The aurora hung in the night sky like flowing colored silk. Threads of pale violet and crimson light fell across Qin He's shoulders, dispelling more than half the pent-up malevolent energy within him.
He gazed at the low houses scattered below, the cool trace of the cave abode's formation energy lingering on his fingertips. The taut string in his heart finally slackened a little.
When they took their leave of the village elder surnamed Long, everyone from the Dragon Clan walked with softened footsteps.
No one said much. Each carried a simple bundle toward the houses to the east.
He did not join them, instead following a hidden fissure up through the mountainside. At its end lay a natural cave abode, its entrance concealed by trailing vines. A glance upward offered a view of the entire aurora.
Qin He casually laid down three formations, then took a reclining chair from his internal storage space and unfolded it. The moment he lay down, a heavy wave of exhaustion swept over him, carrying sleep in its wake.
He could no longer remember the last time he had lain down with such peace of mind.
His dreams held a few scattered fragments.
He seemed to be amid the thunder of the Abyss, then before a divine statue in the Eastern Lands World, the origin-birth law fragment turning in his palm and glowing with a gentle warmth.
When he opened his eyes, pale golden light was already filtering into the cave abode—the dawn spilling from the horizon after the aurora had faded.
As soon as he stepped outside, he saw Long Qingyao standing beside the vines with a bamboo basket in her hand. The girl had changed into a coarse cloth dress, its hem embroidered with tiny stars. The village women had sewn it