First Resonance

Arrive at Jinzhou

Head to the Nexus Beacon

Chixia: Exactly. Lemme see, uh, think of it as Jinzhou's largest server station, or an integration hub. It's something along those lines. I'm not much of a tech person myself.

Chixia: Long story short, it's a navigator, a defense system, and a regional information center all in one enormous package.

Chixia: The smaller ones we ran into earlier are Resonance Beacons.

Chixia: Data is shared between all Beacons. You activate one, and the entire map's data will be relayed to your Terminal. Pretty nifty, huh?

Chixia: Just place your Terminal here.

Activate the Nexus Beacon

Take the elevator to reach the City Hall

Yangyang: I have the arrangements in place. Rover, you can come visit the Magistrate at any time.

Yangyang: Chixia, do you mind bringing Rover over to the City Hall?

Check the activated Beacon in the Map view

Take the elevator to reach the City Hall

Find Yangyang

Meet with Yangyang

Chixia: Whew. First time seeing such a crowd in front of the City Hall.

Yangyang: Most of the people here have applied for an audience, but I heard they've all been turned down.

Yangyang: Most people were advised to leave by the Magistrate's bodyguard upon sending in their applications. The ones staying here are either trying to apply for some other people, or just too stubborn to leave.

Yangyang: The few that made it inside said it only took "one freezing look from Lady Sanhua", and they were compelled to leave.

Yangyang: She is the Magistrate's personal bodyguard.

Chixia: Oh, I've heard of her before. She's the "All-round Death Glare slash Terminator Ice Beauty."

Chixia: ...That's what the rumors say, at least.

Chixia: So this is the true confidence of our Rover!

Chixia: I agree though. So far, you've been ticking all the boxes in our Magistrate's description.

Chixia: Sure they can.

Yangyang: I can't really keep up with your thoughts, but I think a meeting with the Magistrate wouldn't hurt.

Yangyang: In that case...

Yangyang: How about meeting with the Magistrate first? She may have the answers you're looking for.

Yangyang: We are not allowed to go with you. Chixia and I will be right outside the City Hall.

Yangyang: We'll be waiting for you.

Chixia: That's right, we're not going anywhere! Just give us a shout if anything goes down—Wait, no, we won't be able to hear ya. Plus they've got this rule about not yelling inside the City Hall.

Head to the City Hall

Enter the City Hall

Receptionist: Please, follow me.

Follow the receptionist

Receptionist: Kindly have a seat.

Take a seat

Receptionist: Lady Sanhua will be with you shortly.

Sanhua: I regret to inform you that Madam Magistrate is currently away. Prior to her departure, she instructed me to bring you these tokens and a welcome gift.

Sanhua: Madam Magistrate advised you to explore what these tokens represent during her absence. This may help you acquire the information you desire sooner.

Sanhua: I apologize for the inconvenience, but please rest assured: she will be here to meet you in three days' time.

Sanhua: Pardon my inability to provide a better answer. Madam Magistrate has a task that she must handle alone, but she has never for one moment forgotten about her meeting with you.

Sanhua: Not knowing exactly when you'd arrive, she had to leave without having the chance to welcome you in person.

Sanhua: Because she will require at least three days to complete her current task.

Sanhua: You...

Sanhua: I'll be sure to convey your kindness to Madam Magistrate. Please accept my sincerest gratitude.

Sanhua: Yes, Madam Magistrate does hope to have your assistance, but there is no rush for a decision. She does not want to pressure you into anything you may not desire. We invite you to learn about our situation before making a final commitment.

Sanhua: When it comes to these tokens, it is never her intention to confuse you with the puzzles. Instead, they should serve as clues that lead you toward the truth.

Sanhua: Madam Magistrate deeply regrets not having the time to deliver her messages to you in person.

Sanhua: We value your presence far more than you might imagine. The same goes for any and all information about you.

Sanhua: Since Madam Magistrate is currently away, I cannot make the final confirmation on her behalf.

Sanhua: Regarding that...

Sanhua: My eyes can see the frequencies of all living beings.

Sanhua: Or rather, those "frequencies" are the only thing I can see.

Sanhua: You look undistorted and authentic, in your original form.

Sanhua: They all look different.

For some reason, you can tell Sanhua doesn't want to continue this topic.

Sanhua: I need your Terminal for Access Pass authorization. In the meantime, I will configure the latest Utility modules for you.

You waited for a moment.

Sanhua: The Utility module on your Terminal has been upgraded to the latest iteration. Now all the Utilities, including Sensor, Levitator, and Grapple, should be fully functional.

Sanhua: You are now granted unlimited access to all regions in Jinzhou. I have sent your Terminal ID to every border pass and Resonance Beacon. You will only need to display your Terminal ID, or activate a Beacon with your Terminal for entry.

Sanhua: Yes, including the City Hall. You have full access to its facilities.

Sanhua: Also, may I ask... Have you decided your place of residence in Jinzhou?

Sanhua: If not, Madam Magistrate has arranged accommodation for you in advance, here in the City Hall.

Sanhua: Understood. We will be ready to accommodate you anytime.

Leave the City Hall and talk to Yangyang

Chixia: Rover!

Chixia: It took you so long. What gives? Was our Magistrate a chatterbox?

You told Chixia and Yangyang about your conversation with Sanhua.

Chixia: So Madam Magistrate's not in the City Hall...

Yangyang: The wind is rising. In it, I sense disturbance and unrest.

Yangyang: The increasing Tacet Fields, uncannily powerful Tacet Discords, and now, our Magistrate's absence...

Chixia: Plus... The mysterious Rover!

Chixia: Well, we've reported to the City Hall, the Ministry of War, AND the Academy. We've done everything we can.

Chixia: I mean, this is Huanglong! And we're talking about Jinzhou, of all places! We've been through our fair share of unrest over the past thousand years, and we've made it together every time.

Chixia: There's been TD outbreaks every year, but we can always trust General Jiyan, Madam Magistrate, and our Sentinel to have our backs! We're not ones to mess with.

Yangyang: "United we stand, a bastion of might; one equals a legion, invulnerable in fight"... Well said, Chixia.

Yangyang: Rover, do you mind if we have a look at the tokens?

You showed Yangyang and Chixia the tokens.

Chixia: So, what's so special about them?

Chixia: A candy? Oh! I've had these when I was a kid. I think they were called... Sugar pearls?

Chixia: But I haven't seen anything like this in a while... Went out of trend maybe?

Yangyang: It reminds me of my childhood. I still remember the taste. It was so sweet.

Yangyang: I was really scared of getting my flu shots when I was little, and sometimes the nurse lady would hand out candies like this as a prize for being good.

Yangyang: But... What does it mean as a token?

Chixia: Oh right, Baizhi's still waiting for us at the Academy!

Use the Grapple Points

(Optional) Ask the Kids about the Sugar Pearl

You showed the little girl your sugar pearl, and asked if she had seen it before.

The little girl shook her head timidly.

After a tense moment of silence, the little girl seems to have finally made up her mind about a great sacrifice. She offers you her hand, revealing a small piece of candy.

Child: I-I don't have candy like that.

Child: Madam Magistrate said we should be nice to every guest!

Child: No need to thank me! P-please have fun in Jinzhou!

Arrive at Huaxu Academy

Chixia: Oh, wait a sec, someone's looking for me.

Chixia: Yeah... What! When did he disappear? Don't worry. It's alright. I'll be right there.

Chixia: Duty calls! Oops, almost forgot. Can't be late!

Chixia: Sorry, Rover, Yangyang, I've gotta head off for my shift. I'll join you right after I'm done, alright?

Chixia: Well, you only need to send me a Terminal message as you shout! Then I'll be there in a jiffy. Hehe.

Chixia: Anyway, I've gotta go. You guys okay on your own? Give me a heads-up when there's any updates!

Yangyang: Sure, go do your thing. Don't worry, I'm staying with him.

Yangyang: Rover, let's go inside.

Chixia: There’s still some distance to the Huaxu Academy. Let’s see who reaches there faster!

Yangyang: I just installed some apps for you. Please try looking for one that’s called Utility on the Terminal.

Chixia: See? Just open the Utilities, select the Grapple, and there you go!

Chixia: If you wanna be a hero like the Jinzhou Speedster, you gotta master the Grapple! C'mon, give it a shot, Rover!

Enter the Academy

Yangyang: Baizhi hasn't replied to my message. She's probably busy in her lab.

Yangyang: Over there must be Mr. Mortefi from the Department of Safety. Baizhi once mentioned him before...

Yangyang: He might be able to help us get in touch with Baizhi, but, erm... it seems we've caught him at a bad time.

Talk to Mortefi

Yangyang: Anyway... Let's try asking him, shall we?

Mortefi: I refuse to tolerate the foolish striving of those insatiable slugs. Since it's difficult for our researchers to deal with a man like him, I'd rather handle it personally and swiftly.

Mortefi: ...And you are?

Yangyang: Mr. Mortefi, please pardon our intrusion. We are friends of Baizhi, and we're here to look for her.

Mortefi: I see. I hope I didn't cause any offense earlier.

Yangyang: Not at all, it was us who bothered you...

Mortefi: Baizhi should be in the Data Analysis Room. I'll go tell her you're here.

Yangyang: Thank you, sir.

Yangyang: This is Mortefi, a renowned figure in the Department of Safety. He was born in the New Federation, and he joined the Huaxu Academy a few years ago. I heard his talent is truly impressive.

Yangyang: People say he is a bit scary at first glance, but he's actually quite kindhearted once you get to know him...

Yangyang: Chixia told me he's quite popular with the kids. Children have been pestering him for all kinds of fancy toys, and he's always open to their requests.

Ask Baizhi about what happened

Baizhi: Here you are. The data we collected in the Gorges of Spirits has been submitted for analysis, and we'll have the results today. I have the equipment for your physical examinations ready, too.

Baizhi: Any discoveries during your trip to the City Hall?

You show Baizhi the tokens and tell her about what happened.

Yangyang: What do you think, Baizhi?

Baizhi: ...

Baizhi: Data is always straightforward.

Baizhi: The first three tokens can be tested at my branch's laboratoryBranch of Remnant Studies. This miniature sundial will require radiographic testing, though. To access the necessary equipment, we'll need to file a request with one of the Tacetite studies related branches.

Baizhi: Yes, Mortefi is the Branch of Tacetite Weaponry's head within the Department of Safety.

Baizhi: One moment, please.

Soon after, Baizhi returns with Mortefi.

Mortefi takes the sundial and gently weighs it in his hand.

Mortefi: This one looks like the early handiwork of someone I know.

Mortefi: It's lightweight, and its design differs from that of the typical sundial. And it appears to be missing a part. See, there's a groove here.

Baizhi: It will take some time before the results are ready. If you have other matters to take care of, you should go ahead. I'll let you know once we have the results.

Baizhi: Sure you can, but don't forget your physical examination—I'll see you in a while for that.

Talk to Baizhi for your body check-up

Baizhi: I have the equipment ready. I'll need to check your health status and see if there are any unusual fluctuations.

Baizhi: Tacet Discords are classified according to the concentration levels of their characteristic frequencies. Generally, Tacet Discords with higher concentration levels are considered to pose greater threats.

Baizhi: The current classification levels, from lowest to highest, are Common, Elite, Overlord, and Calamity. Additionally, there is a special type of Tacet Discord, and we call them the Threnodians.

Baizhi: You have absorbed a very powerful Echo with your body. You may seem fine now, but there could be internal changes that are too subtle to see or detect with my Resonance Ability.

Baizhi: Based on all the records I can find, humans need a Pangu Terminal in order to record or replicate an Echo's frequency.

Baizhi: That's why I am quite curious how you could do that.

Baizhi: When a Tacet Discord is eliminated, its frequency energy may linger in the form of an incorporeal manifestation, which is known as a "Reverberation".

Baizhi: A Resonator's Terminal collects and records said Reverberations, turning them into "Echoes" that can be directed as desired.

Baizhi: The combat abilities of these Echoes can then be replicated through the Terminal's Data Bank module, enabling Resonators to use them in battles.

Baizhi: Yes, to some extent.

Baizhi: Apart from the ancient legend Yangyang mentioned earlier, I've never heard of anything like this...

Baizhi: But if we look at it another way, we might finally be able to verify said legend once we figure out what really happened with your body.

Baizhi: Hmm... I am not seeing the Crownless' data in your Terminal. So it was indeed absorbed into your body...

Baizhi: The Crownless' frequency energy was "consumed" by your body, leaving no trace behind.

Baizhi: When a Resonator's mental capacity is overwhelmed, they may lose control of their Fortepower, causing an overflow of Resonance energy.

Baizhi: We have established a comprehensive Overclock diagnosis process to accurately predict potential risks of Overclocking.

Baizhi: Your waveform graph shows a remarkable level of stability, surpassing any Resonator I've encountered. Your risk of Overclocking should be minimal.

Baizhi: You don't need to worry about that for the time being.

Baizhi: It seems we need a simulated combat to figure out what happened in your body.

Baizhi: Please hold your Terminal tight and stay still.

Baizhi: A giant Tacet Discord with a scythe... It doesn't sound like the Crownless. Might be even higher-ranked.

Baizhi: This is the first time we've run into anything like this since we put the training ground into use...

Baizhi: The Sonoro Sphere captures everything that once happened in a specific time and place, be it good or bad.

Baizhi: We built this simulated training ground after the structure of Sonoro Spheres.

Baizhi: Our goal was to extract pure Remnant Energy with the simulated Sonoro Sphere, but we cannot guarantee that all "abnormal frequencies" were eliminated.

Baizhi: Your arrival may have revived the "abnormal frequencies" we accidentally captured.

Baizhi: Remnant Energy sometimes give rise to memory manifestations of sentient beings. You may have encountered one such manifestation.

Baizhi: I suspect it could have something to do with your unconscious mind.

Baizhi: Such anomalies could have been hiding in the simulation, and they 'resonated' with your subconscious. Or perhaps... they were lifted from your subconscious in the first place.

Baizhi: I'm afraid I can't give you a conclusion yet. Not until we've run a thorough analysis on the data collected.

Baizhi: I'll also check the simulated Sonoro Sphere again to see what on earth happened to it.

Baizhi: In terms of bodily functions, you seem to be in perfect health... In fact, all the data look quite good.

Ask Mortefi about the tokens

Mortefi: Here's your sundial. Intact as it was.

Yangyang: Mr. Mortefi, can we have the test results?

Mortefi: Simply put, it's hollow. Here, try tapping on it. It sounds different from a solid object.

Mortefi: It's not just a timekeeping tool; it's an intricate mortise-and-tenon puzzle box.

Mortefi: This sundial is hollow with an inner compartment. We've scanned it, and there is a small paper scroll inside.

Mortefi: However, it's missing a crucial component.

Mortefi: Automata Mechanics isn't my field of study. I specialize in developing Tacetite Weapons, but the foundational theories behind these applied technologies are quite similar.

Mortefi: It wouldn't have taken me this long if we were dealing with Tacetite Weapons.

Mortefi: Install the missing part, then rotate the wheels to their correct positions, and you should be able to solve the puzzle and access the paper scroll.

Mortefi: Well that's a no-brainer indeed.

Mortefi: We can certainly give it a try. If you're fine with the paper scroll being destroyed by its protective mechanism, that is.

Mortefi: One moment. I have an incoming call.

Mortefi: ...

Mortefi: What is it?

Mortefi: You certainly are well-informed.

Mortefi: It's indeed beautiful data... Good taste. Well, since you've put it that way...

Yangyang: It looks like Mr. Mortefi needs some more time. Maybe we should give him some space to concentrate?

Yangyang: Rover, let's come back later, shall we?

Talk to Mortefi

Mortefi: ...

Mortefi: Yes, of course. I've already noticed all that you mentioned.

Mortefi: Indeed. You just pointed out a blind spot in my thinking.

Mortefi: Your workshop? That hellish place?

Mortefi: Heh... Stop sweet-talking me. I get it.

Mortefi: ...

Mortefi: Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let's get back to the sundial.

Mortefi: It's a mortise-and-tenon based puzzle box. The missing component in the middle needs to fulfill two entirely different structural requirements at the same time.

Mortefi: Considering its entire structure, this component needs an automatic buckle that goes down on top of an embedded pointer.

Mortefi: Division of labor is more efficient in getting things done. Besides, I would like to avoid stepping foot in Xiangli's workshop ever again. The mere thought of that place brings me migraines.

Find the parts in Xiangli Yao's workshop

Yangyang: I mentally prepared myself for the worst, but this place looks... much better than Mr. Mortefi's description, I think?

Yangyang: Though it is a bit hard to figure out where we should start...

Yangyang: This should be it. It's quite a boxful.

Yangyang: Let's go back and show it to Mr. Mortefi.

Deliver the parts to Mortefi

Yangyang: Mr. Mortefi, we found the parts.

Mortefi: Good. Bring it to me.

Baizhi: The mangosteen is just an ordinary fruit. It's suitable for regular consumption. We found nothing unusual about it.

Baizhi: From the purple leaf you presented, I detected subtle fluctuations in Tacet Discord's frequency from two distinct sources, but they were overlapping and difficult to distinguish.

Baizhi: This is a rare occurrence.

Baizhi: The scattered nature of these fluctuations rules out the possibility of them being left behind through contact.

Yangyang: Yes. The anomalies that occurred after the Lament, including the formation of Tacet Fields, Etheric Sea, Retroact Rain, and gravity loss... These are collectively called the Waveworn phenomena.

Yangyang: And the Lament was the start of it all.

Baizhi: As for the sugar pearl... It has been determined to be a type of oral vaccine.

Baizhi: This sugar pearl expired over 20 years ago. The low-temperature storage life for this vaccine is about 2 years.

Yangyang: A 20-year-old vaccine...

Yangyang: ...

Yangyang: Could it be related to the children's epidemic in Jinzhou two decades ago?

Baizhi: The archives in the Academy should have information on the sugar pearl.

Baizhi: The archives here are organized in a unique way. You can start by searching the keywords at the lobby terminal.

Yangyang: Mr. Mortefi?

Mortefi: The missing pointer has been installed, and now the sundial should be complete.

Yangyang: So the discs are rotatable now...

Yangyang: The Earthly Branches and Four Symbols...

Yangyang: These symbols are related to the Sexagenary Cycle. It's an intricate way of recording time in Huanglong. Nowadays it is mainly reserved for calendars, numerology, and indexing, but it's falling out of daily use.

Yangyang: Now what kind of information could it represent...

Baizhi: ...It's the filing system.

Yangyang: Yes. The large data repositories located in Huanglong's major cities.

Investigate where the document is located

Yangyang: I found it... It's located on the "Wei" shelf.

Enter the archives room

Yangyang: Mao, Chen, Si... Wu, Wei. Rover, it's here.

Look for clues about the tokens

Yangyang: There are two photos here...

One photo shows a group of researchers led by a woman in her thirties. Everyone looks excited and happy.

The other photo shows an infant in diapers, with a slender hand holding a spoon with a sugar pearl in it, directed towards the infant.

Yangyang: ...

Yangyang: If I remember correctly, Jinzhou was established during a Year of Wei, several cycles ago. The Jinzhou City Hall and Huaxu Academy were built in the same year.

Yangyang: The Gorges of Spirits Battle sparked Jinzhou's founding.

Yangyang: And the formidable Tacet Discord described here... I believe it is the "Crownless".

Discuss what you have learned with Yangyang

Yangyang: Life has never been easy after the Lament, but I still remember that sweetness from my childhood.

Yangyang: The battle against that epidemic in Jinzhou was grueling. Once infected, children either died or suffered life-long disabilities, Resonators or not. With Tacet Discords ravaging Jinzhou and severing all communication with other cities, desperation ran high.

Yangyang: We owe our presence here to those who came before us. It's important to remember their sacrifices.

Yangyang: If the sugar pearl points to the information and reports we have just read, what is Madam Magistrate trying to convey?

Yangyang: According to the reports, the vaccine's creator died three years after its development, with the rest of the team now over fifty.

Yangyang: ...

Yangyang: You mean... You could be that infant shown in the footage?

Yangyang: They should be around your age by now.

Yangyang: Hmm... but he doesn't have your golden eyes...

Yangyang: But you are not from Jinzhou... Maybe the place you came from had a similar situation?

Yangyang: With this thought, perhaps, the reports about the sugar pearl are just one part of the clues. The other part telling your past and memories is hidden in the documents on the "Wei" shelf. What do you think?

Yangyang: A hero...

Yangyang: Are you saying that the information contained in the sugar pearl doesn't directly point to your identity?

Yangyang: Jinzhou was the most recent city established in Huanglong. The Mountains of Spirits running from north to south divide Huanglong in two. The capital and the five cities are located in the Inner Huanglong, while Jinzhou is in the Outer Huanglong.

Yangyang: The Crownless is a Tacet Discord that embodies war itself. The hatred of the fallen warriors and the fear of the survivors are the ingredients for it.

Yangyang: When it comes to the Threnodian, there is a lot to tell. For now, you can think of it this way: the Threnodian is the most powerful Tacet Discord. The Battle of the Threnodian that happened before was to fend it off.

Yangyang: Our Sentinel, Jué, manifested before us in that battle.

Yangyang: We have the symbol "Wei" now. This should go with the time part.

Yangyang: But we can't yet solve the puzzle with this alone.

Yangyang: I've only seen our Magistrate once at the Appointment Ceremony, so I can't comment on her personality.

Yangyang: But her policies have proven effective and greatly benefited us since she took office.

Yangyang: Lady Changli is our Magistrate's advisor and former teacher. She once held a high position in the Central Secretariat, but she requested a transfer to Jinzhou.

Yangyang: I've also heard about rumors painting her as a cunning manipulator rather than a loyal servant...

Rover: Let's look back on what we've gathered so far: Our clues point to the sugar pearl as a key in solving the sundial's puzzle.

Rover: Simply put, one token can lead to multiple targets and one target may hold several pieces of information.

Rover: We both had our reason for a meeting: the Magistrate had information to share, while I had questions to ask.

Rover: ...Maybe she was running out of time. That's why she could only offer us scraps of the puzzle, instead of actually putting it together.

Rover: She needed to ensure that those who may come across these tokens without understanding their true meaning would not be able to use them for access.

Yangyang: ...

Rover: If it were you, Yangyang, what would you do to make sure the recipient gets what you mean?

Yangyang: ...I would emphasize my true message by repeating it, again and again.

Leave the Academy

Yangyang: Baizhi said he is in great health, no issue to report.

Chixia: Nothing special, a typical patrol. Well, Uncle Zhang's cat climbed a tree, and on its way down, it landed on Uncle Chenpi's Head, causing him to take a tumble. Some dogs kept barking and have been scaring the passers-by, so I went there to calm them down.

Chixia: I received a report about someone going missing. I just logged the case and talked to the person who reported it. You're not the one they're searching for, though. Anyhow, I'll need to visit the person who reported the case tomorrow.

Chixia: It's the middle of the night. Course you're tired.

Chixia: Then you'll feel right at home with the Midnight Rangers. Or more like the "Midnight Danger".

Chixia: Talk about hospitality!