Spring's Return I

Captain Mi Fu put me here specifically to keep folks out of this area. Kid, just listen to your old man and turn back, alright...

B-But... I'm not just some outsider! I've been doing research here for years!

Still not happening. The Blight inside isn't something you can handle... Once the Tianshi have cleared it out, then you can go back to your research.

But by then, they might already be...!

Lu, don't make this hard for me. The situation's too risky right now. If something happens to you in there, I really won't be able to explain it...

Endministrator? What brings you here...?

Lu, you're still a Tianshi disciple. Stay put right here and let the Tianshi and the Endministrator handle this.

I can handle it! I know the paths inside well, I know how to avoid the Blight...

Please just let me in. I promise! Nothing will go wrong!

What ... what am I supposed to do... "Blockhead" and the others...

Did you hear about the Blight Tide affecting the Test Area too? Like I was just saying, the situation here is really bad...

Hey there, why do you wanna go in so bad?

I-I need to take care of something... They're in trouble. I can feel how scared they are, they're waiting for me!

Wait, did uncle just call you... the Endministrator?! You're the one from the books... That's amazing! Now I have hope!

They're my buddies! Right now they're stuck in there... I've got to get them out!

If I don't get there in time, they'll never make it home...

I'm Lu Lingxiang, a Tianshi disciple in the Test Area.

Please help me out! Just let me in!

Alright, fine... For the Endmin's sake, I'll turn a blind eye just this once.

Really? You mean it?

Honestly, letting you go in alone was a hard no. But with the Endministrator on the case... I guess I can make an exception this time.

Alright ... how about one hour? Any longer and I can't cover for you.

Only one? Can't we please just—

Lu, if you keep haggling, you won't even get the hour.

Okay, okay! One hour it is!

Just a heads-up. The Blight in this area is no joke. You'd better make sure you're fully prepped before going in.

Endmin? Lu? Don't tell me that you're still...

The core modules detach from the pillars on a regular schedule. They then patrol the area for a while before returning.

So, you wanted to return ... to retrieve those core modules?

That's right. I've been doing research alongside them the whole time. They're ... they're like my partners. They've helped me so much...

These Tianshi Pillars are very different from the ones outside. Are they a different model? They look more like ... trees that have taken root here.

These are Type-C Auxiliary Pillars. They support the main Type-C Tianshi Pillars. The models you saw "outside" are newer versions developed based on this research.

Great, the charging tracks are still intact... The core modules usually patrol along these tracks.

Normally, a Blight barrier like this wouldn't stop them. We trained them to learn all sorts of protocols during testing, and eliminating these barriers was one of them.

But the current depth readings are way beyond anything in the normal test parameters. Honestly... I'm really worried about their conditions...

But unlike other auxiliary pillars, these Type-C models require a core module to function.

They monitor depth readings during their patrols. If they encounter Blight present in a testing environment, they'll initiate elimination protocols on their own.

Wow, they can do all that? These core modules are really something!

Right. But then I started getting abnormal depth alerts from them. Their locators also show they've been stuck in an area away from the Type-C Auxiliary Pillars...

They must have run into Blight they couldn't handle ... or some other kind of trouble.

No wonder you were in such a hurry. Let's go find those core modules now!

"Blockhead"! There you are, finally!

Good job! Its internal systems are still functional! It's back on the tracks now. It should make it back to the Type-C Auxiliary Pillar without any trouble.

You handled that very deftly... It looks like you must have performed maintenance on these core modules many times before?

Yeah, after working with them for so long, you just sort of ... pick it up along the way.

Aw, it's pretty cute! But I was wondering earlier ... who gave it that name?

Heh! That was me! Rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

Alright, "Blockhead," you remember how to do your job, right?

Endmin?

What is it? Does something seem off?

These Type-C Auxiliary Pillars and their core modules were created before the Endmin awakened... In theory, you shouldn't have seen their operation before...

That's incredible! I tried bypassing the permissions before, but the pillars always rejected my access.

Hey, the path is open! Did the systems just come back online?

Perhaps ... the Endmin really does have a unique connection to these Type-C Auxiliary Pillars and core modules...

Wait a second, the core module...

"Blockhead," you made it home!

You ... you used Originium Arts to rewrite the entire Type-C Auxiliary Pillar system?! You can actually do that?!

But wait... Why did the pillar just eject the core module's kernel to you? Is it because you rewrote the system?

So, um, when we get to the next pillar ... do you think you could try it again—

To see if it was just a coincidence, or...

Home sweet home. Go on.

Wanna give it another try, Endmin? See if it jogs your memory any further?

Not very healthy?

Yeah. It burns through energy way too fast. I've tried everything but nothing's helped improve its efficiency.

Uh-huh. It's always running on empty, sluggish. It just can't cope with normal operating conditions.

I just hope it's holding up okay...

I can't believe "Scaredy-pants" handed its kernel to you too. It really seems like there's some kind of connection with you... But what could it be?

Are there any other core modules left around here?

Just one more. But ... that core module ... is not very healthy.

It must have had a really tough time...

So, I gave it a name. I call it "Sniffles".

"Sniffles" is here! Just as I thought, its energy is critically low...

Hey, hey, it's alright. We're here to help you.

The charging tracks are mostly intact. If we can just activate the energy panel system, "Sniffles" should be able to make its way back on its own.

That should do it, right?

Something's wrong.

Got it! I'll do my best not to slow you down!

Let's go! I'll lead the way!

Yes, and we're almost at the one-hour time limit.

Then we'd better get out fast, before the watchguard —

Wait! Everyone, look —

Whoa ... it's beautiful!

It's like they've all woken up.

Mmm... This area is called the "Meridian Grids." It simulates cultivation environments for aquatic plants.

When I first started my research, this is where I completed my initial experiments.

But ... its control panel is in the testing zone. We have no idea what the situation is over there.

Don't worry! It's the Endmin we're talking about! It'll be fine!

No... The core modules are so deeply linked to the Type-C Tianshi Pillars. As their primary researcher...

You can wait for us outside if you'd prefer.

But I was only using one plot back then. So, I only ever saw a tiny corner of it.

I never imagined the Meridian Grids would look this magnificent when fully activated...

I... I can't just stand by and do nothing.

Oh no ... you don't think the main Type-C Tianshi Pillars are malfunctioning, do you?!

I've never seen anything like this before...

It's called "Scaredy-pants"? ...It's actually trembling!

Take it easy, everyone. It startles really easily.

The tracks in this area ... seem to be completely destroyed.

Hey! It's me! Don't run!

We have to catch it! If it keeps panicking like this, it might damage itself...

Yeah ... they were scheduled for renovation...