Chapter 623: You Deserve to Be Proud

In a single move, the number one sword prodigy of the Celestial Court was determined!

The duel was brutally simple, swift and decisive!

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

It didn't matter if Jian Chi possessed twin Divine Heaven grade Sword Souls or that he dedicated 30 years of his life wholeheartedly to the sword... Before the ferocious Judgment of a Thousand Daos, the culmination of all his talents and efforts were instantly crushed by overwhelming power!

The thunderous sword of the Judgment of 10,000 Daos swept across, stirring a tumult among the highest-ranking Immortals, a disturbance hard to calm.

Born to commoners in a frontier city and not even 30 years old, Yun Xiao had crushed the young master nurtured for 30 years by the Immortal Sword Court using the Ten Great Dao Heaven Arts of the Thunder Department... Surely, there was a mystery there, something extraordinary.

"Yun Yin!"

Above, seated on a cloud, was a noblewoman in a golden gown, bearing a resemblance to the Moon Sword Goddess, though less aloof and more passionate, her eyes blazing like fire.

From her seat, she was likely also a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer. But she was shooting an accusatory glare at Yun Yin.

"Sun Sword Goddess."

Of all the onlookers, Yun Yin was the most shocked. As the Rank 2 Heavenly Officer who oversaw the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, he knew the complexity of the Thunder Department's Ten Great Dao Heaven Arts!

"Aren't your Thunder Department's Ten Great Dao Heaven Arts not supposed to be taught to those below Rank 2?" The Sun Sword Goddess raised her eyebrows, her tone pressing.

Yun Yin, facing her fiery anger, responded calmly, "The transmission of secret arts within the Thunder Department is our own affair."

"So, this boy isn’t the son of the Chaos Sovereign, but rather a secret weapon you’ve cultivated for vengeance?" the Sun Sword Goddess said coldly.

"..." Yun Yin was momentarily speechless. Before this battle, even he had thought that without the Chaos Sovereign's endorsement, this young man was doomed.

Yet, Yun Xiao's use of the Ten Great Dao Heaven Art's had led to another misunderstanding?

"Sun Sword Goddess, you're overthinking things too much. Lu Yao is merely a common Rank 6 Arbiter of the Thunder Department. He's neither our secret weapon, nor specially trained by us," Yun Yin quickly replied.

Unfortunately, the Sun Sword Goddess' mind was already made. So, Yun Yin's response only served to infuriate her further. She turned to an aloof silver-haired woman behind her and said, "Yue Yin, what an apprentice you've taken! You've let the Thunder Department make a fool of you!"

"Sister…" The Moon Sword Goddess, also veiled in mists, could only bow her head and say, "I have severed ties with him. Whatever he does is no longer my concern."

Though she said this, the young man she was convinced was doomed had once again unsettled her.

In that moment, the future of the Immortal Sword Court had been decisively turned on its head!

"Oh? But doesn't your disciple still recognize you as his master?"

A few people congratulated the Moon Sword Goddess on her newfound sword prodigy.

Such congratulations, though meant as a joke, lodged a bitter lump in the throat of the Moon Sword Goddess, increasingly uncomfortable as the voices of congratulations multiplied.

"Could this genius be a collaborative creation of the Great Dao Celestial Army, the Thunder Department, and the Immortal Sword Court?" one suggested, hinting at a possible alliance over this prodigious youth.

Most comments in this manner were made in jest, with little genuine belief behind them. After all, so far, the Great Dao Celestial Army had not publicly supported Yun Xiao.

Regardless, the first battle had concluded.

After effectively stepping over the head of the Immortal Sword Court's young master, Yun Xiao had brought the name Lu Yao to the forefront of the divine land of the Celestial Court.

"Mother," Jian Chi approached the Sun Sword Goddess. He appeared more a ghost than a man, his spirit dim and disoriented as if he'd lost his consciousness.

Seeing her son in such a state naturally cut the Sun Sword Goddess to the core.

"To be so easily shattered by a single defeat; what then was the point of your 30 years of arduous cultivation? Were they merely bubbles?" From afar, a lofty black sword shadow spoke, its voice piercing like a sword through Jian Chi's ears.

"Father!" Jian Chi gritted his teeth. "I never imagined being eliminated in the round of 16, nor did I foresee being so thoroughly bested by a peer in swordsmanship. You can't understand that feeling."

"The path of immortality is infinite, and for every mountain climbed, a higher one looms unseen. If you crumble after one defeat, then this path is not for you," the black sword shadow advised.

"You speak from experience, earned from the Chaos Sovereign, don't you?" Jian Chi paused, his voice deep. Just then, a chilling pain seized him, as if he'd been plunged into the icy depths of Tartarus. All of this was from the icy gaze of his father!

"Enough, he's suffered enough for today. If you want to teach him, choose a better time," said the Sun Sword Goddess, her heart aching, shielding her son. "Stay here; I'm going to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, and then we will return to the Immortal Sword Court."

"No," Jian Chi shook his head, fixating on Yun Xiao. "He defeated me, but at least he represents the swordsmanship that overcame me. He must make it to the top three; I must see it with my own eyes!"

"He represents the Thunder Department, perhaps even the Great Dao Celestial Army, but certainly not the Sword Court," the black sword shadow sneered.

Jian Chi bowed his head, silent, yet a fierce pride burned within him. He knew as long as Yun Xiao advanced, his own defeat wouldn't seem as disgraceful. He needed to prove how formidable his opponent was!

And he had felt it profoundly, the terror of his rival!

Unwittingly, Jian Chi had pinned his bright swordsmanship dreams, once destined for the Divine Gateway, onto Yun Xiao…

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"How did you learn it?" Gu Suwan's lips parted slightly in surprise as she stared at the calm youth before her.

"Just like with Ascend the Heavens and Misty Rebirth, it wasn't hard," Yun Xiao replied.

"Alright then."

His casual dismissal of difficulty slightly shook Gu Suwan's resolve. Before this battle, she had given up on this foster son of hers.

But now, she was somewhat intimidated, though she said nothing, and stood very close to Yun Xiao. To an outsider, they might have looked like a doting mother and son.

This scene was interrupted by the arrival of a

true

noble lady.

The girl in a short blue-violet dress, Nine Kites, glanced at Yun Xiao and said, "May I have a word?"

"She's not a stranger," Yun Xiao replied, referring to Gu Suwan.

"Indeed… but I'll step aside," Gu Suwan said. This was the daughter of the Nine Thunders Sovereign, a future Imperial Consort. She did not dare to offend her and quickly stepped back.

"Lu Yao," Nine Kites's violet eyes locked on him, "As a man, can you be straightforward and tell me, are you the son of Sovereign Lu?"

"I can." Yun Xiao nodded, then added, "I am not."

"Do you swear to it?" Nine Kites raised an eyebrow.

"No need for oaths. The situation is complex, but ultimately, I am not," Yun Xiao declared.

"Fine," Nine Kites pursed her lips. "Then I can also tell you plainly, based on your performance today, if you wish to continue bringing honor to the Thunder Department, my father is willing to nurture you."

"Oh? But I killed Feng Qi," Yun Xiao mentioned.

"Feng Qi is just a minor loss on the battlefield, my father can overlook that," Nine Kites responded.

"Are you sure?" Yun Xiao smiled.

"Of course. After all, the honor of the Thunder Department is more important," she said, glancing at the others gathered around and sighed softly. "You know, this Immortal Tournament has many strong participants, and I am somewhat overwhelmed."

"I understand. But you should know, Feng Qi and Feng Xuan are the Chaos Sovereign's people," Yun Xiao pointed out.

"My father doesn't fear the Chaos Sovereign!" Nine Kites suddenly declared passionately. "As long as you have no ties to him, as long as you can bring home the glory that has long been absent from the Thunder Department, and truly wish to become a legend and a pillar of our future, we in the Thunder Department can truly accept you."

After speaking, she gave Yun Xiao a deep look and added, "I know your nature is proud, which makes many uncomfortable, but given your performance against Jian Chi, you deserve to be so proud."

"It's too good to be true," Yun Xiao said with mock emotion. "Honestly, when I first entered the Thunder Department, it felt like coming home. It was there I felt the warmth of a family..."

"Save it!" Nine Kites rolled her eyes, then whispered a reminder, "My future is likely to unfold right here in the heart of the Celestial Court. So as long as you maintain your integrity, you're bound to achieve great things in the Thunder Department."

"The real question is, does your father agree? Does the Nine Heavens Supreme Thunder General agree? Gu Zhenxiao is still after my Sword Soul," Yun Xiao said coolly.

"Would he dare?" Nine Kites's expression chilled. "Don't worry, I call the shots here, and my father listens to me!"

Yun Xiao could tell, this was her own wishful thinking.

Her motivation was simple: the pressure was immense. It was a tournament meant for Arbiters, and yet the Thunder Department had failed to place in the top three repeatedly, leaving its representatives without glory.

This lack of success even prevented the Nine Thunders Sovereign from holding his head high in the Celestial Court.

Competitors like Jian Chi, Zhao Yuanbao, and Wuqing had put immense pressure on her.

Yun Xiao's victory over Jian Chi had indeed stunned her.

"You're naive, yet not so naive." Yun Xiao suddenly laughed.

"What do you mean by that?" Nine Kites asked, displeased.

"Never mind, let's watch the match!" Yun Xiao gestured towards the fighting platform.

Indeed, following his match with Jian Chi, the second duel commenced.

The combatant was Zhao Yuanbao, facing Gu Zhenshi.

This match was predictable: Zhao Yuanbao, an Inscription Cultivator, simply unleashed a Life Sigil and a magic treasure that left Gu Zhenshi's face swollen.

The result was expected. A Golden Immortal could easily overpower someone in the Celestial Expanse Realm.

"If it weren't for your strong start, the chances of any of our nine from the Thunder Department making the quarterfinals would have been slim..." Nine Kites's words seemed prophetic as each subsequent match unfolded, with Thunder Department’s prodigies struggling to articulate their performances.

Most were simply crushed!

"Out of nine, only one match was an internal clash, the other seven faced honorary Arbiters."

Clearly, these so-called random duels were orchestrated by Empress Dowager Zhao herself. Her hands played with the fates of the youth whimsically.

Yun Xiao and Jian Chi's opening match had also been her doing, indicating her keen interest in Yun Xiao!

"The Thunder Department is still lacking!" The Longevity Immortal sighed as one conclusion after another was revealed.

After Yun Xiao's fight, in six bouts, the Thunder Department won only one.

That one was the internal clash where Yun Alter defeated another peer from the Thunder Department…

The rest were defeats!

So far, out of seven honorary Arbiters, five had made the quarterfinals, along with Yun Xiao and Yun Alter, filling seven of the eight spots.

Only one spot remained.

"You're closing the show," Yun Xiao said to Nine Kites.

He noticed that from the seventh match's draw, Nine Kites's expression had darkened.

"Yes..." Nine Kites looked into the distance, biting her lip, "But this An Yao, who is about to compete, hasn't even shown up yet. Such disrespect, much like the Chaos Sovereign himself..."

Yun Xiao's gaze grew cold as he asked, "You mean to say, this disciple of the Chaos Sovereign is named 'An Yao'?"