Three days later, Lin Chen stood at the highest point of the Creator God Temple, gazing over the Federation's entire expanse of star domains below.
Postwar reconstruction proceeded in orderly fashion, fleets traveling in formation between the star domains, carrying supplies and messages.
A golden scar left where the Rift had closed stretched across the Sea of Stars, like a brand burned into heaven and earth, reminding everyone that the war had truly happened.
But his gaze did not linger on those scars.
He looked toward Enchanting Song Star, toward the twelve figures he cherished who lived beneath its purple sky.
Lin Chen suddenly realized that what had truly sustained him to the end of this war was neither the power of the Heart of the Universe nor the meticulous arrangements of the Heavenly Dao Network, but those people.
In their own ways, they had stood beside him and pulled him out of the abyss of solitude. He owed them a solemn promise, a rightful place beside him, and a proper, honorable marriage.
He turned and walked back into the temple, sat before his desk, and took up his brush to write a decree.
The decree soon spread throughout the Creation Federation, and even to every star domain allied with it: Creator God Lin Chen would hold his grand wedding three months later at the Heart of the Starry Sky in the Douluo Star Domain, marrying twelve Dao Companions. The universe would bear witness to this marriage, and the Sea of Stars would serve as its gift. Every star domain belonging to the Federation would become a place of celebration; every living being across the myriad worlds would be welcome to attend.
On the day the news spread, the entire universe seemed to brighten for a moment.
Fireworks burst across