Buji Island.
A tranquil bend in the Silent River.
An unmanned Zhe Meng boat rested quietly beside the bank, rocking gently with the rippling water. No rope tethered it, yet, surprisingly, the current had not swept it away.
Beneath the little boat, on the riverbed dozens of meters below the surface.
Inside a huge air bubble, several "Crows" sat cross-legged, gazing upward. The bubble's membrane reflected the empty, silent battlefield deep in the Silent Forest. At its center stood a bare little hill. Most of its outer layer of earth had already been stripped away, revealing an intricate, pyramid-like structure within.
The lead Crow spoke very slowly as he reminded his companions, "...This experiment is on a very large scale. The professor has instructed us that all relevant data must be recorded and collected precisely, so I hope none of you will let unexpected developments distract you. Concentrate fully on your respective targets."
"Aren't we saving anyone?" Another Crow had barely spoken before the lead Crow fixed him with a sharp look. His voice immediately weakened. "What I mean is..."
"Our task is to record data!" The lead Crow looked around, stressing every word. "Even if the sun falls, the earth splits open, and the world is destroyed, we need only focus on our task. That is the mindset a qualified researcher should possess. We must remain calm and objective from beginning to end if we are to capture those precise figures that flash past during the experiment... Does everyone understand?"
"Understood!"
All the Crows lowered their heads in unison and looked at the writing boards held in their arms.
Dozens of miles from the Zhe Meng boat.
In the crown of a luxuriant pagoda tree.
Several wizards in black robes and Crow Masks were likewise concealed there.