The five-colored auspicious clouds hung motionless in the sky, unruffled and silent.
Venus Star flicked his whisk, that genial smile still upon his face as he said unhurriedly, "What a pity. This time, they all guessed wrong. From the very beginning, what the Great Celestial Venerable sought was not young friend Lu, but—His Majesty Ziwei!"
"This time, they stirred the threads of fate and drove young friend Lu to clash with the Northern Pole Exorcism Office. First, they wished to place you, Great Celestial Venerable, in a dilemma and sow discord between you and young friend Lu;
"Second... they also invisibly severed His Majesty Ziwei's hopes.
"Though they presumably did not care about that.
"But after this matter, His Majesty Ziwei should have awoken with a start.
"Only by sharing the same boat through storm and flood with you, Great Celestial Venerable, is there a proper path."
Having said that, Venus Star slowly rose. His whisk drew in, and his expression grew several shades more solemn. "Great Celestial Venerable, young friend Lu has joined forces in every direction this time, attempting to force the person behind the scenes to reveal himself by violating the heavenly laws. His actions were indeed bold. But the time is not yet ripe, and young friend Lu must not be allowed to notice anything amiss. This matter requires thunderous methods, yet it must also be concealed from all eyes. More importantly, young friend Lu must be properly placated, and his suspicions absolutely suppressed. What does Your Excellency think of this old minister's words?"
—Whoosh!
A divine radiance shook loose from the five-colored auspicious clouds. Within the light, a sacred decree slowly descended.
In an instant, the surrounding mist churned, and heaven and earth lost their color.
Venus Star reached out and received the sacred decree.