When Lin Chen woke, purple daylight was filtering through the gauze curtains into the room.
Xidi lay curled beside him, her long pink hair scattered across the pillow, her breathing slow and steady.
He gently slipped his arm free without waking her, draped a robe over himself, and walked to the window. Morning mist still lingered over the distant purple plains, and the spirit grass's glow shimmered faintly in the morning light, like a dream unwilling to wake.
Standing at the window, he drew a deep breath of flower-scented air, then let his awareness sink gently into the Heart of the Universe.
The rift's pulse remained steady. Gray cracks stretched across the far reaches of the Sea of Stars, expanding little by little as time passed.
But the Sealing Array was still running, the defensive lines were ready, the Heavenheart Mark and the Heavenly Dao Network already covered the entire star region, and the Federation Council was fully capable of handling all routine affairs.
He had done everything he could. All that truly remained was waiting-and cherishing those before him, to make that wait less agonizing.
"You woke up without calling me." A sleepy voice drifted from behind him.
Xidi had woken at some point and padded barefoot over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder, her voice languid with sleep. "What are you thinking about? Standing at the window in a daze this early isn't like you."
"Where I should take all of you to unwind."
Xidi's eyes lit up like a cat spotting prey. "Really? You're finally willing to put all those things aside and spend some proper time with us?"
"If the Federation Council can handle it, there's no need for me." He turned, clasped the