Day one of convergence preparation. Hunter sat cross-legged in his meditation chamber, spiritual sense turned inward, examining his damaged foundation like a structural engineer assessing a bridge with missing supports.
Could be worse. Could be completely collapsed.
Seventy-five percent reconstruction visible through his inner sight. His dantian glowed with properly circulating qi, following Azure Cloud Foundation Scripture's refined pathways. The healed meridians looked strong, properly integrated with spiritual energy flowing smoothly. The damaged sections showed microscopic scarring where demonic poison had eaten through meridian walls before Liu Mei's pills stabilized everything.
Foundation Mid breakthrough would complete the reconstruction.
Or shatter everything trying.
Fifty-fifty odds.
"You look nervous." Mei appeared in the doorway, Little Sparrow trailing behind holding Gerald. "That's good. Means your survival instincts work."
