CHAPTER 471: TOURING V

Marina nearly choked on her laughter, covering her mouth as she set her chopsticks down. "Please, no one mention living food while I’m eating," she said between giggles. "I’m pretending it’s normal dinner, not... whatever this is."

Veyra smiled faintly, the corners of her eyes softening. "At least it’s fresh," she said dryly, taking a careful sip of her Moonpetal Spirit Tea. The faint luminescence from the cup reflected against her pale skin, casting a serene glow. "This one feels gentle—it balances the blood aura instead of agitating it. I might bring a few jars home."

Catherine nodded approvingly. "You and your plants. Even your tea has to come with a lecture on aura flow."

Veyra shot her a look, but her smile lingered. "Knowledge keeps us alive. You’d understand if your blood arts didn’t rely on improvisation."

Before Catherine could retort, Freya leaned back in her chair, chuckling. "Ah, it’s been too long since I’ve heard you two argue about techniques. Makes me nostalgic."

"Don’t start," Valeris said, her tone amused but firm. "Let them enjoy the night before you turn it into a sparring debate."

Arnold raised his cup with a grin. "They can spar after dessert. Builds appetite."

Even Asher laughed at that, shaking his head. "Not in here, please. I don’t want to compensate a restaurant because someone vaporized a wall."

"Fair," Valeris said with mock seriousness. "You’ve done enough of that lately."

The server returned with a tray of spirit-infused desserts—delicate crystal fruits, aura-cream pastries that shimmered faintly with runes, and translucent noodles that glowed like threads of moonlight. Marina’s eyes practically sparkled.

"Now this

is divine," she said, taking one of the crystal fruits and biting into it. A faint hum of spiritual energy pulsed outward. "It’s like eating pure essence."

"Probably is," Sophia murmured, sipping a cup of pale green tea. "They say these are made from condensed aura dew harvested at dawn."

Maxwell groaned softly, leaning back in satisfaction. "I don’t care what they’re made of. I’m eating here again tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Sylens said, smirking. "Assuming you can afford another meal. These prices could bankrupt a small sect."

Asher chuckled under his breath. "Don’t worry about it. I’ve still got half a vault from that cultist sect. Consider it your reward for surviving everything we’ve been through."

Selene’s gaze softened as she looked around the table—the laughter, the warmth, the soft flicker of light playing over each familiar face. For a moment, she seemed to see not warriors, not cultivators, but family.

"This is what he would’ve wanted," she said quietly, almost to herself.

Asher glanced up, meeting her eyes. "Father?"

She nodded. "He believed strength means nothing if you forget who you’re fighting for." Her voice was soft but firm. "You’ve given us more than safety, Asher. You’ve given us purpose again."

The table fell briefly silent—not heavy, but reflective. Even Freya, usually quick to tease, said nothing, only offering a faint, approving smile.

Asher exhaled slowly, the words settling into him like quiet embers. "Then I’ll keep doing it," he said simply. "Until we don’t have to fight anymore."

Valeris leaned an arm on the table, her tone gentle. "You know that day will never come."

He smiled faintly. "Then I’ll make sure we enjoy the moments between the battles."

And as the lantern light flickered above, their laughter soon returned—soft, content, and real.

Outside, Velstrand’s night deepened. The streets gleamed with streams of soul-light, and faint music echoed from the distant upper tiers. For the first time in what felt like years, there was no rush, no mission, no bloodshed—only the quiet grace of family gathered in peace.

When they finally stepped out of the restaurant, the night air felt cool and alive. The city shimmered under an ocean of drifting soul lanterns, each one releasing faint trails of light that danced above the paved streets. The market had quieted, though a few vendors still called out soft offers to late wanderers, their voices carrying through the breeze like gentle echoes.

Asher walked ahead with his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant skyline. His family followed closely behind, their footsteps light and unhurried—an unspoken agreement that this moment wasn’t meant to end too quickly.

Marina stretched her arms, sighing in satisfaction. "That might’ve been the best meal I’ve ever had," she said, half-grinning. "And I’ve eaten celestial dragon steak before."

Freya laughed softly. "You say that every time you’re full."

"I mean it this time," Marina protested, though her smile betrayed her amusement.

Sophia had her arm looped through Lia’s as they walked. "Still... it’s rare to have a night like this. No danger, no missions. Just—normal."

"Normal," Lia echoed thoughtfully. "Feels strange, doesn’t it?"

Veyra’s soft voice joined from behind them. "Strange... but needed. We forget sometimes that peace is also part of cultivation. It’s where our spirits mend."

Valeris nodded in quiet agreement. "And it’s where our hearts remember who we were before all the blood."

Asher’s pace slowed slightly at that. He glanced back, his eyes finding hers for a brief moment before shifting upward toward the glowing spires that pierced the night sky. "You’re right," he said. "Peace is a luxury—but one we’ve earned."

Arnold chuckled. "For now. You know it won’t last. Every time we relax, the universe throws something new at us."

"Then let it," Asher replied easily. "We’ll deal with it like always."

They reached a plaza overlooking the lower city tiers—a breathtaking view of light and mist. Streams of aura energy cascaded through transparent conduits, illuminating entire streets with soft radiance. In the center of the plaza, a grand fountain pulsed with shifting hues of spiritual power, its waters shaped like flowing constellations.

Selene stepped closer, her reflection rippling through the fountain’s glow. "This city is alive," she murmured. "You can feel the souls moving through it—each one chasing something different."

Catherine smiled faintly. "Sounds like us."

"Maybe," Selene said, her voice gentle. "But unlike most, we don’t chase—we build." She turned to Asher. "You’ve gathered us from chaos and made us something whole again. Don’t underestimate that."

Asher said nothing for a while, watching the fountain’s surface shimmer with color. When he finally spoke, his tone carried the quiet gravity of someone who had seen too many endings. "I didn’t do it alone. Everyone here chose to stay, to fight, to heal. I just gave us direction."

Valeris placed a hand on his arm, her expression calm but affectionate. "And that’s what leaders do."