Aksai slowly brought his cultivation to a complete stop.
The last traces of Spirit essence settled inside his body, calm and steady.
The cave beneath the palace returned to silence, broken only by the faint dripping of water and the soft rustle of roots from the Demon Tree above. He opened his eyes and exhaled.
"It's time to stretch my legs," he said quietly.
With a single thought, the formations beneath him powered down. The glowing lines faded, the runes sank back into the earth, and the cave returned to its natural state. Aksai stood up, adjusted his robes, and walked toward the passage leading upward.
Step by step, he left the underground cave behind.
When he finally emerged inside the palace, warm sunlight greeted him. The halls were clean and wide. The moment he appeared, soft footsteps echoed from ahead.
Around thirty maids quickly gathered in the main hall.
They were all young, graceful, and well trained. Their robes were neat, their posture perfect.
