial Court were on Mount Tai. Powerful figures stood guard there, and Lu Yuan often went to seclusion there.

Under those circumstances, almost no one dared set their sights on Mount Tai. Lu Yuan, the acclaimed strongest person on Earth and Invincible Beneath the Stars, could slay even Sages.

Hence, everyone had to cast their gaze elsewhere. However, things were different now. Everyone believed that Lu Yuan was gravely injured by the Immortals during the recent battle in outer space.

It was also unknown whether he was still alive. As a result, the beings from the Outer Cosmos banded together, forming a coalition before racing toward Mount Tai.

Meanwhile, the officials had offered no response. Their lack of response confirmed what the people already suspected. Even if Lu Yuan was still alive, he had to be in danger.

Everyone had their eyes on Mount Tai, and they were all desperate to know what would happen next. They grew frantic, terrified that something had truly happened to Lu Yuan.

If Lu Yuan was already dead, then the beings from the Outer Cosmos would dominate this world. By then, no one knew what would happen to them.

Of course, word had also spread that Earth's Awakened were rushing to Mount Tai to unite against the invaders and protect Lu Yuan.

However, only a few people believed that they could succeed. The gap in strength was simply too wide. The outcome of such a battle was too predictable.

Just like that, the days slipped by one after another.

A few days later, a massive clump of black clouds was spotted more than fifty kilometers away from Mount Tai, even though today was supposed to be a clear, bright day.

Upon closer look, it turned out those "clouds" weren't clouds at all. It was an optical illusion born from the amalgamation of the aura coming from dozens of experts.

The fact that those experts could fly was a testament to their power.

The officials at the Trials Academy detected them through their instruments and immediately sprang into action. The officials still possessed formidable, modern weapons, but at this point, most of them were of little use.

However, the officials did not seem particularly concerned, though. They were far less panicked than one would expect, but of course, it all made sense. King Lu was right behind them, after all.

When the officials arrived at Mount Tai's periphery, they were stunned to discover that over ten thousand Awakened had already assembled. They stood in front of the Trials Academy, and every single one of them revealed resolute faces.

These people refused to remain passive recipients of Lu Yuan's protection. They had come to Mount Tai to use whatever strength they had to protect Lu Yuan.

They all wanted to protect the man whose contributions to the entire planet—and to all of Huaxia—were beyond measure.

They knew they were weak, but they chose to stand up anyway and made a beeline for Mount Tai.

"King Lu's decision to act and protect the people was the right one. Our Huaxia has not let him down," Elder Ji remarked. He was genuinely moved by the scene before him. He had anticipated this, but seeing it with his own eyes still surprised him.

The Awakened standing at the entrance to the Trials Academy saw the officials, and they all frowned upon seeing that Lu Yuan wasn't with them. They frowned, not for any other reason but because they were worried.

They were worried that the rumors were true and that King Lu was truly in dire straits. Their worry was short-lived, though. As they were reminded of what lay ahead of them, their gazes shimmered in a determined light.

As time went by, the black "clouds" drew closer and closer. Several hours later, it landed on the foot of Mount Tai, revealing four figures at the helm. A Three-Headed Ghost, a Primeval Daemon, a Nether Bull, and a Yin Sparrow.

What surprised everyone was the presence of numerous humans among them. The Zhou Family's five grand elders stood in plain sight, standing shoulder to shoulder with the four races.

By now, most were aware that the Zhou Family had close ties with a powerful clan in the Outer Cosmos. Even the Yin Sparrow Race treated them with considerable courtesy. The Nether Bull Clan showed them outright deference.

The Awakened could not understand why the Zhou Family had chosen to ally with beings from the Outer Cosmos. Had they not heard that the Zhou Family's eldest daughter, Zhou Yunqiong, were classmates with King Lu in the old era?

The officials knew the full story. Elder Ji stepped forward without hesitation. He looked at the gathered beings from the Outer Cosmos and cleared his throat before saying, "Before this gets out of hand, I strongly suggest you leave.

"Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what will happen next."

As always, he made no mention of Lu Yuan. His tone also sounded lackluster, so his words sounded more like advice rather than a warning. When they heard him, it reinforced the idea that something had happened to Lu Yuan.

Otherwise, their response wouldn't be this lukewarm.

"Hmph. What boastful words," said one of the Zhou Family's grand elders before anyone could say anything. Then, he added, "We no longer live in the old era. The strong rules in this era. There are powerful beings from the Outer Cosmos here. Government officials like you can no longer control everything."

He sounded aggressive, and his confidence came not only from his own strength but also from the beings standing beside him. Of course, in the old era, he would never dare to speak to Elder Ji this way.

"We can no longer control everything?" Elder Ji showed no anger and simply replied, "We have King Lu on our side. He's Invincible Beneath the Stars. Take one step forward, and it'll be war!"

"So what?" The Zhou Family grand elder didn't flinch. "Lu Yuan killed our eldest lady in Kunlun. He committed a crime punishable by death. Of course, if you are willing to hand him over, then certain things can still be discussed."

By now, virtually everyone had accepted that Lu Yuan was injured and was far from his peak. If he were to show up, it would be no different from walking to his own death.

Of course, there was a chance that he was already dead.

"Everything that happened was the Zhou Family's own doing." Known for his fiery temper, Elder Yun strode forward and declared, "Let me make this clear! The rumors about King Lu's injuries are false! He has become even stronger.

"You still have a chance to turn back. Retreat now! Take another step, and there will be rivers of blood!"

"Hahaha! He has become even stronger? Are you saying that he's entered the Sage Realm?" The Yin Sparrow leading the group asked, his voice cold. "What a load of nonsense. He was already lucky that he got to keep his life against those Immortals, and now, you're claiming that he's become a Sage?

"What a joke! So what if we take one more step? So what if there's going to be war? Do you actually dare to fight us?"

With that, he stepped forward, taking the lead for the beings from the Outer Cosmos behind him.

Rumble!

As soon as that happened, a Sage's aura manifested, inundating the space between heaven and earth.