As the golden glow of Lin Mo’s breakthrough settled across the bridge, a massive, comforting shadow glided out of the Eternal Kelp Forest, blocking out the ambient starlight.
A creature twice the size of the mother whale glided smoothly beneath the keel of the Sovereign Aurora.
Its hide was not silver, but deep midnight obsidian, studded with glowing white star-clusters that mirrored the constellations of the outer rim. Its ancient dorsal fin carried centuries of mineral crust, and two long, bioluminescent whiskers trailed behind its jaw like banners of liquid moonlight.
It was the Ancient Star-Whale Patriarch.
The gigantic beast drifted upward until its vast, starry forehead pressed gently against the reinforced crystal barrier of the lower observation terrace, right where Little Guo’er was standing.
Little Guo’er ran to the railing without an ounce of fear. She placed her small warm palm directly against the Patriarch’s colossal starry forehead through the permeable spirit-shield, then held up a steaming lotus-honey bun with her other hand.
“Grandpa whale, look what Grandma Chen baked!” Little Guo’er called out happily. “It’s stuffed with red bean paste and sweet starlight pollen! Eat it while it’s warm!”
HUMMMMMM.
