Chapter 641: Two High Criminals of the Celestial Court!

Yun Xiao returned to the Hall of Soaring Thunder.

Accompanying him were Gu Suwan and Yun Yin, who stayed close as if to guard him personally.

However, Yun Xiao was in a foul mood and spoke little to them.

Upon reaching the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, he secluded himself in his cultivation chamber.

Meanwhile, Gu Suwan and Yun Yin chatted idly in the courtyard.

Gu Suwan's face bore a melancholy expression as she sighed, "Nine Kites was such a fine girl, destined for greatness. What a pity."

"Who knows if that so-called Seventh Princess is genuine?" Yun Yin replied coldly.

Just as they touched on this topic, Gu Suwan received a flying talisman.

After a glance, she said, "The Celestial Court has reached a verdict on this matter."

"What did they say?" Yun Yin asked.

"The Celestial Court declared that the reborn princess is not herself but a devil from beyond the Great Dao Celestial Realm, impersonating her," Gu Suwan said grimly.

"That doesn't sound right. How could a devil bypass the steps and fly directly to the Divine Gateway, killing two Great Horned Immortals?" Yun Yin frowned.

Gu Suwan shook her head. "That's unknown. Perhaps they found a loophole in the Divine Gateway, and it's a serious issue."

"What has the Celestial Court decided to do with this impostor princess?" Yun Yin asked.

Gu Suwan replied, "She's been declared a Divine Heaven grade felon with a bounty of 1,000,000,000 True Immortal Jades on her head. The entire Great Dao Celestial Realm has been locked down, and the palace guards are scouring the area."

"Is this decree directly from the Emperor and Empress Dowager?" Yun Yin was astonished.

"Yes." Gu Suwan nodded

Yun Xiao, standing at the entrance of the cultivation chamber, asked, "What's a Divine Heaven grade felon?"

"Common, Vast, Supreme, Dao, and Divine! A Divine Heaven grade felon represents the highest order of criminal in the history of the Celestial Court, a designation that hasn't been used in thousands of years. To slay a Prince within the Heavenly Palace is a provocation against the entirety of the Great Dao Celestial Realm," Gu Suwan explained solemnly.

Yun Xiao shook his head after listening. Returning to the cultivation chamber, he muttered, "That girl's gone mad, just as impulsive as ever, no subtlety, just straight into the fray."

He and Divine Dawn, alike in their fiery temperaments, were like sparks to tinder when together—fiery and fierce. Yet, Yun Xiao, beyond his ferocity, also cherished the art of cunning, always timing his strikes with precision, hiding his true intentions until the moment to strike lethally arrived.

Divine Dawn, elevated above the fray, believed solely in strength. She disdained guile and was unskilled in its arts. This was tied to the intrinsic nature of her being an incarnation of transcending calamity. It was precisely because of this that she sometimes found herself outmatched by the shadowy machinations and conspiracies of the mortal realm, perhaps a flaw in her very nature. But to be honest, Yun Xiao cherished her bravery and her candid, passionate spirit. If she were as duplicitous as he was, she wouldn't be quite so endearing.

"Well, let's hope she continues on," Yun Xiao mused.

After all, she wasn't just any incarnation of transcending calamity; she was a reinforced version, and Yun Xiao believed in her resilience.

"I earned the title of Champion of the Immortal Tournament and received a substantial reward of 100,000,000 True Immortal Jades. To kill her would yield 1,000,000,000! I suppose the Emperor and Empress Dowager are truly furious now…"

As for Nine Kites, Yun Xiao knew his own heart well. It was normal for life to bring some minor romantic entanglements.

But he had come to the Celestial Court with a purpose, with aspirations. If he claimed to fight for the good of all yet dallied with a girl already promised to another man, wouldn't that make him a beast?

"Perhaps she might have been good, had it not been for the thoroughly corrupt environment of the Celestial Court."

That, of course, was merely speculation. After all, he couldn't possibly come to know everyone; there simply wasn't time.

Yun Xiao believed in letting actions speak for themselves. Some deeds, once done, stood irrevocable, regardless of their reasons. If retribution came, it had to be accepted.

The lives of mere mortals were lives nonetheless!

Now, within the Hall of Soaring Thunder, he awaited a verdict also concerning the incense offerings.

About half an hour later, Gu Suwan received another flying talisman. With a complex look at Yun Xiao, she said, "Old Cao has returned."

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Outside a black underground palace in the Cao Immortal Manor, the burly, bald General Cao paced the courtyard with a grim expression. His steps resounded with heavy thuds, signaling someone trapped beneath the ground.

"Cao Sheng!"

Before long, dozens of Immortals descended. All of them were high officials of the Thunder Department, starting from Rank 4. Among them were the three Supreme Generals.

Gu Zhenxiao, looking particularly impatient, began with a glare, "How is Cao Shuo doing?"

Cao Sheng pointed towards the underground palace and replied, "I've got her chained with the Thunder Duke Chains. She's still causing a fuss!"

His expression was gloomy, clearly exasperated.

Yun Yin's face darkened. "She really prefers death over accepting the incense offerings? All your force was in vain, and the Crown Prince caught you in the act?!"

Cao Sheng sighed heavily. "Exactly! It was awful luck! She's seriously deranged! I tried to force the incense offerings on her. But unfortunately the Crown Prince walked in on us!"

"What's the situation now?" Gu Zhenxiao asked with a somber face.

"She's utterly doomed," Cao Sheng exhaled.

"How doomed? Speak clearly!" Yun Yin said impatiently.

Cao Sheng looked up, his voice hoarse, "The Crown Prince was furious. He stopped her from taking the incense offerings and charged her with

Treason against the Heavens

, classified her as a Dao Heaven grade high criminal, and ordered me to bring her back to the Thunder Department for execution by the Thunder Immortal Execution to set an example internally!"

Hearing this, Gu Zhenxiao felt a darkness before his eyes. "That seals her fate then, caught as a textbook case! It's a disgrace to our entire Thunder Department!"

"Did he say when to carry it out?" Yun Yin asked, looking grim.

"The Crown Prince ordered that as soon as she's back in the Thunder Department, you three Supreme Generals are to execute her immediately. However, this requires the Thunder Immortal Formation. Should we consult the Nine Thunders Sovereign?" Cao Sheng asked.

His demeanor and tone clearly showed he had completely written off his sister.

A formidable Rank 4 Thunder Emissary, due to her ideological flaws, had become a Dao Heaven grade high criminal, even charged with treason against the heavens, nearly obliterating her entire lineage... Cao Sheng was so infuriated by the whole affair he himself wanted to end her!

Yun Yin exchanged looks with Gu Zhenxiao and Man Zhan.

"Alright," Yun Yin said. "Send a flying talisman to consult the Nine Thunders Sovereign immediately. If he replies, we execute her without delay."

"And maybe ask if the celebration banquet is still on!" Man Zhan added.

But Gu Zhenxiao, giving Yun Yin a probing look, asked softly, "The Crown Prince said to execute her immediately. Are you consulting the Nine Thunders Sovereign because you fear Lu Yao?"

"Celebration banquet? Lu Yao? What's going on?" Cao Sheng paused in confusion.

Bo Hong stepped forward and explained Lu Yao's heaven-defying feats in the Immortal Tournament.

"That's too exaggerated... insane..." After hearing this, Cao Sheng's face twitched slightly.

Yun Yin sighed. "We were just saying how your sister had struck it lucky in this life, but it turns out she had a grave illness that ruined everything for herself."

"I've already informed Gu Suwan," Cao Sheng said through clenched teeth.

As his words fell, Yun Xiao, Yun Yin, and Gu Suwan entered the Cao Immortal Manor.

BOOM!

Yun Xiao's expression was grim, an aura of authority around him as he entered, parting the crowd of Thunder Department officials.

"Where is she?" he said with his gaze fixed on Cao Sheng.

"Lu Yao, Cao Shuo is safe for now, don't get agitated, let me explain everything." Yun Yin, among the three Supreme Generals and having no open conflicts with Yun Xiao, stepped forward to mediate the tension.

"Speak." Hearing the vibrations from the dungeon below, Yun Xiao knew that the Thunder Emissary was still alive.

Yun Yin recounted smoothly what Cao Sheng had reported earlier.

After finishing, he looked earnestly at Yun Xiao and said, "Lu Yao, Cao Shuo is now a traitor charged with the gravest sins in the Great Dao Celestial Realm. Don't let feelings cloud your judgment. The Crown Prince's decree is absolute, nothing can change that! Please, don't destroy everything you have for a woman who’s not worth it!"

He expected Yun Xiao might lose control. However, the young man nodded profoundly.

"Supreme General, rest assured, my thoughts are very clear, I have no issues. The celestial laws are always in my heart."

"That's good, that's good." Yun Yin sighed in relief, patting his shoulder. "Frankly, she's much older than you and far less talented. Such a woman is merely using her charm to seduce young men like you. She truly doesn't deserve someone like you."

"That makes sense." Yun Xiao smiled slightly, then looked towards the dungeon door, "You all wait for the Nine Thunders Sovereign's reply. I'll go in and bid her farewell."