Yu Nian's ear tips turned slightly red as she gently shook her head:

"It's the conviction we all carry together... I only did what I should have."

She hesitated for a moment, looking up at Bai Cheng. "But the burden of the emperors imprint... have you been frequently feeling the stinging pain of law resonance lately?"

Bai Cheng was slightly startled, then smiled faintly. "As expected, I can't hide it from you."

She raised her hand to lightly press the center of her forehead. "When recasting the star track, too many external forces were integrated; it still takes time for the imprint and soul to fully synchronize."

"But it's no matter; the feedback from the star track network is gradually harmonizing it."

Leng Ningxue suddenly stood up, took out an ice-blue chip from a storage cabinet, and handed it to Bai Cheng:

"This is a Meditation Star Sigil improved based on ancient texts from Star Chart Island. It can temporarily calm the turbulence of the laws. Although it can't cure it, it can alleviate the discomfort."

Bai Cheng took the chip; it felt cool to the touch.

Her gaze swept over the almost imperceptible faint dark circles under Leng Ningxue's eyes. That was clearly the trace of deriving the star sigil algorithm all night. Her heart warmed slightly. "Thank you."

Yu Nian also put down her teacup. A shimmering green light appeared at her fingertips, and a wisp of gentle life force slowly flowed toward Bai Cheng:

"The source aura of the pure heart vine might also help with the harmonization... please don't refuse."

Bai Cheng did not refuse. She closed her eyes, feeling the tranquility of the ice-blue star sigil and the nourishment of the vine's life force. The unconscious furrow between her brows gradually smoothed out.

The cabin was quiet for a while, with only the faint hum of the star sea voyage and the steady breathing of the three.

A moment later, Bai Cheng opened her eyes, the river of stars flowing within them appearing even clearer.

She stood up and took out three Star Dew Fruits, a specialty of the Emerald Sea, from the cabinet.

The translucent fruits were dotted with starlight inside; their sweet taste could soothe the spirit.

Yu Nian took one and carefully peeled it; Leng Ningxue nodded in thanks, condensing ice at her fingertips to slice the fruit into thin pieces, her movements meticulous.

"There are still two days of sailing before we reach the Dark Dust Star Belt." Bai Cheng took a bite of the fruit, her voice gentle.

"There's no need to be tense all the time. Qingniao and Zi Yuan have already taken the initiative to handle today's ship patrol mission. You two should go rest as well."

Yu Nian softly agreed, her movements gentle as she tidied the tea set;

Leng Ningxue checked the navigation data once more before turning off the main light screen.

The three walked out of the cabin one after another. When they parted in the corridor, Yu Nian suddenly turned back and whispered, "If you feel any discomfort... please call me anytime."

Bai Cheng nodded, watching them leave.

Starlight spilled through the porthole, plating a hazy edge of light onto her silver hair.

She raised her hand to ghost over her chest, where a miniature projection of the Emerald Sea star track was hidden, warm and steady.

Late at night, Bai Cheng stood alone before the Observatory. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The star track map flickered in the darkness like breathing, illuminating her calm profile.

Extremely light footsteps came from behind; it was Leng Ningxue, who had returned with a thin blanket in hand.

"Although the ship's constant temperature system is stable, there are still fluctuations in void radiation." She placed the thin blanket on a nearby chair, her tone as flat as usual.

Bai Cheng didn't turn around, only saying softly, "I'm still thinking about the Dark Dust Star Belt. It used to be an ancient battlefield, and the residual law turbulence might interfere with the Starfire Resonance."

"Seventeen response scenarios have been simulated." Leng Ningxue stood by her side, her icy eyes reflecting the star chart. "But the most important variable is still your condition."

Bai Cheng finally turned her head, meeting her calm yet focused gaze, and suddenly smiled. "I know. So... I will be more careful."

Outside the window, the stars were like a river.

The lights in the ship's cabin gradually dimmed, leaving only the navigation star points and ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ the faint glow of the instruments.

The night was deep, and only a few soft night lights remained on in the public lounge of the dawn.

After completing today's star track data check, Bai Cheng felt that the subtle yet persistent pressure of law resonance brought by the emperors imprint deep in her soul had not completely dissipated.

She wasn't that she couldn't bear it; she just occasionally needed a moment of pure relaxation.

She walked lightly back to the residential area corridor. When passing Yu Nian's cabin, she found that the door was not fully closed, and the unique, reassuring shimmering light of the pure heart vine peeked through. Bai Cheng paused at the door.

"Yu Nian?" she called softly.

"Bai Cheng?" The door was quickly pulled open. Yu Nian was wearing simple nightclothes, her long hair loose, and the luster of the vines in her arms swayed gently.

Seeing the almost imperceptible fatigue between Bai Cheng's brows, she immediately understood. "Is the imprint causing discomfort again?"

"Yes, there's a slight sense of sluggishness." Bai Cheng did not hide it.

"Come in." Yu Nian stepped aside, her tone carrying natural concern.

Her cabin was not large, but it was decorated simply and cozily, and the air held the fresh scent of the vines.

Bai Cheng walked into the room. Yu Nian signaled for her to sit on the edge of the bed covered with soft fabric, while she sat beside her.

Several slender branches of the pure heart vine extended from her arms, gently wrapping around Bai Cheng's wrist, emitting gentle purification waves and soothing mental ripples.

"Does this feel better?" Yu Nian focused on adjusting the power output of the vines, her voice soft.

"Much better." Bai Cheng indeed felt the tension lingering deep in her spiritual sense being smoothed out bit by bit by the gentle power of the vines.

She relaxed her body and leaned back slightly.

The continuous high level of focus and the heavy responsibilities she bore finally allowed her, in this safe and private space, to reveal a hint of rare weariness—belonging to a person rather than an emperor.

Yu Nian sensed this deeper exhaustion.

She hesitated, her voice becoming even softer: "Um... if you don't mind, you can lie down. The Sleep Domain will be more effective."

As she spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes were clear and sincere, purely out of concern for her companion and a desire to help.

Bai Cheng looked at her, the star river tracks in her silver eyes seeming to soften for a moment.

She did not refuse this kindness and nodded gently. "Then... I'll trouble you."

The two then lay down side by side. Yu Nian carefully controlled the vines, letting more shimmering green light envelop them like a veil.

The light was not dazzling; instead, it carried a frequency that calmed the mind.

They didn't talk much, simply sharing silent companionship and support in this peaceful space built from trust and the power of the vines.

Bai Cheng closed her eyes, her breathing gradually becoming even and long. Under the nourishment of the vine's light, the emperors imprint at the center of her forehead also became gentle and steady.

Just then, the sensor at the cabin door emitted a very slight beep; someone passed by outside and stopped for a brief moment.

It was Leng Ningxue.

She was performing a routine night patrol of the system data, and her path happened to pass by Yu Nian's cabin.

Her extraordinary perception allowed her to catch the extremely faint but exceptionally peaceful energy fluctuations escaping from inside the door.

The Sleep Domain belonging to the pure heart vine, and another familiar, calm aura that had now shed all its sharpness and pressure.

Leng Ningxue's footsteps barely paused.

In her ice-blue eyes, the data streams flickered as usual, but in the depths of her habitually cold eyes, there seemed to be a trace of almost imperceptible softness.

She didn't knock or make any sound; she just stood still for less than two seconds before continuing her stride forward, as if merely confirming that the vital signs in this area were stable and normal.

The ship's intelligent system recorded this brief stop, categorizing it as a routine security patrol.

Inside the cabin, Yu Nian seemed to sense the slight movement outside the door, but her eyelashes only fluttered slightly. She didn't open her eyes, nor did she disturb Bai Cheng, who seemed to have fallen into a deeper state of relaxation.

The light of the vines pulsed gently, guarding this small space and making it increasingly tranquil.

The dawn continued its steady voyage through the boundless sea of stars, carrying its crew toward a distant place filled with the unknown yet also harboring new hope.

And on this long journey, these simple and sincere acts of mutual support between companions were one of the warmest sources of strength that sustained them in the face of all challenges.