Chapter 73 Divination Fails

In the east, ominous clouds gathered at the horizon, and a wild wind howled across the land, which trembled as if a storm were about to break.

From a vantage point with an unobstructed view, Yixin gazed over the distant sea near Red Harbor, where gusts of chilling wind swept over churning, murky waves, shrouding the waters in a dense gloom drifting from across the strait.

"It seems something has happened in the Eastern Lands. We must hurry there!" Yixin said.

The sinister clouds spread toward the central continent, soon covering the skies above the Holy City. Many residents were roused from sleep by the roaring wind, hastily shutting windows and doors as they cowered within, speculating about the turmoil outside. Then came a torrential downpour, with violent raindrops beating upon the rooftops.

Just before the eruption of the Doomsday Volcano, within the Pantheon, the assembled leaders stood tense around the crystal sphere, each watching its shifting visions with their own motives, witnessing the volcano's fierce tremors and awaiting the emergence of the Blade of Godslayer.

The Snow Queen, her palms slick with sweat and brows knitted in worry, pondered silently, "If the Blade of Godslayer falls into the hands of the Thunder Emperor, he will be unstoppable. How then will the power among the continents remain balanced..."

By dusk, the volcano within the crystal sphere finally erupted. With a thunderous roar, all present turned pale and stepped back, startled by the destructive nightmare unfolding, even at such a distance.

"Watch closely! The volcano has erupted. It won't be long before the Blade of Godslayer rises from the molten lava..."

Wu Xuanyuan raised his hand, his excitement palpable.

The Thunder Emperor maintained a calm facade, yet his grip on the throne tightened. His gaze remained fixed on the sphere, watching for Lei Jue's arrival at the volcano.

Though the Eastern Lands were far, the Celestial Phoenix was the swiftest mount, able to traverse between the Divine Realm and the East within a day.

As the volcano spewed fire, magma spilled over its rim, streaming down to form crimson rivers that devoured all in their path. A tall northern wall was gradually destroyed, but the people's focus remained solely on the Blade of Godslayer.

They waited longer still as the volcano's fury subsided and the lava flowed calmly. Wu Xuanyuan's expression darkened; his brows knit tightly, and his snake-like eyes widened in frustration.

Yet, the volcano did not erupt as expected. There were no pillars of flame, nor did the Blade of Godslayer appear. Only some magma leaked at the edges before silence prevailed.

After waiting patiently for a while, murmurs and unrest spread among the assembly. The volcano's activity faded, its summit wreathed in thick smoke, with no more magma overflowing. The unexpected outcome left everyone at a loss.

"This... the Blade of Godslayer did not appear. The volcano didn't erupt on a grand scale either..." the clans whispered, their voices tinged with doubt but also relief.

To many, it was preferable that the ancient divine weapon never surface, rather than fall into the Thunder Emperor's hands.

The Thunder Emperor's eyes widened as he stared at Wu Xuanyuan, who was clearly flustered.

"This can't be! Impossible... My divinations have never failed! The Blade of Godslayer will surely return tonight! It must!" Wu Xuanyuan, drenched in sweat, insisted, inwardly desperate, "Erupt, erupt now..."

He wished he could reach into the sphere and search for the blade amidst the lava.

"Well, Elder Wu, it seems your clan's divinations are not as impressive as claimed," the head of the Star Clan mocked, seizing the opportunity. Both clans were skilled in prophecy, but Wu Xuanyuan's success bred envy in him.

Only the Snow Queen smirked gleefully, folding her slender arms and scoffing:

"Hmph, your volcano merely sneezed, it seems."

She thought to herself, "Excellent, let the Blade of Godslayer remain hidden. All those legends of demon kings are mere nonsense! Without the ancient blade, the Thunder Emperor is little threat."

She spun gracefully toward the door, declaring haughtily, "There's nothing more to see. The Blade of Godslayer, the rebirth of the demon king—all just excuses invented by the Thunder Emperor. Let us disperse."

The Dragon Matron, no longer interested, leaned on her staff and walked outside, grumbling, "I wasted my time here, playing along with your farce. How ridiculous!"

The Thunder Emperor, enraged, smashed a magic crystal to the floor and demanded of Wu Xuanyuan:

"What happened?"

Wu Xuanyuan immediately knelt. "Your Majesty, do you not trust me? The prophecy shown in the crystal sphere is true—why did the volcano not erupt? Someone must have interfered, yes, there must have been an external force!"

He racked his brain for answers.

But the Thunder Emperor had lost all patience, dismissing him with a wave: "Take your sphere and get out of my sight!"

Wu Xuanyuan retreated trembling, his heart seething with resentment.

"Since the divine weapon has not appeared, nor has the demon king, we shall take our leave," the other clan leaders announced as they departed the hall.

Queen Linger of the Light Elves rose and said:

"The legend of the demon king's rebirth cannot be ignored. Whenever the border requires aid, notify the Light Elves and we will assist with all our might." With that, she too left the hall.

Outside, the Snow Queen mounted her Ice Crystal Phoenix and rode north on a gust of snow. Others followed, riding their gryphons away.

As the hall doors closed slowly, Wu Xuanyuan mustered his courage, forced a sycophantic smile, and approached, saying, "Your Majesty, should the Blade of Godslayer show any signs, I will inform you at once..."

The Thunder Emperor, restraining his fury, clasped his hands behind his back.

"Send men to guard the Doomsday Volcano. At the slightest sign, report to me immediately! The Blade of Godslayer... I will claim it, no matter what!"

"Indeed, Your Majesty. The Blade of Godslayer rightly belongs to you..." Wu Xuanyuan replied.

The rain poured throughout the night. Shen Zai Guo and several girls from neighboring dormitories huddled beneath Ling Xiao Lei's blanket, seeking refuge from the storm. Shen Zai Guo, terrified by the thunder and lightning outside, clung to her pillow, trembling.

Sheets of rain battered the windows like drums, the wind roaring, thunder rumbling, and violet lightning splitting the sky.

After the lights went out, Ling Xiao Lei suddenly turned on her flashlight, illuminating her chin so that her face appeared ghastly and monstrous.

"The demon king stands atop the battlefield..." she intoned, deliberately lowering her voice to sound frightening.