The New Era Star Sea had never shone so brilliantly.
Three hundred and seventy million stars slowly revolved, each pulsing at its own frequency. Those were the heartbeats of three hundred and seventy million civilizations, the joy of finally returning after countless eras.
The Return Festival had already lasted three days.
The Concept Furnace had been transformed into a vast hall suspended at the center of the star sea. Countless streams of light wove beneath its dome, each an envoy sent by a civilization. They brought specialties from their worlds-star wine brewed from supernova remnants, music woven from pulsar signals, works of art condensed from dark matter-and exchanged and shared them, all proving the same thing: We are still alive.
Lin Ye stood on the stargazing terrace at the furnace's highest point, with the cloak that had become a star sea at his back. Three hundred and seventy million stars glittered behind him, outlining his figure like a divine statue spanning dimensions. Yet he did not stand as though looking down upon all living beings. He merely watched the celebrating star sea in silence, a faint smile playing at his lips.
"Tuner." Radiant Stilllight stepped onto the terrace. The Spear of Definition in his hand had become a miniature Order Tower, its body wreathed in thousands of marks from order-aligned civilizations. "Every civilization's representative has asked-when will you come down?"
Lin Ye did not turn. "Let them enjoy themselves first."
Radiant Stilllight fell silent for a moment, then stepped forward to stand beside him.
Below, Harmonic Leaping Note was conducting a grand "Myriad Races Choir." All Thirty-Threefold Fate Harmonics bonds had unfurled, each entwined with the melodies of countless civilizations. She gently waved the Crystal Tuning Fork, and three hundred and seventy million civilizations sang the same song together-not a