Chapter 1148: Not Him, Then Who Else?

The sky held auspicious omens, and the earth glowed with vibrant light. Immortal mists, seen everywhere, held immortal rain, nourishing all living beings and creations. Immortals were everywhere, their faces consistently wreathed in smiles as they came and went. Immortal beasts were serene; wherever they passed, lotus flowers bloomed. The entire immortal palace boasted endless halls, magnificent and grand in their splendor.

Nearby, immortal flowers and plants released a fragrant aroma that permeated the air. In the distance, immortal pavilions and tall pagodas stood, their solemn bell tolls reaching the ears. Witnessing and perceiving all of this, Xu Qing felt for a moment as if he were in a dream. A feeling of timelessness, of not knowing what day it was, spontaneously arose in his heart.

It was only as he walked through this dreamlike immortal realm, absorbing its immortal energy and relying on his sight, smell, and hearing, that he gradually felt himself integrate with the surroundings. Finally, using the host's memories as ripples, a wave of familiarity spread. His mind expanded, settling his body and spirit back to normal.

Xu Qing exhaled. With a calm stride, he proceeded towards the combat arena. As he walked, he also adjusted his aura, familiarizing himself with his current physical body and cultivation. He had been doing this for the past seven days. By now, he had achieved some initial results.

After all, this was the physical body of a peak Dominator, and its soul was likewise powerful. It was only half a step away from being a Quasi-Immortal. Therefore, for Xu Qing, the process of familiarizing himself with this body was an extremely rare and fortuitous opportunity. This allowed him to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Dominator level. After all, although his combat power was extraordinary, his actual cultivation was only at the eighth realm of God-Incubation. He had not yet stepped into the Dominator realm himself. However, in terms of understanding, having killed many Dominators, he could already grasp the overall picture of the realm.

The main difference between the Dominator and God-Incubation realms, besides the level of combat power, lay in the immortal embryo. The Dominator realm involves the process of integrating nine great worlds to form an immortal embryo, and it's also where illusion and reality alternately merge.

"Back on the Divine Blood River," Xu Qing mused, "the Ferryman once mentioned that the immortal embryo is also known as 'Phantom-True Indestructibility.' Phantom represents the soul, and True represents the physical body. This is also why the Dominator realm is divided into three sub-realms: early, middle, and late. The first realm involves projecting one's soul outward to form a new physical body outside the original, which is known as 'Phantom-True'."

Xu Qing inwardly examined this physical body, verifying the information he had learned. "This body has already surpassed this realm." Xu Qing reviewed the host's memories, carefully observing the insights the host had gained while in that realm. "Indeed, Dominator realm cultivators at this stage are both powerful and vulnerable. Their power comes from 'Phantom' existing externally and gradually replacing 'True,' allowing their understanding of authority and control over all things to reach an incredible degree. Their vulnerability, however, stems from 'True' being hidden by 'Phantom.' Thus, if one can find a way to harm 'True,' killing them and destroying 'True' becomes straightforward."

Xu Qing fell into thought. He understood this was the principle by which powerful Dominators could slay weaker ones. It all came down to "destroying True."

"After achieving great success in 'Phantom-True,' one enters the second realm. This involves transforming one's original physical body, previously hidden by 'Phantom,' to merge with the soul. This step is called 'Indestructibility.' Dominators at this realm can instantly switch between 'True' and 'Phantom,' becoming nearly flawless to some extent, hence their 'Indestructibility.' This is also the meaning behind the four characters for 'alternately merge.' However, this 'Indestructibility' is merely effective against Dominator-level techniques. Against a Constitution, it's like a bubble, easily popped!"

Xu Qing recalled the Dominators he had killed, and his understanding deepened.

"As for the third realm, for ordinary Dominators, it requires using Dao Marks as threads to weave oneself, fully integrating 'True-Phantom Indestructibility,' thereby gaining the qualification to 'pluck stars' and complete the immortal embryo! The 'stars' here represent one's 'Constitution,' and this is an opportunity to comprehend one's own Constitution. Regardless of success or failure, it doesn't actually affect promotion; it only impacts the combat power after promotion! The moment of success is when one becomes a Quasi-Immortal, also known as a Great Emperor. Therefore, for a prodigy, already possessing a Constitution is equivalent to having 'plucked the stars' in advance. Thus, upon entering the Quasi-Immortal realm, they are certainly not a weakling of that stage."

Xu Qing murmured to himself. His research into this physical body over the past few days had greatly aided him. This physical body, in fact, was at the great success stage of the second realm and had progressed more than halfway through the third. The nine Dao Marks, each forming a thread, were currently weaving 'Phantom-True Indestructibility'.

"Additionally, this Young Lord Aurora naturally possessed his own Constitution. However, his Constitution was somewhat peculiar!" Xu Qing narrowed his eyes; as he walked forward, he could now see the combat arena ahead. But his thoughts continued. Because this Young Lord Aurora's Constitution had once withered!

"His original Constitution was self-comprehended, which proved this Young Lord's excellent talent and comprehension! Moreover, the Constitution he comprehended was not ordinary; it was a Mirror Constitution! But later, for some unknown reason, his Constitution mysteriously withered and inexplicably transformed into... a Seal Constitution!"

Instinctively, Xu Qing sensed something unusual about this matter. As for the specific reason for the Constitution's withering and change, it remained unknown within the Young Lord's memories. The Young Lord's memories only recalled that he had informed the Immortal Lord immediately after the incident occurred. Upon learning of it, the Immortal Lord's expression became unprecedentedly gloomy. He seemed to know something and departed in anger. But when he returned a month later, it was as if nothing had happened.

A segment of memory from that period had been erased, and Xu Qing didn't know what it contained. He only knew that from that day on, the Young Lord cast aside his former cheerfulness and diligence, founded the Hundred Flowers Palace, and indulged himself in wine and women.

As for his withered and altered Constitution, its name was... The Seal of Three Karmas and Ten Evils! A Constitution that sealed evil!

As his thoughts rippled, a wave of profound sadness hidden in those past memories inexplicably permeated Xu Qing's perception. He could feel the Young Lord's past bitterness and confusion. Although the reason remained unknown, that sadness was incredibly deep. Yet there was no resentment, but rather a sense of release.

"What exactly happened?""Why did his Constitution change its path?""Something even Immortal Lord Aurora couldn't resolve..."

Xu Qing fell silent. He had a strong suspicion as to who had altered the Young Lord's Constitution. Because there was a secret, known only to those of extremely high cultivation, which meant 99% of cultivators in the entire Fifth Star Ring were unaware of it... the relationship between Aurora and the Immortal Venerable.

"Or perhaps their relationship was hidden from history by some force. Aurora is the son of the Immortal Venerable, and this Young Lord I am currently inhabiting is, in fact... the Immortal Venerable's grandson."

As he pondered, sudden laughter from ahead interrupted Xu Qing's thoughts. He raised his head. The combat arena was now directly before him.

It was an ancient and solemn arena, encircled by towering stone walls. Carved upon these walls were various totems and fierce beasts, lifelike, soaring across the sky or roaring through the mountains, as if they could leap forth at any moment. Sunlight now filtered through sparse clouds, dappling onto the combat arena and adding a touch of solemnity and grandeur to this ancient and mysterious place.

In the center of the combat arena stood a circular platform crafted from an unknown material, its edge inlaid with a circle of gleaming sharp blades. Under the sunlight, these blades reflected dazzling light, inspiring awe in all who beheld them. The surrounding spectator stands were already filled with onlookers from all directions, most of whom were witnesses invited by Li Tianjiao.

One figure hovered in mid-air. This was a youth in a crimson Daoist robe, with a handsome face and deep-set features, his brows exuding an undeniable heroic spirit. The color of his robe made him appear like a blazing inferno, his gaze sweeping over all directions as if he could incinerate everything. The moment he saw Xu Qing, the youth smiled proudly.

"Young Lord, there's no rush. The Immortal Palace Academy is closed today, so I have plenty of time. You can take a moment to rest here first, lest you find an excuse for not being convinced after I defeat you. And I've brought the wager."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a soft light instantly flew from his sleeve, transforming in mid-air into a charming and enchanting woman. This woman wore a light, long gown; at first glance, she appeared as a gentle and lovely maiden, but on second glance, she resembled a seductive and alluring woman. Her appearance combined purity with allure. Her eyes, as they shifted, held endless charm and cunning. Her long hair was loosely tied into a low ponytail, with a few stray strands gently falling over her forehead. At this moment, she shyly and delicately gazed towards Xu Qing.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over her. With just one glance, he sighed inwardly. Such eyes, such a posture, and that inexplicable familiarity... All doubt vanished from his heart regarding his own guess. This fox beauty could be none other than Mud Fox.

Almost simultaneously with Xu Qing's gaze falling on the fox beauty, Li Tianjiao stepped forward, positioning himself in front of her, blocking Xu Qing's view, and spoke provocatively. "After you defeat me, you can take her back and look at her however you want; I guarantee she's still a virgin. But now, Young Lord of the Immortal Palace, I think our wager is a bit unreasonable. After all, this fox beauty is already mine. How about this: if I win, I'll visit your Hundred Flowers Palace for a month! If you win, not only will the fox beauty be yours, but I, Li, will also willingly serve as your study companion for a hundred years, during which time you can command me as you wish. Even if you ask me to help you gather beauties from all over the world, I won't bat an eyelid! Well, what do you say? Do you dare agree?"

Li Tianjiao's expression was clearly provocative, and his posture arrogant. Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. Zhong Chi, who had been following behind him, was stunned. This was not part of the historical record.

"Something is off about this person," Zhong Chi thought. "Could he be an outsider? On the surface, he's challenging the Young Lord, but is he actually trying to get close this way?"

As Zhong Chi's thoughts raced, Xu Qing suddenly spoke. "Agreed!"

Almost at the instant his words were uttered, a subtle sensation entered Xu Qing's mind. It was a ripple in space-time. Although it was just an insignificant ripple in the long river of history, this ripple, after all, created undulations, causing even Xu Qing's Constitution to fluctuate!

Simultaneously, a deafening drumbeat suddenly rang out, as if the will of heaven and earth had erupted at that moment. Li Tianjiao laughed heartily, his battle intent strong, and strode swiftly directly towards Xu Qing. At that moment, the entire combat arena's attention ignited.