Chapter 616. Beginning Distribution, Gathering the Core

Lu Yuan sat cross-legged on Jade Emperor Peak, his eyes closed as strands of purple qi coiled around him.

This purple qi did not come from the Celestial Emperor's Ancient Token. It carried the mysterious power of the Great Age's Providence.

Lu Yuan had spent some time studying it and now understood most of its effects.

Just as he had thought, the Great Age's Providence was nurtured by heaven and earth. No matter how much was bestowed upon a living being, it would not cause a backlash.

More importantly, anyone who received this power would gain the favor of heaven and earth, acquiring unexpected benefits in cultivation and many other areas.

After days of research, Lu Yuan had also confirmed that the Great Age's Providence and the token's Providence did not reject each other. On the contrary, they could intertwine.

He had delayed using the Great Age's Providence because he feared that combining the two might cause a serious problem. That concern had proven unnecessary.

Even so, Lu Yuan did not consider the delay a mistake. The more critical the situation, the more cautious he had to be. He could not use an unknown power on others simply because it appeared beneficial.

Zhu Qingyu and the other members of the Celestial Court might be his subordinates, but they were not tools.

Lu Yuan wanted to give them enough strength to preserve the Celestial Court even after he eventually left. The organization had been established with the future in mind.

That was why he never strengthened Zhu Qingyu and the others or bestowed the token's Providence upon them without preparing a safe path forward.

Now that his research into the Great Age's Providence was nearly complete, it was time to use it. The great calamity drew closer with every passing day, and he had to improve the Celestial Court's overall strength and reserves.

He had possessed no way to accomplish that before. The Great Age's Providence was an unexpected opportunity.

Lu Yuan first summoned Zhu Qingyu and asked which Outer Cosmos beings had stood with the Celestial Court during its previous crisis.

He had already decided that the powerful Outer Cosmos clans who had proven trustworthy and dependable at the critical moment deserved his gratitude. He did not necessarily have to form alliances with them, but he could not ignore what they had done.

Those clans might also become a central force in the future struggle against the Extracosmic Heavenly Demons.

"King Lu, there were nine great clans in total," Zhu Qingyu replied. "That isn't many, but all nine hail from the top hundred starfields.

"They made contact with the Celestial Court long ago and have fought alongside us against other powerful clans. They can indeed be trusted."

Zhu Qingyu hid nothing. She also understood why Lu Yuan had asked.

"Good. I will entrust you with nine strands of Great Age's Providence. Contact those clans and give them one strand each. How they distribute it afterward is to their own discretion."

Lu Yuan had now confirmed that each clan deserved one strand. He had no need to handle the matter personally and could leave it to Zhu Qingyu.

By now, she had become the highest-ranking figure in the Celestial Court beneath him and held considerable authority. She was the best person for the task.

Lu Yuan waved a hand, sending nine strands of purple Great Age's Providence into Zhu Qingyu.

The strands had only been entrusted to her. They would belong to their recipients once refined. Zhu Qingyu understood what she needed to do and prepared to leave.

"Wait," Lu Yuan said. "Once you've finished, summon every core member to Jade Emperor Peak."

"Yes, King Lu."

Zhu Qingyu left Jade Emperor Peak. Jiang Ningxian arrived soon afterward.

Watching Zhu Qingyu depart, she considered the matter before saying, "The Great Age's Providence is important. It should be used where it will do the most good.

"I don't need any. You built the Celestial Court yourself, and when the calamity arrives, it will need people strong enough to stand on the front lines."

Jiang Ningxian wanted the Great Age's Providence reserved for those who needed it most. She was already powerful and expected to enter the Creation Immortal Realm before long. Even after the Extracosmic Heavenly Demons descended, she would have enough strength to protect herself.

"That's not how I see it." Lu Yuan smiled. "You and Haokong have both done a great deal for the Celestial Court since it was established. Moreover, whether in talent or any other respect, the two of you are exceptional even by the standards of the entire universe.

"With the Great Age's Providence, you will become even stronger. You might even reach the Celestial Seat Immortal Realm soon enough."

Lu Yuan knew she did not want to accept it, but that was a separate matter. Aside from the largest portion, which he had another important use for, he could distribute the other ninety-eight strands wherever he saw fit.

After all, the future struggle against the Extracosmic Heavenly Demons was not his burden alone.

Jiang Ningxian tried to object, but Lu Yuan raised a hand to stop her. "There's no need to persuade me. You know that once I've made up my mind, I won't change it."

She fell silent. No one could change a decision Lu Yuan had already made.

Jiang Ningxian soon left as well. Lu Yuan had already decided that several other talented Jiang Clan disciples were also worth nurturing. Bestowing the Great Age's Providence upon them would undoubtedly yield excellent results.

As for the largest portion, Lu Yuan intended to bestow it upon the Celestial Court itself.

The Great Age's Providence was exceptionally unusual. It could affect not only living beings, but other things as well.

The Celestial Court was a broad concept, but that posed no problem. The names written upon the Investiture Edict represented the Celestial Court. He only needed to bestow the largest portion upon the edict.

Once he did, the entire Celestial Court would receive the blessing of the Great Age's Providence.

Lu Yuan did not know exactly what effect this would have, but it could only improve the organization.

Before that, however, he needed to distribute all the remaining strands.