Immortal of the Ages

From the Heavenly Palace to the furthest reaches of the Great Dao Celestial Realm, flying talismans holding imperial decrees soared through the skies. Each decree vividly listed the transgressions of the Chaos Sovereign, painting a picture so vivid it was said not even a forest of bamboo could record it all. Among these, a warrant was issued specifically for Lu Fan alone.

Indeed, it was just him.

The rest of the rebels, like the Great Dao Celestial Army, Penglai Sage, Great Horned King, and Lunar Demon Mistress, were not mentioned.

The intention of the Celestial Court was clear. It was to crush Lu Fan under immense pressure, shaking the resolve of his followers and leaving them an opening to turn against him.

Yet, even as the decrees were dispatched, the Taiwei Imperial Palace did not plan to capture Lu Fan personally. They were aware that the Great Dao Celestial Army was heading to Sky Soaring City. The Crown Prince, watching the tigers fight from his mountain, was confident in his strategy.

Once the orders were declared, the assembled Immortals within the Taiwei Imperial Palace stood cold and steady as mountains, their conviction unwavering.

"With the decree issued, we need only set our defenses and wait for the Lu Family to tear each other apart," the Crown Prince said, his eyebrows lifting in a dark, cold smirk.

The assembled Immortals chuckled at his words.

However, at that moment, the Crown Prince’s expression turned dramatically. He suddenly stood, staring into the sky as if trying to twist his neck off, his eyes wide, his breath heavy.

With those words, the Crown Prince vanished from the palace like a bolt of golden light, rushing towards the west, towards the Immortal Asylum.

"What happened?"

The Three Great Constellations, Northstar Sword Devil, Combat Sovereign, and other officials were all puzzled by this sudden change.

"His Highness has gone to see His Majesty," Empress Zhao murmured in shock. "Could it be that the Five Infernos Star Barrier has indeed failed?"

Her words sent a chilling wave through the hearts of all the assembled Immortals.

"Impossible, that is the foundation passed down through countless generations of the Celestial Court..." the Nine Arcanes Constellation said, shaking her head.

"His Majesty once said that the Five Infernos Star Barrier was bestowed by our great ancestors. From the founding of the dynasty, no man nor beast has been able to breach it!" the Heaven-Reaching Constellation said through clenched teeth.

They had not underestimated Lu Fan; rather, this situation was shattering their worldview, even more so than Yun Xiao’s rapid rise just days before.

In the Taiwei Imperial Palace, a brief deathly silence was shattered into a restless stir.

"Silence, it should be nothing; cease your disputes!"

With the Crown Prince gone, Empress Zhao stood as the highest authority present. At her stern command, calm returned. Yet, in the very next moment, the Crown Prince had returned to his throne!

His return cast a pall over the entire Taiwei Imperial Palace, as if it had plummeted from the heights of the heavens into a deep abyss.

The ashen and frosty countenance of the Crown Prince told all that a grave matter had indeed unfolded.

Without waiting for questions, the Crown Prince coldly announced, "The Five Infernos Star Barrier has mysteriously vanished, and the forces of Naraka are advancing straight for the Heavenly Palace!"

This proclamation sent a wave of shock throughout the assembly. Everyone was in disbelief, yet it was the Crown Prince who spoke these words—and he was the one who found it hardest to accept!

"Mobilize the Constellation Army and all 18 Department Legions to defend the Heavenly Palace immediately. Set up our defenses around the perimeter of the Taiwei Eight Trigrams Life and Death Sacred Emperor Formation! Slay the demons and devils, and protect our divine ruler over the heavens!" the Crown Prince commanded, quickly recovering from the shock and setting forth his response.

This Sacred Emperor Formation, a portion of which included the white jade steps of the Divine Gateway, ranked second among the grand formations of the Celestial Court. It was just below the Five Infernos Star Barrier and above the Thunder Immortal Formation. Its purpose, historically, was not to fend off external threats but to delineate the prestige within the heavenly hierarchy.

No one had ever breached the Five Infernos Star Barrier to reach the Sacred Emperor Formation!

After the Crown Prince spoke, the entire Taiwei Imperial Palace seemed ablaze with urgency.

"Yes!"

The Three Great Constellations, various Rank 1 Sovereigns, and Rank 2 Heavenly Officers—anyone holding military responsibilities—acted immediately.

With their deployment, the divine land of the Celestial Court too seemed set aflame.

"Your Highness, are we certain the forces of Naraka are targeting the Heavenly Palace?" Empress Zhao inquired, fraught with concern.

"Those two monsters have eyes only for the Immortal Asylum," the Crown Prince replied with a cold sneer.

"The Heavenly Palace is protected by the Sacred Emperor Formation; we can lie in wait and crush our opponents. But what if the enemy targets our other territories and cities?" Empress Zhao pressed with worry.

Many of the assembled Immortals shared her concern. The divine land of the Celestial Court was the imperial family’s core territory, protected by the Constellation Army. However, the 18 Department Legions also had to rush over to support the Heavenly Palace...

The Thunder Department's Arbiters were among these 18 Department Legions.

More than half the officials present had roots and family outside the Heavenly Palace.

The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed coldly as he fixed a chilling glance on Empress Zhao, then declared measuredly, "The Heavenly Palace is the heart of the Great Dao Celestial Realm. As long as the heart beats, the realm lives. Now that the Five Infernos Star Barrier has failed, we’re thrust into battle. To think we can emerge unscathed is folly. Should sacrifices be made, posterity will erect monuments to the fallen!"

It was a stark reality all the officials knew too well.

Despite some unease, the assembled Immortals understood priorities.

The Heavenly Palace, the imperial dynasty’s throne, demanded their utmost defense. Only by first stabilizing the chaos brought by the failure of the Five Infernos Star Barrier could they hope to break through this crisis.

"Esteemed immortals," the Crown Prince addressed the officials, "The failure of the Five Infernos Star Barrier is an unprecedented calamity. Now, as the Great Dao Celestial Realm falls into turmoil, it is upon us all to unite and endure this catastrophe for the sake of humanity—behind us stand countless human lives across the mortal realms! We cannot afford to lose this battle!"

His voice boomed through the Taiwei Imperial Palace, rallying the Immortals.

"For humanity! For the lineage of humans and Immortals!"

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In the jurisdiction of the Thunder Department, to the south, was Sky Soaring City.

This city, floating amidst the Celestial Sourcecore, had just seen the end of its day.

As usual, the dark canopy of night descended like a monstrous beast swallowing the city whole.

However, behind the dark shroud, the Great Dao Celestial Army appeared.

Composed almost entirely of commoners, their primary duty was to defend the Great Dao Celestial Realm. Yet tonight, they mobilized en masse, surrounding a frontier city populated by low ranking Immortals until it was completely sealed off.

Nightfall in Sky Soaring City, when the concentration of celestial energy waned and was least suited for cultivation, marked the beginning of the city’s enchanting nightlife.

Unaware of the night’s unusual circumstances, the citizens began to illuminate the streets with lights and decorations.

Music and song filled the air above Sky Soaring City.

During these days, without a Rank 6 Heavenly Officer governing them, the citizens, listening daily to the myths of Lu Yao, seemed happier.

The people of the Lu Immortal Manor had nearly all perished.

Many came from afar to visit Lu Yao’s home, curious about the small courtyard that witnessed two of the Celestial Court’s miracles, wondering about the magic it held.

A few celestial pigs, though ownerless, were fattened by tourists.

The tale of the vendetta between Lu Yao and his father Lu Bufan had spread throughout Sky Soaring City.

In today's Sky Soaring City, ask anyone, and without hesitation, they would side with Lu Yao.

Especially after the Great Dao Celestial Army and Naraka jointly attacked the Thunder Department, the people of Sky Soaring City did not believe that Lu Fan was innocent.

Emboldened by the recent rise of Lu Yao and contempt for a man who'd abandoned his wife and children, Sky Soaring City was the only place where people dared to openly criticize Lu Fan.

The Celestial Court still hadn't disclosed Yun Xiao's true identity. So, to everyone across the Great Dao Celestial Realm, he remained Lu Yao—a dashing young Arbiter who was pursuing his dreams.

JustLivingJL's Thoughts

"Esteemed immortals," the Crown Prince addressed the officials, "The failure of the Five Infernos Star Barrier is an unprecedented calamity. Now, as the Great Dao Celestial Realm falls into turmoil, it is upon us all to unite and endure this catastrophe for the sake of humanity—behind us stand countless human lives across the mortal realms! We cannot afford to lose this battle!"