A Glance of Astonishment

We got this. Go, get inside the city!

O-Okay... Stay safe out here!

Why's the alarm still going?

The Depth readings haven't stabilized. There might be more trouble coming...

......

She's Zhuang Fangyi, the Viceroy of Wuling.

That Tianshi Bureau Lei Fa (Thunder Arts) — barely anyone in the entire HAS can match her!

Identity confirmed. Three guests from Endfield. Data sync complete.

It's the receptionist bot! Awww, I've missed you!

Welcome back to Wuling, Miss Chen Qianyu. Welcome, Supervisor Perlica. And welcome, Endministrator.

Please follow me. She will meet with you formally at the Main Pillar.

Truly exceptional. I have reviewed her basic information in SOW, but I did not realize her Originium Arts could be so ... remarkable.

Wait, if the array's working and watchguards are out, why would Tianshi Zhuang step in herself?

Hmm... Perhaps things in Wuling are not as stable as they appear.

Tianshi Zhuang has been informed of your arrival.

Never thought I'd be back in Wuling City again...

Unable to process your request — feature not found.

It's okay, Endmin. There will be vehicles in the city.

*Cough*Cough* Wuling's just as bustling as ever! And now there's even... Oh my! That's a ginormous Chubby Lung!

Seriously it's kinda cute. I wanna poke it so bad...

Hmm ... guess I'll add procuring a Chubby Lung to our cooperation plan with Tianshi Zhuang.

Distinguished guests, kindly follow me through Fangxing Avenue. The Main Pillar is just ahead.

Wuling — I'm back!!

......

Thank you, Chen. I was a bit nervous myself earlier, but now I feel completely at peace.

If you are still unsettled, a distraction might help.

Distraction?

Uh... Do I have to?

Give it a try. It's better than arriving tense and downcast before Tianshi Zhuang.

Alright, here I go!

......

......

P-PAPAAAA!

......

Mi Fu! Did you get everything settled?

Yeah, I heard you guys even pitched in outside the city. Thanks for that.

We usually avoid letting guests deal with trouble, but … never mind. Those buggerloids got a taste of the Endministrator's power, it's a good thing.

Put your hand out.

It's the key to the boss' office.

Distinguished guests, we've arrived at the Main Pillar.

Alright, come with me. I'll take you to meet the boss.

This concludes our journey. I hope you enjoy your time in Wuling.

I'll wait out here.

Tianshi Zhuang's office ... the very heart of the Main Pillar! I'm getting a little excited!

Heh! Not just anyone gets to waltz in here! I got lucky riding the Endmin's coattails!

An absolute genius. She took command in crisis and gave everything right till the end.

However...

You'll understand once you meet her.

Endmin, this also serves as Endfield's formal meeting with Wuling. Don't keep her waiting.

Can I help you?

Mi Fu, did you catch Tangtang?

I got caught up by something urgent midway, so I had to let her off the hook.

You'd better keep your distance from Tangtang. She's full of nasty tricks.

Looks like Tangtang got away.

Are you nervous? Don't worry, she won't bite.

Go.

Then hurry along. My boss will probably be quite pleased to see you.

Apologies, Endministrator. Things have been complicated, and we didn't show you the proper hospitality.

Please skip the formality. Just speak to me as casually as you used to.

Now that ... really does sound like the old you.

Tianshi Zhuang, the Endmin has only recently awakened and is still recovering.

...So your memories haven't fully returned after all.

Back then, you came to the Wuling Science Station for an exchange... I was just a Tianshi Intern shadowing my mentor, but we briefly worked together.

You even gave me personal guidance.

Brief, but deeply insightful.

Let us leave the reminiscing for another time.

Please excuse the mess. I didn't get a chance to tidy up.

Eh!?

But...

Before we proceed, allow me to brief you on Wuling's current situation.

Hmm?

She's not alone this time — A man named Ardashir is with her!

The Bonekrushers have arrived in Wuling.

With the Blight Tide rolling relentlessly just outside ... it is truly impressive that Wuling City manages to maintain such peace.

Unfortunately, while everything seems quiet, the enemies are already stirring behind the scenes.

Several Tianshi Pillars have been destroyed over the past week. The array still holds, but these losses are clearly threatening the city's stability.

Is he one of Nefarith's allies?

If he was really just her ally, things would be more simple.

For now, all we can do is increase Xiranite output to keep the array stable.

Indeed. Worrying gets us nowhere. Let's focus on what we can prepare.

I've been informed. But based on the UWST's updates, her activity in Wuling is quite unlike before.

His Arts do not align with any modern Originium Arts framework. And ... he seems fluent in a language we barely recognize.

Ardashir... Hmm ... could it be ancient Sargonian?

No, it's more esoteric.

Hmm...

Whoa ... does this show all of Wuling?

Correct. Over the past few months, unusual Æther activities have caused multiple huge tides to overlap, flooding several zones outside the city badly.

While the Tianshi Pillars can protect Wuling, they use up Xiranite very quickly... In fact, our supply is nearly exhausted.

The Endmin's point is valid. With the Automated Industry Complex, we stand a good chance of making it happen.

*Sigh* I truly hope so...

Yes, if necessary, we can zoom in to see every detail inside Wuling City.

Everything?! Then that time I was wrestling with burdenbeasts in the meadow...

Don't worry, nobody's going to look that closely.

Depth readings are still rising. Supplies won't last long. We've got at most three months.

If Endfield could provide assistance, we should be able to sustain ourselves for a few more months, even if conditions deteriorate.

The AIC is based on Protorig technology. It's the only way to mass-produce Xiranite in a short time.

Heh... I'd almost forgotten, just how many impossible things the Endministrator can pull off.

Looking at the simulation, are those undulating structures around Wuling the Blight Tide?

Nearly exhausted?

But the city and the people look normal! Wait, is that why...?

I see. That's why the watchguards and you have personally gone beyond the perimeter to handle the Aggeloi.

Yes... We had to find ways to reduce the strain.

These particle beams are connected to the Xiranite inside the Tianshi Pillars. Endministrator, you can try touching them.

Weird... How come nothing happens when I touch them?

That's because Xiranite still "remembers" you.

It was created from the bold vision you shared with HAS.

Xiranite is an offshoot of the Protorig technology, so of course the Endmin was involved. Chen, didn't you read the reports from the Technical Axis?

Xiranite was first envisioned as a way to seal rifts, stop the Blight from spreading, and cleanse polluted land and water.

It took us over a decade to simplify the manufacturing process, so Xiranite could be mass-produced and become the city's core...

Wait — the Endmin actually started Project Xiranite?!

Of course I read it! …But I can't magically memorize thirty years' worth of reports like you!

That said, I'd rather not ruin the surprise.

I had already designated a plot on the city's outskirts for industrial use.

I should be the one thanking you.

With all of you here, I feel...

Endministrator...

I hope Wuling invokes your memories — its people, its stories...

Or anything lingering in your heart.

I have also arranged for a guide to assist you on the way there.

Like stepping back into the past.

Yes. When everyone was still around, including you.

Back then everyone was full of hope. We all believed that every problem had a solution — that no one would lose hope or walk away.

Hey! What's going on? Need a hand?

A hand? What I need is for you to scram! Those Aggeloi could hit again any minute!

Oh no, no! My goods!

Tch! If you really wanna help, then drag his ass into the city!

The alarm's going off again!

Hurry!

Thanks again for stepping in back there.

Ah, no biggie. Aren't you gonna head back to the city?

No, I still have patrol duty. But I really do owe you all one.

Since the receptionist bot's here to escort you, just follow it and you'll be fine.

Nonsense! This was life-saving kindness!

My name's Pu Yuan and I run a small business. I was a bit shaken up earlier — sorry about that.

Anytime you need help, just come find me! I'll save all the good stuff for you!

Awww, Xiaowu! We actually just got to Wuling.

Oh, are you Chen's friends? Please just call me Xiaowu like she does!

Back just in time! Let's go to the Bureau of Swordmancers. We should test the new batch of swords together!

Would love to — ah, wait, no, we've got to meet Tianshi Zhuang first. Work stuff.

Tch. Fangyi stealing my people again... Whatever, fine.

Don't forget to swing by later! I've got some real goodies to show you.

Chen, could you please introduce this Tianshi to us?

Tianshi Ge? Getting flak from your students again?

Ahem, how is this... This is purely academic exchange...!

Hold on, Chen?! What brings you back to Wuling?

I'm here on behalf of Endfield this time.

Endfield? You joined Endfield Industries?

Come on, come on, perfect timing! You can help me check on the project progress at the Research Center!

Ah, what a shame...

...Oh, I'm so happy for you!

Alright, be sure to drop by when you have time.