"There must be a way—there definitely is!"
Noah took a deep breath, suppressing the unease in his heart, his gaze fixed tightly on the Tacet Mark on the back of his right hand.
A flash of inspiration struck his mind—
Although Rover's whereabouts are currently unknown, he possesses Rover's resonance abilities and Tacet Mark completely intact.
Perhaps he can rely on this power homologous to Rover's, impersonate Rover, gain the Sentinel's trust, and have the Sentinel transfer the power of time to Jinhsi.
Though this would be deceiving the Sentinel, the actions would align perfectly with the original Wuthering Waves plot.
Even if Rover is found later, as long as he explains the situation clearly, Rover would surely understand his actions.
"It's a bit risky, but—feasible!"
Having made up his mind, Noah stopped hesitating and quickly headed toward the ferry point in Whining Aix's Mire.
It is known that Jinhsi departed three hours ago; traveling from Jinzhou to Whining Aix's Mire by vehicle takes about two hours.
If Jinhsi was slightly delayed on the road, perhaps he could still catch the same ferry as her.
Thirty minutes later.
Whining Aix's Mire, ferry point.
Lead-gray clouds heavily pressed down on the sea level, moist winds whipping up waves that crashed against the shore.
Noah sat on a rock beside the ferry point, able to see the distant outline of Mt. Firmament.
In the Wuthering Waves open world, this ferry point had no staff.
In reality, it was the same—not even a boat in sight.
"So, how exactly did Jinhsi ferry to Mt. Firmament?"
At a loss, Noah could only try contacting the "guide" Changli as per the Wuthering Waves plot.
Scrolling through his terminal contacts, Noah found Sanhua among Yangyang, Chixia, Snow Leopard, Jiyan, Auntie Climber Flower, and others.
Noah: Sanhua, could you please send me Changli's contact info?
Noah: Are you there? It's urgent!
Noah: Sorry, I forgot you're blind from birth and can't see text messages.
He made another call, which Sanhua answered instantly.
"Honored guest, how can I assist you?"
"Send me Changli's contact info."
The terminal vibrated, and Noah received a message from Sanhua.
[Sanhua has recommended the contact "Jinzhou Magistrate Advisor - Changli" to you.]
Unsure if Sanhua had someone else help send the message, but it didn't matter.
"Honored guest, Advisor Changli is looking for you."
"Hm? Why is she looking for me?"
"It's a long story, but she should be meeting you soon."
As the call ended, Noah was somewhat surprised but didn't dwell on it.
The sky had begun to drizzle sporadically. Noah initiated a call to Changli via the terminal, only to hear static approaching from behind, growing nearer.
Turning around, a charming and graceful woman approached slowly under an umbrella. The corners of her lips curved slightly, her voice crisp like a clear spring.
"I've long admired you, honored guest of Jinzhou. I am the Jinzhou Magistrate Advisor and former Minister of the Ming Court, Changli."
[Limited Banner "Blazing Feathers Strategem Star" and "Radiant Chess Flowing Light" have opened.]
Changli naturally drew closer, her red oil-paper umbrella covering Noah's head as well, shielding him from the intensifying rain.
Her phoenix eyes lifted slightly at the corners, gaze half-lowered, golden pupils revealing a trace of doubt.
"May I ask, honored guest, what brings you to this ferry point?"
Noah instinctively glanced at Changli's Tacet Mark, but his view was blocked by that impressive pair, and he quickly averted his eyes.
"Time is short; I'll be direct, Advisor Changli. I need to go to Mt. Firmament and would like you to guide me there."
"Honored guest, Mt. Firmament is a forbidden land of Jinzhou. It would be best not to venture there rashly."
Changli shook her head slightly, her gaze drifting toward Mt. Firmament, an inexplicable trace of sorrow appearing on her face as she continued.
"I wonder if you've heard this story: once upon a time, a woodcutter went into the deep mountains to chop wood..."
"Stop. I've heard that story many times."
It was simply using the classic tale of "one day in the mountains, a thousand years in the world" to illustrate the current chaotic time flow on Mt. Firmament—he already knew.
Noah glanced at Changli.
"I don't care that Mt. Firmament is forbidden. I only want to know how to enter it."
"...There is a boat that automatically ferries between Jinzhou and Mt. Firmament. In a little while, that boat should arrive."
Changli's gaze flickered as she looked at Noah beside her, her thoughts swirling.
Ever since returning to Jinzhou and meeting Jinhsi, she had learned from Jinhsi about this so-called hero of Jinzhou, who had saved the city twice in succession.
Hearing about him was one thing; meeting him was another. In the following days, she had quietly followed Noah for a time.
In her view, Noah had a gentle and kind personality. Though he possessed some strength, he might not be able to help with the Sentinel's matter.
Though unsure why he suddenly decided to go to Mt. Firmament, it was best not to involve him—she needed to persuade him to leave!
"Is the honored guest heading to Mt. Firmament for Jinhsi?"
"Yes."
"Though I don't know how the honored guest learned about matters related to Mt. Firmament, Jinhsi is going there to find the Sentinel. The honored guest need only await good news."
Listening to Changli's reassurance, Noah merely shook his head lightly.
If he truly did nothing, all he would get would be news of Jinhsi's death, not any good news.
In fact, his plan to deceive the Sentinel had a low chance of success; it might even end up trapping him on Mt. Firmament as well.
Noah gazed distantly at the hazy outline of Mt. Firmament in the rain curtain, realizing there was still some hesitation in his heart. He quickly banished the stray thoughts and actively changed the topic.
"Just now, Sanhua told me that Advisor Changli was looking for me?"
"Yes. Honored guest, you may simply call me Changli."
Changli nodded and spoke softly.
"To be honest, before leaving, Jinhsi entrusted me with a list to reward those who contributed in the previous Threnodian battle according to their merits."
"The top of the list is the honored guest's name, but I accidentally damaged that list."
"According to the guard Sanhua, the reward prepared for the honored guest was personally selected by Jinhsi after inquiring about your preferences, not following standard reward rules."
"With no other choice, I had to personally visit the honored guest to ask about your preferences and also apologize for damaging the list."
As Changli finished speaking, Noah couldn't quite describe how he felt.
So, before leaving, Jinhsi was still thinking about giving him a reward.
But... when did she ask about my preferences? I haven't seen Jinhsi these past few days!
Speaking of preferences—Noah would really like a ton of Astrite and ten pulls, but Jinzhou doesn't have those.
In his thoughts, a black-canopied boat emerged through the rain curtain, quietly docking at the shore bridge.
"We can talk about rewards later."
Noah no longer hesitated, striding boldly onto the bridge and boarding the boat, leaving a flustered Changli behind.
Hadn't she already explained the dangers clearly? Why did Noah still board?
When he asked about her purpose earlier, she thought he had taken her words to heart.
No, a dangerous forbidden land with such chaotic time flow like Mt. Firmament—he absolutely could not be allowed to enter rashly.
She must have been too subtle earlier; she needed to persuade him again!
Changli pressed her red lips together, quickly stepping onto the bridge. Just as she was about to speak, Noah on the black-canopied boat spoke first.
"Changli, you should go back and await good news. No need to board."
"Ah?!"
Changli was utterly stunned, her beautiful phoenix eyes widening in shock.
Wait—this isn't right?