Southern Star Region, Gradual Reddish Star Domain.

The red leaves covering the mountains gently sway in the warm summer breeze, the rustling leaves producing a soothing sound.

Under the shade of the trees, Tilan, dressed in a white and red gradient classical dress, sits on a green rock amidst fallen leaves. Her snow-colored cloth shoes rest on the dry leaves, revealing the delicate shape of her feet, like red plum blossoms and white snow descending to the mortal world, untouched by dust.

The girl's eyes gaze at the dry branches by her ankle, occasionally catching sight of ants and small insects crawling by, living their free lives. Occasionally, she curiously uses her fingers to nudge away dry leaves to look at the soil and the smaller insects underneath, watching them move with interest.

If one were to describe Tilan's current state of mind, it would be akin to the gentle breeze over the Tree Sea—serene yet dynamic.

Human growth sometimes happens unconsciously. She didn't know when she gradually shed the heavy burdens, obsessions, caution, and shadows of the past, like a room with windows thrown open, welcoming the summer breeze that sweeps through. Only occasionally, in the fluttering of the curtain, can you see the faded photographs lying scattered on the floor, recording past moments.

There is nothing particularly entangled, no hysterical obsession, as if everything can be let go, yet everything can be picked up. Even an ordinary glass of cold water can offer a comforting and cooling sensation to the throat.

One can eagerly attempt anything of interest and then turn away without reluctance, not insisting on any particular outcome. In the past, the various clothes that seemed shy or troublesome are now worn and tried with interest.

Facing her in this state, even Temisia finds her nearly perfect.

"Like a flower unscathed, unrestrained by harm or repression, freely extending fresh shoots and vines, blooming gently as her heart desires, free and easy, yet just right, not damaging or disrupting any grass or wood along the way, as if everything is already well-understood, with an innate grace."

Confronted with Tilan's state, the competitiveness accumulated by Temisia in the past also fades away, akin to facing an open blue sky and white clouds, powerless.

"I always feel that even in history, few songstresses have achieved your current state." Temisia comments.

"Hm."

There is no modesty or shyness, nor rebuttal or doubt, just a calm response. Then the girl's attention shifts back to a small flying insect by her foot, watching as it flaps its little wings, searching for food in the chaotic soil.

Regarding what rank of songstress she is now, Tilan herself doesn't know. Nevertheless, she has never felt burdened, even when she crowned the coronet years ago.

The shadows of the forest spin around the sun, moving from the refreshing morning to the bright noon, and then to the breezy, cooler afternoon.

This girl first sits in the forest, observing the tiny lives around her; later, she lightly steps over the fallen leaves, walking down the hillside among the trees, occasionally leaping lightly from stone to stone, naturally and casually.

Thus, until the sun begins to set in the west, with the sunset glowing like fire, does she stop, standing halfway up the mountain, watching the burning sunset fall.

Before night fully descends, a woman slightly taller than Tilan approaches, stands beside her, and the two watch the sunset completely fall before leaving hand in hand.

In the new year, Tilan no longer continues managing the vast affairs inside the 'Jade Dragon', instead handing them over to the already mature team members. Once liberated, she accepts 'Falling Cloud Gauze' Masha's invitation to the Gradual Reddish Star Domain for a holiday and leisure, occasionally strolling together, discussing life's observations and interesting stories.

Throughout the year, the Federation's situation remains stable, with no major actions from any party, merely continually achieving developmental progress along previously planned directions. The Federation Central Star Domain invests in the construction of many new space stations, exploring new resource minerals, researching planets with special environments, and testing new space propulsion technologies, among other things.

The Dragon Vein System of the Southern Star Region begins to operate, especially the 'Jade Skirt', which is the first planet completed among those planned in the Dragon Vein System. With the system's assistance, the ecological environment of Jade Skirt enters a rapid recovery phase, expected to fully return to the lush vitality of 400 years ago in another five years.

The Western Star Region's economy also develops well. After more than eight years of catching up, the residents' standard of living in the Western Star Region is gradually leveling with the Northern Star Region, no longer at the bottom. However, catching up with the Southern Star Region may take around eight more years, while reaching the same level of development as the Central Star Domain still requires a new opportunity.

The three major factions of the Eastern Star Region now organize economic development and cultural promotion, occasionally experiencing fractures but maintaining overall surface peace and friendliness without severe conflicts.

In the Northern Star Region, except for a few planets and star domains undergoing reform and change, most areas remain as they were ten years ago. They lack particular ambition, and other star domains of the Federation, due to the distance, have little thought for them.

————

Time slowly arrives at 1269 of the Sixth Era.

Western Star Region, Hemu Star Domain, Rose Palace.

"Your Majesty Blanchi." The maid in a long golden gauze dress hurriedly arrived at the room Blanchi rested in front of and then respectfully bowed and waited.

"What is it?" Shortly after, Blanchi walked out slowly, her flowing golden hair simply tied at the back, dressed in a white silk nightgown embroidered with gold.