Upon the departure of Yue Taizhou, Xiao Lin, bearing the chronicle of his labors, made his way directly to the sanctuary of the Water Bar.
This was the very locus where, within the realm of dreams, he had communed with the Wardens. Yet, in stark contrast to the spectral silence of his slumber, the air here pulsed with life.
Warm luminescence bathed the hall, and ethereal melodies drifted through the air, where young acolytes rested and debated matters largely indecipherable to the elder sage.
Seated by the counter, he unfurled his scroll to inscribe his report.
The mistress of this establishment, Zhao Ningyue, was clad in a tunic of moon-white silk, revealing the curve of her collarbone, adorned with a slender chain of silver against her alabaster neck.
At that moment, she was engaged in the alchemy of coffee, wielding the siphon and the halogen flame with the专注 of one conducting a grand experiment. Her raven tresses, falling to her waist, were bound by a casual ribbon, exuding a gentleness most profound.
Her visage was fair, yet it was not merely her countenance that captivated, but an aura of undeniable allure.
Upon perceiving Xiao Lin, Zhao Ningyue raised her gaze, her voice a playful melody: "Ah, does our cherished White Mouse also toil? Has the wheel ceased its spinning for the day?"
Xiao Lin was a figure of renown within the Institute; scarce was the soul who knew him not. She, too, delighted in the jest of his rodent moniker.
"Perchance I have no choice. Life is a heavy burden, and even a White Mouse must strive to salvage the realm," Xiao Lin sighed, stretching his limbs. The warmth and clamor of the bar induced a drowsiness in him.
"Then be my subject for a moment. I brew a new concoction. Dare you taste?"
Zhao Ningyue tilted her head, her eyes bearing an innate enchantment that rendered refusal impossible.
"You show me no mercy," Xiao Lin remarked, eyeing the obsidian fluid. "Is it bitter? If the bitterness is too great, I shall not partake."
"Fear not, it holds no bitterness." She extinguished the halogen flame and cooled the siphon with a damp cloth, watching the elixir descend.
She poured a measure into a crystal goblet and placed it before him.
Xiao Lin tasted but a drop, only to realize he had been deceived. The draught was indeed bitter, yet ambrosial—far superior to his own crude brews.
"This... could you instruct me in its creation?" he asked, raising his head.
Zhao Ningyue seemed taken aback, her brow arching slightly. "I deemed you concerned only with the arts of salvation—such as projecting rays of death from your eyes."
"I merely pondered," Xiao Lin murmured, almost unconsciously, "that should I one day stand alone in this world, it would be well to brew my own coffee."
A sudden silence fell upon Zhao Ningyue. Xiao Lin, too, paused, realizing the strangeness of his words. It seemed the dream of the previous night weighed heavily upon him.
Pouring a cup for herself, she took a sip before casting the remainder into the waste.
As she arranged her instruments, she spoke:
"The Tianyan Institute is a secluded sanctum, gathering many peculiar souls."
"Most shall never depart, and those who do remain bound to it. This applies to me, and to thee as well."
"I heard of your collapse yesteryear. Lay your heart to rest; you are destined for greatness."
Xiao Lin shook his head, his voice grave. "I hold no desire for 'greatness.' I seek only to know what lies at the terminus of this path, and nothing more."
Zhao Ningyue offered no judgment, but continued: "The siphon yields a brew of pure texture and distinct layers. Though the rite is complex for a novice, I shall instruct you in time."
She winked. "Once your labors are done."
Yue Taizhou held no affection for the councils of progress, not due to the scrutiny of the attendees—for he knew that was their duty—but for the hours of his life they devoured.
He glanced at the chronometer on the wall; the sun had passed its zenith, marking the fourth hour of the afternoon.
The representative of the patrons droned on, demanding a second trial with haste, yet Yue Taizhou remained deaf to the noise.
His mind was consumed entirely by the vision Xiao Lin had recounted.
The Transcendents gaining power in the mortal realm...
If this prophecy held true, he had to consider the mobilization of these beings for war. The sealed vials of Transcendent blood could not be released lightly. These resources were destined solely for the advancement of the Great Work.
At that moment, the coordinator knocked. "Professor Yue, a summons for you."
A murmur of discontent rippled through the hall, but Yue Taizhou rose and departed, taking the device. His brow furrowed.
The call originated from his own sanctum. He had issued strict decrees: none were to disturb his instruments.
Answering with a frown, he spoke: "Who speaks? Did I not forbid the use of this line?"
"Professor Yue, it is I, Xiao Lin. Where do you tarry?" came the voice from the ether.
Yue Taizhou froze. "Xiao Lin? Am I not in council? What matter is so urgent?"
A silence lingered, followed by a voice sharpened by urgency: "Professor, you must believe the words I speak."
"I have emerged from the Stone Gate. I have traversed the currents of time, decades into the future. I have found a chronicle detailing three pivotal moments of fate."
"July, 2028: The Transcendents awaken in the mortal realm."
"January, 2033: The Transcendents are cast into the crucible of war; the Third Great Conflict begins."
"July, 2035: The Institute meets its ruin at the hands of the Second Generation Transcendent, Yang Qi."
"Wait... why do you burden me with this? What has befallen you?" Confusion and a rising tide of dread seized the Professor.
Yet Xiao Lin did not answer the query, pressing on: "Professor, I know not if I shall return to the living, but I swear by all that is holy, these are truths. You must prepare!"
"And regarding the Stone Gate... seek every means to seal it shut. Beyond lies the graveyard of deities; that realm is corrupted!"
"Xiao Lin, where are you? I shall come to you this instant. Tarry not!"
Screech!
A piercing sound, like the tearing of metal, rang out—whether from the device or within his very mind, he could not tell. The sudden agony nearly caused him to cast the device aside.
When his senses returned, the connection was severed.
"Announce the dissolution of the council!" Yue Taizhou commanded the coordinator with grave severity, before bellowing, "Qi Haisheng! Qi Haisheng, to me!"
Qi Haisheng hastened forward, covering the distance in three strides. "Professor, what is amiss?"
Yue Taizhou cast the key card to him. "Gather your men and descend to the Zero Layer. Immediately. Do you understand?"