Lucas held the connection for a few seconds longer.
He could feel the depth beyond that barrier.
Feel how immense she was, even in silence.
And that was exactly why he didn't push further.
If he forced his way deeper into her seclusion, he could disrupt her cultivation. At her level, even the slightest disturbance during a breakthrough could cause deviation. Internal collapse. Permanent damage.
He wasn't desperate enough to gamble her life for reassurance.
So he let go.
He withdrew gently, severing the extension of his consciousness before the resistance could react again. The warmth in his chest dimmed back to its usual faint pulse.
Lucas stayed seated for a moment, staring at nothing.
Then he exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair.
"She's still sealed…" he muttered. No sign she would emerge in time.
That meant one thing.
If Celestial Ken stepped onto that battlefield, there would be no equal to stop him.
