The ocean barrier hummed steadily.
The crack in the glowing shield still burned faintly where the ancient host had touched it earlier. Streams of light continued flowing into the fracture, trying to stabilize the structure.
But the focus of everyone on the island was no longer the barrier.
It was the conversation.
Beyond the water ring, the ancient host stood calmly.
The immense network behind them stretched across the sky like luminous roots of a cosmic tree. Thousands of glowing system threads moved slowly, forming patterns too complex for the human eye to fully grasp.
Shunya stood at the edge of the summit terrace.
Feng Xia and Lei Tian remained nearby, their power quietly radiating into the air.
But neither interrupted.
Because the ancient host had asked a question.
'Did the world improve while I was gone.'
Shunya considered the horizon for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"Sometimes."
The ancient host smiled faintly.
"That is a diplomatic answer."
