Immortal of the Ages

When Liu Chaochao heard Liu Mumu's question, he paused, momentarily lost for words.

It wasn’t the question itself that caught him off guard, but rather the manner in which Liu Mumu had asked it. She was under extreme duress, each word trembling as it left her lips.

Just as Liu Chaochao was about to speak, their father, Liu Zongyu, laid a hand on him, signaling with a glance to hold back. Turning to Liu Mumu with a smile, he said, “Your brother is fortunate. He had an epiphany that saved him many years of harsh cultivation.”

Liu Mumu’s eyes, fiery red, turned to her father, her voice quivering, “So devouring the lifespan of mortals in the lower realm for cultivation is now called having an epiphany? Do prettier names let you forget the brutal sins you commit?”

The words struck Liu Chaochao deeply, causing a visible jolt in his spirit. Clenching his fists and grinding his teeth, he quickly said, “Mumu, I...”

“Don’t speak,” Liu Zongyu interrupted, his smile fading as he glared at Liu Chaochao, then turned back to his daughter sternly. “You’ve known about this for a long time. You know it’s common practice in the Celestial Court. If you don’t do it, someone else will, and they’ll surpass and trample you! My daughter, your heart is too soft. You don't understand the harsh realities of the Immortal path.”

“Is the cruelty of the Immortal path an excuse for your atrocities?” Liu Mumu felt a chill rush to her head.

Could this man really be the father she revered? Why did he seem like a complete stranger to her now?

“Enough!” Liu Zongyu exploded. “Stop with your holier-than-thou act. This is an accepted practice of cultivation by the Celestial Court. A mere Rank 8 Arbiter Commander like you is in no position to critique!”

“Accepted practice of cultivation…” Tears streamed down Liu Mumu’s cheeks as she trembled, “Father, those were living, breathing souls. How many people did you kill to advance my brother's cultivation? How many sins have you committed? Have you even counted? Committing such grave sins invites retribution! A monstrous crime doesn’t become non-criminal just because many commit it!”

“Silence!” Liu Zongyu’s face turned frosty as he suddenly slapped Liu Mumu, knocking her to the ground, then coldly scolded, "I'm warning you, the laws of the Celestial Court follow the heavenly path. You're no longer a naive child. You’ve been part of the Skyruler Immortal Manor for years; you know the unspoken rules better than I do. Don’t play the fool here. If you're capable, go and rebuke others. Don’t target your brother and jeopardize his future!”

The slap was undoubtedly the most despairing moment of her life.

Liu Mumu knelt on the ground, her cheek burning with pain. Shaking her head in disbelief, she stared at Liu Zongyu, her heart shattering within.

"I knew all along this was a sin, but I never imagined that my dearest family would succumb to greed, abandoning the faith of the Immortal path…" Liu Mumu clenched her fists, her eyes filled with bloody tears as she turned to Liu Chaochao. "Brother, a wrong does not become right just because many are doing it!"

"Mumu, you are truly naïve. Everyone is competing; if I don't do it, I have no future in the Celestial Court," Liu Chaochao replied with a resolve that had hardened over time.

"You choose to trade the lives of countless mortals for your own future!" Liu Mumu stood up and yelled at him.

In her eyes, her brother was supposed to be the embodiment of law and justice.

"Don’t be foolish; this is the path of the Immortals! If you feel uncomfortable, then leave; go away with your useless lover, that Lu An, to the utopia you’ve chosen and lead a carefree life. I would rather not acknowledge you as my daughter!" Liu Zongyu’s anger boiled, his eyes expressing his disappointment deeply.

"Lu An..." Liu Mumu’s already torn heart was pierced anew. This stab truly tore her heart apart.

Even now, they still treated her like a fool, still lied, still covered up everything they had done.

Liu Mumu looked at them in despair—a stern, authoritative father, and a bright, upright older brother. They stood in the dark night, looking at her with disappointment, their faces painted with a chilling frost.

Unseen spirits struggled and screamed behind them. It was the most merciless calamity of the mortal world. The divine figures people worshipped devoured everything on earth.

The high officials of the Celestial Court called it having an epiphany or receiving offerings of incense.

One couldn’t speak out against these ghastly acts, for speaking would disrupt the spiritual path.

The high officials beautified everything, still proclaiming themselves as the protectors of the heavens and earth.

“My daughter, let me tell you one last thing!” Liu Zongyu said, looking down at his daughter. With each word deliberate and profound, he continued, “On the ladder of the Immortal path, those at the bottom are but pigs and livestock; those at the top are truly human. If mortals can elevate livestock to their dining tables, why can’t Immortals consume mortal lives as they wish?”

Liu Mumu laughed. She laughed through her tears, gazing at her father as he lectured with grandeur. She knew how to counter his words.

Humans could become Immortals, but could livestock become human? And, was he truly an Immortal? Or just a stronger man?

Humans were the most intelligent of creatures; demons needed to take human form to gain wisdom. Devils, it appeared, were just another kind of human.

Immortals… were they divine, or were they merely human? Or perhaps, did Immortals even exist at all?

Liu Mumu knew everything now. But she chose not to speak. Instead, she shook her head, smiling, her tears especially luminous in the darkness.

"Reflect well!" Liu Zongyu paid her no more heed, leading the silent Liu Chaochao into the Skyruler Immortal Manor.

SLAM! The grand doors closed, leaving Liu Mumu standing alone in the courtyard that symbolized the laws of heaven.

In the black of night, her despairing eyes gradually grew intense.

"Lu An, I finally understand you."

Her palm trembled as she slowly opened it. There, a Projection Orb lay, still warm with his presence.

And with it, the collapse of his beliefs! The sphere seemed like his eyes, gazing back at her.

At that moment, Liu Mumu felt as if she truly saw him… Her bloodshot eyes finally showed a hint of warmth.

In the darkness, her tears turned to laughter.

"You were always the bravest."

People often wondered, why did she fall for him? With her looks and talents, she could easily gain the favor of another scion of a noble family. Yet, she still chose Lu An.

Liu Mumu could not articulate why she was drawn to him. Perhaps it was his persistence, his resilience, his kindness, his diligence, his reliability… Yet, within the dark maze of the Celestial Court, without the backing of family heritage or innate talent, none of these traits mattered!

No one cared. And so, he perished like a moth to a flame, not even causing a ripple in Sky Soaring City. Only his blind mother remained, pitifully waiting for the return of a son that would never come home.

Miss Yu never dared to ask Liu Mumu about Lu An. A mother's intuition was sharp. She was afraid. As long as she didn’t ask, there was still hope. But today, she learned about what Lu An had been concealing, and the burdens that he'd been carrying on the day he returned.

Lu An could have remained silent and continued his role as a Rank 9 Arbiter of the Celestial Court. But he chose to perish like a moth to a flame, yearning to seek justice for the mortal realm!

And so, Lu An sought out Liu Zongyu and Jiang Taiping, believing they were the radiant sun while unaware that they were but a deadly abyss that would consume him!

"Lu An..." As Liu Mumu whispered his name, tears fell once more. But this time, her gaze was resolute, intense! It was a determination without regret, a courage welcoming death!

"The road to the underworld is too harsh. Please wait for me…" She murmured, clutching the Projection Orb, fading like a glimmer into the bloody shadows of the Skyruler Immortal Manor.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! An hour later, a deafening drumbeat resonated through the busiest marketplace of Sky Soaring City!

As darkness fell—a time unsuitable for cultivation—the nights, in these peaceful times, often buzzed more lively than the days.

Such a dull drum sound naturally captured the attention of many.

"It sounds like the Skyruler Drum!"

"Who is seeking justice?"

"Wait, who moved the Skyruler Drum into the middle of the marketplace...?"

BOOM! The urgent drumbeats drew the curious crowd like a tide to the center of the marketplace!

It was here that Yun Xiao first encountered Liu Mumu, where she had announced the death of the Seventh Princess.

Tonight, she returned to the same spot, clad in her majestic Arbiter armor, her demeanor bold and her spirit grand. Her eyes sparkled, her hands powerful, as she struck the Skyruler Drum again and again, each hit sending ripples through the air.

Many who saw her, even with just a glance, were deeply captivated.

"Commander Liu looks particularly ethereal tonight."

In Sky Soaring City, who did not know her? She was born into a prominent family, with exceptional talent, known for her integrity and upright character!

All the common folk in Sky Soaring City knew her well!

And in a few days, her position would rise further as her father became the next governor of Sky Soaring City!

"Is Commander Liu announcing something important again?"

"Let's hurry over!"

"It must be good news."

The crowd felt a vague unease because the Skyruler Immortal Manor had never used the Skyruler Drum to announce news.

The Skyruler Drum was for seeking justice!

BOOM! By the time the drum had sounded 39 times, at least tens of thousands had gathered in the marketplace, with many more watching from afar.

"What is it, Commander Liu?"

The more they watched her, the more unsettled they felt.

Something was off about her. Even as she appeared fiery and decisive, the crowd could see the turmoil within her—a heart torn and crumbling!

BOOM! With that final beat, the drumming abruptly stopped.

She raised her head in the dark night, her eyes a striking red.

"Commander Liu..."

The people grew tense.

Under their watchful eyes, Liu Mumu crouched down. In her palm, several Projection Orbs appeared. She rolled these orbs toward the crowd. From a great Bag of Holding, tens of thousands of these Projections Orbs spilled out, cascading like beams of light toward the citizens of Sky Soaring City.

"What are these?"

The crowd was confused, some bewildered. They all knew the answers lay within these orbs! So, in groups of a few or even dozens, people began to play the scene captured within these orbs.

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