Divination

As they walked towards the inner halls, the storyteller chatted animatedly, breaking the silence that had settled over them. "So, Xiao," he began with a grin, "how are you finding life at Fenglin? Getting used to it yet?"

Xiao hesitated, thinking about the strangeness and newness of everything. "It's... different," he admitted. "Everything feels so ancient and mysterious. I'm not sure I fully understand my place here yet."

The storyteller laughed heartily, clapping Xiao on the shoulder. "That's perfectly normal, lad! Everyone feels that way at first. It's like stepping into another world. But trust me, as time goes on, you'll find your footing. It will all start to make sense."

As they made their way through the monastery, they passed by groups of monks and disciples. Xiao noticed how everyone seemed to react to Epiphany's presence.

Whispers followed them, and Xiao caught snippets of conversation.

"Is that Epiphany?" one disciple whispered to another. "I can't believe he's here in the flesh!"

"I heard he only shows up for the most important matters," another murmured. "This must be something big."

A group of younger monks bowed deeply as they passed, their eyes wide with reverence and curiosity. "Epiphany hardly ever comes out of seclusion," one of them said in awe.

"The storyteller is usually the one handling everything."

Epiphany remained silent, his eyes occasionally darting around as if scanning for something unseen. 

The storyteller continued his cheerful rambling. "You know, I once felt the same way. But now look at me! I'm practically part of the furniture around here," he joked, earning a small smile from Xiao.

They reached a secluded part of the monastery, an area devoid of other disciples or monks. It was a small courtyard, enclosed by high stone walls adorned with creeping ivy and ancient carvings.

In the center stood a solitary cherry blossom tree, its petals gently falling and adding a touch of ethereal beauty to the serene surroundings.

"Here we are," the storyteller said, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "This place is private, perfect for what we need to do."

Xiao looked around, feeling a sense of calm wash over him. The storyteller's demeanor had changed, becoming more focused and mysterious. "What are we doing here?" Xiao asked, curiosity piqued.

The storyteller's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "We're going to read your fate, lad. It's a process that requires utmost concentration and privacy."

Epiphany nodded, stepping forward. "Sit down, Xiao. This is important."

Xiao did as instructed, sitting cross-legged on the ground beneath the cherry blossom tree. The storyteller took a seat opposite him, his expression suddenly serious and intent.

Epiphany stood nearby, his presence a comforting anchor.

The storyteller reached out and took Xiao's hand, closing his eyes and muttering an incantation under his breath. The air seemed to grow heavier, charged with a mysterious energy. 

Xiao felt a strange sensation as if invisible threads were weaving around him, connecting him to something greater.

The storyteller's eyes snapped open, now glowing with an otherworldly light. He stared intently at Xiao, his grip tightening. For a moment, everything was still, the world holding its breath.

Then, after a few minutes, he quietly let go of Xiao's hand and turned towards Epiphany as if he was trying to communicate with his eyes.

He spoke to Xiao, "Ah, what a lucky boy! You have a bright future ahead, young man. Hahaha, a man of gold indeed!"

Epiphany's expression remained neutral, his gaze meeting the storyteller's in silent communication. "Xiao," he said calmly but firmly, "please leave the room. I need to speak with the storyteller alone."

Xiao nodded, feeling assured, and then left the courtyard the way he came from.

As soon as the door closed behind Xiao, the storyteller's demeanor shifted dramatically. He watched to make sure Xiao was gone, then raised his hand, manipulating the qi around him.

A shimmering barrier formed, enveloping the room in a cocoon of silence. He turned sharply to Epiphany, his expression a mixture of fury and fear.

He kept silent for a bit but then almost collapsed from his position. "You lied to me," the storyteller said loudly, his voice echoing within the sound barrier.

"You didn't bring Xiao here just for his bloodline! You lied to me. You're crazy, crazy, I tell you. I don't even know how you were able to bring him here, but you have done something very, very wrong. And I... I just don't know how you are still alive."

Epiphany remained silent, his gaze steady and unreadable.

The storyteller's anger grew, his voice rising in pitch and intensity. "You think you can just stand there and say nothing? You've put us all in danger, and you won't even defend yourself?"

Epiphany continued to listen quietly, his face impassive. The storyteller's frustration boiled over. "Aren't you going to say anything? Say something!"

Epiphany's response was calm, almost detached. "What do you want me to say?"

The storyteller's eyes blazed with anger. "You could start by explaining why you brought Xiao here under false pretenses! You could tell me why you risked everything for this—this madness!"

Epiphany remained silent, his expression unchanged. The storyteller's hands clenched into fists, his body trembling with rage. "Do you even understand the gravity of what you've done? Do you care at all?"

Epiphany finally spoke, his voice steady and measured. "I did what needed to be done."

The storyteller's face contorted with frustration. "That's not good enough! You can't just brush this off with vague justifications. You've disrupted the balance. And now... now there's something far worse."

Epiphany's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his stoic facade. "What do you mean?"

The storyteller took a deep breath, his anger giving way to a more profound fear. "I saw death in his fate," he said, his voice trembling.

"And it's close. But because of your meddling, I don't even know who exactly will die. You've thrown everything into chaos."

Epiphany's demeanor shifted slightly, his attention fully focused on the storyteller. "Death? Are you certain?"

The storyteller nodded, his expression grim. "Yes. And it's imminent. Your actions have blurred the lines of fate. I can't see who it is, but someone close to Xiao will die. And it's your fault."

For the first time, Epiphany looked genuinely troubled. He stepped closer to the storyteller, his voice low and urgent. "Can it be prevented?"

The storyteller shook his head, his frustration and despair palpable. "I don't know. Maybe. But the future is shrouded in darkness now, thanks to you."

Epiphany's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Then we will have to be vigilant. We must protect Xiao at all costs."

The storyteller's anger flared again. "Protect him? You think it's that simple? You've already set things in motion that we may not be able to stop."

Epiphany's gaze hardened, his determination clear. "We will do whatever it takes."

The storyteller sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I hope you're right. For all our sake." He paused, looking Epiphany straight in the eye, and added in a low, ominous voice, "Because I didn't just see death in the future, I also saw it."