Floating life reflects two lotuses

"Xiao Jinlian, you've been acting strangely lately." Li Chenyao's deep voice, tinged with a hint of coldness, came from the far end of the laboratory.

Chu Wanlian paused for a moment, then looked up, quickly composed herself, and put on a professional smile: "Director Li, what are you referring to?"

Li Chenyao approached her with steady steps, his gaze sharp as a knife. His eyes were fixed on Chu Wanlian, as if trying to discern something from her face.

"Why did you spend so much time in the core area last night?" he asked bluntly.

Chu Wanlian clenched her fist inwardly, but her face remained calm: "The rune device in the laboratory has been malfunctioning frequently recently. I just checked the data."

"Inspection?" Li Chenyao raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his tone. "The core area isn't a place just anyone can enter. Don't you know that I'm required for authorization here?"

Chu Wanlian's heart tightened, but she remained calm on the surface: "I did not operate any equipment without authorization. I just noticed the abnormal fluctuations and checked them out. I recorded the detailed data. You can see my report if you need it."

She picked up the tablet beside her and handed him the recorded data. Li Chenyao took it, quickly glanced through it, and his gaze sharpened slightly. He looked up and sneered, "Your data is indeed more detailed than others; this kind of 'coincidence' is quite remarkable."

“Meticulous work is my duty,” Chu Wanlian said calmly. “After all, this project is no small matter, and I dare not be careless in the slightest.”

Li Chenyao stared into her eyes for a few seconds, then suddenly turned around, his tone meaningful: "I hope you understand that every step in the laboratory is crucial. I don't want to see anyone cross the line."

His words were pointed, and Chu Wanlian could tell what he was implying, but she didn't respond. She simply nodded and watched him leave.

Back in her apartment, Chu Wanlian finally breathed a sigh of relief; the confrontation had kept her on edge. She turned on her computer and uploaded the encrypted files from the lab to her private decryption tool.

"I have to figure out the real purpose of the lab..." she muttered to herself, staring at the progress bar on the screen, her heart racing.

About half an hour later, the file on the screen finally unlocked. The title of the folder made her gasp – "Outline of the Spacetime Soul Channel Project".

She opened the file and quickly browsed through it; the content gradually made her expression turn serious.

"The lab is trying to open a stable soul channel using runic energy? This... this is exactly the same as the legend of the Land of Sacrifice!" Her voice trembled.

The document details the laboratory's core plan: to break through the barriers of time and space by studying the energy of ancient runes, and to achieve the transfer of resources and consciousness between different timelines.

She continued flipping through the pages and suddenly saw several familiar terms in the appendix: "Luoyuan Contract", "Land of Spirit Offering", and "Dual Spirit Annihilation".

“These…” Chu Wanlian’s fingers trembled slightly, “These all correspond to the ancient rune contracts!”

"What's going on? How did the lab get this information?" Xiao Jinlian's voice suddenly popped into his mind, filled with undisguised shock.

“I want to know too!” Chu Wanlian replied in a low voice. “They’re not just studying rune energy; they know the true purpose of these runes, and they may even have mastered the technology to travel through time and space!”

Xiao Jinlian's voice immediately turned serious: "No, we absolutely cannot let these people succeed. If the power of the runes is abused, the entire world will descend into chaos!"

Chu Wanlian nodded, silently making up her mind. She began quickly saving the key data in the file, while simultaneously planning her next move.

However, just as she was finishing up, the computer screen suddenly flashed and a warning window popped up—"Unauthorized access has been detected."

"Oh no!" She quickly unplugged the storage device, closed the computer, and heard her phone vibrate at the same time.

It was a call from Li Chenyao.

"Xiao Jinlian, go back to the lab." His voice remained calm, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Chu Wanlian cursed inwardly, but quickly composed herself, grabbed her coat, and went out.

Back in the lab, Li Chenyao stood in front of the control panel, surrounded by several researchers discussing in hushed tones. He saw Chu Wanlian enter, his gaze instantly locking onto her, a complex and enigmatic expression on his face.

"What was that energy fluctuation in the core area just now?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion.

Chu Wanlian was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "Energy fluctuations?"

"Stop playing dumb," Li Chenyao sneered. "While you were in the apartment, the rune array in the lab resonated with an unprecedented frequency. Don't you find that strange?"

Chu Wanlian's heart raced, but she still pretended to be calm: "I don't know what this has to do with me."

Li Chenyao didn't press further. Instead, he turned around and activated a holographic projector, displaying the surveillance footage of the core area of ​​the laboratory. The footage showed a dazzling runic light exploding at the center of the device, instantly enveloping the entire area.

"What is this?" Chu Wanlian couldn't help but ask.

“This is what you should have told me.” Li Chenyao’s gaze swept over her, with a hint of probing. “Xiao Jinlian, I always felt that you had more secrets than I thought.”

Chu Wanlian took a deep breath, but remained calm on the surface: "Director Li, if you have any questions, I will fully cooperate. But I will not admit to any unfounded accusations until you provide conclusive evidence."

After a moment of eye contact, Li Chenyao suddenly curled his lips into a meaningful smile: "I hope you can remember what I said today."

Back in her apartment, Chu Wanlian began analyzing the experimental data she had brought back. She knew that Li Chenyao must have already begun to doubt her, and time was running out.

“Xiao Jinlian, we must find the crucial clues as soon as possible,” she said in a low voice, her gaze resolute.

"Don't worry, Princess, I will definitely help you." Xiao Jinlian's voice also revealed an unusual seriousness.

As the laboratory's plans gradually came to light, Chu Wanlian knew that the real danger had only just begun.