Ron arrived at a newly arranged area in the workshop.
This was a space he specifically created for divination, with a decor style distinctly different from other areas.
Intricate star maps were engraved on the obsidian floor, slowly moving according to changes in the real starry sky, like some kind of living map.
Ron stood alone in the depths of his personal workshop’s divination room.
This meticulously arranged space was completely different from other areas.
The obsidian floor was engraved with intricate star maps.
Those ancient runes moved slowly in accordance with changes in the real starry sky, like a living map recording the breath of the universe.
"The King of Illusions’ suggestion is indeed worth trying."
He gently stroked the star disc on the divination platform, feeling the time sediment contained within it:
"Many troubles can be resolved through divination, especially those related to oneself."
As a newly minted astrologer, he had far above average accuracy when performing divinations related to himself.
This ability not only pointed out the direction for development but also helped to preemptively avoid potential risks.
...The premise, though, was his ability to correctly interpret those obscure and ambiguous prophecies.
The ritual items on the divination platform were ready, but each emitted an unsettling aura:
An ancient star disc borrowed from Uther, engraved with forbidden runes from the Second Era.
These runes chronicled the painful experiences of the astrologers from that era in their interactions with higher-dimensional beings, most of which did not end well;
Three star crystals that had already established a connection with him, corresponding to the Hermit Star, Scholar Star, and Observer Star, respectively.
They floated quietly within specially made crystal pillars, their internal points of light moving slowly like living things;
A drop of his own blood, serving as a medium connecting to the threads of destiny.
The blood had coagulated in a small silver dish, its surface reflecting an unnatural dark red glow;
And the "True Vision Incense" that was burning, an incense capable of dispelling false prophecy interference, though it would also attract some rather unfriendly "audiences."
In the corner of the room, Dale was nervously curled up at the edge of the crystal pool.
"Master..." Her voice was as light as a feather, but the concern within it was palpable, "Your heartbeat is much faster than usual."
Ailan drifted over from the depths of the workshop, her emerald branches trembling slightly in the air.
As a plant life, she could keenly sense the dangerous aura contained within the divination instruments.
It was a primeval force capable of distorting the essence of life.
"These things... they are whispering."
The tree spirit’s voice trembled with fear, "Master, I can hear them speaking in a language I don’t understand but that makes me want to run."
But Ron calmly checked every detail.
Years of research had taught him how to maintain the ability to rationally analyze any situation.
Even when faced with forces beyond human comprehension.
"Divination has never been a safe practice."
He replied without lifting his head, his voice unruffled:
"Any attempt to glimpse fate carries a corresponding price. But the value of knowledge far exceeds those negligible risks."
He slowly sat down before the divination platform, taking a deep breath to return his mind to calmness.
Divination required absolute focus and a serene state of mind; any stray thoughts could affect the prophecy’s accuracy.
In addition, the diviner must possess sufficient strength of spirit to withstand the possible terrifying truths.
He initiated the "Star Eater’s Ravings," adjusting his consciousness frequency to resonate with the stars.
With the astrologer’s professional bonus, he could more clearly perceive the threads of fate, those usually obscure possibility branches now relatively clear.
Whenever he delved into the layers of fate, he could feel a gaze beyond comprehension watching.
It was a sensation akin to being scrutinized by countless pairs of eyes, with each cell exposed to unnamable wisdom.
"With the wisdom of the Hermit, observe the reasoning of the Scholar, borrow the eyes of the Observer, and glimpse the patterns of fate..."
As the spell progressed, the star disc began to emit a faint silver light.
The forbidden runes from the Second Era slowly moved like serpents, as if ancient wills were awakening from slumber.
The elemental crystals in the twelve positions lit up in succession, but their emitted light carried unnatural hues.
The flames were green, the water was a blood-red, the breeze carried faint wailing sounds, and the earth trembled faintly but persistently.
The air began to be filled with the heaviness of time, blurring the boundaries of past, present, and future.
Ron felt his consciousness extending, touching those fate layers normally imperceptible.
In those layers, he vaguely saw countless intertwined timelines...
Some timelines were bright as the Milky Way, while others were dark as the abyss.
At the intersection of all timelines, he vaguely saw his own silhouette.
Some were victorious, some were failures, and some were no longer of human form...
Ron gently pricked his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall at the center of the star disc.
The blood was instantly absorbed by the star disc, forming complex patterns on its surface.
These patterns squirmed like living things, searching for the intersection of fate.
As the blood patterns spread, Ron’s consciousness began to receive information.
In the depths of his consciousness, the intersection of fire and earth elements began to twist and deform.
Initially, it was just a blurry patch of color, with crimson heat waves and golden granular matter mixed together.