Observatory Pavilion.
This is where the High Priest of the Yiyuan Empire resides, far from the disturbances of the secular world, isolated and serene.
Outside, heavy guards are stationed, even successive Emperors cannot easily enter.
The highest level within the pavilion is a library that houses many ancient texts, including lost editions from outside.
Except for a few attendants who clean daily, it’s usually undisturbed, empty and quiet.
Rustle.
A young boy sits at the table, perusing an ancient text in his hands.
The boy doesn’t seem very old, perhaps eight or nine years old, with black hair and fair skin, beautifully featured. Yet his exceptionally beautiful eyes carry a maturity and tranquility beyond his age, like an ancient pond calm beyond disturbance, diminishing the original splendor and amplifying a sense of cold aloofness.
Soone knocked on the door respectfully, calling out, "Young Priest, the High Priest requests your presence."
"Alright, I’ll be there shortly."
The boy closed the book and stood up to leave.
Shen Tang’s spirit body was unstable, forcibly drawn into the next mory. Upon opening her eyes again, she saw the scene before her.
She looked at the boy not far away, whose aura felt sowhat familiar yet whose face was strange, bewildered. Wasn’t this Shen Li’s Spiritual Illusion Realm? Who was this person?
Soon, Shen Tang understood the reason.
After the boy went to the High Priest’s residence, he removed the bead string from his hand.
The ancient hair color poured out into a brilliantly fiery waist-length mane, and his features grew increasingly exquisite and stunning. Especially those long alluring fox-like eyes foretold of future enchanting allure, yet paradoxically he wasn’t the type to flaunt it, the coldness in his eyes tempered the splendor, making him even more mysterious and unique.
It’s Shen Li!
Yet with this, Shen Tang grew even more puzzled.
Wasn’t Shen Li ant to have succeeded as Emperor? How did he beco the Young Master of the Observatory Pavilion, the High Priest’s son?
Her curiosity was piqued, so she didn’t rush to back away, instead choosing to follow again.
"Master, you called for . What’s the matter you wish to instruct?" Shen Li walked into the room, looking at the old man on the bed.
The High Priest sat by the bedside, tall and gaunt, like an ancient tree nearing its end.
He seed eighty or ninety but was actually only forty-sothing. The Priest Clan possessed mysterious powers to perceive fate, but everything in the world cos at a price. Each act of divination caused his lifespan to dwindle, turning the High Priest from being in his pri to an old man near death.
Shen Tang noticed Shen Li called him Master, not Father.
The High Priest lovingly beckoned Shen Li over, "Your Majesty, if I’m not mistaken, you’ve been at the Observatory Pavilion for nearly half a year, right?"
Shen Li, "Yes, five months and twelve days."
He rembered it clearly.
On the night his late emperor father was interred in the Imperial Mausoleum, he swapped identities with his stand-in, coming to the Observatory Pavilion to beco the High Priest’s apprentice.
The Priest Clan has always been shrouded in mystery, never leaking information outside. Only successive emperors knew they belonged to the Illusion Spirit Fox lineage, adept in Illusion Technique.
The High Priest’s son, Yu Xi, was of a similar age and build to Shen Li. To demonstrate loyalty to the Royal Family, he volunteered to be Shen Li’s stand-in.
Now, Shen Li was publicly the High Priest’s son, and future heir to the Priesthood. Until adulthood, he’d remain at the Observatory Pavilion to receive training, unseen by outsiders.
For him, this was the safest place in the Empire.
"The late Emperor entrusted Your Majesty to for guidance, but alas, my health declines day by day. I’m afraid I cannot assist much. I’d like to do one more thing for you before I die."
"Master!"
The old priest saw the boy’s sudden alard expression and waved his hand, "It’s what our clan must do. I’ve wanted to do this for a long ti."
He fell into mories, "Many years ago, upon first seeing Your Majesty, I saw you were extraordinary, not a mortal... In the future, sothing sensational will occur with you, though whether it’s fortune or disaster, I don’t know. Last night, I dared prophesy your fate."
Shen Li looked painfully at the High Priest before him, finally understanding why he’d grown frailer overnight.
At this point, Shen Li could only say, "Please, Master, show the way."
The refreshing youthful voice carried a hint of bitterness.
"I’ve divined two important pieces of information for Your Majesty."
The High Priest didn’t imdiately answer. His aged voice carried a distant etherealness, "Your Majesty, are you aware of the Earth Core?"
Shen Li nodded, "I’ve read about it in books. It is said to be an Energy Crystal condensed by the continent, possessing powerful creation magic, protecting thousands of lives. Whoever obtains the Earth Core will unify the continent... But it’s just a legend, no one has truly seen it. Why is Master ntioning it?"
The High Priest sighed, "No, child, it’s not a legend. The Earth Core truly exists."
"Is it... really?" Shen Li was stunned, then delighted, "That is wonderful! With the Earth Core’s protection, the safety of the Beastn can be assured."
"Is it?" The old priest closed his weary eyes and sighed softly, "But in my prophecy, the Blood Clan guarded the Blood Core a thousand years ago, yet one night, the clan was exterminated."
"They said the Blood Clan was cursed."
"What?" Shen Li was shocked.
He seed to have seen similar descriptions in so rare texts.
The High Priest said, "The Blood Clan was the strongest clan of that era, brutally exterminated overnight. No one knows what truly happened that night."
"Now, the power of the Earth Core is weakening, pollution spreading faster. It can no longer protect this continent."
The High Priest’s voice grew heavier, "I foresee a great disaster."
"An apocalyptic disaster."
"Caused by this object, yet it’s also the hope to resolve the disaster."
"The Earth Core, can create and destroy."
"Its true secrets remain unknown, but it must not fall into other hands. The Yiyuan Empire must obtain it..."
The High Priest spoke at length.
After long contemplation, Shen Li nodded, "Thank you, Master, for your instructions. I understand, I will obtain this item!"
"But where is the Earth Core?" Shen Li curiously asked.
"It’s at..."
The High Priest suddenly coughed violently, his aged yet bright eyes abruptly darkened, as if he couldn’t breathe, losing strength, and fell.
"Master!" Shen Li quickly rushed forward, supporting the High Priest onto the bed.
He sensed the High Priest’s aura weaken to near disappearance, a pang of bitterness and helpless sorrow flashed within.
Shen Li gently held the aged, bony hand, softly saying, "Master, tell ."
The High Priest lifted his branch-like finger, tremblingly pointing northeast, "My remaining strength divined it, there..."
With those words, he passed away.
Shen Li closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and closed the old priest’s eyes, respectfully saying, "Rest in peace, Master."
A little girl aged eight or nine walked in.
She wore a complex, heavy robe, her beautiful yet immature face displayed an age surpassing maturity and calmness. Those silver-gray eyes imparted a holy, expansive aloofness that was hard to et.
Yu Tong’s eyes showed a ripple only when seeing her departed father on the bed. She took out a white candle, lighting it at the bedside.
No one knew the High Priest had twins; besides his son, there was a daughter.
This daughter was the true heir secretly trained to continue the Priesthood lineage.
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