Beyond the Timescape

Chapter 1149: Everyone Has Their Own Dao

Xu Qing had taken over the body of the Young Lord Aurora. So far, he had spent seven days being strung up at the Scourgebolt Cliffs. In six hours, he would be released. During those six hours, the lightning got even stronger than before, and the thunderous booms were audible far beyond the confines of the Scourgebolt Cliffs. That was intentional, so that everyone would be convinced of the power and majesty of the Scourgebolt Cliffs.

However… though the figure being punished by the lightning seemed to be in very bad shape, during the final six hours, there was something nourishing concealed within the falling lightning. It was a case of loud thunder but a small storm. The crashing thunder was just a show for those on the outside. What was really happening… was that the lightning contained profound nourishment for his soul. It was… soothing him after the seven days of punishment.

No outsider would have any way of knowing about this. But upon searching the memories of his host, Xu Qing came to the realization that it always happened this way. Whenever he got punished, the very last part would be beneficial. After all, there was no way the body and soul of the young lord could truly be forced to suffer. He was the only son of Immortal Lord Aurora, after all.

Li Mengtu glanced over, and though he had a look of concern on his face, inside, he was snorting coldly. Though no one else knew what was really going on, there was no way that he could be unaware of the truth. A kind father often spoils his son!

However, he maintained his concerned look as he cried out, “Young Lord, please, just hold on a bit longer. There are only six more hours to go, sir! Li the Chosen is already at the dueling stage. He’s waiting for you!”

His delivery was perfect in both intonation and facial expression. Xu Qing couldn’t help but open his eyes and look at Li Mengtu playing the role of Zhong Chi. He had recently come to the conclusion that Li Mengtu was a natural-born actor. He was so good that, if Xu Qing hadn’t been aware of his true identity from the beginning, he would never have guessed.

When Li Mengtu noticed Xu Qing looked at him, he worked harder to maintain the proper facial expression. It almost looked like he wanted to outshine the lightning. Of course, that wasn’t possible.

Lightning crashed, filling the Scourgebolt Cliffs with flickering light and booming thunder.

***

The Scourgebolt Cliffs wasn’t the only place where lightning crashed. In the north of the immortal palace was a sword furnace.

The north was famous for its furnaces.

This particular furnace was almost like a cauldron filled with raging fire. The fire seemed like thousands of raging beasts casting light everywhere. Even the air seemed to be on fire. Magical symbols swirled above the furnace. As the sound of the fire raged, the chanting of an ancient enchantment drifted about. Every single magical symbol seemed to contain profound power of heaven and earth.

This was one of 100,000 minor worlds created by Immortal Lord Aurora. It was a furnace of heaven and earth. It could refine countless things, and could change rotten things into something magical.

At the moment it seemed to pulse with something that could transcend the mortal world. By borrowing the fire of heaven and earth, it took all sorts of metal-type precious materials and continuously refined them. They turned into a dark smoke that eventually became a liquid. And every time it transformed, the spirit energy of heaven and earth poured into it.

Within that intersection of intense flame and spirit energy, something aggressively powerful was being born.

It was a sword embryo!

Over the years, the furnace had produced ten immortal swords that Immortal Lord Aurora wielded to earn great glory in the star ring. Immortal Lord Aurora’s long-term plan was to have a total of twelve swords that could be combined into a sword formation.

Today, the final two swords were being formed. Because of that, heavenly lightning was summoned. It slammed into the sword furnace, and sent the power of lightning inside to help form the swords.

As the shining lightning poured inside, and as the fire of heaven and earth burned, the precious materials melted, and two sword embryo’s began to form inside. Their auras swelled, becoming incredibly aggressive. From the perspective of the sword embryos, the process was like that of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. And that was because, to the two outside souls that had taken over the sword embryos, this was an unprecedented destined opportunity.

Hordeslayer and Rampart from the Sword Immortal School in the northern planetary system had worked very hard in the third world to acquire the identities of these two swords! This connected very closely to their daos. Both of them had been born with swords, and had preheaven sword bodies. Therefore, being forged into immortal swords in this furnace would have a profoundly beneficial effect on them. For them to be attached to the two sword embryos was the best path for them.

The two immortal swords would never be fully forged. Historically speaking, their production would continue for a month, but they would ultimately be destroyed along with the catastrophe that struck the immortal palace.

The end result was that the two swords never had any true master. Being masterless swords that had never been fully forged, they had no karma attached to them. There couldn’t have been a more perfect match for Hordeslayer and Rampart.

Both were extremely pleased with how things turned out. They didn’t really care what choices the others made, or what good fortune they got…. To those two, their destined opportunity lay right in front of them. They didn’t need to compete or fight with anyone. They could just peacefully work on their cultivation until everything ended a month later.

Even if they did cross paths unexpectedly with some of the others, it wouldn’t matter, as their destined opportunity would never involve interfering with others among the Shining Stars. At the moment… as the fire and lightning refined the swords, a calm voice spoke from outside the sword furnace.

“This furnace can do more than just refine swords. It can refine one’s heart and refine one’s character. The dao of sword-refining is the dao of refining the heart.”

Hordeslayer and Rampart were shaken by what they had just heard, and quickly sent their divine will outside.

Standing near the sword furnace was an elegant young man with a placid expression on his face. He wore a long, golden robe that swayed in the fluctuations sent out by the fire and lightning. His robe was embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, making him seem both noble and mysterious. He wore a violet-gold crown inset with jewels and carved with dragons and phoenixes so lifelike they looked like they were moving, and would inspire awe in anyone who looked at them.

There was something otherworldly about this young man, a quality that would make it impossible for anyone to overlook him. He strode forward, and his gait was filled with power and seemed to conform to a specific rhythm. Colors flashed and winds blew as he walked, causing the lightning and fire to sway.

He walked right into the sword furnace, appearing inside, right in front of the two sword embryos.

The sword embryos thrummed and emanated aggressive auras.

The young man didn’t seem to care. His eyes shone brightly, as if he could see into the depths of all things. At the same time, his gaze was cold and apathetic. Looking at the two sword embryos, he coolly said, “The two of you won’t be able to stay in there until the swords are fully forged. What’s more, with every transformation to the metal, you’ll face a test of the heart and character. This furnace is like a cauldron, and the cauldron hides heaven and earth; the heart is like a mirror, and the mirror reflects both yin and yang.”

The young man’s words seemed to make the fire in the furnace burn even brighter. At the same time, intense fluctuations of spiritual power rolled out, causing space to tremble. It was a baptism of power that nourished the two sword embryos.

“This is a great destined opportunity,” the young man said calmly, his voice filled with a will that could not be ignored. “Unfortunately, history cannot be changed. Everything that happened in the past is done. It doesn’t matter if history is like a reflection or not. Nothing can be changed!

“Therefore, I permit you to go with the flow of things, and seek your destined opportunity within history. However, if either of you show any signs that you intend to try to change history, then I’ll personally erase you from existence, and revoke your right to be in the fourth world. Remember to follow the rules!”

Hordeslayer and Rampart were quiet for a few breaths of time, and then let loose sword resonances that contained the feeling of obedience. They knew who this person was, and they knew of their dao. They needed to pick a side and make a deal. Since they chose to follow the rules, there was no conflict.

The young man blurred as he left the sword furnace and appeared in the fire and lightning outside. An attendant was waiting patiently there.

When the young man appeared, the attendant bowed his head and followed him out. They left the location of the sword furnace and walked deeper into the immortal palace.

Any immortal palace cultivators who saw this young man would stop what they were doing and bow respectfully.

“Well met, True Monarch.”

In the Aurora Immortal Palace, the only people who could be called by the title ‘true monarch’ were the four personal apprentices of Immortal Lord Aurora. That was their unique form of address.

Of course, three of those apprentices had been assigned to duties outside the immortal palace, which indicated that this was the fourth apprentice! In terms of status and rank, he was second only to the young lord himself, although in reality, most people thought far more highly of him.

Fourth True Monarch smiled in acknowledgment of those who called greetings to him as he led his attendant into the True Monarch Hall.

Once they were inside, the attendant took a deep breath and respectfully said, “Exalted one, what happened with Hordeslayer and Rampart?”

“They’ll follow the rules,” Fourth True Monarch replied coolly.

The attendant didn’t seem very surprised. That attendant was actually Zhou Zhengli!

Upon arriving in the fourth world, he had quickly deduced that Sir Star Ring had assumed the identity of Fourth True Monarch. After all, both of them were from the eastern planetary system, but beyond that, both had selected similar daos in the fourth world. Their intention was to ensure that everything played out historically here in the fourth world. And to make sure that they benefited the most from things, they would crush anyone who tried to do things differently. Following the rules in that way would conform perfectly to their respective canons.

“Hordeslayer and Rampart were easy to find. But Sir Vilespirit and Li Mengtu have hidden themselves much more deeply…. And then there’s Jiang Fan and Yuanshan Su. We have no clues at all for any of them.” Zhou Zhengli looked at Sir Star Ring.

Sir Star Ring, in his guise of Fourth True Monarch, was looking placidly at the sky outside the window. “Historically speaking, there are two very important people to note. One is the Immortal Lord, the other is his son. Someone who wanted to change history would focus on one of them.

“The former is far too transcendent for anyone to do anything to. So we should focus our attention on the young lord. We can use him like bait to lure the fish out into the open….

“For example, there’s the daughter of Immortal Lord Nineshores. And there’s also the duel with Li the Chosen. And of course, the young lord’s study partner.”

Zhou Zhengli considered this, then smiled and opened his mouth to speak.

Before he could, Sir Star Ring shook his head. “I don’t think any of them are important. There’s someone you overlooked. Someone I also overlooked originally. I didn’t pay any attention at all to him until he took action in the third world, spoiling one of my plans. That’s when I took note. I just wonder which identity he’s taken here in the fourth world.”

***

Six hours passed. The lightning circling the sky in the Scourgebolt Cliffs was very punctual. At exactly the right moment, it stopped.

The restraints binding Xu Qing disappeared, and he dropped to the ground to stand in front of Zhong Chi. His clothing was in tatters, and he looked badly wounded. But in truth… those were all just flesh wounds, and they looked a lot worse than they actually were.

Zhong Chi still looked deeply concerned. In fact, he had already produced a new set of clothing that he threw over the young lord.

“Young Lord,” he said, “Li the Chosen is already at the dueling stage claiming that the fight would be unfair, and that you should take time to recover before the fight. Also, that fox demon beauty is there—”

“There’s no need for delay,” Xu Qing said coolly, “I’m going right now.”

He started walking.

Li Mengtu shook his head inwardly and mused that this young lord really was a lecher. Even after all the punishment, as soon as heard about a beautiful woman, he immediately ran right toward her. The words he spoke next ran counter to the thoughts in his head.

“Young Lord, you really are amazing. Brilliant as well. You’re extraordinarily brave and incredibly skilled, in other words, a rare genius. One day in the future, Young Lord, you’ll ascend the throne and lead the star ring into a golden age. Everyone will prosper and peace will reign for eternity.”

Upon hearing that, Xu Qing stopped in place and turned to look at Zhong Chi.

Li Mengtu blinked a few times and thought, Isn’t he used to hearing things like that? Don’t tell me he’s not pleased.

His host Zhong Chi had always been a brown-noser, but at the moment, he wasn’t exactly sure what to do. Thinking quickly, he launched into some more flattery. “Young Lord, you don’t even need to speak the words. I understand, and I’m shaken to the core. I’m infinitely grateful for all of your generosity and praise. It goes without saying that I will work for you as hard as a horse or dog. But at the same time, there’s something I simply have to get off my chest.

“Young Lord, despite being so badly injured, you’re keeping your word and participating in the duel. This is a true show of valor that everyone will be able to see. You’re like a dazzling star that one can’t help but want to revere. You’re a true hero of the ages!”

Xu Qing said nothing. Turning away, he kept walking. Soon he was far from the Scourgebolt Cliffs and in the depths of the immortal palace. Looking around he saw dazzling light, countless living beings, and ordinary celestial bodies in the sky. There was no crimson aurora. Scenes of a golden age entered his eyes.

So, this is what the Aurora Immortal Palace was like in the past!

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