Year seven of the Firefolk Era, autumn equinox.
The Starfire River surged through the Nine Provinces as always, and the River of Passing Flames flowed unceasingly through the mortal world. Yet the Starfire Mark suspended high in the heavens quietly faded on a night when no one noticed.
It no longer revolved, no longer chose, no longer sent down its radiance. The Starfire Envoys gazed up at the river of stars, their hearts trembling slightly—
"The mark... is fading."
The blind girl A Mian stood on the Fireheart Platform, sensing heaven and earth through her Heart Flame. After a long while, she sighed softly. "The mark isn't disappearing. It has fulfilled its purpose."
"Zhaoming's lingering will no longer needs to guide us through miracles.
The seeds of fire have long since taken root in people's hearts."
"He... is leaving."
That night, a final apparition appeared simultaneously in the lamps of Starfire Envoys across the Nine Provinces.
Zhaoming stood in the firelight, his figure fainter than before, like smoke about to scatter.
He smiled, his voice as soft as the wind. "I once thought fire could only be reborn if one person went to his death.
Later, I understood that fire could only endure if millions of people lit it.
Now, I have seen the River of Passing Flames.
I can finally be a lamp lighter with peace in my heart."
With those words, the apparition vanished. The Starfire Mark slowly slipped into the river of stars, like a child returning home, sinking into the long night.
Zhaoming's lingering will shed its divine radiance and took mortal form.
He had no memories, no power, no knowledge of who he was. He knew only that there was a lamp in his heart that had to be lit.
He appeared in a fishing