Outside Of Time

Chapter 1639: One Piece Placed, the Whole Board Comes Alive (1)
Editor: Atlas Studios

Tonight, the heavenly secrets caused the heavens and earth to change color, the wind grew fiercer, accompanied by the roar of thunder, with occasional flashes of lightning streaking across the night sky.

The thunderous booms echoed through the heavens, landing in the Immortal Palace, ringing in the ears of the cultivators, and striking deeply into the heart of Gongsun Qingmu within the Thunder Punishment Palace.

Inside the grand hall where he stood, as the lightning illuminated the surroundings, the figure of the Fourth True Monarch emerged from the void.

The moment he appeared, his killing intent was so overwhelming and cold that it froze the entire hall, plunging it into a bitter winter.

Snowflakes drifted through the air, while ice crystals formed inside Gongsun Qingmu’s body, as if they were about to pierce through every bit of his flesh and blood, intent on destroying his consciousness.

“Leave or stay?”

“Will you choose to stand against me completely, or lay down arms and make peace?”

“You’ve already achieved your purpose, so what will you choose?”

The Fourth True Monarch calmly spoke.

Each word he uttered transformed into a blade of icy cold, imbued with the weight of order, appearing around Gongsun Qingmu in all directions.

Chains of ice clattered through the hall, swirling around as they formed a mysterious array, radiating a magnificent, imposing power.

Gongsun Qingmu slowly raised his head, gazing at the figure before him. Gradually, a wicked smile spread across his face.

“It must have been my old rival, Zhou Zhengli, who told you something, right, Lord?”

“He’s always understood me best. In truth, ever since I left Junior Aurora Hall, I’ve been waiting for your arrival.”

“As for my choice…”

Gongsun Qingmu raised his right hand and a jade token appeared in his hand.

That was the fox beauty’s identity jade slip!

The moment he took it out, a dark glint flashed in Gongsun Qingmu’s eyes as he clenched his right hand.

With a crack, the jade token instantly shattered into pieces.

“Through investigation, it has been found that Qiu Lingshan harbored malicious intentions, entering the Immortal Palace with sinister motives. This old man failed to perceive it and is willing to punish himself as an apology. As for her identity, I hereby revoke it. From now on, her life and death are yours to decide, True Monarch.”

Qiu Lingshan was the fox beauty’s real name in this space-time.

As the jade token shattered, her identity was also stripped away.

This was Gongsun Qingmu’s Dao.

The word ‘betrayal’ could not only betray the palace but also betray allies.

For him, betraying anyone was the same.

In this game of space-time, everyone was scheming. The fox beauty was scheming against him and he was also scheming against the fox beauty.

The moment she was given an identity and became an ally, he had the foundation to betray. It was indeed as he had said. He was waiting for the Fourth True Monarch to arrive.

At the next instant, the coldness in the hall dissipated, the ice swords dissipated, and the iron chains returned.

The Fourth True Monarch turned and walked out.

His goal had been achieved.

However, the moment he stepped out of the main hall, Gongsun Qingmu suddenly spoke.

“My lord, Zhou Zhengli and I have battled for many years. He knows me well, and I know him just as well.”

“So, I must warn you… this man is not simple. He does great good like evil, and great evil like good.”

Beside the hall gate, the Fourth True Monarch remained indifferent, speaking calmly.

“Those stars rose about countless people, which one would not grow into a formidable figure in the outside world?”

“So I look at people, not their hearts.”

“As long as I remain the strongest, it doesn’t matter what their hearts intend. If they obey, that’s enough. If they don’t, I will simply destroy them.”

With that, the Fourth True Monarch’s footsteps landed and his figure flashed with a bolt of lightning in the sky, disappearing without a trace.

In the main hall, Gongsun Qingmu smiled.

“It seems that the journey to the fourth realm has given this Star Ring, who previously had little contact with the outside world in the Eastern Starfield, a profound understanding of the true nature and challenges posed by the other stars.”

“Thus, prideful as he is, even in his words, he has now added the qualifier ‘as long as I remain the strongest.'”

“Interesting, truly interesting.”

Gongsun Qingmu laughed. His laughter became even more sinister and even carried a hint of madness.

However, what was strange was that the laughter didn’t come from his mouth but from the broken sword hidden in his consciousness.

…

“Both are madmen, consumed by delusions, thinking they have seen through something, and believing they can use me to their advantage. Yet, they remain unaware of the true reason their stars shine in the Eastern Starfield.”

“They are nothing more than future nourishment for my path of order.”

The Fourth True Monarch had a calm expression as he appeared in front of a courtyard outside the Thunder Punishment Palace.

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

In the whirlpool of events during the day, with the daughter of Nine Shores assuming her place in Junior Aurora Hall, the fox beauty had been the first to be driven out and resided here.

At the moment the Fourth True Monarch appeared, the door to the residence within the courtyard opened. The fox beauty leaned against the doorframe, wearing her usual languid expression as she looked at the True Monarch.

“My dear master, as expected, is unreliable. The identity given to me shattered so easily, selling me out completely.”

“So, is the True Monarch here to kill me or drive me away now?”

She chuckled lightly.

“The True Monarch truly has impressive methods. Speaking of which, without an identity, I am now an unnecessary person within this Immortal Palace. Even if I were to be slain, it would cause no ripple, for in this chapter of history, I was never meant to still be in the palace.”

“In that case, True Monarch, make a move. I’ve already completed my goal. So be it if I leave.”

The fox beauty smiled, as though she wasn’t surprised by the arrival of the True Monarch at all.

However, the Fourth True Monarch didn’t attack. His expression was calm as he took a step forward and calmly spoke.

“You’re right, but since you’ve completed your goal, why didn’t you leave earlier?”

“You have other motives, I suppose.”

The Fourth True Monarch took another step forward.

“Also, you probably discovered that you couldn’t leave.”

The moment he finished speaking, the Fourth True Monarch had already stepped into the courtyard and stopped 20 feet in front of the fox beauty.

The Fox Beauty smiled, her expression calm, but a sense of danger surged within her. She had indeed noticed that ever since the moment the Fourth True Monarch revealed everything today, her consciousness and this body had become inextricably bound. She was unable to separate herself from it or leave at will.