Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 519: Dear, How Wonderful!

Upon returning to the Skyruler Immortal Manor, one could see that the estate was in a state of chaos. People, up and down, were in disarray, gathering in groups, all abuzz about the disappearance of Lu Xiaolu in the Black Demon Cavern. Her favor was more than Yun Xiao had anticipated.

"It's just the beginning of settling scores for Lu Yao," Yun Xiao said, his expression unchanged as he returned home.

At noon, Miss Yu was bustling about the kitchen. Every so often, she asked Lian Xi, "Has Lil Yao come back yet?"

Just as she asked this time, Yun Xiao's voice came from outside, "I'm back."

Seeing Yun Xiao as usual, Lian Xi breathed a sigh of relief.

"How did it go?" she asked softly.

"There shouldn't be much trouble," Yun Xiao replied.

"Everyone's whispering about Lu Xiaolu..."

"I killed her," Yun Xiao declared.

"Right!" Lian Xi nodded, understanding, and no longer pursued the matter, instead joining Yun Xiao back by Miss Yu's side.

Miss Yu had prepared a table full of dishes.

At the table, she said anxiously, "I heard that Xiaolu also met with trouble in the Black Demon Cavern. That place is too dangerous. I think, for Lil Yao, skipping the Arbiter examination wouldn't hurt! To live a quiet, carefree life might be best."

Yun Xiao put down his chopsticks and smiled, "Mother, I'll take you out this afternoon."

"What's there to see? I can't see anything. It would be pointless, and I don’t want to burden you with the whispers of others," Miss Yu quickly objected. It had been a long while since she had left the estate.

"Just a walk, listen to me," Yun Xiao insisted seriously.

"Mother, just this once, listen to him," Lian Xi said gently.

"Well, alright..." Miss Yu pursed her lips, then asked, "Is Lil Xi coming along?"

Yun Xiao glanced at Lian Xi and said, "She's not coming."

"Why not?" Miss Yu asked, puzzled.

Yun Xiao thought for a moment, then lied, "She's a bit under the weather with some small injuries. She needs a few days to rest."

"Injured? Then I should look after her..." Miss Yu said anxiously.

"She just needs to rest," Yun Xiao replied.

After their meal, Yun Xiao planned to take her out. As they were leaving, he said to Lian Xi, "I spoke again with Liu Mumu. She said she’d be free today and would help me find an inconspicuous mask that can somewhat alter appearances. Just wait a bit longer."

"I know. I'm not in a hurry," Lian Xi replied with a smile, the picture of a wise wife bidding them farewell.

Once they were gone, a little white tiger popped out, complaining, "What’s this? Leaving you all alone here, he really thinks he’s the hero!"

"Don’t stir up trouble," Lian Xi said, rubbing her temples.

"Lil Xi, I'm serious!" The little white tiger gritted its teeth. "This scoundrel is getting too arrogant. To show him who’s really in charge, we should take him down tonight!"

"..." Lian Xi rolled her eyes, shut the courtyard door, and ignored it.

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In the afternoon, the entrance to the Skyruler Immortal Manor was bustling.

A crowd of Immortals from Sky Soaring City had gathered, waiting for the annual Arbiter examination results and buzzing about Lu Xiaolu’s disappearance.

"I heard the Lu Family turned the Black Demon Cavern upside down and found nothing."

"How strange. Could someone have murdered her to silence her?"

"Nonsense. To kill the beloved daughter of a Manor Lord under the watch of the Skyruler Immortal Manor, who would dare? It’d be a death wish for their whole clan."

"Could it be like Lu Yao, twisted away to another place by distorted space?"

"That seems most likely."

In the Great Dao Celestial Realm, societal ranks were sharply defined, the divide between strong and weak vast as a chasm, the descendants of authority wielding immense deterrence.

And so, it was hard for the people to believe this was a case of foul play.

"They're still searching in the Black Demon Cavern, but the Arbiter examination hasn’t been affected; they’re about to announce the results."

"Let’s see which family's scions will become Heavenly Officers today."

The common folk paid little mind to the children of high officials, for their ascension to Arbiter was almost guaranteed. It was the few commoners who broke through to become Arbiters each year, bringing glory to their ancestors, that truly captured attention.

Soon, the front of Skyruler Immortal Manor was teeming with people.

"Lil Yao, why have you brought me here?" Miss Yu, amidst the crowd and despite Yun Xiao’s protection, felt somewhat uneasy. It had been many years since she had been in such a lively scene.

"Don't worry, just wait a bit longer," Yun Xiao smiled.

"What are we waiting for?" Miss Yu couldn't help but laugh and cry.

"Just a reminder, this morning, under my master's recommendation, I participated in the Arbiter examination," Yun Xiao said with a light laugh.

"Did you really?" Miss Yu said blankly, quickly grabbing his arm. "Are you hurt?"

Her first reaction was not about the results, but about any injuries... a true mother’s concern.

"I'm not hurt." Yun Xiao took her hand gently and said, "No more talk, the results are about to be announced."

"It's okay, as long as you've tried your best, that's enough." Miss Yu, fearful of him disappearing again, stressed repeatedly to Yun Xiao not to worry about the outcome.

Eventually, the previously chattering crowd suddenly fell silent. That was because a group of Arbiters clad in platinum armor stepped forth from the Skyruler Immortal Manor. They carried an air of stern authority!

Leading them was a robust and handsome man, known as Sky Protector Liu Chaochao. Along with him, Liu Mumu, Yuan Gang, other commanders, and Lu Changfeng were all present.

Liu Chaochao, with a solemn expression, stood on the steps at the entrance and announced, "After a day of examinations and scoring, this year we will recruit 30 qualified Arbiter candidates!"

Out of 100 participants, 70 failed to make the cut-off, it was quite brutal.

After speaking, Liu Chaochao ordered, "Post the results!"

"Yes!" Lu Changfeng's expression shifted uncomfortably. He held a platinum scroll, advancing toward the luminous board. Even he himself did not know the contents of the scroll.

The final scores were aggregated by the Sky Protector and five Commanders. Lu Changfeng only knew that Yuan Gang had a strange expression when he handed him the scroll.

And then, the moment to announce the results arrived!

With a swish, all eyes of the gathered onlookers turned towards the platinum scroll in his hand.

A hush fell over the crowd!

Lu Changfeng moved like the wind, his actions swift as he leapt up and hung the platinum scroll on the luminous board.

RUSTLE! As he landed, the scroll unfurled behind him, shimmering with names inscribed in gold from top to bottom!

The name at the very top was, of course, the most eye-catching. It signified the top scholar of this year's examination!

The top three of each year’s Arbiter examination received special privileges. The first place was, naturally, the focal point of everyone's attention.

Ten years ago, Lu Changfeng had debuted officially as first place.

In ten years, he had soared to the rank of a prospective commander—a meteoric rise.

"Today's top scholar of Sky Soaring City is..."

Everyone looked intently, their minds filled with question marks.

"Lu Yao?"

More and more people exclaimed this name in shock.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! Beside Yun Xiao, surprised glances were cast his way. He met Liu Mumu's smiling face and knew that this first place was no surprise.

Apart from the half-inch deduction, his performance had been flawless.

Next to the name Lu Yao, his final score was noted—85 points.

This meant that, had Lu Changfeng not unjustly deducted those 15 points, he would have had a perfect score as an Arbiter!

"Lil Yao, why are they shouting your name?" Miss Yu couldn't see, but she sensed the extraordinary nature of the moment.

"Mother. Because your son has scored 85, the highest score, and become this year’s top Arbiter." Yun Xiao held his breath as he delivered this exhilarating news.

He wanted to make her happy! It was that simple!

"You mustn’t joke around..." Miss Yu's voice trembled, tears swirling in her eyes.

She was torn between reality and disbelief.

"Congratulations, Lady Yu!"

"Your Lil Yao has truly brought glory to his ancestors!"

"To claim the top spot among the offspring of such distinguished Immortals, even at his age, is truly commendable!"

"A line of six generations of Arbiters, each a hero!"

"Lady Yu, you’ve raised them well; both your sons have become Arbiters!"

Miss Yu could not see the envious glances, but she heard every word of admiration, clear as day.

"Really? Truly?" She grasped Lu Yao's arms, her dark eyes sparkling with light.

"You already know it's true," Yun Xiao said with a smile.

Miss Yu began to cry, nearly collapsing to the ground, then murmured repeatedly, "It's wonderful, Bufan, truly wonderful!"

Bufan was the name of her husband, Lu Bufan.

"Lady Yu, this is a moment of great honor; no tears now."

"Yes, you should be smiling!"

"Yes, yes, smile!" Miss Yu transformed her tears into laughter, her face shining brightly with joy.

Watching all this, Yun Xiao too felt a surge of happiness.

Perhaps because his parents had passed away too soon, leaving him to shoulder burdens early, he never had the chance to show them his accomplishments. Today, perhaps, he had made up for that regret in his heart.

"Father, mother, if your spirits are watching, you too would be proud of what I have achieved today," Yun Xiao murmured as he looked up at the sky.

At the gates of the Skyruler Immortal Manor, some rejoiced at their success while others mourned their failure.

"Those who have passed, step forward!" Yuan Gang called out emotionlessly.

Among the crowd, 30 young people stepped forward, approaching him.

Yun Xiao was naturally among them.

Miss Yu, from afar within the crowd, smiled through her tears, responding to people's congratulations.

Yuan Gang scanned the 30 initiates. His impassive gaze lingered on Yun Xiao for a moment.

"Come forward to receive your Arbiter armor, regulations handbook, and equipment," Yuan Gang announced gravely.

The platinum armor they would wear was the Suan Ni Arbiter Armor, an Immortal treasure. As Arbiters, they also had the right to command a flying sword vessel.

Each of the 30 new Arbiters came forward to receive a set of Suan Ni Arbiter Armor and a Bag of Holding.

Yun Xiao glanced inside his Bag of Holding, which contained numerous items such as enforcement orders, a regulation handbook, and law enforcement tools.