Genshin Impact: The Road to Reversal

Zhongli was delighted after hearing this and said, "Oh, so there really is a hermit living in seclusion on this mountain?"

"That's the rumor, but I don't know whether it's true or not," said the old man.

"In that case, could you tell me in detail?" Zhongli took out the tea set he had bought in Sangang Bay from his backpack, found a place to sit down, and started to make tea.

"Okay, I'm thirsty too, old man."

After the tea was brewed, the old man moistened his throat and continued to explain to Zhongli.

"Originally, there was a rumor here about a woman who lived in seclusion and claimed to be an immortal. However, apart from the occasional sound of a zither heard in the mountains, no one had ever seen her true appearance."

"So that's how it is. Then how did you know she was an immortal?" Zhongli continued to ask as he refilled the old man's cup of tea.

"Thank you. Tsk tsk tsk~" The old man took the teacup and took a few sips before continuing, "If you're asking about this, it's a long story. We heard from the older generation that the atmosphere of this mountain has become completely different since the Sangyang Rebellion. See the mist swirling in the mountain? It's said that this scene has never existed before, but it has been different since that woman came here."

"At first, fog rose in the mountains, but no one paid much attention, thinking it was just the changing seasons. But then people went up the mountain to chop wood and started hearing the sound of a zither lingering in the mountains. The sound spread to the village, and everyone went up the mountain to search, but after a long search, they couldn't find the source of the sound."

"Then what?" Zhongli asked as he refilled his tea.

"Then, I heard that a stranger came to the mountains looking for excitement, but ended up lost. A woman walked out on the road, and after leading the tourist out of the mountain, she disappeared. My grandfather said that when everyone heard about this, they all thought it was a ghost. But later, a caravan encountered robbers in the mountains, and it was at this time that another woman stepped forward to save them. From then on, people associated the woman with the immortals in the story, and this mountain became a true fairy mountain."

After saying that, the old man drank the tea in the cup.

"So that's how it is. So, apart from your father's generation, no one has seen the true face of the immortals now?" Zhongli nodded and asked.

"That's not true. I heard that not long ago, a few children from the village ran into the mountains for fun and got lost. In the end, it was the immortals who brought them out of the mountains. However, contrary to the rumors, the children said that they saw a girl with white hair and purple clothes."

"A girl?" Zhongli was stunned upon hearing this.

"Yes, perhaps she's the apprentice of that woman from before? But that's not important." The old man put down his teacup, stood up from the stone block and continued, "Young man, I have a piece of advice for you. If you're just asking out of curiosity, then don't tell me. But if you're looking for an immortal to teach you, you'd better go home as soon as possible."

"It's getting late, I should go back, and thank you for the tea!" He picked up the firewood and walked back the way Zhongli came.

Zhongli sat there in a daze, his mind racing. He wondered if this secluded woman, or perhaps this potential female disciple, had any connection to Guizhong.

After a moment, Zhongli stood up, packed his bag, and decided to explore deeper into the mountain. He walked along the winding mountain road. The fog around him seemed to grow thicker, and the trees grew denser.

He could feel that the atmosphere here was the same as that of Liyue's Aozang Mountain, also full of fairy spirit, which made him certain that Guizhong was here.

At this moment, a cry suddenly came from the bottom of the mountain. No, it was more like a cry for help than a cry!

"Help, someone save us!"

The moment he heard the sound, Zhongli frowned, first looked at the foggy mountain, then made up his mind and jumped directly down the mountain while releasing elemental power.

At the foot of the mountain, a caravan stopped halfway, surrounded by a group of armed bandits who were wantonly looting the caravan's supplies. Although the drivers and guards fought hard, they were outnumbered and many of them were injured and fell to the ground.

"My dear friends, dear gentlemen, we are just a small business, please show some mercy!" A man stood in front of the car and begged for mercy.

But the robber ignored the man. He waved the knife in his hand and rushed directly towards the man.

At this moment, Zhongli had arrived at the foot of the mountain. A burst of anger arose in his heart, and then he summoned a golden spear. Just as he was holding the weapon and preparing to rescue the man first, a purple figure suddenly fell from the mountain. A cold light flashed, and the thief who attacked the young man was immediately beheaded.

"what?"

"Who are you, little girl? How dare you come here and meddle in other people's business?"

The other thieves were panicked and angry.

At this moment, standing before everyone was a girl with white hair and twin ponytails, wearing a purple dress. She held a purple sickle in her hand, looking like the Grim Reaper.

"Is she the girl the old man was talking about?" Zhongli looked at the girl in front of him puzzledly.

The girl ignored the thieves, brandishing her scythe and charging at the remaining bandits like lightning. The scythe cut through the air in graceful, deadly arcs, each swing sending a sharp gust of wind. The bandits were intimidated by her imposing presence, but to save their own lives, they gritted their teeth and resisted.

However, the girl's strength far surpassed those of the bandits. She suddenly sped up, her sickle transforming into a streak of purple light. Before the bandits could react, the sickle had already harvested their lives like fallen leaves swept by an autumn wind.

The girl's movements were so fast that they were dazzling. In just one move, the bandits fell one after another. For them, this was a one-sided massacre.

At this moment, Zhongli stood there and watched quietly. The girl's strength was unfathomable. Her fighting skills and speed were beyond ordinary people's imagination. If she were in Liyue, she would be at least at the level of Yaksha.

But since the matter has been resolved, there should be no need for me to take action myself.

Thinking of this, Zhongli smiled slightly and continued walking up the mountain. But at this moment, a familiar voice made him stop.

"Lisa!" The voice was like a clear spring flowing through the mountains, and as melodious as the morning bells and evening drums.

Zhongli was stunned for a moment, then quickly looked back.

A woman leaped from the mountain and landed gently. Her legs were nearly bare, her feet bare, and she was dressed in a flowing white dress, like a fairy descending from heaven. Her face was exquisitely detailed, her eyes as bright as stars, revealing an infinite wisdom and mystery. Her hair was as black and shiny as ink, flowing freely behind her, yet possessing a unique sense of freedom.

That’s right, she is Guizhong!