Deep Vaulted Steel

Hey Endmin! You found time to come pick out a sword too?

Exactly! That's why I invited the Endmin here! You know what? Recently, we've discovered the long-lost Sword Vault Dale!

Sword Vault Dale?! The one that the storytellers are always going on about?

Ha, that sounds wildly exaggerated...! But I suppose there's a grain of truth in there.

If that's the case, then it could be traced back to a time near the Terrans' first arrival on Talos-II...

Exactly. Back then, the Yanese Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Works built a secret vault. Word is, it stores backup blueprints of various machines for future generations of Talos-II explorers.

Oh, that's why you said it's connected to the "roots" of the Bureau! We're talking about ancestral treasure!

Only a handful of key personnel knew of its existence. After the Aggeloi War broke out, the site got buried by the Blight. Relevant records were also lost in the chaos.

Well, I searched high and low and found nothing. Until recently, when the Blight Tide receded, I realized it's right in the dale southeast of Qingbo Stockade.

But right now, I have a lot on my plate. Fangyi reminded me that ... maybe I could ask you for help...?

Oh! Oh! I'm coming too! Even if we don't find the Demon Slayer, there might be other awesome blades and secret manuals!

Knowing Chen's around makes me feel more at ease. I need to stay in the city for now. Chen, our Endmin's safety is in your hands.

Don't worry! With me around, this will be a relaxing stroll for our Endmin!

Fear not! No way I'll let you help Wuling pro bono!

Besides, we might find the legendary Chi Xiao Swordmancy in the Yanese hoard! Endmin, let's go treasure hunting together!

Knowing Chen's around makes me feel more at ease. I need to stay in the city for now. Chen, our Endmin's safety is in your hands.

Wonderful! Oh, we also got recent reports of treasure thieves who specifically target ancestral relics. I've sent my apprentice Lin Hu to guard the dale's entrance.

But my mentor always knew the general location, and entrusted me to rediscover it. That's why I requested my Wuling transfer in the first place.

Got it! If anyone dares lay a hand on our ancient treasure, they'll get a taste of my blade! Endmin, let's head out!

Tales say the Twin Heroes of Yan brought the Demon Slayer from Terra. They buried it here ... and retired for good!

The site may hide something we've always dreamed of — Yanese tech relics. People say it's connected to the origins of our Bureau of Swordmancers.

Hmm... So the defensive system's energy circuit was designed with these variances in mind... Oh, Endmin?

These are ... rockhowlers. Wild cousins of cloudbeasts. The HAS flagged them as a new subspecies.

Something's not right... Rockhowlers are usually shy and hardly start fights. But those were out for blood...

Yeah. Feels like some weird energy in this dale is pushing them into a frenzy.

Signal's dead...

Yeah. We're Team Endmin. We'll figure this out!

Nah, not at all!

We'll brave the depths with steel in hand, through mountain paths and river bends, to reach the light at the tunnels' end!

Oh no... Is he getting attacked by frenzied rockhowlers? We need to find him...

Huh? You saw something?

A red shadow? This dale is getting weirder by the sec...

Look! Qingbo Stockaders! They even got a camp going!

I bet they came through that opening near the gate.

True. Tangtang treats us as Fam. They'll definitely agree to help.

Well, since Tangtang treats us as Fam, we can definitely work something out.

But now they're completely trapped in here.

Hey? You okay...? Endmin, he's been shocked senseless. What should we do?

Listen up. I'm Operator Chen Qianyu of Endfield, and this is our Endministrator. I hope you like prison food, filthy crook!

WAIT! My friends, I'm a TGCC contract employee! Look! Here's my proof!

Of course! Henry Walton, registered archaeologist of the TGCC, at your service! I am entrusted with the retrieval of Terran technological relics!

What are you on about? This is Yanese turf with Hongshan Academy of Sciences written all over it.

But my friends, do you even know what's buried here? All the knowledge and tech Terran nations once entrusted to Yan!

As the great-grandson of Dr. Indy Walton, former Columbia's plenipotentiary representative on the Supervisory Committee, I am here with official TGCC sponsorship.

I am entitled to create a backup of everything valuable you unearth here! As authorized by this treaty, signed by all Terran nations!

But ... why didn't Xiaowu mention it? No. If you're gonna profit off this, I'd rather end the treasure hunt right now!

Wait! I've got a win-win idea. Since Endfield is a close ally of HAS, I believe we can negotiate a partnership!

I'm injured, but I can send my capable assistant "Smartie" to help you. As for me, I ask only for Columbian relic tech in return. Deal?

Yes! Smartie's that little red rockhowler! With my trusty buddy's help, we're all set to gain from this.

So its name is Smartie... Seems like it'll be a big help. What do you think, Endmin?

Fine. The Endmin has spoken. I'll go along.

A wise choice. I'll have Smartie scout for the next Ancient Sword Stele. Feel free to ask me about anything. And pleasure doing business with you!

Ah! I'm alive! Oh, thank you for saving my skin! Uh, I've scoured a few Wulinger trinkets... Pick one, no! Pick two! Token of my gratitude!

Trinkets? Hold on... What are you doing here?

We're all in the same place so let's not play games. The treasure the Yanese left! That's why we're here. Oh! How about you work for me...

A treasure thief? Perfect. We caught you super red-handed.

Done! These sword stele "chains" have been pulled up! The seal below is now weaker.

I'm a little worried too... Will these violent quakes damage the treasure vault?

Patience, little one. We're heading out right now.

This disturbance is way, way bigger than the first one.

There's a rope up there... Smartie, you're up!

Wait? Are they ... your friends?

Alright, go home and take care of yourself. Don't get bullied again!

Ohhh, a gift for us?

Thank you! Now, hurry on home.

It trusted us so much ... and helped us out big time.

Who knows? But from here on out, we're on our own.

So this is where Great Yan stored its tech relics...

...Let's start by looking for anything related to the "Chi Xiao Swordmancy"!

These figures ... were they the builders and overseers of this vault? They look...

They look like scholars and intellectuals.

So many scrolls! It would take lifetimes to read them all. Endmin, why don't we look around for treasure?

It's Xiaowu! Oh, and Perlica's here, too!

Endmin, I've found a hidden sector within the knowledge base. I believe it contains a recording about your past. Would you like to hear it?

Thanks to the assistance of Endfield Industries, we successfully built this vault and its defensive facilities despite the tight schedule.

Endfield exists for this very purpose.

Many questioned why we invested so much in the defense of this site despite the impending crisis. After all, the content of the vault might not warrant the resources spent to build it...

No, it's worth everything we spent.

For many years to come ... the Talosians will be forced to focus on technology, and devote themselves to weapons.

But a time will come when they hear, see, and read these treasures once again. They will learn that a weapon's value ... should be dictated by what it is meant to protect.

Best speech ever, Endmin! Though some of those "treasures" are kinda hard for me to understand...

A lesson well learned. The importance lies not in the sword, but the "sword's intent" of defending what truly matters. It's the very purpose of our Bureau of Swordmancers.

Hehe, a most unexpected reunion with old acquaintances, just as the old Yanese saying goes: "A familiar face at distant lands".

I didn't expect to meet a notorious "archaeological bounty hunter" again.

I'll do the explaining. The vault actually protects the works of history and philosophy, plus some music, paintings, and movies...

We had quite an encounter. Mainly due to some ... misunderstanding.

As for legendary weapons or tech relics, the vault ... has none of that.

Endmin, you and your team are also welcome to use these collections at any time.

Yes, as soon as she received the messages, Supervisor Perlica decided to come meet you here.

Such is the origin of our "Sword". Call the Tianshi Bureau Academy. These treasures must be properly secured and put to good use.

Great! I gotta browse this awesome collection of wuxia movies!

Endmin, Chen, you've both done a great job.

Thank you for locating our long-lost vault. What did you find? Anything related to our Bureau?

The sword stele "chains" are being pulled up from the bottom of the dale. Looks like the energy down there is getting weaker.

Oh, I see... These steles act as the keys to the "lock" protecting whatever's buried in that dale.

Well, the storytellers always say that the tech of Great Yan is one of the best in Terra.

They built numerous wonders. Like the "Twelve Pagodas and Five Cities". Truly incredible.

If we can revive those ancient wonders ... the Aggeloi and other rocky-crawlies wouldn't stand a chance!

Hm? Who's there?!

You're right. But what does it want...? Now we got Stockaders, Walton, and strange noises. None of this adds up.

But like father always says: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." With your command and my blade, we've got this.

You saw it too! It peeked out from the rock for a sec before bolting again...

Alrighty, let's keep moving.

Got any questions, my fellow partners? I'll share everything I know and hold nothing back!

Heh, I won't keep secrets from my partners. My grandfather passed away a year ago. While going through his belongings, I discovered a copy of this treaty.

The finding made me realize that my passion for archaeology is etched into my heritage. I then collaborated with the TGCC and secured their official approval.

The TGCC is probably in it for the money, right?

I did sell the sponsorship rights. But commercial applications of any treasure found...

Stop! I'm starting to feel ... that you're not much different from a treasure thief...

Simmer down, my partners! If you're interested, we can talk about it!

Not interested. Just take the Columbian tech you want and bust out of here, buddy.

Music to my ears! Here's to a successful partnership!

That is quite a tale. From my observations, the ambient energy has influenced the fauna in the dale ... and changed them.

Some became violent, while others gained intellect and sapience. Smartie probably belonged to the latter.

The poor thing was beset upon by ferocious rockhowlers, so it sought people for help. Fortunately, it found me and became my partner...

You call it your assistant ... and then use it as a bargaining chip in our deal. That's a bit shameless.

Heh, the art of negotiations. I believe you'll be helping it out along the way. Another win-win deal, isn't it?

Huh, you really are a crafty one. Regardless, I'll help it shoo off the nasty howlers!

Sounds like a great start for our partnership!

Yes. From what I've noticed, those noises happen along with earthquakes.

The banging and shaking only started after the Stockade bumpkins got here. They've been fooling around with the mechanisms.

Since then, frenzied beasties have kept showing up. I'm also a victim of their folly.

Perhaps some kind of power is trying to keep us out?

Mhmm... you're right. And as we approach the ruins at the bottom of the dale, this power becomes stronger.

So, I may need my reliable partners to help clear a path.

I'm sorry, Endministrator. I'm Tianshi disciple Lin Hu, under orders to guard this area. No unauthorized personnel is permitted to enter.

A while ago... Um, sorry, I can't say. Tianshi Lian's orders. Passage is for authorized personnel only.

Tianshi Lian just notified me. You may enter.

Heh, the legendary Sword Vault Dale! Here we come!

Oh, by the way, before I got here, a few unknown individuals had already forced their way in.

Things inside are complicated, and there's radio interference. Please be extra careful.

Alrighty! Once we figure out what's going on inside, we'll let you know!

Then I'll leave it in your hands!

Oh, and take this. Might be useful for dealing with obstacles in your path.

Endmin! This looks like ancient Yanese script!

Give me a sec... Lemme try to make sense of this...

To open it, we must crack the central mechanism and return the three lights.

Exactly! The remaining two steles probably work the same way.

Heheh, seems we're "fated" to be here. Let's not keep the priceless treasure waiting!

To summarize... Yan left these defensive locks to keep a hidden treasure safe.

Huh... So this is what they stored here...

Not really. I came seeking a sword, but left bearing scrolls... It's quite poetic, actually.

And ... I can't help but feel a little sentimental...

Very true! Well then, Endmin, let's head back and tell Xiaowu and the others to come have a look.

Our ancestors didn't leave behind legendary weapons or lost tech. They preferred to give us ... a collection of culture and fine arts.

Thank the ancestors that giant rockhowler didn't wreck this place.

Yeah! I'll go first!

Okay... Hmm... Oh! Why don't you give it a try, Endmin?

Identity confirmed: Endministrator of Endfield Industries.

Activating knowledge base authorization. Unlocking.

Trimounts fried fowl recipe... This is hardly worth patenting... I must find something a little more valuable...

I must profit from this trip!

But also a necessity! After all, I secured some venture capital from TGCC and signed a bet-on agreement...

Not at all! As a premium partner, you're welcome to drop by anytime, my dear Endmin!