Thus Begins the Homeward March

These ruins were once Wuling's...

No. Even now, they remain part of Wuling.

It is the weeping wound in every Wulinger's heart ... the missing half torn from our side.

Today, we shall retake that missing half of Wuling.

This position is too close to the Very Large Rift. Some Blight masses have changed a lot with time...

The Blight Miasma...

This is far more severe than what we saw at Yinglung Pass... We must figure out a way to overcome it.

This is why I'm here. Could you repeat the plan, Tianshi Zhuang?

First, we'll need a Sentry Base. The Tianshi will raise our first Tianshi Pillar there.

Lady Si has cleared up the nearby Miasma. The Yinglungs have verified a suitable location.

Since that incident ten years ago, this is Wuling's largest operation in the Zone.

Everyone looks ... really serious.

Ten years of waiting... I know the pain that can bring.

The Miasma covers almost the entirety of the Zone. Even the Tianshi could not survive for long within it.

Hm. Follow me.

Let's go and see how we can help, Endmin.

Endmin, the Tianshi Pillar Array has been deployed successfully. The drones are operating well. They can monitor the Zone from a safe distance.

Arcane and her Yinglung Special Task Force are scouting out the Miasma... Hope things go well for them.

Once the information report is done, we can officially verify our course of action.

Tianshi Zhuang, data compilation is complete!

We've got Miasma and clusters of Blightshades along the road... And the worst thing is ... we've picked up Rift reactions!

Rift...

On countless occasions, the rifts blocked the Yinglungs, preventing them from getting deeper into the Zone...

However, things are now very different.

Tell everyone ... that our operation starts here.

Endmin, do you remember that crying girl?

This is a day that the girl looked forward to. Countless times she imagined it, just so she could wipe her tears and move onwards.

But when the day finally comes, she must once again weigh the lives of the many on the scales...

Yes. Just thinking how this place might have looked originally.

You're right. Memories did bring me here, but not for the sake of sentimentality.

Hah... I suppose I did.

It's done ... the first step to retaking our homes...

Home...

Let's go! We've been preparing for this very day!

Yeah, we have the best support ever!

Endmin, once again I shall look to your guidance as you take the lead.

Are you ready?

You've offered Wuling so much help, perhaps...

...Wuling is not just a home for Wulingers, but for "us".

Thank you.

However, now that you've said those words, you'll never find me distressed again. I can assure you of that.

Yes. Our long sacrifice is finally at its end.

Arcane must be feeling ... very emotional right now.

Has Arcane called us yet? She's moving really slow today...

The Tianshi will focus on building the Sentry Base. Until Arcane returns, they might appreciate your help.

You sound worried about her.

I ... uh ... not being able to help makes me feel bad!

Sounds like a great idea! Alrighty! Let's see what we can do!

Stay vigilant. This operation is no cake walk.

Endmin...? Oh, I suppose my boss sent you here?

I don't know anyone who's more stressed out than she is.

No worries. Nothing much going on here. My watchguards will keep the perimeters safe.

Endmin, I think my boss might need your... Hmm ... well, I guess you're already giving her a huge break by patrolling on her behalf.

Hur. Just doing what I'm expected to. Boss feels a lot safer with you around. Things will get serious real soon. Chen, try to keep it together.

Heehee, always ready for action!

She never changes. Always thinking about others. Wish she could give herself a break.

Mmhmm.

Hah. With Team Endfield on our side, the Rift and the Zone will be non-issues soon enough.

All's good on my side. Feel free to check the other places, Endmin.

Da-Darkmask?! Heheh. What a coincidence. So, why are you here?

SHHHH—! Keep it down! If the mad woman finds me here, she'll go crazy again!

Ahem... Anyway, heard that you're ending the Very Large Rift for good. So I, the Supreme Chief of Qingbo Stockade, decided to help! Heehee, kept you waiting, huh?

Pfft. Enough! I'm not here to help the Wulingers.

Ten years ago, that blighted gash really wrecked us. Qingbo Stockade is not gonna let that slide!

That stupid rift is why my Stockade and Wuling City got into such a mess.

So I, Chief Tangtang, am gonna perma-kill this big stinker and return peace to the Stockade.

AIYA! Stop talking about me already!

I-I'm so sorry, Supreme Chief! I didn't see your tail!

IT HURTS LIKE HELL! Watch it, girl! We're barely there and you've messed up umpteen times!

Perma-kill? How do you perma-kill a rift?

Apologies. I tried explaining things to her, but Chief's idea of a Rift might be a little different than the actual one.

Chief also said if Big Bro Ruan Yi lived to see this day, he might...

Anyway, I won't cause the mad woman any trouble. You have my word! Hey, why don't you talk to the hotpot boss over there? He looks troubled!

Eh? Why thank me? It's what I do! Don't forget that I'm your Chief, Darkmask!

For anything Zone-related, the watchguards will follow the Yinglungs' command.

What happened?

The boy wants to find his parents' belongings.

You were the youngest, and the most terribly injured. I thought you'd never make it.

So, you and the Endmin will succeed, right?

When we do, everyone who witnessed the tragedy...

If you accidentally kicked a ball into the courtyard, they'd cuss you out till your ears rang. Visit them again the next day, and they'd give you a bag of sweets.

Nothing! I ... I might have overstepped my boundaries. Can't blame Task Leader Arcane for that...

Uh... Hmm...

Say, you two actually know each other?

Wuling was short on resources back then. The only medical facility was an emergency clinic.

The surviving children know each other pretty well.

That's why I'm asking! Everyone's contributing ... while I've been made to wait. I can't even get my parents'...

It's alright! Once Tianshi Zhuang's plans are completed, you'll get to return to the Zone.

Chen is right. For now, maybe it's best you stay at the Sentry Base and help out.

I understand but... Ugh. Apologies. I got ahead of myself.

I'll head back and help.

Do you still remember what this area used to be?

This area? Sorry ... my memories are fuzzy...

I remember. There was a bun shop that children loved. Across from it was a courtyard where the grown-ups played mahjong.

That does ring a bell...

But you did it... And you're living life to the fullest. Your achievements are no less than mine.

...will be allowed to return and find the things they had lost.

Yeah!

Arcane, while you weren't around, Tianshi Zhuang planned the operation...

I know. The Yinglungs have identified a path to enter the heart of the Zone.

Miasma concentration is way higher, the ruins are sinking, and the geography is hostile. We also have...

Blightshades?

Yes. As the Very Large Rift becomes more active, Blightshade manifestations become increasingly abnormal.

So that's why you turned down Lifeng. You were worried that he might face Blightshades of his parents.

One cannot simply fight the Blight or Blightshades with blunt force or violence. You also need a powerful will.

He was too young. The disaster gave him only sorrow ... instead of hate and denial.

Furthermore, we're uncertain about how the Zone may have changed.

Things we should keep in mind. Endmin, I believe this calls for a more prudent approach.

A Tianshi Pillar? How long has it been left here...?

Eight years ago, Instructors Shore and Zhu were the first to arrive here. It was our first survey after the Miasma settled.

Every Yinglung knows that beyond this point lies a land that eats people alive.

It has witnessed the life and death of numerous Yinglungs...

Surveyors after them treated the pillar as a marker and called it the "Boundary". It is the starting point of most missions, and the final refuge for many Yinglungs.

And it shall see how it all ends.

Send them on their way.

Nothing... There are residual Blightshades. Summit will handle them.

Endmin, like other Blight phenomena, the Miasma can also interfere with communications.

I am the only one with actual field experience fighting the Miasma. Should anything happen, my first order is to keep you safe.

Hope you remember. As long as you and the Xiranite Nexus survive, there is hope for all of this.

Good. The operation shall continue. Let's go.

We can now press forward. But ... can the Tianshi Pillar fit through this trail?

Once the Miasma dissipates, the main force can use machinery to clear a path.

Instructors, my dear seniors, this may be the last time.

What happened?

To keep you safe — And when necessary.

This will no longer be the final resting place of the Yinglungs.

Yes. After every mission, the list of names to remember only grows longer. My name should've been on it a long time ago.

Since the day I was saved. I felt as though I never really left the Zone.

I was the only one who survived the depths. One after another, many people carried me like a torch, till I was safely outside.

They gave me their Miasma protection device. When one fell, another took over... They trudged through the collapsing gorge, Tanjian Hall, and finally arrived here...

This isn't just the starting point of my survival. I've chosen it as my resting place.

As for the other tasks, Tianshi Zhuang and her group...

......!

Endministrator, Arcane, what is your status?

Situation normal. Everyone is well.

Good. The Miasma is dissipating. The Tianshi convoy will arrive shortly.

But Tanjian Hall is deeper in the Zone. We're counting on you to secure that area.

Li.

Stick to codenames during operations. What is it? Found something?

Nothing, I just thought ... you'd be a little more excited when they announced the start of Operation Homecoming.

Of course I'm excited. We've been waiting for this day long enough.

So you just kept it boxed up inside.

Maybe you could rely on the Endmin and me a bit more.

Save the camaraderie for later, when we actually survive this.

Hey, are you really alright?

Wuling Tanjian Hall is up there ... not too far away.

Still remember the place?

Of course! They say Instructor Zhu founded Tanjian Hall. Back when we were both disciples, we even made a bet about who would dive into the Zone and reach this place first!

Then focus on the mission. If the Blightshades were indeed info fragments left from an Æther rupture...

...you should know what we'll be facing soon.

Now we'll need to deal with these obstacles...

Can't you just blast them apart with your weapons?

The local area feels structurally unsound. I advise against that.

So what now? Do we have to carry them off one piece at a time?

Yes. A collapsed facility is blocking the road.

I ... I finally caught up! Here. Fangyi told me to give you these.

Parts for the aero-salvager. The plan is back on schedule.

Yeah. Fangyi told me Supervisor Perlica requested these. They can be used if the ambient Miasma makes drones inoperable.

And they came at a time of serious need.

So let's get this problem sorted out ASAP.

Arcane, have you reached the "Boundary"?

That is consistent with our visual intel. Yan Ning is arriving at your location. She'll handle the obstacles.

Crossing the "Boundary" ... is when the real battle begins.

The Watchguards will keep the Sentry Base safe.

Time to show them my chiefly powers — Hold on. Are we teaming up with mad woman again?!

Maybe we should go and say hi to Tianshi Zhuang...?

The location of our home, that rested in our memories...

Look at the signboard ... and the countertop. I could hardly recognize it...

Oho. Endmin, you're here.

A small eatery. Food was just okay, but their osmanthus brew was magical. The aroma took me in and I got to meet Old Sen.

That was the start of a ten-year friendship.

Is Old Sen...

Old Sen spent his entire life running the eatery. I visited this place daily when I was young. A cask of kohl and two appetizers were enough to brag and boast the hours away.

I used to tell everyone that I, Pan Yuan, would be the one to end the Rift! People in the stall would just laugh and ask if I was going to hack it to pieces with a cleaver.

Only that Old Sen didn't laugh. He even said that if I pulled it off, he'd open the special vintage to celebrate. He knew I had a thirst for kohl.

Well, I'm here. The eatery and kohl are here too. But Old Sen ... you're really missing the show.

Endmin, I made a promise to my old friend that we'd seal the Rift. This cask is the only thing I found in this place. The seal held pretty nicely.

I guess I was just blowing hot air. I don't deserve the kohl.

Hur. Very well said.

Gotta settle the business myself. All this waiting made me a lazy bum!

That's it! *Yanese expletive*! You buggly Rift! Ten blighted years! TEN! Your old man Da Pan is gonna end you!

Isn't that ... Li Zhiyan and Lifeng...?

We'll get this done!

The device that Supervisor Perlica and Fangyi had in mind is now complete.

Sounds good! Drones cannot be used near the Miasma. This is why we designed a special aero-salvager to handle problems in the Zone.

They can help us salvage things that we cannot otherwise carry.

These are the materials for crafting the device. Take a look.