Chapter 976: Cloud Qi Decrease, Order Cycle

Cloud Qi is a special existence that Xia Duo can only see under Cloud Qi Vision; perhaps it is Faith Power, Belief Power, or perhaps it is the power of fortune, the existence of which even Xia Duo himself is unsure.

But there is one thing Xia Duo is very clear about, and that is that the amount of Cloud Qi does indeed fluctuate, but it mostly grows slowly, rather than suddenly decreasing in a way visible to the naked eye.

Even after the Green Field Plane War, because the Seven Towers spread his reputation for him, Xia Duo's soul was impacted by more intangible forces, which even caused his bloodline to awaken once more.

Yet the changes in Cloud Qi were not that exaggerated; there was growth, but it was neither violent nor sudden, but rather a slow and very smooth increase.

Since acquiring Cloud Qi Vision, Xia Duo has also observed the Cloud Qi status of many people, but to this day, he has never seen anyone whose Cloud Qi was decreasing!

After he was sent back from the Kingdom of Radiance by the Divine Envoy last night, he immediately checked all his states, which naturally included his Cloud Qi status.

And before the rehearsal this afternoon, he had also observed it once; after all, this is a special ability bestowed by the soul, which can be activated at will, and he can look whenever he wants without needing to prepare anything, as long as he is careful to avoid some special existences.

The results of these two observations were not significantly different from before; even after a magical journey to another realm, there was still no obvious change in his Cloud Qi.

How could his Cloud Qi suddenly undergo a significant change just from participating in one rehearsal, and a decrease at that!

It can only be that something happened during the rehearsal that led to this result!

Almost instantly, Xia Duo associated this with that unknown magic of the Princess; since no abnormality could be seen before, perhaps it was affecting the Cloud Qi.

And Cloud Qi is generally invisible to spellcasters; even for Xia Duo himself, if he did not have Cloud Qi Vision, he would not be able to see it directly.

Even with Cloud Qi Vision, he has no way to see, perceive, or detect Cloud Qi or equivalent existences through means other than Cloud Qi Vision.

This is enough to illustrate the mysterious nature of this thing called "Cloud Qi".

Xia Duo's guess that it is faith, belief, or fortune is not without reason, but it is precisely because it is such a mysterious thing that he is now shocked that it has decreased!

If Cloud Qi is an external existence like faith or belief, then if it is less, it is less, but if it is fortune, then a decrease could lead to problems.

It is just that this matter involves both the ethereal Cloud Qi and the irresistible Princess, so other than being shocked, there is nothing else he can do right now.

"Sigh—"

Xia Duo is now finally somewhat certain that this so-called New Year Festival may have already begun from the moment they arrived in Seventon!

……

Just as Xia Duo was feeling agitated over the decrease in Cloud Qi, Princess Xiya had already returned to the Nether Palace in the Old City District of Seventon.

In a secret Reception Room surrounded by layers of magic, several other Great Arcanists of the Seven Towers had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Princess Xiya arrive, a look of nervousness and anticipation appeared on everyone's faces, and Badijiaer even spoke up before anyone else could:

"Your Highness, did everything go smoothly?"

"Thank you all for your support, everything went smoothly!"

Xiya bowed slightly to the group and then explained: "The Order Force has completed its first cycle and is still gradually growing; if there are no accidents next—"

Xiya did not explicitly state the words that followed, but everyone understood what they were; that was the ultimate goal they were all assiduously seeking—

Ascension to Godhood!

Consequently, the expressions in everyone's eyes changed immediately, looking at Xiya with glowing gazes, their breathing even becoming somewhat rapid, and some even asked repeatedly: "Is it true? Are you confident?"

"It is true! But as for being confident—"

Xiya shook her head slightly, "There are too many uncontrollable factors; who can guarantee that everything will go according to their own wishes! I can only say that as long as there are no accidents, there is a high probability of success!"

"No, there will be no accidents!"

Badijiaer said forcefully: "Not counting us few, even others, and even the Elves, are looking forward to the arrival of this day. Although there is some gap from the expected date, when this day truly arrives, who would dare to oppose it!"

Only the people of the Seven Towers knew that the Princess had privately adjusted and improved the ritual process, and even if other Great Arcanists knew, they would not oppose it.

The only ones who might oppose it, the Elves, happen to be the original initiators of the Ascension Plan and the providers of the ritual-related materials.

They had even paid a huge price for this plan long ago; would they oppose it just because it was a little early?

Perhaps they would be annoyed and angry because the plan was out of their control, but in all likelihood, they would not oppose or sabotage it; after all, from the moment the materials for the Ascension Ritual were sent to Seventon, this plan was no longer under the control of the Elves.

And even if the Elves opposed it, Netheril is still waiting for the Princess to verify the authenticity of the Ascension Ritual; even Braun and Weide, who have openly fallen out, would stand on the same side in this situation!

Facing an unprecedentedly united Netheril, if the Elves really dared to risk their nearly endless lives to oppose it, they wouldn't have waited until now!

Badijiaer is confident that even if the Elves knew, they would not take any action; the only thing to worry about now is the Ascension Ritual itself.

Even though Princess Xiya has confirmed the authenticity of the ritual, would the Elves offer benefits for no reason? There must be a conspiracy hidden within, but until now, it is impossible to determine what the true purpose of the Elves is.

Perhaps Princess Xiya's adjustment and improvement of the ritual process also had the intention of probing.

The final ritual is in the near future, and Badijiaer could not say anything to dampen the mood; he knew that what he could think of, others could certainly think of too.

Let others rack their brains!

……

After Badijiaer, the atmosphere in the Reception Room gradually relaxed, and everyone even began to imagine the various changes in Netheril after the Princess's Ascension to Godhood.

It was not until the meeting ended and everyone left that Xiya suddenly sighed, her expression turning grave.

In fact, no matter how high the probability of success is, the Elves behind this plan have always been an unshakable shadow in her heart.

It is precisely because of the authenticity of the ritual and the possibility of success that she is even more worried; the smoother and more successful things look on her side, the greater and more difficult to stop the Elves' conspiracy might be.

But after thinking it over, she has already done the best she could; now she can only continue to move forward. To talk about giving up now, let alone the Elves, even those few in the Seven Towers might not agree.

Can all of this only be left to fate to decide... really?

Xiya pursed her lips, subconsciously gripping the Scepter in her hand, and stared at the patterns on the walls around the Reception Room, gradually becoming lost in thought.