Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 625: Taisui Sigil Palace!

"Don't fret. Worst comes to worst, if I win, I'll simply join your Thunder Department," An Yao said gently, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Mhmm," Nine Kites nodded silently.

"This isn't the place to talk. After the tournament ends, I'll find you at the Celestial Hall," An Yao murmured, then flashed a wicked smile and turned away, stepping down from the fighting platform amidst a deathly silence.

His smile was mischievous, and for some reason, it set hearts fluttering uncontrollably... Nine Kites had to suppress the strange feelings rising within her as she silently walked down from the platform.

Yet, in her mind's eye, the boy's simple and genuine smile lingered, inescapable.

Even the surrounding buzz of excited discussions became indistinct to her.

The high-ranking Immortals, each with a look of regret and helplessness, watched her. The Thunder Department's only hope was dashed, and it seemed that the likes of Yun Yin and Gu Suwan felt even more heartbroken than Nine Kites herself.

The likes of Gu Zhenshi, Man Huo, and Yun Alter couldn't even lift their heads, their eyes brimming with despair.

"An Yao truly is a monster."

"Nine Kites had the potential to make the top three, but she showed no resistance at all... After this battle, is there any doubt left about who will be the champion of this Immortal Tournament?"

The Chaos Sovereign wasn't there, but his terrifying presence, as always, was suffocating the celestial hosts.

With that, the first round ended!

When tallying up all the performances, the Thunder Department suffered the most. Out of nine contenders, seven were defeated in the first round—the daughter of the Nine Thunders Sovereign included!

Only Yun Xiao and Yun Alter remained standing.

With Yun Xiao as the tragic underdog, even Jian Chi seemed less unfortunate by comparison.

Everyone thought Nine Kites couldn't bear the brutal reality of her defeat. As she descended from the platform, figures like Yun Yin and Gu Suwan hurried to greet her.

"Little Nine!"

Suddenly, amidst a surge of radiant light from the sky, a man clad in a black and gold robe descended. He stood tall and regal before Nine Kites, his presence commanding with an Emperor's dignity. His age was similar to that of Liu Chaochao, a young man in the prime of his maturity.

In appearance, this man far surpassed An Yao, both in aura and heritage, exuding the comforting solidity of fine white jade.

"Sixth Prince."

Upon the Sixth Prince's arrival, Yun Yin and the others stepped back.

The Sixth Prince, known simply as Zhen, looked slightly worried as he reached out for Nine Kites, his voice gentle, "Victory and defeat are dictated by the heavens. You are young, do not lose heart. The path of immortality is not about sudden enlightenment but about enduring the mysteries of the world over millennia."

Nine Kites glanced at the white jade-like hand before her, feeling an inexplicable repulsion. She found this man's sanctimonious appearance far less genuine than Lu Yao's carefree nature.

Yet, she steeled herself, extending her hand to his, and replied softly, "I understand, thank you, Prince Zhen."

Seeing her composed, the Sixth Prince relaxed, "Let's forget about this tournament. I promised to take you to the Devil's Cave to see the Great Firefall last month, and I happen to be free now. Let's set off."

"Prince Zhen..." Nine Kites lowered her head, suppressing her distaste, "I must stay until the end of the tournament."

"The Thunder Department has no hope, what's there to see? It'll only add to your troubles." The Sixth Prince shook his head.

"There is still hope," Nine Kites suddenly said, recalling someone, "That Lu Yao, he managed to defeat Jian Chi. He might have a chance against An Yao."

"Him?" the Sixth Prince glanced at the divinely handsome youth in Arbiter armor, pursed his lips, and said, "This one does have some secrets, but..."

He didn't continue. Over the years, too many had been shocked by the Chaos Sovereign.

Now, Lu Yao had joined that startling roster!

Those who doubted the Chaos Sovereign had long been proven wrong, their doubts swelling their faces with embarrassment.

Though the Sixth Prince held a high status, even he felt the sting of being proven wrong.

"Let's give it a try! At least he's from the Thunder Department." Nine Kites, fighting the churn in her stomach, coaxed the Sixth Prince.

"Alright," the Sixth Prince could only nod, then added, "You mean to say the Thunder Department is sure this young man has no ties to the Chaos Sovereign? Let's not have another of his pawns."

"At least I'm sure of it," Nine Kites asserted with confidence.

"You," the Sixth Prince pinched her nose and laughed helplessly, "such a child at heart..."

He let her have her way.

After all, soon after the tournament, they were to have a grand wedding. The bride joining the imperial family shouldn't be gloomy.

"Then I'm going to find Lu Yao!" Nine Kites hurriedly said.

She preferred seeking out Lu Yao to staying any longer with the Sixth Prince, whom she once admired as a mature and stable lover. But today, everything about him seemed off—every whisker on his face felt misplaced!

The more she looked, the less she liked!

"Go ahead," the Sixth Prince said, resigned.

Nine Kites approached Yun Xiao and Yun Alter with a sense of urgency, declaring, "You two, come with me!"

"This..." Yun Alter hesitated, "The quarter finals starts in an hour."

That hour was for the participants to recuperate, heal, and restore themselves.

"Let's talk somewhere else!" Nine Kites glared.

Yun Xiao said nothing and followed her to the Divine Heavenly Pavilion.

On the way, Yun Alter's expression hardened, "This An Yao, he's too overbearing! It's one thing to be dismissive, but he also..."

"Just shut up. There's nothing to be said if you're not his equal. Don't attack his character," Nine Kites snapped.

Puzzled, Yun Alter asked, "He's blocked your path and destroyed all our aspirations and dreams. Don't you hate him?"

"Do you hate him?" Nine Kites asked coldly.

"I do! I wish I could kill him right now... but alas, I lack the strength. All I can do now is give everything to make the semifinals, to vie for a spot among the top three!" Yun Alter's eyes blazed with determination.

He was willing to gamble his life for this obsession.

"Nine Kites, our Thunder Department can't afford another loss! If not one of us makes it to the semifinals, we'll be the laughing stock for years. We are the true heirs of the Arbiter!" His voice was hoarse with distress.

"That's enough, you're no longer needed. Get out."

Before they even reached the Divine Heavenly Pavilion, Nine Kites had dismissed him.

"I won't give up, regardless!"

Yun Alter's statement implied he thought Nine Kites had conceded too quickly. He had expected her to stand and fight to the death. But instead, she had simply left the platform!

This was not the Nine Kites he knew. Feeling somewhat angry, he could say no more and turned back toward the platform.

Now only Nine Kites and Yun Xiao were left.

"Do you truly hope that I can uphold the last shred of dignity for the Thunder Department?" Yun Xiao asked calmly.

"Yes…" Nine Kites was conflicted. She had initially just wanted to shake off the Sixth Prince, and now, with only this young man in white before her, her thoughts were in disarray.

"Your father doesn't really have any hopes for you, otherwise, he would have been here," Yun Xiao said.

"Shut up! He, he just doesn't want to be embarrassed... but he must be concerned..." Nine Kites struggled to say.

"What do you think of An Yao?" Yun Xiao suddenly asked.

"I..." Nine Kites was even more confused, her heart troubled by the expectations of her father and the image of An Yao, making her irritable. She shook her head, "Stop asking. Right now, I just need to know, can you keep fighting for the Thunder Department? At least make it into the top three. Even second place would be fine."

"Of course," Yun Xiao agreed without hesitation, then looked deeply at her and said, "But I have a condition."

"Speak!"

At that moment, Nine Kites was reminded of the hopes of her father, the Nine Thunders Sovereign. She yearned to restore some dignity for the Thunder Department.

"I only have one Rune Prison during the break, which is quite low. You've been around the Celestial Court, think of a way, find a place that could boost my Rune Prisons," Yun Xiao said.

"Are you crazy? Clinging to last-minute hopes?" Nine Kites said incredulously.

"One hour for me is like years for you," Yun Xiao replied.

"You..." Nine Kites fumed, glaring at him before finally saying, "The Sixth Prince's master, Taisui Sage, owns a Taisui Sigil Palace nearby. I often visit. They're both at the platform now. I'll... I'll take you there to borrow it for a while!"

"Borrow?" Yun Xiao laughed. "Don't be silly. You're practically the future lady of the Taisui Sigil Palace. You already own it!"