Immortal of the Ages

"Stop there, you thief!"

Yun Xiao was about to climb ashore when a thunderous roar shook the sky above, stirring the entire lake into a frenzy of splashing water.

"Someone's coming."

His heart did not waver; steadying his spirit, he leaped from the clear waters of the Rune Lake and returned to the side of Nine Kites.

With a swift glance, Yun Xiao already had a measure of the identities of the three newcomers.

Among them was the Dragon Tiger Sovereign, the cherished younger brother of Empress Zhao, and a Rank 1 Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court. He wielded immense resources in the Great Dao Celestial Realm, naturally placing him in high esteem.

And there was the Taisui Sage, revered as a master to imperial princes and a man of profound respect and honor.

However, when the Taisui Sage saw the purified lake, his mustache bristled in anger as he pointed at Yun Xiao and barked, "Where is the Rune Heart? Bring it forth!"

Indeed, he didn't care about the Runes absorbed by Yun Xiao, focusing solely on the Rune Heart.

Yet Yun Xiao confessed plainly, "When I was in the water, I indeed saw a Rune Heart. It darted right into my Life Sigil, unstoppable."

Hearing this, the Taisui Sage's eyes flashed with rage, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to discipline Yun Xiao.

"You!" Nine Kites was beside herself with anger, quickly stepping in front of Yun Xiao, pleading coyly, "Please calm your fury, it’s all a misunderstanding..."

"A misunderstanding? He stole the Rune Heart, and you are not blameless!" the Taisui Sage said sternly.

Had she not been the fiancée of the Sixth Prince, the Taisui Sage might have already throttled Yun Xiao.

Understanding these social intricacies, Yun Xiao innocently continued, "I never intended to take the Rune Heart. I am truly ashamed. Now that the Rune Heart has merged, I can only seek to repay you after the Immortal Tournament is over, hoping for a chance to make amends."

"Exactly, he'll repay you! And... and he also cleaned your Rune Lake, look how clear it is now," Nine Kites quickly changed the subject.

"It's not about repayment!"

Regardless of whether Yun Xiao could repay, the issue was the Rune Heart, which the Taisui Sage had already promised to Zhao Yuanbao.

The Taisui Sage looked towards the Dragon Tiger Sovereign and Zhao Yuanbao, especially Zhao Yuanbao, who might soon be Yun Xiao’s direct competitor.

He'd essentially promised someone a gift only to slap them in the face.

How furious must Zhao Yuanbao feel right now?

In the deathly quiet atmosphere that followed the commotion, Zhao Yuanbao, having witnessed the entire affair, suddenly cracked a smile and said to the Taisui Sage, "If so, it seems the Rune Heart and I were not fated. Since Lu Yao has inadvertently merged with it, it must be his destiny. I hope you won't hold him accountable."

"..." The Taisui Sage paused slightly, taken aback. He had intended to give away the Rune Heart all along, and his anger was more about how to explain the situation to the Dragon Tiger Sovereign.

Zhao Yuanbao's magnanimity was unexpected.

"Sovereign Zhao," the Taisui Sage turned to the Dragon Tiger Sovereign.

"Fate is a creature of chance, not to be forced," the Dragon Tiger Sovereign replied.

With that, the Taisui Sage glanced sharply at Nine Kites, "Aren't you going to thank him with your companion?"

Nine Kites and Yun Xiao, expecting a difficult resolution, were surprised by Zhao Yuanbao's lack of concern.

Without waiting for Nine Kites, Yun Xiao bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhao, for your generous spirit."

Zhao Yuanbao responded with a smile, "Treasures are measurable, but goodwill is boundless. The path of the Immortals is vast, and all under heaven are friends. Should the opportunity arise, I would be honored to discuss the mysteries of eternal life with Brother Lu."

Previously at the Divine Peach Banquet, Zhao Yuanbao hadn't spoken to him, but now, following Yun Xiao's victory in the first round, the young master of the Imperial Treasury seemed to have changed his stance.

"It would be my honor!" Yun Xiao bowed again.

After he spoke, the Dragon Tiger Sovereign said, "The second round is about to begin. Hurry back, do not let the hour pass and miss your chance."

"Yes, I'll take him back immediately!" Nine Kites, fearing any reversal of their good fortune which might see Yun Xiao skinned alive, quickly made their exit.

"We should also return," the Dragon Tiger Sovereign said as he took his leave.

"Wait for me to nurture two more Rune Hearts, and I will personally deliver them to you. Don't refuse, it's the least I can do," said the Taisui Sage.

The Dragon Tiger Sovereign bowed. "Then I am in your debt."

"Think nothing of it!"

After the two had departed, the Taisui Sage was left alone, his gaze falling on the Rune Lake, puzzled.

"How did this youngster clean all those spent Runes from the lake so thoroughly, leaving not a trace?"

Even for him, such a task would be monumental, given that disposing of the spent Runes was problematic, likely to disrupt the structure of the celestial formations.

"This Lu Yao has secrets... Who really stands behind him?" The Taisui Sage's gaze was deep and thoughtful.

A Rune Heart was not cheap, but neither was it supremely valuable; he could afford the loss.

From the beginning, he was never going to kill a contestant in the Immortal Tournament over a Rune Heart. Empress Zhao was still watching the fighting! So, it was only a scare, nothing serious.

"Regardless, Sovereign Zhao seems to be taking a keen interest in this young man. It wouldn’t hurt to owe him a favor," the Taisui Sage mused as he settled by the edge of the Rune Lake. Rolling up his trouser legs, he stretched out his legs, squinted his eyes, and chuckled, "With water this clean, it’d be a shame not to wash my feet."

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On the road, the Dragon Tiger Sovereign led the way on his cloud, with Zhao Yuanbao following slightly behind, head bowed.

"You're not one to part with things easily, yet today you're so generous, pleading for a rival who took your treasure," the Dragon Tiger Sovereign said, hands clasped behind his back, his tone even.

Zhao Yuanbao replied respectfully, "Father, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. This Lu Yao is remarkably strong, not an ordinary contender."

"Indeed, if it weren’t for An Yao, he would be the dark horse of this tournament." The Dragon Tiger Sovereign glanced back at Zhao Yuanbao. "But what if the rumors are true, that he is Lu Fan's son?"

"Even if he were the son of the Chaos Sovereign, he would still be my friend," Zhao Yuanbao stated firmly.

"The reason?"

"A sudden appearance of a biological son and a disciple raised like his own son—they're unlikely to get along well. As the saying goes, one mountain cannot hold two tigers. If two tigers fight, one will be injured, the other might die," Zhao Yuanbao explained.

"That reasoning holds water, but it's all based on your speculation, with no evidence. You also know nothing about Lu Yao. Moreover, it's unclear whether Nine Kites’ support for him as the hope of the Thunder Department is her own wish or that of the Nine Thunders Sovereign," the Dragon Tiger Sovereign remarked.

"Please enlighten me, father," Zhao Yuanbao bowed.

"I'm also unsure; the boy is an enigma, I need to consult with the Thunder King."

Having said this, the Sovereign released a tiger-shaped talisman from his hand, which quickly vanished into the clouds of the Celestial Court.

"With the head of the Thunder Department absent from the Immortal Tournament, I hope the Emperor clarifies his intentions."

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At the fighting platform, Yun Xiao and Nine Kites returned discreetly.

In that single hour, most of the high-ranking Immortals hadn't even left. They sat above on the noble clouds, sipping tea and discussing the ways of the universe with a grace that seemed to lift them beyond the dust of the world.

In the round of 16, the eight talented Arbiters who had been eliminated had mostly retreated to the fringes, leaving the center stage of the Immortal Tournament to the superior eight.

"I've done what I could for you. Now it's your turn to shine. All of the Immortals of the Thunder Department are watching," Nine Kites took a deep breath and spoke earnestly into Yun Xiao’s ear.

"From tens of thousands of miles away, how can they see?" Yun Xiao asked.

"The Thunder Immortal Formation can project the scenes of the Immortal Tournament. There's about a half-hour delay, but it's still faster than sending messages." Nine Kites sighed, looking down.

"So, your bad start, the whole Thunder Department knows about it? How disappointing is that?" Yun Xiao chuckled.

"Shut up!" Nine Kites glared at him.

She was already discouraged enough, why sprinkle salt on her wounds?

Her own defeat...

Her thoughts drifted to a devil-may-care young man in black.

As if in a trance, she looked across the fighting platform to the opposite side where a lone young man in black stood. He had no friends around him, yet he seemed content, a sign of immense inner strength and confidence. The slight smile on his lips was so bright and natural, it was heart-stirringly...

"Is he more handsome, or am I?" Yun Xiao suddenly asked, out of the blue.

Without thinking, Nine Kites responded, "In this world, a man's demeanor matters more than his looks."

"Just some slouching ruffian, and you think his demeanor is better than mine?" Yun Xiao laughed.

Nine Kites rolled her eyes and said, "Just be quiet. Jealousy won’t close the gap between your characters’ charm."

"Point taken." Yun Xiao just gave her a thumbs up in response.

He then turned to Yun Alter beside him and asked, "Who is more beautiful, me or An Yao?"

Yun Alter scoffed, "Even the dung you pull is prettier than him."

Upon hearing this, Nine Kites's face darkened immediately.

"She really has been bewitched," Yun Xiao couldn't help but remark.

As time passed, the atmosphere grew more intense. Yun Yin and Gu Suwan visited a few times, repeatedly advising and analyzing opponents for Yun Xiao and Yun Alter.

It was clear, with Nine Kites out of the competition, the pressure on them was immense.

When the hour arrived, Empress Zhao publicly drew the white jade peaches again.

There were eight left in the basin.

The Longevity Immortal took the first two jade slips without introduction and simply called out the names.

"An Yao, Yun Xiao, to battle."

Hearing his name, Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow and thought, "Straight to the grand finale, huh?"

He stepped toward the fighting platform. Suddenly, a jade-like hand caught him, asking wordlessly, "What are you doing?"

"Going out to..." Yun Xiao hadn’t finished speaking when he saw Yun Alter beside him, his face solemn, stepping up to the platform. He then realized that he wasn't the one called to fight.

Although Yun Xiao had been using the name Lu Yao for a long time, his actual name had been ingrained in him for 16 years.

"Going out to do what?" Nine Kites asked.

"Just paying respects," Yun Xiao replied lightly.

Nine Kites had no more words for him. On the fighting platform, whether it was one of the geniuses of the Thunder Department or the young man in black, both were matters of concern to her.

"Even if Yun Xiao had ten arms, he wouldn’t be a match for An Yao..."

For some reason, Nine Kites felt no sadness at this conclusion; it just seemed like a fact. An Yao was simply that strong, and there was no shame in losing to him...

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