Chapter 564: No Need For Looting! Just Find Another Mama!

In the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, about 20 Immortals of unfathomable cultivation stood vigil around the perimeter. The status of The Lady was evidently elevated.

Liu Mumu guessed the identity of the newcomer and exchanged a glance with Yun Xiao, signaling him to be cautious. Then, she discreetly retreated to a distance.

"Young Master, this way please," the elder in black robes said with a respectful demeanor, treating Yun Xiao as if he truly were the young master of the Cao Family.

"Thank you." Yun Xiao stepped across the corridor and approached the door of his practice room.

The elder remained at the courtyard entrance.

Yun Xiao proceeded on his own, knocking on the stone door and whispering, "Lu Yao asks for an audience."

"Enter." A gentle voice came from within.

"Yes." Yun Xiao pushed the door open gently and stepped inside.

There, in his cultivation chamber, sat a woman in a blue gown on a wooden chair, her presence a melding of the sea and lightning—fair-skinned, beautiful, petite, and enchanting. Her spirit was more vivid and ethereal than any others Yun Xiao had met in the Thunder Department, noble yet clear.

Yun Xiao looked at her, then around the room, and asked softly, "Sister, may I know where my master's wife is?"

The woman in the blue gown paused, then chuckled softly, her smile warm as a spring breeze.

"Am I that young?" she asked with a smile.

"Uh..." Yun Xiao realized his mistake and bowed. "I have spoken out of turn, please forgive me."

She shook her head. "Those words are pleasing; where is the offense?"

"Yes," Yun Xiao smiled as well.

"But..." She looked at him, smiling, "why do you call me ‘master's wife'? Foster mother would be more appropriate. If you don't mind, call me mother, and I might just agree."

Yun Xiao blushed. "Previously, General Cao intended to adopt me, but fearing I might tarnish his reputation due to my meager talents, I chose to serve him loyally as a disciple first, and have yet to truly earn his approval."

"I see." She nodded, then seriously added, "Let's forget about Old Cao for now. You can continue to be his disciple, but as for me, I regard you as my son."

"This..." Yun Xiao hesitated.

"Don't worry, in this house, I, Gu Suwan, have the final say," she said, standing up and approaching Yun Xiao.

She was not tall, her youthful aura accentuated, delicate, and exquisitely beautiful.

"Your surname is Gu?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Yes," Gu Suwan replied.

"My mother also shares the surname Gu," Yun Xiao revealed.

The name of Miss Yu was Gu Suyu.

Of course, it was merely a coincidence.

"Is that so?" Gu Suwan's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she mused, "This shows that you and I are truly fated."

Yun Xiao responded, "Your affection overwhelms me."

"Come on now. No need to be so reserved. A mother needs no reason to dote on her son." Gu Suwan pouted. She stepped forward, straightened a lock of Yun Xiao’s hair, and with a wink, she offered, "I’ll give you some small gifts if you call me mom. How about that?"

Though she was clearly no longer a girl and likely around the age of General Cao, her playful innocence was innate.

For Yun Xiao, the sight was peculiar—a woman who looked hardly more than a child herself, asking to be called mother.

"This... I haven’t yet proven myself. Wouldn’t General Cao be displeased?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I've already told you, I make the decisions at home," Gu Suwan paused, then taking Yun Xiao's hand, she looked into his eyes and cooed, "I like you, boy. If he has a problem, I'll deal with him."

Seeing her eager anticipation, Yun Xiao took a deep breath, his eyes filled with respect, and he said, "Mother."

"Ah!" Gu Suwan was overjoyed, twirling around in delight. "Suddenly having such a strapping young son—it's truly wonderful."

Yun Xiao watched her childlike excitement, at a loss for words.

"My son!" Gu Suwan affectionately took his hand again. "What gift would you like? Just ask."

"The affection you show me is a gift enough..."

"Come now! I like straightforwardness," Gu Suwan pressed.

"Alright." Yun Xiao nodded and said, "I currently lack two things, top tier sword techniques and True Immortal Jades."

"..." Gu Suwan was taken aback! Then, biting her lip, she realized that although Yun Xiao had been speaking formally, his gift list had been well thought out in advance!

"You really don’t hold back, do you?" Gu Suwan raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn’t dare," Yun Xiao looked down, a hint of dejection in his tone, "Born into poverty, I've always been short of money, which has hindered my progress. Now that I have the fortune to step into the Nine Thunders Arena, I hope to catch up and soon make you proud."

"There, there," Gu Suwan said, her eyes softening. "I was just teasing, don't be nervous."

With that, she reached into her robe, rummaged a bit, and then produced a giant Bag of Holding, handing it to Yun Xiao. She looked at him tenderly and said, "Here are 50,000 True Immortal Jades for you to spend."

"50,000?" Yun Xiao's eyes widened.

"Too little?" Gu Suwan bit her lip.

"No." Yun Xiao laughed awkwardly. "It's just that my annual stipend is only 100 True Immortal Jades. So, I was just thinking about how an amount like 50,000 would take me 500 years to earn."

Gu Suwan shook her head with a caring smile. "Poor child, don't worry. From now on, if you ever need money, just ask your mother."

"Yes." Yun Xiao nodded, his feelings mixed. Gaining another mother had turned out to be quicker than earning money through murder.

Such was the way of the Immortals!

No amount of prowess in battle could match the power of personal connections.

"I hear you're skilled in both sword and sigil?" Gu Suwan inquired further.

"Yes." Yun Xiao nodded.

Gu Suwan pointed at the Bag of Holding in his hand, chuckling, "That's fortunate. Your foster father is a Sword Cultivator, and I am an Inscription Cultivator. We can both guide your cultivation. Here, take this. It's the Cao Immortal Manor's Thunder Sword Technique and an inscription spell from my own Gu Family. They are secret arts not shared outside, and even with 100,000 True Immortal Jades, you might not be able to purchase them."

Yun Xiao was astonished. Initially, he had been wary of this new mother of his, but now, he saw her generosity was boundless. He felt almost indebted.

"Don't feel burdened. You are now the young master of the Cao household; how can we let you fall behind others in terms of cultivation resources?" Gu Suwan said.

"I swear I will repay this tenfold," Yun Xiao declared, his eyes blazing.

"Tenfold? Wow, I'm touched." Gu Suwan covered her mouth, laughing lightly.

"I'd risk my life without hesitation!" Yun Xiao proclaimed.

"Nonsense." Gu Suwan's eyes dimmed. "Perhaps it’s because of my health, I've been unable to bear a child for many years. Now that I finally have you, how could I bear to let you die?"

"Mother…" Yun Xiao took a deep breath, his resolve hardening, "I will not disappoint you."

"There's no need for burdens. As a parent, all I wish is for my child to be happy and grow up healthy. As long as you're happy, my heart is content," Gu Suwan explained.

"Certainly." Yun Xiao nodded.

As the two spoke, Gu Suwan glanced at the sky. "It’s getting late. Why don’t you come stay with me at the Cao household? I’ve had a palace cleaned up for you, the Drifting Cloud Palace. It will be your residence from now on."

She had thought of everything.

Yet, Yun Xiao hesitated slightly, asking softly, "What about General Cao..."

"Don't mind him. That old man is used to putting on a stern face, expecting others to guess his thoughts. It's quite dull," Gu Suwan spoke disparagingly.

Yun Xiao nodded but added, "I have yet to achieve anything notable. I feel somewhat undeserving of the favor he has shown me. To avoid causing him annoyance, I’d like to stay here until I can make a notable contribution during the selection in the Thunder Department and truly earn his approval. Only then would I take up the role as the young master of the Cao household. Would that be alright?"

"You're worried about Jiang Taiping's two daughters, aren’t you? I’ve seen them; both are beauties," Gu Suwan laughed.

"My focus is on achievements..." Yun Xiao said.

"No need to explain. It’s natural for young people to experience romantic feelings." Gu Suwan nodded. "We’ll do as you suggest. You can move to the Cao household whenever that old man gives his nod."

"Thank you." Yun Xiao nodded.

"Your approach is right. The title of Young Master of the Cao Household is a divine blessing. Many are blinded by it, lost in luxury, becoming arrogant and overbearing. But you, always mindful to repay the kindness shown to you, show your true nature remains intact, neither servile nor overbearing." After speaking, Gu Suwan's beautiful eyes twinkled. "It’s your temperament that makes me grow fonder of you."

"I will work hard." Yun Xiao nodded.

"Well, it’s getting late, and the second round of selections is about to start. I won’t disturb you further. If you need anything, you can always come find me at the Cao household."

"Alright," Yun Xiao said.

Before leaving, Gu Suwan gave Yun Xiao a profound look at the door, sighing. "You've grown so handsome, I wonder which girl will be lucky enough to have you."

With that, she closed the stone door for Yun Xiao and departed.

Yun Xiao stood still, waiting for a long while.

"Congratulations on gaining another mother!" Red Moon chuckled.

"Bluey, what do you think of her?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Why don’t you ask me first?" Red Moon glared.

"Then you first," Yun Xiao said.

"My verdict: thumbs up!" Red Moon stated seriously.

Yun Xiao paused, then frustrated, covered its mouth, scolding, "You fool, always focused on one thing!"

"Can't help it, he was just made that way," Blue Star rolled his eyes, then added, "The lady seems nice, straightforward, and generous."

"Yes, that's what she wants me to see," Yun Xiao said.

"And then?" Blue Star pouted, "Are you going to lecture me on human nature again?"

"No need, just keep watching and you’ll see. If there's a favor, I’ll accept it. If there’s trouble, I’ll repay it fiercely."

As soon as he finished speaking, Blue Star said, "Someone else is coming."

Red Moon bit Yun Xiao’s finger excitedly. "This time it's different!"

At this moment, the stone door of the cultivation chamber was pushed open, and a tall, slender figure appeared at the door.

Her violet hair flowed like waves, her long dress split to reveal her legs up to her waist, her figure sinuous like a water snake, her red lips vivid, and her eyes alluring, emitting an intoxicatingly peachy allure…

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