The crack in the ocean barrier did not grow.
But it did not heal either.
It remained there like a thin scar across the glowing water ring surrounding the island. The geometric lattice continued reinforcing the structure, pouring streams of light into the fractured section.
For now, the barrier held.
The elders below continued adjusting the defensive arrays.
Construct guardians stood motionless across the terraces, their pale crystal armor glowing faintly as they fed energy into the shield.
Everything on the island was focused outward.
Toward the horizon.
Toward the silhouette.
Shunya stood beside Feng Xia, watching the distant shape through narrowed eyes.
"It has not moved again," he said.
"No."
"That seems suspicious."
"It is."
The system flickered quietly.
[Foreign system signal stable.]
The ocean ripple expanded once more.
Not violently.
Just enough to show that whatever stood beyond the barrier had not left.
It was waiting.
Studying.
Testing.
