The floating island hovered silently above the forest, bathed in the soft light of the underground floor's artificial sun. Lin Xuan led his family carefully, each step revealing more of the empty expanse. The ground was soft with untouched soil, trees sparse, and a gentle pond mirrored the glowing sky above.
"This… is incredible," Mei Rong's mother whispered, her fingers brushing the bark of a small tree. "But… it feels so empty."
Lin Xuan's siblings ran ahead, laughing as their feet sank into the soft grass. Lin Jia spun in circles, arms wide, giggling, while Lin Mei's gaze swept across the barren landscape, noticing the small village hut, the pond, and the patch of farmland that awaited cultivation.
"It's like a dream… but a lonely one," Lin Wei said, frowning slightly. "There's space… so much space… but no color. No animals, no flowers, no life besides us."
Lin Xuan nodded, keeping his voice calm. "I know. It's empty for now. This floor is meant to be safe, but it hasn't been filled with life yet. That will come… soon."
His father stepped closer, studying the pond and the sparse trees. "You plan to… add things? Animals? Plants?"
"Yes," Lin Xuan said firmly. "When you are settled, I will fill this world. Wild animals, insects, plants, flowers… rivers teeming with fish, forests with birds, fields with wild fruits and vegetables. Everything will grow into an ecosystem. But first, you must make this place your home."
The family glanced at each other, realizing the truth behind his words. This was not just a place to hide—it was a place to live, to thrive, to be safe from the dangers outside.
Lin Hao ran to the pond, kicking at the still water. "It's empty… boring!" he shouted, then paused, eyes lighting up. "But if we can bring it to life… it will be amazing!"
Lin Xuan smiled faintly, watching his siblings' expressions soften. "That's why I need your trust," he said quietly. "This place will be safe, and it will grow… but only if we do it carefully, step by step. And you must promise to obey the rules of the Tower while inside."
Lin Hua and Lin Mei nodded together, their faces serious but excited. Lin Jia, too young to fully understand, simply giggled and tugged at Lin Xuan's sleeve.
"You have my promise," Lin Xuan said, feeling the faint pulse in his mind as the Tower acknowledged the family's presence. "Once you are settled, this world will bloom. Animals, plants, insects… everything will live here. It will be your home, your sanctuary. And I will make sure it thrives."
For the first time since the ceremony, the family felt a flicker of hope. The emptiness that had seemed so stark now felt like potential—a blank canvas waiting for life.
Lin Xuan turned to look at the horizon of the underground floor, where distant mountains loomed, the pond shimmered, and the trees swayed gently. "One day, this place will not be empty. One day, it will be alive. But for now… you explore, play, and settle. Make it yours. I will take care of the rest."
The family scattered across the island, laughing, running, touching, and exploring. Lin Xuan followed quietly, a faint pulse in his mind reminding him that every living being he eventually brought here would not just fill the Tower—they would feed his growth, silently, invisibly, imperceptibly.
And as he watched them, safe and alive, he allowed himself a brief, private smile.
This is just the beginning.
The floating island, still new and untouched, seemed almost painfully silent. Lin Xuan stood at its center, watching his family explore the barren fields. Their laughter and footsteps echoed against empty mountains and the sparse trees, filling the space with the first hints of life. But he knew emptiness would not remain for long.
"We need animals, plants, everything," Lin Xuan said quietly, his eyes narrowing. "And I'll get them… but carefully. Nothing dangerous, nothing that could harm the balance. Everything must be non-aggressive. Only life that can thrive together."
Lin Hao jumped in excitement. "So… cats? Dogs? Fish?"
"Yes," Lin Xuan replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And bees, small mammals, plants, vegetables, flowers… anything that can survive here and help create an ecosystem. But we start small—only the underground floor for now."
He spread his consciousness across the Tower, subtly measuring the floating island. Twenty kilometers in radius—a confined yet sufficient space to nurture a sustainable habitat. Rivers sparkled faintly in the distance, the pond reflected the artificial sun, and the farmland patch was ready for crops.
Perfect for beginnings, he thought.
That evening, Lin Xuan led his family into preparation. Lin Mei, Lin Wei, and Lin Hua helped mark small fields, lay fences for poultry, and designate sections for dairy animals. Lin Jia ran between them, carrying seeds in small pouches, her laughter light and innocent. Even their parents joined in, planting wild vegetables and flowers along the forest edges.
"It feels… alive already," his mother said softly, brushing soil from her hands.
Lin Xuan nodded. "It's only the start. Tomorrow, we begin gathering the animals."
The next morning, Lin Xuan left the floating island for the first time. He cloaked himself in shadows, moving undetected beyond the city limits, through small villages and safe forests. His eyes scanned the fields, the trees, the rivers—looking for anything he could bring back.
Stray cats and dogs hid in corners of abandoned barns. Deer grazed quietly at the forest's edge. Rabbits peeked from burrows. Bees hummed among wildflowers, undisturbed by his careful approach. Even ordinary fish swam lazily in quiet rivers. Each creature was selected meticulously.
By nightfall, Lin Xuan returned to the island with small cages, baskets, and containers, carefully releasing each animal into its designated habitat. Cats prowled along the village streets. Dogs sniffed around fences, guarding small patches of farmland. Bees buzzed among newly planted flowers. Fish swam in the pond, their scales glinting faintly under the artificial sun.
His family watched in awe. "It's… alive," Lin Mei whispered, eyes wide.
Lin Xuan allowed himself a small smile. "It will grow. Every creature here strengthens this place… and strengthens me. But remember… it's a secret. No one outside this island can know."
The night settled over the floating island, alive with soft movements: the splash of fish in the pond, the rustle of rabbits in the trees, the faint hum of bees. The underground floor was no longer empty—it had become a sanctuary.
This is only the beginning, Lin Xuan thought, sensing a subtle pulse within himself. The Tower acknowledged each living being, quietly feeding his power, invisible to any who might seek to harm him.