Chapter 1150: Dao Is Not the Only Path

Zhong Chi's heart skipped a beat. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Li Tianjiao, who was urgently shouting in mid-air.

His actions were inconsistent with historical accounts!

Historically, while the Young Lord did indeed win this battle and acquired the Fox Beauty, Li Tianjiao never capitulated. Instead, he returned to the academy, transforming this experience into motivation, and went into seclusion to try and break through his own cultivation realm.

Unfortunately, he did not succeed, even up to his death a month later.

But now, a different situation had arisen.

Zhong Chi didn't know if this had truly happened in history, or if it had been rewritten later by others, leaving him unaware of the details.

But there was one thing he could be certain of.

He was the Young Lord's only companion.

Therefore, the Young Lord's answer at this moment was extremely crucial.

If he nodded, history would undoubtedly be altered.

If he refused, everything would return to its original trajectory.

This scene made Zhong Chi's thoughts churn within him.

"This Li Tianjiao is most likely an outsider, just like me."

"It doesn't matter who it is. The key is that this might be an excellent opportunity to observe how others try to leverage this historical period. By using this as a path, it will also be convenient for me to refer to later!"

As thoughts rapidly spun in Zhong Chi's mind, he looked towards Xu Qing.

And here, not only his gaze was fixed on Xu Qing, but also most of the spectators on the combat arena were doing the same.

On one hand, the combat between the two was peculiar, and both displayed astonishing power.

On the other hand, Li Tianjiao, who was always arrogant, was rarely seen bowing his head like this.

So everyone was watching to see how the Young Lord would make his choice.

But Xu Qing did not speak immediately. Instead, his gaze swept over Li Tianjiao, and he narrowed his eyes.

He was pondering.

"If history could truly be changed this easily, then it would lose all meaning."

"Even if I suspect that the history I'm in now is likely just a mirror image of true history, still... even if it's a mirror image, and it concerns the Immortal Lord, then it's only logical that altering it should be extremely difficult!"

"So, where does the difficulty lie?"

Xu Qing pondered. His gaze lingered on Li Tianjiao; this person's stature, build, and actions were all incredibly suitable for testing whether there was resistance before history could be altered.

As for Li Tianjiao, being gazed at by Xu Qing in such a manner, he immediately felt a mix of hope and anxiety.

He had indeed, before the battle, deliberately stated that if he lost, he would willingly become a companion.

He naturally knew that this did not conform to history.

But this was related to his Constitution.

His Constitution was a mist.

Not mist in the conventional sense, but from the void, from mystery, from time.

More precisely, it was from history.

The mist of history was the origin of his Constitution.

Therefore, to develop his own Constitution was to gain knowledge of history.

The more comprehensive his understanding, the more he could dispel the mists shrouding history.

And these dispelled mists would be mastered by him, thereby allowing his Constitution to advance further.

He knew very well that the ultimate goal of his path was complete knowledge of true history.

Thus, in the battle with the Young Lord, he was half genuine and half deliberate; as if going with the flow, he lost to Xu Qing!

His purpose was to secure an identity and opportunity to approach the Young Lord!

To ensure success and to make his actions appear logical, he deliberately created a buzz, attracting a large number of cultivators.

In this way, under the gaze of everyone, after he lost, his choice to bow his head would appear reasonable.

After all, the people here were all witnesses.

And his host also valued promises greatly.

This was his only chance, using his host's identity and following the course of history, to approach the Young Lord.

Thus, it was incredibly important to him.

"In this historical period, two figures are key: one is the Aurora Immortal Lord, and the other is this Young Lord. Only by being near them can I fully understand this history and the hidden content within it."

"Moreover, it concerns the Immortal Venerable. What was said publicly then, that the rebellious path was suppressed and killed, now appears to certainly hold clues!"

"Otherwise, it would be impossible for this Aurora Immortal Palace, upon its current activation, for its fourth layer to suddenly become this unprecedented past era!"

"This clearly is meant to reveal some secrets... it just depends on whether they can be found."

"Therefore, to know all of history and to gain sufficient understanding, I need to stay by someone's side. Only then can I see things more comprehensively."

Li Tianjiao murmured to himself, gazing at Xu Qing, awaiting his answer.

But unfortunately, he did not wait for Xu Qing's answer. Instead, he awaited a shocking long rainbow, whistling from the distant sky.

This long rainbow was like the most brilliant brushstroke between heaven and earth, tearing through the sky and leaving an indelible mark.

Carrying endless majesty and power, it seemed like the primordial roar of the Heavenly Dao, and also the deepest sigh of the world.

It approached suddenly.

All things trembled before it; the mountains and rivers within the Immortal Palace all lost their brilliance.

Until the long rainbow dissipated, transforming into a tall and straight figure who walked onto the combat arena.

The moment he appeared, all spectators on the combat arena rose to their feet and bowed respectfully to the newcomer.

"Greetings, True Monarch!"

The arrival was none other than the Aurora Immortal Lord's fourth disciple.

This Fourth True Monarch was immensely renowned. His early life was filled with legendary tales; he was precocious in his youth, skilled in chess, and on one accidental occasion, he caught the attention of the Aurora Immortal Lord.

The two played five games of chess; the Immortal Lord won four and lost one.

Marveling at his extraordinary talent, the Immortal Lord thus accepted him as a personal disciple.

And this True Monarch did not disappoint the Immortal Lord's nurturing, demonstrating extraordinary wisdom and talent in cultivation.

With talent beyond ordinary people, coupled with immense diligence, keen insight, and extraordinary creativity, he was recognized by the Immortal Palace.

At the same time, his personality was gentle, and his interactions with others made people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

Therefore, within the Immortal Palace, he was well-liked by everyone.

At this moment, everyone bowed to him.

Xu Qing also smiled. In his host's memory, his impression of this person was excellent, and their personal relationship was close. Moreover, many times, the other party was like a true older brother, doting greatly on the host.

So, seeing the other party arrive, Xu Qing spoke with a smile.

"Fourth Senior Brother, why do you have time today to come here?"

The Fourth True Monarch first smiled at the crowd and nodded slightly, then turned to look at Xu Qing, his expression as gentle as an older brother's.

"Little Junior Brother, Master is out looking for betrothal gifts for your matter. He told me before he left to keep an eye on you and prevent you from causing more trouble."

As he spoke, the Fourth True Monarch shook his head with a smile, looking resigned.

"However, in my opinion, no matter what trouble you cause, I, your Senior Brother, can help you smooth it over. So what I'm mainly paying attention to is preventing those with ulterior motives from approaching you with ill intent."

"For example... Li Tianjiao."

As the Fourth True Monarch spoke, his tone turned cold, and his gaze became sharp, like a sword, falling upon Li Tianjiao.

With just one glance.

Li Tianjiao's body trembled, and he stumbled back, feeling his body and soul violently shaking in that instant, even having a sensation that his own consciousness was about to be expelled from his current body.

This scene immediately made Li Tianjiao's expression change.

He genuinely felt that this Fourth True Monarch in front of him clearly possessed the power to strip him away.

"Little Junior Brother, your companion was appointed by Master. It's not good to have another."

The Fourth True Monarch withdrew his gaze, his expression returning to gentleness as he looked at Xu Qing.

"Especially those with unclear intentions."

"After all, in another month, it will be Master's turn to patrol the Star Ring. During this process, it's inevitable that some cultivators with ulterior motives will try to approach you."

"Therefore, Li Tianjiao, how audacious of you!"

"Now, immediately return to the academy. You are punished with thirty years of seclusion as a warning to others!"

The Fourth True Monarch spoke indifferently.

His gaze and his words put immense pressure on Li Tianjiao. At this moment, he couldn't help but stumble back again, even feeling a sense of suffocation; he wanted to say something but couldn't utter a word.

Hearing this, Xu Qing smiled and nodded, and did not forcibly intervene.

On one hand, this small historical ripple was not yet enough to truly leverage time and space.

On the other hand, Li Tianjiao himself was clearly intimidated and had lost his fighting spirit.

If he were to force it, it would be somewhat pointless.

So Xu Qing gladly nodded.

"What Fourth Senior Brother said makes sense. It was my oversight."

Hearing this, the Fourth True Monarch's smile became even gentler. He raised his hand and produced a flask of wine, handing it to Xu Qing.

"Yesterday, I had someone go to Tianxuan City outside the palace, to your favorite wine shop, and fetch a flask of Heavenly Dew. This item is only available one flask per month. I thought that since you were punished by Master, you might have missed the purchasing time, so I went to buy it. I was just about to bring it to you."

Hearing this, Xu Qing brightened up, took it at once, and thanked him with a smile.

The Fourth True Monarch also smiled and was about to speak.

But just then, Zhong Chi, who was beside him, seeing Li Tianjiao lose his opportunity due to being intimidated, also felt unwilling in his heart.

He still wanted to see the outcome of the other party's attempt to leverage history, and even how he could obtain the other party's Constitution.

If he were to go into seclusion just like this, it would be too much of a pity.

So he quickly weighed his options in his heart and had already made a decision.

"This Fourth True Monarch, if he isn't an outsider, my words won't matter. But conversely, if he is an outsider, even if I remain silent, I will still eventually face him in the future. It's even possible that my identity is no longer a secret to him."

Thinking of this, Zhong Chi suddenly turned towards Xu Qing and spoke softly.

"Young Lord, this Li Tianjiao is quite interesting. Before the battle, he was full of bravado, declaring that if he lost, he would willingly be a companion for a hundred years. Yet now, he's silent, looking utterly dejected. His reputation for valuing promises is just nonsense."

"Your humble servant will spread this matter throughout the academy shortly, so that everyone may know how ridiculous this Li Tianjiao is!"

The moment Zhong Chi's words left his lips, Xu Qing immediately felt ripples in time and space.

The Fourth True Monarch suddenly turned his head, his gaze icy, and looked at Zhong Chi.

At the same time, Li Tianjiao, who had been intimidated, upon hearing these words, showed a flicker of struggle in his eyes. Then, as if he had given up all restraint, he abruptly stopped, turned towards Xu Qing, and actually knelt down directly.

"I implore the Young Lord to uphold my reputation. I, Li, admit defeat according to the wager. If I leave like this today, I will have a knot in my heart!"

His words echoed, making the ripples in time and space, which no one but Xu Qing could sense, grow stronger at this moment.

The Fourth True Monarch's heart sank, and he was about to speak.

Xu Qing had already smiled, looking very unconcerned, and casually said something.

"There's some truth to that."

"However, becoming my companion is impossible. If you truly wish to fulfill your promise, go to my Myriad Beasts Garden and tend to the spiritual beasts for a hundred years."

After speaking, Xu Qing looked at the Fourth True Monarch.

"Fourth Senior Brother, what do you think of this arrangement?"

The Fourth True Monarch showed a look of stunned surprise and shook his head with a smile.

"Very well. I have other matters to attend to. This matter... I'll leave it to you."

As he spoke, his gaze seemingly casually swept over Zhong Chi. Then, with a step, he departed from the present moment, stepping into the void, and gradually disappeared without a trace.

Xu Qing's expression from beginning to end was one of amusement. As he watched the Fourth True Monarch disappear, his conjecture was largely confirmed.

"This one must be an outsider!"

"And his approach... is quite interesting. Preventing all actions that alter history?"