142: Chapter 142 The True Meaning of Time and Space

"What exactly is time?"

Ling Hao's consciousness shuttled between the three worlds, attempting to grasp that trace of essence.

Is it order? Is it change? Is it Karma? Or is it an illusion?

In the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, time seemed to possess a "will," capable of being controlled, twisted, or even tampered with.

"No, time itself has no will." Ling Hao suddenly realized, "It is the 'rules' that bestow characteristics upon time. And rules are defined by people."

"Just as Mortals define a day as having twelve hours and a year as having three hundred and sixty-five days. Cultivators define a breath, a moment, or an incense stick's time. These definitions form the foundation of the 'Space-Time Rules'."

"Therefore, the essence of controlling the Space-Time Rules is not to control 'time' itself, but to control the 'right to define' time."

As this thought arose, the three worlds within his Sea of Consciousness trembled simultaneously!

The stationary world began to flow, the accelerating world began to slow, and the fragments of scenes within the River of Time began to reorganize; they were all leaning towards Ling Hao's "cognition"!

"So that's how it is." Ling Hao opened his eyes. A phantom clock appeared in his left eye, and spatial latitudes and longitudes shone brilliantly in his right eye. "The Space-Time Rules are not about 'control,' but about 'understanding.' Understand the essence of time, understand the structure of space, and then reshape them with your own cognition."

He raised his hand, and a Chaos-colored clock emerged in his palm.

This time, the clock was no longer just a phantom but possessed "substance." It was the "Core of Time and Space" he had condensed using Primordial Chaos Force, the Space-Time Rules, and his own understanding of time.

Although still very weak, it truly contained the power to alter time and space.

"Now, I can make time accelerate or decelerate, make space fold or stretch, and peer into vague fragments of the past and future three breaths away."

Ling Hao sensed his newly acquired ability, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

This was only the entry level of the Space-Time Rules.

If cultivated to Major Achievement, one thought could change the world, one step could cross a Star Domain, and one could even briefly enter the "Void Realm" to evade all attacks.

Just then, a shadow silently slid into the Chaos Dragon Pool, condensing into the figure of Ling You before Ling Hao.

"Young Lord, there is urgent intelligence."

Ling You knelt on one knee and recounted the entire conspiracy of the Blood Fiend Sect.

Ling Hao listened, his expression unchanged.

"Three days later? They certainly know how to pick their timing."

He pondered for a moment and asked: "What is the reaction from Wanbao Pavilion? Is Manager Nangong He aware?"

"Manager Nangong He seems to have sensed something. Today, he secretly strengthened the defenses of the Reception Hall and sent two Soul Transformation Sword Cultivators to guard Nangong Xuan day and night." Ling You replied, "But he likely does not know the Blood Fiend Sect's specific plan, and even less that the Three Elders of Blood Evil will come."

"Normal." Ling Hao nodded. "The Blood Fiend Sect's infiltration methods are formidable. If not for your Shadow Dragon Escape, it would have been difficult to discover them."

He stood up, nine-colored liquid sliding off his body, revealing his newborn skin that shimmered with a Chaos luster.

"Since they want to play, we will play along with them."

A cold glint flashed in Ling Hao's eyes: "Pass the order to Ling Xiao, Ling Xue, and the four commanders of the War Hall. Gather in the Council Hall in half an hour."

"Yes!"

Ling You's figure dissipated.

---

Half an hour later, Council Hall.

Ling Hao sat in the main seat. On the left below were Ling Xiao, Ling Xue, and Ling You, the three at the Peak of Divided Soul; on the right were Ling Shi, Ling Shuang, Ling Feng, and Ling Yan, the four at the Early Stage of Divided Soul; further back were the vice-commanders of the four War Hall divisions. These four were all newly promoted to Soul Emergence and had undergone the baptism of the Chaos Dragon Pool after the Merit Ceremony, their cultivation soaring.

"The situation is as follows." Ling You repeated the Blood Fiend Sect's plan, "Three days from now, they will launch simultaneously. There will be riots in the Outer Hall Army residential areas, Chaos in the War Hall patrol routes, and the Three Elders of Blood Evil will ambush Manager Nangong He at Black Wind Canyon."

The secret chamber was filled with a murderous aura.

"How bold!" Thunder flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes. "On my Ling Family's territory, they dare to be so arrogant! Younger Brother Hao, let me lead the four War Hall divisions to search the whole city now and drag these rats out!"

"Not appropriate." Ling Xue shook her head. "The Blood Fiend Sect infiltrators are scattered everywhere. A rash search will only alert the enemy. Furthermore, we don't know how many people in the Outer Hall Army have been infiltrated."

"Lord Ling Xue is right." Ling Shi said in a deep voice. "The three thousand Cultivators newly recruited for the Outer Hall Army come from various sects in the Southern Domain. Although they have been implanted with Restrictions, people's hearts are unpredictable. If there is a large-scale rebellion, it will greatly shake the morale of the army."

"Then we clean them out." Wind swirled in Ling Feng's eyes. "Find the traitors and kill them as a warning to others."

"How do we find them?" Ling Yan frowned. "Three thousand people, check them one by one?"

Everyone fell silent.

Ling You spoke at this moment: "Young Lord, the Shadow Hall has actually long since secretly locked onto some suspicious targets."

He raised his hand, and a shadow light screen appeared in his palm, densely marked with dozens of red dots: "For the past two months, the Shadow Hall has been paying attention to those in the Outer Hall Army with abnormal behavior. Sixty-two of them have secretly contacted the outside world, gone out alone in the middle of the night, or practiced Blood Dao Cultivation Techniques. Although we cannot be certain they are all traitors, they are highly suspicious."

Ling Hao's eyes lit up: "Well done."

He pondered for a moment, the corners of his mouth curling up: "Since that is the case, there is no need for a large-scale investigation. We only need to precisely clean up these suspicious targets."

He paused and scanned the crowd: "Ling You, continue to monitor these sixty-two people. Do not alert them for now. We will deal with them after I discuss it with Manager Nangong He."

"Understood!"

Everyone looked at him.

"Since they want to rebel, let them leave their lives behind." Ling Hao's voice was calm but carried a bone-chilling coldness. "Pass the order down: the Merit Ceremony will be held as scheduled in three days, and all Outer Hall Army members may enter the city to watch."

Ling Xiao was stunned: "Young Lord, what is this?"

"Lure the snake out of its hole and catch them all in one net." Chaos halos swirled in Ling Hao's eyes. "The Blood Fiend Sect wants to create Chaos, so we will give them the opportunity for 'Chaos.' They should have a conspiratorial action tomorrow night. When they gather together, we will clean them all up at once."

He looked at Ling You: "Ling You, continue to monitor the movements of the Blood Fiend Sect, especially paying attention to when those three Void Refining old monsters arrive. Once they enter the Southern Domain, report to me immediately."

"Yes!"

"Cousin, Sister, you are responsible for the arrangements in the city. The Merit Ceremony must be lively, and the War Hall patrols must act realistically. Remember, make those traitors feel there is an opportunity to exploit."

"Understood!"

"Ling Shi, Ling Shuang, Ling Feng, Ling Yan, you four lead your respective divisions and lurk near the four Outer Hall Army residential areas. Once the rebellion breaks out, show no mercy and suppress them as quickly as possible. Remember, the primary target is the leaders. Capture the bandits by capturing the king first."

"Orders received!"

Everyone left to carry out their orders.

Only Ling Hao remained in the secret chamber.

He took a step, his figure merging into the Void Realm.

When he appeared again, he was outside the Reception Hall.

---

Reception Hall, East Wing.

Manager Nangong He was not asleep but sat on a meditation cushion, toying with a blood-colored jade pendant in his hand. The surface of the jade pendant was engraved with runes and was slightly hot; this was a "Crisis Warning Talisman" specially made by the Wanbao Pavilion. Once danger approached, it would give a warning.

At this moment, he had already received secret information: the people from the Blood Fiend Sect had infiltrated Qingyun City.

"They really came." A trace of coldness flashed in Manager Nangong He's eyes. "The Heavenly Dao Palace is truly impatient."

He had long expected that the Heavenly Dao Palace would not sit idly by while the Wanbao Pavilion and the Ling Family formed an alliance and would definitely send people to sabotage it. He just didn't expect that it would be the Blood Fiend Sect, and that they would move so quickly.

"Knock, knock."

A knock on the door sounded.

"Enter."

The door opened silently, and Ling Hao walked in slowly.

"Fellow Daoist Ling, you visit late at night; is there something important?" Manager Nangong He put away the jade pendant, a kind smile returning to his face.

"Why does Shopkeeper Nangong need to play dumb?" Ling Hao did not stand on ceremony and sat down opposite him. "The Blood Fiend Sect has infiltrated; we both know it clearly."

The smile on Manager Nangong He's face stiffened, then he sighed: "Fellow Daoist Ling is indeed sharp. That is correct, this old man has indeed received wind of it, but the specific details are not yet clear."

"Three days later, Black Wind Canyon, the Three Elders of Blood Evil will ambush." Ling Hao stated bluntly. "Their target is you."

"The Three Elders of Blood Evil?" Manager Nangong He's expression changed. "Three at the Early Stage of Void Refining, the Heavenly Dao Palace has a grand scale!"

"Scared?" Ling Hao raised an eyebrow.

"Scared?" Manager Nangong He sneered. "This old man has roamed the Eastern Wasteland for three hundred years; what formation have I not seen? They are just three at the Early Stage of Void Refining. If it were elsewhere, this old man might have to expend some effort, but now in the Southern Domain, on Fellow Daoist Ling's territory, if they dare to come, they won't be leaving."

Manager Nangong He was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "So, Fellow Daoist Ling came tonight to cooperate with this old man?"

"Smart." Ling Hao nodded. "You deal with the Three Elders of Blood Evil, and I am responsible for cleaning up the other small fry. After the matter is finished, we split the spoils fifty-fifty, how about that?"

"Deal." Manager Nangong He did not hesitate. "Will the Three Elders of Blood Evil really appear at Black Wind Canyon?"

"They know that the Merit Ceremony is in three days, and I will be preaching at the ancestral hall, so I will have no time to attend to anything else." Ling Hao curled his lips slightly. "And you will go to the spirit mine cave to inspect; you must pass through Black Wind Canyon on the way."

Manager Nangong He narrowed his eyes: "Fellow Daoist Ling, are you asking me to use myself as bait?"

"No, it is using 'momentum' as bait." Ling Hao stood up. "The Blood Fiend Sect thinks they control the whole situation, but they don't know that what they see is only what I want them to see."

He left behind a communication jade talisman: "In three days, wait for the Three Elders of Blood Evil to enter the trap, then you reveal yourself. Remember, don't let a single one escape."

"Rest assured." Manager Nangong He put away the jade talisman, a murderous intent flashing in his eyes. "This old man's 'Myriad Treasures Heaven-Net Formation' hasn't tasted blood in a long time."

Ling Hao said no more; his figure faded, dissipating into the room as silently as ink dripping into water, without causing a single ripple of Spiritual Qi.

Manager Nangong He looked at the place where he disappeared, his knuckles unconsciously rubbing the edge of the teacup. For a long time, he muttered to the empty room: "This child's scheming is as deep as an abyss, his strength progress is terrifying, and his courage is even more so—daring to use the world as a chessboard. The Wanbao Pavilion forming an alliance with him might truly be a good move to win through risk."

He raised his hand and took out the blood-colored jade pendant again.

The temperature of the jade pendant had dropped.

"Has the crisis been resolved?"

No, a greater crisis is brewing.

The night is still deep.

The slaughter has not yet begun.

But the undercurrents are already quietly boiling in the bloody night.

[System Prompt]

[Insight into the Blood Fiend Sect's conspiracy, triggering side quest: The Counter-Kill in Three Days]

[Quest Requirements: Annihilate all Blood Fiend Sect infiltrators, kill or capture the Three Elders of Blood Evil]

[Quest Rewards: 300,000 origin points, one Magic Treasure, unlock 'Chaos Dragon Domain' advanced ability: Space-Time Imprisonment]

[Current origin points: 1,442,100]

Ling Hao looked at the System light screen, Chaos Dragon shadows slowly circling in his eyes.

Three days.

Enough to set up a decisive kill.

He looked in the direction of Black Wind Canyon, a cold arc forming at the corners of his mouth.

"The Three Elders of Blood Evil?"

"Perfect, let's test the Space-Time Rules I just realized."