The rest of the day passed quietly.
After dinner, Lucille cultivated with the Stone again. Ashrik held her hands the entire time, regulating the flow of spiritual energy as he led it through the relic to her broken core.
The Stone hummed softly in the dimness of the yard. Its rhythm was steady, as if it was patiently helping Lucille to reform the damaged parts of her core.
Before cultivating, Ashrik asked whether Lucille wanted to merge the Stone with its fragments. But she declined, suggesting they should do it after leaving East Sentinel.
Her reason was, "The process might take time. Since we're heading there tomorrow, shouldn't we try it when we're free?"
Finding it plausible, he agreed.
East Sentinel was only a few hours from their current entry point. Ashrik had planned to head there after breakfast. He might be able to meet Madam Huang during her free time, usually around lunchtime.
Nearly an hour had passed when Lucille's happy voice rang through the yard.
