Chapter 1162: Seeking Clarity

The incident at the Hundred Flowers Palace concluded as the sun set. All the “Hundred Flowers” within were dismissed, embarking on distant journeys with their new dreams.

Only Hu Meiren remained. She was still there.

With the identity of Gongsun Qingmu's disciple, the token from the Thunder Palace, and the upcoming position as the Hundred Flowers Palace Master, these dual identities meant Hu Meiren's objectives were largely achieved. As for her staying in the Shaoji Palace, that was her personal freedom. As a cultivator of the Immortal Palace, it was normal for her to visit as a guest, unless Xu Qing explicitly refused. Furthermore, everyone knew the Young Master was sentimental, so under these circumstances, Fairy Linghuang ultimately had no choice but to depart, flinging her sleeves.

She appeared indignant, but in reality, her anger was half genuine, half feigned. The genuine part was due to Hu Meiren's words. The feigned part was, of course, deliberately put on, as this was merely an agreement between her and the Fourth True Lord. It was just a transaction. Regardless of the outcome, according to their agreement, the Fourth True Lord was obligated to protect her in future matters. As for the Fourth True Lord ultimately not achieving his goal, that was irrelevant to her.

After a brief silence, the Fourth True Lord emanated a dangerous aura, then smiled faintly and also left the Hundred Flowers Palace, seemingly putting the matter aside for the time being.

Thus, this turbulent period of time transformed into Sands of Time, appearing before Xu Qing.

“The quantity isn't much,” Xu Qing noted. Gazing at the Sands of Time before him, Xu Qing raised his hand to collect them. Then, he looked in the direction the Fourth True Lord had departed, a faint gleam in his eyes. “This individual should also be dealt with as soon as possible. Otherwise, given his intellect, after two consecutive setbacks, his third attempt will be very difficult to counter. If this drags on until the final wedding day, his presence might create unnecessary complications. However, dealing with him won't be easy.”

Xu Qing mused, kneading the Sands of Time. “How can I expel the outsider's consciousness from him?”

Time flowed, and five days passed. Only ten days remained until the wedding.

With the arrival of the month's end, the sky of the Fifth Star Ring no longer displayed evening glow only at dusk, nor did it grow dark only in the evening. Sometimes, it would be sunrise one moment, and sunset the next. At other times, it would still be noon, yet the sky would be covered by red clouds, creating a sense of twilight. Just like now, the firmament presented a peculiar sight, half black and half white, yet no moon was visible in the black, and no sun in the white. The rotation of the sun and moon was no longer regular. Weather changes followed a similar pattern.

Mortals would be shocked, bewildered, and terrified. However, for cultivators, even if not everyone had experienced it personally, many ancient texts described it. During the transition of epochs, when Immortal Lords rotated their duties and the Star Ring shifted its trajectory and restarted its operation, there were seventeen days—ten before and seven after—during which celestial bodies blurred and the Heavenly Secrets became chaotic. The first ten days were like chaos: thoughts were undetectable, and the essence of the Dao was elusive. The latter seven days marked the re-creation of heaven and earth, with all beings enjoying the blessings of creation, cleansing themselves as if auspicious signs descended.

This scene of cosmic change formally indicated that the rotation of duties was shifting, and the handover was nearing its end. The Dao of Immortal Lord Jiuan was detaching from the Fifth Star Ring, while the Dao of Immortal Lord Aurora was integrating. This was why such peculiar cosmic changes occurred. During these seventeen days, all methods of deduction would be weakened, and all perceptions would be dulled. Even omniscience could not be perfectly achieved.

“This is also why the secrets hidden within this period of history cannot be known by outsiders,” Xu Qing mused.

At this moment, Qianjun Bi Yi in the Sword Forge, Jiuan's Daughter in the Nanke Palace, the Fourth True Lord in the True Lord Palace, Gongsun Qingmu in the Thunder Palace, Zhong Chi, and the forcibly secluded Li Tianjiao, along with other hidden outsiders whose presence had not been detected by others, all looked up at the sky. They sensed the blurring of the Heavenly Secrets. They also clearly felt the wheel of history approaching, crushing everything with an almost unchangeable momentum.

So, the Fourth True Lord smiled. This was the day he had been waiting for. The power of order would rise in response to the situation.

In front of the Shaoji Palace, Xu Qing stood, gazing up at the black and white sky. He could feel that with the chaos of Heavenly Secrets and the inevitability of history, the “lake” of this timeline felt heavier and more profound than ever before. To stir up ripples within it, a mere pebble was no longer enough; a great wind was needed. This was because what prevented ripples was no longer an external force, but the nature of the lake itself.

“Through my observations and tests since arriving here, I've gained a general understanding of this timeline,” Xu Qing murmured to himself. “Some historical events are not difficult to alter and can be rewritten... But other historical events cannot be touched in the slightest; any interference will inevitably lead to a backlash! The most crucial among these... is what happens on the wedding day!”

Xu Qing withdrew his gaze, opened his palm, and stared at the accumulated Sands of Time within it. He then turned, about to summon Hu Meiren, when suddenly, a majestic voice echoed in his mind.

“Come to the Supreme Palace to see me!”

Xu Qing paused, bowing respectfully. “Yes.”

The voice belonged to Immortal Lord Aurora!

The Supreme Palace, located at the very center of the Immortal Palace, beneath the Grand Aurora Hall, served as Immortal Lord Aurora's private chambers and cultivation retreat. Normally, no outsider was permitted to step foot inside without permission. This applied to all four of the Immortal Lord's disciples, and even his son. Thus, hearing the Immortal Lord summon him to the Supreme Palace, Xu Qing's heart tightened. Knowing he couldn't delay, he flashed out of Shaoji Palace and headed straight for the Grand Aurora Hall.

Before long, a complex of buildings appeared before Xu Qing. The first thing he saw was a massive plaza, its ground paved with neatly laid bluestone slabs, smooth as a mirror. On either side of the plaza, magnificent jade palaces and grand pavilions were arranged in an orderly yet staggered fashion, resembling a beautiful scroll painting. Following the central axis forward, majestic buildings unfolded one after another, layered upon layers, exuding grandeur. The most immense of these stood at the very center. Its unique style, imposing presence, towering majesty, and lofty red walls with golden tiles shone brilliantly under the sunlight. This was the Grand Aurora Hall.

Terrifying auras surged from all directions. Xu Qing took a deep breath and swiftly approached. Those auras merely swept over him before dispersing, offering no obstruction. Yet, it was imaginable that if the newcomer hadn't been Xu Qing, they would have found it impossible to advance even an inch. Thus, Xu Qing proceeded inward, until he stood before the main entrance of the Grand Aurora Hall and bowed.

The next instant, a mysterious power descended. Xu Qing's vision blurred, and when it cleared, he was no longer at the hall's entrance but in a long corridor. Along both sides of the corridor, rows of flickering candlelight burned silently. Illuminated by the flames, a path of dark green steps could be seen descending into the depths below. The sounds of metal striking stone, echoing with thuds, also reached his ears. This was the Supreme Palace.

Through the host's memories, Xu Qing was not entirely unfamiliar with this place. In those memories, the host often visited as a child but came less frequently after growing up. So Xu Qing took a deep breath, his body swaying, and began descending the steps. The clanging sounds grew clearer and louder in his ears. After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the clanging became like thunder, and waves of heat washed over him. Finally, Xu Qing reached the end of the path.

It was an underground palace. In its center, ground fire erupted. And Immortal Lord Aurora himself was forging metal directly above the ground fire! A massive hammer, gleaming with silver light, continuously struck a palm-width iron plate. With each strike, a roar echoed and waves of heat dispersed. Immortal Lord Aurora used no cultivation; he relied solely on his physical strength, forging it again and again with an intensely serious expression.

Xu Qing watched, approaching without speaking. As he observed silently, he felt a flicker of hesitation in his heart. He didn't know why Immortal Lord Aurora had summoned him, nor what the other party was doing at the moment. The iron plate, to his perception, held nothing particularly extraordinary. At most, it was very sturdy. And as the forging continued, a golden light slowly began to appear. As time passed, the plate's radiance intensified until it became entirely golden, and its previously irregular shape gradually transformed. To Xu Qing's eyes, it now resembled a golden plaque.

At this moment, Immortal Lord Aurora ceased forging. He picked up the golden plate, held it before him, and meticulously examined it, a look of satisfaction slowly appearing on his face. After a moment's thought, he raised a finger and began writing on the golden plate:

“Two families unite in marriage, their bond sealed within this hall. Henceforth, a blessed affinity is formed, creating a perfect match. May you grow old together, enduring until the seas run dry and rocks crumble. You pledge your initial vows as a pair of mandarin ducks, foretelling a future of abundant progeny, flourishing and prosperity. With the solemn promise of a lifetime together, inscribed upon this auspicious paper, may the scarlet leaf pact be clearly recorded in the mandarin duck registry. This pact is hereby established, this serves as proof.”

As Immortal Lord Aurora's finger danced, these characters flowed with dragon-like grace and phoenix-like movement. In that instant, each word seemed to gain life, cheering and leaping with joy. And from that moment on, they would be stripped of earthly mundaneness; the sentences they formed would become law and constitution. They became a testament belonging solely to his son and daughter-in-law! This was a marriage certificate! Xu Qing realized.

It was at this very moment that Immortal Lord Aurora raised his head and looked at Xu Qing. “To sign your name on this marriage certificate, will you write it yourself, or shall your father write it for you?”

These simple words, upon reaching Xu Qing's ears, instantly caused him to feel a sense of bewilderment, for he suddenly realized something inconceivable! He didn't know, nor could he remember, the name of the Aurora Young Master he was inhabiting! It wasn't in the memories! What shocked Xu Qing even more was that he hadn't noticed this in the slightest before, nor had he ever heard anyone mention it. This caused Xu Qing to fall silent.

Immortal Lord Aurora glanced at Xu Qing with a meaningful look, then spoke softly. “I shall write it for you, then.” As he spoke, he raised his hand and wrote two characters on the golden plate. The moment he saw those two characters, Xu Qing's mind reeled, and a strange sensation flooded his heart. At that instant, the host's memories gained a name. And this name felt incredibly profound to him. So profound that, in an instant, the ground beneath his feet cracked and splintered, as if unable to bear the weight. Even his physical body trembled. The mystery of the situation made Xu Qing unable to resist speaking.

“Father, this...”

“A marriage certificate binds a lifetime; it is naturally so,” Immortal Lord Aurora replied calmly. He then took out a jade box, placed the marriage certificate inside, and suspended it above the ground fire. He seemed about to say more, but the firelight in the chamber suddenly dimmed. Immortal Lord Aurora frowned and waved his hand. “You may leave now. I summoned you because I knew about the Hundred Flowers Palace incident, so you could witness the vows on this marriage certificate. This document will hang here; no one but you and I can move it. When your grand wedding day arrives in ten days, I will retrieve it.”

As he spoke, Xu Qing's vision blurred, and his body dissolved, being sent out of the underground palace. Almost the instant he departed, the firelight in the underground palace suddenly dimmed, and wisps of black energy surged from within Immortal Lord Aurora's body. More and more appeared, eventually coalescing before him to form a shadowy, inky-black figure. If Xu Qing had been present, he would have recognized at a glance that this dark figure was precisely the reflected body of Immortal Lord Aurora he had seen beneath the ice lake that day!

“During the rotation of duties, amidst the chaotic Heavenly Secrets of the Fifth Star Ring, you took the names of the sun and moon, making the world unknowingly forget their true names. Even an Immortal Lord, or an Immortal Venerable, with your abilities coupled with this chaotic Heavenly Secret, can be temporarily obscured. The most ingenious part is how you hid and replaced the names of the sun and moon within the name of your progeny. This is going to be a huge surprise for your Immortal Venerable father.”

The utterly dark figure glanced at the spot where Xu Qing had stood previously, and spoke hoarsely.

Aurora looked at the utter darkness expressionlessly, his gaze cold. “You've used the wrong address. You are me, and I am you. That is *our* father.”