Floating life reflects two lotuses

Chu Wanlian strode quickly through the laboratory corridor in her high heels, the red warning lights on the monitors still flashing. She pushed open the door to the core area, where the equipment was humming softly. The rune array on the central platform glowed faintly, energy fluctuations spreading out in ripples.

She quickly picked up the instrument and began monitoring the changes in energy levels. The fluctuating values ​​on the screen continued to climb, indicating that the rune device was extremely unstable.

"What's going on?" Chu Wanlian asked herself in a low voice, her fingers flying across the terminal as she retrieved the detection data. The fluctuation curve showed that this abnormal energy fluctuation seemed to be directly affecting the surrounding magnetic field.

A sudden, sharp pain shot through her head, as if something had struck her consciousness. She gritted her teeth, steadied herself against the lab table, and tried to steady her breathing. But the pain gradually spread, and as she closed her eyes, she vaguely heard a familiar voice echoing in her mind.

"Chu Wanlian!" Xiao Jinlian's voice was urgent. "What are you doing? These runes are interfering with your soul state!"

Chu Wanlian opened her eyes, trying to suppress the resonance in her mind: "How did you know?"

“The energy of these runic devices is related to the contract with the Spirit Offering Secret Ground.” Xiao Jinlian’s voice became more serious. “If it gets out of control, it may completely sever our soul connection.”

Chu Wanlian took a deep breath, suppressing the stinging sensation, and continued operating the terminal. She extracted some data from the instrument interface and quickly accessed the laboratory's secret database. A multi-layered encryption popped up; she quickly entered a string of code, unlocking a hidden document.

"Soul Stabilization Channel Research Project: Establishing a balance between time and space through runic energy, transforming historical energy into modern power."

She stared at the words on the screen, her pupils slightly contracting.

"So the goal of these experiments was to open the soul channel," Chu Wanlian murmured, her finger swiping across the screen as she continued to peruse the documents.

Another report indicates that rune fragments are a core component of this project. Researchers believe that the energy carried by these fragments can construct a channel allowing the exchange of resources between two timelines. However, this channel places an immense burden on the soul, and if the energy becomes uncontrolled, it could lead to irreversible damage.

"No wonder these fluctuations directly affect my soul state," Chu Wanlian murmured, her heart filled with unease.

“You need to be careful; these people may have already noticed your unusual behavior,” Xiao Jinlian warned. “If they discover your secret, your situation will be even more dangerous.”

Chu Wanlian nodded, transferred the data to her personal terminal, and then quickly logged out of the system. Just as she closed the terminal, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Miss Chu.” Li Chenyao’s voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of inquiry.

Chu Wanlian quickly adjusted her breathing, turned to face him, and gave him a professional smile: "President Li, is there something you need?"

Li Chenyao slowly approached, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before sweeping over the rune array. He placed his hands behind his back, his tone unhurried: "You seemed quite busy in the core area just now?"

"It's just dealing with some data anomalies," Chu Wanlian replied flawlessly. "The fluctuations in the experimental setup are a bit strange, and I'm investigating the cause."

"Strange?" Li Chenyao raised an eyebrow slightly and took a step closer. "Can such a large fluctuation be explained simply as 'strange'?"

Chu Wanlian's fingertips tightened slightly, but she remained calm: "According to the data, this should be caused by the device operating under overload. I have recorded it and will submit a report as soon as possible."

A meaningful smile played on Li Chenyao's lips as he stared intently at her: "Miss Chu, you seem very sensitive to these anomalies. Is there some special reason for it?"

Chu Wanlian met his gaze, her tone remaining calm: "This is my job, it's only right that I be sensitive."

Li Chenyao didn't press further. Instead, he turned to look at the runic device, his fingers lightly tapping the experimental table. His voice still held a hint of probing: "These runic energies... do you really think they're just experimental tools?"

Chu Wanlian was slightly taken aback, alarm bells ringing in her mind, but she remained calm on the surface: "What does President Li mean?"

Li Chenyao paused for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully, before slowly speaking: "They might be more complex than we imagine. Don't you think their design possesses a kind of ingenuity that transcends its time?"

"Perhaps," Chu Wanlian replied softly, trying to steer the conversation in a more ordinary direction. "But our task is to study these energies, not to trace their origins."

Li Chenyao smiled faintly, his gaze falling on her again: "Research is one thing, but understanding the truth behind it is the meaning of our existence."

Chu Wanlian felt a chill run down her spine; every word he spoke seemed to be testing her limits. But she knew that now was not the time to expose herself.

"President Li is right. I will continue to conduct in-depth research to ensure the smooth progress of the experiment." She smiled slightly, her tone revealing a hint of confidence.

Li Chenyao gazed at her for a moment, then nodded: "I hope so."

He turned and left, leaving Chu Wanlian standing there, her palms sweating profusely. She knew that this game had only just begun, and that Li Chenyao was far more dangerous than she had imagined.

“Princess, you must find more clues quickly,” Xiao Jinlian’s voice rang out again. “If this laboratory is really trying to open a soul portal, we must stop them.”

Chu Wanlian nodded, took a deep breath, and gripped the terminal tightly in her hand.

Xiao Jinlian sat in the dimly lit room, the rune fragments in her hand gleaming coldly in the candlelight. Li Heng and Si Lan stood quietly to her side, watching her earnest and focused expression. A solemn tension hung in the air.

Her fingertips gently traced the edge of the rune fragment, her gaze falling on the ancient characters. The characters were arranged in a complex pattern, the intersecting lines resembling some kind of intricate mechanical device, yet also suggesting an invisible energy flowing between them.

“The runes on this fragment…” Xiao Jinlian said in a low voice, her tone revealing a hint of unease, “…mention the core of the Luo Yuan Contract—the Spirit Offering Ritual.”

Li Heng frowned slightly and took a step closer: "A spirit offering ceremony? What does that mean?"

Xiao Jinlian looked up at him, her gaze deep: "It is used to seal some kind of extremely powerful curse, but the price is the sacrifice of the soul. Only by offering up a pure and benevolent soul can the rampage of this power be quelled."

Silan gasped, her voice trembling slightly: "Then... what about the Land of Offering Souls? What is the purpose of its existence?"

Xiao Jinlian pointed to a complex pattern in the center of the rune fragment: "This shows that the Land of Offering Spirits is not a place to absorb energy, but a seal. This seal suppresses some kind of curse, and once it is broken, the entire dynasty may not be able to escape."

Li Heng's gaze deepened, his voice low and firm: "So, Consort Yan's attempt to sabotage the plan for the Sacrifice of Spirits was actually intended to trigger this disaster?"

Xiao Jinlian nodded: "That's right. If the curse is released, it will not only destroy the royal bloodline, but also devour anyone who tries to get close. Consort Yan's ambition is far more terrifying than we imagined."

Her fingertips traced the rune fragments, slowly deciphering more information. The fragments mentioned that the creator of the Luo Yuan Contract had sacrificed his own soul to barely seal the curse. However, the seal was not permanent and needed to be reinforced every hundred years, otherwise its power would gradually leak out.

“A once-in-a-century ritual of offering sacrifices,” Xiao Jinlian murmured. “That’s why we must prevent anyone from approaching the site of the sacrifices.”

Li Heng pondered for a moment and then said, "So what should we do next? Knowing the truth is not enough. Consort Yan's methods are endless, and we must be prepared in advance."

Xiao Jinlian put down the shards, a calm decisiveness appearing in her eyes: "First, we must ensure the seal on the Spirit Offering Ground remains intact. Second—"

Before she could finish speaking, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. A guard rushed in, looking nervous: "Princess, His Majesty has just received a secret report that someone has accused you of taking away the rune fragments without permission, attempting to disrupt the order of the palace."

Xiao Jinlian's brows furrowed instantly. She stood up, her gaze sharp as a knife: "Secret report? Who sent it?"

The guard whispered, "It's Consort Yan's men. They've already sent a secret report to the Imperial Study, and the Emperor is summoning his ministers to discuss the matter."

Upon hearing this, Li Heng's eyes flashed with a cold light: "This is Consort Yan secretly undermining the Emperor's trust in the Princess. Her goal is clearly to use the Emperor to completely eliminate you."

Xiao Jinlian took a deep breath and said calmly, "Although Consort Yan's scheme is insidious, the Emperor will not easily believe these false accusations. Li Heng, we must go to the palace immediately and tell the Emperor the truth about these runes."

Li Heng nodded: "I will go with you."

Silan, however, reminded her from the side, "Princess, wouldn't bringing the fragments directly into the palace just further confirm Consort Yan's accusations?"

Xiao Jinlian pondered for a moment, then gripped the shard in her hand tightly: "You're right. Silan, I need you to cooperate with me in putting on a show here."

She tucked the fragments into her bosom, a hint of coldness creeping into her eyes: "We cannot expose the truth directly, but we also cannot let Consort Yan continue to succeed. This game has only just begun."

The atmosphere in the Imperial Study was heavy and tense.

Consort Yan stood in the center, her eyes lowered, but her tone carried a hint of femininity: "Your Majesty, I am not one to meddle, but regarding the princess taking fragments of ancient artifacts out of the palace, I must remind Your Majesty. These fragments are of great importance, and if they fall into the wrong hands, the consequences will be unimaginable."

The emperor raised his eyelids and gave her a cold glance: "I know the importance of these fragments, but the princess has always acted cautiously, and I believe she knows what she's doing."

Consort Yan feigned tears, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. I am only worried that someone may have ulterior motives and put Your Majesty and the Princess in danger."

Just then, an announcement came from outside the palace: "The princess has arrived!"

Xiao Jinlian walked slowly into the main hall, her gaze calm and composed. Li Heng followed behind, a hint of suppressed anger on his face.

"Father," Xiao Jinlian bowed slightly, her tone calm, "I've heard that someone has accused me of infidelity. Has Father investigated and ascertained the truth?"

The emperor said in a deep voice, "These fragments are of great importance. I need to know why you took them out of the palace."

Xiao Jinlian looked up, her gaze firm: "Father, these fragments are not only related to the safety of the royal family, but also to the fate of the entire dynasty. I took them out without permission to confirm their safety, and I had no ill intentions whatsoever."

Consort Yan interjected at the opportune moment: "While the princess's words are good, it is ultimately inappropriate to take away the antiques without permission."

Xiao Jinlian's gaze shifted, and she coldly stared at Consort Yan: "Consort Yan, may I ask who leaked this information? If there is a traitor within the palace, wouldn't the real threat lie here?"

Consort Yan was speechless for a moment, and her expression changed slightly.

The Emperor's gaze was cold as he slowly spoke: "Xiao Jinlian, you will continue to safeguard these fragments and ensure their safety. At the same time, I will thoroughly investigate this matter and find the true mastermind behind it all."

Xiao Jinlian nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trust, Father."

As they left the imperial study, Li Heng asked in a low voice, "Princess, although we have escaped temporarily, Consort Yan will definitely become even more ruthless next time."

Xiao Jinlian gripped the rune fragment in her hand, her gaze resolute: "No matter how she lays a trap, I will not let her succeed. The secret of the Land of Offering Spirits must be uncovered as soon as possible."

Under the moonlight, her figure appeared resolute and lonely in the corridor, but the light in her eyes was as sharp as a knife, pointing directly at the unknown storm ahead.