Immortal of the Ages

“I don't know… the congratulatory message could just be a ploy of the Chaos Sovereign, making things unclear. But I hold one truth—if he truly holds this status and is in good standing with the Chaos Sovereign, his every step within the Thunder Department needs no tightrope walking."

"The issue is, it’s a gamble we cannot afford," Bai Duo lamented with a helpless shake of his head.

"Who said we're the ones who have to bet?" Bo Hong chuckled and clapped his friend on the shoulder. "What he truly is will reveal itself once he enters the Divine Gateway. There’s no need for haste or getting close to him. If it turns out he is the progeny of the Chaos Sovereign, you’d have to smile and grovel even if it meant your family’s demise. If not, his facade will crumble entirely, and you won’t be the only one eager to kick him when he's down."

"That’s true. At the very least, we are safer than Cao Sheng right now," Bai Duo nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. Cao Sheng got dragged into this mess again by that youngster," Bo Hong said with a sneer, then sighed, remembering someone. "But I must admit, the Chaos Sovereign truly is formidable."

"Isn’t that the truth? Let alone us, even the Nine Thunders Sovereign must guess at his intentions. Though both are Rank 1 Heavenly Officers, the martial prowess of the Greatest War God has long surpassed any other outsider Immortal official," Bai Duo remarked with deep reverence.

"This feels like it's leading to trouble," Bo Hong expressed his concern.

"Yes, it’s unmanageable. Very dangerous," Bai Duo agreed.

The two fell silent for a moment.

"Yes." Bo Hong nodded.

"He hasn’t been back for years. Now that he's here, he’s definitely up to something," Bai Duo said.

"I bet he’s personally apprehended Cao Shuo," Bo Hong said.

"He’s taking precautions against the Chaos Sovereign?" Bai Duo inquired.

"Possibly," Bo Hong concluded and took a deep breath, "The most tempting divine artifact in the history of the Celestial Court, the Immortal Asylum, has descended upon West Kunlun Mountain. With the demise of Princess Divine Dawn, all the Immortals of the Celestial Court are on edge for the Immortal Asylum. Watch, with great benefits ahead, order is about to collapse."

"Whoever gains the Immortal Asylum, commands the Celestial Court... Who the hell came up with that slogan? Brilliant!" Bai Duo said exasperatedly.

"Heh, you have Sovereign Lu to thank for that as well," Bo Hong sneered darkly.

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Inside the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, the first tier of the Seven Thunders Pagoda stood imposingly.

At the entrance, a Rank 4 Thunder Emissary, tasked with its defense, recognized the approaching figures of Gu Suwan and Yun Xiao. Without inquiry, he allowed them entry—a testament to how widespread the rumors about the Chaos Sovereign had become.

Within the bureau, the heart of the pagoda was encircled by a series of sealed chambers, each likely containing a unique spell from the Thunder Department's arcane teachings. Most chamber doors were shut, indicating cultivators were engaged in deep cultivation within.

"What level of celestial techniques are typically practiced on this first tier?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Generally, they are of the Lower Vast Heaven grade," Gu Suwan replied softly.

"Vast Heaven grade at the first tier? Does that mean there’s not a single Common Heaven grade celestial technique here?" Yun Xiao questioned further.

"Why would Heavenly Officers at Rank 6 and above need Common Heaven grade celestial techniques?" Gu Suwan replied with a charming smile.

"Indeed," Yun Xiao nodded in agreement.

Beyond cultivation realms, people classified things like Sword Souls, celestial techniques, and magic treasures into different grades.

Corresponding to the Eight Mortal Realms of the First Dao Tribulation were the seven stellar bodies, named after celestial objects such as meteors, comets, and so on.

The Eight Dao Heart Realms of the Second Dao Tribulation, which involved the essence of the Dao Heart, aligned with the Five Elements and the dual forces of Yin and Yang.

Now, as for the Third Dao Tribulation, concerning the cultivation of the Genesis Spirit, the human-defined grades were known as the Nine Heavens Celestial Grades.

This system was created by man, not by the heavens.

Cultivation realms were created for man, but the grades of objects were determined by man!

Yun Xiao was aware that the first four grades within the Nine Heavens Celestial Grades included Common Heaven, Vast Heaven, Supreme Heaven, and Dao Heaven.

There was no strict correlation between these material grades and cultivation levels.

For Yun Xiao, even the second grade, Vast Heaven, was already considered superior.

It was rumored in the Celestial Court that nothing above the sixth grade existed.

In other words, the last three of the Nine Heavens Celestial Grades were the stuff of legends, while the first six were more commonly observed.

Ascending the Heavens and Misty Rebirth were both Vast Heaven grade celestial techniques, known for their explosive power.

The Sword Souls of the Bai siblings were also of the second Vast Heaven grade.

Jiang Taiping’s Boundary Defining Divine Needle was third Supreme Heaven grade.

At the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, starting from the first tier with the Lower Vast Heaven grade suggested that the levels above were exceedingly advanced.

Gu Suwan laid out the structure of the Seven Thunders Pagoda in a single breath, "The first three tiers cover Lower, Mid, and Upper Vast Heaven grade. The middle three tiers correspond to the Lower, Middle, and Upper Supreme Heaven grade. The seventh tier covers Dao Heaven grade."

"Do you know any Dao Heaven grade techniques, foster mother?" Yun Xiao asked.

"A Rank 3 Heavenly Officer has no right to practice them; it requires someone at Rank 2. So, the seventh tier is accessible only to the Supreme Generals," Gu Suwan replied with a resigned smile.

Her words suggested a disparity in the alignment between cultivation realms and the grades of items; previously, these had matched almost one-to-one.

To simplify, the Essence Manifestation Realm typically utilized Common Heaven grade celestial techniques, and the Divine Self and Celestial Expanse Realms commonly employed Vast Heaven grade celestial techniques.

Beyond that, Supreme Heaven and Dao Heaven grade celestial techniques were only accessible to those above the Celestial Expanse Realm.

Yun Xiao was far from reaching this level, yet he boldly stated, "I want to take a look at the seventh tier of the Seven Thunders Pagoda."

"You can't, and we leave at dawn for the Divine Gateway, don't waste time," Gu Suwan cautioned.

"Just a look," Yun Xiao insisted.

"Alright," Gu Suwan sighed, massaging her forehead, then added, "The seventh tier of is called the Cloud Thunder Palace. It's the cultivation place of the Eight Paths Cloud and Thunder General, Yun Yin. I'll ask for an audience; if he agrees, then you may enter."

"I haven't met this Supreme General yet. I hope he's a good person," Yun Xiao said.

Gu Suwan did not reply further but led him upwards to the top of the sixth-tier staircase and knocked on the door, announcing, "Supreme General, Lu Yao seeks an audience."

"Enter."

The response came quickly, a voice as smooth as jade.

Gu Suwan gently pushed the door open, leading Yun Xiao into an elegant, ancient-looking palace.

The palace was spacious, with a cushion at its center where a scholarly middle-aged man sat cross-legged. Around him stood ten white jade pillars, each holding a jade slip.

This man was Yun Yin.

Upon his entry, Yun Xiao bowed, "Lu Yao greets the Supreme General."

"No need for formalities," Yun Yin said, rising with a smile. "I have long heard of your distinguished and unparalleled talents. Seeing you today exceeds all tales."

His words sounded as if this was truly his first sighting of Yun Xiao.

"Thank you," Yun Xiao said modestly.

"I've brought him to learn some of the Thunder Department's celestial techniques. He wishes to visit the seventh tier to observe the Ten Great Dao Heaven Arts of the Thunder Department," Gu Suwan explained.

"Oh?" Yun Yin, with a wry smile, said, "According to the rules, you shouldn't be here. However, observing the Dao Heaven grade arts can indeed broaden your horizons. If you are to bring honor to the Thunder Department, then I will make an exception for you this once. Feel free to look around."

"Thank you!" Yun Xiao bowed in gratitude.

"Look all you want, but remember, no practicing..." Gu Suwan played the role of the disciplinarian, subtly allowing her superior to shine.

"I understand, just observing," Yun Xiao nodded. With limited time, he swiftly reached for a jade slip, allowing his spirit to delve into it for a quick observation.

"No practicing, remember..." Only moments later, Gu Suwan started her reminders.

"Don't rush him; let him look a little longer," Yun Yin said with a gentle smile.

"The Supreme General favors talent, but we still must not break the rules of the Thunder Department," Gu Suwan insisted.

As soon as she finished speaking, Yun Xiao’s spirit withdrew from the jade slip, having not lingered long, let alone practiced.

Gu Suwan felt somewhat relieved. Her concern stemmed from knowing Yun Xiao's remarkable aptitude; he had mastered techniques in half a day that took others much longer.

"How was it?" Yun Yin asked.

"It's all very hazy, like reaching for the heavens," Yun Xiao admitted, his face flushed with humility. "It’s too profound for me."

"That's normal," Yun Yin nodded with a smile. "You’re not even 30 years old and already a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court. It won't be many years before you’re truly ready to train here."

"I'll take it one step at a time," Yun Xiao said, then moved to another jade slip.

The Ten Great Daotian Secrets of the Thunder Department! One step at a time? No, he aimed to reach the heavens in one step!

Quickly, in less than a hundred moments, Yun Xiao had observed them all. Then, he bowed to Yun Yin. "Supreme General, I must take my leave now."

"I wish you great success at the Divine Gateway," Yun Yin said, his hands clasped behind his back, smiling.

"Absolutely." Yun Xiao then exited the seventh tier of the Seven Thunders Pagoda and said to Gu Suwan, "Next, we head to the Sigil Suppression Gate."

Gu Suwan blinked in surprise. "Aren't the Supreme Heaven grade celestial techniques of tiers four to six suitable for you?"

Yun Xiao shrugged and smiled. "I've already set my sights higher."

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