Chapter 606: Congratulations, General Cao!

In the battle that decided fate, even though it was hard for the 1,500,000 Immortals to accept, reality had etched its verdict in stone.

The colorful lightning serpents of the Thunder Rankings struck as if cleaving the very minds of these spectators, frying their brains into charred mush!

At this moment, truly, many were so aggrieved they spat blood, their chests near bursting with fury.

After a brief silence, a more intense barrage of curses erupted from hysterical mouths, as if only through their vitriol could they alleviate the embarrassment.

"Exhilarating!" Yun Xiao, alone against this earth-shaking tirade, tingled with a perverse delight.

He wasn't asking for abuse, but the sight of 1,500,000 people hating him yet powerless to harm him was secretly thrilling.

"Has the other side not acted yet?" Yun Xiao's eyes narrowed, turning towards the Celestial Thunder Platform.

Above, the 100 high officials of the Thunder Department stood like wooden stakes, their souls seemingly scattered to the winds.

This was the most inconceivable event of their lives!

"Dead, dead..." Cao Sheng and Bo Hong were so frightened their hearts nearly tore apart.

Stellar Margrave Feng Xuan, a Rank 2 Anima Immortal renowned throughout the Heavenly Land had shifted his spirit and then perished?! Those who knew the details nearly burst their gallbladders.

"The Supreme Generals..." With ashen faces and hoarse voices, Cao Sheng and Gu Suwan looked to Gu Zhenxiao and Yun Xin, asking, "Is Stellar Margrave Feng playing a joke on us..."

Then, Cao Sheng immediately felt like a fool for asking the question. He glanced over at Lu Yao's name projected on the Thunder Rankings. That and the death of Feng Qi already spoke volumes.

Gu Zhenxiao stood right beside where Feng Xuan had fallen. He clenched his fists, his eyelids twitching madly as sweat poured down in torrents.

"All members of the Thunder Department present, you must not speak of what you've seen here today!"

With these words, Gu Zhenxiao turned and stared them down, making it clear to everyone that Feng Xuan truly was dead.

Once that fact was confirmed, the hearts of all the high officials pounded furiously, leaving them gasping for breath.

"Lu Yao killed Stellar Margrave Feng..." Gu Suwan remembered the harmless little boy she first met... Until just moments ago, she thought she could control him! Now, she didn't even dare to look back at that young man!

The high officials fell into a deathly silence for a good ten breaths, no one daring to speak.

Finally, Cao Sheng couldn't hold back, his voice trembling, "Supreme Generals, this matter is too grave, it has pierced the heavens, surely there's a deeper plot. Shouldn't we act now?"

After speaking, Cao Sheng looked back at the young man who faced 1,000,000 curses with a satisfied smile. His eyes were cold, but his heart was deeply troubled.

"Don't do anything rash." Yun Yin bit down hard, saying, "This boy is not merely a genius; he's an old monster at our level. There are but a few in the Celestial Court capable of killing a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer."

Cao Sheng and Bo Hong, along with others, were shocked. "Were we all deceived?"

"What do you suggest we do?" Gu Zhenxiao looked at Yun Yin.

Yun Yin pursed his lips. "With the sacrifice of a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer, this matter has exceeded the scope of the Thunder Department selection. We must immediately report to the Chaos Sovereign and the Nine Thunders Sovereign, and keep an eye on Lu Yao's movements."

Hearing this, everyone knew there was no other way. With the death of Feng Xuan, the issue was too significant; they didn't dare to make a move.

"Furthermore, do not spread the cause of Feng Xuan's death to anyone, or face severe punishment!" Yun Yin's voice was icy.

"Yes!"

All the high officials nodded hurriedly. Then another silence fell.

After some thought, Gu Suwan asked, "Once the Thunder Department selection is complete, and if Lu Yao really represents the Thunder Department to compete at the Immortal Tournament, what then?"

Yun Yin sneered, "That's a hot potato; let him handle it. What kind of place is the Divine Gateway? No matter what kind of fiend he is, going there is walking into his own death."

"Indeed."

To tell the truth, Yun Xiao really frightened all the high officials this time. They were so scared, they were eager to shake him off.

Carrying the life of a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer on his back, who would dare to touch him? But if they his trail, it would be a grave offense.

"Cao Sheng!" Gu Zhenxiao suddenly called out coldly.

"Supreme General." The burly bald man slightly bowed, his eyes uncertain.

Gu Zhenxiao produced a platinum token engraved with the number six. Each stroke formed either a dragon's head or its body.

"Rank 6 Celestial Mirror."

Upon seeing this, Cao Sheng identified the object. Though it conferred no specific office, it granted the owner the status of a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer. It would make them comparable to a Judicial Immortal governing an entire city!

Before the age of 30, reaching Rank 6 was as high as one could aspire in terms of official rank in the Celestial Court.

"Bestow it upon him," Gu Zhenxiao commanded.

"Are we really going to elevate him to Rank 6?" Cao Sheng frowned.

Wouldn't this young upstart become even more insolent?

"Until the Nine Thunders Sovereign responds, we follow the rules," Gu Zhenxiao stated.

"Yes!" Cao Sheng took the platinum token and descended, his body wrapped in surging electric serpents, heading towards Yun Xiao.

"It's General Cao!"

"Will he execute Lu Yao?"

"Justice over kin!"

The crowd was still unaware of the death of Feng Xuan, holding on to their hopeful thoughts.

With all eyes upon him, the towering, solemn, and imposing Thunder Duke Cao Sheng approached Yun Xiao. The small serpents coiled around his ears fixed their gaze on him, flicking their tongues.

At that moment, the Nine Thunders Arena quieted down.

Everyone watched the former father and son.

Yun Xiao also looked up, his expression calm as he faced the awe-inspiring General Cao.

Yun Xiao had just employed the signature techniques of both General Cao and his wife!

"Lu Yao!" Cao Sheng extended his hand, holding out the Rank 6 Celestial Mirror, and the expectant crowd nearly suffered aneurysms. Ignoring their cries, he presented the platinum token to Yun Xiao, declaring loudly, "From this moment forth, you are a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer!"

"My thanks to the Celestial Court and all the Immortals of the Thunder Department!" Yun Xiao accepted the platinum token willingly.

"From now on, lead with integrity and contribute to the Celestial Court!" Cao Sheng said.

"I will devote myself to the Celestial Court, to toil without complaint, until death!" Yun Xiao declared boldly.

"Hmm." Cao Sheng gave him a deep look, preferring to say no more, and turned away.

"Wait!" Yun Xiao suddenly called out, stopping him in his tracks.

"What is it?" Cao Sheng turned around.

In front of everyone, Yun Xiao spoke fervently, "After the appearance of the Moon Sword Goddess, I believe there has been some misunderstandings. The honor I have today is all thanks to the opportunities given by the Thunder Department. I am grateful for the Thunder Department.

"But not only that, I am grateful to you. Thank you, General Cao. Last night, in a fit of anger, you disowned me as your son, but today, I seize this chance to remind you, General Cao, that once a father, always a father. I have never forgotten your kindness.

"Today, as I finally ascend the Thunder Rankings, I wish to declare that in life, I am a man of the Thunder Department, and in death, I shall be its spirit. I swear, holding this Rank 6 Celestial Mirror, I still represent the Thunder Department in the Immortal Tournament at the Divine Gateway. Should I show any merit, the honor shall return to the sacred land of the Thunder Department, to everyone present here!"

"..." Cao Sheng was dumbstruck as he listened to Yun Xiao, wishing he could tear this boy's mouth apart right there.

It was too late! He had just disowned Yun Xiao, and now this infuriating fellow was clinging back to him!

What could he, Cao Sheng, possibly say at such a moment? Having loudly proclaimed the night before that he had kicked Yun Xiao out, it all seemed in vain now!

"Surely no one will believe this, right?" Cao Sheng had a foreboding feeling and looked back.

To his surprise, many of the 1,500,000 Immortals of the Thunder Department were nearly moved to tears by Yun Xiao's declaration.

So this brash young man still sought glory for the Thunder Department? Their earlier insults now seemed terribly unjust! His passionate speech weighed heavily on everyone present.

Then, in the silence that followed, someone started shouting Lu Yao's name!

"Lu Yao! Lu Yao!"

Soon, this reverent cheer filled the Nine Thunders Arena, echoing with high spirits.

"I'm done for," Cao Sheng watched, dumbfounded. He knew people could change, but he had no idea they could change this much. He felt numb.

"Congratulations, General Cao, your foster son is quite something!"

Congratulations erupted all around.

"UGHHH!!" Cao Sheng choked back a mouthful of dark blood...

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