Chapter 612: Like a Fish on the Chopping Block!

Apart from Cao Sheng and Gu Suwan, it seemed no one truly wished for the rumors about Yun Xiao's identity to be true.

"My reputation in the Thunder Department might be soaring right now. But the moment the truth about the relationship between me and the Chaos Sovereign is revealed, I'll instantly become its greatest shame." Yun Xiao's gaze was icy as he stared into the dark sky.

But would the truth actually come out? That depended on the Chaos Sovereign himself. If he acknowledged it, it wouldn't. If he denied it, trouble would brew.

This wasn't a position Yun Xiao had sought actively; it was the Chaos Sovereign himself who had sent the flying talisman. Yun Xiao was merely adapting logically.

"I'd be a fool if I left money just sitting on the table."

And just like that, 800,000 True Immortal Jades were in his hands!

Both status and resources were secured.

Yun Xiao flung the True Immortal Jades towards Blue Star and Red Moon, then waited for them to digest it. For now, he didn’t need the Origin Orbs; what he needed was the Tri Heaven Sariras to reach the Celestial Expanse Realm.

Everything was progressing smoothly!

The only thing increasing Yun Xiao’s anxiety was Cao Shuo.

"We agreed to a mighty clash of 300 rounds tonight, and she’s nowhere to be seen?" Yun Xiao muttered.

This wasn't like Cao Shuo. She was bold in love and swift in action.

"Could something have happened..."

A chill ran through Yun Xiao’s heart.

In the vast Thunder Department, and with Yun Xiao being alone, finding one person was nearly impossible.

"Got it."

After a moment, Yun Xiao devised a plan. No longer fearing the crowd’s thoughts, he sent his spirit soaring, smashing into the Thunder Immortal Formation and reaching its core.

RUMBLE!

As Yun Xiao's spirit merged with the grand formation, his willpower thunderously expanded.

In an instant, the formation surged with electric serpents, condensing above the Thunder Department into a colossal thunderous visage of the Creator Immortal.

BOOM!

The visage reappeared, and all the Immortals of the Thunder Department felt a profound shock.

"It happened again!"

"That's definitely Lu Yao's face!"

"Is his spirit controlling the thunder again?"

This was the moment Yun Xiao reached the pinnacle of power within the Thunder Department, where his display of innate talent was met with shock and awe.

Envy and hatred were rare, extremely rare.

For a moment, countless Immortals in the Thunder Department were deeply intimidated, and some even bowed deeply in reverence to Yun Xiao.

Just then, the thunderous colossal face suddenly spoke with a voice like a thousand thunders, "Cao Shuo, meet me in the Hall of Soaring Thunder in half an hour."

After speaking fiercely, the massive face of thunder vanished.

The Thunder Immortal Formation slowly returned to normal, and the lightning between heaven and earth gradually subsided.

However, the shock this event caused was likely to linger long in the hearts of the masses.

"That's incredible, using the Thunder Immortal Formation to set a date."

"That's what you call romantic!"

"Lucky Thunder Emissary Cao."

People chatted, all wishing they could witness the scene at the Hall of Soaring Thunder. But they dared not. What they didn't know was that Cao Shuo didn't appear at the Hall of Soaring Thunder after the set time.

"That means she's really in trouble." Yun Xiao knew she wouldn't have left the Thunder Department without seeing him.

Now fearless and powerful, Cao Shuo didn't need to hide with him around!

How could she not come to meet him?

It was only then that Yun Xiao realized he cared for her. Though it was hard to speak of liking, let alone love, at the very least, there had been a deep, fiery passion that had mingled within their hearts.

This emotion, born of the joy between a man and a woman, was also pure and real.

Unable to sit still any longer, Yun Xiao strode alone through the night to the Cao Immortal Manor.

At the entrance of the estate, someone expected his arrival and was waiting for him.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The man sat on the steps. Yet, he appeared as tall as those standing. He was dressed in thunderous battle armor, his large frame like a mountain, bald-headed with two venomous little snakes coiled around his ears.

It was General Cao.

"She might have left the Thunder Department," Cao Sheng said calmly upon seeing Yun Xiao.

No matter whose son Yun Xiao was, he was not the type to bow down.

"Do not anger me," Yun Xiao stood before him, his voice cold.

Cao Sheng knew he wouldn't be believed, so he rose and said, "Fine, I'll use my connections to help search within the Thunder Department."

"Did Gu Zhenxiao or Yun Yin take her? Or was it the Moon Sword Goddess? Or did they collaborate?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Don't talk nonsense." Cao Sheng shook his head.

"No matter who it was, tell them I am vengeful," Yun Xiao stated coldly.

"You're really misunderstanding," Cao Sheng took a deep breath and said, "Honestly, our families in the Thunder Department have been allies for generations. There might be minor conflicts, but there are boundaries. And Cao Shuo has the status of a Rank 4 Heavenly Officer; she wouldn't just vanish."

"So you mean to say it was you who took her," Yun Xiao said.

"I didn't say that. Don't twist my words," Cao Sheng said sternly.

"You better release her tonight. If I don't see her before I depart tomorrow, I will hold no goodwill towards the Thunder Department anymore," Yun Xiao didn’t really listen to him but instead spoke his mind, convinced of his stance.

Cao Sheng fell silent at his words.

"Why bother? You don’t even like her," he said after a moment.

"It’s not about liking her," Yun Xiao looked at Cao Sheng, his voice icy. "She has been good to me, which means she is destined for good fortune. No one should mistreat her."

"Wow, how admirable." Cao Sheng gave a thumbs up.

"Pass on the message." Yun Xiao said before turning to leave. He knew he would get no more information.

The real shakers and movers of the Thunder Departments were elsewhere.

The conflicts between Yun Xiao and the Thunder Department outweighed everything else. The only reluctance he felt was that he had risen with its resources. So, there was still a trace of tolerance and obligation.

And Cao Shuo was Yun Xiao's only link to the Thunder Department. If they did not cherish this link, he would only be more disappointed. At least, he had given them a chance!

After Yun Xiao left, Gu Suwan emerged from the Cao Immortal Manor.

"What are you trying to do? I put in all that effort cozying up to him, and you ended up pissing him off," Gu Suwan said with a hint of reproach.

"And how exactly did you cozy up to him?" Cao Sheng's eyes flashed with thunder.

"Don't listen to those foolish gossipers; they love to stir trouble." Gu Suwan soothed her husband as she clung to his arm. "Just keep calm. After all, it wasn't you who moved against Cao Shuo. Why should his wrath fall on you?"

"Do you really think he might be the son of the Chaos Sovereign? Do you know the more a man boasts, the less he usually has? His current arrogance only highlights his lack of backing," Cao Sheng said coldly.

"The problem is, you are his sworn father. Is it worth the gamble? You and I, by appearing to comply, whatever the outcome, we win. Why confront him directly?" Gu Suwan said helplessly.

Cao Sheng cooled down a bit at that. Then, he gritted his teeth. "This boy is too arrogant, threatening the entire Thunder Department. Honestly, I want to smash him into a pulp."

"Just bear with it. You believe he's corrupted your little sister. So, it's normal to feel resentful," Gu Suwan said.

"Hah…" Cao Sheng sighed.

"Was it the Nine Thunders Sovereign?" Gu Suwan asked.

"It must be; he's returned," Cao Sheng replied.

"That's trouble. It's an internal matter of the Thunder Department, and he has his prestige in the Celestial Court. He won't step aside for the Chaos Sovereign," Gu Suwan worried.

"The Nine Thunders Sovereign has had his eye on Cao Shuo for a while. She's always been a problem child. Even without Lu Yao, she was bound to face severe reprimand." Cao Sheng sighed.

"You still care about her, don't you?" Gu Suwan glared at him. "Stop it, okay? Even if there's a rift between Lu Yao and the Nine Thunders Sovereign, what’s that to us? If his background is genuine, we benefit; if not, we just kick him when he's down. Don't confront him in anger; that’s a losing proposition."

"Should I pass on that boy's message to the Nine Thunders Sovereign?" Cao Sheng, feeling his anger cloud his judgment, still needed to heed his wife’s counsel.

"Report what? Did the Nine Thunders Sovereign tell you he took Cao Shuo?" Gu Suwan asked incredulously.

"No."

"Then there you go. What's it to you?" Gu Suwan rolled her eyes.

"Right..." Cao Sheng took a deep breath, his gaze following Yun Xiao as he departed.

"Though we need not get involved, honestly, I am certain this boy will die at the Divine Gateway, and it will be a gruesome end. His ways might work in the Thunder Department. But in the heart of the Celestial Court, he's like a fish on the chopping block, thinking he’s slippery, only to be split head from tail with one hack."

Gu Suwan rolled her eyes. "Again, that's none of your concern."

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