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"Wait... Wh-what?! I haven't agreed yet!" Qingque exclaimed.
Undeterred, Bochang grabbed Stelle and Mahjong Girl, swiftly running away without hesitation.
The trio sprinted towards the setting sun, their efforts leaving trails of youthful sweat behind.
Watching their retreating figures, Fu Xuan couldn't help but gently rest her forehead in her hand, murmuring, "Phantylia's reputation is now truly ruined."
Following such an unreliable individual, Phantylia's standing, if not destroyed now, would inevitably crumble sooner or later—it was just a matter of time.
The run began swiftly and ended just as quickly.
Soon, Bochang and Stelle returned to the entrance of the Divination Commission with Qingque, who had accompanied them throughout. Fu Xuan, patiently waiting, asked, "How do you feel now? Are we ready for the Matrix of Prescience?"
"Absolutely, I'm already content. How about you, Stelle?"
Bochang turned to the gray-haired girl beside him, and she nodded, saying, "Though it didn't feel particularly special, being able to jog alongside Bochang... makes me very happy."
This experience added another shared memory between them.
Naturally, Stelle was delighted.
However, the panting Mahjong Girl wasn't quite as pleased and couldn't resist complaining, "If it's just running, that's fine; I can handle it. But why did you two have to sprint so fast? Huff... It's been ages since I've exercised this much. My legs are almost trembling!"
Bent over with her hands on her knees, the Mahjong Girl wore a visibly displeased expression.
Bochang smiled and replied, "With Master Diviner awaiting us here, of course we needed to hurry."
"It seems the diviners of the Divination Commission could benefit from more physical exercise," Fu Xuan observed, glancing at Qingque.
Qingque momentarily caught her breath and instantly straightened up. With a flushed face, she insisted stubbornly, "No problem, Master Diviner, I'm perfectly fine. This little jog is a piece of cake for the diviners of the Divination Commission."
Qingque quickly straightened up, her cheeks flushed red. Firmly, she said, "I'm fine, Master Diviner. It's just a minor run for us diviners at the Divination Commission, hardly any trouble at all."
"Ah... that's good to hear..." Fu Xuan responded with a warm smile.
Bochang and Stelle exchanged glances. For some inexplicable reason, they suddenly found Fu Xuan somewhat intimidating, as if he had become distant and unfamiliar.
The brief incident concluded.
Bochang, Qingque, and Stelle entered the Divination Commission through its main gate.
As time passed,
the once nearly deserted Divination Commission now bustled with many diviners—a stark contrast from when Bochang and his companions first arrived.
During the outbreak of the Stellaron Disaster,
most diviners fled, leaving only a few stalwarts struggling to hold on within the commission. In comparison, the situation at the Artisanship Commission was far better.
Rumor has it, even when the Tree of Foundation tore the earth apart,
many individuals there chose not to leave.
Indeed, no harm without comparison...
Wait... perhaps it's because the Artisanship Commission frequently causes mishaps, so people have grown accustomed to staying despite the risks, hence...
Upon reflection, Bochang suddenly felt that both scenarios were equally undesirable, with little difference between them.
The journey proceeded mostly in silence. Bochang and his companions arrived directly at the Matrix of Prescience, where Fu Xuan would now add a layer of restrictions to Phantylia within him, essentially constructing a grand sealing array.
This measure was crucial to prevent Lord Ravager from usurping control in the future.
"Please step into the center of the Matrix of Prescience, Bochang," Fu Xuan said solemnly. "This venerable one will activate the array to help seal Phantylia."
Although the Master Diviner had performed similar tasks before, this...
Sealing a Lord Ravager was truly unprecedented.
If accomplished successfully, it would undoubtedly leave a profound mark on Fu Xuan's record. Come on, sealing a Lord Ravager? How incredibly impressive is that?
Fu Xuan believed even history books millennia from now would bear her name, whether openly or in secret archives, ensuring her legacy for eternity.
At the very least, many would remember the tale of a Diviner named Fu Xuan who aided an outsider in sealing the Lord Ravager—Phantylia.
"It seems this venerable one is one step closer to becoming a General." Fu Xuan's lips curved slightly upward.
Bochang nodded towards Stelle and then walked alone to the center of the Matrix of Prescience.
Visible to the naked eye, the circular formation's ground was adorned with intricate patterns, interspersed with various enigmatic objects embedded within.
Glancing around, Bochang felt overwhelmed and decided not to scrutinize it further.
"Come to think of it... as the possessor of the master key, could I also activate the Matrix of Prescience? This thing appears quite intriguing."
The entire existence of the Divination Commission could be attributed to the Matrix of Prescience, underscoring its immense importance.
While Bochang's mind swirled with curious thoughts, Fu Xuan performed a series of hand seals at her chest, activating the Matrix of Prescience.
Instantaneously, the Jade Abacuses on the ground came alive. A shimmering pink array emerged, engraved with trigrams from the I Ching and hexagrams rotating in different directions.
Above them, rows of celestial bodies representing the cosmic cycle appeared and abruptly vanished.
Standing at the center, Bochang felt a surge of mysterious energy enveloping his body, effortlessly lifting him off the ground.
"Thinking back... The Matrix of Prescience was originally intended for Kafka. Who would've thought that after its repair, I'd be the first to test it instead of her," Bochang muttered inwardly as he floated in mid-air.
Around him, various-sized rings, both large and small, continuously spun.
As the array's activation continued,
Bochang sensed an increasing flow of mystical energy surging into his body.
Before long,
Bochang entered a trance-like state.
During Fu Xuan's process to seal Phantylia, Bochang didn't need to do much; he simply had to remain calm, refrain from resisting, and cooperate fully.
Closing his eyes,
Bochang's consciousness entered the spiritual realm.
Once a world of pure emptiness, it now transformed into a vibrant and colorful landscape.
This change could be attributed to both Phantylia's influence
and the effect of the Matrix of Prescience.
At the very center stood the azure flames representing Phantylia.
Not only were they encased by a layer of enchanting blue magic from the Sheep Talisman,
A series of stars, arranged in peculiar formations, gradually approached Phantylia. Some even resembled insects burrowing into her body.
As if sensing danger, Phantylia awakened, and her azure flames intensified dramatically. Her once beautiful face instantly contorted with malice.
"What do you think you're doing? No...you can't treat me like this! Bastards, I am an Emanator of Destruction! If you dare harm me, Lord Nanook will not spare you!"
"Hmph... Phantylia, the Xianzhou Alliance has already resolved to seek vengeance against Destruction. Do you truly believe such threats still hold sway over us? How naive. Your current state only brings amusement."
Fu Xuan's voice echoed within Bochang's spiritual world.
Bochang quietly observed their verbal exchange, showing no intention of intervening.
The barely alive Phantylia could not resist Fu Xuan's onslaught, bolstered by the Matrix of Prescience.
One after another, the array formations penetrated deep within Phantylia's body.