Chapter 1, The Wheel of Fortune

The Emperor bestowed this Thundercloud Beast upon his sixth son

The Pope's discourtesy caused Bojiebocen to feel displeased: "The Pope, as the sovereign of the nation, should instruct the emperor about the signs observed by the Eye of Destiny, to uphold the state. How could Bojiebocen dare to overstep?"

After Mo Jie Bo Cen's consciousness broke through the mental barrier of the outer layer of the Five Spirits Tower, he sensed the powerful counterforce within the tower

The ninth patriarch of the Mahāyāna sect, wearing a high crown made of jade, gazes at Mo Jie Bo Cen with a pair of enigmatic eyes. One eye is dazzling like the sun, while the other is soft and gentle like the moon. These are said to be eyes that can glimpse into the wheel of fate of others

Mojie Bochen nodded slightly and said softly: "It will still be two years before one reaches adulthood, during which time many changes may occur. The Emperor is no longer the same as before the Tanyuan River battle. The five princes all have their own ambitions and are raising their banners in court, coveting the position of the Emperor. If the position of the Emperor remains vacant for another two years, chaos will surely ensue in the court. The Mojie family must make a choice."

Sir, what is the purpose of the invitation from the Pope this time?

Mojie Boci was unwilling to let the Pope easily see through his thoughts, and said lightly: "What is so difficult to understand? Every year when the Emperor retreats to the western capital for the summer, he allows the princes to take turns in governing the country. In two years, His Highness the Sixth will be able to participate in state affairs. As the Left Minister, it would not be surprising for me to one day stand before His Highness the Sixth's desk."

The thundercloud beast moved slowly, its wings adorned with dark blood-colored cloud patterns tucked under its armpits. It exuded an air of calm and composure, showing no signs of agitation despite the onlookers. Its breath rumbled like thunder, and occasionally it would raise its massive head, with its whiskers resembling twisted horns, revealing eyes that flashed with lightning. This sight terrified the pedestrians, causing their calves to tremble as they hurriedly stepped aside.

For thousands of years, in the human world, only Mo Jie has utilized the great star divination to seize the star pattern and become a new deity

A middle-aged man, dressed in a brown long shirt, stands on an open lawn and among books, gazing up at the resplendent Tower of the Five Spirits under the morning sun, feeling the surging tide of power within the tower, seemingly oblivious to the question posed by the young man behind him

As the Thundercloud Beast passed by the Mojiebo Summit, it suddenly opened its beastly eyes, twisting its head to glance at a passerby. The fleeting anomaly made it somewhat restless, and it let out a low growl, only to be met with a flurry of the whip from its handler

The young man behind was Zuo Qing's attendant, named Wu Misheng. Noble youths of the empire typically wish to serve under the ministers in the court, accumulating experience and qualifications for their careers. Wu Misheng, the eldest son of the low-ranking Wu family, had been by Zuo Qing's side for seven years. At the age of twenty-two, he possessed a handsome and perfect visage, being one of the most outstanding young warriors in the imperial capital. Despite his youth, he exhibited a calmness that was difficult for others to match, akin to a renowned sword hidden within its sheath, revealing its sharpness only when absolutely necessary.

Mo Jie Bo Cen retracted his spiritual awareness, no longer probing into the secrets of the Tower of Five Spirits, and walked into the scripture building beside the temple tower

Wu Miyi asked in astonishment: "Is the Pope requesting an audience with you solely for His Highness the Sixth?"

The old customs of the Moji family... Moji Bochen chuckled lightly. The competition for the throne among the imperial princes involved numerous forces, resulting in some families rejoicing while others faced ruin. The Moji family often chose to remain extremely low-key during these critical moments, even going so far as to relocate their family influence out of the imperial capital to avoid political storms. Compared to the rise and fall of other families, since Tana Liu ascended to the throne, the Moji family has consistently been one of the three great families of the empire, never experiencing decline. Although the Moji family did not play a role in supporting the throne, the new emperors, eager to find a balance among their supporters, found the deeply rooted yet seemingly unambitious Moji family to be the best choice.

Sixth Prince? Wu Mi Sheng looked at the Thunder and Cloud Beast, somewhat astonished

The Pope has presided over the Holy See for thirty years, yet there are no signs of age on his face

Does Lord Left Qing believe that ordinary matters can enter the eyes of mystery

His Highness the Sixth, however, uses this war beast to pull his magnificently ornate bronze chariot

Mo Jiebo sighed softly, yet the unwillingness in his heart could not be suppressed. As a prominent Left Minister of the Empire, one of the most powerful men on the continent, he was forced to temporarily relinquish the power he was so passionate about during the peak of his life, abandoning the fame and fortune he had tirelessly pursued.

On the eve of the Sixth Prince's visit to inquire about state affairs, considering his unwavering loyalty, I reluctantly opened the eyes of the mysterious mechanism at the time of the star's brilliance, and only then did I witness this scene

The Tower of the Five Spirits enshrines the physical body left behind by the deity Mohe Denge. Devout believers hold that after death, the soul can directly ascend to the divine realm through the purification of the physical body within the sacred array, without the need to undergo reincarnation.

Four hundred and seventeen years ago, in the same place, facing five ascetics, the deity Mohe first turned the Wheel of Dharma, imparting the profound arts of the five elements to the world; the five saints transmitted the teachings across the land, establishing the Mohe Orthodox Church. Sixty years later, the Qinglan Emperor Tana Liu converted to the Mohe Orthodox Church, gathering the strength of the entire nation to construct the Tower of the Five Spirits. From then on, all who believed in the deity Mohe under the illumination of the stars were blessed, while those who desecrated the deity faced slaughter or exile

This Thundercloud Beast is a tribute from the Beijia Empire. As one of the highest-ranking royal beasts, the Thundercloud Beast possesses abilities that are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. Mo Jiebo Cen suspects that the Beijia people have ulterior motives for offering this Thundercloud Beast as a tribute, believing that keeping it in the imperial garden for breeding poses no significant threat. However, the Pope personally placed a restriction spell on this Thundercloud Beast, and even if others harbor doubts, they find it inappropriate to voice them publicly.

Mo Jiebochen stepped out of the Deer Park, his brows furrowed: "Xiao Wu, what do you and the library think of His Highness the Sixth?"

Under the Tower of the Five Spirits, devout practitioners gathered from various regions, dressed in white robes, bowed in worship towards the tower; with the expansion of the Qinglan Empire over three hundred years, the Tower of the Five Spirits has replaced the Seven Great Star Temples, becoming the most important pilgrimage site on the continent

The Emperor's affection for the Sixth Prince surpasses ordinary feelings, which may not necessarily be a good thing. Mo Jiebo frowned slightly as he and Wu Mishi left the empty lawn and blended into the crowd along the bluestone path

The matters foretold by the Pope will occur in the near future, whether they are true or false. At that time, something will happen, and to refuse then may push the Moge family into a position of opposition against the Holy See, which would also displease the Emperor.

The exit of the Emperor's son from the capital's game is an old custom of the Mo family

As the blue haze descends at dusk, it is no longer a scene of prosperity. The Mojia family, one of the three great families of the empire, has placed all its political stakes on the sixth prince, who is still underage and lacks the wisdom of adulthood, which is an extremely unwise action. Merely being too close to the Holy See could also bring many potential enemies to the Mojia family

What does the Pope believe the prophecy will be?

In no time, Lord Zuo Qing will be informed

Wu Miyi could not help but lower her voice to ask: "Is the Pope's invitation this time related to the position of the Emperor's son?"

As an underage prince, his use of thirty-six finely crafted bronze chariots for outings inevitably leads people to resent his pampered and indulgent behavior

This time, it is not an ambiguous sign; one can clearly see Lord Zuo Qing standing before the desk of His Highness the Sixth Prince

The herd of deer by the river is drinking water, while the monks in white robes move between the temple towers. Dewdrops glisten on the deep red roses. In the shade of the cloud trees surrounding the Five Spirits Pagoda, the thorn birds begin their daily singing.

In the northern suburbs of the imperial capital of the Qinglan Empire, there lies Luyeyuan. The Tower of Five Spirits stands tall, seemingly connecting with the heavens.

Mojiebo frowned slightly, shook his head gently, but did not respond

Lord Zuo, you truly deserve your place among the celestial ranks. The wheel of fate has transcended the lesser cycles, yet I see your figure within the wheels of others' destinies. I wonder if you would be interested in listening

Luyuan is built on a gently rising slope. Exiting Luyuan, a spacious avenue paved with countless large blue flagstones extends onward, connecting to the Yanxiumen of the northern city of the imperial capital. On both sides of the avenue, the lawns are lush and green, resembling mushrooms, while wild deer frolic at the edges of the pedestrians' view.

The Sixth Prince, at merely sixteen years of age, is deeply favored by the Emperor. There have long been rumors in the court and among the people that the Emperor is delaying the establishment of an heir to the throne in order to wait for the Sixth Prince to come of age. Ultimately, these are just rumors circulating in the alleys; above the Sixth Prince, there are still five adult princes, who are the most formidable contenders for the throne. Setting this aside, the lowly status of the Sixth Prince's birth mother is also a significant obstacle.

The Thundercloud Beast resides to the north of Mount Jinwei. It is the servant beast of Tuli, the Cosmic Star God, one of the five evil deities in the creation myth. The beast has the body of a tiger and the head of a dragon. An adult Thundercloud Beast stands over 1 meter tall, has wings under its armpits, and is covered in green scales, capable of withstanding weapons.

After the vehicle journey, Mo Jiebo and Wu Mishing continued on their way to the Deer Park.

Mojabber nodded slightly

Therefore, the Tower of the Five Spirits, which conceals the Mahāyāna physical body, holds an irresistible allure for practitioners across the world

In the distance, on the blue stone path, two people observed as a convoy slowly emerged from the Deer Park. Once the convoy had completely exited the Deer Park, Wu Mishing was astonished to discover that it was a procession composed of thirty-six bronze war chariots, each drawn by two Silver-Horned Wind Horses. The foremost chariot was harnessed to a Thundercloud Beast with wings sprouting from its armpits.

... ...

The Mahāyāna Sutra, 417 years.

Adults tend to follow old practices

... ...

Wu Mi Sheng has followed Mo Jie Bo Cen for seven years, not only earning his trust but also gaining his appreciation

Mojie Bochen lowered his head, secretly moved by the sensitivity of the Thundercloud Beast. As a king among wild beasts, the Thundercloud Beast now falls into the hands of a crude tamer, making the left hand of the god of fate truly difficult to comprehend.

... ...

Although the Holy See, like the Empire, is experiencing a prolonged twilight and no longer possesses the supreme power of yesteryear, it remains one of the most significant forces within the Empire. At the very least, the Emperor is still a devout Mahayana Buddhist. It is foreseeable that the power struggles among various factions within the Empire surrounding the position of the Emperor's heir will create a massive political vortex, gradually dragging the already beleaguered Empire to the brink of collapse

Mojie Boci's eyes were filled with gloom, yet a disdainful smile lingered at the corners of his mouth: "The Pope is sacrificing his own life force, foolishly attempting to uncover the fate of the empire! The Holy See's open support for a prince will only raise suspicions of an impending religious war; for now, we must adhere to the old practices..."

Mojie Boci could not discern whether the Pope truly saw this scene in his enchanting eyes or if he was merely using words to deceive him

Two individuals stroll slowly along the soft lawn beside the bluestone path, seemingly savoring this rare moment of tranquility. The middle-aged man, approximately forty-seven or forty-eight years old, is tall and robust, with a resolute expression, exuding an air of authority cultivated from long years in a high position. He is known as "the Pillar of the Empire," the Left Minister of the Privy Council, Mo Jiebo Cen.

The Emperor is already advanced in age, and the selection for the position of the Crown Prince has yet to be determined. Several princes have developed greedy intentions, stirring up various factions within the court and the realm. How could our esteemed Pope be exempt from such customs... Mo Jie Bo Cen still kept his doubts to himself and did not voice them: How could the Pope support the Sixth Prince?