Old Acquaintance I

(Why are the phantoms still here?)

Hmm... The Feranmut Hearts are temporarily stabilized, but why am I still getting anomalous data?

This is odd...

Watch your back!

Get down!

Enough...! Cease that useless banging! I've already given instructions not to be disturbed during data analysis!

Apologies, sir. I saw phantoms all around you during my patrols and intervened.

Phantoms... Alright then. You have my thanks.

Since you're here, carry these instruments to the Institute.

Sir, you don't have the authority to order a member of Yinglung.

I don't, but the Sui Regulator has issued clear written orders. All Yinglung members in Wuling are to provide full support towards the repair work.

So, are you saying those orders are false?

Alright... You got me there, sir.

Endmin, you're here too?

Sure. Good to know that you're here to help.

There are some files and data on Feranmuts in the Institute. It'd be nice if you can go with Mr. Yinglung trooper and get me those.

And get back quickly once you have the files. Plenty of work today.

Repairing the Marker Stone is important. Tianshi Xi Mo is ... an interesting character. Getting along won't be easy.

But orders are orders. I have no choice but to be his errand boy.

I do have to say, I am very honored to work with you.

(Hmm? Tianshi Xi Mo... Was he ... like this before?)

About two or three years have passed since my ... last visit. Wuling City has changed quite a bit.

Personnel of the Yinglung Special Task Force have important duties and cannot leave our posts easily. But we do get two rounds of R&R every year.

I did not apply for leave due to personal reasons.

Ten years ago, I promised a friend to do my best and stabilize the rift in the North Wuling Exclusion Zone. The tragedy of the Science Station would not be repeated.

Yes. When the disaster happened, Yinglung immediately dispatched teams to the Science Station. I was amongst them.

But I was just a raw recruit. Many things were ... beyond my capabilities.

My friend also told me the same thing.

Though facing calamity, he said there was no need to be sad. If I could just come back in ten years. As long as the Tianshi stand in Wuling, the city shall rise again with greater splendor.

And it seems he was right. The city is well.

The subsequent floods of the Blight Tide ... got him.

It's alright, Endmin. What happened, already happened.

Endmin, Tianshi Xi Mo's data reports are on the lab bench.

I just can't believe that grouch ... made you do chores like this.

Tianshi Xi Mo is really obsessed with work. But he can be quite ... blunt when dealing with others. I'm really sorry that you have to work with him.

Good to hear. Feel free to tour the Institute if you have the time.

Beautiful. Data's just beautiful! Tianshi Xi Mo will be pleased! Heheh. Last week's grind is finally starting to pay off.

If only I could get a letter of recommendation. His endorsement will easily get me an actual fellowship at HQ.

This Tianshi Xi Mo is quite a personality. He's known for his unforgiving style of mentoring, yet many chose to become his disciple.

If he were ... alive, he would have plenty of disciples.

I didn't know him for long, but he was ... warm and mild-tempered. I can assure you, he wouldn't be a strict mentor like Tianshi Xi Mo.

I wish I could tell you more about him, but he left early. There were no photos or personal belongings ... nothing...

Except that promise.

Oh dear... It's all wrong... Tianshi Xi Mo is gonna make me cry again...

I tested it over and over again... But the corrective approach isn't giving me the numbers I need... Someone save me... Aaahhh...

How... How could I...? Why didn't I listen to my friends? Why did I choose him as my mentor?

This is fate... He's the best scientist in Feranmut sciences.

Hey. Done chatting? Get running. Chop, chop!

Took your sweet time, didn't you?

Hmph. The Xirancore Jade is back in place and the compromised Feranmut Hearts are stable for now. Routine checks are still required.

This heart is yours. Keep your eyes on it.

Careful, Endmin.

Strange. The energy fluctuations around this passage are not within nominal range.

No... Approaching it only increases the fluctuation amplitude.

We did have a recent increase in the Feranmut Heart's energy burst frequency. However ... this reading is through the roof.

Endmin, should I call the Yinglung task force for support?

If we hit peak readings, we must inform all Marker Stone personnel and enact emergency readiness measures.

Oh... Ink Spirit?

If that's the will of the Feranmut Proxy, I say we head straight in, and take a look around.

That's a very bold proposal.

Perhaps Tianshi Xi Mo has a better alternative?

Of course. I say we follow it cautiously, and stay alert.

Hmm. Did that Yinglung trooper fail to keep up...?

Let's forget about him. The Feranmut Proxy led us here. There's probably something that we must do.

Beasts? At the Marker Stone? Who brought their pet here?

This is a strategic asset! If I catch the one treating this place as a pet zoo, there'll be hell to pay.

Ahem... Yes, well, I believe we should clarify the situation... Mmhmm.