The sun was just beginning to rise over Velaris.
Stan stood barefoot on the penthouse terrace, watching the light spread across the sea. The water was still grey, and the buildings along the coastline were slowly coming into view. Somewhere below, a ferry sounded its horn, followed by the distant rumble of traffic.
It was a beautiful morning.
He wished he felt as good as it looked.
He'd barely slept three hours, and although his body felt fine, his mind refused to settle down. The breakthrough he'd experienced in the tea room was still taking effect. His cultivation had advanced, and he could feel the difference in every breath. Even the surrounding air seemed different, heavier somehow, as though there were more Qi in the atmosphere than there had been yesterday.
It was strange, but he wasn't complaining.
The problem was that every time he closed his eyes, his thoughts eventually returned to last night.
Stan lowered his gaze to his left wrist.
