Flourishing Divination Ritual!
Liang Qu's nose was squashed flat against the transparent barrier. Pressed against the square box, he stared at the Octopus King like a specimen, his mouth dry.
The wheel of fortune had turned.
Divination—the Octopus King's art of creation—could only be called a perfect use of resources.
There had not been much use in letting the Octopus King devour that last bit anyway. Instead, using an Demon King-level status to create a ritual meant there was no need to spend so much effort on divination. After a whole series of procedures, it might even be stronger! The imperial court had the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the Ghost Mother Sect had the Star Fate Plate, the Frog Clan had Frog Duke, and the Octopus King himself could divine and foretell. Seeking fortune and avoiding misfortune seemed to be standard equipment for strongmen—an alternative kind of "strategist" or "military adviser," deciding whether to act or stay still.
Strongmen cherished their lives.
There was no sense in cultivating bitterly only to be beaten to death in a single day. Struggle carried risks. What if that Wolf Smoke boy pulled out a Martial Saint token? Wouldn't that be the end? Thus, the higher one's realm, the fewer fights one fought. If they could outnumber their foe, they would never risk a one-on-one duel. If the omen was inauspicious, there was nothing to discuss.
Since the King of Yue had enfeoffed Ning Jiang Prefecture, he had only stirred once, when threatening the Flood Dragon—and even then, he had not truly acted.
Of course.
Whether it could succeed, whether the fortune or misfortune was accurate, depended on whose "military adviser" was more capable.
"Little Water, are you here today on behalf of the imperial court, or for yourself?" Sea Market Master asked.
"For myself."