Ery waited for the Oracle's explanation, sensing the weight behind her words. Aurora rarely spoke in riddles unless the matter was serious. He inclined forward slightly, preparing himself for whatever revelation she was about to unveil-when suddenly the sea outside trembled.
A pressure rolled across the coastline, a surge of power that even the tides seed to bow to its arrival. Ery instantly recognized the familiar signature. Bare feet touched stone as droplets scattered like crystals across the dim room. A woman stepped through the doorway as if she owned the place.
Her skin was a pale, luminous blue-smooth like polished jade-and her long white hair cascaded down her back like flowing silk. Finned ears twitched slightly as she took in the sight of Ery.
Princess Neytiri of the Infinity Seas.
Hybrid royal of Shambhala's underwater empire.
Ery imdiately rose from his seat and bowed respectfully.
"Senior Neytiri."
Her pale blue eyes locked onto him, glinting with mischief. A playful smile curled across her lips.
"Congratulations on reaching the grand magus realm..." she said, stepping toward him with the easy grace of a predator. Her hand lifted, finger tapping lightly on his shoulder. "With your advancent, you don't need to call 'senior' anymore. Just call Sister Iri.
Her face moved even closer-and then abruptly froze.
The smile vanished, replaced with stunned disbelief.
"No way... two cosmos?!!!"
She backed up a full step, staring at him as if seeing him for the first ti.
"Two cosmos in twenty years..." she muttered, glancing toward Aurora for confirmation. The Oracle rely nodded. Neytiri let out a low whistle. "That's insane."
She began circling him like an appraiser examining a priceless artifact.
"You're not even a hundred years old, are you?"
A grin returned to her lips. "Amazing... absolutely amazing"
Then she leaned in again, eyes bright with a teasing glint.
"What do you think of your sister here?" she asked sweetly. "Interested in becoming the prince of Shambhala?"
Ery laughed dryly.
"Sister... you must be joking."
"Oh? Am I?" Neytiri's brows lifted. She looked ready to continue her playful attack, but Aurora raised a hand lightly-just one subtle gesture.
Neytiri halted instantly.
"Yes, yes..." the sea princess sighed dramatically, stepping back. "He's already been claid by that beautiful instructor of his, hasn't he?"
Ery cleared his throat awkwardly.
Neytiri reached into a small pouch at her waist and tossed it toward him.
"Here. This is everything I prepared."
Ery caught it and imdiately swept it with his divine sense. His eyes widened.
Over a hundred rare ingredients-high-grade aquatic herbs, refined minerals, materials from deep-sea beasts. These things cost fortunes.
He looked at both won, asking for an explanation.
Aurora answered first.
"It's support for restarting your apothecary enterprise."
It was no surprise that the Oracle knew about his current situation, and it seed she was facilitating the Shambhala to assist.
Neytiri scoffed."Well... we're not giving it for free. My father is still waiting for that gene serum you promised him."
Ery nodded sincerely. Yes... I apologize for the delay. The project is restarting soon. I'll update you both as soon as we have results."
"Good" Neytiri crossed her arms, satisfied.
But Aurora wasn't finished.
From her sleeve, a faint glow erged-a small, delicate plant floating gently through the air until it landed in Ery's palm.
He identified it instantly.
[Spring Lotus Fruit].
Extrely rare. Supposedly, only a tiny number have grown in the academy throughout the past decades. He had consud one before-he knew its value.
This single fruit could push him a step further in his cultivation.
But just as the thought crossed his mind, Aurora spoke softly:
"Do not consu it. You will need it later."
Ery looked up sharply.
This must be one of her visions for him, and hearing it stirred unease in Ery's heart. A high-grade plant with potent healing properties...
Does this an soone close to will be in danger? He wondered.
Ery nodded and accepted the gift with gratitude.
"There is sothing else," the Oracle said. Her expression hardened. "Listen
well..."
The next words did not pass through her lips.They echoed directly into his
mind.
Minutes later, Ery left the island carrying a heavy mind.
The Oracle's prophecy still echoed like a whisper of fate.
This was the vision she saw within Ery-likely tied to the changes brought
by the involvent of his future self.
But the second ssage was the true warning.
Unfortunately, with Ery being a destiny breaker, visions concerning him were always vague, and the Oracle could not offer more clarity. Ery stepped through the teleportation portal and returned to his estate in Centauri City. His heart remained clouded with concern. He thought of his friends-Thrax still at the frontlines, and Klea still missing. He imdiately sent a ssage requesting an update on Thrax and urged him to return ho, even
briefly, if possible.
As for Klea...
Although it was normal for magus to remain in secluded ditation for years, Ery could not wait without news any longer.
He decided to act personally.
With a quiet breath, Ery summoned his Dark Avatar.
As an extension of his own soul, it felt his urgency-perhaps even more fiercely than he did. It understood the unspoken fear for Klea's safety.
"Use any ans necessary," Ery instructed, "just make sure you don't get
caught."
The clone nodded once before its form unraveled, dissolving into a swirl of
black mist that vanished into the air.
"I hope... nothing bad has happened,"
But hope alone was not enough.
Ery returned to his personal domain; the prophecy hung over him like an
unseen storm.
Whatever was coming, Ery intended to be ready.
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