Of Grace and Gentle Might

Personal information updates recorded for Chen Qianyu. Identity verified. Access granted.

Wha...?! No-no-no, that's not what I meant! Hey redo that!

Why...!

Identity verified. Highest authority level confirmed. Access granted.

You passed the check? This thing's definitely not scanning faces!

Then if I do this...

Biometric verification failed. Bio-biometric veri-verification ... failed!

Identity verified. Highest authority level confirmed. Access granted.

Chen, Tianshi Zhuang is still waiting for us.

T-15 minutes to threshold. Class one cooling system reports normal pressure.

Initiate third Xiranite energy injection. Monitoring instruments, prepare for datalogging.

Readings from channel B-34 are exceeding the expected range from the pre-test simulations.

Attempt recalibration. Try to minimize the interference.

...It's not working. I'm getting the same thing. None of my numbers match those from Yinglung.

Interference eliminated. Let's go for another run.

We continue. Initiate fourth Xiranite energy injection.

Tianshi Zhuang, data adjustments for this run look pretty big. We might...

...Ah! STOP THE RUN! STOP IT!

*Sigh*... Chang Yun, how many runs have we had at this?

Let me do it. But I need you to sort out the readings from the runs. Take a short break, and we'll continue after that...

Endmin?

Okay then... Since the Endmin volunteered, I'll let you handle this little task.

Stop whining. Get some water and cool off the stabilizing rod. The cooling system's down again.

Water? That's like baseline cooling efficiency. Your senior knows ice-making Originium Arts, right? Maybe we should get him instead.

The area upstairs is the administrative office and labs for various fields of science.

However, I believe you'll be more interested in the data room.

Some of your old files and documents are stored there. Would you like to have a look?

This way, please.

Ma ... ma'am ... we've got ... bad news! I ... I...

Take a breath. And then go on.

One of the sky poles we're using for the performance ... we're just test flying the unit...

...but the signal went out above ... Fangxing Avenue... We lost it...

Fangxing Avenue...

Oh. The pear blossoms are blooming already...

Mi Fu's got a point. This lab's swallowing whole seasons. There goes spring again.

You like it?

Did you just remember something?

You actually brought a pear blossom sapling during your last visit to the Science Station. You even said a day will come when you'll raise a blooming orchard in Wuling.

Indeed. Preserving beautiful flowers like these is never easy, especially in those difficult times.

But look, I have succeeded.

Come with me, Endmin!

Ah...?

Sorry ... for dragging you all along. I got a little carried away. Hope you don't mind...

Yes. It matters a lot, actually. I don't want this to spoil the event later on.

I'm glad to hear that.

So, in order to live up to your expectations, we should address this issue quickly.

This sky pole seems to be flying normally... Maybe there's something wrong with its sensors.

Odd...

Mm!

Waaa —! My chubby lung...! *Sniff*...

Xiao Xiang? It's alright. Tell me what's wrong.

...It's the bad machine... WAAA —! A bad machine took my chubby lung!

There, there. Now where did this machine go?

Over there... *Sniff* It flew over there...

Thank you for telling me that. Let's buy you another chubby lung, okay?

Really...?

Then ... then I want the special TGCC crossover exclusive!

Okay. The special crossover exclusive it shall be.

No worries. Just let us handle this.

The truck looks alright. We'll move it out of the way. Can't afford to let it affect the performance event.

Got anything else I can help you with?

Shen! Tianshi Zhuang! Let's surround this thing! Block that path! I'll cover here!

Thank you, everyone.

Endmin!

Hah. This one's slippery. I'll block that side.

Oh... OI! QUIT MOVING! Bloody machine!

Shall we continue the chase?

We've got to stop that sky pole.

The performance's about to start. How am I supposed to serve anyone with this mess...

My deepest apologies, Engineer Pan. I should have retrieved it sooner.

Oh ho-ho, Tianshi Zhuang... Can't believe you're personally running this errand.

Worry not. It's just cheap soup base. How about grabbing a meal? The performance is about to start!

WHA?! Geez!

ARRRGH — My shirt!

IT'S ALL OVER MY HAIR!

HAHAHA! So cool!

AAARGGHGH! CHILI OIL! MY EYES BURNING!

Oh dear...

Ah, Endmin! You're here as well.

As for this sky pole... Its frequency readings have Fu Bo's —

I'll try.

Really? That's good.

The drone caused a serious mess. Fu Bo needs to review this properly...

Sorry for suddenly involving you in this.

Fangxing Avenue often hosts events for Wuling's residents. In a city encircled by threats, these gatherings do wonders for morale.

And this little thing ... is one of the most important performers we have for today.

The world-changing missions of Endfield may call. But if you become blind to those who support you, that would be a shame...

But ... when I saw that malfunctioning sky pole ... darting about without a goal in mind...

Ah, Tianshi Zhuang? Here to watch the performance?

New Bamboo Dew Milk Tea! Second cup half price!... Here! Just take the last two! On the house!

One for solitary joy, two to unlock happiness!

Finally sold them all! Time to call this shift! BYE!

Tell me, what is the Wuling you see?

Oh, it's almost time.

Time to take your proper spot.

An occasional walk ... does help with remembering things we barely think about when busy.

I'll find a way to make it up to everyone.

Memory might have faded for you, but never for the city that waited.

My original plan involved a proper tour of Wuling with a rather detailed itinerary.

...I suddenly wanted you to walk these streets of Wuling not as a strategist, but as a wanderer.

So for this unexpected reception, how would you rate Wuling's ... performance?

Endmin...

Tired?

I'm afraid I didn't really catch it back then because of the noise. Sorry.

But I already have the answer I need.

The moment the Academy told me about your return, I began rehearsing a decade's worth of stories.

But there's too much to be done, and the stories worth sharing are few.

Anything you feel like hearing, Endmin?

I was completely overwhelmed.

Until one day, I read a question on the title page of an old book. It was a self-reflection written by a Tumu Tianshi.

I asked myself the same question, and only submitted my applications after some deliberation...

"Will the young still see the verdant hills and rivers?"

One day, time will write that reply for us.

But at this moment, the looming threat is what matters most.

That's ... something I need to think about...

Mmm.

Before I joined the Wuling Science Expedition, I had many options ... and problems as well.

It's just a very simple question.

But in this untamed land, that question claws at my chest. Unexpectedly, unrelentingly.

Endmin, I'm truly happy to see you back.

Ready to head over?

This way, please.

Of course. I'll be waiting here.

Chassis undamaged. Please keep your paws off the hood.

Path obstructed. Please clear the roads ASAP.

Assistance required!

So? Is it working?

......

......

Er ... we've got this?

It ... worked! Wait! Let me check the data!

Me too!

Endmin...

Yes, though it's just a first step.

We're looking for a set of suitable parameters. They'll ensure the Xiranite production facilities are PAC-compatible.

With the success of our first step, we can start designing the blueprints of said facilities.

Impressive ... and faster than expected. This could have only been achieved thanks to the Tianshi.

Indeed. We should really give them some time to rest...

Our research center has just received data from the Tianshi.

However, it'll take a while to get the completed blueprints from them...

While we wait, perhaps I can take the Endmin on a tour of the Central Laboratory.

I can handle things on my own. Chen, why don't you join the tour as well?

Me? Tianshi Zhuang has our Endmin covered. I can't add much. Maybe I should...

Since Chen just returned to Wuling. Maybe there are places that she wants to visit again.

Heheh... Yeah, this city's changed a lot. I really wanna do some exploring...

Okay ... then I'm leaving our Endmin in your hands, Tianshi Zhuang.

Mmm.

One more run. Same parameters.

Me? Thank you, but I'm alright.

Ge Yipu and Chang Yun spent months on this project without a break. Compared to them, my contributions pale.

I appreciate your concern.

I never thought I'd hear you say this to me. The Endmin from my memories never showed restraint.

...Supervisor Perlica.

All reports and data generated since the founding of the Science Station are stored in this place.

Zhuang! Just at the right time! I was about to give you these data reports...

Oh? The Endmin's here too?

I'm with the Endmin. We're looking for information from the past.

Oh, you should have told me, girl. I can easily retrieve them for you!

It's alright. I know where the records are.

As for these reports, please deliver them to Supervisor Perlica. Thank you.

Haha. Alright, girl. I'll do as you say.

Let's go, Endmin. They should be over here.

Ah, well, there are moments when memories fail. Let's look for it together.

Don't you want to spend more time here? There are still some documents in the data room.

That being said, I was busy showing you around the place. I didn't even ask you how you felt about the city.

That was pretty rude of me.

So, Endmin. What do you think about this place?

Haha. Do you think you'll like this place?

......

Never doubted it.

I brought you here because I wanted to share a few moments from the past.

Supervisor Perlica might need a while to get things done. Let's just wait outside.

Tianshi Zhuang, Endmin, the blueprints for the Xiranite production facilities are ready. We can now progress to the next phase of our collaboration.

Good. I've notified Chen to make her way to the Core AIC Area. Let's rendezvous there!

Thank you, but no... I've already taken my break, so it's time to get myself back to the Institute of Materials Science. Then I'll head to the Main Pillar and monitor the Tianshi Pillar Array.

Me too.

Nevertheless ... do allow me to express my gratitude.

An eternity passed... Yet now, hope stirs again.

But Chang Yun has been sending me data for quite a while. The situation is getting a little hot.

Next time we meet, I'll get to see the technological wonders of Endfield, right?