Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 552: A Father's Blessing!

Yun Xiao surveyed the assembly before him, sensing that Governor Jiang must have relayed information about him to the Summer Thunder Duke who now stood before him.

At that moment, the gathered crowd's eyes were all fixed intently on Yun Xiao.

"I've got it now. The face that appeared in the Thunder Immortal Formation. It looked identical to him!" A random onlooker's declaration sent a ripple through the crowd.

Everyone's gaze upon Yun Xiao was filled with stark amazement.

"Was it this young man who triggered the transformation in the Thunder Immortal Formation?"

"General Cao came personally to fetch him; could there still be any doubt?"

The eyes of the Summer Thunder Duke blazed with fervor. Known for his stern demeanor, his face now broke into a splendid smile, a clear testament to his joyous mood.

"What is the name of this young man?"

"It seems his name is Lu Yao!"

"What's going on, sister?" Jiang Heqing was once again plunged into confusion, her pretty face clouded with bewilderment.

Jiang Haiyan's beautiful eyes trembled as she gazed at Yun Xiao, biting her lip. "Unless I'm mistaken, he is poised to rise swiftly."

After uttering these words, she stealthily glanced over at General Cao and added, "Our father played a part in recommending him. You can tell he's pleased, which is fortunate for our family."

"That's wonderful, Lu Yao truly is our lucky star!" Jiang Heqing couldn't help but exclaim with joy, her previous irritation at Yun Xiao having been thoroughly forgotten.

Now, as she looked at Yun Xiao, she found him entirely agreeable.

"He's caught General Cao's eye with his talents, and he's handsome to boot. Despite his humble origins, he's a man of quality with a promising future..." Jiang Haiyan spoke softly, sneaking a glance at her charming younger sister, "Why not make the play real and win him over to be your ideal husband?"

"No, no…" Jiang Heqing blushed at the suggestion, replying, "Sister, you aren't married yet. How could I go first? If you fancy him, he's your age, perfectly suitable."

Jiang Haiyan paused for a moment, looking back at Yun Xiao with a flicker of genuine interest in her eyes.

However, the sisters failed to notice that Dongfang Yong, Zhao Danming, and Chen Yu were standing just behind them, overhearing every whisper of their private sisterly chat.

From their birth, they had vied for the favor of these two beauties, and now, to have a commoner unexpectedly step ahead was intolerable. The scene of the two sisters acting lovestruck was like a dagger to their hearts.

"Lu Yao..." Zhao Danming's eyes darkened with bitterness, his fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves, and his eyes reddened with emotion.

Dongfang Yong excelled at biding his time, his emotions never surfacing, and now he managed to suppress the anger burning within him.

Chen Yu, too, remained calm, though a layer of unmistakable frost coated his face. Both were fixated on Yun Xiao.

"Lu Yao, this is General Cao of the Thunder Department, a Rank 3 Heavenly Officer of the Celestial Court, commanding the divine soldiers of our sector," Governor Jiang hastened forward, smiling as he introduced them to Yun Xiao, then added, "Why do you look so bewildered? General Cao is asking you a question. Was it your spirit that sensed and commanded the thunder just now?"

Yun Xiao wasn't dazed; his mind was rapidly assessing various matters.

After Governor Jiang's inquiry, he replied in a somewhat bewildered and nervous manner, "I am but a humble Immortal and do not fully grasp what sensing and commanding thunder entails. I was simply riding the Soaring Thunder Leap, and it seemed my spirit was thrust into the Thunder Immortal Formation."

"The Soaring Thunder Leap? Indeed!" General Cao's interest deepened upon hearing these words. His appreciative look made it clear he had settled some thoughts in his mind.

He glanced back towards the core of the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office, then swept his gaze around the surroundings.

"Lu Yao!" General Cao's lips curled slightly as he extended a large hand, clapping Yun Xiao on the shoulder with a significant air. "You have sensed and commanded thunder, showing potential as a pillar of the Celestial Court. Given time, you will surely become a great general of the Thunder Department!"

"General Cao, is it truly so?" Yun Xiao asked somewhat nervously, his greenness apparent.

"If I say it before all, it is indeed true," General Cao replied with a hearty laugh.

"Haha!" Behind him, the other high-ranking Immortals chuckled at Yun Xiao's inexperienced demeanor.

His naivety was not a flaw; it indicated his malleability and high talent combined with obedience—a top-tier prospect.

These officials all knew General Cao was about to claim the young man for himself.

Indeed, with a solemn and caring look, General Cao turned to Yun Xiao and asked, "I hear from Jiang Taiping that you come from a family of martyrs, with generations of Rank 9 Arbiters, and even your father bravely sacrificed himself for the Celestial Court?"

"Yes." Yun Xiao nodded.

"A fine family, and you are a good child. So..." General Cao's eyes thundered with sincerity, his voice resonant as he addressed Yun Xiao before everyone, "I am renowned for cherishing talent, having served the Celestial Court's military for hundreds of years with no one to pass on my teachings. Today, fate has brought us together, and I would like to take you as my adopted son. With a father’s blessing, I will help you soar high like a dragon. Will you accept?"

With these words, the atmosphere exploded around them.

BOOM! The hearts of the onlookers trembled! Envious glances fell on Yun Xiao.

Born to a humble family, whose highest achievements were becoming Rank 9 Arbiters, and now he was offered the position of a son by a Rank 3 Immortal general—a meteoric rise!

From a humble origin to the pinnacle of society in an instant!

Without his own children, General Cao's offer of adoption placed Yun Xiao almost as a natural son, elevating his status directly above that of Jiang Haiyan and her peers.

At first, folks thought General Cao was merely seeking an apprentice to draw the youth closer, nothing more than that. But an adopted son? That was beyond anyone’s expectations! Such a decision electrified the assembly.

In the Celestial Court, a Rank 3 Heavenly Officer was a sovereign in his own right, second only to heavenly kings and star lords!

In the lands governed by the Thunder Department, few could command General Cao’s attention.

“Sister, it’s over. We don’t compare to him anymore.” Jiang Heqing bit her lip, a mix of envy and unease in her tone.

“It’s unbelievable... What kind of talent does he have for General Cao to be so eager to adopt him?” Jiang Haiyan’s heart trembled slightly.

She could see that General Cao was in a hurry! His urgency was apparent; he had pursued Yun Xiao here and immediately proposed adoption, clearly intent on securing this talent.

While everyone envied Yun Xiao, it was General Cao who was truly desperate. He had extended his sincerity to the utmost.

Under these circumstances, Yun Xiao couldn’t possibly refuse! For a figure like General Cao to make such an offer publicly, if Yun Xiao were to decline, it would disgrace them both.

And to cause embarrassment to the Summer Thunder Duke was to invite serious trouble.

“Lu Yao,” Jiang Taiping hurriedly reminded Yun Xiao, “this is the greatest opportunity of your life. General Cao is offering you a chance to soar to the heavens—are you not going to seize it?”

With General Cao as his patron, just the resources alone would allow Yun Xiao to rapidly ascend!

Power was always the most important capital! With power came the right to speak and make decisions!

Yun Xiao thought if he asked, borrowing the Boundary Defining Divine Needle from Jiang Taiping should be simple, right?

With every passing day, the spatial fractures in the Nine Hells spread, adding to Yun Xiao’s worries! So, of course, he wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

However, the idea of recognizing a newly met person as an adoptive father made Yun Xiao slightly uncomfortable; he instinctively felt that General Cao and Jiang Taiping were not good people.

He quickly weighed his options and then hurriedly said, “General Cao, your deep favor fills me with trepidation. I still do not understand what virtues or abilities I possess to merit such esteem. I fear that my limited talents may one day disappoint you and tarnish your reputation…”

“You’re refusing?” General Cao’s smile vanished, his face stern as he asked.

“No!” Yun Xiao took a deep breath, “A fraction of your favor is enough for me to die a thousand times over for you! But I fear the title of son might fail you…”

With these words, Yun Xiao looked up at General Cao with earnestness and proposed, “May I first regard you as my master and belong to your sect? If one day I can earn your approval through my strength and achievements, then I will accept the title of your son and continue your teachings.”

"Agreed!" General Cao responded decisively and promptly to the proposal.

Offering the status of an adopted son was a gesture of sincerity. Yun Xiao had not refused but expressed humility, showing his grounded nature. What General Cao needed was Yun Xiao's allegiance, whether as an apprentice or more.

Yun Xiao publicly declared that he sought to earn General Cao's approval before assuming the role of adopted son, providing General Cao with flexibility for the future.

With his aim achieved, General Cao was too pleased for words.

"Disciple Lu Yao, I pay respect to my master!" Yun Xiao, quick as a cat, settled matters decisively, establishing their relationship without hesitation.

General Cao was no Liu Mumu. While the latter could only guide him in professional matters without sharing the treasures of her household, General Cao wielded the power to bestow anything from treasures to celestial weapons and spells. For Yun Xiao, this was nothing short of ascending to the heavens.

BOOM! Tens of thousands of Immortals had gathered, witnessing this perfect match of talents, and they erupted in cheers.

"Congratulations to General Cao!"

"Congratulations to Lu Yao, may you soar to the heavens!"

For many from humble origins, this scene was like a dream, stirring deep envy.

"What kind of talent does Lu Yao possess that even the Thunder Immortal Formation reacted to his spirit?" Zhao Danming's face darkened with envy and resentment.

His father, a mere Rank 6 Heavenly Officer, was nothing more than a minor follower in General Cao's eyes, not even on par with Dongfang Sheng. He didn't even qualify to sit at their table!

Not just Zhao Danming, but Dongfang Yong and Chen Yu too, watching a Rank 9 Arbiter they considered beneath them suddenly rise above, felt a dark bitterness seep into their souls.

"Sister, this is wonderful." Jiang Heqing gripped her sister's hand, her voice low with suggestion, "He may only be General Cao's disciple now, but he will surely become his adopted son. Shall we join forces?"

"Join forces?" Jiang Haiyan asked, biting her lip.

"Isn't it better if we sisters work together? There are many noble girls in the Thunder Department. Being close gives us the first opportunity. If we delay, others might step ahead..." Jiang Heqing pouted.

"What are you thinking!" Jiang Haiyan laughed and playfully pushed her sister's head, then quietly looked towards Yun Xiao, shining among the crowd. "But you're right, the temptations are many in the sacred land of the Thunder Department, and father will surely push us to move quickly. Today, our paying for him to perform the Soaring Thunder Leap led to this fortune. He'll surely appreciate the favor, and that's our advantage."

Jiang Heqing could sense that her older sister was deeply moved too.

At the sight of the two sisters giggling to each other, the three young masters from Sky Soaring City could no longer hold back, their faces twisting into bitter grimaces.

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