Cipher figured that if Yan Huan had returned, he would have come to help as soon as he finished sweeping away the Black Tide.
But they had been fighting for so long, and there was still no sign of him.
Could the Black Tide's offensive have spread even farther?
"Huan Bao is still at the Sky Fortress," Feng Jin explained to Cipher.
"After we defeated Aegle, the sky suddenly began to shatter."
"So he sent me and the Core Flame to the Genesis Vortex Heart first, to submit the Core Flame and undergo Aegle's trial."
"Once I became the Sky Demigod, I wanted to return to the sky, but then I saw your distress message and came here instead."
"As for the Black Tide, don't worry. It's raining in Okhema now."
"Raining..." Aglaea said softly.
"Did you... repair the Celestial Mural?"
"Yes." Feng Jin nodded.
"Huan Bao found Laigushi and demanded that he repair the Celestial Mural, so we could control Amphoreus's climate again."
Dark clouds blanketed Okhma City.
Citizens throughout the city looked up in astonishment.
"Huh? What's happening to the sky? Is the Dawn Machine going out?"
"No... it's not the Dawn Machine. The climate itself has changed."
An elderly resident who had lived in the city for years suddenly widened his eyes.
"Wait, have the heroes regained control of the Celestial Mural?!"
"Look! That isn't the beginning of an endless night. It's a sign of a downpour!"
"Miss Feng Jin and the others really have reclaimed the sky!"
Above Okhema, black clouds bore down as though they meant to crush the city.
These were no ordinary storm clouds. They formed an ink-soaked, leaden vault so heavy it seemed to choke the Holy City beneath it.
Within the Holy City, the air felt thick as congealed grease.