Immortal of the Ages

When Yun Xiao paused, the surrounding Immortals from the Thunder Department grew excited. They crowded closer, eager to witness the divine spectacle of the Celestial Emperor.

Honestly, Yun Xiao's soaring popularity at that moment was something neither Cao Sheng nor Gu Suwan had anticipated.

With the arrival of Cao Shuo, thoughts naturally drifted back to the romantic tale that had been widely circulated about the aunt and nephew.

The explosive moment arrived!

Yun Xiao, in front of everyone, continued with Cao Shuo. He reached out and intimately wrapped his arm around his aunt’s slender waist, pulling her close.

This gesture undoubtedly confirmed their scandalous affair to all present.

"You two?" Cao Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Father," Yun Xiao earnestly and sincerely began, "I must confess to you both, my aunt and I fell in love at first sight and have already pledged ourselves to each other. We share no blood ties, and though such a union will surely set tongues wagging, I ask for your blessing so that we may each go our own way—I as your brother-in-law, and you as my foster father. These roles need not conflict."

"..." Cao Sheng was speechless.

Had anyone else spoken such absurd words, Cao Sheng would have flattened them into a pulp with a single slap.

"Cao Shuo!" Cao Sheng didn't respond to Yun Xiao but instead turned his penetrating gaze to Cao Shuo, his voice tight with restraint, "Marriage is no trifling matter. You must consider yourself carefully."

He emphasized “yourself” pointedly, a reminder to Cao Shuo that she had already troubled the Supreme General once. If she persisted in her folly, she could not blame her brother for being ruthless.

"Of course, I've thought it through," Cao Shuo replied with a radiant smile, playfully pinching Yun Xiao's cheek. "Look at him—youthful, vigorous, handsome, and blessed with the talents of a Celestial Emperor. Isn't he the ideal match? Since he favors someone mature like me, I am, of course, more than happy to cater to him."

Their words set off a wave of excitement among the Immortals of the Thunder Department.

The love story was brutal and direct—first rumors and scandals, and now a public acknowledgment, which somehow seemed to make them a perfect match.

"Let them be!"

"May the lovers be united!"

"One young and bold, the other all-embracing—truly a match made by heaven."

"They share no blood; there's no need for such old-fashioned concerns," the crowd mused, enjoying the drama and seemingly moved by the outrageous affair.

"No way!" Lightning flashed through Cao Sheng's mind.

To be honest, he was beside himself with anger. He knew better than anyone that all this talk of love was nonsense; Cao Shuo was merely using the public's favor to leverage Yun Xiao once more.

Yun Xiao had called over Cao Shuo, fully aware of the grim fate that awaited him in the Cao Immortal Manor.

"Though you share no blood, you bear the relationship of aunt and nephew. Any breach of propriety could tarnish Lu Yao's reputation," Cao Sheng spoke coldly.

"Please." Cao Shuo produced a shimmering orb and said, "I picked this up on the way here. Everyone in the Thunder Department knows our fire's already blazing. Reputation? Brother, you're outdated. These days, true love knows no sin."

"Exactly!"

The crowd jeered again, further cornering Cao Sheng.

"If it really comes to it, you should just renounce your foster son and simply be his brother-in-law. That’s still keeping it in the family."

"That’s right!"

The crowd not only agreed with this match but even offered Cao Sheng their advice.

"Cao Shuo." Cao Sheng, no longer caring to instill fear in Yun Xiao, said sternly, "Your stubbornness could be the death of you."

"Brother, you're exaggerating. It's just a romance. How could it kill anyone?" Cao Shuo laughed dismissively, unfazed by the threat.

The bystanders were speechless. How could such a joyous occasion lead to death?

At that moment, Yun Xiao said decisively, "If my foster father cannot accept this, then perhaps it’s best to end this father-son relationship."

His words were firm.

But firmness required backing.

In the past, such a statement would have been seen as madness.

Now, it seemed just right.

With this simple declaration, electricity surged around Cao Sheng. Had Gu Suwan not held him back at that moment, he might have erupted.

"Let's give each other some time to cool off," Yun Xiao said, linking arms with Cao Shuo and addressing Cao Sheng, "I'll wait until you approve before I visit the Cao Immortal Manor to receive your guidance and support. For now, we'll take our leave."

With that, Yun Xiao and Cao Shuo, a couple charged with love, departed under the admiring gazes of the onlookers.

"Their love is brave and fierce."

"Indeed!"

"Lu Yao is really headstrong, such character."

"No wonder the Thunder Emissary adores him!"

As the celebratory chatter continued, Cao Sheng repeatedly fought the urge to erupt and seize Yun Xiao, consequences be damned.

But Gu Suwan held him back!

So, for the moment, Yun Xiao managed to escape.

"What are you doing?" Cao Sheng asked Gu Suwan in a low growl.

"When the Supreme General instructed us to bring him over, we complied without defiance. It was your sister who, intent on her own demise, manipulated public opinion to take him away. How does that involve us?" Gu Suwan stated.

Cao Sheng paused for a moment, then added, "Indeed. We only need to ensure we do not cross the Supreme General, when and how he handles this is his concern."

"Right." Gu Suwan nodded.

"But by doing so, my sister will face the Supreme General's wrath manifold," Cao Sheng said through clenched teeth.

"First, she defies the Supreme General, jeopardizing your career. Then she alerts the Sword Court and now she's forcibly taken Lu Yao... She has pushed you to the brink over and over. Do you still consider her your sister? Please, she's like a mortal enemy. Now what? If she doesn't die, will we ever have peace?" Gu Suwan scoffed coldly.

"Indeed, she's seeking her own end." With that thought, Cao Sheng felt relieved.

"Have someone keep tabs on them, constantly update us on their whereabouts. Let's go report to the Supreme General. Unless he worries about the repercussions, those two, no matter where they flee, will find no refuge," Gu Suwan said coldly.

"This boy, his talent is extraordinary, yet he’s sabotaged his own path at every turn," Cao Sheng murmured somberly.

Gu Suwan shook her head and sighed, "To put it simply, he appears clever, but deep down, his arrogance and his lowly origins breed a crippling inferiority complex. He tries to be discreetly intelligent, yet also yearns to show off and trample others, unable to control himself. So, he stirs up such trouble. If he truly had talent and enough wisdom, nobody would have noticed him before his rise, and he wouldn't be flirting with death."

"Indeed, a person like that, with a different mindset, would truly be terrifying," Cao Sheng remarked with a laugh.

"The Supreme General wants to replace the head on this talented individual," Gu Suwan mentioned.

Looking at the still jubilantly chatting Immortals of the Thunder Department, Gu Suwan frowned. "The only issue now is his popularity among the rank-and-file of the Thunder Department. These folks might not have much influence, but they love to gossip. If the Supreme General acts harshly, causing a bad impression, our reputation will suffer too."

"Indeed, the Divine Gateway does take the opinion of the Immortal officials at the grassroots seriously..."

They exchanged a look.

They felt that by the latter half of the night, they should have an answer.

"There's a 90% chance Lu Yao won’t be participating in the final four rounds of the Thunder Department’s selection tomorrow."

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In Sky Soaring City, at the heart of the Skyruler Immortal Manor, was the Judicial Hall—a place where the Judicial Immortal, Liu Zongyu, often dwelled.

This place was the central power of Arbiters in the city!

It was deep in the night with no one around.

Liu Mumu stood, clad in her Arbiter armor, leaning against the pillar of the Judicial Hall's entrance. Her eyes were closed, her face pale, with veins of red threading through her eyes—an unmistakable sign of profound sorrow and anger.

She waited. And waited.

At last, outside Sky Soaring City, two streaks of sword light descended. Following this, two figures entered amidst the reverent greetings of the Arbiters and strode back to the Judicial Hall.

As they crossed the threshold, these two imposing and solemn men shared a smile, conversing in low, jovial tones.

It was the Rank 6 Judicial Immortal Liu Zongyu and his eldest son, Liu Chaochao.

As the two entered, Liu Chaochao, his face aglow, chuckled and said, "With Old Lu gone, you have no rivals left. Once Jiang Taiping finishes the paperwork, father, you can become a Rank 5 Heavenly Officer."

Liu Zongyu also allowed himself a rare chuckle, responding, "Today is indeed our lucky day. Your gains from the lower realm are substantial enough, though we must remember to stay humble and cautious, even as Sky Soaring City becomes ours."

It was then that they noticed Liu Mumu.

"Little sister?" Liu Chaochao's eyes lit up as he said, "You're back from the Thunder Department? Perfect timing, I have some good news to share."

But Liu Zongyu noticed his daughter's distress first and asked with concern, "Mumu, is there some bad news? Don't worry, we'll handle it for you."

Liu Mumu turned her dark red eyes towards him, then shifted her gaze to Liu Chaochao.

In that moment, her voice was hoarse with pain as she looked at her brother and asked, "Brother, can you tell me how you managed to break through four stages in just one night?"

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