The midnight sky stretched overhead, a vast canvas splashed with a million twinkling stars. The brushsquirrel had drifted into a soft slumber, its tiny body rising and falling rhythmically with each breath it took, ensconced against my leg. Its minuscule paw twitched occasionally as it dreamt its tiny dreams, its serene visage radiating comfort and trust.
Across the portal to the abyss, I watched as Lü Bu meditated in solitude, an image of unruffled tranquility under the starlit expanse. The subtle glow of his martial essence pulsed rhythmically around him, an extension of his breathing as he harmonized his energy with the universe. His stoic presence was a stark contrast to the looming abyss, like a lighthouse standing steadfast against the stormy sea.
"Are there ways to speed this up?" I finally broke the silence, my voice a soft echo against the encompassing quiet.
