Chapter 575: Pay Up, or Get Lost!

Chapter 575: Pay Up, or Get Lost!

In a world where the bounties of immortality were hoarded by a privileged few, the heirs of heaven needed nothing but a fortunate birth to partake in wonders the common soul could scarcely dream of.

"With great power comes great responsibility!"

Yet, what Yun Xiao witnessed in the Celestial Court was a thirst for power so fierce it drained others dry.Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

Despite his inner disquiet, his hands never paused; jug after jug of celestial wine flowed freely.

Red Moon in his embrace gleamed with greed, tiny beastly claws reaching out to snatch any delicacy within grasp, gobbling them up without reserve.

"A bit much, don’t you think?" Jiang Haiyan and Jiang Heqing whispered. The two sisters seated beside him glanced around. "Maybe tone it down? You'll draw mockery."

"Do you think I care?" Yun Xiao retorted.

"Just eat, just drink," Jiang Haiyan said, biting her lip.

This Azure Sky Banquet, ostensibly a refined social gathering, was but a veneer for the scions of high ranking officials to sip wine, flaunt their elegance, and forge alliances.

Here, they clustered in small groups, lively with chatter. Who had time for Yun Xiao? Those from the Thunder Department who befriended him had either ulterior motives or were fools.

So, Yun Xiao ignored everyone. He attended a banquet of his own making, embracing a simple creed—invite me, and I shall take.

Fine wine and exquisite feasts? Taken.

Peaches of immortality? Eaten.

His approach was forthright, unapologetic. Conventional judgments no longer mattered to him. Those celestial prodigies, busy safeguarding their networks, would glance his way, shaking their heads, sighing, and even scoffing.

Sometimes they whispered, sometimes their laughter broke through.

Among the hundreds of prodigies, few ignored Yun Xiao. Yet, he paid them no heed.

His gaze was fixed beyond the banquet, on the mountain behind. There stood a circular portal marked with a round symbol, the Sword Suppression Gate.

Like a majestic, imperious, and mysterious eye of thunder, it surveyed the gathering of celestial beings, indifferent to their shallow pretenses.

"That's the Sword Suppression Gate."

It was precisely why Yun Xiao had come here today. He observed the gate for a long time, his gaze shifting between it and the young prodigies at the banquet. To them, Yun Xiao was but a fleeting bubble, unlikely ever to touch the revered gate.

Just as his thoughts were adrift, Red Moon in his arms suddenly exclaimed, "Look, Yun Xiao, isn’t that your aunt over there?" His excitement was surely not without reason...

Following its gaze, Yun Xiao saw a violet figure drifting across the sky above the banquet, heading straight for the Sword Suppression Gate.

"Cao Shuo?" he recognized her instantly.

It was indeed Thunder Emissary Cao.

"What’s she doing at the Grand Firmament Academy?" Yun Xiao casually asked Jiang Haiyan beside him.

"Thunder Emissary Cao, I wish to use the Sword Suppression Gate," Yun Xiao said earnestly, getting straight to the point.

Cao Shuo seemed accustomed to his audacity. "What did you just call me?" she asked with a playful smile, sidestepping his request.

Yun Xiao pursed his lips and repeated, "Aunt, I wish to use the Sword Suppression Gate."

"Ah, that sounds better," Cao Shuo remarked as she stepped closer to Yun Xiao, almost matching his height.

"Today I'm on duty here. Though you are not a disciple of the Grand Firmament Academy, you are my nephew, and I might just make an exception for you," she said, her voice soft and her lips parting in a faint smile.

"Thank you," Yun Xiao nodded.

This was turning out to be much easier than he had anticipated.

No sooner had Yun Xiao thought to himself than Cao Shuo held out her palm and said, "Bring it here."

"What?" Yun Xiao asked.

"The fee to open the Sword Suppression Gate," Cao Shuo paused, "30,000 True Immortal Jades. That's the rule at the Grand Firmament Academy. Everyone pays. I don't have the authority to waive it for you."

"Thirty thousand?" Yun Xiao's face darkened. Was this a robbery?

"If you don't believe me, go ask around," Cao Shuo glared at him. "I don't believe that my sister-in-law didn't give you an allowance. Fork it over."

"It's all gone. I don't have a single True Immortal Jade left," Yun Xiao said.

"Then get lost. Don't think I'll cover for you," Cao Shuo waved dismissively.

Yun Xiao grew frustrated. Why did everything require money? Being poor truly curtailed one's ambitions. He was seriously considering going out to slay a few foes to gather funds.

"So, you really want to use the Sword Suppression Gate, huh?" Cao Shuo saw his irritation and suddenly smiled slyly.

"Yes," Yun Xiao replied.

"I'll cover it for you!" Cao Shuo suddenly declared generously.

"What's the condition?" Yun Xiao asked, his voice low, not feeling particularly thrilled.

Cao Shuo blinked seductively, her voice sultry, "Bow to me, and then, in flesh, repay."

"..." Yun Xiao was speechless.

"Do you have the guts? Right here, pin me down, I'll pay afterwards, you go to the Sword Suppression Gate, I'll be satisfied in body and spirit, you advance by leaps and bounds—everyone's happy!"

Cao Shuo grabbed his collar, her tongue teasing her lips, looking irresistibly tempting.

Just then, outside the Sword Suppression Gate, a young girl in a white dress approached the Sword Suppression Hall, her expression curious...