Chapter 602: Spirit Possession!

Spirit Cultivators! These powerful cultivators focused on refining their spirits, emerging as a fourth major system beyond Martial Cultivators, Sword Cultivators, and Inscription Cultivators!

They were also known as Anima Immortals!

The Chaos Sovereign and Stellar Margrave Feng Xuan both stood as top-tier Anima Immortals, their names echoing through the Great Dao Celestial Realm.

By Feng Xuan's side stood the young man Feng Qi, a genius Anima Immortal who had once shocked the Thunder Department. In this sacred land of thunder, he was unmatched under the age of 30!

In fact, when the first round of the Thunder Department's selection battle commenced, Feng Qi was the first to step forth!

However, as the end neared, Feng Qi seemed a changed man. Now, he was dark, ruthless, his murderous aura overwhelming, like a tempestuous storm of the soul.

All the Immortals of the Thunder Department knew the reason! His beloved, Bai Ling'er, was dead!

It was clear that Feng Xuan and Feng Qi had just returned from seeing Bai Duo.

And in this moment, Feng Qi remained heartbroken, furious, his sorrow tearing him apart.

"Cao Sheng. Did you arrange the battle sequence?" Feng Xuan, familiar with these 100 high officials of the Thunder Department, skipped any pleasantries and went straight to questioning Cao Sheng.

"Yes!" Cao Sheng grimaced. He was about to defend himself, but he was cut off.

"Set Lu Yao against the weakest opponent next, then pit him against my son in the final battle," Feng Xuan said.

"..." Cao Sheng paused. This was a mistake Bai Duo had already suffered!

Bai Ling'er had intended to surrender, her father's overconfidence leading her to a needless death.

Why would Feng Xuan, a man of such deep schemes, repeat this mistake?

By now, everyone knew of the strange circumstances surrounding Lu Yao; no longer could he be simply deemed a simple genius. Even Gu Zhenxiao wanted to dissect the boy!

But Cao Sheng dared not refuse. He turned to look at Gu Zhenxiao and Yun Yin, the latter seemingly closer to Feng Xuan, who softly asked, "Brother Feng, are you certain?"

"Yes." Feng Xuan glanced at Feng Qi. "The boy is haunted by a demon in his heart. If he avoids this life-or-death battle, it will follow him for the rest of his life."

Hearing this, the 100 high officials of the Thunder Department could only sigh.

The death of a beloved was a battle no man could retreat from! Even in the face of death, who could cower?

In fact, if Yun Xiao were in the same situation, he would charge forward no matter the opponent.

"May I have a word?" Yun Yin asked.

Together with Feng Xuan, they stepped into a swirling mist of wind and clouds.

Yun Yin looked at his old friend, speaking earnestly, "Lu Yao's strength has unnaturally grown in each duel. It defies common sense. I understand Feng Qi's desire for revenge; his talents and achievements are clear to all. But Lu Yao might be a reincarnator, not the actual person himself, perhaps even taken over by some Immortal master. This battle bodes more ill than good."

"I'm aware," Feng Xuan replied with a cold laugh. "Therefore, no matter who he claims to be, I shall meet him myself."

Yun Yin raised an eyebrow. "You plan to use spirit possession?"

"Exactly." Feng Xuan nodded.

"That settles it then," Yun Yin agreed.

A deep, murderous intent flashed in Feng Xuan's stormy cyan eyes. "Even if the Immortal Sword Court insists on protecting him, I shall execute him first. If they merely wish to investigate this person, I can imprison his spirit for them to interrogate at leisure."

"It might not come to that," Yun Yin said softly. "I am currently using a flying talisman to consult with the Moon Sword Goddess. If Cao Shuo is behind this, there’s no need for spirit possession; we can simply end this creature."

"Cao Shuo would dare?" Feng Xuan's voice was cold as ice.

"This woman is a force unto herself; if she decides to die, no one can stop her," Yun Yin whispered.

"Very well. Let's see!"

Whether the reply via talisman or the battles would conclude first was yet unknown.

As the two spoke, the Nine Thunders Arena erupted once more.

A wave of curses rose.

"Lu Yao, you bastard!"

Roars of anger swept through. The arena was ruled by fury. The outrage in the Thunder Department, spurred by Bai Ling'er's death, had reached its zenith.

Under such explosive tension, the young man in white appeared serene and alone on the stage.

The 1,000,000 Immortals of the Thunder Department feared he might never return!

Of the 1,000,000 mouths, at least 800,000 were openly cursing him.

"Traitor!"

Having risen through the Thunder Department, competing in its selection, yet relying on the Immortal Sword Court... Just that was enough to blacken his name.

"Keep the curses coming; I still represent you at the Divine Gateway, aiming to bring honor." Yun Xiao never cared for the whispers of the insignificant.

What he set out to do was never meant to be easily understood. He did what he had to, without seeking understanding.

In Sky Soaring City, Liu Mumu caused a great uproar, the kind everyone knew about—a scandal concerning the incense offerings.

Did word about that reach the Thunder Department? No. Did it cause a stir in the Great Dao Celestial Realm? Not at all. Like always, it passed without a sound. This proved that in the Celestial Court, a mighty hand was silencing everyone.

It also showed that the middle and lower tiers of the Immortals were detached from the disasters befalling the mortal realm; after all, they could not see them firsthand.

Perhaps the only grievance of these folk was why did such fortunes always fall to the celestial nobility? Why never to them?

So, Yun Xiao stood in the wind, watching those cursing around him, presenting a raw display of humanity at its most fervent.

The eighth round began.

Few remained who could endure to this point.

After eliminating those who had either mutually destroyed each other, broken rules, or withdrawn voluntarily, only 36 top talents of the Thunder Department remained.

After the eighth round, 18 contestants would stand.

After the final round, nine shining jewels of the Thunder Department would rise to Rank 6, ascend the Nine Heavens Thunder Rankings, and represent the Thunder Department at the Divine Gateway’s selection for the Immortal Tournament.

That was the true finish line.

The Thunder Rankings rang out once more.

「

Lu Yao and He Buhuo, proceed to Thundercloud !

」

When Yun Xiao heard he was to fight first again, he knew. Whether or not the previous rounds had been manipulated, now, he was clearly set up. Were these last two rounds a path of life and death?

As Yun Xiao stepped onto the arena and saw He Buhuo as his opponent, he understood.

The eighth round was not it—it was the final one that mattered.

The enemy was magnanimous; he did not waste Yun Xiao's time this round but had arranged for him to face a weaker opponent.

He Buhuo was in the Mid Celestial Expanse Realm, weaker than Bai Ling'er and only slightly stronger than Bai Zijun.

After making his entrance, the young man raised his hand and, with a smiling face, declared, "Lu Yao, the great genius, don’t strike me, I surrender!"

"Alright." Yun Xiao was already racing against the clock.

After he surrendered, Yun Xiao left the thundercloud.

"Wait!" He Buhuo, still smiling, called after Yun Xiao.

"Something else?" Yun Xiao inquired.

"Fuck you, I hope your blind old hag of a mother rots in hell with you!" He Buhuo cursed.

Laughter erupted among the 1,000,000 Immortals of the Thunder Department, but then it was cut short by the swift flash of a sword light.

He Buhuo’s head was instantly turned to dust.

All that remained was a headless corpse, still doubled over as if laughing!

Swiftly, Yun Xiao retrieved his Sword Soul and continued on his way.

"Lu Yao!!!"

For a moment, the entire arena stared in shock, roars of anger filling the air.

"He already surrendered, the fight was over, and yet you openly committed murder! A million witnesses, you've broken the celestial laws!"

"Not even the Immortal Sword Court can protect you now!"

"Execute him right now!"

Thunderous roars pressed down like an avalanche.

Faced with the tsunami of curses, Yun Xiao's lips curled slightly, "If you wish to judge me, you may, after I finish the last round. Perhaps then, I might represent you at the Divine Gateway and redeem myself through valor."

"You!"

Spitting sounds followed, as a great many, driven to fury, visibly spat blood.

From atop the Celestial Thunder Platform, Yun Yin coldly remarked, "This boy knows he's being set up to fight Feng Qi to the death, he's completely let loose, hasn’t he?"

Feng Xuan, his gaze hollow, responded, "Quite right, the atmosphere is set."

JustLivingJL's Thoughts