Immortal of the Ages

There were originally 10,000 Rank 6 or above Heavenly Officers appointed to the Thunder Department.

In the Celestial Court, the Arbiters were in charge of internal security. Meanwhile the Great Dao Celestial Army handled external threats, making them the true celestial soldiers and generals of the path to immortality!

So, positions within the Great Dao Celestial Army were naturally more numerous.

Even so, as two unrelated departments, it was illegal for the Great Dao Celestial Army to station over a thousand Rank 6 or above Heavenly Officers in the Thunder Department without a decree from the Celestial Court!

Yet, in these turbulent times, legality had become a moot point.

Yun Xiao, along with Yun Yin and Gu Suwan, hadn't even approached the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau when they heard the clamor coming from beneath the pagoda, the very ground of the Thunder Department shaking continuously.

Far off into the distance, beyond the palace walls, one could see many figures clad in scales, with sharp horns atop their heads—the Great Horned Immortals. They were colliding and shouting beneath the pagoda of the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, their voices rough, unconcerned with their surroundings.

The Great Horned Immortals, a hybrid of human and devil, bore the bloodline of devils, their ancestors hailing from Naraka. Due to their tough skin, clever minds, and reverence for strength, they managed quite well in the Celestial Court.

Particularly in the Great Dao Celestial Army, there were many regiments of Great Horned Immortals, known for their fierce and fearless nature, often used as the vanguard, striking wherever pointed.

Beyond Naraka, at the far ends of space, were many Celestial Sourcecores, birthing demons, devils, immortals, and spirits... The Great Dao Celestial Realm, possessing the finest territories of this vast expanse, was envied by many, and not without enemies!

The Great Horned Immortals had many advantages but equally as many flaws.

For instance, their brutal nature, disrespectful attitudes, and bloody methods were aspects that disgusted the Immortals.

At this moment, the disturbance at the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau was all their doing!

"Silence!"

In the solemn ground of the Thunder Department, such disturbance by outsiders was naturally intolerable to Gu Suwan, a Rank 3 Lightning Duchess.

With a cold shout, the three of them stepped into the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau.

Among them, Yun Xiao, though the lowest in official rank, walked in the center, naturally drawing the attention of the thousand-strong force of the Great Dao Celestial Army.

Of course, those who made it here were not mere soldiers, but commanders and generals.

"What's happening?" Gu Suwan's gaze swept toward the entrance of the pagoda.

A dozen or so Rank 7 Heavenly Officers guarded the entrance, struggling to maintain order, several of them covered in blood.

"Lightning Duchess Gu, Thunder Emissary Lu!" An elderly Heavenly Officer, looking distressed, said, "The Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau houses the sacred celestial techniques of the Thunder Department, forbidden to non-Arbiters. These Great Horned Immortals simply won't listen..."

"Just a look, that's all! What sacred celestial techniques of the Thunder Department? Tooting your own horn. Do you think they're better than our own?"

"Haha!"

"I don't even care for it!"

These Great Horned Immortals didn't care who approached; they stood with iron-hard, bronze horns, their eyes a dark red, speaking rudely to Yun Xiao.

"Shut up."

Just then, a commanding, deep voice came from behind.

The generals and commanders of the Great Dao Celestial Army converged from afar, each donned in black, thick battle armor. Not as aesthetically pleasing as the Saun Ni Arbiter armor, their celestial armor was surely stronger in defense.

The 1,000 generals and commanders clad in black armor brought with them an oppressive air.

As they advanced, they parted ways, and amidst them, a dozen top-tier generals emerged. Ten were like Gu Suwan and Cao Sheng, Rank 3 Heavenly Officers. But the two at the center, a man and a woman, commanded all focus.

These were two Rank 2 Supreme Generals.

The man, burly and imposing with a helmet, had fiery red hair like a standing flame lion. His presence alone seemed to raise the temperature around him.

The woman, in blue armor, tall and graceful with a stern face and formidable gaze, was clearly not one to be trifled with.

In terms of presence and intimidation, these two Supreme Generals from the Great Dao Celestial Army were clearly stronger than Yun Yin and Gu Zhenxiao, obviously seasoned from prolonged battles.

The real authorities had arrived!

Gu Suwan eased her anger and greeted the two, "We greet the Flame Virtue General and Aqua Admiral."

As for Yue Yin, being equal in rank to them, she naturally had no interest in pleasantries.

Yun Xiao, though lower in rank, chose to remain silent, curious to see what they would say.

"So this is the new Immortal Champion of the Celestial Court, Lu Yao?"

The Flame Virtue General's stern face broke into a hearty smile upon seeing Yun Xiao.

"Yes," Gu Suwan answered, then she introduced them to Yun Xiao, "These two Supreme Generals are Zhu Shenlu and Yu Shiling."

"Understood," Yun Xiao nodded.

His casual demeanor immediately enraged the Great Horned Immortals.

"Brat, acting so high and mighty as a mere Rank 4 Heavenly Officer?"

"Shitty kid, kneel and pay respects to the two Supreme Generals now, or I'll dismantle this entire Thunder Department!"

Pointing at Yun Xiao, the Great Horned Immortals roared and cursed.

"Silence! Show no disrespect to the Immortal Champion!" Zhu Shenlu thundered, then quickly turned to Yun Xiao with an embarrassed smile. "Forgive us. These brutes just returned from the mortal realm, reeling from the incense offerings they consumed. They're still a bit delirious. Please, don’t stoop to their level."

Yun Xiao pressed his lips together, not a flicker of emotion crossing his face, and spoke calmly, "I only wish to ask you Supreme Generals one thing. What brings you here uninvited?"

Zhu Shenlu's smile vanished, and he replied earnestly, "With Divine Dawn destroying the Ascension Pool, there's been a breach to the gates of the Celestial Court, allowing a flood of demons and devils to infiltrate and wreak havoc.

"Our primary mission in the Great Dao Celestial Army is to exterminate these agents of chaos and protect the peace of the Heavenly Palace. We heard that a demon from Naraka was spotted in the Thunder Department, and attempted to assassinate the Immortal Champion. With the Thunder Department severely weakened and short-staffed, the Chaos Sovereign commanded us to assist and safeguard our Arbiter brethren."

Yun Xiao chuckled at this explanation and said, "The first time the Chaos Sovereign saw me, he wanted me dead. Now, he's suddenly sending protectors. Do you believe that?"

Zhu Shenlu sighed deeply, "You may not know, but since that day, the Chaos Sovereign has been full of regret. He recognizes his mistake and is determined to mend his ways. He hopes you will give a foolish father a chance to correct his wrongs."

"That sounds nice," Yun Xiao paused, eyeing the two Supreme Generals, and slowly added, "So when do you plan to ally with the forces of Naraka to come after me?"

This left the assembled generals and commanders momentarily stunned.

The Flame Virtue General quickly shook his head with a laugh, "You misunderstand us deeply!"

Yun Xiao also smiled and added, "It will be dark soon, the perfect time for you. I’ll be waiting at the Cao Immortal Manor."

With that, he turned and walked out of the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau.

Yue Yin and Gu Suwan said nothing and simply followed him out.

The lower ranked generals were left behind, exchanging puzzled looks.

"He's so direct because he's confident, not afraid at all," Yu Shiling remarked, her voice chillingly calm.

"It might just be bluster to frighten us," Zhu Shenlu suggested.

"So?" Yu Shiling looked at him.

"We're already here; leaving is out of the question. Let's do as he wishes... and send for more reinforcements," Zhu Shenlu decided.

"We can't spare any more from our side; let Feng Sha and his group handle it," Yu Shiling proposed.

Zhu Shenlu glanced at the darkening sky and growled, "The cloak of darkness will indeed soon descend."

"Then let's make haste."

The two exchanged a look, then Zhu Shenlu instructed the Great Horned Immortals, "Before night falls, cause chaos in the streets of the Thunder Department. Distract them. No one here can handle you; do as you please."

"Yes, Supreme General!" The Great Horned Immortals, already restless, were eager to cause trouble.

Yu Shiling then commanded the generals behind her, "You are to search and seize all the Thunder Department’s cultivation techniques."

"Aren't we afraid of the Nine Thunders Sovereign?" one Celestial General asked.

"He's just one man. If he shows up, others will handle him," Yu Shiling sneered.

"Are we openly attacking the Thunder Department then?" the Celestial General asked incredulously.

"You only realize that now?" Zhu Shenlu glared at him. "The Thunder Department is the eye of the Celestial Court. To throw the realm into chaos, first blind its eye."

"They’ve already blinded themselves; we're just here to protect them under that pretense, to clean out the socket," Yu Shiling added.

At this, the blood of the other Celestial Generals boiled with excitement!

Had they not been waiting for this day all their lives?

Was there any nobility in being lords and princes without power?

It was their turn to shatter the hierarchy and truly take over the Heavenly Palace!

Who would choose to live on the frontier in the Great Dao Celestial Army if not for their low birth and status?

There was an old saying in the Great Dao Celestial Realm. Superiors became Arbiters, inferiors became celestial soldiers!"

Of course, the Arbiters they referred to weren't mere errand runners like Arbiter Lu, but high-ranking officials of the Thunder Department!

And every Celestial General present, originally just a celestial soldier, now felt the fires of ambition burning fiercely within...

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