Deep within the Glacial Mine Tunnel, Hyuga Xiao sat cross-legged on a flat rock.
The blue crystal on his forehead was faintly warm. The link between the Covenant Stone Fragments and the Tenseigan was like an invisible thread stretching from Earth to the distant moon. He could sense the Giant Tenseigan on the moon slowly turning, each pulse bringing vast fragments of knowledge—about spatial folding, stellar gravity, and cold formulas concerning the essence of life.
The price was that his emotions were being stripped away.
"Xiao."
Kurenai Yuhi's voice came from the entrance of the mine tunnel. Carrying a bowl of freshly made hot soup, she approached with light steps. The fluorescent stones embedded in the walls reflected the worry on her face. "You've been sitting here for six hours."
Hyuga Xiao opened his eyes.
His Byakugan, once warm and gentle, now glowed faintly blue. It was as though stars were spinning deep within his pupils. He looked at Hong, and his brain automatically analyzed the data: body temperature 36.8 degrees Celsius, heartbeat 72 beats per minute, stable chakra flow with slight anxious fluctuations, corners of her mouth lowered by 0.3 centimeters—she was worried.
"I'm calculating." Xiao's voice was calm and devoid of ripples. "According to the information from the Pact Stone, once Byakugan purity reaches 80%, the Caged Bird Seal's suppression time will increase from ten minutes a day to one hour. At the same time, I'll be able to initially use the Tenseigan's Gravity Manipulation ability."
Hong placed the bowl before him, steam rising through the cold mine tunnel. "Have something first. The way you talk... you're sounding more and more like you're reading a report."
Xiao picked up the bowl. The heat of the soup traveled through the ceramic into his palm. That sensation made him pause