Kindred Souls Who Share a Vision

The Æther energy is getting more powerful.

...And this is within the Tianshi Pillar Array itself.

True. Let's try to get closer to the rift.

...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...

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

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?

So you can feel fear as well, Endmin.

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.

...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.

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.

Yes. They were Lifeng's parents.