The sensors showed that Yan had completed every stage except the final circulation. Qinghe laid the first-cycle record beside the latest readings. The channel, foundation, and soul measures had all changed in order. He could direct the storm current more easily than when he began.
“Every stage but the final circulation is complete,” she said. “The trace returned to baseline after the last pass.”
Yan looked at the record. “I can feel the difference. The strand turns without me forcing it back into line.”
Gu cleaned a line of grit from one reflective bowl and aligned it to the platform mark. The latest soul reading had been coherent, but he wanted the final cycle to use the same angle as the others. He checked the other bowls and gave Qinghe the signal.
The last check began at the platform. Qiao reported that the grounding rods were secure. He read each connection by name, and the second engineer confirmed them. The broken marker remained outside the ring. The replacement sat firm in its socket.
Wei watched the ridge. No creature was near the site. The guards had partners assigned for the descent and knew where to take an injured person. The route did not cross the active rods.
