Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 647: Black Lotus Spirit Seed!

"Who's there?" A woman's voice, filled with longing, echoed from within.

"Open the door. The Champion of the Celestial Court has come to bring warmth to the grassroots," Yun Xiao declared.

With a creak, the wooden door swung open, revealing a woman with violet curls cascading among the whiteness of the snow.

"So soon?" Yun Xiao blinked, suddenly feeling he had underestimated the situation.

"Don't dawdle," she snapped, her voice a mix of frustration and relief. "I've been helping myself for half the day already."

"If you had delayed, I might have died." Yun Xiao could only think that indeed, this was the plea of Cao Shuo who had faced centuries of solitude, her heart aching with loneliness.

No sooner had she spoken than a pair of jade-like arms reached out like thunder from within, pulling the young man forcefully inside.

WHOOSH! A small black beast and two little serpents were flung out.

Inside, under the flickering candlelight, Yun Xiao felt the immense pressure. Just as he was about to cry for help, he was pulled into the depths.

BANG! The door shut behind them.

This time, the connection was not of strife but of enduring companionship.

As the candle extinguished, a pair of lantern lights blazed like the sun in the night, dominating the view and illuminating Yun Xiao's path forward, aiding him to forge new realms on his lonely path of immortality.

"You also do martial cultivation?" Yun Xiao sensed her robust constitution.

It was as if he faced a vast sea tossing and turning under a storm.

"Indeed," Cao Shuo replied.

"I have a unique method of cultivation that, through the bridge between us now, can establish a Primordial Yin-Yang Thunder Furnace within us. It will help us elevate our cultivation. Shall we cultivate it?" Yun Xiao proposed.

"Does cultivating it mean you'll keep coming back to me for more?" Cao Shuo asked, her tone teasing.

"True, cultivation requires persistence, a daily commitment," Yun Xiao nodded.

"Then I'll give it my all," Cao Shuo declared.

Yun Xiao was momentarily at a loss for words. "Don't rush it, please. Otherwise, I always feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick."

In such matters, he was usually in charge, while his partners Chen Xi and Lian Xi were always shy.

Yet here was this force of nature, holding on to Yun Xiao for dear life, fearing he might slip away.

"Look at that face of yours; I'm definitely coming out ahead," Cao Shuo said with a carefree laugh.

"Alright then!"

Being proactive all the time seemed a bit dull. Experiencing passivity, on the other hand, added a unique flavor to life.

"Thunder Emissary Cao, you're a person who loves and hates boldly. You're forthright and never hide your thoughts or desires. Being with you, I feel at ease," Yun Xiao confessed.

"Have you fallen for me then?" Cao Shuo asked.

"Not yet," Yun Xiao replied.

"I figured as much. Otherwise, why call me Thunder Emissary Cao at such a time?" She couldn't help but laugh and cry at the young man's words.

Yun Xiao appeared ethereal, and sometimes he truly seemed apart from this world. Yet, he was also very worldly. If not for his earthly desires, he probably wouldn't be here, indulging wildly with someone older than him.

Yun Xiao and Cao Shuo were both people who didn’t suppress their desires, acting on their impulses.

Perhaps that was why Yun Xiao was gradually accepting her... In the Celestial Court, such people were exceedingly rare.

Many celestial maidens appeared more radiant, pure, and saintly, like sacred elixirs, but engaged in the darkest deeds.

But Cao Shuo, while often labeled unruly, clung fiercely to her principles!

Yun Xiao recognized this truth.

She shared traits with Zhao Xuanran, but Cao Shuo amplified her candor and exuberance.

That was why Yun Xiao had decided to cultivate the Primordial Yin-Yang Thunder Furnace with her.

It was a minor branch of Primordial Martial Arts for Yun Xiao, a fortification of his own furnace, a perfect embellishment to his journey.

For Cao Shuo, nourishment from Yun Xiao's Primordial Yin-Yang Furnace was indeed a stroke of incredible fortune!

Inside the secluded, fiery cabin, a circular formation emerged on the floor. At its heart, the Yin-Yang symbol birthed two fish, their tails linked, representing the dual cultivators.

Yun Xiao chanted the rites of the Primordial Yin-Yang Thunder Furnace, guiding her cultivation. Cao Shuo, a woman of keen intellect, caught on immediately.

Within her, the power of a Martial Immortal rebuilt itself, forming a Yin Thunder Furnace akin to a reservoir of lightning, spreading throughout her body, driven by their mutual connection!

The same transformation occurred for Yun Xiao.

The forces of the Yin Thunder Furnace and Yang Thunder Furnace collided and rubbed fiercely, sparking potent primordial currents that tempered the body and fortified the Immortal physiques!

This was the underlying principle!

"This is truly..." Amidst the flashing electric lights, Cao Shuo nearly rolled her eyes back, exclaiming, "I have not lived in vain, not at all."

"What's there to be excited about? It's just the beginning," Yun Xiao retorted, somewhat disdainfully.

His task was more complex.

Not only was he cultivating the Primordial Martial Dao and reinforcing his current physique, but he was also using Tri Heaven Sariras to enhance his cultivation. With time pressing and the limited supply from Blue Star and Red Moon, Yun Xiao had used nearly all of it.

This night, he was indulging in both pleasure and cultivation.

"Cao Shuo, what level of cultivation are you at?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I haven't lived in vain..." she repeated dreamily.

"I'm asking you a question!" Yun Xiao said, exasperated.

"Perfect Golden Immortal Realm. I haven't lived in vain," she finally responded.

Yun Xiao knew that Nine Kites and others were Early Golden Immortals, while An Yao was at the Mid stage.

As a Perfect Golden Immortal, Cao Shuo was among the stronger of the Rank 4 Thunder Emissaries.

In terms of cultivation alone, Cao Shuo surpassed the likes of Nine Kites and others.

Gu Suwan had reached the Establishment Golden Immortal Realm. This was the level needed to become a Rank 3 Lightning Duchess.

It was said that becoming a Golden Immortal positioned one at the pinnacle of the Celestial Court, where advancement became exceedingly difficult. Many spent decades, even centuries, without making further progress.

Yun Xiao, however, was still in the Mid Celestial Expanse Realm. In terms of the robustness of his power, he was somewhat inferior to the Thunder Emissary, which made this period of cultivation particularly beneficial for him.

It was a night of grueling cultivation!

"Breaking through three stages to the Establishment Celestial Expanse Realm!"

This achievement, under the auspices of the newly formed Primordial Yin-Yang Thunder Furnace, marked a significant leap forward for Yun Xiao.

Furthermore, he had integrated An Yao's Black Lotus Spirit Seed talent into his spirit, replacing his prior lesser talent with this more potent Seed of Creation.

"I've made a breakthrough as well..." Cao Shuo murmured, exhausted, her eyes glazed, lips slightly parting.

Her curly violet hair sprawled out like a blooming violet rose.

And Yun Xiao was poised above this violet rose.

"Have you reached the Establishment Golden Immortal Realm?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I haven't lived in vain..." she murmured back.

"Speak plainly!" Yun Xiao demanded.

"Yes. I'll take a moment, then break through again, nearly catching up to my brother. You're more effective than incense offerings..."

As Cao Shuo spoke, her eyes welled up slightly. "I've been through life and death, to be this joyful is my due!"

She had been pondering all night long, and Yun Xiao still couldn't grasp why she felt so deeply moved.

"Alright, I'm off to my next task." Yun Xiao prepared to rise.

"Don't go." She clasped his neck again, exerting pressure.

"They're urging me to receive incense offerings," Yun Xiao said helplessly.

"Listen to my heartbeat," Cao Shuo insisted.

Yun Xiao paused, exasperated. "Listen to what? My ears are at least four inches from your heart."

"Fine then."

Only then did Cao Shuo release him, turning to lie face down on the floor, waving dismissively. "Go on, then."

"Goodbye!" Yun Xiao stood, shut the door with a fluid motion, and left the cabin.

And Cao Shuo flipped back to gaze at the ceiling, musing softly, "All my life, I've never been afraid of the blaze… But now, I'm afraid of the spark in my heart… I haven't lived in vain."