Dismantling the Altar (1)

In the latter half of the night, the moonlight gradually faded, and the stars thinned out across the sky.

Inside the bamboo dwelling, the candle had burned down to its base, casting a dim yellow glow. The conversation gradually died away. Lin Mumu could no longer hold on; she slumped sideways on her meditation cushion, her head bobbing little by little, her eyelids barely propped open and on the verge of closing.

Sensing that the presence outside the window had completely vanished, Zhou Wan quietly let out a breath and reached over to nudge her drowsy junior sister. "Sixth Junior Sister, wake up. Second Senior Brother has left."

Lin Mumu jolted upright, rubbed her sleepy eyes, still veiled with a mist of tears, and gave a vague "Mm."

Zhou Wan's expression turned solemn. Candlelight cast soft shadows over her gentle profile as her tone grew serious. "Sixth Junior Sister, I'm afraid Junior Brother and I cannot help you with this experience report."

Lin Huaixu also shed his usual carefree manner and said gravely, "Senior Sister is right. If what Second Senior Brother said is true, this matter is deeply consequential. It has long exceeded what you and I can handle privately."

"Not only can we not help you polish it or conceal anything," Zhou Wan continued, "I suggest that this report should not even go through the usual procedures."

"Tomorrow morning, go directly to Clear Parasol Hall and ask to see Sect Master Uncle. Report everything you said tonight, as well as those... fragments about the future that Second Senior Brother mentioned, exactly as they were, down to the smallest detail."

Though sleepy, Lin Mumu's mind was turning quickly. She blinked and answered crisply, "All right."

Seeing her agree so readily, Zhou Wan felt somewhat reassured. Her tone softened, carrying