Chen Siyao flipped through the jade slips. Sure enough, each had a small mark in its lower-right corner: a crane spreading its wings. It looked like a delivery confirmation stamp.
"The Ancient Script civilization used spirit cranes to deliver letters," Chen Siyao said.
"Same idea as messenger pigeons in ancient Blue Star! Except they used immortal cranes! Way fancier!" Yang Wanqing planted her hands on her hips.
She looked proud to share in their glory, even though it had absolutely nothing to do with her.
The chat was amused. "No wonder that crane we saw wasn't afraid of people. It was a 'civil servant.'"
"Crane: just another bird with a day job."
"Imagine an immortal crane carrying documents in its beak, flying across a sea of clouds to deliver them... What a beautiful scene."
"Ancient express delivery: cash on crane arrival."
"Hahaha, cash on crane arrival, I'm dying."
Chen Siyao didn't laugh. She was looking at something else.
Deep inside the Archives Office, a row of objects stood against the wall... They weren't the Document Discs on the compartment shelves, but something else entirely.
She walked over.
A row of mirrors.
More precisely, they were circular bronze frames enclosing smooth, dark gray surfaces.
Each "mirror" was about forty centimeters across, secured to the wall with a metal bracket. There were seven in total.
On the desk beneath each mirror sat a stack of jade slips already covered in writing.
Chen Siyao picked up the jade slips beneath the leftmost mirror and examined them.
They weren't letters. They were conversation logs.
"...Kunlun asks: Has today's change of guard at the Southern Heavenly Gate's seventh watch post been completed?"
"Jade Void Hall replies: Completed at noon. The newly appointed commander has reported for duty."
"Kunlun: Received. Also, the Five Materials Palace requires