"That's enough." Chen Hao withdrew his hand.
Chen Siyao leaned closer and softly read the first line:
"Lin Hai, you said: I bind all things with my heart, but will not let all things enslave it."
After reading that sentence, she paused. Behind her, Li Li whispered, "So that man's name was Lin Hai."
Cai Jingwen added quietly, "It seems the sect they joined enslaved exotic beasts. Everyone commanded beasts in battle except Lin Hai. It wasn't that he couldn't—he didn't want to. He wanted to find a way to form contracts with beasts as equals, rather than enslave them."
Chen Siyao continued reading. The words did not form a continuous account. They were separate passages, like scattered notes Jingwei had written at different times, in different states of mind.
"I have found the method for forming contracts with spirit beasts. But you are gone. Fate has been so unfair to you."
The women fell silent for a moment. Yang Wanqing whispered, "She found the method Lin Hai wanted, but Lin Hai was already... gone."
Chen Siyao took a deep breath and read the next passage:
"Lin Hai, I have been searching for a hundred and thirty-seven years. I have gathered more than eight hundred Life-Soul Stones. My hands lost all feeling long ago, and my wings can barely carry me anymore. Yet I keep flying. Because you are waiting for me."
Her voice had grown a little hoarse.
"Lin Hai, you once said the bravest thing was not to die for someone, but to live for them. Look, I did it. I have lived for you all these years. Even though you are gone, even though you have not awakened, I am still living for you."
All the women's eyes reddened.
"But Lin Hai... I think... I can barely