Chapter 601: One Boy Taking on the Celestial Court Alone!

After Yun Xiao had scolded Cao Shuo, a moment of realization struck him, and confusion followed swiftly.

She had falsely declared a divine mandate for his sake, gambling both her future and fate.

In the Great Dao Celestial Realm, this was no trifling matter!

The affair of the Moon Sword Goddess couldn't be concealed for long. Once exposed, she would become the target of collective wrath, be it from the Immortal Sword Court, Western Kunlun Palace, or Thunder Department, all would furiously deal with her!

With these thoughts, Yun Xiao's expression sobered. He stared deeply at this enchanting, bewitching woman and asked, "Why would you recklessly put yourself in such peril?"

Cao Shuo curled a strand of her violet hair around her finger and replied, "I act for the thrill of it, following my desires without regard for the consequences, which don't concern you!"

"Very well." In his heart, Yun Xiao felt a surge of unexpected emotion. He had always thought she was a malicious woman who delighted in tormenting him. But he had misjudged her.

At this moment, Cao Shuo was nothing but a love-struck warrior, her demeanor and poise ill-matching the brave heart willing to dive headlong into the flames for true love.

He had expected a snake, only to find a bold, brazen bull.

The contrast was stark!

Indeed, after this heart-to-heart, Yun Xiao's fondness for her soared.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"You shouldn't hesitate. Escape while you can. You can't stay in the Thunder Department now," Cao Shuo urged hurriedly.

Touched though he was, Yun Xiao shook his head firmly. "I will not leave."

"Why not?" Cao Shuo exclaimed, her face a picture of exasperation.

"To me, this part of the Thunder Department is the safest place in the Celestial Court," Yun Xiao asserted seriously.

"Safe, my foot! The lie I just told will unravel soon!" Cao Shuo, impulsive as ever, grasped his garment in frustration.

"Then I shall take advantage of the time before it does, finish the remaining two matches, and climb the Thunder Rankings. Then, a promotion to Rank 6 will follow." Yun Xiao took her hands in his. "Once I gain the honor to represent the Thunder Department at the Divine Gateway, these Immortals won't dare to touch me in public, right?"

Gu Zhenxiao had previously dared to seize him and blame the Sky Soaring City massacre on Yun Xiao because he was still a nobody.

Once promoted to Rank 6, at least he would be protected by the laws of heaven.

"The problem is, surviving these next two final rounds will be no small feat. The risk is far too great," Cao Shuo said with a pained expression.

"Don't worry," Yun Xiao replied, unable to convince her, and with a sly lift of his eyebrows, he lied, "I have the backing of the organization. I can't die. I need to be promoted to Rank 6 to infiltrate the enemy's ranks."

Cao Shuo was left speechless.

"How powerful is this organization, really?" she probed.

"Shh, it's a secret," Yun Xiao glanced at her, "At the very least, you'd only be considered mid-level within it."

"That big? As vast as the Thunder Department?" Cao Shuo gasped, shocked. "A spark that has already kindled a wildfire? It seems there are not a few in the Celestial Court who share my convictions, merely obscured under dark clouds, all the fiery souls hiding their true selves."

"Pretty much what you're thinking. I'm just a sword the organization wields to pry open the gates of wickedness. Rest easy, my role is significant, and there are plenty secretly protecting me," Yun Xiao nodded.

"And yet last night you pressured me to seek out my elder martial sister?" Cao Shuo asked skeptically.

"Uh..." Yun Xiao blinked. "That was just me playing with you, caught up in the moment."

"Go to hell, scoundrel," Cao Shuo snapped, biting her lip in anger.

"The organization must remain hidden for now; indeed, we still need you maneuvering within it. So..." Yun Xiao leaned in close to her ear, "find a place to hide within the Thunder Department. I'll make my last stand at the Nine Thunders Arena, then we'll meet up."

"Alright!" Cao Shuo nodded deeply, her eyes misty as she gazed at Yun Xiao, advising him, "Be cautious in the remaining two fights. The opponent might be incompetent off the field, but they will surely resort to tricks on it."

"Don't worry! I'll handle whatever comes," Yun Xiao said confidently.

"Just don't be careless," Cao Shuo said sternly, her voice low. "Here’s a heads up: Bai Ling'er is engaged to Feng Qi, who is among the top five Arbiters in the Thunder Department, a true genius with far greater strength than Bai Ling'er, and notably, a rare spiritual talent. His main lethality is in his spirit, his methods are bizarre and hard to defend against."

"A spirit type Seed of Creation is indeed rare." Yun Xiao smiled.

"Seed of Creation?"

"That's another way of saying Dao Seed Talent," Yun Xiao explained, pausing, "I'll be cautious, but the selection for the combat sequence in the Thunder Department is all down to luck; it's highly unlikely I'll face him."

"That's not guaranteed. What if someone, seeking vengeance for a loved one, pressures my brother to arrange a duel to the death between you two?" Cao Shuo said earnestly.

"True enough." Yun Xiao nodded.

"You really must be wary of him. Don't be careless. And should you gain the upper hand, do not kill him. He's different from any opponent you've faced before," Cao Shuo cautioned.

"Why is that?" asked Yun Xiao.

"His father, Stellar Margrave Feng, is a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer, and he's not from the Thunder Department. Any Rank 2 is a powerhouse in the Celestial Court, leading a clan with countless followers. Behind him is a force several times larger than the Thunder Department." Cao Shuo's eyes were filled with worry.

"Understood. You want me to avoid complications. I'll just secure my place for the Divine Gateway." Yun Xiao obediently nodded.

"Exactly, good boy." Pleased, Cao Shuo reached out her delicate hand to touch his head, her slender, pale fingers trailing down across his chest, her gaze flirty and seductive.

"Stop." Yun Xiao caught her wandering hand, pulling it from his embrace, and said sternly, "There's no time left. I need to go back."

"Come find me after the fight. Last night was unsatisfying, tonight I’ll make you beg for mercy," Cao Shuo hummed.

"Save it. You're just a rookie. Wasted all these years," Yun Xiao scoffed with disdain, then, before Cao Shuo could retort, he turned and left, returning to the Nine Thunders Arena.

"Hmph…" Cao Shuo's violet eyes twinkled as she watched Yun Xiao disappear into the storm. Once he was gone, her playful demeanor shifted to deep worry.

"This foolish boy, taking on the great scheme of the Celestial Court all by himself..." She bit her lip, her eyes slowly reddening. "In this world, to find such a child... it's truly wonderful.

"Well then, life's fleeting glamour, aimless and joyless, last night was perhaps the first time I truly felt alive. Since I'm thankful to you, I might as well risk my life to accompany this gentleman!"

?ι══????????══ι?

After Yun Xiao temporarily departed, the Nine Thunders Arena, particularly the Celestial Thunder Platform, fell into a deathly silence.

Gu Zhenxiao, Yun Yin, Cao Sheng, and Bo Hong all bore gloomy expressions.

"Something isn't right," Yun Yin suddenly said.

"What do you mean?" Gu Zhenxiao looked at him.

The two, usually at odds, now stood united under the Thunder Department's banner—a unity forged whenever facing external threats.

"I'll send a flying talisman to the Moon Sword Goddess to verify," Yun Yin declared.

"Oh?" Gu Zhenxiao’s eyes flickered, and he quickly instructed Cao Sheng, "Order the temporary sealing of the Thunder Department. Prevent Cao Shuo and Lu Yao from leaving."

"Understood!" Cao Sheng stood.

Before he left, he bowed to Eight Paths Cloud and Thunder General and said, "Supreme General Yun, regarding the battle sequence, I want to clarify once again, I've tampered with nothing. The probability of both Bai children encountering Lu Yao was merely a coincidence."

"Bai Duo’s close protection couldn’t save his daughter, no blame falls on you," Yun Yin remarked.

His statement didn’t confirm Cao Sheng's innocence; it rather indicated his desire to stay out of the feud between Cao Sheng and Bai Duo.

Cao Sheng was helpless! Just as he had arranged for the sealing of the Thunder Department, two cyan shadows suddenly drifted in from afar.

"Stellar Margrave Feng!"

All the 100 high officials of the Thunder Department, except for the two Supreme Generals, stood to greet the newcomer—a middle-aged Immortal in a simple cyan robe, resembling a Daoist priest with unusually long eyebrows, giving him a profound and eerie presence. His eyes especially were devoid of whites, replaced instead by deep cyan spirals.

Despite lacking the overt might of the Thunder Department's Supreme Generals, there was something about him that sent shivers down the spine—as if a mere glance could scatter one’s soul!