The girl's smile lingered for one final moment. Then she closed her eyes. The throne beneath her began to dissolve, not like a projection fading, but like morning frost releasing into light, quietly and without resistance. Her white robe, her dark hair, the impossible depth in her eyes, all of it faded softly until nothing remained at the center of the room except empty air and the faint warmth of something ancient passing through.
Then that too was gone.
Wang Hao's body unlocked. He staggered forward half a step, gasping as sensation returned to his limbs. "What—" He looked around wildly. "Where did she go?!" He spun toward Lin Yi. "What just happened?! Who was that?! What is the Celestial Emperor?! Why does your inventory apparently contain something that made a being like that pause?! Brother Lin, I have so many questions and I need at least one answer—"
"Later," Lin Yi said.
Wang Hao closed his mouth.
