Chapter 1473: Three Lotuses Battle

“That’s actually Prime Sovereign Cang Yuan?!”

“He… he broke through to the Three-Lotus Stage?!”

“He must have, otherwise, it would be impossible to block the attacks of Ancient Sage Zhang Lei!”

“Haha, this truly is a blessing from heaven for all-heavens!”

Behind Zhou Yuan, several Saints recovered from their shock after a few breaths and then erupted into uncontrollable joy. They all knew how much pressure would be relieved for the all-heavens by having one more Prime Sovereign. Here, their crisis would also be resolved.

“Zhang Lei, as a dignified Ancient Sage, why bother picking on juniors?” Amidst everyone’s surprise, the elderly figure standing in the void spoke with a hearty laugh.

Amidst billions of intertwining lightning bolts, Ancient Sage Zhang Lei’s gaze was cold and severe as he grimly stared at Cang Yuan. Cang Yuan’s breakthrough to the Three-Lotus Stage was completely unexpected information for the Saint Race. The Saint God had once deduced that, with the all-heavens’ providence, the emergence of three Three-Lotus Stage practitioners was already a certain limit. Yet now, Cang Yuan had undoubtedly broken the Saint God’s deduction. What did this mean? Had the all-heavens’ providence begun to increase? And why?

Emotions churned in Ancient Sage Zhang Lei’s heart, but his face remained chillingly cold. He said indifferently, “I never expected the fourth Prime Sovereign of the all-heavens to be you, Cang Yuan. You truly have great fortune.”

Cang Yuan’s previously somewhat stooped body had now become much more upright. His already profound and wise eyes now exuded an even deeper, unfathomable quality. His gaze also met Ancient Sage Zhang Lei’s directly, and he smiled, “Indeed, it is a great fortune. Having a good junior is better than tens of thousands of years of arduous cultivation.”

Ancient Sage Zhang Lei frowned slightly. He felt that Cang Yuan’s words had a deeper meaning, but he wasn’t interested in asking further. He knew that with Cang Yuan breaking through to the Three-Lotus Stage and appearing here, his offensive plan would have to change.

“Cang Yuan, I won’t waste words with you. Have Zhou Yuan hand over Yan Xu. Otherwise, if you anger my Saint Race, this Cangxuan Heaven might not be defensible,” Ancient Sage Zhang Lei said calmly.

Cang Yuan smiled, “Zhang Lei, why be so naive? Is there any room for maneuver between the all-heavens and the Saint Race? If we release him, will your Saint Race stop attacking the all-heavens? To diminish your Saint Race by one peak Two-Lotus Stage Saint is a great thing for the all-heavens.”

Ancient Sage Zhang Lei shook his head, “Although a peak Two-Lotus Stage Saint holds some weight, losing one won’t affect the immense gap between the Saint Race and the all-heavens. But it seems you don’t intend to release him. In that case, let’s just fight first.”

This Ancient Sage Zhang Lei was clearly a hot-tempered individual. Without another word, he stopped talking nonsense. The next moment, billions of thunderbolts roared as he directly raised his palm, holding a bronze cauldron.

“Maha Thunder Calamity.”

As his indifferent voice sounded, brilliant lightning suddenly poured out from the bronze cauldron. Within that lightning, thousands of types of thunder were condensed, containing an extremely terrifying destructive intent. The lightning poured out, seemingly transforming into an endlessly extending torrent of lightning plasma, then surged towards Cang Yuan with a world-destroying posture.

Zhou Yuan, Zhuan Zhu, and the others behind him watched the attack with grave expressions. If it were them, they likely wouldn't be able to stop it even by combining forces. Clearly, facing Cang Yuan, this newly advanced Three-Lotus Prime Sovereign, Ancient Sage Zhang Lei was also pouring out all his strength, holding nothing back.

Cang Yuan gazed at the torrent of thunder calamity reflected in his eyes, his face slightly hardening. He then turned his head and said to Zhou Yuan and the others, “You all withdraw first. Leave this place to me.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan and the others understood that remaining there would only hinder Cang Yuan. So, they nodded, turned directly, and stepped into the spatial passage, their figures swiftly disappearing. Ancient Sage Zhang Lei did not stop them, because he understood that stopping them would be useless; he couldn't bypass Cang Yuan to attack Zhou Yuan and the others.

However, he was not in a hurry. Although Yan Xu was suppressed, truly slaying him would take some time. The most important thing now was to test Cang Yuan's level, which would determine the Saint Race's subsequent attack strategy. Therefore, Ancient Sage Zhang Lei merely swept his gaze, then retracted it, his eyes coldly locking onto Cang Yuan. The world-destroying torrent of lightning plasma became even more violent.

In Cang Yuan's eyes, the surging and sweeping lightning plasma was reflected. He could also clearly sense the immense and terrifying power contained within it. His expression was solemn. Without a word, he raised his palm. In his palm, a vertical eye appeared, then slowly opened. At that instant, billions of rays of light burst forth. This brilliance not only pierced through this space but also penetrated other connected spaces, dazzling brightly.

When Zhou Yuan and the others emerged from the spatial passage, they immediately sensed numerous powerful Genesis Qi fluctuations locking onto them. Looking around, they saw hovering figures surrounding the spatial passage, their eyes alert and wary. However, as Zhou Yuan and Zhuan Zhu revealed themselves, those wary gazes quickly dispersed, replaced by relief.

Zhou Yuan immediately spotted the two leading figures among the Saints: Prime Sovereign Wan Zu and Prime Sovereign Zixiao. However, both of them had troubled expressions at that moment.

“Heaven Master Zhou Yuan, how are things on your side?” Prime Sovereign Zixiao was the first to approach and ask.

“Earlier, I was fighting with Yan Xu of the Saint Race. I captured and suppressed him. But then Ancient Sage Zhang Lei suddenly arrived, so we had no choice but to retreat with everyone,” Zhou Yuan explained clearly and directly, without holding anything back.

Prime Sovereign Zixiao and Prime Sovereign Wan Zu were clearly stunned for a moment upon hearing this. The Saints behind them, like Green Willow, stared at Zhou Yuan in disbelief.

“What did you say?”

“You captured and suppressed Yan Xu of the Saint Race?”

“How is that possible—”

The Saints present were all familiar with Yan Xu's name. He was an existence whose strength was not inferior to the veteran Prime Sovereigns Wan Zu and Zixiao, and within the Saint Race, his status and power were second only to the Ancient Sages. Yet now, Zhou Yuan claimed such a figure had been suppressed by him?!

Seeing everyone's expressions, Zhou Yuan merely smiled. With a raise of his hand, the Saint Refining Gourd flashed forth. From within it, Yan Xu's roars could still be heard continuously. “Actually, he brought it upon himself, using his Heavenly Net Chessboard to trap himself,” Zhou Yuan said with a laugh, not exaggerating his own power.

Prime Sovereign Zixiao's eyes showed a strange glint as she examined Zhou Yuan, saying, “Regardless of the method, your ability to suppress Yan Xu is enough to demonstrate your own capabilities.” Prime Sovereign Wan Zu also fell silent for a moment. His gaze towards Zhou Yuan was clearly more solemn now. As for Green Willow, he didn't even dare to meet Zhou Yuan's gaze anymore.

“Oh right, what about Ancient Sage Zhang Lei? Did he pursue you?” Prime Sovereign Zixiao remembered something and quickly asked.

“He probably won't be able to pursue. At that critical moment earlier, Master suddenly appeared and stopped him. Now, the two sides are engaged in battle,” Zhou Yuan said.

Zixiao and Wan Zu were stunned again, then seemed to understand something, and shock suddenly appeared in their eyes: “Cang Yuan?! He stopped Ancient Sage Zhang Lei? You mean he successfully broke through?!”

This shock was a hundred times more intense than the news of Zhou Yuan suppressing Yan Xu. Zhuan Zhu, who was beside him, nodded, grinning, “Yes, Master successfully broke through to the Three-Lotus Stage.” Prime Sovereign Wan Zu's expression was a little dazed. Prime Sovereign Zixiao and the other Saints were immediately speechless. They all understood how significant Cang Yuan's breakthrough this time was.

The shock lasted for a good while. Prime Sovereign Zixiao sighed with a complex expression, then chuckled lightly, “I really didn't expect the fourth Prime Sovereign of the Return to Ruin Divine Hall to be this old fella. But it's good. This will certainly relieve a lot of pressure for us.”

Zhou Yuan nodded and asked, “This spatial layer on my side, due to Ancient Sage Zhang Lei's interference, hasn't been completely destroyed yet. But now that Master Cang Yuan and Ancient Sage Zhang Lei are fighting, the aftermath of their battle will definitely destroy it.” His gaze turned to Zixiao and Wan Zu. “What about your sides, two Prime Sovereigns?” Zixiao and Wan Zu appearing here clearly meant they had also lost ground, but what Zhou Yuan wanted to ask was whether those two spatial layers had ultimately been destroyed.

Prime Sovereign Zixiao heard this and said, “My side was destroyed in time; it was completely obliterated. That should buy us some time.”

Prime Sovereign Wan Zu's expression was somewhat uncertain. He was silent for a moment, then said, “My location was where Ancient Sage Zhang Lei first appeared. At that time, it was too late for me to destroy the spatial layer, so I could only retreat with everyone. I couldn't hold it.”

Everyone's expressions grew somewhat grim. With that spatial layer as a springboard, the Saint Race would be able to arrive here at the fastest speed. And this was already the sub-spatial layer closest to Cangxuan Heaven, effectively the final defense line. This was truly bad news.

Zhou Yuan opened his mouth, but in the end, could only sigh inwardly. He knew that Prime Sovereign Wan Zu couldn't be blamed for failing to hold it. If Master Cang Yuan hadn't arrived on his side, he might not have been able to clear up the situation either.

“Everyone, there's no need to be discouraged. After all, we still have one last defensive layer. As long as we fully manage it, we will definitely be able to buy some time.” Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, comforting everyone. “For now, we'll wait here for Master Cang Yuan. Once he returns, we can discuss our next steps.”

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. This time, even Prime Sovereign Wan Zu, Green Willow, and the others became silent and much more subdued.

This wait lasted for ten days. During these ten days, no Saint Race members attacked, but Zhou Yuan and the others could vaguely sense an extremely terrifying power oscillating in the distant sub-spatial layers. That must have been Cang Yuan and Zhang Lei's battle.

On the thirteenth day, the power oscillations from deep within the void weakened. Two days later, Cang Yuan's figure finally appeared before Zhou Yuan and the others. Seeing the somewhat tired, yet still radiating power like a great sun, the turbulent Cang Yuan, Zhou Yuan and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief. This stabilizing pillar had finally returned.