Wondrous Daoist Hermit slowly paced over to Venus Star and looked down at him.
"Don't think everything lies within your calculations. That boy has been guided toward Xiangnan time and again. This time, he even opened a private register and forged a talisman treasure, all beyond your expectations. And then there was that move involving the false City God.
Sooner or later, he will go to that place.
When that time comes, I fear the little foundation you painstakingly plotted over a hundred years to build will not be preserved. Let's see what you do then."
Venus Star smiled faintly, his expression as gentle as ever. "Fate cannot be changed, yet variables cannot be predicted. We can only take one step and watch the next. Attending peacefully to the matters before us is the proper path. Wouldn't you agree, Immortal?"
Wondrous Daoist Hermit pondered briefly, then shook his head with a scoff. "As expected, I still dislike that calculating face of yours that sees the whole board. Very well. I shall continue sitting atop the mountain and watching tigers fight, and see who among you gets the last laugh."
He raised a hand and patted Venus Star's shoulder. "Just make sure you don't end up lifting a stone only to smash your own foot!"
With that, he stepped forward and vanished without a trace.
"Farewell, Immortal."
Venus Star bowed deeply in farewell.
The gentle smile that had remained on his face gradually sank away.
Yet it lasted only an instant before returning to normal.
Only then did he turn and return to the Heavenly Court.
Meanwhile, at the City Lord's Manor, Office of Affairs.
Lu Chen placed a red thread on the desk. "Sir Spirit Terrace Clerk, the Matchmaker God's token is here. This should be enough to complete