The water deep in the Underground River flowed ceaselessly, day after day.
Bai Youyou no longer remembered how long she had sat before this abandoned Teleportation Array Foundation.
The sound of water rang endlessly in her ears, as monotonous as a lullaby without end.
The icy river water had soaked her fingers pale and wrinkled.
Repeatedly embedding Spirit Stones had worn layer upon layer of blood blisters onto her fingertips.
For three days and two nights, she had repaired the runes on this Teleportation Array Foundation without sleep or rest.
The first night had been the hardest.
Thick layers of mud, sand, and moss covered the Formation Base.
She had cleaned them away bit by bit with her hands, until black sludge packed the gaps beneath her nails and would not wash out.
On the second night, she had begun completing the runes.
Her first few attempts at tracing them had all failed. The moment she poured spiritual power into the runes, it scattered, unable to remain at all.
She had gritted her teeth and started again, over and over. By her tenth attempt, her fingers had begun to spasm, unable to grip the stone surface.
"Damn it..."
She rarely swore, but at that moment, she had cursed fiercely at that icy stone wall.
Then she had slowly clenched her spasming fingers, pried them open bit by bit with her other hand, and continued tracing.
The third attempt, the fourth, the fifth...
On her fifteenth attempt, the rune had finally lit up.
Though it had shone for only an instant, the purple light reflected in her pupils had eased the tension in her shoulders a little.
Her delicate brows relaxed, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. She smiled with happiness.
She leaned against the water-washed wall for a