Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 591: Fierce Struggle Through Dawn!

The pressure on her was immense, like mountains and seas crushing down, leaving her breathless.

"Gu... Gu Sutao, greets everyone." Pushed forward by Gu Suwan, the girl in the peach dress stumbled to her knees, her head bowed, large beads of sweat dripping down.

"Lift your head." The voice of General Yun Yin, soft as sticky clouds, eased the tension in Gu Sutao's heart slightly.

"Yes..." Gu Sutao slowly raised her head, her gaze filled with respect for the high-ranking celestial official seated above.

"It was you who spread the word of Lu Yao's dealings with the Seventh Princess in Sky Soaring City," Yun Yin said, looking down at Gu Sutao with a calm face, unreadable in emotion.

His mysterious demeanor made Gu Sutao even more uncertain, forcing her to nod earnestly. "Yes, I did. The matter concerned the Seventh Princess, and I, a humble Immortal, dared not discuss it with others, only to share it in this manner to provide clues for her search."

"You are not dull; you are clever, trying to trade information for favors," Yun Yin said lightly.

Her scheme exposed, Gu Sutao's heart quivered. She glanced around at the other Immortals, including her aunt, who seemed somewhat indifferent. This only increased her panic.

"Do not be nervous. Your parents might have left the Thunder Department, but they were once under my command. Just explain the details honestly, and I will not make things difficult for you," Yun Yin assured.

"Yes..." Gu Sutao nodded vigorously like a pecking chicken, then said earnestly, "I must report that General Cao's adopted son, Lu Yao, is an impostor. I have seen his true self in the mortal realm!"

"An impostor?"

This news surprised the high officials of the Thunder Department.

Only the Heavenly Officers of Sky Soaring City knew of Lu Yao's background, but they had all perished.

"Then tell us from the beginning about your encounter with him in the mortal realm," Yun Yin instructed.

With reverence in her heart, Gu Sutao honestly recounted her experiences during her time tending to the sacred fire to meeting Yun Xiao and Lian Xi.

Gu Sutao bit her lip, her voice trembling as she spoke, "I had two followers, and it was this fake Lu Yao who killed them. He surely stole a sword vessel and snuck into the Celestial Court, assuming a false identity. This information is absolutely true; if you doubt it, I am willing to lead the way to that mortal realm to verify it."

After her account, the hall fell into a profound silence.

Among them, several Rank 4 Heavenly Officers exchanged glances, their eyes deep, pondering unknown thoughts.

"Is that mortal realm the same one where they unearthed the Immortal Asylum, leading to the fall of thousands of top-tier Immortals?" someone asked softly.

"A total of 17 Rank 2 Stellar Margraves died there. Had this not been suppressed, it would have caused an uproar in the Celestial Court long ago."

"Did Divine Dawn really visit that mortal realm before her demise?"

The murmurs among the 100 high officials of the Thunder Department indicated that something unusually sinister was afoot; they wouldn't whisper so in such a gathering without cause.

Hearing this, Gu Suwan furrowed her brows and asked, "This involves the Seventh Princess. Should we not explore this mortal realm to ascertain the truth before reporting to the Divine Gateway?"

Yun Yin replied, "The affairs of the Seventh Princess is not under the jurisdiction of the Thunder Department; I will handle it myself."

"Yes." Gu Suwan nodded.

After speaking, she kicked Gu Sutao's foot, urging, "Think if there's anything you've left out. Speak now."

"Ah, yes!" Gu Sutao, spurred into action, quickly added, "I suspect this fake Lu Yao is connected to the Immortal Asylum! Isn't every powerful being in the Celestial Court trying to find a way to open the Immortal Asylum? Perhaps he's the key. We should capture him quickly!"

"Oh? And why do you think so?" Yun Yin asked quietly.

"Last time I saw him, he wasn't even a True Immortal, and in just two or three days, his combat power has soared to the peak of the Divine Self Realm. Who would believe such a terrifying leap without some major fortune? If he has such fortune, it likely came from the Immortal Asylum!" Gu Sutao said, a hint of envy in her voice.

"You mean to say, when you met him in the mortal realm, he wasn't even a True Immortal?" Gu Suwan asked in shock.

When they first encountered Yun Xiao, he was already strong, and they had not realized the extent of his sudden rise.

"Absolutely true!" Gu Sutao nodded earnestly. By now, she realized she could no longer keep this secret to herself; it was better to come clean.

Hearing her confirmation, the faces of the high officials of the Thunder Department grew even more peculiar.

Finally, they all turned to Yun Yin.

"Alright, we understand. You may leave now," Yun Yin said after giving Gu Sutao a glance. "Remember, from today onwards, you must not speak of today's matter with anyone else."

"Yes..." Gu Sutao nodded obediently, then meekly added, "Does this count as a meritorious report? May I ask for a small reward?"

Yun Yin finally cracked a smile and said, "Indeed, you have earned merit. Tell me, what would you like?"

Gu Sutao pouted. "Last time I was tending the sacred fire, but the affair of the Immortal Asylum and Seventh Princess disrupted it. I just wish to apply to go to the mortal realm once more..."

Clearly, her request was not excessive.

"I will grant you permission to tend the sacred fire five times," Yun Yin decreed.

Gu Sutao's eyes lit up, and she quickly knelt in thanks. She had achieved her goal.

From start to finish, she had never intended to seize the fortune from Yun Xiao, for she knew too many eyes were already upon it.

She simply wanted to trade for something truly beneficial to herself!

The sacred fire had bewitched her.

"Dismissed," Yun Yin waved his hand.

Gu Sutao, bubbling with excitement, thanked him repeatedly and bowed her way out.

Once outside, she clenched her fist and beamed radiantly.

After she departed, the solemn hall fell back into silence.

Yun Yin leaned back and closed his eyes, saying, "This matter involves the Immortal Asylum and Divine Dawn and has exceeded the authority of the Thunder Department. I will report it myself. You all must guard your tongues. I do not wish anyone beyond those present to know of this affair."

"Understood!" The high officials nodded, well aware of their duty.

"That mortal realm, now devoid of the Immortal Asylum, is but an empty shell; there is no need for further investigation. This Lu Yao is no ordinary person and should be handled by the Divine Gateway. Do not meddle," Yun Yin added.

"Understood!" The high officials continued nodding.

"And... the Nine Heavens Supreme Thunder General?" Gu Suwan asked softly.

Yun Yin smiled at Gu Suwan but did not answer her question, instead saying, "The meeting is adjourned!"

"Yes." The assembly, each with their own thoughts, silently dispersed.

"..." Gu Suwan felt a heavier burden. She was gradually realizing that Lu Yao was not merely a talented Arbiter; he was also tangled in the secretive affairs of the Seventh Princess and Immortal Asylum.

This was currently the most taboo topic in the entire Great Dao Celestial Realm.

Compared to this deep secret, the massacre at Sky Soaring City was trivial.

When a treasure shined too brightly, it would invite destruction upon itself. Anyone who coveted more than they should might well invite disaster.

Jiang Taiping was the first to covet, yet he touched nothing and was already gone.

Gu Suwan deeply shook her head. "The Supreme General has fallen to the devil's lure; Old Cao and I must pull back from the brink."

She could never have imagined that, in just one night, things would take such a drastic turn.

With no other choice, she silently retreated from the hall.

After she left, only General Yun Yin remained in the solemn hall.

He had his eyes closed for a long time, but suddenly, he opened them and spoke to a shadow in the corner. "That little girl Sutao is too clever for her own good. She knows too much. Go and make sure she dies in the mortal realm."

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Dawn was finally breaking. The dark canopy of night was nearly past, and in the sacred land of the Thunder Department, a corner of the sky already blazed with radiance.

Light was spreading, sweeping across the land!

As the yin faded and the yang was the strongest, everything was consumed by a blazing heat.

In the Pleasing Pavilion within the Floral Sea Palace, a fierce close-quarters battle that had raged for half the night was still in full swing.

This rare encounter was more intense than anyone could have imagined!

With evenly matched opponents, every strike was delivered with full force, each fighter intent on crushing the other's spirit and will, forcing complete submission.

And now, in the peak moment of the battle, undecided in victory or defeat, the sounds of combat echoed out, shaking the surrounding flowers.

It was a frenzied, desperate fight!

Yun Xiao had never faced an opponent of such magnitude. Filled with frustration and indignation, as if he were back in Sky Soaring City, he fought like a madman!

As dawn broke, signifying the turn from extremity to balance, his rage surged. Seizing the advantage, he was about to deliver a fatal blow to Cao Shuo!