Back at the River of Fate, Kismetor stood before Di Jun's destiny thread.
"The only anomaly diverging from the main current of fate is Di Jun, due to his sudden surge in strength," he thought, narrowing his gaze as he scanned the thread repeatedly.
"What is the true cause of this sudden rise?"
The Destiny Law pulsed with growing urgency, echoing through his being. "What could be making it vibrate this intensely?" he muttered aloud, frowning.
Then, realization struck. "Yes… those tiny threads."
He immediately focused on them. "So that's it. That's why you're hiding them."
"Hahaha, now it's getting interesting. With these new pawns, we can advance our plans more swiftly," Kismetor chuckled as he withdrew his consciousness from the River of Fate.
He rose from his chamber and made his way to the grand hall. Upon arrival, he took his seat and channeled divine energy into the jade pendant that dangled from his waist. With that single act, he summoned his fellow schemers.
Within moments, the air shimmered and several figures materialized in the hall.
"What was so urgent?" Noctyra asked, his tone sharp with irritation as he moved toward his seat. "I was at a critical point in my comprehension."
"Why do you always have to be—"
"Enough!" Untred's voice cut through the air like a blade as he sat. "We don't have time for petty arguments."
Kismetor exhaled, reining in his irritation. "The river of fate just changed course."
Silence fell over the hall. All eight schemers turned their eyes toward him.
"Explain," Luscith said flatly.
Kismetor gave a dismissive wave. "No need for alarm. The change is subtle, but as you know, even a minor deviation can unravel everything."
"Stop dancing around the truth and just speak," Noctyra snapped.
Kismetor's expression turned solemn. "Di Jun has reached the middle stage of Rank Eight."
Gasps echoed through the chamber.
"What? He was early rank seven just recently—how?" Callisthene blurted out.
"I don't know how," Kismetor admitted. "But he has indeed done it, and I'm also puzzled by how he did it."
He paused, then added, "Still, there's an opportunity within this development."
Luscith leaned forward. "What kind?"
"His descendants," Kismetor said slowly. "They are nearing a breakthrough."
The room fell silent again.
"You mean—" Callisthene said but before she could finish Kismetor interjected.
"Yes, you always see the pattern first. You are truly the embodiment of wisdom." he said as he smiled faintly at her.
Noctyra made a face, his lips curling with visible disdain at the flattery. Kismetor noticed, but didn't acknowledge it.
"These descendants could serve us well," Callisthene said. "As pawns, or better yet, as siphons for power."
"But with Di Jun around, converting them won't be simple," Ashrel warned.
The schemers then all turned to look at Vyrinox.
"Don't tell me—" Vyrinox spoke.
"Your guess is correct," Callisthene confirmed before Vyrinox could finish.
Vyrinox scowled. "I'm already monitoring another piece. Splitting my focus further would be inefficient."
"Leave it to Zarrakis," Callisthene offered. "Isn't one of your clones already watching over Varos with Zarrakis?"
Kismetor added with a wry smile. "Even the one before us now is just a clone. Surely another wouldn't stretch you thin."
All eyes were now on Vyrinox as the pressure mounted. He could feel their collective will tightening around him like a net.
"They wouldn't let me slither out of this easily." he thought, "but let's see how far they want to go first."
He shifted slightly in his seat, his voice smooth but taut. "No, it's too dangerous for me. Vastoth's been combing the Divine Realm for any trace of me, and my true body is still hidden with the Deception Monolith. "
"If I lose this clone, I lose my trump card, and that's not a price I'm willing to pay."
A moment passed. Then Luscith stepped forward, his tone measured, persuasive in its false calm. "Vyrinox, no one else knows how to navigate Di Jun's bloodline undetected. If you don't act now, we might miss our only chance."
Vyrinox narrowed his serpentine eyes. He recognized this tone. It was the voice of someone pushing you toward the fire while making it sound like a warm bath.
Luscith gave a half-smile, his fingers tapping idly against his sleeve. "Three hundred million Origin Stones," he said offhandedly, as if discussing the weather.
"Would that convince you to endure a little danger?" Luscith continued.
The hall fell silent.
Vyrinox's pupils dilated. He stared at Luscith for a moment, then let out a low, deliberate chuckle. "Bribe me?" he said silkily. "How insulting."
He paused, then leaned back with a grin that didn't reach his eyes.
"But since we're such a loyal team, I suppose I'll accept your generous 'gift.' It'll make my mission smoother." He gave a toothy rare smile, unsettling, and utterly insincere. "I was about to volunteer anyway."
The others exchanged subtle glances. No one bought his act, but they all knew better than to call his bluff.
That was Vyrinox: he never moved unless he was paid, never smiled unless he was plotting, and never agreed unless the cost was hidden elsewhere.
"What a thick-skinned bastard," Luscith cursed as he waved his hand. A faint shimmer appeared in midair, and a simple, dark ring fell onto the round table.
"This is a spatial ring. Inside are exactly three hundred million Origin Stones."
Vyrinox's gaze lazily flicked to it. Without moving, he reached out with his consciousness and plucked the ring from the air. After a beat, he probed its contents.
A satisfied smirk appeared on his face. "Leave it to me," he said smoothly. "You can all rest easy now." The ring disappeared into his pocket dimension as if it had been dropped into water.
Callisthene raised an eyebrow. "Where did you even get that much? Origin Stones don't grow on trees."
Luscith shrugged lightly and spoke nonchalantly. "One of my descendants offers me a million every few millennia. It adds up quickly."
Noctyra leaned forward, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming. "And where exactly is that descendant of yours mining this wealth?"
Kismetor cut in before Luscith could reply, his voice calm and knowing. "It's not polite to inquire about another's fountain of fortune."
"Indeed," Luscith said with a smile that didn't soften his tone. "But even if I told you, none of you would dare go."
"Oh do tell," Callisthene said.
"The Immortal Realm," Luscith answered, tapping the table idly. "He's carved out quite the empire there."
Noctyra chuckled darkly, a sly glint appearing in his eyes. "I don't need to go myself. I'll start taking my own descendants more seriously. They've been idle for too long anyway." His grin widened, sharp and devious.
"It's about time they pulled their weight."
When will you leave now that you've taken my fortune?" Luscith asked, his gaze cold as it locked onto Vyrinox.
Vyrinox gave a thin smile. "Don't worry. Another clone of mine is already en route to the Divine Sun."
He turned toward Kismetor. "When did you say the tribulation would begin?"
"In two weeks," Kismetor answered. "But I believe Di Jun will enlist the help of the Moon Goddess. I've heard whispers… there's something between them. She will stand by him."
"Hmm, so the odds are one in two," Vyrinox mused aloud.
"Are you afraid now?" Noctyra asked, his voice tinged with challenge.
"No," Vyrinox replied, his tone steady. "My plan has simply shifted."
Then, with narrowed eyes, he turned again to Kismetor. "What do you know about these Celestial Tribulations?"
Kismetor shook his head slightly. "Nothing. I can't even divine what form it might take."
A slow smile crept across Vyrinox's face. "So it could be anything—anything I desire."
"I don't advise you to go through with whatever it is you're planning, and. I don't think you can anyway." Callisthene said, her voice sharp with concern.
"Tinkering with something you don't understand is dangerous. You might implicate all of us. That thing has been waiting for a chance to strip us of our authority."
"No need to fear. I've got this," Vyrinox replied with a smirk—then, without another word, his body faded from the hall.
The others exchanged uneasy glances.
"What is he about to do?" Ashrel asked, frowning.
"He's taking an unnecessary risk," Callisthene replied, tone grim. "I don't know if it will work, but if it does… our siphoning plan will have a hundred percent chance of success. Making him the key contributor to the cause."
she then paused for a moment. "But if he fails, we'll draw the wrath of the Celestial Mandate down on all our heads