Immortal of the Ages

The Immortals, smiling contentedly at Yun Xiao, were oblivious to the blazing spirit within his heart, nor did they understand what they were nurturing at that very moment.

The Longevity Immortal, his eyes brimming with envy, continued to proclaim the Emperor's gracious awards:

"With the prizes of first and second place combined, the Emperor grants Lu Yao 99,999,999 True Immortal Jades!"

It was just one short of 100,000,000 True Immortal Jades!

Yun Xiao was momentarily stunned. Back when he was a Rank 9 Arbiter, his yearly salary was barely 100 True Immortal Jades.

A total of 100,000,000 True Immortal Jades—how many hundreds of thousands of years would that take?

Such a staggering number, how could ordinary Immortals resist such injustice?

And clearly, it wasn't over yet!

The Longevity Immortal continued, “Additionally, the Emperor grants Lu Yao an Upper Dao Heaven grade celestial treasure, the Platinum Champion Set, which includes a crown, robe, and boots. Each piece contains the Suan Ni Myriad Arbiter Formation!"

Yun Xiao knew nothing about the Platinum Champion Set, only that the Boundary Defining Divine Needle was an Upper Supreme Heaven grade celestial treasure, a whole level lower.

Upon hearing this, Gu Suwan was even more astonished, whispering, “Past champions never received something like this. The whole set together must be worth 50,000,000 True Immortal Jades.”

Blue Star and Red Moon had consumed what amounted to 8,000,000 True Immortal Jades during the Divine Peach Banquet, partly because they devoured the portions of at least eight other guests, and partly because those celestial peaches and fruits, when converted to True Immortal Jades, weren't valued as highly.

But these 150 million True Immortal Jades were tangible!

And the Platinum Champion Set was awarded right there on the spot!

It seemed the robe came from Empress Zhao. With a wave of her hand, three streaks of platinum light flew from her sleeves, morphing into a crown, robe, and boots—like three platinum Suan Ni charging towards Yun Xiao, swirling around him before converging upon his form!

The Platinum Champion Set, the pinnacle of Arbiters, naturally utilized the Suan Ni as its symbol. This Platinum Champion Robe was a glorified piece of Arbiter armor. When this set descended upon Yun Xiao, his appearance was utterly transformed—as if a tiger had grown wings!

Before the gathered Immortals, the youth radiated a platinum glow, his brows sharp like swords, his stature tall and slim, his presence handsome and noble. The crown exuded authority, the robe was as majestic as the sea, and the boots thundered with power!

The White Emperor Taiwei, upon witnessing the scene, could not help but exclaim, "Our Champion here is, without doubt, the paragon of beauty across all ages."

This was no small praise; indeed, even many serene female Immortals trembled slightly at the sight of his beauty.

Young, heroic, graceful, extraordinary, and fierce—these qualities combined made Gu Suwan completely understand why Cao Shuo was so boldly generous.

Truly, with such a visage and demeanor, should anything occur, it would seem a fortune for the lady involved.

This was where Yun Xiao differed from Lu Fan; his Creator Immortal visage inherently possessed a charm that bore no trace of vulgarity.

Yet, Yun Xiao's concern lay elsewhere. "With the triple layers of protection, it's like being encased in a miniature ancient bronze coffin."

The Platinum Champion Set was an absolute treasure!

And then, under the direction of Empress Zhao, the Dragon Tiger Sovereign himself presented a golden Bag of Holding to Yun Xiao, containing nearly 100,000,000 True Immortal Jades—a bounty evidently drawn from the Imperial Treasury.

Even so, the Dragon Tiger Sovereign could still curry favor, smiling at Yun Xiao, "Should you find the time, visit my Imperial Treasury. Choose any treasure that pleases you."

"Thank you, Sovereign Zhao," Yun Xiao replied politely.

The Chaos Sovereign's attempted assassination of Yun Xiao had actually turned into a great boon. Were it not for Lu Fan's overwhelming hostility, these figures might still hesitate in their generosity.

And yet, the imperial grace had not ceased!

The Longevity Immortal again declared loudly, "The Emperor, admiring his genius and upon the recommendation of the Nine Thunders Sovereign… Though young, Lu Yao has shown the capability to lead. Therefore, by special decree, Lu Yao is promoted to a Rank 4 Heavenly Officer, taking the post of a Chief Military Thunder Emissary!"

This announcement sent ripples through the crowd!

Being the Immortal Champion was temporarily just a title—without real power or official position.

Yun Xiao was still a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer.

But now, before even reaching 30 years old, Yun Xiao had become a Thunder Emissary like Cao Shuo. This meant he wielded real authority, capable of mobilizing at least 10,000 Arbiters of the Thunder Department!

In the Celestial Court, mere symbolic status was insufficient. With increasing age, one must hold both position and power; otherwise, in later years, one would be no more than a figurehead.

But now, Yun Xiao had achieved in one leap what many might only dream of, becoming the youngest Rank 4 Heavenly Officer in the entire Great Dao Celestial Realm!

"Lu Yao, will you not thank the Emperor for his profound grace?" the Nine Thunders Sovereign suggested.

There, before them all, Yun Xiao loudly proclaimed his loyalty, aware that this had likely been the Nine Thunders Sovereign's initiative.

Taking up his post in the Thunder Department, Yun Xiao was now clearly one of their own, unrelated to the Great Dao Celestial Army.

Securing the title of Champion had indeed transformed him, propelling him to new heights overnight.

Each of the three grand gifts was enough to make a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer green with envy!

Even Yun Yin only possessed one Upper Dao Heaven grade celestial treasure!

And those like Nine Kites and Zhao Yuanbao had only Lower Dao Heaven grade celestial treasures!

Those heirs of Rank 1 Heavenly Officers watched as Yun Xiao soared past them.

Gu Suwan, a Rank 3 Heavenly Officer, had only a Mid Dao Heaven grade celestial treasure in her possession.

Yun Xiao took a moment to absorb it all, thinking the shower of gifts had concluded.

Unexpectedly, though no further proclamations were made, Longevity Immortal approached him with a smile.

"What brings you here, Longevity Immortal?" Yun Xiao asked, puzzled.

"The Emperor has one final gift for you, a token of the highest recognition," the Longevity Immortal said with a deep emphasis.

"Thanks to the Emperor's profound grace..." Yun Xiao turned to the White Emperor, who was nodding at him with a smile.

"Lu Yao, this last gift is a secret reward. Please, look here," the Longevity Immortal said, handing him the celestial decree to read the last line.

Yun Xiao looked up to see the golden script.

「May a thousand starlit prayers pave your path.」

At that moment, it felt as though a sword had pierced his heart. His eyes nearly turned bloodshot with rage!

A thousand stars... the incense offerings of countless lives, bestowed upon him!

"So young and rootless in Sky Soaring City, you must not yet have experienced the love and incense offerings from the mortal realms," the Longevity Immortal remarked with a smile, stroking his long beard.

Yun Xiao pursed his lips and nodded. "I have indeed never felt this kind of love from the masses."

"That's perfect then!" The Longevity Immortal gave him an envious glance. "A thousand starlit prayers—something many Rank 2 Heavenly Officers can only dream of. Lu Yao, this is truly treatment only Rank 1 Heavenly Officers can enjoy! Do you realize how deeply the Emperor cares for you?"

"The Emperor's grace is as profound as the seas and mountains. I, Lu Yao, am duty-bound to repay it a hundredfold!" Yun Xiao declared righteously.

The Longevity Immortal let out a hearty laugh and clapped Yun Xiao on the shoulder. "Well then, you must be tired today. Rest for a day at the Divine Heavenly Pavilion, and come dawn tomorrow, I will personally escort you to the mortal realms."

Yun Xiao felt a chill inside. So soon? What was the reason? Clearly, they were trying to pull him into their ranks!

In the Celestial Court, without a formal allegiance, problems could be immense.

Gifts were never free; there was always a price to pay!

Yun Xiao's heart was turning cold, but his expression showed none of it, as he inquired, "Ummm, is it possible we can delay a day or two?"

"Do you have affairs to attend to?" the Longevity Immortal asked sternly. "A thousand starlit prayers—a boon hard won by Immortals. Don't miss this opportune moment."

"I understand," Yun Xiao replied, his face showing difficulty. "I just thought, having just reclaimed honor for the Thunder Department, it'd be fitting to hold a celebration banquet. It wouldn’t take much time."

The Longevity Immortal laughed again, clapping his shoulder, "Ah, the vigor of youth, I understand, truly understand!"

After a moment's contemplation, he added, "Then I shall wait here for your return. Try not to take more than two days, as the Emperor has other plans for you thereafter."

"At your command!" Yun Xiao nodded earnestly.

Two days then!

First, to digest what he had earned; anything else would be met as it came.

The reason for his return to the Thunder Department was twofold: firstly, there was the convenient excuse of the celebration, and secondly, there were many now who wished him dead, making the Thunder Department feel like a safe haven.

But most importantly, he wanted to see for himself that Cao Shuo was safe...

After saying this, Yun Xiao looked towards the direction of the Thunder Department.

"Are the millions of Immortals in the Thunder Department now mad with fervor for me?"

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