Lin Ye rose, faced the frozen river of civilizations, and spoke each word distinctly:
"Embers are embers not because they are about to die out-but because, as long as a single spark remains, they can burn again."
"So stay."
"Come with me. We'll burn through Taotie's encirclement and find your people."
The faint light trembled violently.
Then a thread of purple-gold light, exceedingly weak yet firmer than ever before, slowly drifted out of Craftworld's core and merged into Lin Ye's brow.
"All right."
"I... will come with you."
In the river of civilizations behind Lin Ye, the three hundred and seventy-second silver-white stream quietly lit up.
Three days later.
At the edge of the Civilization Graveyard, an Ember Ark formed from purple-gold light slowly sailed out of the deathly silent region.
Its hull was woven from three hundred and seventy-two civilizations' obsessions, every pattern carrying a civilization's final memories and attachments. Lin Ye stood at the bow with his hands behind his back. Behind him was the Arrowhead Squad, somewhat recovered but still weak.
"Order's Dawn, can you locate the New Era Network?"
"Attempting now... interference remains severe, but faint network beacon fluctuations have been detected near the Dreamscape Ruins coordinates provided by the Dreamweavers." Order's Dawn's voice regained a little steadiness. "The New Era Network may have dispatched a search-and-rescue team. They are approaching that region."
"Perfect." Lin Ye nodded. "First we go home and replenish our strength. Then-to the Dreamscape Ruins."
"The Taotie Court's main forces have besieged that place for a century..." Radiant Stilllight frowned. "In our current condition..."
"We aren't going now." Lin Ye turned, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the three hundred and seventy-two civilizations' obsessions behind him. "We're going with them."
"Them?"
"They have been devoured by Taotie, threatened by