Following Yi Zichen, Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena left the tree-heart chamber brimming with life energy and set foot once more upon the paths of Eternal Sky City, shrouded in a gentle field of light. Yi Zichen silently led the way ahead. Rather than returning to the inner city, he followed a naturally formed staircase paved with enormous golden leaves, slowly descending toward the tranquil Sea God Lake below, which resembled a gigantic sapphire.
They walked upon the waves, solidified life energy beneath their feet making their steps light. The closer they came to the lake's center, the more majestic and immense the towering Golden Ancient Tree became. Its trunk was like a colossal pillar holding up heaven and earth, while its lush canopy scattered endless radiance and vitality. At last, they stepped onto the island at the heart of the lake and arrived before the Golden Ancient Tree's incomparably massive trunk.
Yi Zichen stopped in an open space where the life energy was so dense it had nearly become liquid golden mist. This place seemed to be the source of the life veins of the entire Sea God Lake, even of all Eternal Sky City. He turned toward Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena, bowed slightly, and said respectfully and gently, "The two of you, Senior Ah Yin is here. It would not be appropriate for Zi Chen to disturb you, so I will take my leave."
With that, he bowed once more. His figure quietly vanished as though melting into the surrounding life aura, leaving this most sacred space entirely to the lovers who had returned after ten thousand years, as well as to the ancient tree bound to them by blood.
The surroundings instantly became utterly still. Only the faint hum of flowing life energy, like heavenly music,