Chapter 565: The Game!

"What can I do for you, Thunder Emissary Cao?" Yun Xiao, ever so calm, gazed at the woman before him. She was indeed a spectacle of human beauty, similar to the War Princess. Yet, unlike the War Princess, she radiated a mature and seductive charm.

With a resounding thud, Thunder Emissary Cao shut the stone door behind her.

She stood silent, her captivating eyes—and the twin serpents coiled around her ears—locked onto Yun Xiao with a deep, entrancing stare.

Then, she advanced, her shapely legs moving with grace towards him. Soon, she was close, pressing the distance even as her exquisite face nearly touched his. The serpents on her ears flicked their crimson tongues, teasing Yun Xiao’s ears with the heat and rich scent of her presence.

Under the immense pressure of her celestial power, Yun Xiao found himself retreating slowly until his back met the wall.

“May I ask, Thunder Emissary...” His cheeks flushed pink, for it had been a while since he'd indulged in earthly pleasures.

She had him pinned against the wall, their bodies almost merging. Before he could finish, the Thunder Emissary shushed him with a wink and a sultry look.

“Give me your hand,” she whispered right beside his ear.

Before Yun Xiao could react, she grasped his hand swiftly and drew it beneath her garments. He could feel the firm yet bouncy sensation of a well-developed mound. His eyes widened, his mind blank as he was completely caught off guard.

“Do you like it?” Thunder Emissary Cao asked silkily, her eyes a mesh of allure.

“Love it! Absolutely love it!” Red Moon’s voice rang out, mimicking Yun Xiao’s voice.

Swiftly, Yun Xiao withdrew his hand. This wasn’t about liking or not—it was about what on earth she was up to.

Yun Xiao sought to leave, but she unleashed a violet lightning serpent from her being. It slithered along her flowing hair, weaving a dense web of thunder around him. Even a slight touch scorched his skin with its fierce electricity.

"This is where I hold the reins," Thunder Emissary Cao declared, her arm snaking around Yun Xiao's neck as she gracefully hooked one leg around his waist. Their proximity would have been intimate if not for the cold barrier of his armored vest.

"Please, respect yourself, Thunder Emissary Cao," Yun Xiao implored. This wasn’t romance; it was oppression. He felt reduced to nothing more than a favored pet, and it angered him.

"Why call me Thunder Emissary? I'm basically your aunt," she whispered seductively by his ear.

"That only makes it less appropriate. We should adhere to the ethics of the Celestial Court," he responded.

"Ethics be damned," she retorted, her fingers tearing at his armor, tracing paths across his body with a burning gaze. "Right now, I only desire to devour you, my pretty little rabbit."

Yun Xiao had never encountered such blunt desire. It was rare, yes, but wholly repulsive to him, crushing both his body and spirit under an unbearable weight.

"I do not enjoy this. If you force me, you’ll gain nothing but a piece of wood. What pleasure is there in that?" Yun Xiao said through clenched teeth.

Her mood chilled at his cold retort, her pretty face turning icy. The serpents around her ears hissed violently, lunging towards his eyes, nearly piercing them before she restrained them.

"Every man in the Thunder Department would dream of this moment with me," she stated coldly, confident in her allure.

"I’ve offered myself to you, and yet you show no interest?" she scorned, her gaze dismissive as she continued, "Lu Yao, perhaps you’re not much of a man after all. All pride, no essence."

Yun Xiao bristled at her words. Proving himself to her would be simple, but to yield under oppression and play into her hand? That was the truth of it.

"Boring!" she exclaimed, her desire fading swiftly as he continued to resist. Her provocations, it seemed, had lost their edge.

She slid off Yun Xiao, straightened her disheveled violet dress, shook her wavy hair, and turned to leave with a twist of her waist.

"Thunder Emissary Cao," Yun Xiao said coldly, watching her retreating figure, "I will remember today."

"What will you do about it, you weakling?" Thunder Emissary Cao scoffed, glancing back disdainfully.

"By returning the favor in kind," Yun Xiao replied.

She laughed derisively, shrugging her shoulders. "A nobody trying to overpower me? Can you even manage that?"

Yun Xiao said no more. Empty threats served no purpose. He was not one for such displays, yet he harbored a deep grudge from this encounter.

Thunder Emissary Cao gave him one last look. "Fine, I'll await your revenge, but don't disappoint me."

Yun Xiao looked at her with an indifferent gaze.

"Only if you survive the Thunder Department's selection," she added with a wink. "I came to remind you today because of your affairs. Lightning Lord Bo Hong was reprimanded. He oversees the Thunder inheritance, and his disciples are gathering, plotting to retaliate during the upcoming rounds."

"How many?" Yun Xiao asked.

"About 2,000 prodigies from the Grand Firmament Academy within the Thunder Department, all disciples of Bo Hong," she replied with a smile.

"Good," Yun Xiao nodded. "It's just the occasion to vent my anger."

Hearing this, Thunder Emissary Cao rolled her eyes. "You're seriously touched in the head rejecting the easy path, insisting on stirring up vengeance."

"Are you scared?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Ha! I'll be waiting for you." She laughed and turned away.

BOOM!

With a single kick, she shattered the stone door to dust, clearly angered.

"This is getting interesting," Red Moon said in delight.

"This conflict means neither side can back down now." Blue Star chuckled.

"Exciting! Let's keep watching," Red Moon added.

Yun Xiao cursed under his breath and sat down to meditate, shaking his head at the madness of it all.

?ι══????????══ι?

In a dark chamber within the Sky Soaring City, Liu Chaochao strode lightly into the room. There, under the half-light filtering through the doorway, sat a middle-aged man of distinguished appearance, clad in armor, poised and serious.

"Dad!" Liu Chaochao burst in, shutting the door with a mixture of excitement and awe. "I just received a message from Mumu. She says that Lu Yao has become the sworn son of the Summer Thunder Duke. It's truly..."

"I already know," Liu Zongyu interjected.

"You knew?" Liu Chaochao nodded, still in disbelief. "It's astounding. I never imagined he could achieve such a feat. He has indeed brought honor to Sky Soaring City!"

"Chaochao," Liu Zongyu spoke calmly, "the reason I asked you to see me wasn’t to discuss Lu Yao."

"Is there another matter?" Liu Chaochao, tempering his shock, inquired seriously, "Please, father, speak."

"You're 60 years old now, aren't you?" Liu Zongyu asked with a heavy gaze.

"Sixty two," Liu Chaochao corrected.

"At 62 years old, to hold such a rank is quite an achievement, better than I was at your age here in Sky Soaring City. But in the Thunder Department, it's somewhat lacking," his father remarked.

"Indeed! But Dad, I've been seeking a breakthrough, and I believe I'm close," Liu Chaochao responded hopefully.

Liu Zongyu nodded, then sighed. "Your sister's temperament doesn't suit this path. Should I become the next governor and be promoted to Rank 5, I'll fully support your rise to Rank 6."

"Father, isn't it too soon? Maybe someone else could step in temporarily, then pass it on to me. After all, my abilities and age might still fall short," Liu Chaochao earnestly suggested.

Shaking his head, Liu Zongyu said, "Letting someone else temporarily take over is risky. Once they establish themselves, and if something happens to me, would they pass it on to you? There are countless precedents for this. It’s better to pass it directly to a son."

"But, how can I command respect? Although Celestial Court positions aren't hereditary and are mostly managed by relationships locally without oversight, lack of respect can cause issues, even affecting you," Liu Chaochao argued.

"If you can't command respect now, then make it so you can in the short term," Liu Zongyu declared.

"How is that possible?" Liu Chaochao shook his head, not out of self-doubt but acknowledging the vast gap.

"It's entirely possible! If your abilities match those of other Rank 6 Heavenly Officers, your youth could actually be an advantage," his father reassured him, looking intently.

"But I'm not there yet. It's too far a reach," Liu Chaochao objected.

"I know a way to bring you up to speed quickly," Liu Zongyu suddenly revealed.

"Oh?" Liu Chaochao was taken aback.

Standing up, Liu Zongyu approached his son, his gaze deep, his voice grave, whispering, "Son, I'm going to share a secret with you. You must keep it to yourself. Without my permission, do not speak of it to anyone."

"Yes. Please tell me," Liu Chaochao nodded deeply.

Taking a deep breath, Liu Zongyu said, "To rise to a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer, you'll have to be part of the game too."

"Part of what game?" Liu Chaochao asked eagerly.

Liu Zongyu did not answer directly but patted his shoulder, saying, "Pack up, and later tonight, I'll take you to a mortal realm to see for yourself what this game entails."