Kindred Souls Who Share a Vision

...The path ahead is completely destroyed, but there are no Xiranite we can use nearby.

It would seem that ... our only way forward is the scroll portal.

Yes...

More accurately, it contains impressions that the Science Station left in my memories.

And this is thanks to the Proxy. Her power preserved these experiences... Despite the years, none of them have faded.

Let's go, Endmin. I'll take you to my experiences "ten years ago".

Hi everyone, my name's Zhuang Fangyi.

Young and inexperienced...

HQ said they're sending us a young and gifted Tianshi... But you're even younger than we expected.

Ah, you flatter me. My work is ... hardly worth mentioning.

Nah, don't sell yourself short! You're the youngest Tianshi of HAS! We're really honored to have you here at the Science Station!

So, did you read the papers and reports we sent your way?

Your senior has been waiting. She's interested in your views.

Of course I am. Out with it!

I've read it quite a few times. Some points are very exciting...

But something was tucked between pages 26 and 27. A comparison of eggs laid by short-tailed and long-tailed fowlbeasts.

I don't know why it's there... I also read your other papers and listed a few questions.

HAHAHAHAHA... You're too honest, girl. That's my, my... HAHAHAHA!

It was only later that I learned ... she left it there on purpose.

It was a little trick of hers ... to see if I'd read her data thoroughly.

Stop laughing.

Endmin, this meeting room ... was where we announced the birth of Xiranite...

You weren't at the Science Station. You were taking care of something else...

But we notified you of the news at the first opportunity. You also congratulated us.

Hahaha! We finally made our first Xiranite. The crucial step has been taken. Plenty of ideas can finally be achieved.

Yeah... Zhuang said she wanted to build a Xiranite city! Look. What do you think of our first "brick"?

That ... would take many more bricks...

We'll make them. This Xiranite just opened up opportunities for us.

Oh, this city of yours... It's got hotpot, fried skewers, burgers, maocai, and ice cream, right?

It does.

Hoho, you're already making a wish list?

Don't spoil her, Zhuang. Good health is what you really need to do solid scientific work. Uncle Zhang feels the same too.

So don't forget to set aside a place for exercising, okay?

Okay. There'll be a plaza.

Can't believe it... No one mentioned what really matters. Schools. Make sure you have one.

The success of Project Xiranite has created a new science. More Tianshi will continue our research.

Of course, my mentor. It's at the most important location of the city.

It's all there... Everything is now in Wuling.

Yes ... and it's a really big one.

It was the time ... when I just learned that all my seniors and peers had died in the accident.

It all happened so quickly. They were filled with hope and ambition mere moments ago. Every face ... was once so vivid and alive.

...All of them were gone.

Never to be seen again.

Why...? Why...

No, no... I can't waste my time on tears.

It's alright. Just let it all out.

I've got no time... There's too much to do.

You have today, and tomorrow... You have plenty of time.

But ... how...? I'm the only one left...

Fear not... Others will be joining your side. You will not be alone.

What should I do...? Somebody please ... what should I do...

You've done well. Things were hard at the beginning, but you persevered.

No... I must be strong... No matter what happens, I must keep going...

Apologies, it's embarrassing that you had to see me in such a mess.

I'm ... not feeling terrible. This was all in the past.

What we saw was but a fragment of memories... A moment that had long passed us by.

Let's go, Endmin.

I will...

Thank you ... Endmin.

...Why?

Knowing that while I slept, many continued to forge on and stayed true to the path...

Though I woke without any memories, seeing you and everyone who persisted—

—my fears would subside.

So you can feel fear as well, Endmin.

Yes. I fear that those who once walked with me ... will end up leaving.

I promise you... I won't leave that easily.

The rift has stabilized... The light of the Marker Stone Flats should be back on.

Let's head back together.

Tianshi Zhuang, tell me ... will you leave me?

...Bamboo Brew. It was made by the Science Station team back then, and I brought it along.

Since my seniors are no longer around, I don't know who to share this with... And so I never opened it.

But now you're here. An old friend coming to visit ... such a moment calls for a drink.

To save resources, we fermented leftovers and scraps from the agro-lab. Taste wasn't on the agenda.

But, this is a flavor ... I'm quite fond of.

Truly, the flavors from the past...

Taste anything peculiar?

That's right... Flavors of the past.

It would be my great honor to walk the same path with you, Endmin.

Time truly flies... I barely realized a whole decade in Wuling has slipped by...

Endmin, Wuling has become a part of me.

No matter what the future holds, even if fate forces me to leave ... my path will always lead me back here.

Endmin, we have been running around all day. I imagine you are exhausted. Shall I see you back so you can rest?

Then ... shall we walk a little more together?

But rest assured... Wuling and I will always be with you. We are united by the same cause.

Of course, Endmin. Together.

Good.

...Thank you.

Just as I expected. Æther energy has changed this place. The area within the scroll is in chaos.

Familiar ... yet completely transformed...

The stones don't look like Science Station building materials. They look like ... Xiranite of the underground array.

The two spaces have blended within the scroll. This is my first time seeing it... But the Xiranite in here looks inert.

But if it's Xiranite, we can simply energize it and I'll be able to move them.

Alright. I'm leaving it to you.

The time to reminisce is over. Now it's time to make the final stroke.

That's the exit.

So when you visit the Underground Array ... would you enter this place?

Occasionally... Whenever I think about the past, I'd enter the scroll.

However, I never knew what memories the Proxy would show me. Sad or joyful, I'd only know when I see them.

...Ten years ago. Multiple buildings at the Science Station were destroyed. This is the only monitoring station left.

When the SAR team arrived, they were positive about finding survivors.

But the tragedy only revealed itself when they delved downwards. They learned that ... fortune had never paid a visit.

Both Tianshi Lis...?

Yes. They were Lifeng's parents.

The damaged communicator keeps replaying the same, distorted audio recording.

"Tianshi ... Zhuang, Project Xiranite ... only one left ... counting ... on you."

A thick document holder with Zhuang Fangyi's recent health examination reports.

The recent battle against Nefarith and constant exhaustion has taxed her health gravely. Many indicators are below healthy standards.

The doctor has written a full page of prescriptions that she never followed.

An application for the usage of Xiranite Nexus.

The underground rift beneath Wuling City is expanding. Given the nature of its location, various rift-sealing measures have been deemed less than ideal as the consequences might be severe.

The Tianshi has finally decided to use the Xiranite Nexus to seal the rift. But the user of the Xiranite Nexus must be in close proximity to the rift. Risk levels are exceptionally high.

Despite knowing the dangers involved, many Tianshi still volunteered. The candidates have yet to be finalized.

To that, Zhuang Fangyi has left a simple comment.

"I'll go."

A stack of documents that include a few signed letters of informed consent, letters of delegation, and a report for evaluating the risks of some experiment.

Zhuang Fangyi left some comments at the last page of the report.

"Two can look out for each other, yet both will bear the same risks."

"The Xiranite Nexus has been improved. I'll make sure that Wuling is safe."

A thick compilation of scientific theses. Someone has flipped through it religiously. Detailed notes have been left at every page. The reader really got into the details.

There is also a bookmark with a chubby fowlbeast drawn on it.