Perhaps this was the only way he could regain his inner peace.
At this mont, the elder led hundreds of survivors from the Desert Kingdom, gathering from all parts of the canyon.
In their hands, they carried clear water in rough clay pots, freshly picked desert berries, and several packages of dried sand-root rations carefully wrapped in linen.
There were no flowery words, only deep bows and tearful gazes.
"Benefactors... please accept these ager gifts," the elder's voice choked with emotion. "We will forever rember your kindness and will always guard these three statues.
May the desert winds guide your path, and may the oasis springs wash away your hardships... Please, you must return safely."
Bai Cheng walked down the gangway, took the water pot from the elder's hands, and took a gentle sip.
The spring water was cool and clear, with the unique sweetness and slight bitterness of the desert.
"We will," she set down the water pot, her gaze sweeping over every simple, expectant face. "Please live well too. Rebuild your ho and hold onto the hope in your hearts. That will be the best reward for us."
Qingniao, Zi Yuan, Leng Ningxue, Yu Nian, and Lu Duo also stepped down in turn to say a simple farewell to the survivors.
Yu Nian quietly tucked several bags of improved drought-resistant crop seeds into the elder's hands; Lu Duo left a mark of pure life energy at the oasis's water source, ensuring it would not run dry for three years.
There was no long ceremony, no tragic sentintality.
At the final mont, Atum took a step forward and pressed his right fist against his left chest. It was an ancient salute used among the forr Constellation Generals to show respect, but now it carried the weight of a final farewell.
"May there always be starlight... on your path ahead," he said in a low voice.
Bai Cheng returned the sa simple gesture, then turned around, her silver hair fluttering in the morning breeze.
"Board the train."
Everyone filed in. The hatch slowly closed, sealing out the dry desert wind and those lingering gazes.
Inside the cockpit, Bai Cheng sat down at the console and lightly touched several runes.
The levitation array beneath the train emitted a soft silver glow, and the sand was kicked up by a slight current of air, like a golden mist.
"Target: Abyssal Trench."
The train began to rise steadily, turning its course and heading toward the deep-sea horizon to the northwest.
The speed gradually increased as the silver, streamlined hull cut through the morning mist, leaving a fading silver trail in the sky above the desert.
In the canyon, Atum looked up and watched until the silver light completely vanished into the horizon where blue and gold intertwined.
He slowly withdrew his gaze, looked at the statues by the oasis, and then at the survivors standing quietly nearby with tears still in their eyes.
He took a deep breath of the dry, clean morning air of the desert, and then, in a voice still as thick as muffled thunder, he said to everyone:
"From this day forward, I, Atum, shall be with you."
Inside the train, Bai Cheng took one last look back through the porthole.
The massive desert island had turned into a hazy silhouette on the horizon; the oasis and statues were no longer visible.
But she could feel a faint yet resilient warmth of faith still coming through an invisible connection, like a distant lighthouse—unreachable, yet always lit.
She withdrew her gaze and looked toward the vast, boundless blue sea ahead.
A new voyage had already begun.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
The silver train traveled smoothly above the Erald Sea.
It had been half a day since they left the Desert Kingdom. Below was the endless blue surface of the sea, with sunlight filtering through the clouds to scatter fine golden light. Occasionally, schools of fish could be seen leaping up, kicking up white splashes.
In the cockpit, Bai Cheng set the autopilot route, and silver runes flowed slowly across the console.
She stood up and rubbed the space between her eyebrows. The continuous battles, decision-making, and her first contact with the Power of Faith had kept her mind in a state of high tension.
"Miss, you should rest."
Zi Yuan's voice ca from behind.
She walked into the cockpit carrying a wooden tray with three steaming cups of tea. The tea had an elegant fragrance, with the faint scent of so unknown flower or herb.
Bai Cheng turned around and saw Yu Nian and Leng Ningxue following behind Zi Yuan.
Yu Nian was holding a small crystal jar containing several pieces of amber-colored candied fruit, her face full of anticipation:
"I traded so dried honey dates from the desert survivors. They're said to be an oasis specialty, and they go perfectly with Sister Zi Yuan's herbal tea!"
Leng Ningxue leaned against the cabin door with her arms crossed. Her ice-blue eyes scanned the data stream on the console, and she only nodded slightly after confirming everything was normal:
"The autopilot is stable. There won't be any need for manual intervention for the next two hours."
Looking at the three of them, the tension in the corners of Bai Cheng's mouth finally relaxed, revealing a rare, faint smile. "Alright."
The four of them went to the observation lounge in the middle of the train.
This was a semi-circular space where a curved porthole took up an entire wall. Outside were the flowing sea of clouds and the deep blue.
The interior was simple, with several padded low couches surrounding a low table. A tea set and several plates of snacks were already laid out on the table.
In addition to the honey dates Yu Nian brought, there were nuts Qingniao had collected from a reef a few days ago, and several plump berries Lu Duo had grown using life energy.
Sunlight stread through the porthole, feeling warm and cozy.
Zi Yuan knelt by the low table, gracefully pouring tea for everyone.
Yu Nian sat down cross-legged without ceremony and reached for a honey date, only to have her hand lightly tapped by Leng Ningxue's icy fingertips.
"Wash your hands," Leng Ningxue's voice was cold and clear.
Yu Nian stuck out her tongue and obediently got up to go to the nearby sink, where there was a Pure Water Vine grown by Lu Duo whose leaves automatically secreted clean dew.
She muttered while washing her hands, "Sister Ning Xue is so strict. She doesn't seem to mind the ss when she's freezing everything for miles during a battle..."
Leng Ningxue gave her a flat look, and Yu Nian imdiately shut her mouth.
Bai Cheng sat on a low couch and took the teacup Zi Yuan handed her.
The tea was warm with the sweetness of flowers and herbs, and it had a strange, mind-soothing effect upon drinking.
She took a small sip, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "Is there Tranquility Grass in this tea?"
"Yes," Zi Yuan nodded. "And so Mind-Calming Flowers grown by Lu Duo. You've been too tired lately, Miss."
Yu Nian ca back after washing her hands. This ti, she openly grabbed a honey date and stuffed it into her mouth, squinting her eyes in satisfaction. "Mmm! So sweet!"
She took another one and held it to Bai Cheng's lips. "Try it, this is super delicious!"
Bai Cheng was slightly startled, but looking at Yu Nian's sparkling eyes, she opened her mouth and «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» took it.
The honey date was indeed very sweet, with thick flesh and the rich aroma of desert sunlight, pairing perfectly with the clear tea.
Leng Ningxue also picked up her teacup but didn't drink imdiately. Instead, she looked out at the flowing sea of clouds.
The sunlight cast a layer of pale gold over her ice-blue hair, making the profile of her face look a bit softer in the light and shadow.
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