Han Yu did not last much longer either.

He dropped onto his own bedroll, pulling his robe around himself more from habit than need, and closed his eyes. The world faded in seconds, his mind too drained to hold onto wakefulness.

Wu Shuan managed to fold his legs into a meditative posture, sitting quietly for a brief span as he attempted to circulate his qi and calm his thoughts. But even he succumbed, leaning sideways and drifting into slumber before long.

In the neighboring section of tents, Xuan Qing and her companions finally allowed themselves to relax.

Their exhaustion was evident, though their discipline had kept them steady until now. They whispered briefly among themselves before settling into their quarters, the silence of the camp soon broken only by the faint rhythm of weary breathing.

Only Senior Brother Duan remained awake for a time, speaking further with Elder Qing and a few other elders about matters of security and arrangements. But even he eventually retreated to rest, for no one could remain vigilant forever.

The camp grew still as the sun climbed higher, disciples and elders alike wrapped in sleep or quiet meditation. The repository's treasures had been secured, and the sect's future had shifted with the wealth of knowledge now in their possession.

For the moment, though, all that mattered was rest.

A few hours later...

Han Yu stirred awake around four in the afternoon.

His body felt heavy, the kind of heaviness that came only after true exhaustion. He blinked a few times, letting his eyes adjust to the faint light filtering through the fabric of the tent. The air inside was warm, filled with the faint scent of sweat, leather, and the earthy musk of the ground they slept on.

He let out a soft breath, realizing he felt somewhat restored, though his mind still carried the dull ache of fatigue. It was better than before, but it reminded him that even cultivators were not immune to weariness when they pushed themselves to the limit.

YAWN

He sat up slowly, yawning and looked around.

To his mild surprise, he seemed to be the first one awake. On his right, Fatty Kui lay sprawled out in a most ungraceful manner. His rotund frame stretched across nearly half the tent, one arm flung wide, the other hugging his belly.

HRNNNNNNN

The sound of his snoring rumbled like the growl of a beast. Yet it was not only the snoring that filled the air. Han Yu frowned, then chuckled softly when he realized what else he was hearing.

Rumble

Fatty Kui's stomach was rumbling loudly even in his sleep.

"Still hungry in his dreams," Han Yu murmured under his breath.

The fatty's lips twitched as if in response. Soon enough, he began mumbling incoherently, the words spilling out in a slur that carried the rhythm of a child begging for treats. Han Yu leaned a little closer, his brow arching in disbelief.

"Steamed buns… don't take them… mine… roasted duck…" Fatty Kui muttered, his tone filled with longing.

Han Yu shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "He's probably having a feast in his dreams. I wonder how long that battle between hunger and sleep will last."

He leaned back, watching the scene with faint amusement.

Han Yu had lived long enough to know that no matter how deep his friend's slumber was, hunger would always win in the end. When Fatty Kui did wake up, he would most likely tear through the camp kitchens like a starving beast.

Turning his gaze, Han Yu noticed Wu Shuan slumped against the side of the tent.

The man's posture was poor, his head tilted awkwardly and his body leaning against the wooden support. From the faint trickle of residual Qi around him, Han Yu could tell Wu Shuan had been cultivating. At some point, however, fatigue must have claimed him, and he had fallen asleep where he sat.

Han Yu sighed softly and walked over.

He carefully eased Wu Shuan into a lying position, making sure his neck and shoulders were not bent in such a punishing angle.

"If you wake up like that, you'll be stiff for two days," Han Yu muttered while adjusting him.

Wu Shuan's breathing evened out as he shifted, falling deeper into rest.

With that done, Han Yu stretched.

Pop pop pop

A chorus of pops echoed from his joints as he rolled his shoulders and leaned side to side, loosening up his body. His bones and muscles felt heavy but relieved to be moving again. It was not the pain of injury, but the simple toll of having spent so much time fighting, running arrays, and straining his mind to remain alert.

He pushed open the flap of the tent and stepped outside.

The first thing he noticed was the sun's position. It had already sunk considerably, tilting toward the horizon. The sky had taken on a dusky glow, tinged with shades of gold and crimson. A soft breeze drifted across the camp, carrying with it the scent of firewood, cooked meals, and faint medicinal herbs.

Han Yu rubbed his face, blinking as the cooler air refreshed him.

He realized he had slept for nearly half a day. It was later than he had expected, but he felt no guilt. After all, the elders had told them to rest. There was no obligation to rush into another expedition so soon, especially after what they had endured in the repository.

Even on normal days, the elders never forced disciples to go exploring every single day.

Expeditions into ruins and complexes were voluntary, though the temptation of rewards often drove most disciples to take every chance they could. No one wanted to miss the possibility of treasures, rare herbs, or valuable cultivation techniques.

As such, even now around half the camp was actually empty, most having gone to explore the various complexes of the tomb.

Yet for now, Han Yu's concerns were elsewhere. His most pressing task lay in securing the knowledge he had gained from the jade slips in the repository.

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