After entering the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office, even Jiang Heqing and her peers walked with utmost restraint, no longer daring to raise their voices or act out of line.
Within the vast confines of the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office, wherever one’s gaze fell, there slithered lightning serpents. Every palace and bridge seemed as though constructed atop a lake of thunder.
Ahead of Yun Xiao and his group lay the Hall of Soaring Thunder, a place young in spirit, frequented by youthful Arbiters from various cities, geniuses of second generation Immortals whose parents held high ranking positions in the Celestial Court, none falling below Rank 6.
The Sky Soaring City group was assigned lodgings called the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, situated on the fringes of the Hall of Soaring Thunder. The five prodigious Arbiters from Sky Soaring City accepted this arrangement without question, aware of their own limits.
After settling in the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion, while Jiang Heqing and others chatted in the courtyard, Yun Xiao retired alone to a cultivation chamber.
Blue Star and Red Moon had again produced some Tri Heaven Sariras.
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“Just in time. I’ll have to compare skills with all the genius Arbiters of the Thunder Department in the afternoon.”
Yun Xiao sat cross-legged on the ground, channeling the energy of the vast Celestial Sourcecore of the Thunder Department’s sacred land through the Primordial Void Technique, transforming it into primordial celestial power to gradually enhance his cultivation.
In less than half an hour, Yun Xiao achieved a double breakthrough.
“Establishment True Immortal Realm! The next step is manifesting my Genesis Spirit and reaching the Essence Manifestation Realm!” Yun Xiao gazed curiously at the tiny human form of his spirit before him.
In the case of the Creator Immortal, he had no celestial ancestry. As for the mortal Yun Xiao, his ancestors were like dust in the mundane world, hardly the type to bless descendants. So, what kind of ancestral spirit would he manifest?
"Just as long as I don’t manifest as a turtle, I’m good." Yun Xiao chuckled to himself, standing up.
With no clear idea on how to proceed with manifesting his spirit, he was about to seek advice from Liu Mumu. But just then, someone knocked at the door.
Opening the thick, peeping-proof stone door of the cultivation chamber, Yun Xiao saw Jiang Heqing had changed into a white top and short emerald skirt, her long hair slightly curled, adorned with a jade hairpin. Her eyes were as clear as the sea, her lips a delicate red, like a charming celestial maiden descended from the heavens.
"Are you busy?" Jiang Heqing glanced at him, unable to hide the disdain in her eyes.
"What do you want?" Yun Xiao asked.
"We’re about to check out the Soaring Thunder Leap. Do you want to check it out with us?" Jiang Heqing asked, then quickly added, "Don’t get me wrong. I’m not inviting you because I want to. It’s just that there are too many nosy people here in the Hall of Soaring Thunder. I don’t want any gossip going around about us purposely excluding one of our team members.
"Soaring Soaring Leap?" Yun Xiao remarked, clearly unaware of what this was. He indifferently said, "Anyway, who cares what others think? There’s no need to pretend to be close. Just go and enjoy yourselves. I’m not part of your circle. No need to force things and try to squeeze me in."
"Well, at least you’re aware of it," Jiang Heqing scoffed, her disdain evident as she turned to leave. She muttered under her breath, "Here I was going to show this bumpkin what a Spirit Bungee Jump is like. Can’t recognize good intent!"
Curious about the concept, Yun Xiao casually asked, "What’s a Spirit Bungee Jump?"
"It’s the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office’s famed attraction Soaring Thunder Leap derived from the Thunder Immortal Formation, it uses the force of thunder to shoot riders upwards at high speed. During the process, one’s spirit is pulled out of the body, experiencing a thrilling flight. It’s a rite of passage for many here—helps in advancing the manifestation of the spirit. Many of the Thunder Department’s elite have achieved the Essence Manifestation Realm through it—I did too, years ago," Jiang Heqing explained, somewhat boastfully.
"Oh?" Yun Xiao raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and suspicion. "I’m stuck on that very step, and here you are, offering help as if to warm me in the snow. You’re not trying to woo me, are you?"
"Ugh!" Jiang Heqing glared at him, exasperated. "Shut it, if you don’t want to come, don’t!"
"I’ll go," Yun Xiao declared decisively. "An opportunity given by a daughter of a Rank 4 Heavenly Officer shouldn’t be wasted. Who knows? If I win her favor, wouldn’t I be a sparrow turned phoenix?"
"I find you slick and slippery, completely at odds with your appearance," Jiang Heqing shot back contemptuously before turning and humming a tune, walking away.
Yet, she didn’t stop Yun Xiao from following her.
The two of them, one after the other, made their way to the courtyard of the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion.
Looking up, Yun Xiao saw Jiang Haiyan and three other young masters had shed their Arbiter armor for exquisite celestial robes, which were not only elegant but likely offered even better protection.
Clothes did maketh the man! In their new attire, they all appeared trendy and fashionable, exuding a strong presence, each with a distinct personality.
Yun Xiao was still in his Arbiter armor. So, as he stepped into this circle, he immediately looked out of place.
Jiang Heqing noticed this too and frowned slightly at Yun Xiao. "Why are you still in armor? Don’t you have anything else to wear?"
"Is there a rule here that forbids wearing this armor?" Yun Xiao asked.
Caught off guard by his question, Jiang Heqing fell silent.
In the Thunder Department, the Arbiter armor was considered the lowest working attire, signifying equality. But here everyone emphasized pedigree and taste. Naturally, they preferred not to wear it, especially now, as they were gearing up for leisure.
"Qingqing, don’t make it hard on him," Jiang Haiyan said softly.
"It’s not that, it’s just so..." Jiang Heqing bit her lip, almost adding tacky at the end but held her tongue.
After all, Governor Jiang had instructed them to get closer to Yun Xiao and unearth his secrets!
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"That said, Lu Yao’s naturally handsome face perfectly complements the Arbiter armor. I’d even say he outshines us all," Jiang Haiyan said, shaking her head with a wry smile.
"..." Jiang Heqing looked Yun Xiao up and down and found herself unable to refute the claim. Her prejudice aside, this young man did indeed possess an appearance that was beyond reproach
However, Jiang Haiyan’s remark had clearly made the other three young Arbiter Commanders with them somewhat uncomfortable.
"Do you know these commanders, Lu Yao?" Jiang Haiyan asked.
Yun Xiao shook his head. "Please, Commander Jiang, introduce them to me."
One of the commanders in blue responded coolly, "Lu Yao, you certainly carry yourself with an air. It’s been only ten years, and I remember you, yet you have forgotten me."
"..." Yun Xiao, caught off guard, neither tensed nor replied.
"This is Zhao Danming, son of the official who oversees trade in Sky Soaring City," Jiang Haiyan introduced. Like Lu Changfeng, Zhao Danming’s father was a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer in charge of commerce!
After speaking, Jiang Haiyan pointed to a younger man dressed in brocaded garments and continued, "This young man is Chen Yu, son of the official responsible for mining operations beneath Sky Soaring City."
Known as a vein official, this was a position that controlled mining, almost the most lucrative of roles, making his family among the wealthiest.
Yun Xiao could tell, both Zhao Danming and Chen Yu appeared to harbor intentions towards Jiang Heqing. So, their animosity towards Yun Xiao was the most apparent, albeit subtle.
There was another man, roughly the age of Jiang Haiyan but slightly older, dressed in black and white brocade, solemn and reserved.
"This is Dongfang Yong, son of Secretary Dongfang Sheng," Jiang Haiyan explained. The secretary managed all administrative affairs, serving as the deputy to the governor, and was truly the second-in-command.
This time, the Dongfang Sheng did not partake in the competition for governor because he was Jiang Taiping’s trusted confidant. He was set to be promoted to Rank 5 and follow Jiang Taiping to the Thunder Department, reaching into the heart of its power.
Dongfang Sheng had been on The Serenity just earlier.
His son, Dongfang Yong, was also highly revered in Sky Soaring City and was often paired with Jiang Haiyan as a perfect match, seen by many as destined for each other.
After Jiang Haiyan finished introducing them, Yun Xiao nonchalantly greeted the three commanders, blurring over the fact that he didn’t know them.
"There are only two hours left, let’s hurry," Dongfang Yong said, glancing at Jiang Haiyan.
"Right," Jiang Haiyan responded, then turned to Yun Xiao. "Do you need to report this to Sister Mumu?"
"No need," Yun Xiao replied.
"Oh?" Jiang Haiyan’s deep blue eyes flickered briefly, but she said no more.
The group of six young Arbiters then left the Eight Symbols Guard Pavilion. They clustered together, discussing nothing but the scenic beauties of the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office.
Yun Xiao, however, was only interested in manifesting his spirit. A little boredom was a small price to pay for that.
After leaving the Hall of Soaring Thunder, the group walked along the streets of the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office.
Looking up, Yun Xiao could see ahead a massive column of lightning descending from the celestial storm above, part of the Thunder Immortal Formation. This column, wrapped with tens of thousands of dragon-shaped bolts of lightning, emitted an earth-shaking roar.
Faintly visible were streaks of light shooting rapidly from the ground up to the formation, and then plummeting down again. During this process, one could even hear the exhilarating cries of the spirits!
"That must be the Soaring Thunder Leap," Yun Xiao observed, his gaze fixed on the spectacle.
"It feels like a mortal leaping off a cliff, plunging downward just before crashing to the ground and then being yanked back up again."
This thrilling activity was indeed a first for him. In contrast, Jiang Haiyan and the others, who had been coming to the Divine Heaven Jade Purity Office since childhood, must have tried it many times.
"Damn! The line is so long, can we even get a turn in two hours?" Jiang Heqing exclaimed ahead.
"With the selection for the Immortal Tournament ongoing, it’s crowded indeed," Chen Yu commented.
"Don’t worry, Qingqing, I’ll see if we can cut in," Zhao Danming offered.
"Forget it, just queue up honestly. Others have connections no worse than ours," Dongfang Yong stated flatly.
"We’ll queue for now; if we run out of time, we’ll leave," Jiang Haiyan decided.
And so, they joined the long queue beneath that giant column of lightning...
JustLivingJL’s Thoughts
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