The Crown Prince's chosen consort, destined to be the Empress Dowager if she lived long enough.

Yun Xiao remained unemotional, offering respectful words as protocol demanded, acknowledging her presence with mere formality.

The Saintess Yao Xi also acted with fitting grace, greeting Yun Xiao with a slight smile.

At that moment, Yue Yin introduced Yun Xiao to the position on the left of Empress Zhao, occupied by a tall woman standing nearly seven feet tall, overshadowing Yun Xiao by more than a foot, her presence formidable and commanding.

She was clad in a golden suit of armor that covered her entirely, leaving only her fingers and a pair of dark golden eyes visible, her gaze domineering, the most unsettling in the entire hall.

“This is one of the Eight Great Sovereigns of the Celestial Court, the only female hero among them, the master of the Combat Division, the Combat Sovereign,” Yue Yin introduced with respect, though her eyes dared not meet the Combat Sovereign's. For this female tyrant was truly fierce.

The Moon Sword Goddess was merely a favored figure in Empress Zhao’s Kunlun Palace, but the Combat Sovereign was Empress Zhao’s right-hand woman, a supremely influential figure.

"I pay respects to the Combat Sovereign," Yun Xiao said.

"Immortal Champion, I have witnessed your valor firsthand," the Combat Sovereign replied, her voice deep but not coarse, exuding strength.

Even a Rank 1 Sovereign of Celestial Court, a figure comparable to the Nine Thunders Sovereign, was a member of the Western Kunlun Palace… this spoke volumes of the influence of this assembly.

But Yun Xiao knew that the Western Kunlun Palace was nominally not an organization but simply the Empress Dowager's personal court.

They gathered under the guise of hospitality and social events hosted by Empress Zhao; technically, it wasn't official—just a gathering for noble women.

However, as these gatherings grew around Empress Zhao as their focal point, legality became irrelevant.

It was attended by the Crown Princess and a Rank 1 Sovereign! These were but two among those seated under Empress Zhao.

Yue Yin continued introducing others to Yun Xiao.

For instance, at the second position on the right, there sat a stately, luxurious woman, peerless in figure and complexion, known as

Lady Fortune

, a Rank 2 Heavenly Officer and the wife of the Dragon Tiger Sovereign.

To the left, resembling the Moon Sword Goddess, stood Yue Yin’s older sister, the Sun Sword Goddess, her demeanor and personality far more fiery than that of Yue Yin.

And she was the Northstar Sword Devil's wife!

The others introduced were nearly all Rank 2 Heavenly Officers and rightful wives of various overlords.

In such a gathering, an unmarried Rank 2 Heavenly Officer like Yue Yin was only middling, her connections and power significantly less than her sister’s.

Among the 100 present, the lowest in status was equal to Gu Suwan, a Rank 3 Lightning Duchess!

Meaning, the former Rank 4 Chief Military Thunder Emissary, Cao Shuo, was barely on the threshold of the Western Kunlun Palace, a fringe figure who lacked the status to attend such a high-end gathering of celestial women today.

In the esteemed halls where laughter mingled with the sweet taste of divine peaches, only the wealthy and noble could partake.

Without a word from Empress Zhao to halt, Yue Yin continued her introductions until all the 100 present had been named, leaving Yun Xiao feeling somewhat dizzy from the procession.

He summed it up briefly in his mind. Ninety-five percent of these noble Immortal ladies were married. Most held nominal posts, doing little most days except following Empress Zhao around in the Western Kunlun Palace.

Yue Yin was somewhat an anomaly among them; she had been busily engaged at the Immortal Sword Court, only recently having set aside her duties to devote herself to Yun Xiao.

It was her older sister who had drawn her into the circle of the Western Kunlun Palace, though she seldom visited.

One could say that of the wives and daughters of top officials in the Celestial Court, a significant portion had ties to the Western Kunlun Palace.

With the introductions finally over, Empress Zhao waved her hand, and a peach-shaped jade pendant floated towards Yun Xiao, settling into his hand.

“Lu Yao, my esteemed colleagues have expressed their admiration for you. Take this pendant; it will grant you access to the Western Kunlun Palace anytime to join our discussions.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager,” Yun Xiao responded, waiting for what was to come next.

He knew the real topic was about to be addressed.

Indeed, Empress Zhao sighed deeply and then praised Yun Xiao, “I can't believe the demons and devils dared to infiltrate our great Celestial Court. To launch an assault while the Thunder Department is in the middle of a crisis… it's an utterly cowardly and despicable act, challenging the dignity of the Heavenly Palace. Fortunately for us, we had you guarding the gate, commanding the celestial formation and saving the Thunder Department from destruction."

“As a Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court, it was merely my duty,” Yun Xiao replied.

Empress Zhao shook her head with a smile. “By position, you are but a Rank 4 Chief Military Thunder Emissary. Yet, you have achieved glory far beyond your station. This is why I summoned you… not only because all the women here wished to meet the great hero in person, but also to deliver an imperial decree.”

She then looked towards the Combat Sovereign.

The Combat Sovereign stood, her gaze fixed on Yun Xiao, and declared, “Immortal Champion Lu Yao, heed the decree.”

Yun Xiao's eyelid twitched as he responded, “Yes.”

The Combat Sovereign then read, “As a Rank 4 Chief Military Thunder Emissary, you have slain our foes and rescued the Thunder Department, establishing illustrious merits visible to all under heaven. By special exception, you are promoted to the position of Rank 2 Nine Heavens Supreme Thunder General, and you are awarded an Upper Divine Heaven grade celestial treasure, the Heavenly Treasure Robe.”

Yun Xiao felt a slight shock within. The Celestial Court was clearly aware of his threat and yet they played this game?

Being made a Rank 2 Heavenly officer was scarcely useful; they could strip the rank as easily as they had granted it. But to also award him an Upper Divine Heaven grade celestial treasure? Was it truly a gift?

Last time Yun Xiao was named the Immortal Champion, the Celestial Court had given him the Platinum Champion Set, but it had already been destroyed.

He didn't fuss over such matters; it was wise to accept benefits when offered.

So, Yun Xiao gratefully acknowledged the imperial decree, and the Combat Sovereign handed him a golden jade box, which he tucked away without opening it right then.

"Congratulations, the youngest ever Rank 4 Chief Military Thunder Emissary has now become the youngest Rank 2 Nine Heavens Supreme Thunder General. This record of yours, no one forthcoming can break," Empress Zhao said with a beaming smile.

A Nine Heavens Supreme Thunder General! Yun Xiao was now a top-tier official!

And with significant authority, surpassing most of the women present!

He was second only to the Combat Sovereign!

With this imperial decree, controlling the Thunder Department would be much easier for Yun Xiao.

But he knew well, there were no free lunches in heaven.

So, after the initial wave of jubilant congratulations subsided, Yun Xiao asked, "Your Majesty… Aside from the forces of Naraka, Lu Fan's Great Dao Celestial Army was also complicit in the assault on the Thunder Department. How does the Celestial Court plan to deal with him?"

He asked because he noticed that the imperial decree had mentioned nothing about the Great Dao Celestial Army.

After his question, the atmosphere in the hall dipped slightly, and the delicate Immortal ladies all turned their gaze towards Empress Zhao.

Empress Zhao responded naturally, "After the incident at the Thunder Department, Sovereign Lu immediately went to the Divine Gateway to clarify matters. It has been determined that Zhu Shenlu and Yu Shiling were bribed by Naraka to betray the Celestial Court. The White Emperor is prepared to severely punish their clans... Of course, Sovereign Lu's inability to control his subordinates has also been noted for reprimand by the White Emperor."

"So it seems." Yun Xiao internally smirked at the response.

"Even now, the Celestial Court loves to save face, wiping the ass of that Chaos Spirit," Blue Star commented disdainfully.

"They only refrain from dealing with Lu Fan because they want to keep the focus of discord on me, while the Celestial Court continues to conserve its strength and play nice with everyone," Yun Xiao said evenly.

So, the Celestial Court was cleaning up after the Chaos Sovereign while simultaneously promoting Yun Xiao, officially resolving the Thunder Department's turmoil.

Moreover, the Celestial Court did not publicly descend upon the Thunder Department to declare Yun Xiao's rewards, but allowed Empress Zhao to do it privately... This subtlety meant that should they turn against Yun Xiao later, their own reputation would remain intact.

Frankly, it was distasteful!

But Yun Xiao had no choice. He would take the benefits first and deal with the rest as it came!

This time, with the Great Dao Celestial Army and Naraka suffering such tremendous losses, Yun Xiao wasn't the one who should be worried or stressed.

"By the way," Empress Zhao said softly, looking at Yun Xiao, she suddenly asked, "Sir Lu, there are rumors that you have some connections with that false Divine Dawn. Surely that's not true?"

Yun Xiao shook his head. "Of course not."

Empress Zhao pursed her lips in a smile and said softly, "That's good to hear."

After a pause, she continued, "Even so, rumors are fearsome things, so when Sovereign Lu corners that false Divine Dawn, you must avoid any appearance of involvement."

"Cornering her?" Yun Xiao looked up at Empress Zhao.

Empress Zhao nodded and sighed. "That fiendish pretender destroyed the Ascension Pool, allowing the forces of Naraka to infiltrate the Celestial Court, and encouraged the ascenders to spread rumors about incensing offerings to smear the Celestial Court's image, making her public enemy number one."

After saying this, she chuckled wistfully, "Sovereign Lu is cunning indeed. That woman… she's the one who encouraged all the ascenders to spread those rumors, right? Well, Sovereign Lu captured them all. Now, we’ll see if she dares to come forward to meet her end."

JustLivingJL's Thoughts