Those who complained and grumbled were mostly lower-ranking nobles with relatively sharp fangs.
The smaller the fangs, the higher the status, and the calmer the expression, as if everything is under control. They are mostly able to maintain restraint and conduct discussions quite rationally.
All eyes were fixed on Emperor Ata, as if gazing upon an omniscient and omnipotent god.
Emperor Ata quickly regained his composure, first listening carefully to the crowd's discussion, remaining deep in thought. Only after the murmurs subsided did Emperor Ata speak slowly and deliberately:
"The ancient Prophets had already foretold that Zandalar's plan to reach the heavens would surely succeed. This is merely a minor obstacle among countless setbacks, and I believe it will be overcome soon."
Before Emperor Ata had finished speaking, a flash of golden light appeared, and a tall figure emerged beneath the throne.
This is a strange creature, over three meters tall, with the appearance of a cunning snake, yet possessing the powerful physique of a bull, and a pair of enormous white wings growing from its back.
"Praise be to the great Emperor Ata!"
The strange creature slightly bent its forelegs, as if paying homage to the Emperor.
Emperor Ata nodded, his voice deep and resonant. "Apate, the god of the sky, you are one of my most trusted Loa. I have a premonition that you have brought me good news."
This is a powerful Loa, who holds the power over the sky. The Priests and Witch Doctor below whisper among themselves, saying that it was he who successfully made contact with the Crystal Firmament.
Apate stared with his large, bell-like eyes and said in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty Emperor Ata, I have made a discovery in the sealed passage of the Crystal Firmament. The gods sealed the entrance to the passage, but left behind some strange symbols."
The sky god Apate chanted a strange incantation, spitting out a ball of blue light, and a clear scene appeared before everyone.
Above the sky, countless gray air currents flowed continuously. Amidst these endless currents, the azure Crystal Firmament was clearly visible. Inlaid in the smooth, mirror-like dome was a tightly closed golden portal, upon which were engraved nine lines of strange characters.
The Priests and Witch Doctor of Zandalar carefully examined the inscriptions on the gate and shook their heads. Although many of them were learned scholars, they did not understand the meaning of the inscriptions.
Emperor Ata carefully read the nine lines of text, seemed to understand something, nodded thoughtfully, and his expression became much more composed.
Apate explained, "I believe this was an inspiration from the gods. Upon returning to the City of Babel, despite my exhaustion, I immediately consulted the oldest sea turtle, Loathega. He told me that in the ancient times before the arrival of the Old Gods, the gods once walked the earth, teaching and enlightening all living beings. This is the ancient divine script they used. Loathega helped me translate the text."
With a flash of light, the translated Ancient Zandalar script appeared before everyone.
These are nine riddles, each relating to one of the nine realms of magic.
Hagara the Stormbinder's eyes immediately lit up; she saw a riddle in the realm of wind elements, which, unfortunately, was a similar riddle that Al'Akir the Wind Rider had once presented.
Elemental Lords Morchok's body trembled. The spell he was focused on involved the stone element. When Morchok was promoted to Elemental Lords, he had the privilege of listening to the Stone Mother Therazane teach him magic, which included the explanation of the principles behind this magical spell.
Emperor Ata glanced at the nine questions and nodded slightly.
"Thanks to the gods' mercy, solving these nine riddles will grant access to the Crystal Firmament. For the great Zandalari Empire, these riddles are nothing. The Zandalari Empire is willing to build glory with all races, so we offer these nine riddles to our distinguished guests. If any of you can solve even one of them, you will receive a generous reward."
A Murloc with sharp teeth asked, "Generous Emperor Ata, what enviable reward will you bestow?"
Emperor Ata smiled slightly and said, "You are all honored guests of my clan, enjoying wealth and luxury in this City of the Sky. However, there is only one thing that cannot be reversed by human power, and that is lifespan."
Looking into those expectant eyes, Emperor Ata solemnly declared, "I will grant you lifespans of five hundred years, so that you may ascend with me to the world of the gods in the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted at the banquet.
Long-lived races are few and far between in Azeroth, and living for five hundred years is the dream of most people present. However, for these barbaric and backward alien races, these questions are too obscure and difficult to understand. Many people shook their heads in disappointment and sighed with regret.
Emperor Ata smiled and said, "You have plenty of time. I believe there are certainly ambitious people and true masters hidden in the world."
After the banquet of all races ended, Thrall and his party returned to the inn.
"Hagara, I've been watching you for a while now," Thrall demanded loudly. "Can you solve one of these problems?"
Hagara bit her lip and said with some resentment:
"Yes, Thrall, I understand what you mean. If you want this five hundred years of lifespan, I will teach you the solution."
Thrall roared arrogantly:
"What hopeless fools! I have no desire for five hundred years of lifespan. I have my own Destiny, and so do you. No one is allowed to solve the nine riddles."
Elemental Lords Morchok didn't care. Stone elementals have extremely long lifespans, and if he died in five hundred years, it would be considered an untimely death for him.
Yeh'kinya asked, puzzled, "Thrall, why are you doing this?"
Thrall said impatiently:
"Unless you're in Emperor Ata's position, you simply can't understand, and explaining it to you is useless. I am the Savior of Azeroth, and I once served as the Warchief Horde. There are some things I see very clearly. You'd better be smart and stay in the inn and don't go anywhere else."
The next morning, everyone discovered that one person was missing.
Yeh'kinya has disappeared.
Mulgore frowned, a sense of foreboding creeping over him. He whispered, "I remember one of the nine riddles was about summoning a god from another world."
Thrall roared angrily, "Damn it, Yeh'kinya successfully summoned Hakkar the Soulflayer! He must be after five hundred years of lifespan. I should have known!"
First Emperor Dazar shook his head. "Yeh'kinya is definitely not that kind of person, Thrall, you saw through it long ago, didn't you? Although the Zandalari Empire possesses an incomparably glorious magical civilization and has many Loa with extraordinary abilities, they cannot solve the nine riddles."
Thrall grinned maliciously, "Nothing can be hidden from you. That's right, I intend to exchange the answers for the Zandalari Empire's superweapons. Yeh'kinya may have messed things up."
Hagara asked, puzzled, "I don't understand."
Dasa explained regretfully, "The magic of the Zandalari Empire originates from the Old Gods Xal'atath. Whether it's the Loa or these Priests and Witch Doctors who have passed down their skills through generations, they are all just users of magic, but they have never understood the underlying principles."
The nine riddles involved the structure and principles of magic. Although Emperor Ata appeared calm and confident, he could not hide his true intentions from the cunning Thrall.
Yeh'kinya's feelings were quite complicated.
Five hundred years of lifespan were of little use to him; he desired to contribute to the Ancient Zandalari Empire and, under his influence, hope that the Zandalar could enter the realm of the gods.
Yeh'kinya presented the answer to the mystery of the summoning domain, and awaited the result with mixed feelings.