Less than half an hour later, Yeh'kinya was summoned.
When Yeh'kinya learned that it was Emperor Ata who had personally summoned him, he was both excited and trembling with fear.
In a Tranquility little garden, clear river water flows quietly, fiery red flowers bloom in full glory, and a faint fragrance wafts through the air. Emperor Ata, dressed in casual clothes, lies leisurely on a deck chair.
Two rows of solemn Priests and Witch Doctors stood beside the emperor, all with stern faces, as if facing a formidable enemy. Yeh'kinya also saw many high-ranking nobles whose fangs were not visible.
Yeh'kinya knelt humbly on the ground, head bowed, not daring to meet the Emperor's gaze.
The Emperor slowly raised his hand, and the Priests and Witch Doctor began to ask questions, all about the riddles surrounding Yeh'kinya. There were many things they couldn't understand, but Yeh'kinya, an ancient scholar with extensive knowledge, was able to answer fluently despite being somewhat nervous.
Each time an answer was given, the Priests and Witch Doctors would discuss it for a long time.
This confirms Yeh'kinya's suspicion: the Zandalari Empire, which possesses advanced magical civilization, is practically an idiot when it comes to the theoretical field of magic.
After questioning for most of the day, the Priests and Witch Doctors had no further questions. A high-ranking nobleman with barely visible fangs reported to the emperor:
"Your Majesty Emperor Ata, his answer is correct."
Emperor Ata nodded and said to Yeh'kinya, "Guest, raise your head."
Yeh'kinya hurriedly raised his head, his gaze darting around, not daring to meet the Emperor's eyes.
"Distinguished guest, where do you come from? What is your race?"
Yeh'kinya dared not say she came from the future, much less lie to the Emperor's face. There were many spells that could detect lies, so she honestly replied:
"I come from the Tanaris Desert, Gadgetzan, an ancient scholar, a humble Gurubashi."
Tanaris, Gadgetzan, Gurubashi —these were all unfamiliar terms in this era. Emperor Ata nodded slightly and said:
"I have climbed to the top of the City of the Sky many times, overlooking the entire continent, and I have never missed a single corner. I have seen your homeland, the Great Desert of Tanaris."
Although it was an obvious lie, it made Yeh'kinya feel much closer to her.
Emperor Ata stood up. He was almost the same height as Yeh'kinya, but very thin. Yeh'kinya noticed an abnormal flush on the emperor's face.
"You are an ancient scholar. Have you ever summoned a deity from another world?" The emperor's voice carried an undisguised urgency.
Yeh'kinya replied, "I tried to summon it, but only managed to summon an avatar."
Emperor Ata's dim eyes brightened. "So you have successful experience before. I wonder which god you summoned?"
Yeh'kinya secretly analyzed that Hakkar the Soulflayer must have appeared in the Ancient Zandalari Empire, which was why he was able to produce the Time Beacon of this era.
Perhaps Emperor Ata was already familiar with Hakkar the Soulflayer. What if he were to confront him? His secret of coming from the future would be exposed.
But Yeh'kinya still dared not lie; he could clearly sense magic operating around him.
"Soulflayer Hakkar."
Emperor Ata nodded slowly, then said mysteriously, "An ancient god, whose name I have heard of before. You are far more capable than I imagined."
"This isn't right."
A storm raged within Yeh'kinya's heart. Emperor Ata was clearly concealing the fact that he did not actually recognize Hakkar the Soulflayer.
"Could it be that I myself am the one summoning Hakkar in this era?"
As expected, just as Yeh'kinya had suspected, Emperor Ata continued to tell lies:
"My ancestors had dealings with Hakkar the Soulflayer, and they got along well. Hakkar is a benevolent deity. Yeh'kinya, can you help me summon him? If you succeed, in addition to the promise of five hundred years of lifespan, I will also appoint you as the Grand Master."
Now that things had come to this, Yeh'kinya understood many of the reasons.
Those nine riddles are very likely just bait.
Or rather, the whole incident is problematic.
Emperor Ata posed nine carefully prepared riddles, his true purpose being to communicate with a powerful being.
For example, the ability to solve puzzles related to the wind element suggests a close connection to Al'Akir the Wind Rider.
The ability to solve the mysterious questions of the Earth Elemental realm suggests a connection between the Stone Mother Therazane and herself.
Yeh'kinya finally understood the other layer of meaning in Thrall's words.
Being in such a prominent position as Emperor Ata, his seemingly simple actions concealed treacherous motives, and a moment's carelessness could lead to being trapped and unable to extricate oneself.
For example, Yeh'kinya has no choice now.
Emperor Ata deliberately inquired about his homeland and ethnic origins, leaving him no way out, unable and unwilling to refuse.
"It is my honor, Great Emperor Ata."
Yeh'kinya lowered his head deeply, concealing the complex expression on his face.
Emperor Ata was very pleased, as if his wish had been fulfilled:
"Yeh'kinya, you will preside over this summoning ceremony. Make any requests you have, and they will do their utmost to fulfill them."
Looking ingratiatingly at the Priests and Witch Doctors around him, Yeh'kinya seemed to see adventurers running errands for him, and now he didn't even have to pay them gold coins.
But what will be the outcome of summoning Hakkar? And what is Emperor Ata's true purpose?
Yeh'kinya dared not think about it.
As a key figure in summoning Hakkar the Soulflayer, Yeh'kinya moved into a luxurious courtyard with more lavish furnishings than the inn, more maids, and more exquisite food, while simultaneously restricting his freedom.
Based on previous experience, Yeh'kinya issued a series of tasks.
For example, collecting the soul essence of the Screecher.
Many tasks are different from before. Yeh'kinya is familiar with the contents of the six Tablets of Mosh'aru and understands the principles of the Hakkar's Egg; all that's needed is for the Priests and Witch Doctors to craft it.
The location for summoning Hakkar must be in Zul'Gurub, where the terrain and landscape are completely different from those of later times.
Yeh'kinya already understood what made Zul'Gurub unique; all he needed to do was create an identical environment in City of the Sky.
Faced with the mighty Ancient Zandalari Empire, even the most insurmountable difficulties can be overcome, and the day to summon Hakkar is drawing ever closer.
That night, a dark figure sneaked into Yeh'kinya's room.
Yeh'kinya awoke with a start and saw First Emperor Dazar standing before his bed, holding a black, sharp blade in his hand, his eyes bloodshot, seemingly hesitant.
"I don't know if I should kill you?" Dasa gritted his teeth. "Perhaps this is the Destiny of the Ancient Zandalari Empire; even killing you wouldn't change anything."
Yeh'kinya looked at Dasa in surprise. "What are you talking about?"
Dasa said sadly:
"My memories have almost completely returned. During this period, as my father's least favorite son, I was exiled to the Mount Mugamba to build a mausoleum. I was unaware of what happened in the City of the Sky, but judging by the timeline, it was very close to that terrible disaster."
Dasa's nose stung with tears as he said sorrowfully, "The vast Zandalari Empire has collapsed, and all the survivors have turned into monsters. I have reason to suspect that all of this is related to Hakkar."
Yeh'kinya gripped her hair tightly. "No, no, although Hakkar is not a benevolent god, according to Legendary he keeps his covenant and would never destroy the Zandalari Empire."
"I don't know," Dasa said, bewildered. "Weapons produce different results in different hands, and Hakkar the Soulflayer is undoubtedly a powerful weapon."