Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 609: Celestial Court's Most Prestigious Background!

In the center of this lightning sphere, Cao Shuo, a striking woman in a violet dress, knelt among the serpentine electricity. Her complexion was pale, her delicate body trembled slightly, and her eyes flickered with struggle and fear.

Not far from her, amidst flashes of lightning, stood a woman in a silver robe. Her silver hair surged with the gleam of swords, her face covered in a frosty veneer, her gaze as fluid and cold as mercury, carrying a venomous chill. This was the Moon Sword Goddess.

Yet, the person Cao Shuo truly feared was not her.

Around Cao Shuo, suspended in the air, were nine figures wreathed in violet electricity. They appeared young, with violet hair and faces of divine beauty. Their eyes lacked whites, resembling tumultuous seas of lightning that rumbled continuously.

Most astonishingly, these nine figures of violet lightning looked exactly alike in appearance, stature, and demeanor, indistinguishable from one another.

These nine surrounded Cao Shuo, their thunderous eyes fixed upon her. Under their gaze, Cao Shuo felt immense pressure, keeping her head bowed, her lips tinged violet.

"So, you don’t understand him at all," the nine spoke in unison, their voices not loud, but echoing like continual thunder, bombarding Cao Shuo's ears. "You simply act on rebellion against ancient traditions and personal affection, like a moth to flame, paving his way."

"It’s true... I do love him," Cao Shuo's voice choked, but she admitted it openly.

"Am I hearing this right?" the Moon Sword Goddess scoffed coldly. "Little sister, how old are you? Do you really see yourself as a naïve girl, playing out a worn tale of budding love? Who are you trying to fool with such a fairy tale?"

"I believe her." The nine figures calmly observed Cao Shuo. "Lil Cao has a heart that knows its own desires, driven by love and hate alike."

"How ridiculous. And to think you’ve been to the Western Kunlun Palace. You are a disgrace to us," the Moon Sword Goddess said coldly, shaking her head in deep disappointment.

"Regarding Divine Dawn, the Immortal Asylum, and the origins of Lu Yao, Cao Shuo knows nothing. You may report back to the Western Kunlun Palace," the nine figures of violet electricity told the Moon Sword Goddess, turning to address her.

"I have my own scores to settle with her," the Moon Sword Goddess replied discontentedly.

Hearing this, Cao Shuo’s eyes flickered, and she retorted with a smirk, "Senior Sister, you inquire so much about the Chaos Sovereign, suspecting his connection with Lu Yao. Haven’t I just reinforced your bond with your disciple? If this young man indeed proves to be a son of the Greatest War God, think of it as me giving you a boost. You should be thanking me, not settling accounts."

The Moon Sword Goddess gazed coolly at Cao Shuo. "Yet, I wish for no ties with the Chaos Sovereign."

Cao Shuo chuckled lightly, a smirk crossing her features. "Putting on airs, are you? Who in the Celestial Court isn't looking to ride the coattails of the Chaos Sovereign nowadays?"

The Moon Sword Goddess's brows furrowed sharply at the remark.

Their exchange was cut short by the nine figures wreathed in violet lightning. "There's no need for argument. Let time reveal the truth."

They referred, of course, to the true identity of Lu Yao.

The Moon Sword Goddess shot Cao Shuo a chilling look. "Regardless, you've tarnished the reputation of the Western Kunlun Palace. The Empress Dowager will not overlook this."

"That remains to be seen," Cao Shuo replied with a lighter tone, her face breaking into a slight smile. "If Lu Yao truly is the son of Sovereign Lu, then I've made a monumental contribution."

"Are you gambling your life on this?" The Moon Sword Goddess shook her head. "Over a mere boy? You've truly lost your mind."

"He may be just a boy, but you have no idea of his prowess. Once you experience it, you'll be enchanted as well," Cao Shuo murmured, her voice a soft whisper.

"Enough!" The Moon Sword Goddess looked as though she wanted to slap Cao Shuo right then.

Cao Shuo, unbothered, turned to the nine figures of violet electricity. "Sovereign, before the verdict is out, why not release me? I've staked my life on this, why waste the resources of the Thunder Prison on my unworthy life?"

The nine figures gave her a deep look. "Stop causing trouble. Stay put here quietly until the decree of the Divine Gateway is decided."

Cao Shuo bit her lip. "What if he rises like the Chaos Sovereign? Aren't you afraid of making an enemy by imprisoning his woman?"

One of the figures chuckled, looking at Cao Shuo with a meaningful gaze. "The question is, does he truly love you?"

Cao Shuo paused, taken aback.

The Moon Sword Goddess laughed at this. "You compare him to the Chaos Sovereign, but think about it. How many celestial maidens surround the Chaos Sovereign, and how many fleeting romances has he had?"

With that pointed remark, she turned and strode away, leaving the confines of the electric prison.

Left behind were only Cao Shuo and the nine figures of violet electricity.

"Stay put!" they said, then suddenly merged into one, forming a single violent violet orb of electricity.

As they prepared to leave, they paused and added, "Cao Shuo, in two days, I will take you to the mortal realm."

"For what purpose?" Cao Shuo exclaimed, her face turning pale.

The figure spoke coldly, "As a Rank 4 Chief Military Thunder Emissary, your records show no acceptance of incense offerings. This will sooner or later draw the scrutiny of the Divine Gateway. If they deem you disloyal to the Celestial Court, not only will your end be tragic, but your entire lineage will suffer, and even the Thunder Department could be implicated."

Cao Shuo collapsed to the ground, her forehead beaded with cold sweat.

"After the incident at Sky Soaring City, the Heavenly Palace was outraged. They suspect rebellion within our jurisdiction. This is the gravest warning from the Great Dao Celestial Realm. Should anyone act the fool and spoil the whole pot, don't expect any mercy from me! If you dare err in your thoughts. Even if Lu Yao were indeed the son of the Chaos Sovereign, not even 10,000 lives would save you! Do you understand?"

Cao Shuo's lips trembled and her gaze dimmed as she replied, "I-I understand."

"Reflect on this well," the figure continued, his voice softening. "About the incense offerings, I was once as perplexed as you. I understand your confusion, but over time I've come to see the truth. The path to Immortality is a struggle for supremacy, where one must seize the essence of heaven and earth and capture the divine light of the sun and the moon. It is a cruel road paved with blood, and while human nature tends to beautify the cultivation journey as if it were a harmonious and carefree adventure, to believe it's a fantasy is a grave mistake..."

With that, the figure extended a hand made of lightning, gently tapping Cao Shuo's head. "Child, your father served me all his life. As an elder, I earnestly advise you to clear your vision. The path of cultivation you face has never been strewn with flowers and smiles. This world is filled with blood."

After these words, the figure sighed deeply and walked away in silence.

Cao Shuo slowly collapsed to the ground, her body convulsing as she clutched her head and wept bitterly.

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The Thunder Department, the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau…

There stood a towering structure known as the Seven Thunders Pagoda, located just behind the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office. This place was the dream of all Immortals in the Thunder Department, rumored to house countless secret scriptures created by the sages over the tens of thousands of years since the department's establishment.

Entry was permitted only to those of Rank 6 or higher.

Within the entire Thunder Department, considering not combat prowess but merely official rank, only a little over 1,000 had reached Rank 6 or higher, and among those, fewer than nine were under the age of 30.

It had not been long since the Thunder Department selection had concluded and the dark skies had yet to descend when Yun Xiao, accompanied by Gu Suwan, arrived at the base of the Seven Thunders Pagoda.

The area around the pagoda, a repository of celestial techniques, was crowded. Given Yun Xiao's current fame within the Thunder Department, the pair, mother and son walking side by side, naturally drew many eyes.

Indeed, one could mistake the elegant young man and his charming companion for a couple if not looked at closely. Who would have guessed they were mother and son?

As Lu Yao's name rang out, greeted with smiles and respect from all corners, it became clear: to go from reviled to revered needed only the spectacle of a single battle!

While some still scowled, the majority had come to accept Yun Xiao as the Thunder Department's pride.

As mother and son stepped into the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, the air buzzed with chatter about them.

"See that? Gu Suwan and his relationship have fully mended—there’s real warmth there. What does that tell you?"

"The rumors about Lu Yao... Chaos—"

"Rumors your mom! Think about it. I just heard that the Thunder Department’s change of heart towards Lu Yao is because he’s supposedly the illegitimate son of the Chaos Sovereign! And now, with such good relations with his mother, doesn’t that seem to confirm it?"

"It’s quite possible. Lu Yao has slain several scions of the Thunder Department and still walks boldly among them, unafraid of assassination. This shows his powerful backing. Even General Bai Duo has had to bow in haste!"

"Such a background is terrifying. Surely it's the most prestigious in the Great Dao Celestial Realm!"

"The more I see of this young man, the better he looks..."

Without strong connections, people envy and resent.

With strong connections, the masses simply envied, afraid to resent.

Such was the stark reality of society.

However, amid the fervent discussions, no one noticed two figures, Rank 3 Heavenly Officers of the Thunder Department, observing from a building behind Gu Suwan and Yun Xiao as the pair entered the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau.

These two were Bo Hong and Bai Duo.

Bo Hong's expression was somber, while Bai Duo's was pale and sullen, his eyes red and brimming with murderous intent.

"His rise mirrors that of the Chaos Sovereign," Bo Hong remarked coldly.

"Indeed," Bai Duo agreed.

"But don't lose heart," Bo Hong added.

"What do you mean?" Bai Duo asked.

"I’ve done some checking. From Jiang Taiping to Cao Sheng, and even to the Moon Sword Goddess, I’ve noticed this youngster likes to leverage power."

"One after another, he uses these leverages to survive. And in the end, we find that from Jiang Taiping to Cao Sheng, and then to the Moon Sword Goddess… none of them were truly his backers at all."

"Exactly," Bo Hong pointed towards Gu Suwan. "And now, the boy starts to leverage the Chaos Sovereign’s power to his benefit, and Gu Suwan has fallen for it again."

"So you’re saying, this time is also a bluff?" Bai Duo looked towards Bo Hong, seeking confirmation.