Immortal of the Ages

Back in the Hall of Soaring Thunder, within the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, the bustle of the outside world surged like a tempest. The people were still abuzz about the comedic blunder between General Cao and Yun Xiao—a case of mistaking a carp for a dragon. Lu Yao's name was now known far and wide, a running joke in every corner.

Within the Hall of Soaring Thunder, many youths from other cities had also heard about the amusing incident.

General Cao and the fake prodigy Yun Xiao were the talk of the town as the section for the Immortal Tournament—a source of light-hearted banter amongst the hopefuls.

In this unfolding drama, both men emerged as losers, their misfortune extending to make even Sky Soaring City an object of ridicule.

The current talk was about whether Lu Yao still counted as the adopted son of the Summer Thunder Duke. After all, General Cao had departed as quickly as he arrived, leaving no answers in his wake.

Indeed, there was laughter all around.

Amidst this laughter, the Jiang sisters and the three young masters of Sky Soaring City stepped back into the protective confines of the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion.

“Haiyan.” The youth in the black robe, Dongfang Yong, halted and turned to the slender girl with deep blue eyes. “Can we talk?”

Jiang Haiyan turned around, her gaze serene. “About what?”

Zhao Danming spoke up in a hushed, respectful tone, “We want to know what's exactly going on with Lu Yao?”

“What's there to know? Everything about him is all there in his records,” Jiang Haiyan replied, her mood evidently soured, her tone sharp.

“Is there nothing else hidden? No powerful backers perhaps?” Zhao Danming asked further.

“There is none,” she stated flatly.

Upon hearing this, the three young masters exchanged glances, clearly skeptical.

Finally, Dongfang Yong, with a grave expression, said, “He's a prime suspect for the murders in Sangju City. If he has no powerful connections, how come there was no investigation?”

Jiang Haiyan glanced at him indifferently, her arms crossed, her voice soft yet distant, "Do you really want to hear the truth?"

"Haiyan, we have followed you sisters since childhood, and will be your swords and shields in the future. We wish only for the truth," Dongfang Yong implored with intense eyes.

"Yes!" Zhao Danming and Chen Yu chimed in, nodding eagerly.

Jiang Haiyan's gaze softened a touch. After a pause, she said, "Before, we thought he had some hidden ace, so we were afraid to act rashly. We even considered drawing him to our side. But you saw what happened just now."

Dongfang Yong's eyes flickered. "It's much as I suspected."

"So, this boy is just a reckless fool, nearly duping us all?" Zhao Danming's gaze turned cold.

"Figure it out for yourselves," Jiang Haiyan said, as if weary of the subject.

Beside her, Jiang Heqing listened to her frankness to the three young men, a flicker of surprise crossing her features.

As Jiang Haiyan turned to leave, Jiang Heqing hurried after her. Her expression peculiar, she whispered to her sister, "Although there was a mix-up just now, father hasn't yet decided if Lu Yao truly has any hidden strengths."

"Mhm." Jiang Haiyan nodded.

"But the way you spoke, they might think a verdict has already been reached!" Jiang Heqing bit her lip.

"I merely suggested they think for themselves. I never said Lu Yao was indeed just a desperate nobody." Jiang Haiyan's beautiful face was stern, her tone light.

"I see," Jiang Heqing was taken aback, "Sister, are you using them to test Lu Yao further?"

"..." Jiang Haiyan did not deny it, simply continuing forward.

"You know how long those stupid boys have been pining after us. As soon as they believe Lu Yao poses no threat, they won't hold back," Jiang Heqing warned.

"Isn't that just perfect?" Jiang Haiyan shrugged, "If Lu Yao does have a powerful backer, it's Dongfang Yong and the others who will have offended him, not us. We could still step in, earn his gratitude. And if he falls, he deserves it. It's what he gets for trying to fly too close to the sun. I won't waste any more effort on him."

"Oh." Jiang Heqing nodded, gazing at her sister. "You're also less confident about Lu Yao now after the incident with the Immemorial Thunder Seed, aren't you?"

The two sisters had both felt the sting of that humiliation.

"It's an unpleasant feeling, indeed."

"From what I've seen, the boy is nothing but a brute without brains. Still, I think it's best to wait for father's verdict," Jiang Heqing added softly.

"How can you grow if you always wait for instructions?" With that, Jiang Haiyan turned and entered a tall building. They reached the rooftop and stood looking down at the gateway of the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion.

Just in time, Yun Xiao had returned to the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, only to find Dongfang Yong, Zhao Danming, and Chen Yu blocking his way.

The earlier incident had sent their emotions soaring like a thunderbolt, and now, as they regarded the young man in white, Jiang Haiyan's words had dispelled their last shred of doubt.

Yun Xiao had already reached the Essence Manifestation Realm. He was on his way to the cultivation chamber, hoping to use the last bits of time to raise his cultivation even further. When he looked up, he saw the three young masters looking at him coldly.

Dongfang Yong was seated on a bench in the distant corridor, while Zhao Danming and Chen Yu flanked him.

"Well, if it isn't the adopted son of the Summer Thunder Duke?" Zhao Danming suddenly said with a smile, bowing slightly to Yun Xiao.

"What do you want?" asked Yun Xiao.

"Are you serious?" Zhao Danming chuckled.

Beside him, Chen Yu also shook his head in amusement.

From a distance, Dongfang Yong watched quietly.

"Lu Yao," Zhao Danming continued after his laughter, his eyebrows raised playfully. "Alright, enough bullshit. Let's set the facts straight. At best, you're just a dog we took out for a stroll. Don't think that after tasting a bit of favor, you've ascended."

Yun Xiao’s lips curled slightly, a serene smile forming as he looked at Zhao Danming. "Were you so worried I'd get carried away that you rushed over here to warn me?"

"Yes, I'm warning you!" Zhao Danming’s look was icy. "You, a powerless, statusless, backgroundless Rank 9 Arbiter Initiate, was merely included out of politeness. Don’t think you belong in our circle just because you were taken out once. In our presence, keep your head down and your tail wagging. If you strut around us like you belong, don't blame us for taking you down."

"This is the Thunder Department's Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office. The laws of the Celestial Court loom over your head. You can't be serious. You dare commit a crime against an Arbiter? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?" Yun Xiao said incredulously.

"Lu Yao!" Chen Yu, who had been silent, spoke up with a chilling tone, "Yes, we won't kill you. But, what about your dear old mother? Blind and powerless, aren’t you afraid something might happen to her?"

"Oh?" Yun Xiao nodded deeply, then responded, "I ought to thank you guys for the warning in advance then. You really have me scared now."

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