With a smile, I respond "Yes, I will come to Jinzhou. In fact we are already on the way there. I hope to meet you soon, lady magistrate."
Jinhsi's luminous white eyes brighten at your words, the ethereal glow in them softening into something warm and genuinely pleased. The small, kind smile on her lips deepens—subtle, yet radiant enough to make the holographic projection feel almost tangible.
"I am glad to hear it, Rover," she replies, voice carrying that same gentle resonance, like wind through ancient chimes. "We will prepare accordingly. Your arrival is… anticipated. Not merely by me, but by many who have felt the shift in the frequencies since your descent."
She inclines her head once more—graceful, respectful—her silver-white twin tails swaying lightly with the motion, turquoise strands catching phantom light.
"When you reach the gates, simply speak my name to the rangers. They will escort you directly to the Magistrate's hall. There is no need for ceremony or delay. I look forward to meeting you in person… and to learning more about the one who has already begun to change the resonance of our world."
A faint, almost playful warmth flickers in her expression—rare for someone so composed.
"Until then… travel safely, Rover. Jinzhou awaits."
The hologram flickers once—soft turquoise light fading like mist—and vanishes with a quiet chime. The terminals return to standby, screens dimming.
Chixia lets out a long, impressed breath, hands on her hips.
"Okay, wow. The Magistrate just personally invited you like you're some long-lost VIP. *Sigh* I really shouldn't get any more surprised from you." She jokingly sighs, then grins wide, bouncing on her toes again. "You're officially too cool for us now, Tian Yang. But I'm still sticking around—someone's gotta keep you humble, right?"
Yangyang's fingers lace tighter with yours, her body still leaning lightly against your side for support. She looks up at you with that quiet, devoted smile—eyes shining.
"She called you Rover… but I know who you truly are to me," she murmurs, soft enough that only you can hear. "And I'm happy you'll see Jinzhou with your own eyes. It's beautiful… but it's even more so now, knowing you'll walk its streets."
Baizhi adjusts the edge of her cape-like sleeve with precise fingers, though her seafoam-green gaze lingers on where the hologram faded.
"Jinhsi does not extend personal invitations lightly," she observes, voice even but thoughtful. "She anticipated your arrival before we even confirmed your awakening. That level of foresight… suggests she has access to data—or perhaps resonance readings—we do not. Intriguing."
She glances at you sidelong.
"Your direct absorption of the Crownless Echo earlier only deepens the anomaly. When we reach the city, I would strongly recommend allowing a full scan at Huaxu Academy. Not merely for my curiosity—though it is considerable—but for your own understanding of what is unfolding within you."
The path ahead slopes gently downward now, leading straight through a bridge over water, to the tall gates of Jinzhou. Jinzhou was a fortified city on water, a massive river running beneath it leading directly to the sea on the east of Jinzhou. Four bridges lead to Jinzhou from the outside to its four corners.
Resonance barriers shimmer like green and blue veils in the distance, midnight rangers in sleek blue combat outfits and rifles in their hands at the entrance—alert, but not hostile. Faint music and voices carry on the breeze from within the walls.
Even from the outside, the city feels alive—vibrant, watchful, waiting.
Chixia nudges your shoulder playfully. "C'mon, oh legendary Rover~ Let's get you inside before the Magistrate sends a welcome parade or something."
Yangyang stays close, her steps steadying with every moment. Baizhi falls into step on your other side—quiet, observant, already mentally cataloguing everything that has happened since you woke.
The gates draw nearer.
You flash that confident smile again, the one that seems to pull the air around you into focus, and speak up as the group continues down the bridge leading toward the towering gates of Jinzhou.
"Before we go in," you say, voice calm but firm, "I don't plan to visit Jinhsi straight away. I want to look around a bit first. See the city and its people. Feel it for myself. Then I'll make my way to where she is."
You glance at each of them in turn—Yangyang's gentle eyes, Chixia's bright curiosity, Baizhi's measured gaze.
"So at the gate… don't state my real identity. Just introduce me as one of your own who lost his identification or something. Let's keep it simple."
Chixia lets out a delighted huff of laughter, slapping her thigh lightly.
"Ha! I like it. Low-key entry for the guy who just soloed an Overlord-class Echo. Classic." She winks, already nodding. "No problem. I'll handle the talking. 'This is Tian—uh, just Tian. Lost his ID during a TD skirmish outside the walls. We're vouching for him.' Easy. They'll wave us through. Perks of having a senior midnight rangers, a respected Huaxu researcher, and the Jinzhou Speedster on the same team!"
Yangyang's fingers give yours a small, reassuring squeeze. Her voice is soft, almost proud.
"I think that's wise. Jinzhou can be… overwhelming at first. Walking its streets freely, without eyes on you from the start, will let you see it as it truly is." She leans her head briefly against your shoulder. "And I'll stay close. If anyone asks too many questions, I'll handle it."
Baizhi adjusts the edge of her detached sleeve with precise fingers, her seafoam-green eyes flicking toward the nearing gates.
"Discretion is logical," she agrees evenly. "A premature announcement of your arrival would draw unnecessary attention—both from the Magistrate's office and from factions within the Academy who might wish to… study you immediately. Introducing you as a 'civilian who lost their ID' under our escort minimizes variables."
She pauses, then adds—almost as an afterthought, though her tone carries the faintest trace of dry humor:
"Though I suspect even a low-profile entrance will not remain low-profile for long."
The gates rise before you now—massive, elegant arches of white stone veined with golden resonance circuits that pulse softly like living veins. Guards stand at attention on either side: two on the ground, two perched on elevated platforms, eyes scanning every approaching figure. Beyond the barrier, the city hums with life—distant chatter, the clink of merchant carts, the low thrum of airships overhead, the scent of steamed buns and blooming jasmine drifting out on the breeze.
Chixia steps forward confidently as you reach the checkpoint, raising one hand in casual salute while the other rests on her pistol holster—friendly, but unmistakably authoritative.
"Hey, guys! Chixia, Jinzhou Patrol. Bringing in two colleagues and a civilian pickup."
One of the guards—a tall woman with a short bob and a resonance visor—steps forward, a smile on her face as she gives a salute to Chixia and then to Yangyang and Baizhi.
"Good morning, miss Chixia, miss Yangyang, miss Baizhi. You don't need to salute to us or provide identification. Please pass through, but if you don't mind me asking—" She says the last part in a whisper, her mouth reaching for Chixia's ear while her eyes dart to Yangyang.
"Who is that hunk next to miss Yangyang? She's all over him! And why does her hair look like that and what's that smell coming from her?! It smells like—"
A wide toothy grin pastes itself on Chixia's face as she glances at Yangyang and you before turning to the guard, her voice a whisper as well, interrupting her tangent.
"We found him at the Gorges of Spirits. He lost his ID during a nasty TD encounter. Thankfully Baizhi was on site to heal him. We're escorting him in for medical and admin processing. As for Yangyang... it was love at first sight! Those two hit it off the moment their eyes met! And as for why she looks like that, do I really need to spell it out for you?" Chixia says the last part out loud, causing Yangyang's cheeks to gain a healthy blush, but her hold on your hand only got tighter, her smile never fading.
'Thank God, Baizhi had some bottled water and towels with her. And also thank the morning sun. Otherwise. the scandal of Yangyang walking around covered in cum and me in damp shorts... I'll have to treat Baizhi later...' Chixia thinks, almost sighing out of relief.
The ranger's eyes widen in surprise. 'To think a day would come where I'd see the pure white flower of the Midnight Rangers, Miss Yangyang, be claimed by a man and on top of that, for her to be so smitten with him... Although his looks and presence... It's a shame she got him first...' But she quickly focuses herself, before speaking.
"Alright. Thank you for your time. All of you may pass through. Welcome to Jinzhou!"
The barrier shimmers and parts like liquid turquoise, revealing the bustling streets beyond.
Chixia throws you a quick, triumphant grin over her shoulder. "Told ya. Easy."
Yangyang stays at your side as you step through—her hand still in yours, her posture relaxed now that you're inside the walls. Baizhi walks just behind, observing everything with quiet intensity.
The city opens up around you: wide stone-paved avenues lined with elegant lanterns, vendors calling out prices for glowing herbs and resonance-infused trinkets, children darting between legs with laughter, and no vehicle on the streets, only people. Ultra modern buildings with square flat rooftops, bridges arc over sparkling canals, and in the distance, the silhouette of the resonance nexus looming like a silent guardian.
No one spares you more than a passing glance. For now, you're just another face in the crowd—exactly as you wanted.
Chixia stretches her arms overhead with a satisfied groan. "Alright, tour guide mode activated. Where to first, Tian Yang? Food street? The central plaza? The commercial district for some shopping? Or you wanna just wander and see what calls to you?"
Yangyang looks up at you with that soft, trusting smile. "I'll follow wherever you wish to go."
Baizhi simply waits—observant, patient, ready to provide context when asked.
You glance at the bustling streets of Jinzhou stretching out before you—vendors calling out, children laughing as they chase glowing resonance orbs, the distant chime of temple bells mixing with the low hum from the barriers protecting the city. The city breathes around you, alive and waiting for your first real step inside its heart, but the weight of everything that's happened since you woke up still clings to you like dust from the Gorges.
You turn to the group, voice calm and decisive.
"I think I'll go with Baizhi to the Huaxu Academy for now. We should separate for a bit. Everyone needs rest, a proper bath, fresh clothes… I know I do." You offer a small, reassuring smile. "I'll meet up with you two later after Baizhi and I are done. Sound good?"
Yangyang's fingers tighten briefly around yours before she lets go—reluctant, but understanding. Her black-grey eyes search your face for a moment, then she nods, that gentle smile returning.
"Of course, Tian Yang," she says softly. "If that's what you want… then I'll wait. Just… promise you'll come find us when you're ready." She hesitates, then steps closer and rises on her toes to press a quick, feather-light kiss to your cheek—right there in the open street, uncaring who might see. "Be safe. And rest well. I'll be thinking of you."
Chixia crosses her arms, rocking back on her heels with a dramatic sigh, but her red eyes are warm.
"Yeahhh, okay, fine—go do your science-y stuff with Baizhi. I get it. You just absorbed a freaking Overlord class echo with your hand, so I guess checking that out in a lab makes sense." She grins, though it's softer than usual. "But don't ghost us too long, alright? I'm holding you to that 'reward' promise, oh legendary Rover. And I wanna hear how the fancy Academy scanners freak out over you."
She slaps your shoulder lightly—playful, affectionate—then jerks her thumb over her shoulder.
"I'll crash at my place, shower off the grime, maybe grab some street food. Hmm, yeah I have got an idea! Why don't we all regroup later at aunt Panhua's restaurant? We could chat and have the best spicy noodles in Jinzhou—trust me, you need them after today!"
Yangyang nods, glancing back at you one last time.
"That's a good idea. Miss Panhua's food is really good, although it's a bit spicy," she says. "We'll be there waiting for you both."
Baizhi has been watching the exchange in silence, arms loosely folded beneath her chest, expression composed as always. Nodding her head in agreement to Chixia's suggestion. When your eyes meet hers, she inclines her head slightly.
"A prudent decision," she says. "Your resonance is still fluctuating from the Crownless absorption—subtle oscillations in the 7–12 Hz range that should be monitored before they stabilize unpredictably. The Academy has the necessary equipment: full-spectrum scanners, Remnant frequency isolation chambers, and You'tan can assist with real-time bio-resonance mapping."
She pauses, then adds—voice quieter, almost gentle:
"And… you should rest afterward. Even extraordinary physiology requires recovery."
She turns slightly, gesturing toward a quieter avenue branching off the main street.
"Huaxu Academy is this way—approximately fifteen minutes on foot. The central spire is visible from most points in the city." She glances at Chixia and Yangyang. "I will ensure he returns to you both once the preliminary scans are complete. There will no unnecessary procedures."
Chixia gives a mock salute. "You better, Doc. We're trusting you with our VIP."
Yangyang offers you one last soft smile and a small wave before stepping back to Chixia's side.
The two of them start walking away together. Each heading to their own home, to clean up, redress and finally regroup at Panhua's restaurant later in the day.
Baizhi waits until they're a few paces away before looking at you again.
"Shall we?" she asks simply, beginning to walk—pace measured, giving you room to fall in beside her.
The avenue ahead is quieter: tree-lined, lined with elegant stone lanterns and the occasional researcher in flowing Academy robes hurrying past with data tablets. The spires of Huaxu Academy rise in the distance—sleek white stone veined with soft blue light, like a frozen wave reaching for the sky.
Baizhi speaks without looking at you, voice low enough for privacy.
"You do not need to answer now, but… when we arrive, would you prefer the scans to be private? Or may I bring in one or two trusted colleagues for cross-verification? The data from your direct Echo absorption could advance Remnant Ecoacoustics by years… but I will not share anything without your explicit consent."
She finally glances sideways at you—seafoam-green eyes calm, yet carrying a quiet intensity.
"And if there is anything specific you wish to know about yourself… ask. I will answer truthfully, to the best of my current knowledge."
The Academy draws nearer with every step.