Just as Cloud Retainer was about to continue berating Mountain Shaper, Rex Lapis stopped her. "Cloud Retainer, this is not Mountain Shaper's fault. I just investigated. The stone pillars I used to suppress Azhdaha have not been damaged, and Mountain Shaper's sealing barrier is still in effect. It is simply that Azhdaha has vanished from inside it."
"What?!" Everyone paled in shock. The more they considered this inconceivable phenomenon, the more terrifying it seemed-more so than if Azhdaha had simply broken out of the seal.
"With a body as enormous as Azhdaha's, how could he possibly escape without damaging the seal? It defies all reason."
"Azhdaha has the power to communicate with the ley lines. Could he have teleported away through their power?"
"Impossible! If he could escape that way, Azhdaha would never have remained sealed for over a thousand years."
"But how else can we explain the situation? Moon Carver, you are skilled in divination. Can you calculate Azhdaha's current location?"
"That is impossible. Azhdaha is a born spiritual being, a favored child blessed by the earth itself. His strength also far surpasses mine. Any results I divine would be inaccurate."
"Quiet! Mountain Shaper, first explain everything you know. Be thorough, and do not leave out a single detail."
Mountain Shaper carefully recounted what had happened during this period. There had indeed been earthquakes in Nantianmen for a while, which should have been Azhdaha attacking the sealing barrier. However, this had happened countless times over the past thousand years, so Mountain Shaper had naturally paid it little heed.
He had handled it as he always did, reinforcing the seal immediately. This time, however, Azhdaha had attacked the seal for rather longer than usual, leaving even Mountain Shaper wondering what had provoked him.
Afterward, Azhdaha's movements had subsided for a