Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 608: Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau

"Someone visiting the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion at this time? No doubt, they're seeking me." Yun Xiao sat on a wooden chair, his eyes fixed intently on the stone door.

His situation was precarious. So, he was always cautious.

"Lu Yao, are you there?" A voice, warm and refreshing like a spring breeze, called from outside.

"I am," Yun Xiao replied.

The stone door swung open, and a young woman dressed in a flowing blue gown stepped gracefully inside. She was petite and lovely, her legs pale as ivory, her eyes large and luminous—more captivating than Bai Ling’er of similar fame.

Yun Xiao knew why she was more alluring; she was not truly a young woman but rather bore the sweet allure of a mature madame. She was none other than Gu Suwan, the Lightning Duchess!

Last they met, Gu Suwan had visited as the madame of the Cao Immortal Manor, and Yun Xiao had just been taken in as the young master.

Upon seeing her, Yun Xiao stood, greeting the beauty in blue. "Lu Yao pays respect to foster mother."

"Sit," Gu Suwan said, her voice gentle, her smile tender.

Cao Sheng had always been the stern presence before Yun Xiao, so she maintained her previous demeanor—affectionate, with a hint of apology. "Some misunderstandings have happened these past days between Old Cao and you. Thankfully, they're now cleared."

"Indeed." Yun Xiao nodded.

"My child, I have always believed in your goodness," Gu Suwan continued.

A spark lit up in Yun Xiao's eyes, and he smiled. "Thank you for your trust, foster mother."

Gu Suwan's smile brightened, and she urged, "Relax in my presence, sit."

Yun Xiao did sit, at her repeated invitation, while she, as his foster mother, stood before him, her gaze soft and deep upon him.

"Is there something you want to ask me?" Yun Xiao cut to the chase.

"Just a small one," Gu Suwan responded crisply.

"Please, ask."

Gu Suwan moved behind him, her jade hand resting on his shoulder, her fingers like electric snakes twining through his white robe. She leaned in close, her face near Yun Xiao, her fragrance pure yet tantalizing.

But all Yun Xiao felt was danger, a threat!

As the wife of Cao Sheng, such intimacy was unnecessary, unless it served to further complicate their relationship. So, she was using their familial bond to probe him!

She tested his concealed strength while also pressuring him.

If Yun Xiao faltered, the astute Gu Suwan would deduce that the power displayed in Sky Soaring City and against Feng Xuan were one-offs.

Confronted with this deadly and enigmatic intimacy, Yun Xiao simply leaned back in his chair, relaxed. He even turned his head to gaze at the beauty inches away, seeing Gu Suwan as nothing more than a tender little rabbit.

This mental duel was like a clash between beasts in the forest, each baring teeth.

Humans, more complex than wild beasts, often intimidated not with ferocity but with ease and composure.

His eyes were less than two inches from Gu Suwan's red lips, quietly waiting for her to speak.

Gu Suwan minutely observed every micro-reaction. His gaze, movements, expression, the twitch of his lips, the flutter of his lashes, the dilation of his pupils, the tremor of his skin… all revealing the psyche of a man.

In this moment, Yun Xiao's response matched his persona back at the Nine Thunders Arena; even with his foster mother, he maintained a domineering and intense presence.

Clearly, Gu Suwan was unsettled. She was afraid. Afraid that like Feng Xuan, she might meet an inexplicable end.

So, she slowly relaxed her hands, stood up straight, and began to massage Yun Xiao's shoulders, softly laughing, "You've fought so many battles back-to-back, you must be exhausted. Tomorrow you head to the Divine Gateway. Let your mother ease your shoulders, relax you."

A shoulder massage from a Lightning Duchess was indeed the highest honor in the Thunder Department.

As Yun Xiao enjoyed the moment, he smiled and said, "You might as well ask your question."

"It's nothing significant," Gu Suwan chuckled while casually mentioning, "Your surname is Lu, and your spirit is powerful. The Supreme General said the first time he saw you, you reminded him of someone."

"Who?" Yun Xiao casually inquired, his body relaxing further.

"A divine being who shook the Celestial Court a thousand times over, the most glorious figure of our time." Gu Suwan's eyes sparkled.

"It couldn’t be the Greatest War God of the Celestial Court, Lu Fan, could it?" Yun Xiao followed her lead.

"You guessed it!" Gu Suwan laughed and said, "You do share many similarities with him. Do you know what they’re saying now at the Thunder Department?"

"Please enlighten me," Yun Xiao replied, his curiosity piqued.

"They're saying that with your unearthly talents, you might very well be the son of the Chaos Sovereign!" Gu Suwan declared, locking eyes with him.

Yun Xiao paused for a moment, then laughed. "Absurd!"

"Is it not so?" Gu Suwan shook her head, seemingly in disbelief.

"Of course not." Yun Xiao chuckled, then probed, "Why are you so certain?"

Gu Suwan fixed her gaze on him, silent for a while, then whispered, "I didn’t believe it either, but something odd happened today."

"Oh? I'm all ears," Yun Xiao said.

Gu Suwan blinked, leaned in close, and her breath was fragrant as she murmured, "It’s said that the Chaos Sovereign, upon hearing of your rise in the Thunder Rankings, personally sent a congratulatory message to Gu Zhenxiao."

"Oh?" Yun Xiao narrowed his eyes, "And how did he congratulate me?"

"Just a single phrase," Gu Suwan replied.

"Which phrase?" Yun Xiao asked.

With a mysterious smile, Gu Suwan said, "Distance tests a horse's strength."

Yun Xiao froze for a moment. He suddenly remembered the night they first met, when that man had also spoken those same words upon hearing his name.

"He knows I am Lu Yao, and that he saw me that night."

So, the connections were made.

Yun Xiao had long been prepared for the ties that bound them.

Lu Yao was indeed his birthright son! Once acknowledged, there was no escaping it.

"Haha..." Yun Xiao suddenly burst into laughter.

"What are you laughing at?" Gu Suwan pinched his ear gently and said, "Tell mother, is it true or not?"

The answer to this question was of great importance to them all.

Even the Nine Thunders Sovereign might have to guess.

Yun Xiao's laughter, however, made Gu Suwan nervous.

"Tell me," she cooed, pushing on Yun Xiao's shoulder like a capricious girlfriend.

Yun Xiao then sobered up and said, "Foster mother, let me keep this mystery for now. When we reach the Divine Gateway and meet the Chaos Sovereign, all will be clear."

"You are such a tease!" Gu Suwan said, laughing yet not without a trace of worry. Her expression shifted dramatically to one of shock and even fear.

Yun Xiao had slain Feng Xuan and now boldly planned to face the Chaos Sovereign at the Divine Gateway. If he was not the son of the Chaos Sovereign, did he not fear death?

In the Celestial Court, no hidden power could rival the Chaos Sovereign!

And so, she realized Yun Xiao had cunningly led her into this plot.

Had Yun Xiao directly confirmed their father-son relationship, she might have doubted him.

"Alright then!" Gu Suwan withdrew her hand and slowly said, "Regardless, if you ever need help with your cultivation, just ask your mother."

Hearing this, Yun Xiao smiled and said, "Why wait? I’d like to visit the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau now. Will you take me?"

"The Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau? It holds the Thunder Department's peak celestial techniques, requiring at least the status of a Rank 6 Heave..."

Gu Suwan was interrupted as Yun Xiao produced his newly acquired Rank 6 platinum token.

"A Rank 6 Heavenly Officer also needs to have earned merits..." Gu Suwan added.

"That’s why I need you to pave the way," Yun Xiao paused, "I’m about to bring glory to the Thunder Department, consider it an advance?"

"Can merits even be earned in advance?" Gu Suwan laughed, somewhat exasperated, but added, "Fine, I'll use Old Cao’s influence and try for you."

"That’s wonderful, thank you, foster mother." Yun Xiao's smile was bright and sunny.

This approach, although roundabout, wasn't too different in principle from marrying into wealth.

"Is it true that at the heart of the Myriad Divine Thunder Bureau, there is also a Sigil Suppression Gate?" Yun Xiao suddenly asked.

"You shouldn’t—" Gu Suwan started, alarmed.

But Yun Xiao swiftly took her hands and pulled her onto his lap, saying earnestly, "I promise, this time I won’t break it."

"You!" Gu Suwan's face flushed, and she quickly stood up, glaring at Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao looked up at her with a defiant smile. So, it's fine for you to tease me, but not for me to turn the tables?

The two locked eyes for three breaths.

Suppressing the turmoil within, Gu Suwan turned and softly said, "Come with me."

JustLivingJL's Thoughts