Chu Province.
Dressed in a yin-yang Daoist robe, Cui Yuan, the Cui Clan Old Ancestor, stood atop a sea of clouds with his hands behind his back, gazing toward Tai Prefecture.
Beside him stood another Divine Mansion Realm expert of the Cui Clan, Cui Chongshan.
Cui Chongshan sighed. "Ancestor, that Devil Master looks likely to succeed. A demonic cultivator at the Great Perfection Realm, right in the prime of his life... troubled times lie ahead."
Cui Yuan smiled at his words.
"Why the hurry? Others will be more anxious than we are."
With that said.
He looked toward Shenjing, a trace of amusement and wariness in his eyes.
"What choice will you make this time?"
Jiao Province...
Wei Province...
Xiang Province...
Even the north.
All eyes turned toward Tai Prefecture.
Shenjing.
Deep within the imperial palace.
On the Stargazing Platform atop the Astronomical Observatory.
All manner of artifacts used to monitor heaven's secrets trembled violently, emitting piercing hums. Some even shattered outright.
The emperor of Great Zhou stood alone at the highest point of the Stargazing Platform, his dragon robe utterly still amid the howling winds.
The director of the Astronomical Observatory approached, trembling.
He bowed with his hands clasped, his voice shaking uncontrollably. "Your Majesty, this old minister has studied the celestial signs. The Ravenous Wolf Star has dimmed, and the Emperor Star is wavering. This is... an omen of great calamity!"
"An omen of great calamity..."
The emperor murmured under his breath.
The void behind him twisted violently.
Song Wuya, chief superintendent of the Imperial City Department, appeared.
The emperor did not turn around.
"What have you found?" he asked calmly.
Song Wuya bowed, his tone grave. "Your Majesty, in Tai Prefecture to the south, demonic clouds have blanketed the sky, and pillars of blood have pierced the