The Fate Contract as Proof · The First Stirring of Fate Cause
At the bottom of the Milky Way, the enormous portal of the Fate Que Divine Temple slowly opened, as if awakening the will of the stars that had been dormant for countless eons.
Qin Yu and the others followed the knights into the palace. With each step, it felt as if they had fallen into a cosmic palace more magnificent than the Star Realm. Above them was Star Abyss dome, like a celestial canopy. The entire dome, forged from molten stars, was slowly rotating, reflecting countless chains of runes that traversed the orbits of destiny.
Every starstone embedded in the temple walls is a living star, its Life Origin Core still pulsating. The Golden Radiance celestial pattern bricks paving the ground are polished from the Nine Luminaries Divine Ore, faintly shimmering with starlight reflecting the orbits of destiny. As you step over them, you can hear whispers from the Primordial Star Abyss, seemingly recording the karmic names of each person who enters.
Dozens of grand palaces stood like stars in a row, connected by sky bridges adorned with life runes, upon which spirit boats traversed. The central main path floated upwards, like a heavenly stairway leading to the core of the Fate Abyss, leading directly to the highest platform of the Fate Que Divine Temple as everyone looked up.
Yunyi uttered in a daze, "This temple... is a miracle constructed entirely on the seabed."
Zi Xue was also shocked and said, "In my previous dimension, if there were such a palace, it would be enough to house hundreds or thousands of Heavenly Emperors."
A rare look of appreciation appeared in Extinguished Light's eyes. "The causal arrangement here is extremely ingenious, using the logic of the entire Milky Way as its framework... No wonder the name Xingheng can Source Realm."
However, all of this is only the tip of the iceberg of the Fate Que Divine Temple.
Amidst the shock of the crowd, the knight leading them did not turn around, his steps steady. He wore star armor, with the emblem of the Fate Que family embroidered on his cloak, and his body was surrounded by a hidden starfield battle intent, leaving no room for doubt.
Finally, he led everyone through the long path of life pillars and stood in front of the main hall, facing the main platform of the Fate Que Palace, which was forged from star crystals.
On the main platform, a dignified and powerful figure clad in heavy armor stood motionless; he was none other than the guardian of the Fate Que Hall.
The knight whispered, "My lord, this is a distinguished guest from the distant land of Epoch Origin."
The guard's eyes shone like stars as he stared intently at Qin Yu and the others.
The air then settled.
The guard on the main platform of the Fate Que stood tall and imposing, clad in silver armor, with star-like wings adorning his shoulders. His eyes seemed to hold traces of ancient star trails, exuding both age and imposing power. He gazed silently at Qin Yu group of five, his eyes deep and unfathomable, yet he did not speak immediately, as if analyzing the origins of their souls.
A few breaths later, he slowly stepped down, each step causing a slight resonance within the palace. Between the Milky Way Divine Pillars, battle patterns flashed like lightning, as if responding to the might of the guardian of the main platform.
His voice was deep yet authoritative without being angry. "You... your auras are completely different, Non-Self cultivators of my Immortal Source Clan... At this moment, the Star Palace Battle is imminent, if any spies infiltrate, the losses to my Fate Que Divine Temple will be incalculable."
His vigilance was not unfounded.
But Qin Yu was prepared. He remained calm, took two steps forward, and looked respectful.
"My lord, my name is Qin Yu. I am indeed not Immortal Source Clan of this era, but I have come here at the request of my Lord Xingheng."
Having said that, he took out the Fate Star Ring from his bosom, which was forged from the entire Milky Way, and gently lifted it up. The inscriptions "Xingheng" and "Che Ming" on it appeared faintly, like a permanent seal of destiny, with starlight emanating from it.
"This was bestowed upon me personally by the Lord of Destiny. The Lord of Destiny once said that whoever possesses this ring can go directly to the Fate Palace and recount the cause and effect of the past with her."
Upon hearing this, the guard's expression finally changed, and a hint of disbelief flashed in his eyes. He stared at the star ring for a long time, then gently raised his hand, and a soul imprint landed on the star ring. The next moment, his expression shifted slightly, and the mountain-like pressure on his body suddenly subsided.
He bowed deeply and said in a deep voice:
"So it really is a guest personally brought by the Lord of Destiny... Your subordinate has been impolite. This precept was forged only by the Lord of Destiny and Your Che Ming Cheming, and has never been seen in the world for countless eons."
He then looked up at Qin Yu and the others, a rare hint of respect in his eyes.
"Distinguished guests, please follow me. I will immediately lead you to the Inner Fate Palace of Fate Que."
He paused, then added, "My Lord, the Court of Fate Light is currently resting."
As soon as the words were spoken, the divine pillar trembled slightly, and a silver-blue light track activated the autonomous platform. A floating divine bridge leading to the core of the Fate Que Divine Temple slowly unfolded, like an inverted Milky Way, extending into the depths of the temple.
The palace guards stood solemnly, their steps seemingly blending seamlessly with the rhythm of the entire temple. Qin Yu and the others followed, traversing the radiant avenue constructed by the Milky Way Star Bridge, step by step venturing deeper into the Fate Que Divine Temple.
As they ventured deeper into the area, the surrounding scenery gradually changed.
It was no longer a magnificent and solemn temple structure, nor a mural of stars scarred by battle, but rather a grand realm entirely fused with Golden Radiance and forged from stardust.
This is the inner palace of the Fate Que Divine Temple — the Fate Palace.
The sky, like a canopy covering the heavens, is not an illusory painting, but rather a tapestry woven from trillions of stars, each ray of starlight flowing with destiny and trajectory.
Dozens of starlight pillars surround the palace, each bearing an ancient clan emblem, clearly the core ancestral mark of the Immortal Source Clan. Beneath their feet lies a single, transparent piece of Starry Crystal, beneath which the flow of destiny and the river of time are faintly visible. Each step feels as if one is treading upon the entirety of history.
This place is peaceful and tranquil, yet it harbors an indescribable pressure of destiny.
Yan Yue her gaze slightly and murmured softly, "This is the true abode of the Lord of Destiny... incomparable to anything outside..."
Yunyi's eyes lit up as she quietly approached Qin Yu: "This place is tens of thousands of times more magical than that Purple Bamboo Grove... If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have doubted whether it was a dream."
Extinguished Light nodded slightly, his gaze calm. "The life source information hidden in this place... is something even I cannot see through at a glance."
Zi Xue looked towards the center of the palace, remaining silent.
The palace guard stopped in front, turned around, and spoke in a low, solemn voice:
"Ahead lies the Fate Bedchamber, where the Lord of Fate resides. You may proceed one step."
He bowed slightly and slowly retreated between the divine pillars.
Qin Yu and his companions stood in the center of the Fate Palace, before a celestial gate to the inner courtyard, illuminated by starlight. They stood silently, as if being led to a completely different depth of destiny.
This is where Xingheng is.
--The real her from the past.
Qin Yu walked at the front, and in just a few steps he arrived at the main gate of the Fate Bedchamber.
This door, neither wood nor stone, is constructed from the three fundamental cosmic logics of flowing star chains, destiny orbits, and soul causes. A galactic pattern is engraved on the door, shimmering with the brilliance of time and space, as if awaiting the call of the destined one.
Qin Yu stood solemnly, bowed slowly, and cupped his hands, saying:
"I am Qin Yu, the one who wields the Blade of Fate. I have come here only to discuss matters of fate. I wonder if Master Xingheng still remembers me?"
The moment he finished speaking, the once silent Fate Bedchamber seemed to sense something and suddenly emitted a booming, star-like sound.
Click--
The door, woven from star trails and destiny patterns, seemed to be activated by an irresistible force of Fate-Cause, slowly opening to both sides.
Amidst the dazzling starlight, a graceful figure appeared, stepping on the light.
She was draped in star -Lingxi, with several sashes woven from galaxy feathers hanging from her waist. With each gentle step, every inch of her body radiated the softest light of destiny in the universe. Her eyes seemed to bear the ebb and flow of Fate-Cause in the entire starry sea, yet they were so gentle that they seemed to encompass all living beings in the world.
She stood there quietly, as beautiful as the first rays of dawn, exuding a gentle warmth that could instantly quell any fighting spirit.
This is Xingheng from the past.
Unlike her future self, who possesses an unfathomable and unapproachable majesty, Xingheng in this timeline, though equally noble and dignified, appears more Wenwan and lively, like a ray of dawn appearing in the River of Destiny.
Her gaze swept lightly over Qin Yu and the others, as if they were familiar, as if they had been etched into her destiny.
"You are the one who will wield the Blade of Fate."
She spoke with a smile, her voice like a spring breeze sweeping across the Milky Way, carrying an irresistible sense of peace and tranquility.
Without any unnecessary pleasantries, Xingheng gently turned to the side and gestured with her hand.
"Please, gentlemen, follow me inside."
Thus, Qin Yu, Yan Yue, Zi Xue, Yunyi, Extinguished Light bowed respectfully and stepped into the gate of the Fate Bedchamber in turn.
Behind the door lies the most hidden heart of the Fate Que Divine Temple.
This is also where the true pulse of life truly pulsates.
The Fate Bedchamber were silent.
A seemingly real yet illusory "Life-Breath Sun Wheel" floats in the sky, slowly rotating and illuminating the entire palace.
Several maids dressed in star-patterned gauze quietly stepped forward and served Qin Yu and his companions the Immortal Source Essence Tea—Dawn Spring Soul Dew. This tea was personally cultivated by Xingheng beneath the Star Terrace of the Life Palace, nourished for a thousand years by the three sources of starlight, life energy, and soul flow. One drop can cleanse the sea of consciousness, and three drops can solidify Fate-Cause. At this moment, the aroma of the tea swirled, and wisps of smoke rose quietly before the five, as if capable of extinguishing all flames of war and calming all the disturbances of the world.
Xingheng, seated on the main throne, her star-patterned robes fluttering in the light, calmly gazed at Qin Yu.
"You say you are the writer of the Blade of Fate...?"
Her voice was calm and unhurried, and although her eyes were gentle, there was an undisguised probing intent, as if she wanted to see through every layer of Fate-Cause behind Qin Yu's words.
What evidence is available to prove this?
Qin Yu nodded slightly upon hearing this, then slowly took out two items from his sleeve:
First, there is the Star Abyss Fate Contract Ring, which was forged by the future Xingheng from her Fate Soul for her only partner. It contains the Nine Tracks of Fate and the Seven Star Contracts. Those who have not been recognized by it cannot sense the life force within it.
Secondly, there is the Fate Cause Memory Stone, which contains the impression of the future Immortal Source Soul Seal. As long as one gets close to Xingheng, one can awaken a deep resonance of destiny within it.
Two objects, one forged from the Milky Way, the other a testament to destiny.
Qin Yu respectfully presented it with both hands:
"This item was personally handed to me by your future self, who entrusted me with reshaping your Fate Que and fate... If you do not believe me, you may see for yourself."
Xingheng's eyes sharpened, and she slowly reached out her hand.
The instant the fingertips touched the Fate Contract Ring —BOOM!
Above the Palace of Destiny, countless illusory images of stars and destiny appeared in an instant. The stars reversed and cause and effect flowed, causing the entire palace to tremble.
The Star Abyss Fate Contract Ring emitted a faint "mourning" in her palm, like a summons that transcended time and space, or a silent exchange between two Xingheng at the end of their destiny's trajectory.
As the Fate Cause Memory Stone approached her palm, it spontaneously transformed into a wisp of light and merged into the depths of Xingheng's brow.
The next moment--
Xingheng's body trembled slightly!
Her pupils shimmered with Fate-Path Star, as if a torrent of memories from billions of years in the future was blooming in her mind, infusing her soul like a predestined fate.
She stared blankly at Qin Yu, the Fate Contract Ring in her palm still shining with starlight, but she remained silent for a long time.
After several dozen breaths, she finally murmured softly:
"This is... my Fate-Cause ring... my future self..."
At that moment, even Zi Xue, Extinguished Light, Yan Yue, Yunyi had never seen Xingheng so lost in thought.
The soul of the future master, who would sit atop the Immortal Source and overlook the karmic cycle of destiny, is now in the hands of his past self... choked with emotion, as if in a dream.
She slowly raised her head, her voice trembling with an unprecedented intensity:
"It seems... you really are him... you really are the one who can unlock the door to Fate-Cause..."
Qin Yu remained calm and returned the bow.
"Now that our destiny has been sealed, may our journey truly begin?"
Xingheng nodded slightly, but her gaze lingered on Qin Yu for a long time.
She knew that from this moment on, the fate of the Fate Que Divine Temple had truly begun to be rewritten.