The night passed without further interruptions. The protection array had hummed quietly in the darkness, its invisible threads of Qi acting as a silent, vigilant sentinel against the encroaching shadows.
When Bai Xifeng finally woke, her hand was buried deep in thick, luxurious fur. Having summoned Princess Huahua the night before, she had enjoyed a remarkably peaceful sleep, free from the typical anxieties of the wilderness. Stretching her limbs, she reached into her storage rune and retrieved a generous breakfast spread. The moment the savoury aroma hit Tao-chan's nose, he bolted upright, his eyes wide with hunger.
"I want to eat, too!" Tao-chan chirped, his voice full of morning energy.
