Chapter 402: Master Ma and the Great Plan

"Ding!"

Kroq-Gar gently waved a claw to activate the crystal ball, and this treasure slowly rose into mid-air, blooming with radiance. Sinuoli tilted his head slightly, only to see the small crystal ball filled by a large, earthy-yellow toad face.

Without a doubt, this was Lord Mazdamundi, the most active and powerful second-generation Slann. However, at the moment, his eyelids were drooping; he was likely engaged in the activity Slann loved most—interpreting the Great Plan.

The Great Plan is generally considered to be the Old Ones' blueprint for the future development of this world. When they departed in haste due to the invasion of Chaos, the Slann, as their initial creations, believed it was their duty to continue advancing the unfinished Great Plan.

But as to where the Great Plan points, what it includes, and how to realize it, every Slann has different views. They have therefore divided into many factions and attempt to "persuade" dissenters through various means.

"Hiss! Hiss-ka!"

After about ten minutes—likely because he had issued instructions before entering Meditation—the attendant Skink priest began trying to wake him. Accompanied by a series of sharp chirps, Master Ma shook his head and opened his eyes.

"How magnificent! They're all called pyramids, but all those in Nehekhara combined couldn't compare to this one."

After sobering up, the Slann began to adjust the focus of the crystal ball, allowing Sinuoli to catch a glimpse of the full view of the Star Chamber. Whenever the equinoxes arrive, the sun shines directly onto the apex of the pyramid.

The City of the Sun, Hexoatl, is, as its name suggests, a key node of the Geomantic Web. Sitting atop the observatory at the peak of the Star Chamber to channel the geomantic pulses of the entire continent, even if the moon in the sky were to fall, Mazdamundi could blast it to pieces!

"Warm-blooded, in consideration of the fact that you are also a creation of the masters, I shall grant you a chance to explain yourself."

Master Ma's voice was dull and long-drawn. Sinuoli licked his lips to ease his tension. If it were just to have a chat with him, there would be no need to send Kroq-Gar; his true purpose would only manifest if his answer failed to satisfy the toad.

"Hoo! Greetings, Lord. This one does indeed have some humble insights regarding the grand blueprint left by the Creator. Wise as you are, you must have foreseen that the power of the Great Ward is gradually weakening..."

"Hmph!"

Lord Mazdamundi let out a soft huff, causing the image in the crystal ball to flicker with static. This warm-blooded one before him knew too much; some of his own kind who had committed strategic errors had not even realized this yet.

"Why not attempt to repair the Great Ward and restore the power of the Geomantic Web? At the same time, for those evil creatures not within the Great Plan, I suggest it would be best to simply eradicate them!"

Sinuoli spoke loudly and clearly, neither servile nor overbearing, to Master Ma's face. Back then, Caledor the Dragon Tamer was only able to establish the Great Vortex because the Slann lent their aid, and the Great Ward specifically refers to that portion of the Geomantic Web that provides energy to the Great Vortex.

"Hmm."

Two short sentences took Master Ma by surprise. In his view, this bumpkin was truly remarkable; his interpretation of the Great Plan was nearly seventy or eighty percent as potent as his own, the top dog among the Slann!

Sinuoli saw the change in his expression and felt secretly pleased. He hadn't even seen the precious plaques inscribed with the will of the Old Ones, let alone interpreted them.

It was just that Master Ma was the sole judge of this debate, and right or wrong lay entirely in his whim. Sinuoli, who had carefully watched the Lizardmen cutscenes, knew his views on the Great Plan; how could a targeted shot miss its mark?

"Not bad, you have some insight. As for long-term considerations, that Elf has already presented them to me. In your view, what should be done at this moment?"

Master Ma shifted his obese body on his palanquin. His ride was adorned with bright gems and Runes; compared to it, Outelakesi's looked so shabby it wasn't even worth showing.

"This, hiss!"

Hearing this, Sinuoli couldn't help but furrow his brows. He hadn't expected Master Ma to ask such a highly actionable question. In fact, the Lord of the City of the Sun was indeed troubled by this; the choices before him were myriad, and the more foresight one had, the harder it was to make a decision.

At this current point in time, there was much Hexoatl could do: further integrating the various Lizardmen cities, placing restrictions on the Skaven before their strength swelled, or heading north to deal with the Dark Elves to cut off the threat—all were excellent options.

"Perhaps, awaken Lord Kroak? He, in his wisdom, could surely provide the most authoritative exposition on the Great Plan."

The transmigrator stroked his beard. He couldn't fathom what was in Master Ma's mind, so he could only offer the suggestion least likely to be wrong.

Lord Kroak was the first Slann created by the Old Ones, with magic that could reach the heavens and span the earth. Even after his physical body was slain, his soul remained undying, wandering silently in the astral realm. His mummy is still preserved in Itza, the first of the cities, and the magic remaining upon it is even stronger than that of an average Slann.

"Hmm, go and cultivate on your own. It may be too difficult for you to reach the level of those three little ones, but at least you must have the strength of their progeny to be of any use when the time comes."

Master Ma pondered for a moment and spoke slowly. He didn't give Sinuoli any chance to refuse. In the eyes of this second-generation Slann, the grace of the Old Ones was something their creations could never repay in many lifetimes; if one were unwilling to serve the Great Plan, what need was there for their existence?

"My mouth is still too loose! No, it's all Teclis's fault; if it weren't for his nonsense, how would things be like this? Pointy-ears are truly unreliable! Sooner or later I will..."

Hearing this, Sinuoli greeted the friends and family of the relevant parties several times over in his heart, but on the surface, he had to maintain an attitude of being ready to die for the Great Plan. One had to know that Kroq-Gar's war-spear and Quimok's big mouth were right there!

Awakening Master Kroak was technically extremely challenging, not to mention that the Chaos Four Gods would not sit by and watch the strongest servant of the Old Ones return to the world. This wasn't a question of whether they would act, but whether all four would act together!

The image of the Slann being tied up by the awakening ritual and unable to attend to other matters, while he and the Lizardmen army formed a defensive line to fight to the death against the main forces of the Four Gods, appeared in Sinuoli's mind without effort, making him break out in a cold sweat.

"Have the other matters been settled? If there is nothing else, are you prepared to return?"

Master Ma turned to Kroq-Gar at his side. He had no time to chat with Sinuoli; the spokesperson for the Old Ones had concerns that were not limited to this world alone.

"Lord, may I ask if you would permit me to construct geomantic buildings in the Qunshan? This would also be of some benefit to the Great Ward." Seeing that Master Ma was about to hang up the video call, Sinuoli made his request; the great power of geomantic energy had left him wanting more.

"Limited to you alone."

The radiance of the crystal ball converged and fell back into Kroq-Gar's claw. Sinuoli's joy was evident; he had originally been like someone building a private power station and stealing electricity from the grid, but now that he had received the nod from the CEO of the power group and resolved his status, he would have no more worries from now on.