Chapter 636: Emperor Taiwei of the White!

"What the hell was that?" Lu Fan extended his sleeve to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze growing cold and stern.

He looked toward the direction of the battle platform, replaying the recent events in his mind.

"The body double has limited potential, just a toy. Losing the battle is trivial, but how could that little protagonist possess a soul technique rewarded by the system?"

Lu Fan ignited the golden lotus before him.

Staring at the golden interface, he spoke without a word, "System, wake up. The instance is bugged!"

The golden interface changed its text.

Eventually, it formed a small golden sentence…

「

Analyzing…

」

"Analyzing, my ass! This bug is game breaking! If I don't get rid of it now, I might actually be in real danger! Shit shit shit! I'm gonna throw everything I have at it!" Lu Fan said, his expression severe, not joking in the slightest.

And to that statement, the golden interface offered no response.

Lu Fan then turned to the corner where the foggy-eyed Lunar Mistress was curled up, and said, "Go back and summon all the generals for me. It's time to prepare for the ending. I'm gonna deal with both the Immortal Asylum and Lu Yao at once. This stupid instance has dragged on for too long, even bugging out on me…"

"Yes." The Lunar Mistress bowed and retreated.

After his departure, Lu Fan's eyes darkened as he looked toward the Celestial Court, a cold smile slowly forming on his lips.

"In my past life reading novels, those brainless villains always gave the hero a thousand chances to grow. Unfortunately, you're dealing with me, Lu Fan!"

In his hands, talismans flew out.

The entire Great Dao Celestial Realm was instantly swirled with a dark tide.

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At that moment, when the Greatest War God of the Celestial Court was stirring tidal waves in the Celestial Realm, the area around the fighting platform was already buzzing like a marketplace.

To stir and ignite debate among the Immortals of at least Rank 2, to the point of standing and applauding... was unimaginable!

Yet, Yun Xiao had accomplished exactly that!

The vaporized remains of An Yao dispersed into black lotus petals, forming the most splendid backdrop behind Yun Xiao.

As the young man stepped down from the fighting platform, his platinum Arbiter armor shone brilliantly, his long hair billowing, his face fair as jade, his presence otherworldly!

"Ah..." Nine Kites gazed upon the scene, a sharp pain clutching at her heart.

An Yao was dead!

Fortunately, the pain lasted but a moment before Yun Xiao's otherworldly beauty captured her attention completely, drawing her in deeply.

This true flutter of the heart was far more intense and real than any previous feigned emotions!

"Lu Yao!" Beside her, Gu Suwan couldn't help but cry out, tears streaming down her face.

Her tears, fueled partly by the glory of the Thunder Department and partly by the pride of a mother in her exceptional son, were a testament to her deep emotional involvement.

Not just her, even the Moon Sword Goddess, usually so icy, showed a softened expression, her eyes filled with a gentle light.

"Remarkable! Truly remarkable!"

"He's indeed impressive."

"Sovereign Lu has lost both family and reputation, and the Thunder Department has gained a treasure!"

"Who would have thought that Sovereign Lu would see such a day of defeat."

"It seems only a monster can defeat another monster."

"Sovereign Lu has certainly met his match this time!"

Soon, praises echoed over the fighting platform, stirring the hearts of many Immortals.

Those who had once suffered under Sovereign Lu felt a profound sense of relief.

Many laughed heartily!

The Longevity Immortal was stunned for a moment before he finally announced, "After the final match, the victor of the Immortal Tournament has been determined. The crown of the Heavenly Palace's Champion goes to Rank 6 Arbiter Lu of the Thunder Department!"

After a pause, he hesitantly added, "As for the honor of second place..."

In his hesitation, he glanced covertly at Empress Zhao and the Celestial Emperor beside her.

Amidst the rapt attention of all, the elderly old man with white hair and eyes stroked his beard and smiled. "Let it remain vacant! The prizes too shall go to our champion, for his performance today merits double honor."

With these words, the crowd initially searched for the Lunar Mistress, then realizing she was not present, their attention turned to the lonely figure of Wuqing in the corner.

After An Yao's death, she kept her head bowed, silent and seemingly indifferent to not having advanced to second place.

But the Emperor's decision to leave the second place vacant sent a delicate signal.

Earlier, Wuqing and An Yao had arrived at the fighting platform together, alerting many to the position of the Lunar Mistress.

After An Yao's demise, Wuqing should have automatically been moved up to second place.

Yet, the Emperor chose to leave it vacant, not awarding it to anyone.

"Both the Champion and second place prizes are mine?" Yun Xiao was thrilled at the announcement.

Honor and status meant little to him; what he craved now were resources.

Having just survived Sovereign Lu's deadly maneuver, Yun Xiao knew he needed to strengthen the fading Blue Star and Red Moon, or they'd become utterly vulnerable.

He couldn't help but look towards the Emperor.

"He must see something in me. Whether he intends to use me or not, it's to my advantage." Yun Xiao excelled at leveraging his talents to entice, gradually securing backing and climbing the ranks through gathering resources.

From Jiang Taiping to Cao Sheng, and then from the Moon Sword Goddess to the Chaos Sovereign. Unfortunately, the Chaos Sovereign didn't play by the rules and tried to kill him on sight.

Now, having kicked Sovereign Lu to the curb, Yun Xiao had the highest echelons of the Celestial Court within his grasp.

"The Celestial Court's Emperor, formally known as the Supreme Celestial Emperor of the Opening Heavens, Exalted Majesty of the Mysterious Firmament, High Lord of the Golden Imperial Palace, Sage Emperor of Pure White, Marvelous Incarnation, Absolute Ruler Over All Heavens, Boundless Liberator of Mankind, Most Subtle Honored Sovereign… his full title is indeed lengthy."

Commonly addressed as the Emperor or the White Emperor, in official documents he was referred to simply as Emperor Taiwei of the White.

Yun Xiao knew there was a reason for such an elongated title. It was because the Emperor had lived a very, very long time. Just how long?

"It's said that the youthful and beautiful Empress Zhao is his hundredth wife!"

While others counted their descendants through generations, he had cycled through Empresses 100 times over.

Despite this, his own progeny were surprisingly few, just seven.

This generation's Empress Zhao was his most cherished, having borne him two children—the Sixth Prince Zhen and the Seventh Princess Xi.

Of the previous princes, aside from the Crown Prince who shared his father's terrifying longevity, the others had not survived the test of time.

Such was the deepest secret of the Celestial Court.

Yun Xiao had never understood why he could live so long, but now, seeing it firsthand, he knew it had everything to do with the incense offered in worship.

"Don't be fooled by the Emperor's genial appearance; withstanding Sovereign Lu's challenges, he’s not easy to deal with..."

Although Yun Xiao was forced to stand with a faction he deeply despised, he knew exactly what he needed to do.

At that moment, the Longevity Immortal respectfully received a sacred imperial decree from the hands of Emperor Taiwei.

"Lu Yao, attend and hear." The Longevity Immortal, with a nod and a sway, unfurled the platinum scroll.

"Your humble servant is here!" Yun Xiao stepped forward.

"You, a youth of exceptional merit, have distinguished yourself with 13 consecutive victories, standing proud above the assembled talents of the Celestial Court, and claiming the honor of the Immortal Tournament's Champion—a truly extraordinary feat! At this shining moment, by the Emperor’s grace, a reward is bestowed upon you. May you adhere to the celestial laws of the Immortal path, continue with diligence, for the sake of heaven and all beings, to uphold the righteousness of heaven, elevate the moral way, support the heavenly order, and relieve the suffering of the common folk, to become a true Immortal of the heavenly path!" the Longevity Immortal proclaimed, his voice echoing far and wide.

Everything here would be showcased throughout the Thunder Department, every detail spreading across the Great Dao Celestial Realm.

"Lu Yao, I have done it!"

The youthful spirit of Yun Xiao stirred, his heart swelling with excitement.

A young Arbiter, aspiring only to be upright and just, who had failed the Arbiter examination… yet now his name resounded through the Celestial Court!

From that moment, who could forget this humble boy from Sky Soaring City, who loved to paint?

"Master, Arbiter Lu..." Yun Xiao thought of Liu Mumu, recalling Lu An's final, desperate, and sorrowful gaze as he died; the world so stark and cruel.

If Lu An could see this moment, he might rest peacefully...

Thinking of those ordinary people, like himself, who pursued justice and righteousness in their hearts, Yun Xiao’s eyes reddened. He knew the world was dark, but there were still many, driven by a passion for fairness and justice, without status or renown, who often faced obstacles and died silently in corners like Lu An, or perished on their journey like those ascenders who tried to reach the Celestial Court.

Out of countless aspiring ascenders, only one Yun Xiao survived, scrabbling and fighting his way to stand now in the most glorious place in the Celestial Court!

Who said there were no good people in the Celestial Court?

They were either humble or had perished.

Yun Xiao represented them!

And in this moment, as the aura of honor enveloped him, he knew this was just the beginning; there was much more to do!

The burning fury and indignation that first set him on this path still surged strong within him.

As long as it remained, he would be a fiery youth fighting against the injustices of the heavenly path...

JustLivingJL's Thoughts

"The Celestial Court's Emperor, formally known as the Supreme Celestial Emperor of the Opening Heavens, Exalted Majesty of the Mysterious Firmament, High Lord of the Golden Imperial Palace, Sage Emperor of Pure White, Marvelous Incarnation, Absolute Ruler Over All Heavens, Boundless Liberator of Mankind, Most Subtle Honored Sovereign… his full title is indeed lengthy."