Star Luo City's night was utterly black.
The entire night sky was like a pool of thick ink that could not be stirred, pressing heavily over the city.
The dazzling, milky-white pillar of faith that had shot straight into the heavens by day had long since dimmed, now feeble and faint.
Only in the old residential district north of the city did a few scattered glimmers still hang alone in the air, swaying violently whenever the wind blew, like dying candles on the verge of going out.
High above, Xu Yanli sat cross-legged in silence.
The evening wind swept wildly past, stirring his moon-white robe until it fluttered softly, yet he remained as steady as a boulder, motionless as he hung beneath the night sky.
His eyes were lightly closed, his breathing so faint it was almost nonexistent, his entire presence blending into the boundless darkness.
Only his thoughts remained in turmoil.
His plans could never keep pace with the changes.
He had been sitting high in the sky for most of the night since leaving the palace's side hall.
From sunset until the bright moon hung overhead, all kinds of thoughts had churned through his mind, and he could not calm himself at all.
Tomorrow was his enthronement ceremony.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites had worked tirelessly in the palace all day, not daring to slacken for even a moment.
A red carpet had been laid neatly along the imperial road. At Xu Yanli's request, the Star Crown robe reserved for the emperor had been changed to a dragon robe. The imperial crown had been polished until it shone brilliantly, and rows of ceremonial vessels had been set out, gleaming with golden light and dazzling to the eye.
Xu Jiawei's abdication edict had also been drafted long