Li Bufan drew his gaze back from the distance and settled it on Meng Xinghe's face. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.
"Nothing. I just wanted to know where this thing came from."
His voice was soft, as though he were both asking a question and talking to himself.
Meng Xinghe walked over to his side and looked out at the pitch-black sea as well. "Then I suppose we'll have to wait until we reach Stilltide City to find out."
"After all, the Academy wouldn't set us the trial of opening a sea route to Stilltide City without a reason."
Li Bufan nodded.
"Perhaps."
He withdrew his gaze and laid the Seven Killings Blade across his knees, its blade reflecting the faint phosphorescence on the distant sea.
"Forget it. If I can't figure it out, I won't dwell on it. The boat will straighten itself out when it reaches the bridge."
Meng Xinghe nodded with a hum of agreement. "Then hurry and recover, Brother Li. We've only covered a third of the journey, after all."
Li Bufan nodded without saying anything more.
He sat cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and slowly sank his awareness into his body.
The sea wind howled, and waves struck the reefs with muffled crashes. This nameless island was like a lone boat floating in boundless darkness.
Li Bufan sank his awareness into the deepest reaches.
There, an enormous fate configuration slowly revolved.
Heaven Rewards Diligence.
Golden light flowed ceaselessly over the fate configuration.
Over the past two months, from Spirit Pivot Cave Heaven to Heavenly Foothill Academy, from discussing the Dao and cultivating to poring over ancient texts, he had never slackened for a single day.
Even while traveling, he had contemplated his techniques and improved his cultivation.
Now, insights into the Heaven-Mending