Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Gan Yu's matter has finally been resolved smoothly. Kong and Paimon can finally breathe a sigh of relief...

Kong: "Things are finally over. It's evening now, Paimon, would you like to grab some late-night snacks?"

Paimon: "Yes, yes, yes! I want beef offal... Wait, isn't that Zhongli?"

Kong also turned his head and saw a middle-aged man sitting there listening to Tian Tiezui tell stories. He was dressed in casual clothes but exuded a noble air. Who else could he be but a guest elder of "Wangshengtang"?

"Zhongli." Kong stepped forward and greeted him.

"Oh...it's you guys, what a coincidence. Are you here to listen to storytelling too?" Zhongli's face was calm, still displaying his mature and composed demeanor.

Paimon: "We came out to buy some late-night snacks. But it's so late, why isn't Zhongli back at the 'Hall of Rebirth'? Is he still listening to storytellers?"

Zhongli: "A person should be thorough in what they do. Since I have listened to the beginning of an article, why not listen to the end?"

“That’s true. When I’m reading a novel and it’s at its climax, someone suddenly taps me back to reality… and then I can’t stop thinking about the rest of the plot…” Paimon glanced at Kong in the middle of the conversation. It was obvious who the culprit was… it was already self-evident.

"They do have a similar effect."

"Zhongli!" Xuan Yue ran over at this moment and saw Kong and Paimon: "You're here too?! How's Xiao Ganyu? Is she still sad? Has everything been resolved? And also..."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Paimon quickly waved his hand and said, "Don't worry, Gan Yu is fine. The misunderstanding has been cleared up, and Gan Yu has returned to her post..."

Sora: "A perfect ending, huh?"

Xuan Yue patted her chest: "That's good. Although A Qing had mentioned it before, I was still a little worried..."

Paimon: "It's alright, I understand. But Jin Xuan must have something important to discuss with Zhong Li."

Xuan Yue shook her head and said, "It's not important. It's just that A Qing is going on a long trip and it's inconvenient for him to take me with him. He told me that I can either go with Zhong Li, go with you guys, or—stay in Jueyun."

Sora: "So what are your thoughts?"

"Sigh... I haven't decided yet. How about I stay with Zhongli for a few days, then with you guys for a few days, and when I'm tired of playing, I'll go back to Jueyun Realm?" Xuan Yue thought about it more and more and felt that this was a good idea.

"Great idea! That's a good one!" Paimon was the first to praise.

Xuan Yue shook her head smugly: "Right! I think so too!"

Zhongli lowered his head and pondered for a moment: "Hmm, it's not impossible. It just so happens that the Hall of Rebirth is short-handed tomorrow, so it would be perfect for you to come and help."

"Hmm...that's fine. I haven't seen a funeral ceremony like this before. I'll go over tomorrow and let Master Hu know."

"it is good."

Paimon: "In that case, we'll be going now."

Sora: "Goodbye!"

Xuan Yue waved goodbye, then turned around and, without her previous playful smile, looked at Zhong Li seriously: "Let's talk somewhere else."

Just then, Tian Tiezui finished his storytelling for the day, so Zhongli put down the tip and followed Xuanqing away from the crowds to a secluded place.

“A few days ago, Aqing told me that Liyue’s ley lines are not only severely damaged, but also showing signs of depletion, making it very fragile. Did you know this?”

Zhongli: "I know. The reason is that the people of Liyue have over-exploited the resources. So a hundred years ago, I ordered that mining be limited to a certain time each year, and that mining be prohibited at other times. But inevitably some people will mine privately or even resell the products."

Xuan Yue's brows furrowed deeply: "This is going to be difficult. Mondstadt's ley lines were only riddled with holes, and Xuan Qing had to use almost all of his divine power to repair them. But Liyue's ley lines are not only riddled with holes, but their root systems are also weakening, and their energy is depleting... Ah Qing..."

"Yes, my old friend is absolutely right. However, with Xuanqing's abilities, he shouldn't put himself in such a predicament."

Xuan Yue (→_→): "You still don't understand that guy..." If he were in trouble, the first thing that guy would do is probably gamble with his life, and that's what's most worrying...

—At this moment, beneath the massive abyss of layered rocks—

"..." Xuan Qing looked at the piles of sticky sludge and the countless black, unidentified crystals in front of him, pondering how much divine power he should expend to make up for it.

(If he poured all his divine power into it, he could seal off all the ley lines, but then...) If he encountered any demons, he would be in trouble. But if he didn't do his best to seal them off, given the speed at which the silt was spreading, he might lose all his efforts.

"This is difficult..." Xuan Qing shook his head and sighed. It seemed unlikely they would be able to return within the next two weeks...

"Mo Lian." Xuan Qing called softly, and a dark lotus platform appeared beside him, even shaking its petals, clearly very happy.

"Okay, good girl. I'm going to clear and seal the ley lines in this area later, and I might need you to protect me then."

Mo Lian shook her petals again, and even stretched out a dark vine to entwine Xuan Qing's hand.

"Don't worry, I'll just be weak for a while. I'll have to rely on you then." Xuan Qing saw Mo Lian loosen the vines and sway back and forth in front of him, nodding vigorously like a child, as if afraid that no one would notice.

"Then... let's begin." Divine power surged from Xuan Qing's body, but there was no oppressive force, no destructive power; only a gentle white light enveloped him. His hand touched the earth, and power spread through the ley lines, sealing every breach...

Seeing that its master had begun, Mo Lian immediately spread out its vines and scattered a lot of pollen. Although these pollen were not aggressive, they were very useful for detecting nearby life signs and hidden dangers underground...

Several days passed, and Xuan Qing's aura gradually weakened. His divine power was almost depleted, and cold sweat was beading on his forehead. At this moment, the black lotus vine sensed something and hurriedly tugged at his sleeve, warning him that danger was approaching and it couldn't defeat it. o(╥﹏╥)o…

"Look what we found. The god of Liyue, who should have been sleeping, is here alone repairing the ley lines, and... he's completely powerless to fight back." A clear female voice rang out, getting closer and closer to him.

Xuan Qing felt the voice was familiar, and Mo Lian behind him urged him to leave quickly. However, this ley line was almost repaired, and they couldn't afford to waste all their efforts; therefore, they could only stall for time…

"Where have we met before?" Xuan Qing was now visibly exhausted, but he couldn't afford to reveal any weaknesses in front of the enemy. He quickened his repairs while simultaneously observing the situation...

"Of course, but not here, though still within Liyue, only—500 years ago." The owner of the voice revealed herself, wearing a white dress, with the same golden hair as the traveler, and even a similar face. It wasn't hard to guess that she was the sister that Kong had been searching for for so long.

(This face…) Xuan Qing called out her name: “Ying”.

“It’s rare that the God of Order remembers, but…” Ying had already drawn a sword, and at the same time, many abyssal demons appeared nearby, surrounding Xuan Qing. “Since you’re here, we’ll trouble you to come with us…”

Xuanqing realized that their attempt to capture him alive was probably not a good thing, but... he had bought enough time! The ley line breach had been sealed, and they still had a little power left to take a gamble.

(Ink Lotus, flowers fluttering.) Xuan Qing transmitted his voice to Ink Lotus. Upon receiving the command, Ink Lotus immediately closed its buds. When it bloomed again, countless petals swept through the encirclement with a whirlwind.

Ying and the abyss monster instinctively closed their eyes when the petals were blown by the sudden wind. When they opened their eyes again, Xuan Qing was nowhere to be seen.

“Your Highness, we…” A mage was about to suggest bringing the person back, but Ying raised her hand to stop her from continuing.

"Continue with the plan. The God of Order was just an accident. It would be best if we got it, but since we didn't, it's no big deal." Ying was very calm, without even a hint of emotion. "Let's go."

The members of the Abyss Order bowed respectfully: "Yes, Your Highness, Princess."

On the other side, Mo Lian led Xuan Qing out of a black hole. Mo Lian was visibly anxious. It wanted to find a way out, but there were rocks all around, and it was afraid that if it wandered around, it would encounter those dangerous people and monsters again.

They are still inside the Abyss of Layered Rocks. Xuan Qing has just exhausted his last bit of divine power to open a spatial portal, but he can no longer teleport outside the Abyss. He has already depleted his divine power within the petals of the Ink Lotus and fallen into a deep sleep…

The black lotus closed its petals, its color blending perfectly into the darkness, remaining undetected. It found a very secluded spot and hid, waiting for its owner to slowly recover…