Same Old Faces in a Place Transformed

So the bridge will use Xiranite building materials carried by the Tianshi?

Correct. We've prepared some general-purpose materials, though it took quite a while.

While we wait, I've decided to search the main building. Endmin, perhaps your team can go through the secondary building.

The Tianshi can handle debris clearing and facility setups. Also...

Yinglung Special Task Force will establish a secure perimeter.

Mm. We are in the heart of the Blight Miasma. Safety is our priority. Do not take unnecessary risks.

I hope Li doesn't sneak off for some Miasma recon run. She feels so uptight and tense...

Okay, I'll go after her! Call me if anything comes up!

Our homes, taken from us ten years ago... Now we have returned as one. Hope is in our sights.

The goal is within our grasp. Onwards.

Onwards!

For years, I would only revisit this place in my nightmares...

In any case, if you do recover some data, please meet me at the main building of the Research Labs.

The situation in the field is better than my estimates. Once the bridge is complete, the last destination shall be within reach.

The Research Labs should still have some data and readings recorded when the Very Large Rift ruptured...

Understood.

If recovered, they will benefit the future of Wuling, and possibly the future of all Talos-II...

And I shall repeat myself again, Arcane ... certain things shouldn't be rushed.

I only realized today how many of my memories differ from truth.

Let me take a look.

Nothing extraordinary. Perhaps it's because we're getting closer to the Rift.

Perhaps it's the "Exiles"...

Yes. Once we reach the Rift, the answer shall reveal itself.

And this time, we have even more companions to count on.

You're right. As of now, this operation is the most important thing.

It doesn't matter if Ardashir spoke the truth or outright lied. We must keep calm and carry on.

Endmin, I'd like to search this building a little more.

However, Tianshi Zhuang is waiting at the main building for these files...

She has waited for ten years. Don't make her wait any longer.

Endmin?

......

Endmin.

I just got this ... discomfort in my chest.

Did you get injured earlier?

So, are you saying that you're feeling frazzled? Come on, you got me and the Endmin! Stop worrying already!

......

Chen Qianyu.

Yeah?

You're still quite childish.

Perhaps.

No... I'm just a little tired.

Wha?! You agreed for once? I knew you got hurt real bad! You sure you're okay?

I must check on the other Yinglungs.

Endmin, I believe you and Chen also have work to do.

Lin Yu ... my mentor...

Most of the structure has collapsed. Fortunately, the instruments were undamaged. The data is still intact.

I'm a scientist. Luck should not factor in my decisions. But now, I want to believe ... that our timing is perfect and all the elements are in place.

It's here, the data from that very moment... And a partially deciphered Rift model...

I have shared this data with the Tianshi. It will be a key reference for all our subsequent projects on Xiranite.

I'm very grateful, Endmin.

There was actually a personal reason behind my request to meet you here.

Then there's Wang Pu, Xie Xiaoyun, Chu Lan...

My fellow disciples, old friends, and loving mentor.

Many gave their lives and rest here forever, yet some survived to carry on their will and legacy.

I will not forget them.

And I have never been alone.

This is the memorial to Project Xiranite, and the very first beacon we lit together.

It brought light to Wuling City, and was passed from one to another. Now we bear the torch to illuminate the path ahead.

When I saw you for the first time outside Wuling, I thought ... this might be my chance to be back here again.

You might not remember ... but I want you to know this.

Our Tianshi seem to be ready.

Let's go.

The Research Labs used to be the center of the Science Station. Many scientists worked countless hours at this place. They swore an oath to crack the problem of Æther.

All of them were here ... when the disaster happened...

From the past till the present, Wuling has and always will stand with Endfield.

Tianshi Zhuang, Endmin, everything's ready to roll.

And we strike while the ferrium's hot. Let it begin.

We did it! We'll cross the bridge and reach that Rift!

That was nerve-racking ... my hands almost shook...

Finally ... our homecoming.

This is a very meaningful moment for both of us.

Fellow Tianshi, perform final verification of Arts Unit status. We shall breach the Blight Miasma and reach the Very Large Rift.

Endmin, both you and the Xiranite Nexus are central to the operation. You are our only means to fill the Rift with Xiranite.

Keep yourself safe...

And before we go, do check on Arcane. I'm afraid she could hardly wait for this moment.

The Tianshi can set off anytime. How about you and your team, Endmin?

The day has finally arrived.

Onwards! To the Very Large Rift!

Of course. We must be fully prepared.

Nothing here... This is just like finding a needle in a haystack.

Yeah... Uncle Pan told me that they lived here for a while...

But the Science Station was devastated. I doubt if I could find anything intact.

But there's hope! We made it through the biggest obstacle and found our way "home".

Once we fill up that Rift, I'll give this place a thorough search. I don't care how long it takes!

Endmin, I'm really grateful for everything that Endfield and the Yinglungs did for us.

Oho. Endmin, you're busy too?

I remember data gathering near the Rift, secret kohl parties in the data room with my friends, and arguing with my instructor at the main building...

The memories surged out of me, in all sorts of flavors. As though someone just blew up a spice shop.

After the Science Station incident, I got into a little fight with some Tianshi. This panda got pissed off and quit.

I never regretted that choice. But sometimes ... I felt that I only ran away.

I roamed around for a bit, but fate brought me back here. Guess it's time for me to complete my unfinished business!

I haven't used Tianshi gear for a while and got pretty rusty. Almost made a fool of myself in front of these young people.

Put the crates down there, please. Here, let me give you a hand... Yeah, I know they're Originium instruments. I'll be super careful!

I made a checklist. Everything will be well organized.

Heh. This is strange. We're reaching the Very Large Rift, yet I feel as cool as ice.

Back when I was cramming for the exams, I got super nervous and puked for months. But those panic attacks disappeared on the day of the actual test.

We got you, Endmin. Plus a legion of elites. We'll shut down that Rift in a blink!

We must celebrate once this is over. I'll make a mega-hotpot that lets hundreds of hungry people feast at once.

The Blight Miasma is gone. A Sentry Base can be built at the Xiranite Research Labs.

The final target is very close. The plan now calls for the construction of a bridge to allow proper passage.

Nice. Everything's going super smooth. Let's make use of our winning streak!

This is the day...

You've all done well. Our next step is to scout the area ahead of us and construct the bridge.

The ground is even. All local threats have been eliminated.

Let's inform Tianshi Zhuang.

This is the ruins of the Xiranite Research Labs, and the heart of the Wuling Science Station. Building the Sentry Base here means a lot to us.

Finally ... I see it again with my own eyes.

...and the razor that tore at my heart for a decade.

Back then, you abandoned the mission to carry the wounded. Then you had a big fight with Instructor Zhu.

That was ... the reason Instructor Zhu disqualified me from Yinglung Special Task Force...

But the truth is ... he always felt you did the right thing.

Wha? Then why did...?!

It was right, but it was not the duty of the Yinglungs.

The Yinglungs face more than the Rift. We have to deal with the Aurora of the North, the Shore Beyond, and other anomalous Æther phenomena beyond the frontier —

At times, we had to treat <entry=narrativeNote_12>Talos as our imaginary opponent. Duty and responsibility outweighed what felt emotionally right.

But you never set aside those feelings. You never learned to "forget" or "ignore".

Of course, you can put teammates' safety over the mission all you want, but you wouldn't last a year doing this.

You might make a good pugilist ... a "heroic swordmancer".

But you won't make a soldier who'd ignore the lives of their own or their companions, just to see a mission through.

Why tell me this now, of all times...?

I just felt that...

...I have to tell you now, because I might not get another chance.

S-stop saying unlucky stuff like that! O Talos, bless us!

However, you've found your true calling.

Now it's my turn to do the same.

The largest known Rift of the Civilization Band. The monstrosity that destroyed the Wuling Science Station...

Come on. You got me this time. And the Endmin!

Chen Qianyu.

Yeah?

Any of that comes to mind?

Er... Of course it does.