Chapter 301: Seizing Control of Tianwu
Push back Lu Hong, the Lord of Heavenly Martial began conjuring his ultimate skill.
An immense pressure descended slowly from the sky; although it was merely demigod level, the force unleashed by this move had already surpassed the limits a demigod should possess!
"I haven't made a move for ten years. Being defeated by this strike brings you glory, Lord of the Star Sea!"
Holy Light surged around the Lord of Heavenly Martial, resembling a Divine Lord descending from the heavens.
Moments later, clouds surged across the sky, white clouds swirling and forming a massive cloud hole.
A colossal sword, over a thousand feet in diameter, descended slowly from the cloud hole.
At this moment, the Lord of Heavenly Martial let out a low exhale: "Heaven-shaking Imperial Sword!"
Watching this unparalleled great sword, Lu Hong knew he was already locked in and could only fight, with nowhere to escape.
At this moment, every eye on the battlefield was focused on this astounding imperial sword.
Strong warriors of the Heavenly Martial world laughed heartily: "This is the ultimate skill granted by the Lord of the Heavenly Domain to our Lord; no one can survive beneath this sword; you are defeated!"
"Oh, is that so?" Tai'e chuckled lightly. "What if your Heavenly Martial Lord loses?"
"He can't lose!"
With a little time left until the sword's fall, Lu Hong held the Sacred Sword, Qi Blood Power continually gathering, and the strongest Eternal Sword entered the charging stage.
As countless Qi Blood gathered in one place, a mighty wave oppressed the hearts of the surrounding soldiers, carrying unparalleled pressure, standing in defiance against the descending imperial sword without being overshadowed at all.
Seeing the other party's brewing ultimate move, a trace of approval flashed in the Lord of Heavenly Martial's eyes: "To contend against the imperial sword skill, you are well deserving of the title, the Lord of a realm."
"Whether I deserve it or not, that's not for you to decide." Lu Hong sneered, also entering the final stage of charging force.
At this moment, that peerless imperial sword completely left the clouds, and in the next second, transformed into a bright light, pounding down on Lu Hong.
"Slash!"
Lu Hong also simultaneously unleashed the unparalleled Eternal Sword.
Under the gaze of armies, the two forces violently collided.
The next second, a dazzling white light shone in the sky of the ancient path.
Within the white light, a hint of blood surged faintly.
Mere moments later, the blood light broke the confinement of the white light, staining the heavens and earth with ink.
When the dazzling lights faded, silence enveloped the sky, and the traces of space-fracturing extended for thousands of miles, leaving the observer stunned.
Even a Mortal Realm Celestial would have to strike with full force to shatterspace in the heavens of this ancient path.
Yet the scene unfolding now—who could have imagined the remnants of a clash between a demigod and a late third transition strong force?
"You... are very impressive." The Lord of Heavenly Martial, silent for a long while, spoke to Lu Hong: "What is the name of this move?"
"Eternal."
"Is it Eternal then?" The Lord of Heavenly Martial pondered. "The Eternal Sword, well, it's quite impressive."
Saying this, the Lord of Heavenly Martial spat a mouthful of fresh blood.
"Lord?!"
"Lord!"
Seeing this, the strong individuals of the Heavenly Martial world were greatly alarmed. Without divine protection, they couldn't say they were simply doomed. There were also the rules of the ancient path; divine power could never intervene in world wars. So even if all celestial power was lost, it didn't mean immediate doom—as long as there wasn't absolute defeat, Heavenly Martial would stand. Once the Star Sea army withdrew, though future days would be tough, they might barely get by.
But now, with the Lord of Heavenly Martial showing signs of defeat, the people of the Heavenly Martial world were truly panicking.
The Lord of Heavenly Martial was renowned for his talent and strategic genius at just over thirty years old, even favored by gods of the Heavenly Realm wishing to take him as a disciple.
"Lord of the Star Sea, if you dare to kill our Lord of Heavenly Martial, beware of the retribution from the Lord of All Heavens!" A personal guard of the Lord of Heavenly Martial shouted immediately, nervously surrounding the bleeding Heavenly Martial.
"Lord of All Heavens?" For the first time, Lu Hong heard this name.
"Exactly, it's the Lord of All Heavens; he ranks third among the Divine Lords of the Sky Domain, with strength unparalleled across all heavens and myriad worlds. The Lord of Heavenly Martial is a disciple esteemed by the Lord of All Heavens but chose not to follow, being heart-tied to Heavenly Martial. If you dare kill our Lord now, once the Lord of All Heavens knows, he'll surely avenge our Lord!"
The guard kept yapping on, trying hard to intimidate Lu Hong.
But soon, his intimidation was dismissed by the Lord of Heavenly Martial with a shout: "Silence!"
The guard was stunned: "Lord... Lord..."
"Step aside!" The Lord of Heavenly Martial wiped the blood from his mouth, sternly saying: "A fair fight, losing in skill, still face threats?"
After being reprimanded, the guard retreated mournfully to the side.
The Lord of Heavenly Martial, enduring severe pain, took steps to approach Lu Hong: "You've won, Lord of the Star Sea."
"My Heavenly Martial world issues a surrender to your Star Sea."
"Surrender?" Lu Hong looked at the Lord of Heavenly Martial: "Yet I do not intend to accept your surrender."
The Lord of Heavenly Martial was taken aback, then sternly said: "Lord of the Star Sea, if you genuinely seek battle, we'll fight to mutual destruction, and you'll gain nothing from Heavenly Martial's doom!"
"Alright, since you suggest surrender, what price is the Heavenly Martial world willing to pay?"
Seeing Lu Hong willing to negotiate, the Lord of Heavenly Martial noticeably relaxed and spoke: "I, the Lord of Heavenly Martial, would accept governance by the Star Sea world, opening thirty planes for your stationed forces. For surrender, Heavenly Martial is willing to give half of all current resources and offer tribute every ten years with half of Heavenly Martial's production. Does Star Sea agree to these terms?"
Half of Heavenly Martial's resources are no trifle, and opening planes for the Star Sea's stationing means Lu Hong could easily place celestial forces there, leaving the world's Heavenly Martial without resistance.
Post-surrender, Heavenly Martial would belong to the Star Sea, no longer bound by world war constraints, allowing celestial intervention without restriction.
Though the Lord of Heavenly Martial's offer wasn't extravagant, every condition held great allure.
Lu Hong pondered for a while, indeed tempted, but didn't immediately agree. Instead, he summoned Nuoshan and other leaders.
Seeing no objections from them, Lu Hong finally agreed: "So be it, I accept your Heavenly Martial world's surrender."
Upon hearing this, the Lord of Heavenly Martial let out a sigh, then knelt and bowed to Lu Hong: "Minister Tian Shengwu, pay respects to the Star Lord!"
With Tian Shengwu submitting, the densely packed Heavenly Martial army also knelt down.
"We all pay respects to the Star Lord!"
Henceforth, Heavenly Martial world officially came under Star Sea's control.
After cleaning up the battlefield, Lu Hong led the Star Sea army into Heavenly Martial.
Just entering this realm, he felt incredibly abundant Spiritual Energy; the density here was nearly three times that of Star Sea.
Quite a few Second Transition soldiers, upon stepping in, broke through realms, enhancing their strength further.
Watching the dense breakthroughs, the Lord of Heavenly Martial couldn't help but exclaim: "My defeat wasn't wronged; Star Sea world folks are truly gifted!"
"I think so too." Watching the breakthroughs of soldiers, Lu Hong was genuinely pleased from inside.
Upon reaching the center of Heavenly Martial world, a whole plane was crafted into a city by Heavenly Martial, with Tian Wu Imperial Palace occupying eighty percent of this realm's territory. Such extravagance truly astounds.
"Your Heavenly Martial world is overly lavish, isn't it?" Nuoshan exclaimed. "I wonder if living in there is as comfortable as it appears."
"Why don't you garrison in Heavenly Martial?" Lu Hong jested light-heartedly.
"I'd rather not; this old man wishes to see more of the vastness of all heavens and myriad worlds."
At this moment, Tian Shengwu explained: "Originally, this was where Heavenly Martial world's heavenly gods resided, not where we could live. But all Heavenly Martial gods were already slain by Star Sea gods, making this palace the Star Lord's residence."
Saying so, led by Tian Shengwu, everyone arrived before an enormous treasury door: "This is where all precious resources of Heavenly Martial world are stored."
Gazing at the divine glow emanating from the treasury door, Lu Hong said: "Open it."
Yet, at this moment Tian Shengwu did not move, instead offering a bitter smile: "Without the Divine Power aura of the Heavenly Divine Ancestor, none of us can open this door."
Lu Hong nodded, then turned to Xie'an beside him: "Send word to invite Ancestor Dragon here."
Before long, Ancestor Dragon arrived before the treasury door, yet no matter how Ancestor Dragon exerted, none succeeded in dispelling the divine seal on the treasury door.
"I say, Dragon Brother, aren't you advanced to Earth Realm? How come you can't open this mere little door?"
"Cut the crap!" Ancestor Dragon blushed with indignation: "It's a freaking seal set by a peak Earth Realm Heavenly God. How could I open it? Go find the Netherworld God. Probably only she can open this treasury door."