The next pressure surge reached the capital while the barriers ran on their independent circuits. Yan anchored the central furnace. The station crews sent their readings directly to Qinghe’s board.
The west node remained dark. The north wall was stable. The east relay held after its new brace. Several marks were still uninspected. The network had gaps, but no Registry order could force a damaged node back online.
Wei reported that Wuchen remained secured under guard and the outer crews had stopped fighting. Local captains retained their release keys. Qinghe asked each station to repeat its reading before the surge passed. Gu marked confirmed lights on a paper map instead of relying on the old ledger.
At the central ring, Yan completed another Final Offering cycle. His body, foundation, soul, and lifespan had grown through the art’s reversed personal costs. His shoulder, ribs, forearm, and hand remained injured from external strikes and debris. He adjusted his grip around the bandages while the furnace carried the central load.
A signal from the east said the barrier held, but a nearby house had lost its roof. The family was already at the school shelter. Qinghe assigned a repair team for the roof once the storm eased. The grid protected some places and failed others; the report named both.
