Chapter 1164: A Single Move Revitalizes the Whole Board

Tonight, the cosmic forces caused a dramatic shift in the heavens and earth. The wind intensified, accompanied by peals of thunder and occasional flashes of lightning streaking across the dark night.

The earth-shattering rumbling echoed, falling upon the Immortal Palace, into the ears of the cultivators, and deep into the heart of Gongsun Qingmu in the Punishment Thunder Palace.

Inside the grand hall where he stood, as lightning flashed, the Fourth True Monarch's figure emerged from the void.

The moment he appeared, a powerful, chilling murderous intent permeated the surroundings, instantly plunging the entire hall, inside and out, into the depths of winter.

Snowflakes drifted down, and ice crystals began to form within Gongsun Qingmu's body, as if poised to pierce through his flesh and destroy his consciousness.

"To go, or to stay."

"To be completely against me, or to settle this conflict now."

"Having achieved your objective, what will you choose!"

The Fourth True Monarch spoke calmly.

Every word he uttered transformed into a chilling sword of ice, imbued with the might of order, appearing around Gongsun Qingmu.

Furthermore, icy chains, with a clanking sound, circled within the grand hall, forming an intricate array and emitting immense power!

Gongsun Qingmu slowly raised his head, gazing at the figure before him, and gradually curled his lips into a sinister smile.

"Did my old rival Zhou Zhenglai say something to you, my Lord?"

"Or perhaps he understands me best. Actually, ever since I left the Young Pole Palace, I've been waiting for you, my Lord."

"As for my choice..."

Gongsun Qingmu raised his right hand, and instantly, a jade slip appeared in his grasp.

It was the Fox Beauty's identity jade slip!

The moment he produced it, a dark glint flashed in Gongsun Qingmu's eyes, and he squeezed it hard with his right hand.

With a *crack*, the jade slip instantly shattered into pieces.

"Upon investigation, Qiu Lingshan harbored malicious intentions, entering the Immortal Palace with sinister designs. I, this old man, failed in my oversight and am willing to punish myself as an apology. As for her identity, I have revoked it. Her life and death henceforth shall be decided by the True Monarch."

Qiu Lingshan was indeed the Fox Beauty's true name in this timeline.

And with the shattering of the jade slip, her identity was stripped away.

This was Gongsun Qingmu's path.

The act of betrayal, for him, extended not only to the palace but also to allies.

To him, betraying anyone was the same.

In this spacetime game, all parties were scheming: the Fox Beauty was plotting against him, and he against her.

The moment he granted her identity, the instant they forged an alliance, the groundwork for betrayal was laid. And indeed, just as he had said, he had been waiting for the Fourth True Monarch's arrival.

The next moment, the chill in the grand hall dissipated, the icy swords vanished, and the chains retracted.

The Fourth True Monarch turned and walked out.

His objective had been achieved.

But just as he stepped out of the grand hall, Gongsun Qingmu, from behind him, suddenly spoke.

"My Lord, Zhou Zhenglai and I have contended for too many years. He understands me, and I understand him."

"Therefore, I must warn you, my Lord... this person, whose great good resembles evil and whose great evil resembles good, is truly not simple."

Standing by the hall door, the Fourth True Monarch's expression remained calm as he spoke indifferently.

"Among the countless individuals who stand out as 'stars,' which one, if allowed to grow in the outside world, would not become a formidable figure?"

"So when I judge people, I look at their actions, not their hearts."

"As long as I remain the strongest, then no matter what their heart holds, obedience is all that matters. If they are disobedient, then eliminating them is the only option."

Having finished speaking, the Fourth True Monarch took a step, and his figure vanished without a trace, as if carried away by a streak of lightning across the sky.

Inside the grand hall, Gongsun Qingmu smiled.

"It seems this journey to the fourth layer of the world has allowed this Star Ring Scion, who previously had little contact with the outside world in the eastern region, to deeply understand the essence and trickiness of other 'stars.'"

"Therefore, even one as proud as him actually added the prefix 'always the strongest' to his words."

"Interesting, truly interesting."

Gongsun Qingmu smiled, his expression even more sinister, carrying a hint of madness.

But strangely, the laughter did not come from his mouth; instead, it emanated from the broken sword hidden within his consciousness.

"Both are mad and wicked individuals, who think they've discerned something and believe they can use me, yet they fail to realize the true reason behind their prominence as 'stars' in the Eastern Star Region."

"All are the fruits of my future cultivation of the Way of Order!"

The Fourth True Monarch's expression was composed as he appeared outside the Punishment Thunder Palace, before a courtyard.

This courtyard was arranged by the Punishment Thunder Palace for its disciples.

The Fox Beauty had been residing here, having been among the first to be expelled from the Young Pole Palace when the Daughter of Nine Shores took over amidst the day's turmoil.

The moment the Fourth True Monarch appeared, the door of the house in the courtyard opened, and the Fox Beauty leaned against the doorframe, still with her languid demeanor, gazing at the True Monarch.

"My nominal master is indeed unreliable. The identity he granted me shattered just like that; he truly sold me out completely."

"So, True Monarch, have you come now to strike me down and drive me away?"

The Fox Beauty let out a soft chuckle.

"True Monarch, you certainly have good methods. Speaking of which, without an identity, I am a superfluous person in this Immortal Palace. Even if I were to be killed, it wouldn't cause a ripple. After all... in this historical timeline, I wouldn't have remained in the Immortal Palace until now anyway."

"So, True Monarch, make your move. I have already achieved my objective; leaving is no issue."

The Fox Beauty smiled brightly, as if not surprised in the least by the True Monarch's arrival.

But the Fourth True Monarch did not make a move. His expression calm, he took a step forward and spoke indifferently.

"You are right, but since you have already achieved your objective, why didn't you leave before?"

"I believe you have other objectives, don't you?"

The Fourth True Monarch took another step.

"Furthermore, you've also discovered that you cannot leave, haven't you?"

Walking and speaking, the Fourth True Monarch had already entered the courtyard by the time he finished these few sentences, stopping two paces in front of the Fox Beauty.

The Fox Beauty smiled, her expression unchanged, but a sense of crisis arose in her heart. She had indeed perceived that from the moment the other party revealed everything today, her consciousness and this body could no longer separate and depart on their own.

It was as if an invisible force enveloped her, preventing her from choosing to leave this world with her consciousness as usual.

But with her shrewdness, she would never show her hand simply because of these few words from him. She was about to speak.

But before she could speak, the Fourth True Monarch said softly.

"Am I right, unknown deity!"

This last sentence, like a clap of thunder, rumbled down.

The Fox Beauty's mind suddenly reeled.

She had hidden this very point when she previously made a move against him, and believed she had done it very well. After all, she was already half a step to the Divine Stage, possessing her own secret techniques.

And judging by subsequent events, the other party indeed seemed unaware.

But now...

"If it were anyone else, they naturally wouldn't be able to detect it. But do you know why the Eastern Star Ring Tower is named 'Star Ring'? You don't truly believe that after exchanging blows with me, I still couldn't detect the divine aura you tried so hard to conceal, do you?"

The Fourth True Monarch spoke indifferently.

"I didn't say anything before because... I wanted to see if there was anyone else behind you!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved, and a silver token suddenly appeared.

On this token, Qiu Lingshan's name was clearly written.

"This is a God-Imprint Token. Within the Fifth Star Ring, it has been specially crafted since ancient times to seal divine beings. Naturally, the Immortal Palace possesses them."

"And under the sealing power of this token, your consciousness wants to leave, but I won't allow it!"

The Fourth True Monarch gently flicked the token.

Instantly, a sealing force specifically targeting divine beings erupted with a rumble, descending upon the place, causing the Fox Beauty's body to tremble and her breathing to quicken.

"You can just stay here for now."

"See if there's anyone behind you tonight, and if they will come to save you. The moment dawn breaks, if no one appears..."

"You can see if I can use this God-Imprint Token on your true form."

"So, you can now send out a plea for help."

The Fourth True Monarch smiled slightly, sat down cross-legged, and waited for dawn.

Beside him, the Fox Beauty's body trembled increasingly. The power of the God-Imprint made her eyes slowly turn crimson as she resisted with all her might.

The wind tonight grew increasingly strong.

Blowing through the Immortal Palace and swirling within the Young Pole Palace.

Lifting Xu Qing's long hair.

Amidst the strong winds, Xu Qing walked forward.

Many things had happened today.

First, the Fourth True Monarch revealed everything.

Then the Fox Beauty was expelled from the Young Pole Palace, and before leaving, she informed him that her consciousness had suddenly become unable to depart.

Next was Zhong Chi's attempt to avoid suspicion.

Finally, the Daughter of Nine Shores entered the palace.

If this were a game of chess, then the opponent had already made several moves, trapping his 'great dragon.' Unable to break free, it could only be slowly consumed.

"And these actions have finally... allowed me to see everything clearly!"

Xu Qing raised his head, his gaze falling upon the area of the Sword Furnace, then retracting, turning towards where the Fox Beauty was located.

"As for this chess game..."

"Within it, there is one piece that, when placed, can bring everything back to life."

Xu Qing took a step, his figure instantly vanishing. When he reappeared, he had not left the Young Pole Palace, but had materialized outside the side hall.

That was precisely the hall where the Daughter of Nine Shores resided after taking over the palace!

The moment he stepped in, the auras of Spirit Phoenix Immortal's black-armored guards, stationed around the hall, immediately converged.

"Stand down!"

Xu Qing spoke indifferently.

The authority of the Young Master emanated with these words, suppressing all.

Forcing those auras to retreat.

They could only let Xu Qing step into the hall, amidst the wind and rain, where his gaze met that of Spirit Phoenix Immortal, who sat cross-legged within.

The moment their eyes met, Spirit Phoenix felt an inexplicable jolt in her heart, but she showed no trace of it on her face, and instead took the initiative to speak.

"What, have you come to question me now that your Fox Beauty has been driven away?"

Xu Qing ignored her, walked to a window in the hall, gazed at the sky outside, and after a moment, spoke.

"Before Zhong Chi left, he said something. He said he had a dream that we ultimately failed to complete the marriage ceremony, and a catastrophe descended, turning everything bloody."

"Spreading monstrous rumors, this person deserves to die!" Spirit Phoenix snorted coldly.

"Speaking of monstrous talk, I recall the rumors from a while ago. They said many people were outsiders. So... are you one?" Xu Qing did not turn around, his back to Spirit Phoenix, and spoke calmly.

"Your words today are very strange," Spirit Phoenix said, her heart stirring and her delicate brows furrowing.

Xu Qing smiled, still not turning around, but the words he spoke next struck Spirit Phoenix's mind like thunder.

"I don't care if you are Yuanshan Su or not. Your purpose is simply to establish a karmic link with me, your host, thereby becoming half a master of the Immortal Palace in reality."

"So, do you wish for the marriage ceremony to succeed, or to fail?"

As Xu Qing spoke, he turned around, his eyes flashing with sharp light and an imposing aura as he gazed into Spirit Phoenix's eyes.

His gaze, like contained lightning, penetrated Spirit Phoenix's mind, seeing through her entirely.

His words were like millions upon millions of heavenly thunders, rumbling and exploding.

Spirit Phoenix trembled all over, suddenly stood up, instinctively retreating a few steps, her mind utterly roaring.

Her breathing instantly became rapid, her consciousness surged like a monstrous wave, and she stood completely dumbfounded, staring at Xu Qing as if she had seen a ghost.

The turmoil within her was extreme.

Her scalp was already tingling!

"You... who are you!"

Spirit Phoenix was aghast.

The truth was, she could not possibly imagine that this Young Master before her had actually pointed out everything, and even called out her true name!

All this was incredibly clear.

He was an outsider!

The Aurora Young Master was an outsider!

In a daze, a sense of unreality, like a tide, engulfed her whole body.

This overturned her perception, went beyond her thoughts, and even surpassed the scope of thunder, yet the facts were right before her eyes.

"You..."

Spirit Phoenix's face instantly turned pale, and her thoughts, too, plunged into extreme chaos at this moment. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but didn't know how to speak.

Gazing at Spirit Phoenix's expression, Xu Qing was as calm as ever.

"I imagine you wish for the marriage ceremony to succeed more, as this way, your objective can be achieved more effectively."

"Therefore, cooperate with me, and I will ensure the marriage ceremony succeeds."

"If you do not cooperate with me, I will publicly refuse this grand wedding. This will also change history and create ripples!"

"Tell me your answer before I walk out of this hall."

Having spoken, Xu Qing turned and walked towards the hall door.

Step by step, he drew closer.

Behind him, Spirit Phoenix's breathing had not steadied since it became rapid. She watched Xu Qing's receding figure, the shock in her heart still intense.

Just as Xu Qing was about to walk out of the hall, Spirit Phoenix let out a long breath, her expression complex.

"Cooperate!"

She could not and dared not refuse.

Because ultimately, all her objectives were fundamentally placed upon the Young Master.

The Young Master was the source.

Therefore, from beginning to end, she could never be an ally of the Fourth True Monarch.

With just one word from the Young Master, she had to and could only obey!

Hearing Spirit Phoenix's reply, Xu Qing, standing by the hall door, remained unfazed.

He knew that after he revealed his identity, the other party had no choice at all.

Her objective determined her stance.

So he spoke indifferently.

"Very good. Tonight, no matter what you do, go and protect the Fox Beauty."

Having said that, Xu Qing stepped out of the grand hall, and in the wind, gazed in the direction of the Fox Beauty, muttering in his heart.

"Fourth Senior Brother, since you want a decisive battle, then tonight, I will give you that decisive battle!"

At this moment, the strong wind roared, obscuring the sky and blocking out the sun.

Becoming a storm!