The immense scene spread across the sky, resembling both the Celestial Court and a mirage in the desert.
The numbed and frozen populace of the Northland were initially unaware of this extraordinary sight.
But those in open spaces eventually noticed the anomaly in the sky.
"What is that in the sky? Is it an Immortal?"
With more and more cries of astonishment, those trapped indoors also seemed to sense something, and they eagerly looked up at the sky.
The swirling snowflakes had unknowingly diminished.
The immense scene above the sky grew increasingly vivid.
What Althea portrayed in the domain scene in front of everyone was precisely the enthronement ceremony currently taking place at the Capital City’s Royal Palace.
At first, the populace did not recognize the people appearing in the scene.
But as the ceremony officials sang praises and announced proclamations, people slowly realized that what appeared in the sky was the scene from the Heavenly Origin Kingdom’s capital at that very moment.
"That’s Your Majesty... Your Majesty! His Majesty has come to save us!"
The snow disaster continued endlessly, and while the Imperial Court had measures, their effects were minimal, and the people were on the brink of survival.
Some knelt toward the sky, while others, bowing in reverence, fervently begged His Majesty to save them.
Among them, there were those who grabbed snow mixed with dirt, angrily hurling it toward the sky, cursing loudly,
"What kind of fool is His Majesty?! So many have frozen to death here in the Northland, yet he remains comfortably in the Capital holding his enthronement ceremony!! He doesn’t care about our lives at all!"
When one did so, another would follow suit.
Amidst widespread snow disasters, there wouldn’t be any soldiers punishing them for rebellion.
They threw mud towards the sky, trying to vent their grievances. Though they received news slowly, they had heard what the State Preceptor mentioned during the Heaven ceremony.
"Apparently, just one person sacrificing to the heavens could save us all, but he refuses and instead bestows this demonic woman the title of Empress!"
Yes, a demonic woman.
Even if she were the fated Heavenly Maiden chosen by the Phoenix, if she couldn’t sacrifice for them, she’d be nothing but a demonic woman.
If she were a Divine Maiden, she should willingly die.
But instead, she’s ignoring the survival of millions in the Northland.
Some looked at the sky hopelessly, some cried out, but most were numbly staring upwards.
Even if the scene before them was beyond belief, they were too exhausted to feel curious.
Surviving consumed all their strength.
Regardless of how the Northlanders reacted, the enthronement ceremony in the sky proceeded unhurriedly.
Thus, the people of the Northland watched the enthronement ceremony conclude, saw the emperor and Empress accepting the courtiers’ bows, witnessed... the Phoenix that ascended from the golden hall.
The cries of anger and distress halted abruptly as people watched the Phoenix followed by a multitude of birds.
At the onset of the snow disaster, they had heard news about the Capital.
It was said that during Lily Phoenix’s coming-of-age ceremony, a Phoenix appeared to congratulate her.
Another said she summoned a Phoenix that then killed an impostor claiming to be the true daughter of the Phoenix Family.
Some even said Lily Phoenix was a reincarnated Phoenix, turning into one and soaring at her ceremony.
Despite varying rumors, they unanimously declared that Lily, the real daughter of the Phoenix Family, was blessed by the Phoenix, the chosen fateful daughter.
If not for the State Preceptor’s rumors, perhaps they would sincerely wish for a new Empress for the Heavenly Origin Dynasty.
But due to the divine decree from the State Preceptor, they hoped this Phoenix-fated woman would die for them.
Yet, when witnessing the Phoenix manifest before them, all such notions were inexplicably dismissed by everyone.
This wasn’t to show off, but rather to sow a sense of faith and hope in the hearts of the collapsing populace.
As long as they genuinely believed she was the fated Heavenly Maiden chosen by the Phoenix, believed that her and the Emperor’s sacrifice to the heavens could move the higher powers,
then the people would have the hope to persevere.
As long as they endured till the imperial disaster relief arrived, there would be salvation for the Northland.
When reality reaches a dead end, faith becomes their only salvation.
Scarlett wanted that brief faith from them.
Damian Carlson and Althea, knowing their plan, conspired to present this "gift."
If establishing faith, nothing builds belief better than what is seen with one’s own eyes.
Being otherworldly souls willing to perform such a "show" for the Northlanders, how could they — as local demon gods of the Heavenly Origin — merely stand by?
Althea told herself,
"This isn’t meddling in mortal karma; this is simply a gift."
Even if the Heavenly Dao knew she meddled, she believed it wouldn’t blame her.
She was about to undertake something grand.
Thinking this, the Spiritual Power belonging to the Ten-tailed Sky Fox radiated from Althea.
The silvery Spiritual Power rippled from her, covering the entire Northland in mere moments.
As the Spiritual Power’s waves spread, the swirling snowflakes momentarily froze, and shortly after, vanished without a trace.
If Samuel Chalmers were present, he would sense that the power supposedly from the Ten-tailed Sky Fox contained a hint of the Power of Heavenly Path.
Because the only one capable of controlling the four seasons and halting all things was the Heavenly Dao.

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