Utterance of Marvels: Part I
Amidst a ripple of Reverberations, you hear the call... As you unravel your past, a new path unfolds before you, beckoning from the unknown.
Utterance of Marvels: Part I
Blurry and Gentle Female Voice: ...Looks like drowning... Strange...
Blurry and Gentle Female Voice: ...No visible signs of trauma. Breathing seems... normal. Heart rate... should be fast... I think.
Gentle Female Voice: ...You're awake.
Joyful Female Voice: Let me see! Let me see!
Joyful Female Voice: Thank goodness you're awake! Or I'll have to try my last-ditch move—Emergency Skills for Junior Patrollers, Lesson One: CPR!
Joyful Female Voice: Erm, never did it on any living person though.
Gentle Female Voice: ...Chixia.
Joyful Female Voice: Sorry, sorry. You just woke up, and here I am, chattin' up a storm...
Gentle Female Voice: Are you alright? Do you feel any discomfort?
Rover:
Chixia: You can call me Chixia... And, she's Yangyang!
Rover:
Yangyang: We are in the Gorges of Spirits. It's on the outskirts of Jinzhou, Huanglong.
Yangyang: Your attire doesn't seem local. Are you a roving traveler from afar, or... someone returning home?
Rover:
Yangyang: So you don't know why you're here, where you're from, or who you are...
Chixia: Baizhi didn't tell us you'd have these aftereffects when you wake up.
Yangyang: The wind has brought us a warning. The Etheric Sea is converging. It seems a new Tacet Field is taking shape.
Rover:
Chixia: That means it's probably gonna get dangerous here soon.
Chixia: Ugh, I knew it. Our gourds are out of service because of the Etheric Sea's influence. We can't send or receive messages for help now. We better hurry over to meet up with Baizhi at our gathering spot and get outta here.
Chixia: Guess you really can't recall a thing, but don't worry!
Chixia: If you got any questions, we can talk as we move. Yangyang and I will give you the full scoop, every little detail, from the get-go!
Yangyang: Rover... can we call you that before you can remember your true name?
Rover:
Yangyang: We shouldn't stay here. If you don't have other plans, how about leaving with us for now?
Rover:
Chixia: Oh, that's great! Let's go together!
Yangyang: The terrain is complicated here, and we usually take that one route. If you don't mind, why don't we travel together for now? You can decide your future plans once we leave the gorge.
Chixia: Yeah, let's get going!
Leave Gorges of Spirits
Chixia: Rover, I know you can't remember a thing, but there's one thing I'm 90%... no, 100% sure about you! You must be a Resonator too.
Yangyang: You've got a Tacet Mark on the back of your hand, and you have a gourd. These are proofs you're a Resonator. Your gourd's design looks a bit different from the ones we use though.
Chixia: Also, we have Resonators who can detect the formation of Tacet Fields nearby, like what Yangyang just did. She can tell all kinds of information by reading the Streams in the wind—that's her Resonance Ability.
Chixia: —while I couldn't feel a thing, haha.
Chixia: Plus, not many people are gonna hang out in the wilderness these days, unless they're Resonators.
Chixia: It may seem all nice and quiet here now, but you never know when a Tacet Discord might pop up outta nowhere!
Chixia: Oh my, "speak of the devil".
Chixia: Bravo! So you still remember how to fight despite having forgotten everything, wow.
Chixia: Watch me lead the charge next time! No one messes with Ma Xiaofa... Ahem, I mean Chixia!
Yangyang: What's wrong? Are you injured from the fight?
Rover:
Yangyang: You saw our Sentinel in your memories?
Rover:
Yangyang: Yes, the one we built this statue for. The Sentinel in Jinzhou. There is one capital and six cities in Huanglong, with each city having its own Sentinel. While they share some similarities in appearance, there are also differences.
Yangyang: The Sentinel in Jinzhou is known as "Jué", manifesting in the form of a Loong, like the statue you just saw.
Rover:
Yangyang: Sentinels are present where civilizations thrive. Huanglong stands out with the highest number of currently coexisting Sentinels, because of its long history and vast land.
Yangyang: Records state the Sentinels in Huanglong were once a single entity. Now they are each responsible for a part of Huanglong.
Yangyang: Naturally, there are Sentinels in other regions too, but far fewer compared to Huanglong.
Yangyang: You were standing face to face with our Sentinel?
Yangyang: One can hardly see our Sentinel with their own eyes. Most people only get the chance during the Appointment Ceremonies.
Yangyang: According to your description, you stood pretty close. Only the Sentinel's Appointed Resonator is allowed in its proximity; for now, that person is the Magistrate of Jinzhou...
Rover:
Chixia: Whoa! Darn... That must be an Elite Class!
Yangyang: Chixia might be in danger. Rover, please...!
Yangyang: Rover, watch out!
Chixia: That was close! You fought so well!
Chixia: I didn't even get a chance to help and Yangyang just rushed over to protect you like a ma...
Chixia: Ahem, anyway, Yangyang was trying to shield you, and then BAM! The Tacet Discord was taken care of before I could get a good look!
Yangyang: ...Chixia.
Chixia: Hehe... Oh, by the way, speaking of Baizhi!
Chixia: We're almost there! The place where we said we'd meet with Baizhi! She's the Resonator I've been talkin' about. Baizhi can heal with her Resonance Ability, and we found you together at the bottom of the gorge.
Yangyang: Baizhi did some first-aid for you. You seemed to have drowned, but your airway was clear. Your clothes were dry and clean too.
Chixia: Oh and of course, it was Yangyang who investigated your clothes and mouth by feeling it through the Streams! She kept blushing and apologizing to you as she did while you were out cold.
Yangyang: Chi-Chixia!
Chixia: See? There's a Resonance Beacon over there.
Chixia: When you see a Beacon, be sure to register and activate it. It's usually safe within a 5 meters radius of a Beacon. It can protect you from danger sometimes.
Yangyang: Rover, could you hand me your Terminal for a moment?
Yangyang: Done. Its design and system version are different from ours, but your Terminal still has the data transfer and other basic functions.
Activate Resonance Beacon
Yangyang: We are almost at the gorge's entrance. There will be a descent, but if your Terminal's Glider module still works, it will make things easier.
Yangyang: I will show you how to use it.
Chixia: Once we're outta the gorge, there's only a short walk to reach Jinzhou!
Chixia: Jinzhou is the safest place round here. The Resonance Nexus provides coverage for the whole city. Besides, we've got a protective barrier and strong fortifications!
Rover:
Chixia: Hehe, right?
Yangyang: Jinzhou sits between the Desorock Highland and the Norfall Barrens. It's a border city and a fortress. It's very crucial to the safety of Huanglong.
Chixia: Huh? We've agreed to meet up with Baizhi here... Where is she?
Yangyang: This is the center of the Etheric Sea.
Chixia: ...A Tacet Field?
Chixia: ...When did it show up?
Chixia: It wasn't here when we just got here.
Yangyang: But I didn't sense a hint of a Tacet Field's presence...
Chixia: So it appeared while we weren't looking? Like, in the blink of an eye?
Chixia: Or maybe the Etheric Sea can tell where we are? Could it be following us?
Yangyang: The center of this Tacet Field...
Rover:
Chixia: Isn't that Baizhi?!
Chixia: Baizhi!
Chixia: BAIZHI!
Yangyang: We are too far away. Perhaps she can't hear us...
Rover:
Yangyang: Freshly formed Tacet Fields have a Dormant period. During this time, it is relatively safe.
Rover:
Yangyang: The Dormant period of a Tacet Field varies based on its formation time. Generally, the shorter the formation time, the longer the Dormant period. However, with a longer Dormant period, Tacet Discords born within said Tacet Field are usually stronger.
Yangyang: The faster a Tacet Field forms, the longer its Dormant period lasts. For now, this Tacet Field should be safe.
Rover:
Chixia: Accordin' to the Hero Plays, yes! There's a chance for that!
Rover:
Yangyang: Right. The Glider can't carry us beyond the Tacet Field's range. Besides, Baizhi is there. We'll have to go down and see what is going on.
Yangyang: Now it’s time to use the Glider module. Rover, let me help you activate it.
Glide to the Tacet Field
Chixia: Baizhi!
Chixia: Baizhi! We're in a Dormant Tacet Field, right? Why did you come here by yourself?
Chixia: Baizhi, you know, we... huh?
Baizhi: You are alright, it seems.
Chixia: You know, he was super energetic! Handled a super big TD! Way more spirited than me!
Yangyang: I've been keeping an eye on his condition through the Streams...
Rover:
Yangyang: Baizhi is just concerned about your condition. She must think we shouldn't be letting you move around that much, since you've just regained consciousness...
Rover:
Baizhi: ...This isn't the place for talking. Let's go.
Defeat ???
Chixia: Yangyang! Rover!
Chixia: Where are you?
Chixia: We're blocked outside. We can't get in. Are you alright?
Yangyang: Rover is with me. And... that strange Tacet Discord is here too.
Baizhi: It's the Tacet Discord's ability.
Baizhi: ...Be careful.
Chixia: Yangyang! Rover!
Chixia: Are you alright? Are you hurt?
Rover:
Chixia: Ugh thank goodness! We could see that darn barrier, but couldn't lay a finger on it!
Yangyang: I'm fine too.
Yangyang: I have never seen such a formidable Tacet Discord before, but Rover was able to completely defeat it.
Rover:
Yangyang: I... didn't really do much. It was all thanks to you, Rover.
Yangyang: That's strange. This place isn't known to be so dangerous...
Chixia: Anyway, come check this out!
Rover:
Yangyang: Oh, this is... an Echo.
Chixia: Wow! An Echo of the Elite Class... Someone got lucky today!
Yangyang: My apologies. We got a little carried away. Does "Reverberation" or "Echo" ring a bell to you, Rover?
Yangyang: Everything in our world is made up of frequencies, and every sound generates a reverberation.
Yangyang: Those "Echoes" are the lingering Reverberations of Tacet Discords after they disintegrate. We can absorb them into the Data Banks in our Pangu Terminals.
Chixia: Oh, by Pangu Terminal, she means the gourd-shaped device every Resonator has, developed by researchers in Huanglong!
Chixia: But you see, it's not always we get to find these. Also, there's a limit to what your gourd can absorb.
Yangyang: Absorption is only possible when your Data Bank's level is equal to or higher than the Tacet Discord's level. The Terminal can then convert its Reverberation into an "Echo" for use in battle.
Yangyang: My Terminal issued a warning when it detected that Tacet Discord earlier. It should at least be an Overlord Class.
Yangyang: Rover, would you mind checking your Data Bank level?
Chixia: No need for that! Rover, why don't you just try absorbing it with your Terminal?
Chixia: ...Oh. So it doesn't work.
Rover:
Chixia: No worries! You can start with smaller ones before tackling this guy here.
Chixia: There should be some sweet Baby Roseshrooms 'round here. Let's go check those out, shall we?
Baizhi: ...
Baizhi: We'll need to report the unusual phenomena here to the City Hall and the Academy.
Baizhi: Let's make our exit.
Ughh... Hungry...
I'm starving...
Chixia: What... What kinda power is that!
Chixia: Rover, you...
Chixia: You been playin' the fool all along?
Chixia: I've never seen a Resonance Ability quite like this. You got any other tricks up your sleeve? Like, eating a whole Tacet Discord? Grilling Echoes alive?
Rover:
Chixia: Wasn't it your Resonance Ability?
Yangyang: Rover, are you feeling alright? Any discomfort?
Yangyang: Could it be the side effect of fighting that Tacet Discord? Baizhi, can we take Rover to do a check-up at Huaxu Academy's Resonance Medical Department...
Rover:
Baizhi: ...
Yangyang: Baizhi?
Baizhi: Absorbing Echoes with the human body is not entirely unprecedented.
Yangyang: With the human body...?
Yangyang: I remember Comprehensive Mirror for Historians mentioned this in the Huanglong section's opening...
Yangyang: “... A celestial being descended, commanding the Qiankun's boundless power. Assuming mortal form, they condensed the primordial essence, creating Pangu. Cleaving heaven and earth apart, they aligned the celestial and terrestrial. Their radiance encompassed the four corners. Thus began the illustrious annals of Huanglong, as provinces were first demarcated..."
Rover:
Chixia: There was a very strong person way back. Like they held the whole universe right in their hands. As there was no Terminal in those days, they absorbed the Tacet Discords with their bare hands!
Chixia: and the TD they absorbed was the most powerful of all. That person turned it into the first Echo ever.
Chixia: Then they used the power of that Echo to rebuild the world, sort out the laws, and that's how the history of Huanglong began...
Rover:
Chixia: Actually... I'm not, I hope I was though. That was just some old tales my parents used to tell me, kinda like the Sentinel's Appointment thing.
Chixia: Yangyang's got an impressive memory for the ancient texts. Me? I just happen to roughly remember what the story's about.
Chixia: Whether it's true or not, that story happened a long time ago when Jinzhou didn't even exist.
Chixia: Could it be that Rover's like, the great-great-great-great-great-granddaddy of us all?
Baizhi: Let's not jump to conclusions without enough data and proper analysis.
Baizhi: Rover.
Chixia: Wait? The signal's back!
Yangyang: This is... a holographic message to all of Jinzhou from the City Hall.
Jinhsi: My fellow soldiers and citizens, I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I am Jinhsi, the Magistrate of Jinzhou.
Jinhsi: As the Moon-chasing Festival approaches, our city welcomes visitors from around the world. The festivities are highly anticipated by our people, and I, too, share in this joyful sentiment.
Jinhsi: Jinzhou has always been a crucial defense against the Tacet Discord Outbreaks, safeguarding Huanglong. We have a heavy responsibility on our shoulders with no room for retreat or failure.
Jinhsi: It is the dedication of our warriors, along with the diligence of our citizens, that has allowed us to thrive in peace and prosperity.
Jinhsi: Despite the challenges of Tacet Discords, we remain steadfast and hospitable to visitors, upholding our enduring traditions.
Jinhsi: With that in mind, I have a favor to ask.
Jinhsi: Among our many visitors, there is one visitor that holds utmost importance to me, the City of Jinzhou, and the entirety of Huanglong.
Jinhsi: We have awaited your arrival for a long time.
Jinhsi: Given the circumstances, you may be feeling bewildered at this time.
Jinhsi: You should have noticed some strange happenings related to you.
Jinhsi: If you plan to stay in Jinzhou for some time, I would be more than delighted to personally meet you in the City Hall of Jinzhou.
Jinhsi: While I cannot guarantee to provide all the answers you need, I will do my best to assist you and provide necessary permissions, if applicable.
Jinhsi: This is only my personal request. You can decide your course of action in any way you see fit.
Jinhsi: Therefore, I request the people and soldiers of Jinzhou to assist this esteemed visitor when the opportunity arises.
Chixia: Why do I get this feeling...
Baizhi: This person our Magistrate was talking about...
Yangyang: ...is Rover.
Rover:
Chixia: Wow, so this is the true measure of a Chief... I mean, of our Rover!
Rover:
Chixia: "This is the true measure of a Chief!"
Chixia: It's a famous line from a good old Hero Play. It's been runnin' for almost four years! It's a really heart-warming tale about the Chief and their Squad.
Yangyang: Does that Hero Play story sound familiar to you?
Chixia: Hey, that ain't the point, okay?!
Yangyang: What are your plans now, Rover?
Rover:
Yangyang: I remember you had a flashback of yourself looking into its eyes when you saw the statue of our Sentinel.
Yangyang: We can't confirm its authenticity, but based on the Magistrate's message, it seems Jinzhou has a lot to do with your past.
Yangyang: Whether you're the visitor our Magistrate mentioned or not, you are surely important to Jinzhou, and you will be our important...
Chixia: Friend!
Chixia: We've already entrusted our lives to each other. I've never seen so many TDs packed together, and that Elite one was so scary! Well, you did get rid of most of them, hehe.
Chixia: Anyway, once we're back in Jinzhou, I'll treat you to that famous specialty from Panhua's Restaurant.
Rover:
Baizhi: It would be best for your well-being to have a thorough physical examination once we arrive in Jinzhou.
Baizhi: While there don't seem to be any immediate side effects following the absorption of that Echo, we cannot rule out the possibility of other latent risks.
Baizhi: Given our lack of data on you and your unusual physical signs, I suggest absorbing another Reverberation with your Terminal when we find one. That being said, please be sure to proceed cautiously.
Chixia: Yeah, don't go too hard on yourself. You should get a check-up just to be safe. Besides, Yangyang's very worried about you.
Yangyang: If you feel any discomfort along the way, please do let us know.