The Prophecy of Light

On the terrace of the pavilion, a weathered face adorned with a pair of bright black eyes stared intently at the increasingly fierce white flames in a magnificent yet precarious tent below the terrace. His attire, mainly composed of gold and yellow, which showcases his extraordinary identity.

The flames suddenly surged as if they were going to burn through the top of the tent. Inside the tent, dozens of clergy remained unmoved, reciting scriptures. The louder the scriptures, the larger the flames grew. However, the tent's precariousness was not only due to the fire inside but also because of the frequent lightning strikes approaching the tent, the raging storm, and the restless ground. The volcano named Mount Xiudao, serving as the sacrificial site, couldn't contain its urge to emit smoke, causing the clergy to tremble in fear, fearing another earthquake like the catastrophic one fifty years ago. The memory of the earthquake tragedy was still fresh in their minds, and at the thought of it, the clergy couldn't help but clasp their hands tighter, fully focused on their scriptures.

Among the dozens of clergy, the one in the center and the highest in rank wore a red robe and had gray-silver long hair. He was the Fire Clergy, renowned as the Fire Assailant, known as Jing Yan.

Compared to other clergy, only Jing Yan's hair bun was neatly tied and the shoulders of his red official robe were adorned with golden threads embroidered with the South Tianzhu, which is a symbol of higher status in the Nan Yun Mu clan.

Jing Yan's expression remained unchanged, his distinctive snow-white face was like a mask, showing no texture or emotion. It seemed as if his soul was not present here at all, and his gray irises looked hollow and bottomless.

Behind Jing Yan and the others around the praying circle of fire, there were two other Clergy standing, one wearing a blue robe representing the Water Clergy and the other wearing a green robe representing the Earth Clergy. The robes were embroidered with threads representing their family lineage in the same light color scheme. The Wind Clergy, wearing a purple robe, was conspicuously absent. After being sidelined a hundred years ago, the position of the Wind Clergy had not been represented in the ceremonies since, although they still retain their bloodline, they are no longer able to sit with other Clergys.

Among the four positions, only the lineage of the Wind Clergy has been cursed for generations.

The owner of the pale face, Lord Mu Xiu, sighed inwardly, feeling that time rushed by like a torrent. The man who interpreted the prophecy book here fifty years ago still had the same face after fifty years. Time seemed to lay frozen on his face, while he himself was nearing eighty... Although Clergys tend to have long lives, maintaining their youthful appearance is still rare. This new interpretation of the prophecy book would be his last in this lifetime. Mu Xiu was filled with fear; it involved the next fifty or even a hundred years of his twelve-year-old crown prince's future, as well as the future of his countless descendants. He must establish all plans before his death.

The development of the Mu Dynasty has long relied on a large jade stone called the 'Prophecy Book'. This jade stone is located on Mount Xiudao, near the volcanic crater. Every fifty years, without deviation, regardless of torrential rain, fierce winds, thunder and lightning, or even occasional earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

After the appearance of the five celestial phenomena, a black lightning bolt would strike from the sky, cutting off a page of the jade tablet. On it, the 'prophecy' of the Mu family's future is written in unknown jade patterns. Everyone in Nan Yun believes this prophecy to be the only true gift from their revered god, the God of Light. As long as the king acts according to the interpretation of the Fire Clergy, the country will prosper and the people will be safe. Conversely, if the prophecy is ignored, chaos will ensue, and even the downfall of the nation... The earthquake fifty years ago was one such example, where ignoring the earthquake prophecy nearly led to the downfall of Nan Yun. Reflecting on this terrifying memory, Mu Xiu forced himself to close his eyes and calm down, unable to continue recalling, finding it hard to believe that he was once a firm and fate-defying person.

A hundred years ago, the prophecy stated: "The wind whispers, the earth roars."

In response, Nan Yun quickly dealt with the 'whispering wind,' but had no response to the 'roaring earth'. How could earthquakes be predicted? Even divination couldn't foresee such events. As the fifty-year mark approached, everyone in the country wondered if the prophecy would fail. Was it because the Wind Listeners were dealt with that nothing happened? When everyone was lax, the prophecy of the fifty years after the 'whispering wind and roaring earth' was read... and it was a complete failure. The earthquake occurred exactly on the predicted day. The sacrificial ritual could not be held, chaos ensued, and when they turned back to search for the pages of the prophecy book, they were severely shattered. It was the first time in Nan Yun's history that they faced such embarrassment. Rumors began to spread that the Mu family was cursed. The first ritual for the prophecy book ended in complete failure.

Just as he had closed his eyes to rest, there was suddenly a loud noise, and the jade stone was struck, plunging everything into darkness in an instant. There was no flash of lightning. "Could it be black lightning?"

"Your Majesty, indeed it is black lightning. Your humble servant will wait to interpret the jade stone using fire divination." This voice came from Jing Yan's report, his voice cold yet gentle. Fire divination refers to the flames in the fireplace, which tend to become white-golden in color, used for divination.

The extinguished fire for divination reignited, and the world fell into silence. The wind and rain ceased, the earth fell silent, and the lightning flickered and died out... Only the sound of the fire for divination could be heard, and the huge flames illuminated millions of bright fragments on the ground— the prophecy book had shattered again!

The fragments sparkled on the ground like stars in the sky. Except for Jing Yan, who remained expressionless, everyone present, including Mu Xiu, was stunned.

Mu Xiu rushed down from the terrace of the pavilion, stumbling. Two female attendants beside him promptly assisted him, one supporting him while the other led him towards the tent. However, he dared not get too close, fearing that stepping on one of the fragments might hinder the interpretation. "Jing Yan! Quickly explain to me why the prophecy book shattered?" Mu Xiu, the sovereign of a country, was now trembling with fear.

Upon hearing the voice, Jing Yan did not turn to face Mu Xiu. Instead, he remained with his icy profile facing him, slowly bending down to pick up two larger-looking fragments, hoping to decipher the crucial prophecy. "..."

Although the prophecy book is a large piece of strange stone, the pages of the prophecy book vary in size. In reality, only a few words are interpreted, resembling poetry or riddles. In the future, divination methods would still be used as a supplement. What is densely written on the pages is not text but the veins of the jade pieces and the cracks caused by the black lightning.

"What are written on those two large pieces?" Mu Xiu asked eagerly. Jing Yan's profile remained unchanged, but his eyes turned coldly towards Mu Xiu, causing Mu Xiu's weak heart to tighten instantly... Although he had long known from Jing Yan's moonlight long hair and irises that Jing Yan might not be of this world, their master-servant relationship had been maintained for a long time, and he had never disobeyed. He had always believed that Jing Yan was just a solitary and cold person. However, the look in his eyes now made him shudder. 

"Your Majesty, one piece is inscribed with 'ice', and the other piece is inscribed with 'wind'." Jing Yan handed the fragments to a clergyman beside him, dressed in the same red robe as himself. Hearing this, all the surrounding clergy took a deep breath, and even the two female attendants beside Mu Xiu couldn't help but cover their mouths to stifle the gasp that nearly escaped.

Once again, it was a prophecy about the Wind Listeners, indicating the selection of the Queen of Annihilation.