Chapter 1155: Fishing

Each of these outsiders was exceptionally well-hidden and remarkably cunning; none of them were simple individuals. Only unavoidable circumstances, like those faced by Li Tianjiao, forced them to act at the risk of exposure. Otherwise, finding them would undoubtedly be like searching for a needle in a haystack, proving quite difficult. After all, each of these individuals had different objectives, making it difficult to discern any significant commonalities or unique traits among them. Furthermore, if a consciousness chose to conceal itself upon arrival, it would be even harder to detect.

Among them, those whose objectives would naturally cause temporal ripples were less problematic. Xu Qing was confident he could gradually locate them, as his identity in this historical period was like a torch in the dark. It would naturally attract attention, as seen in Li Tianjiao's proximity, Zhong Chi's continued presence, and the emergence of the Daughter of Nine Shores. However, this would take time.

Moreover, an unknown number of these outsiders had chosen paths that diverged from the temporal ripples. For instance, some 'order-keepers' preferred to let history unfold naturally. If such individuals remained discreet and truly acted as mere observers, they would present almost no vulnerabilities in the short term. This made them even harder to find.

In that case…

“Since I cannot immediately locate these hidden outsiders, I will use the first rumor to warn them to act more cautiously going forward.”

“This way, even if I cannot find them, it will become much harder for Xinghuan Zi to locate and correct them.”

“As for the second rumor…”

Inside Shaoji Palace, Xu Qing gazed up at the sky.

“It will make those who already understand see even more clearly, by using a rumor to directly expose the opponent's identity.”

A dark glint flashed in Xu Qing’s eyes. Whether the people of this era believed it or not was irrelevant. What mattered was that other outsiders, like himself, would weigh the implications. This was, in essence, a signal intended for them. At the same time, it also served as a ripple in this historical period.

“In the gambit involving Li Tianjiao, I won the first half, while the Fourth True Monarch won the second half.”

“Now, in this second round, I wonder how the Fourth True Monarch will respond. It would be ideal if he were forced into a position of self-justification.”

Xu Qing mused. He knew his immediate task was to remain hidden and observe silently. He wanted to see what kind of ripples the Immortal Palace would experience amidst the storm of rumors.

“Besides my advantage of operating from the shadows, I possess a second advantage in this historical game…”

Xu Qing looked towards the Hundred Flowers Palace. The Mud Fox was unknown to everyone else! In fact, everyone who entered the fourth layer of the world left traces that an observant person could carefully discern and follow. Only the Mud Fox was an exception. It had left no prior traces, making its existence significantly valuable to Xu Qing.

Several days later.

The impact of the rumors was subjective. While they circulated throughout the Immortal Palace, most people of this era simply dismissed them with a laugh. After all, this was the Aurora Immortal Palace! Although the Immortal Lords of the Fifth Star Ring, coming from different minor worlds, were not entirely harmonious and had their share of conflicts, yet, in broad terms, their core ideologies aligned. Furthermore, with an Immortal Venerable overseeing them, significant discord among the Immortal Lords was virtually impossible. Consequently, whether or not outsiders were possessing bodies made little practical difference to them. Moreover, astute individuals naturally deduced that the rumor itself, especially its mention of the Fourth True Monarch, must serve a specific purpose. Thus, most cultivators in the Immortal Palace adopted a wait-and-see approach.

In contrast, the outsiders hidden among the populace were exceptionally vigilant. Their different perspectives naturally allowed them to immediately grasp the underlying reason and the implications. At this very moment, Zhong Chi, amidst a group of Immortal Palace cultivators, listened curiously to their discussion, nodding in agreement outwardly while remaining inwardly cautious.

“This feels like a conflict… The Fourth True Monarch is indeed an outsider, just as I suspected. I wonder who disseminated this information; it serves as a warning to everyone…”

“And as for Xu Qing, I don’t know if he received the message I had the earth spirit deliver, or if he even made it to this fourth layer of the world.”

Similarly, in the guest hall in the southern part of the Immortal Palace, the Daughter of Nine Shores, who was meditating, outwardly appeared nonchalant as her maid reported, but inwardly she grew cautious.

“The Fourth True Monarch? No wonder he appeared during the conflict between Li Tianjiao and the Aurora Young Master. Li Tianjiao’s identity is now clear.”

“However, seeing the Fourth True Monarch’s actions, which seem to be aimed at preventing ripples, this matter doesn’t conflict with my own objectives.”

“Still, I must be cautious.”

The Daughter of Nine Shores mused. Similar thoughts emerged in various locations throughout the Immortal Palace. The Sword Forge was, naturally, no exception.

The concealment of Qianjun Piyi had been almost seamless, so after the Fourth True Monarch discovered them, the two brothers constantly analyzed potential flaws in their strategy. They had also gained some insights. And now, having perceived the rumor…

“Someone is targeting him.”

“Let them fight. It has nothing to do with us. We just need to quietly wait for time to pass until the sword embryo fully illuminates.”

Inside the Sword Forge, two sword embryos lightly brushed against each other, transmitting divine thoughts.

“I wonder what the person mentioned in the rumor is thinking right now.”

Qianjun Piyi sneered.

“There’s a possibility this was Li Tianjiao’s doing, or it might have been the work of the Evil Spirit Child, whom we haven’t located yet!”

Inside the Fourth Hall, Zhou Zhengli spoke in a low voice, looking at Xinghuan Zi, who was seated cross-legged not far away. Hearing this, Xinghuan Zi replied calmly.

“There’s no need to panic. Your current state is precisely what the person behind this desires. Furthermore… you still overlooked one individual.”

“This action doesn’t align with the positions of the others. It must be that specific individual’s doing.”

Zhou Zhengli pondered, a figure from that day outside the Immortal Palace, standing beside Li Mengtu, flashing in his mind.

“Are you referring to the one at the Immortal Palace entrance who, despite not being a star, still possessed a fundamental constitution?”

“Precisely.”

Xinghuan Zi lifted his head, his gaze following the doorway to the sky outside, a cold, sharp glint forming in his eyes.

“If we concern ourselves with rumors, we’ll inevitably be forced into self-justification.”

“Given my current identity, there’s no need to address this directly.”

“Therefore, the priority is not the rumor itself, but to identify this individual!”

“Moreover, this person’s action has, in fact, partially revealed their identity. I already have a general idea of who it might be.”

Xinghuan Zi’s gaze shifted towards… Shaoji Palace in the east!

“I hope my guess about their identity is correct; that would make things rather interesting.”

Muttering to himself, Xinghuan Zi stood up and walked calmly out. Zhou Zhengli, seeing Xinghuan Zi about to leave, spoke softly.

“My lord, how should we handle this matter?”

Xinghuan Zi did not turn back; his voice carried from the moment he stepped out of the hall.

“I had already intended to instill some deterrence in those individuals soon. Seizing this opportunity is, naturally, even better.”

“And you needn’t always feign ignorance in front of me. With your intellect, you naturally know how to handle this correctly. So, you may proceed with the task I assigned you earlier.”

With those words, Xinghuan Zi’s figure vanished. Inside the hall, Zhou Zhengli’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled faintly.

“Rumors are a form of covert scheming, and the proper response to covert scheming is an overt strategy.”

“However, when dealing with someone so overtly sharp, it’s best to conceal one’s true abilities.”

Noon was in the sky.

Outside the Sword Forge, Xinghuan Zi’s figure materialized from nothingness. He spoke blandly, uttering a single sentence: “Someone is restless. Tonight, I shall expel one individual as a warning to others.” His calm tone, brimming with confidence, betrayed no concern for the ripples it caused within the Sword Forge as he turned and departed.

When he reappeared, he was already at the academy’s secluded cultivation grounds, where Li Tianjiao resided. With the same calm tone, he repeated the same words. Next, he visited the hall where the Daughter of Nine Shores was. They did not meet; the Fourth True Monarch simply stood outside the hall and spoke blandly. Though inaudible to others, his voice distinctly resonated within the Daughter of Nine Shores’ mind. As her heart jolted, the Fourth True Monarch had already departed.

It wasn’t just these individuals. As Zhong Chi made his way to Shaoji Palace, the Fourth True Monarch’s figure also emerged from nothingness, his indifferent gaze settling upon Zhong Chi. Zhong Chi’s heart sank. He outwardly showed respect, and just as he was about to pay his respects, the Fourth True Monarch’s words echoed. He then departed, heading to other locations.

In a short span of time, throughout the entire Immortal Palace, everyone whose identity had been confirmed by Xinghuan Zi successively heard this statement and perceived the chilling severity within his words. This was a clear declaration of the Fourth True Monarch’s intentions. It would happen tonight!

Thus, noon gave way to the setting sun. Amidst an aura of tranquility, undercurrents began to stir. Finally, night descended. Stars twinkled in the sky as a bright moon slowly ascended, casting a gentle silver glow. This light, like a delicate veil of mist, enveloped the Immortal Palace. In the deep night, it added an air of mystery and ethereality to the Immortal Palace, making it appear and disappear like an illusion in a dream.

Within this illusion, celestial music drifted from Shaoji Palace, and immortal maidens danced gracefully. Inside the Sword Forge, Qianjun Piyi remained silent, vigilantly observing all directions. In the Southern Guest Hall, the Daughter of Nine Shores was poised and ready. Inside Shaoji Palace, Zhong Chi had not returned to his quarters that night but waited at the front of the hall.

The night grew deeper.

Until the bright moon grew even clearer, causing the carved railings and jade tiles of the Immortal Palace to shimmer brilliantly, like countless dazzling stars…

Inside the Thunder Punishment Palace, which oversaw lightning judgments, a penal official meditating cross-legged slowly opened his eyes. The official, a middle-aged man with a resolute face and an air of authority, stood up. With a flip of his palm, a jade slip appeared. This jade slip contained the Immortal Palace’s operational blueprints, the rotational deployments of each palace, intelligence on the Immortal Palace’s formations, and, most crucially, the precise movements of the first three True Monarchs. Gazing at the jade slip, a dark glint flashed in the official’s eyes as he murmured softly.

“With this information, I can create significant ripples by rebelling against the Immortal Palace.”

“Rebelling against this palace, I believe, will generate ripples that will greatly satisfy the broken sword within me.”

The results are in; the doctor said there are no major issues at present, just requiring regular check-ups. I’ve also breathed a sigh of relief, and I thank everyone for their concern.