Floating life reflects two lotuses

Chu Wanlian sat at the control panel in the laboratory, her eyes fixed on the data jumping on the screen.

Lines of complex rune models intertwined on the computer screen, as if countless lines were telling her an ancient and chaotic story.

A tense and anxious atmosphere filled the air, and the cold light from the laboratory illuminated her face, making her appear even more focused.

Rune research assistant Xiao Zhang pushed up his glasses and looked at Chu Wanlian with a nervous expression: "Sister Jinlian, this data is too strange. I reconstructed it three times and found that the energy flow of all the rune fragments is actually converging towards a core point."

Chu Wanlian was slightly taken aback, then quickly took the report from his hand and carefully scanned every detail: "Convergence? In other words, the power of these runes is not used in a dispersed manner, but rather... there is some kind of resonance mechanism?"

“That’s right.” Xiao Zhang nodded and pointed to a flashing red dot on the screen. “Look here, we completely ignored this record before. The calculation results of the core rune device show that once these fragments resonate, they will release a huge energy field—and this energy field may very well affect spacetime itself.”

"Spacetime disturbance?" Chu Wanlian tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, her voice low and tinged with surprise. "The laboratory is actually trying to play with fire in such a dangerous and unknown field."

Scenes she had witnessed in an ancient timeline flashed through her mind: the chaos and destruction brought about by the runes going out of control in the Sacrifice Grounds. Although these were two completely different timelines, the energy properties of the runes were interconnected. The ancient sacrificial rituals and the modern runic devices seemed to be linked on some level.

“Sister Chu, the problem doesn’t end there.” Xiao Zhang swallowed and continued, “There’s another piece of code hidden in this report. I found a very strange sentence through reverse analysis.”

He quickly typed a few keys on the keyboard, and a piece of decrypted text appeared on the screen:

"Runic resonance maintains balance; imbalance leads to destruction."

Chu Wanlian's pupils suddenly contracted, and her fingertips trembled slightly. She repeated in a low voice, "Maintain balance...out of balance means destruction?"

She instantly understood something, got up and paced around the laboratory, unconsciously rubbing her temples: "These runes were never simply tools for exchanging souls from the beginning, but... they were tools for maintaining the balance of spacetime."

Xiao Zhang stood there, stunned: "Space-time balance? Sister Chu, are you saying these runes are some kind of... natural maintainer of order?"

"That's roughly the idea." Chu Wanlian stopped and stared sharply at the deciphered text. "The researchers in the laboratory only saw the role of the rune fragments in soul exchange, but they were completely unaware that the root of this power was to maintain the coexistence of two timelines."

If runes are overused or their resonance is artificially triggered, the spacetime barrier will be torn apart, and then…” She paused, her gaze heavy with lingering sorrow, “everything will be devoured.”

Xiao Zhang gasped, his voice trembling, "Then... what should we do now? The people in the lab are still conducting rune resonance tests. What if they really triggered that energy field..."

“We must stop them.” Chu Wanlian gritted her teeth, a resolute look in her eyes. “They have no idea what they’re doing.”

Just then, steady footsteps sounded behind him. Li Chenyao entered the laboratory, his expression calm, but a hint of worry was barely perceptible in his eyes: "Chu Wanlian, what are you doing now?"

Chu Wanlian turned to look at him, her expression serious: "President Li, I have found the laboratory's real target - they are trying to trigger a spacetime energy field through rune resonance, but once this energy gets out of control, the whole world will be affected."

Li Chenyao frowned slightly, his sharp gaze falling on the report in her hand. He was silent for a moment, then his voice was low: "You mean, the power of the runes shouldn't be touched?"

“It’s not about touching it, but about preventing its abuse.” Chu Wanlian took a deep breath. “The runes were originally meant to maintain the balance of spacetime, but if the resonance is forcibly triggered, it will cause the power to become completely unbalanced. At that time, not only our spacetime, but even the ancient spacetime will be affected.”

Li Chenyao's gaze was deep, as if he was processing her words: "So what do you plan to do?"

“We must shut down the rune resonance device in the lab as soon as possible,” Chu Wanlian said without hesitation. “But the problem is, the lab’s higher-ups won’t allow us to sabotage their plans.”

Li Chenyao looked at her, a complex smile playing on his lips: "You're always so persistent."

“Li Chenyao, this isn’t about stubbornness, it’s about responsibility.” Chu Wanlian looked at him firmly, her eyes clear and bright. “I can’t just stand by and watch this world collapse.”

Li Chenyao gave her a deep look and slowly nodded: "Okay, I'll help you. But you have to promise me—don't take risks alone again."

Chu Wanlian was slightly taken aback, then a smile appeared on her lips: "Don't worry, I still have you as my 'ally'."

“Let’s go then.” Li Chenyao reached out and pressed a few commands on the computer screen, locking onto the rune device in the core area of ​​the laboratory. “Let’s go see how far this device is operating.”

The two quickly left the lab. Watching their retreating figures, Xiao Zhang muttered to himself, "Sister Chu and President Li... they really dare to do things."

In the corridor, Chu Wanlian and Li Chenyao walked side by side, their steps steady and powerful. A sense of urgency filled the air, but their eyes revealed an unwavering determination.

Chu Wanlian secretly vowed in her heart: no matter what, she would stop the rune resonance from going out of control and protect the balance between the two timelines. And Li Chenyao's presence gave her more trust and companionship on this lonely path.

"Li Chenyao, are you really not afraid of being targeted by the lab's higher-ups?" Chu Wanlian suddenly asked in a low voice.

Li Chenyao chuckled lightly, his gaze resolute: "Afraid? I'm only afraid you can't handle it alone."

Chu Wanlian's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't say anything. She simply quickened her pace and headed towards the core area of ​​the laboratory.

The wind blew from the end of the corridor, dispelling all hesitation and fear. This was a battle with no turning back, and they were prepared to face whatever came their way.