"Briefing: Today is August 17th. Most of Haizhou will be clear this morning, with rain in some areas this afternoon. Average temperature: 37 degrees. The climate is pleasant, sunshine abundant, UV radiation intense. Sunscreen is recommended."
"Ignore it."
"Tianmen University's Academic Affairs Office has sent another invitation. The opening-day speech..."
"No time."
"The accountant of the Homecoming Knights in the Red Federation of Central Earth has sent..."
"Hold on."
"...Other than that, there are twelve unread messages, no urgent matters at present. They have been entered into the memo reminders for delayed processing."
In the deathly silent Workshop, Isis's voice sounded, calm and gentle as ever.
Flashes that shimmered like stars floated in mid-air, gathering and dispersing without form. Every strand of light drew upon the surging tides of thought within the six-aspect Spirit Essence crossfire array.
Amid the rows of equipment inside the Workshop, countless Mercury Hands flowed and circulated, controlling everything like a tide and reflecting dazzling iron light.
Ji Jue stared at the rising flames within the furnace and estimated the timing. "Report project progress."
"Core temperature stable. Mercury Purification complete. Liquid Spirit Essence is about to reach its critical evaporation point—Project One complete. Project Three in preparation. Project Two commencing."
Isis said, "Containment field constructed. Noise filtered. Interference eliminated.
Sir, you may begin shortly.
Spirit Essence release countdown—"
"Three."
"One."
-.
"One!"
The instant the countdown reached zero, the furnace shook with a thunderous boom. Then, accompanied by a piercing alarm sound, the screech of steel grinding against steel resounded throughout the entire Workshop.
A straight fissure appeared out of thin air across the mirror-smooth metal floor, slowly splitting apart to either side. Beyond it, within the scorching gale that howled forth, iron light surged and churned violently, again and again attempting to break free of