The morning in the Sacred Source Land was brighter than usual. Ning Xiaochuan stood at the very top of the Sacred Source Tower, gazing at the rising sun in the distance, feeling as though a lifetime had passed. After five years, he could finally feel the sunlight, breeze, and fragrance of grass and trees from the real world again.
"What are you looking at?" Su Linger's voice came from behind him, carrying its familiar coolness and gentleness.
Ning Xiaochuan turned and saw the golden markings woven through his wife's silver hair gleaming in the morning light. She held two cups of freshly brewed flower tea, their fragrance curling through the air. The Sacred Spirit Dragon had shrunk down and lay on her shoulder as it had in its youth, squinting contentedly.
"This world." Ning Xiaochuan accepted the cup and took a small sip. "It's even more beautiful than I remembered."
Su Linger followed his gaze. Reconstruction of the Sacred Source Land was in full swing. Craftsmen repaired buildings damaged in battle, farmers worked the fields, and children played before newly built schools. Everything brimmed with life.
"Where's Bai Ling?" Ning Xiaochuan suddenly asked.
"Still asleep." Su Linger's lips curved slightly. "She stayed up too late at last night's celebration. Star Radiance specifically ordered that no one disturb her."
Remembering how the representatives of various races had competed to fawn over his daughter at the celebration, Ning Xiaochuan could not help smiling. After five years apart, Bai Ling had grown into a clever, brave little girl. Every gesture of hers carried Su Linger's cool poise, along with the stubborn streak he himself had possessed in his youth.
"We missed too much." He sighed softly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rim of his cup.
Su Linger took his hand. "But we're back