《Genshin Impact : Eerie Teyvat》 Chapter 1: Ch 1 : This Furina is not Furina Chapter 1 - Ch 1 : This Furina is not Furina (Front-row reminder: Due to the Eerie influence on the continent of Teyvat, some characters may exhibit behavior that deviates from their original personalities. Please view this rationally...) (Your favorite characters may experience, but are not limited to, the following conditions: Madness, grotesqueness, yandere tendencies, breakdowns, cruelty, abstraction... But remember, this is all caused by the eerie forces... It has nothing to do with the characters themselves...) (With the protagonist''s help and efforts, will your beloved characters perhaps...? Or surely be able to overcome the eerie forces? Return to their original selves?) (Who knows...) (Well then, let us begin...) (Welcome to Teyvat, a world consumed by eeriness...) ................ Su Yuan jolted awake, his eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar ceiling... His head felt dizzy and aching, and he couldn''t help but rub his temples. He vaguely remembered that just moments ago, he was still in his university dorm, showing off to his friends by solo-clearing the Abyss as Neuvillette, spinning around in circles... Then, something strange happened. He somehow locked eyes with Neuvillette on the screen, as if they had formed a bizarre connection, resonating with each other. It felt like he was spinning too... He spun faster and faster, the dizziness overwhelming him, until he completely lost consciousness... And when he woke up again, he was here. So... where exactly is this place? Su Yuan sat up and realized that he was lying on a bed¡ªa bed that was soft and comfortable, leagues better than the stiff wooden bunks in his dorm. He glanced around. The room''s furnishings and architectural style... felt oddly familiar. Following his instincts, he turned to look beside him¡ªonly to find someone sitting there with their back facing him! She had light blue hair, reminiscent of the ocean, the sky, and the purest of waters... Even though he could only see her back, Su Yuan recognized her instantly. "Holy crap! Huh? Furina? Fufu?" Su Yuan exclaimed in shock, and at the same time, he finally recognized the architectural style of this place... Wasn''t this the Palais Mermonia from Genshin Impact? So... had he actually transmigrated? And somehow ended up in Furina''s bed?! Cough, cough. Although he couldn''t deny feeling a bit excited, he was a man of principle¡ªhe would never stoop to doing anything indecent or taking advantage of the situation! So... maybe he should just make a run for it? Based on the current circumstances, it seemed like Furina had yet to step down as the Hydro Archon and was still living in the top floor of Palais Mermonia... If he recalled correctly, that Melusine named Sedene once mentioned that both the Court of Justice and the Gardes Morts were also stationed upstairs. If he made too much noise and they discovered him trespassing in Lady Furina''s private chambers, any misunderstanding that followed would be impossible to clear up¡ª He''d be doomed. Not even jumping into the Styx River¡ªwait, Teyvat didn''t have a Styx River¡ªso not even jumping into the Primordial Sea would be enough to wash himself clean! He definitely didn''t want to just transmigrate to Teyvat only to be immediately exiled to Meropide Fortress... Carefully, Su Yuan moved his legs and body, inching his way off the bed as quietly as possible. His goal? Sneak to the door on the far side of the room... But just as he was about to make his escape, a gentle voice suddenly rang out from behind him: "Darling, it''s so late... where are you going?" What a beautiful, melodic voice¡ªso soft, so sweet, as if Furina herself were whispering right into his ear. It sent a pleasant shiver down his spine... Wait. Did she just call him... darling? Could it be that his transmigrated identity was... Furina''s lover?! No way. This was too good to be true! Su Yuan immediately made up his mind¡ª Since Furina just called him "darling," why would he even think about leaving? It was perfectly normal for a couple in love to sleep together, right? But don''t worry, everyone! Su Yuan is a man of integrity! Before an official marriage, he would never lay a hand on her recklessly! Resolute, he turned around, ready to climb back into bed¡ª Only to find Furina''s face right next to his ear. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment he turned his head, he almost kissed Furina... Heh, hey now, that wasn''t on purpose! Su Yuan thought to himself, No wonder her voice sounded so close just now... Turns out, Furina had gotten out of bed to stop him from leaving. She had even chased after him and was now right next to him... But then¡ª Something felt wrong. When he climbed out of bed earlier, even though he had been as careful as possible, he still made a slight noise... But Furina had moved from the bed to his side without making a single sound. A sudden, inexplicable fear crept over Su Yuan. Instinctively, he took two steps back¡ª And that''s when he saw it clearly. Furina''s body... was still lying on the bed, facing away from him. But her neck¡ª Her neck had stretched unnaturally long, like the sinuous body of a python, extending all the way from the bed to where he was standing, carrying her detached head right beside his ear... Su Yuan froze on the spot. Terror, shock, and sheer dread flooded his entire being. He couldn''t comprehend¡ª What the hell was happening?! This person... no... this thing¡ªwas it really Furina? "Darling, didn''t we agree to sleep peacefully at night and not go anywhere?" "Furina" looked at him with an expression of deep sorrow. Her brows furrowed, and her eye sockets began to slowly cave in¡ª Sinking. Deeper. Darker. Until they became bottomless, blood-red voids. Then, thick liquid¡ªa twisted fusion of bright crimson and dark red¡ªbegan to ooze from them... "Why... why are you trying to abandon me?" "Why are you trying to leave me in secret?" "No one understands me... No one can comfort me..." "I only have you... You''re the only one I can talk to!" In the very next moment¡ª Furina''s mouth split open. Her once delicate, cherry-like lips stretched wide¡ª Unfurling into a gaping, grotesque maw, lined with rows of razor-sharp fangs! Su Yuan had no time to react. He couldn''t even scream. In an instant¡ª His head was bitten off completely. ......... Su Yuan jolted awake, his eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar ceiling... His head was spinning, throbbing with pain, and at the same time, a sharp sting pulsed from the palm of his left hand. Frowning, Su Yuan lifted his hand to take a look¡ª Someone had carved words into his left palm. [Be careful! Don''t make any sudden moves! Whatever you do, DO NOT get out of bed!] [This Furina... is NOT Furina!] "Furina?" Su Yuan muttered in confusion as he stared at the ominous warning. His gaze then shifted around the room¡ª Right beside him, a figure with light blue hair lay on the bed, facing away from him... "Holy crap... it really is Furina?!" Su Yuan blurted out in shock, his mind racing. "Did I actually transmigrate into the world of Genshin Impact?!" "But... why is this so awkward?!" "Of all places, why did I wake up in Furina''s bed?!" "I should hurry up and get out of bed..." Su Yuan thought to himself. "Men and women shouldn''t be too close. If someone sees this and misunderstands, they might think I''m some kind of pervert or creep..." But then¡ª The stinging pain in his left palm reminded him of the carved warning. He glanced down at the words again... [Be careful! Don''t make any sudden moves! Whatever you do, DO NOT get out of bed!] [This Furina... is NOT Furina!] "What does that even mean?" "Impossible! Even though I can only see her back, anyone with eyes can tell this is Furina!" "I just transmigrated to Teyvat¡ªI have to make a good impression as a gentleman!" After much deliberation, Su Yuan made his choice. He ignored the warning and decided to quietly sneak out of bed. Moving slowly and carefully, he shifted his body, making sure to avoid making any noise. And finally, he successfully got off the bed. But the moment his feet touched the floor¡ª A soft voice whispered into his ear: "Darling, it''s so late... where are you going?" Chapter 2: Ch 2 : Don’t leave the bed Chapter 2 - Ch 2 : Don''t leave the bed Su Yuan jolted awake, his eyes snapping open to an unfamiliar ceiling. He sat up in bed, his head spinning with dizziness. But what stood out the most was the intense pain in the palm of his left hand, forcing him to lift it for a closer look... [Be careful! Don''t make any sudden moves! Whatever you do, DO NOT get out of bed!] [This Furina... is NOT Furina!] [If you''re reading this message... it means you''ve died again!] [I''ll say it one more time¡ªplease, trust me. I''m not trying to harm you!] Su Yuan stared at the carved words in confusion. "Is this some kind of prank?" But his attention was immediately drawn to a particular name¡ª "Furina." He quickly scanned his surroundings. He was lying on an incredibly soft, luxurious bed. And right beside him, facing away¡ª A beautiful woman with light blue hair lay there, sleeping. Su Yuan''s eyes widened in shock. "Holy crap, it really is Furina!" "Did I actually transmigrate to Teyvat?!" A thrill of excitement surged through him as he spoke aloud, barely able to contain his disbelief. Su Yuan instinctively wanted to get out of bed¡ªto avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings. But then, he suddenly remembered the words carved into his palm... "Died again? What does that mean?" He muttered under his breath, his expression growing serious. "Does this mean... if I step out of bed, I''ll die? And not just once, but multiple times already?" Frowning, Su Yuan raised his left hand again, staring at the warning in deep thought. "Alright... it''s not that I want to stay in bed¡ªit''s just that this mysterious message is telling me to!" "I mean, come on, I''m a proper gentleman!" After some careful consideration, he ultimately chose to follow the warning. So, he lay back down, pulling the covers over himself and Furina once more. Just then¡ª As if sensing someone tucking her in, Furina''s body shifted slightly. Perhaps because she was sleeping indoors, she wasn''t dressed in her usual elegant and ornate gown. Instead¡ª She was wearing a thin, delicate nightgown. Furina lay with her back facing Su Yuan, her delicate shoulder blades faintly visible through the thin fabric of her nightgown. Her graceful figure was subtly outlined beneath the soft material, leaving little to the imagination. "Ahem... don''t look... don''t look...!" Su Yuan forcefully calmed himself, coughing twice before quickly turning his head away. He had completely overestimated his self-control¡ª With Furina, dressed in a nightgown, lying right next to him, there was no way he could fall asleep! Not only that, but his entire body felt uncomfortably restless, as if thousands of tiny worms were crawling all over him... Just then¡ª A soft shuffling sound came from the pillow beside him. Su Yuan instinctively turned his head to look¡ª And what he saw made his breath catch in his throat. Furina had also turned her head toward him. Her eyes were peacefully shut, her breathing was soft and rhythmic, and the corners of her lips... Even had a little drool trickling down. "Heh... so cute... and a little silly too." Su Yuan couldn''t help but smile in his heart. But then¡ª That was when he noticed something horribly wrong. Furina''s body... Hadn''t moved at all. She was still facing away from him. Only¡ª Her head had twisted 180 degrees to face him directly. Su Yuan shuddered violently, his entire body stiffening in shock! "Haha... As expected of Furina, Fontaine''s biggest star, the most dazzling and mysterious woman... effortlessly achieving something I could never do..." "Could it be... a bug in Teyvat''s system? A normal person''s neck shouldn''t be able to twist like that..." He forced a nervous chuckle, trying to calm himself down with sarcasm. But in the very next moment¡ª "Furina" suddenly snapped her eyes open and opened her mouth wide! Yet¡ª There were no beautiful, sapphire-like eyes in her sockets. No pearly white teeth or delicate pink tongue in her mouth. Instead¡ª They were all bottomless, blood-red vortexes. And from those swirling abysses of crimson, something began to squirm out¡ª Countless writhing worms, their bodies patterned with oily black and sickly gray stripes. More and more of them... Crawling, wriggling, spilling out endlessly. Su Yuan''s breath caught in his throat. Terrified, he threw off the blanket¡ª Only to see that his entire body was already covered in the same writhing worms! So that horrifying crawling sensation from earlier... Was real. "AHHHHH!!!" A bloodcurdling scream tore from his throat as he rolled straight off the bed! "Darling, it''s so late... where are you going?" Furina''s voice rang out again, but this time, Su Yuan felt no warmth or joy¡ªonly paralyzing terror. Before his horrified eyes, "Furina''s" neck suddenly began to stretch, growing longer and longer¡ª Like a serpent''s coiling body... Like an elephant''s trunk... Like the rubber-limbs of a certain pirate... Her elongated neck carried her head forward, bringing it right up to Su Yuan''s face. "Are you leaving me again?" "Abandoning me once more... to bear five hundred years of loneliness all by myself?" Su Yuan was so terrified he couldn''t even speak¡ª But "Furina" clearly had no intention of letting him reply. From her eyes, mouth, nostrils, and ears¡ª The writhing black-and-gray worms began to pour out. Like cascading grains of breading on a frying chicken, They swarmed over Su Yuan''s body in an instant¡ªburying him alive. Su Yuan was in unimaginable agony¡ª He could clearly feel the worms gnawing away at his flesh, piece by piece... With great effort, he lifted his left hand¡ª Only to see that his palm had already been devoured, leaving behind nothing but a skeletal frame... The next moment¡ª A searing pain shot through his eyeballs¡ª And then¡ªdarkness. The worms had eaten away his eyes. Su Yuan could feel his entire body being consumed, little by little¡ª Yet he was completely powerless to stop it. ......... Su Yuan jolted awake. (No more dragging things out! ! Erase this entire sequence of time!) ............ [Unfortunately, you''ve died again...] [So listen to me¡ªno matter how terrifying things get, DO NOT get out of bed!] [DO NOT get out of bed! DO NOT get out of bed!! DO NOT GET OUT OF BED!!!] [For now, it seems that as long as you stay in bed, everything will remain temporarily safe!] Feeling the sting in his left palm, staring at the dense lines of text, Su Yuan was at a loss for words... He had no idea how these messages had even been written on his palm. It was obvious¡ªthe person who wrote them must have been extremely anxious. The strokes were messy, the handwriting was ugly... The first few lines were still fairly neat, but the further down, the more chaotic and rushed the writing became. Well, if it tells me not to get out of bed, then I won''t. Sleeping next to the beautiful and adorable Furina¡ªwhat kind of horror could possibly happen? Isn''t this basically a reward, a blessing?! Su Yuan turned his head to glance at Furina, who was lying beside him, her back facing him. As expected of Furina¡ª even her back was stunning! But soon¡ª Su Yuan started to feel something was off. His whole body was itching¡ª As if countless tiny worms were crawling all over his skin, wriggling and squirming... He reached out to scratch and rub at his skin, but suddenly felt something strange under his fingers. Su Yuan lifted his hand to take a look¡ª Only to find his palm crawling with countless blackened, grayish worms, wriggling and squirming non-stop... "AH! F***! What the hell is this?!" He couldn''t hold back his scream, panicking as he frantically shook his hand, desperately trying to fling the worms off. This is Furina''s bed! Why the hell are there so many disgusting bugs?! S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Could this be the "horrifying thing" that the writing on his palm had warned him about? After shaking off the worms onto the floor, Su Yuan couldn''t care about anything else¡ª He decided to wake Furina up. If he, a grown man, was already terrified by these bugs, then how much worse would it be for Furina? What if she got traumatized from this?! And who knows what kind of diseases these things might be carrying? If Furina got sick from them, that would be a huge problem! Su Yuan gently shook Furina''s shoulder, calling out to her: "Furina? Furina? Wake up, wake up! We need to change rooms! This place needs a serious deep cleaning!" --------------- Exclusive access : 15ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 3: Ch 3 : Survive Chapter 3 - Ch 3 : Survive "Hmm? What''s going on...?" Furina rubbed her eyes and sat up from the bed, her drowsy expression hitting Su Yuan like a critical strike! Oh! Furina! How can you be this cute?! No! Lady Furina! Please let me be your loyal dog! Woof woof! "I was sleeping just fine. Why did you wake me up?" Furina still hadn''t opened her eyes, her head drooping slightly, looking completely unawake. "Because this bed is a little dirty, there''s something unclean on it, so it''s best if you sleep somewhere else, Furina!" Su Yuan didn''t dare to tell her about the strange bugs on the bed, afraid of scaring her fragile heart. "Something dirty?" Furina murmured in confusion. Then, under Su Yuan''s stunned gaze, she reached into the blanket and pulled out one of those strange bugs... "Are you talking about this? This isn''t something dirty at all..." Then, under Su Yuan''s even more shocked gaze, "Furina" directly placed the bug into her mouth and began chewing it slowly, accompanied by a crisp crunch, crunch sound... Su Yuan couldn''t comprehend how such a soft, wriggling bug could make such a crunchy sound when chewed... No, wait! That''s not the point at all! How could Furina possibly eat such a strange bug raw?! Su Yuan finally realized¡ªeverything written on his palm was true! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This Furina... is not Furina at all! Fear gripped Su Yuan''s heart as he slowly inched away, trying to put some distance between himself and this "Furina"... But then he suddenly remembered the words carved into his palm, which kept repeating: No matter how terrifying things get, do not get out of bed! Do not get out of bed!! Do not get out of bed!!! Forcing himself to suppress his fear, Su Yuan had no choice but to stay on the bed... "Come now, darling. Open your mouth, let me feed you one too..." "Furina" picked up a wriggling bug and brought it to Su Yuan''s lips while slightly opening her own mouth, signaling for him to do the same... Staring at the grotesque, squirming creature in front of him, Su Yuan simply couldn''t summon the courage to open his mouth. He had imagined countless times what it would be like for Furina to personally feed him, but who could have guessed it would turn out like this... No! This thing isn''t even Furina! It doesn''t count! "Why won''t you open your mouth? I thought... you would understand me." Seeing that Su Yuan refused to comply, "Furina" slowly opened her eyes. But instead of pupils or the usual bright blue irises, there was nothing¡ªjust deep, bottomless, crimson-black voids, an abyss so dark it seemed to stretch endlessly beyond human comprehension. "I thought... that after these five hundred years, you would be the one to understand me. The only one I could confide in..." "But now... could it be... that''s not the case?" Su Yuan could clearly see the skin on "Furina''s" face writhing and twisting, as if it were a lump of dough being kneaded together, its shape losing all coherence... Her mouth split into two halves¡ªher upper lip replaced her left eyebrow, while her lower lip stretched to where her right ear should be. Her left eye morphed into a right nostril, her right eye transformed into a single jagged tooth, and above her forehead, a new mouth filled with countless razor-sharp fangs grotesquely emerged. From every inch of her face, a thick, crimson, foul-smelling liquid began to ooze... Watching this horrifying transformation, Su Yuan broke out in a cold sweat. Beads of perspiration dripped from his forehead, and his entire body trembled uncontrollably. A terrifying premonition struck him¡ªif he didn''t eat this bug, he would die a truly miserable death! There was no other choice. For the sake of survival, Su Yuan clenched his eyes shut, steeled himself, and, with one swift motion, swallowed the writhing bug whole! Su Yuan originally planned to just swallow it whole and not think about it... But the moment it entered his mouth¡ªbefore he could even chew¡ªthe bug burst on its own! A thick, viscous liquid gushed out, accompanied by an unbearable stench. The overwhelming disgust made Su Yuan nearly retch. If he had to describe it, it was like taking a sock that had been soaking in a sewer for 82 years, stuffing it into a can of fermented herring, letting it naturally rot under the scorching sun for 49 days, then mixing it with freshly produced, still-warm chicken droppings, cilantro, and fish mint... Even though the revolting taste made him want to throw up, Su Yuan knew under no circumstances could he afford to spit it out. Looking at the grotesque and terrifying figure of "Furina," an ominous feeling crept up his spine. He had a gut instinct that if he dared to spit it out... he wouldn''t even have a corpse left. After what felt like an eternity of internal struggle, Su Yuan finally mustered the courage to swallow the disgusting bug whole... "Very good... Tonight, we had a late-night snack together!" "Now, let''s go back to sleep!" "Only by resting well can we store up the energy we need..." "Tomorrow, we still have to go to the Opera House to watch a performance!" As "Furina" spoke, her face returned to normal in an instant. She then lay back down and went to sleep... Su Yuan panted heavily, staring at the peacefully sleeping "Furina" with a deep sense of barely surviving a disaster... This person... No! This thing was definitely not Furina! Did he really transmigrate into Teyvat from Genshin Impact? Or was he actually trapped inside some kind of horror game?! This was way too terrifying! After calming himself down a little, Su Yuan once again looked at the words carved into his palm. Thank god he had trusted them¡ªsuppressing his fear and not doing anything reckless. He had followed the most important rule: never leave the bed... But if he could never leave the bed, wouldn''t that mean he would have to endure this torment forever? And if this Furina wasn''t the real Furina, then where was the real one? Was this place really the continent of Teyvat? Su Yuan recalled his experience reading web novels. The Teyvat he had transmigrated into was very likely corrupted or invaded by some strange entity... And he... he might just be the destined savior... But if his deduction was correct, then forget saving the world, he couldn''t even save himself right now! "Damn it, don''t I get some kind of system or cheat ability after transmigrating?" Su Yuan lamented, nearly in tears. Suddenly, a thought struck him¡ªwhat if the writing in his palm was some kind of cheat ability? But before he could think further, "Furina''s" voice rang out again: "Darling, why are you sitting up? Lie down and sleep..." Su Yuan shuddered at the sound and quickly lay back down obediently... The eerie bugs from before seemed to have completely vanished. Lying on the soft bed, Su Yuan cautiously turned his head to look. He saw that "Furina" was still lying on her side, facing away from him... He didn''t dare to look any longer, fearing that he might trigger another terrifying event. A sense of unease filled Su Yuan¡ªhe had no idea what else he would encounter or how he was supposed to deal with it... He couldn''t possibly just stay in bed forever, could he? --------------- Exclusive access : 18ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 4: Ch 4 : Patterns and rules Chapter 4 - Ch 4 : Patterns and rules Su Yuan had no idea when he had fallen asleep the previous night. As the sun rose and the first ray of morning light streamed into the top-floor suite of the Palais Mermonia, he felt a rare warmth... "AHHHHHHHHH!!!" A piercing scream jolted Su Yuan awake. "Who are you?! Why are you in my bed?!" Dazed and groggy, Su Yuan opened his eyes and saw Furina curled up at the corner of the bed, trembling as she clutched the blanket. Her eyes were already turning red, glistening with tears as she stared at him with a mix of fear and wariness. "Wuuuu... The Gardes! The Court of Shadows! The Tribunal! Neuvillette!!!" "Help!!!" "There''s a pervert!!!" Su Yuan was completely baffled. Pervert? Was she talking about him? Come on, last night you were way more terrifying than this, okay?! The next moment, with a thunderous crash, a massive water column blasted the door wide open... Su Yuan instantly felt an incomparably majestic gaze lock onto him, pressing down on him with overwhelming intensity. "Wuuu... Neuvillette... you finally came!" Seeing her savior arrive, Furina didn''t even bother putting on her shoes and ran straight to his side, hiding behind him. "Ahem... Lady Furina, you are the Hydro Archon of Fontaine. Please be mindful of your image..." Neuvillette sighed, looking somewhat helpless at her panicked and tearful state. "Now then, sir¡ªwho exactly are you?" Neuvillette''s piercing gaze fell on Su Yuan. "Appearing suddenly in the top-floor suite of the Palais Mermonia, Furina''s exclusive quarters¡ªwhat exactly is your intention?" For a moment, Su Yuan had no idea how to answer. He couldn''t possibly say that he was a transmigrator, and that he had been tormented the entire night by a fake Furina... Suddenly, a sharp pain pricked at his palm. But this time, it wasn''t his left hand¡ªit was his right. Su Yuan raised both hands to check. The writing on his left palm had completely vanished, only to be replaced by a new set of words, now carved into his right palm... [Welcome to the Eerie Teyvat] [First of all, congratulations on surviving your first night.] [Currently available intel:] [1. During the daytime, Furina is the real, normal Furina.] [2. Neuvillette can be trusted at all times¡ªday or night¡ªbut only when the weather is clear.] [3. After sunset, do not appear in Furina''s sight. If you are accidentally discovered, make sure to return to her bed before she does. Once you are there, no matter what happens, do not leave the bed until sunrise.] [4. After surviving the second night, new intel will be unlocked.] Su Yuan stared at the words engraved in his right palm, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information. His mind raced. What was this? Supernatural horror? A rule-based anomaly? But no matter what, he finally had some clues to work with! "This gentleman, you have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used as evidence in court." Neuvillette spoke up upon seeing Su Yuan remain silent for too long. "Misunderstanding... this is all a misunderstanding..." Su Yuan quickly raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. "I can explain, I can explain everything..." Seeing Su Yuan cooperate so readily, Neuvillette nodded slightly and said, "Lady Furina, I will take this gentleman away for now for trespassing in your private suite." "In the meantime, you should compose yourself and change into a new outfit." "Also, the cost of repairing the door... I will make sure this gentleman covers it." ........... Inside Neuvillette''s office, he was speaking with Su Yuan. "Every year, there are always a few people who attempt to trespass into Lady Furina''s suite, but those who succeed are extremely rare..." "Some of them are admirers or fans of Lady Furina, while a few belong to hostile factions attempting assassination..." "But they all share one thing in common now¡ªthey are currently living quite well in the Fortress of Meropide." "However, in all these years, you are truly the first person to so brazenly and openly lie in Lady Furina''s bed." "You claim this is a misunderstanding, that you can explain... I''m quite curious, what kind of new excuse do you have?" Su Yuan scratched his head awkwardly, feeling both helpless and embarrassed. The moment he had appeared in Furina''s bed, he had already anticipated the likelihood of such a misunderstanding... He glanced at his right palm, then at the bright sun outside the window, and finally back at Neuvillette. Neuvillette could be trusted, whether day or night¡ªbut only when the sky was clear. Right now, all the conditions were met. "Mr. Neuvillette, have you noticed that Lady Furina has been acting strangely lately? As if something is off about her?" Su Yuan asked. "Please do not answer my question with another question," Neuvillette replied calmly. "Although we are not in the courtroom right now, this is still, in essence, an interrogation. I ask that you do not withhold information or lie¡ªjust state the facts clearly and concisely." "No, Neuvillette, listen to me!" Su Yuan said urgently. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I seriously suspect that Lady Furina has been affected by some kind of corruption¡ªsomething foul, evil, eerie, and ominous! The Furina we see now is no longer entirely herself. We need to help her, save her, and expel whatever malicious force has taken hold of her!" "Sir, do you realize what you are doing right now?" Neuvillette''s tone remained even, but Su Yuan could detect a hint of anger beneath the surface. "You stand before the Chief Justice of Fontaine, and instead of explaining or reflecting on your own actions, you dare to speak ill of this nation''s deity?" Su Yuan suddenly felt stuck in a difficult situation. He trusted Neuvillette completely¡ªbut what could he do if Neuvillette didn''t believe him? "Sir, if you have nothing meaningful to say, then I shall proceed with the formalities and have you sent to Meropide Fortress for proper reflection," Neuvillette stated. "Wait! Neuvillette!" Su Yuan shouted. "No... I should call you the Hydro Dragon Sovereign!" According to Su Yuan''s previous deductions, since Furina was still residing in the Palais Mermonia, it meant that Fontaine''s prophecy had yet to unfold¡ªFocalors had not been judged, and Neuvillette''s identity as the Hydro Dragon had not been publicly revealed. Hearing those three words¡ª"Hydro Dragon Sovereign"¡ªa ripple of emotion flickered in Neuvillette''s usually calm eyes. He slowly spoke, "Who exactly are you? I have never shared this identity with anyone." "Neuvillette, allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Su Yuan. I come from beyond the world of Teyvat..." After a moment of contemplation, Su Yuan carefully chose his words. "A strange and eerie force has descended upon Teyvat, and I fear that Lady Furina has already fallen under its influence..." "In order to defeat this anomaly and save Furina, I need your help and your power!" --------------- Exclusive access : 21ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 5: Ch 5 : Neuvillette? Chapter 5 - Ch 5 : Neuvillette? Listening to Su Yuan''s account, Neuvillette fell silent. He scrutinized Su Yuan with his gaze, sinking into deep thought. After a long pause, Neuvillette finally spoke slowly: "Although I have never revealed my true identity to anyone, I have served as Fontaine''s Chief Justice, presiding over its laws and trials for centuries. Given my mastery over Hydro energy, it would not be surprising if someone managed to deduce my true nature..." "So, Su Yuan, based on this alone, I cannot fully believe your words." Hearing Neuvillette say this, Su Yuan couldn''t help but marvel¡ªthis was indeed Neuvillette, as meticulous as ever! However, Su Yuan had already thought things through. He had enough reasons to convince Neuvillette to trust him! "Neuvillette, I actually know a lot about you..." Su Yuan began, speaking slowly. "You enjoy tasting water from all across Teyvat, and you have described the waters of each nation as follows: Mondstadt''s water is crisp and refreshing, Liyue''s has a lingering aftertaste, Inazuma''s is deep and profound, and Sumeru''s is rich in flavor but requires careful savoring..." "In your eyes, fried food and dishes without sauce are barely edible, and especially Sumeru''s Coconut Charcoal Cakes¡ªthey feel like stuffing desiccants into your stomach..." Listening to Su Yuan''s words, Neuvillette remained expressionless. He replied calmly and unhurriedly, "Su Yuan, have you been secretly investigating me? Although I do not know why you are so well-informed, these details are not exactly secrets. Based on this alone, I still cannot fully believe you." Neuvillette''s reaction was within Su Yuan''s expectations¡ªit seemed like it was time to bring out something more shocking! "Then, Neuvillette, you of all people should know this: the Melusines, those beautiful beings that Fontaine takes great pride in, were originally brought to Fontaine by you centuries ago." "However, in their early years here, the Melusines were not treated fairly. Instead, they endured criticism, ridicule, and even discrimination." "And even you were questioned by some with ulterior motives¡ªaccused of having some unspeakable dealings with the Melusines..." "I won''t say too much, lest I bring up unpleasant memories for you. I will only mention two names..." "Carole... and Vautrin..." Like a single drop of water falling from a great height into a still pond, ripples spread across the once-calm surface... Su Yuan clearly saw that Neuvillette''s usually impassive expression finally showed a hint of change. At that moment, Su Yuan knew he had him. Thankfully, he had paid close attention to Neuvillette''s story while playing through his story quest. Neuvillette furrowed his brows slightly, took a deep breath, and spoke: "Su Yuan, who exactly are you?" "I told you¡ªI come from beyond this world, here to defeat the eerie forces, to save Furina, and to save Teyvat!" Su Yuan declared with determination. "Very well, I believe you." Neuvillette nodded. Hearing Neuvillette say this, Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Neuvillette finally believed him. Otherwise, he would have had to reveal everything¡ªthe truth behind Fontaine''s prophecy, the real identity of the Hydro Archon, the true purpose of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, and Focalor schemes... Since Fontaine''s story hadn''t progressed that far yet, Su Yuan wasn''t sure if spoiling everything for Neuvillette in advance would have any negative consequences¡ªlike causing a shift in the world''s timeline or something... "Alright, Neuvillette, let me tell you exactly what I experienced last night... in Lady Furina''s bed." Su Yuan was just about to pour his heart out about the torment and suffering he had endured the previous night... But then, he noticed something¡ªthe room, and even the area outside, seemed to be growing darker... Looking up at the window, he saw that at some point, dark clouds had gathered, and a light rain had begun to fall. Huh? Why is it suddenly raining? Did my words just now bring up painful memories for Neuvillette... Is he crying again? Water Dragon, Water Dragon, don''t cry! Su Yuan originally wanted to say this, but he quickly realized that something was wrong... "Neuvillette can be trusted, whether day or night, but only on sunny days..." Su Yuan muttered the words carved into his right palm under his breath, then slowly turned to look at Neuvillette, who was sitting at his desk... Most people imagined Neuvillette as a fair and just figure¡ªstern, composed, cold on the outside but warm within. But the Neuvillette before him now had his hands crossed on the desk, propping up his chin, tilting his head, and squinting his eyes¡ªstaring at Su Yuan with a wide, unsettling smile... However, that smile quickly faded, replaced by an expression of pure, seething rage. Neuvillette''s teeth clenched tightly, his eyes and mouth slowly oozing a crimson liquid... "The usurping Seven Archon tore away the ancient dragons divine authority from us. I have never forgotten this hatred¡ªnot for a single moment in the countless centuries that have passed..." "One day, I will shatter the Seven Archon into dust, tear them limb from limb, devour their flesh! Drink their blood! Gnaw their bones!" "Even the throne that stands high above shall not be spared!" Looking at the crazed "Neuvillette" before him, Su Yuan trembled uncontrollably, too terrified to speak... So this was what the warning meant... Even Neuvillette had not escaped the fate of being corrupted by the eerie force? "And you! Mortal! Who gave you permission to stand before me?" "Kneel!!" With a furious roar, "Neuvillette" commanded, and Su Yuan felt his legs lose all control¡ªhe collapsed heavily onto his knees! A sharp, excruciating pain shot through his kneecaps, followed by a crisp cracking sound¡ª It was as if his kneecaps had shattered... Pain... unbearable pain... "Very good..." "Neuvillette" nodded in satisfaction, but his expression quickly twisted into rage once more. "Is simply kneeling enough? You are nothing more than a mere mortal¡ªwhy do you lack the awareness of your own insignificance?" "Before me, a dragon standing at the pinnacle of Teyvat, why do you not bow and prostrate yourself in reverence?!" With "Neuvillette''s" hysterical roar, Su Yuan felt his body move against his will. His head began slamming into the ground¡ªover and over¡ªunceasingly. Once. A crimson mark stained the floor as fresh blood streamed down his face from his forehead. Three times. A crisp, sickening crack echoed in his mind¡ªthe sound of his skull beginning to fracture. Five times. Su Yuan could clearly feel his skull caving in. Seven times. He watched as his own brain matter oozed from the shattered wound on his forehead. Nine times. His forehead was no longer intact¡ªthere was no longer any whole flesh or bone remaining. Eleven times. Su Yuan had already lost consciousness. Yet his body, still beyond his control, continued to bow and smash his head into the ground... --------------- Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exclusive access : 24ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 6: Ch 6 : Don’t hesitate, don’t look back—just run! Chapter 6 - Ch 6 : Don''t hesitate, don''t look back¡ªjust run! Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes. This feeling... it was exactly the same as when he woke up on Furina''s bed last night... He felt a slight stinging pain in his left palm. Lifting it up to take a look, sure enough, there were words engraved on it: [Be careful! You''ve died again!] [Neuvillette has also been corrupted by the Eerie!] [After gaining Neuvillette''s trust, pay close attention to the weather!] [The moment you sense it''s about to rain¡ªdon''t hesitate, don''t look back, just run!] By now, Su Yuan had complete faith in the messages appearing on his left palm. Combined with that strange sensation just now, he was fairly certain¡ªhe really had died once... And, he probably figured out his cheat ability after transmigrating¡ª It was most likely some kind of save point and respawn ability. While he wouldn''t retain his past memories, messages would appear on his left palm as guidance... As long as he followed these instructions, he should be fine... Judging by the situation, it seemed that he had successfully survived Furina''s bed challenge last night. And now, Neuvillette''s office was very likely his new save point! "Every year, there are always a few people who attempt to trespass into Lady Furina''s suite, but the number of successful ones is extremely low..." Neuvillette sat at his desk, looking at Su Yuan as he spoke slowly. (No more wasting words! Reread Ch 5 for detail ! Skip this section at high speed!) ....... "Alright, I believe you." After hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Neuvillette nodded. Su Yuan remained highly alert, keeping a close eye on the weather outside. Suddenly, he noticed dark clouds gathering in the distance¡ªclear signs that rain was imminent... Without any hesitation, without saying another word, he turned around and ran! "Su Yuan, what are you doing?" Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan''s sudden actions with confusion and slowly stood up from his seat. He had just decided to trust him, so why was he suddenly fleeing? At the same time, Neuvillette also noticed the shift in the weather outside. He realized that he still couldn''t suppress his emotions¡ªjust hearing the names "Carole" and "Vautrin" had stirred sadness within him once again... As the clouds blanketed the sky and the first raindrop fell, Neuvillette was struck by a sinister realization¡ªdeep within his mind and soul, an uncontrollable, malevolent thought was stirring, growing, writhing, corrupting, and running rampant... "Oh, lowly mortal... where do you think you''re going?" "Hehehehe..." Neuvillette suddenly tilted his head at an unnatural angle, his lips curling into an eerie and twisted smile as he let out a low, chilling laugh, his gaze fixed in the direction Su Yuan had fled... Su Yuan burst through Neuvillette''s office doors, bolting out in a panic. His sudden exit drew the attention of many people working in the Palais Mermonia. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Who is that guy running out of Neuvillette''s office in such a panic?" Su Yuan didn''t dare look back. He could already hear the raindrops pattering against the outer walls of the palace¡ªmeaning the rain was still falling, meaning it was not a clear day. Meaning Neuvillette was no longer Neuvillette! Unfamiliar with the layout of the Palais Mermonia, Su Yuan simply kept running forward. Spotting a staircase leading downstairs, he rushed toward it without hesitation! However, after descending only a few flights, he suddenly collided head-on with someone at the stairwell''s turn. The impact was so strong that both of them tumbled to the ground... "Ugh... Oww, that hurts..." the person groaned, their hood knocked off from the collision. The hood happened to land right in Su Yuan''s hands. "I''m sorry! I''m so sorry! I''m in a hurry¡ªreally, my deepest apologies!" Su Yuan was dazed from the collision, but he kept apologizing. However, as he listened to the voice and looked at the hood in his hands, something about it felt strangely familiar... "Ah! How is it you? That pervert guy!" "Weren''t you taken away by Neuvillette?" With a gasp, Su Yuan focused and realized he had bumped into Furina! At the same time, he felt a pang of sadness. Had he really been branded as a pervert in Furina''s eyes? "Lady Furina, I''m truly sorry, but I''m really in a rush. I''ll have to leave now!" Without waiting to explain, Su Yuan quickly handed her the hood and tried to get up to make his escape. "Hmph! Don''t underestimate me!" Furina said firmly, grabbing onto Su Yuan''s leg and tripping him, causing him to fall to the ground. "What you saw this morning was just an accident! I''m a goddess of this country, and I''m very brave!" "Guard team! Shadow Court! Law Enforcement Court! Neuvillette! Someone hurry up, there''s a suspect trying to escape!" Furina shouted loudly. "Lady Furina, please, just be quiet and stop shouting!" Su Yuan felt like crying but had no tears left. Lady Furina, why are you suddenly so brave now? Perhaps because it was work hours, at Furina''s call, the stairwell quickly filled with people. Su Yuan realized he was truly trapped now... Thud! Thud! Thud! Before long, with steady and heavy footsteps, an imposing figure slowly descended from the upper stairs... Each step sounded to Su Yuan like the ringing of his death bell... It''s over, I''m going to die again... "Neuvillette, you''re finally here! How can you not even watch one person?!" Furina said, looking at Neuvillette as he walked down the stairs, a little confused. She couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off about Neuvillette now... Neuvillette had always been very cultured and polite, and she had never seen him stomp so loudly while walking down the stairs... "I apologize deeply, Lord Furina, this is my negligence." "Neuvillette" spoke, then looked around at the crowd. "Everyone, please, excuse me. I will handle the situation from here." Upon hearing "Neuvillette" say this, the crowd began to disperse, leaving only Furina behind. "Lord Furina, don''t you have any activities today?" "Never mind, this isn''t something I should worry about. You can handle it yourself, Lord Furina." "Neuvillette" said, then turned to Su Yuan and spoke in a tone that left no room for refusal: "Su Yuan, come with me back to the office. Don''t try anything funny, we still have things to discuss." Su Yuan was a little surprised... Huh? Could it be that he wasn''t going to die now? Is it that the Eerie can''t kill someone in public? But no matter what, Su Yuan, weak and helpless at this moment, had no choice but to obediently follow Neuvillette upstairs. Furina watched their figures as they ascended the stairs, deep in thought. "Lord Furina? Since when did Neuvillette call me like that? He''s always called me ''Lady Furina,'' hasn''t he?" "Also, didn''t he recommend the Opera House performance to me today? Why does he seem like he doesn''t know anything about it?" Furina''s mind was filled with doubts, and ultimately, she decided to follow them upstairs. She planned to eavesdrop outside Neuvillette''s office to hear what he and that ''pervert'' were going to talk about. --------------- Exclusive access : 27ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 7: Ch 7 : Sorry Chapter 7 - Ch 7 : Sorry After re-entering the office, the first thing "Neuvillette" did was lock the door. Looking at the drizzling rain outside and the clearly abnormal "Neuvillette," Su Yuan knew that he was probably in great danger again... If only he had kicked Furina away when she grabbed his leg earlier, and not been so considerate, would he have been able to escape temporarily? Su Yuan shook his head. He just couldn''t bring himself to kick a woman, especially not someone as cute as Furina. It wouldn''t be a gentlemanly thing to do... It''s fine. After all, there''s a good chance he has the ability to rewind time. If he dies, he dies. He could always try again! With that thought, Su Yuan found that he wasn''t as afraid anymore. He straightened his chest and faced "Neuvillette" directly. "Neuvillette! No! I should say, Evil Eerie! Come at me directly!" Su Yuan spread his arms wide, adopting a heroic stance as if ready to face death. "Go ahead! Kill me!" "Shut up!" With a roar from "Neuvillette," Su Yuan found himself unable to speak... "Kneel!" Accompanied by "Neuvillette''s" shout, Su Yuan uncontrollably crashed to the ground, his knees hitting the floor hard! Instantly, Su Yuan felt an intense pain in his knees, looking down to find them covered in blood. The area around his knees was mangled and seemed to have suffered a crushing fracture... "You, a mere mortal, dare to ignore my existence and recklessly leave my sight..." "Neuvillette" wore an incredibly angry expression, furrowing his brows. His eyeballs began to spin wildly in their sockets, rotating 360 degrees without missing a spot, and sharp fangs began to grow from his mouth, scraping together with a harsh sound... "Death? You won''t get off that easily!" "I''ll make you wish for life, yet you won''t be able to live! I''ll make you wish for death, but you''ll never find it!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "As... the price for ignoring me!" "Neuvillette" grabbed Su Yuan''s hair, opened its bloody mouth, and roared at Su Yuan. Su Yuan immediately felt a wave of heat and smelled an extremely foul odor... This smell was like dead fish from the sea soaked in two-and-a-half-year-old stinky tofu, pickled in a cesspool for three days and nights... In the next moment, "Neuvillette" forcefully grabbed Su Yuan''s head and slammed it into the ground! Su Yuan immediately felt a sharp pain in his left cheek as it hit the ground... Then, "Neuvillette" grabbed Su Yuan''s head and repeatedly moved it up, down, left, and right, making Su Yuan''s left cheek fully come into contact with the ground, causing friction from all directions... "Ugh!! Ah!!" Feeling the flesh on his left cheek slowly being scraped away and bleeding profusely, Su Yuan couldn''t help but scream in agony. "Hahahaha... Yes! This is the scream!" "Your painful scream is the most delightful melody!" "Only such beautiful music is worthy of my status as the peak dragon of Teyvat!" "Neuvillette" laughed loudly, looking very pleased! Su Yuan endured the pain and torture, no longer maintaining his previous calm demeanor. Instead, he felt a sense of anxiety and panic... If this "Neuvillette" didn''t kill him but kept torturing him, dragging on the time, that would be too painful... Moreover, his body, for reasons he couldn''t understand, was completely beyond his control. He couldn''t even think about resisting "Neuvillette," let alone committing suicide... But just then, an unexpected turn of events occurred. Both Su Yuan and "Neuvillette" clearly heard the crisp sound of a lock turning... Then, the office door slowly opened, and Furina appeared at the doorway... "Neuvillette... what are you doing...?" Looking at the bloody scene, Furina spoke with a mixture of fear, anxiety, and anger. "I heard words like ''shut up'' and ''kneel down'' from outside the door¡ªwords you''ve never used before¡ªso I immediately went to my room and found the spare key to the office..." "Neuvillette, aren''t you the most just and kind Chief Judge of Fontaine?" "Why is it that as soon as I enter, I see you torturing someone, using corporal punishment on them??" "Are you really the same ''Neuvillette'' I''ve known... the one who has been by my side for hundreds of years?" Furina''s eyes were filled with tears, though it was unclear whether she was feeling sorry for Su Yuan or disappointed in "Neuvillette"... Furina''s voice quickly drew the attention of everyone in Palais Mermonia. They all rushed over to watch, only to discover this shocking scene... The righteous, kind-hearted Chief Judge Neuvillette was actually torturing and harming someone in his own office... "Lord Neuvillette, why are you doing this...?" Many of the Melusine from the Shadow Court couldn''t bear to watch this scene... Although Su Yuan couldn''t speak or move now, he still felt a glimmer of hope. As expected of Furina, she''s amazing! With so many people watching, this "Neuvillette" probably wouldn''t dare to act, right? As long as they delayed for a little longer, once the weather cleared, Neuvillette would return to normal! It''s just that his handsome face... would only be half of what it was from now on... But Su Yuan... was wrong... And... he was completely wrong! "Hahahaha..." "Neuvillette" suddenly burst out laughing, startling everyone present, causing them all to tremble... The Neuvillette they knew had never laughed like this before... "I originally didn''t want to expose myself so soon..." "But now, since it''s come to this point, there''s nothing I can do..." "You all... die!!!" In the next moment, Su Yuan heard many sounds... The sound of flesh being sliced apart... the sound of blood splattering and spraying... screams, wails, and cries for help, all filling the air... Su Yuan could distinctly feel the scorching hot blood of someone splattering onto him, and the severed limbs and broken arms of others brushing against his body... Although Su Yuan couldn''t see anything now, he could feel everything... The current office... the current Palais Mermonia... was a hell on earth! The next second, with a "thud," a head with light blue hair rolled right in front of Su Yuan''s eyes... The bright red bloodstains formed a stark contrast against the light blue hair and fair skin... At this moment, Furina had not completely lost her life. With the last remnants of her consciousness, she wore a faint smile and looked at Su Yuan with eyes full of apology. Her lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to say something... "Sorry..." Su Yuan read Furina''s lips, and his tears couldn''t stop flowing... Su Yuan''s heart was filled with a multitude of complex emotions: anger, unwillingness, regret, sadness, and so on, but there was one thing that was completely absent¡ªfear and dread... He regained control of his body and slowly stood up... Su Yuan looked around, and the scene was one of carnage¡ªbodies scattered everywhere, blood flowing like a river, with not a single intact body... "Neuvillette" had just pulled a heart from the chest of a melusine and was savoring it with delight... But soon, he noticed Su Yuan had stood up and immediately shouted in anger: "Mortal! Who allowed you to stand up? Kneel before me!" However, this time, "Neuvillette''s" words had no effect... Su Yuan didn''t know how he managed to stand up again, considering his kneecap was already shattered. It was purely by sheer willpower... He slowly bent down and picked up Furina''s bloodstained hat from the ground, removing the sharp hatpin from it... Although he didn''t understand why his abilities weren''t working anymore, "Neuvillette" still taunted him, saying, "Mortal, you don''t seriously think that with this little thing, you can defeat me and avenge these people, do you?" "Defeat you? That''s right... One day, I will defeat all of you..." Su Yuan said calmly. "Monsters, clean your necks and wait for me!" Without a moment''s hesitation, Su Yuan took the sharp hatpin and slashed it across his carotid artery... In an instant, blood splattered everywhere! --------------- Exclusive access : 30ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 8: Ch 8 : Unexpected change Chapter 8 - Ch 8 : Unexpected change Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Neuvillette sitting at the desk, feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand... Su Yuan knew that he might have died once again... He slowly raised his left hand and looked at the engraving in the center of his palm... [Be careful! You''ve died again!] [Neuvillette has also been corrupted by the Eerie!] [After gaining Neuvillette''s trust, pay attention to the weather!] [Once you sense rain coming, don''t hesitate, don''t look back, run quickly!] [Seeing this means you''ve died again!] [You did well up until now, but when escaping, don''t take the stairs!] [Don''t attempt to fight Neuvillette head-on!] [Right now, you have no chance of winning!] [Also, the Eerie seem to intentionally hide their identity in front of others!] [But don''t push them too hard, or they''ll go all out and slaughter without hesitation!] Looking at these words, Su Yuan found it hard to imagine what kind of cruel experience he had gone through the last time... When the timeline reset, he didn''t have any memory of it¡ªwas that a good thing... or a bad thing... ( Skipping scene ) "Alright, I believe you." After hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Neuvillette nodded slightly. Su Yuan nervously observed the weather outside the window, but at the same time, he thought of another method... The reason the weather in Fontaine suddenly turned rainy was because the Hydro Dragon Sovereign, Neuvillette, was crying... The reason Neuvillette was crying was likely because, in order to gain his trust, Su Yuan had mentioned his past sorrow... So, as long as Neuvillette stopped being sad, he wouldn''t cry, Fontaine wouldn''t suddenly experience rain, the weather would remain clear, and Neuvillette wouldn''t be influenced by the Eerie. This meant Su Yuan wouldn''t have to run away anymore, right? Su Yuan suddenly felt like a genius! By combining the words in his palm with reverse thinking, he had found a completely new path! "Neuvillette! Since you''ve decided to trust me, then listen to what I have to say!" "Now, think about happy things, and make sure not to cry!" "If it starts raining outside, and it''s no longer clear weather, then something bad will happen!" Although Neuvillette didn''t understand why Su Yuan said this, he nodded and spoke, "Alright." Su Yuan keenly observed that the traces of dark clouds gathering outside the window had completely dissipated in that instant... As expected of Neuvillette, his control over his emotions was effortless! "Neuvillette, well done!" Su Yuan gave Neuvillette a thumbs-up. "Simply put, you''ve also been tainted by that strange force. Once the weather isn''t clear, they might take advantage of the opportunity and get to you!" "I see..." Neuvillette nodded. "No wonder on some rainy days before, I felt like I had lost a portion of my memory, completely forgetting what happened during that time..." "At first, I thought it was just due to exhaustion. But as the highest species of Teyvat, a dragon, my body shouldn''t be this fragile. Now it seems, I was actually affected by that strange and evil force..." "Mm." Su Yuan spoke, "So, even if it''s for yourself, for Fufu, for Fontaine, and for all of Teyvat, try to stay in a good mood!" "Fu... Fufu? Are you referring to Lady Furina?" Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan with a calm expression. "That''s quite an affectionate way of addressing her." "Haha... hahahaha..." Su Yuan laughed awkwardly, realizing he had said it out of habit... "So, Su Yuan, what exactly happened between you and Lady Furina last night?" Neuvillette asked. Su Yuan really wanted to complain about the way Neuvillette phrased that question¡ªit had a bit of a double meaning, and could easily be misinterpreted! "From what I know, the Eerie, while affecting both you and Furina, have specific conditions..." "For example, you, as long as the weather isn''t clear, you''ll be possessed and controlled by the Eerie..." "And Furina, she won''t be controlled by the Eerie during the day..." "As for the conditions under which the Eerie control Furina, it''s likely to be after the sun sets and during the night..." "However, I''ve had many experiences watching performances with Lady Furina in the opera house at night, and during those times, she didn''t seem abnormal to me..." Neuvillette pondered. "So it''s just a possibility!" Su Yuan explained. "The specific conditions under which the Eerie control Furina are not completely clear to me yet." "Also, the Eerie seem to be capable of disguising themselves. They don''t seem to want to expose themselves in front of others. Can you guarantee that the Furina you saw was truly Furina, and not a disguise by the Eerie?" "Although the Eerie won''t easily expose themselves in front of others, from what I know, once they''re pushed too far, they''ll resort to anything, even indiscriminately starting a massacre..." "So, Su Yuan, how can we eradicate the Eerie from our bodies?" Neuvillette furrowed his brow, clearly finding the current situation a bit troublesome. The Eerie, unlike elemental power and the Abyss, represented an entirely new power system... "This is also the part that troubles me. From what I know about Eerie elsewhere, many of them exist independently of individuals. As long as we destroy them completely, there shouldn''t be any major issues..." "But the Eerie in Teyvat now seem to have a kind of symbiotic relationship with you..." "You''re completely unaware of their presence, but when they act up, they can directly control you, turning you into terrifying monsters..." Su Yuan continued and told Neuvillette about the terrifying scene he witnessed with Furina last night, as well as the experience of being fed bugs. Neuvillette frowned slightly after hearing this and said, "Su Yuan, you shouldn''t tell Furina about the anomaly tainting her..." "Although she''s technically the God of this country, in some ways, she''s still like a child..." "You can bear these cruel and terrifying facts, but she might not be able to..." "I understand, I understand! I won''t tell Furina! Don''t worry, Neuvillette!" Su Yuan nodded and responded with certainty. Neuvillette, the ''old father,'' really was so worried about Furina. "Neuvillette, honestly, we still know so little about the Eerie, but I believe that one day, we will defeat them!" Su Yuan said. "Mm." Neuvillette nodded. "I told you, I believe you." "What you believe in is what I believe in." Su Yuan felt warmth in his heart. As expected of Neuvillette, he truly made people feel at ease! Su Yuan couldn''t help but think of a certain guest from Liyue, who was also someone who made others feel secure. He wondered if he was being affected by the Eerie now, and how his situation was. Just as Su Yuan was about to continue discussing something with Neuvillette, he suddenly heard Neuvillette''s slightly anxious voice: "Su Yuan... run!" Before Su Yuan could react, he saw the dark clouds gathering outside the window, as if it was about to rain... Su Yuan froze. What was happening? Didn''t he already tell Neuvillette not to cry anymore? --------------- Exclusive access : 30ch on paetron sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 9: Ch 9 : Methods of hiding Chapter 9 - Ch 9 : Methods of hiding "Su Yuan! Why are you still standing there? Run!!!" Neuvillette nearly shouted these words, instantly snapping Su Yuan out of his daze! The next moment, Su Yuan ran towards the office door without looking back! Drip... drip... drip... Raindrops fell on the roof tiles of the Palais Mermonia, making a crisp sound... "Neuvillette" slowly stood up, his head tilted at a ninety-degree angle, showing an eerie smile... "Mortal... where do you think you''re going? Hehehe..." Su Yuan dared not look back, running forward desperately. Suddenly, he saw a staircase going down ahead, but he remembered the warning in his palm¡ªnever take the stairs... This path was a dead end! Su Yuan immediately turned around and ran in another direction... Indeed, the game was just a game. The real Palais Mermonia in this world was far larger than the one in the game, and Su Yuan couldn''t find his way at all... Thud! Thud! Thud! Su Yuan couldn''t tell if it was just his nerves playing tricks on him, but he seemed to hear heavy footsteps¡ªthose were definitely Neuvillette''s, and they were getting closer! But... he wasn''t familiar with the Palais Mermonia at all. Running blindly inside was like being a turtle caught in a jar! He had to get to an open area! But if the stairs were off-limits, where was the elevator? Su Yuan grew more anxious, feeling that Neuvillette was getting closer and closer... "Damn it! I have no choice!" Su Yuan spotted a window nearby, immediately opened it, and climbed through... This is my escape route, Neuvillette!!! However, Su Yuan overestimated his balance and the grip of his shoes... Since it was raining outside, the tiles on the Palais Mermonia roof were quite slippery. Su Yuan wasn''t careful, and he slipped, rolling down the roof with a loud thud... As Su Yuan rolled, he felt the world spinning around him, his head dizzy and his vision blurred. Soon, he was no longer rolling but falling rapidly, feeling a sense of weightlessness. He thought to himself, "Am I really going to die like this?" However, Su Yuan was lucky. Below him, there were some shrubs used for decoration outside the Palais Mermonia, which provided a substantial amount of cushioning. Though Su Yuan crashed painfully into the ground, his body bruised and scratched in several places, his bones were intact, and he didn''t appear to be seriously injured. Gasping for breath, Su Yuan thought to himself, "Am I really the chosen one?" No matter what, what Su Yuan needed to do now was to quickly hide and avoid being discovered by "Neuvillette." "Hey! Guard team! Shadow Court! Hurry over here! Someone just fell from the top of Palais Mermonia!" Hearing this shout, Su Yuan''s body trembled in fear. "Don''t expose my location to ''Neuvillette''!" Not taking a moment to ease his pain, Su Yuan knew he couldn''t just sit there and wait for his fate. He had no choice but to get up and keep running. "Hmm? Why is this person running on his own? Why won''t he accept our help and treatment? Could he be from a Treasure Hoarder group, trying to rob Palais Mermonia?" "In that case, we definitely need the guard team and Shadow Court to come check it out!" "Guard team! Shadow Court! Hurry up! There''s a thief trying to escape!" Su Yuan felt like crying, wanting to explain but not daring to stop. Who knows where "Neuvillette" might appear... And so, many of the people of Fontaine witnessed this scene: A figure was running frantically in the rain, with many of the guard team''s automated units and the Shadow Court''s Melusine chasing after him, turning the Fontaine city district into a dramatic chase scene... Su Yuan didn''t realize that pushing himself could unleash so much potential... Back during the university physical exam, running a thousand meters left him exhausted like a dead pig or dog... If I had this kind of speed now, wouldn''t it be easy to get a perfect score! Before the rain stopped, Su Yuan had to keep running. Being caught by the guard team or the Shadow Court would be bad enough, but being caught by "Neuvillette" would mean the end! Su Yuan kept running, continuously praying in his heart for the rain to stop as soon as possible! However, when he reached a corner, a hand suddenly reached out from an alley and pulled him inside... "Bro, you look pretty new! Which branch of the Treasure Hoarder group are you from?" A person wearing a mask said to Su Yuan in the alley. "Your speed is even faster than our branch''s speedy Viss!" Su Yuan was panting heavily. What was going on? Did he think he was part of a Treasure Hoarder group? "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Aji, and I''m with the Fontaine Beryl Region branch of the Teyvat Treasure Hoarder Group!" "Bro, you''re really bold! The laws of Fontaine are strict, and the security forces are very strong. How dare you stir up so many members of the guard team and the Shadow Court in Fontaine''s city district..." "Don''t worry, I''m the best at hiding. Just follow my lead, and I''ll make sure we shake off this group of people!" Su Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, thank you..." Although he was misunderstood as a member of the Treasure Hoarder group, if this person could help him escape from the pursuers and get away from Neuvillette, that would be great! However, he had to clarify that this wasn''t an endorsement of the Treasure Hoarder group, nor was it an alliance with them, but rather a strategic collaboration for emergency evasion! "Heh, haha... That''s great... Finally, someone is willing to let me help them hide..." "Aji" suddenly laughed, and his laughter was high-pitched, giving Su Yuan a sense of foreboding... The next moment, to Su Yuan''s horror, "Aji''s" eye sockets began to sink in, and red liquid began to flow out... Every one of his fingers turned into sharp blades... His nose was no longer a nose but a long, sharp needle-like tube, like a mosquito''s stinger... "Aji" removed his mask and licked the sharp blade on his fingers with his long tongue... "Do you know?" "The people I helped hide..." "None of them have been found yet!" "So, with my guidance and help, you will definitely not be discovered by the Guard or the Shadow Court!" "I will drain all the blood from your body and inject it into the sewers of Fontaine because your blood is tainted..." "I will gouge out your eyeballs and place them on the highest tree at the peak of Mont Esus in Fontaine, so you can enjoy the sunrise and sunset before anyone else..." "I will bury your heart in the soft soil of Poisson Village, hoping that one day it will take root and sprout..." "I will throw your liver and lungs into the deepest part of the Elton Trench in Fontaine, so the fish can enjoy your delicious flesh..." "I will pickle and air-dry your limbs to turn them into fragrant hams, offering them to the Oceanid of the Fountain of Lucine..." "I will turn your brain into a delicious almond tofu and send it to the cute animals on the Autumn Mont Automnequi for them to taste..." "Every part of your body could end up in every corner of Fontaine, whether it''s day or night, the earth or the sea..." Su Yuan looked at the strange and terrifying scene and realized that this "Aji" was probably also corrupted by something eerie... Right now, he was nothing more than a mad, perverted serial killer who dismembered people! Without the slightest hesitation, Su Yuan turned and ran... But the next moment, all he heard was the sound of a blade slicing through flesh, and Su Yuan felt a chill in his feet, instantly losing his balance! "Ah!!!" Su Yuan cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. His feet were severed at the ankles, and blood poured out... "Why did you run..." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Didn''t we agree..." "Let me help you hide..." --------------- Exclusive access : 33ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 10: Ch 10 : Chevreuse’s confusion Chapter 10 - Ch 10 : Chevreuse''s confusion Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, once again feeling that strange and unsettling familiar sensation... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan guessed that he had died again... [Unfortunately, seeing this means you''ve died again.] [Hurry up and run! If you drag it out until dawn, you''ll win!] [But, if you encounter someone who claims to be Aji along the way...] [Don''t ever agree to let him help you hide!] Looking at the increasingly messy writing in the palm of his left hand, and feeling the soreness in his whole body, Su Yuan hurriedly stood up from the bushes... That''s right, he had just escaped from the window of Palais Mermonia to avoid "Neuvillette" but had accidentally fallen down... This place was probably the new checkpoint... But Su Yuan still couldn''t understand. He had clearly told Neuvillette not to cry, so why did he still end up crying, causing the weather in Fontaine to start raining... Could it be that he had overestimated Neuvillette''s self-control? "Shadow Court! Guard Corps! It looks like someone just fell from the top of the Palais Mermonia! Hurry over and check it out!" However, the sound of someone shouting interrupted Su Yuan''s thoughts. He knew he couldn''t stay here any longer¡ªhe had to run! "Guard Corps! Shadow Court! Come quickly! There''s a Treasure Hoarder trying to escape!!!" The result was the same as last time¡ªSu Yuan sprinted through the streets of Fontaine, with the Shadow Court and the Guard Corps chasing closely behind... It all seemed like the hand of fate was guiding him, as if everything was predestined... Just like before, Su Yuan fled to that same street corner, and just like before, a hand reached out from a narrow alley and pulled him inside... "Brother, you''re pretty bold, huh? Daring to stir up so much trouble in the heart of Fontaine..." Gasping for breath, Su Yuan saw a masked man speaking. "But you look kinda unfamiliar. Which branch of the Treasure Hoarders are you from?" "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Aji, and I''m from the Fontaine Beryl Region branch of the Teyvat Treasure Hoarders..." "I''m a master of stealth in our branch, and even among all of Fontaine''s Treasure Hoarders, my skills are top-tier..." "Want me to help you hide? It''ll be easy to shake off those guards and the Shadow Court." Su Yuan warily eyed the Treasure Hoarder in front of him... He just introduced himself, didn''t he? That''s right! He said his name was Aji... According to the hint in his palm, he absolutely must not accept Aji''s offer to help him hide! Who knows what strange things might happen? "No need, thanks. I prefer pushing my limits..." Su Yuan waved his hand to decline and turned to dash out of the alley. "Ah... Why would you refuse me..." Aji muttered sadly, raising a hand as if to stop Su Yuan, but Su Yuan paid him no attention. However, just as Su Yuan stepped out of the alley¡ª Bang! A gunshot rang out, and a bullet struck the ground right in front of his foot with pinpoint accuracy. Su Yuan looked up and saw someone positioned high above¡ªa woman wearing a tall hat, with purple hair. Though an eyepatch covered one of her eyes, it couldn''t hide her sharp, piercing gaze. She was holding a smoking flintlock pistol, its barrel still aimed at him... Crap! Su Yuan felt like crying... Why did it have to be her?! Fontaine''s Special Patrol Captain¡ªChevreuse! "Captain Chevreuse!" The guards and Shadow Court members who had been chasing Su Yuan finally caught up, their faces filled with surprise. "Oh my god! Even Captain Chevreuse of the Special Patrol has personally stepped in¡ªjust what kind of heinous crime did this person commit?!" The bystanders watching from nearby houses gasped in shock. Every Fontaine citizen knew that if Captain Chevreuse or the Special Patrol appeared, it meant that a serious crime was underway¡ªperhaps a violent criminal resisting arrest or a ruthless offender taking hostages... "Look! There''s someone crying in that alley!" A sharp-eyed onlooker pointed out that inside the alley, Aji was sobbing uncontrollably, tears and snot running down his face, looking as if he had suffered an unimaginable grievance. "This villain must have threatened, coerced, or even harmed him!" Su Yuan was speechless. Dude, I just rejected your offer. Is there really a need to cry this hard? You''re making it way too easy for people to misunderstand! And besides, aren''t you a member of the Treasure Hoarders? How do you have such a fragile mindset? How do you even survive in your line of work?! Every Fontaine citizen knew that when Captain Chevreuse showed up, the criminal had no chance of escaping the law! With a swift and agile movement, Chevreuse leaped down from her high vantage point, landing gracefully right in front of Su Yuan... "This is a direct order from Lord Neuvillette himself..." Chevreuse''s single visible eye stared coldly at Su Yuan as she spoke indifferently. "Su Yuan... You are charged with... attempting to assassinate Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon." "Su Yuan, you are under arrest." "Though I would very much like to put a bullet through your skull right here, the Special Patrol exists only to uphold justice." "True justice can only be determined by the Tribunal." "But before that, you''re coming with me. Lord Neuvillette wants to see you." "Chevreuse... Please, listen to me..." Su Yuan pleaded desperately. "If you want to explain, do it before Lord Neuvillette and the Tribunal. My only duty is to bring you in." Chevreuse''s voice was cold and unyielding, leaving no room for argument. Su Yuan felt a wave of regret wash over him. Damn it... I should have seen this coming. The one I needed to be wary of was never just ''Neuvillette'' alone... Now that ''Neuvillette'' was under the control of the eerie entity, he didn''t even need to act personally. He could simply command Fontaine''s forces to hunt Su Yuan down at every turn... ......... "Lord Neuvillette, the suspect Su Yuan has been apprehended," Chevreuse reported as she brought in Su Yuan, who was tightly bound. "Good work, Chevreuse. You''ve done well," ''Neuvillette'' nodded and spoke calmly. "You may step outside for now. There are some things I wish to discuss with Su Yuan in private..." Chevreuse narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at ''Neuvillette.'' Something about him felt... off. From the moment he personally sought her out to issue this order... to now, wanting to speak with the suspect in private before a formal trial... none of this seemed like something Neuvillette would normally do. In her impression, Neuvillette was a rigid man, one who adhered strictly to procedure, following every step by the book. If he wanted to mobilize her and the Special Patrol, there would typically be official documentation and approvals. And meeting with a suspect before trial, in private no less, was... irregular. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although Chevreuse was filled with doubt, she still followed ''Neuvillette''s'' order and stepped out, closing the door behind her. With the door shut, only ''Neuvillette'' and Su Yuan remained in the room... No, to be precise, it was not a person and a person, but an anomaly and a person. ''Neuvillette'' revealed a sinister smile as he looked at Su Yuan and spoke: "Mortal? Run? Why aren''t you running now?" He walked up to Su Yuan, lifting his chin with a single finger. His pitch-black, blood-drenched eyes locked onto Su Yuan''s. "I didn''t even have to act personally, and yet, here you are, right back in front of me." "Mortal! Your actions have angered me..." "So, prepare to face my wrath!" --------------- Exclusive access : 33ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 11: Ch 11 : The sky has cleared Chapter 11 - Ch 11 : The sky has cleared After Chevreuse left Neuvillette''s office, she took the elevator down to the first floor of Palais Mermonia. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw Furina approaching quickly. "Lady Furina, what a coincidence..." Chevreuse spoke up. "Are you alright? That criminal named Su Yuan¡ªdid he cause you any harm?" "Chevreuse, what a coincidence¡ªI was just about to look for you and Neuvillette to talk about this!" Furina''s expression seemed both anxious and confused. "What on earth is going on? Su Yuan was nothing more than a pervert who trespassed into my room. He had no intention of assassinating me, nor did he do me any harm..." "What is Neuvillette even thinking?" "A pervert and an assassin¡ªwhen it comes to trial and sentencing, they''re on completely different levels!" "Lady Furina, I think perhaps Lord Neuvillette wanted to vent your frustration for you and heavily punish that man named Su Yuan. That might be why he deliberately said that," Chevreuse said, narrowing her eyes at Furina with a thoughtful and meaningful expression. "Chevreuse, what are you even saying? How could that be possible? Everyone in Fontaine knows that Neuvillette is the most impartial, selfless, kind, and just person. Even if we are close, even if it were for my sake, he wouldn''t deliberately target Su Yuan!" From Furina''s eyes, Chevreuse saw the same confusion that she herself felt... "Lady Furina, since you think so too, then let''s go up together and ask Lord Neuvillette in person." ....... "Oh? So that''s how it is? Chevreuse, you also think Neuvillette is acting a bit strange?" As Furina and Chevreuse made their way to Neuvillette''s office, Furina spoke up. "Yes, Lady Furina." Chevreuse nodded. "After all, you know how it is¡ªour Special Patrol Squad has no standardized uniforms, no unified equipment. We''ve always been rather unconventional..." "So at first, I thought this was just my own unique perspective." "But now that you feel the same way, Lady Furina, I know my suspicions weren''t just a coincidence." Neuvillette''s office was just ahead, not far now. But suddenly, Chevreuse came to an abrupt stop and swiftly blocked Furina with her arm. "Lady Furina! Stop! Don''t go any further!" Chevreuse shouted. "What''s going on? Neuvillette''s office is right there¡ªjust a few more steps and we''ll be there. Why are we stopping?" Furina looked at Chevreuse in confusion¡ªonly to see a scene that left her utterly shocked... The ever-composed and calm Chevreuse now wore an expression of deep seriousness and panic. Beads of sweat, large as pearls, formed on her forehead, rolling down her face and dripping from her chin onto the ground. This was something Furina had never heard of, let alone witnessed before. A chill ran down her spine as a sense of fear crept into her heart. "Che... Chevreuse... what on earth is going on...?" "Lady Furina, for your own safety, please leave this place immediately," Chevreuse''s voice was trembling now. "Then, call for the immediate deployment of the Fontaine Guard, the Marechaussee Phantom, and the Special Patrol Squad¡ªget every available combat force here at once..." "We might have to fight Lord Neuvillette..." Fight Neuvillette? Furina had no idea why Chevreuse would say such a thing, but seeing the sheer gravity in her expression, she didn''t dare hesitate. She turned to leave at once. "Understood... Chevreuse, I''ll call for reinforcements right now. Be careful..." "And the rest of you¡ªget out of here!" Chevreuse shouted at the office workers still present. "If you can''t fight, don''t stay here and drag us down!" In no time, the entire floor was empty¡ªonly Chevreuse remained. She turned to look at the doors of Neuvillette''s office, but her body continued to tremble uncontrollably... As the captain of Fontaine''s Special Patrol Squad, Chevreuse had spent years dealing with the most dangerous and ruthless criminals. Over time, she had developed a certain sensitivity to detecting malice in others... And now, from inside Neuvillette''s office, she could feel a kind of malice unlike anything she had ever encountered before¡ªan overwhelming, unfathomable darkness, a terror so immense it made her blood run cold. There was no one else in that office except Neuvillette... No one else could possibly emanate such an overpowering aura of malice. "Tch..." Chevreuse had planned to wait for reinforcements before taking action. But then, she suddenly remembered¡ªbesides Neuvillette, there was someone else inside that office. Su Yuan. Right now, Su Yuan was surely enduring inhuman torment. As the captain of Fontaine''s Special Patrol Squad, she had a duty to save him¡ª Even if it meant becoming Neuvillette''s enemy! In the next moment, Chevreuse grabbed the firearm-lance on her back. Fire elemental energy surged through her hands and into the weapon''s barrel. She aimed at the doors of Neuvillette''s office and fired¡ª Blast Grenade¡ªCircular Barrage Detonation! With a deafening explosion, the doors of Neuvillette''s office were blown open. As the smoke cleared, Chevreuse finally saw the scene inside the office¡ª "Neuvillette" was gripping Su Yuan by the throat, holding him high in the air. And Su Yuan... had already been dismembered¡ªboth his arms and legs severed, leaving him as nothing more than a human stump. Blood was still trickling relentlessly from the wounds... Seeing this, Chevreuse clenched her teeth, her entire body trembling with fury. She raised her firearm-lance once more and aimed straight at "Neuvillette''s" head. "Neuvillette! Tell me¡ªwhy?! Is this your so-called justice and fairness?!" In the next instant, fire elemental energy reached full charge¡ªChevreuse fired an overcharged round, launching a rapid point-blank interception shot straight at him! "Oh... a mere mortal. It seems we have an uninvited guest." "Neuvillette" turned to look at Su Yuan, then at the speeding bullet hurtling toward him. Tilting his head, he let out a low, eerie chuckle. "In that case... let me deal with the one who dares to interfere first." "Then... we can continue our little game." With that, "Neuvillette" loosened his grip, letting Su Yuan fall to the ground. His body instantly dissolved into a shadow, streaking toward Chevreuse at an unimaginable speed! As a top-tier firearm-lancer, Chevreuse had honed her dynamic vision to an exceptional level. Yet, at this very moment¡ª She couldn''t see him at all. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A single, overwhelming thought took hold in her mind: She was going to die. She had encountered this feeling before, on rare occasions, when dealing with the most vicious criminals. But never¡ªnever this intensely. If in the past, her chances of death had been 3%, maybe 5% at most... Then now, at this very moment¡ª It was infinitely close to 100%. "No!!!" Su Yuan used every ounce of his strength to let out a desperate scream. This scene¡ªthis horrifying scene¡ªfelt eerily familiar. Someone rushing in to save him, only to be brutally slaughtered by the unknown. And he, powerless to stop it. Powerless to change anything... "Father..." Chevreuse had thought those would be the last words she would ever utter in this life. But¡ª "Neuvillette''s" hand had stopped. Just millimeters from her forehead. Chevreuse swallowed hard. Then, an earsplitting sonic boom erupted through the air, accompanied by a violent gust of wind. The sheer force blasted her hat off, sending it flying. The straps of her eyepatch snapped, and the eyepatch itself drifted to the floor... Lying motionless on the ground, Su Yuan suddenly felt something¡ª Warmth. Sunlight. It streamed through the window, gently casting its glow upon him. The sky... had cleared. Su Yuan''s head lolled to the side¡ª And he lost consciousness. --------------- Exclusive access : 36ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 12: Ch 12 : Neuvillette’s Apology Chapter 12 - Ch 12 : Neuvillette''s Apology "Who would have thought that the famous Lord Neuvillette would also have moments where he deliberately hurts others?" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now I''m really curious. If you were exiled to Meropide Fortress, wouldn''t that mean you''d be under my jurisdiction? That would make me your superior, wouldn''t it?" "From a legal and procedural standpoint, that is indeed the case." "I never expected such a day to come. I''m really looking forward to it..." "Duke, please say a few words less. Can''t you see that Lord Neuvillette is feeling very down?" "Besides, if you keep chattering like this, it will interfere with my treatment." "Head Nurse Sigewinne, don''t look at me, don''t count on me. One of them is Fontaine''s Chief Justice, and the other is the ruler of Meropide Fortress, while I''m just an ordinary Fontaine Special Security Team Captain..." "When these two big shots are talking, I don''t have a place to interrupt..." In a daze, Su Yuan could hear voices conversing around him... His head felt dizzy, and his entire body ached all over, with no place free from pain... His eyelids felt as if they were glued shut. Su Yuan tried hard to open his eyes, attempting several times, but failed every time... "Just now, did Su Yuan''s eyelids and eyeballs move a little?" "Yes, this means the treatment is working. His condition is improving..." "As expected of my most trusted Head Nurse Sigewinne! Your medical skills are nothing short of miraculous!" "Thank you, Sigewinne." "It''s nothing, Lord Neuvillette. This is simply my duty. Saving lives and healing the wounded is our calling, after all." Gradually, Su Yuan felt his body recovering somewhat. Slowly, he opened his eyes. "He opened them! Su Yuan is awake!" "Thank goodness, this is truly a blessing amidst misfortune..." Su Yuan looked around and saw Sigewinne, then Wriothesley, then Neuvillette, and finally, Chevreuse... "Chevreuse, you''re okay... that''s such a relief..." Su Yuan said weakly. "Mm, I''m fine," Chevreuse nodded. "But you, on the other hand, are seriously injured and need proper rest." "Su Yuan, I am sorry. I offer you my sincere apology..." Neuvillette lowered his head slightly, speaking with genuine remorse. "It''s alright, Neuvillette. I understand... This isn''t your fault. This is all because of..." Su Yuan started speaking, but just as he was about to say the word ''Eerie,'' he forcefully swallowed it back down... There were simply too many people here. The existence of Eerie was something best kept to as few people as possible¡ªotherwise, it could cause unnecessary panic and chaos... Neuvillette quickly understood Su Yuan''s intent and turned to Sigewinne. "Sigewinne, could you step out for a moment? There are some matters we need to discuss." "Of course, Lord Neuvillette. Su Yuan''s condition has stabilized, and there''s no immediate danger to his life. I''ll step out for now. Call me anytime if you need me." Sigewinne nodded, gave a few final instructions, and then left the room. "Neuvillette, you''re still as considerate toward Melusines as ever, huh..." Wriothesley waved his hand with an innocent expression. "But what about me? Aren''t you going to ask me to leave as well?" "I have a feeling... that whatever you''re about to discuss is something very dangerous... And once I know about it, there''ll be no turning back for me..." "Wriothesley, we need your strength," Neuvillette said calmly. "Are you... begging me?" Neuvillette: ... Ignoring Wriothesley, Neuvillette continued, "Su Yuan, as a condition for keeping this secret, Chevreuse has also requested to know the truth and join us..." Chevreuse nodded in agreement. "Since Su Yuan is injured and unable to speak easily, I will recount what he previously told me." With that, Neuvillette began explaining the existence of Eerie and some of the detailed rules to everyone in the room... ........ "So, the me that Chevreuse saw at that time... wasn''t actually me, but rather me under the control of an Eerie..." "Fortunately, at the last moment, the sky cleared, and the Eerie temporarily vanished. I was able to stop myself just in time¡ªotherwise, I would have had even more guilt weighing on me..." "To be honest, Lord Neuvillette, one second you were trying to kill me, and the next, you suddenly apologized and asked me to stop the others from coming upstairs. I was completely stunned and had no idea what was going on..." Chevreuse spoke up, "If it weren''t for that overwhelming and malevolent aura suddenly disappearing without a trace, I would have found it very difficult to believe you under those circumstances..." "The others were easier to handle, but Lady Furina... She was absolutely insistent on going upstairs to see what was happening. I had no choice but to use some... special measures. I knocked her out and sent her back to her suite." "I just hope that when Lady Furina wakes up, she won''t hold me accountable for it..." "This really is quite the troublesome situation..." After listening to the full story, Wriothesley nodded. "Neuvillette, I can help you¡ªbut you''ll owe me a favor." "Alright," Neuvillette nodded. "Good. Now, let me tell you how you can repay that favor," Wriothesley continued. "I don''t like owing people favors, and I don''t like others owing me either." "Get me some top-quality tea from Qingce Village, and we''ll call it even. How about that?" "So whenever you cry, it rains in Fontaine. You really are..." Wriothesley stroked his chin and looked at Neuvillette with an expression of I knew it all along... Su Yuan wasn''t surprised by Wriothesley''s reaction. After all, in the later parts of the original game''s storyline, it was already hinted that Wriothesley had more or less figured out Neuvillette''s true identity... "Lord Neuvillette crying causes rain in Fontaine?" Chevreuse, on the other hand, suddenly showed an expression of utter shock, completely losing her usual calm and rational demeanor... "Could it be... Lord Neuvillette is the Hydro Dragon Sovereign???" --------------- Exclusive access : 36ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 13: Ch 13 : The Frightful Night at Meropide Fortress Chapter 13 - Ch 13 : The Frightful Night at Meropide Fortress "Neuvillette, no wonder... There was that one time when you called me up for a discussion. I ran into you outside Palais Mermonia, and I saw you standing by the roadside... getting drenched in the rain." "I walked over and held an umbrella for you. You thanked me politely, but your expression seemed... a little off." "Now that I think about it, I must have interrupted you while you were absorbing Hydro energy..." Wriothesley had a look of sudden realization. "In a sense, yes," Neuvillette added. "But I do recall that moment. At that time, I was not yet tainted by the Eerie." "Based on what Su Yuan and I have deduced, these Eerie only began appearing in Teyvat recently. And anyone can be affected by them... including all of you." "Even someone as powerful as Lord Neuvillette couldn''t escape being corrupted by an Eerie..." Chevreuse had finally recovered from her initial shock at Neuvillette''s true identity. "Then what about Lady Furina? Could she have been affected as well?" "That..." Neuvillette hesitated, as if unsure whether he should speak further... When he had explained the Eerie earlier, he had deliberately left out any mention of Furina... "Neuvillette, I''m feeling a bit better now, so let me speak instead." Lying on the hospital bed, Su Yuan could see the hesitation in Neuvillette''s expression. "We''ve already become a united front against the Eerie¡ªthere should be no secrets among us." "Alright." Neuvillette nodded and looked at Wriothesley and Chevreuse. "I hope that after hearing what Su Yuan has to say, you will not tell Furina about this..." "Dealing with something as dangerous as these Eerie should be left to people like us." "Hmm~~ Alright, alright, no problem at all. Our dear Lord Neuvillette is truly stern on the outside but soft-hearted within..." Wriothesley sighed. "I agree as well," Chevreuse nodded. Then, Su Yuan briefly recounted what had happened between him and "Furina" the previous night... "In any case, this is all the information we have so far. Let me emphasize one more time..." "As soon as it rains... No, to be precise, as long as the weather is anything but clear skies, Neuvillette will be under the control of the Eerie." "We must keep a close eye on Fontaine''s weather forecasts and monitor any changes in the weather." "I will remain vigilant," Neuvillette stated. "If I notice any abnormal weather conditions, I will immediately move to a secluded area to avoid harming others." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Also, there''s no need to worry about Furina during the daytime. She won''t be affected or controlled by the Eerie then... But once night falls, we must be cautious, as the exact conditions for Furina''s corruption remain unclear." "As for me, I absolutely cannot appear in Furina''s line of sight after sunset. Otherwise, I must return to her bed before she does and remain there until sunrise the next day¡ªI cannot leave before then." "That''s easy to handle. You''ll stay here in Meropide Fortress and focus on recovering. I''ll instruct my subordinates that if Lady Furina wants to enter the fortress at night, we''ll refuse her entry under the pretense of ongoing renovations and construction," Wriothesley said. "When I return to Palais Mermonia, I will also keep a close watch on her nighttime activities," Neuvillette added. Su Yuan nodded and continued, "Lastly, every night that passes, I gain new information or rules regarding the Eerie through certain means. This will undoubtedly help us understand them better and ultimately overcome them..." "Su Yuan, we''re lucky to have you. Otherwise, faced with these unknown Eerie, we''d be completely lost." Chevreuse sighed. "You truly are the hero from beyond this world, here to save Teyvat!" "You''re giving me too much credit. We haven''t even completely defeated the Eerie yet¡ªhow could I be considered a hero? Besides, without your help, my strength alone would be far too limited," Su Yuan said with a somewhat embarrassed smile. In the end, Su Yuan remained cautious and refrained from revealing his potential ability to rewind time. After all, this was his final trump card. The information they had so far was still too limited. Although it seemed that those who had undergone Eerie corruption exhibited behaviors that drastically differed from their original selves, that didn''t necessarily apply to all Eerie... Perhaps some Eerie were simply exceptionally good at disguising themselves, making it impossible to discern any difference from their external appearance alone. This was especially concerning when it came to Wriothesley and Chevreuse. While they were currently discussing strategies to combat the Eerie with him, there was no way to be certain whether they had already been corrupted¡ªor what conditions might trigger their corruption. If they were already under the control of the Eerie but were merely pretending to be unaffected, then revealing his ability to rewind time would be a grave mistake. The Eerie would never outright kill him, nor would they allow him the chance to take his own life. In that case, his ability would be rendered completely useless, and their battle against the Eerie would be lost before it even began... Everything would have to wait until he safely made it through the night. Only after gathering more clues and information could he plan the next steps more effectively. "Well then, Su Yuan, Chevreuse and I will head back to the Court of Fontaine now," Neuvillette said, bidding farewell as he prepared to leave. "After everything that has happened, we must provide an explanation to Furina and the people of Fontaine." "Just focus on recovering here. When I have the time, I''ll visit you again with Lord Neuvillette," Chevreuse added. "Su Yuan, I''ll walk them out. If you need anything, just press the call button by your bed¡ªSigewinne will come right away," Wriothesley said. But then he quickly realized something. "Oh...,I forgot you can''t move around much right now. In that case, just call out loudly. Sigewinne has sharp ears. Besides, she would never ignore a patient in need." After they left, the hospital room fell silent, with only Su Yuan remaining. His injuries were still severe. Having forced himself to speak so much just now, he was now feeling utterly exhausted... Forget it. There''s no point in thinking too much for now. I should just rest and get some sleep... And with that thought, Su Yuan drifted into slumber. .............. "Su Yuan? Su Yuan?" Half-asleep, Su Yuan felt someone gently touching him and calling his name. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Sigewinne standing by his bedside, holding a small tray. On it was a cute bento box decorated with a heart-shaped design and a transparent glass container with a straw, filled with a milky-white liquid. "Su Yuan, it''s already nighttime. It''s time for dinner." "The Duke specifically instructed me to take good care of you." "You haven''t eaten in a long time, so I specially prepared a nutritious meal for you," Sigewinne said with a sweet and adorable smile. "You need to eat well and regain your strength to recover faster!" Su Yuan took a moment to check his condition¡ªyes, he was indeed starving... It had been over ten hours since he arrived in this world, and he hadn''t eaten or drunk anything at all. "Thank you, Head Nurse Sigewinne," Su Yuan said, trying to sit up, only to realize he still lacked the strength. His arms felt weak, and he could barely lift them. "Su Yuan, since your limbs were just reattached not long ago, it''s normal that you can''t exert any strength." As Sigewinne spoke, she adjusted the backrest of the hospital bed, allowing Su Yuan to sit up. "It''s okay, I''ll feed you." Su Yuan was so touched that he almost shed tears. How could someone be this considerate...? No, this wasn''t just someone¡ªthis was the ever-kind and caring Melusine. "This is my special milkshake. Even The Duke praised it highly. Try some first to soothe your throat." As she spoke, Sigewinne brought the straw to Su Yuan''s lips. Without hesitation, he took a big sip¡ª "Pu¡ª! Pu¡ª!" But the next moment, Su Yuan spat out all the milkshake he had just taken in. "Su Yuan..." Sigewinne''s voice suddenly turned cold. "I carefully prepared this nutritious meal for you. Why did you spit it out...?" "I worked so hard to care for you, to look after you, and this is how you repay me...?" A shiver ran down Su Yuan''s spine. A deep sense of dread enveloped him as he slowly turned his head to look at "Sigewinne"... But before he could see clearly¡ª "Sigewinne" pulled the straw out of the container and viciously stabbed it into Su Yuan''s right eye! --------------- Exclusive access : 39ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 14: Ch 14 : One Person’s Freeze Chapter 14 - Ch 14 : One Person''s Freeze "Ah!!!" Su Yuan screamed in agony, then, enduring the searing pain in his right eye, forced himself to look at "Sigewinne" with his remaining eye... At this moment, "Sigewinne''s" eyes had turned into blood-red hollows, continuously oozing crimson liquid. Her mouth had grown sharp, jagged teeth, which were rubbing against each other up and down, back and forth... Su Yuan instantly understood¡ª"Sigewinne" had also been corrupted and controlled by the eerie presence! "Hahaha... Your eye looks pretty nice!" "Sigewinne" spoke in a terrifying voice, "Let me pluck it out and feed it to those who violated the ''hidden rules'' of the production zone..." "Eat what you lack¡ªan eye for an eye! I wonder which lucky fool, who overused their vision, will get to enjoy this delicacy?" "Hahahahaha..." As she spoke, "Sigewinne" gripped the straw tighter, preparing to completely blind Su Yuan''s right eye! "Ugh!!!" Su Yuan couldn''t hold back a pained, gut-wrenching scream... "Your screams are so annoying... Don''t you know that in a hospital ward, you''re supposed to stay quiet?" "Sigewinne" said with an angry expression... "You have two choices¡ªshould I cut out your tongue and vocal cords directly, or should I sew your mouth shut with medical sutures? Choose one yourself." Su Yuan suddenly remembered¡ªMelusines perceive the world differently from humans, with many fundamental differences. This also leads to their sense of aesthetics and understanding of things being completely out of sync with human standards... In the game''s storyline about Meropide Fortress, there was mention of the so-called "Hidden Rule"¡ªthose who worked continuously for three days would receive a strange extra meal at the special canteen. That meal... was made by Sigewinne! Su Yuan felt that he had a decent tolerance for such things. After all, back in Furina''s bed, he had managed to swallow those disgusting bugs... Honestly, this time, it was because he was physically and mentally exhausted that he didn''t think to prepare himself in advance. That''s what led to this situation... The food Sigewinne prepared might have tasted strange and been hard to stomach, but compared to those bugs, it was nothing¡ªcompletely insignificant in comparison... If he had anticipated this earlier and mentally prepared himself, he definitely wouldn''t have spit it out. Right now, his initial guess was that Sigewinne''s condition for becoming "eerie" was someone rejecting her carefully prepared meal right in front of her... "Su Yuan, why aren''t you saying anything? Answer me! My patience is running out!" "Sigewinne''s" speech grew faster and faster, clearly showing her growing impatience... "Sigewinne... No... I should say, the Eerie..." Su Yuan spoke slowly, trying to provoke "Sigewinne." sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just kill me. I will never submit to you!" It wasn''t that Su Yuan didn''t want to resist, but in his current state¡ªseverely injured and unable to move¡ªhe was completely at the mercy of the Eerie... "Kill you? No, no, no... I am a doctor, the head nurse of the Meropide Fortress infirmary..." "Sigewinne" shook her head. "I only save people¡ªI don''t kill them..." "Don''t worry, when you''re down to your last breath, I will definitely bring you back." Su Yuan immediately felt that things were taking a turn for the worse¡ªhis worst fear was coming true... If he couldn''t die, he wouldn''t be able to trigger his reset ability. That meant he would be trapped, endlessly enduring this torment... Wriothesley, where are you? Hurry up and save me... "Su Yuan... did you not hear what I just said?" "Hurry up and choose. My patience is running out..." "After all, my job keeps me so busy, with so many patients to take care of. I can''t possibly spend all my time and energy on just you, can I?" Sigewinne''s cold voice echoed once again... "It seems like your ears aren''t working anymore¡ªyou''re not listening to me at all. In that case, why don''t you just hand them over to me?" "The production zone has many large machines that produce quite a bit of noise..." "Many people seem to have developed hearing problems. To heal with likeness... your ears might make a nice supplement too." Su Yuan watched in horror as "Sigewinne" pulled out two surgical scalpels from who knows where. The smooth, reflective blades gleamed under the room''s light... With a swift motion, "Sigewinne" swung her hands, and with two sharp slicing sounds¡ªschlick, schlick¡ªSu Yuan suddenly lost all feeling in his ears... "Sigewinne" examined the severed ears in her hands and sighed admiringly. "Not bad... such beautiful ears. I wonder if they''ll enjoy the taste." "Wriothesley!!! Help me!!!" Su Yuan realized he could no longer sit idly by. He began to scream at the top of his lungs, calling for help. "Sigewinne" told him not to make a sound¡ªso Su Yuan deliberately did the opposite. If he made enough noise, maybe he could force her to kill him in a panic! "I told you to shut up! No shouting in the hospital ward!" "Sigewinne" was just about to take further action against Su Yuan when¡ª Boom! With a loud explosion, the door to the hospital ward was blasted open... Wriothesley''s figure appeared at the doorway, his gauntlets still emanating waves of cold air. "Su Yuan, you''re still alive, right?" Wriothesley asked. "Still alive. Won''t be dying just yet..." Su Yuan responded with difficulty. "Your Grace, we heard a loud explosion coming from the hospital ward. Is everything alright?" At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside. "It''s nothing," Wriothesley replied casually. "I just had a sudden urge to do some... renovations on the hospital door. No need to interfere." He gestured for the others to leave, ensuring no one else came in. Then, Wriothesley slowly stepped into the ward, his gaze landing on the grotesquely distorted "Sigewinne." A look of helplessness crossed his face. "I never expected that the first time I''d witness the existence of the eerie firsthand... it''d be my dear head nurse, Sigewinne." "Hahaha... Your Grace, I should really thank you for keeping those people out," "Sigewinne" burst into laughter, crimson liquid seeping from her eyes, mouth, and nose. The once adorable twin horns on her head had now transformed into sharp, demonic spikes. "Now, I can strike without holding back!" "Strike?" Wriothesley shook his head. "You won''t get the chance." As he spoke, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small container filled with an unknown liquid. Without hesitation, he tossed it toward "Sigewinne" and then dashed forward in an instant, shattering the container with a powerful punch. The bottle exploded on impact, releasing its contents in a dazzling spray that covered "Sigewinne" from head to toe. The next moment¡ªWriothesley''s gauntlets shifted, their mechanisms fully engaging as an immense surge of Cryo energy erupted outward! In the blink of an eye, the liquid reacted with the Cryo energy in a mysterious chemical reaction¡ªfreezing "Sigewinne" solid, turning her into a lifelike ice sculpture! From the look of utter shock frozen on "Sigewinne"''s face, it was clear¡ªeven she hadn''t expected this outcome! Despite the searing pain in his body, Su Yuan, now left with only one functioning eye, stared in disbelief. What...? What just happened? Did Wriothesley just trigger a Freeze reaction all by himself?! --------------- Exclusive access : 39ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 15: Ch 15 : Wriothesley, kill me Chapter 15 - Ch 15 : Wriothesley, kill me Su Yuan quickly came to terms with it¡ªafter all, he had transmigrated into the world of Teyvat. This wasn''t a game; there were no rigid rules or limitations. If Wriothesley could trigger a Freeze reaction just by bringing some liquid, then by the same logic, he could also trigger a Melt reaction if he had a Molotov cocktail... "Su Yuan, cool move, huh? I spent a long time perfecting this technique," Wriothesley said as he picked up some medical supplies from the infirmary, carefully bandaging Su Yuan''s wounds. "Don''t make fun of my bandaging skills, okay? I''m just giving you some emergency treatment for now. Once Sigewinne recovers, let her properly take care of you." Despite Wriothesley''s casual tone, Su Yuan could sense the genuine care behind his words. He might seem a bit playful and carefree, but he was actually very meticulous. His bandaging skills were far from amateurish. He must have had plenty of experience treating his own wounds after all those street fights and boxing matches... otherwise, how could he be so proficient? "Sigewinne... what about her? You froze her like that¡ªwill she be okay?" Su Yuan turned to look at the ice-sculpted Sigewinne, his voice tinged with concern. "Even though Sigewinne is currently possessed and controlled by the anomaly, she is still herself in the end..." "Su Yuan, you''re in such bad shape, yet you''re still worrying about others. You''re really a kind person," Wriothesley said with a chuckle, sighing in admiration. "Don''t worry, Sigewinne will be fine." "The liquid I used wasn''t just ordinary water¡ªit''s a special solution I got from Fontaine''s Academy Laboratory." "If I had used plain water to freeze the anomaly-affected Sigewinne, not only would she have easily broken free, but it would''ve also caused significant harm to her body." "But this liquid is different. I can''t explain the exact principles behind it¡ªI''m not a researcher, after all." "All you need to know is that when used in combination with freezing, it not only reinforces the effect but also minimizes harm to the frozen person." Hearing Wriothesley''s explanation, Su Yuan nodded in understanding. "I think I''ve figured out the conditions that triggered Sigewinne''s anomaly..." "Oh? Let''s hear it," Wriothesley said, intrigued. But upon noticing how weak Su Yuan looked, he changed his mind. "Actually, never mind. You should rest first. We can talk about it when you''re feeling better." Wriothesley glanced around and noticed the spilled milkshake and meal box on the floor. "Then let me take a guess¡ªdoes it have something to do with the food Sigewinne made?" "I''ve had Sigewinne''s milkshakes and meals before too," Wriothesley said, frowning slightly as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "To be honest, the taste is... difficult to describe. If I had to put it into words, it would be something like a ''barren'' flavor..." "But well, that''s just how it is. The way the Melusines perceive the world is quite different from ours." Wriothesley waved his hand with a helpless expression. "Sigewinne means well, and her food is nutritionally balanced, but the taste... is definitely an acquired one." Looking at the mess on the bed, Wriothesley sighed. "Still, even so, did you really have to spit it out right in front of her? Just imagine how heartbroken she must have been..." "Honestly, this is partly my fault. I should''ve warned you in advance¡ªSigewinne''s food is rich in nutrients but has a... unique flavor. You either don''t eat it at all or finish it completely." "So, the condition for Sigewinne''s transformation into an anomaly was that you ate the food she prepared but then spat it out in front of her?" "Yes, exactly." Su Yuan nodded firmly. "That''s my initial assessment as well." "Now that we know the conditions for the anomaly''s manifestation, things will be much easier. From now on, we just need to be more careful and make sure Sigewinne doesn''t trigger that condition..." Wriothesley nodded thoughtfully. "Wriothesley, let me ask you something¡ªwill my injuries ever fully heal?" Su Yuan asked. "Your injuries? If you''re talking about your limbs from before, then there shouldn''t be any problem. When Neuvillette brought you here, he was continuously soothing your wounds with his gentle Hydro energy." "Normally, reattaching severed limbs isn''t something that can be done so easily. I''d wager Neuvillette must have used some kind of special method to ensure your limbs remained intact." "If you''re talking about your recent injuries, your ears should be fine. I''ve been keeping them fresh with the cold." Wriothesley said as he held up a block of ice in front of Su Yuan. Inside, perfectly preserved, was the ear that had just been cut off. "Once Sigewinne wakes up, she can reattach them for you." "What about my eye?" Su Yuan asked. "Your right eye is probably beyond saving¡ªit''s completely ruined... But don''t worry too much. With Fontaine''s advanced technology, getting you a prosthetic eye won''t be a problem." "Wriothesley, just kill me..." "Mm, alright¡ª" Wriothesley nodded in agreement, but a second later, he realized something was off. "Huh? Su Yuan, what did you just say? Say that again?" Wriothesley looked at him with confusion and disbelief. "I said... Wriothesley... kill me..." "Whoa, whoa¡ªhold on! It''s just an eye! Do you really have to go that far?" "Besides, look at Chevreuse¡ªshe wears an eyepatch all the time to help her aim and adapt to the darkness. In a way, she''s basically a one-eyed girl, and she''s doing just fine, isn''t she?" Su Yuan had to admit... Wriothesley had a point. But wanting to die and reset wasn''t just about losing an eye¡ªthat was only a very small part of the reason... The real reason was that he didn''t want Sigewinne to wake up and carry the same guilt that Neuvillette did. Su Yuan didn''t want the kind, beautiful, and compassionate Sigewinne, who had always cared for him so deeply, to suffer that kind of pain. Neuvillette felt guilty for what had happened to him¡ªbut in truth, didn''t Su Yuan feel just as guilty toward Neuvillette? He just wasn''t sure¡ªif he died this time, where exactly the reset point would be... "Wriothesley, kill me..." Since he was about to die and everything would reset anyway, Su Yuan no longer bothered to hide the truth from Wriothesley. Only by knowing this would Wriothesley actually make a move. "I''ve been keeping something from you all... The truth is, I have the ability to return to the past." "When I die, I don''t actually die¡ªI go back to a certain point in time." "I may not retain my memories when I go back, but there are ways for me to figure out what happened before." "Wriothesley, don''t hesitate¡ªkill me." "I don''t want Sigewinne to live with guilt over me..." Wriothesley listened quietly to Su Yuan''s words. But when he heard that final sentence, his whole body trembled, as if something deep inside him had been touched. Even though Su Yuan only had one eye left, Wriothesley could see the sincerity and purity in his gaze¡ªso genuine, so real. There was even a faint trace of pleading within it... "...Sigh." Wriothesley let out a heavy sigh, looking at Su Yuan with a complex expression, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Su Yuan, you really are such a kind person..." The next moment, Wriothesley raised his fist. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan felt an intense, bone-chilling force rushing toward his head. "Good night... sweet dreams," Wriothesley said softly. --------------- Exclusive access : 42ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 16: Ch 16 : New intel Chapter 16 - Ch 16 : New intel Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes¡ªit was that familiar yet strange sensation again... Feeling the stinging pain in the palm of his left hand, he knew he had died once more. Su Yuan tried to lift his left hand but found that he had no strength at all. With no other choice, he turned his palm upward and strained his head to the left, barely making out the words carved into his palm. "What''s going on...? Why is the handwriting so messy this time?" Su Yuan was confused. The newly appeared writing was so sloppy that he had to put in a great effort just to decipher it. [You''ve died again. This is probably the fourth time today, right...?] [The food Sigewinne prepared for you might taste a little strange...] [But you must try your best to eat it!] [Whatever you do, do NOT spit it out!] Food? Now that it was mentioned, Su Yuan did feel incredibly hungry¡ªhis stomach was already growling... Since crossing over to this world, it had been more than ten hours, and he hadn''t eaten anything at all. Wait, no... if he counted it, he did eat a bug on Furina''s bed... As for the strange taste? He vaguely remembered that Melusines perceived the world quite differently from humans, so it made sense that their food would taste a bit odd. But right now, he was starving¡ªprobably desperate enough to eat anything! Who cares if it tastes good or bad? As long as it''s edible! .......... "Su Yuan, I''m coming in." Not long after, a soft knock sounded at the door. The door then opened, and Sigewinne walked in, carrying a small tray to Su Yuan''s bedside. "Oh! You''re awake, Su Yuan! Perfect timing¡ªit''s dinner time." "You need to eat properly to replenish your energy and recover quickly." "The Duke specifically asked me to take good care of you, so I personally prepared a highly nutritious meal for you." "Thank you, Head Nurse Sigewinne," Su Yuan replied, trying to sit up, only to realize that he couldn''t. "It''s okay, Su Yuan. Don''t push yourself. You''re still in recovery¡ªit''s normal to feel weak." Sigewinne adjusted the bed''s backrest, allowing Su Yuan to sit up. "No worries, I''ll feed you." "Ahh¡ªopen up! This is my special milkshake. Even the Duke praised it! Try it first to soothe your throat." As she spoke, Sigewinne brought the straw to Su Yuan''s lips. Remembering the message carved into his palm, this time, Su Yuan only took a small sip... As expected... the taste was definitely a little strange. How should he describe it? The milkshake had a distinct earthy taste, reminiscent of the Loess Plateau¡ªlike dried plants ground into fine powder and mixed into muddy water. But at the same time, there was indeed a milky flavor. However, the milk seemed excessively dry, as if cheese had been left to sun-dry on a desert plateau for twenty-one days straight... Perhaps because he had mentally prepared himself, Su Yuan actually didn''t find it that difficult to drink. Then, under Sigewinne''s expectant and delighted gaze, Su Yuan finished the entire milkshake in one go. Sigewinne''s eyes sparkled with excitement, looking absolutely thrilled. "Wow, Su Yuan, you actually drank all of my special milkshake! That''s amazing! This will really help with your recovery!" Seeing Sigewinne''s joyful expression, Su Yuan also felt genuinely happy. As expected, happiness was contagious. "Alright, alright! Now let''s move on to dinner!" Sigewinne cheered as she happily opened a cute bento box decorated with heart patterns. However, what was inside completely caught Su Yuan off guard... At first glance, there were several large meat steaks, fried eggs, rice, and various vegetables... However, the large steak... was purple. The fried egg... was green. The rice... was blue. And the vegetables... were black. Su Yuan instinctively swallowed nervously, feeling a little tense. The milkshake earlier had looked decent but tasted questionable... So maybe this meal, which looked strange, would actually taste decent? As it turned out, Su Yuan''s guess was correct. The oddly colored meal wasn''t particularly delicious, but at least it wasn''t awful... At the very least, it was much better than some school cafeteria food. After finishing his meal, Sigewinne performed a routine check-up on Su Yuan and confirmed that everything was fine. "Su Yuan, that''s it for tonight. Get some good rest, and I''ll see you tomorrow morning!" "Alright, Head Nurse Sigewinne. See you tomorrow!" "Su Yuan, you seem to really enjoy my nutritious meal set. Should I make it for you again tomorrow?" Just as she was about to leave, Sigewinne suddenly asked. Su Yuan instantly broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly refused, "No, no, there''s no need to give me special treatment... I''ll just eat whatever the others in Meropide Fortress are having at the designated cafeteria!" "Alright then, since you insist, I won''t prepare one for you tomorrow." After Sigewinne left, Su Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief. "So, Su Yuan, how was Head Nurse Sigewinne''s cooking?" Not long after, Wriothesley appeared at the hospital room door. "I''m really curious¡ªdid you really find her milkshake praiseworthy?" Su Yuan asked. "Haha~~ Who says something has to taste good to be worthy of praise?" Wriothesley chuckled. "Besides, I was complimenting its nutritional value, not its flavor." "I''ve been thinking... I might have figured out the conditions for Sigewinne''s Eerie transformation." "Oh? Let''s hear it," Wriothesley said curiously. "It''s simple¡ªif you eat the food Sigewinne prepares, you must not throw it up." "Got it. In that case, I''ll just avoid eating it altogether," Wriothesley nodded. "I''ll keep that in mind. For now, just focus on getting some rest tonight." With that, Wriothesley bid Su Yuan farewell. To be fair, Sigewinne''s cooking wasn''t completely inedible¡ªit was just... unique in taste. Su Yuan couldn''t help but think of a certain shut-in from Inazuma. Now her cooking was truly apocalyptic... How was she doing now? Had she been affected by the Eerie? And what about Furina? How was her situation? Had Neuvillette and Chevreuse managed to resolve the situation outside? How could the Eerie be defeated? What was their true nature? Thoughts swirled endlessly in Su Yuan''s mind, and before he knew it, he drifted off into sleep... ........... Feeling the sharp sting in his right palm, Su Yuan slowly opened his eyes... He tried moving his body. Whether it was thanks to getting enough rest or if Sigewinne''s "nutritional meal" had actually worked, he wasn''t sure¡ªbut either way, he felt much better. With relative ease, he lifted his right hand and looked at the words engraved in his palm... [First of all, congratulations on surviving the second night.] [Currently available information:] [1. During the daytime, Furina is the real, normal Furina.] [2. Neuvillette can be trusted at all times¡ªday or night¡ªbut only when the weather is clear.] [3. After sunset, do not appear in Furina''s sight. If you are accidentally discovered, make sure to return to her bed before she does. Once you are there, no matter what happens, do not leave the bed until sunrise.] [4. Your number of regressions is not unlimited, but it refreshes daily.] This new piece of information shocked Su Yuan! Thinking back to the writing on his left palm from before¡ªhow the words became more and more unreadable¡ªcould that have been related to this limitation? How many times could he regress per day? Yesterday, he had regressed four times. Although the writing had become nearly illegible, he still managed to return. This meant that his daily number of regressions was at least four... But was there a fifth? Su Yuan didn''t want to gamble on that. He couldn''t afford to gamble on that. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "...Tch. So there''s a limit after all. Looks like I can''t abuse this ability," he muttered before continuing to read. [5. If Sigewinne carefully prepares food for you, make sure to eat everything. Do not waste her kindness.] Su Yuan immediately realized¡ªthis was the true condition for Sigewinne''s Eerie transformation. Fortunately, he had followed the left palm''s warning yesterday and finished the entire "nutritional meal" she prepared for him. This confirmed information was slightly different from his initial guess. The key wasn''t just not throwing up¡ªhe had to eat everything. He needed to tell Wriothesley and the others as soon as possible. [6. If you see Chevreuse carrying a gunlance with the barrel facing downward, be cautious¡ªshe is no longer Chevreuse.] [7. After surviving the third night, new information will be unlocked.] Su Yuan stared at the sixth message. This is critical information. He couldn''t just sit around¡ªhe had to inform Wriothesley and the others immediately. He tried to get out of bed and found that, while his body still ached, he could at least stand and walk slowly. Grabbing a nearby broomstick to use as a makeshift cane, he steadied himself and stepped out of the hospital room, making his way toward Wriothesley''s office... --------------- Exclusive access : 42ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 17: Ch 17 : Neuvillette! Duck! Chapter 17 - Ch 17 : Neuvillette! Duck! "Hmm? Su Yuan, what brings you here?" Wriothesley was reading a newspaper when he noticed Su Yuan standing at the doorway of his office with a puzzled expression. "It''s only a little past five, not even six o''clock yet. Do you always wake up this early?" He also noticed the broom in Su Yuan''s hand and teased, "Are you here to help me clean up as a way to repay my kindness? I appreciate the gesture, but I''d rather you focus on recovering first." "Su Yuan, you''re already able to get out of bed and walk? Looks like you''re recovering well!" From beneath Wriothesley''s desk, Sigewinne poked her head out and chimed in, "Since Meropide Fortress is underwater, there''s no direct sunlight. A lot of newcomers struggle with their biological clocks getting out of sync. Looks like you''re experiencing that too..." "Alright, alright. Since you''re already up, how about joining me for a cup of warm morning tea?" Wriothesley gestured toward the steaming teacup on his desk. "A good day starts with a good first cup of tea." "I''ll pass, but thanks for the offer, Your Grace. I''m not here for tea," Su Yuan shook his head. "Suit yourself." Wriothesley shrugged and reached for his teacup, but just then, Sigewinne made a swift move¡ªshe subtly slid his teacup aside and placed a cup of her homemade milkshake in its place. However, Wriothesley caught the entire maneuver in the corner of his eye. Feigning nonchalance, he pretended to reach for the milkshake, but just as his fingers neared the cup handle, he deftly adjusted his hand''s position and smoothly picked up his original cup of tea instead, taking a light sip. In just a few short seconds, Sigewinne''s expression shifted from joy and anticipation to disappointment and sadness, growing increasingly strange... "Your Grace, even Su Yuan couldn''t stop praising this milkshake. Why won''t you drink it...?" Su Yuan immediately felt a sense of impending doom¡ªhe hadn''t even had the chance to explain yet! The key to preventing Sigewinne''s aberration wasn''t just "don''t spit it out," but rather "eat it all"! At that moment, Su Yuan didn''t know where he got the strength from¡ªhe dropped the broom without hesitation and quickly strode up to Wriothesley''s desk. "Su Yuan, looks like you really are recovering well. You''re even walking this fast¡ª" Before Wriothesley could finish his sentence, Su Yuan grabbed the milkshake from the table and forcibly shoved it toward his mouth. "Wriothesley! Drink it! Dammit, why won''t you drink it?!" Su Yuan exclaimed, both anxious and frantic, because he could already see strange changes happening to Sigewinne... Seeing Su Yuan''s serious and tense expression, Wriothesley realized that something serious was probably about to happen again. He stopped resisting and allowed Su Yuan to feed him, gulping down the entire milkshake... "Phew..." Wriothesley finally finished the drink and let out a long sigh. "Whether it''s tea or anything else, I like to savor it slowly. Chugging something all at once like this... I''m really not used to it." "So, Su Yuan, what exactly is going on? What just happened?" Wriothesley asked, glancing at Sigewinne, who was sitting there with her eyes closed, completely still¡ªalmost as if she had fallen asleep. "Didn''t you notice that Sigewinne''s expression looked a little strange just now?" Su Yuan said. "I did, but this kind of thing has happened many times before. If I don''t eat or drink what she prepares, she tends to get a little moody..." Wriothesley mused, then suddenly had a look of realization. "Wait, could it be..." "Huh...? What just happened? I feel like I blacked out for a moment..." Sigewinne rubbed her eyes as she slowly woke up. "Head Nurse Sigewinne, you''re probably overworking yourself. You should take a proper rest," Wriothesley said with a gentle smile. He reached out and lightly patted her head. "You''ve been taking care of others all this time, but you need to take care of yourself too." "Mm." Sigewinne nodded, then noticed the empty milkshake cup on the table. Suddenly, her face lit up with excitement. "Duke, you drank all of the milkshake I made?" "Of course." Wriothesley smiled and nodded. "Alright then, Duke, I''ll be heading back now!" Sigewinne then turned to Su Yuan. "Su Yuan, it''s good that you can get out of bed and move around, but later, you still need to return to your ward so I can do a check-up on you." "Alright, Head Nurse Sigewinne." Su Yuan nodded. With that, Sigewinne happily hopped out of Wriothesley''s office, clearly in an excellent mood. "Phew... that was really too close..." Su Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief. "So, Su Yuan, what exactly was that all about?" "My guess from yesterday wasn''t entirely accurate..." Su Yuan slowly explained. "If the key was just ''not spitting it out,'' then simply refusing to eat should have been enough to avoid any problems." "But now I''m certain¡ªthe condition to prevent Sigewinne from becoming Eerie is that everything she prepares must be eaten completely." "I see... No wonder you were so determined to make me drink that milkshake..." Wriothesley spread his hands with a chuckle, then teased, "You looked pretty bold back there. This is the first time I''ve ever been forced into something like that." "And then, there''s another new piece of information¡ªit''s about Chevreuse..." Su Yuan continued. "If we see Chevreuse carrying her rifle, but with the barrel pointing downward, then that likely means she has already been controlled by the Eerie..." Wriothesley nodded. "That''s an important piece of intel. When they arrive later today, we''ll discuss it with them." Just then, a knock came from outside the door. "Your Grace, Lord Neuvillette and Captain Chevreuse have arrived. They wish to see you." "Oh? Why are they here so early as well? Is everyone suddenly giving up on sleeping in?" Wriothesley remarked with a puzzled expression. Then, he instructed the person outside, "Let them in. Tell them Su Yuan and I are waiting in my office." "You see, Neuvillette really is an old-fashioned man. He follows every procedure to the letter! With the relationship we have, he could just come right in, yet he still insists on formal notifications and appointments. Sometimes, I find him a bit dull." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wriothesley chuckled helplessly as he spoke to Su Yuan. "Su Yuan, Wriothesley, we''re here." Not long after, two knocks sounded on the door, followed by Neuvillette''s voice. The door then opened, and Neuvillette stepped in first, with Chevreuse following behind. Upon entering the office, Neuvillette walked toward Wriothesley and Su Yuan, while Chevreuse turned around to close the door... In that instant, Su Yuan keenly noticed that the rifle on Chevreuse''s back¡ªits barrel was pointing downward... In the next moment, Chevreuse''s body did not turn around. Instead, only her head and hands twisted 180 degrees. Crimson liquid seeped from her eye sockets and the corners of her mouth as she raised her rifle in an eerie posture, aiming directly at the back of Neuvillette''s head with a chilling smile... "Neuvillette! Watch out! Duck!" Su Yuan shouted! But at the same time, with a resounding bang, the rifle had already fired! A bullet shrouded in pitch-black aura shot toward the back of Neuvillette''s head at terrifying speed! --------------- Exclusive access : 45ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 18: Ch 18 : Jet-black flames Chapter 18 - Ch 18 : Jet-black flames Facing the pitch-black bullet speeding toward him, Neuvillette turned his head to look. With just a wave of his hand, a wall of water formed behind him. However, to everyone''s surprise, this seemingly impenetrable water wall did nothing to stop the bullet! Neuvillette showed a slightly surprised expression and tilted his head just in time¡ªthe bullet grazed past his cheek, whizzing by before striking the wall behind him. The impact shattered the surface, producing a loud crash as thick black smoke billowed out. A thin scratch appeared on Neuvillette''s cheek, and a few drops of blood seeped out... "So this is that eerie power?" Neuvillette spoke slowly. "Indeed... unknown, powerful, unfathomable..." "Hahaha... What a pity! I almost blew your head off, Neuvillette!" Chevreuse opened her mouth and laughed maniacally, her sharp fangs making her look terrifying. "Let me handle this!" Wriothesley declared, rolling forward swiftly. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small container of unknown substance, and threw it toward Chevreuse! S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chevreuse had no idea what it was, so she chose to shoot it down! The container shattered instantly, releasing a mysterious liquid that scattered like a blooming flower, engulfing the space in front of Chevreuse. Wriothesley''s gauntlet transformed in an instant, operating at full power. A surge of intense Cryo energy burst forth, reacting with the liquid and freezing it solid! "Not enough!" Wriothesley understood that because the container had detonated too far away, it hadn''t completely frozen Chevreuse. However, the frozen wall of ice in front of her was enough to block her vision and movement! Without hesitation, Wriothesley swiftly dashed forward, closing the distance between him and Chevreuse in an instant. He pulled out another container and shattered it with a powerful punch! In Chevreuse''s shocked gaze, the liquid inside burst forth, enveloping her entire body. In the blink of an eye, it solidified into ice¡ªChevreuse was now frozen into an ice sculpture! "Wriothesley, I thought you only knew how to throw punches," Neuvillette remarked calmly as he observed the scene. Wriothesley chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "There''s a lot you don''t know about me, no need to be so surprised." "I''ve been practicing this move for a long time¡ªpretty cool, right?" Neuvillette: ... "Your Grace! Your Grace!!" Just then, urgent knocking sounded from outside the door. "We heard what sounded like gunfire coming from your office, but the door isn''t locked¡ªwhy can''t we open it?" Since Chevreuse had been frozen right at the doorway, the ice had sealed the office shut, making it impossible to open. "Oh... so that''s what you''re worried about?" Wriothesley called out to the people outside. "Relax, it''s nothing serious. Captain Chevreuse was just giving me a lesson on gunplay." "But... Your Grace, firing a gun indoors carries the risk of ricochets. Wouldn''t it be safer to practice in a more open space?" The person outside still sounded concerned. "Relax, relax! Do you guys really think you know more about guns than Captain Chevreuse? Alright, alright, go back to your own duties, no need to worry about us!" Wriothesley said. Only then did the people outside gradually leave. "Your subordinates care about you a lot," Neuvillette nodded. "That means you''ve treated them well. Since Sigewinne is under your care, I can rest assured." "Now then, Su Yuan, what exactly is going on with Chevreuse?" Neuvillette turned to look at Su Yuan and asked. Su Yuan then proceeded to share the new intelligence he had gathered today with Neuvillette. "Of course, excluding the restriction on my own rollback count." After listening, Neuvillette nodded thoughtfully. "When Chevreuse came to see me early this morning, the barrel of the gun on her back was pointed downward. That suggests she was already under the influence of the eerie force at that time." "But her behavior was completely normal¡ªI didn''t notice any difference at all... Perhaps it''s because I don''t interact with her often and don''t know her well enough to spot any changes." "As Su Yuan mentioned, the eerie ones are adept at disguise. They don''t easily reveal themselves in front of ordinary people," Wriothesley added. "Even though Chevreuse had already been controlled, she only exposed her true nature after stepping into this room." "Su Yuan, based on your intel, we now understand the conditions for Sigewinne''s transformation. That''s good¡ªwe can take precautions. But the information on Chevreuse is still unclear, just like Furina''s. We need to investigate further," Neuvillette said. "Speaking of which, how is Furina now?" Su Yuan asked. "When she woke up yesterday, she said she wanted to see you, but I refused. You were still seriously injured at the time and needed to recover. I couldn''t let Furina see you in that state, or else the truth would have been exposed..." Neuvillette mused. "After that, last night, she stayed in her suite the whole time¡ªshe didn''t go anywhere, and nothing unusual happened." Su Yuan nodded and continued asking, "Exposed? Exposed what?" Neuvillette continued, "After returning with Chevreuse, I held a press conference and falsely claimed that yesterday''s incident was a training exercise. To ensure the utmost realism, we didn''t notify any departments in advance. But if Furina were to see you severely injured, that lie would fall apart instantly." "To be honest, lying doesn''t sit well with me¡ªit goes against the sense of justice I hold dear... But in order to deal with the eerie forces and minimize the impact, there was no other choice," Neuvillette said with a hint of helplessness. "Su Yuan, once you''ve recovered a bit more, I''ll arrange a meeting between you and Furina," Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan. "I can tell she''s worried about you." Su Yuan immediately felt a warm sensation in his heart and thought to himself, Furina is worried about me... That means she does care about me... I''m so happy... I just wonder... after we clear up the misunderstandings and have a deeper conversation, will I finally be able to get rid of the title ''Mr. Pervert''...? But suddenly, Su Yuan felt that something was off... Feeling warmth in his heart was one thing, but why was his whole body getting warm? More than that, the air around him was growing hotter as well... Su Yuan glanced at Neuvillette and Wriothesley, only to find that both of them were staring at the door with serious expressions. Following their gaze, Su Yuan turned his head¡ªonly to see that Chevreuse was now engulfed in flames... However, these flames were not the fiery red of ordinary blazes. Instead, they were pitch-black¡ªdark enough to swallow all light and hope... The ice encasing Chevreuse was melting at a visibly rapid pace. "Tch... Pyro Vision wielders are always such a pain to freeze solid," Wriothesley clicked his tongue in frustration, clearly displeased. "Looks like we''ll need to have the Fontaine Institute refine and improve this solution again..." "Su Yuan, step back and head upstairs. Leave this to us," Neuvillette glanced at Su Yuan and ordered. (Author''s Note: I just realized while writing this that Wriothesley''s office actually has two levels, and the main office area is technically on the upper floor in-game... I''m too lazy to go back and change the earlier parts, so let''s just roll with this minor adjustment. It doesn''t affect the story or readability¡ªthanks for understanding! o(¨i©n¨i)o) "You really thought these pathetic little ice blocks could keep me frozen, Wriothesley...?" Chevreuse let out an eerie laugh, her mouth dripping with fresh red liquid as she made disturbing, unsettling noises... The black flames surged higher and hotter. In an instant, the ice had been completely incinerated. Chevreuse brought her gun to her lips and ran her long, barbed tongue along the barrel, licking it slowly... Her hollow, blood-red eyes widened as she stared at Wriothesley and Neuvillette. "Wriothesley... your strong, scar-covered body must have such an interesting taste..." "And Neuvillette... I wonder what the heart of an Hydro Dragon Sovereign really tastes like...!!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 45ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 19: Ch 19 : Cruel reality Chapter 19 - Ch 19 : Cruel reality Hearing Chevreuse''s menacing words, Su Yuan was now completely certain of one thing. When a person is controlled by the eerie forces, they have no recollection of what happens during that time... But the eerie entity retains the host''s memories! He wasn''t sure if they had access to all memories, but at the very least, they retained a portion. Chevreuse had only learned about Neuvillette''s true identity as an Hydro Dragon Sovereign yesterday. Yet now, the eerie-controlled Chevreuse also knew this information... Thankfully, Su Yuan had been cautious yesterday and hadn''t revealed his ability to rewind time. Otherwise, if the eerie entity inherited that knowledge, they wouldn''t simply kill him so easily... "Su Yuan, what are you standing around for? Do as Neuvillette said¡ªget upstairs!" Wriothesley urged. "Once the fight starts, we won''t be able to guarantee your safety..." Su Yuan was indeed eager to witness Neuvillette and Wriothesley¡ªtwo of Fontaine''s strongest fighters¡ªin action, to see their elegant combat prowess firsthand. He also wanted to observe what other abilities an eerie-possessed Chevreuse might have... But he knew full well that, in his current injured state, staying here would only make him a burden. Su Yuan made up his mind¡ªonce he had recovered, he had to learn some self-defense and combat skills. He couldn''t always rely on others to protect him. "Alright, I''m heading up!" Su Yuan said as he slowly made his way upstairs. "Neuvillette, Wriothesley¡ªbe careful!" "Heh... Don''t worry, Su Yuan! Don''t underestimate us!" Wriothesley chuckled. "Wriothesley, be serious," Neuvillette reminded him. "This isn''t some childish scuffle¡ªit''s a battle against the eerie forces. Besides, Captain Chevreuse herself is quite formidable." "Oh! Su Yuan, before you go!" Wriothesley suddenly remembered something. "When you get upstairs, you should see a bookshelf." "On the second row, there''s a book called Teyvat''s Comprehensive Tea Review. Push it inward, and you''ll find a hidden passage behind the shelf." "Follow the passage, and you''ll come out near the infirmary. Find Sigewinne and wait at the office entrance with her." "Because in a moment... I might get carried away. Chevreuse... she''s probably going to take some damage." "Got it. I understand." Su Yuan nodded and disappeared up the stairs, heading to the second floor. Upon arriving, he glanced around. This seemed to be more of a storage room¡ªfilled with all sorts of random items. Mechanical parts, stacks of newspapers and books, drinks and snacks, crates of tea leaves... even some plush toys. Meanwhile, the sounds of battle and tremors echoed from downstairs. Su Yuan didn''t linger. He walked over to the bookshelf and focused on the second row. "Teyvat''s Comprehensive Tea Review"... Author: Alice? "Klee''s mother... Lady Alice, the elder of the Hexenzirkel?" "In all of Teyvat, there''s probably no one else with that name..." Su Yuan was curious about what this book contained, but he had to complete Wriothesley''s task first. With that in mind, he raised his hand and pushed the book inward with some force. Immediately, the sound of mechanical gears turning echoed through the room as the bookshelf slowly shifted aside, revealing a deep, hidden passage. Su Yuan stepped into the passage, and as he did, the bookshelf automatically returned to its original position, while dim lights flickered on within the passageway. As he walked deeper into the tunnel, he suddenly recalled the warning that had appeared in his left palm yesterday¡ªtelling him not to engage in direct combat with the eerie forces, as he stood no chance of winning. "Hmm... Right now, I have no combat ability, so of course I wouldn''t be able to fight an eerie entity..." "But Neuvillette and Wriothesley are on a completely different level from me. With just one eerie-possessed Chevreuse, they should be able to handle it, right?" "The power level of an eerie entity after possession is probably related to the original strength of its host..." "Even though Neuvillette was terrifyingly strong after being possessed, Chevreuse was completely powerless against him..." "But even without possession, Chevreuse isn''t a match for Neuvillette at all..." "That''s right. I shouldn''t be worrying about Neuvillette and Wriothesley¡ªI should be worrying about Chevreuse instead!" After staggering through the passage for quite a while, Su Yuan finally reached the end. A ladder appeared before him, leading upward. He climbed up the ladder and found a circular hatch at the top. He tried pushing it open with his hand, but it wouldn''t budge. It seemed... he was still too weak. Taking a deep breath, Su Yuan gathered all his strength and finally managed to push open the hatch, successfully climbing out. The place he emerged from seemed to be a hidden passage disguised as a sewer access point, located in a corner behind the infirmary. Not far ahead, he could see the entrance to the infirmary itself. After carefully restoring the hatch to its original position, Su Yuan made his way into the infirmary. "Hmm? Su Yuan? Didn''t I tell you to rest in your hospital room? Why did you come looking for me?" Sigewinne greeted him with a cheerful smile. It was clear that Wriothesley had finished the milkshake she prepared, keeping her in a good mood. "Uh... It''s not really about me..." Su Yuan hesitated for a moment, trying to come up with an excuse. "Wriothesley and Chevreuse seem to be having a sparring match, and just in case anything happens, he asked me to come find you so we could wait outside his office together." "Ahhh, the Duke is being reckless again!" Sigewinne pouted, furrowing her brows as if slightly annoyed. "If they want to fight, they should go to the Boxing Ring for that! How could they be fighting inside the office!?" "The name ''office'' literally means it''s for office work, not for fighting!" "Haha... I don''t know why they''re doing this either..." Su Yuan scratched his head awkwardly, forcing a smile. With that, Sigewinne picked up her medical kit, and together, they headed to the entrance of Wriothesley''s office. "Wait a second, Head Nurse Sigewinne..." Su Yuan raised a hand to stop her. "Wriothesley specifically told me not to barge in and interrupt them until they''re done." He pressed his ear against the door, listening carefully. Strangely, there didn''t seem to be any sounds of battle or tremors coming from inside... It looked like the fight was already over. Su Yuan was about to knock on the door to confirm, but before he could, Sigewinne ignored his attempt to stop her and stepped forward. "Head Nurse Sigewinne, what are you¡ª" "Su Yuan, please step aside," Sigewinne interrupted. "I smell blood... and a lot of it!" "Honestly! The Duke is being completely reckless! Doesn''t he know how hard I work every day? And now he''s creating even more trouble for me!" Sigewinne spoke with a hint of anger as she reached for the door, ready to push it open. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing her words, Su Yuan took a couple of deep breaths, trying to catch the scent she was talking about¡ª She was right. The thick, metallic stench of blood was overwhelming, strong enough that even he could smell it now. Had Neuvillette and Wriothesley gone too far? Did they really beat Chevreuse that badly? But in the next moment, as Sigewinne pushed open the office door¡ª What they saw was a horrifying, unthinkable sight. "Chevreuse" stood in the center of the blood-soaked room, her body covered in gore. One hand clutched a still faintly beating heart. The other hand held a strong, muscular arm, scarred from past battles¡ªan arm that she was gleefully biting into. And on the ground¡ª Neuvillette and Wriothesley lay motionless in a pool of blood. Neuvillette''s chest had a gaping, hollow wound, still oozing fresh crimson. His clothes were completely soaked, riddled with bullet holes¡ªhis entire body looking as if he had been shot multiple times. Wriothesley''s body, though lacking the gunshot wounds that riddled Neuvillette, was in no better condition. His entire left arm¡ªwas gone. Su Yuan''s mind went completely blank. This was... impossible. Neuvillette and Wriothesley... They actually lost??? And¡ª They were eaten by "Chevreuse"??? With a loud clang, Sigewinne''s medical kit slipped from her trembling hands, the contents spilling across the floor¡ªmedicines, bandages, and surgical tools scattering everywhere. She collapsed to her knees, wrapping her arms around herself, her entire body shaking as tears poured down her cheeks. "Chevreuse... Neuvillette... Wriothesley... you... you''re joking with me, right...?" Sigewinne''s voice trembled as she spoke. Slowly, she lifted her head to look at "Chevreuse"¡ª And "Chevreuse" tilted her head, those blood-red, hollow eyes locking onto Sigewinne''s. "Head Nurse Sigewinne... you''re a rare, humanoid Melusine..." "I wonder..." "What would you taste like?" Then, she turned¡ªher eerie gaze settling on Su Yuan. "And you, Su Yuan..." "As an outsider from another world..." "I wonder¡ªhow different would you taste from the creatures of Teyvat?" --------------- Exclusive access : 48ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 20: Ch 20 : Do not fight the Eerie! Run! Chapter 20 - Ch 20 : Do not fight the Eerie! Run! Su Yuan suddenly snapped his eyes open... It happened again... That same feeling... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, he raised it and looked at the text appearing on it: [That''s right, you''ve died again. This is the first time today...] [Chevreuse has also been taken over by the Eerie!] [Do not fight the Eerie! Do not fight the Eerie!! Do not fight the Eerie!!!] [The Eerie... cannot be understood with common sense!] [Not just you¡ªeven someone as powerful as Neuvillette and Wriothesley must not fight the Eerie!!!] [Run!!!] ............... "You see, Neuvillette is such an old-fashioned guy. He follows the rules to the letter! With the relationship we have, he could have just come straight over, but no¡ªhe insists on going through the proper channels, scheduling an appointment first. Sometimes, I really find him a bit dull." Wriothesley sighed helplessly and said to Su Yuan. "Su Yuan? Su Yuan?" Wriothesley''s voice sounded beside him as he leaned in closer. "What are you looking at?" Su Yuan instinctively wanted to pull his hand back, but it was too late¡ªWriothesley had already seen his left palm. "Huh? There''s nothing there. What are you staring at so intently?" Wriothesley frowned slightly, looking confused. Then, as if realizing something, he suddenly brightened up. "Oh... I get it! You''re reading your own palm, aren''t you?" "That''s a thing from Liyue, right? I''ve read about it in newspapers and books... Something about life lines, career lines, love lines, and all that." "Let me guess¡ªyou want to know when your injury will heal? Or maybe whether you''ll be successful in the future? Or perhaps... when you''ll find someone special?" Wriothesley teased. "Haha..." Su Yuan gave an awkward laugh. So... these engraved messages on his palm¡ªonly he could see them? That made sense. When he was unconscious, Sigewinne had given him a full medical examination, and she hadn''t mentioned anything about it. Su Yuan recalled the message on his left palm¡ªChevreuse had already been taken over by the Eerie? "Wriothesley, how long until Neuvillette and Chevreuse arrive?" Su Yuan asked. "About five to eight minutes," Wriothesley replied. "Wriothesley, Chevreuse has already been taken over by the Eerie..." Su Yuan said slowly. "Hmm?" Wriothesley gave him a puzzled look. "They haven''t even arrived at my office yet. You haven''t even seen them¡ªhow could you possibly know that Chevreuse has been taken over by the Eerie?" "Trust me, my intel is never wrong..." Su Yuan said seriously. Seeing the determined look on Su Yuan''s face, Wriothesley nodded. "Alright, I understand." Not long after, a knock sounded at the door... "Su Yuan, Wriothesley, we''re here." Neuvillette''s voice came from outside the door. Then, the door opened, and Neuvillette and "Chevreuse" appeared at the entrance, one after the other. After entering the office, Neuvillette walked toward Wriothesley and Su Yuan, while "Chevreuse" turned around and closed the door. "It''s now!" Su Yuan shouted! S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Immediately, Wriothesley pulled out a small canister from his pocket, tossing it toward "Chevreuse''s" direction. Then, in a swift motion, he stepped forward and punched the canister, shattering it instantly! The liquid inside dispersed into the air, enveloping "Chevreuse" completely! Immediately, as the intense Cryo energy radiated from Wriothesley''s gauntlets, "Chevreuse" was frozen into an ice sculpture in an instant! "Heh... Neuvillette, Su Yuan, wasn''t that move cool? I practiced it for a long time!" Wriothesley winked, striking a pose that he thought was incredibly stylish, looking at Su Yuan and Neuvillette. Neuvillette: ... "Wriothesley, Su Yuan, what is the meaning of this?" Neuvillette asked slowly. "Why did you attack Chevreuse the moment we met?" "Could it be that Chevreuse has already been taken over by the Eerie?" "That''s right." Su Yuan nodded, pointing at the frozen "Chevreuse" as he spoke. "Neuvillette, look at the gunlance on Chevreuse''s back¡ªthe barrel is pointing downward..." "This is one of the new rules I learned this morning. If Chevreuse is carrying her gunlance with the barrel pointing downward, then she is no longer herself..." "There''s also another rule¡ªwhenever Sigewinne prepares food with care, you must finish all of it. Otherwise, she will also be taken over by the Eerie..." "Understood, Su Yuan," Neuvillette nodded. "So now, we need to figure out a way to restore Chevreuse to normal, right?" Su Yuan wanted to say: Shouldn''t we all just run for our lives first? After all, the warning in his left palm clearly stated¡ªDo not fight the Eerie, not even Neuvillette or Wriothesley should! But then, he turned to look at the frozen "Chevreuse" at the door and thought... It doesn''t really seem like there''s a problem right now... Noticing Su Yuan''s expression, Wriothesley confidently reassured him, "Su Yuan, don''t worry. That canister didn''t contain ordinary water. I had Fontaine''s Academy of Sciences specially develop a unique solution. Not only does it create a stronger freeze when activated, but it also minimizes harm to the frozen individual." "Even if Chevreuse has gained strength after being taken over by the Eerie, she won''t be able to break free that easily." Su Yuan nodded. Since Wriothesley was so confident, there was no need to rush to escape just yet. After all, the warning had said not to fight the Eerie, but Wriothesley had taken the initiative and restrained "Chevreuse" before a fight could even begin. That hardly counted as a battle. "Alright, then let me share my thoughts next," Su Yuan said. "From what we know so far, Eerie transformation happens under specific conditions." "For example, in your case, Neuvillette¡ªif it isn''t sunny, you risk being controlled by the Eerie. But once the weather clears, you return to normal..." "And the same applies to Sigewinne. Wriothesley, I''m sure you just experienced this firsthand..." "If you don''t drink the milkshake Sigewinne prepares for you, she starts acting strangely and risks being taken over. But the moment you finished it, she returned to normal." "So if we want to temporarily lift Eerie control, the key is to identify the conditions that trigger the transformation!" "And I suspect that these conditions are closely tied to a person''s experiences and personality." "What do you two know about Chevreuse? Maybe we can find some clues from that..." Su Yuan looked at Neuvillette and Wriothesley as he spoke. "Mr. Donatello, that is, Chevreuse''s father... Years ago, I personally judged him and sentenced him to exile in Meropide." Neuvillette spoke slowly. Wriothesley shook his head and said, "I have no impression of this man at all. At that time, I hadn''t arrived in Meropide yet, let alone become its warden..." "Mr. Donatello was an excellent enforcer, but at the same time, he was a righteous sinner... Chevreuse was deeply influenced by him from a young age." "A... righteous sinner?" Su Yuan asked, puzzled. But before he could process Neuvillette''s words, he suddenly felt the air around him growing hotter¡ªan unsettling, eerie heat that sent shivers down his spine. He turned toward the doorway and saw that black flames had ignited around Chevreuse, consuming the ice encasing her, melting it bit by bit... "Tch... A Pyro Vision, huh? That''s going to be troublesome..." Wriothesley frowned slightly. "But why is the fire black? Is this the power of the Eerie?" Wriothesley bounced lightly on his feet, rolling his wrists and stretching his arms, looking eager to fight. "Alright then, let''s see just how powerful the Eerie really is!" "It seems we have no choice but to fight Chevreuse," Neuvillette nodded, acknowledging Wriothesley''s decision. "NO!!!" Su Yuan suddenly shouted. He couldn''t forget the warning carved into his palm. [ Do not fight the Eerie! Not even Neuvillette or Wriothesley can win! ] "DO NOT FIGHT THE EERIE! RUN!!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 48ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 21: Ch 21 : Battle and salvation are two different things Chapter 21 - Ch 21 : Battle and salvation are two different things Seeing Su Yuan''s panicked expression, Wriothesley asked with some confusion, "Hey... Su Yuan, isn''t this a bit much? It''s just a Chevreuse who''s been taken over by the Eerie. Do you really think I can''t handle her?" "Besides, the man standing next to me is none other than the Chief Justice of Fontaine, the pinnacle of Teyvat''s beings, the Hydro Dragon Sovereign. Other than Lady Furina, who else in all of Fontaine could possibly be stronger than him?" Wriothesley gestured toward Neuvillette. Neuvillette: ... The ice was melting at a speed visible to the naked eye. Watching Chevreuse, whose body was engulfed in pitch-black flames, Su Yuan felt an overwhelming sense of urgency. "The Eerie! It cannot be reasoned with using common logic! This is not a matter of combat strength!!!" "Didn''t we agree that you would trust me?" "Then listen to me¡ªRUN!!!" Su Yuan''s face was flushed red with emotion as he shouted hysterically. He grabbed Neuvillette and Wriothesley by the hands, attempting to pull them upstairs... Both Neuvillette and Wriothesley were momentarily stunned. Seeing Su Yuan so agitated and serious, they didn''t resist and allowed him to drag them up to the second floor. Once they reached the second floor, Neuvillette spoke up, "I''m sorry, Su Yuan. I said I would trust you... but just now, I still hesitated." "It''s fine, Neuvillette. I didn''t take it to heart..." Su Yuan replied as he naturally walked toward the bookshelf, focusing on the second row where Teyvat''s Comprehensive Tea Review was located. He pressed down on it. "We need to leave this place first, put some distance between us and the Eerie-controlled Chevreuse, and then make a plan..." As he spoke, the sound of gears and machinery echoed through the room. The bookshelf slowly moved aside, revealing a deep and shadowy passageway. "Hmm???" Wriothesley was visibly surprised by the sight. "Su Yuan, is your intel really this impressive? You even knew about this?" "There''s a hidden passage here. In all of Meropide, the number of people who know about this can be counted on one hand... And you even knew how to activate the switch?" "Did Sigewinne tell you? No way... She doesn''t seem like the type. Without my permission, she wouldn''t reveal something like this..." Huh? Su Yuan froze for a moment. What just happened? He had no prior knowledge of this passage, yet he instinctively found the right book, triggered the switch, and opened the hidden passage... "Forget it, I don''t know what''s going on either. Let''s just get out of here first!" Su Yuan thought of the soon-to-be-freed "Chevreuse" downstairs. He knew they couldn''t waste any more time, so he took the lead and stepped into the passage, with Neuvillette and Wriothesley following closely behind. As they entered, the lights inside the passage flickered on, and the bookshelf slowly returned to its original position. A few seconds later, "Chevreuse" arrived on the second floor. She scanned the area, but there was no one in sight... "Oh? Ran away, did they..." "Chevreuse" tilted her head, crimson liquid oozing from her eyes and mouth... "No matter... My specialty is tracking down fugitives, after all..." "Where do you all think you can run?" "Heh... Heh... Hahaha..." ............. "There''s no sound of pursuit behind us. Looks like ''Chevreuse'' didn''t notice this passage..." Wriothesley glanced back thoughtfully. "But is it really okay for us to just run like this? Won''t Chevreuse, under the control of the Eerie, go on a rampage elsewhere?" "She shouldn''t... Chevreuse has been controlled by the Eerie for a while now. If she intended to start a massacre, she would have done it already," Neuvillette said calmly. "The same was true for me earlier. I was only focused on tormenting Su Yuan¡ªI never had the intention of indiscriminately killing others." "That''s right," Su Yuan added. "It seems like the Eerie deliberately tries to conceal itself. We still don''t know their exact motives, but they clearly aren''t mindless killing machines..." "Su Yuan, while I trust your judgment unconditionally, I still have some doubts," Neuvillette spoke up. "Even though I am not in my ''complete dragon form'' right now, my affinity and control over hydro elemental power are unmatched. I do not believe that the Eerie-controlled Captain Chevreuse would be my equal in battle." "Yeah, yeah, Su Yuan, I''m curious too. Do you really not trust Neuvillette''s and my abilities?" Wriothesley added. "Even if we really can''t win, at the very least, we can protect ourselves, right?" "Sigh..." Su Yuan let out a small sigh before explaining. "The Eerie... it''s an entirely new power system, something that can''t be understood using common sense." "In the worldview of my original world, entities like the Eerie are often associated with rules, concepts¡ªthings that are more abstract and elusive. Haven''t you noticed? The Eerie actually follows rules very strictly. If we want to defeat them, we probably need to find some specific rule to exploit rather than just blindly fighting them head-on." "Besides, the Eerie is controlling Chevreuse''s body. There''s no guarantee we wouldn''t end up hurting her in the process." "In any case, my main point is still the same¡ªevery extra day I survive, I''ll gain more intel. I believe that eventually, I''ll find information on how to defeat the Eerie." "Hmm... Su Yuan, what you''re saying makes sense." Neuvillette nodded in agreement. As they spoke, they reached the end of the passage. Wriothesley stepped in front of Su Yuan and said, "There''s a manhole cover above us. Su Yuan, you''re not suited for heavy lifting, so leave it to me!" "Once we get out, we''ll be behind the infirmary. Let''s check on Sigewinne first¡ªI''m worried that Chevreuse might have done something to her." With that, Wriothesley climbed up and pushed open the manhole cover. However, when the three of them arrived at the infirmary, Sigewinne was nowhere to be found. "That''s strange... At this hour, Sigewinne should be here for her shift at the infirmary." Wriothesley frowned, a growing sense of unease creeping into his heart. Just then, a nurse walked in from outside and exclaimed in surprise, "Huh! Lord Duke! Lord Neuvillette! What are you both doing here?" "Have you seen Head Nurse Sigewinne?" Wriothesley asked urgently. "Oh! Head Nurse Sigewinne? Yes, I saw her!" the nurse replied. "Just now¡ªabout half a minute ago¡ªCaptain Chevreuse suddenly came here and took Head Nurse Sigewinne away. It seemed like something urgent..." "Did they mention where they were going? Which direction did they head in?" Wriothesley stepped forward abruptly, his expression turning serious, startling the nurse. The nurse, her hands trembling, pointed in a direction. "I think... I think they went that way..." "Neuvillette, let''s go!" Wriothesley didn''t hesitate for a second and immediately took off running. "Follow me! That direction leads to the Combat Arena! It''s currently closed, so there shouldn''t be anyone inside!" "Su Yuan! I know you told us not to fight ''Chevreuse,'' but I can''t just ignore Sigewinne''s safety!" "Su Yuan, Wriothesley is right," Neuvillette said as he turned to Su Yuan. "Perhaps you should stay here at the infirmary and rest. Wriothesley and I will handle this." "No, I''m coming too!" Su Yuan replied firmly. "I''ll find a safe spot to observe from a distance. I won''t get in your way or hold you back!" Seeing the determination in Su Yuan''s eyes, Neuvillette nodded. "Alright, but you can''t move quickly right now. Should I carry you in my arms, or on my back?" Hearing this, Su Yuan was momentarily stunned. He imagined himself¡ªa grown man¡ªbeing carried in a princess hold by Neuvillette... and immediately felt a little weird about it. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Uh... Neuvillette, just carry me on your back..." Su Yuan said. "Alright." Neuvillette turned his back to Su Yuan and crouched down. Su Yuan lightly leaped up, landing on Neuvillette''s broad and sturdy back. Then, without hesitation, Neuvillette took off, sprinting at high speed to catch up with Wriothesley. Su Yuan glanced at the engraving on the palm of his left hand. It had repeatedly warned him not to fight the Eerie, but... if it were him in their place, he wouldn''t just stand by and do nothing while Sigewinne''s safety was at risk. Their goal wasn''t to fight the Eerie¡ªit was to save Sigewinne! Since a fight was unavoidable, then so be it. Su Yuan was no coward! At worst... he''d just start over again! --------------- Exclusive access : 51ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 22: Ch 22 : Deadly Arena Chapter 22 - Ch 22 : Deadly Arena When Su Yuan and his two companions arrived at the entrance of the Fist Arena, they found that the lock on the door had already been opened. "Tch..." Without any hesitation, Wriothesley kicked the door open. The scene that greeted them was unsettling¡ªon the arena stage, "Chevreuse" stood with a strange, eerie smile, gazing at the three of them. "Running away? Why aren''t you running anymore? Why did you obediently come back to me?" "Chevreuse" chuckled darkly, an expression of sheer delight on her face. "Sigewinne!" Wriothesley shouted loudly. He had spotted her behind "Chevreuse", on the other side of the arena stage¡ªher eyes were blindfolded, her mouth was gagged, and her body was tightly bound with numerous ropes. Bloodstains covered her body, and she lay motionless on the ground... "Originally, I was so eager to devour Sigewinne... After all, a humanoid Melusine is quite rare..." "But in order to lure you little fish onto my hook, I decided to suppress my appetite for now..." "Su Yuan! Stay back and go to the spectator stands!" Wriothesley shouted. "Neuvillette, check on Sigewinne!" "I''ll deal with ''Chevreuse''!" With those words, Wriothesley leaped onto the arena stage, his eyes burning with fury as he locked onto "Chevreuse" with an unyielding glare. His gauntlets began to hum with energy, emitting waves of icy air... Su Yuan immediately ran to the spectator stands, picking a prime spot to enjoy the upcoming battle. Neuvillette gave a small nod before swiftly circling around the arena, making his way toward Sigewinne. "I haven''t finished speaking yet! How dare you act on your own!!" "Chevreuse" roared furiously, baring her bloodstained maw. She then raised her gunlance in Neuvillette''s direction, preparing to fire a shot! "Don''t get distracted while boxing! Keep your eyes on your opponent!" Wriothesley warned. He swiftly adjusted his breathing, rhythm, and footwork before darting forward. Powerful Cryo energy surged into his gauntlets, and in an instant, he unleashed six consecutive strikes of his Swift Frost Barrage! Thanks to Wriothesley''s interference, Chevreuse''s shot went off course, missing its mark and failing to hinder Neuvillette''s movement. What incredible speed! Su Yuan was utterly stunned¡ªhis eyes could barely keep up with Wriothesley''s fists, only catching glimpses of their afterimages. So this is his true power? "If Wriothesley had this kind of attack speed in the original game, that would be way too broken!" However, unlike Su Yuan''s amazement, Wriothesley himself was even more shocked. Despite his overwhelming speed, not a single punch landed. ''Chevreuse'' had dodged every strike effortlessly! This has never happened before... "Tch... If a flurry of quick strikes doesn''t work, then let''s see how you handle this!" In the next moment, Wriothesley tossed his right gauntlet into the air. Then, with a smooth, elegant spin, he clenched his right fist¡ªslipping it perfectly back into the falling gauntlet! Instantly, the gauntlet transformed, its internal mechanisms shifting into high gear¡ªactivating at full power! A tremendous surge of Cryo energy began condensing within it... As Wriothesley drove his right fist forward with full force, he unleashed a devastating, frost-laden straight punch! In an instant, a barrage of ice spikes erupted forward, relentlessly striking everything in their path and inflicting widespread, continuous Cryo damage! Su Yuan was completely dumbfounded. This must be Wriothesley''s Elemental Burst from the original game... Wasn''t it called "Darkgold Wolfbite"? Seeing it in real life was far more spectacular than in the game... This is insane! Su Yuan could even see cracks forming across the arena floor. That attack might have just killed "Chevreuse" outright... "Wriothesley, calm down! You''re losing control¡ªyou''re going too far!" Neuvillette warned. "Chevreuse''s body can''t withstand that kind of attack!" The arena stage was now engulfed in a thick haze of ice mist, frost, dust, and water vapor, making it hard to see Chevreuse''s condition... "Tch..." Wriothesley gritted his teeth, staring at the aftermath of his attack. Did I overdo it...? But in the next instant¡ªsomething changed. "Wriothesley... If this is the extent of your strength, then just go die." A chilling voice echoed from within the icy mist and dust. Slowly, Chevreuse''s figure emerged... Wriothesley''s entire body tensed. He froze in place. For the first time in a long while... he felt fear. A long time ago, when Wriothesley escaped from his foster home, he wandered the streets, homeless, drenched in rain, starving... Facing the abuse and beatings of several grown men, he had felt an overwhelming fear¡ªone that made his entire body tremble, robbing him of sleep night after night... But as he grew older and his strength increased, fear seemed to drift further and further away from him... Yet now, standing before the eerie, transformed "Chevreuse", that fear had returned. A primal, instinctual terror¡ªone that gripped him from the depths of his very being. This was the most fundamental fear of all living things... No matter who you are, what status you hold, what abilities you possess, or what kind of mindset you maintain... As long as you still have emotions and desires, this kind of fear is inescapable. "Wriothesley! Danger!" At this moment, Neuvillette was only a few steps away from Sigewinne, but even he felt an overwhelming sense of crisis¡ªa fear so intense it sent shivers down his spine. There was no time to hesitate. In an instant, Neuvillette transformed into a dragon-shaped stream of water, surging toward Wriothesley and ''Chevreuse''! As the ice mist and dust gradually cleared, Chevreuse''s figure became fully visible... Her body was engulfed in jet-black flames. There were no traces of ice around her, no signs that Wriothesley''s attack had affected her in the slightest. That black fire had effortlessly nullified his full-powered assault. Slowly, Chevreuse raised her gunlance, aiming it directly at Wriothesley''s forehead. "Wriothesley! What are you doing, snap out of it! Dodge!" Su Yuan shouted frantically from the spectator stands, but he could do nothing. Wriothesley stood there, his eyes dull and unfocused, his body trembling uncontrollably. Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. He was completely paralyzed. With a bang, a shot rang out¡ªa bullet wreathed in black energy tore through the air, speeding straight for Wriothesley! But thankfully, Neuvillette made it in time! With a swift lunge, he tackled Wriothesley to the ground¡ªbut the bullet struck his shoulder! His elegant, noble attire was instantly torn apart, and blood and torn flesh splattered across the arena. "Hah... As expected of an ancient elemental dragon." Chevreuse chuckled darkly. "That body of yours is far tougher than those frail mortals." "Wriothesley! Wake up!" Neuvillette called his name, trying to shake him out of it. But Wriothesley''s lifeless eyes remained unchanged¡ªthere was no sign of him regaining consciousness. "Hehehe... You won''t be able to wake him up. He''s already trapped in deep fear... completely unable to escape." "Chevreuse" let out a sinister chuckle. "And next... it''s your turn, Neuvillette." "But you are, after all, of the dragon race. This method might not work on you..." "No matter. I''ll just kill you¡ªone bullet at a time!" "Su Yuan! I''ll do my best to hold off Chevreuse! Take Sigewinne and get out of here!" Neuvillette shouted. Hearing this, Su Yuan immediately got up and rushed toward Sigewinne''s location. ¡ª Neuvillette unleashed a barrage of Hydro attacks, manipulating water spheres, water pillars, and water bullets in an attempt to injure Chevreuse¡ªbut all his efforts were in vain. The ominous black flames surrounding Chevreuse provided her with a flawless, 360-degree defense, blocking every single attack with ease. On the other hand, Neuvillette, despite using water shields and water walls to defend himself, found them utterly useless against the black-tinged bullets fired from Chevreuse''s gunlance. His body was already riddled with bullet wounds, and his exquisite attire was thoroughly soaked in blood. Yet, he fought on... refusing to fall. ¡ª Meanwhile, Su Yuan finally reached Sigewinne''s side. Without hesitation, he pulled out a small knife from his pocket and sliced through the ropes that bound Sigewinne''s body, as well as the cloth covering her eyes and mouth... Sigewinne was still alive, though there was a visible wound on the back of her head, stained with blood¡ªshe had most likely been knocked unconscious by a heavy blow. Su Yuan looked at Sigewinne, then turned his gaze toward Wriothesley, collapsed on the ground, and finally at Neuvillette, struggling to hold on. The sheer brutality of the scene left him speechless. Was this why the message on his left palm had warned him¡ªnever to fight against the Eerie? Were the Eerie really this powerful...? Right now, Su Yuan saw no hope. This was the only way left. Next time, he had to find a way to escape with Sigewinne¡ªno matter what, he could never fight the Eerie head-on again. With trembling hands, Su Yuan slowly raised the small knife, pressing it against his own neck¡ªready to end his life and restart from a checkpoint. ¡ª At the same time, Neuvillette had reached his limit. His body collapsed to its knees, completely exhausted. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He stared in disbelief at Su Yuan''s actions. In his memory, Su Yuan was never someone who would give up like this... ¡ª High above the battlefield, Chevreuse pointed her gunlance at Neuvillette''s head, a sinister grin spreading across her blood-stained lips. "Hahaha! Neuvillette, do you see this?" She threw her head back and let out a chilling, cruel laugh. "This is the Su Yuan you put your faith in!" "So fragile! So weak! So utterly pathetic!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 51ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 23: Ch 23 : We Melusines are not delicate flowers grown in a greenhouse Chapter 23 - Ch 23 : We Melusines are not delicate flowers grown in a greenhouse "Farewell, Neuvillette..." "Your flesh and heart... I imagine they''ll be quite chewy to eat." As Chevreuse spoke, she tightened her grip on the trigger, ready to fire. At the same time, Su Yuan pressed his blade against his own carotid artery, prepared to end his life and restart from a checkpoint. But in the next moment, something unexpected happened. Chevreuse''s hand, which held the gun, suddenly started trembling uncontrollably. The dark flames that had been burning around her vanished without a trace. "W-What... what have I done...?" Gasping for air, Chevreuse stared at the scene before her in disbelief. "Neuvillette... Wriothesley... Are you two okay...? What... what exactly happened...?" "Was all of this... really my doing...?" Su Yuan''s blade had already cut into his neck, with blood beginning to seep out. But the moment he saw this scene, he stopped himself just in time. What was going on? Had Chevreuse... returned to normal? Still kneeling on the ground, Neuvillette struggled to lift his head. He looked at Chevreuse, forcing a weak smile. "Chevreuse... welcome back." And with that, his strength finally gave out, and with a heavy thud, Neuvillette collapsed to the ground. "Chevreuse! Hurry and call for help at the infirmary! Saving them is the priority!" Su Yuan shouted at her. "Don''t go!" A voice suddenly rang out¡ªit was Sigewinne. She slowly opened her eyes and, with Su Yuan''s support, struggled to her feet. "We can''t let the people outside know that something this serious happened. Leave the rest to me." "But, Head Nurse Sigewinne, you''re injured too..." Su Yuan said with concern. "It''s fine. We Melusines have stronger constitutions than ordinary humans." Sigewinne reassured him, "I''m still a little dizzy, but it''s nothing serious anymore." After that, Sigewinne and Su Yuan stepped onto the fighting stage, approaching Neuvillette and Wriothesley to check on their conditions. Wriothesley had no visible external injuries, but he was in a strange state, completely unresponsive. Neuvillette, on the other hand, was severely wounded, but his vital signs remained stable¡ªhe had simply passed out from exhaustion. "I''ll go back to the infirmary alone and bring emergency medical supplies. You all stay here and wait for me." With that, Sigewinne left the boxing arena on her own. After she was gone, Chevreuse turned to Su Yuan¡ªher usual composure completely shattered. Her voice trembled as she spoke: "Su Yuan... Was I... controlled by the Eerie? Did I cause all of this...? Even Lord Neuvillette and the Duke..." Su Yuan nodded. He then gently reassured her, "Chevreuse, none of this was your fault. It was all because of the Eerie." "Can you recall anything? What exactly caused you to transform?" "If we can find the cause, we can prevent this from happening again." "I... I don''t know..." Chevreuse''s voice was barely a whisper, her body still trembling as she struggled to process everything. "It''s okay. Don''t force yourself to think about it now. Just take a moment to breathe and calm down." Seeing Chevreuse like this, Su Yuan felt a deep pang of sorrow. It was clear that this entire incident had shaken her badly. ............... Neuvillette slowly opened his eyes. He found himself lying on a hospital bed, his body wrapped in bandages and gauze. As he looked around, he saw Su Yuan and Chevreuse sitting nearby. Sigewinne was there too¡ªher head wrapped in gauze, but in a neat bow shape, decorated with cute stickers. Neuvillette glanced down at the bandages covering his own body. Sure enough, some of them also had stickers on them. As for Wriothesley, he lay unconscious on the bed beside him, still unresponsive. "Lord Neuvillette, you''re awake!" Sigewinne exclaimed cheerfully, clearly relieved to see him regain consciousness. "Neuvillette, you''re awake! That''s such a relief." Su Yuan and Chevreuse moved closer, finally letting out a sigh of relief. "How is Wriothesley doing now?" Neuvillette asked. "His Grace seems to have fallen into a state of panic disorder," Sigewinne explained. "But I''ve already given him a special treatment, and he''s gradually improving. He might wake up on his own soon." "Don''t worry, Lord Neuvillette," she added with a confident smile. "You know how good my medical skills are, don''t you?" Neuvillette nodded and continued, "What time is it now?" "It''s already past ten," Chevreuse replied, glancing at her watch. "What? It''s already ten?" Neuvillette frowned slightly. "That means I''ve already missed work at Palais Mermonia... I didn''t request leave either. If Lady Furina finds out, she''s definitely going to say something about it." "Originally, I came here with Chevreuse early in the morning, hoping to return quickly so as not to delay my duties." "After all, there are still many documents to review, and I also need to preside over the court proceedings today..." "Relax, Lord Neuvillette!" Sigewinne chuckled, looking quite pleased with herself. "I already informed Palais Mermonia for you, knowing you''d be worried about this." "So just focus on resting and recovering today¡ªforget about work for now and consider it a well-deserved break!" "Ah!!!" Wriothesley suddenly let out a loud scream and bolted upright from the bed, clutching his chest and gasping for air. "Sigh, Your Grace, you''ve finally woken up. Do you feel any better?" Sigewinne walked over and handed him a towel. Wriothesley glanced at Sigewinne, a wave of relief washing over his face. "Sigewinne, you''re alright... That''s such a relief." Taking the towel, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken. "I think... I had a nightmare. A terrifying one..." Suddenly, he shuddered and looked around. "Wait! Where''s Chevreuse?!" His eyes landed on Chevreuse, who gave him an awkward smile and waved. "Uh... Hi, Your Grace... About earlier... I''m really sorry." "Phew..." Wriothesley let out a long sigh, finally relaxing. "So you''re back to normal... That''s a relief." But as soon as he saw Sigewinne standing there, he quickly covered his mouth. "Your Grace," Sigewinne said, her gaze sweeping across everyone in the room, her tone serious. "Now that you''re awake, it''s time you all told me exactly what happened." "I enjoy observing human expressions. You can learn a lot from them." She pouted slightly, though her attempt at seriousness only made her look even more adorable. "And it''s obvious to me¡ªyou''re all hiding something from me." "Come on, confess now, and I''ll be lenient! But if you resist, the punishment will be severe!" Su Yuan thought to himself, "No wonder Sigewinne was so calm when she woke up at the arena... She must have already suspected something all along." "Uh..." Wriothesley hesitated, unsure whether he should speak. He turned to look at Neuvillette¡ªonly to see him wrapped head to toe in bandages and gauze, decorated with cute stickers. "Pfft¡ª" Wriothesley couldn''t hold back his laughter. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Neuvillette, I''ve never seen you like this before... I never imagined such a sight!" "Honestly, I thought I was the only one who''d end up with cute stickers on my gauntlets and the back of my clothes... but you¡ªyou''re covered in them!" "That serious and dignified face of yours, paired with all these adorable stickers... it''s quite the look¡ªhahaha!" Neuvillette: ... "Neuvillette, I think we should just tell Head Nurse Sigewinne the truth." Su Yuan spoke up. "Keeping it a secret isn''t a long-term solution, and besides, we need her help with treatment." "That''s right, Monsieur Neuvillette," Sigewinne added, "I understand that whatever this is must be dangerous, but Melusines aren''t some weak and timid race!" "We''re not fragile flowers in a greenhouse. You don''t need to always protect us so carefully." "There are so many of my fellow Melusines fighting criminals in the Shadow Court of Fontaine..." "So why shouldn''t I join you and do my part to help?" "Sigh..." Neuvillette let out a soft sigh, then nodded. "Su Yuan, I''ll have to trouble you to explain everything again." --------------- Exclusive access : 54ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 24: Ch 24 : Death Penalty! Execute Immediately! Chapter 24 - Ch 24 : Death Penalty! Execute Immediately! Time: 10:30 AM Location: Fontaine''s Opera Epiclese Furina sat in her exclusive seat, watching as the trial reached its final stage, about to conclude. She let out a soft sigh... Although this trial was complex enough, dramatic enough, and filled with unexpected twists and turns, without Neuvillette presiding over it, she couldn''t help but feel that something was missing... "Sigh..." Furina murmured, "Neuvillette has been acting strangely since yesterday..." "Putting aside why he went from accusing Su Yuan of being a pervert to framing him as an assassin, this sudden combat exercise without informing anyone is just not something Neuvillette would do..." "Neuvillette has always cared about justice, the integrity of the legal process, and the people of Fontaine more than anyone else..." "He has organized training exercises before, but he always ensured every layer of approval was secured and personally oversaw every detail with extreme caution, fearing that the slightest mistake could lead to unnecessary casualties..." "I was planning to question him about all of this today! But now, without any prior notice, he suddenly takes a leave of absence and doesn''t come to Palais Mermonia?" "In all these hundreds of years, I''ve never seen Neuvillette take an unannounced leave like this... Even when he had something urgent, he would always apply for leave days in advance..." "Could something have happened to him? No, that shouldn''t be possible... Who in all of Fontaine could possibly do anything to him?" "And then there''s Captain Chevreuse too! Yesterday, she suddenly rallied forces to fight Neuvillette¡ªit nearly gave me a heart attack!" "But when I called for reinforcements, she went and sealed off the entire floor, refusing to let us go up..." "And when I insisted on seeing what was happening, she actually knocked me out and sent me back to my room?" Thinking about it, Furina felt a slight surge of irritation. However, her frustration wasn''t just because Chevreuse had knocked her out¡ªit was because she was certain that Neuvillette and Chevreuse were hiding something from her! "And then there''s Su Yuan, that so-called ''pervert''..." "Neuvillette said he had already been sent to Meropide for proper ''reformation,'' but when I asked to visit him, just to have a word, Neuvillette refused..." "Huh?" A sudden thought struck Furina. "Since Neuvillette isn''t here today, once I finish my duties during the day, why don''t I sneak over to Meropide and take a look myself?" "To be honest, as the Hydro Archon of the Nation of Justice, it''s been quite some time since I last visited Meropide to check on the inmates and understand the conditions of the people..." That thought lifted her spirits slightly. "Yes! That''s it! It''s decided!" "I wonder what Meropide looks like now under Duke Wriothesley ''s management?" "The evidence presentation and debate session now comes to an end." The judge, a man named Aesilink, spoke from his seat and then turned toward the plaintiff''s side. "Ms. Ashiman, do you have any final statements or additional information to present?" "No, we have nothing more to add," Ashiman replied. Aesilink then turned to the defendant. "Mr. Erin, what about you?" "No, I have nothing further," Erin answered. "Very well. In accordance with Fontaine''s laws and procedures, all case materials will now be submitted to the ''Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale'' for the final verdict." With that, Aesilink nodded toward the staff below, who then placed a sealed envelope containing all the case details into the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale¡ªan apparatus shaped like the scales of justice, symbolizing fairness and impartiality. As the mechanism activated, a mysterious energy began to radiate from it... "Wait a minute¡ª isn''t the energy of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale always water-blue? Why does it look like there''s some red and black mixed in today?" One spectator in the audience suddenly noticed something unusual and turned to his companion. "What red and black? I don''t see anything," his companion replied. "You must be seeing things! Look again." The spectator rubbed his eyes and looked back up, only to find that the red and black energy he had seen was no longer there. "Maybe I''m just too tired and imagined it..." he murmured. A moment later, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale finished its process, and the verdict was revealed. "According to the result given by the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, Mr. Erin..." Aesilink spoke slowly. "Guilty!" "Yes! Well done!" "Scumbag! Deceiving someone''s feelings! Serves him right!!" "Scumbags should all just die!!!" As soon as Aesilink announced the judgment from the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, the audience erupted into applause and cheers. At the defendant''s stand, Erin had a constipated and dissatisfied look on his face, but he had no choice but to admit that he had lost the trial... "Erin... Go reflect properly in the Fortress of Meropide... When you get out, don''t come looking for me again... I never want to see you for the rest of my life..." Ashiman spoke slowly from the plaintiff''s stand. "And don''t ever deceive another girl again..." "As per the ruling of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, we will uphold the guilty verdict..." Aesilink read on, glancing at the results displayed by the machine. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The final sentencing decision given by the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale is..." The next second, Aesilink''s face showed a deeply puzzled expression. He could recognize every word on the verdict, yet he couldn''t comprehend why these words had appeared here... "Death penalty... to be carried out immediately..." As soon as Aesilink spoke those words, the opera house fell into chaos. No one had expected such a result! "Wait... I mean, I just said that scumbags should die, but that was just venting! I didn''t actually mean he should be executed..." "But... the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale has never made a mistake in hundreds of years..." "Could it be... that Erin has committed sins far more severe than just toying with people''s feelings?" "Otherwise, how could we explain why the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale would deliver such a verdict?" "I don''t accept this! This isn''t fair! I only deceived them emotionally and financially, I didn''t do anything truly heinous! Why am I sentenced to death?!" Erin, at the defendant''s stand, became extremely agitated. "Aesilink, although I despise Erin, I do know him well enough to say that he has never committed any truly unforgivable crimes. He really doesn''t deserve to die..." Ashiman from the plaintiff''s stand also pleaded on his behalf. Aesilink furrowed his brows tightly, feeling just as bewildered... Indeed, in his judgment, while Erin''s philandering ways were reprehensible, they were certainly not worthy of the death penalty. Even Furina, sitting in her private seat, was stunned. What was going on? Why was he suddenly sentenced to death? Sure, their relationship drama had been entertaining, full of dramatic twists and turns, but no matter how one looked at it, Erin¡ªdespite being a scumbag¡ªsurely didn''t deserve to be executed, right? "Honorable Lady Furina, today''s trial was originally supposed to be presided over by Lord Neuvillette. However, he had urgent matters to attend to, so I stepped in to take his place..." Aesilink looked up at Furina on the high platform and spoke respectfully: "Lady Furina, you''ve seen everyone''s reaction¡ªnone of us believe that Erin deserves the death penalty..." "As the creator of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, we have a question for you..." "Though the Oratrice has never made an erroneous judgment in hundreds of years, is there a possibility that it could malfunction?" Faced with Aesilink''s question, Furina suddenly panicked... How was she supposed to answer that? She was just a false Hydro Archon¡ªshe had no clue how the Oratrice actually worked! Furina instinctively wanted to call for Neuvillette to bail her out, but he wasn''t here at all... There was no other choice¡ªshe had to bluff her way through this. "Ahem..." Furina cleared her throat lightly, forcing herself to stay composed. "My dear people of Fontaine, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale is one of my supreme creations. Naturally, it is impossible for it to malfunction." In her mind, she thought: I absolutely cannot admit that the Oratrice could have a fault. Otherwise, they''ll expect me to fix it¡ªbut I don''t understand how it works at all! So I have no choice but to insist that there''s no issue... "There must be some hidden truth behind this case," she declared. "Therefore, I hereby announce that today''s trial will be temporarily adjourned. Once Chief Judge Neuvillette returns, we shall reexamine this case in full!" The audience erupted into applause, praising Furina''s decision. "Lady Hydro Archon is wise!" Erin was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears streamed down his face. "I deeply recognize my mistakes¡ªI truly don''t want to die..." Just moments ago, Erin had been indignant about being found guilty. But the moment he heard he was sentenced to death, he immediately backed down and admitted defeat... Furina let out a small sigh of relief¡ªshe had managed to get through this for now. From here on, all she had to do was wait for Neuvillette to return and leave the matter in his hands... She had to trust in Neuvillette''s wisdom. After all, her most important duty was to play the role of the Hydro Archon convincingly. --------------- Exclusive access : 54ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 25: Ch 25 : Conditions for Chevreuse’s Eerie Chapter 25 - Ch 25 : Conditions for Chevreuse''s Eerie "Oh, so that''s how it is..." After listening to Su Yuan''s explanation, Sigewinne nodded in understanding. "Back then, Captain Chevreuse came to the infirmary and told me that the Duke and Neuvillette were fighting in the Boxing Arena. She asked me to go check on them quickly to prevent any accidents from happening..." "Although, based on my observations of Captain Chevreuse''s expression at the time, there was a high probability that she was lying, I still went along..." Sigewinne pouted slightly, looking at Neuvillette and Wriothesley with a bit of anger. "Better safe than sorry. Since I could tell you were hiding something from me, I actually thought you two had a private conflict..." "I''m sorry, my dearest Nurse Sigewinne! It''s all my fault for making you worry!" Wriothesley immediately apologized. "My apologies, Sigewinne. This was my mistake as well," Neuvillette said. "I shouldn''t have kept the truth from you." "It''s fine, it''s all in the past now..." Sigewinne smiled bitterly, though her expression carried a trace of disappointment. "But from now on, I can''t just casually make food for others anymore... I don''t want to trigger my Eerie conditions, cause trouble for you all, or put you in danger..." "It''s okay, Nurse Sigewinne. Doesn''t Su Yuan really enjoy your cooking?" Wriothesley grinned, winking at Su Yuan as he gave him a knowing look. "From now on, you can just make food for Su Yuan!" "As long as he eats everything, there won''t be any Eerie transformation at all... Su Yuan, you''re definitely going to finish every last bite without wasting anything, right?" Su Yuan: ??? What? Me? Do I have to eat it...? Am I really the one who has to eat Sigewinne''s cooking...? Eh... Is this for real? But in the next moment, Su Yuan saw Sigewinne looking at him with her big, watery eyes, full of anticipation... Damn it! A true man could never refuse such an adorable Sigewinne! Although Sigewinne''s cooking tasted a bit strange, its nutritional value was undeniably top-tier! There''s a saying¡ªthirty percent depends on training, seventy percent depends on eating. This was also an investment in his future strength! "Alright, Nurse Sigewinne! From now on, I''ll be in your care for my meals!" Su Yuan forced a bright smile onto his face and raised a thumbs-up¡ªthough it was unclear whether he was praising Sigewinne or his own courage... "Thank you, Su Yuan!" Sigewinne beamed, her smile full of joy. "Alright, let''s get back to the main topic," Neuvillette spoke up. "In this battle against the Eerie power, I gathered a lot of important information..." "The bullets from Chevreuse''s musket were infused with an Eerie aura. No matter what method I tried, I couldn''t block them..." "In the face of Eerie power, elemental energy seems to be naturally countered, rendered almost meaningless..." "When dealing with attacks from Eerie forces, you either have to dodge them quickly or use some kind of physical object to block them. Otherwise, you''ll have no choice but to take them head-on with your body..." "After being hit by an Eerie attack, I felt a chaotic force rampaging inside me. It was preventing my wounds from healing and disrupting the flow of elemental energy within my body. That''s why the longer I fought, the worse my condition became¡ªI simply couldn''t hold on for long..." "Hah..." Wriothesley let out a bitter chuckle. "Neuvillette, at least you were able to last a few rounds against the Eerie force, but me? I got taken out instantly..." "Sigh... Now I finally understand why Su Yuan kept emphasizing that we shouldn''t fight against the Eerie. There''s simply no chance of winning..." Wriothesley let out a long sigh. "There must be a way to defeat the Eerie¡ªwe just haven''t found it yet," Su Yuan said. "The most urgent task right now is to identify the conditions that trigger Chevreuse''s eerie transformation so we can prevent it in advance." Su Yuan turned to Chevreuse. "Chevreuse, do you have any leads?" Chevreuse nodded and replied, "I suspect it has something to do with my father." "That aligns with my own suspicions," Neuvillette said. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Donatello was the most influential figure in your life." "I''m surprised that you still remember my father''s name, Lord Neuvillette," Chevreuse smiled. "I remember every name, every case, and every verdict from every trial I have presided over," Neuvillette said calmly. "Donatello was a kind and outstanding enforcer. Back then, in order to push forward the investigation of that major case, he deliberately leaked confidential information to the press." "Although the final outcome was good¡ªwith media coverage and public pressure accelerating the resolution of the case¡ªDonatello''s actions were, without a doubt, a violation of Fontaine''s laws." "Chevreuse, do you resent me?" Neuvillette lifted his gaze to look at her. "Why would I?" Chevreuse responded. "If you had failed to make a fair judgment according to the law, that''s when I would have resented you." "Alright, I think we''re getting a little off track. Let me continue." "After we held that press conference yesterday, I returned to the Special Patrol headquarters to wrap up some work, then I went home..." "Then I discovered that my father seemed to be ill. My mother was taking care of him, and after that... I lost my memory. I don''t remember anything until just now when I woke up." "So based on this, Chevreuse, does your eerie transformation have something to do with your father''s health condition?" Wriothesley mused. "Aren''t you worried? Shouldn''t you go back and check on him?" "It should be fine," Chevreuse replied. "Since I''ve reverted back from my eerie state, that means my father''s condition must have improved somewhat..." "I just don''t know what exactly is wrong with him. As far as I remember, he''s always been in good health. Ever since he was released from Meropide, he''s been taking me winter swimming¡ªjust last year, we went together!" "Haha! Looks like it''s my time to shine!" Sigewinne grinned and turned to Wriothesley. "Your Grace, I''d like to take a day off to go with Captain Chevreuse and check on her father. Would that be alright?" "Of course! Leave approved!" Wriothesley responded immediately. "Great, then we shouldn''t waste any time," Sigewinne said, turning to Chevreuse. "Captain Chevreuse, let''s pack up and head out right away!" "Mm." Chevreuse nodded. Neuvillette turned to Wriothesley and spoke in a measured tone, "Wriothesley, is taking leave in Meropide always this simple and casual?" "Well, what did you expect? You think everyone follows that whole Meropide procedure like you do?" "First, you have to write a formal request in the correct format. If the format is wrong, you can''t even submit it. Once it''s confirmed to be correct, it gets passed to a superior..." "Then that superior submits it to their superior, and it goes up the chain, layer by layer, for approval. And even then, there''s no guarantee it''ll be approved. If you''re lucky enough for it to go through, you still need to get an official stamp before your leave is considered valid." "And even if you do get your leave approved, that doesn''t mean you can completely relax. If something urgent happens, they can call you back at any moment." Neuvillette: ... --------------- Exclusive access : 57ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 26: Ch 26 : The Unexpected Visit of Furina Chapter 26 - Ch 26 : The Unexpected Visit of Furina Not long after Sigewinne and Chevreuse left, Wriothesley also got up from his hospital bed. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Neuvillette, Su Yuan, you''ve both suffered serious injuries. Just stay here in the ward and rest properly," Wriothesley said as he prepared to return to overseeing the operations at Meropide. "I''m fine, really. I was just a little shaken up, but after resting for a bit, I feel much better. You don''t need to worry about me." "Alright." Su Yuan and Neuvillette nodded, watching as Wriothesley left. With that, only Su Yuan and Neuvillette remained in the hospital room. "Su Yuan," Neuvillette looked at him and spoke slowly, "do you think I''m being overly protective?" "Now even Sigewinne knows about the Eerie matter. Although I didn''t want her to be involved in this situation, I still couldn''t stop it from happening..." "That''s only natural¡ªit just shows that you''re kind, Neuvillette," Su Yuan said. "Besides, Sigewinne was right. The Melusines have long become an independent and capable race." "Then do you think I should tell Furina about the Eerie?" "I''m afraid she won''t be able to handle the truth, but at the same time, I''m also afraid that if she faces these unknown horrors unprepared, it''ll be even worse..." "It''s really a dilemma..." "Actually, I think telling her isn''t a bad idea. That way, we''d have another ally, no matter how small the help," Su Yuan said. "Besides, Furina might be far stronger than you imagine." After all, if Furina weren''t strong, how could she have endured five hundred years of solitude on her own? Moreover, Su Yuan suspected that Furina''s conditions for Eerie transformation were probably related to this as well. "Alright, tomorrow morning, I''ll bring her to Meropide, and we''ll tell her everything together." Neuvillette nodded. "Neuvillette, can I ask you something?" "Go ahead." "When you saved me, what exactly did you sacrifice?" Su Yuan moved his limbs slightly. "At that time, all four of my limbs were completely broken. But now, in less than a day, I''ve already recovered enough to get out of bed and walk..." "I didn''t intend to tell you because I owe you this... but since you''re asking, I''ll tell you everything without reservation." "I gave you half of my ancient dragon''s essence blood," Neuvillette said. "In that situation, it was the only way to save your life." "Ancient... dragon''s essence blood?" Su Yuan was visibly surprised. "Yes. With the blood of an ancient dragon flowing in your veins, in a way, you could now be considered part of the dragon race as well." Neuvillette smiled faintly. "I was originally worried that your body might reject it, but now it seems like there were no issues at all." "As expected from the hero who came from beyond this world to save Teyvat." "The reason why the dragon race stands at the pinnacle of Teyvat''s life forms is nothing more than their incredibly long lifespan, powerful physical resilience, extraordinary regenerative abilities, and their natural affinity and mastery over elemental forces." "And now, you possess all of these traits as well. Once your body fully recovers, you''ll start to feel the changes. Who knows, maybe you''ll even be able to manipulate hydro elements without a Vision, just like me." "Neuvillette, won''t giving me half of your essence blood affect you? If you hadn''t given it to me, wouldn''t you have suffered less when facing Eerie-transformed Chevreuse? You might have recovered much faster and better by now..." Su Yuan said, feeling a pang of guilt. "Maybe so, but none of that matters now. It''s all in the past..." "If I had just stood there and watched you die without doing anything, I would have regretted it for the rest of my life..." Su Yuan nodded. "Mm, I understand, Neuvillette. Thank you..." "So, Su Yuan, promise me¡ªno matter what happens in the future, don''t give up so easily, okay?" Neuvillette looked at him with a serious expression. "I know you''re not someone who gives up easily, so I truly can''t understand what you did back then..." Su Yuan knew that Neuvillette was referring to when he attempted to take his own life in the Combat Arena. Regression was his last resort. Naturally, he couldn''t tell Neuvillette that his suicide wasn''t an act of giving up but rather a way to start over. "Alright, Neuvillette, I promise you." Su Yuan realized that he hadn''t been cautious enough. He couldn''t afford to commit suicide to reset time in front of others anymore. This time, he had managed to brush past suspicion, but if it happened too often, someone would eventually start questioning it. "Su Yuan, actually... Wriothesley, Chevreuse, and I¡ªwe all know you must have secrets you haven''t told us." "For example, where exactly did you get all your knowledge about the Eerie? And why are you so certain that it''s correct?" "But even so, we''ve all chosen, as if by unspoken agreement, not to press you for answers¡ªbecause we trust you." "If one day you decide to tell us, we''ll be here to listen. But if you don''t want to, we won''t force you." Hearing Neuvillette''s sincere words, Su Yuan was deeply moved. So this is Neuvillette? Righteous, kind, and trustworthy. "Mm!" With tears in his eyes, Su Yuan nodded firmly. ............ A few hours later, Sigewinne returned alone from outside. "Eh~~ My dear Head Nurse Sigewinne, didn''t I approve your leave for the whole day? Why are you back so early?" Wriothesley asked. "I got some new intel and wanted to report it to you all as soon as possible!" Sigewinne said with a smile. "Captain Chevreuse''s father, Mr. Donatello, isn''t in any serious condition. He just caught a cold last night, which led to a fever and a mild coma. However, he woke up this morning." She continued, "And the timing of his coma perfectly coincides with the period when Captain Chevreuse underwent eerie transformation." "Captain Chevreuse wanted to stay home and accompany her father for a while, and then she''ll report back to the Special Patrol later. That''s why I returned alone." "So it seems that the condition for Chevreuse''s eerie transformation is indeed related to her father," Wriothesley nodded. "However, based on Head Nurse Sigewinne''s description, I feel that the key factor in Chevreuse''s eerie transformation may not be her father ''falling ill,'' but rather ''falling into a coma,''" Su Yuan mused. "I agree with Su Yuan''s assessment as well," Neuvillette added. "In any case, I already have a preliminary plan. I''ll check on Mr. Donatello''s health from time to time to prevent this from happening again," Sigewinne said. "Sigewinne, thank you for your hard work," Neuvillette said, looking at her. "It''s no problem at all, Lord Neuvillette. This is what I should be doing," Sigewinne replied with a smile. "Right now, we''re all in this together, bound by fate to fight against the eerie forces!" .............. "Are all of these... for me to eat?" That night, Su Yuan looked at the array of food in front of him¡ªor rather, the disastrously prepared food¡ªand nervously swallowed. "Of course! You need to eat well to recover properly!" Sigewinne said with a cheerful smile. "But it''s not all for you. His Grace said we should prepare a portion for Lord Neuvillette as well." "I thought that made sense too, since Lord Neuvillette was also seriously injured, so I made sure to prepare an extra serving." "Su Yuan, since you can move your hands now, you can feed yourself. I''ll go feed Lord Neuvillette!" "Sigewinne, don''t you have other tasks to take care of?" Neuvillette declined her offer. "You should go handle your duties. I can eat on my own. If necessary, Su Yuan can help me." "Alright, since Lord Neuvillette insists, I won''t force it," Sigewinne said before leaving the ward. "...Wriothesley," Neuvillette muttered with a hint of exasperation. He then turned to Su Yuan, pointed at the plate in front of him, and asked, "Su Yuan, can you finish all of this?" Su Yuan immediately looked horrified. "Neuvillette, you''re not expecting me to eat both portions, are you?" "Of course not. I just want to trade my main dish for your drink and soup, that''s all." "You know, I can''t get used to eating foods that are too dry. As for the taste, I don''t particularly mind." After swapping some of their food, Neuvillette and Su Yuan began eating. "The food Sigewinne made has improved a lot," Neuvillette commented. "She''s been working hard to change." "Yeah," Su Yuan nodded. "It doesn''t look great, but the taste is decent, and it''s very nutritious." Just then, they heard some commotion outside the door... "Lady Furina, His Grace has instructed that the patient ward is under renovation, so you can''t go in!" "Hmm? Now that you mention it, that only makes me more curious. I must go check out the renovation¡ªconsider it an inspection of the design and materials!" "Your Grace? Your Grace?! Where are you? We really can''t stop Lady Furina anymore!" --------------- Exclusive access : 57ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 27: Ch 27 : A Game of Hide and Seek with Furina Chapter 27 - Ch 27 : A Game of Hide and Seek with Furina "Su Yuan! Hide quickly! I think I just heard Furina''s voice!" Neuvillette spoke in a hurried tone. He had always remembered that Su Yuan had warned them¡ªunder no circumstances should he appear in Furina''s sight at night... Damn it, Wriothesley! Where the hell are you now? Do something useful! Neuvillette and Su Yuan were both injured, but Wriothesley was perfectly fine! Hadn''t he said he would stop Furina at the entrance? "I heard it too. Why would Furina be at Meropide at this hour?" Su Yuan was getting anxious as well. But there really weren''t many good hiding spots in this hospital room... Under the hospital bed? Too obvious¡ªshe would see him the moment she entered. Inside the medicine cabinet? It was big enough, but to fit inside, all the medicine bottles would have to be taken out, which would take too much time. The bathroom? That was way too obvious. Besides, the hospital bathrooms couldn''t be locked from the inside... Clinging to the ceiling like in martial arts novels? Impossible. Not only was Su Yuan still injured, but he also lacked the skills to leap up there. And even if he managed, all Furina would have to do was look up, and she''d spot him immediately... "You won''t let me in? That just makes me even more determined to go in!" Furina''s voice outside carried a hint of frustration after being blocked multiple times. "Don''t tell me you''re up to something shady inside Meropide!" "You''re acting suspicious¡ªnow I have to see for myself! Move aside! This is an order from the Hydro Archon!" Furina declared, and with that, she pushed the hospital room door open! Just before the door swung open, Neuvillette lifted his blanket, allowing Su Yuan to slip underneath just in time. "This is just a normal hospital room. Why were you all being so secretive..." Furina pouted as she glanced around. But soon, her gaze landed on Neuvillette¡ª "Neuvillette! What are you doing here?" Furina exclaimed in surprise, rushing over to his bedside without hesitation. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Lady Furina, long time no see. What a coincidence, running into you here..." Neuvillette raised a hand in greeting, though his expression was somewhat awkward. "Wait a minute! Neuvillette, why are you so badly injured?" Furina''s voice was filled with concern as she took in the sight of him wrapped in bandages. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "What happened to you...?" "No wonder they didn''t want me to enter the room¡ªso it was because you were here, recovering!" "Was it that scoundrel Wriothesley who did this to you? Does he really think that just because he''s in Meropide, he can stand above the laws of Fontaine?" Furina''s voice carried both heartache and anger. "I''ll make him pay for this! I''ll demand justice in the name of the God of Justice!" "No, Lady Furina, you''ve misunderstood. This wasn''t Duke Wriothesley''s doing..." Neuvillette''s expression stiffened slightly¡ªafter all, he was about to lie again. "I... I just tripped and fell while walking today... Yes, that''s it. Just a simple fall, nothing more..." "Neuvillette, do you not realize how terrible you are at lying?" Furina''s ocean-blue eyes locked onto his. "I can tell at a glance that you''re deceiving me." "A simple fall, and you ended up this badly injured?" "Uh..." Neuvillette was at a loss for words. "And what''s with your blanket? Why is it bulging so much... almost like you''re hiding someone underneath?" Furina asked suspiciously. "N-No, it''s just... my leg got injured in the fall, so it''s in a cast, that''s all..." "Really?" Furina narrowed her eyes at Neuvillette. "Then lift the blanket and let me see how badly you''re hurt." "Oh... Lady Furina, the great Hydro Archon herself, has graced us with her presence! Why didn''t you let me know in advance?" Wriothesley''s voice suddenly rang out from the doorway. "I could have prepared some fine tea to properly welcome you!" "No need! I''m here for a surprise inspection today. I absolutely detest all those formalities people put on just to prepare for an evaluation!" Furina turned away from Neuvillette and looked toward Wriothesley standing at the door. "So, Wriothesley? Duke? Care to explain why you went to such great lengths to stop me from coming in?" "And also¡ªwhat exactly happened to Neuvillette?" Hiding under Neuvillette''s blanket, Su Yuan didn''t even dare to breathe. This feeling... was strangely exhilarating... Even though the reality was completely different, it almost felt like getting caught in the act of an affair... Behind Furina, Neuvillette subtly lifted the edge of his blanket, just enough for Wriothesley to catch a glimpse of Su Yuan hiding underneath. Then, Neuvillette pointed at Wriothesley, then at Furina, and finally at the door¡ªhis message was clear: Take Furina somewhere else. Wriothesley gave a knowing smirk, understanding the signal perfectly. "Lady Furina, standing around here like this isn''t exactly ideal. Why don''t we move to my office? We can sit down and chat over some tea," he suggested smoothly. "There''s no need. You can just explain everything to me right here," Furina rejected him righteously, unwavering in her stance. "Lady Furina, if we talk here, we''ll disturb Neuvillette''s rest." "It''s fine, it won''t take long," Furina said thoughtfully. "I just have this feeling... like you''re all hiding something from me..." Neuvillette poked Su Yuan with his finger and then pointed under the bed, signaling him to relocate¡ªstaying on the bed was no longer safe. Su Yuan nodded and began slowly shifting his body... But as he moved¡ªwhether it was due to nerves, his injuries not fully healing, or some other reason¡ªhe lost control of his balance and rolled straight onto the floor with a loud thud. As Wriothesley and Neuvillette both wore expressions of sheer horror, Furina turned around¡ªonly to see Su Yuan sprawled on the ground. "Su... Su Yuan? Mr. Pervert ?" Furina''s face was filled with shock and confusion as she took in the bizarre scene before her. Then, her eyes flickered toward Neuvillette''s bed, where the bulge under the blanket had mysteriously disappeared... "Were you just hiding... under Neuvillette''s blanket?" "What the hell were you two doing?!?" Su Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. It seemed that the title of Pervert was now permanently stuck to him... He regretted everything. Furina wasn''t nearly as sharp or detail-oriented as he had feared. If he had just obediently hidden under the bed, nothing would have happened. He had overthought things. Outsmarted himself. And then¡ª Furina''s eye sockets began to sink, collapsing inward until they became deep, blood-red voids. Thick, crimson liquid with a pungent, rancid stench started oozing from the holes... "Darling... It''s already nighttime..." "Why aren''t you waiting for me in bed...? Why are you in such a strange place...?" "Su Yuan! Run! Get back to Palais Mermonia!" Neuvillette shouted as he summoned his Hydro abilities, attempting to restrain the "Furina" before them. But with just a single tap of her finger, all of Neuvillette''s water elements instantly dissipated. The twisted "Furina" tilted her head, her blood-red voids staring directly at Neuvillette. Then, in an eerily thin and emotionless voice, she said: "I have no interest in you. Please do not interfere..." "Otherwise... I''ll kill you." A massive, suffocating sense of oppression and fear surged over Neuvillette¡ªan overwhelming force far greater than what he had felt from the Eerie transformation of Chevreuse. "Darling, you seem to enjoy playing hide-and-seek..." "Then, on the way back, how about you hide and run, while I search and chase after you...?" "Furina" turned her hollow, blood-red gaze toward Su Yuan and spoke: "Let''s make it our little bedtime game, shall we?" "Of course, every time I find you..." "There will be a little punishment~" "Now then, I''ll start the countdown..." "30... 29... 28... 27... 26..." "Su Yuan, what are you standing there for?! RUN!" Wriothesley urged from the doorway. "I''ll try to hold off Furina!" "No need, Wriothesley! Whatever you do, don''t fight the Eerie!" Su Yuan got up and moved to Wriothesley''s side, speaking urgently. "Furina''s eerie state seems different from the others¡ªshe''s only targeting me..." "If she wants to play, then I''ll play along with her..." "What you need to do is evacuate the people¡ªdon''t let anyone else see Furina in this state!" "But¡ª" "Trust me!" --------------- Exclusive access : 60ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 28: Ch 28 : Regret is of no use Chapter 28 - Ch 28 : Regret is of no use "Wriothesley, be careful!" Neuvillette called out as Wriothesley and Su Yuan dashed out of the hospital room. Neuvillette turned to face Furina, her visage now grotesque and drenched in blood, chanting the countdown in a chilling tone. Yet, beyond the horror, what he felt most was sorrow. But in the next moment¡ªsmack! Neuvillette suddenly slapped himself hard across the face! "Neuvillette, stay strong. You almost cried again just now..." he muttered to himself. He knew he absolutely could not cry¡ªif he did, Fontaine would be drenched in rain, and he himself would fall under the control of the Eerie, leading to an even greater catastrophe. There was an old saying: If you ever have to choose between "never being able to laugh" and "never being able to cry," always choose the former. Because "never being able to laugh" simply means you cannot share your joy with others. But "never being able to cry" means you must bury all your pain deep inside. And now, Neuvillette couldn''t even allow himself to weep in silence, to release his emotions¡ªhe had no choice but to keep it all locked away. ............ S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I am Duke Wriothesley, the master of the Fortress of Meropide!" "Right now, I am issuing an emergency order¡ªno matter what you are doing, stop immediately and return to your sleeping quarters! Whether it''s your own room or someone else''s, it doesn''t matter!" "No matter what happens, do not step out of your rooms without my explicit command!" "And I am not just addressing the prisoners of the Fortress of Meropide¡ªthis order applies to all public officials as well!" "I will repeat this once more¡ªthis is an order!" "You have 15 seconds. Do not let me see you outside your rooms!" Wriothesley''s authoritative voice echoed through the fortress''s broadcasting system. Su Yuan hadn''t expected Wriothesley to have such a commanding presence... But then again, without a firm hand, how could he possibly maintain control over the Fortress of Meropide? Moreover, Su Yuan realized that even though he had already fled far from the hospital room, Furina''s eerie countdown still resounded in his mind. "16... 15... 14... 13..." Su Yuan kept running and soon reached the entrance of the exclusive dining hall. Time was running out¡ªhe needed to find a hiding place, fast. Spotting a large wooden barrel used for storing wine in the corner, he quickly lifted the lid and slipped inside. "4... 3... 2... 1... 0..." "Darling, time''s up!" "Are you hidden well? Because now, I''m coming to find you!" "If I don''t find you within 30 seconds, you win this round, and we''ll start the next one right after." "Until... we return to our bed." Su Yuan hid inside the empty wine barrel and noticed a small hole at the top, allowing him to observe the situation outside. At the same time, he silently counted down from 30 in his mind... At 27 seconds remaining, "Furina" appeared within his line of sight. Su Yuan was astonished¡ªwasn''t that way too fast? Even though he was injured and not moving at his top speed, he had still run for a good 20 to 30 seconds. Yet, "Furina" had caught up in just a tenth of that time? If "Furina" weren''t playing this hide-and-seek game with him, and it was purely a matter of speed, how could he possibly make it back to bed before her? What Su Yuan didn''t know, however, was that the only reason "Furina" had taken three whole seconds to reach this spot was that she had carefully checked every possible hiding place along the way. If she were simply rushing to his location, she wouldn''t have even needed a full second... Now, "Furina" stood there, scanning her surroundings, though she didn''t seem to focus on the wooden barrel he was hiding in. At the same time, however, she also didn''t continue searching ahead¡ªit was as if she was completely certain that Su Yuan was hiding nearby. Time continued to tick away, and Su Yuan silently counted down in his mind. Just a few seconds left, and he would win the first round of hide-and-seek... It seemed that while "Furina" was incredibly fast, her ability to search wasn''t all that remarkable. Maybe, just maybe, he could win every round without getting caught and make it back to Palais Mermonia¡ªback to Furina''s bed¡ªcompletely unscathed... But at the very next moment, "Furina''s" voice suddenly echoed inside Su Yuan''s mind: "Darling, there are only a few seconds left... You don''t actually think you''ve already won, do you?" In the very next moment, "Furina''s" blood-red, hollow eyes suddenly filled Su Yuan''s entire vision. She was staring at him through the small hole in the barrel... "Darling... I''ve found you!" "The first round of hide-and-seek... You lost!" With a loud bang, the wooden barrel instantly shattered into pieces. Splinters flew across the entire area, some of them cutting into Su Yuan''s face and hands... "Furina" looked at the horrified Su Yuan and spoke with delight, "Yes! That''s exactly the expression I wanted to see! Giving you a glimmer of hope, only to completely erase and devour it at the last moment!" Su Yuan instantly understood¡ª"Furina" had known his hiding spot all along. She had only waited until the very last second to reveal it, purely to humiliate and toy with him! "So, as per our previous agreement, I must give you a little punishment, Darling..." "It might hurt just a little. Try to bear with it, okay?" The next moment, Su Yuan felt a sharp, excruciating pain in his left eye¡ªblood splattered everywhere! Enduring the agony, he used his right eye to look¡ªonly to see "Furina" holding his freshly gouged-out, blood-soaked left eye. Then, she placed it into her mouth, chewing it slowly, savoring the taste, an expression of pure ecstasy on her face... "Just now, you were secretly watching me with this eye, weren''t you?" "Furina" spoke slowly. "In that case, I''ll gladly accept it..." "If I consume you completely... you''ll never leave me... you''ll never betray me... you''ll forever belong to me alone, my one and only confidant... Isn''t that right?" "Su Yuan!" At that moment, Wriothesley and Sigewinne appeared at the scene. Their eyes darted between the grotesquely terrifying "Furina" and Su Yuan, whose left eye was still gushing blood. Even though he knew he wasn''t a match for "Furina," Wriothesley still took a battle-ready stance. He couldn''t just stand there and do nothing while Su Yuan suffered right in front of him! "Sigewinne, tend to Su Yuan''s wound immediately!" Wriothesley ordered the girl beside him. "I''ll hold ''Furina'' off!" However, in the next instant, "Furina''s" head twisted 180 degrees horizontally, then spun 270 degrees vertically in an impossibly grotesque motion¡ªbefore locking her eerie, hollow-red gaze onto Sigewinne and Neuvillette. "...Are you two trying to interrupt the intimate little bedtime game between me and Darling?" "Furina" spoke coldly, her tone laced with endless menace and murderous intent. "Sigewinne! Stay back! Wriothesley! You too, don''t interfere!" Su Yuan shouted through gritted teeth, enduring the excruciating pain. "There''s no need for pointless sacrifices! I can handle this!" Then, he turned to "Furina" and spoke with unwavering determination, "Come on, let''s start the next round of hide-and-seek." "...Alright, Darling..." "Furina" turned her head, revealing a twisted smile. But now, the corners of her mouth had split open, stretching all the way down to her lower eyelids. With rows of razor-sharp teeth exposed inside that gaping, bloody maw, her grin was nothing short of nightmarish... "30... 29... 28... 27..." Ignoring the searing pain, Su Yuan pressed his hand against his still-bleeding eye socket and forced himself to keep running toward the exit of Meropide Fortress. With each step, blood trickled down his cheek, dripping from his chin onto the cold stone floor... "All my fault... Su Yuan... How could this have happened at the worst possible time?" Wriothesley clutched his head in frustration, his voice thick with regret. "Just when I went down to inspect the shipbuilding progress, Furina had to show up..." "Since we had to keep it a secret, my subordinates couldn''t contact me while I was down there..." Wriothesley said, guilt-ridden. "Even though I had given clear orders to stop Lady Furina... I can''t blame them. After all, how could they possibly defy the Hydro Archon? They wouldn''t dare to use force..." "It''s all my fault... It''s all my fault... Su Yuan!!!" "Your Grace..." Sigewinne stood beside Wriothesley, watching him filled with regret, guilt, and frustration. She struggled to find the right words to comfort him. "Dwelling on regret here won''t change anything," came a calm voice from behind. "If anything, I share some of the blame as well." Wriothesley felt a gentle pat on his shoulder. Turning slightly, he heard Neuvillette''s voice. "Let''s go. We need to follow them," Neuvillette said. "But don''t act recklessly¡ªwe can''t interfere and make things worse." "We''ll observe as we move. Keep watching carefully... There has to be some way we can help Su Yuan." --------------- Exclusive access : 60ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 29: Ch 29 : Let me love you properly Chapter 29 - Ch 29 : Let me love you properly "Darling..." "I''ve found you again..." "This time, you''ve lost again..." Sitting on the ground, Su Yuan panted heavily, staring at the "Furina" before him... Yes, he had been found again, and just like before, it was in the final few seconds... Su Yuan was even more certain now¡ª"Furina" had discovered him long ago but had deliberately waited until the last moment to expose him... She was humiliating him, toying with him! "Darling, even though I really want to take your other eye..." "Furina" leaned down, gently caressing Su Yuan''s cheek as she spoke: "But if I did that, you wouldn''t be able to see the road clearly anymore, and then you wouldn''t be able to play our little bedtime hide-and-seek game with me..." "So, I''ll let this one slide..." "Furina" gently picked up Su Yuan''s right hand, ran her long, slender tongue over the tip of his index finger, then placed the entire finger into her mouth and bit down hard! They say the fingers are connected to the heart¡ªSu Yuan''s head suddenly rang with a loud "buzz," and an excruciating pain shot through him: "Ah!!!" "Darling, let''s start the next round of hide-and-seek..." Without giving Su Yuan a chance to rest, "Furina" immediately began the countdown: "30... 29... 28... 27..." Su Yuan didn''t dare to hesitate. Enduring the searing pain, he got up and ran again... "Neuvillette, do you see anything?" Wriothesley, a short distance away, clenched his fists in frustration as he asked. "Tonight, before Furina saw Su Yuan, everything was normal," Neuvillette said slowly. "But the moment she saw him, she was taken over by the Eerie..." "It''s obvious¡ªthe condition for Furina''s Eerie transformation is encountering Su Yuan at night." "But based on our previous experiences, the triggers for these Eerie are always connected to a person''s own past and require long-term influence. They don''t happen instantly..." "Su Yuan, as an outsider to this world, first arrived in Furina''s bed the moment he got here... And according to him, Furina was already under the Eerie''s control at that time..." "So now I''m wondering¡ªmaybe the conditions for Eerie transformation aren''t limited to just one..." "And Furina''s current transformation is triggered by a special condition, rather than her original one..." "If we want to save Su Yuan, we either have to find the true cause of Furina''s Eerie state and help her break free from it..." "Or we need to get Su Yuan back to Furina''s bed. Once morning comes, she will return to normal on her own..." "But judging by Su Yuan''s condition, I don''t think he can hold out much longer..." Sigewinne said worriedly. "His previous injuries hadn''t even healed, and now he''s lost so much blood..." "There''s another way¡ªwe fight Furina!" Wriothesley declared. "If we can defeat her and restrain her, Su Yuan will have a chance to survive!" "No, Duke, have you forgotten? Su Yuan has repeatedly warned us not to fight the Eerie!" Sigewinne reminded him. "Right now, we''re no match for them¡ªyou''ve experienced that firsthand, haven''t you?" "So what if we aren''t? Are we just going to stand here and watch Su Yuan be tortured to death?" Wriothesley shot back. "Wriothesley, I thought that after all these years, you had grown more mature and level-headed..." Neuvillette looked at him and spoke calmly. "But now, I see you''re still that same reckless young man who used to argue with me in the courtroom..." "You¡ª" Wriothesley was about to retort but stopped when he saw Neuvillette looking at him with a faint smile. "To be honest, I don''t dislike this side of you." "If it really comes down to the final moment, I will fight alongside you once again¡ªto win Su Yuan a sliver of hope." ... "Darling, I''ve found you again. This time, I''ll take your left ear..." ... "Darling, you lost again. As punishment, give me your right thumb..." ... "Darling, you''ve lost five times in a row. This time, give me your entire left arm..." ... At this moment, Su Yuan was covered in wounds and blood, sitting plainly in the middle of the road. He neither hid nor ran anymore. "Darling, why aren''t you hiding?" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aren''t you afraid that I''ll find you too easily like this?" "Furina" slowly approached Su Yuan and asked. "Hide? Why should I hide?" Su Yuan let out a bitter laugh. "No matter how I hide, you always find me anyway... I might as well use that time to rest a little." "Darling... you''re playing passively!!!" Furina''s face suddenly twisted into something terrifying and grotesque. She roared at Su Yuan: "If you dare to play passively today... then tomorrow, you''ll dare to leave me behind..." "I won''t allow it... I won''t allow you to do this!!!" As she spoke, Furina opened her bloodstained mouth wide, as if ready to bite Su Yuan''s head off... Due to excessive blood loss, Su Yuan''s consciousness was already beginning to fade. He thought to himself, Maybe this is fine. It''s finally over... Next time, there will be a clue in my left palm, right? Then I''ll be able to prepare better and handle this more calmly... But in the next instant, a massive water sphere suddenly formed around Furina, enveloping her completely. "''Lady Furina''! Be careful not to catch a cold! Stay warm!!!" Accompanied by Wriothesley''s voice, cyro-elemental energy gathered within his gauntlets as he struck the water sphere with full force! Instantly, the water and ice elements reacted, freezing Furina within the sphere and turning it into a solid block of ice. "Su Yuan! Hold on, don''t fall asleep!" Sigewinne rushed to Su Yuan''s side, quickly beginning emergency treatment and bandaging his wounds. "Why... why are you all doing this..." Su Yuan couldn''t understand. He had emphasized so many times not to fight against the Eerie, not to get involved, yet they still came without hesitation... "Su Yuan, of course, we remember your words," Neuvillette said calmly. "But no matter what, we couldn''t just stand by and watch you die right in front of us without doing anything." "Neuvillette, this water of yours seems to freeze much better than the solution from the Fontaine Research Institute!" Wriothesley said in surprise. "How about you become my exclusive supplier from now on?" "Wriothesley, don''t let your guard down. We''ve only managed to freeze ''Furina'' temporarily to buy Su Yuan some time," Neuvillette reminded him. "What happened with Chevreuse last time must have been an exception¡ªafter all, she has a Pyro Vision," Wriothesley reasoned. "''Furina'' is obviously a Hydro user. Breaking out of an ice seal won''t be that easy!" But the moment Wriothesley finished speaking, a crisp cracking sound echoed through the air¡ªthe sound of ice shattering... --------------- Exclusive access : 63ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 30: Ch 30 : It ended before it even began Chapter 30 - Ch 30 : It ended before it even began Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for breath. That strange feeling again... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew that he had died once again... Neuvillette saw Su Yuan in this state and asked, "Su Yuan, what''s wrong? Did you choke on something?" "It''s my fault¡ªI took away all the food with more liquid..." Neuvillette said, then handed over a bowl of soup. "Su Yuan, I''ve only taken one sip of this soup. If you don''t mind, you can have it." "No need, Neuvillette. I didn''t choke," Su Yuan smiled and waved his hand in refusal. "I''m completely fine..." "Alright then." Neuvillette nodded. Su Yuan raised his left hand and looked at the engraving on his palm: ... [Yes, you''ve died again. This is the second time today, isn''t it?] [Furina will appear in Meropide Fortress tonight. Please be prepared in advance!] [Do not let yourself be seen by her!] [Meropide Fortress is too far from Palais Mermonia!] [Making it back to her bed before she arrives is an impossible task!] What? Furina will appear in Meropide Fortress? Judging by this message engraved in his palm, did he run into her in his last attempt? But... what exactly happened? Even though Neuvillette and Wriothesley had made thorough preparations, did Furina still manage to arrive at Meropide Fortress during the night? "Neuvillette, how were you monitoring Furina at Palais Mermonia yesterday?" Su Yuan asked. "Su Yuan, I must correct you¡ªyour use of the word ''monitoring'' is inaccurate. In Fontaine, that would be considered an illegal act," Neuvillette stated. "I merely had the Melusines patrolling for the Marechaussee Phantom report Furina''s movements to me at all times." Although Su Yuan really wanted to point out that this was basically the same as monitoring, he chose to continue, "What about today? Do you know Furina''s whereabouts today?" "This..." Neuvillette paused for a moment. "I don''t, actually." "Because I am not at Palais Mermonia right now, and the Melusines of the Marechaussee Phantom don''t know I''m here, I naturally have no way of knowing Furina''s movements..." "Neuvillette, listen to me. Although I don''t know the exact time, Furina will appear at Meropide Fortress soon. We should find a place to hide first," Su Yuan suggested. "Su Yuan, as unbelievable as this sounds, I must say¡ªI am truly impressed by your intelligence-gathering abilities!" Neuvillette smiled faintly. "Once this strange situation is resolved, would you be interested in joining Palais Mermonia? I''ll make sure to arrange a position suitable for you." Huh? Was Neuvillette offering him a job? Was he about to become a Fontaine civil servant? No, no, no¡ªthis was not the time to be thinking about that! "I''m serious, Neuvillette. Shouldn''t we really find somewhere to hide? What if Furina suddenly shows up in this infirmary?" Su Yuan asked, still feeling uneasy. "Trust Wriothesley! This is his territory. Since you''ve informed him, he must have made all the necessary preparations." "Even if his subordinates don''t dare to stop Furina, as long as they notify him and let him meet her directly, there won''t be any problems," Neuvillette said confidently. "When it comes to scheming, Furina is no match for Wriothesley." Hearing Neuvillette''s reasoning, Su Yuan nodded in agreement. Wriothesley was a man with a sharp mind beneath his rough exterior¡ªhe must have thought everything through. But soon, Su Yuan sensed that something was off. If Wriothesley had really made the necessary preparations and managed to stop Furina... then how did he end up running into her in his last attempt? "Neuvillette, do you think there''s a possibility that Wriothesley has gone somewhere secret, and now his subordinates can''t find him?" Su Yuan recalled the hidden shipyard beneath Meropide Fortress, built in preparation for the prophecy. "A secret place? Su Yuan, you even know about that? Your intelligence is truly impressive!" Neuvillette nodded thoughtfully, glancing at Su Yuan. "But that would be quite the coincidence..." Before Neuvillette could finish his sentence, a commotion erupted outside the infirmary. "Lady Furina, the Duke said that the infirmary is under renovation¡ªyou can''t go in!" "Hmm? Now that you mention it, I just have to take a look. Consider it an inspection of the renovation style and materials!" "Duke? Duke?! Where are you? We really can''t stop Lady Furina anymore!" Su Yuan and Neuvillette exchanged glances, at a loss for words. "A hundred precautions, yet still a slip-up... Even the best plans have flaws," Su Yuan sighed. "Su Yuan, you should hurry and find a place to hide. You must not appear in Furina''s line of sight at night," Neuvillette reminded him. Hide? But where could he hide? The infirmary seemed to have plenty of hiding spots at first glance, but none of them felt truly safe... Su Yuan even glanced at Neuvillette''s bed. Hiding there¡ªwouldn''t that be a perfect example of "the most dangerous place is the safest place"? Seriously, Wriothesley, why didn''t you build a secret passage in the infirmary too?! If there were one, he wouldn''t have to struggle like this! "If you won''t let me in, then I must go in! Don''t think I''m someone without a temper!" Outside the infirmary, Furina''s voice grew louder and closer... Having been repeatedly blocked, Furina seemed to be getting irritated. "Are you people at Meropide Fortress hiding something shady in there?" "You''re acting guilty! That makes me even more determined to go in! Move aside! This is an order from the Hydro Archon!" With that, Furina forcefully pushed open the infirmary door! At the last moment, Su Yuan made a bold decision! Staying in the infirmary meant a slow death¡ªhe had to find a way to escape! Only by doing so could he completely stay out of Furina''s sight! So, Su Yuan chose to hide behind the door! Fortune favors the bold! The closest place to danger was often the safest! Plus, this spot was near the entrance¡ªhe could seize the right moment to slip away! However... perhaps because Furina had pushed the door open with too much force, Su Yuan suddenly felt a crushing pressure from the door against him... It was important to note that most doors had something called a door stopper, usually a magnet, to hold the door in place and prevent it from closing due to wind or other factors. But the gap behind the door was quite narrow. Instead of latching onto the stopper, the door was blocked by Su Yuan''s body and bounced back instead... S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh? It feels like there''s something behind the door..." Furina said suspiciously. Su Yuan''s heart instantly turned ice-cold. It was over before it even began... Lady Furina, my dear ancestor, why did you have to open the door with such force?! --------------- Exclusive access : 63ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 31: Ch 31 : Lady Furina, please let me explain! Chapter 31 - Ch 31 : Lady Furina, please let me explain! Furina was just about to pull the door open to see what was behind it when she suddenly heard a familiar voice... "Lady Furina! Long time no see! What a coincidence to run into you here!" Hearing this voice, Furina immediately turned her head, her face lighting up with joy and surprise. Excitedly, she spoke, "Neuvillette! Why is it you? What are you doing here?" Su Yuan let out a temporary sigh of relief. As expected of you, Neuvillette! Successfully diverting Furina''s attention! But soon, Furina noticed that something was off. Why was Neuvillette covered in wounds, wrapped in bandages from head to toe...? "Wait! Neuvillette! Why are you so badly injured? You''re covered in bandages!" Furina quickly walked to Neuvillette''s bedside, her voice filled with concern. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "What on earth happened...?" "No wonder the people at Meropide Fortress didn''t want me to come in, let alone enter this room! So this was the reason!" Furina''s emotions surged¡ªworry, anger, and heartache all mixed together. She had always believed Neuvillette to be invincible, someone who could handle anything. The thought of him being so gravely injured had never crossed her mind. "In this entire fortress, there''s only one person who could have done this to you!" "That Wriothesley¡ªwhat an ungrateful, heartless bastard! His title, his rank, his position¡ªweren''t they all things you helped him secure?! And yet, this is how he repays you?!" "Does he really think that just because Meropide Fortress has autonomy, it can override Fontaine''s laws?" "I will make him answer for this! I will fight for your justice, in the name of the God of Justice herself!" Seeing Furina so worked up and genuinely worried for him, Neuvillette felt a warmth in his heart. Furina was usually timid and avoided conflict, but when it came to him, she could be fearless... "Lady Furina, you''re misunderstanding the situation," Neuvillette finally spoke up. If he didn''t clear things up now, Furina really might go confront Wriothesley. "This has nothing to do with Duke Wriothesley. I... I simply tripped and fell... Yes... just a little fall..." Neuvillette said, somewhat awkwardly. "A little fall?" Furina fixed her deep blue eyes on him. "You''re this badly injured from a fall? What, were you taking a stroll on an airship deck and fell off the airship?" "Uh... yes. That''s exactly what happened, Lady Furina. How did you know?" Hiding behind the door, Su Yuan listened to their conversation, barely holding back his laughter. But he had to suppress it¡ªbecause if he laughed, he''d be exposed immediately... Su Yuan felt that while Neuvillette wasn''t great at lying, he certainly had a thick skin... During Furina and Neuvillette''s conversation, he had been searching for a chance to slip away. However, Furina had been too emotionally agitated, gesturing wildly as she spoke. Who knew if she might suddenly turn around? Su Yuan didn''t dare take the risk... But now, Furina had calmed down a little. This was the perfect opportunity! Peeking out from behind the door, Su Yuan carefully extended half his head and one hand, pointing at himself and then at the doorway¡ªsignaling that he wanted to sneak out. Neuvillette noticed Su Yuan''s gesture and immediately understood. With a slight nod, he silently approved. But as luck would have it, at that exact moment, Furina happened to be saying¡ª "Neuvillette, you''re telling me you fell from an airship? Do you think I can''t tell that you''re lying? Do you think I''m stupid?" And just as she said that, Neuvillette nodded. Furina''s eyes widened in shock, utterly unable to comprehend what had just happened. "Wahhh! (¨i©n¨i) Neuvillette, how could you say that about me? I was just worried about you! Not only did you lie to me, but now you''re even calling me stupid..." Her expression was pitiful and full of grievance, tears welling up in her eyes. "You were never like this before... Wahhh..." Furina wanted to vent her frustration by pounding Neuvillette''s chest with her little fists, but upon seeing him wrapped in bandages and gauze, she hesitated, worried about his injuries... "And besides! When you were talking to me just now, your eyes weren''t even on me¡ªthey kept looking at that door behind you!" Furina''s face flushed red, though it was unclear whether from sadness or anger. "I want to see for myself what exactly is behind that door! What''s so interesting about it?!" Su Yuan instantly felt doomed. Neuvillette, what are you doing?! Could you be any more obvious?! Hearing Furina''s approaching footsteps, Su Yuan had no idea how to handle the situation... The moment Furina pushed open the door, he would be exposed to her gaze, and everything would be over! Su Yuan silently chanted in his mind: "Neuvillette, this is an emergency! There''s no other choice¡ªhurry up and knock Furina out!" And in fact, Neuvillette was thinking the same thing. He even attempted to do just that. However, when he channeled his Hydro abilities and directed them toward Furina, the moment the water elements got close to her, they all instantly dispersed on their own... Neuvillette was momentarily stunned. Could it be that water itself refuses to harm the Hydro Archon? Or... is it because the Seven Archon possess the authority of the ancient dragons? But that brief hesitation cost him dearly. By the time Neuvillette thought about getting out of bed and physically stopping Furina, it was already too late... "Let me see for myself¡ªjust what exactly is hiding behind this door!" Furina had already placed her hand on the doorknob and was slowly pulling it open... At this critical moment, Su Yuan suddenly recalled the exact wording of the rule: [After sunset, do not appear in Furina''s line of sight...] Line of sight... As long as Furina couldn''t see him, it wouldn''t count as breaking the rule! So, Su Yuan made a bold decision! In that instant, he covered Furina''s eyes with his right hand and pulled her into his embrace with his left... S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wanted to emphasize¡ªthis was absolutely not an attempt to take advantage of her or do anything improper. It was simply a desperate measure! If he only covered her eyes without holding her in place, she could just step back and immediately see him. That would defeat the whole purpose! "Ahhh!!!" Furina screamed in shock, struggling as she called for help. "What''s happening?! Why was someone hiding behind the door?! Why did they suddenly hug me and cover my eyes?!" "Neuvillette, help me!!!" "Furina, please calm down! Listen to me! Let me explain!" "I don''t want to listen! I don''t want to listen!! Neuvillette, save me!!!" Feeling Furina''s slender body squirming desperately in his arms, her delicate hands flailing and smacking his head and face in a panic, Su Yuan suddenly felt... something was off. His state of mind was not quite right... After all, in his original world, Su Yuan had been single since birth for over twenty years. This was the first time he had been in such close contact with a girl... Huh? What? You''re saying the time on Furina''s bed didn''t count? That didn''t count at all! "Lady Furina, it''s me¡ªSu Yuan! Please calm down and listen to my explanation!" Su Yuan shouted. "What? You''re Su Yuan? That pervert?!" Furina froze for a moment, processing the information. Then, the struggle intensified¡ªeven more violently than before! "Waaah... Neuvillette, what are you doing?!" "Help!!!" "There''s a pervert!!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 66ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 32: Ch 32 : Confession or Execution Chapter 32 - Ch 32 : Confession or Execution "Neuvillette? Neuvillette! What exactly are you doing? Why aren''t you coming to save me...?" Gradually, Furina lost the strength to struggle and instead began to sob... Feeling her trembling in his arms, Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a pang of guilt. His right palm could already feel the hot tears rolling down Furina''s cheeks... His first somewhat intimate contact with a girl, and he had ended up making her cry¡ªthis was hardly the behavior of a gentleman... "Lady Furina, please listen to Su Yuan. There''s a reason behind all this..." Neuvillette spoke again, trying to persuade her. He had already tried several times before, but Furina simply refused to listen. "Even you, Neuvillette... You''re siding with him..." Furina murmured in disappointment. "Lady Furina, if you promise to keep your eyes closed and not open them, I''ll let go..." Su Yuan said with a heavy heart. Putting himself in her shoes, being blindfolded and held in the arms of an unfamiliar man while a long-trusted companion refused to help¡ªjust how hopeless must that feel? "Su Yuan! Neuvillette! Are you both alright?" Wriothesley hurriedly arrived at the hospital room, only to be met with this bizarre scene... "Su Yuan... Did I come at a bad time?" ............... "Alright, this should do it, Lady Furina!" Sigewinne carefully wrapped a soft bandage around Furina''s eyes, securing it gently with cloth and gauze. She even decorated the front with some cute and pretty stickers and tied a little bow at the back. "Alright, Neuvillette, I did everything as you asked. Now, can you finally explain to me what''s going on?" Furina asked. "No rush. There''s still one more person who hasn''t arrived yet," Neuvillette replied. "We''ll explain everything together once she''s here." "Sorry, I''m late!" Before long, Chevreuse arrived. Neuvillette nodded, then turned to Su Yuan and asked, "Would you like to explain, or should I?" "I''ll do it," Su Yuan said. "After all, I want to clear up the misunderstanding myself... I can''t let Lady Furina keep thinking I''m some kind of pervert, can I?" And so, Su Yuan began telling his story¡ªfrom the moment he had crossed into Teyvat and found himself in Furina''s bed. The others chimed in whenever necessary, adding their perspectives and filling in any missing details, ensuring Furina understood the full picture. After some time, Furina finally grasped the truth of everything... "Su Yuan, I''m sorry, I wrongly accused you..." Furina stood up, wanting to bow deeply to Su Yuan in a sincere apology. However, since her eyes were still blindfolded, and her sense of direction was less than reliable, she ended up bowing... To a packet of tea leaves belonging to Wriothesley. "It''s fine, it''s fine... I never took it to heart. As long as the misunderstanding is cleared up, that''s all that matters." Su Yuan smiled, though inwardly, he let out a huge sigh of relief. Finally, the misunderstanding was resolved, and he would no longer be called "Mr. Pervert." "Neuvillette... why didn''t you tell me all of this sooner? Do you really see me as that fragile?" "Lady Furina, it''s me, Sigewinne. Neuvillette is in the other direction," Sigewinne gently reminded her, taking Furina''s hand and leading her toward Neuvillette. "But in my opinion, Lady Furina is not fragile at all!" "Furina, I''m sorry. It was all my fault..." Neuvillette took hold of Furina''s hand, speaking with sincerity. "I''m not blaming you, Neuvillette. I just feel sorry for you..." Furina murmured. Even with the bandages covering her eyes, tears had already started to seep through. "We all feel sadness, grief, and injustice sometimes, and it''s okay to cry..." "Maybe we can''t always act on our emotions freely, but when the night is deep and quiet, at least we can release those feelings." "And yet, you... for the people of Fontaine, for all of Teyvat, you''ve had to suppress your own pain." "If you could share your troubles and sorrows with me, wouldn''t that ease your heart just a little?" "I am willing... to always be the one you confide in." "Mm, I understand now, Fufu." "Eh!!!!!!" Furina exclaimed in utter shock. "Neuvillette, what did you just call me???" "Fufu," Neuvillette replied with a smile. "I learned it from Su Yuan. I think it''s a very affectionate nickname." "From now on, in private, I''ll try my best to call you that. What do you think?" "Then what should I call you? Neuvy? Lette? Neu? Vivi? Lailai? Tete?" As she spoke, Furina, her eyes brimming with joyful tears, threw her arms around Neuvillette and hugged him tightly. "Neuvillette, I know you''ve always treated me well, but you''ve always called me ''Lady Furina''¡ªit made me feel like there was always this unreachable distance between us..." "But now, for the first time, I feel like that distance has finally closed." "I''m really, truly so happy..." Watching this touching scene, everyone''s eyes turned slightly misty. "Heh... Well, I''d say Neuvillette has finally blossomed, in his own way," Wriothesley chuckled, commenting with amusement. "Getting him to learn something like this... not an easy feat at all." "I''m different! I absolutely adore my dear Head Nurse Sigewinne!" Su Yuan chuckled as well. Only he knew that the reason Neuvillette had always maintained a certain distance from Furina was probably due to the matter of the Sovereign of Water''s authority... But Furina was never truly the Hydro Archon in the strictest sense¡ªFocalors, the one within the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, was the real one. He wondered... Now that he had traveled to this world, would he have the chance to save Focalors and change her fate? .............. Somewhere in the Court of Fontaine, Erin returned home. To be honest, he had been utterly terrified at the Opera Epiclese''s courtroom that morning... He wasn''t exactly a good person¡ªhe had deceived many women, both emotionally and financially... He had always known that walking along the riverbank, he would eventually get his shoes wet. Erin had long expected that one day, his crimes would be exposed and he would be dragged before the court. But at most, he thought he would be sent to Meropide for a period of forced labor¡ªhe never imagined he would be sentenced to death... "Looks like the ''Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale'' created by Lady Furina isn''t all that impressive after all..." "I didn''t even commit any truly heinous, unforgivable crimes, yet they sentenced me to death..." "I just hope that Lord Neuvillette returns tomorrow to re-evaluate my case and clear my name..." Suddenly, Erin noticed a figure standing in his home... He switched on the light and looked over, only to see a woman with long, light blue hair. She was barefoot, wearing a flowing blue dress... "Huh? A woman in my house? Is this supposed to be a romantic encounter?" Erin chuckled to himself, then stepped forward. "Hey, beauty? Who are you, and what are you doing in my house?" The woman slowly turned to face him, and Erin was instantly startled. "L-Lady Furina...?" His voice trembled as he spoke. "Lady Furina, why are you here in my house? Is this a new outfit of yours? It looks wonderful! I don''t think I''ve ever seen you wear something like this before..." "You''re Erin, correct?" The figure spoke. "Yes, that''s me, Lady Furina! We met earlier today at the Opera Epiclese''s courtroom..." Although Erin responded as usual, something about this Furina felt... off. "Did you come here because there''s been a turn of events in my case? Or... is it true that the ''Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale'' has malfunctioned?" His voice carried unease¡ªhe wasn''t sure what was happening. "No..." "I made myself very clear in the courtroom today." "Erin... Death penalty. Effective immediately." In the next moment, as Erin''s eyes widened in absolute terror, the figure''s expression twisted into something horrifying. Dark, blood-red liquid began oozing from her entire body... "If the people of Fontaine refuse to carry out my judgment... then I shall personally enforce the execution myself." --------------- sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exclusive access : 66ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 33: Ch 33 : A new day, new rules, new challenges Chapter 33 - Ch 33 : A new day, new rules, new challenges "Neuvillette, are you and Furina heading back to the Palais Mermonia now?" Wriothesley asked. "Yes," Neuvillette nodded. "I''ve almost fully recovered, and there are tasks at the Palais Mermonia waiting for me tomorrow. After all, I''ve already taken a day off today." "Duke, I was wrong to blame you before. Thank you for everything you''ve done¡ªfor Neuvillette, for Su Yuan, for Fontaine, and for fighting against the Eerie," Furina said as she bowed deeply to Wriothesley. "From now on, you can just call me by my name. There''s no need to add ''Lady'' to it." "Of course, Furina," Wriothesley replied. "But the same goes for you¡ªstop calling me ''Duke'' and just use my name." "Alright, Wriwi," Furina said with a cheerful smile. "Haha... You''re calling me ''Wriwi''? Won''t that get confusing with Neuvillette''s ''Vivi''?" Wriothesley laughed heartily. "Once we get through today, let''s see what other new intel we can gather from Su Yuan!" Chevreuse added. "Alright then, tomorrow I''ll bring Sigewinne and Su Yuan over to the Palais Mermonia to find you two," Wriothesley said. "It''s been a while since I''ve visited. I might as well take a walk up there and clear my mind." "Yes, I''d like to meet Su Yuan in person and have a proper conversation with him," Furina nodded, recalling all that Su Yuan had done for everyone. "Because of me, he couldn''t stay to say goodbye today. I imagine he must be feeling a little regretful." "Alright then, it''s settled. See you all tomorrow." .............. Su Yuan lay on the bed, reflecting on everything that had happened over the past two days. What a thrilling journey it had been... Although he had only experienced two days from his own perspective, he knew that the engravings on his left palm indicated he had actually been through far more than he could imagine. "Maybe... not remembering everything is actually a blessing," Su Yuan murmured softly. "Remembering too much, shouldering too much, and carrying too many burdens... it''s a kind of wear and tear, too." As these thoughts drifted through his mind, he slowly slipped into slumber. After all, every day of his life was exhausting yet fulfilling, perilous yet exhilarating... A while later, Sigewinne and Wriothesley appeared at the doorway. "Shh... Duke, Su Yuan is already asleep," Sigewinne whispered. "Alright then, let''s not disturb him," Wriothesley replied with a faint smile as he gazed at Su Yuan''s sleeping figure. "Good night, Su Yuan. Sweet dreams." ............... The next morning, Su Yuan slowly opened his eyes. For some reason, he had slept exceptionally well and peacefully last night... Was it because his body had fully recovered? Or because he had resolved the misunderstanding with Furina? Sitting up in bed, Su Yuan moved his hands and feet, realizing that he seemed to have completely healed. His body felt better than ever... Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was this the power of the Ancient Dragon''s blood? Neuvillette, thank you. Feeling a sharp pain in his right palm, Su Yuan glanced at the markings there: [First of all, congratulations on surviving your third night.] [Currently available information] [Rules 1-6 reread ch 16...] [7. The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale has lost its original function. No matter the severity of the crime, all verdicts result in the death penalty... The execution will always take place on the same day... If the execution is not carried out that day, something unexpected might happen.] "The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale?" Su Yuan was shocked. Wasn''t that the machine Focalors used to sentence her to death, destroy the Hydro Archon''s throne, return the Ancient Dragon''s authority to Neuvillette, and save the people of Fontaine? Su Yuan knew very well that Focalors was inside the Oratrice. If the Oratrice was malfunctioning, that meant something was wrong with Focalors too... Had Focalors also been affected by the Eerie? No matter the severity of the crime, all verdicts result in the death penalty... And what did it mean that the execution must take place on the same day? If no one carried out the execution... would Focalors come out and do it herself? Moreover, how could the execution always take place on the same day, while also stating that if it didn''t happen, something unexpected would occur? Wasn''t that contradictory? And this "unexpected event"... what exactly did it refer to? Would it be something good? Or something bad? Su Yuan suddenly felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information¡ªhis brain was struggling to process everything... Maybe it would be best to wait until he regrouped with the others and discuss it together. With that in mind, Su Yuan continued reading. [8. There is one day every week when Wriothesley must not drink tea.] Su Yuan stared at the eighth rule, thinking¡ªthis must be the condition related to Wriothesley''s transformation into an Eerie. One day each week... that meant it wasn''t the day before or yesterday. So that left five possible days... But how could they determine which day it was? Of course, the safest approach would be for Wriothesley to avoid drinking tea on all five of those days, ensuring he wouldn''t become Eerie. However, for someone as addicted to tea as Wriothesley, forbidding him from drinking tea for five days a week would probably be more torturous than death itself... Hmm... he''d have to discuss this with Wriothesley later. For now, he should move on to the next rule. [9. This information is uncertain. Whether you believe it or not is up to you: You yourself may also have the possibility of being controlled by the Eerie.] Uncertain information? This was the first time Su Yuan had encountered something like this... and whether to believe it was up to him? As for the claim that he might be under the control of the Eerie... "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! How could I be controlled by the Eerie?!" Su Yuan exclaimed indignantly, refusing to accept it. "I''m someone who came from beyond this world, the one who is supposed to save Teyvat!" "If even I could be controlled by the Eerie, then what''s the point of all this?!" Su Yuan continued reading, and to his surprise, the final piece of information for today... wasn''t the usual formulaic closing statement. [10. After surviving the fourth night, important information will be unlocked.] "Important information?" Su Yuan muttered to himself. "This is the first time I''ve seen something like this..." "Could it be about the true nature of the Eerie? Or perhaps a way to defeat it?" Su Yuan couldn''t help but look forward to tomorrow''s intel. "Su Yuan, are you awake?" Just then, Sigewinne''s voice came from outside the door. "I just woke up, Head Nurse Sigewinne," Su Yuan responded. "Alright, I''m coming in!" With that, Sigewinne pushed open the door and entered. "Su Yuan, you must''ve slept well last night¡ªyou''re only just getting up now." Sigewinne smiled. "Yeah, I haven''t slept this soundly in a long time," Su Yuan sighed in relief. "Come on, let me give you a full check-up first. Then, after breakfast, we''ll head to Palais Mermonia together!" "We''re holding today''s strategy meeting to combat the Eerie there. Plus, Lady Furina wants to see you in person and have a proper conversation with you." Su Yuan was so touched he almost wanted to cry¡ªFufu wanted to see him and talk to him... That meant she cared about him... After a thorough check-up, Sigewinne beamed. "Su Yuan, congratulations! Your body has fully recovered¡ªyou''re free to leave the hospital!" "Thank you, Head Nurse Sigewinne. I really appreciate all your care these past few days." "Aww, no need to be so formal! We''re all in this together, fighting against the Eerie!" "Oh, right... Head Nurse Sigewinne, did Wriothesley drink tea this morning?" Su Yuan suddenly realized this was an important question, and he asked with some concern. "Of course! The Duke drinks tea every morning¡ªit''s a routine he never breaks, no matter what." "And... did he show any unusual signs?" "Not that I noticed..." "Phew..." Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. That meant there were still four days left to rule out... --------------- Exclusive access : 69ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 34: Ch 34 : Wriothesley, prove that you are Wriothesley! Chapter 34 - Ch 34 : Wriothesley, prove that you are Wriothesley! "Oh! My heavens! How could such a terrible thing exist in this world!" On the way to Fontaine, Wriothesley couldn''t help but look up to the sky and sigh. "The condition for my corruption... how is it related to drinking tea?" "If you don''t let me drink tea, isn''t that the same as taking my life?" "But Neuvillette has made such great sacrifices for Fontaine, for fighting against the Eerie. If I just have to refrain from drinking tea for one day a week, it doesn''t seem like such a big deal... I suppose I can accept it." "Your Grace, based on what Su Yuan just described, I don''t think it''s just one day¡ªit''s four days," Sigewinne said slowly. "Since you drank tea the day before yesterday, yesterday, and today, and nothing unusual happened, we can rule out those three days..." "But starting from tomorrow, for the next four days, if you drink tea, there will be a one in four chance that you''ll be corrupted by the Eerie," Sigewinne mused. "The safest approach is to avoid drinking tea on those four days every week from now on." "That''s right." Su Yuan nodded. "That''s what I was thinking too." Wriothesley instantly had a look of utter despair on his face... "It''s okay, Your Grace. From now on, your morning drink will change from hot tea to the milkshakes I prepare for you!" Sigewinne smiled at Wriothesley, offering her "comfort" in a considerate manner. Now, she finally had a legitimate reason to make him drink her milkshakes openly and justifiably. "You will finish it all, won''t you?" Meanwhile, ever since meeting Wriothesley in the morning, Su Yuan had been carefully observing him from every possible angle, trying to detect any differences. However, he found that Wriothesley seemed exactly the same as before... But then he recalled how Chevreuse had been controlled by the Eerie before, and even Neuvillette hadn''t noticed anything unusual. Considering that Su Yuan hadn''t spent that much time with Wriothesley, what if he was also overlooking something? Hmm... It would be best to have Neuvillette take a closer look at Wriothesley. If even Neuvillette confirmed that nothing was wrong, then it should truly be fine. When Su Yuan and his group arrived at Neuvillette''s office, they found that Furina and Chevreuse were already there¡ªand their expressions were grave. Seeing them enter, Furina greeted them, "Wriothesley, Sigewinne, good morning!" Then, she turned specifically to Su Yuan and gave him a sweet smile. "Good morning, Su Yuan." Looking at Furina''s radiant smile, Su Yuan felt his heart melt. What a great way to start the day¡ªthis was the beginning of a good mood! "Su Yuan," Neuvillette looked at him and spoke, "There were some incidents in Fontaine Court and the Opera Epiclese yesterday. Fu... Fu... and Chevreuse and I have been discussing the situation." "However, your intelligence takes priority. Tell us first¡ªwhat new information and rules have been revealed today?" Was Fontaine really so dependent on Neuvillette? Could it not function without him? He had only taken a single day off, and now there were already accidents? And judging by their serious expressions, these incidents seemed quite severe... Also, Neuvillette still seemed a little awkward when saying "Fufu" so casually¡ªhe was clearly still getting used to it. Though Su Yuan had many questions in his mind, he didn''t hesitate. He began recounting everything¡ªthe abnormalities in the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, as well as the conditions for Wriothesley''s potential Eerie transformation¡ªinforming everyone present. Of course, when it came to the possibility of himself being controlled by the Eerie, Su Yuan chose not to speak of it... First, he firmly believed that he would never be controlled. Second, he feared that if he mentioned it, he might lose the trust of the others... Besides, he had the ultimate trump card¡ªhis ability to reset time. Even if something unexpected did happen, he should be able to handle it. "Speaking of which, Neuvillette, Wriothesley already drank tea this morning. Do you notice anything unusual about him?" Su Yuan asked directly. "Hey... Su Yuan, I''ve seen you eyeing me up and down all morning, and you still haven''t let go of your doubts?" Wriothesley couldn''t help but speak up. "You''re really being too cautious..." "Better safe than sorry," Su Yuan explained. "After all, we still haven''t pinpointed exactly which day triggers your Eerie transformation... and the Eerie are good at disguising themselves, aren''t they?" "I don''t think there''s anything wrong with Wriothesley," Neuvillette said. "The reason I failed to recognize Chevreuse before was because I wasn''t familiar enough with her. But Wriothesley¡ªhe doesn''t seem any different from before." "If Wriothesley had already been taken over by the Eerie, then with only us in this room, he would have already revealed his true nature by now." "Su Yuan, even Neuvillette has said so. You should be able to relax now, right?" Wriothesley sighed helplessly, waving his hand. "Mm." Su Yuan nodded. Since Neuvillette had confirmed it, there shouldn''t be much of a problem. "Su Yuan, back to what you just mentioned¡ªhas the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale really lost its original function?" Neuvillette frowned slightly, deep in thought. "The Oratrice not only delivers judicial verdicts but also serves as a mechanism to collect Indemnitium and supply energy to the city of Fontaine." "If it has lost its function, the loss of judicial rulings is a minor issue¡ªwe can still conduct trials ourselves. However, without its energy supply, Fontaine could face an energy crisis. That would be a serious problem..." "Moreover, yesterday, the Oratrice made a judgment unlike any before. This aligns with what you just told us." "Su Yuan, let me explain the rest," Chevreuse took over the conversation. "This morning, the Special Security Patrol received a report¡ªsomeone named Erin was brutally murdered in their own home..." "Because the method was extremely brutal and the scene was excessively gruesome, I won''t go into the details..." "This Erin¡ªwhile not exactly a heinous criminal¡ªhad deceived many women, both emotionally and financially." "Yesterday, he stood trial at the Opera Epiclese as the defendant." "The evidence was clear, and the witnesses were sufficient. Erin rightfully lost the case..." "But... the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale issued a verdict of ''Death penalty. Immediate execution.''" "At the time, no one could understand why the Oratrice would make such a ruling. Fortunately, Lady Furina was present and declared a recess, postponing the case until Lord Neuvillette returned to preside over the retrial..." "However, Erin didn''t live to see Lord Neuvillette return¡ªhe was found dead in his home last night." "Now, some extreme groups¡ªespecially Erin''s friends and family¡ªare pointing fingers at Lady Furina and the Fontaine government, accusing us of refusing to acknowledge the Oratrice''s malfunction and instead silencing him to destroy evidence." "How can they say that?!" Upon hearing this, Su Yuan immediately felt a surge of anger. "That''s completely unreasonable¡ªthey''re just spouting nonsense!" "Oh..." Wriothesley spoke up. "Isn''t it obvious? The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale has been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie." "Hmm?" But soon, Wriothesley sensed something was off. He looked at Furina and Su Yuan with a puzzled expression. "Furina, Su Yuan... isn''t the Oratrice just a machine?" "Can a machine be controlled by the Eerie?" "I don''t get it either. Even if the Oratrice was corrupted by the Eerie, it''s still just a machine..." Sigewinne pouted, her face full of confusion. "Then who exactly killed Erin...?" "Furina, the Oratrice was your creation. Can you inspect it and find out what''s going on?" Wriothesley asked. Faced with Wriothesley''s question, Furina suddenly felt a bit flustered. She genuinely had no idea about the Oratrice''s exact mechanisms or what was happening with it now... "Enough, Wriothesley. I already asked Fu¡ª" Neuvillette paused for a moment before correcting himself. "I already asked Furina... She said she doesn''t understand the situation either." Among everyone present, only Su Yuan had an idea of what was really going on. The one being controlled by the Eerie wasn''t the Oratrice itself¡ªbut the Focalors inside it... With this, Teyvat''s timeline had already begun to shift, heading toward an unpredictable future... No, to be precise, ever since the Eerie descended upon this world, everything had inevitably undergone some degree of change... Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sigh... What should we do with an Eerie-corrupted machine? Can we just blow it up?" Wriothesley sighed, took out his tea kettle, and gulped down a few mouthfuls. This scene was caught right in Su Yuan''s sight... "Everyone, be careful! Stay away from Wriothesley!" Su Yuan suddenly shouted. Wriothesley was so startled by the sudden outburst that he choked on his tea... He looked at Su Yuan in utter confusion, only to see Su Yuan staring at him with a serious expression. "Wriothesley, prove that you are Wriothesley!" --------------- Exclusive access : 69ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 35: Ch 35 : A misunderstanding Chapter 35 - Ch 35 : A misunderstanding Although the people in the room had no idea what was happening, they trusted Su Yuan''s serious and determined expression. They immediately became alert and kept their guard up against Wriothesley. "Hey! Su Yuan, what do you mean by this?" Wriothesley was completely confused. "Even Neuvillette said I was fine, so why are you still doubting me?" "And besides, I am Wriothesley! How am I supposed to prove that I''m myself?" "Wriothesley... no... Eerie! Stop pretending!" Su Yuan spoke nervously. "I don''t know why you haven''t revealed your true form yet, but I''ve already seen through you!" Wriothesley: ??? "Do you remember yesterday morning? When I gave you the milkshake that Sigewinne prepared?" "I remember very clearly that you told me, no matter whether you were drinking tea or anything else, you liked to savor every sip..." "But just now, when you were drinking tea, you kept gulping it down nonstop, taking in large mouthfuls without a single pause. How do you explain that?" "That''s true." Hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Neuvillette nodded in agreement. "Although I couldn''t detect any abnormalities, the real Wriothesley drinks tea the way I savor water¡ªslowly, enjoying every taste. He wouldn''t just swallow it down in one go like that." "So that''s how it is... I actually got tricked by an eerie version of the Duke..." Sigewinne said in disbelief. "Lady Furina, hide behind me first. When you get the chance, escape as quickly as possible..." Chevreuse said. "Even if we might not be able to defeat the Eerie, we must fight to protect your safety!" "Hahaha! Su Yuan, you really are an incredibly meticulous person!" Wriothesley suddenly burst into laughter. "You even managed to notice that!" "Hahaha! Su Yuan! Take this!" As he spoke, Wriothesley dashed toward Su Yuan at full speed! Neuvillette immediately stepped in front of Su Yuan and raised a wall of water to block the attack! "Neuvillette, don''t!" Su Yuan shouted in alarm. "Elemental power can''t stop the Eerie''s force!" However, in the next moment, the water and ice elements combined perfectly, neither too much nor too little, forming a flawless ice wall. "Well? Neuvillette, is this enough to prove that I''m really me?" Wriothesley flexed his wrist and asked. "Yes, it''s enough." Neuvillette nodded and then turned to Su Yuan. "Su Yuan, this time, you misunderstood. He truly is Wriothesley¡ªhe hasn''t been controlled by the Eerie." Neuvillette pointed at the ice wall in front of them and explained, "If there''s too much cryo energy, the ice wall would be too fragile and easily shattered. If there''s too little, the ice wall wouldn''t form properly at all." "To be able to coordinate with me so well and use just the right amount of power to freeze an ice wall¡ªonly Wriothesley could have done that." Hearing Neuvillette speak with such certainty, everyone let out a sigh of relief... "Then, Lord Duke, why did you act so out of character when drinking tea just now?" Chevreuse asked. "Sigh... isn''t it all because of the Eerie?" Wriothesley sighed helplessly. "For the next four days, I won''t be able to drink a single drop of tea..." "So today, why would I care about elegance or savoring the taste? Of course, I had to drink as much as I could while I still had the chance! That was the most important thing..." Su Yuan hadn''t expected such a simple reason¡ªhe really had misunderstood Wriothesley... "Wriothesley, I''m sorry! I misjudged you!" Su Yuan immediately bowed and apologized. "It''s fine, it''s fine. Being cautious isn''t a bad thing!" Wriothesley said casually, not minding at all. "Lord Neuvillette!" Suddenly, a voice called from outside the door. "The Oratrice has automatically generated new content!" "Automatically generated new content?" Neuvillette muttered in confusion. He had been dealing with the Oratrice for hundreds of years. It had always required case information and materials to be submitted first before responding with a judgment. But ever since the Oratrice malfunctioned yesterday, it had been temporarily sealed off and was no longer in use... For it to generate new content on its own¡ªthis was a first in all these centuries. "Let''s go. We''ll head to the Opera Epiclese and see for ourselves." Neuvillette said. Su Yuan and his group followed Neuvillette to the Op¨¦ra Epiclese. Gazing at the enormous Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale before him, Wriothesley couldn''t help but sigh, "It''s been a long time since I''ve been here. The last time, I was sitting in the defendant''s seat..." A Melusine from the Gardes de L''Ombre standing nearby handed a special sheet of paper to Neuvillette and said, "Lord Neuvillette, this is the newly generated content that the Oratrice produced on its own..." Everyone leaned in to look. The paper contained the following words: [Judgment... cannot be stopped...] [The death penalty... must be carried out...] [If there is no subject for judgment...] [A random person... will be selected for execution...] [Deadline... 6 PM tonight...] "What does this mean? Even if we don''t conduct a trial here or use the Oratrice, it will still carry out an execution?" Wriothesley asked. "Could this be what the rule hints referred to as ''something unexpected''?" Chevreuse mused. "And what does this ''random selection'' mean? If we don''t give it someone to judge, will it just randomly choose a person to kill?" Furina asked worriedly. "Do you all remember the exact words I told you before?" Su Yuan furrowed his brows and spoke. ''The death penalty will definitely be carried out on the same day...'' ''If the execution does not happen that day, something unexpected may occur...'' "At first, I thought that as long as we didn''t hold a trial here and didn''t give the Oratrice a chance to render a judgment, no one would be sentenced to death that day, and therefore, there would be no opportunity to carry out an execution..." "But now, it seems that no matter what, the Oratrice will execute someone today." "In that case, if we want to prevent the execution from happening today and witness that ''unexpected event,'' it means we have to protect the person sentenced to death..." "But... we still don''t know how the Oratrice actually kills people," Sigewinne said, puzzled. "I know," Su Yuan said slowly. "Have you ever considered the possibility that someone has been hiding inside the Oratrice all along?" As soon as Su Yuan said this, everyone was first stunned, then quickly came to a realization. "So that''s how it is..." Neuvillette nodded. "I''ve long felt that the Oratrice was too intelligent." "No matter how complex a case was, as long as we fed the data and evidence into it, it could always deliver the most accurate verdict in an incredibly short amount of time..." "Thinking about it now, if someone really has been hiding inside, they could have simply been listening to my trials and repeating my judgments as their own." Su Yuan thought to himself, As expected of Neuvillette¡ªhe immediately figured it out. That''s exactly what Focalors was doing. "So if that''s the case, then the one being controlled by the Eerie isn''t the Oratrice itself, but the person inside it?" Furina said in shock. "Furina, why do you sound even more surprised than I am? Are you really the creator of the Oratrice?" Wriothesley asked, looking at her suspiciously. Su Yuan wanted to tell everyone the whole truth, but he felt that the time wasn''t right yet... The current state of Focalors, why she was controlled by the Eerie¡ªeverything was still unknown. "Su Yuan, please file a lawsuit against me for intentional harm," Neuvillette suddenly said. "We can''t just let the Oratrice randomly select someone. That would make it harder for us to gather information and protect the chosen person." "If someone has to be sentenced to death, let me be the bait to draw that person out." "No! I''ve already caused trouble and inconvenience for both Lord Neuvillette and the Duke¡ªI should be the bait instead!" Chevreuse quickly interjected. "Let me do it," Furina stepped forward as well. "I may not be strong or particularly smart, but I want to contribute in whatever way I can." "I think I should do it," Wriothesley added, unsurprisingly. "I''ve already been in the defendant''s seat once before. I feel kind of nostalgic. Wouldn''t mind revisiting it." "I don''t really have a reason, but since everyone else is stepping forward, I should too!" Sigewinne volunteered with determination. Seeing this scene, Su Yuan couldn''t help but smile wryly. What kind of ridiculous situation is this...? One after another, they were competing to be sentenced to death, to be the bait... This was an unknown Eerie they were dealing with! Were they really not afraid of some unexpected accident taking their lives? Honestly, I''m still the best choice for this. With his ability to rewind time, he wasn''t afraid of dying at all... Worst case scenario, he''d just reset and try again! "You guys can stop fighting over it," Su Yuan said with a grin. "I''ll do it!" --------------- S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exclusive access : 72ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 36: Ch 36 : Am I very humane and merciful? Chapter 36 - Ch 36 : Am I very humane and merciful? "According to the verdict given by the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale... Mr. Su Yuan... is guilty!" Neuvillette stood in his designated position, delivering the judgment. "The final sentencing result given by the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale is..." "Death penalty... to be executed immediately..." "This guy Neuvillette, seriously? There are only a few of us here, and he still insists on going through this whole procedure..." Wriothesley, sitting in the audience, couldn''t help but complain. "Perhaps this is just Lord Neuvillette''s unique sense of ceremony," Chevreuse commented. After completing all the necessary procedures, the group exchanged a few more words before preparing to part ways. After all, Wriothesley still had affairs to handle in the Fortress of Meropide, Sigewinne needed to take care of the patients, and Chevreuse couldn''t neglect her patrol duties. Before leaving, Chevreuse said, "Su Yuan, judging by what happened to Erin last night, you might be executed tonight..." "So, after finishing our work during the day, we''ll all come to your side in the evening. We promised to protect you¡ªwe can''t just let you face those things alone, right?" "Su Yuan, what do you say? Want to come back to the Fortress of Meropide with us?" Wriothesley asked, but then quickly shook his head. "Forget it, forget it. You''ve been here for two days, and for most of that time, you''ve been stuck in the Fortress of Meropide. It''s not exactly prison, but it sure feels like it!" "Before, you had no choice but to stay in the Fortress of Meropide to recover. But now that your injuries are healed, why not take the chance to explore the city of Fontaine and its various places? Experience the culture and atmosphere of Fontaine properly!" "Lord Duke, in that case, should I prepare Su Yuan''s nutritional meal for you instead today?" Sigewinne asked with a playful smile. Wriothesley turned to Su Yuan with a look of pleading in his eyes. "Su Yuan, maybe you should just come back to the Fortress of Meropide with me after all..." Everyone burst into laughter, filling the scene with a lively and cheerful atmosphere. "Su Yuan, I''d love to accompany you around Fontaine today, but with everything that has happened, Neuvillette and I really can''t step away¡ªwe need to stay in Palais Mermonia," Furina said with a smile. "But when the weekend comes, or whenever we have some free time, I''ll definitely go exploring with you!" Su Yuan''s heart soared with excitement. Wow, Fufu actually invited him to go shopping together! He felt incredibly lucky! "Su Yuan, if anything happens, just come back to Palais Mermonia to find us¡ªwe''ll always be here," Neuvillette added. ............ As Su Yuan walked through the streets of Fontaine, he rubbed his stomach. Since today seemed to be a peaceful day with nothing major happening, he figured he might as well take the opportunity to try some authentic local cuisine in Teyvat. After all, he had been in Teyvat for two days now and hadn''t yet tasted any of its true specialties! With that thought, Su Yuan made his way to Fontaine''s most prestigious and renowned restaurant¡ªHotel Debord! Hotel Debord was luxuriously decorated, provided excellent service, and even featured stunning performances for guests to enjoy while dining. It was the finest restaurant in all of Fontaine, without a doubt! It was somewhat akin to Liyue''s Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk. On an ordinary day, Su Yuan would never have come here¡ªhe simply couldn''t afford it! He much preferred street-side eateries like Wanmin Restaurant, where the food had a warm, homey feel and was much more affordable. But today was different¡ªNeuvillette had promised to cover all expenses! Otherwise, Su Yuan would never have stepped foot into Hotel Debord. Thinking about Wanmin Restaurant reminded him of Xiangling and Guoba... He wondered how they were doing now. Once everything in Fontaine was settled, he definitely wanted to go to Liyue for a visit. After all, in some ways, Liyue was his true home. After indulging in a satisfying meal, Su Yuan couldn''t help but compare it to Sigewinne''s cooking. He had thought he''d gotten used to her food, but when placed side by side with the delicacies of Hotel Debord... well, the difference was like heaven and earth! Su Yuan felt that the next time he had to eat Sigewinne''s cooking, he would need to mentally prepare himself in advance... "I could have endured the darkness if I had never seen the light..." This was probably what that feeling was like. That said, it was understandable. After all, restaurants prioritized taste above all else, often relying on heavy oil, salt, and seasonings, making the food somewhat unhealthy. But indulging once in a while wasn''t a big deal... "Sir, your total bill at Hotel Debord comes to 114,514 Mora. We''ll round it down for you¡ªjust 114,000 Mora will do." The server smiled as they handed him the bill. Over 100,000 Mora for a single meal... To be honest, Su Yuan didn''t have a clear concept of Mora''s value. In Inazuma, Sayu, a ninja of the Shuumatsuban, earned 200,000 Mora per month. That should be considered a mid-tier salary for a basic job... That meant this one meal had cost half a month''s salary for Sayu... Meanwhile, in Liyue, Yanfei, the renowned legal expert, charged 180,000 Mora for a two-hour legal consultation, while handling a commercial case started at 710,000 Mora... sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing it this way, the wealth gap in Teyvat was really quite large. A high-end restaurant like this was definitely not a place ordinary people could afford to dine at... But it didn''t matter. Neuvillette had already promised to reimburse him, and he was surely wealthy enough not to care about such an amount. However, Su Yuan quickly realized a serious problem... Reimbursement, reimbursement¡ªhe still had to pay upfront first, then bring the receipt or invoice to get reimbursed, right? But right now, he didn''t have a single Mora on him... "Oh my god, I''ve been so focused on dealing with the Eerie that I never even considered this kind of issue..." Su Yuan muttered to himself, feeling exasperated: "I''ve been infected... I''ve turned into that old man who never brings his wallet when he goes out..." "But... at least he has a personal wallet that follows him around. I don''t!" Feeling awkward, Su Yuan excused himself and went to the restroom. He splashed some water on his face to calm himself down. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he tried speaking aloud: "If I say, ''Put everything on the Palais Mermonia account, on Neuvillette''s tab,'' will they believe me?" "Or... should I ask them to let me go back first, then find Neuvillette to get the money?" "You''re not going back..." Suddenly, Su Yuan heard a voice behind him... At the same time, he saw a figure appear in the mirror. However, because there were water droplets on the mirror, the reflection was somewhat blurry. Even so, he could vaguely make out the silhouette of a long-haired woman... Su Yuan immediately felt a little strange. This was the men''s restroom. Did she enter by mistake? "Miss, I think you might have gone to the wrong place. This is the men''s restroom¡ª the women''s restroom is next door," Su Yuan said. Through the mirror''s reflection, he clearly saw the woman slowly approaching him. Then, she gently placed her hand on his shoulder, leaned in close to his ear, and whispered: "I didn''t go to the wrong place... because I came here specifically to find you, Su Yuan..." "Letting you eat and drink to your heart''s content before carrying out your execution..." "This kind of consideration for a condemned man¡ªam I not humane? Am I not merciful?" --------------- Exclusive access : 72ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 37: Ch 37 : You must be Neuvillette and Furina’s child, right? Chapter 37 - Ch 37 : You must be Neuvillette and Furina''s child, right? Su Yuan turned around in horror. The woman speaking to him had the same face as Furina, but her hair was longer, and she wore a flowing silk gown... That''s right! She was Focalors! It seemed the previous intelligence analysis was incorrect... The execution didn''t necessarily have to take place at night! "Focalors" showed a puzzled expression. "Su Yuan... There''s a familiar scent on you..." "This scent... It makes me nostalgic... It excites me... Hehehe..." The blue gown of "Focalors" began to be tainted with crimson blood-like patterns. Her face underwent a drastic transformation¡ªher eyeballs disappeared, her eye sockets sank inward, sharp fangs grew in her mouth, and from her seven orifices, a mixture of bright red and dark brown liquid began to seep and spread... Seeing "Focalors" in this state, Su Yuan was even more certain¡ªshe had been taken over by some kind of eerie entity! Su Yuan knew he was absolutely no match for this horror, but surrendering and begging for mercy was simply not an option! Since he was doomed anyway, he had to use this opportunity to gather as much information as possible! "Heh... Focalors, you say I have a familiar scent. What exactly is that scent?" Su Yuan forced himself to suppress his fear and tension as he asked. "You actually know my name... It has been five hundred years... Finally, someone has called my name once again..." "Focalors" looked surprised as she spoke slowly. "You know... now that you say that, I almost don''t want to execute your death sentence anymore..." "After all... you''re the only one in all these years... who truly understands me..." Su Yuan thought to himself, Focalors, this isn''t right! A death sentence is a death sentence! You can''t bend the law for personal feelings or halt the execution! If you don''t kill me, how am I supposed to reset and go back?! With that in mind, Su Yuan slowly reached into his pocket, gripping the small knife he carried with him. If necessary, he would have to end things himself... Moreover, Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that this eerie version of "Focalors" was different from the other people who had been taken over by the strange force... "Oh! I remember now!" "Focalors" suddenly exclaimed. "You have Neuvillette''s scent on you... His blood flows through your veins... Half of your bloodline belongs to Neuvillette..." Su Yuan was taken aback. Had "Focalors" really figured it out? Indeed, his body contained half of Neuvillette''s ancient dragon blood. Should he be impressed by her sharp eyes or her keen sense of smell? But then, what "Focalors" said next completely baffled him... "Su Yuan... you must be Neuvillette''s child, right?" Su Yuan: ??? "Such pure Neuvillette blood... and it just happens to make up half of your body''s lineage..." "There''s no way such a coincidence could exist in this world..." "Su Yuan, you must be Neuvillette''s child, aren''t you?" "Thinking back to four or five hundred years ago, when Neuvillette first arrived in Fontaine... Back then, he still wasn''t accustomed to interacting with humans..." "I never expected that after all these centuries, his child would have grown so much..." "Uh... Focalors, can you let me explain for a moment?" At this moment, Su Yuan no longer felt fear or terror¡ªwhat he felt more was absurdity and speechlessness... Focalors'' imagination was way too wild... However, Focalors didn''t seem to care about Su Yuan''s reaction at all. She simply continued speaking on her own: "The other half of your bloodline is an utterly pure human bloodline..." "Such an unbelievably pure human bloodline¡ªthere''s only that little one who possesses it, right?" "In my eyes, they are the perfect and purest human, because they are completely the same as a true human¡ªthe ideal version of myself..." "Furina... she must be your mother, right?" Su Yuan: ??? Su Yuan truly hadn''t expected this¡ªFocalors'' imagination had no limits, only greater extremes... In Teyvat, humans and other species could have offspring. Take Liyue''s overworked maniac Ganyu and the legal expert Yanfei, for example... Not to mention, some creatures could also take on human form¡ªlike that scheming fox from Inazuma, or that carefree wind spirit in Mondstadt who never does any real work... And in Fontaine, the vast majority of people were originally pure water spirits. Neuvillette had yet to reclaim the full authority of the ancient dragon and absolve their sins, so they weren''t even considered true humans yet... But in his world, humans and other species were reproductively isolated¡ªonly humans could reproduce with humans. So he was definitely a pure human, right? Moreover, Su Yuan clearly sensed that this eerie version of "Focalors" was fundamentally different from the others who had been taken over by the eerie force... She seemed to possess more memories¡ªand more rationality as well... "I really never expected this... Neuvillette and Furina actually ended up together in the end..." "I always thought that Neuvillette would forever see that timid, weak, yet brave and kind Furina¡ªthe one who possessed both the flaws and virtues of humanity¡ªas a little sister or daughter to protect..." "But in the end, Neuvillette made a decision that completely caught me off guard..." As "Focalors" spoke, her twisted face gradually returned to normal, transforming into a gentle and kind expression. She gave Su Yuan a soft smile and said, "Su Yuan, because you are Neuvillette and Furina''s child, I will not lay a hand on you. I hereby pardon your death sentence." "However, the execution must still take place today, so... I''ll just randomly select a lucky person instead." "Su Yuan, in a way, I suppose you could consider me your mother too..." "Come, let me hear you call me ''Mom.''" Su Yuan instantly felt a massive headache coming on. Focalors wasn''t going to execute him anymore? This... didn''t seem like a good thing at all... "Focalors! Neuvillette is not my father! Furina is not my mother! And you are definitely not my mother! Listen to me! The reason I have Neuvillette''s blood in me is because..." "I''m not listening! I''m not listening!" "Focalors" reached out and covered Su Yuan''s mouth, giving him a gentle smile. "Since you don''t want to admit it and don''t want to call me ''Mom,'' I won''t force you..." "Well then, goodbye, my dear little Su Yuan..." As she spoke, "Focalors" gently kissed Su Yuan on the cheek. Then, her entire body transformed into shimmering particles of blue, black, and red¡ªlike glittering sand and flowing water¡ªbefore vanishing into the bathroom, disappearing right before Su Yuan''s eyes... "Focalors! Think this through properly, will you?! If I were really Neuvillette and Furina''s child, why is my surname ''Su'' instead of ''Neuv'' or ''Fur''?!" Touching his cheek, Su Yuan felt utterly speechless. This eerie version of "Focalors" was completely different from any of the strange entities he had encountered before! At least to him, she wasn''t terrifying or horrifying... she was just absurd! Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan thought to himself¡ªhe needed to hurry back to Palais Mermonia and tell Neuvillette about this... First of all, "Focalors" didn''t necessarily have to carry out executions at night... Secondly, his plan to use himself as bait had failed¡ªsince Focalors was going to randomly select another person for execution, they had to find out who it was as soon as possible and protect them! Right now, Su Yuan couldn''t afford to worry about the embarrassment of not being able to pay¡ªhe needed to rush back to Palais Mermonia immediately! But just as he was about to leave the restroom, he suddenly heard voices from outside... "That''s right, officer! This guest was acting nervous just now, looking like he couldn''t afford to pay, and then he hid in the restroom for ages... We suspect he''s trying to dine and dash!" "Trying to dine and dash at Hotel Debord in Fontaine? If I remember correctly, the prices here are quite high... That''s enough reason for me to send him straight to Meropide! Let''s see how he likes the special meals there!" "The person inside! You have five seconds to come out! You are under arrest!" For some reason, Su Yuan felt that this officer''s voice sounded really familiar... Slowly, he opened the restroom door¡ªonly to see Chevreuse staring at him, completely stunned. "Uh... hey, Chevreuse. Fancy meeting you here..." Su Yuan greeted her with an awkward smile. --------------- Exclusive access : 75ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 38: Ch 38 : The Tragedy of Poisson Village: The Withering Spina di Rosula Chapter 38 - Ch 38 : The Tragedy of Poisson Village: The Withering Spina di Rosula "My deepest apologies, Captain Chevreuse! Mr. Su Yuan!" The waiter bowed deeply to both Chevreuse and Su Yuan. "It''s fine, it''s fine. I was the one at fault first..." Su Yuan said with an embarrassed smile. "I went out to eat without bringing any Mora... and even made Captain Chevreuse cover for me." "No, no, Mr. Su Yuan..." The waiter shook his head repeatedly. "I''m apologizing because when I saw you and Captain Chevreuse chatting and laughing, I thought the two of you were engaged in some unspeakable black-market deal..." "I slandered your pure and noble souls. I am guilty!" "Alright, alright, it''s nothing serious. Don''t take it to heart," Chevreuse said with a helpless smile. With that, Su Yuan and Chevreuse left Hotel Debord. "Chevreuse, isn''t the Special Patrol Unit supposed to deal with the most dangerous criminals? Since when do you have to handle something as trivial as a dine-and-dash?" Su Yuan asked in confusion. "I just happened to be patrolling near the hotel when I saw the waiter running out for help, so I lent a hand," Chevreuse replied. "But seriously, Su Yuan, how do you even go out without bringing any Mora?" "I''ve just been too focused on dealing with the Eerie... I didn''t think about something like this," Su Yuan muttered. Then, all of a sudden, a thought struck him, and he quickly glanced at the firearm slung on Chevreuse''s back... Fortunately, the barrel was pointed upward. "You only just thought of that now? Looks like you''ve got something on your mind," Chevreuse observed, eyeing Su Yuan thoughtfully. "As expected of Captain Chevreuse, nothing gets past you," Su Yuan admitted. "Let''s go. We need to head to Palais Mermonia. I''ll explain everything in front of Neuvillette and Furina." Su Yuan and Chevreuse arrived at Palais Mermonia and headed to Neuvillette''s office, only to find that no one was there. Just then, a Melusine from the Gardes de Lumen happened to pass by the doorway. Su Yuan stopped her and asked, "Hello, do you know where Lord Neuvillette has gone?" "Oh, I know. It seems there have been some issues with the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale again, so Lord Neuvillette and Lady Furina have already headed to the Opera Epiclese..." "Su Yuan, we should head there too," Chevreuse said with a nod. Without delay, the two made their way to Opera Epiclese, where they found Neuvillette and Furina standing before the Oratrice, their brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought. Hearing approaching footsteps, Neuvillette turned around and saw Su Yuan and Chevreuse. "Su Yuan, you came at the right time. I was just about to look for you," Neuvillette said. "I don''t wish to interrupt your sightseeing in Fontaine, but this matter is far too important." As he spoke, Neuvillette handed Su Yuan a peculiar-looking piece of paper. Su Yuan and Chevreuse looked at the paper, which read: [The death sentence for... Su Yuan... has been pardoned...] [But the execution... must take place...] [A random person... has already been chosen...] [The execution... will happen today...] "Su Yuan, do you have any idea what this means?" Neuvillette asked. "Why would the one behind the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale pardon your execution...?" "And more importantly, it seems they are no longer giving us the chance to re-evaluate the sentence. Instead, they have directly chosen someone at random to be executed..." "This is the worst-case scenario... because we have no way of knowing who they''ve chosen." "Neuvillette, this is exactly why I came to find you... The execution doesn''t necessarily have to take place at night!" Su Yuan said slowly. "Just a while ago, I met the person behind the Oratrice!" "What?" Furina immediately leaned in, carefully examining Su Yuan with concern. "Su Yuan, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Hearing Furina''s worried voice, Su Yuan felt a warm sensation in his heart: Fufu is worried about me... She cares about me... That means I have a place in her heart... "For certain... special reasons, that person gave up on executing me," Su Yuan explained. "Special reasons?" Neuvillette murmured thoughtfully. "Could it be... because you are not a native of Teyvat, but rather a traveler from another world?" Su Yuan was still trying to come up with an excuse to explain everything, but Neuvillette had already jumped to his own conclusion... "That''s right, that might be the reason..." Su Yuan nodded. "Then this is a real problem..." Chevreuse said. "We don''t know who the chosen execution target is, nor do we know when the execution will happen..." "That means we can''t make any preparations in advance..." "We''ll only find out who was chosen once they''re already dead..." "Lord Neuvillette, bad news! The young lady of Spina di Rosula¡ªno, now she should be called the president¡ªMiss Navia has been assassinated in Poisson Village!" At that moment, a Gardes Melenes member rushed in, speaking anxiously to Neuvillette. "Miss Navia''s death is exactly like Erin''s! It must have been done by the same person!" Everyone was utterly shocked... No way¡ªhad the execution already happened so quickly? At this moment, Poisson Village was even more desolate than ever... Everyone had gathered in the village''s central clearing, staring at the bloodstained white cloth in the middle. Beneath that cloth lay their beloved Miss Navia¡ªher broken and battered body... Melus and Silver knelt beside her, unable to stop their tears. "So that the young lady could enjoy the fun of baking at any time, Silver and I were always prepared..." Melus said slowly, his aged face appearing even older in this moment of grief. "Eggs... sugar... almonds... I brought them all..." Silver, even behind his dark sunglasses, could not hide his tears and the unbearable sorrow written across his face. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But where are you now, my lady..." Melus looked around at the gathered crowd and spoke in a voice filled with anguish: "My lady... all of us here... we long to taste your baking one last time... To have one more bite of your macarons... To savor your gingerbread cookies again..." "Hey, look over there¡ªisn''t that Lord Neuvillette? And Lady Furina? And Captain Chevreuse? They''ve all come to Poisson Village!" At that moment, someone from the outer edge of the crowd shouted. "Lord Neuvillette! Lady Furina! Captain Chevreuse! You must find the culprit and deliver justice for our most beloved Lady Navia!" "This murderer is absolutely unforgivable! Miss Navia was still so young... I would rather have died in her place!" "Lord Callas died an unjust death, and now his only daughter, Navia, has met the same cruel fate! In this world, good people never get the reward they deserve!" "We had hoped that under Miss Navia''s leadership, Poisson Village would thrive again, that Spina di Rosula would reclaim its former glory... But now, all of that is impossible!" The crowd surged forward, each person voicing their sorrow, rage, pain, and regret... Seeing this scene, Su Yuan and his companions couldn''t help but feel overwhelmed with sadness. If Eirin''s fate could still be considered deserved in some way, then Navia''s death was nothing but pure misfortune... Su Yuan had already made up his mind¡ªafter gathering all the necessary information, he would take his own life and reset the timeline. Even though he had never met Navia since arriving in Teyvat, he still knew her well. A young lady so just, kind, and full of warmth¡ªshe could not be allowed to die in vain. "Navia!!!" Suddenly, from one of the nearby rooms, someone burst out, screaming Navia''s name. But the moment that person laid eyes on the bloodstained white cloth¡ªand on Furina, standing at the center of the gathered crowd¡ª "Furina!!!" Without a shred of hesitation, that person drew the twin blades and charged straight at her! "Give Navia... back to me!!!" "You¡ª" "Murderous demon!!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 72ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 39: Ch 39 : Chiori and Furina Chapter 39 - Ch 39 : Chiori and Furina Furina suddenly heard someone calling her name. She instinctively turned her head and saw a person wielding dual blades, charging toward her with overwhelming fury. Tears glistened in the attacker''s eyes, filled with sorrow and pain. "You...!" "Murderous demon!!!" Furina was stunned on the spot. Murderous demon? Were they talking about her? The next moment, Neuvillette stepped forward, shielding Furina. With a wave of his hand, a thick and impenetrable wall of water formed, standing between them and blocking the incoming attack. "Chiori! What are you doing?! Calm down! There must be some misunderstanding! Stop this at once!" It was only now that Chevreuse could clearly see the person before them¡ªher clothes were filthy and tattered, her hair messy and unkempt, and her eyes brimming with pain and fury. To Chevreuse''s shock, this person was none other than her dear friend, the owner of the renowned fashion boutique "Chiori Atelier"¡ªChiori herself! But the Chiori standing before her now was nothing like the composed and elegant woman she once knew. This was the first time Chevreuse had ever seen her like this... "Hahahahaha... Chevreuse, so you''re here too..." Chiori, locked in a standoff with Neuvillette, suddenly let out a bitter, sorrowful laugh. "Chevreuse, you''re one of the people who knows me best. You know that I''ve always been like this!" "Blunt and straightforward, never caring about what others think¡ªI just want to be my true self!" "And as for staying calm? Haha..." "How can I possibly stay calm when the murderer who took Navia''s life is standing right in front of me?!" The next moment, the Vision hanging at Chiori''s waist suddenly emitted a dazzling light. Powerful Geo energy surged through her dual blades. "Get out of my way!!!" To Neuvillette''s slight surprise, Chiori, with an unstoppable force, slashed straight through his water wall. This was completely beyond his expectations... Although he had shared half of his Ancient Dragon blood with Su Yuan, causing his strength to decline, Neuvillette had not expected himself to be this fragile... As expected, humanity was a species full of infinite possibilities. The power they could unleash under certain circumstances was enough to make even the gods take notice... It seemed he needed to take this more seriously as well. Neuvillette was about to take action again to stop Chiori, but Chevreuse stepped forward first, positioning herself in front of Furina. She drew her spear and blocked Chiori''s powerful strike head-on! "Chiori! There must be some misunderstanding!" Chevreuse struggled to hold back the overwhelming force. She hadn''t expected Chiori to erupt with such strength. "Lady Furina has been with us the entire time! She never once left our sight¡ªhow could she possibly be Navia''s murderer?!" "Yeah, yeah! Chiori, you must be mistaken!" Su Yuan, having recovered from his initial shock, quickly chimed in. That moment when Chiori had sliced through Neuvillette''s water wall¡ªthe sheer presence, the unyielding determination¡ªit reminded Su Yuan of a certain wandering samurai... There would always be those among the beings of this land who dared to stand against the might of thunder itself. And there would always be those among the beings of this land who dared to cleave through the Dragon King''s walls of water. Both Chiori and Kazuha were originally from Inazuma, yet neither of them returned there often... Were all Inazuman expatriates this fierce? As for why Chiori saw Furina as Navia''s killer, Su Yuan had a good guess¡ªit was likely because she had witnessed "Focalors" carrying out the execution at that exact moment... "And who the hell are you supposed to be? Do I even know you?" Chiori snapped at Su Yuan, her words sharp as ever. Su Yuan could only smile helplessly¡ªclassic Chiori, her tongue was as venomous as ever... "Miss Chiori, there must be some misunderstanding... Lady Furina could not possibly be the murderer," Neuvillette spoke up calmly. "Impossible? Heh..." Chiori let out a cold laugh before saying, "I saw it with my own eyes. The murderer who killed Navia¡ªthough the attire was somewhat different¡ªthat face, that figure, that voice... There''s no mistake. It was Furina!" "What...? Was it really Lady Furina who killed Miss Navia?" "Didn''t the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale malfunction yesterday? That Erin guy was sentenced to death, but Lady Furina insisted the machine wasn''t faulty..." "And then, come nightfall, Erin was dead." "Now people are saying that Lady Furina and the Palais Mermonia refused to admit the Oratrice''s malfunction in order to cover up their mistake, so they resorted to silencing her instead!" "Not to mention, Miss Navia''s death today is almost identical to Erin''s. It has to be the same culprit!" Hearing the murmurs and discussions of the onlookers, Su Yuan felt a deep sense of unease. He knew the truth, but for many reasons, he couldn''t reveal it... "Hey! Don''t you all think that someone might have disguised themselves as Lady Furina to commit these murders?" Su Yuan raised his voice. "If Lady Furina really was the killer, why would she take such a huge risk by returning to the crime scene?" "Hah! Haven''t you read detective novels? The culprit always returns to the crime scene after committing the crime!" someone retorted. Su Yuan was momentarily speechless. Detective novels? You do realize those are just stories, right? You''re really taking them seriously? "Even if Lady Furina wasn''t the one who killed Erin and Miss Navia, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale has been functioning without error for centuries. And now, all of a sudden, it starts malfunctioning? The Palais Mermonia still hasn''t given the public a proper explanation!" "And Lord Neuvillette, what were you doing taking a sudden leave? Do you know how much chaos Fontaine fell into yesterday in your absence? You must take responsibility for this as well!" "Chevreuse, isn''t the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol supposed to protect Fontaine? Why is the killer still at large after all this time? Just what exactly have you and your patrol been guarding? You also have an undeniable responsibility in this!" "But... I think that gentleman has a point..." someone muttered. "And Lady Furina has loved the people of Fontaine for centuries¡ªwhy would she harm anyone?" The crowd erupted into a heated discussion. Some were trying to think rationally, considering all possibilities. But the majority, consumed by grief and anger, had already lost their reason, directing their fury at Furina, Neuvillette, Chevreuse, and the Palais Mermonia... The crowd was just like this¡ªlike a flock of sheep without independent thought, only following the lead of others; like grass by the wall, swaying with the wind; like fallen leaves on water, drifting aimlessly with the current... To Su Yuan, this scene felt eerily similar to the internet mobs of his previous world¡ª Always youthful and passionate, always moved to tears, always failing to learn their lesson, and always being used as pawns... "ENOUGH!!!" Furina suddenly shouted with all her strength. The entire area fell silent in an instant. Chiori glared at Furina with furious eyes and let out a cold laugh, mocking her. "What''s wrong, dear Lady Furina? Can''t take it anymore? Are you finally about to reveal your true nature?" But in the next moment, Furina did something completely unexpected¡ª She gently pushed Chevreuse aside, stepped forward, and slowly placed Chiori''s blade against her own neck. Tears streamed uncontrollably down Furina''s face, yet she looked at Chiori with a soft, faint smile. "Miss Chiori, if you truly believe that I am the one who killed Navia... then go ahead and do it." "Furina!" Neuvillette''s expression shifted in alarm. He instinctively wanted to intervene. "Neuvillette! Do not move!" Furina turned to him, shouting. "If Miss Chiori truly chooses to strike..." "You are not to judge her. You are not to condemn her!" "This is an order!" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And also... my final request." --------------- Exclusive access : 78ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 40: Ch 40 : Su Yuan’s Passion Chapter 40 - Ch 40 : Su Yuan¡¯s Passion Chiori stared intently at Furina, watching her actions... She gritted her teeth, her expression conflicted, and the hands holding her blades trembled uncontrollably... "Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Avenge Lady Navia!!!" Amid the tense silence, a discordant voice suddenly erupted from the crowd. A loud slap rang out, as someone nearby struck the person who had shouted, angrily rebuking them: "What nonsense are you yelling?! Can''t you see that something isn''t right here?" Melus and Silver also stepped forward from the crowd, coming to Chiori''s side. Melus spoke up: "Miss Chiori, we also believe... Lady Furina could never be the one who killed our Lady Navia." "Furina, you..." Chiori''s grip on her blades trembled even more violently. Finally, she let out a long sigh and lowered her weapons. "I''m a fashion designer... My hands... have never shaken like this before..." ................ "Because of my personality, I don''t have many friends..." Inside the room, Chiori spoke slowly. "Navia was one of them. She was passionate, easygoing, and never minded my temper..." "She always had so many creative ideas, which were incredibly helpful for my fashion designs..." "Those who say my ideas are ahead of their time have probably never had a conversation with Navia." "If Navia had studied fashion design and become a designer herself, she would have been my lifelong rival..." "She once asked me to make her a 10-meter-tall hat, but I refused..." "But now, even if it were 100 meters, 1,000 meters, I would give it my all to create it..." "But Navia... where are you now..." "Earlier... it was around 2 PM, I think. Navia and I were strolling through the plaza of Poisson Vilagge, chatting about designing school uniforms for the children there..." "But suddenly, someone appeared before us¡ªsomeone who looked exactly like Furina, though her clothing was slightly different..." "To be honest, her outfit had a remarkable texture. I had never seen such a design before..." "At that moment, I thought she was Furina and wanted to ask her about the material of her outfit..." "But in the next instant, before I could even react, she struck me down to the ground..." "Before I completely lost consciousness, I saw her attacking Navia..." As Chiori spoke, tears welled up in her eyes once again. "Later, Silver and I found Lady Navia''s body... and Miss Chiori, unconscious nearby..." Melus took over, speaking sorrowfully. "We brought Miss Chiori back to her room to rest, then informed everyone about Lady Navia''s assassination..." Chiori cried for a while, then seemed to gradually regain her composure. With sharp eyes, she looked at Furina and the others, speaking firmly: "I''ve said everything I wanted to say... Now, come on, I want to hear your explanation." "Yes, we also want to know the truth behind all this," Melus and Silver added. "I will explain," Neuvillette spoke slowly. "As Navia''s friends and family, you have the right to know the truth." "First, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale did indeed malfunction. And we''ve discovered that behind the machine, there is a mysterious individual who carries out executions on those sentenced to death..." "But Navia never even went to the Opera Epiclese for trial, let alone received a death sentence!" Chiori interrupted. "That''s correct, and this brings us to the second rule," Neuvillette continued. "If no one is sentenced to death that day, the mysterious individual will randomly select someone and execute them instead." "Oh? So, in order to protect your own reputation, the Palais Mermonia completely disregarded the safety of Fontaine''s citizens? You didn''t even care who the unlucky victim was?" Chiori sneered coldly, her expression darkening. "No, that''s not it," Su Yuan spoke up. "Every single one of us here was willing to become the bait¡ªto lure out the mysterious individual behind all of this." "Originally, I was supposed to be the one executed. But due to certain special circumstances, my death sentence was revoked. And then... that person chose a random target instead." "In a way, Navia died because of me. I will take responsibility for her death." "Take responsibility? Heh..." Chiori let out a cold laugh. "What good does that do? Navia is already dead! She''s gone!" "Speaking of which, who even are you? I''ve never seen you in Fontaine before." "His name is Su Yuan," Neuvillette said. "He is our friend and someone worthy of trust." "Alright then, Su Yuan, is it? I''ll remember you. I''ll resent you for the rest of my life," Chiori said slowly. "Both Palais Mermonia and you, Su Yuan, bear undeniable responsibility for Navia''s death." "Chevreuse, I know that hitting people in public is wrong, but no matter what, I will not compromise on this," Chiori looked at Chevreuse and spoke with absolute certainty. "From now on, every time I see Su Yuan, I''m going to punch him!" Chevreuse: ... "By the way, Su Yuan, didn''t you see the mysterious person behind the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale?" Furina suddenly turned to Su Yuan and asked, "Then why didn''t we hear you mention that she looked just like me?" "Uh... well, that''s because her appearance... was a disguise," Su Yuan explained. If Sigewinne were here, she would have immediately seen through Su Yuan''s lie. Su Yuan felt that time was running out. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t afford to delay any longer¡ªany further hesitation could lead to complications. He needed to prepare to reset by dying. So, finding an excuse, he said, "You guys keep talking. I need to use the restroom." "I''ll take you there, Mr. Su Yuan," Melus stood up and led Su Yuan out of the room. After Su Yuan and Melus left, Neuvillette felt that something was off. Making an excuse of his own, he also left to follow them. Sitting on the toilet in the restroom, Su Yuan pulled out the small knife he always carried with him and placed it against his neck, taking a deep breath... Even though he had rehearsed this many times, now that the moment had arrived, he still felt a bit nervous. But if he wanted to save Navia and stop the Eerie Focalors, this was the only way! With a determined grip, Su Yuan slashed his own carotid artery! Blood splattered instantly as Su Yuan slowly closed his eyes, waiting for death to take him... But after just a short moment, he noticed that the blood from his neck had stopped spurting, and the pain was gradually fading... Su Yuan opened his eyes in confusion, realizing that he was still alive? What was going on? Could he not even kill himself now? "Could it be because of Neuvillette''s ancient dragon blood... I remember he said it would enhance my body''s recovery ability..." Su Yuan pondered for a moment. It seemed like he hadn''t cut deep enough just now¡ªhe needed to go deeper to make sure he actually died. So, he once again placed the small knife against his neck, this time preparing to cut deeper and more decisively, ensuring that he wouldn''t survive... But in the next instant, the bathroom door was suddenly flung open! Neuvillette appeared right in front of him! "Su Yuan! Didn''t you promise me that you wouldn''t do this again?" Neuvillette questioned loudly, grabbing Su Yuan''s wrist and using his other hand to snatch the knife away! Su Yuan stared in shock at Neuvillette, who had appeared so suddenly. He had deliberately avoided him to commit suicide in secret, yet Neuvillette still came looking for him? Although his attempt at suicide had been temporarily halted, Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a warmth in his heart... It seemed that his previous actions had truly made Neuvillette deeply worried about him. "Even though I know you feel guilty about Navia, this isn''t entirely your fault. Why must you atone with your life?" "Is it because of Chiori''s words? Did they hurt you that deeply? But that''s just how she is¡ªit''s her personality. Don''t take it to heart!" Neuvillette pleaded earnestly. "Neuvillette, actually... I have the ability to return to the past..." At this point, since he was about to reset anyway, Su Yuan decided to reveal his secret to Neuvillette. Otherwise, he would never let go, just like Wriothesley... Huh? Su Yuan felt a bit confused. Why had he suddenly thought of Wriothesley? "Neuvillette, you''re wrong. I''m not trying to atone for my sins with death," Su Yuan said with a smile, looking at Neuvillette. "I''m doing this to go back to the past, to fix my regrets, and to save Navia!" Neuvillette stared at Su Yuan in shock, unable to utter a single word... "Neuvillette, you promised to believe in me, right?" Seeing the determination in Su Yuan''s eyes, Neuvillette clenched his jaw tightly. He didn''t say anything¡ªhe simply let go of Su Yuan''s hand and returned the small knife to him... Then, unable to bear it, Neuvillette closed his eyes. "Thank you, Neuvillette." The next moment, Neuvillette felt Su Yuan''s burning-hot blood splatter onto his face... --------------- Exclusive access : 78ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 41: Ch 41 : Assemble! Head to Poisson Village! Protect Navia! Chapter 41 - Ch 41 : Assemble! Head to Poisson Village! Protect Navia! Su Yuan abruptly opened his eyes¡ªit was that familiar feeling again... A sharp pain once again pierced his left palm. He had died once more... Su Yuan raised his left hand and looked at his palm, where he saw the following words: [Yes, unfortunately, you have died once again...] [The person randomly chosen by Focalors for execution was Navia...] [Please arrive at Poisson Village before 2 PM!] "Su Yuan? Su Yuan? What are you looking at?" Chevreuse spoke beside him. "There''s nothing on your hand..." Su Yuan remembered¡ªjust moments ago, he and Chevreuse had walked out of the Debord Grand Hotel... "Chevreuse, what time is it now?" Su Yuan asked anxiously. "It''s just past noon. Why?" Chevreuse replied. "There''s still some time before nightfall. You can continue exploring Fontaine, while I''ll resume my patrol." "Wait, Chevreuse! How long would it take to get from here to Poisson Village?" "Poisson Village? Why do you want to go to such a remote place?" Chevreuse asked, puzzled. "That place isn''t on the surface, so it doesn''t get much sunlight. The infrastructure is outdated, and the environment is dark and damp¡ªkind of like the Fleuve Cendre beneath Fontaine Court..." "Typically, tourists visiting Fontaine wouldn''t want to go there." "No, Chevreuse, listen to me! I just encountered the mysterious person behind the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale. That person pardoned my execution and instead chose to randomly execute someone else immediately..." "And the person she chose was none other than the young lady and president of Spina di Rosula¡ªNavia!" Su Yuan said anxiously. "She''s in Poisson Village right now¡ªwe must go protect her immediately!" Seeing the seriousness in Su Yuan''s expression, Chevreuse didn''t ask further and simply nodded. "Alright, Su Yuan, I understand..." "It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Poisson Village from here." Thirty to forty minutes? There was still more than an hour¡ªalmost two¡ªbefore 2 PM. That should be enough time... Su Yuan let out a small sigh of relief and said, "Then let''s head to the Opera Epiclese first and bring Neuvillette and Furina with us before we go to Poisson Village together." "Hm? At this time of day, Lord Neuvillette and Lady Furina should be at Palais Mermonia, right?" Chevreuse said, puzzled. "Huh? You''re right. Neuvillette clearly told me that if I needed to find him during the day, I should go to Palais Mermonia. So why was my first instinct to go to the Opera Epiclese instead?" Su Yuan muttered, confused. This wasn''t the first time something like this had happened¡ªhe always seemed to make these strange decisions and have unusual thoughts... S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Never mind, let''s just go to the Opera Epiclese!" This time, Su Yuan chose to trust his instincts. When Su Yuan and Chevreuse arrived at the Opera Epiclese, they happened to see Neuvillette and Furina standing right at the entrance. Furina looked at them with a hint of confusion and asked, "Su Yuan? Chevreuse? What are you two doing here as well?" "Neuvillette was just about to send someone to find you!" Furina said. "Because the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale just generated new content on its own again..." "No need to check it¡ªwe need to head to Poisson Village immediately!" Su Yuan interrupted, explaining hurriedly. "I just encountered the mysterious figure behind the Oratrice. For some reason, That person granted me a pardon from my death sentence..." "But instead, she randomly chose Spina di Rosula''s Navia as the one to be executed!" "We must get to Poisson Village now and protect Navia!" "I''ll explain the details on the way!" ........... To save time, under Neuvillette''s arrangements, the group boarded an airship bound for Poisson Village. With this, what would have been a 30-40 minute journey was shortened to just over ten minutes. "Su Yuan, I have to say, your intelligence network is truly incredible..." Chevreuse remarked. "Previously, we were troubled because we had no way of predicting who would be chosen for execution." Su Yuan chuckled internally¡ªof course, his intel was strong. He had paid for it with his life. "But even if we know who''s been chosen, I''m still worried," Furina said anxiously. "Against the eerie forces at play, do we really stand a chance?" "This isn''t about whether we have a chance¡ªit''s about the fact that we must stand up and fight!" Su Yuan said firmly. "Originally, I was supposed to be the one executed, but now an innocent person has been dragged into it. How can we just stand by and do nothing?" "Besides, we need to confront the one controlled by the eerie force. Only by interacting with them can we learn the conditions and causes of their corruption¡ªand find a way to undo it." Knowing that protecting Navia would inevitably lead to a confrontation with ''Focalors,'' Su Yuan decided to prepare everyone in advance. "If we encounter the one behind the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, no matter what she looks like¡ªdon''t be surprised." "Su Yuan, haven''t you already seen her...? Wouldn''t it be easier if you just told us what she looks like?" Furina asked. "Well..." Su Yuan hesitated. Even now, he was unsure whether he should reveal the entire truth to everyone. He kept worrying¡ªif he disclosed everything, would all of Teyvat spiral into an irreversible future? "Alright, Furina, if Su Yuan still has his concerns, don''t push him," Neuvillette interjected. "Either way, we''ll find out for ourselves soon enough." ........... Time: 13:05 PM Location: Poisson Village Several workers paused their tasks and looked up toward the sky. "Look over there! Isn''t that an airship about to land in Poisson Village?" someone pointed and exclaimed. "It does seem like it! It''s getting closer!" "Quick, go inform Boss Navia! I''ve heard that people who travel by airship are always rich and important figures!" "Yeah, yeah! We''re not equipped to handle such distinguished guests. If we mess up, we''re done for¡ªgo get Boss Navia right away!" ........... Under the blazing sun, Navia wore sunglasses and held a floral-patterned parasol, walking alongside Melus, Silver, and Chiori. "Navia, seriously, we were having a nice conversation¡ªwhy did we have to come out just to greet them?" Chiori remarked indifferently. "To be honest, I find this kind of formal courtesy annoying. If they have something to say, they can just come to us. Why must we go out of our way to accommodate them?" "Chiori, Spina di Rosula and Poisson Village aren''t like your Chiori House," Navia responded with a smile, taking off her sunglasses and folding up her parasol. "Your Chiori House leads Fontaine''s fashion industry. It''s a prestigious brand that people admire and look up to, so naturally, you don''t need to worry too much about catering to others. In the fashion world, your reputation and authority are absolute..." "But Poisson Village is still underdeveloped¡ªit needs growth. Spina di Rosula is also far from what it used to be. I''m not just doing this for myself but for everyone''s sake..." "I''m no longer just a willful young lady. Now, I am the leader of Spina di Rosula." --------------- Exclusive access : 81ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 42: Ch 42 : Encounter on the Mountain Chapter 42 - Ch 42 : Encounter on the Mountain "Hahaha! Lady Furina, Lord Neuvillette, Captain Chevreuse, and an unknown handsome young man¡ªwelcome to Poisson Village!" Navia greeted the group warmly as they stepped off the airship, flashing a bright smile. "Welcome, welcome! A very warm welcome!" Behind her, Melus and Silver clapped their hands in perfect unison. Even the usually composed Chiori was taken aback by the lineup before her. This wasn''t just a group of important figures¡ªthis was practically the highest authority in all of Fontaine... Well, except for the Duke of Meropide, who ruled with autonomy. "Miss Navia, let''s skip the formalities," Neuvillette said seriously. "I need you to immediately evacuate all the residents of Poisson Village." "Evacuate the residents?" Navia looked puzzled for a moment before a sense of panic crept onto her face. She began to worry about their safety. "Is there going to be an earthquake? Or some kind of natural disaster?" "Er... just tell them that," Furina interjected. "We''ll explain the details to you later." Seeing the grave expressions on Neuvillette and Furina''s faces, Navia knew they weren''t joking. "Melus, Silver, you heard them! Start evacuating the village at once!" Navia ordered. "Understood, Miss! Don''t worry, leave it to us!" Melus and Silver responded confidently before heading into Poisson Village to evacuate the residents. "Chiori." Chevreuse turned to her and said, "If you have nothing to do, you should head back to Chiori Workshop. This situation is complicated, and it''s best if you don''t get involved." "Hey, Chevreuse, get your facts straight. You guys were the ones who interrupted my conversation with Navia, and now you''re acting like you have the authority to send me away?" Chiori frowned slightly. "Now I''m even more curious. In fact, I''m staying right here!" "So, Lord Neuvillette, what exactly is going on?" Navia asked. "Miss Navia, someone is planning to assassinate you, which is why we''ve come to protect you," Neuvillette stated plainly. "Protect me?" Navia was momentarily at a loss for words before chuckling. "I''m hardly some delicate roadside flower. If someone wants to assassinate me, they should at least consider whether they have what it takes." "Besides, Lord Neuvillette, Lady Furina, Captain Chevreuse, and this unknown handsome young man¡ªall of you came to protect me? Isn''t this lineup a bit too extravagant?" "It isn''t," Neuvillette replied seriously. "Because this time, our opponent is extremely formidable. Even with all of us here, we cannot guarantee your safety with absolute certainty." "If possible, Wriothesley should have come with us as well." Navia broke into a sweat. "Oh my goodness... is it really that serious? Did I violate some divine law?" "Uh... well, let me introduce myself first," Su Yuan spoke up. "Navia, while I do appreciate being called ''handsome guy,'' I do have a name. My name is Su Yuan." "''Su'' as in tiramisu, and ''Yuan'' as in crumbling ruins." "Tiramisu? I love that dessert¡ªsweet and fragrant," Navia chuckled. Su Yuan continued, "I just realized something¡ªNeuvillette, Furina, maybe you don''t actually need to rush to evacuate the villagers. The real target isn''t Poisson Village, it''s Navia herself." "Why don''t we just take Navia to an open area instead of turning Poisson Village into a battlefield?" His words were like a wake-up call. Chevreuse: "That... actually makes a lot of sense." Neuvillette: ... "Su Yuan, you''re a genius!" Furina exclaimed in astonishment, as if she had just had a sudden revelation. ............. Southeast of Poisson Village lay The eastern slopes of Mont Automnequ. Su Yuan and his group followed the mountain path along the western side, making their way upward. Somewhere in the depths of his memory, Su Yuan vaguely recalled¡ªsomeone had once said they would take him to the peak of Mont Automnequ to watch the sunrise... But who was that person? But no matter how hard he tried to recall, Su Yuan just couldn''t remember... He wondered if he had been too exhausted these past few days. Lately, he kept experiencing strange hallucinations and memories that didn''t seem to belong to him... "Chevreuse, what time is it now?" Su Yuan asked. "Five minutes until two o''clock," Chevreuse replied, then glanced at Chiori. "I already told you it''s dangerous¡ªwhy did you still follow us?" "If it''s dangerous, that''s all the more reason I should be here. After all, Navia is my good friend," Chiori responded, then turned to Melus and Silver behind Navia. "Chevreuse, you should be talking to those two instead. At least I can protect myself, but these two? They''re just dead weight." "We stand with the lady! Wherever she goes, we go!" Melus and Silver answered firmly. "You and that sharp tongue of yours¡ªafter all this time, you still haven''t changed a bit," Chevreuse said helplessly. Chiori shrugged and replied, "I''m just stating the truth. That''s just the kind of person I am¡ªI love speaking the truth." "Oh, come on, can''t you two stop arguing? We''re all good friends here!" Navia interjected. "I''m not arguing; I''m simply stating facts," Chiori said calmly. "I''ve heard rumors that "The Thundering Seamstress" of Chiori Workshop has a rather unique personality. Now that I''ve seen it firsthand, the rumors are definitely true," Furina whispered to Neuvillette. "If you had a personality like hers, I think I would''ve lost my mind by now..." Neuvillette was about to respond, but suddenly, he sensed an overwhelmingly ominous presence appearing out of nowhere... "Everyone, stay alert! Something is coming!" Neuvillette shouted. Instantly, everyone snapped out of their casual conversation and shifted into a state of high alert, scanning their surroundings with caution... "As expected of Neuvillette. I haven''t even shown myself, yet you''ve already sensed me..." To their astonishment, a figure suddenly appeared on the grassy field ahead. She had the same voice as Furina, the same body, the same face... The only difference was that her hair was longer, and she wore an elegant gown. "You... you''re the person in the mirror!" Furina gasped internally. Neuvillette and Chevreuse were just as shocked¡ªnone of them had expected that the mysterious figure behind the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale would look exactly like Furina! Navia and Chiori were equally stunned. The person who had come to assassinate Navia... bore Furina''s face. Had Furina and the others not warned her in advance, she might have mistaken this imposter for the real one... "Su Yuan, I''m really curious¡ªhow did you know I randomly chose Miss Navia?" "Focalors" smiled and greeted Su Yuan. "Could it be... you have the ability to foresee the future?" "Form up! Protect Miss Navia!" Chevreuse was the first to react, and everyone immediately took their positions, surrounding Navia in the center. "What is the meaning of this..." "Focalors" spoke coldly. "Are you obstructing me from carrying out the execution?" "I thought you were all here to witness the ultimate beauty of life¡ªat the very moment it withers and fades away..." Her face, hair, and gown began to distort and shift, the fresh blue hues transforming into a chaotic blend of red, black, and brown. A crimson, foul-smelling liquid began seeping from her entire body... Furina gasped, covering her mouth in horror. Chiori and Navia were equally shocked¡ªit was their first time seeing someone fully consumed by the eerie phenomenon. "I''ll give you three seconds..." "Move aside..." "Focalors" widened her eyes¡ªdeep, blood-red voids that seemed endless. She stuck out her unnaturally long tongue, licking her earlobe before raising her clawed, scarlet-stained hands, rubbing them together with a sickening sound. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Otherwise... I don''t mind carrying out a few extra executions today." --------------- Exclusive access : 81ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 43: Ch 43 : Eggs, sugar, and almonds—you’ll have to bring them yourself from now on Chapter 43 - Ch 43 : Eggs, sugar, and almonds¡ªyou¡¯ll have to bring them yourself from now on Su Yuan knew that no matter how well they prepared this time, it was probably impossible to prevent Navia from being executed by the eerie entity known as "Focalors"... From what they had experienced so far, the eerie forces were currently unbeatable. Their power inherently countered the elemental forces of Teyvat... That meant, logically speaking, there must also be a force capable of countering the eerie. It simply hadn''t been discovered yet... There could be no such thing as an invincible power in this world¡ªevery force had something that countered it. There must be a balance of mutual reinforcement and restraint between different forces! Su Yuan only hoped to use this opportunity to gather more information about "Focalors" and uncover what had caused her eerie transformation. If they couldn''t completely defeat the eerie for now, then their only option was to temporarily dispel its influence over her! "Neither human nor ghost¡ªlet me see what the hell you really are!" Chiori spoke as she drew her twin blades and charged toward "Focalors"! "Chiori! Be careful! It''s dangerous!" Navia shouted. "Don''t be reckless!" However, Navia''s warning came too late... or rather, given Chiori''s personality, there was no way she would stop just because of a shout. "How foolish..." "Focalors" tilted her head and fixed her gaze on Chiori with a menacing glare... In that instant, within those bottomless, crimson, and abyss-like eyes, Chiori seemed to catch a glimpse of fragments of her own future... ["Is this what Chiori Atelier produces? I wouldn''t even use it as toilet paper¡ªtoo filthy!"] ["The owner of Chiori Atelier? I heard she''s got a terrible temper. She''s almost fifty now and still single! Well, no man would want to marry a woman who doesn''t know how to care for others, has no empathy, and always wears that damned scowl..."] ["I remember when she was younger, she dreamed of making the Chiori brand famous across all of Teyvat. But now, after twenty or thirty years, Chiori Atelier has long been buried in the river of history. Reality proved that she was just daydreaming!"] ["And I heard she had a serious violent streak. When she was young, she used to beat up her competitors regularly and even had some shady dealings with the Guard Corps¡ªthat''s why she was never arrested..."] ["Now that Chiori Atelier has fallen into decline, she still refuses to accept reality. If you ask me, she''s already gone insane! Selling her clothes at such outrageous prices¡ªwho would ever buy them?!"] ["She should just turn Chiori Atelier into a shop for selling rags or toilet paper! If she drops the prices low enough, maybe someone will actually buy her flashy but useless junk!"] "You think... these false illusions can shake my heart?" Chiori spoke calmly. "I... am the one and only Chiori... And Chiori... is unapologetically myself!" In the next moment, her blades flashed, cutting through the illusory images in a single strike! However, as she returned to reality, Chiori suddenly found "Focalors''" face pressed tightly against her forehead... Hot breath poured from "Focalors''" gaping, bloodstained maw, and Chiori was instantly overwhelmed by a thick stench of blood and decay... "Goodbye." As "Focalors" spoke, she opened her massive, gore-soaked jaws, ready to bite Chiori''s head off! "Chiori! Duck!" Both Chevreuse and Navia shouted at the same time. One of them raised her bayonet rifle, firing a bullet infused with Pyro energy! The other lifted her parasol gun and launched a Geo-infused projectile! Chiori ducked just in time, and their attacks struck "Focalors''" face with pinpoint accuracy! Immediately after, Chiori swiftly retreated back to the main group. Though her expression remained calm, beads of sweat had already formed on her forehead... "Do you realize... that you are interfering with the execution of a death sentence?" As the smoke from the impact cleared, "Focalors''" face remained completely unharmed... S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Elemental energy truly had no effect on the Eerie corruption... "Death... is not merely an outcome. It is the process of life withering away..." "Focalors" spoke slowly. "I will make sure... that you all savor this process to the fullest..." "Of course, except for you, my dear Su Yuan, Neuvillette, and Furina." "I want the three of you to witness Fontaine''s end together with me..." "Huh? Dear?" Furina stared at Su Yuan in shock. Why on earth would this Eerie horror call Su Yuan "dear"?! But the rest of the group had their attention on just four words¡ª"Fontaine''s end." At present, Fontaine''s end was foretold in the prophecy: all would dissolve into water, and only the Hydro Archon would remain, weeping upon her throne... No one was more shocked than Su Yuan himself. He hadn''t expected that even after succumbing to eldritch corruption, "Focalors" was still fixated on Fontaine''s fate. So far, those taken over by the eerie force had all lost their sanity, becoming mindless creatures that killed and devoured indiscriminately. Either Su Yuan had failed to notice it, or none of them actually had any clear purpose... But "Focalors" was different. She executed death sentences with precise rules, had a clear system, and now, she was even plotting Fontaine''s end... Su Yuan suddenly felt like this was getting far more complicated than he had anticipated. However, in the next moment, "Focalors''" expression suddenly turned anxious. "Those wretched commoners! How dare they lay a hand on the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale?!" She lifted her head, her gaze turning ice-cold as she swept it over everyone. "I don''t have time to play with you anymore..." "I must execute Navia''s death sentence immediately!" "Protect the young lady!" Melus and Silver shouted. Even though they knew they were no match for her, everyone braced themselves for battle once again. "Focalors" took a slow step forward. Though she was barefoot on the grass, it felt as if she were stepping upon a pool of blood. Everyone could see crimson ripples spreading outward... And then, an overwhelming pressure fell upon them. Their bodies froze in place, completely unable to move. "What is happening? Why can''t I move?!" Chiori said anxiously. She watched helplessly as "Focalors" walked step by step toward Navia, powerless to stop her. Neuvillette was perhaps in the best condition among them. He wasn''t entirely immobilized, but his movements were so slow¡ªthousands of times slower than normal¡ªthat he was unable to do anything. "Focalors" reached Navia, raising her bloodstained claws, ready to pierce straight through her heart... Su Yuan could hardly bear to watch. Had they failed once again? Had they saved no one...? At the very least, he had gained a bit more information¡ªabout "Focalors''" so-called witnessing of Fontaine''s end and the sudden disturbance at the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale... "Farewell, Navia... Execution... begins!" "Focalors" drove her claws toward Navia''s chest. But even in the face of death, Navia showed no sign of fear, no plea for mercy. She simply glared at "Focalors," refusing to back down. However, at that very moment, two figures suddenly dashed in from the side, placing themselves between "Focalors" and Navia¡ª Her claws pierced straight through their chests¡ªyet stopped just before reaching Navia''s heart. "Focalors" was taken aback. These were mere mortals, ordinary people without even a Vision¡ªso how had they moved so quickly within her domain? Navia stared blankly at the scene before her, feeling the warmth of fresh blood splattered across her chest. Unbidden, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks... Melus and Silver slowly turned their heads to look at Navia, their gazes filled with apology. Blood trickled from the corners of their lips, yet they managed to show her a faint, reassuring smile. "Young lady... we promised Lord Carlas that we would protect you well..." Melus said with difficulty. "Now... we should have lived up to his expectations, right...?" "Young lady..." Silver coughed up a mouthful of blood before forcing out a weak smile. "Eggs... sugar... almonds... from now on, you''ll have to bring them yourself..." --------------- Exclusive access : 84ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 44: Ch 44 : The method of salvation Chapter 44 - Ch 44 : The method of salvation "Tsk... Although they weren''t the intended targets, in the end, an execution was still carried out..." "Focalors" furrowed her brows, appearing somewhat dissatisfied. "They aren''t purely human, yet they were still able to accomplish this?" "Focalors" slowly withdrew her hand, and Melus and Silver collapsed to the ground. "I can''t waste any more time here¡ªI must return to the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale!" As she spoke, "Focalors" transformed into a wisp of black smoke and disappeared from sight... With her departure, the overwhelming pressure that had bound everyone vanished, allowing them to move freely again. Everyone rushed to the side of the gravely injured Melus and Silver. "I''m sorry¡ªI take back what I said before. You two were never burdens..." Chiori spoke softly, her eyes filled with sorrow. "When all of us were unable to move, you both stood up to protect Navia..." "Neuvillette, please save them!" Furina shook Neuvillette''s arm, her voice trembling with urgency. "Didn''t you save Su Yuan before? Please, save them too!" "Furina... Their hearts and lungs have suffered severe damage¡ªthere is no hope for them," Neuvillette replied solemnly. "The reason I was able to save Su Yuan before was because his vital organs hadn''t sustained critical injuries..." "Miss... as we agreed before, please bury us beside Lord Carlas'' grave... That way, when you visit his grave, we can also see you..." Melus lifted his trembling hand, gently caressing Navia''s face. "Honestly... you''re already a grown woman, yet you''re still crying like this..." "Miss... live on well, for our sake too..." Silver struggled to speak. Under everyone''s gaze, Melus'' hand fell lifelessly, and Silver''s breathing came to a stop... Navia clenched their hands tightly, her expression darkening. "Melus..." "Silver..." Su Yuan couldn''t bear to watch this scene unfold. From a game perspective, Melus and Silver were merely NPCs without even unique character models. But to Navia, though they weren''t related by blood, they were closer than family... Moreover, if the game had followed its original storyline, Melus and Silver would have perished during the rescue efforts in Poisson Village, dissolving into the primordial sea to save others. And later, when Navia herself fell into the primordial sea, they had protected her one last time... Such loyal and righteous individuals¡ªhow could their story end here?! Anyway, there are still at least three more chances to rewind today¡ªusing one for them, so what? "Su Yuan, what are you trying to do?!" Neuvillette was the first to notice something was wrong with Su Yuan. However, since his attention had been on Melus and Silver, he was still a step too late... Right before everyone''s eyes, Su Yuan took the small knife he carried and plunged it deep into his own heart! He collapsed to the ground, watching as everyone rushed toward him... His vision and consciousness grew blurrier and blurrier, and their voices became fainter and fainter... Seriously, he made Neuvillette worry again and made Furina cry again... In the last moments of his life, a sudden doubt crept into Su Yuan''s mind... Wait, hadn''t he always practiced slitting his throat before? S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Why did he instinctively stab his heart this time? .............. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes¡ªit was that feeling again... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, he knew he had died once more... He quickly raised his left hand to check and saw only one sentence written there: [You died again. This is the second time today.] Apart from that, there was no other information. Su Yuan had never encountered this situation before... What was going on? Why was there no hint at all? "I''m sorry, I take back what I said before. You two were never a burden..." Chiori''s voice rang out beside Su Yuan, snapping him back to reality. Only then did he realize that just moments ago, Melus and Silver had taken a fatal blow for Navia, now lying on the ground, barely clinging to life... What''s going on... Why did I rewind to this moment? Even though he had no memory of his last attempt, Su Yuan knew himself well¡ªhe must have rewound time specifically to save Melus and Silver... But now, it was already too late! Does this mean Melus and Silver are truly fated to die? Even I... can''t save them? "Su Yuan? What''s wrong? Why are you sweating so much? And why do you look so strange..." Furina noticed Su Yuan''s distress and asked with concern. But Su Yuan didn''t hear her. His mind was racing, desperately searching for a way to save Melus and Silver. He couldn''t bear to see these two loyal and righteous men meet their end here... Rewind again? But now that the save point had already been set, he had no control over it. Wouldn''t that just be another futile attempt...? There must be a way... Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Su Yuan''s eyes widened. Driven by an overwhelming force of will, for the first time, he truly sensed the immense, pure power of water coursing through his body, deep within his very veins... Every droplet in the air, every trickle in the rivers, every current in the vast ocean¡ªhe could feel them all, as if they were under his control. With that realization, Su Yuan slowly raised his hand... ............ Meanwhile, in the distant Meropide Fortress... "Duke! The valve is broken! The valve is broken!" A panicked man suddenly burst into Wriothesley''s office. "Which valve? Just fix it," Wriothesley responded, momentarily stunned. But then, he suddenly realized something was wrong. "Wait... don''t tell me it''s that valve?" "Hurry and evacuate the people of Meropide Fortress! Then go to Palais Mermonia and bring Neuvillette here!" As he spoke, Wriothesley was already preparing to leave, intending to hold the situation under control until Neuvillette arrived. "No need to panic, Your Grace. The valve has only developed a small crack for some unknown reason¡ªthere''s no sign of a full rupture. We''ve already begun emergency reinforcements and repairs." "You should''ve led with that!" Wriothesley halted in his tracks, irritation flashing across his face, though he let out a small sigh of relief. "Next time, get to the point first!" Even so, Wriothesley knew that while this might have been just a minor incident, it was proof that the Primordial Sea was beginning to show signs of instability. It seemed the day foretold by the prophecy was drawing near... .............. Su Yuan gazed at the mass of water in his hands¡ªan unexplainable substance that appeared ordinary yet held unfathomable mysteries within. Slowly, he stepped forward, stopping before Melus and Silver... "Su Yuan, you don''t even have a Vision¡ªsince when could you control Hydro?" Furina exclaimed in shock as she looked at the water in his hands. Neuvillette, however, watched the water with a grave expression. There was no mistake¡ªthis was water from the Primordial Sea, and an extremely concentrated form at that. It could only be found beneath the valve in Meropide Fortress... "Su Yuan, where did you get that water...? What exactly are you planning?" Neuvillette asked cautiously. But before he could get an answer, Su Yuan¡ªunder Neuvillette''s astonished gaze¡ªdirectly poured the water over Melus and Silver! "Melus... Silver..." Su Yuan spoke slowly. "This is the only way I can think of... to save you!" --------------- Exclusive access : 84ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 45: Ch 45 : Destroy the Oratrice Mecanique d’Analyse Cardinale! Chapter 45 - Ch 45 : Destroy the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale! Everyone was shocked to see that the moment Melus and Silver''s bodies made contact with the water in Su Yuan''s hands, they seemed to dissolve completely, vanishing in an instant... Only their bloodstained clothes and the trampled grass remained¡ªsilent proof that they had ever existed. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Su Yuan! What did you do?!" Chiori, the reckless one as always, grabbed Su Yuan by the collar and shouted angrily, "Melus and Silver are dead, and you didn''t even leave their bodies intact?!" "Their final wish was to be buried beside Mr. Carlas! And you couldn''t even grant them that one last request?!" "Melus... Silver..." Navia trembled as she picked up the clothes from the ground, her expression looking off... A terrifying thought flashed through Su Yuan''s mind¡ªcould it be that Navia was about to be consumed by the Eerie? Could her conditions for corruption be tied to Melus and Silver''s deaths?! His fears were confirmed. Navia suddenly tilted her head to the side, murmuring strange, incoherent words... "They''re all dead... All of them are dead... My father, my mother... and now, Melus and Silver... They''re all gone..." "Hehehe... Hahahaha... What''s the point of a world like this? Hahahaha!!!" From past experiences, Su Yuan knew¡ªNavia was already in the process of succumbing to the Eerie! Chiori looked at Navia in confusion, while Chevreuse and Neuvillette immediately took a battle stance, fully prepared for what was to come... Su Yuan had no time to hesitate. He rushed to Navia''s side, grabbed her by the shoulders, and shook her violently. "Navia, snap out of it! Listen to me!" He shouted desperately, watching as Navia''s face began to distort. "Melus and Silver aren''t dead! One day, you will see them again!" "Navia!!!" "I know we only met for the first time today, but please believe me¡ªI would never joke about something like this!" Su Yuan stopped shaking her and instead placed his hands gently on her head, his unwavering gaze locked onto her deeply sunken eyes. "Didn''t you promise them... that you would live on?" Perhaps it was those last words that finally reached her. Navia''s body trembled, and gradually, her features returned to normal. She looked at Su Yuan, tears welling up in her eyes, and choked out, "What you''re saying... is it true...?" "It''s true. Believe me." Su Yuan nodded firmly. Fontainians were originally born from pure Oceanid When exposed to the waters of the Primordial Sea, they weren''t dissolved in the way humans would be¡ªin reality, they were merely returning to their original form. What was a fatal wound to a human might mean nothing to a pure Oceanid... Su Yuan was certain¡ªwhen he had splashed the Primordial Sea''s water onto Melus and Silver, they had been on the brink of death, but they had not completely passed away yet. If Navia''s eerie transformation was triggered by the death of Melus and Silver, then the fact that she had returned to normal proved one thing¡ªMelus and Silver were still alive. Chevreuse''s father had awakened from his coma, yet the Chevreuse controlled by the eerie influence in Meropide Fortress couldn''t have possibly known that. And yet, she still returned to normal. At the very least, this proved one crucial point¡ªthe conditions for eerie corruption were objective. Even if the original person was unaware of what had changed, as long as the conditions were no longer met, they would break free from the eerie control. "Let''s go. We need to return to the Opera Epiclese immediately. Something is bound to happen at the Ordo Main Hall." Neuvillette spoke, then turned his gaze toward Chiori and Navia. "Miss Chiori, Miss Navia, for your safety, I suggest you both return home immediately." "That''s impossible!" Navia had already wiped away her tears and now looked at Neuvillette with unwavering determination. "What happened to Melus and Silver can''t just end like this! Please allow me to come with you!" "I feel the same as Navia," Chiori added. "Very well. We''ll explain the situation to you both in detail along the way," Neuvillette replied. He didn''t refuse them¡ªhe knew that even if he did, Navia and Chiori would never back down. ......... On the airship heading to the Opera Epicles, Neuvillette and Su Yuan revealed everything to Chiori and Navia. "So that''s how it is... The Eerie Forces, huh..." Chiori nodded thoughtfully. "If I were to fall under their control, the condition would probably be someone ruining or slandering the clothes I''ve painstakingly crafted right in front of me..." "No matter what, Spina di Rosula is part of Fontaine, and as its leader, I cannot simply stand by and do nothing about this!" Navia declared firmly. "Besides, they even harmed Melus and Silver!" "Speaking of which, Su Yuan, how is your perception of Hydro energy now?" Neuvillette asked. "Back then, when I spoke to you, there was still some speculation in my words¡ªI didn''t expect you to actually pull it off..." "It feels amazing. I''ve never experienced anything like it before," Su Yuan nodded. "At that moment, I felt like everything composed of water around me was under my control." "I had a sudden thought¡ªmaybe the Primordial Sea''s waters could save Melus and Silver. So, I expanded my perception to search for it, and sure enough, I found it." "So, Navia, rest assured. Melus and Silver aren''t dead. They''ve merely returned to their original form¡ªas pure Oceanid," Su Yuan said with a smile, looking at Navia. "As long as they''re still alive, anything is possible. One day, you will meet them again!" "Mm!" Navia nodded firmly. ....... When "Focalors" returned to the Opera Epicles, she found a large crowd gathered in front of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, furiously smashing the machine with hammers, clubs, and other tools. They had even hired numerous autonomous mechanisms to stand guard at the entrance of the Opera Epicles, blocking the Tribunal of the Garde Legitime and the Gardes Maritimes from entering¡ªgiving them free rein to destroy as they pleased. "Useless machine! Give Erin''s life back!" "Why should our lives and deaths be decided by some broken contraption?" "I hate the name ''Oratrice M¨¦canique'' because I once accidentally stepped on a stapler in the bathroom! Stepping on a stapler in the bathroom¡ªit was the worst pain ever!" "The Resonant Energies this machine produces are an evil force! We can''t use them! They influence your mind, control your brain¡ªwe must stop this power at its source!" "My ancestors were coal miners, but ever since this machine started generating Resonant Energy, they lost their jobs! That''s why my family is poor now¡ªbecause we lost our foundation for wealth accumulation!" "Smash it! Destroy it!" "Fontaine doesn''t need the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale!" These people had all sorts of bizarre reasons, but they shared one common goal¡ªto destroy the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale! "Focalors" felt a surge of anger. The Oratrice Mecanique was a crucial part of the plan¡ªit couldn''t be allowed to be destroyed by these fools! Just as "Focalors" was about to take action and eliminate them all, a loud noise suddenly erupted from the entrance! A stunning woman with deep blue hair, tied into a low ponytail with a black ribbon, and wearing a blue side hat adorned with a white feather, made her entrance. With an air of cold authority, she held a rapier in one hand¡ªand in the next moment, she crushed a mechanical component in her grip with ease! "People these days... they actually dare to cause trouble at the Opera Epicles?" she said slowly, her tone icy yet commanding. "No matter what, this is my dueling stage¡ªI won''t let you destroy it." --------------- Exclusive access : 87ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 46: Ch 46 : Focalors way of altering prophecy Chapter 46 - Ch 46 : Focalors way of altering prophecy Outside the Opera Epicles, a man with blue hair, wearing a bird-beak mask that covered the upper half of his face and dressed in a regulation fur-collared coat, gazed at the pile of shattered and scrapped autonomous machines at the entrance. He couldn''t help but sigh in admiration: "As expected of Fontaine''s strongest duelist. These little toys didn''t pose any obstacle to her at all..." "Dottore." At that moment, a cold voice rang out from behind him. "Back at the meeting, wasn''t it already agreed upon?" "Matters in Fontaine do not require the intervention of any other Harbingers." "I and the House of the Hearth will handle everything in full." Dottore turned around to see a person with black-and-white hair, whose black eyes bore a red cross pattern, staring at him intently. "Arlecchino, I wasn''t even at that meeting..." Dottore waved his hand dismissively, responding with a smile. "The me in that meeting may have agreed with you, but what does that have to do with the me standing here now?" "Then now you know." Arlecchino''s voice left no room for argument. "Alright, alright, I get it. I won''t interfere with Fontaine''s affairs anymore." Dottore gave a smirking, insincere smile. "But... that only applies to the ''me'' standing here right now." With that, Dottore turned and walked off into the shadows, disappearing from sight. ........... When Su Yuan and his group arrived at the entrance of the Opera Epicles, they were met with the sight of numerous shattered autonomous machines scattered across the ground. A sense of foreboding immediately crept over them... However, upon stepping inside, they found that many people had been securely tied up on the floor¡ªrow after row, one after another. "Lord Neuvillette, all the troublemakers have been subdued." Clorinde stepped forward and reported to Neuvillette. "Thank you for your efforts, Clorinde," Neuvillette responded. "This wasn''t supposed to be your responsibility." "Lord Neuvillette, after you left the Court of Fontaine, multiple disturbances broke out across the city simultaneously. For a time, both the Gardes and the Marechaussee Phantom struggled to handle the situation." "Especially this particular group¡ªthey secretly hired people to modify autonomous machines, altering their programming to make them highly aggressive." "Not only that, but they stationed these machines at the entrance while they went inside to wreak havoc on the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinal." "I suspect this is a well-organized and premeditated conspiracy targeting Fontaine." Su Yuan suddenly felt a headache coming on. Dealing with a single Eerie was already troublesome enough, and now there were even more complications... "Focalors" had left abruptly earlier¡ªshe must have gone to protect the Oratrice... Fortunately, Clorinde had acted in time. Otherwise, these unlucky fools would have been wiped out... But if "Focalors" had already fallen under the control of the Eerie, why would she still protect the Oratrice? Could it be that, no matter what, the Oratrice remained something of great importance to her? "Su Yuan, what do you think?" Neuvillette turned to Su Yuan and asked. "The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinal has already lost its original function..." Su Yuan murmured, staring at the hint inscribed in his right palm, once again falling into deep thought. The Oratrice''s original purpose was to destroy the Hydro Archon throne and return the ancient dracon authority to Neuvillette. But why did the hint specifically mention the word "original"? Could it mean that the Oratrice now possessed an entirely new function? And why did the hint emphasize the Oratrice itself rather than Focalors? "Neuvillette... I think we need to destroy the Oratrice!" After piecing everything together, Su Yuan suddenly arrived at this shocking conclusion! He knew this was a crazy and impulsive idea¡ªbut it was the only way to lure out the Focalors under the Eerie''s control and uncover why she was so fixated on the Oratrice! "Lord Neuvillette, Lady Furina... this isn''t right." Clorinde spoke up, frowning. From her perspective, even if the Oratrice was malfunctioning, it was still an important symbol of Fontaine. How could they simply decide to destroy it? Moreover, a significant portion of Fontaine''s city-wide energy supply came from the Oratrice''s Harmonic Compensation Power System... However, the reactions of Neuvillette and Furina were far beyond her expectations. "Alright, since you say we should destroy it, Su Yuan, then let''s destroy it." Neuvillette nodded. "I have no objections." Furina also spoke. However, just as Su Yuan and the others were about to take action, a loud voice erupted in opposition¡ª "I OBJECT!!!" "Focalors" suddenly appeared in front of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinal, standing before everyone! Clorinde was slightly taken aback. She glanced at "Focalors", then at Furina standing nearby. "Why... couldn''t you all wait just a few more days? Let me carry out a few more executions? Let me gather just a little more power?" "With just that, I could have completely changed the prophecy..." "Focalors" spoke in an agitated tone, and her appearance began to shift¡ªbecoming gruesome, terrifying, and indescribable. "For these five hundred years, I''ve often wondered¡ªwhy must I be the one to destroy the Hydro Archon''s throne? Why must I sacrifice my life? Why should I care about the lives of these mortals?" "They live in this dazzling, glorious era... while I alone have been left to rot in the darkness." "Why? Why?? WHY???" "I, Focalors, am the true Hydro Archon! And she¡ªFurina¡ªis nothing more than a clownish substitute!" "Why should I have to sacrifice everything for her happiness???" Her words sent shockwaves through everyone present. Though many of them had long suspected it... was Furina really not the true Hydro Archon? "So... I''ve changed my mind." "The Indemnitium that the Oratrice has accumulated over these centuries... I won''t use it to destroy the Hydro Archon''s throne." "Instead, I will use it to destroy all of Fontaine!" "I have changed the prophecy!!!" "Because no one will dissolve into water¡ªthey will all be obliterated in an instant!" "And I will not sit upon the throne weeping¡ªI will be laughing!" "The prophecy... has been rewritten by my own hands!!!" "Hahahahahaha!!!" "Su Yuan! Neuvillette! Furina!" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Well? What do you think?" "This is the fate of Fontaine that I shall make you witness!!!" "So I will never let you destroy... the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinal!!!" Hearing "Focalors" speak, Su Yuan was utterly shocked. So this was her plan...? Although she wasn''t particularly obsessed with killing or devouring people, this was undoubtedly an even more insane course of action! The Indemnitium generated by the Oratrice¡ªonly a tiny fraction of it was actually used to power Fontaine''s cities... The vast majority of the energy had been continuously accumulating within the Oratrice for centuries... If all that energy were to be released in an instant, how many tons of TNT would it be equivalent to? How many nuclear bombs could it compare to? Su Yuan didn''t even dare to imagine the answer. "Focalors" had indeed changed the prophecy¡ªbut at the cost of Fontaine''s total annihilation! Madness... absolute madness! --------------- Exclusive access : 87ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 47: Ch 47 : Retreat and Encounter Chapter 47 - Ch 47 : Retreat and Encounter Under the influence of the Eerie, the once kind, compassionate, selfless Focalors, who deeply loved the people of Fontaine, had now transformed into this mad, selfish, and ruthless being... "Do you still wish to destroy the Oratrice? Do you still want to stop me?" Focalors spoke coldly. "I don''t mind... turning all of you into corpses." "Although carrying out multiple executions today didn''t bring me any additional benefits, if you dare to obstruct my plan¡ªI will show no mercy!" "Your lives... should wither at the very last moment. Only then will they bloom into the most beautiful sight!" Su Yuan understood now¡ª"Focalors" didn''t avoid killing because she didn''t want to, but because she wanted everyone to die together in that grand explosion. That, in her eyes, was the most beautiful and romantic ending. And the fact that she insisted on executing at least one person per day seemed to be a strict requirement for her... Suddenly, a thought struck Su Yuan¡ªhe had already used the Primordial Sea to revert Mules and Silver back into Oceanid. They weren''t actually dead. But Focalors didn''t know this. From her perspective, Mules and Silver had been gravely injured, with no chance of survival¡ªshe must have assumed today''s execution had already been "successfully carried out." Realizing this, Su Yuan saw no reason to engage in a direct confrontation with the Eerie today. For now, they could let things be. By tomorrow, they would have more intelligence¡ªand more options. After all, there was still the question: "If no execution took place today, something unexpected would happen." By tomorrow, they would finally know what that "unexpected event" was. There was also that important piece of information¡ªSu Yuan was curious about it as well. Would it be helpful in their current situation? After tonight, they would finally unlock the answer... "Alright, Focalors, we understand..." Su Yuan spoke up. "We won''t target the Oratrice anymore. We''ll retreat now." Everyone was shocked, staring at Su Yuan in disbelief. The Su Yuan they knew wasn''t someone who would give up so easily¡ªwasn''t someone who would compromise without a fight. "Su Yuan, you''re just giving up like that?" Chiori looked at him with disdain. "Looks like I overestimated you. Turns out you''re nothing special after all." "If Su Yuan made this decision, he must have his reasons. I choose to trust and support him." Navia said firmly. "Alright then, Su Yuan, we''ll follow your lead." Neuvillette was filled with doubts, but in the end, he nodded. He had already promised¡ªto trust Su Yuan unconditionally. "Hahaha, as expected of you, Su Yuan." Focalors laughed, her face returning to normal. "The wise know when to yield. You''ve made a smart decision." "Tomorrow, be sure to return here for the trials..." "Otherwise, I will still randomly select someone for execution." With that, Focalors vanished from sight. "Lord Neuvillette, Lady Furina, could you please explain what is going on?" Clorinde asked in confusion¡ªafter all, she was the only one present who had no idea about the Eerie''s existence. "Let''s discuss it once we return." Neuvillette replied. .............. Inside Neuvillette''s office, everyone had gathered. Su Yuan, Neuvillette, Furina, Chevreuse, Wriothesley, Sigewinne, Chiori, Navia, and Clorinde¡ªall were present. First, they explained the existence of the Eerie to Clorinde, who quickly grasped the situation. Then, Su Yuan revealed everything to the group¡ªthe truth behind the prophecy, the connection between Focalors and Furina, Focalors'' schemes, and the true purpose of the Oratrice... Since the Eerie-controlled "Focalors" had already exposed herself, there was no point in hiding anything anymore. "So you''re saying... If Focalors had not been controlled by the Eerie, she would have used the Oratrice and the centuries of accumulated Indemnitium... to kill herself, destroy the Hydro Archon''s throne, and return the authority of the ancient dragon to me¡ªso that I could absolve all of Fontaine''s people of their sins." Neuvillette spoke slowly: "How cunning... Focalors..." Then, he turned to Furina, his voice carrying a rare gentleness: "Furina, you''ve been through so much all these years... It must have been incredibly difficult for you." "I''m fine..." Furina said softly. "I just feel sorry for Focalors... Compared to what she has done, my efforts are nothing." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sacrificing one person to save everyone else¡ªmathematically and statistically, it seems like an efficient trade-off," Sigewinne remarked. "But can life truly be measured by numbers? Does that make it the right choice?" "But if we can''t break the Eerie''s control over Focalors, then according to her current plan, all of Fontaine will be destroyed¡ªeveryone will be blown to pieces." "That''s why we have to change everything!" Su Yuan declared. "We need to free Focalors from the Eerie''s corruption and find a new way to save the people of Fontaine from the prophecy!" "Everything depends on making it through tonight and uncovering tomorrow''s crucial information!" "Neuvillette, the Fontaine Weather Bureau said there''s a chance of rain tomorrow," Wriothesley reminded. "I know. I''ll make the necessary preparations in advance," Neuvillette nodded. "And you¡ªremember, do not drink any tea tomorrow." "It''s getting late. Navia and I will head back now," Chiori glanced at the time. "We''ll return first thing in the morning to continue discussing how to handle this situation." "After all, my Chiori Workshop''s headquarters is in Fontaine¡ªI won''t just sit back and let it get blown up." "See you all tomorrow," Navia waved as she bid farewell. "Since there''s nothing urgent for now, I''ll take my leave as well. I need to check on my father," Chevreuse said as she prepared to depart. "I won''t disturb you any longer. I''ll also be here first thing in the morning," Clorinde said as she left together with Chevreuse. "Neuvillette, tonight I and Sigewinne, won''t be returning to Meropide. A change of scenery once in a while sounds nice¡ªstaying at Palais Mermonia could be interesting." Wriothesley remarked. "Alright, I''ll arrange separate rooms for you," Neuvillette responded. "Oh... I was hoping I could sleep in the same room as you... I''m quite curious about what your sleeping posture is like." Neuvillette: ... "Su Yuan, the sky is about to darken. Let''s meet again tomorrow." Furina smiled as she bid him farewell. ............ Late at night, when it was time to sleep, Su Yuan lay in bed, unable to drift off... Had he really gotten used to the stiff infirmary bed in Meropide? The guest room bed in Palais Mermonia was so spacious, soft, and comfortable¡ªyet he couldn''t fall asleep? On a whim, Su Yuan decided to go up to the top floor of Palais Mermonia to get some fresh air, clear his mind, and gaze at the stars. Even though he knew that the night sky of Teyvat was artificial, he was still curious¡ªwhat exactly did a false sky look like? But when Su Yuan took the elevator up to the top floor, he realized that someone was already there... She, too, was standing in the breeze, looking up at the stars. Hearing the elevator doors open, the figure turned her head¡ªand their eyes met. Su Yuan froze. Why was it Furina? What was she doing up here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? In the next moment, under the moonlight, Furina''s neck began to bend, her face twisting and contorting... Su Yuan suddenly thought to himself¡ªhow foolish. Why had he come up here for no reason? Furina''s private suite was on the top floor of Palais Mermonia. And now, look¡ªhe had walked straight into this. --------------- Exclusive access : 90ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 48: Ch 48 : The Wrong Room Chapter 48 - Ch 48 : The Wrong Room "Darling, even though I''m very happy that you''re here with me on this beautiful night, watching the stars together..." "Furina" tilted her head, her red eyes widening as she stared at Su Yuan, slowly walking toward him... "But... didn''t we agree? At night, you shouldn''t go anywhere..." Su Yuan frantically pressed the close button on the elevator, praying it would shut faster... The elevator doors slowly closed, but the next moment, a loud bang rang out. A pair of bloodstained claws suddenly forced their way between the closing doors, prying them apart with sheer strength... S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Darling... why didn''t you wait for me..." Blood-red tears had already started flowing down "Furina''s" cheeks... "Didn''t we promise... to be together forever?" Su Yuan knew he had miscalculated¡ªthe elevator doors couldn''t close fast enough to escape the eerie version of "Furina." And in this cramped space, there was nowhere to run. He had to get out! Gritting his teeth, Su Yuan made a split-second decision¡ªhe charged straight into "Furina"! Caught off guard, "Furina" was knocked to the ground! Taking advantage of the moment, Su Yuan dashed out of the claustrophobic elevator. Su Yuan scanned the rooftop terrace of Palais Mermonia, recalling what that Melusine named Sedene had once mentioned¡ªFurina''s private suite had a skylight roof, directly connected to the top floor terrace. Some people had previously jumped down from there, landing directly inside Furina''s room... If he wanted to get back to her bed before the eerie "Furina" caught up, this was the fastest route! Su Yuan glanced at the fallen "Furina," unsure of her current condition. However, she didn''t seem to be getting up just yet, which gave him a perfect opportunity to locate the skylight! Lying on the ground, "Furina" trembled all over, clutching her face and clawing at her own head, muttering under her breath: "Darling... you actually dared to hit me... you dared to knock me down..." "Didn''t we agree... that you''d always be my confidant... love me, cherish me for a lifetime..." "Liar... liar..." "You bastard..." "Found it!" After circling the rooftop, Su Yuan finally spotted a glass skylight below. Without hesitation, he prepared to leap down. But in the very next moment, an overwhelming killing intent surged toward him from behind! Su Yuan instantly felt as if his life was nothing more than a flickering candle in the wind, on the verge of being snuffed out at any second! In desperation, he summoned the Hydro element within him, raising his right hand in an attempt to block the incoming attack! But it was futile. Against that abyssal darkness and eerie crimson power, his elemental energy was as fragile as soap bubbles and tofu... Su Yuan''s right forearm was bitten off by "Furina" in an instant. A wave of searing pain flooded his senses as blood gushed out violently... However, using the force of the attack, he propelled himself downward toward the skylight! As he fell, just to be safe and ensure that he wouldn''t crash against unbroken glass, Su Yuan used his remaining left hand to condense a Hydro projectile and launched it toward the window below! With a loud boom, the glass shattered instantly, and Su Yuan successfully plunged into the room. He spotted the bed not far away and, without hesitation, lunged onto it, finally exhaling a sigh of relief... Thankfully, there was this special shortcut between the rooftop and Furina''s room; otherwise, he would''ve been doomed. That said, even if he had failed, it wouldn''t have been a huge problem¡ªhe still had two chances to rewind time... But soon, Su Yuan started feeling that something was... off. Su Yuan had slept in Furina''s bed before... This bed was certainly comfortable, but it felt different from Furina''s. Furina''s bed was incredibly soft and cozy, making people feel at ease when sleeping in it. But this one, while also soft, had a strange, unstable sensation¡ªalmost as if he were floating on water... Wait, that''s it! Su Yuan suddenly realized¡ªit felt exactly like an inflatable waterbed! He quickly looked around and noticed that the room''s furnishings didn''t resemble Furina''s room at all. At the same time, he became aware of two puzzled gazes directed at him from a nearby sofa... "Su Yuan, what are you doing?" Wriothesley asked with a baffled expression. Then, noticing Su Yuan''s injured arm, he quickly approached with concern. "Where''s your right hand? It''s still bleeding..." "Su Yuan, if you wanted to come to my room, you could''ve just used the front door. There was no need for such theatrics." Neuvillette mused, then glanced at his wound. "And your hand¡ªwas it cut by the glass shards just now? That shouldn''t be enough to sever it..." Su Yuan was on the verge of tears. Damn it... This is Neuvillette''s room?! Thinking back, though, it made sense. That day when he woke up in Furina''s bed, the moment she called for help, Neuvillette arrived immediately. That must mean his room was nearby... But Wriothesley, what the hell are you doing here at this hour? Are you seriously planning to sleep in the same room?! "No time to explain! Just tell me where Furina''s room is!" Su Yuan urged anxiously. "I accidentally ran into Furina on the rooftop just now!" Seeing Su Yuan in this state, Neuvillette and Wriothesley immediately realized the severity of the situation. Neuvillette pointed toward the door and said, "Exit the room, turn right, then take a left¡ªthat''s Furina''s room!" "Su Yuan, you go first! We''ll hold Furina back for you!" Wriothesley said, taking up a combat stance. "Don''t worry about me! Don''t fight the Eerie¡ªI can handle this!" Su Yuan shouted before leaping off the bed and dashing toward the door. "Darling... has never laid a hand on me before..." "It was you... You taught my dear to do such things, didn''t you..." "You damn bastards... Give me back the darling I once had!!!" With Furina''s icy voice echoing through the room, her twisted form suddenly leaped down from the shattered skylight above! Neuvillette and Wriothesley exchanged glances, then gave a small nod, preparing for a coordinated attack. Neuvillette''s water and Wriothesley''s ice¡ªfreezing and restraining Furina. They knew it wouldn''t be enough to stop her, but even buying Su Yuan a few extra seconds would be worth it! Just as Su Yuan was about to rush out of the room, he glanced back at the scene¡ªand for some reason, it felt eerily familiar... Had he seen this exact moment somewhere before...? But in the very next second, before Neuvillette and Wriothesley could even make a move, a thin vertical line suddenly appeared¡ªrunning from their foreheads down past their noses and lips, slicing cleanly through their entire heads... Their movements froze in place, and along the thin vertical line, blood began to seep out in fine streams... Before Su Yuan could even process what had happened, Neuvillette and Wriothesley had already been sliced cleanly in half. "Ah!!!" Su Yuan let out a heart-wrenching scream, unable to bear the sight. How many times had this happened? How many times had he watched his dearest friends die because of him¡ªwhile he could do absolutely nothing? Su Yuan stopped running. Instead, he slowly turned around and stepped toward "Furina." His gaze locked onto her, unwavering and resolute. "Furina, I will save you," Su Yuan said firmly. "I will completely eradicate the Eerie and free you from all of this suffering." "Furina" didn''t reply. She simply plunged her hand directly into Su Yuan''s heart. "Darling," she whispered, her voice chilling yet tender, "what nonsense are you saying...?" "If I can''t have you, then at least... I''ll have your heart." --------------- Exclusive access : 90ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 49: Ch 49 : New intel! But only one day left! Chapter 49 - Ch 49 : New intel! But only one day left! Lying on the guest bed in Palais Mermonia, Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes. That feeling again... Feeling the sting in his left palm, Su Yuan raised his hand and glanced at it. Written on his skin were the words: [This is the third time you''ve died today...] [Remember, whatever you do, don''t go to the rooftop of Palais Mermonia to look at the stars!] [You will encounter Furina there!] S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just moments ago, unable to sleep, Su Yuan had been about to head up to the rooftop terrace of Palais Mermonia to enjoy the night breeze and admire Teyvat''s starlit sky. But now, this happened... "Did my previous self fail to escape from Fufu''s grasp? Even though I was so close, I still couldn''t make it back to her bed?" Su Yuan murmured to himself. "So I died and rewound again?" "Forget it, forget it. Since that''s the case, I won''t go anywhere..." "Boredom is fine. I''ll just stay in my room and wait for tomorrow to come." ............. The next morning, the sunlight streamed through the window, shining onto Su Yuan''s face. Slowly, he opened his eyes. To be honest, forcing himself to sleep when he had no desire to was quite a tormenting experience. The worst part was that Teyvat had no phones, no internet¡ªnothing to help pass the long, lonely nights. But it didn''t matter. A new day had arrived. Feeling a familiar sting in his right palm, Su Yuan eagerly looked down at it: [First of all, congratulations on surviving the fourth night.] [Currently available intel] [Rules 1-9 reread ch 33...] [10. Unless you have absolute confidence in victory, do not let Clorinde participate in any duels.] Clorinde? A duel? Clorinde was one of the top Shadow Hunters of this generation and Fontaine''s strongest Champion Duelist. He had never heard of her losing a duel before. After all, Fontaine''s law allowed defendants and suspects to challenge a duel proxy to defend their honor¡ªif they won, they could avoid trial entirely... That''s why people often joked, "If you can defeat Clorinde, does that mean you can ignore all of Fontaine''s laws?" But what kind of "duel" was this referring to? The official courtroom duels? Or just any street fight? Either way, he''d have to discuss it with Clorinde and the others when he met them later today. Su Yuan continued reading: [11. You and your companions are not the only ones aware of the Eerie... There are others who have also discovered its existence and have begun researching it¡ªeven seeking to control it...] Upon seeing this message, beads of cold sweat dripped down Su Yuan''s forehead. An overwhelming sense of fear engulfed him, making him feel tense, panicked, and drenched in sweat. It was one thing for others to have learned about the Eerie''s existence, but for someone to actually research it¡ªlet alone attempt to control it¡ªwas utterly terrifying. The power of the Eerie was the natural enemy of elemental energy. In Teyvat, where the seven elements reigned supreme, if someone truly mastered the Eerie and wielded it freely, wouldn''t they become invincible? The Eerie was powerful, yet it was bound by rules. Those who fell under its influence weren''t entirely incapable of communication, but they acted purely according to their own twisted will... Even though Su Yuan possessed a nearly cheat-like ability to rewind time, giving him multiple chances to correct mistakes, dealing with the Eerie still felt overwhelmingly difficult, like an uphill battle. But this person¡ªwhoever they were¡ªhow had they managed to research and even control the Eerie? Not everyone had the luxury of rewinding time like Su Yuan. Each person only had one life¡ªweren''t they afraid of getting themselves killed? "Hah..." Su Yuan let out a deep breath, calming himself down before continuing to read. [12. Important Intel: To defeat magic, you must use magic. To overcome the Eerie, you must fight it with the Eerie.] Huh? Su Yuan was utterly dumbfounded. This was the so-called "important intel" that had been hinted at yesterday? To be fair, he had already considered this possibility before¡ªthat there had to be some kind of force capable of rivaling the Eerie. But he never expected that the answer would actually be... the Eerie itself. The problem was that this so-called "important intel" was practically useless! Su Yuan even felt that it wasn''t nearly as significant as the previous revelation in point 11. If two people under the Eerie''s influence appeared at the same time, how could you ensure they would fight each other instead of teaming up against you? This method was completely unreliable and uncontrollable! If mishandled, it could lead to an even greater disaster. Su Yuan continued reading, and sure enough, there was more information¡ªprobably the so-called "unexpected event" that had been mentioned before... [#Special Intel#:Since yesterday''s execution was not carried out, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale has not received the stabilizing factors required to maintain balance. As a result, the accumulated Judgment Entropy within it will autonomously detonate tomorrow in an uncontrolled eruption.] [13. Upon surviving the fifth night, new intel will be unlocked.] Su Yuan stared at the special intel in shock. His worst fear had come true... Holy crap... So this was the so-called "unexpected event"? How does this look like a good thing at all?! This meant that all of Fontaine had officially entered its final 24-hour countdown... No wonder "Focalors" had been so insistent on carrying out executions¡ªturns out it was necessary to stabilize the Oratrice and prevent the impending collapse of the Judgment Entropy! Then... was saving Mules and Silver yesterday really the right choice? There was still no way to reunite them with Navia, and yet, by tomorrow, Fontaine would be destroyed... Should he have gone to the Fortress of Meropide from the very start yesterday, found some ruthless criminals, and had "Focalors" execute them? Would that have delayed Fontaine''s destruction, bought more time to gather intel, and given everyone a better chance to prepare? Su Yuan immediately got out of bed and sprinted toward Neuvillette''s office. Time was now more precious than ever¡ªevery second counted! If nothing could be changed... then tomorrow would truly be the final day for Fontaine! ............ "Focalors" stared at the trembling Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale before her, sensing the restless, chaotic surge of Lethal Judgement energy within... She couldn''t understand it. She had clearly followed the instructions yesterday¡ªshe had executed two people, her hand piercing through their chests, crushing their hearts and lungs... In such a state, how could they possibly still be alive? "Focalors" could feel it¡ªat most, there was only one day left... Tomorrow... the Oratrice would completely lose control, and all of the Lethal Judgement energy within would erupt... "Not enough... it''s still not enough!!!" "Focalors" let out a hysterical scream. "The energy accumulated right now... isn''t enough to destroy all of Fontaine!!!" "Just thinking about how there might be survivors¡ªthose lucky stragglers who manage to escape this magnificent explosion..." "I hate it!!!" "Why... why is this happening???" "If everything had gone according to my plan, the prophecy wouldn''t have come true, I wouldn''t have to shed any more tears... it would have been the perfect ending!!!" "We should have all just died together, happily, shouldn''t we...?" --------------- Exclusive access : 93ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 50: Ch 50 : Goodbye, my future self Chapter 50 - Ch 50 : Goodbye, my future self When Su Yuan arrived at Neuvillette''s office, he found that everyone else had already gathered, seemingly waiting for him. "Everyone, I''ll keep it brief..." Su Yuan didn''t have the time or energy to greet each person individually; he got straight to the point. "First, Miss Clorinde." Su Yuan looked at Clorinde. "If anyone challenges you to a duel, and you''re not absolutely confident you''ll win, do not accept the duel!" "Whether in formal settings or private fights, avoid it!" "No, in fact, just refuse all duel requests. That would be the safest option!" "That''s the condition for your becoming eerie. If you lose a duel, you could very well be controlled by the eerie!" Seeing Su Yuan''s serious expression, Clorinde nodded. "Although I don''t think I''ll lose, I understand." "Next, we aren''t the only ones who know about the existence of Eerie entities." Su Yuan continued. "There are others who know about the eerie... Although I don''t know how they found out, they are researching the eerie and even trying to control it!" Everyone frowned; this was definitely not good news... If these people really mastered the power of the eerie, wouldn''t they be unbeatable? Moreover, if they were to reveal the existence of the eerie, it would undoubtedly cause a huge uproar across all of Teyvat! "Then, there''s one more thing¡ªa method that isn''t really a method, and that''s that the eerie... can only be defeated by the eerie!" The expressions of the group showed that they weren''t surprised by this situation. They had all considered this possibility, but they also understood how difficult it would be to control the risks... "Finally, the last piece of information..." Su Yuan took a deep breath, speaking with a heavy and serious tone. "The accumulated Indemnitium energy inside the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, which has been building up for centuries, will be fully detonated tomorrow!" "Because I saved Mules and Silver yesterday, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale lost a stabilizing factor, and it has become completely uncontrollable!" Facing this explosive news from Su Yuan, everyone was shocked beyond belief... "Su Yuan... what do you mean by this?" Furina trembled as she spoke. "Fontaine... is it going to be destroyed tomorrow...?" "Tch..." Chiori clenched her teeth, speaking in frustration, "My Chiori House hasn''t even expanded or taken over all of Teyvat yet, and now the headquarters is going to be gone..." "Lord Neuvillette, I think we should evacuate all the people from Fontaine and get everyone as far away from the city as possible..." Chevreuse suggested. "It''s too late..." Neuvillette replied. "Not to mention how difficult it would be to get the people to believe us... but to evacuate everyone from Fontaine safely and orderly in just one day is simply impossible..." "Coordinating transportation, preventing stampedes, what to do about food and water, where people will go in the end... it''s impossible to cover all aspects..." "Yeah, if you suddenly told me that Fontaine is going to explode tomorrow and everyone will be blown to death, I wouldn''t believe it at all. I''d just look at you like you''re a fool," Wriothesley said with a helpless gesture. "Then there''s only one way left¡ªstop ''Focalors''! We have to stop her from making this crazy move!" Neuvillette spoke up. "We can''t give up. We must fight until the very last moment!" "I agree, this is the only way..." Clorinde added. Su Yuan sighed deeply in his heart. In this situation, he didn''t know what other options there were. All he could do was take it one step at a time... In a secluded corner of Fontaine, Dottore gazed at the strands of energy in his left hand, a hint of amusement appearing on his face. "Blue Indemnitium, purple Pneuma, white Ousia..." "The esteemed Hydro Archon of Fontaine certainly created quite a few fascinating things..." "Pneuma and Ousia oppose yet complement each other, but neither is as stable or efficient as Indemnitium..." "Indemnitium is indeed an exceptionally stable power. Even if stored for hundreds or thousands of years, it hardly decays or diminishes..." "But no matter how stable an energy source is, once it comes into contact with an unstable external factor, it too will become uncontrollable..." As Dottore spoke, a small wisp of pitch-black and crimson energy suddenly emerged on the index finger of his right hand. Though it was only a small trace, and his control over it was far from proficient, it seemed as if the slightest breeze could snuff it out... If Su Yuan and his companions were here, they would undoubtedly be shocked¡ªthis was unmistakably eerie energy. Yet, Dottore showed no signs of being controlled by it... Dottore infused the small wisp of eerie energy into the Indemnitium in his right hand. Immediately, the Indemnitium became highly unstable, and within moments, it exploded in his palm... "This energy reacts so violently with Indemnitium upon contact..." "But why is it that after injecting this energy into the Oratrice M¨¦canique d''Analyse Cardinale two days ago, there has still been no significant reaction?" "Logically speaking, with such an immense accumulation of Indemnitium inside the Oratrice M¨¦canique d''Analyse Cardinale¡ªenough to sustain Fontaine for tens of thousands of years¡ªthe reaction should have been much faster and far more intense..." Dottore fell into thought, but suddenly, the faint disturbances in the surrounding grass and shadows did not escape his keen senses. "Enjoying the show?" Dottore spoke slowly, turning his gaze toward the nearby bushes and corners. "Did your ''father'' never teach you the most basic manners?" "Stalking and spying on others is hardly proper behavior." In the next instant, Lyney and Lynette, who had been hiding nearby, were knocked unconscious and dragged out by Dottore. "Because I have no interest in direct conflict with your ''father'' for now, I''ll let you off the hook. Otherwise, I wouldn''t mind gaining two more test subjects..." S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dottore coldly remarked as he looked down at the unconscious twins. Then, as if sensing something else, he turned his gaze toward the distance. There, a figure resembling himself¡ªonly slightly older, with a horribly contorted face, and crimson, foul-smelling liquid seeping from its eyes, nostrils, and mouth¡ªwas rapidly charging toward him... "So, I''ve been found after all..." Dottore muttered with slight resignation. "Well, it makes sense. If I can sense their presence, then they can sense mine as well." "A ''Segment'' is incredibly difficult to create, requiring extremely rare resources and an enormous amount of time and effort..." "But to master this power, such losses are insignificant..." "Farewell, my future self¡ªten years from now." In the next moment, the charging figure suddenly froze in place. Then, like a sheet of paper burned to ashes, it was scattered by the wind, vanishing without a trace... --------------- Exclusive access : 93ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 51: Ch 51 : [ The Knave] Arlecchino Chapter 51 - Ch 51 : [ The Knave] Arlecchino Ever since the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale underwent its abnormal transformation, Neuvillette had ordered the complete lockdown of the Opera Epicles, forbidding anyone from approaching. However, yesterday, as if it had all been premeditated, riots broke out simultaneously across multiple locations in Fontaine shortly after Neuvillette left the Palais Mermonia. The Fontaine Security Forces, the Gardes, and other official organizations were overwhelmed, struggling to contain the chaos. Taking advantage of the situation, a large group of individuals, armed with modified autonomous meka, stormed the Opera Epicles with the intent of sabotaging the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale... Su Yuan had been pondering¡ªwhy did such a perfectly timed series of events unfold? Someone had to be orchestrating everything from the shadows. But who? And what was their ultimate goal? By the time the group arrived at the Opera Epicles, they found the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale trembling violently, surrounded by swirling energies of black, crimson, and blue, creating an aura of extreme instability¡ªon the verge of an imminent explosion... Everyone could clearly sense it¡ªthis was the power of the Eerie! And there, kneeling before the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, was Focalors. Her crimson, twisted face contorted with an expression that was impossible to define... Was it fury? Or sorrow? Or regret? Or anguish? It was difficult to imagine how a single face could convey so many emotions at once... "Hahaha... so you''ve all arrived..." Focalors burst into laughter upon seeing the approaching group. "For some reason, those two people from yesterday... actually failed to carry out their execution..." "So thanks to you all, tomorrow... tomorrow, everything will come to an end..." "Miss Focalors, please stop this!" Navia took a step forward, her voice resolute. "What you''re doing now doesn''t count as breaking the prophecy or saving the people of Fontaine!" "Saving them?" "Why would I save them?" "I never intended to save them in the first place!" Focalors spoke coldly, her voice filled with rage. "The only thing I want is to break the prophecy! The only one I want to save... is myself!" "So, Fontaine''s so-called God of Justice is nothing more than a selfish and self-serving person, huh?" A sudden voice echoed from behind the group. They turned to see a tall figure with black-and-white hair, piercing dark eyes marked by crimson crosses, and an aura of overwhelming authority. Arlecchino, the Fourth of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, ''The Knave,'' had arrived. "Arlecchino of the Fatui? Why are you here?" Neuvillette narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Lord Neuvillette, please don''t look at me with such suspicion¡ªlike you''re interrogating a criminal." Arlecchino spoke calmly, her tone unwavering. "I came to help you." "After all, Fontaine is my homeland, and there are still many children in the House of the Hearth. I can''t allow Fontaine to be destroyed." "Focalors is not the selfish person you claim she is. She''s merely been... controlled by an eerie force." Furina turned to look at Arlecchino. So this is the oppressive aura of a Fatui Harbinger... Her presence was overwhelming, terrifying¡ªjust meeting her gaze felt like it would haunt her dreams. But even so, Furina gathered her courage and spoke up. Arlecchino ignored Furina and instead turned her gaze toward Focalors, who knelt beside the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, speaking slowly: "Fate grants no favors. Only those who fight against it with everything they have are worthy of facing it head-on." "And I... just so happen to be one of those who will fight with everything I have and stand against fate." As she spoke, a crimson-red and fiery-hued scythe materialized in her hands. Without hesitation, she lunged straight at Focalors! Everyone was stunned¡ªwhat was going on with Arlecchino? She just went straight into battle without a single word of negotiation?! But no matter how strong Arlecchino was, how could she possibly be a match for the Eerie? "No... I don''t think they''re in any real danger," Chevreuse spoke slowly. "You all know that I have a strange intuition¡ªI can sense people''s malice." "But right now, from both Focalors and Arlecchino... I barely sense any at all." Arlecchino''s crimson scythe burned with Pyro energy as she swung it toward Focalors! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, with just a casual lift of her hand, Focalors unleashed a sinister power of crimson and black, spreading outward to corrode the Pyro energy and block the attack... "Is this what you call giving it your all? How pathetic¡ªit''s nothing more than a mere tickle." Focalors sneered coldly. "And you? I can tell you lack the intent to kill. If you had truly gone all out, I''d already be nothing but ashes." Arlecchino spoke calmly before swiftly retreating back to the group. Focalors made no effort to stop her. Everyone present looked on in confusion. Arlecchino then spoke: "I was right. This power¡ªit''s exactly the same as Dottore''s." "Dottore? That''s the second-ranked member of the Fatui Harbingers, the one they call ''The Doctor,'' right...?" Su Yuan muttered, deep in thought. Then, a shocking realization hit him¡ª Could it be that the one researching the Eerie and attempting to control it... was Dottore all along? "Dottore started acting strangely some time ago," Arlecchino continued. "Though, to be fair, he''s always been a mad researcher¡ªso acting strange isn''t exactly new for him." "But despite agreeing in our meetings that I would be fully in charge of Fontaine''s affairs, he went back on his word and interfered anyway. That''s something he''s never done before." "The malfunction of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, the riots and rebellions¡ªall of it, according to my investigations with the House of the Hearth, is inextricably linked to him." "''The Doctor,'' Dottore, is in Fontaine? And yet I received no intelligence on this at all?" Neuvillette frowned slightly. Hiding his identity to enter Fontaine... He must be up to something unspeakable. "I''ve actually known for a long time¡ªthe prophecy of Fontaine is inevitable. It will come to pass... And Lady Furina is not the true Hydro Archon." Arlecchino spoke as she turned to Furina with a faint smile. "So, Lady Furina, you false Hydro Archon¡ªwould you kindly just die?" "Furina! Danger!" Neuvillette sensed something was wrong, but it was already too late! In an instant, Arlecchino swung her scythe¡ªdecapitating Furina in one swift motion! Blood sprayed through the air, and Su Yuan and the others froze in shock. But the very next moment¡ªArlecchino''s face twisted. An overwhelming, horrifying, Eerie force surged from her body¡ªchilling everyone to the core... So from the very beginning, Arlecchino had already been under the control of the Eerie force! But because she had claimed she was here to help, and even fought against the Eerie-corrupted "Focalors," everyone had lowered their guard, believing she was truly unaffected... "Arlecchino!!!" Neuvillette roared, an overwhelming surge of Hydro energy erupting from his body as he glared fiercely at "Arlecchino." No one had ever seen him with such sorrow, fury, or sheer ruthlessness in his expression before... But what shocked everyone even more was that, from the roof of the Opera Epiclese, the sound of drip... drip... began to echo¡ªone after another. Outside... It was raining. --------------- Exclusive access : 96ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 52: Ch 52 : Incomplete Eerie-fication Chapter 52 - Ch 52 : Incomplete Eerie-fication "Hey... Neuvillette, didn''t you say yesterday that it might rain today? How come you''re not prepared at all!" "I even followed your request properly and didn''t drink a single drop of tea today!" Wriothesley took a battle stance, but deep down, he understood¡ªthis wasn''t natural rainfall. It was because of Furina''s death... Neuvillette''s heart was weeping. "Tch... this is bad..." Chiori clicked her tongue, gritting her teeth. "Just dealing with one person under the influence of Eerie is tough enough, let alone three at once!" "Everyone, we''re no match for this many Eerie-corrupted people. We should retreat immediately!" Sigewinne urged anxiously. "But... where can we even retreat to? Can we really escape the pursuit of the Eerie?" Chevreuse was drenched in sweat, her entire body trembling uncontrollably as she spoke with extreme concern: "I can feel it so clearly now... both ''Arlecchino'' and ''Neuvillette'' are overflowing with endless malice and killing intent..." "Especially ''Neuvillette''¡ªcompared to when I saw him tormenting Su Yuan in Palais Mermonia, this malice is ten times... no! Even a hundred times stronger!" Yet, in the next instant, something completely unexpected happened! ''Neuvillette'' didn''t seem to have any intention of attacking the others. Instead, he simply stared at ''Arlecchino'' with an expression twisted beyond recognition... "Arlecchino... you have succeeded in angering me... I have never been this furious before!!!" "Kneel... for me!!!" With Neuvillette''s earth-shattering roar, ''Arlecchino''s'' legs buckled uncontrollably, forcing her to crash down onto her knees! Judging from ''Arlecchino''s'' expression, she was struggling desperately, trying to stand back up¡ªbut she was utterly powerless... Everyone was stunned. Huh? Did the Eerie just start fighting each other? And from the current situation, it was clear that the power level of "Neuvillette" and "Arlecchino" were on completely different levels... "Arlecchino" couldn''t even dream of resisting Neuvillette. Right now, even moving was a luxury... Su Yuan himself had the unfortunate experience of feeling this way before. The "Neuvillette" after being corrupted seemed to possess a power similar to command over reality. Or more accurately, it was a pressure that made one lose control over their own body. Neuvillette slowly walked up to Arlecchino, grabbing her by the hair and angrily scolding her: "How dare you..." "Kill Furina?!" "Only I..." "Am qualified to kill her!!!" "Dying by my hands is her only fate!!!" At the same time, Focalors in front of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale also slowly stood up and began walking toward Furina''s corpse... Everyone instinctively took a step back, feeling a sense of impending danger, but Chevreuse spoke up: "Wait, I don''t feel any malice coming from Focalors..." Focalors slowly reached Furina''s side, gently picking up her head and holding it to her chest... "Furina, you''ve worked hard all these years..." "Furina... I''m sorry... I''m so sorry... It''s my fault..." "I wasn''t able to save Fontaine in the end... and I couldn''t save you..." Amidst the astonished gazes of everyone, Focalors, holding Furina''s head, began to sob deeply in sadness... "Hey... look at Focalors'' face, it''s already back to normal!" Chiori said in surprise. "Indeed, I no longer sense any trace of Eerie from her!" Wriothesley nodded in agreement. "Is this... Focalors has undone the eerie and returned to normal?" Clorinde asked. And Su Yuan fell into deep thought... Could it be that Focalors release from the Eerie was triggered by Furina''s death? Then, if we reverse this reasoning, as long as Furina is still alive, Focalors will never be able to break free from the Eerie state... But if that''s the case, the timeline doesn''t match up... The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale and Focalors only malfunctioned and underwent Eerie transformation a few days ago. However, based on his discussion with Neuvillette, it seemed that signs of the Eerie''s arrival had already appeared before he transmigrated into this world... If Focalors'' Eerie transformation is truly related to Furina''s life and death, then the Oratrice should have malfunctioned long ago, and Focalors should have already been carrying out daily executions... Before Su Yuan could reach a proper conclusion, a voice came from the side: "That bastard Dottore¡ªwhat did he do to me? I will never forgive him!" Arlecchino, who had previously been using the power of the Eerie to resist "Neuvillette," now no longer had a single trace of Eerie energy on her... Even though "Neuvillette" was gripping her by the hair and suspending her in midair, she still fixed her determined and sharp gaze on him and spoke with difficulty: "Neuvillette, I never intended to kill Furina! Even if she isn''t truly the Hydro Archon!" "But just now, I had no control over my actions at all!" "I could only watch everything unfold, unable to do anything, as if I were a mere spectator in my own body!" "That''s right... Neuvillette, it''s that same evil, eerie power within you!" "Dottore has mastered it too!" "Though he can''t match your level in magnitude or concentration, he understands how to use it far better!" Had Arlecchino just broken free from the Eerie state and returned to normal? And what exactly did she mean by those words? "Noisy mortal!" Neuvillette roared, raising his hand to deliver the final blow to Arlecchino. "I''m done playing!" "The most painful thing in this world is witnessing everything, knowing everything¡ªyet being completely powerless to change it..." At the same time, Focalors wept bitterly. "Erin, Mules, Silver... I''m sorry..." Hearing this, Su Yuan was stunned. What was going on? Weren''t those controlled by the Eerie supposed to have no memory of the time they were under its influence? And Arlecchino too¡ªher behavior just now suggested that she retained memories of her Eerie state... This Eerie transformation seemed vastly different from what he had understood! sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had to save Arlecchino and get more information from her! Su Yuan closed his eyes, focusing on the surging power of the ancient dragon''s blood and the Hydro energy within him... He didn''t know if this method would work, but he had to try. Since he had previously summoned the Primordial Sea''s waters all the way from Meropide Fortress into his own hands, then perhaps he could also disperse all the surrounding rain and storm clouds! "Water Dragon... Water Dragon... stop crying!!!" In the next moment, Su Yuan let out a roar, unleashing an immense surge of energy that instantly drove away all the clouds and rain in the sky! The sky cleared in an instant. The eerie aura around Neuvillette vanished, and his movements froze. His hand was mere inches¡ªjust two or three fingers'' width¡ªaway from piercing Arlecchino''s heart... But in the next moment, Neuvillette''s gaze landed on the crying Focalors. He saw what she was holding in her arms¡ªFurina''s severed head... That last burst of power had completely drained Su Yuan''s strength, but he could still sense it clearly¡ªthe storm clouds were already gathering again, and rain would soon fall once more... "Neuvillette!!!" "Listen to me!" "I have a way to save Furina!" "Stop crying!!!" Su Yuan shouted with the last of his strength. "You promised¡ªbelieve in me!!!" Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Neuvillette froze, his entire body trembling... The sky outside had completely cleared. --------------- Exclusive access : 96ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 53: Ch 53 : The Vanished Nation of Water Chapter 53 - Ch 53 : The Vanished Nation of Water "Sigewinne! Quickly! Treat Arlecchino now!" As Wriothesley spoke, Sigewinne grabbed a medical kit and swiftly approached Arlecchino. However, Arlecchino refused her treatment. "This is the fate I must face¡ªI don''t need your interference!" Arlecchino wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and spoke firmly. "But... you''re seriously injured, and you''ve lost a lot of blood... As a doctor, I can''t just stand by and do nothing..." "Head Nurse Sigewinne, if she wants to be ungrateful, let her be," Chiori said mercilessly. "I''ve long heard that the Fatui Harbingers are all a bunch of freaks, and now it seems that''s true." "Chiori, that''s a bit harsh..." Navia said helplessly. Meanwhile, Neuvillette slowly approached Focalors and Furina. Focalors looked up at him and spoke: "Neuvillette, you actually cried for Furina..." "Does crying make you feel any better?" "But Furina is already dead. The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale''s Indemnitium energy will completely go out of control by tomorrow, and Fontaine will be destroyed in a massive explosion..." "These are facts that cannot be changed..." "No." Neuvillette spoke firmly. "Since Su Yuan said he can save Furina, then he will do it!" "I said I would trust him unconditionally!" "Now then." Su Yuan turned to Focalors and Arlecchino. "Allow me to give you a brief introduction¡ªabout what exactly the Eerie is." .............. After listening to Su Yuan''s explanation, Focalors nodded. "I understand now. I was indeed contaminated by the power of the Eerie, but it wasn''t an internal corruption¡ªit was external." "The trial against Erin two days ago¡ªthe case files submitted to the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale were tainted with Eerie energy..." "At the time, I didn''t understand what kind of power it was, but I had a bad premonition. If this Eerie energy came into contact with the Indemnitium energy inside the Oratrice, something terrible would happen..." "So, to protect the Oratrice, I absorbed the Eerie energy myself... but some of it still slipped through and merged with the vast pool of Indemnitium energy inside..." "After that, I lost control over my body, and a voice echoed in my mind, telling me that I had to carry out at least one execution every day. If I didn''t, the Oratrice''s Indemnitium energy would spiral completely out of control..." Focalors'' words sent shockwaves through everyone present. External Eerie corruption¡ªhow was that even possible? Could someone have actually mastered the power of the Eerie? "This has to be Dottore''s doing," Arlecchino said from the side. "Yesterday, I found traces of him in Fontaine. He seems particularly interested in the Oratrice¡ªhe brainwashed and manipulated many Fontaine citizens, inciting riots..." "After that, I sent my two children to monitor his actions..." S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But today, he discovered them." "He knocked them unconscious and threw them into Fontaine''s sewers..." "I cannot tolerate such actions, so I did everything I could to track him down." "Although I never fought him directly, I didn''t think I would lose to him." "But at his fingertips, I saw a power I had never encountered before." "The very power you call the Eerie." "My elemental energy was completely ineffective against it. The moment that power entered my body, it seized control of me¡ªbut my consciousness remained clear..." "He told me to go to the Opera Epiclese and cause chaos, and my body started moving on its own..." "You all know what happened after that." Su Yuan felt a headache coming on. They hadn''t even figured out the true nature of the Eerie yet, and Dottore had already begun to wield it... So the person hinted at in that clue... was really him? "But, Focalors, Arlecchino¡ªhow exactly did you break free from the Eerie''s control?" Su Yuan asked in confusion. Focalors gently stroked Furina''s hair and face before speaking slowly: "When I saw Furina die, an overwhelming grief filled my entire being... It was as if that sorrow washed away all of the Eerie energy from my body. That''s how it felt..." "At that time, I was fighting Neuvillette, who was under the Eerie''s control. The Eerie energy in my body was constantly being consumed, and once it was completely depleted, I returned to normal," Arlecchino added. Su Yuan fell into deep thought. So, for breaking free from this external and incomplete Eerie corruption, there were currently two methods? One was a surge of intense emotions. The other was completely depleting the Eerie energy. Turning to Focalors, Su Yuan asked, "Focalors, is there really no way to stop the Oratrice''s Indemnitium energy from spiraling out of control?" "The Indemnitium energy is originally an extremely stable energy, which also makes it incredibly easy to control." "That''s why, according to my original plan, I was able to concentrate all of it into a single point¡ªpowerful enough to destroy the Hydro Archon''s throne, yet without harming anything else..." "But after being influenced by the Eerie, the Indemnitium energy became extremely unstable..." "And that''s after I absorbed the majority of the Eerie''s power myself." "If I hadn''t chosen to absorb that Eerie energy back then and had let all of it come into direct contact with the Indemnitium energy instead... the explosion would have happened on the spot." "So, if we want to calm the restless Indemnitium energy, we need to carefully extract all the Eerie energy from it!" Focalors said. "But who will do this?" Wriothesley asked. "According to your descriptions, once you come into contact with this external Eerie energy, you''ll fall into incomplete Eerie and still won''t be able to control your actions..." "I''ll do it!" Su Yuan said without hesitation. "I''m someone from outside this world. I''m definitely not going to be controlled by the Eerie!" Chevreuse also nodded and said, "If it''s Su Yuan, maybe it really will work!" "But Su Yuan, you haven''t told me how to save Furina. I can''t let you take this risk," Neuvillette said. Su Yuan looked at everyone, thought for a moment, and felt that no one present seemed to be under the Eerie''s control. "No matter what I do next, don''t come any closer," Su Yuan said. For safety, Su Yuan moved away from the group, then took out the small knife he carried with him and pressed it against his chest. If anything went wrong, he would immediately take his own life. "Su Yuan, what are you trying to do!" Neuvillette exclaimed, stepping forward to try and take the knife from Su Yuan. With everyone staring in shock, Su Yuan smiled at them and said: "It''s simple. As long as I die, I can carry some information with me, rewind time to the past, and start everything over again..." Wriothesley had a sudden realization and said, "Oh... no wonder your intelligence is so sharp. It turns out it''s all gained through countless failures and sacrifices... You''ve really been through a lot, Su Yuan..." Neuvillette stopped in front of Su Yuan, murmuring, "Su Yuan..." "So, don''t worry," Su Yuan said confidently. "Not only will I save Furina, but I will also save Fontaine!" With that, Su Yuan followed Focalors into the Oratrice, while the others watched from the sidelines. Su Yuan gazed at the blue energy sphere in front of him. Although its size wasn''t large, he could clearly feel the immense energy contained within it... So this is the Indemnitium energy Fontaine has accumulated over the past five hundred years? Su Yuan also noticed that inside the energy sphere, there were numerous fine, thread-like forms¡ªresembling parasitic worms or wireworms¡ªintertwining in crimson and pitch-black, floating and wriggling inside. This must be the Eerie energy. "So, what should I do?" Su Yuan asked Focalors, standing nearby. "If you really can''t be controlled by the Eerie, just grab the Eerie energy out, like you would catch bugs," Focalors replied. Su Yuan hadn''t expected the method to be so simple and straightforward. So, he slowly extended his hand toward the Indemnitium energy sphere... But the moment Su Yuan''s hand made contact with the energy sphere, the Indemnitium energy erupted in chaos. A blinding flash of light and heat burst forth, and in an instant, it exploded! Everyone felt no pain whatsoever and completely vanished from this world, leaving not a trace behind... And atop the throne on the Celestia, a slumbering existence slowly opened its eyes... It looked down, and the entire Water Nation of Fontaine, along with the Hydro Archon throne, had ceased to exist... --------------- Exclusive access : 99ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 54: Ch 54 : Furina, let’s put on a show Chapter 54 - Ch 54 : Furina, let''s put on a show Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, and what greeted him was Fountain of Lucine. Not far ahead was the Opera de Fontaine. That strange feeling again... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew that he had died again. He lifted his left hand to look, and saw the words written in his palm: [Yes, you died. This is the first time today.] [First, Focalors'' Eerie transformation is an incomplete one...] [Dottore is the true culprit behind the transformation!] [However, this incomplete Eerie transformation can be broken in two ways!] [One is to create a huge emotional disturbance...] [The other is through combat, exhausting the Eerie power in her body...] [Additionally, if you encounter "The Knave" Arlecchino, never trust any of her words or actions...] [She is also under the control of the Eerie! However, she is also undergoing incomplete Eerie transformation!] [Finally, never touch the core energy sphere of the Indemnitium energy!] [Do not touch! Do not touch! Do not touch!] Su Yuan found it hard to imagine what his previous self had experienced... This time, there were so many tips written in his palm... "Su Yuan, why are you still standing there? Let''s go, time is precious now." Wriothesley turned around and looked at Su Yuan, who was standing still, and said. "Huh... why are you looking at your hand again? It''s just a palm reading, is it that interesting?" Su Yuan awkwardly smiled, then looked at the people in front of him and said seriously, "Everyone, I''ve gained some new information..." S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. .............. After hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, everyone furrowed their brows... Focalors and Arlecchino''s Eerie transformation was actually man-made... Everyone quickly made the connection to the person mentioned in the morning''s hint, the one who was trying to research and control the Eerie¡ªmost likely, it was Dottore... "Dottore appeared in Fontaine, and I had no idea about his whereabouts. As expected, he''s up to something shady," Neuvillette muttered, deep in thought. "However, I did know that Arlecchino returned to Fontaine recently, but I didn''t expect that she, too, had been controlled by the Eerie..." "Su Yuan, if what you''re saying is true, that both Focalors and Arlecchino are undergoing incomplete Eerie transformation, that would mean it''s all caused by Dottore," Sigewinne said, speaking with confusion. "Well, I can somewhat understand why she would target Focalors... but Arlecchino is also an executive of the Fatui. They are colleagues, so how could they do this to each other? Don''t they fear the Cryo Archon''s wrath?" Sigewinne said. Wriothesley spoke up, "You don''t know this, Head Nurse Sigewinne, but I''ve heard that the Fatui executives are all weirdos, and they''re not on good terms with each other. It''s normal for them to clash once in a while." "Su Yuan, you said there are two ways to break this incomplete Eerie transformation: one is to generate a huge emotional fluctuation, and the other is to exhaust the Eerie''s power..." Navia spoke, her face twitching slightly, as if she remembered something sorrowful. "We also fought against Focalors, who was in the midst of Eerie transformation, but even though she wasn''t fully transformed, we were still powerless in front of her..." "We had no idea how much Eerie power was still left in her..." "Who says we have to fight the Eerie?" Su Yuan said, looking at Neuvillette and Furina, as an idea started to form in his mind. "Even though Focalors is under the control of the Eerie, she still cares deeply about Neuvillette and Furina. To make someone experience a huge emotional fluctuation, all you need to do is ''kill'' the people they care about right in front of them. If Neuvillette and Furina cooperate and pretend to be killed by me, it might just be enough to help Focalors return to normal... Then, Su Yuan glanced at Neuvillette''s emotionless face, imagining what he would look like while acting: Neuvillette, holding a fake wound on his chest, expressionless, would say in a robotic tone, "Ah! I''m dead!" And then he would just fall to the ground like a pole... So, Su Yuan quickly dismissed the idea of involving Neuvillette. Neuvillette was too upright; he couldn''t even lie, let alone act. As for Furina, Su Yuan wasn''t worried at all. Furina was a superstar in Fontaine, having performed in many plays and films. When it came to acting, no one could compare to her. "Furina," Su Yuan looked at her and said, "I have an idea, and I need you to cooperate with me." "When we enter the Opera de Celestia and see Focalors, I need you to help me put on a performance where I pretend to kill you!" "That way, Focalors will likely experience a huge emotional shock and break free from the incomplete Eerie transformation!" "Okay, Su Yuan," Furina nodded. "Tell me, how should I cooperate with you for the performance?" "Once we''re inside the opera house, you and I need to adjust the angle. You''ll have to turn your back to Focalors." Su Yuan took out a small knife he carried with him and said, "Then, I''ll pretend to stab you, but in reality, I''ll cut my own hand to make some blood splatter." "After that, you just need to find the right moment to collapse on the ground and pretend to be dead." "But Su Yuan, you''ll get hurt this way..." Furina said with concern. "It''s fine. I recover quickly, so this kind of minor injury is nothing." Su Yuan responded with a smile. To prove his point, he made a small cut on his wrist right in front of Furina. A few drops of blood seeped out before the wound healed at a visible speed. "See? I wasn''t lying." "But I still feel like there are some unstable factors in this plan. Even though Focalors is under the control of the Eerie, that doesn''t mean she''s completely lost her ability to think..." Chevreuse spoke slowly. "To her, we''re comrades who have been fighting side by side. If we suddenly start killing each other, wouldn''t that seem suspicious?" "Chevreuse has a point," Navia nodded. "That''s easy to solve." Chiori spoke calmly, looking at Su Yuan. "Even if you told us you wouldn''t be controlled by the Eerie, Focalors doesn''t know that." "You just have to pretend that you''ve been taken over by the Eerie and then fake-kill Furina. That way, it''ll make perfect sense." "That''s right, Chiori is spot on." Wriothesley nodded in agreement. "Just act like you''re under the Eerie''s control." "But... don''t the Eerie always have that strange aura about them?" Su Yuan asked. "I can''t fake that." "It shouldn''t be an issue," Neuvillette said. "If the Eerie wants to disguise itself, we wouldn''t be able to detect its aura. Just like before, when I encountered Chevreuse after she was controlled." "That''s right! Once you pretend to kill Furina, we''ll all act completely shocked and on high alert to make the performance convincing!" Wriothesley said. Su Yuan nodded. "Alright, then. That settles our plan for Focalors." "Next, let''s discuss how to deal with the Eerie-possessed Arlecchino." "We''re not very familiar with her, so there''s probably nothing we can use to stir her emotions and trigger a strong reaction..." "That means our only option is to fight her and wear down the Eerie energy inside her." "But only an Eerie can defeat an Eerie, even if it''s just an incomplete transformation..." Su Yuan lifted his gaze toward Sigewinne and Clorinde, as two possible plans began forming in his mind. --------------- Exclusive access : 99ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 55: Ch 55 : Chapter 55 - Ch 55 : "Doctor" Dottore and Lesser Lord Kusanali This world is not lacking in geniuses, nor is it lacking in researchers. Mad geniuses and fanatical researchers, while relatively rare, are not nonexistent. However, a scholar like Dottore¡ªone who is both a genius and utterly mad, both powerful and extremely confident to the point of arrogance¡ªis unparalleled across all of Teyvat. A certain muscle-bound yet frail-looking scholar from Sumeru''s Rtawahist once described Dottore as follows: "...This is the folly and arrogance that lies at the end of the academic path." Yet, Dottore cares little for how others perceive him. Call it folly or call it arrogance¡ªit makes no difference to him. Dottore does not act out of any urgent purpose. Just as he holds no particular interest in the results of his experiments, he simply enjoys the process of satisfying his insatiable curiosity. ............. Time: Seven days before Su Yuan''s first awakening. Location: Pardis Dhyai, Sumeru. Sumeru''s god-making project had failed, but this outcome was already within Dottore''s expectations. As a scholar, Dottore naturally considers and respects every possible outcome. This is his principle, as well as a fundamental quality required of any experimenter. Before the final act could conclude, Dottore unleashed a soundwave that swiftly and effortlessly lured its targets into a dreamlike state. In an instant, the Traveler and Paimon collapsed unconscious. At last, Dottore had secured an opportunity to be alone with Lesser Lord Kusanali. Dottore enjoyed conversing with intelligent individuals¡ªbecause it spared him the trouble of tedious explanations. After a period of conversation, Nahida spoke: "A foreign Gnosis¡ªkeeping it in Sumeru would only invite disaster..." "But this Electro Gnosis is a ''trophy'' I obtained after defeating one of your fellow Harbingers." "Now, if you wish to take this trophy from my hands, shouldn''t the one responsible for all this pay an equivalent price?" Hearing Nahida''s words, Dottore''s expression turned intrigued. "A price? Interesting... What kind of price do you want me to pay?" "...Erase all of your other ''segments.'' How about that?" Dottore fell into contemplation. Producing segments was an exceedingly difficult process, but if it could be exchanged for an Electro Gnosis, it might not be such a bad deal. Just as he was about to respond, he suddenly sensed something unusual¡ªone of his segments had fallen into a bizarre state... An eerie, unfathomable power, unlike anything Dottore had ever encountered, surged through that segment''s body in an instant. The rest of the segments immediately began discussing the anomaly: "What is happening? I can sense an extraordinary force..." "Mysterious, terrifying, eerie, ominous..." "That segment seems to have lost its consciousness¡ªwe can no longer communicate with him..." How many segments Dottore truly had¡ªaside from himself, no one knew. However, according to certain insiders, there was at least one segment of Dottore present in each of the Seven Nations of Teyvat... As Dottore listened to the discussions among his segments and sensed the mysterious power coursing through the affected one, his gaze shifted to the Electro Gnosis in Nahida''s hands. At this moment, the so-called "Gnosis" no longer seemed all that enticing to him. "God of Wisdom, if this is the price you wish me to pay, then I''m afraid I cannot accept it." "Right now, I have found something far more intriguing¡ªsomething that has truly piqued my curiosity." "And my segments are far too important to simply erase them all here." Then, under Nahida''s incomprehensible gaze, Dottore turned and left Pardis Dhyai without hesitation. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is it the Mondstadt segment?" Dottore murmured to himself. "Then I suppose I''ll head to Mondstadt first and see for myself." "I wonder how that red-haired brat from the Ragnvindr family is doing these days?" ............... Time returns to the present. As Su Yuan and his group entered the Opera Epiclese, "Focalors" was kneeling before the Oratrice M¨¦canique d''Analyse Cardinale, her twisted, crimson-stained face contorted in an expression that was impossible to decipher. "Hahaha... So you''ve arrived..." "Focalors" turned to look at them, but in the next instant, she witnessed something that utterly shocked her... Right before her eyes, Su Yuan pulled out a small dagger and began stabbing Furina with wild abandon! He angled himself just right, plunging the blade into his own hand¡ªwhite in, red out¡ªcausing blood to splatter everywhere! "Hahahaha! Furina!!!" Su Yuan burst into maniacal laughter. "At last! You have finally died by my hand!" Furina immediately took to the stage. She let out a few weak, pitiful cries, then her body began to sway unsteadily. Clutching her abdomen, she collapsed onto the ground... "Su Yuan! What have you done?!" Wriothesley was the first to react, roaring in fury as he took a battle-ready stance. The others followed suit, their expressions darkening as they prepared for a fight. "No rush... I''ll take my time, one by one!" Su Yuan grinned, convinced he looked terrifying. "You''re next!!!" He brandished the bloodstained dagger and lunged toward them. "Focalors" stared blankly at the scene unfolding before her... Ah... Furina... died? Just like that? So casually? An overwhelming wave of sorrow surged forth, completely washing away the eerie aura that had surrounded her... As it turned out, Su Yuan and the others had overthought things a little. In reality, Focalors hadn''t even bothered to analyze the details. The moment she saw Furina collapse to the ground, she was already unable to contain her grief... Slowly, Focalors rose to her feet and walked toward Furina. She cradled Furina''s "lifeless body" in her arms, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face. "Furina... I''m sorry... I''m so sorry..." Hearing Focalors'' words and feeling the warm teardrops falling onto her face, Furina knew¡ªSu Yuan''s plan had worked. Focalors... she was back. With that, Furina reached into her pocket and pulled out a small handkerchief, gently wiping away Focalors'' tears. "I''m even seeing illusions now... It''s as if Furina isn''t really dead, as if she''s still here, wiping my tears away..." "I''m not dead! Open your eyes and look at me!" Furina''s eyes were already slightly red as well. "Focalors, welcome back." Focalors stared at Furina, who was smiling at her. She froze for a moment¡ªthen, overcome with joy, she burst into tears. "Thank the heavens... Furina..." The others, noticing the change in atmosphere, also stopped what they were doing, watching the scene unfold in silence. "Finally, it''s a success..." Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. He had actually been a bit worried earlier¡ªif he was pretending to be under the influence of something eerie, would he really be controlled by it? But now it seemed he had overthought it... However, the warm atmosphere didn''t last long. The sound of high heels clicking sharply on the floor shattered the calm... At Su Yuan''s signal, everyone had already prepared for this moment... Had the eerie-controlled Arlecchino finally arrived? Su Yuan gave Sigewinne a glance, and Sigewinne nodded. She approached "Arlecchino," took a bottle of oral liquid from her medical kit, and held it out to her. "This oral liquid has a sweet taste and can quickly replenish your body''s sugar levels. Would you like to try it?" Sigewinne flashed a cute smile. "I specially prepared this just for you!" --------------- Exclusive access : 102ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 56: Ch 56 : Physical anti-eerie? Chapter 56 - Ch 56 : Physical anti-eerie? In order to deal with the eerie version of Arlecchino, Su Yuan, Sigewinne, and Clorinde had discussed two possible plans. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If "Arlecchino" didn''t disguise herself and instead appeared in her distorted, eerie form, then Clorinde would directly engage in a duel with her. Although Clorinde would definitely lose, there was a high chance that after her defeat, Clorinde would enter an eerie state. Su Yuan also had a hypothesis¡ªan eerie Clorinde would target the person who had previously defeated her... This could lead to a situation where one eerie battles another. As for "Arlecchino," the eerie force she carried wasn''t fully developed, so it was likely not strong enough to take on a fully eerie Clorinde. However, Su Yuan also had a guess about how to reverse Clorinde''s eerie state... The condition for Clorinde''s eerie transformation was losing in a duel. So, if she could defeat the one who had previously beaten her, could it reverse the eerie state? If that were the case, an eerie Clorinde would be one of the easiest to control eerie transformations... Then there was the second plan. If "Arlecchino" disguised herself and came here in a normal form, then Sigewinne would take the lead. Sigewinne''s eerie transformation condition was that her opponent hadn''t consumed the food she had "carefully prepared"¡ªand this "careful preparation" was a subjective concept. Moreover, "food" was a very broad concept. Although Sigewinne''s eerie transformation might not be as powerful as Clorinde''s, the condition for reversing it was much easier to control. As long as they could find a way to have the depleted, now-normal Arlecchino consume everything that Sigewinne had prepared, Sigewinne should be able to return to her normal state! However, a third scenario, one they had anticipated, suddenly unfolded. "Arlecchino" took the oral liquid from Sigewinne''s hand, drank it in one gulp, and said, "Thank you, it''s really sweet." At the same time, Sigewinne quickly retreated, while Clorinde stepped forward, drawing her thin sword and hand cannon, taking up a stance to confront "Arlecchino." "Arlecchino" looked around at everyone with a puzzled expression and said, "What''s going on here? I''m here to help you, to help Fontaine!" "Why are you all so wary of me? Why must you come to blows with me?" "Eerie, stop pretending." Clorinde spoke slowly, "Come on, let''s have a real duel!" As she spoke, Clorinde raised her left hand and fired a shot from her hand cannon straight at "Arlecchino." "Arlecchino" responded by summoning her red, long-handled scythe, using it to block the bullet. At the same time, her face began to distort, and a foul, crimson liquid began to drip from it... "I''m curious, how did you all discover me... I thought I disguised myself perfectly!" A powerful eerie force erupted from "Arlecchino," and Su Yuan immediately felt that something bad was about to happen! "Clorinde, surrender quickly!" Su Yuan anxiously called out. Su Yuan also considered a scenario: when facing "Arlecchino," Clorinde might not even have a chance to lose, but would be directly slain instead... However, choosing to surrender could still be considered a form of defeat! "Tsk..." Clorinde, though extremely reluctant, felt the overwhelming eerie power emanating from "Arlecchino." "I surrender." The next moment, "Arlecchino" grabbed her scythe, now charged with eerie power, and swiftly lunged at Clorinde! The speed was so fast that everyone could barely follow! Yet, "Clorinde" merely tilted her head, her sharp teeth flashing along with a chilling smile. She raised her thin sword and easily blocked the attack! "Now, it''s my turn for a counterattack and revenge..." "Clorinde" ran her long tongue along the hand cannon in her left hand before she began firing rapidly at "Arlecchino" in front of her! Each bullet was wrapped in a massive amount of eerie energy! "Arlecchino" had no choice but to retreat and dodge the bullets, but "Clorinde" immediately flashed forward, using her thin sword in her right hand to relentlessly thrust and slash at "Arlecchino!" "Arlecchino" was pushed back step by step by "Clorinde," with many parts of her body damaged, looking disheveled and in a sorry state. Everyone couldn''t help but marvel¡ªso this is how a battle between the eerie forces unfolds? Indeed, only one eerie can defeat another... However, Su Yuan noticed a detail that no one else had observed. When they had been protecting Navia before, they had encountered the eerie-fied Focalors on Mont Automnequi... To cover Chiori''s retreat, both Chevreuse and Navia had used their hand cannons or umbrella guns to fire Pyro bullets or Geo cannonballs... But at that time, "Focalors" hadn''t shown any intent to dodge or defend. She allowed the attacks to hit her face, yet no harm was done... However, just now, when Clorinde launched her hand cannon attack without infusing it with any of her Electro power¡ªjust a regular hand cannon bullet¡ª"Arlecchino" raised her scythe to defend. Could it be... Su Yuan suddenly had a new thought... The power within the eerie forces was inherently resistant to elemental energy¡ªelemental attacks could not effectively harm the eerie... But... if one simply refrained from using elemental energy, could they actually injure the eerie? Could it be... that physical force was truly the key to dispelling the eerie? Under Clorinde''s relentless assault, Arlecchino''s energy was rapidly depleting, and the eerie aura around her was gradually diminishing... Until... it completely vanished! "Dottore, you bastard, I will never forgive you!" Arlecchino spat out these words, signaling that she had fully returned to normal. "Chevreuse!" Su Yuan called out anxiously. Though he wasn''t completely certain, he had to at least give it a try! "Aim at Clorinde! Use regular bullets¡ªdon''t infuse them with pyro energy. Fire!" Although she wasn''t sure what Su Yuan meant, Chevreuse reacted swiftly, raising her gun, taking aim, and pulling the trigger with remarkable speed! Clorinde, her thin sword tainted with eerie energy, had been about to plunge it straight into Arlecchino''s forehead. However, as a plain, unremarkable bullet whizzed toward her, she unexpectedly chose to block it with her sword! Arlecchino, quick to react, seized the brief opening to swiftly distance herself from Clorinde. Su Yuan pondered¡ªwhy would she abandon her chance to kill and instead opt to defend against a mere ordinary bullet? "You realize... you are interfering with a duel?" Clorinde''s chilling voice rang out, her bloodied, hollow eyes locking onto them... "A duel..." "Is not just about victory¡ªit is also about life and death..." "Until one side has completely fallen, it will never end!" Su Yuan immediately felt a bit overwhelmed. Wasn''t the condition for Clorinde to revert from the eerie state simply to win? Did it require completely killing the opponent in the duel? Even though using regular bullets might temporarily restrain Clorinde, Chevreuse''s ammunition wasn''t unlimited... And if Clorinde were to charge through the bullets, it wasn''t impossible for her to eliminate Chevreuse. The eerie''s speed was just too fast. When they had fought the eerie-ified Neuvillette earlier, Chevreuse had barely been able to react to that speed. Though they had now discovered a new piece of information, it didn''t seem to help much... How should they deal with Clorinde? Should they really just let her kill Arlecchino? --------------- Exclusive access : 102ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 57: Ch 57 : Breaking the deadlock Chapter 57 - Ch 57 : Breaking the deadlock Su Yuan glanced at the fiercely approaching "Clorinde" in the distance, then at Arlecchino, who was nearby, her clothes torn, bleeding heavily, gasping for breath, and looking somewhat disheveled. To be honest, when Su Yuan first crossed over, "The Knave" Arlecchino hadn''t been release in the game yet and would only appear in the next version. So, Su Yuan didn''t actually know much about what kind of person Arlecchino was. All Su Yuan knew was that she was once an orphan from the Hearth Family, and later had a conflict with the previous "The Knave," taking her place, which meant she wasn''t just any ordinary character. Some of Arlecchino''s colleagues, including a few Fatui Harbingers, had this to say about her: "Her eyes only have madness." "If betrayal could bring her gain, she''d unsparingly raise her sword against Her Majesty." "A hypocritical, pretentious person." Of course, this could also just be the Fatui Executives'' mutual dislike for each other. But from Su Yuan''s perspective, Arlecchino, who ran the Hearth Family, had taken in countless orphaned children. Moreover, she had saved Lynette from the clutches of a perverted noble. Furthermore, in the original Fontaine main storyline, Arlecchino truly cared for her homeland. The Hearth Family worked hard to address the prophecy crisis. She also extended a helping hand to the disaster-stricken Poisson Village. Although Su Yuan didn''t truly understand Arlecchino, there was a saying, wasn''t there? "A gentleman judges by actions, not by the heart. There are few people in the world whose hearts are flawless." Arlecchino cannot die at Clorinde''s hands! But how can Clorinde be brought back to her senses from her Eerie state? Is this time really another situation where they have to restart from a save point? But suddenly, Su Yuan seemed to have thought of something! Su Yuan had previously speculated that if the weather wasn''t clear, Neuvillette would be controlled by the Eerie. So, could he use his control over the hydro element to disperse the rain and clouds, allowing Neuvillette to regain his sanity? And after Neuvillette''s Eerie transformation, it seemed like he believed he was the center of the universe, the emperor of the world, with everyone else having to bow at his feet, not daring to show any disrespect... But, if they all showed him respect, would he still make a move against them? Su Yuan thought it might be worth trying! "Neuvillette! Cry now!" Su Yuan shouted. "Everyone else, kneel on the ground, no matter what happens, do not look up!" Although everyone didn''t know what Su Yuan meant, following their trust in him, they all obeyed. Except for Arlecchino. "I won''t kneel, and I won''t bow my head," Arlecchino said flatly. "Neuvillette, don''t care about her, cry now!" Seeing "Clorinde" walking toward them with the sword tainted with Eerie energy, Su Yuan spoke in a hurry. Neuvillette sighed, nodded, and immediately, the sky darkened with clouds, and rain began to pour. "Heh... hahaha..." "Neuvillette" let out an eerie laugh. "Who gave you permission to stand before me?" "Kneel before me!!!" With Neuvillette''s furious roar, both Arlecchino and "Clorinde" lost control of their bodies and were forced to kneel heavily on the ground! Neuvillette swept his gaze around, observing the bowed and kneeling figures. Satisfied, he nodded. "Not bad..." "You are all very smart and sensible. This is the posture you should have..." "In the presence of me, the supreme dragon of Teyvat, you should be kneeling in reverence..." Su Yuan knew he had gambled correctly¡ªso long as they knelt and displayed enough respect to "Neuvillette," he wouldn''t attack! "But those who fail to show proper reverence..." "Must die!!!" As Neuvillette spoke, he approached Arlecchino, grabbed her head with one hand, and twisted it violently... Her neck twisted like a rope, forming ring after ring of unnatural folds... Then... after enough rotations, it finally snapped and shattered completely, blood spraying all over the ground... Next, Neuvillette turned toward "Clorinde." "Though I can sense that you do possess some strength..." "That is still no excuse for refusing to kneel before me..." Su Yuan, still kneeling with his head lowered, secretly peeked up and saw that "Clorinde" remained immobilized, unable to resist at all... Even though both of them had undergone eerie transformations, Neuvillette was still the superior one? Well, that made sense. Whether in terms of original strength or eerie-enhanced power, Neuvillette was undoubtedly Fontaine''s strongest. "Forget it. You should just die!" With a mere flick of Neuvillette''s hand, eerie energy surged forth¡ª"Clorinde" was sliced cleanly in half at the waist... Clorinde was dead, and the eerie aura around her vanished... Then, suddenly, Neuvillette tilted his head and looked directly at Su Yuan. "You lowly mortal... Did you just look up at me?" Su Yuan immediately felt a sense of impending doom. Wait¡ªhe had only peeked for a second! Does Neuvillette have eyes on the back of his head or something?! How did he even notice?! But it didn''t matter now¡ªthe final step was already in motion... Su Yuan focused on the ancient dragon''s essence and the hydro element coursing through his body. He felt the raindrops hitting the rooftop, the heavy clouds looming in the sky... Alright then¡ªtime to clear the skies! Harnessing all his power, Su Yuan forcefully expelled the rain and storm clouds in an instant! "Neuvillette! Stop crying! Wake up!" Su Yuan felt his entire body on the verge of collapse, but he still shouted with all his strength! Neuvillette froze for a moment, then placed a hand on his forehead and looked around... "Su Yuan... What just happened?" He then caught sight of Arlecchino and Clorinde''s lifeless bodies. "Did I... do all this?" "Neuvillette, you don''t have to blame yourself..." Su Yuan struggled to get up, panting heavily as he pulled out a small knife he always carried with him. "I''ve already found... the way to break this cycle!" "Su Yuan! What are you trying to do?!" Neuvillette lunged forward, trying to snatch the knife away from Su Yuan''s grasp. Su Yuan had the strangest feeling, like he had seen this exact scene play out countless times before... "Neuvillette, listen to me!" He locked eyes with Neuvillette, his gaze unwavering. "Actually... never mind. I say this every time¡ªit''s getting annoying..." Su Yuan didn''t even know why those words slipped out of his mouth so naturally. "Neuvillette, just trust me!" "I will save everyone!" In the next moment, taking advantage of Neuvillette''s momentary hesitation¡ª S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan drove the knife straight into his own heart! --------------- Exclusive access : 105ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 58: Ch 58 : Do you still remember the first rule’s hint? Chapter 58 - Ch 58 : Do you still remember the first rule''s hint? Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide. That strange feeling again. But he felt like he was gradually getting used to it. Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan raised it to take a look: (Skipped - reread ch 54 for more info...) [Please note, this is your second death today...] [Those controlled by the Eerie are not affected by elemental power, but they do seem to be wary of ordinary physical attacks...] [However, that''s only if you possess speed and reaction time beyond the Eerie. Otherwise, it won''t be of much use!] [The conditions for Clorinde to be freed from the Eerie might be quite strict¡ªshe may need to kill the person she duels...] [Unless absolutely necessary, do not let Clorinde become Eerie!] [By showing enough reverence to Eerie Neuvillette, you can avoid his attacks!] [You can also try dispersing the rain and clouds to restore Neuvillette''s sanity!] Looking at the dense instructions on his palm, Su Yuan understood roughly what he needed to do. The current reset point was right after Focalors had just returned to normal and was embracing Furina in joyful tears. But soon, Arlecchino, controlled by the Eerie, would arrive on the scene... Huh? Su Yuan suddenly felt confused. How did he know that Arlecchino would arrive in just a moment? But before he could figure it out, the sound of high heels clicking on the ground reached his ears... Why is the reset point here this time? He didn''t even have time to share information with the others... "Everyone! Scrap the previous plan! From now on, follow my orders!" Su Yuan shouted. Analyzing the hints on his palm, he realized that last time, Clorinde and Arlecchino had fought as two Eerie beings against each other. But because Clorinde''s Eerie state hadn''t been lifted, the outcome was far from ideal... Actually, he should''ve just let Neuvillette handle it from the start! Once Neuvillette exhausted the Eerie power in Arlecchino, he could disperse the rain and clouds to restore Neuvillette''s sanity! "Everyone! Keep your heads down! Kneel! No matter what happens, do not look up!" "Neuvillette, start crying! Leave Arlecchino to you!" Although everyone was utterly confused by Su Yuan''s instructions, they still followed his orders! Then, light rain began to fall from the sky, and "Neuvillette''s" gaze locked onto the only one still standing¡ª"Arlecchino"... "Heh... Heh... Hahaha..." "Neuvillette" tilted his head and let out a cold laugh. "With just that pitiful shred of incomplete power... Who gave you the courage to stand before me?" "Before the supreme dragon of Teyvat, why do you not kneel in reverence?" "Kneel..." "DOWN!!!" With "Neuvillette''s" furious roar, "Arlecchino''s" legs lost control, forcing her to kneel heavily onto the ground... "We are the same kind... Why must we hurt each other..." Feeling the overwhelming Eerie aura radiating from "Neuvillette," "Arlecchino" struggled to speak. "The same kind?" "Hurting each other?" "You think you''re worthy?" "Neuvillette" grabbed "Arlecchino" by the hair, lifted her head, and then slammed it hard against the ground! Blood instantly gushed from "Arlecchino''s" head as "Neuvillette" spoke: "This is my absolute domination over you!" Then, "Neuvillette" picked up "Arlecchino''s" head once more and smashed it against the ground again! "This is your punishment for disrespecting me!" After being slammed twice, Arlecchino suddenly muttered, "Dottore, you bastard... I won''t let you off so easily!" But before "Neuvillette" could slam her head down again, Su Yuan and the others all noticed it¡ª The eerie aura surrounding Arlecchino had completely disappeared! Now''s the time! Su Yuan summoned the immense power of the ancient dragon''s blood and his Hydro abilities, unleashing a surge of energy that instantly dispersed all the rain and clouds in the sky¡ª The sky cleared in an instant! "Come back, Neuvillette!" Su Yuan shouted. Neuvillette paused for a moment, his actions freezing mid-motion. Seeing this, Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief... "My apologies, Arlecchino," Neuvillette said with a hint of remorse as he looked at the bloodied Arlecchino in his hands. "Sigewinne! Hurry up and heal Arlecchino!" Wriothesley called out. "No need!" Arlecchino waved her hand in refusal, wiping the blood from her forehead and the corner of her mouth. "This little injury won''t kill me." So... we finally made it to this point? Without losing anyone, they had successfully resolved the incomplete eerie transformations of both Focalors and Arlecchino... "Arlecchino, let''s exchange some information next," Su Yuan said as he looked at her. "I know that deep down, you truly want to resolve the prophecy crisis and protect your homeland¡ªFontaine." (Skipping re read ch53 for the exchange information scene...) "So, if we want to restore stability to the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, we need to extract every last trace of eerie energy from it, piece by piece?" Su Yuan mused after listening to Focalors'' explanation. "But even if Focalors absorbs most of the eerie energy, there''s no guarantee that the remaining traces won''t cause contamination again..." Chiori said. Su Yuan recalled the hints written in his left palm. He had been wondering why it specifically advised him not to touch the core energy sphere of the Indemnitium... Looking at it now, it was likely because he had attempted to extract the eerie energy once before¡ªonly to fail. But why did he fail? S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Could he also be affected by the eerie energy? Or was there something dangerous about his contact with the Indemnitium? "But if Su Yuan''s intel says he can''t touch the Indemnitium, then who else can remove the eerie energy?" Navia asked, puzzled. "It''s odd... Su Yuan won''t be controlled by the eerie energy, yet he also can''t touch the core. That''s quite the coincidence," Wriothesley said, looking at Su Yuan with suspicion. "Su Yuan, are you allergic to the Indemnitium? Does your intel say what would happen if you touched it?" Su Yuan shook his head. "There''s no information on that..." "How about testing it by only touching the outer layer?" Clorinde suggested. "This..." Su Yuan hesitated, deep in thought. The hints in his palm had clearly warned him against touching the core energy sphere of the Indemnitium... But if it was just the outer layer, it wouldn''t count as the core sphere, so technically, it wouldn''t violate the hint... Just as Su Yuan was about to agree, Furina suddenly spoke up: "Everyone, I just had an idea!" "Do you remember the very first rule Su Yuan told us about?" "During the daytime, I am my true self¡ªmy normal self..." --------------- Exclusive access : 105ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 59: Ch 59 : The crisis is temporarily resolved! Chapter 59 - Ch 59 : The crisis is temporarily resolved! "In the daytime, I am my normal self, my true self..." Furina spoke slowly. "In other words, doesn''t this rule mean that I absolutely cannot be corrupted or controlled by the Eerie during the daytime? Otherwise, why would it emphasize so strongly that my daytime self is the real, normal me?" Everyone fell silent, lost in shock and deep thought... Furina''s words... actually made a lot of sense! "No, Furina. Even if what you say is logical, I cannot let you take this risk." Neuvillette was the first to speak. "Neuvillette." Furina looked at him with a soft smile. "You''re still the same as ever, never changing. Always wanting to care for others, to protect others." "I also want to contribute¡ªto help you all and to help defeat the Eerie!" "Neuvillette, just let Furina try!" Su Yuan spoke up, agreeing with her reasoning. If anything truly irreversible happened... he could just rewind time again! After all, he had at least four chances per day. The resets refreshed daily, and they didn''t accumulate for the next day¡ªso there was no reason not to use them. "This seems to be our best shot..." Focalors added. "If we can''t strip away the Eerie''s power and stabilize the Indemnitium, all of Fontaine will be finished by tomorrow..." "Besides, the amount of Eerie power remaining inside the core is extremely small. I already absorbed the vast majority of it earlier." "Even if Furina does get corrupted by this small remnant, perhaps we can use our own strength to purge it." "Neuvillette, don''t worry! We''re all here!" Wriothesley patted Neuvillette''s shoulder lightly with a grin. "Neuvillette, you mustn''t place your trust in only me," Su Yuan added. "You need to trust Furina¡ªand trust everyone!" With that, the group followed Focalors into the depths of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale. Everyone gazed at the deep blue energy core before them, feeling an indescribable pressure emanating from it. Was this the Indemnitium energy that Fontaine had accumulated over the past five hundred years? At the same time, they could all sense how incredibly unstable this energy was, as if it could explode at any moment. "Furina, do you see it?" Focalors led Furina closer to the core and pointed inside. "Do you see those writhing, intertwined red and black threads, squirming like worms?" "That is the power of the Eerie." Furina nodded, then, under the tense gazes of everyone present, slowly reached her hand into the energy core... She had always been in contact with Indemnitium energy. To her, it had always been a stable, gentle, green, and highly efficient power source. But now, upon touching the corrupted Indemnitium energy, Furina could feel just how volatile and unstable it had become. An uncontrollable restlessness surged within it... Furina''s fingers quickly made contact with a strand of Eerie power, but before she could even grasp it, the sinister force rapidly surged along her fingers, up her arm, across her shoulder, neck, and face, before finally burrowing into her forehead! Her brows furrowed tightly as a pained expression spread across her face. Her entire body trembled, and she staggered, nearly collapsing to the ground. Fortunately, Focalors caught her just in time. "Furina! Are you alright?" The group anxiously called out to her. "I''m fine..." Furina rubbed her forehead and temples before steadying herself once again. "Just now, a strand of Eerie power indeed entered my mind. I immediately felt overwhelmed by countless negative, insane, and cruel thoughts..." "But those thoughts quickly faded away. I don''t know whether it''s because the amount of Eerie power was too little or because my daytime self truly cannot be corrupted by it..." "In any case, having me extract this Eerie power is definitely feasible!" "Furina..." Neuvillette murmured. The pained expression she had shown earlier left an uncomfortable feeling in his heart, but the situation was clear¡ªthis was the best solution to stabilize the Indemnitium Energy Core. From then on, the process was repeated over and over. Furina reached her hand into the core, slowly drawing out the Eerie power, bit by bit... "This is the last strand of Eerie power..." Focalors said, looking at the now-stabilized Indemnitium Energy Core, which no longer contained even a trace of Eerie corruption. "Furina, you''ve worked hard." Focalors gently spoke, gazing down at Furina, who had collapsed into her arms¡ªexhausted, drowsy, and barely able to stay awake. "Don''t worry about anything. Just rest well." "Furina... she''s so strong," Focalors thought. Even though she couldn''t be corrupted by the Eerie power, Focalors could still imagine how unpleasant it must have felt to have that power invade her body. "So, does this mean the crisis of Fontaine''s destruction is finally resolved?" Chiori asked. "No, it''s only temporarily resolved," Arlecchino interjected. "The prophecy will still come true¡ªeveryone will dissolve into the water, and only the Hydro Archon will sit upon the throne, weeping alone..." "I returned to Fontaine from Snezhnaya precisely because of this prophecy." "My plan... well, you all know it now." Focalors let out a helpless chuckle. "I thought I could deceive everyone, even Heavenly Principles itself, but now everything has been exposed..." "But, as long as you don''t say anything and I don''t say anything, Heavenly Principles won''t find out so easily." "Besides, certain clues and reliable sources suggest that Heavenly Principles is currently asleep..." "As long as we don''t cause too much of a commotion, it shouldn''t notice anything." "Neuvillette." Focalors turned to him, speaking seriously. "Tomorrow¡ªno, this afternoon¡ªwe must restart the Tribunal at the Opera Epiclese. I need to continue accumulating Indemnitium Energy to prepare for that day." "Honestly, with the energy we''ve gathered so far, I estimate it should already be enough..." "But to be safe, let''s gather a little more." "Focalors..." Neuvillette lifted his head to look at her. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though his gaze was calm, deep within it swirled a complex mix of emotions. "Do you really think that after learning the full truth, we would allow you to sacrifice yourself in such a way¡ªto break the prophecy and save Fontaine?" "Yeah, exactly!" Sigewinne chimed in, nodding repeatedly. "Focalors, in the past, you came up with this plan all on your own... But now, there are so many of us. We can help you and find a new solution together!" Navia beamed brightly. "After all, brainstorming together gives better results, and there''s strength in numbers!" "Actually, I really like your outfit design. I can tell that you have a great sense of style and appreciation for fashion," Chiori added. "I still want to discuss clothing design and fashion trends with you¡ªthere''s no way I''d let you sacrifice yourself!" "But..." "Ah, come on, Focalors! Let me tell you something¡ªSu Yuan''s intel is seriously impressive!" Wriothesley stepped forward, playfully poking Su Yuan''s head. "Who knows? Maybe after a good night''s sleep, he''ll wake up tomorrow with the key to breaking the prophecy and saving Fontaine!" "Focalors," Neuvillette finally spoke. "The trials at the Opera Epiclese will proceed as usual, but I will never allow you to sacrifice yourself for the sake of everyone else." "Just as Wriothesley said, perhaps Su Yuan really will find a way to save Fontaine completely." Su Yuan scratched his head with an awkward smile. Well, since everyone had such faith in him, he would give it his all! After all, from the very beginning, his goal had always been to save Focalors! --------------- Exclusive access : 108ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 60: Ch 60 : Could it be that I can’t even defeat a Hilichurl? Chapter 60 - Ch 60 : Could it be that I can''t even defeat a Hilichurl? "Traveler, are you really not going to attend the post-war celebration? Are you in such a hurry to leave Sumeru?" At the Zubayr Theater in the Grand Bazaar of Sumeru, Nilou looked at the Traveler and Paimon before her, a hint of reluctance in her eyes as she spoke. "You are the hero who saved the Lesser Lord Kusanali, the one who saved Sumeru... yet you''re choosing to leave just like that, disappearing without claiming any credit?" "I''m sorry, Miss Nilou. Though I would love to celebrate with you all, you know that my journey''s purpose is to find my sister¡ªmy dearest family." Aether smiled apologetically. "And now, in the direction of Fontaine, the Nation of Water, I''ve sensed a peculiar presence. It may have something to do with my family." "Besides, it''s not like I won''t come back. When I have time, I''ll definitely return to visit Sumeru." "Don''t forget, I can use Teleport Waypoints! Traveling back and forth is super convenient." "It''s just that since I''m going to Fontaine for the first time, I haven''t unlocked the waypoints there yet. Once I do, everything will be much easier!" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Miss Nilou, don''t worry! I know the road to Fontaine very well¡ªif not a hundred times, at least twenty or thirty times!" Kirara, standing nearby, added. "I often travel between Fontaine and Inazuma, delivering Inazuman specialty fabrics to Miss Chiori." "Yeah! What a coincidence that we ran into Kirara right here in Sumeru!" Paimon said with a grin. "With someone familiar leading the way, we won''t have to take as many detours, and we''ll save a lot of time!" "Alright then," Nilou said with a smile, waving her hand. "Safe travels, Traveler, Paimon, Miss Kirara!" But in the next moment, from Aether''s perspective, everything changed¡ªeveryone around him turned gray and motionless, frozen in place as if time itself had stopped. "It''s me." Aether turned his head in response to the voice and saw Nahida, a gray-white figure, looking at him. "Nahida, it seems we''ve established a connection again." Aether said. "Mm... I guess I have only myself to blame for being too impulsive. When I heard you were leaving Sumeru, I wanted to talk to you, and before I knew it, the connection was established." "It''s fine. Aside from Nilou, you''re the last person I need to say goodbye to," Aether said. "Even if you didn''t reach out to me, I would''ve gone to the Grand Sage''s Palace to find you." "It''s alright, you don''t need to trouble yourself to come here just to say goodbye." Nahida replied. "But saying goodbye in person feels more ceremonial, doesn''t it? I do it for everyone." "You really don''t have to come to the Grand Sage''s Palace. I''ve got a lot of aftermath to handle lately, and I''m quite busy. I probably won''t have time, so saying goodbye here is just as good." "Mm, alright. Since you''ve said so, Nahida..." Aether nodded. "Traveler, the reason I''m reaching out to you this time is less about saying goodbye and more about giving you a reminder." "Please, be sure to stay cautious and stay alert." "Although with your abilities, you can handle most challenges, there are still some unforeseen situations you must watch out for." "Even though I am the God of Wisdom, I can''t answer all the questions in the world." "This world is still full of too many unknowns and challenges." "Okay, Nahida. Thanks for the reminder. I''ll keep it in mind," Aether nodded. Soon after, Aether bid farewell to Nahida, and with Paimon by his side, followed Kirara as they set off on their journey to Fontaine. ............ "Kirara... Paimon... slow down a bit..." Aether said, out of breath. Although Aether felt that his physical condition was already beyond that of an ordinary person, he still underestimated the difficulty of the "shortcut" that Kirara had mentioned... It was all dense thickets, small openings, and sheer cliffs¡ªpaths that no normal person could navigate. But Kirara had her cat box form, and Paimon was small and could fly, so they had no trouble moving, but Aether was struggling... "Traveler, just a little more!" Kirara said. "After all, this is the shortcut. We''ve cut our travel time by almost half. We''ll reach Fontaine by tomorrow morning!" ............. The next morning, Aether and Paimon, following Kirara, finally arrived at the Realm of Farakhkert, on the northeastern coast of the Hills of Barsom. Aether looked ahead at the strange device glowing with a red light and finally broke into a smile. Great, there''s a Teleport Waypoint here! He quickly approached and touched the still-locked Teleport Waypoint. The Waypoint began to float and rotate, its red glow slowly transforming into a blue one... Everything should have been normal... However, the current Teleport Waypoint, while successfully activated, was emitting a strange combination of black and red light... and it also exuded an ominous aura... Aether was puzzled. After being in Teyvat for so long, this was the first time he had encountered a malfunctioning Teleport Waypoint... Was it just a visual malfunction, or was it truly broken? "Traveler, look, that''s Fontaine ahead!" Kirara said, pointing toward the distance, where the buildings of Fontaine could already be faintly seen. Then she pointed to a small dock below. "Next, we just need to take a boat from down there, and we''ll reach Fontaine''s Romaritime Harbor!" "Also, Traveler, do you see that spiked tortoise next to the shore? Its scientific name is Tent Tortoise." Kirara pointed in another direction. "I''ve heard that the shell of this species is extremely hard, and no elemental power or weapon can cause it any damage..." "Of course, that''s just an exaggeration, meaning the Tent Tortoise has incredibly impressive defense." At this point, Kirara seemed to naturally take on the role of a tour guide, sharing everything she knew with Aether. "Hey! Kirara, I feel like you''ve stolen my job! I''m supposed to be the best guide for the Traveler!" Paimon crossed her arms, tilted her head, and pouted, pretending to be angry, which made everyone laugh. But just then, an unexpected event occurred! A Hilichurl suddenly appeared next to the Tent Tortoise, seemingly about to attack it. The Tent Tortoise clearly noticed the Hilichurl''s intent to attack and withdrew its head and limbs into its shell, entering a state of "absolute defense." The Hilichurl wasn''t holding a weapon. It was simply using its bare fists to strike the shell... However, just as the attack was about to land, a dark, crimson aura suddenly erupted from the Hilichurl''s fists! That supposedly indestructible Tent Tortoise shell was shattered in an instant, and the turtle inside, curled up, was immediately torn apart, its flesh flying everywhere! The Hilichurl picked up some bloody Tent Tortoise meat, tasted it, but seemed to find it unpleasant, so it spat it out. Then, the Hilichurl''s gaze shifted toward the workers at the dock not far away... Aether, who had witnessed the whole scene, grew serious... What kind of power was that in the Hilichurl''s fists? It was able to shatter the Tent Tortoise''s hard shell with a single punch? It was a bit far to see clearly and feel it properly, but it almost felt like the power of the Abyss, though not exactly... Moreover, the people at the dock seemed to be targeted by the Hilichurl. They were in danger, and he needed to protect them! Although Aether didn''t know how the Hilichurl had done it, no matter how strong, it was still just a Hilichurl! Could it be that he couldn''t even defeat a Hilichurl? Aether completely forgot about Nahida''s warning... --------------- Exclusive access : 108ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 61: Ch 61 : New information, is there a traitor? Chapter 61 - Ch 61 : New information, is there a traitor? At night, Su Yuan lay in bed, reflecting on the events of the day. After resolving the riot caused by the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale disturbance, it wasn''t long before Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet arrived at the scene and took the injured Arlecchino away. Then, everyone gradually returned to their respective duties. Neuvillette made a public statement, declaring that the Cardinal''s ruling had been restored to normal, and that the trial would resume in the Opera Epiclese in the afternoon. As for Su Yuan, he wandered around Fontaine for half the day, seemingly without any concerns, all the while pondering how to save Focalors. Su Yuan actually came up with a possibility... Since the prophecy was bound to happen, perhaps he should first do nothing and let the people of Fontaine dissolve into the water, turning back into Oceanids... Then, he could do as the first Hydro Archon, Egeria, did, using the primordial sea water to turn all the Oceanids back into humans... The reason Egeria angered The Heavenly Principles in the past was ultimately because The Heavenly Principles discovered that she had violated the taboo of creating life... But now, The Heavenly Principles were asleep, so they probably wouldn''t notice these things, right? The problem now was, did Focalors know how Egeria used the primordial sea water to turn Oceanids into humans? And with such constant shifts, would the original memories still exist? Are they still themself? Su Yuan didn''t know. So, Su Yuan decided that tomorrow he would go to the opera house and discuss this issue with Focalors... As he thought about it, Su Yuan drifted off to sleep... ............ The sun rose as usual the next day. Feeling the warmth of the sunlight, Su Yuan slowly opened his eyes. He felt a sharp pain in the palm of his right hand¡ªnew information had appeared! He wondered if this information contained anything about saving Fontaine! With anticipation, Su Yuan raised his right hand to take a look, and saw the following inscribed: [First of all, congratulations on surviving the fifth night] [Currently available information] [Skipped reread ch 49 for hint 1 - 12] [13. People from other worlds are drawn to each other] Huh? People from other worlds? Su Yuan knew that he was certainly one of those "people from other worlds." However, being from another world didn''t necessarily mean being a "Descender." Take Aether and Lumine, for example: the former was classified as the Fourth Descender in the Fatui''s intelligence network, while the latter wasn''t considered a Descender. According to the speculation of the Dendro Archon, Nahida, the First Descender was, in fact, the current Heavenly Principles of Teyvat. And what did "drawn to each other" mean? Why did he not feel anything unusual at all? Could it be that some invisible hand of fate was pulling them together? Su Yuan suddenly felt a bit concerned. If this "attraction" meant drawing him closer to Aether, that wouldn''t be a big issue. The problem was, the Heavenly Principles was also considered a person from another world. If he was drawn toward the Heavenly Principles, that could cause significant problems. To be honest, Su Yuan didn''t know much about the Heavenly Principles, nor did he know how to handle it. Moreover, was it possible that the Heavenly Principles could be controlled by some strange influence? But then again, since he himself wasn''t susceptible to Eerie contamination, and since the Heavenly Principles were from another world¡ªplus with a higher status than his¡ªperhaps it wouldn''t be an issue? Su Yuan thought about it and continued reading: [14. If you give Kirara''s delivery service a bad review, something unpleasant might happen.] Kirara? Isn''t she the top courier of "Komaniya Express" in Inazuma? Why is today''s rule hint related to her? Could it be that she''s in Fontaine as well? Well, that would make sense. Kirara specializes in long-distance international deliveries, and rumor has it that she''s close with Chiori. Maybe she''s here to deliver fabric to her. But Kirara is so cute and enthusiastic, and her service is excellent. Who would even think of giving her a bad review? Su Yuan continued reading: [15. This is an uncertain piece of information¡ªwhether to believe it is up to you: Among the people you know, there is always one person in a state of eerie corruption, but no one has noticed.] [16. After surviving the sixth night, new information will be unlocked.] Su Yuan immediately felt a chill run down his spine... Huh? Another uncertain piece of information? Is this suggesting that there has always been a traitor in his team? Or does "someone you know" include people he only recognizes from a distance? If so, the range of suspects becomes enormous... He hadn''t visited Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, or Sumeru yet, but he knew many people from those nations. Su Yuan couldn''t make up his mind about whether this information was true or not... For now, he decided to reserve judgment and discuss it with the others later. .............. Su Yuan arrived at Neuvillette''s office, only to find that he was alone. "Neuvillette, why are you the only one here? Where is everyone else?" Su Yuan asked. Neuvillette replied calmly, "Chevreuse''s father seems to be unwell, so she went to the hospital to accompany him." "Chiori is expecting an international package today, so she''ll be arriving a bit later." "Navia is leading Spina di Rosula in a charity event, so she''ll also be coming later." "Wriothesley and Sigewinne had some matters to attend to and couldn''t make it this early." "Clorinde seems to have been caught up with someone and is currently trying to get rid of them." "As for Furina, she was exhausted from yesterday. She''s still asleep, and I didn''t want to disturb her. She worked very hard yesterday, after all." Su Yuan nodded. Most of these explanations made sense, but Clorinde''s situation caught his attention. She was being pestered by someone... and she couldn''t shake them off? Who could be capable of that? He glanced out the window¡ªit was a bright, sunny day. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, this timing worked out well. If he revealed the fifteenth piece of information in front of everyone, even if no one said anything, there would inevitably be a sense of suspicion among them. Su Yuan wanted to know Neuvillette''s thoughts on this piece of information. "Neuvillette, do you think there''s a traitor among us..." Su Yuan spoke slowly. "Someone who appears completely normal but has actually been under the influence of the Eerie all along..." Hearing this, Neuvillette showed a puzzled expression. "Su Yuan, what exactly do you mean by that?" "I mean, is it possible that one of us has been controlled by the Eerie from the very beginning and never actually returned to normal?" Neuvillette fell into deep thought. After some time, he spoke slowly: "First, we can rule out Furina. She cannot be controlled by the Eerie during the daytime, so she doesn''t fit the condition you described..." "As for the others, we''ve already figured out most of the conditions for becoming Eerie, and we''re all familiar with each other. None of us have shown any abnormalities, nor does anyone seem like a traitor..." Hearing Neuvillette say this, Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. Since both he and Neuvillette shared the same perspective, he decided to set this piece of information aside for now. There was no need to tell the others and risk disrupting their unity. --------------- Exclusive access : 111ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 62: Ch 62 : A destined encounter Chapter 62 - Ch 62 : A destined encounter "The Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, ''Childe'' Tartaglia..." Clorinde looked at the slender young man before her, dressed in a gray outfit with a red scarf secured at his chest, its trailing end fluttering over his left shoulder. His short, orange hair and eager demeanor made her sigh helplessly. "I''ve already told you¡ªI won''t fight you." "Clorinde, I''ve heard you''re Fontaine''s strongest Champion Duelist, and my creed is to constantly battle strong opponents and grow even stronger!" Tartaglia said with a grin. "I won''t give up! Please, have an exhilarating fight with me!" "Tartaglia, do you realize that under Fontaine''s laws, your actions constitute provocation and disorderly conduct? You''ve already broken the law." Clorinde replied calmly. "Oh? What a great deal!" Tartaglia''s face lit up with excitement as he stretched out his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Please, take me to the Tribunal!" "This way, I can have a duel with you fair and square!" Clorinde suddenly felt a headache coming on. Due to certain peculiar reasons, she couldn''t just strike him down on a whim... She tried to shake Tartaglia off, but he was formidable in his own right¡ªescaping from him was easier said than done... For a moment, Clorinde even considered simply recommending Tartaglia to Meropide, so he could go fight Wriothesley in the Pankration Arena instead... But just then, a commotion erupted in the distance. A massive, cube-shaped feline was rushing toward them, carrying a blood-soaked person on its back. A strange white floating creature followed closely beside it. "Hospital? Where''s a doctor? Hurry and save him!" Disaster struck¡ªthe unidentified floating creature just spoke... That was everyone''s first reaction. Clorinde recognized the cat. It seemed to be a courier from Komaniya Express in Inazuma, who had made several deliveries to Fontaine before. But as for the blood-soaked person on its back, Clorinde had no recollection of him at all... Since when did Komaniya Express start delivering injured people? "Traveler? Paimon?" Tartaglia was genuinely surprised. The unconscious, heavily injured person was none other than the renowned Traveler! "Traveler, how did you end up so badly wounded? What on earth happened?" At this moment, Tartaglia completely forgot about his duel with Clorinde and hurried over to ask about the situation. "Huff... Huff... The Traveler... The Traveler was beaten up by a Hilichurl!" Kirara panted heavily as she answered, clearly exhausted from running all the way here while carrying someone so heavy without stopping. "Yeah, yeah! A super strong Hilichurl!" Paimon chimed in. "...Huh?" Hearing Kirara and Paimon''s words, Tartaglia was completely dumbfounded. "A Hilichurl? With the Traveler''s strength, how could he end up like this because of a Hilichurl?" "Follow me. The emergency room is this way," Clorinde said. ................. When Aether regained consciousness, he found himself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. "Thank goodness! Traveler, you''re awake!" Paimon was so emotional that tears welled up in her eyes. "I''ve never seen you lose so much blood or stay unconscious for so long... I almost thought I was going to lose you..." "Traveler, are you alright?" Tartaglia asked with concern. "Tartaglia? Why are you here?" Aether asked in surprise. "Is this Fontaine?" "That''s right, it''s Fontaine." Tartaglia nodded. "Lately, I''ve been feeling a bit off¡ªthere''s a restless power surging inside me, and my mood has been fluctuating. So, I came to Fontaine for a vacation to relax." As he spoke, Clorinde''s eyebrow twitched slightly. Came for a vacation...? Your idea of a vacation is chasing someone through multiple streets, ignoring all attempts to dissuade you, and insisting on having a fight? Seeing that Aether had woken up, Kirara finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, as if ready to leave, she said, "Since you''re awake now, Traveler, you should be fine. I''ll be heading off first!" "My deliveries are way overdue!" Kirara exclaimed before shifting into her box form and leaping out the window without hesitation. "Since you know him, Tartaglia, I''ll be taking my leave as well," Clorinde said, preparing to step out of the hospital room. However, the moment she opened the door, she saw Neuvillette and Su Yuan standing in the hallway. At the same time, Su Yuan happened to glance into the room, locking eyes with Aether. In that instant, Aether felt something unusual from Su Yuan¡ªan inexplicable, familiar sensation. Perhaps coming to Fontaine early had been fate''s way of guiding him to find this person... And Su Yuan, too, recognized Aether right away. "Your name is...?" Aether raised his hand slightly toward Su Yuan, asking. "Su Yuan," he replied. "Su," as in Tiramisu. "Yuan," as in ruins and remnants." Neuvillette, meanwhile, turned his gaze toward Tartaglia and remarked to Clorinde, "So it was him¡ªno wonder you were being pestered." "Neuvillette, you and Clorinde should head to Chevreuse''s father''s ward first and meet up with her," Su Yuan suggested. "Tartaglia , you should step outside and get some fresh air for now," Aether said. It was clear to everyone that Aether and Su Yuan had something private to discuss. "Paimon, you should step out for a bit too," Su Yuan added with a smile. "Huh? Mister Su Yuan, how do you know my name? This should be our first time meeting, right?" Paimon asked in surprise. People from beyond this world are naturally drawn to each other, but Su Yuan hadn''t expected to meet Aether so soon... Suddenly, he had a new perspective on that uncertain piece of intel. The information imprinted in his right palm¡ªperhaps it never strayed too far from him. Otherwise, even if he was given knowledge of it, the information or rule itself would be meaningless... For example, the previous clue about someone researching eerie phenomena¡ªit was now almost certain that the person in question was Dottore. And Dottore had recently appeared in Fontaine, confirming the connection. As for today''s uncertain intel, it likely wasn''t far from him either. Kirara met the conditions for "Eerie" influence, but it probably wasn''t her. He had also discussed with Neuvillette that there shouldn''t be any traitors among their current group... Both he and Aether were outsiders to this world, making it unlikely that they had been corrupted or controlled by "Eerie" forces... By process of elimination, among the new faces he had encountered, the only ones left were Paimon and Tartaglia. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If someone had been under the influence of the "Eerie" all along... Su Yuan was more inclined to suspect Paimon. Paimon, a bisexual entity, is the 9th demon in the hierarchy of the 72 demons of Solomon... In fact, Paimon has always seemed mysterious in the game, clearly hiding many secrets... If she really had been controlled by the "Eerie," she would definitely be able to disguise herself perfectly... Because, based on past experiences, the ability to disguise under the influence of the "Eerie" is still somewhat related to the original personality. Someone like Neuvillette, for example, isn''t skilled at disguising himself, so many details would easily expose him... But someone like Arlecchino, who is cunning and calculating, not only disguises herself well but also uses special methods to make you believe her... Huh? Why do these strange memories keep surfacing? Clearly, I haven''t experienced any of this... --------------- Exclusive access : 111ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 63: Ch 63 : Su Yuan X Aether Chapter 63 - Ch 63 : Su Yuan X Aether Under Aether''s shocked gaze, Su Yuan manipulated the Hydro Element to form an arched water wall, enclosing the two of them within it. The conversation that was about to take place might be a bit private, and Su Yuan didn''t want others to overhear. "Without a Vision, you can still use Hydro Element? How is that possible?" Aether asked, puzzled. "Could it be that, like me, you can use the corresponding elemental power as long as you touch the Seven Archon Statues?" "Not quite. My situation is a bit more complicated," Su Yuan replied. "Let me explain it to you properly..." So, Su Yuan proceeded to tell Aether all the information he knew. Of course, he left out the part about having the ability to rewind time. "So it''s called the ''Eerie'' power?" Aether mused. "No wonder that Hilichurl had such strength!" "Huh? So the injuries you sustained were from a Hilichurl controlled by the ''Eerie''?" Su Yuan was also taken aback. While he knew that the "Eerie" power could control people, it was the first time he heard of it being able to control monsters. And based on the current situation, it seemed that self-induced "Eerification" had certain specific conditions, and was closely linked to negative emotions... So, did this Hilichurl become "Eerie" on its own, or was it influenced by some external factor? "Based on your description, I believe this Hilichurl''s condition is a result of an external factor causing incomplete Eerie transformation..." Aether spoke slowly, "In other words, it''s the work of ''Doctor'' Dottore..." "But even if it''s only an incomplete Eerie transformation, it''s still not something that can be easily matched by ordinary people. You''ve been injured, but you still survived¡ªhow did you manage to do that?" Su Yuan asked curiously. "I guess it''s no surprise, the Traveler truly is the protagonist of this world, being able to overcome the Eerie forces alone..." "The Hilichurl''s speed wasn''t fast, but I still found it difficult to defend against its attacks..." Aether explained. "Now I understand. It''s because elemental power can''t defend against the Eerie forces... But from what I saw, his attacks were uncoordinated, even more chaotic than a regular Hilichurl''s..." "It was like he had no brain at all..." "So, I tried swimming towards the sea. Normally, Hilichurls are afraid of water and won''t swim, so they don''t get close to the water..." "But this Hilichurl was different. Without hesitation, it chased me into the water, and then drowned... Otherwise, I might not have made it either..." Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. "So it was the terrain that saved you..." Looking at it from this angle, it seemed like this Eerie-controlled Hilichurl had completely lost its rationality, unable to even recognize its own danger... Now that it''s confirmed that even monsters can be controlled by the Eerie, I wonder if higher-level, intelligent monsters are susceptible to this as well? So, is this complete loss of rationality easier to deal with or harder? "By the way, Su Yuan, I have some thoughts about the uncertain tips and rules you mentioned," Aether looked at Su Yuan and spoke. "First, it says there''s a possibility that you could be controlled by the Eerie..." "And you''ve also said that if you were controlled by the Eerie, you would lose memory of that period. So, have you ever experienced memory loss?" Su Yuan was momentarily stunned when Aether asked that. Memory loss? Does rewind memory loss count? But that''s his special ability, his cheat, so it shouldn''t have anything to do with the Eerie, right? Naturally, Su Yuan couldn''t tell Aether about his ability to rewind time, even though he, like Su Yuan, was from another world. So he could only reply, "I don''t think so." "Then next, you said that someone you know is always under Eerie control..." "You suspect it''s Paimon, but I don''t think it is." "From what you''ve said, the Eerie only recently arrived in Teyvat. Paimon and I have been together for so long, if something had happened to her, I would have noticed." "That''s true." Listening to Aether''s explanation, Su Yuan nodded. "Maybe this rule tip is completely fake, meant to confuse us!" "However, even if this tip is fake, there are still at least two possible interpretations..." Aether said thoughtfully. "One interpretation is that no one has been constantly controlled by the Eerie..." "And the other interpretation is that not just one person, but more than one has always been controlled by the Eerie..." Upon hearing this, Su Yuan was momentarily stunned... Indeed, it makes so much sense! One interpretation suggests there''s none, and the other suggests more than one! If it''s the latter, that would be quite troublesome... "Also, your speculation that Descenders like us can''t be controlled by the Eerie is just your uncertain guess..." "If we could do an experiment, it would be perfect. Let me be the test subject." "If I really were controlled by the Eerie, you could work with Neuvillette to drain the Eerie power from me." "But the problem now is that, aside from Dottore, no one can actively wield Eerie power to conduct such an experiment..." "Moreover, many of your ideas are still mere speculations without confirmation." Aether looked at Su Yuan, deep in thought, and said, "There''s a saying: ''The observer sees clearly, while the one involved is confused.'' Sometimes, it''s best to look at things from a different perspective." Su Yuan looked at Aether, feeling that he was truly the protagonist of Teyvat, the chosen one by destiny. After this conversation, he felt enlightened... He felt like Aether was his soulmate! Su Yuan''s soulmate is Aether, or... "Su Yuan X Aether"... Su Yuan had no idea why these words popped up in his mind. ... Melusine Fortress. Wriothesley glanced at the person in front of him¡ªa man with short, light blue hair, a small mole beneath his slightly upturned lips, and a faint, composed smile. Then, he spoke: "Head of the Kamisato Clan from Inazuma, Lord Kamisato Ayato. What business brings you to Melusine Fortress?" "Duke Wriothesley," Kamisato Ayato replied with a smile. "I have heard that Melusine Fortress is the most technologically advanced and well-regulated prison in Fontaine¡ªperhaps even in all of Teyvat. I have come to learn from it." "Recently, due to certain events, the demand for prisons in Inazuma has increased significantly, and there are also many wounded in need of treatment..." "I have heard that Head Nurse Sigewinne of Melusine Fortress possesses extraordinary medical skills, so I brought some people along to observe and study." To be honest, though Wriothesley had long heard of Kamisato Ayato, this was his first time meeting him in person. Wriothesley didn''t particularly like Kamisato Ayato. Though he was polite and always smiling, he gave off the impression of someone deeply calculating and difficult to read... Dealing with such people was the most mentally exhausting. Moreover, Wriothesley didn''t believe that Kamisato Ayato had come to Fontaine simply to study prison management and medical techniques. There had to be another reason. "And this," Kamisato Ayato continued, "is a specialty of Inazuma¡ªone of my personal favorite beverages. As a small gift, I offer it to you, Duke, so you may taste a bit of foreign flavor." As he spoke, he handed Wriothesley a cup filled with a light brown liquid. At the bottom of the transparent cup were small black spheres. Judging by the color, was it a dairy-based drink? Or perhaps coffee? And what were those small black spheres at the bottom? Wriothesley was puzzled, but considering he hadn''t had tea for two days, a change of pace didn''t seem like a bad idea. So, he took a straw, inserted it into the cup, and took a small sip. --------------- Exclusive access : 114ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 64: Ch 64 : Permanently Eerie-Transformed Chevreuse? Chapter 64 - Ch 64 : Permanently Eerie-Transformed Chevreuse? "Alright then, let''s end our discussion here for today," Su Yuan said as he withdrew the circular barrier of Hydro energy. He turned to Aether and continued, "Get some rest. I''m going to check on what''s happening with Chevreuse." However, just as Su Yuan and Aether looked out the window, they were shocked to see people frantically fleeing through the hallway outside. Su Yuan immediately sensed that something was wrong. He rushed out the door and grabbed one of the fleeing people, asking urgently, "What''s going on? Why is everyone running?" "It''s Chief Justice Neuvillette! He told us to evacuate¡ªthere''s a fire upstairs!" the person hurriedly explained before dashing away. A fire? Su Yuan took a deep breath and sniffed the air. Sure enough, there was a faint scent of smoke... But if Neuvillette was present, how could a fire still break out? Moments later, Su Yuan felt something unsettling¡ªan eerie presence. This aura... It was eerie in nature! And upstairs¡ªthat was where Chevreuse''s father''s room was! Could something have happened to Chevreuse and her father? At that moment, Tartaglia and Paimon appeared. "Traveler, we need to get out of here! There''s a fire upstairs!" Paimon exclaimed in a panic. "We''re leaving," Tartaglia said as he effortlessly lifted Aether onto his back, ready to take him out of the hospital. Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. Since Tartaglia and Paimon were here, he didn''t have to worry about Aether''s safety. Without hesitation, Su Yuan sprinted upstairs, heading straight for Chevreuse''s father''s room! When he arrived, he saw Neuvillette and Clorinde standing at the entrance of the hospital room. Inside, the entire room was engulfed in pitch-black flames, burning intensely... So, Chevreuse really has undergone eerie transformation... That also means... her father... "Su Yuan, you''re here," Neuvillette spoke. "Just moments ago, Chevreuse''s father, Mr. Donatello, suddenly passed away due to his illness..." "And in that instant, Chevreuse began her eerie transformation." Su Yuan looked inside the hospital room. "Chevreuse" was engulfed in pitch-black flames, clutching the charred remains of her father, tears streaming down her face... The fire had already consumed the entire room. "Wasn''t Mr. Donatello checked by Sigewinne? Didn''t she say there was nothing too serious?" Su Yuan murmured in disbelief. "That''s why life is always full of unforeseen tragedies," Clorinde sighed. The situation had now completely exceeded Su Yuan''s expectations... If Chevreuse''s eerie transformation had been triggered by her father''s coma... Then... wouldn''t death be considered a state of permanent coma? Which meant... "Chevreuse" would never return to normal again... "In this situation, the only option seems to be eliminating Chevreuse along with the eerie force within her," Neuvillette said, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "I agree," Clorinde nodded. "She doesn''t seem to have any intent to attack anyone right now... Let''s allow her to stay with her father for a little while longer," Neuvillette said, gazing into the room, his expression filled with sorrow. "And then, let me be the one to challenge her to a duel," Clorinde spoke. "Let me send her off on her final journey... and also verify whether my condition for dispelling eerie transformation is truly to kill my opponent." In Neuvillette and Clorinde''s eyes, Chevreuse''s sacrifice was already inevitable. But Su Yuan knew that as long as he could revert time and return to the past, there was still a chance to change everything! He could do the same thing he had done for Mules and Silver¡ªby sprinkling the primordial waters of the Primodial Sea onto Mr. Donatello. At the very least, that would save his life! The only uncertainty was whether Mr. Donatello would still retain his consciousness after transforming into a Oceanid. Would that be considered a coma...? If that still counted as a state of unconsciousness... then would there truly be no choice but to abandon Chevreuse...? As Su Yuan was lost in thought, the pitch-black flames on "Chevreuse" continued to burn. Her father, Donatello''s body, was reduced to a drier, more brittle state until it finally turned into a pile of ashes, scattering onto the floor... "Father..." Feeling the remains of her father slipping through her fingers, "Chevreuse" muttered, "I promised you... that I would take good care of myself, that I would train my body well, that I would eat properly..." "Heh... hahaha... hehe..." "Chevreuse" gradually stopped crying, her voice twisting into an eerie, chilling laughter... She knelt on the ground, extended her long, thin tongue, and began licking up the ashes of her father, bit by bit... "Father... your taste is so ordinary... yet why do I feel so satisfied...?" "But it''s not enough. I''m still so hungry... I''m really still so hungry..." "To have a strong and healthy body, I must take in more energy..." The next moment, Chevreuse suddenly twisted her head 270 degrees, staring at the three figures at the door. "Neuvillette... Clorinde... Su Yuan..." "I wonder... what do you taste like? I really, really want to know..." "Heh... hehe... haha..." "It''s my turn to act." Clorinde stepped forward, drawing her rapier, and looked straight at "Chevreuse." "Come, Chevreuse. Let''s have a fair and honorable duel!" However, in the very next second, Clorinde''s expression turned awkward as she immediately spoke up: "I forfeit." The moment Clorinde voluntarily surrendered, a surge of eerie energy erupted from her body, locking eyes with "Chevreuse" in a tense standoff... The battle... Was about to begin! ...... Tartaglia carried Aether to an open area outside, gazing up at the hospital room engulfed in roaring flames, his heart filled with confusion... Why was this fire pitch black in color, radiating such an ominous aura? And beyond that, his battle instincts and thirst for combat told him¡ªup there, two formidable warriors were locked in a confrontation... "This is terrifying... I''ve never seen flames like this before," Paimon said, trembling slightly. Aether, on the other hand, wore a solemn expression. From his earlier conversation with Su Yuan, he had a rough idea¡ªChevreuse had likely entered an eerie state... But according to Su Yuan''s description, while Chevreuse''s body could indeed be engulfed in black flames, the range was never supposed to be this massive... Just what had happened up there? "Huh? Traveler? Paimon? Tartaglia? What are you all doing here?" At that moment, Aether suddenly heard Kirara''s voice calling out from behind. "Kirara, you''re back?" Paimon pointed at the hospital and explained, "The hospital caught fire. We came out to take shelter." But Aether didn''t let his guard down¡ªhis gaze remained wary as he observed Kirara carefully. She looked normal on the outside, but eerie forces were capable of disguising themselves... "Kirara, have any of your deliveries been delayed? Did anyone blame you or give you a bad review?" Aether knew that Kirara''s eerie transformation might be triggered by receiving a bad rating... "A bad review? Nope!" Kirara shook her head cheerfully. Aether was about to relax, but then he heard Kirara continue speaking: "Hehehe, meow~... As long as I take care of the ones who gave me bad reviews, no one will give me a bad review anymore!" "It seems like I''ve delivered to you before. You''re both the goods and the recipient..." "May I ask, are you satisfied with my service?" --------------- S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exclusive access : 114ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 65: Ch 65 : I can never reunite with you again Chapter 65 - Ch 65 : I can never reunite with you again Logically speaking, the strength of an Eerie transformation should be somewhat proportional to the original strength of the host... The stronger you were before, the stronger you become after Eerie transformation... As one of the top Shadowhunter Order members, Clorinde was Fontaine''s most formidable duelist. In all of Fontaine, there were only a handful of people who could rival her... Meanwhile, Chervreuse, as the captain of the Fontaine Special Patrol, was responsible for dealing with the most dangerous criminals. Though she was strong, she was still young and hadn''t accumulated as much experience as Clorinde... Under normal circumstances, Chervreuse shouldn''t have been a match for Clorinde, and that should have remained true even after her Eerie transformation... Yet in reality, "Clorinde" was being completely overwhelmed by "Chervreuse"... Could it be that the intensity of negative emotions also influences the power of an Eerie transformation? It made sense. Chervreuse herself had mentioned before that after Furina''s death, the malice exuded by the Eerie-transformed Neuvillette was a hundred times stronger than when he tormented her. His strength must have also increased significantly... Wait, hold on! Where did that memory come from? Another nonexistent memory? Su Yuan scratched his head, feeling a headache coming on. These sudden images popping into his mind were becoming more and more frequent... He had a theory¡ªcould these be memories of things he had experienced before? "Neuvillette." Su Yuan turned to Neuvillette and said, "We''re going to need your help soon..." "Clorinde doesn''t seem to be a match for Chervreuse right now..." .............. "May I ask if you are satisfied with my service?" Aether watched as the face of the "Kirara" beside him began to twist and distort. Her eye sockets sank deep into her skull, and scarlet, foul-smelling liquid dripped from the corners of her mouth... "Kirara" had already been taken over by the Eerie! Paimon was so terrified that she couldn''t utter a word, while Tartaglia immediately took on a battle-ready stance. "Kirara" observed Aether''s tense and panicked expression, then slowly spoke: "That look on your face... does it mean you''re not satisfied with my service?" Aether knew that if he said "no," he would die instantly... "Satisfied! I''m very satisfied! Extremely satisfied!" "Mm, that''s more like it. Thank you for your support!" Kirara returned to her usual cheerful self and was about to leave. However, Aether noticed that the package Kirara was carrying on her back was still dripping blood... "Kirara! What''s in that package?" Aether instinctively asked. "It''s a delivery~" As she spoke, "Kirara" removed the package from her back and opened it for Aether to see... At that moment, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and rain began to pour down. Aether, Paimon, and Tartaglia all recoiled in shock¡ª Inside the package were severed heads, still dripping with fresh blood... "They gave me bad reviews when they were alive..." "Kirara" spoke slowly. "Now that they''re gone, their bad reviews naturally disappeared too..." "Do you have any idea how exhausting it is for me, a cross-border courier, to run around all day, delivering so many packages?" "I don''t expect you to greet me with a smile, but at least don''t give me bad reviews..." "Yes, it was my fault for delaying the delivery, but putting right and wrong aside, do you really think you bear no responsibility at all?" "Do you know how much my salary gets deducted for just one bad review? Do you know how long it ruins my mood?" "Why am I working so hard?" "Just so you can give me a bad review?" As Aether watched "Kirara" muttering to herself, he felt a cold sweat running down his back... So this is what the Eerie truly is... No matter how much Su Yuan had described it, nothing compared to experiencing it firsthand... "Oh!" "Kirara" suddenly nodded, as if she had just thought of something... "The company seems to have a rule that we can''t randomly show others what we''re delivering..." "But I accidentally let you see it. What should I do?" "So, could you all kindly die for me?" "That way, it''s as if no one ever saw anything!" "Hehe, hahaha, meow~ nyanyanya..." As "Kirara" spoke, her face once again began to twist and distort, preparing to strike at Aether. "Danger!" With Tartaglia''s warning, he unleashed his pure water-structured weaponry, wielding dual hydro blades as he dashed toward "Kirara," aiming a heavy strike at her head! Tartaglia had a keen instinct for strong opponents, and this strange "Kirara" before him made the battle-hungry blood in his veins boil with excitement! S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, despite Tartaglia''s fierce assault, "Kirara" showed no intention of dodging. She simply let the water blades strike her head... "Tartaglia, be careful! Elemental attacks don''t work on her!" Aether shouted, struggling to put some distance between himself and Kirara so he wouldn''t interfere with Tartaglia''s movements. "Elemental attacks don''t work...?" Tartaglia could clearly feel it too¡ªhis strike had landed directly on Kirara''s head, yet it had done absolutely nothing... "You actually dare to attack me..." "Kirara" spoke with a furious expression. "You..." "You''re trying to steal my delivery, aren''t you!?" "I will never... forgive such behavior!" In the next instant, sharp feline claws sprouted from "Kirara''s" hands. With a swift pounce, she lunged straight at Tartaglia! Tartaglia reacted quickly, but his chest was still slashed open, leaving several deep wounds... A dreadful premonition filled his mind¡ªif he didn''t go all out right now, he would die here. "Delusion Unleashed..." "Foul Legacy: The Devouring Deep!" However, "Kirara" didn''t give Tartaglia the chance. Felines were already incredibly agile creatures, and "Kirara" was originally a yokai to begin with... Now, with the enhancement of eerie power, her speed had reached an unfathomable level! With the sickening sound of flesh being torn apart, her claws flashed¡ªbefore Tartaglia could even complete his transformation, he was shredded into pieces, his body cut into chunks of meat that dropped one by one onto the ground... "AHHHH!!!!" Seeing this horrific scene, Paimon screamed, covering her eyes as she hid behind Aether... Aether, drenched in sweat, stared in absolute terror, his clothes already soaked through... So this is what Su Yuan meant when he said, "Don''t fight the Eerie head-on. Use the Eerie to defeat the Eerie." "Kirara''s" feline claws were still dripping with Tartaglia''s fresh blood as she slowly approached Aether... The next moment, Aether felt a sharp pain in his neck¡ªthen, the world began to spin... His final gaze turned to the sky. Wasn''t it just raining? Why did the sky suddenly clear up? Oh... It must have been Su Yuan working together with Neuvillette just now... But according to Su Yuan, dispersing rain and clouds consumes a tremendous amount of energy. He can probably only do it once a day... Now that Neuvillette has returned to normal, who else is left to deal with "Kirara"? "Lumine... I''m sorry..." "I broke my promise..." "I can''t... reunite with you... again..." In his final moments, Aether murmured softly... --------------- Exclusive access : 117ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 66: Ch 66 : Eerie Paimon? Chapter 66 - Ch 66 : Eerie Paimon? Paimon stared in a daze at Aether''s body lying in a pool of blood, and at the head dangling from "Kirara''s" hand... Huh? The Traveler... just died? Paimon had always known that the Traveler was a wanderer from another world, that one day, after reuniting with his sister, he would eventually leave Teyvat and embark on a new journey... Paimon had imagined countless times that, one day, she would have to bid him farewell... But never like this. Never in this moment. Never in this way. Sadness, anger, pain, shock, fear, regret¡ªan overwhelming mix of emotions flooded Paimon''s mind, her heart, her entire being... "Little Paimon, it''s your turn next~" "As long as I kill you, no one will ever know about the goods I''ve been transporting~" The cold voice of "Kirara" rang out as she slowly approached Paimon... "The Traveler is dead... The Traveler is dead... The Traveler is dead... The Traveler is dead... The Traveler is dead..." Paimon trembled all over, muttering the same phrase over and over... When "Kirara" reached Paimon''s side, Paimon suddenly lifted her head, eyes wide as she stared at "Kirara," then burst into laughter: "Hehehe... Hahahaha...!" "The Traveler... He''s dead! Ahahahaha!!!" "The starry sky of Teyvat is a lie. This world is a lie, too..." "This place... is hell!" "Look closely! The Traveler... The Traveler is already dead!!!" "This world is too cruel... It only magnifies suffering infinitely..." "There are too many things that don''t go the way we want... Watching the ones you care about die before your eyes while being utterly powerless to stop it..." "I refuse to accept this reality..." "A world without the Traveler... what meaning does it have...?" "Traveler... I will create a world where you exist!!!!!" In an instant, an overwhelming surge of power erupted from Paimon''s small body! One of these powers was a dark, crimson force, interwoven with a sinister aura¡ªthe eerie energy known to all... The other, however, was an unknown golden-orange radiance. Though its true nature was unclear, the sheer pressure it exuded was no less terrifying than the eerie energy itself... "Kirara" stared at this scene in utter shock. An inexplicable, suffocating fear gripped her... At this moment, Paimon wore a faint smile. Her eyes¡ªonce bright and innocent¡ªhad transformed into heterochromatic pupils. One was a deep, sunken black void, from which foul-smelling, crimson liquid continuously oozed... The other shimmered with a dazzling golden-orange light, so intense that it was nearly impossible to look at directly... By all logic, those consumed by eerie energy should become mindless and fearless... Yet, in this moment, "Kirara" felt nothing but terror. One thought dominated her mind¡ªrun! But could she escape? With nothing but a mere thought from Paimon, "Kirara''s" limbs were severed in an instant, leaving her collapsed on the ground, utterly helpless... Paimon slowly approached, grabbing "Kirara" by the ear and lifting her head as she spoke in an eerily calm voice: S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "For everything you did to the Traveler... I will make you experience pain a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times worse!" .............. "...Still a failure, huh?" Neuvillette gazed at the lifeless bodies of Chevreuse and Clorinde before him, momentarily at a loss for words. "If I had known... I should have stepped in myself from the start..." "That way... Clorinde wouldn''t have had to die in vain..." "You don''t need to blame yourself, Neuvillette," Su Yuan said. "Given the circumstances, there was nothing we could have done. The misjudgment in our assessment... part of that responsibility is mine as well." By now, Su Yuan was almost certain¡ªthe strength of one''s eerie transformation had a direct correlation with the intensity of their negative emotions... When the timeline resets, perhaps he could try using the Primordial Sea''s water to indirectly save Chevreuse''s father first... If that failed, then Neuvillette would have no choice but to take action himself. But just then, both Neuvillette and Su Yuan felt it¡ªjust outside the hospital, an overwhelming eruption of eerie energy surged forth, accompanied by an unknown force... "Neuvillette!" "Su Yuan!" They called out to each other simultaneously. "Let''s go!" Rushing downstairs to the hospital''s entrance, they were met with a gruesome sight¡ª The Traveler, already beheaded. And beside him, a pile of flesh so mangled it was impossible to tell who it had once been... However, from the scattered fragments of torn clothing, there was little doubt¡ªit was most likely Tartaglia. And not far from them¡ª Paimon, her entire body shrouded in eerie energy and that unknown power, was methodically ripping the flesh off "Kirara"¡ªwho had already been carved into nothing more than a cat-shaped meat stick¡ªpulling it apart strip by strip, as if peeling dried meat, performing a slow, agonizing death by a thousand cuts. Su Yuan and Neuvillette could both sense the eerie energy lingering on "Kirara"''s body... That made things quite clear¡ªsomeone must have given Kirara a bad review, causing her to undergo eerie transformation... Then, the eerie-fied Kirara had killed Tartaglia and Aether... And the trigger for Paimon''s eerie transformation was most likely Aether''s death... Su Yuan took a deep breath. In that case, the one character he had known who had always been in an eerie state¡ªthat figure might truly not have been Paimon... Aether had always believed in Paimon. Of course, in a game he had played before, there was one truth he had learned¡ªbeware of "Elysia-style traps"... TL note : Elysia is from Honkai Impact 3, since i don''t play Honkai so i don''t know what reference mean is this Lol, for the one whom play maybe you can share it with us. Not all white-haired or pink-haired characters are secretly dark inside. Not everyone who stays by your side, treats you well, and accompanies you through thick and thin must have some unspeakable agenda... But still¡ªthis golden-orange energy surrounding "Paimon" now... what exactly was it? "Neuvillette, cry," Su Yuan said, turning to look at him. "But... you already can''t dispel the rain and clouds a second time today," Neuvillette replied hesitantly. "It''s fine. If I try hard enough, I can manage one more time," Su Yuan said with a smirk. "A man failing after just once? No way." Su Yuan knew very well¡ªhe couldn''t actually do it a second time. But in order to put Neuvillette at ease and let him fight without hesitation, he had to lie for now. Besides, he was curious¡ªjust how powerful had Paimon become after her eerie transformation? "Alright." Neuvillette nodded, and dark clouds gathered once more. A gentle rain began to fall from the sky... Su Yuan swiftly adjusted his posture, kneeling down and bowing his head to the ground, making sure Neuvillette wouldn''t mistakenly target him... "Hehehe... Hahahaha... Heh..." "Neuvillette" turned to face "Paimon", letting out a strange, eerie, and chilling laugh. "I am Teyvat''s Ancient Dragon¡ªthe one and only ruler of this world!" "You show me no respect¡ªfine, you don''t bow down in reverence, I can tolerate that..." "But you actually dare to fly before me?" "You truly are... one of a kind. The first in all of history..." "Now... KNEEL!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 117ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 67: Ch 67 : Shh Chapter 67 - Ch 67 : Shh "Get on your knees..." "KNEEL!!!" As "Neuvillette" roared in fury, "Paimon" remained completely still, as if his command had no effect on her whatsoever... A look of confusion spread across "Neuvillette''s" face as he scrutinized "Paimon" once more. "Telling me to kneel?" "Paimon''s" voice rang out, utterly devoid of emotion, as cold as ice. "You''re the one who should kneel!" The very next moment¡ª THUD! With a resounding crash, Neuvillette''s knees slammed heavily into the ground. Su Yuan lifted his head and was stunned¡ªwhat was happening? Had eerie-fied Paimon really become this powerful? Even Neuvillette wasn''t her match?! "Impossible... This is absolutely impossible!!!" Neuvillette''s expression twisted in madness and disbelief. "I am the ruler of this world...!" "Why can you command me?! Why is my body obeying your words against my will?!" "You said it yourself," Paimon said coldly. "You''re nothing more than the so-called ''ruler'' of this world." "Do not interfere with my vengeance for the Traveler." "Goodbye, Dragon of Teyvat." The next instant¡ª Paimon raised a single finger and gently pointed at "Neuvillette." From her fingertip, a surge of dense golden-orange energy burst forth, shooting directly toward Neuvillette! sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And the moment that golden-orange force made contact with him¡ª Su Yuan could see it clearly¡ªNeuvillette''s body began to expand at an unnatural, visible rate, his entire form engulfed in thick, black and crimson smoke... Su Yuan could clearly feel it¡ªthe eerie power within Neuvillette was rapidly dissipating! And the moment that dark force completely vanished, Neuvillette seemed to regain his senses... He struggled to turn his head toward Su Yuan, as if he wanted to say something¡ª But no words came out. His body kept swelling, inflating like a balloon, expanding larger and larger¡ª Until, at its absolute limit¡ª "BOOM!" Right before Su Yuan''s eyes, Neuvillette exploded. Chunks of flesh and splatters of blood rained down on Su Yuan, covering his face and body. Su Yuan stood there, stunned. What... the hell just happened? "Paimon" was undoubtedly contaminated by eerie power... And yet, within her body... there was another force... That golden-orange energy¡ªit was overwhelming, absolute¡ªa natural counter to the eerie forces. Wasn''t this exactly the eerie''s natural nemesis he had been desperately searching for?! But why...? Why did "Paimon" possess this power? Su Yuan''s gaze locked onto her, burning this moment deep into his memory¡ªif he was going to die and reset, he had to remember every single detail of this force... It might just be the key to turning the tide next time. "Paimon! What is this golden-orange power of yours?!" Since he was doomed to die and reset anyway, there was nothing to lose¡ªso he shouted his question aloud. "Paimon" seemed to notice his gaze and his voice. She turned toward him, smiling softly. Then, she raised a single finger to her lips and¡ª "Shh." And in the very next instant¡ª Su Yuan lost consciousness. ............... Su Yuan''s eyes snapped open¡ªthat familiar, heart-pounding sensation surged through him again... Feeling the sharp pain in his left palm, he immediately realized¡ª He had died once more. Still lying in bed, Su Yuan lifted his left hand and looked at his palm¡ª And what he saw left him confused and utterly shocked. "W-What...? This has never happened before...!" There, scrawled in messy handwriting, were the following words: [This is your first death today, but it also counts as your third.] The very first sentence already threw Su Yuan into confusion. His usual death-loop allowed a minimum of four resets per day¡ªbut now, one death had somehow consumed three lives?! Didn''t that mean he only had one guaranteed reset left for the entire day? And it made sense¡ªif this had been his first death, the writing should have been neater, more controlled. But now...? This writing was already a little rushed and messy, as if this version of himself had already died multiple times before. Just what the hell happened in the last loop...? How did he burn through three entire lives in one go? Su Yuan forced himself to calm down and continued reading: [Chevreuse''s father is currently being treated at the hospital¡ªhis condition is extremely unstable.] [If he dies, Chevreuse will undergo permanent eerie transformation.] [To be safe, you can use Primodial Sea Water to revert him into a Oceanid.] [If this method fails, have Neuvillette take direct action.] [Under these special circumstances, Clorinde is NOT a match for Chevreuse.] [Additionally, ???????????...] [Beware of ???????????...] [??????????...] [????????...] The last few lines were completely unreadable, blurred into an indecipherable mess. It was as if something had actively erased the information¡ª Or worse... As if something was preventing him from knowing the truth. Su Yuan stared in shock at the second half of the message in his palm. What did these black square gibberish characters mean? The death reset and palm prompt were supposed to be his special golden finger ability, but now, could someone interfere with it? Had important information been hidden or erased? "Forget it, thinking too much about it won''t get me anywhere. I need to hurry and find Neuvillette, and go to Chevreuse''s father''s side!" .............. Chevreuse sat on the edge of the bed, holding her father, Mr. Donatello''s hand, and asked with concern, "Father, do you feel any better?" Mr. Donatello gently touched Chevreuse''s face and replied, "Don''t worry, I feel much better now. Nurse Sigewinne''s treatment really worked wonders..." "If I hadn''t suddenly tripped last night, I wouldn''t have ended up in the hospital." "Chevreuse, it''s me, Su Yuan, Neuvillette, and Clorinde. We''re here to visit Mr. Donatello!" Su Yuan and the others arrived at the hospital room. Just downstairs, Su Yuan had run into Clorinde by chance, and he knew that Aether was in the room downstairs, though still unconscious. Su Yuan looked at Mr. Donatello, lying in the bed¡ªhis complexion seemed quite decent... But since the palm prompt had said so, there must be some reason behind it. "Chevreuse, could you step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you," Su Yuan said. Chevreuse nodded and followed Su Yuan out of the room. "Su Yuan, does what you want to say have to do with my father?" "Eh? How did you know?" "It''s just a daughter''s intuition..." "Alright." Su Yuan nodded and said, "Since we''ve been through life and death together, I won''t beat around the bush. I''ll get straight to the point." "I want to do what Mules and Silver did, use the Primodial Sea Water and pour it over your father''s body..." Su Yuan carefully uttered these words while also looking at Chevreuse''s face. Such a statement would undoubtedly be very cruel for any child who respects and deeply loves their father. However, Chevreuse''s reaction surprised Su Yuan. She smiled faintly and said, "Alright." "My father''s pain has lasted for many years now. If turning him back into a Oceanid can eliminate this suffering, it might not be such a bad thing." Chevreuse looked up at Su Yuan, tears inadvertently falling from the corner of her eyes... "And you and Neuvillette promised, right? Turning someone back into a Oceanid doesn''t mean death, and it certainly doesn''t mean we won''t meet again..." "Right?" --------------- Exclusive access : 120ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 68: Ch 68 : The truth that cannot be spoken Chapter 68 - Ch 68 : The truth that cannot be spoken "Actually, I am well aware that my Eerie transformation is a condition that can be easily controlled..." Chevreuse slowly spoke. "As long as you control my father, with Nurse Sigewinne''s medical skills, you can easily make him fall unconscious and easily wake him up again." "Using my father as the switch for my Eerie transformation would be an easy task for you." "But you never mentioned this, and instead, you''ve provided a lot of help to take care of my father." Su Yuan: ??? What she said makes sense, but I really never thought about it that way! First, it would involve involving unrelated people, and second, it would indirectly limit freedom and harm others. "However, while I agree with this, I need to ask my father''s opinion," Chevreuse said. Su Yuan nodded in understanding. This is similar to euthanasia¡ªrequiring the person''s consent before execution, and no one else can make this decision for them. ........ Aether suddenly opened his eyes, and what greeted him was a familiar yet unfamiliar ceiling... He was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, looking extremely nervous... "Ah! Traveler, you''re finally awake!" Paimon hurriedly came to the bedside, asking with concern. "That''s great, Traveler! I knew with your body and will, there''s no way you''d just collapse here!" Tartaglia also spoke, smiling. "Traveler, now that you''re awake, I can finally relax." Kirara also showed a relieved expression and was about to leave. "I need to hurry and deliver my packages!" Aether touched his neck with both hands, confirming that his head was still connected to his body... He couldn''t believe what he was seeing... Hadn''t he been killed by the eerie Kirara before? And Tartaglia as well. Why were they all still alive now? Moreover, the scene in front of him was the same as when he was injured by an eerie hilichurl and later woke up in the hospital, wasn''t it? Had time reversed? And he still retained his memories... "Kirara!" Aether urgently shouted, "You can''t go deliver packages!" Kirara, who was about to climb out the window, looked at Aether in confusion and said, "Why, Traveler? A lot of my packages are already overdue. I have to deliver them right away!" Aether realized he had to come clean with everyone. Otherwise, if they weren''t fully aware of everything, they would remain defenseless. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kirara, listen to me! I think I died once before! But now I''ve come back with my memories!" Aether had intended to say this, but when the words came out... "Kirara, listen to me! I think I died once before! I died from your beauty!" Kirara: ??? Paimon: ??? Tartaglia: ??? Even Aether himself had a very strange expression... What was going on? How could what he thought and what he said be completely different? "Kirara, let me say it again. What I meant to express is that there''s an evil force called the Eerie in this world, and we all might be controlled by it!" But what came out was... "Kirara, let me say it again. What I meant to express is that there are perfect individuals in this world, and that''s you. So, when will you marry me?" Kirara''s two tails instantly stood up, and her face turned bright red as she stuttered, "T-Travelers, w-what are you talking about..." Tartaglia laughed from the side, saying, "Traveler, why are you so skilled at this? Doesn''t it feel embarrassing to say these things? How many girls have you said this to?" "Tartaglia, it''s not like that. You were also killed by the Eerie Kirara before, in order to save me!" Aether hurriedly explained to Tartaglia, but what came out was... "Tartaglia, it''s not like that. You, heartbreaker, when are you going to truly enter my heart to put out the fire?" Tartaglia: ??? Aether felt like he was losing his mind. Was there something preventing him from saying the truth? Could he write it down instead? So, Aether asked Paimon for paper and a pen, wanting to write: [Listen to me, it feels like something is restricting me. I can''t say what I want to say...] But what he wrote on the paper was: [Listen to me, I feel like something has captivated me... and that''s your damn charm...] Everyone, including Aether himself: ??? Aether gave up, broke down, and felt desperate. He realized that some mysterious force seemed to be preventing him from speaking the truth or expressing himself. "Traveler, have you lost your mind, or is your head injured?" Paimon asked, looking puzzled. "The things you''re saying, why do they sound so abstract?" "Traveler, you should really rest! There''s no time left, I really need to go deliver this package!" Kirara said, then transformed into her catbox form and leaped out the window. "Tartaglia, help me out. Follow Kirara, and if anyone tries to leave a bad review for her service, make sure to stop them!" Aether anxiously told Tartaglia, but this time, the words came out normally. Though Tartaglia didn''t understand why Aether said that, seeing his worried expression, he nodded and said, "Alright, Traveler, I understand." After Tartaglia said that, he too climbed out the window. Aether thought for a moment. Could it be that as long as it didn''t involve the Eerie, being rewind with memories, or restrictions, he could speak normally? Why did he have this ability to be rewind with memories, but couldn''t tell anyone about it? Had he never died before, so he never knew? Or was all of this related to Su Yuan? Aether recalled his previous memories, and now that it was this late, he should be meeting Su Yuan soon... Also, wasn''t someone missing? Last time, wasn''t Clorinde in his room? Could it be that because he was rewind with memories, something in this world changed? Just then, the door to his hospital room was knocked twice and opened. Neuvillette, Chevreuse, Clorinde, and Su Yuan appeared at the door of the hospital room. "Aether, hello!" Su Yuan greeted Aether with a smile. "Nice to meet you, my name is Su Yuan..." "Tiramisu''s Su, ruined wall''s Yuan..." Aether instinctively responded. Su Yuan looked puzzled. Aether actually interrupted and completed his own introduction? Su Yuan turned to Clorinde, wondering if she had told him. Clorinde, sensing Su Yuan''s gaze, shook her head and said, "I didn''t say anything. When I first met him, he was already unconscious from an injury." --------------- Exclusive access : 120ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 69: Ch 69 : The calm before the storm Chapter 69 - Ch 69 : The calm before the storm Su Yuan and Aether continued their conversation, discussing information and intelligence regarding the Eerie. However, as Su Yuan observed Aether''s remarkably calm expression, he couldn''t help but feel a bit puzzled... Everything they were discussing was explosive information, yet Aether remained so composed. Should he say it was expected of the protagonist? He truly remained unfazed no matter the situation! Moreover, he had even preemptively stated the meaning of Su Yuan''s name earlier, as if he had foreseen everything... "So, in order to prevent Chevreuse from falling into a permanent Eerie state, and with the consent of both her and her father, we sprinkled the Primordial Sea''s water on him, dissolving him and turning him back into an Oceanid..." Su Yuan noticed that Aether''s expression changed slightly as he said this, so he continued: "Because right now, we don''t have a clear answer regarding the exact conditions of Chevreuse''s Eerie transformation. Our preliminary judgment is that it''s triggered by her beloved father losing consciousness and falling into a coma..." "But fortunately, after Donatello dissolved, Chevreuse didn''t show any abnormalities... This also proves one thing¡ªthose who are dissolved by the Primordial Sea''s water and revert to Oceanids not only do not die, but there''s also a high probability that they retain their consciousness." In fact, Su Yuan had already anticipated this. If those who reverted to Oceanids completely lost their consciousness, then how did Mules and Silver stand up to protect Navia in the original events? "I''ve already asked Tartaglia to follow Kirara and prevent anyone from giving her a bad review." Aether spoke up, and this statement once again caught Su Yuan off guard. Why did Aether sound as if he had foreseen the future? "Aether... do you know something?" Su Yuan narrowed his eyes and looked at Aether with a suspicious expression. "Yes, Su Yuan." Aether nodded with certainty. "I know that I really like you... so much that I can''t help myself..." Su Yuan: ??? Had Aether been beaten silly by an Eerie hilichurl? Or had he already been corrupted by the Eerie? Why else would he be saying such abstract things... Meanwhile, Aether wore an expression of utter despair. He didn''t want to speak anymore. He didn''t want to explain anything. The more he tried to explain, the worse the misunderstanding became... and the harder it was to clear things up. ............ "Lord Duke, this visit has been most rewarding." Kamisato Ayato smiled as he firmly shook Wriothesley''s hand. Wriothesley also wore a faint smile as he glanced at the exquisitely decorated small box in Ayato''s hand. "I hope that the gift I''ve prepared for Her Excellency will be to her liking." "Haha, don''t worry, Lord Duke." Kamisato Ayato let out a hearty laugh, but he quickly realized he shouldn''t have laughed like that. Regaining his usual composure, he continued calmly, "Her Excellency the Shogun will certainly like this gift." The Inazuman delegation accompanying Kamisato Ayato looked at the scene with some confusion, whispering among themselves: "What''s going on here? Have you ever seen the clan head laugh like that before?" "And weren''t we here for a diplomatic exchange? Why are we leaving in less than an hour?" "Yeah, according to the plan, we were supposed to learn medical techniques from Head Nurse Sigewinne, but I haven''t seen her at all." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stop talking, stop talking. The clan head must have his reasons for his arrangements!" "Besides, we don''t know if there are spies among us placed by the clan head. Be careful not to get yourselves into trouble by saying too much!" "Head Clan Kamisato, since you''ve come all the way to Fontaine, have you considered paying a visit to Neuvillette and Furina?" Wriothesley looked at Kamisato Ayato and spoke slowly. "No need for that. My visit to Fontaine this time is not an official one, so there''s no need to trouble them." Kamisato Ayato replied with a smile. "Since I''ve achieved my goal, I shall take my leave now." "Take care." Wriothesley gave a slight wave, bidding farewell to Kamisato Ayato. After Kamisato Ayato and the Inazuman delegation left Meropide Fortress, Wriothesley turned to his subordinates and instructed: "I''m heading to the Court of Fontaine." "As for Head Nurse Sigewinne, there''s no need to look for her anymore..." "She submitted her resignation to me yesterday¡ªpermanently." His subordinates listened with puzzled expressions, especially the nurses from the infirmary. Just this morning, they had still seen Head Nurse Sigewinne at the medical ward... ................. "Knock¡ªknock¡ªknock..." Kirara knocked on the door, her voice carrying a hint of urgency as she called out: "Sir, your delivery has arrived. Please open the door and sign for it!" Before long, the door opened, and the person inside frowned as they spoke: "You''re Kirara, the top courier of Komaniya Express?" Glancing at the slightly damaged package in her hands, the person took it and muttered, "It''s bad enough that it arrived late, but even the package itself is damaged?" "Yes, that''s right, it''s me." Kirara nodded anxiously before immediately bowing and apologizing, "I sincerely apologize! Your package was delayed, and the outer packaging is also slightly damaged!" "I''ve heard about Komaniya Express before, but this is actually my first time using your service. And judging by this experience... it''s nothing impressive," the person said, frowning. "You''ve left a very, very bad first impression." "I''m sorry... I''m truly sorry! This was entirely my fault!" "No matter how many times you apologize, it won''t change anything. I need compensation for my losses, and I absolutely must leave a bad review for both you and Komaniya Exp¡ª" Before the words "bad review" could leave his mouth, he suddenly felt a warm, yet unsettling gaze settle upon him... Tartaglia appeared behind Kirara and spoke up, "Sir, may I ask what your package contained and how much it was worth in Mora?" "Mr. Tartaglia? What are you doing here?" Kirara was startled to see him suddenly behind her. "It''s just some incense from Inazuma," the man replied, though he seemed unsure of Tartaglia''s identity. "Not expensive, only about 10,000 Mora." "10,000 Mora, huh..." Tartaglia nodded thoughtfully before reaching into his pocket, pulling out a check, and handing it to the man. "My apologies, I don''t have 10,000 Mora in cash on me. But this is a bearer check from the Northland Bank. You can cash it at any Northland Bank branch across Teyvat." The man stared at the check in confusion, only to see the withdrawal amount written on it¡ª1,000,000 Mora. Tartaglia had just activated his wealth ability. "T-This check... it''s not... fake, is it?" The man stared in disbelief at the check in his hands. "Fake?" Tartaglia gave him another friendly smile, his gaze settling on the man. "Do you think I have any reason to deceive you?" And thus, a rumor soon spread across Teyvat¡ªwhenever a package delivered by Komaniya Express'' top courier, Kirara, was delayed or damaged, the recipient would receive 100 times the package''s value in compensation... --------------- Exclusive access : 123ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 70: Ch 70 : The Isolated Kirara Chapter 70 - Ch 70 : The Isolated Kirara "Mr. Tartaglia, why did you do that...?" Kirara couldn''t understand Tartaglia''s actions. "Even if we had to compensate for all the damaged packages, it wouldn''t have cost this much..." "It was the Traveler who asked me to do this," Tartaglia replied with a smile. "He probably feels guilty because, due to him, your deliveries were delayed and damaged." "So he specifically asked me to make sure no one left you a bad review." "It''s just a few bad reviews, it''s not like I''m that fragile..." Kirara said. "But, Tartaglia, you spent so much money for me, I really feel bad about it..." "It''s fine. All expenses and costs for us Fatui Harbingers are covered by ''Regrator''¡ªPantalone." "As his title suggests, that guy is very rich. A mere million Mora is nothing to him." After that, Tartaglia accompanied Kirara as she delivered the rest of her packages one by one. Some of the recipients were Kirara''s regular customers, so they understood her situation and had no intention of giving bad reviews. But for those who did want to leave a bad review, the moment they saw Tartaglia''s kind gaze, they all ended up giving her a good rating instead. Tartaglia couldn''t understand it¡ªhis expression was clearly warm and friendly, so why did they all seem so afraid of him...? Even when he offered them money as compensation, none of them dared to accept it. Finally, Kirara and Tartaglia arrived at the last delivery stop¡ªChiori''s Boutique. Once this final package was delivered, Kirara would finally be able to take a short break. "Chiori, I''m here!" The moment Chiori saw Kirara, she couldn''t help but say, "Well, I''ll be damned¡ªdid you get into a fight with some Specter on the way? Why are you so dirty?" But when she noticed the bloodstains on the package Kirara was carrying, her expression shifted to concern. "Kirara, what''s with the blood on your package? Are you hurt?" "It''s nothing, Chiori! I''m not injured. I just had to transport a wounded person along the way..." Kirara scratched her head and explained. "But some of your fabrics might be slightly damaged or stained with blood..." "Forget it, that''s a minor issue. As long as you''re okay, that''s what matters," Chiori said. Hearing this, Tartaglia, who had been standing beside them, nodded slightly and let out a sigh of relief. It seemed that he had perfectly completed the Traveler''s request¡ªno one had left Kirara a bad review. But in the next moment, Chiori continued, "That being said, Kirara, even if you encountered an emergency, you could have handled things better." "For example, you could have added extra layers of packaging around the fabric and placed it in a sturdier box. That way, this wouldn''t have happened." "So... I''m still giving you a bad review! I hope you''ll keep improving." "Of course, I won''t write it down in the delivery feedback form¡ªthis is just my personal, verbal, private bad review. Think of it as motivation for you to do better." "Mhm, mhm, I understand, Chiori!" Kirara nodded eagerly. Tartaglia was momentarily stunned. Why is this Miss Chiori playing by her own rules? Doesn''t this mean all my efforts just went to waste...? Although he still didn''t understand why the Traveler didn''t want anyone to give Kirara a bad review, Tartaglia couldn''t shake the feeling that there was some hidden reason behind it... "Kirara, since I''ve received my goods, I have some matters to attend to as well. I won''t be keeping you two any longer," Chiori said. "Alright, Chiori! Actually, Mr. Tartaglia and I also have some things to take care of, so let''s part ways here," Kirara responded. But in reality, despite saying their goodbyes, once they stepped out of Chiori''s shop, they all ended up walking in the same direction. "Kirara, let me ask¡ªwhere exactly are you headed?" Chiori suddenly asked. "The hospital. We have a friend who''s injured and currently hospitalized¡ªit''s the one I carried earlier," Kirara replied. "What a coincidence, I''m also heading to the hospital. Looks like we don''t have to part ways just yet¡ªwe''re going the same way!" ............ When Kirara, Chiori, and Tartaglia returned to the Traveler''s hospital room, they found that there were many people inside. "You''re back," the Traveler raised his hand in greeting. "No one gave Kirara a bad review, right?" "Traveler, why do you care so much about whether anyone gave me a bad review?" Kirara asked in confusion. "Traveler, I didn''t complete the task you gave me," Tartaglia said with some helplessness. "This Miss Chiori still gave Kirara a private bad review..." "Miss Chiori..." The Traveler looked at Chiori, who was standing behind Kirara and Tartaglia. The last time Kirara had been controlled by something eerie, the head of the person who had given her a bad review didn''t include Chiori... "Everyone! Quickly stay away from Kirara!" The first to react was Su Yuan, who shouted anxiously. "Kirara has been controlled by something eerie!" "Clorinde, evacuate the hospital!" Neuvillette also spoke up. Upon hearing Su Yuan''s words, Chiori immediately backed away from Kirara, while Tartaglia was still somewhat confused about what was happening. "Eerie? Controlled?" The Traveler shouted at Tartaglia, "Listen to Su Yuan, stay away from Kirara!" Seeing the Traveler''s serious expression, Tartaglia glanced once more at Kirara. From their reaction, it seemed like Kirara had been controlled by some evil force, but he hadn''t felt anything strange about her when he was near her... Tartaglia had been through many battles and hardships in the Abyss, so he was quite sensitive to dark forces. But right now, he didn''t feel anything wrong with Kirara... However, seeing everyone around him on high alert, Tartaglia began to doubt his own judgment and ultimately decided to stay away from Kirara... Faced with the sudden actions of the others, Kirara looked even more panicked: "Eerie? Controlled? What are you all talking about?" "Hmph~ Eerie, stop pretending. We''ve already seen through you," Su Yuan sneered. He hadn''t expected that, even at this point, Kirara¡ªcontrolled by something eerie¡ªwas still pretending! Could it be because there were too many unrelated people around? sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She didn''t want to reveal her true nature yet. Just a moment ago, Neuvillette had already instructed Clorinde to evacuate the hospital crowd. The fact that the eerie presence didn''t want to reveal itself was actually a good thing for them; it could help avoid unnecessary casualties. "Hey... can someone please tell me what''s going on?" Kirara asked with a helpless look, turning to Chiori. "Chiori, what''s happening? Why is everyone suddenly isolating me?" Chiori also frowned slightly. Su Yuan''s words had made her realize that the condition for Kirara''s eerie transformation might have been triggered by receiving a bad review. Although she had inadvertently given Kirara a verbal bad review, she hadn''t felt any changes in her behavior... Chiori even began to wonder if Su Yuan had made some kind of mistake... --------------- Exclusive access : 123ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 71: Ch 71 : The truth behind Kirara’s eerie transformation Chapter 71 - Ch 71 : The truth behind Kirara''s eerie transformation "Lord Neuvillette, the people in the hospital have been fully evacuated..." At that moment, Clorinde reported back. "But why, even at this stage... is the eerily controlled Kirara still not revealing her true form?" Aether murmured thoughtfully to himself. Then, to his surprise, he realized that he had successfully spoken the word "eerie" without it transforming into strange, distorted speech... Could it be that once others became aware of this truth, he was no longer restricted when saying it aloud? S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tears shimmered in Kirara''s eyes as she clutched her head, covering her ears, trembling in the corner. Even Chiori started to feel a pang of guilt. She turned to Su Yuan and said, "Su Yuan, could it be that you were wrong about the conditions for Kirara''s eerie transformation...?" "From what I see, this Kirara is still the real Kirara..." "But eerie entities can disguise themselves..." Chevreuse, though equally puzzled, still voiced her concern. "But Kirara is such a simple-minded person¡ªhow could she possibly disguise herself so flawlessly that I can''t detect anything?" Chiori questioned in confusion. Su Yuan was also struggling to make sense of the situation. Logically speaking, with no one else around, if Kirara had been possessed and was only pretending, she should have already revealed her true nature by now... Su Yuan carefully recalled the rule about Kirara: [14. If you give Kirara''s delivery service a bad review, something bad might happen...] He quickly noticed a key detail he had previously overlooked¡ª "Might"? The word "might" itself implied uncertainty. If this was truly the condition for Kirara''s eerie transformation, then it should have been explicitly stated, rather than using such vague and ambiguous wording... Instead, it should have been stated more directly: [If you give Kirara''s delivery service a bad review, then Kirara will no longer be Kirara...] This is similar to how Chevreuse''s rule hint worked¡ªnot explicitly clear, but something that had to be deduced and discovered! For example, Chevreuse pointing her gun downward wasn''t the condition for eerie transformation¡ªit was a symptom of already being transformed! "Kirara''s eerie transformation isn''t triggered just by receiving a bad review!" After a moment of deep thought, Su Yuan suddenly spoke loudly, startling everyone! "A bad review is just a catalyst¡ªthere must be a deeper reason behind it!" "I knew it! Look at her¡ªthere''s no way Kirara is being controlled by an eerie entity right now..." Chiori said, stepping forward, intending to comfort Kirara. Everyone started to lower their guard. If even Su Yuan was saying this, then there really shouldn''t be any problem... But in the next instant, something completely unexpected happened! A surge of eerie energy erupted from Kirara''s body, and the claws that had suddenly grown from her hands lunged straight for Chiori''s heart! Chiori stared in disbelief at Kirara''s now grotesquely twisted face, then looked down at her own chest¡ªwhere sharp claws had pierced through, blood gushing out... Su Yuan stared at the scene in shock, unable to comprehend¡ªhad he misjudged the situation? Ever since receiving Chiori''s bad review, had Kirara been under the eerie entity''s control the entire time...? Had everything she just did¡ªall of it¡ªbeen nothing more than an act? "I love human cities. I love being with humans..." "But why do you insist on rejecting me? Denying me?" "I tried so hard..." "Kirara" spoke slowly, withdrawing her bloodstained hand from Chiori''s chest. Chiori collapsed into a pool of blood, motionless... Su Yuan''s mind raced, rapidly piecing together everything about Kirara. Kirara was a nekomata¡ªa cat yokai. She loved the scenery of human cities, loved the sound of human laughter, and wanted to blend in with them... Her job as a courier had actually been recommended by that pink-haired fox from the Grand Narukami Shrine... "If you want to integrate into human society, you need to have a normal job like them. That''s the most important thing." That was what the pink-haired fox had told her... And suddenly, it all clicked in Su Yuan''s mind. Kirara''s eerie transformation wasn''t triggered simply by receiving a bad review on her deliveries¡ªit was about her own sense of identity and self-worth... If someone gave her a bad review and shattered her confidence, making her feel like she wasn''t fit for the job, then that also meant she couldn''t integrate into human society... And that was what could push her into eerie transformation! Chiori and Kirara had a good relationship, and her so-called "bad review" had only been a playful, offhand remark. Kirara hadn''t taken it to heart, which meant she truly hadn''t undergone eerie transformation before... But after what he had just done¡ªforcing everyone to stand on guard against her, isolating her¡ªhe had likely filled her with fear and anxiety, making her feel like she could never belong among humans... And that was what finally pushed her over the edge. Now that he had a general understanding of the conditions, how could he possibly turn "Kirara" back to normal? Subjective conditions like this were the hardest to deal with, because they wouldn''t change simply based on objective facts... That meant the only real solution was to avoid triggering the conditions for eerie transformation in the first place, rather than hoping to reverse it after it had already happened. Or... could it be possible to convince eerie-transformed Kirara that integrating with humans and coexisting peacefully was still possible? But as Su Yuan thought about it, that seemed incredibly difficult... It was like trying to reason with a madman¡ªno matter how well you spoke, no matter how convincing your argument, would they even listen? Those under the control of eerie entities became deranged, ruthless, and nearly impossible to communicate with. Persuasion alone wouldn''t work. Unless... you had overwhelming strength¡ªenough to make the eerie entity obediently listen. Eerie-transformed Neuvillette did have that kind of power, but all he ever did after subduing people was stand there and talk nonsense... Su Yuan sighed inwardly. This was going to be tough... Chiori was already dead. There was no avoiding another rewind this time. "Clorinde, challenge Kirara to a duel..." Su Yuan said. Clorinde hesitated. "Even though Chiori is already... shouldn''t we at least try to save Kirara?" "I have my own way of saving her. Just do it." Seeing the determination in Su Yuan''s expression, Clorinde nodded. Su Yuan knew¡ªthis was his last stable rollback opportunity today. If possible, he even wanted to wait until nightfall before triggering it... Up until now, every rewind had seemed to return him to a relatively safe environment. But he also feared that there might be a time span limit on the rewind¡ªwhat if it only went back up to six hours at most? If that were true, then if he waited until nightfall to rewind, Chiori''s death would become an irreversible reality... The timing of this rewind was a tough decision to make. More than anything, it was because he had no room for error left today. --------------- Exclusive access : 126ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 72: Ch 72 : Wriothesley’s Smile Chapter 72 - Ch 72 : Wriothesley''s Smile Su Yuan felt that, in the end, he was simply too weak... As a weakling, he should have the awareness of one¡ªhe should be far more cautious in everything he did. In all that free time over the past few days, why had he wasted it wandering around Fontaine, indulging in food and leisure, instead of training his body? Why hadn''t he sought out Wriothesley to learn boxing? Why hadn''t he asked Chevreuse to teach him how to handle a gunlance? He had become too reliant on his rewind ability. At first, when he thought he had infinite rewind, he figured it didn''t matter if he was weak early on¡ªjust like "Subaru"¡ªsince he had endless chances to correct his mistakes. Besides, his rewind didn''t retain memories, only leaving behind the engraved hints on his palm... But later, when he realized that the number of rewind per day was limited, he had felt some pressure. Still, there were rarely situations where he actually ran out of rewind. Yet today''s unexpected events had filled him with an inexplicable fear... Dying once now consumed three rewind charges. His engraved hints could even be erased due to some unknown factor... If that mysterious existence could erase all his hints or drain all his rewinds at once¡ª Then what difference would there be between him and someone with only one life? Su Yuan lifted his gaze, turning toward the battle between "Clorinde" and "Kirara"... Kirara might be a nekomata¡ªa yokai¡ªbut despite her eerie transformation giving her enhanced speed and attack power, she still wasn''t a skilled fighter. She was too young, nowhere near the level of ancient yokai that had lived for centuries. Meanwhile, Clorinde¡ªone of the strongest warriors among humans¡ªshould have been overwhelming Kirara even in her eerie-transformed state. And yet... They seemed evenly matched. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Could it be that Kirara''s eerie transformation was fueled by intense negative emotions¡ªcaused by the betrayal and isolation from those she trusted¡ªmaking her even stronger than expected? "Su Yuan, do you need us to step in?" Neuvillette looked at him. Su Yuan shook his head. "No rush, let''s watch for now..." "Traveler, what exactly is going on?" Tartaglia and Paimon turned to Aether, their faces filled with confusion. Aether then explained the eerie phenomena to them. As time passed, "Kirara" gradually began to fall behind. Her body was covered in cuts and wounds from the battle. Glaring fiercely at "Clorinde," she roared: "We are the same kind! Why must you fight me???" "Why don''t we work together and wipe out those foolish humans instead?" "Same kind? Humans? None of that matters." "Clorinde" spoke coldly. "All I know is that you are my duel opponent, and that is enough." "A duel must have a winner. Either you kill me, or I kill you¡ªthere is no stopping otherwise." "You forced me into this..." "Kirara" growled viciously as her body began to twist and expand rapidly, transforming into a massive cat box form! Then, "Kirara" opened her giant, bloodstained maw¡ªand swallowed Clorinde whole! Everyone was shocked at the sight. With Clorinde''s speed, she should have been able to dodge effortlessly... However, in the very next moment, brilliantly sharp sword auras and eerie-infused blade flashes erupted from within "Kirara''s" massive cat box body¡ªripping through her abdomen and torso! "Kirara" immediately showed an expression of immense shock and pain, and in the next moment, her entire body shattered and exploded! Clorinde, covered in blood, stood in the middle of the battlefield. She slowly spoke, "How foolish... swallowing a living creature that poses a threat is nothing but asking for your own death." "This duel... I won." Clorinde closed her eyes, slowly sheathed her sword, and the eerie aura around her disappeared as well... Then, Clorinde opened her eyes and looked down at the blood on her hands and body. She glanced at the scattered pieces of Kirara''s remains nearby, her brows furrowed slightly, her teeth clenched tightly, showing a look of regret and sorrow. Although she wasn''t sure exactly what had happened, she knew that all of this was done by her own hand. "Farewell, Kirara..." Su Yuan, watching this scene, also felt a heavy weight in his heart... Next time, I''ll definitely save Chiori and Kirara! But now, one thing was certain: Clorinde''s condition for overcoming her eerie transformation was indeed to kill her duel opponent... This condition was actually quite practical, especially against monsters controlled by the eerie power in the future. In those cases, there would be no need for any mercy, and Clorinde could fully exert her strength... With the matter here temporarily settled, Su Yuan shifted his gaze to Chiori''s body and Tartaglia. Now, these two were the uncertain factors. No, Paimon should count as one too... As for Aether, I''m not sure if it counts... There''s still no clear clue about the conditions for their eerie transformations... Navia''s condition for eerie transformation is related to Mules and Silver, but those two have now reverted to Oceanid, so Navia should no longer be susceptible to eerie transformation because of them. Similarly, Chevreuse would no longer easily fall into eerie transformation. As for Wriothesley and Sigewinne, their conditions for eerie transformation are relatively clear. Wriothesley may seem a bit erratic, but he is still someone reliable and trustworthy. If he says he won''t drink tea, even if he wants to, he definitely won''t drink it. Perhaps noticing Su Yuan''s gaze, Tartaglia spoke up: "If I had a condition for eerie transformation, it would probably be related to my family." "If Tonia, Anthon, and Teucer were hurt, I don''t think I could handle it..." "Of course, it could also be something related to battle..." "For me... it''s probably about not being able to eat delicious food?" Paimon mused. "No, no, it should be related to the Traveler! If he were to leave me unexpectedly, I definitely wouldn''t be able to handle that..." "For me, it''s definitely related to my sister..." Aether also spoke up. As the group continued discussing, footsteps were heard from outside the hospital room, and the door opened... It was Wriothesley. "I told you, we''ve already evacuated the crowd from the hospital, so how could anyone still be here? Oh, it''s Duke Wriothesley." Chevreuse spoke up. "Haha..." Wriothesley laughed and said, "Hello, everyone~" Su Yuan felt that something was off. Was this really how Wriothesley spoke? Then, Wriothesley approached Neuvillette, who furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Wriothesley, why are you the only one here? Where''s Sigewinne?" "Neuvillette, you''ll see Sigewinne very soon..." Wriothesley smiled faintly and said slowly. "Neuvillette! Danger!!!" Su Yuan shouted, but it was still too late... --------------- Exclusive access : 126ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 73: Ch 73 : Tartaglia’s Final Battle Chapter 73 - Ch 73 : Tartaglia''s Final Battle "Wriothesley" quickly struck with a punch imbued with eerie energy, landing heavily on Neuvillette''s chest and creating a large hole that pierced through from front to back. Immediately after, "Wriothesley" followed up with a left hook that obliterated half of Neuvillette''s head, sending blood and brain matter flying. All of this happened in a fraction of a second, and no one had time to react before Neuvillette collapsed into a pool of blood, lifeless. "Neuvillette, I know your coordination with that kid Su Yuan is impressive, so I had to take care of you first..." "Wriothesley" showed a chilling smile as he looked at Neuvillette''s lifeless body. "Although you have the powerful physique of an sovereign dragon, with a hole in your chest and head, you can''t survive, right?" Su Yuan stared in disbelief at the scene before him... When did Wriothesley get controlled by the eerie energy? If he didn''t want tea, could anyone force him to drink it? Where is Sigewinne? Is she already...? "Wriothesley! Fight me!" Clorinde''s face was serious as she swiftly stepped forward, unsheathing her sword and speaking. "I refuse." "I concede." "Wriothesley" and Clorinde spoke almost simultaneously. Clorinde was momentarily stunned, standing there in a daze. She didn''t feel the eerie power within her trying to take control of her body... "Hehehe... Hahaha... Heh..." "Wriothesley" let out a strange, chilling laugh. "Clorinde, a duel is something that both parties must agree to for it to be considered a duel..." "If you have the right to refuse someone''s challenge, then naturally, I have the right to refuse yours..." "So... just die." Eerie energy gathered in "Wriothesley''s" hand. He launched a lightning-fast straight punch. Clorinde attempted to dodge, but her speed simply couldn''t keep up... With a single punch, "Wriothesley" blasted a gaping hole straight through Clorinde''s abdomen. Clorinde clutched her profusely bleeding wound and collapsed to the ground, motionless. Su Yuan was shocked by the scene, realizing that Clorinde''s eerie transformation rules had a loophole... A duel must be accepted by both parties for it to be valid. It was very likely that Clorinde had been able to initiate duels successfully before because her opponents had no words or means to refuse, essentially defaulting to acceptance and fulfilling the duel''s conditions. But now, the moment an opponent explicitly rejected Clorinde''s duel challenge, this loophole was exposed! However, Clorinde''s death was not in vain¡ªat the very least, she had bought time for Tartaglia! The moment Aether noticed something was wrong, he immediately turned to Tartaglia and said, "Tartaglia, don''t hesitate¡ªgo all out!" "And don''t bother with any flashy moves or dramatic lines. Just quietly bring out your Foul Legacy transformation!" "Also, forget about using elemental power¡ªjust go for pure physical attacks!" And so, clad in his violet war armor, Tartaglia in his Foul Legacy transformation appeared before "Wriothesley"! Aether watched the scene nervously. In his previous memories, Tartaglia hadn''t even finished transforming before he was instantly killed by the eerie Kirara... But Aether knew that had only happened because both he and Tartaglia had been careless. Having fought Tartaglia many times back in Liyue, Aether was well aware of the terrifying power of Foul Legacy... Foul Legacy allowed Tartaglia to wield both his Vision and Delusion simultaneously, granting him mastery over two elemental forces at once. Although Su Yuan had said that elemental power couldn''t harm the eerie forces, Foul Legacy still greatly enhanced Tartaglia''s defense and speed! With this power, Tartaglia might actually stand a chance in this battle against the eerie! "Wriothesley" looked at Tartaglia with interest and said, "This form of yours... seems a bit intriguing." Facing "Wriothesley" head-on, Tartaglia could feel an overwhelming aura radiating from him¡ª This kind of pressure... He had only ever felt it when facing his master, Skirk, or someone of her caliber. So this was the power of the eerie? Truly formidable... Tartaglia even wondered¡ªif his master were to fight this man, would she be forced to use both hands against him? "The Duke of Meropide, Wriothesley... I''ve heard that your boxing skills are exceptional. I''ve wanted to challenge you for a long time!" "Then come at me! I hope you can at least make this interesting for me!" The next moment, both Tartaglia and "Wriothesley" vanished from everyone''s sight, leaving only faint afterimages behind! The two engaged in a fierce battle, with sonic booms and violent collisions echoing throughout the space. Su Yuan was astonished as he watched¡ªso this was the full power of Tartaglia''s Foul Legacy? He could achieve such physical strength without relying on elemental energy? But soon, "Wriothesley''s" voice shattered Su Yuan''s hopes. "Hey, hey... Why do I feel like you''re getting slower? Your strength is fading too." "Have you already reached your limit after just this little exchange?" "I haven''t even used my full strength yet..." Su Yuan thought to himself, This is bad. Strength always comes at a price. While Tartaglia''s Foul Legacy greatly enhances his power, it also drains his strength and places an immense burden on his body... If he can''t finish the battle quickly and instead gets dragged into a prolonged fight, things will become extremely unfavorable. The eerie-infested Wriothesley''s combat prowess should be overwhelming. The only one who could suppress him was the eerie-infested Neuvillette... But the first thing "Wriothesley" did upon arriving was to exploit the element of surprise, catching everyone off guard and instantly eliminating the greatest threat to him¡ªNeuvillette. Clorinde''s eerie transformation might have been powerful enough to contend with him, but "Wriothesley" had already seen through the loophole in her rules... And now, Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that this eerie-infested "Wriothesley" seemed far too intelligent and cautious for someone merely controlled by an eerie force... Then again, Wriothesley himself had always been a meticulous thinker... At this moment, Tartaglia and "Wriothesley''s" battle was reaching its conclusion. The armor of Tartaglia''s Foul Legacy had already dissipated. He was kneeling on one knee, one hand resting on his knee while the other pressed against the ground to keep himself from collapsing. "Wriothesley... You really are strong... Even though this power doesn''t belong to you..." Tartaglia''s face was pale, his body trembling as he gasped for breath. "It has been an honor to battle a warrior as strong as you..." "Through this fight, I''ve learned even more..." "And I will put it to use next time..." Tartaglia had walked the edge of life and death many times before, but this time, he felt as though he had finally reached the end of his life. "I''m sorry, Your Majesty... I failed to complete the mission you entrusted to me..." "Forgive me, my beloved family..." "Father... Mother... Brother... Sister..." "Tonya, Tock, Anton..." "I won''t be able to build snowmen or go ice fishing with you anymore..." As he spoke, Tartaglia summoned the last of his strength to stand up straight, lifting his head high. He stood there, unmoving¡ªuntil finally, his breath ceased. --------------- Exclusive access : 129ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 74: Ch 74 : Su Yuan’s Faint Smile Chapter 74 - Ch 74 : Su Yuan''s Faint Smile Tartaglia did not die from battle wounds but from the immense strain of using his Delusion at high intensity, draining his life force¡ªjust like Teppei from Watatsumi Island... However, to fight against the eerie forces, Tartaglia pushed himself even harder, using his Delusion even more recklessly. In just a matter of seconds, he had burned through his entire life force... But in those fleeting moments, he was a true hero, wielding the power to stand against the eerie. And in the end, he did not collapse to his knees or fall lifelessly to the ground. Instead, he stood tall and unwavering as he departed from this world... Aether could hardly believe what he was seeing. He distinctly remembered Tartaglia telling him once: "Partner, remember this¡ªnever use dumb lines like ''I''m fired up!'' to motivate yourself in battle." "Because once you burn out, nothing remains but ashes..." "Life is the most important thing. No matter what, you have to survive¡ªonly then can you create new possibilities." "Tartaglia..." Aether clenched his teeth, his eyes brimming with unstoppable tears. "If you''re going to tell others that, then at least follow your own advice!" Once again, he had to witness Tartaglia dying before his very eyes... As everyone watched tensely, "Wriothesley" suddenly pulled out a small teacup from who-knows-where. He reached into his pocket, took out some tea leaves, and dropped them into the cup. Then, with his sharp fingers, he lightly poked a hole in Tartaglia''s neck, causing fresh blood to trickle out... "Wriothesley" caught a cupful of Tartaglia''s blood, swirled it slightly with the tea leaves, then brought it to his lips and drank it in one gulp. A look of pleasure crossed his face as he spoke: "Heh heh heh... Hahaha..." "Fine tea, paired with hot blood¡ªperfection!" Then, "Wriothesley" casually kicked Tartaglia''s lifeless body aside... "Wriothesley, you¡ª!" Aether was furious and was about to leap out of bed to fight him. "Enough!" Su Yuan suddenly shouted. He had had enough¡ªwatching so many of his companions die horribly before his eyes... If this kept going, his emotions would completely break down. It''s time to reset! Right now! The information gathered was already enough! The true reason behind Kirara''s eerie transformation... Wriothesley also falling under the eerie''s control... The loophole in Clorinde''s eerie rules... "I will save everyone!" With that, Su Yuan pulled out the small dagger he always carried, aiming straight for his own heart! But "Wriothesley" seemed to notice Su Yuan''s desperate move. In a blur of motion, he appeared right in front of him and punched his hand, blasting it into a bloody mess! "Want to die? Not that easy!" "Wriothesley" spoke coldly. Looking at his mangled right hand, Su Yuan gritted his teeth through the pain and shouted: "Chevreuse! Kill me! Now!" Without the slightest hesitation, Chevreuse raised her firearm and aimed at Su Yuan''s head¡ª But before the bullet could reach him, "Wriothesley" simply tossed Su Yuan aside and dashed toward Chevreuse at incredible speed! Chevreuse had no time to react¡ªbefore she knew it, "Wriothesley" was already in front of her. His fist, shrouded in eerie energy, swung upward in a brutal uppercut! With a sickening impact, Chevreuse''s jawbone and the lower half of her face were shattered and sent flying. She collapsed to the ground instantly... "AHHH!!!" Su Yuan thought he had steeled himself enough, but he didn''t know why¡ªthe more of his companions died before his eyes, the more unbearable the pain in his heart grew... His gaze landed on a marble-like cabinet beside him. Without the slightest hesitation, he hurled his own head against its sharp corner¡ª A deafening clang rang through his skull, his vision going white. The force of the blow cracked Su Yuan''s skull, blood splattered, and brain matter erupted, yet he was still not fully dead... Struggling, Su Yuan lifted his head, intending to deliver the final blow to himself by slamming it again. However, "Wriothesley" was already by his side, grabbing his hair. "Tsk... Are you really this determined?" "Why do you want to die so badly?" "Do you really think that if you die, you''ll be able to save everything, change everything?" As he listened to "Wriothesley''s" words, Su Yuan''s consciousness began to fade... He knew that dying now would allow him to rewind... And so, Su Yuan gave a faint smile. .............. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, feeling the sharp pain in his left hand. He knew he had died again... He raised his left hand and looked at his palm: (skipped reread ch 67 for info) [Yes, unfortunately, you''ve died again...] [This is your second death today, but it actually counts as your fourth...] [The reason Kirara became eerie isn''t because of a bad rating, but because of losing her sense of belonging to humanity and human society...] [If you had rejected Clorinde''s duel request, Clorinde wouldn''t have entered the eerie state due to voluntarily admitting defeat...] [Wriothesley has already been possessed by eerie forces. Be cautious in dealing with him...] Su Yuan''s breath became quick and heavy as he looked at the messy, nearly illegible handwriting on his palm... The information there made him break into a cold sweat. There were many issues that needed solving... Also, he had no more chances to safely rewind today... Although there had never been any indication that his rewind attempts were limited to four times, was he willing to gamble on that possibility? Su Yuan quickly scrambled out of bed. He couldn''t afford to waste any more time here. He had to find Neuvillette to discuss the strategy... Huh? Why was he looking for Neuvillette instead of everyone together? Su Yuan suddenly felt puzzled... sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Weren''t they supposed to meet up with everyone this morning in Neuvillette''s office? ................ Aether suddenly opened his eyes, seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar hospital ceiling... This ceiling was the third time he had seen it... Aether instinctively touched his face. His last memory was of "Wriothesley" putting down the nearly dead Su Yuan and then striking at him with a fist wrapped in eerie energy, dark and crimson, just as it was about to hit him... "Kirara" killed Chiori "Clorinde" killed "Kirara," "Wriothesley" killed Neuvillette, Clorinde, Chevreuse, and also killed himself and Paimon... And Su Yuan, he killed himself... Aether couldn''t understand, no matter how desperate the situation was, Su Yuan still said he could save everyone... And why did Su Yuan want to kill himself so badly? From what he knew from his past conversations with Su Yuan, Su Yuan wasn''t a person who would give up on himself... Most importantly, why did Su Yuan show that smile at the very end of his life... As if he had finally achieved his goal, his victory was assured? --------------- Exclusive access : 129ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 75: Ch 75 : I want to leave, can you stop me? Chapter 75 - Ch 75 : I want to leave, can you stop me? Neuvillette arrived at the northern beach of Fontaine''s city district, looking at the clear, azure waters. His mind couldn''t calm down for a long time. The words that Su Yuan had urgently spoken to him early this morning made him feel an immense sense of trouble and difficulty. Chevreuse, Kirara, Wriothesley... Everyone was in different locations, each with the potential corrupted by Eerie force. Among them, the most difficult to understand was Wriothesley... The conditions for his Eerie were quite clear¡ªif he didn''t drink tea, nothing would happen. So, Su Yuan and Neuvillette split up. He went to the Fontaine Hospital to deal with Chevreuse''s father''s situation, while Neuvillette headed to Fortress of Meropide to investigate what was going on, to see if he could stop Wriothesley before his Eerie took place. But in this urgent situation, every bit of time was extremely precious... Fontaine was far from Meropide, and even with the most advanced airships, it would still take a long time. However, for Neuvillette, there was a method to reach Meropide at an incredibly fast speed... "How long has it been since I have fully immersed myself in nature''s waters like this?" Neuvillette murmured to himself. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He then leapt gracefully into the air, forming an elegant arc, and without causing a splash, dove into the water. This scene happened to be captured by a passing reporter with a camera. ................. Fortress of Meropide, Wriothesley looked at the cup in his hand, a light brown drink with some transparent black specks at the bottom, feeling somewhat puzzled... What is this? From the color, is it a dairy product? Or something like coffee? Wriothesley was about to take a sip when he suddenly heard someone report: "Your Grace, Lord Neuvillette has arrived!" "Neuvillette? What is he here for?" Wriothesley suddenly showed a puzzled expression. "Didn''t we agree to meet him at Palais Mermonia once we''re done with our business?" "Lord Kamisato, it''s a good opportunity. The highest judge of Fontaine, Lord Neuvillette, has arrived. Why don''t you join me to meet him?" Wriothesley looked at Kamisato Ayato and said. "I was thinking of finding a good day to visit Lord Neuvillette and Lady Furina at Palais Mermonia..." Kamisato Ayato glanced at Wriothesley''s milk tea and smiled as he said, "But now works just as well. There''s no time like the present. It''s all fate!" Soon after, Kamisato Ayato followed Wriothesley to a meeting room, where they met Neuvillette. "Haha... Neuvillette!" As soon as they met, Wriothesley threw the drink at Neuvillette, who easily caught it with his hand. "Let me introduce you. This is the head of the Kamisato family, the Shogunate''s executive, Mr. Kamisato Ayato," Wriothesley said, pointing to Ayato. "This drink was originally given to me by him, but since I know you, Neuvillette, like water and drinks, I''ll reluctantly part with it so you can taste this exotic drink!" Neuvillette did not immediately drink the beverage but instead looked at Kamisato Ayato and calmly said, "Head of the Kamisato family, I''ve heard of your name." "But why am I unaware of your presence in Fontaine?" "Generally speaking, exchanges and visits between nations require an application and a process..." "Lord Neuvillette, you misunderstand. I am not representing Inazuma on this visit to Fontaine, but rather coming in my personal capacity, so no reports or applications have been made." Kamisato Ayato smiled faintly and said. Neuvillette eyed him warily. The last person who secretly infiltrated Fontaine was "The Doctor," Dottore... Moreover, Kamisato Ayato wasn''t here alone¡ªhe had brought many people from Inazuma, yet he had received no information about it. This was highly suspicious... Neuvillette then looked at Wriothesley. At present, Wriothesley showed no signs of being affected... The condition for Wriothesley''s corruption was drinking tea. Could it be...? Neuvillette pondered, glancing at the drink in his hand, then at Kamisato Ayato, and asked, "Head of the Kamisato family, may I ask what this drink is called and what it''s made of?" "Hahaha..." Kamisato Ayato chuckled, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Neuvillette and said, "Lord Neuvillette, you don''t think I''ve poisoned this drink, do you? I would never do something that could harm the peace between our nations..." "Answer my question," Neuvillette said firmly. "Alright, alright, Lord Neuvillette, don''t be angry. I''ll tell you," Kamisato Ayato said with a smile. "This drink is called milk tea. As the name suggests, it''s a sweet drink made by mixing dairy products and tea leaves..." "It''s not only a local specialty from Inazuma, but it''s also one of my favorite drinks..." "That''s why, when I came to Fortress of Meropide, I thought I''d let the Duke try it too..." Upon hearing the words "tea leaves," Wriothesley''s expression immediately became serious. He looked at Kamisato Ayato and asked, "Does it contain tea leaves? Why didn''t you tell me?" Kamisato Ayato smiled innocently, giving off a harmless appearance, and replied, "Ah? Duke, you can''t drink tea? But I heard that you really enjoy tasting tea. In fact, you spent quite a lot of money just to collect specialty teas from all over Teyvat..." "Actually, when I came from Inazuma, I also brought a lot of fine local specialty teas..." Finally, Neuvillette understood why Su Yuan had told him that Wriothesley would undergo corruption¡ªit was because of this. But Su Yuan''s intelligence was always so detailed. Why hadn''t he anticipated this? Was it because Kamisato Ayato''s involvement had caused all of this? Both Neuvillette and Wriothesley were unfamiliar with Kamisato Ayato, so they didn''t know whether the person before them had been corrupted or not... Had it been a mere coincidence that he gave Wriothesley the milk tea, or was it intentional? "Sigh... what a shame..." Kamisato Ayato sighed, looking at Neuvillette and Wriothesley. "Seems like I came at the wrong time..." "Next time... next time, I will definitely visit Lord Neuvillette and Lady Furina at Palais Mermonia in Fontaine in person..." As Kamisato Ayato spoke, he turned to leave. "Head of the Kamisato family, you can''t leave! I still have a lot of questions for you!" Wriothesley grabbed Kamisato Ayato by the shoulder. "I can''t leave?" "Heheheh..." Kamisato Ayato let out a strange laugh and turned to look at Wriothesley... Both Neuvillette and Wriothesley could clearly see that, in that moment, Kamisato Ayato''s face began to twist, and crimson, foul-smelling liquid dripped from it, but it quickly returned to normal. "I want to leave..." "Can you stop me?" With his normal face, "Kamisato Ayato" squinted and smiled. --------------- Exclusive access : 132ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 76: Ch 76 : Academic misconduct Chapter 76 - Ch 76 : Academic misconduct "Forget it, Head of the Kamisato family, you can leave," Neuvillette stopped Wriothesley and spoke. "That''s more like it..." "Duke, Lord Neuvillette..." "We will meet again in the future." "Kamisato Ayato" smiled, pushed open the meeting room door, and walked out. "Neuvillette, what do you mean by that? You saw it too, right? Kamisato Ayato has already been affected by the Eerie!" Wriothesley looked at Neuvillette, speaking anxiously. "Are we really just going to ignore him?" "Wriothesley..." Neuvillette spoke slowly. "In such a confined space, with no one else around, if Kamisato Ayato had wanted to kill us just now, we''d probably already be two corpses." Wriothesley reluctantly nodded, acknowledging that Neuvillette had a point. "Moreover, this Eerie Kamisato Ayato, compared to usual cases, seems a bit too calm..." "He isn''t as insane, but rather seems more like he''s following orders..." "Like, for example, making you drink that cup of milk tea..." Wriothesley furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "You think Kamisato Ayato isn''t fully affected by the Eerie?" "Is he being controlled by ''The Doctor,'' Dottore?" "Quite possibly," Neuvillette nodded. "Let''s not worry about Kamisato Ayato for now. He''s been pretending, and it seems like he doesn''t intend to go on a killing spree..." "Let''s hurry and bring Sigewinne, and meet up with Su Yuan. We need to report this to them." ............. As "Kamisato Ayato" led the Inazuman entourage away from Meropide and onto the shore, a crisp snap of fingers suddenly echoed through the small forest they passed. In the next moment, all the Inazuman followers, except for "Kamisato Ayato," let out agonizing screams, as if they had been doused with a potent acid. Their flesh rapidly corroded and dissolved, until nothing remained but pools of blood seeping into the earth. "What is the meaning of this..." "Kamisato Ayato''s" voice was cold. "Everyone traveling with me is dead. How am I supposed to explain this when I return to Inazuma?" "It means nothing. I simply didn''t want anyone overhearing our conversation." The figure of ''The Doctor,'' Dottore, emerged from the trees. He gazed at "Kamisato Ayato" and slowly spoke: "Judging by your expression, you failed, didn''t you?" "Yes." "Kamisato Ayato" nodded. "As per your request, I attempted to make Wriothesley drink the milk tea you prepared." "I was so close, but then Neuvillette suddenly appeared..." "However, judging by their reactions, they are indeed extremely wary of Wriothesley drinking tea." "Very good." Dottore nodded in satisfaction. "This information alone is enough. It confirms many of my hypotheses." "But without a precious eye, how am I supposed to save my sister...?" "Kamisato Ayato" turned to Dottore, his voice tense. "You promised me¡ªas long as I followed your instructions, you would save her..." "Ayaka can only die by my hands, not by that Raiden Shogun..." "Hahahaha..." Dottore burst into laughter before speaking. "As an exceptional researcher, one must always consider every possible outcome." "If you had succeeded, you could have exchanged Sigewinne''s precious Melusine-like eye for your sister''s life..." "But if you fail, I have also prepared a replacement." As Dottore spoke, he handed a small box to "Kamisato Ayato." "Open this only after you return to Inazuma..." "Do not open it along the way, no matter what." "Kamisato Ayato" glanced at the small box in his hand, then looked up at Dottore. "You look much older now than when you were in Inazuma." "Haha, maybe you''re just seeing things?" Dottore chuckled ambiguously. After "Kamisato Ayato" left, Dottore leaned against a small tree, lost in thought... To truly master a power, one must first understand its essence. Dottore raised his right hand, and instantly, a mass of pitch-black, blood-red flames ignited in his palm. A few days ago, he could only summon a tiny flicker of this flame at his fingertip. But now, it covered nearly half of his palm. Although each of his segments was an independent entity, they shared sensory experiences. By using the ones that had been corrupted and controlled, Dottore had gained a clear understanding of how this power flowed and functioned within the body¡ªand just how terrifying it truly was. Through constant imitation and practice, he was gradually improving his control. Yet, despite this progress, the essence of this power remained elusive to him. At first, Dottore believed that this power stemmed from intense negative emotions. However, after conducting numerous live experiments on various subjects¡ªtesting every possible method, from inducing pain, sorrow, regret, and rage¡ªnone of them had ever manifested this power within their bodies. Reflecting on his own segments that had been corrupted and controlled, Dottore realized that negative emotions alone could not fully explain everything. Intense negative emotions might be a necessary condition, but they were not a sufficient one... Perhaps every individual had a specific trigger that activated this power. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hehehe... hahaha... this is truly fascinating," Dottore chuckled softly. "If Wriothesley''s trigger is related to tea leaves, then what about Neuvillette? And what about the seven ruling Archons of this world¡ªwhat are their conditions?" "What about my own prime segment¡ªwhat would its trigger be?" Dottore pondered deeply. "But logically, Neuvillette shouldn''t have appeared in Meropide at that exact time..." "And now, after so many days, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale not only failed to exhibit the anomalies I expected¡ªit has even returned to normal..." "That shouldn''t be possible..." "As a researcher, I shouldn''t interfere with an experiment or manipulate its results..." "But encountering two unexpected variables in a row is starting to irritate me." "If I find out that someone has been cheating¡ªtampering with my experiment''s outcome¡ªI will not let such academic misconduct slide so easily..." --------------- Exclusive access : 132ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 77: Ch 77 : Rampaging Eerie Primordial Sea? Chapter 77 - Ch 77 : Rampaging Eerie Primordial Sea? Meanwhile, at a hospital in Fontaine. "Kirara, no matter what happens, we will always believe in you!" Aether said to Kirara with utmost sincerity before she left. "We will always be your strongest support!" Still feeling a little uneasy, Aether turned to Tartaglia and said, "Tartaglia, I''m counting on you. Make sure no one gives Kirara a bad review!" Shortly after, Aether noticed Su Yuan, Clorinde, and Chevreuse appearing at the door of his hospital room. Although he had no idea where Neuvillette had gone, Aether still greeted Su Yuan. "Darling! Come quickly! I can''t wait any longer!" Aether listened to the words coming out of his mouth and realized he had made another mistake... Even though he had spoken with Su Yuan twice before, at this moment, Su Yuan had no recollection of him. If he directly called out Su Yuan''s name, it would trigger the rule that required him to hide the truth... He was unable to say anything about things that the current version of himself did not know. On the other hand, Su Yuan was startled by suddenly being called "Darling," his whole body shivering from the shock. Su Yuan looked at Aether in complete confusion, pointing at his own face. "Darling??? Are you talking to me? Are you speaking to me?" "Sorry... It was a misunderstanding..." Aether said, feeling exasperated. "May I ask, what is your name?" "Su Yuan." "''Su'' from ''tiramisu,'' and ''Yuan'' from ''ruins and broken walls.''" Then, just like the previous two times, Aether and Su Yuan had a private conversation. To Aether''s surprise, the beginning of their discussion was almost identical to the previous times, but as the conversation progressed, Su Yuan gradually revealed completely new information that had never been mentioned before at this point. "So, Kirara''s condition for Eerie transformation isn''t actually someone giving her a bad review, but rather her losing her sense of recognition and belonging toward humans and human society..." "If someone refuses Clorinde''s duel request, she won''t be able to use the rules to undergo Eerie transformation." Su Yuan spoke at length, while Aether quietly listened. "In order to prevent Wriothesley from falling into Eerie transformation, this morning, Neuvillette and I split up. I sent him to Meropide Fortress to check on Wriothesley''s situation." "So, when dealing with Eerie entities, besides using rules to make them fight against each other, most of the time, the key is to prevent them from emerging in the first place¡ªto stop the problem at its source." "Although physical attacks can harm Eerie entities, we simply lack the speed and strength to fight them effectively..." "Aether, I heard from Clorinde that Tartaglia also escorted you to the hospital. Do you think, if he fully unleashed his Foul Legacy transformation and greatly enhanced his physical abilities, he could defeat an Eerie entity?" Hearing Su Yuan''s question, Aether instinctively replied, "Tartaglia''s full-power Foul Legacy transformation does grant him the strength to fight against an Eerie entity, but he can only sustain it for a few dozen seconds at most..." "Huh? How do you know such specific details?" Su Yuan looked at Aether with confusion. "I guessed," Aether replied helplessly. He knew that if he said he had seen it firsthand, his words would likely turn into something strange again. Aether silently observed Su Yuan. He was certain that Su Yuan was hiding many secrets as well... Each time Aether died, Su Yuan would provide new information... Could it be that Su Yuan, like him, had the ability to rewind? But why was Aether unable to speak about his memories, while Su Yuan could talk freely? If Su Yuan was truly rewind with his memories intact, why did he sometimes seem completely unaware of certain details? Yet if he wasn''t rewind with his memories, how could one explain his actions and behavior before his last death, as well as the new intel he was now providing? "Alright, let''s end our conversation here for now," Su Yuan said as he dispelled the water-element barrier. Before long, Kirara, Tartaglia, and Chiori arrived at the hospital. Seeing that they all appeared completely normal, both Aether and Su Yuan felt a slight sense of relief... Although they each had different perspectives, they both knew that the greatest remaining uncertainty was Wriothesley. So, when Neuvillette finally arrived with Wriothesley and Sigewinne, Aether and Su Yuan were finally able to feel somewhat at ease. Especially Su Yuan¡ªhe was acutely aware that he no longer had a stable chance to reset today. That meant he had to be extra careful¡ªevery step needed to be taken with utmost caution. "It''s Kamisato Ayato, the head of the Kamisato Clan and the Commissioner of Inazuma''s Yashiro Commission," Neuvillette said slowly. "He has also fallen under the control of an Eerie entity." "Kamisato Ayato?" Su Yuan asked in confusion. When did Ayato come to Fontaine? And he''s been taken over by an Eerie entity? Could it be that the "one who has always been under Eerie control," as the hints suggested, was him all along? However, Neuvillette''s next words dispelled that assumption. "That being said, I suspect that Kamisato Ayato, like Focalors and Arlecchino, has undergone an incomplete Eerie transformation due to Dottore''s influence..." "He is far too calm and methodical. He has a clear objective¡ªto make Wriothesley drink this milk tea... And in a way, milk tea is still considered tea..." "Ai ai..." Wriothesley waved his hand helplessly. "If Neuvillette hadn''t arrived in time, I would''ve almost fallen into the trap." "This drink called milk tea, I''ve never seen it in Fontaine. People in Fontaine usually drink coffee or Fonta." "But according to the information from Su Yuan, today should be the day I can''t drink tea each week!" Wriothesley smiled. "It''s great, tomorrow I can fully enjoy the wonderful taste of tea again." S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Su Yuan, what''s your plan for the rest of the day?" Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan and asked. "I''m planning to go to the Opera Epiclese, to discuss with Focalors how to resolve the prophecy crisis." Su Yuan replied, then turned to look at Chiori and Wriothesley. "Chevreuse, if you have time, can you teach me how to use a flintlock?" "And Wriothesley, if you''re free, could you teach me how to train my body and practice boxing?" "Of course, no problem, Su Yuan," Chevreuse nodded. "You can come to the Special Force team''s base anytime to find me. If I''m not there, just have my team contact me." "Heh heh..." Wriothesley chuckled. "Su Yuan, are you serious? My training is quite tough. I hope you can stick with it." Neuvillette nodded and spoke, "I plan to search all of Fontaine for traces of Dottore. I have a feeling he hasn''t left Fontaine yet and is still plotting something." The group was about to continue discussing, but suddenly they heard anxious voices from outside the door. A Melusine officer from the Marechaussee Phantom came into the room. "Lord Neuvillette! Bad news! The Armored Crab from the Abyssal Sea Beasts has gone into a berserk state, and several seaside villages have been completely destroyed!" "The current reports show at least 30 deaths and over a hundred injured!" Neuvillette immediately wore a serious expression. In his memory, the Armored Crab was a relatively gentle creature and would never actively attack people, let alone cause so many casualties... But everyone thought of one possible cause¡ªthe Eerie force... Combined with the previously Eerie-affected hilichurl, could this be the work of Dottore? --------------- Exclusive access : 135ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 78: Ch 78 : Emperor of Fire and Iron, grand entrance! Chapter 78 - Ch 78 : Emperor of Fire and Iron, grand entrance! After listening to the brief description from the Melusine officer, the group immediately decided to split up and head to different coastal villages. Once everything was settled, they would regroup at the Opera Epiclese. Su Yuan, Clorinde, and Neuvillette formed a team and headed to Erinnis, a village in the northern part of the Cersyl District, which had suffered the most severe damage. By the time they arrived, the autonomous machines of the Gardes, the musketeers of the Special Patrol Unit, and the Melusine officers from the Marechaussee Phantom were already engaged in battle against a large number of Armored Crab. Moreover, crimson and pitch-black auras emanated from these crabs¡ªundoubtedly the influence of the Eerie power. While the autonomous machines and musketeers'' physical attacks were able to hinder and damage the armored crabs to some extent, their efficiency was still too low. After all, as their name suggested, these crabs were heavily armored, boasting exceptional defenses. With the enhancement of the Eerie power, they had become even stronger. The coastal village, now in ruins with shattered walls and debris, was littered with bloodstains and severed limbs. According to the Melusine officer, most of the deceased were elderly individuals who were unable to flee in time... The younger generations had all left for Fontaine''s capital in search of better job opportunities, leaving only the elderly behind in the village. "Lord Neuvillette! Lady Clorinde!" Someone noticed Su Yuan''s group arriving and called out in relief. "This is great! With the two of you helping, we''ll definitely be able to fend off this rampaging Oceanid species with ease!" "Let''s work together to protect the people and defend Fontaine!" However, Neuvillette spoke up instead: "You''ve all worked hard. You can return now. Leave this to us." Some of the guards looked confused and hesitantly asked, "But, Lord Neuvillette, there are so many of these rampaging Oceanid creatures. Can the three of you really handle them all on your own?" "Our strength may be limited, but we can still provide some support and assistance!" "Oh, what are you worrying about for no reason?!" "With Lord Neuvillette and Lady Clorinde here, what could possibly go wrong?" "No matter how many of these rampaging Oceanid species there are, aren''t they just a bunch of crabs?" "We should hurry up and leave this place to support the other affected villages instead!" Before long, everyone around them had left. Only Su Yuan, Clorinde, and Neuvillette remained, watching as the swarm of heavily armored crabs steadily advanced, crushing everything in their path... The sight unexpectedly reminded Su Yuan of a certain wild dove that longed for freedom, unleashing a rumbling catastrophe to flatten the world. *AOT reference Lol Though, unlike that overwhelming force, these crabs¡ªdespite being controlled by the Eerie power¡ªwere nowhere near as oppressive. "Clorinde, I''ll leave it to you," Neuvillette said, turning to her. Clorinde nodded, stepped forward, and drew the rapier from her waist... But to be honest, her expression looked somewhat awkward at this moment. She had never imagined that one day, she would find herself challenging a group of crabs to a duel... "...Come... duel me..." "I... I surrender..." In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of Eerie power erupted from Clorinde''s body! What followed was a one-sided massacre! A few Eerie armored crabs were no match for an Eerie Clorinde. When the last armored crab was sliced cleanly in half, Clorinde slowly sheathed her sword and opened her eyes, returning to normal. "With this, the crisis here is temporarily resolved," Clorinde said calmly. "Next, let''s check on the other affected areas." However, at that moment, Neuvillette furrowed his brows. He could clearly sense a powerful presence rapidly approaching from beneath the sea, not far from the shore! "Clorinde! Fall back!" Neuvillette shouted, and Clorinde quickly retreated several steps! The very next moment, a massive splash erupted from the sea, and a colossal figure emerged from the water! As the water settled, the group finally got a clear look at its form¡ª It was a giant Armored Crab. But more importantly... its shell was purple. Su Yuan recognized it instantly¡ªwasn''t this the legendary armored crab from the depths of Fontaine''s waters? But which one was it? The Ocean Circuit Judge? Or the Iron Viscount? Even it had been tainted by the Eerie power? This was bad¡ªit was both incredibly tanky and dealt high damage... Su Yuan couldn''t help but worry. If other affected areas were also facing such powerful armored crabs, could they handle them? Moreover, it seemed that only this one species of Oceanid creature had been corrupted this time... Then what about the pinnacle of armored crab evolution? That world boss, the Emperor of Fire and Iron¡ªhad it also been tainted by the Eerie power? Clorinde looked up at the massive figure before her and drew her sword once again. "Now this is more like it..." "Come! Face me in a fair and honorable duel!" ................ "Phew, finally done..." Chevreuse let out a long sigh of relief as she looked at the battlefield littered with armored crab corpses. "There were only about a dozen Eerie armored crabs, but if this fight had dragged on any longer, I would''ve run out of bullets." "Mm, as long as it''s resolved," Chiori nodded. "Now, let''s head to another location and provide support." Just as Chevreuse and Chiori were about to leave, a massive splash erupted¡ª A colossal purple figure emerged from the water... "Looks like... the fight isn''t over yet," Chiori murmured. .............. "Huff huff..." Wriothesley panted slightly, a smile on his face as he looked around at the armored crab corpses. Cheerfully, he said, "It''s been a while since I''ve enjoyed the pure thrill of hand-to-hand combat like this." "Here, Duke, after your workout, have a milkshake I personally made to replenish your fluids and energy," Sigewinne said, handing him a cup of milkshake. Wriothesley chuckled helplessly and downed the milkshake in one go. But in the very next moment, a massive purple figure suddenly emerged from the sea... "Sigewinne, I''ll leave this one to you. I need a short break." Sigewinne nodded, took out a small cookie, and stepped forward. "Mr. Armored Crab, would you like to try a cookie I specially prepared for you?" ................ "Haha! Battle! So refreshing!" Tartaglia held a longsword in his left hand and a spear in his right, expertly using various weapon techniques without any interference between the two hands, relentlessly attacking the armored crabs! "Fighting like this, without relying on elemental powers and purely using physical strength and technique¡ªthis feels so good!" Aether, Paimon, and Kirara stood off to the side, watching as Tartaglia single-handedly dominated the battlefield, enjoying the fight. They didn''t even know what to say... They hadn''t had a chance to even join in the battle... Tartaglia truly lived up to his reputation as a battle maniac... and indeed, he was a master of all weapons, handling each one with incredible skill. It didn''t take long before all the armored crabs were easily defeated by Tartaglia. "Traveler, how exactly were you able to fight evenly with Tartaglia before?" Paimon asked, looking confused. Aether chuckled awkwardly and said, "It''s not that I didn''t know I needed to use physical attacks against the Eerie... That hilichurl didn''t fight fair, I was tricked and ambushed, that''s why I couldn''t beat it..." "Once my injuries heal, I''ll show you my true strength!" But in the next moment, everyone suddenly felt a wave of intense heat coming from beneath the sea... Isn''t sea water supposed to be cold? Why does it feel like there''s a heatwave? Could it be that an underwater volcano erupted? Then, accompanied by a cloud of steam and mist, a massive figure appeared before them¡ªa creature with two horns, pincers, and burning pitch-black flames on its body... Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Emperor of Fire and Iron, tainted by the Eerie power, made its grand entrance! --------------- Exclusive access : 135ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 79: Ch 79 : Lure the tiger out of the mountain Chapter 79 - Ch 79 : Lure the tiger out of the mountain "Sir, the Opera Epiclese has not yet opened. Please leave immediately..." Before the guards stationed at the entrance of the Opera Epiclese could finish their sentence, they collapsed to the ground. "How annoying..." Dottore glanced at the fallen guards and spoke flatly: "I spared your lives because I didn''t want to make things too final." "After all, you are the official personnel of Fontaine." With that, Dottore proceeded unhindered, entering the opera house and arriving at the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale. Looking at the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale before him, Dottore couldn''t help but marvel: "The Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, such a beautifully intricate creation... The true Hydro Archon must be a genius." "I''ve already noticed that the Hydro Archon on display, Furina, is not the true Hydro Archon..." "Though I did suspect Neuvillette, he lacks the aura a true deity should have." "Everything I''ve done has simply been to satisfy my curiosity¡ªI want to know, who is the true Hydro Archon of Fontaine?" "I''ve poured my power into the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, hoping it would trigger a lawful upheaval to reveal the true Hydro Archon..." "But to my surprise, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale didn''t explode, and the true Hydro Archon didn''t appear." "Later, I seized the opportunity to incite the people of Fontaine, to destroy the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, hoping to force the true Hydro Archon to reveal themselves. But, I didn''t expect Clorinde to destroy everything." "I suspect that ordinary uprisings are too easy to suppress, so Fontaine''s high-level combat forces didn''t need to be involved much." "So this time, I controlled the Oceanid creatures in Fontaine to incite a riot. Those people are probably scrambling to handle it now..." "So, that''s why I can appear here without much concern, and personally conduct the experiment I''ve been wanting to do..." "Reveal yourself, true Hydro Archon, I know you''re here." Dottore spoke, but there was no response from the surroundings. "Oh? After all this, you''re still hiding and disguising yourself?" Dottore smiled slightly, and in the next moment, a dark and crimson flame suddenly ignited in the palm of his right hand. He was about to throw it into the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale. "Must I force you to come out?" "Dottore! Stop!" Focalors finally appeared next to the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, shouting loudly. "Heh, now that''s more like it." Dottore said, looking at Focalors, and the eerie flame in his hand dissipated. "Now, let''s have a good chat." ................ Furina slowly opened her eyes and woke up in her exclusive suite on the top floor of Palais Mermonia. She glanced at the time and realized it was already this late¡ªshe rarely ever slept in. It seems she really had been exhausted yesterday... Furina quickly changed her clothes, washed up, and hurried to Neuvillette''s office, but when she arrived, the office was empty. "Huh? Why is no one here?" Furina said with some confusion. "Did they all go to the Opera Epiclese to discuss countermeasures with Focalors?" "Well, in that case, I''d better hurry over there too!" .................. Su Yuan and Neuvillette breathed a sigh of relief as they watched Clorinde slice the giant purple armored crab into pieces. Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a sense of admiration. As expected of a local legend, it actually had the strength to fight against Clorinde after corrupted by the eerie power. However, as time passed, once the incomplete eerie power on the giant crab was fully consumed, it was no longer a match for Clorinde. But this also confirmed that this was the work of "Doctor" Dottore! Suddenly, Su Yuan had an unsettling feeling... At the same time, so many coastal villages were being attacked by the eerie armored crabs. What could Dottore''s purpose be in doing this? Could it be... to lure the tiger out of the mountain? Dottore shouldn''t know about Focalors'' existence, so could his target be Furina? Or perhaps the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale? That madman Dottore could do anything! "Neuvillette! Clorinde!" Su Yuan spoke urgently. "We can''t focus on the other affected areas for now. I have a bad feeling..." "We need to head back to Fontaine immediately!" ............... "Tsk... This thing is tough to deal with..." Chiori wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, staring at the massive purple armored crab before her. Chevreuse, gripping her overheated gun barrel, also had a grim expression on her face... This giant armored crab, corrupted and controlled by the eerie force, was far more difficult to handle than she had imagined. Its defense was simply too strong¡ªshe and Chiori could barely slow it down, let alone stop it... "Miss Chiori, Miss Chevreuse, we''re here to help!" At that moment, they heard a voice from behind them. Turning around, they saw three familiar figures from the Hearth''s Shadow¡ªLyney, Lynette, and Freminet. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What are you three doing here? This place is dangerous!" Chevreuse said sternly. "We came under ''Father''s'' orders to put an end to this disaster!" Lyney responded. "I appreciate the thought, but do you understand? Elemental power is useless against them." Chiori''s tone was doubtful. With their seemingly fragile bodies, how much physical damage could they possibly inflict? Could they really change the course of this battle? "''Father'' already told us. You need pure physical force to fight them, right?" As Lyney spoke, he stepped aside, revealing a figure who had been standing behind them. Only then did Chevreuse and Chiori notice her presence. The woman had a calm expression and was dressed in an outfit primarily of green and white. More importantly¡ªneither of them had sensed her presence at all. She had no presence whatsoever! "''Father'' has paid a price to convince Miss Katheryne to lend her aid," Lyney said with a smile. ............... Tartaglia was half-kneeling on the ground, panting heavily, as his Foul Legacy transformation gradually faded... The eerie aura surrounding the Emperor of Fire and Iron also completely dissipated. It shook its head in confusion, glanced around a few times, then turned and slowly returned to the sea. "Tartaglia, are you okay?!" Everyone immediately rushed over. "That crab''s shell was seriously tough..." Tartaglia let out a helpless chuckle before forcing himself to stand up. "Luckily, it was only partially corrupted by the eerie force. Once its eerie energy was drained, it naturally returned to normal." "I''m really sorry... I couldn''t be of much help..." Kirara said apologetically. "Tartaglia..." Aether looked at the exhausted Harbinger, unsure of what to say... For a moment, he had feared¡ªonce again¡ªthat Tartaglia was going to die right before his eyes. "Hah! A battle fought purely with skill and physical strength¡ªnow that''s exhilarating! I feel like I''ve gotten even stronger!" Tartaglia laughed heartily, but Aether noticed something... Among his fiery hair, several distinct strands of white had appeared. Even though he hadn''t collapsed from exhaustion like last time, he must have paid a heavy price once again... --------------- Exclusive access : 138ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 80: Ch 80 : Never paid any attention Chapter 80 - Ch 80 : Never paid any attention "Oh? That Arlecchino actually went so far as to request a deployment of Katheryne?" The words suddenly came from Dottore, who stood before Focalors, sounding strangely amused. "Using ''puppet'' technology to deal with a catastrophe of my own creation? How interesting." "Catastrophe?" Focalors looked at Dottore, her expression turning serious as she questioned him sternly: "What exactly have you done this time?" "''Done something bad?''" Dottore shook his head at her accusation and replied calmly, "The concept of good and bad is nothing more than a subjective judgment made by people. A true and exceptional experimenter does not allow subjective factors to interfere with their experiments." "Everything I have done was merely to ensure the success of my experiment¡ªjust some objective means to an end." "But, since you''re so curious, I don''t mind telling you. All I did was share this power with the Armored Crabs as a species." "As a sign of my sincerity, I am willing to answer your questions as much as circumstances allow." "But in return, I ask that you do the same for me." "So, before we officially begin our conversation¡ªtell me your name." Dottore looked at Focalors and spoke in a calm tone. "Focalors," she replied. "Oh?" Dottore raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I thought you might have had another name... Yet here you are, entrusting your name to a mere substitute¡ªa puppet." "Furina is not some substitute or puppet¡ªshe is me!" Focalors declared firmly. "So, you split yourself into two?" Dottore mused thoughtfully. "And that Furina... she clearly has her own independent consciousness as well." "How fascinating. It bears a striking resemblance to the ''segmentation'' technique that I have mastered." "In this regard, we might actually have quite a lot to discuss." "Who would want to discuss anything with you?!" Focalors snapped. "Dottore! What exactly is your goal in throwing Fontaine into chaos?" "Chaos? I dislike that word. I am merely conducting an experiment." "The entirety of Fontaine... no, the entirety of Teyvat is nothing more than my testing ground." "The God-Creation Experiment in Sumeru? That was merely a facade. My true goal was to conduct an experiment on blasphemy itself." "Although Tsaritsa explicitly forbade me from pursuing such research, I simply couldn''t suppress my thirst for knowledge." "But later, I happened upon something far more... intriguing." As Dottore spoke, an eerie, crimson-black flame ignited in the palm of his right hand. "The power of the Eerie..." Focalors muttered anxiously. "''The power of the Eerie''?" Dottore repeated, nodding slightly. "So, you''ve already perceived this force... and even given it a name." "Judging by your reaction, it seems you understand this power even more deeply than I do." "Of course. Otherwise, how else could one explain how you managed to resolve the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale''s upheaval?" "I''m truly curious¡ªhow did you come to understand this power?" Dottore wore a puzzled expression. "Even with my... unique circumstances, there are still many unknowns about this force that I have yet to grasp." "I''m afraid I cannot answer that question." Focalors knew that under no circumstances could she reveal any information about Su Yuan to this madman. "Very well, then I''ll ask a different question." Dottore showed no sign of surprise at her refusal. "As the true Hydro Archon, how do you plan to deal with Fontaine''s prophecy? You wouldn''t really abandon the people of Fontaine, would you?" "I''m sure you and I both understand¡ªThe Heavenly Principles are currently in slumber. The so-called prophecy of Fontaine is nothing more than a predetermined program set in place by Them." "If the prophecy fails to come to pass, They will inevitably awaken." Dottore glanced at the eerie flames in his hand, his calm tone carrying an unmistakable threat. "Focalors, if you''re unwilling to tell me even this, then I see no value in continuing this conversation with you..." Focalors swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the tall man before her. The pressure emanating from him was suffocating... Should she speak? Here and now? Reveal the entire truth about the prophecy to a dangerously insane enemy? "Nevillette? Su Yuan? Focalors? Are you in there?" At that tense moment, Furina''s voice suddenly rang out from outside the door. "The guards outside the opera house are all asleep on the ground. Do you have any idea what''s going on?" But the moment Furina pushed open the door, she found herself staring at both Focalors and Dottore. Focalors instantly felt a wave of dread. Furina, for the love of the Hydro Archon, could you not be so reckless? The guards outside were unconscious, and you still walked right in?! "Furina! Run!" Focalors shouted urgently. However, Dottore moved faster than she could speak. Before Furina could react, she was struck unconscious and captured, brought right before Focalors. "Focalors... it seems you care about Furina far more than I expected." "Is she... your weakness?" As he spoke, Dottore placed a wisp of eerie energy onto Furina''s forehead. "Watching the person you care about most be consumed by eerie power before your very eyes¡ªtwisting into something neither human nor ghost¡ªwhat kind of expression would you make?" "And also, this ''Su Yuan'' that Furina mentioned... who exactly is he? Why don''t I have the slightest impression of him?" "Could it be that he is the one who helped you understand the eerie power?" For the next few seconds, Dottore gazed at Furina in his grasp, puzzled. There were no signs of eerie transformation at all. Frowning, he injected another wisp of eerie energy into her forehead¡ªbut once again, nothing happened. "Strange... Eerie power is supposed to be nearly impossible to resist. Why isn''t it affecting her?" Refusing to believe it, Dottore poured in even more eerie energy, yet Furina remained unchanged. "Hahahaha..." "How fascinating!" Realizing this undeniable fact, Dottore burst into laughter. "What a perfect test subject¡ªcompletely immune to eerie contamination and control. With her, I can delve even deeper into my research, verifying many of my theories and hypotheses..." sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dottore turned to Focalors, speaking in an almost delighted tone: "Focalors, it doesn''t matter if you don''t want to talk anymore..." "I''ve already found something far more interesting¡ªsomething far more worthy of study." "When I''ve had my fill of playing with her, or when all my theories and hypotheses have been fully verified, I''ll come back to chat with you¡ªoh, and return her to you as well." As Dottore spoke, he prepared to leave the Op¨¦ra ¨¦picl¨¨s with Furina in tow. "I advise you not to try and stop me. I have countless ways to end Furina''s life in an instant." Sensing the hydro-elemental energy gathering around Focalors, Dottore''s voice turned ice-cold. "I don''t particularly enjoy combat, but ensuring the smooth progress of my experiments makes force a necessary tool." "Even among the seven rulers of this world, there are some I don''t even bother to acknowledge." "And you, Hydro Archon Focalors¡ªjust so happen to be one of them." --------------- Exclusive access : 138ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 81: Ch 81 : A deadlock? A collapsing Su Yuan? Chapter 81 - Ch 81 : A deadlock? A collapsing Su Yuan? When Su Yuan and the others returned to Palais Mermonia, they discovered that Furina was not in her room. According to the descriptions from others, it seemed Furina had gone to the Opera Epiclese. But when Su Yuan and the others arrived at the entrance of the Opera Epiclese, they found the security guards lying unconscious on the ground, which immediately raised a bad feeling. Upon entering the Opera Epiclese and reaching the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, they saw Focalors sitting on the ground, covering her face and crying, which further confirmed their fears... "Furina... was forcefully kidnapped by ''Doctor'' Dottore..." "It''s my fault... I didn''t protect her well..." "I... I couldn''t do anything..." Through Focalors intermittent cries and explanations, Su Yuan and the others learned what had happened. Neuvillette clenched his fists, an undeniable rage on his face: "Dottore..." "Focalors, you care so much about her. If you also become affected by the Eerie forces, it must be connected to Furina..." Su Yuan spoke, unsure if his words were of any comfort. "You haven''t been controlled by the Eerie yet, so at least that means Furina is still alive..." "I thought I was already strong enough... strong enough to endure five hundred years of solitude, strong enough to face my own death calmly..." "But when I think about Furina falling into Dottore''s hands, I can''t suppress this overwhelming sadness..." "Facing someone as mad as Dottore, who knows what methods he will use for his experiments..." "What kind of inhuman torment will Furina endure?" "Living like this is worse than being dead..." Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Focalors cried even harder. Watching the heartbroken Focalors, and thinking of Furina falling into Dottore''s hands, Su Yuan also felt a heavy sadness in his heart... Why not just go back and reset it all? Go back in time, stop Dottore, and save Furina! However, Su Yuan quickly realized that his whole body was trembling, instinctively resisting the thought... Yes, today''s version of himself no longer has the chance to rewind... His body trembling uncontrollably ¡ª is it because he''s afraid of death itself? Or is it because he''s afraid that he won''t be able to rewind and save Furina? Suddenly, Su Yuan felt how pathetic he was... He says he wants to save everyone... But in reality, all he wants to save are the people he knows, the people he cares about... Su Yuan recalled the severed limbs and broken arms he had just seen, the elderly people who died because of the Eerie armored crabs in the seaside village... He had never once wanted to rewind and save them. At that moment, Su Yuan deeply realized that he couldn''t save everyone; he was not some great savior! But at least, for Furina, he had to rewind and take a gamble on that one possibility! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His rewind attempts weren''t limited to just four times! With trembling hands, Su Yuan took out the small knife he always carried, but everything was noticed by Neuvillette. Neuvillette quickly snatched the knife from Su Yuan''s hands and said, "Su Yuan! What are you trying to do now?" "You''ve said it yourself, Furina isn''t dead, she was just taken by Dottore!" "As long as we find Dottore, we still have a chance to save her!" "Find Dottore?" Su Yuan trembled all over, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably, as he forced a bitter smile. "Dottore has been in Fontaine for so many days, and we''ve had no trace of him..." "Now that he''s taken Furina, he''ll definitely be more cautious in hiding. How could we possibly find him?" "Then how does killing yourself help save Furina?" Neuvillette questioned. "I... I don''t know... but I have to try," Su Yuan said softly, his face full of despair. "Su Yuan, I never thought I''d see you with such an expression..." Wriothesley spoke up, having been the first to solve everything and arrive here. "Where''s the Su Yuan I know? The one always calm, collected, and confident in victory?" "Your intelligence is so impressive, surely you can find Dottore, right?" "I..." Su Yuan didn''t know how to respond, looking at Wriothesley, who had so much trust in him. Soon, Aether, Tartaglia, and Paimon arrived as well. Aether looked at Su Yuan in this state, completely confused... He saw the small knife that Neuvillette was holding and thought to himself that Su Yuan must be contemplating suicide for some reason... But why this time, did Su Yuan''s expression lack the calmness and composure he had before? Although he hadn''t known Su Yuan for long, Aether had never imagined Su Yuan would show such a face... Wasn''t Su Yuan supposed to be like him, someone who could rewind? "Miss Katheryne''s strength truly exceeded my expectations," Chiori''s voice came from not far away. "Snezhnaya technology is terrifying," Chevreuse added, "Who would have thought that the seemingly fragile Miss Katheryne could unleash such terrifying power..." "Our Fontaine''s autonomous mechanisms, compared to Miss Katheryne, are like toys for three-year-olds..." "Huh? You guys are already here?" Chiori looked at everyone and said, "Looks like we''re the slowest group." "If it weren''t for Lyney and the others bringing Miss Katheryne as reinforcements, we''d probably still be struggling," Chevreuse said. "Lyney and the others just dropped Miss Katheryne off at the Adventurers'' Guild. They''ll be over soon." "Wait... Chevreuse? Su Yuan? Why are you crying?" Chiori noticed something off. Then, Neuvillette spoke up and explained everything that had happened earlier... Everyone understood that they were now in a deadlock... Every move was part of Dottore''s scheme... But everyone was puzzled¡ªwhy would the usually strong and confident Su Yuan show such a face now? "Su Yuan, Su Yuan, stop crying..." Sigewinne took a soft tissue from her bag and gently wiped Su Yuan''s tears, "We''re all here, let''s think of a way together!" "Su Yuan, this isn''t like you. The Su Yuan I know wouldn''t shed so many useless tears." Chiori said, feeling uneasy seeing Su Yuan in such a state. "Su Yuan, I didn''t expect to see you crying like this." At that moment, Arlecchino''s voice rang out. Behind her stood Lyney, Lynette, Freminet, and Navia. "I''m sorry, everyone. I''m late," Navia said, bowing slightly in sincere apology. Arlecchino walked straight up to Su Yuan, lifted his chin with two fingers, and locked eyes with him¡ªher gaze marked by a red cross-shaped pattern. "If I said I could find where Dottore is... would that be enough to make you pull yourself together?" --------------- Exclusive access : 141ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 82: Ch 82 : Dottore’s Experiment Chapter 82 - Ch 82 : Dottore''s Experiment In a dark underground chamber, Furina gradually regained consciousness. She felt herself tightly bound to a reclining chair, while "Doctor" Dottore sat at a nearby table, reading through his research notes and reports. "Ahhh!!! Neuvillette, help me!!!" Furina''s eyes welled up with tears as she cried out desperately for help. "There''s no need to scream, Lady Furina." Dottore set down his papers, turned to look at her, and spoke in a slow, deliberate manner. "No one will find us here." "To me, you are nothing more than an experiment¡ªyet an incredibly precious one." "If you cooperate, I may grant you some privileges." "And, if you perform well enough, returning you alive is not entirely out of the question." Furina stopped crying, realizing that tears were useless. She was now completely at Dottore''s mercy, a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Nervously, she looked at him and asked in a trembling voice, "Doctor Dottore... w-what exactly do you plan to do to me?" "Nothing much. Right now, I simply want to understand why you are immune to the influence of Eerie power." As he spoke, black and crimson flames ignited in the palm of his right hand. Furina stared in shock at the scene before her. So it was true¡ªDottore had already mastered the power of the Eerie to some extent. "While you were unconscious earlier, I injected you with Eerie energy three times, but it had no effect at all..." "I wonder if things will be different now that you''re awake?" "See how merciful I am to such a precious test subject like you?" "I didn''t even forcefully wake you up¡ªI waited for you to regain consciousness naturally, just so you could be in a good mood." The next moment, Dottore directly injected a surge of Eerie energy into Furina''s forehead. "Ugh... ahhh!!" Furina let out a cry of pain, but still, there were no signs of her being overtaken by the Eerie. "Oh? So you do react to Eerie energy after all." "That rules out the difference between being conscious and unconscious as a variable." As he spoke, Dottore picked up his pen and jotted down some notes in his notebook. "But why, then, are you still unaffected by the Eerie''s control?" Dottore removed his mask, revealing his red eyes as he carefully examined Furina. "Are you aware of your own condition? Can you tell me something that I don''t already know?" "Why do you look so terrified? Do you think I''ve been taken over by the Eerie?" "No, don''t worry. I''m perfectly lucid right now." "My eyes have always been red." "If you refuse to speak, that''s fine. I''ll find my answers through my own experiments." "Now... I''ve thought of a new hypothesis." "Could it be that your resistance to the Eerie has a threshold?" "If the energy injected in a single dose¡ªor the accumulated total¡ªexceeds that threshold, will you finally succumb to the Eerie''s control?" .............. The group followed behind Arlecchino as she spoke: "All of us Harbingers have received authority bestowed upon us by Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, granting us power beyond that of ordinary mortals." "Though the vast majority of Harbingers rarely make use of this power." "This power is both a gift from Her Majesty and a means of surveillance over us." "Every move we make, every word we speak¡ªperhaps all of it is under Her Majesty''s watchful gaze." "But Dottore... he is now attempting to erode and expel this power from his body. He must be using the Eerie power to achieve this." "Having failed his mission to obtain the Gnosis of the Raiden Shogun and the Gnosis of the Dendro Archon, Dottore has already drawn the dissatisfaction of both the other Harbingers and Her Majesty." "And now, with his current actions, this can already be considered outright betrayal." "I always knew that Dottore joined the Fatui not out of loyalty to Her Majesty, but simply to gain access to resources and further his own experiments." "But I never expected him to go this far¡ªto outright choose the one path he should never have taken." "Does he truly believe that just by grasping a sliver of the Eerie''s power, he can become invincible?" "Then again, such insanity is entirely in line with his character." As Arlecchino spoke, she came to a stop. They had arrived at the ruins of Fort Coppelia, in Fontaine''s Morteau District. "According to Her Majesty''s directives, Dottore is down there." The group quickly descended the staircase. As they moved, Neuvillette spoke up, "Arlecchino, you wouldn''t be helping us without a reason, would you?" "Everyone who lives in this world has their own reasons and motives, one way or another," Arlecchino replied. "I''m doing this for three reasons: first, to vent my own frustration and that of my children; second, to punish Dottore for his betrayal of Her Majesty; and third, to make you all owe me a favor¡ªsomething I can use as leverage in future negotiations." Before long, the group arrived at the bottom of the ruins of Fort Coppelia. In front of them stood a large, rusted, locked door. "Is this the door?" Wriothesley asked eagerly. "Watch me break it down with a few punches!" "No, it''s over here," Arlecchino said, turning her gaze to the wall to the right of the door. She gathered Pyro energy in her palm and struck the wall with a forceful blow! The old bricks crumbled instantly, revealing a dark hidden chamber within. Inside, Dottore and Furina came into view. "Dottore!!!" Neuvillette''s Hydro energy erupted in an instant, his expression filled with uncontrollable rage! Everyone could clearly see that Furina''s facial skin had been completely stripped away, leaving behind only raw, bloody muscle tissue. Dottore was holding a scalpel, working on something inside her head... "Oh? You actually managed to find this place?" Dottore looked slightly surprised at the sudden intrusion. However, upon seeing Arlecchino, he seemed to understand and let out a chuckle. "Arlecchino, we are both Harbingers, and yet you''ve chosen to side with outsiders against me?" "You, who have betrayed Her Majesty, have no right to speak," Arlecchino replied coldly. "Dottore, you monster! What have you done to Furina?!" Su Yuan roared, his face filled with fury as he looked at Furina, bleeding profusely and barely clinging to life. "Monster?" Dottore chuckled lightly. "Thank you for the compliment." "As for what I''ve done? As you can see, I''m merely performing a live dissection on Lady Furina." "I''m truly curious¡ªjust how does the Eerie power I injected into her body keep disappearing?" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Unfortunately, I don''t have X-ray vision, so I can only resort to this crude method¡ªto observe and study." As Dottore spoke, his aura grew increasingly cold. "I was just getting into it..." "So, are you here to interrupt my experiment?" --------------- Exclusive access : 141ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 83: Ch 83 : Next time, I will definitely save you! Chapter 83 - Ch 83 : Next time, I will definitely save you! "The thing I hate the most is when an experiment is progressing steadily, only to be interrupted and disrupted by external factors..." Dottore set down the bloodstained scalpel in his hand and turned to face the group, his crimson eyes gleaming. "And do you really think that just because you have numbers on your side, you can be my match?" "Everyone, be careful," Arlecchino spoke with a grave tone. "As the rumors suggest, the ranking of the Fatui Harbingers is indeed tied to strength." "This man, Dottore, has performed countless modifications on his own body..." "His power rivals that of the gods, and purely in terms of combat strength, he firmly holds the position of the Second Harbinger..." "What''s more, he now possesses a degree of control over Eerie power..." "I don''t understand why you''re all so agitated," Dottore spoke slowly. "I am simply conducting a routine experiment." "Although Furina''s face is now disfigured, with my expertise, crafting a new one for her in the future wouldn''t be a difficult task." "A so-called ''human'' is nothing more than a highly complex machine." "Dismantling a part for observation, modification, and research is the most natural thing in the world..." "If something still holds research value, it should be maintained. If it proves worthless, then discarding it is of no consequence." Listening to Dottore''s absurd reasoning, everyone felt a surge of fury. The only reason they hadn''t launched an attack yet and were instead locked in a tense standoff was due to the confined space¡ªthey were underground, and if a battle caused a collapse, Furina''s life would be in grave danger... Moreover, no one could predict what kind of insane actions Dottore might take next... "Cough... cough..." At that moment, Furina, who was bound to the reclining chair, suddenly coughed twice, spitting out a considerable amount of blood. She struggled to turn her head, looking at the people who had come for her. With a weak voice, she spoke: "I''m... sor... ry..." "Kill... kill... me..." Why was Furina saying "I''m sorry" in a situation like this? Did she feel that it was her own mistake, that she hadn''t done better, and that she had burdened everyone? And her last plea¡ª"kill me"¡ªonly deepened the sorrow and pain in everyone''s hearts. What kind of torment had she endured for someone as strong and optimistic as her to utter such words...? "I''m... sor... ry..." Su Yuan murmured, repeating those words as if he had heard them somewhere before. He instinctively reached up to touch his own face, completely unaware that tears were streaming down uncontrollably. At this moment, Su Yuan''s heart was filled with a whirlwind of emotions¡ªanger, unwillingness, regret, sorrow¡ªeverything except fear. Whether it was facing the overwhelmingly powerful Dottore or the fact that he no longer had stable rewind attempts, all the unknowns and fears had completely vanished from Su Yuan''s mind and heart at this moment. Right now, Su Yuan had only one thought¡ªto fulfill Furina''s request and free her from this endless suffering and torment. With a calm expression, Su Yuan took slow, deliberate steps forward, moving toward Dottore and Furina. Dottore watched him with amused interest and spoke: "I don''t recall your face at all. You must be the Su Yuan they''ve been talking about?" "Are you the one who told them all that information about Eerie power?" "I believe we might have the potential to be friends¡ªto be close academic partners in this field of study." "Come now, abandon them and join me!" Dottore extended his hand toward Su Yuan as he spoke. "Let us explore the secrets of Eerie power together!" "As a token of my sincerity, if you wish, I wouldn''t even mind sharing Furina with you..." "I''m not the least bit interested," Su Yuan replied calmly, looking straight at Dottore. "Your so-called academic research is worth less than a Floater''s excrement." "You...!" Dottore''s expression immediately twisted in anger. Su Yuan''s words had undoubtedly struck a nerve, crossing a line that he could not tolerate. Dottore never cared about the opinions of mere mortals and insects. However, the fact that he had extended an invitation to Su Yuan in the first place meant that he already considered him somewhat of an equal. "Hahahaha..." Dottore laughed as he stared at Su Yuan. "You dare compare my research to a Floater''s excrement?" "Even the God of Wisdom, no matter how much they disapprove of my methods, would never speak of my research in such a way..." "Correction," Su Yuan said calmly. "It''s not just excrement..." "It''s not even worth that." The next moment, Dottore lunged toward Su Yuan in fury, but Clorinde and Neuvillette immediately blocked his attack! "Su Yuan, do what you must!" Neuvillette said firmly. "We believe in you!" "Heh, so you like getting in my way?" Dottore sneered. A sinister, dark-red flame suddenly ignited in the palm of his right hand. "Then let''s see if you can stop this power!" Everyone tensed up as they saw the eerie, black-crimson energy swirling in Dottore''s grasp, instinctively stepping back to keep their distance. If any of them were accidentally contaminated by this Eerie power and fell into an incomplete state of corruption under Dottore''s control, the situation would only become even more dire... "Su Yuan, why is it that even after seeing the Eerie power in my hand, you make no effort to dodge and instead keep walking forward?" Dottore asked in confusion. "Are you not afraid of being corrupted and controlled by the Eerie power?" "Afraid? Why should I be afraid?" Su Yuan replied calmly, his steps never faltering. "Then let me inject this Eerie power into your body, and you can experience for yourself whether or not there is anything to fear!" As Dottore spoke, he channeled all the Eerie power in his hand directly into Su Yuan''s body. Yet, Su Yuan made no attempt to avoid it. "Hahaha! Forcing you all to turn against each other with Eerie power¡ªwhat a beautiful sight!" However, something completely unexpected happened. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite the vast amount of Eerie power surging into Su Yuan, there were no signs of corruption. In fact, Su Yuan''s expression remained unchanged, as if the Eerie power had never entered his body in the first place... "What is going on? Su Yuan, are you immune to the corruption of Eerie power as well?" Dottore stood frozen in disbelief. "And your resistance threshold is even higher than Furina''s?" "Shut your filthy mouth and stand still." Su Yuan turned his gaze toward Dottore and spoke in a calm, unwavering tone. Then, to Dottore''s astonishment, he found himself unable to speak, his body frozen in place... Su Yuan then took out the small knife he carried with him. Without the slightest hesitation, he plunged it straight into Furina''s heart! And at that moment, the corner of Furina''s skinless lips curved into a faint smile... "Furina..." "Next time... Next time, I will definitely save you..." Su Yuan murmured, before driving the bloodstained knife¡ªstill dripping with Furina''s heart''s blood¡ªdeep into his own heart! --------------- Exclusive access : 144ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 84: Ch 84 : The Fifth Rewind Chapter 84 - Ch 84 : The Fifth Rewind Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, but this time, it wasn''t the same strange sensation as before... This time, he felt dizzy, exhausted, and weak, as if he could collapse into sleep at any moment... And in the palm of his left hand, what he felt wasn''t just a slight sting, but a sharp, searing pain... Had he rewind again? But why did it feel different this time? Su Yuan quickly raised his left hand to look at his palm, only to see some messy, crooked, and barely legible writing: [Emperor my stab joy...] Raw : Di wu ci le [Blur wealth rudder proper strength...] Raw : Xiao xin Duo Tuo Lei [Million peak drug complete wine Abundance and solidify Sodium...] Raw : Yi ding yao zheng jiu Fu Ning Na TL note : For whoever not familiar with chinese, they have 5 tones and each character have different meaning, for example Mother and horse ( ma ) have the same reading word but different tone. The same with the text above, they were just gibberish word that don''t have any meaning. Compared to the previous engravings, these new markings didn''t seem to be carved with a knife. Instead, they looked like scars left behind by some kind of laser or high-temperature force that had burned and corroded the skin... And these words¡ªwhat did they mean? They were completely incomprehensible! Just as Su Yuan was trying to make sense of them, the door to the hospital room suddenly burst open, and a visibly anxious Melusine from the Gardes arrived in a hurry. "Lord Neuvillette! Something terrible has happened! The Armored Crabs among the Primordial Sea have gone into a mass frenzy, and several coastal villages have already been completely destroyed!" "Based on the latest reports, at least 30 people have been killed, and over a hundred have been injured!" "Which coastal villages were affected?" Neuvillette asked. "Several villages, scattered across Fontaine." Melusine responded, before proceeding to share more detailed information. After listening, Neuvillette nodded, then turned to the others, making a sincere request: "Although this is not your mission, I implore you to lend a hand¡ªto help me, to help Fontaine overcome this sudden crisis." "Neuvillette, why are you saying such formal things? Faced with something like this, even if you didn''t ask, we wouldn''t just stand by and do nothing!" Wriothesley spoke up. "Protecting Fontaine has always been one of the core duties of the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol," Chevreuse added. "This is great¡ªanother chance to fight!" Tartaglia''s eyes lit up, clearly excited. Everyone voiced their agreement and began discussing how to split into teams to head out to the different disaster-stricken areas. Only Su Yuan remained silent, staring at the message on the palm of his left hand, still trying to decipher its meaning... A new line of text had appeared on his palm. Could this mean he had indeed triggered another return¡ªanother rewind? Su Yuan knew himself well. He was a cautious person. If it hadn''t been absolutely necessary, he wouldn''t have risked initiating another rewind... If that''s the case, then he really did perform a fifth rewind. But this new message was incredibly vague¡ªso abstract it was almost as if it wasn''t helpful at all. [Emperor my stab joy...] Raw : Di wu ci le If he interpreted it literally, did it mean something like: ''I stabbed the Emperor and felt happy about it''? But he was clearly in Fontaine... how could he possibly have anything to do with Zhongli all the way over in Liyue? "Di wu ci le... Di wu ci le... Di wu ci le..." Su Yuan repeated the phrase over and over, and then¡ªsuddenly¡ªhe realized something! "The fifth time???" *raw read "the fifth time" is Di wu ci le but just a different tone Could it be that the phrase was a homophone, hinting that he had just gone through his fifth rewind? Now that he understood the pattern, Su Yuan''s thinking suddenly cleared and became more active. "Xiao xin Duo Tuo Lei... be careful of Dottore..." So, this time''s Primordial Sea creature rampage¡ªit really was Dottore''s doing? "Yi ding yao zheng jiu Fu Ning Na..." "I must... save... Furina..." As soon as Su Yuan deciphered the final message''s meaning, his mind exploded with a thunderous realization! "I must save Furina???" Could it be that something had happened to Furina in the previous timeline, which made him desperate enough to trigger a rewind? A deep sense of unease welled up inside Su Yuan. He turned toward Neuvillette, his voice urgent: "Neuvillette, Furina is in danger!" Seeing the expression on Su Yuan''s face, Neuvillette grew serious as well and asked, "Su Yuan, did you see something again?" "I don''t know exactly," Su Yuan replied firmly, "but I have a strong feeling¡ªthis is all part of Dottore''s scheme. We need to return to Furina''s side and protect her!" "Lord Neuvillette, you should go with Su Yuan and stay by Lady Furina''s side," Clorinde said calmly. "Even though that disaster zone suffered the most damage, with my authority and rules, I can handle it alone." "There''s no one more suited for this than me." Aether looked at Su Yuan, visibly confused. Just now, Su Yuan had been staring at his left palm and muttering strange phrases... Did he... experience another rewind? But why didn''t Aether have any memory of it? Although he really wanted to talk to Su Yuan more, there was no time for idle conversation now. The others rushed toward the affected disaster zones, while Neuvillette and Su Yuan began preparing to return to Palais Mermonia. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. .............. But when Su Yuan and Neuvillette returned to the Palais Mermonia, Furina was nowhere to be found in her private suite. "To the Opera Epiclese!" Su Yuan said without a moment of hesitation. When Neuvillette and Su Yuan arrived at the entrance of the Op¨¦ra Epiclese, they found Furina squatting on the ground, poking at the cheek of a security officer who was collapsed on the floor. She looked puzzled and said: "Eh? Why are they sleeping on the ground? They''re snoring so loudly¡ªmust be having a really good nap..." "But isn''t it work hours right now? Sleeping on the job will get your pay docked, you know..." "Furina!" Hearing someone call her from behind, Furina turned her head and was surprised to see Neuvillette and Su Yuan. "Eh? Su Yuan? Neuvillette? You''re only arriving now? I thought you''d already gone to see Focalors to discuss countermeasures!" As she spoke, she pointed at the guards lying on the ground. "Do you two have any idea what''s going on with them?" "Furina, you''re safe... that''s truly a relief." Seeing the unharmed, healthy Furina standing before him, Su Yuan finally let out a breath of relief. Looking at the guards collapsed on the ground, Neuvillette spoke up: "Their current condition is clearly man-made..." "I have a feeling the enemy has already infiltrated the opera house." "The enemy? Then wouldn''t Focalors be in danger?" Furina said worriedly. "If it were just an ordinary enemy, it might be fine... but the one currently inside the opera house is most likely The Doctor¡ªDottore..." "Furina, go to the Gardes or the Special Patrol unit''s station. It should be a bit safer there. Or find a secluded place to hide. Neuvillette and I will go inside and check the situation." Su Yuan spoke firmly¡ªhe couldn''t allow Furina to remain exposed to danger any longer. "But..." Furina hesitated, her voice unsure. "Furina, just listen to Su Yuan for now. Leave the rest to us," Neuvillette said calmly. "You know how well Su Yuan and I work together." "If we can eliminate Dottore as a threat here, that would be the best outcome." And so, Su Yuan and Neuvillette cautiously stepped into the opera house... --------------- Exclusive access : 144ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 85: Ch 85 : Watch closely—this is how you use Eerie power Chapter 85 - Ch 85 : Watch closely¡ªthis is how you use Eerie power Inside the Opera Epiclese, Before the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale "Well then, Focalors, tell me¡ªwhat was your original plan to save the people of Fontaine?" Dottore gazed at Focalors, speaking slowly and deliberately. Focalors looked at the eerie power in Dottore''s hands, her expression tense and serious. She had already concealed Su Yuan''s existence from him. But if she hid even this, who knew what kind of madness he would unleash... "Dottore!" Neuvillette''s commanding voice rang out, drawing the attention of both Focalors and Dottore. Dottore turned around, his expression puzzled as he saw Neuvillette and Su Yuan entering. "That''s strange... Neuvillette, why are you here?" "And the person beside you¡ªwho might he be?" Neuvillette and Su Yuan both caught sight of the eerie power in Dottore''s hands, their faces growing grave. "Dottore, what exactly is your goal in disturbing Fontaine?" Neuvillette questioned him. "My goal? It''s nothing more than the pursuit of knowledge." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ignoring Neuvillette, Dottore turned back to Focalors and continued, "Focalors, my patience has its limits." "If you still refuse to tell me the truth, I''ll have no choice but to inject this eerie power into the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale right here and now." Su Yuan couldn''t help but speak up. "Dottore, you lunatic! Do you have no fear of death?" "Death?" Dottore chuckled lightly. "I am not so easily killed." "If I can obtain all the answers in this world before I die¡ªif I can satisfy every question in my mind¡ªthen perhaps death wouldn''t be so terrifying after all." "Speaking of which... who exactly are you? I have no memory of you whatsoever. Yet, judging from what I''ve seen, you seem quite close to Neuvillette and Focalors." "So it was you who told them about the eerie power? And you even brought Neuvillette here to sabotage my experiment?" "I have no reason to tell you anything." Su Yuan replied, exchanging a glance with Neuvillette. Neuvillette gave a subtle nod in response. Focalors observed their movements and immediately understood their intentions... Against Dottore, they couldn''t afford to hold back. From the very start, they had to unleash their strongest power! At that moment, both Su Yuan and Focalors suddenly bowed low, pressing their foreheads to the ground. Outside, the sky darkened, and rain began to fall. At the same time, an overwhelming surge of eerie power erupted from Neuvillette''s body! Dottore''s expression flickered between astonishment and exhilaration as he witnessed the scene. He couldn''t help but burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Neuvillette, you can manipulate eerie power as well? What a delightful surprise!" But then, Neuvillette''s voice rang out, filled with unyielding authority. "Wretched mortal!!!" "Who permitted you to stand before me and speak in such a tone???" "Kneel¡ªbefore me!!!" With a thunderous crash, Dottore''s legs buckled against his will, and he was forced to kneel heavily upon the ground. He remained still for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. "No... you''re not Neuvillette." "You''re just like the others¡ªweaklings whose minds have been enslaved by eerie power..." "How disappointing. I had hoped you would provide me with a more interesting challenge." Even as he knelt, Dottore showed no trace of fear. Instead, he continued speaking, his tone as casual as if he were discussing scientific findings. "I can sense it... the rain outside." "So, your transformation into this eerie state is linked to the weather, is it?" "How fascinating. Another valuable piece of information." Then, his gaze shifted toward Su Yuan and Focalors, who were still kneeling, deep in contemplation. "So this posture of yours... is it also a method of using some kind of rule to evade the attacks of an eerie-transformed Neuvillette?" "It seems you all understand eerie power even better than I do..." "Wretched mortal!!!" "Neuvillette" roared with fury. "You''re still prattling on? Kneel and bow before me at once!!!" As soon as Neuvillette''s words fell, Dottore''s body once again moved against his will. His forehead struck the ground with force. After three strikes, his mask cracked and shattered, revealing his blue hair and red eyes. After five, his forehead was battered and bloodied, crimson liquid dripping onto the floor... Yet, despite this, Dottore began laughing. "Oh... so that''s how it is. I finally understand why my body refuses to obey me and instead follows your commands..." "But tell me¡ªif a man cannot even control his own body, what else is left for him to control?" As he was about to strike his head for the seventh time, his movements suddenly froze. "I have absolute control over my body." "Every inch of my skin, every component, every single cell¡ªeverything is within my grasp." "This foreign power of yours... get out of my body!!!" In the next instant, Dottore''s right palm surged with eerie energy, which he then used to strike his own body with tremendous force! Immediately, thick clouds of crimson and jet-black smoke erupted from him¡ªthe eerie power that Neuvillette had imposed upon him was being forcibly expelled. "So, all you did was inject your eerie power into others to make them obey your commands..." "Hah... I''ve done that before myself." Su Yuan was shocked by Dottore''s words. Indeed, those infused with Dottore''s eerie power would inevitably submit to his orders... So this so-called "Words Become Law" ability of Neuvillette¡ªwas it actually operating on the same principle?! Seeing Dottore dispel his power and refuse to obey his commands, "Neuvillette" furrowed his brows in anger. "You... wretched mortal!!!" "Heh, Neuvillette, you''ve lost even your own original reasoning. What right do you have to speak with me?" Dottore sneered coldly. "There''s something I''ve always wanted to try, but I never found the right opportunity or a worthy opponent..." "This will be my first time attempting it, and it will serve as valuable experience for my future understanding and mastery of eerie power." As he spoke, Dottore gathered a mass of eerie energy in his right palm and slowly pressed it against his own forehead. "Watch closely¡ªthis is how eerie power is meant to be used!!!" In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of eerie power erupted from Dottore''s body! Smiling, he slowly rose to his feet. "So this is what it feels like to have eerie power coursing through my entire being?" "Only the kind and the weak allow themselves to be controlled by eerie power..." "I can clearly sense it... My mind is filling with all kinds of deranged and ruthless thoughts..." "But compared to the me from before..." "This isn''t crazy enough! Not wild enough!! Not cruel or brutal enough!!!" At this moment, both Su Yuan and Focalors couldn''t help but lift their heads, staring at Dottore, who was now shrouded in eerie energy. The sheer intensity of his aura... seemed no weaker than that of "Neuvillette" himself. Dottore had actually done it¡ªhe had embraced eerie power while retaining his own mind and consciousness. Check out newest novel The Walking Dead : Rules of survival --------------- Exclusive access : 147ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 86: Ch 86 : Chapter 86 - Ch 86 : "Neuvillette" vs. Dottore Neuvillette and Dottore faced off, both radiating immense eerie power. "You pathetic mortal, do you really think that with such incomplete power, you can defeat me¡ªthe ruler of this world?" Neuvillette glared at Dottore with intense hostility as he spoke viciously. "I know that in terms of endurance, I''m certainly no match for you..." Dottore spoke slowly. "Which is why I need to end this quickly!" In the next moment, Dottore transformed into a blur, appearing directly in front of Neuvillette! S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His fist, wrapped in eerie energy, shot straight toward Neuvillette''s face! However, Neuvillette simply raised a hand, and with a surge of eerie energy, he effortlessly blocked the attack! "Is that the extent of your strength?" Neuvillette sneered before casually waving his other hand. Instantly, two streams of pitch-black and crimson energy surged from behind him, slamming into Dottore with immense force! The sheer impact sent Dottore crashing to the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his lips... "Haha, as expected, in terms of pure power, I''m still a bit lacking for now..." Dottore wiped away the blood from his mouth and stood up once again. "So, let me show you some of my little inventions." As he spoke, two silver-gray spikes materialized behind him from seemingly nowhere. However, these spikes were now enveloped in dense, crimson-black eerie energy. "I originally designed these as high-speed weapons, though their destructive power was somewhat lacking..." "But now, the eerie energy has perfectly compensated for that flaw, turning them into rather handy tools." In the next instant, the eerie-empowered spikes disappeared from sight! What followed was the chilling sound of flesh being sliced apart and blood splattering through the air! Even though Neuvillette was already on high alert, his shoulder and waist were still grazed by the spikes! The sheer speed of the attack was so overwhelming that even he couldn''t react in time to defend with eerie power! "You actually dodged? Originally, I was aiming for your head and chest." Dottore noted that Neuvillette''s reaction speed was faster than he had expected. "You pathetic mortal! Disrespecting me is one thing, but you actually dare to injure me?!" Neuvillette roared in fury. He stomped the ground forcefully, and in an instant, an even more intense surge of eerie energy erupted from him! "Kneel before me!!!" A crushing force swept over Dottore, pressing down on him with immense power. If he wanted to resist it, he had no choice but to continuously deplete his own eerie energy... "Tsk... Is the gap still too vast...?" "In the face of absolute, overwhelming power, all techniques and skills seem like nothing but a joke..." Dottore muttered helplessly. He could feel the eerie energy within his body rapidly dissipating... "What a crude way to wield such power. If I were the one in control of such an immense force, I would certainly use it far more efficiently." "Still, I''ve gathered quite a lot of practical combat data this time... It was well worth it." With a loud boom, Dottore collapsed onto his knees, his kneecaps shattering upon impact. Neuvillette slowly stepped forward, grasping Dottore by the throat and lifting him high into the air. "Vile mortal! Pay the price for your foolishness and arrogance!" As Neuvillette spoke, he tightened his grip and snapped Dottore''s neck, then tossed him to the ground like discarded trash. He then began to furiously stomp on Dottore''s body, grinding him into a bloody pulp to vent his rage... Earlier, Su Yuan had been worried¡ªwhat if Neuvillette didn''t finish him off properly? But now, it was clear that he had overthought it. With Dottore reduced to an unrecognizable mess, this clone of his had to be dead beyond any doubt... Indeed, in his eerie state, Neuvillette''s power was unquestionably overwhelming. However, in the next moment, Neuvillette''s gaze shifted toward Focalors and Su Yuan. "I saw that. You two lifted your heads just now, didn''t you?" His icy voice rang out. "You saw me wounded and struggling. Did that make you happy?" Su Yuan immediately sensed danger. Without hesitation, he channeled his Hydro energy, dispelling the rain and clearing the storm clouds. "Neuvillette! That''s enough¡ªsnap out of it!" At Su Yuan''s call, Neuvillette successfully regained his clarity. He looked around but found no sign of Dottore. Confused, he asked, "Su Yuan, where''s Dottore? Did he escape?" "No." Su Yuan pointed at the unidentifiable pile of flesh on the ground. "That''s Dottore." Focalors also stepped forward, asking with concern, "Neuvillette, are your shoulder and waist injuries alright?" "I''m fine," Neuvillette glanced at his wounds. "They''re just minor scratches. Although they were tainted with eerie power, the wounds aren''t deep¡ªthey''ll heal in no time." Su Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief. With this, Furina shouldn''t be in any immediate danger because of Dottore¡ªat least for now... ....... Outside the Opera Epiclese, Furina was hiding in a bush, not having gone far. Although Su Yuan and Neuvillette had told her to go to the headquarters of the Gardes or the Special Security Forces, Furina didn''t want to do that. She chose to stay nearby instead so that if anything happened, she could react immediately. But just then, she felt someone poke her from behind. Furina turned around to see a masked man squinting his eyes in a smile as he looked at her. "Oh! It''s Lady Furina! What a coincidence, running into you here! I''m a huge fan of your opera performances!" Furina was momentarily at a loss for words. So this person was a fan of hers? But judging by his outfit, he looked more like a shady Treasure Hoarder... "Let me introduce myself¡ªmy name is Aji. As for my profession... well, it''s not exactly convenient to disclose." "Lady Furina, are you hiding in this bush because you''re playing hide-and-seek with someone?" "Uh... no..." Furina hesitated, unsure how to answer. "But I am trying to stay hidden." "Then that''s perfect!" Aji said matter-of-factly. "If you''re trying to hide, this is absolutely not the way to do it!" "You see, I was able to find you here so easily. If someone with bad intentions were to spot you hiding here, that would be a disaster." "So, Lady Furina, would you like me to help you hide? I guarantee that no one will be able to find you!" "Within our organization, I''m known as the Master of Concealment! You can trust in my skills completely!" Looking at the confident man before her¡ªwho also happened to be her fan¡ªFurina wondered if she should go along with his plan and learn some hiding techniques. That way, she would have at least some ability to protect herself in the future when facing danger. Check out newest novel The Walking Dead : Rules of survival --------------- Exclusive access : 147ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 87: Ch 87 : Make a insect the new Hydro Archon? Chapter 87 - Ch 87 : Make a insect the new Hydro Archon? Facing the earnest and enthusiastic man who called himself Aji, Furina was just about to agree when she suddenly heard a voice from nearby. "Furina, are you still around?" "The situation has been temporarily resolved, and everything is safe for now. You don''t have to hide anymore!" "It''s Su Yuan''s voice!" Furina exclaimed, immediately standing up from the bushes. She turned to Aji with an apologetic smile and said, "Sorry, Aji, I don''t need to hide anymore. I''ll come find you next time to learn!" Then, waving her hand, she called out, "Su Yuan, I''m here!" She ran toward the voice, her steps light and quick. Before long, Furina and Su Yuan met up. "Furina, I knew you wouldn''t go far," Su Yuan said with a smile. "Yeah, I just hid nearby," Furina replied. "I thought I was well hidden, but I ended up running into one of my fans..." "He even offered to teach me how to conceal myself properly! I was about to accept, but then you called my name, so I had to turn him down." Su Yuan''s heart suddenly sank, and his right eyelid twitched twice. He hesitantly asked, "That person... his name wasn''t Aji, was it?" "Huh? Su Yuan, how did you know? Is he actually some famous person?" Furina asked in surprise. "Furina, where exactly were you hiding just now? Take me there, quick!" Su Yuan said urgently. But when they returned to the bushes where Furina had been hiding, Aji was nowhere to be found. "Furina, I made a critical mistake... I forgot to warn everyone about this earlier..." Su Yuan felt a wave of fear wash over him, sweat forming on his back as he spoke. "It''s not just people like us who can be corrupted and controlled by the eerie influence..." "Even ordinary people can also be affected and fall under its control..." "And Aji is one of them." "The condition for his eerie transformation... might be getting someone to agree to let him help them hide." Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Furina was instantly terrified. She had nearly fallen into the trap¡ªif Su Yuan hadn''t shown up and called her just in time... ............... After dealing with the rampaging Armored Crabs of the Primordial Sea, everyone regrouped in front of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale. "Hmm, ah..." Wriothesley looked at the unrecognizable, heavily censored mess on the ground and couldn''t help but comment, "Neuvillette, you really went all out, huh? You did this to Dottore?" "I was hoping we could capture him alive and extract some information from him." "Arlecchino, Dottore has done many things he shouldn''t have within Fontaine''s borders, but in the end, he is one of Snezhnaya''s Fatui Harbingers. If your Tsaritsa has any objections to my actions, I am more than willing to answer for them." Neuvillette turned to Arlecchino as he spoke. "No, Lord Neuvillette, you''re overthinking it. This was simply Dottore''s fate¡ªhe brought this upon himself." Arlecchino responded calmly. "Within Snezhnaya and the Fatui, Dottore has already been deemed a traitor." "Her Majesty the Tsaritsa will not hold you accountable for this. On the contrary, she will be grateful that you helped cleanse the Fatui of its corruption." "What a pity¡ªDottore just had to die like this. I never even got the chance to fight him," Tartaglia sighed. "But then again, he has so many segments... I''m sure I''ll get my chance eventually." Regardless, with the death of this particular segment of Dottore, everyone could finally breathe a temporary sigh of relief... "Focalors, I had an idea last night." Su Yuan looked at Focalors and spoke. "Since the prophecy cannot be avoided, why not let it naturally unfold? Then, you can follow the example of the previous Hydro Archon, Egeria, and turn those who have transformed into Oceanids back into humans. Would this method work?" "Egeria..." Hearing that name, Focalors couldn''t help but recall some sorrowful memories. She thought for a moment but ultimately rejected the proposal. "Su Yuan, your method is feasible in a certain sense, but it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause." "If The Heavenly Principles remained asleep forever, this might be a viable solution." "But one day, The Heavenly Principles will awaken. When that happens, everything will simply fall into an endless cycle of tragedy." "The only way to truly resolve this crisis is to completely transform the people of Fontaine into true humans." As they listened to Focalors'' words, the group fell silent. Everyone understood that the only way to truly resolve Fontaine''s prophecy crisis was to cleanse the sins of all Fontainians and make them fully human. And the only way to achieve that was to return the Authority of the Sovereign Hydro Dragon to Neuvillette... "Focalors." At that moment, Arlecchino spoke. "You have accumulated five hundred years'' worth of Indemnitium Energy, all to break through the rules and restrictions of Celestia, to shatter the throne of the Hydro Archon, and to return the Authority of the Sovereign Hydro Dragon to Neuvillette..." "But you... you were never supposed to choose self-sacrifice from the very beginning." That''s right. Hearing Arlecchino''s words, Su Yuan suddenly realized something... Why must Focalors die? Wasn''t her goal to destroy the throne of the Hydro Archon? So, Su Yuan considered a hypothesis: If the throne of the Hydro Archon still existed, then upon Focalors'' death, the Hydro Archon''s authority would return to the throne and then be passed on to the next Hydro Archon. In essence, the throne acted like a relay station, simply transferring the power of the Hydro Archon to its next successor. Therefore, by killing herself and destroying the throne, Focalors ensured that, without the interference of the throne, the Hydro Archon''s authority would return to its original owner¡ªNeuvillette. If this hypothesis held true, then there would be several new possible approaches... With that realization, Su Yuan immediately spoke up: "Focalors, I just had an idea¡ªwhat if you renounced the position of Hydro Archon and directly passed the title to Neuvillette? Wouldn''t that allow him to regain the full power of the sovereign dragon?" Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Focalors let out a soft, somewhat helpless chuckle before responding, "If that method worked, I would have done it long ago." "An elemental dragon cannot become an Archon¡ªthat is a rule set by Celestia." Su Yuan sighed. Of course... there was no way the system would let him exploit a insect so easily! "Then, Focalors, I suddenly have another idea." Su Yuan said. "If we can''t pass the title of Hydro Archon to Neuvillette, then... what if we passed it to an insect?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The one sentenced to death isn''t you, Focalors. The one condemned is the ''Hydro Archon''... And what needs to be completely destroyed is merely the throne of the Hydro Archon." "So, what if we made that insect the new Hydro Archon, and then killed the insect while also destroying the throne? Would that allow the authority of the sovereign dragon to return to Neuvillette?" Hearing Su Yuan''s bold and utterly insane idea, everyone was stunned. Even Focalors froze in place, staring at Su Yuan with an expression that was impossible to define... This possibility had never even crossed her mind before. There had never been any indication that an insect could become the Hydro Archon... But at the same time, there had never been any confirmation that an insect could not become the Hydro Archon. --------------- Exclusive access : 150ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 88: Ch 88 : Doubt and contemplation Chapter 88 - Ch 88 : Doubt and contemplation "Hahahaha..." "So this is the method Focalors planned to use to resolve Fontaine''s prophecy crisis..." "Sacrificing oneself for the sake of others¡ªwhat a foolish and cliched trope..." "And you¡ªyour name is Su Yuan, right?" "Su Yuan, your idea is unique, insane even. I really like it... I truly admire it..." "Making an insect the Hydro Archon¡ªhow utterly fascinating!" "Su Yuan, we will definitely meet again..." "I think... we might just become friends..." In a dark and shadowy corner, a figure could barely suppress the smile on their face and the delight in their heart, speaking to themselves. .............. "Su Yuan, although I had never considered the method you proposed," Focalors pondered, her expression heavy with contemplation. "Even if it truly succeeds, and an insect gains the power of the Hydro Archon, no one can guarantee what it will do..." "Can you promise that it will, like me, offer no resistance and willingly accept its fate? That it won''t, upon sensing a threat to its life, struggle and fight back with everything it has?" "Su Yuan, I will carefully consider your proposal, but now is not the time to give you an answer..." Focalors'' response was within everyone''s expectations. Although Su Yuan''s idea was indeed creative and theoretically possible, it was still filled with too many uncertainties. "Everyone, why don''t we put this discussion on hold for now?" Neuvillette spoke up. "You''ve all worked hard helping Fontaine fend off the primordial sea eerie''s rampage. And as it happens, it''s mealtime¡ªallow me to treat everyone to a meal." ................ At the entrance of Hotel Debord in Fontaine, a waitress was busy inviting guests inside. Then, she saw a large and imposing group approaching... Lady Furina, Lord Neuvillette, Duke Wriothesley, Lady Clorinde, Captain Chevreuse... and many, many more of Fontaine''s most prominent figures¡ªwhy were they all arriving at Hotel Debord at the same time?! And walking alongside them, keeping pace as their equal, was none other than that man she had once mistakenly thought was trying to dine and dash¡ªMr. Su Yuan?! "Boss! This is bad! You need to come out and greet them right now! The pressure is too much¡ªI can''t handle this!!!" ............ "Honored guests, it is my great privilege to welcome you all to Hotel Debord." The owner of Hotel Debord, Vaneigem, personally came to greet the group. "As you know, one of the unique features of Hotel Debord is our tradition of inviting artists to perform within the restaurant." "I had originally planned to invite Mr. Lyney and Miss Lynette for a magic performance, but to my surprise, they have come today as customers instead." "But regardless, art is the finest seasoning for any meal. I hope that all of you will enjoy the seamless blend of art and cuisine here at Hotel Debord." With that, Vaneigem exited the private dining room, leaving the space for the guests to enjoy. "Wahoo! Finally, I get to taste some of Fontaine''s finest luxury cuisine¡ªthank you so much, Mr. Neuvillette!" Looking at the dazzling array of exquisite dishes spread across the table, Paimon was practically drooling with excitement. However, among everyone present, Paimon was probably the only one truly focused on the food. "Arlecchino, I know that your ultimate goal in returning to Fontaine is to obtain the Hydro Gnosis," Neuvillette said as he looked at Arlecchino. "That''s right." Arlecchino nodded. "But I have also received the Tsaritsa''s permission¡ªafter obtaining the Gnosis, I will prioritize using its power to find a way to break the prophecy and save Fontaine." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "These two objectives are not contradictory. My desire to seize the Gnosis is genuine, but so is my wish to save Fontaine." "Seize?" Furina showed a puzzled expression as she looked at Arlecchino, suddenly having a bad premonition. Noticing Furina''s gaze, Arlecchino responded with a faint smile. "I had initially planned to take the Gnosis directly from you, Lady Furina." "But now I know that you are not the true Hydro Archon, and I assume the Gnosis is not in your possession. So, I have abandoned that plan." "I understand that the Fatui Harbingers have been collecting the Gnoses from various nations," Neuvillette said. "And I have indeed seen the help you have provided to Fontaine." "Once the crisis of the prophecy is completely resolved, I am willing to grant you the Hydro Gnosis through diplomatic means." Arlecchino smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "Then I will thank you in advance, Lord Neuvillette." Although Su Yuan had previously tasted the food at Hotel Debord and found it delicious, his thoughts were now completely elsewhere. He was constantly thinking about how to resolve the prophecy crisis. If the method of turning a mere insect into the Hydro Archon didn''t work, then... was there truly no other way but to sacrifice Focalors? Su Yuan recalled Fontaine''s main storyline: "Farewell, Neuvillette." "I hope you''ve enjoyed the role that was yours for these past five hundred years." He then thought back to Zhongli''s legend quest¡ªthe tale of Havria, the God of Salt, in the "Sal Flore." She had also perished by her own hand... Even a weak god like Havria, upon death, had caused a massive transformation, turning a vast land into salt. Yet in Fontaine''s original story, Focalors¡ªone of the Seven who rule over Teyvat¡ªhad supposedly died, and there were no such extraordinary phenomena. This was something many scholars found suspicious. Some believed that Focalors'' power had been absorbed by Neuvillette and Furina. Others speculated that because Furina was still alive, Focalors'' death wasn''t truly complete. And, of course, there were those who theorized that Focalors had never died at all¡ªthat she had merely faked her death and deceived everyone. Su Yuan wasn''t sure which was the truth, but one thing was clear: today, he had no more stable "rewinds" left... From what he could tell, it seemed possible to trigger a fifth rewind, but his body¡ªand the strange sensations he was experiencing¡ªwarned him that such an act might come at an even greater cost... Tomorrow. He would wait until tomorrow. As soon as tomorrow arrived, Focalors would have to immediately attempt the experiment¡ªcould her authority truly be transferred? Could an insect really become the Hydro Archon? Of course, it didn''t necessarily have to be an insect. That was just an example. As long as Focalors'' identity and power as the Hydro Archon could be transferred somewhere else, that would be enough! Go ahead and try¡ªif it fails, it doesn''t matter. At worst, he could just rewind again and start over! Having settled on this decision, Su Yuan''s thoughts turned to another problem. That was the strange rules behind Furina''s Eerie transformation. For others, the mechanisms behind their transformations could more or less be understood, but Furina was an exception. Thinking back, the moment he transmigrated, he had appeared in Furina''s bed. And the Eerie Furina... why had she called him darling and treated him like a lover? She had claimed that he was her only confidant in hundreds of years¡ªbut hadn''t he only recently arrived in Teyvat? While Neuvillette had suggested that the cause of an Eerie transformation might not be limited to just one factor, it seemed that Furina''s case only triggered at night, and only when she saw him... Moreover, why was Furina the only one who, during the daytime, remained completely unaffected by the Eerie influence? Even external Eerie forces seemed unable to take hold of her. There were still too many unanswered questions that needed to be solved... --------------- Exclusive access : 150ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 89: Ch 89 : A new day has begun Chapter 89 - Ch 89 : A new day has begun After lunch, after parting ways with the others, Su Yuan, Neuvillette, Furina, Aether, and Paimon returned to Palais Mermonia. On the way back, Su Yuan felt utterly exhausted. His whole body was weary, and his head felt light and dizzy. "Neuvillette, Furina, I think I''m a bit tired. I''ll go rest first," Su Yuan said, then headed straight to his room. Aether watched Su Yuan, noticing how drained he looked. Doubt filled his heart¡ªwhat was wrong with Su Yuan? Why did he seem so completely out of energy? Back in his room, Su Yuan collapsed onto his bed. Tired... He was so, so tired... It wasn''t just physical exhaustion¡ªit was a deep, overwhelming mental fatigue as well. Ever since the fifth time he rewind, Su Yuan had felt something was off with his body. But with everything that had been happening, he had kept himself in a state of high alert. Perhaps his body had been running on adrenaline all this time, allowing him to push through. Now that Dottore''s segment had been eliminated and Furina was temporarily safe, Su Yuan finally let himself relax¡ªand the exhaustion hit him all at once. All he wanted was sleep. Just a deep, restful sleep. And so, with a weary body and mind, Su Yuan drifted into slumber. The afternoon passed without incident. By dinnertime, Neuvillette came to check on Su Yuan, but seeing him still sound asleep, he chose not to disturb him. ............. Su Yuan slept straight through to the next morning. Feeling the warm sunlight streaming into the room, he realized he had been asleep for quite some time. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A sharp pain in the palm of his right hand signaled that a new day had arrived¡ªalong with new rules and hints. Slowly, Su Yuan raised his right hand and looked at his palm: [First of all, congratulations on surviving the sixth night.] [Currently available information:] [Skipped reread ch 61 for hint 1 - 15...] [16. Due to your own choices, you must bear the consequences. Your daily rewind limit has been permanently reduced by one.] Huh? Su Yuan was stunned by the very first piece of information. His daily rewind limit had permanently decreased? Was this the side effect of using the fifth rewind yesterday? Was this the price of overextending his power? But... was his original daily rewind limit really just five? What troubled Su Yuan the most was that he had no idea what his actual rewind limit was. All he knew was that he could perform four stable rewinds each day. The fifth rewind, while possible, left his body and mind in a terrible state¡ªand now, it seemed to come with an even greater price. He just didn''t know whether this reduction in the limit would affect his previous rewind attempts. If it didn''t, he would still have four stable rewind opportunities each day. If it did, then he would only have three stable rewinds left per day. Su Yuan suddenly didn''t know what to say. His rewinds didn''t even retain memories¡ªhe could only rely on the hints in the palm of his left hand. It wasn''t particularly powerful to begin with, and the number of rewinds per day was already limited. Now, there was yet another restriction... "Sigh..." Su Yuan let out a soft sigh and continued reading. [17. If you receive an interview request from Charlotte, do not reject it under any circumstances. Once you accept the interview, unless you choose to remain silent, you must ensure that every word you speak is absolutely truthful.] Charlotte? Isn''t she that famous reporter from The Steambird? Was her eerie transformation condition related to interviews? And did it mean that once he started talking, he had to speak nothing but the absolute truth? In that case, wouldn''t Charlotte basically be a born journalist saint? Facing her, you couldn''t refuse an interview, and you couldn''t lie... Honestly, this eerie transformation condition was kind of overpowered... Su Yuan kept reading. [18. Beware of the All-Devouring Narwhal.] [19. After surviving the seventh night, you will unlock critical intel.] All-Devouring Narwhal? Su Yuan suddenly remembered¡ª In the original game storyline, Tartaglia had been wrongly accused as the culprit behind the series of missing girls and was imprisoned in the Fortress of Meropide. Not long after, he mysteriously disappeared from the fortress... but in reality, he had gone to fight the All-Devouring Narwhal. Now that the timeline had changed so drastically, with Tartaglia no longer present to hold it back, was the All-Devouring Narwhal about to go berserk ahead of schedule? Is that why the hint warned him to be cautious? Damn it, Skirk, what are you doing? Keep an eye on your master''s pet! This eerie phenomenon was already hard enough to deal with, and now there was a giant narwhal on top of that... Su Yuan suddenly had a bad feeling. The All-Devouring Narwhal was already a tough opponent¡ªif it got corrupted by the eerie influence as well, how was he supposed to fight it? On the bright side, though, Dottore''s segment had already been stomped into minced meat by "Neuvillette." At least there shouldn''t be any more incomplete, externally-induced eerie transformations caused by him... But then again, what if Dottore had more than one segment hiding in Fontaine? That would be a nightmare to deal with... And tomorrow¡ªfinally, new critical intel would be unlocked? Hopefully, this critical intel will be more useful this time. Right now, the top priority is to quickly conduct the experiment¡ªsee if Focalors can transfer the Hydro Archon''s identity and authority to something else. Then, destroy that object and the Hydro Archon''s divine seat as soon as possible, returning the full power of the sovereign dragon to Neuvillette. As long as Neuvillette regains his complete draconic form, facing the All-Devouring Narwhal shouldn''t be a problem. ............... Su Yuan arrived at Neuvillette''s office and found that both Neuvillette and Furina were already there. A staff member of the Palais Mermonia was speaking with Neuvillette. "Lord Neuvillette, although yesterday was the weekend, Charlotte, the reporter from The Steambird, submitted a request to Palais Mermonia, hoping to interview you today." "These are the questions she prepared for the interview. Please take a look, my lord." The staff member said as they handed a stack of papers to Neuvillette. Neuvillette frowned slightly¡ªhe was not particularly adept at handling interviews. Whenever possible, he would politely decline such requests. As he scanned through Charlotte''s list of questions, he couldn''t help but sigh, "As expected of Charlotte, the most distinctive journalist at The Steambird." Other reporters would usually submit very formal, diplomatic questions, such as: Lord Neuvillette, what are your thoughts on Fontaine''s economic development in recent years? In your opinion, what is the most important quality for a judge in the Court of Fontaine? When is the next major revision of Fontaine''s legal code expected, and what areas might it cover? But Charlotte''s questions were entirely different¡ªshe focused on Neuvillette''s daily life and personal interests. The theme of her interview was: [Getting to Know the Real You, Lord Neuvillette]. But Neuvillette was never good at handling interviews, and right now, he neither had the time nor the energy to deal with one. So, he turned to the staff member beside him and said: "Please inform Miss Charlotte that I am currently unavailable. When I have time in the future, I will find an opportunity to accept her interview." "No! Neuvillette!" Su Yuan suddenly shouted, visibly agitated. "You must accept Charlotte''s interview request!" --------------- Exclusive access : 153ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 90: Ch 90 : Charlotte’s Interview Chapter 90 - Ch 90 : Charlotte''s Interview "So that''s how it is..." After listening to Su Yuan''s explanation, Neuvillette and Furina both nodded in understanding. "So we can''t refuse Miss Charlotte''s interview, and we must tell the truth..." "Yes, Neuvillette." Su Yuan added, "But according to the rules, if there''s something you really don''t want to say, you should be able to remain silent." Neuvillette nodded, then turned to Su Yuan and continued, "About the All-Devouring Narwhal you mentioned¡ªI think I can sense it." "I''ve always felt that something was hidden beneath the Primordial Sea. So it turns out it''s this All-Devouring Narwhal..." "According to your description, this creature has been continuously absorbing the energy of the planet''s Primordial Sea, growing larger and larger. That would also explain why the sea level is rising..." "Once it depletes the energy of the Primordial Sea, the blood of Fontaine''s people¡ªsince it also contains traces of the Primordial Sea''s water¡ªwill become an irresistible temptation for it... which means it will start attacking people." "Exactly, Neuvillette! That''s why you must reclaim the power of the Sovereign Dragon as soon as possible to deal with this situation!" Su Yuan urged. "But..." Furina said with concern, "We still haven''t found a clear way to save Focalors..." "It''s fine, trust me. Once Charlotte''s interview is over, we''ll immediately find Focalors and start the experiment!" Not long after, Charlotte arrived at Neuvillette''s office, accompanied by her Monsieur Verite. As soon as she stepped inside, she could barely contain her excitement and joy. "Lord Neuvillette, I can''t believe you actually agreed to my interview!" "To be honest, I was already prepared to be rejected, but you really surprised me!" "If I had known, I would''ve made sure Monsieur Verite dressed more formally today!" "It''s fine, just treat this as a casual chat between friends. No need to be so formal." Neuvillette said with a faint smile. "Alright, alright!" Charlotte nodded enthusiastically. Then, noticing Furina standing nearby, she couldn''t help but say, "Lady Furina! I didn''t expect you to be here too!" "If you would agree to an interview as well, that would be absolutely wonderful!" Hearing Charlotte''s words, the corner of Furina''s mouth twitched slightly. Was this considered a request for an interview? To be on the safe side, Furina had no choice but to reply, "Sure, being interviewed by the esteemed Charlotte of The Steambird is truly an honor..." "Haha! To be able to interview both Lord Neuvillette and Lady Furina at the same time¡ªwhat an incredible stroke of luck!" Charlotte said excitedly. Furina was already starting to regret staying behind. Why did she let her curiosity keep her here? Was she really that eager to learn about the true Neuvillette? "Alright then, let''s begin the interview!" Charlotte spoke as she reached into her small bag and pulled out a... no, not just a single photo¡ªan entire stack of them! Each one perfectly captured Neuvillette''s movements, from his initial leap to the precise moment he hit the water. The level of detail was so exquisite that one couldn''t help but admire it as a true work of art. "Lord Neuvillette, I''m really curious¡ªwhat exactly were you doing?" "Your diving form is unbelievably elegant! And when you hit the water, there was almost no splash at all! Even professional divers couldn''t pull that off!" "This..." Neuvillette looked at the photos, momentarily at a loss for words. So, when he was rushing to Meropide Fortress yesterday, he had unknowingly been captured in such perfect detail. "Hahahaha! Neuvillette, I can''t believe you have this side to you!" Furina burst into laughter as she looked at the photos, thoroughly entertained. Neuvillette recalled Su Yuan''s warning¡ªeither remain silent or tell the truth. Just now, he had instinctively uttered a "this...", which probably wouldn''t count as true silence. Thus, he could only answer truthfully: "I was in a hurry. I had urgent business at Meropide Fortress." "An urgent matter? What kind of urgent matter?" Charlotte asked. Faced with this question, Neuvillette chose to remain silent. Charlotte quickly realized her mistake and apologized repeatedly. "I''m sorry, I was asking too many details. I should be more respectful and mindful of privacy." "Then, Lord Neuvillette, I have another question." Charlotte continued, "If you were in a hurry to get to Meropide Fortress, wouldn''t taking an airship or a boat be faster? Why did you choose to swim there instead?" "Because swimming was the fastest way," Neuvillette replied calmly. Hearing this, Charlotte was utterly stunned. But seeing the serious expression on Neuvillette''s face, it didn''t seem like he was joking. "Alright then... As expected of Fontaine''s Chief Justice. You truly are extraordinary!" Watching the exchange between Charlotte and Neuvillette, Su Yuan fell into deep thought. Should he tell Charlotte about the existence of the Eerie? From what Su Yuan knew about Charlotte, she was someone who valued the truth above all else. She had a passion for uncovering the truth and publishing it through the Steambird Gazette using her articles and photographs. Charlotte had both the ability and the strong belief that it was her duty to expose the truth to the world. If Charlotte learned about the existence of the Eerie, would she hold steadfast to her beliefs and make it public? Su Yuan didn''t know what choice Charlotte would ultimately make. However, as things stood, making the existence of the Eerie public was not a good idea¡ªit would only cause unnecessary panic and chaos. That was why Su Yuan was still observing, debating whether or not to inform Charlotte and bring her into the team fighting against the Eerie. At the same time, he was considering another issue¡ªcompared to others, Charlotte was just an ordinary person, a journalist for The Steambird Gazette. She had no exceptional combat skills or self-defense capabilities. Would dragging someone like her into such a dangerous battle against the Eerie really be the right thing to do? As Su Yuan was still deep in thought, the door to Neuvillette''s office was suddenly pushed open. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hahaha..." Wriothesley and Sigewinne appeared at the doorway. "Neuvillette, we''re here!" Su Yuan immediately felt that something was off about Wriothesley''s tone... "Huh?! It''s actually the Duke of Meropide!" Charlotte, seeing the newcomers, exclaimed in shock. "What kind of lucky day is this? I just ran into another person I''ve always wanted to interview!" "And next to him is Head Nurse Sigewinne! I''d love to interview her too!" "Could this be a fourfold stroke of luck? Interviewing four major figures all at once?" She quickly turned to them with excitement. "So, Duke, Head Nurse, would you allow me a brief interview?" However, Wriothesley didn''t hesitate at all as he bluntly replied, "Interview? Who would want to accept your interview? Get out¡ªI have something important to discuss with Neuvillette!" Su Yuan''s eyes narrowed. Something wasn''t right. Wriothesley would never talk to someone like that. Could it be that Wriothesley... had already been controlled by the Eerie? And just now... did he just refuse Charlotte''s interview request? --------------- Exclusive access : 150ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 91: Ch 91 : One day of the week, but not a fixed day Chapter 91 - Ch 91 : One day of the week, but not a fixed day "Sigewinne! Quickly agree to Charlotte''s interview request!" Su Yuan called out anxiously. Although Sigewinne didn''t understand the situation, she still followed Su Yuan''s instructions. Nodding, she said, "Of course, Miss Charlotte. I am willing to accept your interview." Then, Su Yuan hurriedly pulled Sigewinne to his side and asked, "Did Wriothesley drink tea today?" "The Duke definitely drank tea today..." Sigewinne replied. "Yesterday was Sunday, and according to your intel, yesterday was the one day each week when he can''t drink tea..." "Now that a new week has begun, of course he can drink tea again..." "Duke, you actually refused my interview. I''m so heartbroken..." "Charlotte" put on a sorrowful expression, her face starting to contort. "I''m clearly the best, most outstanding, and most truth-seeking journalist in this world. Why would you reject my request...?" "And who do you think you are? Why should I accept your interview?" "Wriothesley" responded bluntly, his face also beginning to distort... A dense, pitch-black, and crimson eerie power erupted from both of them as they faced off against each other... But it was obvious¡ªWriothesley''s power was superior... Neuvillette and Furina also realized something was wrong. Taking advantage of the fact that neither of the two had noticed them, they quickly moved to Su Yuan and Sigewinne''s side. "Su Yuan, what on earth is going on? How did Wriothesley also get controlled by the eerie power?" Furina asked with a puzzled expression. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The one day each week when he can''t drink tea was yesterday, Sunday, wasn''t it?" Su Yuan took a deep breath and slowly said, "I should have realized it earlier... All of these rule hints are just word games and traps..." "Wriothesley has one day each week when he can''t drink tea... Naturally, we assumed that this day was fixed every week..." "But in reality, if that were truly the case, the rule should have been stated as: ''Wriothesley has a fixed day each week when he can''t drink tea...''" "Damn it, I was careless again¡ªI fell for it!" Su Yuan really wanted to slap himself twice because he had made far too many mistakes. With Su Yuan''s explanation, everyone suddenly understood, nodding in realization... At the same time, Su Yuan was also thinking about how to lift the eerie corruption from Charlotte and Wriothesley. The battle between "Wriothesley" and "Charlotte" had already begun. "Wriothesley" suddenly dashed forward, his fist, infused with eerie energy, aiming straight for "Charlotte''s" head! "Charlotte" swiftly took out "Monsieur Verite" and snapped a photo of the rapidly approaching "Wriothesley"! The flash of "Monsieur Verite" was not the usual white light but the same eerie, piercing black and crimson glow as the eerie power itself! As the flash went off, "Wriothesley''s" movements were frozen in place... "What Monsieur Verite records is time suspended, a moment frozen in eternity..." Gazing at the immobilized "Wriothesley," "Charlotte" stepped forward beside him and spoke slowly. However, Su Yuan didn''t see it that way. There was nothing truly profound about this¡ªit was all just posturing and empty theatrics... Whether it was "Neuvillette''s" reality-altering words, "Focalors''s" immobilizing domain, or Dottore''s ability to manipulate others, at their core, they were all the same: eerie power invading another''s body and gaining partial control over it. Ultimately, the deciding factor was still the sheer strength of one''s eerie transformation. So Su Yuan didn''t believe that "Charlotte" could truly suppress "Wriothesley"... Sure enough, in the next second, "Wriothesley" widened his crimson eyes and revealed a chilling smile... "I''ve never liked using such dull tricks... They just don''t have the same raw, exhilarating impact as a real fight." Before "Charlotte" could react, "Wriothesley''s" body started moving again, his fist continuing its vicious trajectory toward her head! "Charlotte" barely managed to twist her body, narrowly dodging a direct hit to the head¡ªbut her shoulder wasn''t so lucky. With a brutal impact, her left shoulder exploded instantly, blood splattering everywhere. Without anything to hold it in place, her entire left arm was sent flying... "You''re not even close to being my match," "Wriothesley" said, flexing his wrist with a cold smile. "But I have to admit, you make for a decent punching bag." Facing the overwhelming power of "Wriothesley," Charlotte remained silent, her gaze fierce as she clutched "Monsieur Verite" tightly with her only remaining hand... Wriothesley witnessed the entire scene unfold before his eyes. "So, this broken camera is what you used to take a picture of me just now, huh..." Wriothesley spoke slowly. "And it looks like you care about this piece of junk quite a lot..." "Hahaha... Hehehe... I wonder¡ªwhat kind of face would you make if I destroyed the thing you care about the most right in front of you? I''m really looking forward to it!" Laughing wildly, "Wriothesley" charged forward once again, his target now locked onto "Monsieur Verite" in "Charlotte''s" grasp! This time, "Charlotte" didn''t dodge. Instead, she took the full impact of Wriothesley''s attack with her own body... But in the end, "Charlotte" still failed to protect "Monsieur Verite"... "Wriothesley''s" fist pierced through her abdomen, shattering the camera she had desperately shielded behind her. As the sound of "Monsieur Verite" breaking apart echoed, its shattered components scattering across the ground, "Charlotte''s" expression darkened in an instant. A surge of eerie power, several times stronger and more intense than before, erupted from her body! Everyone felt the shift in her aura¡ªespecially "Wriothesley." The arrogance and composure on his face disappeared completely, replaced by a grave and serious expression... The strength of eerie power was directly tied to negative emotions. For example, when Neuvillette fought Dottore, Dottore injured him, making Neuvillette feel intense shame and fury. That surge of emotions caused his eerie power to spike instantly, overwhelming Dottore to the point where he couldn''t even fight back... Perhaps some people have an untouchable weakness¡ªa reverse scale¡ªone that, once triggered, makes them even more terrifying and powerful... For example, after her father''s death, "Chevreuse" became so formidable that even "Clorinde" was no match for her... ...Huh? Su Yuan suddenly felt a wave of doubt. He had deduced that "Chevreuse" had fought "Clorinde" based on the hint from his left palm earlier... But just now, why did it feel like he actually saw the scene play out in his mind? Another nonexistent memory had surfaced? Or... was his imagination really that vivid? --------------- Exclusive access : 156ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 92: Ch 92 : Eerie uses the rules Chapter 92 - Ch 92 : Eerie uses the rules "Wriothesley" tried to pull out the fist that had pierced through "Charlotte''s" abdomen, but to his surprise, he found that his hand seemed to be tightly gripped by something, making it impossible to withdraw... In a critical moment, Wriothesley had no choice but to sever and abandon that arm, choosing instead to put some distance between himself and Charlotte. After Wriothesley moved away, Charlotte slowly picked up the severed arm from her abdomen and began to gnaw on it bit by bit... "Monsieur Verite is the most important thing my father left me¡ªhe''s my work partner and also my family..." "Anyone who dares to hurt Monsieur Verite, no matter who you are, I will never forgive you!" "Haha, I''m right here¡ªcome on, then! Let''s see if you actually have what it takes to do that!" Wriothesley laughed. "Now that we both have only one arm, this should be a fair fight!" Then, Wriothesley and Charlotte turned into two afterimages, clashing in a fierce battle! But only a short while later, it became clear to everyone¡ªCharlotte was struggling, gradually falling into a disadvantage. She was no match for Wriothesley... "How foolish¡ªyou actually used your own body to shield a broken machine from a blade!" "Even if you unleashed more power, so what? Can that battered body of yours even handle it?" In the end, the battle between Wriothesley and Charlotte concluded with Wriothesley blasting Charlotte''s head apart with a single punch. Though he ultimately emerged victorious, Wriothesley didn''t seem to be in great shape. Charlotte''s furious, desperate counterattack in the final moments had left Wriothesley looking rather disheveled. Tilting his head, Wriothesley glanced at Neuvillette, his tone carrying a hint of regret as he said, "Neuvillette, what a shame... I thought I could catch you off guard, but I didn''t expect things to take such an unexpected turn..." As he spoke, Wriothesley turned toward the exit, ready to make a break for it! "Neuvillette, now!" Su Yuan shouted, and in the next moment, he and the others all dropped to their knees. Wriothesley''s expression became somewhat complicated, and he couldn''t help but remark, "Tch, so you really resorted to this combination technique just to deal with me?" Immediately, Wriothesley also knelt down on the ground. Outside, dark clouds gathered, and a light rain began to fall. At the same time, an unimaginably powerful eerie energy erupted from Neuvillette... "Lowly mortals, who allowed you to stand before m¡ª" Neuvillette instinctively began to speak, but to his surprise, he realized that there was no one standing before him. Everyone was kneeling respectfully on the ground... Su Yuan didn''t dare to lift his head. He only shifted his eyes slightly, using the corner of his vision to glance to the side¡ªonly to find that Wriothesley was also kneeling... And at that moment, Wriothesley seemed to notice Su Yuan''s gaze. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile... Su Yuan instantly felt a massive headache¡ªthis eerie-infested Wriothesley, why was he so smart?! Weren''t people supposed to go mad, lose all reason, and charge in recklessly once they were taken over by the eerie? If you''re this clever, how the hell are we supposed to fight you?! Su Yuan suddenly recalled the Dottore he had met yesterday. After injecting eerie energy into his own forehead, Dottore had said something: "Only those who are kind and weak-willed will be controlled by eerie energy..." Could it be that the level of rationality after being taken over by eerie energy is actually related to a person''s personality? As the ruler of Meropide, Wriothesley was never a benevolent figure to begin with¡ªhe was undoubtedly a man full of cunning and schemes... So after being corrupted by eerie energy, he remained as calculating as ever. That must be why he was acting so intelligently. Looking at it this way, Chevreuse, who was previously controlled by the eerie, was also capable of disguising herself and using schemes. It was likely related to the personality she had developed since childhood. Then there was Kirara¡ªher thoughts were relatively simple, so after being taken over by the eerie, her goal was straightforward as well: to take revenge on the humans who had hurt and abandoned her. As for Neuvillette, he had always been impartial and just, without any malicious intent. That''s why, even after being corrupted by the eerie, his state remained relatively pure¡ªhe wasn''t skilled at deception and didn''t resort to any scheming. Clorinde was the same. Her only goal was to challenge her opponent in a duel¡ªnothing more, nothing less. And then there was what Neuvillette had mentioned before: Kamisato Ayato, who had traveled to Meropide. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He was an incredibly shrewd individual, and even after being controlled by the eerie, he maintained his disguise, as if he were plotting something... Thinking about it this way, the deeper a person''s mind, the harder they were to deal with once corrupted by the eerie... Neuvillette scanned his surroundings, looking at the people kneeling before him. Satisfied, he nodded and spoke: "Very good. This is the proper posture for you when facing me¡ªthe pinnacle dragon of Teyvat, the ruler of this world!" To be honest, Su Yuan had no idea what to do next. Were they just supposed to stay like this in a deadlock forever? However, Neuvillette''s next words took Su Yuan completely by surprise. "Your behavior pleases me a little¡ªthat''s good..." "But it is not enough. I need some pleasant, melodious music..." Neuvillette slowly walked over to Charlotte''s corpse, reached into her chest, and directly pulled out her heart¡ªthen, as if biting into an apple, he began to eat it. "Start kowtowing." "Whoever kowtows the loudest, the fastest, and with the most force¡ªwill survive." Su Yuan, Furina, and Sigewinne hesitated for a moment, completely stunned. Neuvillette was really taking it this far?! But before any of them could react, something even more shocking happened¡ª The moment Neuvillette finished speaking, Wriothesley immediately started slamming his head into the floor like a madman. "Thud¡ªthud¡ªthud¡ª" The sound was so loud, and the force was so intense, it felt as if the entire room was trembling from the impact. Neuvillette closed his eyes slightly, nodding in satisfaction as he spoke in a pleased tone: "Not bad, you''re very good¡ªvery self-aware. I can truly feel your respect for me, and I am immensely pleased." Su Yuan didn''t even know what to say anymore. Wriothesley, are you really this decisive and proactive?! The next moment, Neuvillette''s eyes snapped open, his gaze filled with fury as he glared at Su Yuan and the other two. "Did you not hear what I just said?!" "If you refuse to obey my commands, then you have no reason to exist..." As Neuvillette spoke, he prepared to strike at Su Yuan and the others. Sensing imminent danger, Su Yuan hurriedly activated the Hydro energy within him, dispersing the rain and dark clouds in the sky. "Neuvillette! Wake... up..." However, before Su Yuan could even finish his sentence, Wriothesley seized the perfect opportunity¡ª In an instant, he dashed forward and struck Neuvillette with a devastating punch, piercing straight through his chest! It all happened in the blink of an eye! Su Yuan stared at the scene in shock, watching Wriothesley, whose face was covered in blood yet still smiling. At that moment, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over him... It''s one thing when you use rules to deal with the Eerie¡ª But the real nightmare begins when the Eerie starts using rules to deal with you... --------------- Exclusive access : 156ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 93: Ch 93 : Conditions for Wriothesley to undo the eerie transformation Chapter 93 - Ch 93 : Conditions for Wriothesley to undo the eerie transformation After piercing through Neuvillette''s chest, "Wriothesley" was still not satisfied. He pulled his hand out and then smashed a heavy punch onto Neuvillette''s head, making sure he was completely dead. Looking at Neuvillette lying in a pool of blood, utterly motionless, a victorious smile appeared on his face. Then, he slowly walked toward Su Yuan and the others. "Although there were some hiccups along the way, the biggest threat has been eliminated by me..." "Now, it''s playtime¡ªwith all of you..." "Let''s hope you make decent human punching bags..." "N-Neuvillette..." Furina looked at Neuvillette lying in the blood, covering her eyes as she trembled all over, unable to believe what she was seeing... At this critical moment, Sigewinne stepped forward. She took out a piece of candy she carried with her and held it out to "Wriothesley." "Duke, would you like to try this candy I specially prepared for you?" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Heheheh... My dear Head Nurse Sigewinne, you don''t really think that little trick would work on me, do you?" "Wriothesley" took the candy from Sigewinne''s hand and popped it straight into his mouth. "As long as I eat the food you prepared, you won''t have any chance to eerie-fy..." However, before he could finish speaking, "Wriothesley" collapsed to the ground... Su Yuan stared in shock at the collapsed "Wriothesley" on the ground, then looked over at Sigewinne, his face filled with confusion. "Sigewinne, what on earth just happened?" "It looks like my hunch was correct..." Sigewinne began slowly. "This morning, I already felt something was off about the Duke, so I made some preparations just in case." "Just like you told us before, Su Yuan¡ªeerie entities fear physical damage. But actually, rather than saying the eerie fear physical harm, it''s more accurate to say that their vessels¡ªthe people under their control¡ªfear physical damage." "I''ve wanted to try this kind of method for a while now. I just didn''t expect it would actually work." "Since we can''t fight the eerie directly, then we target their vessels." "That candy I gave the Duke, which seemed like a method to induce eerie transformation, was just a disguise. In truth, that candy contained a high-concentration anesthetic." "The Duke, under the eerie''s control, ended up being too clever for his own good and walked right into the trap I set." As she spoke, a faint smile unintentionally curled at the corner of Sigewinne''s lips. Seeing her smile, Su Yuan''s whole body trembled slightly. Yeah, Sigewinne isn''t a simple character either. Back in the Fontaine storyline of the game, it was already shown¡ªshe may appear innocent, pure, and adorable, but in reality, she''s quite cunning and calculating... Some even say that Melusines view the world differently from ordinary people. For Head Nurse Sigewinne, treating and caring for people is, in truth, more like how regular people care for small animals or raise pets... But still, Su Yuan really hadn''t expected that you could actually use this kind of method to deal with someone possessed by an eerie entity. "It''s just a shame... I should''ve done this sooner..." Sigewinne said, though a pained expression surfaced on her face. "But who could''ve known the Duke would immediately clash with Charlotte upon arrival... and then even do that to Lord Neuvillette..." "Hahaha... Sigewinne, I didn''t think you''d be able to come up with something like this..." But to everyone''s shock, the "Wriothesley" who had been lying motionless on the ground suddenly let out a chilling laugh... "Your biggest mistake... was not taking that brief moment when I lost consciousness... to end my life completely!" Under everyone''s shocked gaze, "Wriothesley" stood back up, his entire body radiating with eerie energy. "Was the dose of anesthetic too low?" Sigewinne muttered, visibly surprised by what she was seeing. "It was already ten times the normal amount..." "That''s already the maximum dosage that can be used within safe limits..." "Though increasing it further might enhance the anesthetic effect, it would also cause irreversible damage to the human body..." "Wriothesley" slowly approached Sigewinne, eerie energy condensing around his clenched fist. He spoke: "My dear Head Nurse Sigewinne... the reason you failed... was because of your mercy..." "Farewell..." As he spoke, "Wriothesley" was about to crush Sigewinne''s head with a single punch! But Su Yuan rushed forward without hesitation, throwing himself in front of Sigewinne. Alright then... this is enough... They had already gained a lot of information¡ªthere was no need for meaningless casualties and sacrifice anymore. He would let himself die under "Wriothesley''s" fist... and then rewind from a previous save point. However, something completely unexpected happened¡ªWriothesley''s fist stopped right in front of Su Yuan''s face, and the eerie energy surrounding his body completely dissipated... Su Yuan stared in disbelief. What was going on? Why did Wriothesley suddenly exit his eerie transformation on his own? Wriothesley slowly lowered his trembling hand. He looked around at his surroundings, saw the bodies of Neuvillette and Charlotte, swallowed hard, and then turned to Su Yuan and asked: "Su Yuan... did I... do all of this?" Su Yuan nodded. As Sigewinne was urgently bandaging the wound on Wriothesley''s severed hand, she also replied, "Yes, Duke. But none of this is your fault. It was the eerie that controlled you..." "But... the one day each week when I''m not supposed to drink tea¡ªthat was just yesterday, Sunday, right? Today is Monday, the start of a new week. I drank tea freely, so why was I still controlled by the eerie?" Wriothesley asked in confusion. "That''s because the ''one day each week'' isn''t fixed to a specific day..." Su Yuan explained. "Last week, it was Sunday. This week, it''s Monday. As for next week¡ªno one knows which day it''ll be..." "So that''s how it is..." Wriothesley murmured, suddenly understanding. "In that case, starting next week... I''ll have to stop drinking tea altogether..." "But even if me giving up tea is a punishment I can live with... Neuvillette and Charlotte... they''ll never come back." "No, they will come back," Su Yuan said firmly. "Duke, I think I may have an idea... about how to undo your eerie transformation," Sigewinne said, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face. "Duke, try feeling your clothes or your back¡ªaren''t you sweating a lot?" Hearing her words, Wriothesley checked the sweat on his body and replied, "You''re right, I am sweating a lot. Even when I''m training, I don''t usually sweat this much..." "But... what does that have to do with me reverting from the eerie state?" he asked in confusion. --------------- Exclusive access : 159ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 94: Ch 94 : Lynette who cannot be saved? Chapter 94 - Ch 94 : Lynette who cannot be saved? "Just now, I had Your Grace eat that anesthetic disguised as candy. It did take effect¡ªyou really did pass out," Sigewinne began calmly. "This proves that anesthetics can work on people who are under the control of an eerie..." "But not long after, the effect of the anesthetic wore off, and Your Grace regained consciousness..." "There are two possible explanations for this: either the eerie has a very strong resistance to anesthetics..." "Or the anesthetic was completely metabolized and flushed out of your system..." "Ohhh..." Wriothesley nodded thoughtfully. "So that''s why you asked if I was sweating a lot¡ªyou suspected the eerie manipulated my body to sweat it all out..." "But that only explains why the possessed me woke up from the anesthetic so quickly..." Although Furina was still deeply saddened, she had calmed down a little by now and joined the conversation. "But what does that have to do with Wriothesley breaking free from the eerie''s control?" she asked. "The condition for the Duke''s eerie transformation is that there''s one random day each week when he cannot drink tea..." Sigewinne continued. "But the tea that''s drunk doesn''t stay in the body forever..." "Oh? Sigewinne, are you saying that as long as Wriothesley completely metabolizes the tea he drank, he can return to normal and break free from the eerie transformation?" Su Yuan asked, suddenly understanding. "That''s just my theory," Sigewinne replied. "I can''t say for sure whether it''s true or not..." "That''s fine. At least we have a direction to explore now¡ªsomething we can test in the future," Wriothesley said. "It''s just a shame... that I still ended up getting Charlotte and Neuvillette killed..." Su Yuan was now turning over a different thought in his mind. Since this rewind was inevitable anyway, should he just do it here and now¡ªor should he take advantage of this opportunity to go to the Opera Epiclese and discuss things with Focalors, maybe even test the transfer of the Hydro Archon''s authority? But the rules of his rewind weren''t clear... He didn''t know exactly what point in time he would return to. Like he''d thought before¡ªif things dragged on too long and something unexpected happened, and the rewind sent him back to after Neuvillette and Charlotte''s deaths... wouldn''t that mean he''d never be able to save them again? Just as Su Yuan was caught in this internal struggle, the door to Neuvillette''s office opened. Lyney appeared in the doorway. "Lyney? What are you doing here?" Su Yuan looked at him with some confusion. "Did Arlecchino send you? Is there something she needs from us?" Lyney glanced at the bloody scene inside the room, his brows furrowing slightly as he spoke. "Lord Neuvillette and Miss Charlotte... they''re really both..." "This is all my fault..." Wriothesley said. "I drank tea today, and was taken over by the Eerie... I was the one who killed them..." "Sigh... what a shame..." Lyney sighed, then turned his gaze toward Su Yuan. "Su Yuan, ''Father'' asked me to bring you something very important¡ªsomething for all of you to see." As he spoke, Lyney took off his magician''s top hat, reached inside, and began rummaging around as if searching for something. Su Yuan immediately felt that something was off. Why was Lyney alone? Where was Lynette? Weren''t the two of them practically inseparable? So Su Yuan asked, "Lyney, where''s Lynette? Why isn''t she with you?" "Oh! Found it!" Lyney''s face lit up with delight as he spoke, then looked at Su Yuan and said: "Who said my dear sister Lynette isn''t with me?" As he spoke, under the stunned gazes of everyone in the room, Lyney pulled a blood-drenched head out of his magician''s top hat... "Look~ she''s right here!" "Danger!" As Wriothesley shouted, he rushed forward¡ªbut at that very moment, a sinister aura burst forth from Lynney''s body! In the blink of an eye, several playing cards, wrapped in eerie energy, appeared in Lyney''s hand. He swiftly flicked them toward Wriothesley! Though Wriothesley, with only one arm left, tried his best to block them, one of the cards struck him squarely in the forehead! Lyney showed a radiant yet chilling smile. His sharp teeth ground together with a grating sound as he slowly swept his gaze across the room and spoke, word by word: "Now then... it''s time for the magic show..." "Tonight''s act is..." "How to turn the living... into the dead." ............... Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªonce again, that familiar and heart-wrenching feeling... Feeling the sharp sting in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew he had died once again today... He quickly raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, you''ve died again. This is your first death today...] [Charlotte will be interviewing Neuvillette this morning. Please be prepared in advance...] [During the interview, Wriothesley and Sigewinne will arrive at the Palais Mermonia...] [Please note: The condition for Wriothesley''s eerie transformation is not that there''s a fixed day each week when he can''t drink tea, but rather a random day each week when tea must be avoided...] [You can let Sigewinne use her special prepared method to deal with Wriothesley''s eerie transformation...] [The condition for Wriothesley to revert from his eerie state might be metabolizing and evaporating the tea from his body...] [Additionally, Lyney has already been taken over by the eerie...] [Lynette, most likely, has already met a tragic end and cannot be saved...] Su Yuan stared in disbelief at the message etched in his palm... sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Especially the last sentence... Huh? Could Lynette''s death really be irreversible already? Without a moment of hesitation, Su Yuan rushed straight to Neuvillette''s office, hoping to discuss countermeasures with him. Inside the office, Furina was also present, and a staff member was speaking with Neuvillette. "Lord Neuvillette, although yesterday was the weekend, Charlotte, a reporter from The Steambird, submitted a request to the Palais Mermonia asking for an interview with you today." However, before Neuvillette could even respond, Su Yuan cut in and said directly to the staff member, "Approve Miss Charlotte''s interview request! Just go ahead and bring her up!" The staff member looked baffled, glancing at Su Yuan and then at Neuvillette, unsure of what to say. Seeing the anxious yet resolute look on Su Yuan''s face, Neuvillette nodded and said, "Do as Mr. Su Yuan says." Since even Lord Neuvillette had given his approval, the staff member nodded and left the office. "Su Yuan, what exactly is going on?" Neuvillette looked toward him and asked. Su Yuan took a deep breath, then began to explain to Neuvillette and Furina all the new intel he had just learned... --------------- Exclusive access : 159ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 95: Ch 95 : The medicine must not be stopped Chapter 95 - Ch 95 : The medicine must not be stopped "So that''s how it is..." Neuvillette nodded after listening to Su Yuan''s explanation. "I think we still need to tell Miss Charlotte the truth about the Eerie," Furina said. Su Yuan nodded in agreement. Since Charlotte had already been identified as someone with a clear condition under which she could be controlled by the Eerie, not telling her the truth would actually be a bigger risk. Anyone caught in the vortex of an Eerie incident deserves the right to know. Although Charlotte was a serious and truth-driven journalist, she should also understand how revealing the existence of the Eerie to the public would cause immense instability and chaos... Su Yuan believed that Charlotte would make her own informed decision, instead of them presumptuously guessing how she might react. Before long, Charlotte arrived at Neuvillette''s office. As soon as she walked in, she beamed with excitement and said: "This is wonderful, Lord Neuvillette! I can''t believe you actually agreed to the interview¡ªI''m so thrilled!" However, in stark contrast, Neuvillette''s expression and tone were much more solemn. "Miss Charlotte, before we begin the formal interview, I need you to listen carefully to what I''m about to say..." "This may be an unimaginably shocking piece of news for you..." "But I hope that after hearing it, you''ll choose to keep it a secret..." As Neuvillette spoke, Charlotte''s expression grew more and more shocked, more and more dramatic... "So something like this is actually happening in present-day Fontaine, in present-day Teyvat..." "The existence of the Eerie... now that''s some explosive news..." "If this were to be published in the Steambird, I can only imagine the chaos and uproar it would cause..." But true to her professionalism, Charlotte quickly composed herself and began to process everything she had just heard. "The condition for my Eerie transformation¡ªis it that I must not be refused an interview? And also, must the answers given to me be truthful and correct?" "I originally thought I could use the rules of my Eerie transformation to uncover more truths about the Eerie..." "After all, if someone accepts my interview, and I ask them a question, I could determine whether their answer is true by seeing if I fall into an Eerie state..." "But this method isn''t very useful at all..." "Because right now, we don''t even know what kind of consequences my transformation would bring, nor do we know the conditions to reverse it..." To most people, Charlotte''s Eerie transformation rule might seem somewhat useful¡ªbased on a concept of causality¡ªbut it still came with many limitations. But for Su Yuan, who had the ability to rewind time, this meant a great deal of trial and error could be afforded... Perhaps he really could use Charlotte''s Eerie rule to uncover more truths about the Eerie! However, the most pressing matter right now was still dealing with Wriothesley and Lyney''s transformations. "Haha..." Well, speak of Wriothesley and he appears... "Wriothesley" pushed open the door to Neuvillette''s office, appearing at the entrance with Sigewinne. "Neuvillette, we''re here!" "Sigewinne, go ahead and use that move of yours!" Su Yuan looked at Sigewinne and, without the slightest hesitation, shouted out loud! Sigewinne was momentarily stunned. She didn''t know how Su Yuan knew she had prepared a special move, but seeing the tense and serious look on his face, she realized her suspicions were right... Wriothesley had already been taken over by the Eerie! Sigewinne immediately put some distance between herself and "Wriothesley," then took out a piece of candy from the small pouch she carried and held it out toward him. "Duke, this is a candy I''ve carefully prepared. Would you like to try it?" "Wriothesley" furrowed his brows and looked at everyone present, the eerie aura around him gradually spreading as he spoke coldly: "How did you all find me out?" "Was my disguise... not good enough?" Hearing "Wriothesley" say that, Su Yuan couldn''t help but quietly complain in his heart. This eerie really did disguise itself well, but it completely missed the most essential thing about Wriothesley... "But do you really think this little trick will work on me?" "Wriothesley" slowly said as he took the candy from Sigewinne''s hand and popped it into his mouth... "As long as I eat it, nothing will¡ª" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thud. In the next instant, a dull sound echoed as "Wriothesley" collapsed to the ground... But Su Yuan had a nagging feeling¡ªthis wouldn''t be enough to bring "Wriothesley" down for good. After all, the last time Sigewinne used this move, "Wriothesley" had already been through a fight, was injured, and his body was greatly weakened... And now, "Wriothesley" was in a fully intact state, with no energy consumption at all... Huh? Su Yuan paused for a moment, confused¡ªwhat was that image that just flashed through his mind? How did he know that the previous "Wriothesley" had gone through a fight? "Sigewinne, do you still have more of that anesthetic candy?" Su Yuan turned to her with urgency in his voice. "Quick, give Wriothesley a few more! Otherwise, he''ll wake up again soon!" "But... such a high dose could cause irreversible damage to the body..." Sigewinne hesitated, clearly concerned. "Even if there are some irreversible side effects, isn''t that still better than being controlled by the eerie¡ªor worse, dying?" Seeing the seriousness on Su Yuan''s face, Sigewinne nodded. She stepped to the collapsed Wriothesley''s side, took out a syringe, and began administering the anesthetic. "Since the Duke is unconscious right now, force-feeding him could lead to choking... And with an injection, it takes effect faster and works better." Su Yuan also walked up and placed a hand on Wriothesley''s back, noticing that he was still sweating heavily... "Wriothesley, who''s been taken over by the eerie, is desperately metabolizing the anesthetic¡ªjust look at all this sweat, it''s the proof..." "While metabolizing the anesthetic, he''s also metabolizing the tea in his body..." "Once the tea is fully flushed out, Wriothesley will return to normal and exit the eerie state..." Su Yuan looked at Sigewinne thoughtfully as he spoke. "Head Nurse Sigewinne, you can administer the anesthetic to Wriothesley in small, repeated doses. As soon as you notice that he''s no longer sweating¡ªno longer metabolizing¡ªit means you can stop." "But until then, we can''t stop the meds!" Hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Sigewinne finally understood what was going on, and let out a breath of relief. "If that''s the case, then that''s really good news..." "If the Duke is rapidly metabolizing everything we inject, then it shouldn''t cause any serious harm to his body after all..." Not long after, Wriothesley stopped sweating, and Sigewinne also ceased administering the anesthetic. Neuvillette and Su Yuan moved Wriothesley to the sofa so he could rest properly. Once the effects of the anesthetic wore off, he would wake up naturally. "Next, the one we have to be cautious of is Lyney..." Su Yuan reminded, "I''m guessing it won''t be long before he shows up too..." Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a pang of sadness. Just dealing with Charlotte and Wriothesley had already consumed so much energy. As for Lyney¡ªthey had no idea where he was, what his eerie transformation conditions were, or how to prevent it in advance... Could it really be just as the message in his palm had said? That Lynette... is truly beyond saving? --------------- Exclusive access : 162ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 96: Ch 96 : Lyney and Lynette Chapter 96 - Ch 96 : Lyney and Lynette When Lyney pushed open the door to Neuvillette''s office, he found everyone inside staring at him with serious, guarded expressions. Lyney showed a look of disappointment and sorrow as he asked, "What''s going on? Does no one like me? Am I not welcome here?" "Lyney, drop the act. We''ve known for a while now... you''ve already been taken over by the Eerie," Su Yuan spoke up. "Ah... just as Father said. Su Yuan, your intelligence network really is unfathomable..." Lyney let out a soft sigh, then his expression began to twist, and an eerie aura slowly started emanating from his body... "Lyney! What did you do to Lynette?!" Su Yuan demanded. "Hehehehe... what did I do?" Lyney suddenly let out a strange laugh. "Of course, I completely disassembled her¡ªturned her into a prop for my grand magic trick!" Hearing that, Su Yuan instantly felt a wave of despair... Could it be that Lynette''s death was truly unavoidable? "Come! Let me show you what my dear sister Lynette looks like now..." As Lyney spoke, he removed his magician''s top hat, reached inside, and began rummaging around for something. "Enough!" Su Yuan shouted, unable to watch any longer. "Neuvillette!" If Lynette''s death truly couldn''t be prevented, then the most important thing now was to hold off and defeat Lyney, protect everyone here, and think of another way afterward. But using their ultimate combined move with Neuvillette at the very start of the day... if anything unexpected happened after this, it could turn into something very troublesome... "Su Yuan, don''t be so hasty¡ªlet me try first!" Sigewinne spoke up, interrupting Neuvillette and Su Yuan as they were about to cast their spell. She stepped forward, taking out the piece of candy that was actually a disguised tranquilizer, and said: "Mr. Lyney, this is a candy I carefully prepared. Would you like to try it?" Su Yuan thought for a moment¡ªthat made sense! Now that Sigewinne had prepared a tranquilizer candy like this, Lyney was in a dilemma: if he ate it, he''d be knocked out by the drug; if he refused, it would immediately trigger Sigewinne''s conditions for turning eerie, resulting in a clash of Eerie versus Eerie... But Su Yuan was still a bit worried¡ªSigewinne''s eerie form was one of the weakest among the eerie combatants, wasn''t she? She probably wouldn''t be a match for Lyney... But then¡ªLyney made a move that completely caught Su Yuan off guard! Lyney pretended to reach out with his left hand to take the candy from Sigewinne, but at the same time, his right hand suddenly transformed, producing a flurry of playing cards shrouded in eerie energy, which he hurled straight at Sigewinne''s face! He was trying to kill Sigewinne in that brief window before she could transform into her eerie form! No one could quite explain what had happened¡ª Maybe it was because he sensed that Sigewinne''s life was in danger, but Wriothesley, who had been lying on the couch, suddenly opened his eyes and, in a flash, lunged forward. He tackled Sigewinne to the ground, narrowly dodging Lyney''s attack! However, Wriothesley''s back shoulder was still grazed by one of Lyney''s eerie-infused playing cards... "Tch... just missed." Lyney muttered with some frustration. "I had accounted for any one of you rushing forward to save Sigewinne. I was prepared¡ªif anyone dared charge in, they''d be dead on the spot..." "But the one I didn''t account for... was Wriothesley, lying quietly off to the side." As he spoke, Lyney picked up the tranquilizer candy that had fallen from Sigewinne''s hand and popped it into his mouth¡ªbecause if he didn''t, Sigewinne was going to become Eerie. But to everyone''s surprise¡ª Lyney showed no signs of drowsiness or fainting after eating the drugged candy. That shouldn''t be possible. Even someone with Wriothesley''s size and strength had been knocked out cold by that tranquilizer before. So why didn''t it work on Lyney? Could it be that the constitution between people¡ªand even between eerie and eerie¡ªis fundamentally different? If even this didn''t work... Then the only choice left was to let Neuvillette step in¡ª Otherwise, against the Eerie Lyney, no one here would be safe... "Neuvillette..." Su Yuan spoke. "Mm." Neuvillette nodded in response. Just as everyone was bracing themselves to kneel to the ground in preparation¡ª a head suddenly peeked in from outside the door. "Ta-da~ Lord Neuvillette, are you all in here?" It was Lynette''s face, Lynette''s voice... "Eh? Brother, you really are here!" Huh? Su Yuan: ??? Wasn''t Lynette already dismembered by Lyney? Then who¡ªor what¡ªwas this Lynette now standing at the door? "Lyney" turned around slowly, his gaze falling on Lynette, and then began walking toward her... But Su Yuan quickly snapped out of his shock and shouted: "Lynette! Run! It''s dangerous! Lyney has already been taken over by the Eerie!" However, his warning had no effect. Lynette showed no intention of fleeing. Lyney reached her and pulled her tightly into an embrace. "Thank goodness... Lynette..." "You''re safe... I''m so, so glad..." Only then did everyone notice¡ª The eerie aura surrounding Lyney had completely vanished. Just moments ago, he had already exited his Eerie state. .................... Lyney spat the tranquilizer candy from his mouth, and everyone saw that it was wrapped in a thin layer of plastic... After thinking for a moment, Lyney explained, "When performing magic tricks, sometimes we pretend to swallow dangerous objects. In those cases, we wrap them in something to avoid injuring our mouth or esophagus..." "I didn''t expect that... even while under the Eerie''s control, I still kept that habit." Su Yuan suddenly understood¡ª So that''s why Sigewinne''s tranquilizer didn''t work... Wait¡ª So just putting it in the mouth didn''t trigger Sigewinne''s eerie transformation condition? Hold on! A bad feeling swept over Su Yuan¡ª Now that Lyney had taken the tranquilizer candy out of his mouth, wouldn''t that mean Sigewinne was about to...? Su Yuan quickly looked at Sigewinne¡ª Sure enough, her expression was already starting to look off... "Lyney! Swallow it now!" Su Yuan shouted, and without hesitation, shoved the tranquilizer candy back into Lyney''s mouth. ................ After quite a bit of fuss and swallowing a bunch of antidotes, Lyney finally resolved the issue of the tranquilizer candy in his mouth¡ªwith Sigewinne''s help. "Lynette and I... even when carrying out missions, we''re almost never apart." Lyney took a moment to compose himself before speaking. "But yesterday afternoon, due to some special circumstances, Lynette and I had no choice but to separate..." "Not long after we parted ways, I lost my memory." "I suppose... that must''ve been when I was taken over by the Eerie." As he listened to Lyney''s account, Su Yuan nodded. It seemed that this was indeed the trigger condition for Lyney''s eerie-fication. However, based on Lyney''s description, it wasn''t an immediate transformation upon being separated. There might be a time factor, or a distance factor involved¡ªstill to be confirmed. As for how Lyney broke free from the eerie influence, the condition appeared simple: Reuniting with Lynette. It likely had something to do with their shared experiences growing up. "By the way, Lyney," Su Yuan spoke up, "wasn''t there something strange inside your hat? Could you check it for us?" Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Lyney reached into his hat¡ª And pulled out a bloody, severed head of Lynette... S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Brother, seriously? What kind of awful taste is that..." Lynette said with an exasperated expression. "You even turned one of my dummy props into a fake version of me, dressed it up to look like me, and made it so bloody on top of that..." Su Yuan let out a sigh of relief. So it had all been a misunderstanding... But¡ªwhy had the prompt in the palm of his left hand given misleading information? Well, technically, it wasn''t exactly wrong... it never made any absolute statements, only said things like "probably"... Still, Su Yuan couldn''t be bothered to overthink it now. He spoke up: "Since everything''s been resolved, let''s head to the Opera Epiclese right away and discuss our strategy with Focalors!" "The All-Devouring Narwhal has already begun to stir¡ª The day the prophecy foretold... is drawing near." "We have to be fully prepared¡ªbefore it''s too late!" --------------- Exclusive access : 162ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 97: Ch 97 : The Clever Application of Charlotte’s Rule Chapter 97 - Ch 97 : The Clever Application of Charlotte''s Rule In front of the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale within the Opera Epiclese, everyone had gathered. Focalors and Charlotte sat face to face, though the expressions on both of their faces were far from relaxed. "Su Yuan, is this really okay?" Focalors asked with concern. "If we get the wrong answer, wouldn''t Miss Charlotte fall into Eeriefication...?" "It''s alright," Charlotte replied calmly. "Compared to the safety of all Fontaine¡ªand even Teyvat¡ªmy personal matter is insignificant." As she spoke, Charlotte handed "Monsieur Verite" to the Traveler, then looked around at everyone and said: "If I really do fall into eeriefication, don''t hesitate¡ªkill me." "At the very least, my sacrifice might bring new intelligence to the table¡ªsomething that could help save Fontaine, and fight against the eerie. That alone makes it worth it." "Traveler, take ''Monsieur Verite'' and keep exploring this world for me. Uncover more of the ''truth.''" "Also... please remember to apologize to my parents¡ªand to Miss Euphrasie." "I wasn''t a dutiful daughter, nor was I a competent reporter..." Su Yuan realized¡ªhe had underestimated Charlotte''s courage and resolve. To save Fontaine and defeat the eerie, she had already prepared herself for the ultimate sacrifice... But for someone like him, who possessed the power to rewind time¡ª There was no way he would just let Charlotte die that easily! At worst... they''d just do it all over again. Immediately afterward, following the previously discussed plan, Charlotte began her interview with Focalors. "Hello, Miss Focalors. Thank you for agreeing to this interview." As soon as the interview began, Charlotte suddenly became calm and proficient, completely in her zone. "So, my first question is: Is the Second of the Fatui Harbingers, ''Il Dottore,'' still alive?" "Yes, Dottore is still alive," Focalors nodded and replied. Though everyone already suspected it¡ªafter all, with so many segments of himself, Dottore wouldn''t be that easy to kill¡ª They still turned their slightly tense gazes toward Charlotte, watching closely for any signs of eeriefication. However, Charlotte remained perfectly normal. "Alright, next is the second question," Charlotte continued. "Is it possible for an insect¡ªor a certain kind of creature¡ªto become the Hydro Archon?" "I believe such a possibility does exist," Focalors answered. Immediately, the crowd''s eyes turned toward Charlotte again with unease, as this answer was crucial¡ªit directly related to Su Yuan''s bold hypothesis, and whether it could actually come true... Charlotte lifted both hands and flexed her fingers a little. When she found she could still control her body normally, she exclaimed joyfully: "Everyone, this is great¡ªI can still move! I haven''t been taken over by the eerie!" Watching Charlotte''s reaction and hearing what she said, everyone finally let out a sigh of relief. It really seemed like there was hope to save Focalors! "Alright, next question: Can Neuvillette reclaim the authority of the Sovereign Dragon and pardon the people of Fontaine for their sins?" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing how everything was progressing in a positive direction, Charlotte couldn''t suppress the joy on her face and asked with renewed energy. "Yes." Focalors answered, and once again, Charlotte showed no signs of abnormality. "Yay! Next question¡ªcan we save all the people of Fontaine from the prophecy?" Charlotte asked excitedly, but was quickly interrupted by Su Yuan. Because that question hadn''t been part of the pre-approved list. "Focalors, stop! Don''t answer that question!" Su Yuan spoke up urgently, concern evident in his voice¡ªbecause the scope of that question was far too broad. The word "all" was too absolute. If even one person happened to die in an accident¡ªsay, not from being dissolved in water, but from tripping and hitting their head¡ªit might technically mean they hadn''t saved all the people of Fontaine. "Ahem, my bad..." Charlotte coughed awkwardly, scratching her head. She adjusted her hat and collar, pushed up her glasses, and said with a sheepish smile: "That question wasn''t on the original list. I got a little too excited and blurted it out without thinking..." Su Yuan let out a breath of relief. Luckily, he''d been tense and alert enough to catch that in time¡ªotherwise, something might''ve gone horribly wrong again. "Alright, moving on to the next question from the prepared list..." Charlotte cleared her throat and asked: "Regarding the prophecy about Fontaine, will it happen within seven days?" Hearing this, Focalors took a deep breath and answered: "Yes." Everyone once again turned to Charlotte with tense expressions¡ªbut she still showed no signs of being affected. "So it seems... we really don''t have much time left," Neuvillette said solemnly. "That massive ship beneath Meropide Fortress..." Wriothesley''s brows furrowed. "Looks like we''ll have to make some compromises and speed up its completion." "Alright, then let''s move on to the next question!" Charlotte continued speaking: "Miss Focalors, is it possible for you to save Fontaine without sacrificing yourself?" In fact, this was a pivotal question. Everything they''d asked up to now had been building toward this moment... If Focalors truly could survive¡ªthen Su Yuan''s wild, daring idea might actually be feasible! This would be the optimal solution to save everyone. "That''s right. I can save Fontaine without sacrificing myself!" Focalors looked straight into Charlotte''s eyes and answered with firm conviction. After all, if one could, who wouldn''t want to stay in this world a little longer? To see more of its beauty, and spend more time with the ones they love? Hearing Focalors'' answer, Charlotte flexed her fingers, testing her control over them. Furina watched the scene with joy on her face: "This is wonderful... Focalors can still be saved!" Everyone collectively let out a sigh of relief. But in the very next moment¡ªsomething no one had anticipated happened! A surge of eerie power suddenly erupted from Charlotte''s body. She glared fiercely at Focalors and snarled: "You''re wrong..." "You could never save Fontaine without sacrificing yourself..." "Because today, you''re going to die here!" "Charlotte" was just about to lunge toward Focalors in a vicious attack¡ª when suddenly, a massive iron cage dropped down from the ceiling, trapping "Charlotte" inside. "Sigh... So it ended up like this after all..." Lyney let out a deep sigh. That giant iron cage was the emergency measure he had prepared earlier along with the others¡ªjust in case. Everyone stared in stunned silence, eyes wide as they watched what was unfolding¡ªthe eerie, corrupted version of Charlotte standing before them. No one knew what to say. One of the conditions for Charlotte''s eerie transformation... was hearing a falsehood. Now that she had succumbed to the corruption, it could only mean one thing: Focalors truly cannot save Fontaine without sacrificing herself. --------------- Exclusive access : 165ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 98: Ch 98 : Truth and falsehood Chapter 98 - Ch 98 : Truth and falsehood "Hahaha... did you all really think that this pathetic iron cage could stop me?" Charlotte''s face twisted as eerie power erupted from her body, and she began violently tearing apart the large iron cage. Even though the cage was sturdy, everyone knew it wouldn''t be enough to restrain something infected by the eerie. The main purpose of this cage was to buy time for Focalors to escape. In fact, Su Yuan had been wanting to complain for a while¡ªwhy didn''t they just keep Charlotte in the cage from the start and then have her conduct the interview with Focalors from inside it? Why wait until she became corrupted before dropping the cage? Thankfully, they had managed to trap her in time this round. But if they had reacted even a moment slower, things could''ve gone terribly wrong. However, Charlotte''s next words stunned everyone: "I was going to keep pretending for a little longer... but you just had to tell me another falsehood. The fury in my heart... I just couldn''t suppress it anymore!" What? Could it be that one of the earlier questions had also received a false answer? The first question¡ªIs Dottore still alive? That one had to be true. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan absolutely refused to believe Dottore would die so easily... Second question: Is it possible for an insect, or a certain kind of creature, to become the Hydro Archon? Based on the final question, which implied that Focalors still has to sacrifice herself in order to save Fontaine, this question was most likely a lie... Third question: Can Neuvillette reclaim the authority of the Sovereign Dragon and absolve the people of Fontaine of their sins? This one should be true¡ªafter all, it''s currently the only known way to resolve the prophecy looming over Fontaine... Fourth question: Will the prophecy of Fontaine come to pass within seven days? This should also be true. All signs had already indicated that the prophecy was accelerating ahead of schedule... In summary, it means that Focalors cannot transfer her Hydro Archon authority to an insect or creature¡ªshe must sacrifice herself to save Fontaine. Su Yuan felt a deep sense of frustration. They had just caught a glimpse of hope¡ªand now it had been cruelly extinguished. With a thunderous BOOM, the massive iron cage restraining "Charlotte" was torn apart! "Charlotte" slowly stepped toward the group, her eyes locked on the Monsieur Verite in Aether''s hands... "Give back Monsieur Verite..." "GIVE HIM BACK TO ME!!!" "Traveler, let go of it¡ªnow!" Paimon shouted in a panic. Aether hesitated for just a moment, then threw Monsieur Verite toward an empty spot nearby. As expected, "Charlotte" ran straight toward it and caught the item, keeping it from smashing against the ground. "Everyone, do you still remember what I told you before?" Su Yuan spoke up. "Charlotte seems to place great importance on Monsieur Verite. If it were to be destroyed, she would erupt with even more powerful strength..." However, everyone looked at Su Yuan with confused expressions. As far as they could remember, he had never said anything like that... But none of that mattered anymore. What they needed to focus on now was how to deal with the Eerie version of "Charlotte"... Actually, forget about dealing with "Charlotte"... Su Yuan thought to himself, It''s time to rewind everything... As for how to save Focalors, how to save Fontaine¡ªeverything would need to be reconsidered from the beginning. Su Yuan quietly walked over to a corner and slowly pulled out a small knife he carried with him. However, this entire action was fully noticed by Neuvillette. "Su Yuan, what are you trying to do?" Neuvillette spoke up, preparing to step forward and seize the knife from Su Yuan''s hand. "Even though none of us wanted this outcome," Neuvillette said, "Charlotte had already made up her mind and was prepared for it. So why are you giving up on yourself now?" His words drew everyone''s attention¡ªmany turned to look. Especially Aether. He was especially confused¡ªwhy was Su Yuan trying to kill himself again? Last time at the Fontaine Courthouse Hospital, when he was facing Wriothesley, Su Yuan had also tried desperately to take his own life... But things weren''t nearly as bad now, were they? As long as he and Neuvillette worked together, they could take down the Eerie Charlotte without much trouble... Su Yuan felt speechless. Why is it always Neuvillette who interrupts whenever I try to suicide-reset...? Can''t I just get something that lets me die quietly and instantly without drawing attention? Then a thought suddenly struck him¡ªThe Fatui have Delusions, right? If he could get one from Tartaglia or Arlecchino¡ªpreferably the most unstable, low-quality kind¡ªit could rapidly drain his life force, and maybe even give him a burst of power before death. That actually sounded... kind of ideal. "Neuvillette, don''t come any closer..." Su Yuan held the knife and looked up at Neuvillette. "We had an agreement... trust me, okay?" "I can''t guarantee that I''ll be able to save everyone right now..." "But I will give it everything I''ve got!" Under Neuvillette''s stunned gaze, Su Yuan plunged the dagger into his own heart... ............. Su Yuan jolted awake with a sharp gasp¡ªit was that same familiar and heart-wrenching feeling again... Feeling the sting in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew he had died once more. He glanced around and assessed his surroundings. Right now, he was inside the Op¨¦ra ¨¦picl¨¨s, and everyone was busy preparing for Charlotte''s interview with Focalors. Su Yuan raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this was your second death today...] [Regarding the Q&A between Charlotte and Focalors, please keep the following points in mind...] [After hearing one untrue statement, "Charlotte" can still maintain her disguise...] [But after hearing a second untrue statement, "Charlotte" will reveal her true form...] [It is now confirmed that Focalors cannot avert the prophecy crisis and save Fontaine without sacrificing herself...] [Before that point, four questions were asked: the life or death of Dottore, whether the Hydro Archon''s power and identity could be transferred, whether Neuvillette could reclaim his Sovereign authority and absolve the people of Fontaine, and whether the prophecy would occur within seven days...] [Initial suspicion: Focalors is also unable to transfer her position or power as Hydro Archon to a bug or any other entity...] [Also, don''t forget to ask Tartaglia or Arlecchino for one of the Fatui''s inferior Delusions...] Staring at the information displayed in his palm, Su Yuan muttered to himself, So... all of that really happened last time. Is Focalors''s sacrifice truly unavoidable...? However, the words "initial suspicion" in the palm''s message made Su Yuan pause and sink into thought. Since it''s phrased that way, it means that while there''s suspicion, it still can''t be confirmed... But Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that the "truth" known by Charlotte''s rule might not be something completely unchangeable... She could only stand on the truth of a specific moment in time. And once something changed, the truth about the future might shift as well... And he¡ªhe was the one who could change things, the one who could create brand-new possibilities! He would definitely... save Focalors! --------------- Exclusive access : 165ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 99: Ch 99 : Two contradictory facts Chapter 99 - Ch 99 : Two contradictory facts Su Yuan had never believed in things like fate¡ªespecially in Teyvat, where even the starry sky was a lie, and everyone''s destiny ran along predetermined tracks... But he himself was the unpredictable anomaly from beyond, the one who could shatter the chains of fate. Still, before moving forward, Su Yuan wanted to thoroughly confirm one thing¡ª Among the four questions asked last time, which one was actually false? "Everyone..." Su Yuan looked around at the others and spoke up, "This time, let me be the one to take part in Charlotte''s interview." And so, Su Yuan sat down with the others and discussed, drafting a new list of questions. Afterward, Su Yuan sat face to face with Charlotte, ready to begin the interview. "Alright, Mr. Su Yuan, thank you for agreeing to this interview." As soon as the interview segment began, Charlotte quickly shifted into her professional mode. "Then, let''s begin with the first question: Mr. Su Yuan, do you believe that a insect¡ªor a certain kind of lifeform¡ªcan become the new Hydro Archon?" "I believe it''s definitely possible." Su Yuan replied calmly, then looked toward Charlotte. If what the message in his palm had said was correct, and this answer was false, then Charlotte should now already be in the midst of eerie transformation¡ªjust still maintaining her disguise... In the next moment, Su Yuan did something no one could have anticipated¡ªhe took out the small knife he always carried with him and thrust it directly toward Charlotte''s eye! Everyone was stunned, completely unable to understand what Su Yuan was doing. "Ah!!" Charlotte, caught off guard by the sudden blade, let out a scream and immediately shut her eyes. Su Yuan''s hand, holding the knife, halted right in front of Charlotte''s face¡ªthe tip of the blade was less than five centimeters away from her eye... Su Yuan looked at the scene with some confusion. If the question he had just asked was indeed false, and Charlotte had already fallen under the control of the Eerie, then when faced with a life-threatening situation, wouldn''t she have already revealed her true nature and fought back? Could it be that Charlotte hadn''t been taken over by the Eerie yet? Or... was she still maintaining her disguise even in a situation like this? "Ahem..." Su Yuan coughed lightly, withdrew the knife, and returned to his seat. "Apologies, Charlotte. That was just a little test¡ªI wanted to see if you had been possessed by the Eerie..." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Charlotte, please don''t take it to heart. Let''s continue with the next question." To perform this test, Su Yuan had deliberately not told everyone that Charlotte would reveal her Eerie state after hearing two untrue statements. Because Eerie entities retain the original host''s memories, this was the only way he could get the most genuine answer¡ªwithout Charlotte''s conscious interference. "Uh... alright... then, Mr. Su Yuan, the next question..." "Do you believe that Miss Focalors can resolve the prophecy crisis and save Fontaine without sacrificing herself?" "I believe..." "She can..." Su Yuan had already braced himself for Charlotte to enter an Eerie state. Because now, two false answers had already been given back-to-back¡ªCharlotte should no longer be able to keep her disguise or suppress her transformation into an Eerie! But to Su Yuan''s surprise, Charlotte didn''t show any signs of becoming Eerie at all? Huh? What''s going on? Weren''t there already two false answers? In the next second, Su Yuan quickly pulled out his small knife again and jabbed it toward Charlotte''s face! But this time, Charlotte seemed to have anticipated it. She tilted her head slightly, easily dodging it... "Mr. Su Yuan, please don''t keep doing that... I''m really scared..." "Charlotte" looked at Su Yuan with a faint smile. Su Yuan instantly realized something was terribly wrong¡ªCharlotte had already been taken over by the Eerie, but she was still pretending! "...Alright, next question..." However, the current "Charlotte" still didn''t seem willing to expose herself and continued the interview... But that was exactly what Su Yuan had hoped for... Charlotte''s behavior now confirmed that the first question was actually true! A insect¡ªtruly could become the new Hydro Archon! If, among the four questions, the one about a insect becoming the Hydro Archon was true, then which one was false? "Is ''The Doctor'' Dottore still alive?" "Charlotte" asked calmly. "He is," Su Yuan replied. "Alright, next question..." "Charlotte" nodded. "Will Fontaine''s prophesied disaster occur within the next seven days?" "It will," Su Yuan nodded. "Okay, and now, the final question on the list..." "Can Lord Neuvillette reclaim his Sovereign authority and absolve the people of Fontaine of their sins?" Through process of elimination, all the previous questions had already been asked¡ªand yet "Charlotte" still hadn''t fully revealed her Eerie nature... Which meant, those questions were all true. If Su Yuan now answered "Yes," and Charlotte dropped the act, it would prove Neuvillette could not accomplish those things. But in truth, there was no need to push that far. Su Yuan could already be sure of the answer to this question... As long as he answered "No," and "Charlotte" continued to pretend, it would indirectly confirm that Neuvillette truly couldn''t do those things... "My answer is..." Su Yuan swallowed hard and looked at "Charlotte"... "No." "Charlotte" narrowed her eyes slightly, gazing at Su Yuan¡ªbut she did not drop her disguise. Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Su Yuan was still completely shaken by what he saw... So now, based on Charlotte''s rules, two facts could be confirmed: Focalors cannot resolve the prophesied crisis and save Fontaine without sacrificing herself... Neuvillette cannot reclaim his Sovereign authority to absolve the people of Fontaine of their sins... Although Su Yuan didn''t believe in Teyvat''s so-called "destiny," no matter how he looked at it¡ªthis all felt utterly despairing... But the two seemingly confirmed truths... contradicted each other. If Focalors can save Fontaine at the cost of her life, but Neuvillette is not the one who can carry it out... Then who exactly is supposed to save Fontaine? "Mr. Su Yuan, is there any other question you''d like me to ask in the interview?" Suddenly, "Charlotte" spoke up again. "If not, then I''ll start asking whatever I want, totally freeform~" "For example... Mr. Su Yuan, are you afraid of dying?" But in the next moment, with a loud boom, a massive iron cage dropped from the ceiling¡ªtrapping "Charlotte" inside. Everyone could see it clearly now¡ªCharlotte had been taken over by the Eerie... Staring at herself now enclosed in the huge cage, "Charlotte" seethed with rage. Her face began to distort, flush with a crimson hue, and an eerie energy started to emanate from her body... Her head twisted a full 270 degrees as she glared at everyone viciously and snarled: "What do you think you''re doing? Are you trying to interfere with my interview?!" --------------- Exclusive access : 168ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 100: Ch 100 : Let’s start by trying it on a Hydro Slime first Chapter 100 - Ch 100 : Let''s start by trying it on a Hydro Slime first Facing the current situation, Su Yuan couldn''t figure it out. If it was truly possible to transfer the identity and authority of the Hydro Archon to a mere insect, then why was Focalors death inevitable? Just like energy cannot be created from nothing nor disappear into nothingness¡ªif the divine throne of the Hydro Archon was destroyed and the authority of the Sovereign Dragon did not return to Neuvillette, where would it go? "You filthy wretches! Interrupting my interview! Lying to me! And you even took away my ''Monsieur Verite''!!!" Trapped temporarily in the massive iron cage, "Charlotte" roared in fury, an eerie energy surging violently from her body as she began to savagely attack the cage. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I won''t forgive you! You''ll all pay a terrible price for this!!!" Watching the cage shake violently, looking as though it could fall apart at any moment, it was clear it wouldn''t hold for long... "Su Yuan, what now?" Neuvillette turned to him and asked. "Let''s send Charlotte off one last time..." Su Yuan replied helplessly. They couldn''t waste any more time here. Now that there was a chance to make even a insect the new Hydro Archon, no matter how slim, it had to be tried! "Then allow me," Clorinde said, drawing the rapier from her waist as she stepped in front of "Charlotte." "Miss Charlotte, I challenge you to a fair and honorable duel!" "A duel? Who wants to duel you? I have absolutely no interest in that!" "Charlotte" replied bluntly, showing no courtesy. Hearing this, Clorinde furrowed her brows... Another rejection of her duel request? Her rule''s limitations were still too strict... However, Su Yuan walked up to Aether, took the "Monsieur Verite" from his hands, and raised it high above his head. He looked toward "Charlotte" and slowly said, "Charlotte, if you don''t accept Clorinde''s duel, I''ll smash Monsieur Verite right here and now!" "You''re welcome to try. Let''s see which is faster¡ªyour charge, or my swing to the ground!" "Y-You!!!" "Charlotte" wore an expression of sheer fury, glaring daggers at Su Yuan. Then, reluctantly, she turned to Clorinde and said through gritted teeth, "Fine. I accept your duel..." "I forfeit." The moment "Charlotte" accepted, Clorinde immediately declared defeat. Right after, an overwhelming and intense aura of eerie power surged from her body... Seeing this unfold, Su Yuan felt a pang of guilt. Even though Charlotte had already come to terms with this outcome and agreed to it... using her like a tool just to extract information, and even threatening her with something she cherished¡ªhis conscience was having a hard time accepting it. But this was the price they had to pay... to save Fontaine from the prophecy''s doom. Without a doubt, in terms of combat strength after being corrupted, "Charlotte" was no match for "Clorinde." "Charlotte" was slain by Clorinde''s blade, but in her final moments, her eyes drifted toward Monsieur Verite, her hand slowly reaching out for it... yet unable to touch it again. Su Yuan couldn''t bear to watch the scene unfold. Why did Charlotte care so much about Monsieur Verite? Could it be that the condition for breaking her eerie corruption was somehow tied to it? But even if he had that theory, it would have to wait for another time¡ªright now, the most pressing matter was to begin the experiment with Focalors to transfer the identity and power of the Hydro Archon. "Everyone," Su Yuan said, suppressing the sorrow in his heart, voice firm, "we don''t have time to mourn Charlotte''s death. We need to begin the experiment immediately..." Right after, Su Yuan shared with everyone the two conclusions he had drawn based on Charlotte''s rules. After hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Neuvillette showed a thoughtful expression and turned to him. "Focalors, based on what we know so far, it is possible to transfer the identity and power of the Hydro Archon." "Of course, it doesn''t necessarily have to be an insect¡ªthat was just a metaphor." "Since you''re the Hydro Archon, we may need to look for creatures with a natural affinity for Hydro..." "Like fish, shrimp, Hydro Slimes, Aberrants, or similar beings..." "I feel like the chances of success would be higher that way..." Focalors nodded and said, "I, too, was once nothing more than a vassal of Egeria¡ªjust a normal Oceanid..." "So I''m fairly certain that passing on the Hydro Archon''s seat to another Oceanid should be possible..." After hearing that, Wriothesley spoke thoughtfully, "If that''s the case, then theoretically, any of us from Fontaine could become the next Hydro Archon..." "And if it comes to that, we might as well go to the Fortress of Meropide and find one of the most heinous criminals..." "Some of those people, with all the evil they''ve committed, are just wasting the air they breathe..." "We in the Fortress even have to provide them with housing, jobs, and the special canteen even gives them free meals..." "I''ve actually wanted to reform the system for a long time," Wriothesley said with a sigh, glancing at Neuvillette. "But that old fossil refuses no matter what." Su Yuan also looked toward Neuvillette. In Fontaine''s laws, although the death penalty theoretically existed, no one had actually been sentenced to death for centuries. The vast majority of criminals were simply exiled to the Fortress of Meropide. Su Yuan wasn''t sure whether that system was ultimately good or bad. "Actually, back when Egeria entrusted the position of Hydro Archon to me and left to fight in the cataclysm," Focalors said, "from that moment, I had already become the Hydro Archon in name." "But I could feel it¡ªmy power and authority weren''t complete..." "It wasn''t until Egeria perished in the Tunigi Hollow that I truly felt myself become the complete Hydro Archon." Those words from Focalors struck a chord in Su Yuan¡ªand in everyone else as well. So even if the position and authority of the Hydro Archon could be transferred, unless Focalors died, the power couldn''t be fully passed on? If that was the case, then even if they killed the new Hydro Archon and destroyed the Divine Seat, the full authority of the Sovereign Dragon wouldn''t return to Neuvillette... Which meant Neuvillette could never truly reclaim the full power of the Sovereign Dragon, and never become the complete dragon he was meant to be. But still¡ªno matter how grim the situation¡ªcould they really just surrender and bow their heads to fate? At the very least, we have to give it everything we''ve got¡ªonly then will we know if there''s even the slightest chance. "Everyone... there''s no need to keep dwelling on this issue!" Su Yuan spoke up. "At the very least, let''s go and give it a try! If we don''t even try, how will we know whether it''ll succeed or fail?" "If hydro-aligned creatures are more suitable, then let''s just start with something common¡ªlike a hydro slime!" --------------- Exclusive access : 168ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 101: Ch 101 : An All-Devouring Narwhal suddenly appeared out of nowhere Chapter 101 - Ch 101 : An All-Devouring Narwhal suddenly appeared out of nowhere A pitiful, weak, and helpless little Hydro Slime was surrounded by everyone, not daring to move an inch... "I thought Hydro Slimes were everywhere, but after searching all around the area near Fontaine Court, I couldn''t find a single one," Chevreuse said. "Hm? You couldn''t find any? Then where did you get this Hydro Slime from?" Wriothesley asked. "Remember the last time we went to eat at Hotel Debord? I took a look at their menu, and there were actually a few dishes made with slimes..." Chevreuse replied. "So I went to ask, and it turns out¡ªthey really do have slimes at their restaurant..." "According to their head chef, he learned those dishes during an exchange trip to Liyue, from a small street-side shop, taught by an energetic young lady chef..." "Liyue? Street-side shop? Energetic? Young? Lady chef?" Paimon muttered, then looked thoughtfully at Aether. "It must be her... Besides her, I can''t think of anyone who would actually make cuisine out of slimes..." Hearing this description, Su Yuan also understood¡ªit could only be that chef from Wanmin Restaurant. He hadn''t expected her unique slime dishes to have spread all the way to Fontaine¡ªlet alone be served at its top restaurant. But now wasn''t the time to be discussing how to eat slimes. Su Yuan turned to Focalors and said, "Focalors, the slime is right in front of you. You can begin the transfer now..." "Neuvillette, you have the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon, right?" Focalors looked toward Neuvillette and spoke. Neuvillette nodded, then took out the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon and handed it to Focalors. Focalors received the Gnosis and carefully examined it before speaking slowly: "To transfer the identity and authority of the Hydro Archon, the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon is the essential ''key''..." "Back then, Egeria did the same thing to me..." In the next moment, the Hydro Gnosis emitted an incredibly dazzling light blue glow. Everyone could clearly see that many things from Focalors¡ªessences, power¡ªseemed to be flowing into the Gnosis. "I''ve done everything I can. I''ve poured all of my power into this one Hydro Gnosis." "Now, as long as this Gnosis is given to that Hydro Slime, it will, in name, become the new Hydro Archon..." As Focalors spoke, she held the Hydro Gnosis and began walking toward the little Hydro Slime, while everyone watched anxiously... But in the next moment, something unexpected happened¡ª The entire Opera Epiclese began to shake violently... Then, in the very next instant, with a thunderous crash, the floor beneath Focalors¡ªno, the space itself¡ªsuddenly cracked open, revealing a swirling vortex of purple and black... A massive, towering figure opened its gigantic maw and swallowed Focalors, the Hydro Gnosis, and the Hydro Slime¡ªall in one gulp! "The All-Devouring Narwhal!!!" Su Yuan shouted in shock! Why did it appear so much earlier than expected? Could it be... that today is the day foretold in the prophecy? Yes... today still falls within the seven-day window! This must be the reason behind the warning inscribed in his right palm¡ªwhy he was told to be wary of the All-Devouring Narwhal! "Focalors!" Neuvillette rushed forward, unleashing Hydro elemental power to attack the Narwhal¡ªbut it had little effect... There was no helping it¡ªthis All-Devouring Narwhal had extremely high resistance to Hydro, making it a perfect counter to Neuvillette! "So that''s why... that restless feeling inside me wouldn''t go away..." "So it was you, this massive beast!" "We... meet again!" With Tartaglia''s voice ringing out, a flash of purple shot forward¡ªhis body and weapon both surging with deep violet Electro energy! Tartaglia activated his Foul Legacy: Transformation and charged into battle against the All-Devouring Narwhal! "Haha... Everyone, we can finally go all out," Wriothesley looked around at the group and said. "When we were fighting the Eerie before, we never really knew how to properly use our elemental powers..." "But now, we can finally fight without holding back!" Colorful waves of elemental energy surged from everyone''s attacks, slamming into the body of the All-Devouring Narwhal. However, its massive size and overwhelming defense made these attacks feel like nothing more than an itch... Su Yuan recalled the previous Fontaine main story arc¡ªback then, Neuvillette had already reclaimed the full authority of the Sovereign Dragon, weakened the Primordial Seawater within the Narwhal, and only then managed to defeat it... But now, facing a fully empowered, unweakened All-Devouring Narwhal, Su Yuan felt that none of them stood a chance. Yet in the next instant, something even more unexpected occurred¡ªthe Narwhal suddenly erupted with an overwhelming surge of pure and powerful Hydro energy, blasting everyone to the ground. "This feeling... I can''t be wrong..." Neuvillette''s brows furrowed as he spoke in shock. "Right now, the Narwhal is giving me the same sensation as Focalors..." "Which means... the All-Devouring Narwhal might have become the new Hydro Archon..." Huh? Hearing that, Su Yuan didn''t even know how to react anymore... Just moments ago, Focalors had poured all her power into the Hydro Gnosis, intending to pass it to that Hydro Slime and make it the new Hydro Archon¡ª But halfway through, the All-Devouring Narwhal suddenly appeared out of nowhere and intercepted everything... Now it had become the new Hydro Archon instead? And right now, Focalors¡ªwho had been swallowed¡ªwas still missing, her fate unknown! Everyone could feel the shift in the Narwhal''s presence. It had become even more dangerous... The Hydro energy radiating from its body was now overflowing¡ªso intense that it was almost bursting at the seams. Ordinary attacks no longer had any effect. Wait a minute... Elemental energy? Was there a power that naturally countered elemental energy? Yes¡ªthere was. That dark, crimson, eerie force! "Neuvillette!" Su Yuan shouted toward him, "I know how we can defeat the All-Devouring Narwhal!" As soon as Neuvillette met Su Yuan''s gaze, he instantly understood¡ª "The Eerie power..." "Everyone¡ªkneel to the ground!" Su Yuan yelled, "Let us witness it for ourselves¡ªwhether the fully empowered All-Devouring Narwhal, now wielding the might of the Hydro Archon, can truly stand against an Eerie Neuvillette!" Everyone repositioned themselves and knelt down at a distance, bracing for what was about to unfold. Then, Neuvillette slowly closed his eyes and let out a quiet sigh... Outside, dark clouds gathered in an instant, and a light drizzle began to fall... When "Neuvillette" opened his eyes again, those crimson pupils locked onto the massive creature before him¡ªhis gaze burning with fury. "Wretched mortals... no, you filthy, stinking fish..." "Before the Ruler of all Teyvat, before me, the Sovereign Dragon at the very peak..." "Who gave you permission... to cause a scene in front of me???" "Now..." "KNEEL!!!" --------------- sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exclusive access : 171ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 102: Ch 102 : “Neuvillette†vs. the Chapter 102 - Ch 102 : ¡°Neuvillette¡± vs. the "Hydro Archon" All-Devouring Narwhal Although Su Yuan really wanted to complain¡ª the All-Devouring Narwhal was, after all, a giant whale¡ªno feet, no legs, no knees. How was it even supposed to kneel? But it seemed that "Neuvillette" had realized that too, yet he still spoke: "Ah, right. I forgot you''re a filthy, stinking fish..." "The command to ''kneel'' might be... a bit difficult for you." "But¡ªwhether it''s difficult or not, what the hell does that have to do with me???" "I told you to kneel¡ªso you''d better KNEEL!!!" Su Yuan couldn''t hold back his curiosity anymore¡ªhe lifted his head slightly, really wanting to see how exactly a giant whale would kneel on the ground... However, to his surprise, "Neuvillette''s" word-infused decree didn''t seem to take full effect. The Narwhal''s movements clearly slowed, but it could still move... Was it because the All-Devouring Narwhal wasn''t native to Teyvat? Or perhaps its sheer size made it difficult for "Neuvillette''s" eerie power to dominate its whole body? The Narwhal, sensing that the eerie aura surrounding "Neuvillette" was bad news, began to turn around¡ª trying to dive back into the spatial vortex and flee... But "Neuvillette" saw everything. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From his expression and posture, it was obvious¡ªhe was furious beyond reason. "Damn it... DAMN IT!!!" "I won''t accept this!!!" "I refuse to tolerate this!!!" "You rotten shrimp of a fish¡ªhow dare you defy MY command???" In the next moment, "Neuvillette" suddenly stomped his foot¡ª and an eruption of eerie power, far stronger than anything before, burst forth from his body! Countless tendrils of inky black and crimson-red eerie energy surged toward the All-Devouring Narwhal. The narwhal unleashed an explosion of Hydro energy in defense¡ª but before the eerie power, it was utterly useless! Those dense waves of Hydro energy, upon contact with the eerie force, reacted like plastic bags meeting open flame¡ªmelting instantly. No matter how powerful elemental energy might be, it was completely ineffective against the eerie power. This was a truth Su Yuan had learned¡ª through painful, bitter experience. In fact, had the All-Devouring Narwhal not relied on its elemental power, and instead used its massive body to crush Neuvillette like a falling mountain, perhaps it might''ve had a slim chance of winning... But now, it had already missed the perfect opportunity. Neuvillette''s eerie aura¡ªso dense it almost felt tangible¡ª easily pierced through the narwhal''s elemental defenses! The narwhal opened its massive jaws and swallowed all that eerie energy¡ª but in the very next instant, it let out an earth-shaking scream, one filled with sheer, agonizing pain! It was a piercing, unbearable high-pitched sound. Su Yuan didn''t even know how to describe it¡ª only that it was so intolerable, he furrowed his brow and instinctively covered his ears... And yet, "Neuvillette" found it to be the most beautiful music: "Yes... that''s the sound..." "Your agonized screams... are the most exquisite melody!!!" The All-Devouring Narwhal froze mid-motion¡ª completely unable to move any longer... Now, it had been entirely subdued by Neuvillette''s eerie power. Su Yuan was startled to notice that the narwhal''s massive form was gradually shrinking, likely because it was burning through its own energy to resist the corruption of the eerie force. Once it had shrunk to a certain point, the narwhal opened its mouth and spit out Focalors and the little Hydro Slime... Then it continued being crushed under Neuvillette''s power, shrinking more and more... Until¡ª its body became slightly smaller than Neuvillette''s own. "This... is the form you should have taken," Neuvillette said coldly. "To be larger than me... to float above me and look down..." "Who gave you the audacity to do that???" "Then, it''s time for you to atone... for your disrespect toward me." "Bow your head..." "Keep bowing¡ªuntil it kills you!!!" In the next moment, the All-Devouring Narwhal''s tail bent at a ninety-degree angle, folding in on itself like a human knee kneeling to the ground. Then, its head and neck twisted downward, folding all the way into its chest cavity¡ª Because that was the only way... it could truly bow its head¡ª and not its belly or jaw... At this point, strange-colored blood was already oozing from the narwhal''s wounds... "Neuvillette" had forcibly twisted its body structure, inflicting serious injury. And then, an absurd scene played out before everyone''s eyes¡ª A whale... was actually kowtowing, in a grotesque and unnatural posture. "Hahahahaha..." "Neuvillette" burst into laughter, thoroughly pleased. "Only a scene like this is worthy of the being who stands at the very peak of Teyvat¡ªthe Sovereign Dragon!" But just then¡ª"Neuvillette" suddenly sensed a terrifying presence. The space beside them instantly shattered, and a figure slowly stepped out from within... "I was only in seclusion for a little while... and my master''s pet nearly got beaten to death?" Hearing that voice, Su Yuan couldn''t hold back his reaction. He immediately looked up¡ª and sure enough, it was Skirk. She had already made her entrance... this soon? Skirk gave the narwhal a single glance¡ª and it immediately stopped kowtowing. Then, Skirk lightly waved her hand, and the All-Devouring Narwhal became surrounded by a purple aura, began to float, and started shrinking¡ª until it became a palm-sized, purple sphere that looked like a miniature quantum black hole. "Right... Master did say not to feed pets random stuff," Skirk muttered. As she spoke, she reached in with two fingers and pulled out the Hydro Gnosis, holding it in her hand and examining it carefully. "Something this ''ominous'' should really be discarded sooner rather than later," Skirk said as she casually tossed the Hydro Gnosis aside, like she was throwing out trash. "Who are you exactly? Why are you interfering with my entertainment???" "Neuvillette" snarled furiously. "I have nothing to say to the weak." "You merely relied on ''power from beyond this world'' to luck your way into defeating the narwhal." "You are not qualified to speak to me as an equal." Skirk''s voice was cold, but her words struck directly at Neuvillette''s reverse scale¡ªhis most sensitive rage trigger... "I am the rightful ruler of this world, and you dare speak to me like that?!" "Neuvillette" eerie power erupted again, even more violently than before! "Enough! Neuvillette! Snap out of it!!" Su Yuan shouted, his voice shaking the air, dispersing the rain and the dark clouds above. Skirk noticed Su Yuan''s subtle move and turned her gaze toward him. Su Yuan knew¡ªhe still didn''t know nearly enough about Skirk... This time, he had to try and communicate with her, find out more. He couldn''t let her and Neuvillette fight¡ªnot now. Besides, Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that... Even in his eerie state, Neuvillette might not stand a chance against Skirk. --------------- Exclusive access : 171ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 103: Ch 103 : Focalors gazed gently at everyone, saying nothing more Chapter 103 - Ch 103 : Focalors gazed gently at everyone, saying nothing more Su Yuan recalled that in the original game''s story, Skirk had once said she would go back and punish herself by swinging her sword three million times... If she hadn''t been exaggerating, then her martial strength and skill must have reached an unimaginable level... And just now, didn''t she also mention that the eerie power was a force "from beyond this world"? That lined up perfectly with his own suspicions... "Master! I didn''t expect to see you here!" Upon seeing Skirk appear, Tartaglia immediately ran up to her. However, Skirk merely glanced at Tartaglia and said coldly, "You used the power of the Delusion again? And to such an extent?" Tartaglia wasn''t sure if her words were scolding him or showing concern. He simply scratched his head awkwardly and replied, "I had no choice. After all, we were fighting the eerie..." "But regardless, you should use that inferior thing less," Skirk said, giving him a sidelong glance. "Is your grandmaster''s armor not good enough?" "This lady, I am Neuvillette, the Chief Justice of Fontaine." Neuvillette looked toward Skirk and spoke calmly. "Are you aware that the All-Devouring Narwhal¡ªyour master''s pet¡ªnearly destroyed an entire nation?" "I will need you, or rather your master, to provide me¡ªand Fontaine¡ªwith an explanation." Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel impressed. As expected of Neuvillette¡ªremaining calm and composed even when facing someone far more powerful, showing neither arrogance nor submission. Indeed, in the previous game storyline, some people also complained that Focalors and Furina had silently endured humiliation and persevered for hundreds of years, only for the direct cause of Fontaine''s disaster to turn out to be someone else''s pet narwhal. That sense of dissonance really hit hard... That''s why many people said they didn''t quite like that part of the story. It''s like mortals on the ground pay a painful price and fight desperately to defeat a man-eating monster, only for a celestial immortal to show up leisurely afterward and say, "Oh, that was my pet, I forgot to watch it properly..." "It ate people? I''m really sorry..." And then after a few casual compliments like, "You mortals are so brave, good job," they just walk away without having to pay any price or bear any responsibility whatsoever... But then again, this kind of thing is somewhat expected. Even from the name, you can tell a bit¡ªSkirk''s master holds the title "The Foul" Surtalogi... If he were any kind of decent person, why wouldn''t he be called the "Knight of Justice" or the "Virtuous Knight," right? Still, when it comes down to it, the true essence of the Fontaine crisis wasn''t really the narwhal. The prophecy foretold that the rise of the primordial Sea of Origins was the real root of the disaster. Even without the All-Devouring Narwhal, there still would''ve been something like the Howling Sky Hound, the Cursed Calamity Cat, the Gluttonous Pig, the Cringe Shrimp, and all sorts of bizarre things popping up to push the prophecy forward... Even though the All-Devouring Narwhal seemed to have been dealt with ahead of time, the prophecy was still bound to happen! Only if Neuvillette obtained the full authority of the sovereign dragons and became a complete dragon would there be any way to truly break the cycle! However, in the face of Neuvillette''s words, Skirk chose to ignore him completely, clearly not taking him seriously at all. Just as she had expressed¡ªshe had nothing to say to the weak. And Tartaglia, being her disciple, perhaps only enjoyed a bit of special privilege because of that. "There are only three among you," Skirk looked around slowly as she spoke, "who are qualified to speak with me on equal terms." Then, Skirk raised her hand, pointing first at Aether, then at Paimon, and finally... at Su Yuan. Su Yuan was stunned. Aether being the protagonist of the game Genshin Impact made sense... Paimon clearly held deep, hidden secrets¡ªalso understandable... But himself? That was a little harder to grasp... Even though he had the ability to rewind time, his combat strength wasn''t particularly impressive... Could it be because of the sovereign dragon''s blood flowing in his body? But Skirk clearly didn''t even consider Neuvillette¡ªalso an sovereign dragon¡ªworthy of attention... But regardless, being able to communicate with Skirk at all was already a good thing! Just as Su Yuan was about to say something, Skirk spoke first: "The next time we meet, I''ll have a proper conversation with all of you." "But for now, I have urgent matters to attend to. I''ll be taking my leave." Then, Skirk turned her gaze to Tartaglia and said, "To think you''ve fallen to such a state... Looks like it''s time to retrain you from the ground up. Come with me." Tartaglia let out a helpless, wry smile, and followed Skirk, preparing to leave the place. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Miss Skirk, I know you''re strong, but don''t you think you''re being a bit too arrogant?" "Even if you and your master''s pet narwhal weren''t the root cause of this disaster, the threat and destruction you brought to Fontaine were still very real. Don''t you think you owe us at least a word of apology?" But Skirk''s silence was the most disdainful response she could give Neuvillette. A moment later, she shattered the space around her and left with the All-Devouring Narwhal and Tartaglia. Only a devastated opera house remained¡ªalong with a group of people who had no idea what to say. Cough, cough... Focalors let out a couple of coughs as she slowly regained consciousness, and the others quickly gathered around her. "Neuvillette... you can''t hesitate any longer..." Focalors said with difficulty. "The battle you just fought with the All-Devouring Narwhal... it gave everything it had..." "This surging Hydro elemental energy... it''s more than the deep seas of the entire planet can digest..." "What''s more, just moments ago, it briefly held the identity and authority of the Hydro Archon..." "But now, that identity and power have been stripped away... and returned to me..." "Fontaine on land... is already in complete chaos..." "The prophecy... has already begun to unfold!" Su Yuan thought to himself¡ªright, that''s exactly how it was in the original game''s storyline. During the battle with the All-Devouring Narwhal, the prophecy had already started! Because of its low terrain, Poisson Village was submerged during this period, causing many casualties! Focalors raised her head to look at everyone and said: "We no longer have the time to try other ways... My sacrifice is inevitable... Only this way... can Fontaine be saved..." In the next moment, the Oratrice Mecanique d''Analyse Cardinale, which had been storing Indemnitium Energy for a long time, began to stir... A dense blue energy dispersed into the air, then reformed¡ªgathering above Focalors'' head into a massive blue greatsword... Su Yuan stared in shock¡ªthis was it. This was the scene from the original game where Focalors was executed. Only back then, Neuvillette was the only one present. But now¡ªeveryone was witnessing it. "Neuvillette... Furina... Su Yuan... everyone..." "I originally wanted to dance one final performance for you all... but it seems now, there''s no time or mood left for that..." "Neuvillette, I hope you''ve enjoyed the role that belonged solely to you these past five hundred years..." "Furina, I hope you live well¡ªgo out and see more of this world, and love it more..." "Su Yuan, thank you for everything you''ve done... for trying so hard to save me, and to save Fontaine..." "Everyone... thank you all... thank you for everything you''ve given... being with you all has truly made me happy, fulfilled, and content..." "It''s about time... time to say goodbye..." After that, the massive sword slowly began to fall... Focalors gazed gently at everyone¡ªsaying nothing more. --------------- Exclusive access : 174ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 104: Ch 104 : The hero who saved everyone… was you, Su Yuan Chapter 104 - Ch 104 : The hero who saved everyone... was you, Su Yuan "Focalors..." Watching Focalors fade away before her very eyes, Furina could no longer hold back her emotions and burst into tears... sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan, too, watched it all with deep frustration and unwillingness... Had they failed again? Too many unexpected things had happened... Neuvillette clenched his fists, stepped forward, and picked up the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon that Skirk had thrown to the ground, placing it into his robes. He could clearly see¡ªcould deeply feel¡ªthat his body was changing. It must have been the moment after Focalors'' death, after the Hydro Archon''s throne was shattered, that the authority of the sovereign dragon began returning to him... But very soon, Neuvillette sensed something was wrong and revealed an expression of utter shock. "The authority of the sovereign dragon... it''s incomplete. It''s fragmented..." "I can''t achieve absolute control over Hydro energy. I can''t strip away the primordial sea water from the blood of the people of Fontaine... I can''t absolve them of their sins..." Everyone looked at Neuvillette in utter shock. Hadn''t Focalors already sacrificed herself? And yet the authority of the sovereign dragon still hadn''t returned to Neuvillette? "Was the Hydro Archon''s throne not completely destroyed? Or... is there some other factor involved?" Wriothesley furrowed his brow, struggling to accept this outcome as well. Su Yuan couldn''t accept this either. Could the truth derived from Charlotte''s rule truly not be changed? If Neuvillette couldn''t reclaim the authority of the sovereign dragon, he couldn''t absolve the sins of the people of Fontaine... No¡ª! Suddenly, Su Yuan realized something. And at the same time, he began to feel something strange happening within his own body... A strange power was surging into Su Yuan''s body. He could clearly feel the Hydro energy he could control expanding rapidly, and his affinity with it was increasing at an astonishing rate... Suddenly, a thought struck Su Yuan¡ªa possibility: why wasn''t Neuvillette''s authority of the sovereign dragon complete? It was very likely that half of it was within himself! Neuvillette had once told him that he possessed half of Neuvillette''s sovereign dragon blood. That was the reason he could wield Hydro energy himself... In a certain sense, he could also be considered an elemental dragon of Teyvat... And Neuvillette, too, clearly sensed the change occurring within Su Yuan. A look of sudden realization appeared on his face. "So that''s it... Su Yuan, you''re even more remarkable than I had imagined..." "You and I both carry the blood of the sovereign dragon. So, naturally, the authority of the sovereign dragon was split between us..." "To gain the complete authority... there can only be one Hydro Sovereign Dragon in this world..." Neuvillette''s words once again sent shockwaves through everyone present... "I finally understand why the truth derived through Charlotte''s Rule stated that I wouldn''t be able to obtain the full authority and absolve the people of Fontaine of their sins..." Neuvillette looked up at Su Yuan, a faint smile appearing on his face... But within that smile, there was a deep sense of farewell. "Because the one who holds the complete authority of the sovereign dragon... the one who will absolve all the people of Fontaine of their sins... the hero who will save everyone..." "...is you, Su Yuan." A terrible premonition gripped Su Yuan. He bolted toward Neuvillette in a panic, shouting, "Neuvillette! What are you trying to do?!" In the past, it had always been Neuvillette who tried to stop him from taking his own life¡ªbut now, the roles had reversed. And in that moment, Su Yuan could truly feel what Neuvillette must have felt all those times... But in the end, he was still too late. The moment Neuvillette had figured everything out, he had already prepared himself for the sacrifice. "Focalors... it seems I''m in no position to call you cunning anymore..." Blood was already trickling from the corner of Neuvillette''s mouth. He looked toward the place where Focalors had stood just moments ago, and spoke softly: "But... I can''t just let you be the only one to make this choice." The next instant, Neuvillette coughed up a great mouthful of blood, his knees giving out as he collapsed to the ground. "If only I had realized this a little sooner..." "Now, in order to unite the full authority of the sovereign dragon... someone must make a sacrifice..." "Su Yuan... I''ve already destroyed all my internal organs... There''s no saving me now..." Neuvillette spoke in an incredibly weak voice, but his gaze remained firm¡ªthere was not a trace of regret in his eyes. "Su Yuan... this is my final strength. Take it." He collapsed to the ground, no longer breathing. Yet from his body, an incomparably powerful and pure energy¡ªcarrying his sovereign dragon''s blood¡ªpoured into Su Yuan''s body. And in that moment, Su Yuan suddenly realized a shocking truth... The complete authority of the sovereign dragon was now fully in his hands. He could sense it¡ªthe entire Opera Epiclese, the entire city of the Court of Fontaine, the whole region of Fontaine, and even all of Teyvat... the seawater, rivers, lakes, rain¡ªevery single drop of water felt as if it were right before his eyes, all completely within his control. Even the primordial seawater within the blood of every citizen of Fontaine could not hide from him. Every droplet of rain, every stream and current¡ªhad become Su Yuan''s eyes. He could clearly see that Poisson Village, due to its low-lying terrain, had already been submerged. But because he had warned Navia in advance, everyone had made full preparations, and so far, there had been no casualties... The water level of Fontaine would continue to rise¡ªuntil the Palais Mermonia itself was completely submerged¡ªbefore it would finally stop. Su Yuan knew full well that now, with just a single thought, he could strip the primordial seawater from every Fontaine citizen''s blood, turning them into true humans and saving them all... And with that, the prophesied crisis of Fontaine could at last come to a complete end. But Su Yuan couldn''t understand¡ªwhy... why did his heart hurt so much? He looked at the place where Focalors had vanished without a trace... looked at Neuvillette, lying motionless on the ground without breath... and he could no longer hold back the sorrow in his heart. Even though he now possessed the sovereign dragon''s full authority¡ªgranting him absolute control over Hydro... Why were his tears still falling uncontrollably? Su Yuan felt like he was a curse upon this world. Even though he had crossed over into this world... the eerie phenomenon had followed him here as well. Maybe he was the one who cracked open the shell of the world of Teyvat, allowing the eerie presence to slip in. If things had followed the original course, Focalors sacrifice might have been inevitable... But now, because of him, Neuvillette had split half of his sovereign dragon blood with him in order to save him. And in the end, that very act led directly to Neuvillette''s death... If he had never come to Teyvat in the first place¡ªwould none of these tragedies have happened? Everyone remained silent, watching Su Yuan as he stood there in a daze. But just at that moment, the Hydro Slime from earlier suddenly stirred¡ªit rolled over and woke up. This Hydro Slime, strangely unafraid of people, bounced over to Su Yuan''s side. With a strong leap, it jumped onto his shoulder. Then, it slowly squirmed up to Su Yuan''s face, using its body to absorb his tears¡ªas if it was trying to wipe them away. Everyone looked on in shock. Why was this Hydro Slime acting so... strangely? And Furina, who had been weeping uncontrollably, was now overwhelmed by grief from the loss of both Focalors and Neuvillette. She seemed to have snapped a little. Watching all of this, she suddenly let out a slightly mad laugh and said something utterly absurd: "Hahaha... it''s Focalors! She''s not dead! She''s turned into a Hydro Slime..." Su Yuan could feel it clearly¡ªthe Hydro Slime on his face visibly froze, stunned for a moment when it heard the name "Focalors." Could it be...? A spark of hope suddenly ignited in Su Yuan''s heart. Even if that spark was faint, even if the possibility it carried was barely a sliver... It was still worth trying¡ªone more time. "I can''t accept this reality..." "I will never give up..." Su Yuan stopped crying. Power surged in his hand as he thrust it directly into his own chest. Blood splattered as he grabbed hold of his still fiercely beating heart. "I... will save everyone!!!" Su Yuan declared with unwavering determination¡ªthen, without a second of hesitation, crushed his own heart. --------------- Exclusive access : 174ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 105: Ch 105 : Return the blood Chapter 105 - Ch 105 : Return the blood Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide ¡ª it was that familiar, heart-wrenching sensation again. Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew he had died once more... He quickly raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this is your third death today...] [Now, it can be clearly confirmed that while a mere insect indeed holds the potential to become the Hydro Archon...] [Focalors'' sacrifice remains inevitable...] [However, sacrifice may not necessarily mean true death...] [Prepare a vessel beside Focalors...] [The All-Devouring Narwhal will rampage today, and the prophecy will come to pass...] [If you don''t want Neuvillette to die, return all the sovereign dragon blood in your body that belongs to him...] [Otherwise, the one who will inherit the complete Gnosis of the Hydro Sovereign Dragon King and save Fontaine ¡ª will be you...] [In Teyvat, only one Hydro Sovereign Dragon King can exist...] Su Yuan stared in shock at the words on his palm. What on earth had he experienced last time? Every single sentence was incredibly earth-shattering... Seeing everyone preparing for Charlotte''s interview, Su Yuan immediately called them to stop. "Everyone, hold off on preparing the interview ¡ª look at me, I have something important to tell you!" Aether looked thoughtfully toward Su Yuan. Just now... had he looked at his left palm again? Every time Su Yuan did that, he''d bring them all brand new intel... But... he had observed so many times already ¡ª there was clearly no writing at all on Su Yuan''s left palm... Then what exactly was Su Yuan looking at? "Neuvillette, time is tight now. I''m preparing to return all of the sovereign dragon blood in my body to you..." Su Yuan looked at Neuvillette and spoke seriously. "Su Yuan, there''s no need for this," Neuvillette shook his head. "Although your wounds have healed now, having the sovereign dragon blood in your body only brings benefits, not harm..." "And I''ve already told you before ¡ª this was meant to be my way of atoning for the harm I caused you." "Oh come on, Neuvillette, don''t be so sentimental or polite. I''m being very serious right now," Su Yuan said. "Besides, why should you be held responsible for what you did under the control of the Eerie?" "But..." "In all of Teyvat, two Hydro Sovereign Dragon Kings cannot exist at the same time..." Su Yuan stared into Neuvillette''s eyes, speaking with absolute seriousness. Hearing Su Yuan''s words and seeing the look in his eyes, Neuvillette quickly understood everything. "Su Yuan... are you saying that if the Gnosis of the Sovereign Dragon returns in the future, I won''t be able to wield it fully?" As expected of Neuvillette ¡ª he figured it out in one go. Su Yuan nodded and said, "Exactly, that''s what I mean." "Don''t worry, Neuvillette. The sovereign dragon blood is just a bonus for me ¡ª even without it, I''ll be fine. But for you, that blood is your foundation." "But suddenly losing half the blood in your body ¡ª your life could be in danger too..." Neuvillette said with some concern. "It''s fine, Neuvillette! Head Nurse Sigewinne is right here, isn''t she?" Su Yuan glanced at Sigewinne, then at the others, and spoke: "If it really comes down to it, how about everyone donates a bit of blood to me? I''ll transfuse and draw blood at the same time, striking a delicate balance ¡ª that should keep me safe, right?" Su Yuan said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. To be honest, Su Yuan didn''t know much about medicine, nor whether Teyvat even had something like blood types. Was it even safe to receive blood from so many different people? But then again, his physique was probably pretty special ¡ª after all, he could even handle Neuvillette''s sovereign dragon blood perfectly! This kind of thing? No big deal! "Su Yuan... you really are reckless..." Sigewinne glanced at him ¡ª this crazy idea was just so typical of Su Yuan. "Head Nurse Sigewinne, just tell me ¡ª can it be done or not?" Su Yuan said with a grin. "Well, theoretically it''s possible... but in clinical practice, almost no one would actually do something like this..." "Then what are we waiting for?! Let''s do it!" With that, Su Yuan closed his eyes and focused on the sovereign dragon blood within him, guiding it all toward his left wrist. Meanwhile, Sigewinne was fussing over Su Yuan''s right arm, preparing him for a transfusion. Once everything was ready, Su Yuan took a small blade and sliced his wrist open with force! Streams of sovereign dragon blood began to flow from the cut on his left wrist... "Neuvillette, I may not be as good as you at controlling my body..." Su Yuan said, his voice slightly unsteady. Though blood was being transfused into him as he bled out, dizziness still began to set in. "I can only guarantee that I''ve expelled all of the sovereign dragon blood from my body..." "But I can''t promise the purity ¡ª some of my own blood might''ve mixed in with it..." "That''s perfectly fine, Su Yuan. It''s a minor issue," Neuvillette said calmly, not the least bit concerned. After a little while, Su Yuan could feel that all of the sovereign dragon blood within him had been drained... He definitely felt much weaker... But right now, none of that mattered anymore ¡ª Neuvillette had already absorbed all of the sovereign dragon blood. As long as he regained the complete authority of the Sovereign Dragon, he would become the true and complete dragon! That''s why Su Yuan couldn''t wait any longer ¡ª he was eager to verify it for himself! "Charlotte, let''s proceed with the interview as we planned earlier!" Su Yuan looked at her and said. "But Su Yuan, shouldn''t you rest for a bit first? You just had a transfusion, and you don''t look so well," Charlotte said, a little worried. "No need. Time is tight." Su Yuan shook his head. "It''s just a few interview questions ¡ª it won''t take much out of me." "...Alright then." Charlotte nodded and began the interview. "Mr. Su Yuan, thank you for agreeing to this interview..." "Now, I''d like to ask you one question: Can Lord Neuvillette reclaim the complete authority of the Sovereign Dragon, become the True Dragon, absolve all Fontaine''s people of their sins, and save Fontaine from the prophetic crisis?" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "He can! I''m absolutely sure of it!" Su Yuan replied with unwavering conviction. The next moment, Wriothesley''s fist appeared right in front of Charlotte''s face, Clorinde''s rapier pressed against her throat, and Chevreuse''s musket was aimed squarely at her forehead... "Ahhhh!!" Faced with the sudden ambush, Charlotte screamed in fright and instinctively shut her eyes! Clorinde pressed her rapier in just a little deeper ¡ª a faint line of blood appeared on Charlotte''s neck, and a few drops trickled down. But even so, Charlotte didn''t resist at all... "There shouldn''t be any problem. Charlotte''s showing no signs of Eerie corruption," Clorinde sheathed her sword and said calmly. Immediately, Sigewinne rushed forward to tend to the bleeding cut on Charlotte''s neck and began bandaging her up. Earlier, Su Yuan had secretly spoken with Wriothesley, Clorinde, Chevreuse, and Sigewinne ¡ª he had asked them to surprise Charlotte with an abrupt attack right after he answered her question. The goal was to see how she would react... If necessary, even letting her bleed a little was acceptable ¡ª as long as it was treated and bandaged in time. Charlotte herself had no idea about this plan, so her reaction just now had been completely genuine... Seeing it all unfold, Su Yuan felt incredibly relieved and happy. The fact that Charlotte hadn''t been corrupted by the Eerie meant everything happening now was real ¡ª the original fate had truly been changed! Neuvillette could become the complete dragon, absolve the people of Fontaine of their sins, and save Fontaine from the crisis foretold in the prophecy! --------------- Exclusive access : 177ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 106: Ch 106 : Neuvillette, the Complete Dragon Chapter 106 - Ch 106 : Neuvillette, the Complete Dragon After returning all of the Sovereign Dragon''s blood to Neuvillette, Su Yuan pondered the words that had appeared in the palm of his left hand... [Focalors''s sacrifice cannot be avoided, but perhaps sacrifice does not mean complete death. Please prepare a vessel beside Focalors...] Was this telling him that after Focalors''s execution, she wouldn''t completely perish? Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That perhaps some form of soul would remain and attach itself to that vessel? But even in the message, the word "perhaps" was used¡ªit was uncertain... Should he really gamble on this possibility? But now, there was no longer enough time to hesitate. The All-Devouring Narwhal could emerge at any moment to wreak havoc. Neuvillette must obtain the Sovereign Dragon''s full authority as soon as possible! Just as no matter what twists and turns occurred along the way, the prophecy would still inevitably come to pass... Focalors''s sacrifice now seemed like another immutable truth. Everyone looked at the enormous blue sword suspended above Focalors''s head, their hearts a whirlwind of emotion. "There were so many parting words I wanted to say to you all..." "I even wanted to dance one final time, to bow out amidst a dazzling performance..." "But Su Yuan said time is short¡ªso let''s keep it simple..." Focalors stood in the center of the stage, smiling gently at everyone. "Originally, I thought that when faced with the moment of death, I would feel a trace of fear..." "But now, with everyone by my side, I''m not afraid at all." "Farewell, everyone." In the next moment, the enormous blue sword quietly descended. Focalors instantly dissolved into shimmering blue bubbles and foam, vanishing before everyone''s eyes. And the Hydro Slime beside Focalors simply stood there in silence, quietly witnessing everything... In the next instant, Neuvillette slowly closed his eyes, sensing a wondrous power returning to his body. A powerful surge of Hydro elemental energy erupted from him. All of Fontaine¡ªand even all of Teyvat¡ªeverything related to water was now completely under his control... Watching Focalors dissolve into foam and illusions right before him, Neuvillette felt immense sorrow. He wanted to cry¡ªbut he couldn''t. Because if he cried, it would rain outside, and he would risk falling under the Eerie''s influence... "Focalors... I can feel it..." Neuvillette spoke softly. "The full authority of the Sovereign Dragon has returned to me. I have become the Complete Dragon..." "I... Neuvillette... Chief Justice..." "Hereby declare..." "I shall absolve all of you, the people of Fontaine, of your sins." Everyone present felt a subtle change occurring within their bodies, but they couldn''t quite put that feeling into words... At the very moment Neuvillette finished speaking, the Primordial Sea water that once flowed in the blood of all Fontaine''s people had completely transformed¡ªinto real, human blood. No one would ever dissolve into the Primordial Sea again. "Focalors!" Su Yuan looked toward the Hydro Slime and shouted, "You''re still here, aren''t you?!" The message in the palm of his left hand had to be based on something real! That Hydro Slime, upon hearing Su Yuan''s voice, began to tremble all over. Then, without a trace of fear, it bounced energetically toward the crowd... It first made its way to Neuvillette''s side, nudging against him affectionately. Neuvillette gazed at the slime in silence, his deep eyes reflecting emotions no one could quite read... Then the Hydro Slime hopped over to Su Yuan. Su Yuan crouched down and gently patted the slime. Finally, the slime made its way to Furina. Tears shimmered in Furina''s eyes as she asked softly, "Focalors... is that you?" The Hydro Slime swayed forward and back twice, as if nodding in response. Then, with a strong bounce, it leapt straight into Furina''s arms and closed its eyes¡ª as if falling into a peaceful sleep. Everyone stared in astonishment¡ªhow could this Hydro Slime be so intelligent and full of spirit? "Neuvillette, you''re now the Sovereign Dragon¡ªcan you sense anything from this Hydro Slime?" Su Yuan turned to Neuvillette and asked. After all, judging by Neuvillette''s expression earlier, he clearly understood something... However, just as Neuvillette was about to speak, his face suddenly changed. He quickly shouted: "Everyone, get back! Maintain a safe distance!" "The All-Devouring Narwhal is here..." In the next instant, the space on the floor ahead shattered abruptly¡ª and an enormous narwhal''s head emerged from the rift. "How greedy... Just how much of the Primordial Sea have you devoured..." Neuvillette muttered as he gazed at the creature. "If it were before, I might have found you troublesome..." "But now, I am the Sovereign Dragon." With a surge of Draconic Authority, Neuvillette''s Hydro energy erupted, unleashing an overwhelming pressure that forcefully suppressed the All-Devouring Narwhal! Meanwhile, Tartaglia didn''t hesitate for even a second. He immediately activated his Foul Legacy form and charged forward to engage the Narwhal in combat! "Ha ha... Everyone!" Wriothesley shouted, "Time for that righteous ''let''s all gang up on the enemy'' moment!" "I''ve been fighting Eerie so long, I nearly forgot how to use my Elemental Skill!" Neuvillette continuously stripped away the Primordial Sea within the All-Devouring Narwhal''s body, causing its massive form to steadily shrink. Meanwhile, attacks of all colors and elements bombarded the creature, making it realize something was terribly wrong. It began to turn, attempting to flee... "That''s enough..." Suddenly, a cold and detached voice rang out from an unknown direction. "Good thing I sensed something was off and left seclusion early..." The next moment, Skirk tore through the void and appeared on the scene. "Honestly, I didn''t expect my master''s pet to almost be beaten to death like this..." "But then again, it only has itself to blame for being so weak..." Skirk raised her hand slightly, and a violet aura wrapped around the All-Devouring Narwhal''s body. The beast began to shrink rapidly¡ªuntil it condensed into a small, palm-sized purple-black sphere. Then Skirk looked up at Neuvillette and spoke: "To suppress and defeat the All-Devouring Narwhal without relying on ''powers from beyond this world''..." "You''ve earned the right to speak to me as an equal." As she said that, Skirk casually tossed the purple sphere that once was the Narwhal into the void behind her. Then, taking in a slow breath, she murmured: "Now that the Narwhal''s interference is gone... I can finally sense the composition of the power flowing within you..." "It''s the power of the planet''s original Sovereign Dragon... but it''s tainted with something akin to a divine ''curse,''" Skirk said coolly. "No... there''s also a trace of filthy, foreign power hidden within. And yet, you didn''t show any signs of using it just now." "Still... all of this is quite novel to me." "''A divine curse''? ''Filthy, foreign power''?" Neuvillette echoed thoughtfully. "Ah, I remember now¡ªyou carry the remains of the Third Descender on you, don''t you? What you people call the ''Gnosis.''" Skirk spoke in a flat, indifferent tone. "That ominous thing... you''d best get rid of it sooner rather than later." "As for that foreign filth... I think I''ve seen it before. Or maybe I haven''t. I can''t quite recall." Neuvillette nodded slowly in contemplation. That foreign, filthy power was likely the eerie force still hidden within his body... "I do have a great deal I''d like to discuss with you all," Skirk said, "but time is short. I''ll take my leave for now..." As she spoke, she prepared to tear through the void once more¡ªbut just before vanishing, she cast a glance toward Tartaglia. "It''s been a while. You''ve gotten sloppy..." "Come with me. It''s time I put you through some proper training again..." --------------- Exclusive access : 177ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 107: Ch 107 : A Hydro Slime that can talk? Chapter 107 - Ch 107 : A Hydro Slime that can talk? Everyone stood on the rooftop of the Opera Epiclese, watching the receding tides... The prophecy crisis in Fontaine had come to an end... From the moment Neuvillette became the Complete Dragon, everything seemed to return to its original course¡ªjust like the storyline of the game. Now, what Fontaine needed to face was the rescue and reconstruction work in the aftermath of the disaster. "Focalors, did you see that?" Furina held the Hydro Slime in her arms, gently stroking it. "No one was dissolved in the water. All the people of Fontaine have become true humans..." The Hydro Slime wobbled slightly, as if responding to Furina''s words. Seeing this, Furina smiled. Focalors, you''re still here, aren''t you? "Navia, Chevreuse." Neuvillette turned to the two of them and spoke slowly. "Though I''ve now become the Complete Dragon and hold absolute control over the power of Hydro..." "I still don''t know how to turn pure Oceanids into humans..." "So it really is like this..." Navia said with a hint of disappointment, but soon smiled again. "It''s fine. As long as Melus and Silver are still alive, that''s enough..." "Father..." Chevreuse murmured softly. "However, I''ve already sensed their locations and made contact with them," Neuvillette said with a slight smile, continuing, "They still retain their memories, and they still have their own consciousness." "So I''ve arranged with them¡ªonce the tides recede, go to the Fountain of Lucine. They''ll be waiting for you there." "Although they can''t return to being human for now, at the very least, with my help, you''ll be able to talk to them." "That''s enough. This is already more than enough..." Tears welled up in Navia and Chevreuse''s eyes. This outcome had already exceeded all their expectations... Su Yuan looked at Navia and Chevreuse, then at Furina and the Hydro Slime in her hands. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Is this really the best possible ending? Su Yuan recalled the events from not long ago¡ªinside the Opera Epiclese, Skirk had acknowledged Neuvillette, and it seemed like she had something she wanted to say... But she claimed she had something urgent to attend to, said they''d talk next time, and then took Tartaglia away with her... Moreover, besides Neuvillette, Skirk had also acknowledged Aether, Paimon, and himself¡ªdeeming them worthy of speaking to her as equals. Skirk only acknowledged the strong. Su Yuan couldn''t understand¡ªhis own combat ability was clearly so weak, so why would Skirk recognize him? And Skirk''s gaze... was truly terrifying... Though calm and indifferent, it felt as though she could see right through him... "Su Yuan, come with me for a moment..." At that moment, Neuvillette suddenly called Su Yuan over to a quiet spot, away from everyone else. "Neuvillette, what is it?" Su Yuan asked. "Su Yuan, didn''t you ask me before what I thought about that Hydro Slime..." Neuvillette looked at him calmly and slowly said, "Though I still can''t be completely certain just yet, this theory... is almost certainly correct." "Yeah, Neuvillette... that Hydro Slime¡ªis it really Focalors?" Su Yuan glanced over at Furina, who was affectionately interacting with the Hydro Slime not far away, and spoke. "Su Yuan, do you want me to tell you the truth... or a kind lie?" Neuvillette said calmly. Hearing that, Su Yuan''s heart sank with a thud. Could it be...? "Tell me the kind lie first..." Su Yuan hesitated for a moment before replying. "Focalors destroyed her own divinity and the seat of the Hydro Archon... but her soul didn''t fully fade away. Instead, it entered the body of that Hydro Slime..." Neuvillette took a deep breath. His expression grew slightly unnatural as he slowly continued. "In a certain sense... that Hydro Slime is Focalors." Su Yuan listened in disbelief. Wasn''t this exactly the theory he had suspected earlier? But now, hearing Neuvillette describe it as a kind lie... that meant, perhaps none of it was actually true... "Then... Neuvillette, what''s the real situation?" Su Yuan asked in a trembling voice. "Tell me. It''s okay... I can handle it." "And the truth now is... within that Hydro Slime''s body, I can no longer sense any trace of Focalors," "I suspect... it''s merely fragments of Focalors'' memories that fused into the body of that Hydro Slime." Neuvillette spoke slowly, his expression heavy. "When we call out Focalors'' name, the Hydro Slime responds¡ªbut that''s just a conditioned reflex..." "This truth... I only intend to tell you." "As for Furina, let her remain immersed in this kind lie." "At the very least, it gives her something to hold onto... something that lets her smile from the heart..." "Neuvillette..." Su Yuan''s eyes had already begun to well up with tears as he slowly spoke. "I can''t accept this ending. In the end, didn''t Focalors still sacrifice herself..." "I said I would save Focalors!" Suddenly, Su Yuan pulled out the small knife he carried with him and aimed it at his own heart! But in that instant, his hand was firmly caught by Neuvillette. "Su Yuan! What are you trying to do this time?!" "With your help, we were able to prepare in advance to face the prophecy crisis!" "And now that the crisis has been successfully overcome, this should be a time of celebration¡ªso why are you doing this?!" "Yes, Neuvillette, you''re right¡ªbut among those who are celebrating... Focalors isn''t one of them!!!" "Everyone else''s happiness... came at the cost of her falling into hell!!!" Su Yuan could no longer hold back the emotions inside him. He broke down in tears, crying uncontrollably. "I thought that by doing all this... I could save Focalors..." "But in the end, it was all just a foolish fantasy of mine!" "Su Yuan... it''s my fault. I never should''ve told you the truth..." Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan''s current state, heart aching deeply. "Your... fault?" Su Yuan muttered the words, and then his tears stopped. He looked at Neuvillette and said calmly: "Neuvillette... let go of my hand." No one knew what kind of power was hidden in that calm voice¡ªbut to Neuvillette''s shock, he realized his body no longer obeyed his will. His hand... truly loosened its grip. "Su Yuan... what are you..." Neuvillette stared at Su Yuan in disbelief. There was clearly no aura coming from Su Yuan now¡ªyet somehow, he exuded an unfathomable presence... "I will definitely... create a new possibility¡ªand truly save Focalors." As Su Yuan spoke, without the slightest hesitation, he was about to plunge the small knife into his own heart! But at that critical moment, the Hydro Slime nestled in Furina''s arms suddenly shot forward at an incredible speed¡ªrushing straight in front of Su Yuan. "Su... Su... yuh... wuh... Yuan..." "Su... Yuan..." Everyone present was stunned by what they saw, and Su Yuan froze in place, completely shocked¡ª A Hydro Slime... Had just spoken??? --------------- Exclusive access : 180ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 108: Ch 108 : The best ending? Chapter 108 - Ch 108 : The best ending?"Su... Yuan..." "Don''t... do it..." Watching the Hydro Slime in front of him bouncing frantically, seemingly trying its best to stop his suicide, Su Yuan was stunned. He turned to Neuvillette and asked, "Neuvillette, didn''t you say that calling Focalors'' name would make this Hydro Slime react, but only as a conditioned reflex?" "Then why now... does it seem to have its own will, acting of its own accord like this?" Neuvillette frowned slightly and looked toward the Hydro Slime, falling silent... There was clearly no trace of Focalors'' aura on this Hydro Slime... But then why... was it exhibiting behavior so closely aligned with Focalors'' personality? And even speaking? "Su Yuan, I did say earlier¡ªall of that was merely my speculation..." "But now, it seems I''ll have to reassess this situation..." Su Yuan stared at the Hydro Slime in front of him, unsure of what to feel or say... Was it truly Focalors? Or just a Hydro Slime carrying fragments of her memories? But if it was only memory... just reacting to her name on instinct... then why would it take action like this? "Neuvillette, Su Yuan, what on earth are you two doing?" Furina walked over and scooped the Hydro Slime into her arms. "No matter what anyone says, to me¡ªthis is Focalors!" "She responds to our voices, she''s affectionate toward us, and just now, she even said your name. Isn''t that enough proof?" Looking at Furina''s unwavering gaze, Su Yuan made a decision¡ªto conduct one more test. "Charlotte! Interview me," Su Yuan said. "Ask the questions exactly as I tell you!" After a brief round of preparation, Charlotte began the interview with Su Yuan: "Mr. Su Yuan, first question: Does sacrifice mean permanent disappearance?" "No..." "Second question: Is this Hydro Slime... Focalors?" "Yes..." S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Everyone watched Su Yuan and Charlotte with intense anticipation. The truth behind these two critical questions could determine whether Focalors'' existence was still continuing in some form... "Haha... hahaha... Su Yuan..." But in the next moment, Charlotte suddenly let out a strange laugh. "How unfortunate... you actually answered two false questions in a row..." Everyone immediately stepped back, putting distance between themselves and Charlotte, watching her with wary eyes... Yet Su Yuan remained perfectly still, not moving an inch... "So it really is like this? Then Charlotte, go ahead and kill me..." Su Yuan slowly lifted his head and looked toward Charlotte¡ªonly to see her smiling brightly at him. Her face hadn''t turned crimson and twisted, nor did she show any signs of being overtaken by the Eerie. "Haha, Su Yuan, don''t be so gloomy! I was just messing with you!" As she spoke, Charlotte waved her arms around animatedly and continued: "Look at me, I''m not showing any signs of being controlled by the Eerie at all..." "Which means¡ªthe two questions you just answered were both true!" "Sacrifice doesn''t mean complete annihilation, and that Hydro Slime is Focalors!" "Is that really true? If it is... then that''s wonderful..." Su Yuan looked again at the Hydro Slime nestled in Furina''s arms. It seemed to blink at him several times, as if affirming what he had just said. Yeah... Su Yuan finally came to terms with it¡ªsouls are vague and intangible, unseen and untouchable... But memories? Memories are real, solid things. This Hydro Slime possessed Focalors'' memories. It behaved like Focalors. It even took the initiative to call out his name... Even though its outward appearance was vastly different now, if it wasn''t Focalors¡ªthen who else could it possibly be? "Su Yuan, I''ve come to understand as well..." At that moment, Neuvillette spoke. "I didn''t spend much time with Focalors. What I sensed back then¡ªrather than calling it the aura of Focalors, it was more like the presence of the ''Hydro Archon''..." "And now that the Hydro Archon''s divine seat has been destroyed, and the Seven Archons have become Six, there is no Hydro Archon in this world anymore..." "It''s only natural that I can no longer sense that familiar aura..." "Su Yuan, I didn''t think things through before and said all those things to you. That was my mistake," Neuvillette said sincerely. "...Forget it. It''s alright." At this moment, Su Yuan finally revealed a genuine, heartfelt smile. "Even though things aren''t perfect, we''ve done our best..." "At the very least, there are no greater regrets left behind..." "Yes, Su Yuan. You''ve already done more than enough..." Neuvillette looked at Su Yuan and gave a deep bow. "Thank you for everything you''ve done¡ªfor Fontaine, and for Teyvat." "Traveler, I feel like your spotlight''s been stolen by Su Yuan," Paimon said teasingly to Aether as she watched the scene unfold. "Before this, every time we went to a new nation, didn''t you always get caught up in the heart of the events and end up as the key figure?" "Aww, Paimon, you know I didn''t start this journey for the spotlight..." Aether chuckled. Now that Fontaine''s prophetic crisis had been resolved, he was truly happy from the bottom of his heart. "My goal has always been to find my family, my kin... my sister." "And all those so-called accomplishments... they were never mine alone." Su Yuan knew that the prophecy crisis in Fontaine was finally over... But the battle against the eerie still wasn''t finished... The real fight¡ªwas only just beginning! He had already used three of his rewind chances today. Barring any surprises, he should still have one stable rewind opportunity left¡ªhe had to make good use of it... "Charlotte, tonight... come to my room," Su Yuan said instinctively. "Eh?" Charlotte was instantly startled by his words. Everyone else looked at Su Yuan with utterly confused expressions. What kind of bold and wild words were those? Su Yuan''s face flushed slightly with embarrassment, and he quickly realized that what he said sounded a bit inappropriate. Ahem. "What I meant was, I''d like Charlotte to come interview me tonight. There are some things I want to confirm using the rules..." Everyone understood¡ªSu Yuan clearly wanted to use Charlotte''s rule-based questioning ability to verify something important. But... why did it have to be at night? Wouldn''t broad daylight be more appropriate? "But Su Yuan, wouldn''t that be dangerous?" Furina said with concern. "What if you answer incorrectly and Charlotte ends up falling into an Eerie state?" Su Yuan didn''t quite know how to explain it to everyone¡ªafter all, he still had one stable rewind chance today, but couldn''t predict what unforeseen events might happen during the day. If nothing happened during the day, then at night he could take advantage of that one rewind as a fail-safe to confirm some truths about the Eerie through Charlotte. Even if he failed or accidentally died, he could rewind again¡ªno real loss. On the contrary, he''d gain even more intel... --------------- Exclusive access : 180ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 109: Ch 109 : Violation Chapter 109 - Ch 109 : ViolationAfter the tide receded, Navia and Chevreuse heard voices by the Fountain of Lucine that filled them with deep nostalgia. "Miss, I''m doing very well now with Silver," came Melus'' voice from the fountain. "That''s right, Miss. If you ever want to talk to us, just come to the Fountain of Lucine and call our names!" Silver''s voice followed. "Even though we can no longer stay by your side like we used to, at least we can promise to come whenever you call!" As she listened to Melus and Silver speak, tears welled up in Navia''s eyes, yet a joyful smile spread across her face. "To be honest, ever since I became a pure Oceanid, all the illnesses and pain in my body have completely disappeared..." Mr. Donatello''s voice also rang out. "Even though I''m no longer by your side, you still have to remember to eat well and exercise regularly." "If there''s ever anything you want to tell me, come find me anytime." "As your father, I will always be here waiting for you." "Yes, Father!" Chevreuse nodded excitedly, her voice trembling with emotion. "Focalors, did you see that?" Furina smiled, gently rubbing the hydro slime in her arms, and said happily, "Everyone got to speak with the ones they care about most!" S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. .............. The entire day passed quickly in the rescue and reconstruction efforts following the disaster in Fontaine... Although thorough preparations had been made to handle the prophecy crisis, some casualties were unfortunately unavoidable. However, they were minimal and all within acceptable limits. Su Yuan glanced at the bedsheets and quilt in his room¡ªdespite having been completely soaked in the flood earlier, they were now fresh and clean... Who would''ve thought this was also a use of Neuvillette''s authority as the Hydro Sovereign Dragon? Using it for doing laundry and cleaning sheets was just way too convenient! Even dehydration wasn''t a problem. The issue was resolved at the root¡ªjust control and remove all the water elements from the fabric! That evening, Charlotte arrived at Su Yuan''s room as promised. "Su Yuan, is it really okay for just the two of us to be here?" Charlotte asked with some concern. "If you answer a question incorrectly and I enter an Eerie state, wouldn''t you be in danger?" "It''s fine, Charlotte. You don''t need to worry¡ªI have my own way of handling it," Su Yuan replied confidently. In his mind, he was sure he still had one guaranteed rewind opportunity left today. No reason not to use it. He was determined to make the most of it¡ªto gain as much intel on the Eerie as possible. "Alright, Su Yuan, then let''s get started..." After a round of discussion, Su Yuan and Charlotte finalized a few questions, then prepared to begin the inquiry. These were also questions that had long troubled Su Yuan. "First question, Mr. Su Yuan¡ªdo you think there''s any possibility that you are being controlled by an Eerie?" "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Su Yuan responded without a moment''s hesitation, full of confidence, his tone firm and resolute. However, in the next instant, something completely unexpected happened! A sudden surge of eerie energy burst forth from Charlotte''s body! Su Yuan stared in shock at the scene¡ªthis shouldn''t be happening! Even if Charlotte was to be corrupted by hearing a false statement, this was only the first false answer, wasn''t it? Why did she instantly reveal signs of being Eerie-possessed? Could it be... that one of the two questions he had answered during the day was already false? "Su Yuan, you broke the rules..." Charlotte spoke slowly, but her words only left Su Yuan more confused... Violation? What rules were there? How did he violate them? "I''m feeling extremely angry right now¡ªnot because you told the truth or a lie, but because you made me ask a question that shouldn''t have been asked..." "Charlotte" widened her crimson eyes, staring straight at Su Yuan, and spoke word by word: "So next time you ask a question, remember not to touch on this kind of topic, okay..." ............. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªit was that same familiar and unsettling feeling again... Feeling the sting in the center of his left palm, he knew he had died once more. Su Yuan raised his left hand and looked at his palm. The writing on it had already become incredibly messy and illegible: [Unfortunately, you''ve died again. This is the fourth time today...] [When using Charlotte''s rule to gather information, you must not touch on anything related to the Eerie...] [Once mentioned¡ªregardless of truth or falsehood¡ªCharlotte will fall into an eerie state...] Staring at the warning on his palm, Su Yuan was at a loss for words... As expected, things weren''t as smooth as he had imagined. So many hidden rules and restrictions... "Su Yuan, what''s wrong?" Charlotte, noticing Su Yuan staring blankly at his left hand without moving, asked with some concern. "Charlotte, I''m sorry," Su Yuan replied apologetically. "I''m not feeling very well right now. Let''s cancel the interview we had planned..." He casually made up an excuse to decline Charlotte. Now that he couldn''t get information about the Eerie through Charlotte¡ªand he had no more stable rewinds left for the day¡ªSu Yuan knew he couldn''t afford to take any more risks... Better to wait out the rest of the day and see what valuable intel tomorrow might bring. After everything he''d been through today, Su Yuan truly felt exhausted. So he lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and soon drifted off into a deep sleep... ............ "Kamisato Ayato" had kept his promise to Dottore¡ªnot opening the small box on the way back to Inazuma. But once he returned home, he couldn''t wait any longer. He eagerly opened the box... He was indeed curious¡ªwhat kind of precious eyes could possibly match the rarity of someone like Sigewinne''s humanoid Melusine eyes? What kind of eyes could be used in exchange with the Raiden Shogun to get his sister back? However, the moment he opened the box, Kamisato Ayato froze. Because while there was indeed a pair of eyes inside, they gave Ayato an overwhelming feeling of familiarity... and intimacy. They were blue eyes¡ªthe same color as his own. The distinct eye color of the Kamisato Clan. There was also a note inside the box. On it were the words: [Kamisato Ayato, do you like this pair of eyes I''ve prepared for you?] [Tell me, how much do you think these eyes are worth? Are they enough to trade with the Raiden Shogun for your sister?] "Dottore!!!" A sudden surge of eerie power erupted from Kamisato Ayato. He could no longer contain his emotions, no longer keep up his fa?ade... "Kamisato Ayato" finally understood¡ªDottore had never intended to help him from the very beginning... Someone as selfish and self-serving as Dottore¡ªhow could he possibly act out of kindness? "Heh... hahaha..." Kamisato Ayato let out a bitter, broken laugh and said: "I''ve always been the one manipulating others... but I never imagined... that one day, I''d be the one being played!" "Dottore... don''t ever let me see you again!!!" "I swear I''ll make you pay a terrible price!!!" "Ayaka... your brother is going to challenge the Raiden Shogun now..." "Even if... you''re no longer whole..." "Even if... your life has already been lost..." "I''ll still bring you home!!!" --------------- Exclusive access : 183ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 110: Ch 110 : The crisis has passed—a new day, a new piece of intel Chapter 110 - Ch 110 : The crisis has passed¡ªa new day, a new piece of intelA new day had dawned. The sun rose as usual, and warm sunlight streamed into Su Yuan''s room. Last night, Su Yuan had slept soundly. Although the matter of the Eerie was still troublesome, at the very least, the prophecy crisis in Fontaine had been resolved... Feeling the familiar sting in the palm of his right hand, Su Yuan couldn''t wait to raise it and take a look: [First of all, congratulations on surviving the seventh night.] [Current accessible intel:] [Skipped reread Ch 89 for rules 1-18...] [19. Head to Liyue immediately. Liyue needs your help... Liyue has sustained the least visible damage, yet it is also the most serious.] The very first hint left Su Yuan puzzled. Although his next planned destination was indeed Liyue¡ªafter all, from a certain perspective, it was his root and held a certain sense of belonging for him¡ªthis contradictory statement left him baffled. What did it mean by "least visible damage"? And why was it also described as "the most serious"? Still, judging from Kamisato Ayato''s behavior earlier and the hint now, it seemed that the entire continent of Teyvat was, to varying degrees, being affected by the Eerie... Su Yuan sincerely wished to save the world, but he couldn''t help feeling like he was being stretched too thin... Su Yuan sighed a little, then continued reading: [20. Your memory is excellent, but sometimes, memory is not reliable.] Huh? Su Yuan was instantly confused... His memory was excellent¡ªwhat was that supposed to mean? Could it be that the flashes of imagery that occasionally surfaced in his mind were truly memories from his past? And while it praised his memory, it also claimed that memory was unreliable¡ªwasn''t that a contradiction? Did that mean... someone might have altered his memories? With doubt lingering in his heart, Su Yuan continued reading: [21. Important intel: Most of the Eerie''s power comes from negative emotions... If you wish to free yourself from its control on your own, you must either fall into utter madness¡ªmadness so extreme it surpasses what the Eerie can withstand¡ªor achieve absolute calm and indifference, without a single trace of emotion tainted by impurities.] Su Yuan stared in shock at this piece of critical information. In a way, this intel explained the very mechanism behind the Eerie... Most of their power came from negative emotions... That lined up perfectly with some of his previous experiences and theories. The more intense the negative emotion, the stronger the individual became after falling under the Eerie''s control! As for the two ways to break free from the control of the Eerie on your own, simply put¡ªone requires you to be even more insane than the Eerie itself. This was vividly demonstrated through "The Doctor," Dottore. He was practically a textbook example¡ªperfect in every way! That madman Dottore was more deranged and terrifying than the Eerie, which was precisely why he couldn''t be controlled by them... As for the other method¡ªremaining absolutely calm and indifferent, without a single trace of emotion tainted by impurities¡ªSu Yuan found that a little harder to grasp... Impurities? What exactly counted as an emotion "tainted by impurities"? He just couldn''t figure it out... Su Yuan kept reading¡ªthere was even more content! [Special Intel: For every seven nights you survive, you will unlock a special and powerful ability... Upon meeting certain conditions, the ability will automatically be revealed and activated.] [22. After surviving the eighth night, new intel will be unlocked.] Special... and powerful? So it was finally here! A way to strengthen himself! Su Yuan looked at the special intel with excitement. Until now, his only method of fighting back against the Eerie was exploiting loopholes in the rules¡ªusing repeated deaths and rewinds to gather intel, just barely managing to gain the upper hand... But seriously¡ªcouldn''t it just be a little clearer?! Why are you being all cryptic again, like some kind of riddle master? What exactly are the conditions for unlocking this ability? And what kind of ability is it? Su Yuan honestly had no idea! Also... why was there no intel today about the conditions under which others might become Eerie? Su Yuan thought for a moment. Tartaglia had gone off with Skirk, so for now, he was off the table... As for the others still in Fontaine¡ªChiori, Lynette, Freminet, and Arlecchino¡ªtheir conditions for Eeriefication were still completely unknown... And then there was Furina''s situation. Why she had become like this¡ªhe still didn''t have a clue... Not to mention, even ordinary people seemed to have the potential to fall under the control of the Eerie. So far, there was only that Treasure Hoarder named Aji who had surfaced¡ªbut how many more were hiding among them in secret, masked by the Eerie? So many unresolved problems, so many unanswered questions... Could he really just abandon Fontaine and head straight for Liyue? But based on the clues from the intel, Liyue needed him¡ªurgently, even. He was being told to go there immediately... "...Whatever. Sitting here thinking about it alone won''t get me anywhere." Su Yuan got up from bed and stretched with a big yawn. "Better go talk to everyone about it." ............. When Su Yuan arrived at Neuvillette''s office, he found Neuvillette speaking with Arlecchino. "The seat of the Hydro Archon no longer exists. Among the Seven in this world, there is now no longer a place for the God of Hydro..." "As I now stand as a complete dragon, the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon serves no purpose in my possession." "And so, Arlecchino, as per our prior agreement, I hereby formally present the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon to you as a diplomatic gift, in gratitude for your contributions during Fontaine''s prophecy crisis." Neuvillette looked at Arlecchino, then handed her an official document along with a finely crafted box containing the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon. "Then allow me to thank you here and now, Lord Neuvillette," Arlecchino said with a faint smile, accepting the Gnosis. "According to Skirk, the Gnoses were all forged from the remains of the Third Descender. They''re hardly what one would call auspicious relics..." Neuvillette turned to Arlecchino and asked: "You Fatui... or rather, your Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya¡ªwhat exactly is she collecting these things for?" "I do not know such things," Arlecchino replied calmly. "All I need to do is carry out Her Majesty''s orders. Bringing the Gnosis of the Hydro Archon back to Snezhnaya is enough for me..." "Oh, Su Yuan, you''re here?" Furina, holding the Hydro Slime in her arms, noticed Su Yuan at the door and waved him over. "Su Yuan, do you have any new intel for us today?" "Su...Yuan...In...for...ma...tion..." "In...tel..." The Hydro Slime in Furina''s arms also jiggled twice and spoke in a strange voice, clearly expectant. Su Yuan smiled warmly at the scene. That Hydro Slime¡ªshe had to be Focalors. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her reactions to the world weren''t just simple reflexes... She had her own consciousness and spoke words of her own will... "Everyone, what I''m about to tell you is crucial information about the Eerie..." Su Yuan looked around at the others and began slowly: "And also, I''ve decided¡ªI will be leaving Fontaine for now." "Liyue... needs me!" --------------- Exclusive access : 183ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 111: Ch 111 : Next stop, Liyue Chapter 111 - Ch 111 : Next stop, Liyue"Su Yuan, are you really leaving so soon? Can''t you stay just a little longer?" Furina looked at Su Yuan with a hint of reluctance in her eyes, holding the Hydro Slime¡ªFocalors¡ªin her arms. "You''ve done so much... fighting the Eerie, saving Fontaine... and yet now you choose to quietly walk away, hiding your name and your deeds?" Aether and Paimon both fell into thoughtful silence as they watched the scene unfold. This felt... strangely familiar. Back when they were leaving Sumeru¡ªdidn''t Nilou say something quite similar? "I''m sorry, Furina. I know there are still many unanswered questions about the Eerie, and leaving so suddenly does seem irresponsible..." "But you know as well as I do¡ªI''m the hero who must save Teyvat from the Eerie. I can''t stop here." "Right now, Liyue needs me..." "I''ve heard the call¡ªand I must answer it, as always!" Su Yuan recalled a certain game he''d once played, and with that in mind, struck a slightly dramatic pose and delivered his line with flair. "Furina, let Su Yuan go..." Neuvillette glanced at Furina, then turned his steady gaze toward Su Yuan and spoke calmly. "Now that the situation in Fontaine has stabilized and our understanding of the Eerie has deepened..." "Even without Su Yuan here, we are not completely powerless to fight back." Neuvillette looked toward Su Yuan. He was still pondering how exactly Su Yuan had managed to do it yesterday¡ªhow a single sentence, as if spoken with divine authority, had compelled him, a fully awakened dragon, to release his grip without resistance. Su Yuan harbored far too many secrets... Whether it was that mysterious power he had displayed yesterday, or his uncanny ability to acquire intelligence¡ª But since Su Yuan wasn''t willing to speak of it, Neuvillette chose not to pry. "By the way, Aether, Paimon¡ªwhat are your plans now?" Su Yuan turned to Aether and Paimon. Originally, resolving the prophecy crisis in Fontaine was meant to be a journey they undertook themselves. But now, with his sudden arrival into this world, he had, in a way, stolen their spotlight. "Will you come with me to Liyue?" Aether met Su Yuan''s gaze and thought for a moment before responding: "No... I won''t be going to Liyue just yet." "Now that I know about the Eerie... I''m starting to get worried about the situation in Sumeru." "When I left Sumeru back then, I wanted to say goodbye to Nahida in person, but she politely declined, saying she was too busy with work..." "Thinking about it now, something about that feels off..." "And then, there''s the matter of the teleport waypoints..." "When I arrived in Fontaine and activated a waypoint, I noticed that instead of the usual pure blue energy, the light was replaced by a pitch-black, crimson color..." "Looking back, that was very likely the power of the Eerie..." "Teleport waypoints are directly connected to the ley lines... which indirectly means the ley lines of Teyvat have already been tainted by the Eerie." "What I''m most worried about is the current state of the Irminsul... I have to return to Sumeru and confirm it for myself!" Aether looked at Su Yuan, reaching out his hand with a serious expression. "Su Yuan, I''d actually like to invite you to come with me to Sumeru first..." Su Yuan had to admit¡ªAether''s words made a lot of sense. But the prompt etched into his right palm urged him to go to Liyue, and that guidance had to take priority... Just like before¡ªhe was only one person. He couldn''t be everywhere at once. In the end, he couldn''t protect everything. A choice had to be made¡ªsomething had to be given up... "No, Aether. I still have to head to Liyue..." Su Yuan replied. "But you¡ªfacing the unknown threat of the Eerie and everything else¡ªplease, make sure to stay safe." "Alright then, Su Yuan. Since you''ve made up your mind, I won''t try to stop you..." Aether nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I''ll be careful." In his heart, Aether thought¡ªthough he couldn''t tell anyone about the fact that he possessed the ability to rewind time, as long as he had that power, he could handle almost any danger with relative ease... "Well then, everyone¡ªfarewell." Su Yuan said with a smile. "When I have the chance, I''ll return to Fontaine." .............. Fontaine was currently in a critical stage of post-disaster reconstruction, so there was no way Neuvillette could leave easily. But Su Yuan had considered¡ªif Furina was willing, maybe she could go with him to Liyue. However, he quickly dismissed the idea. He wasn''t going to Liyue for sightseeing or leisure¡ªit was to confront the Eerie... The dangers involved were impossible to predict. Not to mention, the conditions for Furina''s eerie transformation were closely tied to him. Having her by his side was far too unstable... Right now, Fontaine was probably one of the safest places in all of Teyvat. Coincidentally, Kirara was also heading to Liyue, so Su Yuan decided to travel with her. In Fontaine''s Morte Region, there was a ruin called the Fort Charybdis Ruins. From there, looking southeast, you could see Mingyuan Mountain in Liyue''s Chenyu Vale... Come to think of it, Su Yuan felt kind of connected to that mountain¡ªtheir names both shared the character Yuan. Even though this was the closest point to Liyue, there was no way Su Yuan and Kirara would cross into Liyue from here. After all, there was no port here¡ªwhat were they supposed to do, swim across? Honestly, Su Yuan didn''t mind, but Kirara was a nekomata¡ªshe was terrified of water... As Su Yuan looked at the ruins of the Fort Charybdis Ruins, he couldn''t help but feel it looked familiar. And when he looked at the stairs leading underground, he had a strange feeling¡ªhad he... been here before? Forget it, it''s probably just his unusually good memory playing tricks on him again... After that, Su Yuan followed Kirara to Fontaine''s eastern Lumidouce Harbor. From there, they could take a ship directly to Liyue''s Chenyu Vale, docking at the port of Yilong Wharf. Once aboard, Su Yuan looked back at the gradually receding view of Fontaine, feeling a bit sentimental... Had his time in Fontaine really only lasted seven days? Although not everything had gone perfectly, he could at least say he had no regrets. "Kirara, by the way¡ªdo you know what the current situation in Inazuma is?" Su Yuan turned to Kirara on the boat and asked. In response to Su Yuan''s question, Kirara said: "Ever since I learned about the existence of the Eerie, I''ve also been really worried about how things are in Inazuma right now..." "I just know that, a few days before I left Inazuma, I seemed to sense that something was off¡ªbut I can''t quite put my finger on what it was..." Hearing Kirara''s words, Su Yuan fell into thought... Based on previous intel, even Kamisato Ayato had already been controlled by the Eerie. If that was true, the current situation in Inazuma was definitely far from optimistic... And then there''s Mondstadt¡ªwhat''s the situation there now? There hasn''t been any news at all... That good-for-nothing Barbatos... has he even noticed the existence of the Eerie and taken any proper measures in response? Or worse¡ªhas he already been taken over by the Eerie? As for Snezhnaya and Natlan, when Su Yuan crossed into this world, those regions hadn''t even been released in the game yet. His understanding of them was still far too limited, so for now, he decided not to worry about them... But Su Yuan also knew that overthinking things could sometimes become a burden in itself. For now, he needed to stay focused on Liyue, as guided by the rule prompts from the palm of his right hand... End of Arc 1 Fontaine If you like the story so far, don''t forget to leave a review and give a 5 star, one more review mean a lot to me For the next arc, If you think the fontaine already hard enough, you might want to consider again cause the Liyue arc will gonna be Hell mode LMAO --------------- Exclusive access : 183ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 112: Ch 112 : Good memory, so that’s what it meant? Chapter 112 - Ch 112 : Good memory, so that''s what it meant?After arriving at the port of Yilong Wharf in Chenyu Vale, Su Yuan and Kirara prepared to part ways... According to her, even with the presence of the Eerie in Teyvat, as long as Teyvat doesn''t explode, the delivery work can''t stop... Su Yuan could understand that sentiment¡ªif deliveries had stopped back in his original world, that would''ve been torture! "Kirara, take care. We still don''t know what''s going on in Liyue right now..." Su Yuan waved goodbye as he said, "If anything seems wrong, don''t hesitate¡ªjust run!" After parting with Kirara, Su Yuan strolled around Yilong Wharf, asking around to see if any tea merchants were headed to Liyue Harbor and might be able to give him a lift. After all, Chenyu Vale is in the northwest part of Liyue, while Liyue Harbor is in the southeast¡ªone''s in the upper left corner of the map, the other in the bottom right¡ªpretty much diagonally across the entire region. The distance was no joke. Su Yuan had considered using a teleport waypoint to move quickly and conveniently... But Aether had said the ley lines might already be corrupted by the Eerie, so it was better not to use the waypoints. But after asking several tea merchants in a row, none were going to Liyue Harbor¡ªmost were headed toward Fontaine instead... sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Which made sense, considering how close Fontaine was. Tea from this region probably gets exported there more frequently. So Su Yuan decided to change his target. He''d go east to Qingce Village first! Surely there would be people there supplying tea to Liyue Harbor. "Fire! Fire! The tea warehouse is on fire! Someone help put it out!" Just then, Su Yuan suddenly heard urgent shouting, and a thick, acrid smell of smoke hit his nose. He turned his head to look¡ªand saw that a tea shop nearby had burst into roaring flames! Many people had already noticed and immediately grabbed buckets of water to help fight the fire... Even the Millelith stationed in the area quickly joined the rescue effort. But the fire seemed to be spreading extremely fast, and all these firefighting efforts felt like a drop in the bucket... Of course, the dried finished tea leaves were extremely flammable by nature... Once the fire started, it would spread rapidly, posing a major threat to people''s lives and property! "Sigh... If only I could still control Hydro right now..." Su Yuan murmured with a sigh. "If I could, I''d be able to put out this fire easily..." But in the very next moment, Su Yuan was startled to notice something stirring and forming inside him... He looked down at his palm in surprise¡ªonly to see a sphere of water forming there! "What''s going on? Didn''t I already return the Sovereign Dragon''s blood to Neuvillette?" Su Yuan said in utter confusion: "Then why can I still control Hydro?" "Could it be... what the message in my right palm meant when it said I have a good memory?" "My muscle memory¡ªdoes it mean that anything I''ve experienced, I''ll never forget?" "Ah, no time to think about that now¡ªI need to help put out the fire!" As he spoke, Su Yuan immediately joined the efforts to fight the blaze! Everyone around watched in astonishment as this man, manipulating the Hydro element like a god descending from the heavens, leapt into action to fight the fire. Applause broke out one after another in admiration. Thanks to Su Yuan''s help, the tea warehouse fire was quickly extinguished. "Heavens, is this what a Hydro Vision holder is capable of? That efficiency is incredible!" one of the bystanders exclaimed. "Hm... I need to seriously consider spending big money to hire a Hydro Vision user as my warehouse''s fire prevention system," muttered a potbellied boss with a mustache and round glasses. Nearby, the Millelith soldiers stood at attention and saluted, saying to Su Yuan, "Young man, thank you for your assistance!" "Please leave your name so we can report back to the Ministry of Civil Affairs¡ªthey definitely need to award you a commendation for your heroic act!" Su Yuan thought for a moment. Leaving his name and gaining some recognition didn''t sound like a bad idea. "Alright," Su Yuan nodded and replied with a smile. "My name is Su Yuan¡ª''Su'' as in ''Tiramisu,'' and ''Yuan'' as in ''ruins and rubble.''" "Mr. Su Yuan, thank you so much!" At that moment, a woman with brown hair tied in a single ponytail approached Su Yuan and spoke: "Allow me to briefly introduce myself. My name is Quezhi, and I''m a waitress at the Jiulue Teahouse.''" "The warehouse that caught fire just now belongs to our teahouse¡ªit stores a large quantity of our tea and goods." "If it weren''t for your heroic intervention, Mr. Su Yuan, our teahouse would''ve suffered far greater losses." "That''s why I''ve come on behalf of the manager to invite you, our great benefactor, to visit Jiulue Teahouse." "Our manager would very much like to meet you in person." "Then I shall humbly accept the invitation," Su Yuan replied with a light chuckle, agreeing without much hesitation. Jiulue Teahouse seemed to be quite well-known¡ªnot just in Yilong Wharf and Chenyu Vale, but perhaps throughout all of Liyue. It was considered a fairly established and reputable business. Although Su Yuan had now become the teahouse''s benefactor, he didn''t really need any sort of reward. He only had one small request: to ask the teahouse''s manager to arrange someone to take him to Liyue Harbor. As Su Yuan followed Quezhi on the way to Jiulue Teahouse, in a corner nearby, someone watched the scene with great interest¡ªa person with deep blue, side-swept short hair, purple lipstick, and a white sleeved cape draped over their shoulders. That person toyed with a die in their hand, observing everything with an amused expression... ............. Meanwhile, in the northern part of the Sumeru desert, Aether and Paimon were being tormented by the relentless sandstorms... Cough cough... "Traveler... are you sure we''re not lost?" Paimon was coughing from the choking sand, barely able to speak. "Did we even come this way with Kirara when we were heading to Fontaine?" "Uh..." Aether didn''t quite know what to say either. Without the use of teleport waypoints, things had become incredibly inconvenient... He never thought of himself as directionally challenged before... "Paimon, didn''t you say you were Teyvat''s best guide? If I really took a wrong turn, shouldn''t you have told me right away and pointed us in the right direction?" "But the sandstorm''s so strong right now! No one can tell which way to go!" Paimon replied helplessly. "Alright then, Paimon, let''s just go find some shelter from the sand for now." Aether spotted a cave entrance not far away that led underground, so he headed in that direction. "Once the storm passes, we''ll look for the right path again!" But just as Aether and Paimon entered the underground cave, they noticed something not far ahead¡ªan inactive teleport waypoint. "Huh? There''s actually a teleport waypoint here?" Aether said in surprise. "The locations of these waypoints are so bizarre and unpredictable! Who in the world set them up?" As he spoke, he reached out and touched it¡ªand the teleport waypoint activated. But strangely enough, once it activated, the waypoint emitted a normal blue glow? "Huh? Does that mean the ley lines in this area haven''t been corrupted? Why is this waypoint functioning normally?" Though both Aether and Paimon were puzzled, they also found themselves caught in a dilemma... Traveling on foot was just too exhausting, but now that this teleport waypoint seemed to be functioning properly... should they use it? --------------- Exclusive access : 183ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 113: Ch 113 : Excellent tea Chapter 113 - Ch 113 : Excellent teaIn the most luxurious private room of the Jiulue Teahouse, Su Yuan watched as a middle-aged man with graying sideburns personally prepared tea for him. "That warehouse stored the vast majority of our finished teas and raw materials," the man said slowly. "If it had all been consumed by the flames, the loss would''ve been immeasurable..." "So, allow me to once again thank you, Su Yuan, for your righteous and heroic help!" "Come, let me offer you a cup of tea in gratitude!" Su Yuan accepted the cup handed to him by the man and smiled as he asked, "Oh, by the way¡ªat this point, I still don''t know how to address you, shopkeeper." "I go by the surname Liang. My given name is Xinyang. You may simply call me Shopkeeper Liang." "Alright then, Shopkeeper Liang." Su Yuan nodded, taking a light sip of the tea in his cup... "Excellent tea!" That was Su Yuan''s immediate reaction, which he couldn''t help but blurt out. The tea had a delicate texture, a refreshing aroma, a rich and mellow body, and a lingering aftertaste... Even someone like Su Yuan, who didn''t know the first thing about tea, could tell that this was no ordinary brew! "This tea must be from the renowned Chunming Tea House in Qiaoying Village, I presume!" Su Yuan said in admiration. "I wonder if this variety is Sunglo Tea, or perhaps Single-Origin Yauwan Tea?" However, Su Yuan clearly noticed that, after he said that, Shopkeeper Liang''s expression visibly darkened... Su Yuan couldn''t quite understand¡ªhad he said something wrong? In fact, an even more unsettling thought crossed his mind: could it be that this Shopkeeper Liang had already been taken over by the Eerie? "Tch, it''s always the same¡ªmention Liyue''s tea, and it''s always Chunming Tea House of Qiaoying Village..." A flicker of anger sparked in Liang''s eyes as he spoke, clearly frustrated. "We at Jiulue Teahouse used to be strategic partners and clients of Chunming Tea House..." "But ever since I learned about the dirty secrets behind their operations, I''ve never sourced tea from them again." "Liyue''s tea-making techniques are steeped in millennia of tradition¡ªyet they insist on introducing and relying on all sorts of advanced, high-end machines for picking, processing, roasting, and drying the leaves..." "They claim it''s to reduce labor costs and improve production efficiency..." "But how can we so casually change what our ancestors passed down to us?" "The methods of our forebears must not be altered!" "Tea made that way¡ªhas no soul!!" Su Yuan suddenly didn''t know what to say¡ªso this Shopkeeper Liang was a traditionalist? "So, Shopkeeper Liang, this tea I''m drinking now¡ªdid you make it yourself?" Su Yuan asked. "That''s right..." Liang nodded. "From carefully nurturing the tea trees, to picking the leaves and processing them into tea¡ªit was all done by me, alone..." "This tea is produced in very limited quantities. Only my most honored guests are allowed to taste it. It''s a work into which I''ve poured my soul and countless hours of dedication." Su Yuan nodded. If that was the case, then it wasn''t surprising this tea tasted so incredibly good. After all, with such low yield and such immense effort and heart poured into it... If only Wriothesley were here, Su Yuan thought. This tea would absolutely send him over the moon. Poor Wriothesley... He''d better treasure this last week. Starting next week, to avoid falling under the control of the Eerie, he won''t even be allowed to touch a single drop of tea... "Speaking of which... you''ve helped me out with such a big matter, I really don''t know how to repay you..." Shopkeeper Liang returned to his usual expression, looked at Su Yuan, and said: "Just tell me what you need¡ªas long as it''s within my power, I''ll do everything I can to help you!" Su Yuan thought, Since Shopkeeper Liang is being so generous, I won''t be shy then. "Shopkeeper Liang, to be honest, I didn''t help put out the fire just for a reward..." Su Yuan said. "But since you insist, I''ll be straightforward..." "Would it be possible to have someone escort me to Liyue Harbor?" "And, if your carefully crafted tea has a bit of surplus, could I perhaps take two or three small packets with me?" "Also... come to think of it, I still don''t know the name of this tea." "Hahaha! I was expecting something big¡ªturns out it''s just a small request!" Shopkeeper Liang laughed heartily. "No problem! There are plenty of escort agencies here in Yilong Wharf. I''ll pick the best and most expensive one to personally escort you all the way to Liyue Harbor!" "That way, you won''t have to worry about your safety at all during the journey!" "Oh, wait¡ªwhat am I saying? You''re a Vision holder yourself, there''s no need to worry about your safety anyway..." Shopkeeper Liang spoke with a thoughtful look: "This tea is called ''Miracle of Love''..." "Normally, it''s not sold to the public..." "Only those I personally recognize are worthy of tasting its flavor..." Hearing this, Su Yuan felt like a herd of wild alpacas was stampeding through his mind¡ªhe had no idea what to say... Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ''Miracle of Love''? What kind of ridiculous name is that? Can you even imagine a tea being called something like that? No doubt about it¡ªShopkeeper Liang had a truly unique taste in naming things... "Su Yuan my friend, I can give you a few packets of ''Miracle of Love'', but before that, I''d like to invite you to visit the plantation where it''s grown..." "I believe once you''ve seen it for yourself, you''ll understand this tea on a deeper level¡ªand why it''s called ''Miracle of Love''..." Su Yuan originally wanted to turn down the request, but seeing the expectant look in Shopkeeper Liang''s eyes and expression, he thought: Eh, might as well take a look. It won''t take long anyway... Besides, he really was curious¡ªjust how was such delicious tea grown and produced? "Alright then, Shopkeeper Liang. Since you insist, I''ll go take a look with you..." Su Yuan replied. He then followed Shopkeeper Liang deeper into the Jiuliu Teahouse... Feeling a bit puzzled, Su Yuan asked, "Shopkeeper Liang, aren''t tea trees usually grown in outdoor fields? Why are we going further and further inside?" "That''s simple! ''Miracle of Love'' is quite different from other teas!" "It can''t be exposed to light! If it is, the soil will rot easily!" Hearing this explanation, Su Yuan found it hard to wrap his head around it... Can''t be exposed to light? Soil will rot? None of this made sense to him. Finally, after walking for what felt like ages, Su Yuan and Shopkeeper Liang arrived at a room. The moment the door was opened, a strong stench of blood hit Su Yuan''s nose... He immediately sensed something was wrong and tried to escape, but Shopkeeper Liang suddenly yanked him inside and slammed the door shut, locking it from the inside... "Hehehehahaha... Su Yuan, my dear friend, you''re a holder of a Hydro Vision, aren''t you...?" At that moment, Shopkeeper Liang let out a grotesque, chilling laugh. His face began to distort and morph¡ªsharp fangs sprouted from his mouth, his eye sockets sank deep, and crimson, foul-smelling liquid began to drip from them... "I wonder... if I use you as the watering source and soil fertilizer for my tea trees... will they grow even more lush and strong? Will the tea made from them be even more fragrant... and delicious?" --------------- Exclusive access : 186ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 114: Ch 114 : The physical infusion of soul and effort Chapter 114 - Ch 114 : The physical infusion of soul and effortSu Yuan immediately realized he had let his guard down. Although he''d already had a vague suspicion earlier that Shopkeeper Liang might''ve been taken over by something eerie... He had also thought that the chances of an ordinary person being controlled by an eerie presence were still relatively low at this point. Surely he couldn''t be that unlucky¡ªto arrive in Liyue and, not long after, run into someone already corrupted, right? But now that he was inside the room, the stench of blood and rot was becoming stronger and stronger... Su Yuan looked to his side and noticed several large vats lined up. Each one had a tea plant growing in it... Only¡ªthe soil in the vats was blood-red. And inside, there were things that looked suspiciously like rotting flesh... When Su Yuan looked even closer, he could make out fingers, teeth... even eyeballs... No wonder Shopkeeper Liang had said those things earlier. Turns out he was using human flesh as fertilizer for growing these tea trees... Just the thought of it made Su Yuan''s stomach churn violently, the nausea nearly overwhelming him. Who would''ve thought that the tea he''d just drunk... had actually come from here... "Little friend Su Yuan... did you know..." Shopkeeper Liang spoke as he slowly stepped forward... "The tea trees of Miracle of Love, at the very beginning of their planting¡ªwhen they''re still tender shoots¡ªmust be watered with blood from the heart..." "But a human heart is only so big. How much heart''s blood can you really get from one person?" "Even though I long to increase my yield, I simply can''t..." "And that¡ªthat is the biggest difference between me and those people at Qingce Village''s Spring Tea House." "They can mass-produce at will. They can cut corners and lower the quality..." "But I am different. Every single tea tree I grow, every single leaf I harvest¡ªeach one is a creation poured with soul and heart''s blood." "And in the end, all of that fuses with my deep, passionate love... condensing into something so dazzling, so miraculous, that I named it Miracle of Love..." As Shopkeeper Liang floated on in his poetic ramble, Su Yuan found himself utterly speechless. He didn''t even know what to say anymore... Good god. So we''re talking about literally infusing soul and blood, huh? The souls of the people he''d brutally killed... their heart''s blood... "But from the way you''re describing it," Su Yuan couldn''t help but snark, "it sounds like it''s other people''s souls and heart''s blood you''ve been pouring in, huh?" Since there was clearly no one nearby who could help him, and death seemed almost inevitable now, Su Yuan figured¡ªmight as well say whatever he wanted... Su Yuan could feel the Delusion from the Fatui in his pocket¡ªthe one he had asked Arlecchino for before leaving Fontaine... But it seemed like Arlecchino didn''t have any spare Delusions on her at the time, so she just casually grabbed one off a Fatui Skirmisher - Cryogunner Legionnaires¡ªand handed it over. Poor Cryo fat guy... he just wanted to pick some raspberries and ended up getting beat up. Now even his Delusion got requisitioned on the spot... It might not be the same moment in time, or even the same Cryo fat guy, but the misery and humiliation were all the same. "Other people''s souls and heart''s blood?" "You''re absolutely right. That does make a lot of sense..." When Su Yuan said that, Shopkeeper Liang''s expression turned oddly thoughtful, and he gave a slow, contemplative nod. A wild thought flashed through Su Yuan''s mind¡ªwait a minute, this guy isn''t gonna stab himself in the heart next, is he? What, water the tea tree with his own heart''s blood? Go out with a bang and die for his twisted tea ideals? What a romantic way to go... "But it is my love that''s the most important catalyst in creating Miracle of Love!" "Maybe one day, my own heart''s blood will become the morning dew that nourishes the tea trees. Maybe my frail body will turn into the fertile soil that sustains them..." "But that day... is still far, far away." "Right now, all I want is to turn you, Su Yuan¡ªbearer of a Vision¡ªinto precious fertilizer for my tea trees!!!" As Shopkeeper Liang roared, he lunged toward Su Yuan¡ªbut in the same instant, Su Yuan activated the Delusion with all his might! He could feel it clearly¡ªthe Delusion was greedily devouring his life force, like a boundless black hole that knew no limits. A surge of powerful Cryo energy burst out from Su Yuan''s body! However, compared to those who wielded Cryo Visions, the elemental power from the Delusion felt less pure, mixed with strange impurities... Was it because the Delusion had been yanked off that Cryo fat guy? So it was naturally Cryo-elemental? Su Yuan had thought that Fatui Delusions could adapt and change their elemental affinity depending on the user... But none of that mattered now¡ªhe could wield both Hydro and Cryo simultaneously, and freeze himself if he really had to! Wriothesley had shown him this trick several times already. Even if the eerie entities were immune to elemental damage, they couldn''t resist the physical freeze reaction... It might not completely stop the monster, but it could buy him a little time¡ªand that was all he needed. Wait a second¡ªSu Yuan suddenly felt something was off. Why did he think it happened several times? Hadn''t Wriothesley only frozen the Eerie Chevreuse once right in front of him? But now wasn''t the time to get caught up in details. Su Yuan thrust out his left palm, unleashing a blast of Cryo energy, while his right hand erupted with Hydro energy. The two elements collided in a marvelous chemical reaction, and Shopkeeper Liang was forcibly frozen in place... At the same time, Su Yuan was turning over a possibility in his mind¡ª Shopkeeper Liang was just an ordinary person who had become Eerie; his strength wasn''t particularly high. And the reason Eerie Chevreuse had been able to break through Wriothesley''s freeze was largely due to the Pyro Vision she possessed... So if Su Yuan didn''t stop, if he continued to unleash Cryo and Hydro in rapid succession¡ªcould he keep Shopkeeper Liang frozen indefinitely? As he was contemplating his next move, the door to the room suddenly opened from the outside... Standing in the doorway was a woman with short, dark blue hair and asymmetrical bangs. Holy crap Su Yuan hadn''t expected that the first one-sided "old acquaintance" he''d run into after arriving in Liyue... would actually be Yelan! Although Yelan was now dressed like a merchant, complete with sunglasses and a hat, Su Yuan still recognized her instantly! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yelan took a small sniff of the air, then quickly scanned her surroundings... "This scent... it''s from a Fatui Delusion." She spoke calmly. "And there''s also... the strong stench of blood." Without another word, she drew her bow, and in the next instant, fired a Breakthrough Barb straight at Su Yuan! Su Yuan instinctively dodged and quickly shouted, "Yelan! Calm down! Don''t attack! Let me explain!" "Oh?" Yelan looked at him with a mildly surprised expression. "I thought I disguised myself pretty well... yet you saw through me in an instant." "You even called out my name directly..." "Looks like the Fatui''s intelligence network really isn''t something to be underestimated." Su Yuan realized¡ªYelan had misunderstood everything because of the energy emanating from the Delusion he carried... Did she really think that he was the one responsible for all the blood and horror in here? --------------- Exclusive access : 186ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 115: Ch 115 : All done. Time to pack up! Chapter 115 - Ch 115 : All done. Time to pack up!After forcing Su Yuan to retreat, Yelan walked over to the shopkeeper Liang''s side. Looking at the man who had been frozen into an ice sculpture, she couldn''t help but speak: "You Fatui really are brutal..." "Liang Xinyang was at least your business partner, and now that everything''s been exposed, you just silence him?" "Yelan, get away from the shopkeeper! It''s dangerous near him!" Su Yuan spoke anxiously. Couldn''t Yelan see the terrifying, gruesome, and twisted look on the shopkeeper''s face after his mutation? Wait¡ªno, something was off. When did the shopkeeper''s face return to normal? And now he looked to be in immense pain... "No... Yelan, listen, let me explain¡ª" Su Yuan tried to explain, but Yelan didn''t give him the chance to speak. "You Fatui really are insane... Using human bodies to cultivate tea leaves..." Yelan narrowed her eyes, staring intently at Su Yuan as she said: "Such madness... You must be one of ''The Doctor'' Dottore''s subordinates!" Su Yuan was at a complete loss for words. It was one thing for Yelan to mistake him for a member of the Fatui¡ªbut to think he was one of Dottore''s subordinates? That scumbag? That lunatic? Just a few days ago, he had been in Fontaine locked in a battle of wits with Dottore himself. How could he possibly align himself with someone like that? Yelan slowly began to walk toward Su Yuan step by step, and he hurriedly spoke up, a bit flustered: "Yelan, this has to be some kind of misunderstanding!" "My name is Su Yuan¡ªI''m really not with the Fatui!" "This Delusion... it was just a gift from Arlecchino!" "Arlecchino? Isn''t she one of the Fatui Harbingers too?" Yelan said thoughtfully. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The Fourth Seat¡ª''The Knave''..." "And you''re saying you''re not part of the Fatui? Didn''t you just admit it yourself?" "Besides, ever since you showed up in Yilong Wharf, I''ve already been investigating you..." "But I haven''t found a single useful lead. There''s nothing on you¡ªyour entire background is a blank slate..." "Someone with no traceable identity, sneaking into Liyue? You''re clearly hiding something." "And now, everything around us is solid evidence¡ªundeniable proof!" Su Yuan was on the verge of tears¡ªwhy was it that the more he tried to explain, the more confusing it became? The more he tried to clear things up, the worse it all sounded? Wasn''t there anyone who knew both him and Yelan who could vouch for him right now? He thought of someone¡ªnone other than the famous Traveler, Aether... If only Aether had come to Liyue with him instead of heading to Sumeru, then maybe all this trouble could''ve been avoided... Or maybe, if Aether had written him a letter of recommendation or introduction, things might be going a lot more smoothly right now... Why is it that ever since he crossed over into Teyvat, he''s constantly being misunderstood? First, Furina mistook him for some kind of pervert... Then the Eerie Focalors thought he was the child of Neuvillette and Furina... And now Yelan thinks he''s a cruel subordinate of "The Doctor" Dottore... Do I really look that much like a villain? Su Yuan was about to say something more to explain himself¡ªbut in the next instant, he suddenly noticed something horrifying: behind Yelan, the shopkeeper who had been frozen into an ice sculpture suddenly revealed a chilling, sinister smile... His face began to twist and distort once more, grotesque and monstrous, as a dark, blood-red, eerie energy started to emanate from his body... So the shopkeeper had been faking it this whole time? "Yelan! Watch out!" Su Yuan shouted, lunging forward to tackle her to the ground. At the same time, with the sound of shattering ice, the shopkeeper broke free from his frozen prison. Claws extended from his hands as he lunged at both Yelan and Su Yuan! But it was as if everything had been under Yelan''s control from the very start. She swiftly spun around, raised her bow, and aimed straight at the shopkeeper''s head! "Yelan! Be careful¡ªthey''re immune to elemental powers!" Su Yuan shouted loudly. But Yelan''s reply was nothing more than calm, simple words: "I know." Then, she loosed a powerful, non-elemental, physical arrow¡ªright into the center of the shopkeeper''s forehead. He collapsed to the ground with a thud. "Phew~" Yelan let out a long breath. "All done. Time to pack up!" Su Yuan stared in shock at the scene¡ªhad all of this... really been within Yelan''s expectations? Everything she''d just done¡ªwas it all a calculated act to make the mutated shopkeeper lower his guard? "Yelan... what... what exactly is going on here?" Su Yuan looked at her and asked. "Your name is Su Yuan¡ª''Su'' as in Tiramisu, and ''Yuan'' as in broken walls and ruins..." Yelan glanced at him with a slight smile. "I''ve heard quite a bit about your exploits in Fontaine..." "I''m genuinely curious¡ªbetween your intelligence network and mine, whose is better?" Su Yuan nearly forgot¡ªstanding before him was none other than Yelan, who, in a sense, could be considered the head of Liyue''s intelligence network! Liyue''s top spy and Ningguang''s special intelligence officer! But since Yelan already knew who he was, that made things a whole lot easier now... And judging from her earlier response, it seemed she knew that the Eerie could only be dealt with using physical attacks... Looks like Liyue already has some intel on the Eerie... "Miss Yelan, since you already know who I am, that makes things much easier..." Su Yuan said. "How about we exchange intel next?" "After all, the more information we have, the better our chances of defeating the Eerie..." "Gladly," Yelan replied, reaching out and firmly shaking Su Yuan''s hand. Then, the two of them began to talk. "It all started in Liyue about half a month ago... no, to be exact, 14 days ago. A horrifying village massacre occurred in a small settlement near Mingyun Village," Yelan began. "Dozens of people in the village were brutally slaughtered¡ªmost of them were elderly and children..." "The Ministry of Civil Affairs dispatched a group of Millelith soldiers to investigate, but... not a single one of them made it back alive..." "Later, when the Tianquan Star Ningguang heard about the incident, she personally commissioned me to investigate," Yelan continued. "The situation had already become too severe¡ªfar beyond what ordinary people could handle. Sending in regular investigators would''ve only led to more needless casualties..." "But when I arrived in Mingyun Village, what I saw was... an old woman, over eighty years old, squatting on the ground and gnawing on the corpses of the Millelith." "Her face... the aura emanating from her... it was very clear she was no longer human." "She seemed to sense the presence of a living being the moment I appeared. In a flash, she lunged toward me, muttering over and over: ''Why did you abandon me? Why won''t you come back and see me? Fine then... you''ll all stay here with me!''" "I raised my bow to fight back, but my Hydro elemental attacks hit her like they were striking a Hydro Slime¡ªcompletely ineffective..." --------------- Exclusive access : 189ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 116: Ch 116 : The situation in Liyue Chapter 116 - Ch 116 : The situation in Liyue"That old woman opened her massive, blood-stained mouth and lunged straight for my neck..." "But thankfully, I reacted fast enough and dodged that fatal blow... Even so, she still managed to bite my arm." As Yelan spoke, she removed the black silk sleeve from her right arm, revealing the wound left behind by the bite... Even though nearly half a month had passed, the bite marks and scars were still clearly visible. "Luckily, she only bit my arm¡ªand not my family heirloom jade bracelet..." "Originally, it was a matching pair, but now... there''s only the one left on my wrist." "Then how did you escape?" Su Yuan asked in confusion. "Even an ordinary person, once corrupted and controlled by the Eerie, can unleash terrifying power..." "Well... I guess it was just a lucky coincidence. Maybe the dice roll I made before heading out that day turned out in my favor." Yelan smiled faintly and continued: "Mingyun Village is a mining area¡ªthere are mineral veins underground, and quarry operations up in the mountains..." "On that day, right at that critical moment, a chunk of ore just happened to fall from the mountain above. By sheer coincidence, it struck the old woman squarely on the head. Blood gushed out, and she collapsed on the spot¡ªnever getting up again..." "She could withstand my powerful Hydro attacks, but not a small falling rock..." "It was at that moment I realized¡ªphysical attacks might just be one of the Eerie''s weaknesses." After hearing Yelan''s account, Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully... Something like this happened 14 days ago? That would''ve been before he transmigrated to Teyvat, right? Then again, back in Fontaine, Neuvillette had mentioned that he sometimes inexplicably lost his memory even before Su Yuan''s arrival... "After that, similar incidents began happening frequently in Liyue. More and more ordinary people, under the control of the Eerie, started doing terrifying things..." "Just like this Liang Xinyang¡ªShopkeeper Liang..." "Yesterday, the Ministry of Civil Affairs received a report that people were going missing around Chenyu Vale and the Yilong wharf area, so I came to investigate immediately today," Yelan said, a bit helplessly. "Who would''ve thought that Liang Xinyang was actually using human flesh and blood to cultivate tea trees and tea leaves... it''s just utterly deranged..." "But fortunately, the people who''ve been controlled by the Eerie so far are just ordinary folks. As long as we use a bit of strategy to lower their guard, it''s still relatively easy to deal with them..." Su Yuan nodded. As expected, everything had been within Yelan''s expectations and calculations from the very beginning... "Wait!" But soon, Su Yuan realized something wasn''t right! "Yelan, you just said... that the people in Liyue currently being controlled by the Eerie are all ordinary people?" "That''s right," Yelan nodded. "According to the intel we have so far, there haven''t been any signs of Eerie possession in Vision holders..." Su Yuan frowned¡ªsomething definitely felt off! In Fontaine, the vast majority of people controlled by the Eerie were Vision holders... only a very small number of ordinary people would be affected... And that includes you, Aji! You''re currently the only known ordinary person in Fontaine to have been possessed by the Eerie! So why is it the opposite here in Liyue? "Yelan, are you sure? The Eerie can disguise themselves! Can you really be certain that none of the Vision holders have been controlled?" Su Yuan asked. "Su Yuan, I understand your concern. But the current truth is¡ªI haven''t detected any signs of Eerie possession among any of the Vision holders..." Something wasn''t right... the situation in Liyue just felt completely off... Could this be what the rule inscribed on the palm of his right hand was referring to¡ªLiyue suffers the least, yet suffers the most? "The least," because none of the Vision holders are being corrupted or controlled by the Eerie, so the threat can be handled without paying too great a price... The most severe part is that the probability of ordinary people becoming Eerie is significantly higher, and the scale and number of those affected will grow vastly¡ªone day, it will no longer be possible to keep the existence of the Eerie a secret... "Right! What about the Geo Archon? How is he doing now?" Su Yuan looked at Yelan, asking anxiously. "The Geo Archon? If you mean Liyue''s Morax, our Lord Rex Lapis, he''s already passed away..." Yelan looked at Su Yuan with a bit of confusion as she answered. "Come on, Yelan, no need to keep up the act. I already know all about that!" Su Yuan said. "I''m asking about the guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor¡ªZhongli. What''s his situation?" "Oh? From the way you said that... could it be that the consultant Zhongli from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is actually Lord Rex Lapis himself?" Yelan furrowed her brows slightly, narrowing her eyes at Su Yuan as she slowly spoke: "Yet another piece of intel I had absolutely no idea about..." "Although I''ve long suspected that Zhongli''s identity was not so simple..." "I had assumed he was a certain adepti¡ªbut I truly didn''t expect that he was actually the Geo Archon himself..." Su Yuan also looked at Yelan in shock. "Huh? You didn''t know that?" "After the crisis in Liyue Harbor passed, the Archon did appear in a dream to the high-ranking members of Liyue, saying he hadn''t truly died¡ªthat it was merely a staged death to retreat from the world. But... he never told us what his current identity is." Yelan looked at Su Yuan and gave a faint smile in response: "Thank you, Su Yuan. You''ve given me yet another incredible piece of intel..." "Zhongli... huh?" Yelan toyed with the dice in her hand, seeming thoughtful. "I actually ran into him near the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor just a few days ago. He seemed completely normal¡ªno issues at all!" Hearing Yelan say that, Su Yuan let out a breath of relief. If something had happened to Zhongli, that would''ve been a huge problem... After all, Zhongli was an ancient being who had lived for countless years, and he even bore the title of the "God of War." If someone like him were ever controlled by an Eerie, the power he could unleash would be unimaginable... "Yelan, let''s hurry back to Liyue Harbor!" Su Yuan said. "There are some things I want to say to Zhongli face to face!" Su Yuan felt that there were still too many unknowns surrounding Liyue''s situation. Only by being close to the old man Zhongli could he truly feel a sense of security... If Zhongli could also be controlled by an Eerie, then¡ªif he could figure out the conditions under which Zhongli might be Eerified¡ªcouldn''t he, just like with Neuvillette and himself, find some kind of loophole and stage a coordinated act? S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, back in Fontaine, all kinds of situations had already shown that when facing the Eerie, one absolutely needed a high-level combat force! Even though he could only use it once a day, Neuvillette was really useful at times! If it hadn''t been for his coordination with Neuvillette, Su Yuan honestly wouldn''t have had a clue how to defeat the Eerified Dottore while he still retained his consciousness... "All right, Su Yuan," Yelan nodded after hearing what he said, and spoke with a faint smile. "Do you know what the fastest way to get to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue is?" The next moment, Su Yuan felt a cold, sharp pain in his chest¡ª Yelan had drawn her bow and shot an arrow straight through his heart. "I''ll send you straight to the funeral parlor myself..." Su Yuan looked up in horror, only to realize that Yelan''s face had already become twisted and crimson, her body now emanating a terrifying amount of eerie energy... Su Yuan couldn''t make sense of it¡ªwhat had just happened? Why had Yelan suddenly become Eerified? His consciousness began to fade, his thoughts growing fuzzy, and in the haze he vaguely heard "Yelan" speak: "One of the most important qualities of an intelligence operative... is knowing when to shut up." "So even if you''re about to become a corpse, Su Yuan, don''t expect to get a single piece of intel out of me..." --------------- Exclusive access : 189ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 117: Ch 117 : He took out his wallet and paid the bill himself Chapter 117 - Ch 117 : He took out his wallet and paid the bill himselfSu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªthere it was again, that familiar, heart-wrenching feeling... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew he had died once again... He lifted his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this was your first death today...] [The situation in Liyue is somewhat special¡ªproceed with caution...] [The conditions for Yelan''s eerie transformation are still unclear, but may be related to "information."] [To be safe, do not reveal any information you know to Yelan for now...] "Su Yuan? Su Yuan? Why are you zoning out like that? Is there something interesting on your left hand? You''ve been staring at your palm this whole time." Yelan spoke with a hint of confusion. "Nothing, nothing. I just have a weird habit¡ªwhenever I''m thinking, I like to look at my palm..." Su Yuan casually made something up to steer the conversation away. "Is that so? That really is a strange habit..." Yelan looked at Su Yuan with a thoughtful expression. Just moments ago, Yelan had given Su Yuan a brief explanation about the situation in Liyue, and Su Yuan glanced at the nearby figure of Shopkeeper Liang¡ªlying on the ground, his head blown apart by Yelan''s arrow... So this is the save point where he respawned? Looks like there''s no saving Shopkeeper Liang now... But Su Yuan had already come to a painful realization earlier: he simply couldn''t save everyone. All he could do was protect the people he knew and cared about, as much as possible. Since the message in his palm mentioned Yelan''s eerie transformation, then most likely, he died by Yelan''s hand last time... And her transformation being related to "information"? That made sense¡ªYelan was a professional intelligence agent. It wouldn''t be surprising if the conditions for her eerie transformation were linked to intel. Could it be that Yelan''s condition is triggered by hearing false information? But if that''s the case... it feels a little too similar to Charlotte''s rules... Speaking of which, Su Yuan just now realized a crucial point¡ªCharlotte''s eerie transformation rules were actually divided into two parts, though there was likely a sequential relationship between them. If you refused to accept Charlotte''s interview, she would enter an eerie state. But even if you did accept the interview, if you then lied in response to her questions, she would also become eerie... Now that he thought about it¡ªwhat if Charlotte didn''t explicitly request an interview, and you simply answered one of her questions with a lie? Would she still enter that eerie state? Unfortunately, he had left Fontaine in such a rush that he hadn''t had a chance to test this theory... No, no... he was getting off track... Su Yuan quickly pulled his thoughts back to the matter at hand. His top priority right now was still to figure out the conditions for Yelan''s eerie transformation... "Su Yuan, weren''t you going to share some intel?" Yelan asked, looking at him with a bit of confusion. "I''ve pretty much told you everything I wanted to say, but why are you still staying silent?" Su Yuan looked into Yelan''s eyes, once again falling into deep thought... If Yelan''s eerie transformation condition was that she had to hear false intel, then that would imply the intel Su Yuan spoke was false... But Su Yuan knew his own personality¡ªif he wasn''t absolutely certain about a piece of information, he wouldn''t casually say it out loud. Moreover, he had tried to use Charlotte''s rules to test the truthfulness of intel about the eerie, but it had failed¡ªproving there were indeed certain limitations on that kind of thing... By analogy, if Yelan''s rule really worked that way, then it must also have some kind of restriction. However, since the prompt in his palm didn''t mention anything like that, it suggested that Yelan''s rule probably wasn''t like that. So, Su Yuan began to entertain another possibility: could it be that Yelan''s eerie transformation rule was triggered when she heard unexpected intel? Although Yelan was the top of the intelligence network in Liyue, the intel Su Yuan held was shocking and explosive. Maybe when Yelan heard it, she realized her intel-gathering skills weren''t on his level... her "dao heart" shattered, and she fell into an eerie state? But regardless, the safest move right now was clear: do not share any intel with Yelan. "Yelan, I''m really sorry..." Su Yuan said apologetically. "I''ve suddenly changed my mind... For now, I can''t share any intel with you." "But I still hope you can trust me..." "Take me to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor. I want to see Mister Zhongli¡ªthere''s something important I need to tell him..." Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Yelan frowned slightly and said, "Su Yuan, aren''t you being a bit unfair?" "You agreed to share intel with me, and now you''re backing out and changing your mind all of a sudden. I really don''t like that kind of behavior..." "...Sigh..." Su Yuan let out a soft sigh. "There''s no helping it. After all, this concerns the condition that triggers your eerie transformation..." "Me? The condition for my eerie transformation?" Yelan repeated, her expression turning thoughtful as she processed his words. "Eerie transformation always has conditions¡ªthat much I had already suspected..." "That elderly woman in Mingyun Village was a textbook example of a left-behind elder... She was always waiting and hoping for her son to return home, but he had actually died in an accident before the incident happened..." "And as for that Shopkeeper Liang, he had a dispute over a tea order with Chunming Teahouse not long ago, and then he ended up like this..." "Even though no Vision holders have shown signs of being affected by the eerie in Liyue so far, I know it''s still a possibility..." Yelan looked at Su Yuan and said, "Su Yuan, it seems like... you''ve learned quite a bit?" "Just like my contacts in Fontaine said¡ªyour intel-gathering skills are really something..." "Though I truly am curious... if I could also fall under eerie influence, what would my condition be?" "But since you''ve already said all that, I won''t press you any further..." Yelan slowly spoke: S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''ll take you to Liyue Harbor..." "But I do have a question. If it''s something important regarding the eerie, why are you prioritizing seeing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor''s Consultant, Mr. Zhongli, instead of going to the General Affairs Bureau, Liyue''s higher-ups, or the Liyue Qixing?" "Although I''ve heard he''s well-versed and knowledgeable, the eerie is something that defies all logic¡ªsurely he wouldn''t know much about it either, would he?" "I have a feeling... that he might be aware," Su Yuan replied. "Speaking of which, Yelan, do you know how Zhongli''s been doing lately?" "Mr. Zhongli... I actually happened to run into him just yesterday before I set out for Yilong wharf..." Yelan recalled and said: "Still the same as always¡ªafter finishing his duties at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he was as calm and at ease as ever, sipping tea and listening to storytelling, completely unbothered!" Hearing Yelan''s account, Su Yuan let out a small sigh of relief. It seemed that Old Man Zhongli wasn''t showing any signs of being corrupted or controlled by the eerie... for now. But Yelan''s next words immediately made Su Yuan tense up again¡ª "But there was one thing I found strange. Right before I left yesterday, Mr. Zhongli was paying for his tea and the storytelling..." "Unusually, instead of asking Iron Tongue Tian to put it on the Wangsheng Parlor''s tab like he always does, he actually pulled out his own wallet and paid for it himself..." --------------- Exclusive access : 192ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 118: Ch 118 : Welcome... to my home... as a guest... Chapter 118 - Ch 118 : Welcome... to my home... as a guest...Yelan also noticed Su Yuan''s somewhat uneasy expression and asked, "Su Yuan, what''s going on? Do you think Mr. Zhongli has been taken over by an eerie?" "Although he''s indeed been acting a bit strange, not every abnormal behavior is caused by an eerie, you know..." "Besides, there haven''t been any disappearances or murders in Liyue Harbor in the past few days." Su Yuan also fell into deep thought. Although he knew some intel, due to the warning from the message in his left palm, he didn''t dare to share it with Yelan... Eeries are capable of disguise, and the more powerful they are, the better they seem to be at hiding themselves... That old granny in Mingyun Village, for example¡ªshe was elderly, and after becoming eerie, her strength wasn''t great. She wasn''t good at disguising either¡ªshe would attack anyone on sight... Then there was that shopkeeper Liang¡ªhe could put up some fa?ade, but he couldn''t suppress his urge to kill... Sometimes, those eery ones who show obvious signs and can''t restrain their behavior are actually the easiest to detect... But the ones who hide themselves so well, who don''t reveal anything easily... those are the truly troublesome ones... If Zhongli has already fallen into eerie transformation, then it''s like the Liyue Chapter has just begun¡ªand we''ve been thrown straight into hell difficulty... At this point, we still know absolutely nothing about the conditions for Zhongli''s eerie transformation, or what kind of abilities he might have in that state... "Yelan, I won''t waste any more words. Just... please trust me on this¡ªwe have to head back to Liyue Harbor immediately!" Su Yuan looked at Yelan with utmost seriousness and determination, and said: "I must meet Mr. Zhongli face to face!" ................. Aether and Paimon looked out at the swirling sandstorm outside the cave¡ªthe massive storm still showed no signs of stopping... But Aether was truly worried now. He really wanted to know what exactly was going on in Sumeru. After thinking it over for a long time, they finally decided to use the intact teleport waypoint nearby... "Haaah... huff..." Aether took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. He looked at Paimon and said: "Paimon, are you ready? Here we go!" "Mhm!" Paimon nodded and tightened her grip on Aether''s collar... Then, Aether slowly reached out and touched the teleport waypoint, closing his eyes as he followed the flow of ley lines, searching for the place he wanted to go... In the next moment, a swirl of blue energy surrounded both Aether and Paimon, and in a flash, they vanished from the cave... ¡ª The very next second, when Aether opened his eyes, he found himself standing at the teleport waypoint beneath the Palace of Alcazarzaray. "Yes! We made it!" Paimon cheered, flailing her arms in excitement. Though the teleportation had been successful, Aether frowned slightly. Something felt... off. More than that, the experience just now didn''t feel like the teleportation he was used to. Normally, teleporting felt smooth and seamless¡ªlike drifting gently through warm water with the current... But this time, it felt like his body had been twisted, pulled apart, and sliced again and again... If he hadn''t arrived here in one piece, Aether would''ve thought he''d just been chopped into bits. Aether glanced over at Paimon again, puzzled. Why was she acting like nothing was wrong? Didn''t she feel that strange teleportation experience just now? He was just about to say something to her when he suddenly noticed something else that felt off... Every time he''d teleported to this location before, there were always two Eremite squads stationed nearby¡ªtwo groups of thirty mercenaries guarding the path up to the Palace of Alcazarzaray. But now... where were they? Where did they go? That''s when Aether finally realized what was missing¡ªit was the sound of those two greeting him! Every time he came here in the past, those two would always greet him with enthusiasm, saying: "Haha! The famous Traveler is back again!" Aether ran a few more steps and looked toward the pavilion below, only to find that the blue flower in the center had withered, and the scholar named Faqani was nowhere to be seen... That scholar Faqani practically spent all day here, lost in thought. For him not to be here at this hour¡ªsomething must have gone terribly wrong! And the flower in the center of the pavilion had clearly wilted from lack of watering and care... It was obvious no one had tended to it in some time. A growing sense of unease welled up inside Aether. He quickly grabbed Paimon''s hand and ran up toward the Palace of Alcazarzaray. But when they arrived at the palace gates, they found no sign of the Eremites stationed there either¡ªand the scholar Ashke, who always liked to gaze up at the sky and contemplate life, was also completely missing... Standing high up with a wide view, Aether anxiously approached the edge of the overlook and peered down at the city of Sumeru below... Only to be struck with horror¡ªat this hour, the usually bustling and lively streets of Sumeru City were completely empty. Not a single soul could be seen. Where were the people of Sumeru? Where had everyone gone? The unease in Aether''s heart had reached its peak. He turned to look at the tightly shut doors of the Palace of Alcazarzaray. He had a strong feeling¡ªthere was some earth-shattering secret hidden inside... Nahida... What''s your situation right now? Sumeru... What exactly has happened here? Aether swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Staring at the sealed entrance ahead, he hesitated¡ªshould he go in? Even Paimon had finally sensed something was wrong. She hid behind Aether, trembling as she spoke: "Traveler... What''s going on? Why haven''t we seen a single living person this whole time..." "I''m afraid... Sumeru has already been touched by the Eerie as well," Aether said slowly. "Paimon... I''ve decided to go into the Palace of Alcazarzaray to find out what''s going on." "This could be dangerous, so... you shouldn''t come with me." In the end, Aether made his decision¡ªto enter the palace and uncover the truth. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if something happened and he died... it didn''t matter. He could still preserve his memories and rewind time. "Traveler, don''t do this..." Paimon looked at the Traveler, her voice trembling with fear. "I don''t want to be separated from you..." "Traveler, how about we just leave Sumeru for now..." "Whether it''s going to Fontaine to seek help from Neuvillette and the others... or heading to Liyue to see if Su Yuan can help us..." "Either way, let''s not stay here..." "Paimon... I understand how you feel..." Aether looked at Paimon, calmed the fear in his heart, and showed a faint smile. "A hero... can''t run away from the battlefield!" "Nahida... everyone in Sumeru... I''m coming to save you now!" As he spoke, Aether slowly pushed open the doors to the Palace of Alcazarzaray. What met his eyes next was the sight of countless human bodies, suspended from the ceiling of the Palace of Alcazarzaray by ropes¡ªdangling in the air... Just like how hams are hung in rows from the rafters in some rural villages... Their bodies were covered in blood, their breathing faint... Among them, Aether saw many familiar faces... Nilou... Dehya... Alhaitham... Kaveh... Dori... Deyha... and many, many more... And right in the center of the palace sat Nahida, smiling as she looked toward the doorway. "Traveler... you''ve returned to Sumeru so soon, huh..." "Welcome... to my humble home..." --------------- Exclusive access : 192ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 119: Ch 119 : Aether in trouble Chapter 119 - Ch 119 : Aether in troubleAether stared in shock at the scene before him, realizing that the worst-case scenario he had feared had come true... Nahida had already been corrupted by the Eerie. All of Sumeru had fallen... No¡ªmore accurately, it seemed that only this part of Sumeru City had been taken over. Among the people bound and suspended in the air, most were residents of Sumeru City. He didn''t see Candace, nor Tighnari or Collei... Perhaps the desert and Gandharva Ville were still safe. Aether immediately made a decision: he had to escape from here and inform the others of what had happened! Without responding to "Nahida," he grabbed Paimon and turned to flee, aiming for the teleport waypoint below to get out of there as fast as possible... "Honestly now... Traveler, is it that you don''t like my home, or do you not like me as a person?" "Could it be that the decor of my house displeases you?" "Why did you run off without saying a single word?" "''Nahida''" spoke softly as she slowly stood up and followed him... But when Aether reached the lower level, he realized with horror that the previously intact teleport waypoint was now radiating a crimson, pitch-black glow... Seeing this, Aether was at a loss for words. Seriously? The teleport waypoint chooses now of all times to break down? And in that brief moment, "Nahida" had already caught up... "Traveler, where do you think you''re going?" As she spoke, "Nahida" instantly Manifests the Court of Dreams and expands the Shrine of Maya¡ª Only, this time, the domain wasn''t the usual refreshing, life-filled grassy green. It had turned into a sinister, blood-red hue... Aether immediately felt an overwhelming force suppressing him completely¡ªhe couldn''t move a muscle... This color... this aura... this feeling... There''s no mistaking it¡ªthis is the power of the Eerie. Nahida has already been taken over by it! "Heh..." "Nahida, your house is filthy and stinks. It''s broken and rotten¡ªand your sense of taste? Honestly, it''s unbearable." "Even if I die, I would never want to be a guest in your house!" Aether deliberately spat out harsh, insulting words, hoping to provoke "Nahida." He thought to himself¡ªlooks like there''s no way he''s making it out of this alive... But it''s okay. Even if he can''t tell anyone, he still has the power to die and return with his memories intact. Next time... he would make sure to carefully plan how to deal with the current situation in Sumeru. "Next time? There won''t be a next time for you..." "''Nahida''" spoke, then suddenly let out a strange, unsettling laugh¡ª "Hehelele guli guhah..." And then¡ª Aether''s face twisted in horror as he saw "Nahida" raise both hands: her index fingers and thumbs forming right angles¡ªleft hand in the top-left, right hand in the bottom-right¡ªcreating a frame, aimed directly at him... "Can''t tell anyone?" "Death rewind with retained memories?" "How interesting..." In that moment, Aether realized he had made a fatal mistake¡ª "Nahida" could use All Schemes to Know, granting her a form of Mind-Reading through Universal Perception... In simpler terms¡ªshe could read minds. However, the real Nahida¡ªbefore she was corrupted by the eerie force¡ªalthough she possessed this ability, would never use it on others lightly... Because she believed it was a violation of personal privacy, a disrespectful and improper act... But now that "Nahida" had fallen under the control of the eerie, who would still care about such things as morality and virtue? The truth that Aether could never bring himself to speak aloud... was now so easily learned by "Nahida." "Oh? Looks like you''ve realized your mistake..." "Nahida" leaned in close to Aether, her sunken, bloodstained eyes locking onto his¡ª "But don''t you think it''s a little too late to realize it now?" "Even though you are the Descender of Teyvat, and any information about you is excluded from being recorded in the Irminsul..." "But reading your thoughts right in front of you? That''s still something I can easily do..." "Nahida" gently caressed Aether''s cheek and slowly spoke: "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die so easily..." "I treat you the same as everyone else¡ªwith complete fairness." "They aren''t dead either. They''ve just been... temporarily imprisoned by me, temporarily stripped of their freedom..." "Your unique ability has made me¡ªthe God of Wisdom¡ªincredibly curious..." "As the God of Wisdom, I simply cannot resist knowledge I do not yet understand..." "From now on, let''s take our time... and explore it together, shall we?" ............... "Speaking of which, Su Yuan¡ªyour Fatui Delusion is Cryo, isn''t it?" While on the carriage to Liyue, Yelan asked with a hint of curiosity: "But then, why are you able to use Hydro elemental power?" "Also, I don''t see a Hydro Vision on you either." "Don''t tell me... Fatui Delusions can be dual-wielded now?" "Or are you like that famous Traveler¡ªable to use elemental powers without a Vision at all?" "That''s right. It''s just as you''re thinking," Su Yuan nodded. He couldn''t exactly tell Yelan that he could use Hydro because he had a really good memory, right? That would just be way too abstract... Honestly, Su Yuan wasn''t even sure how to talk to Yelan at this point... If his suspicions were correct¡ªthat Yelan couldn''t be exposed to information she wasn''t supposed to know or she''d start becoming eerie¡ª Then having a head full of intel but being unable to explain any of it was... pretty frustrating. But just then, a loud shout came from outside the carriage! "Robbery!" "This tree is mine, this road I planted!" "If you wanna pass, hand over the toll money!" "You idiot! You can''t even read the lines right! You messed up the words!" Su Yuan and Yelan leaned out of the carriage window and saw that it was a group of over a dozen Treasure Hoarders who had completely surrounded the vehicle... "Heh, Su Yuan, sorry you had to see this..." Yelan looked at Su Yuan and gave a helpless smile. "You''ve only just arrived in Liyue, and already something like this happens..." "It''s fine, it''s fine. Liyue is vast and rich in resources¡ªseeing some Treasure Hoarders around isn''t exactly surprising." Su Yuan responded nonchalantly: "I ran into Treasure Hoarders back in Fontaine too..." As Su Yuan glanced around at the group surrounding them, he suddenly felt something was off... Although all the Treasure Hoarders were wearing masks to hide their faces, one of them¡ªhis features and especially his eyes¡ªlooked incredibly familiar to Su Yuan... "Ah... Aji?" Su Yuan blurted out instinctively. "Oh... my god... I can''t believe I actually ran into you here!" Seeing Su Yuan''s face and hearing his voice, Aji exclaimed with excitement: "And Su Yuan, you even remembered my name! I''m so touched!" "What, someone you know?" asked a man nearby¡ªlikely the leader of this group of Treasure Hoarders¡ªas he turned to Aji. "Yeah, boss, he''s an old colleague I met back in Fontaine!" Aji nodded as he spoke: S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "He''s amazing¡ªhe actually dared to sneak into the Palais Mermonia in Fontaine to steal something!" "And now that he''s here, it means he made it out in one piece!" "You know, the Palais Mermonia in Fontaine is the equivalent of Liyue''s Ministry of Civil Affairs or the Jade Chamber!" "Do any of you have the guts to steal from a place like that?" "Yelan, be careful..." Su Yuan whispered a warning to her: "This Aji... he''s the ordinary guy I ran into back in Fontaine who was already under the control of the Eerie." "Whatever you do, don''t agree to let him help you hide anything..." --------------- Exclusive access : 195ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 120: Ch 120 : Aji, Relentless in Pursuit Chapter 120 - Ch 120 : Aji, Relentless in Pursuit"Oh? So according to what you''re saying, the people in this carriage are actually one of us?" Hearing Aji''s explanation, the Treasure Hoarder leader nodded thoughtfully... "But even if you know him, we absolutely can''t let him go!" "Double-crossing one of our own¡ªhappens all the time, doesn''t it?" Yelan glanced at Su Yuan and remarked, "Su Yuan, I didn''t expect you to be someone with as many identities as I am..." "Who would''ve thought someone in the Treasure Hoarders actually knows you..." "Yelan, let''s wrap this up quickly¡ªwe''re in a hurry," Su Yuan said calmly. "Among them, the only one worth watching out for is Aji." "Mm." Yelan nodded in agreement. As expected, the whole group of Treasure Hoarders was effortlessly taken down by Yelan and Su Yuan. Each of them was firmly tied up with Yelan''s threads, lying on the ground, unable to move. "Damn it... we really messed with the wrong people today..." The Treasure Hoarder leader glared at Aji, his face filled with frustration and anger. "If that guy had such a powerful companion, why didn''t you say something earlier?" "I hereby declare, Aji¡ªyou are officially expelled from the Liyue Treasure Hoarders, Chenyu Vale Upper Division!" "Boss, I''m innocent! This has nothing to do with me! I don''t even know who that blue-haired woman is!" Aji said, on the verge of tears. Then he quickly turned around and shifted his tone, addressing Yelan, "Miss, may I ask what your name is? And by the way... would you like me to help you hide?" "Even though I only just arrived in Liyue not long ago, I''ve already scouted out several great hiding spots..." Of course, Yelan remembered Su Yuan''s earlier warning. She gave a cold smirk and replied, "Hide me? No need... I''m quite skilled at hiding myself. I don''t need your advice on that." Seeing this, Su Yuan let out a quiet sigh of relief. Running into Aji here had definitely been unexpected, but as long as they didn''t trigger the rules of his eerie transformation, there shouldn''t be any real problems. "You really don''t want me to help you hide?" Aji''s expression turned strange, a bit sorrowful, as he spoke... "I was so warm-hearted and sincere, yet why do you keep rejecting me over and over?" "This is the third time... the third time in a row you''ve turned me down..." Seeing Aji''s expression grow more and more twisted, Su Yuan felt a strong sense of impending danger. He immediately shouted, "Yelan! Watch out! Get out of the way!" "You must... let me help you hide!" In the next moment, a loud bang rang out¡ªAji suddenly broke free from the silk threads that had bound him. This completely caught Yelan off guard! Aji''s face began to contort grotesquely, and his fingers transformed into blades, slashing straight toward Yelan''s throat! Yelan reacted quickly, tilting her head back to dodge the deadly strike¡ªbut a thin line of blood still appeared on her neck... "Damn! Aji, I didn''t know you were this strong?!" The other Treasure Hoarders were all stunned by what they saw. They had all been bound by Yelan''s silk threads and knew firsthand how tough and unbreakable they were. But Aji had just broken free with ease, all by himself... "Ahem... Aji... I take back what I said earlier..." their leader began nervously. "I now fully realize the error of my ways. Our Treasure Hoarders in the Upper Division of Chenyu Vale need talents like you, so¡ª" However, before he could finish his sentence, Aji sliced his head into pieces in an instant. "Boss... even though you heartlessly abandoned me just now, I won''t hold a grudge against you..." "I''ll be sure... to hide you away nice and proper..." The rest of the Treasure Hoarders, realizing Aji was clearly not in a normal state, immediately shut their mouths and collapsed on the ground, pretending to be dead. Su Yuan stared at Aji in shock¡ªwhat was going on here? Wasn''t his condition for becoming eerie supposed to be when someone accepted his offer to help them hide? Why was it that even after his request to hide someone was rejected, he still fell into an eerie state? Could it be that the rules for eerie transformation change depending on the region? That the rules in Fontaine are different from those in Liyue...? No¡ªthat''s not it! Or could it be that Aji had been in an eerie state from the very beginning? That message on the palm... the one that said someone he knew had always been in an eerie state¡ªcould it have been referring to him? If that was really the case, then Aji''s "hiding" wasn''t a condition that triggered the eerie transformation¡ªbut rather a condition that allowed him to drop the act. And besides... Aji did just say it himself¡ªthis was the third time he''d been rejected... The first time was with him, the second time was with Furina, and the third time... was just now, with Yelan. After being rejected three times in a row¡ªwas that the point where he stopped pretending? "Yelan, be careful," Su Yuan warned, looking over at her. "Even though Aji was originally just an ordinary person, he''s already fallen into an eerie state now. It''s better to stay on guard!" If it were someone with a Vision or a powerful fighter who had been corrupted and controlled by the eerie force, Su Yuan wouldn''t even think about fighting. He would definitely grab Yelan and run as fast as possible... Never engage the eerie in direct combat¡ªthat was a lesson Su Yuan had learned the hard way, carved into him with blood. But Su Yuan felt that he was no longer the same as before. Now, he could use both Cryo and Hydro elements to control and coordinate during a fight... Besides, Yelan also had plenty of experience dealing with eerily corrupted ordinary people... They should... be fine, right? However, Yelan''s reaction completely took Su Yuan by surprise. She shouted, "Su Yuan, run!" Then, she grabbed his hand and instantly transformed into a blue, translucent silhouette, dragging Su Yuan into a full-speed escape! "Never fight the eerie head-on, even if it''s just an ordinary person," Yelan said to Su Yuan as they ran. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I used to deal with those ordinary people controlled by the eerie through surprise attacks..." "When it comes to direct combat strength, we are no match for the eerie!" Su Yuan realized he had underestimated Yelan''s caution¡ªand overestimated his own abilities... Yeah... he had just gained a bit of power and was already getting cocky. Who gave him the confidence to think he could defeat an eerie head-on? After all, the system message had clearly said: use Eerie to fight Eerie. Yelan continued speaking: "That guy named Aji¡ªjust from the way he attacked, I could tell he''s very skilled. That''s not something an average person can do..." "Even if he weren''t in an eerie state, someone like him would still be incredibly hard to deal with..." "It''s better if we put some distance between us first, shake him off, and then plan our next move..." But in the very next moment, Aji suddenly appeared in the middle of the road ahead... "You said you wanted to shake me off? How could that be possible?" Aji said with a cheerful smile: "Rather than thinking about such unrealistic things, wouldn''t it be better to tell me¡ª" "Do you want me to place your eyes..." "On the pavilion at Qingyun Peak, so they can admire the beautiful sunrise shrouded in mist?" "Or leave them on the shores of Yaoguang Shoal, to feel the ebb and flow of the tides day and night?" --------------- Exclusive access : 195ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 121: Ch 121 : Aji’s Secret Chapter 121 - Ch 121 : Aji''s Secret"Tch... Looks like running is no longer an option..." Yelan stared seriously at Aji in front of them and said to Su Yuan: "This Aji... he''s even faster than I imagined..." "If we can''t get away, then we''ll have to fight head-on!" Su Yuan replied a bit helplessly, "Yelan, I''ll use Cyro and Hydro to freeze him and keep him controlled¡ªyou find the right timing to strike..." Facing someone like Aji, a Treasure Hoarder¡ªand possibly a deranged killer¡ªSu Yuan had no intention of holding back! However, while Su Yuan''s plan sounded good in theory, reality was far more brutal... In the very next moment, before Su Yuan could even see Aji move, both of his hands were instantly severed by Aji! "Su Yuan!" Yelan cried out in alarm, raising her bow and aiming an arrow at Aji, but Aji easily dodged it with a smirk. "Hahaha... As expected of Miss Yelan, the mysterious mastermind behind the Yanshang Teahouse! Not only are your intel skills impressive, but your combat ability isn''t bad either!" Aji laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased. Yelan was visibly shocked. This man, who claimed to be a Treasure Hoarder from Fontaine and called himself Aji, had actually seen through her true identity at a glance? Su Yuan, enduring the searing pain, was also bewildered¡ªhow could Aji still sound so rational and composed? "Ever since I became tainted by this strange power, I''ve felt myself growing stronger and stronger..." "It''s just a shame that most of the time, I can''t maintain my sanity or my memories. Only when I enter this state... can I return to my truest self." Hearing these words, Su Yuan finally understood everything! Aji, just like Dottore, could maintain his sanity even after being corrupted and controlled by the Eerie! Just as the message in Su Yuan''s palm had warned¡ªbreaking free from the control of the Eerie required a madness that surpassed the Eerie itself... But Aji''s level of madness still couldn''t compare to Dottore''s. Only when in a state of "Corrupted" could he erupt and temporarily regain his rational self. Moreover, Aji''s eerie transformation likely wasn''t the kind with external limitations like Dottore''s¡ªit seemed more intrinsic, more deeply rooted. Facing someone who retained their rationality while wielding eerie power... if they didn''t use Eerie to fight Eerie, Su Yuan saw no chance of victory! "Yelan!" Su Yuan turned to Yelan and shouted in alarm¡ªbut in the very next moment, Aji had already sliced off her head. They had originally assumed that Aji''s Eerie abilities were average at best... But now, it was clear¡ªhis strength might not be inferior at all to the Eerie versions of Wriothesley or Clorinde! Aji picked up Yelan''s head and, right in front of Su Yuan, gouged out her eyeballs... Then, Aji continued to slice open Yelan''s abdomen, taking out her organs one by one while muttering to himself... "The eyes... Actually, placing them at Mt. Aozang wouldn''t be bad. The scenery there is decent..." "The heart... Let''s plant it at the bottom of The Chasm. The soil down there is quite special..." "The intestines... How about bringing some ingredients to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk and asking them to make me a dish of ''Nine-Turned Intestines''...?" "The brain... I''ll ask the chef at Wangshu Inn to make almond tofu with it, then hide it on the smoothest roof tile on the top floor..." "The limbs... Let''s smoke them with glaze lilies and silk flowers, then vacuum seal them and send them to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, as an offering to the Geo Archon..." "The lungs... Maybe place them atop the Jade Chamber? It''s pretty high up, Yelan can get a breath of fresh air..." "As for the rest of the internal organs, I can just mix them all together and make a special ''Zhongyuan Offal Stew''¡ªtasty and cheap¡ªto feed the stray cats and dogs in Qingce Village..." S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aji spoke as he slowly turned his head toward Su Yuan, revealing a chilling smile. He said: "Su Yuan, Su Yuan... no need to rush..." "You''re next." "If you have any preferences about where you''d like to be hidden, or any special places you''d like to go..." "Please, let me know in advance... while you still can." ................. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªonce again, that familiar and heart-palpitating sensation... Feeling the sharp sting in the palm of his left hand, he knew he had died once more. Su Yuan raised his left hand and looked at the palm: [Unfortunately, this is your second death today...] [Immediately take a detour, or you will encounter Aji...] [Aji''s true identity and his actual strength should not be underestimated...] [While not on the same level as Dottore, he is still capable of maintaining his sanity to a certain degree while wielding eerie powers...] Su Yuan stared at the message in his palm in shock, his expression turning serious... Aji? Wasn''t he that treasure hoarder from Fontaine? What''s he doing in Liyue? And according to the message, he was killed by Aji last time? More importantly, Aji could also retain his sanity to some extent while being corrupted by the eerie? Now that Neuvillette, Clorinde, and the others aren''t by his side¡ªwithout any eerie-transformed combat power to rely on¡ªthere''s no way he and Yelan could take on Aji... "Yelan, let''s take a detour." Su Yuan looked at Yelan across from him and spoke up. "A detour? Why do we need to take a detour?" Yelan looked at Su Yuan, confused. "Weren''t you the one who said we needed to hurry to Liyue to meet with Zhongli?" "This road we''re on is already the fastest and shortest route." Su Yuan was about to blurt out that he had obtained new intel, and that continuing down this path would lead them into danger... But then he remembered¡ªYelan''s eerie transformation condition is related to ''information'', so it would be best to avoid mentioning anything related to intel if possible... "Yelan, don''t worry about it. Just trust me on this one!" Seeing Su Yuan''s serious expression, Yelan nodded slightly and said, "Could it be... Su Yuan, you''ve learned some new intel again? But because of my eerie transformation condition, you''re afraid to tell me?" Su Yuan nodded. Talking to someone smart really was easier... "Alright, Su Yuan, then I''ll listen to you. Let''s take a slightly longer route instead..." "But, there''s something I''m very curious about..." "I clearly didn''t see you talk to any informants, nor did I see you use any carrier pigeons or other means of communication..." "So where exactly is your intel coming from?" "Don''t tell me... your intel just pops out of your palm?" "Because just now, you instinctively glanced at the palm of your left hand again..." "But there''s clearly nothing there, is there?" Seeing Su Yuan''s somewhat awkward expression, Yelan tactfully shut her mouth and stopped asking questions. "Forget it, everyone has their little secrets ¡ª that''s normal." After that, Su Yuan and Yelan took a slightly longer detour. Meanwhile, on the original path where the Treasure Hoarders had been waiting, they waited for a long time but still didn''t see any sign of their targets... "Ajie! Didn''t you say if we waited on this path, a big fish would walk right into our net?" The leader of the Treasure Hoarders said angrily: "Why have we been waiting all this time and haven''t seen a single shadow of anyone?" "People from Fontaine really can''t be trusted!" "Aji, I''m announcing this now ¡ª you''re fired!" --------------- Exclusive access : 198ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 122: Ch 122 : Fishing Alone in the Cold River Snow Chapter 122 - Ch 122 : Fishing Alone in the Cold River SnowAfter taking the detour, Yelan and Su Yuan didn''t encounter any obstacles and smoothly arrived at Qingce Village. However, they didn''t stay long in Qingce Village. After quickly replenishing some supplies, they continued heading south toward Liyue Harbor. "Yelan, about when do you think we''ll arrive at Liyue Harbor?" Su Yuan looked at Yelan and asked. "Probably around dusk," Yelan replied. Su Yuan couldn''t help but sigh¡ªthis real-life version of Teyvat was still much larger than the one in the game... And now that the teleport waypoints couldn''t be used, traveling really took a lot more time... Then came another long stretch of travel. Around midday, Su Yuan and Yelan arrived near Bishui Plain. Across the river, perched atop stone pillars and towering into the clouds, stood the iconic landmark and highest point of Dihua Marsh¡ªLiyue''s famous Wangshu Inn. "I wonder how the Guardian Yaksha is doing these days..." Su Yuan muttered softly to himself. Xiao already bore the burden of karmic debt, and now with the added threat of the eerie, Su Yuan was genuinely worried about his condition... Though his voice was low, Yelan still caught what he said. "Su Yuan, I didn''t expect you to even know about that? In that case, why don''t we stop by Wangshu Inn first?" Yelan suggested. "There''s a bridge just a bit ahead where we can cross the river¡ªit''s a slight detour, that''s all." "Then let''s go take a look..." Su Yuan nodded. In his mind, Wangshu Inn was never just a simple inn. There was a high chance it served as a major intelligence hub for Liyue... And beside the inn was a fisherman named "Jiangxue," who always seemed to be chatting and freeloading meals from Yanxiao. Most importantly, this man named Jiangxue possessed terrifying strength... He was once a Vision holder. Even though he had since abandoned his Vision, he could still instantly take down a Ruin Hunter with his bare hands! Sure, Aether couldn''t defeat that Ruin Hunter in the game due to plot constraints, but Jiangxue''s power was still unmistakably real... A Ruin Hunter is a combat machine made of heavy iron, with extremely high physical defense, yet it was still one-shot by Jiangxue! From a certain point of view, the fact that Jiangxue could deliver such overwhelming physical attacks bare-handed made him practically a natural nemesis to the eerie! While he might not be on par with eerie-ified beings like Neuvillette or Clorinde, he should be more than enough to handle ordinary eerie transformations. Su Yuan figured that he still had no idea what the current situation in Liyue Harbor was like, and he couldn''t just rush in unprepared... If he could recruit Jiangxue into his team to fight against the eerie, he would finally have some real combat strength on his side! So now, since they were passing by Wangshu Inn, there were two main goals: First, to check on Xiao''s current condition; and second, to see if they could recruit Jiangxue. Yelan brought Su Yuan to Wangshu Inn, where they met the "boss" Verr Goldet and the "manager" Huai''an. In a private room, the group began their discussion. "Miss Yelan, is this young man a newly recruited informant for our Liyue intelligence network?" Huai''an looked toward Yelan and asked. "Did you bring him here just to get him familiar with us?" "In a way, yes," Yelan nodded, then continued to ask: "Has there been anything unusual happening in the Dihua Marsh area lately?" "No unusual activity so far," Verr Goldet replied. "After all, he resides at Wangshu Inn, and if there were any monsters or strange happenings nearby, he would always respond swiftly to take care of them..." "It''s just... there''s one strange thing¡ªwe haven''t seen any sign of him for the past two or three days..." Verr Goldet murmured thoughtfully: "Wait... it''s not that unusual¡ªhe rarely shows himself in front of others. To be more precise, it''s been two or three days since he last ate almond tofu..." Hearing that, Su Yuan''s heart skipped a beat... No way... Could something have happened to Xiao too? If Xiao had been corrupted or controlled by an Eerie, his combat ability would definitely be terrifying... He might not be as strong as an Eerie-fied Neuvillette, but he should still be more powerful than Wriothesley or Clorinde... Moreover, most of the Eerie''s power comes from negative emotions... and those karmic debts haunting Xiao¡ªremnants of fallen gods and lingering grievances¡ªmight very well amplify the strength of his Eerie transformation... "What about Jiangxue? What''s his situation right now?" Su Yuan quickly asked. Xiao''s current condition was unknown, and if something was off with Jiangxue as well, then Liyue right now would basically be set to hell difficulty... "Jiangxue? I saw him just this morning," Huai''an replied. "He''s probably out fishing on that little island east of Wangshu Inn..." Immediately, Su Yuan and Yelan rushed to the spot Huai''an had pointed out¡ªand sure enough, Jiangxue was still there, quietly fishing. Su Yuan let out a slight sigh of relief. Since his behavior seemed normal, it probably meant Jiangxue hadn''t been taken over by an Eerie... "Hello, Jiangxue..." Su Yuan stepped forward, trying to greet him. "Do you have a moment? There''s something I''d like to talk to you about..." "No," Jiangxue replied calmly, without even turning his head, his eyes still fixed on the tranquil surface of the water and his fishing rod. "I''m fishing right now. Besides, I have a feeling... a big one''s about to bite." "Wait until I reel in this fish, then we can talk..." Su Yuan wanted to say something more, but Jiangxue turned his head slightly, casting a calm glance his way, and made a quieting gesture. "Shh, keep your voice down. Don''t scare the fish away..." Su Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words¡ªJiangxue really was a dedicated fisherman... Just like in the game''s storyline¡ªeven when monsters came knocking, he''d still be there, calmly fishing like nothing was happening... Well, he did have the strength to stay that calm, after all... Just then, the float on the water''s surface twitched slightly. Su Yuan thought¡ªwas that a bite? Did the fish finally take the bait? Immediately after, Jiangxue flicked his fishing rod with practiced ease¡ªbut what he reeled in left everyone utterly stunned... What he caught wasn''t a fish at all. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though slightly damaged, that style, that appearance... There was no mistaking it¡ª It was Xiao''s Yaksha mask! Jiangxue frowned slightly at the sight. The fact that it wasn''t a fish clearly caught him off guard. "If it''s not the big catch I was expecting, then you can have it," he said, removing the mask from the hook and casually tossing it back toward Su Yuan. "You guys go on... I want to keep fishing." "Jiangxue? Don''t you recognize this mask?" Su Yuan held Xiao''s Yaksha mask and stepped closer to Jiangxue, speaking urgently: "This is the Yaksha mask of the Conqueror of Demons! You actually fished it up from the river!" "Something might have happened to him¡ªI need your help!" "Heaven is vast, the earth is wide... but fishing is the greatest of all..." Jiangxue responded calmly, slowly turning to look at Su Yuan... And to Su Yuan''s shock, he noticed that Jiangxue''s eyes¡ªat some point¡ªhad turned pitch-black and blood-red, and an eerie aura was now radiating from his body... "I''ll say this one last time¡ªkeep your voice down. Don''t scare the fish away..." "Don''t... disturb me while I''m fishing..." --------------- Exclusive access : 198ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 123: Ch 123 : Zhongli? Chapter 123 - Ch 123 : Zhongli?Su Yuan and Yelan stared at the scene in shock. Could it be that Jiangxue''s condition for becoming eerie was... someone disturbing his fishing? Fortunately, he didn''t seem overly aggressive. As long as they didn''t disturb him further, he probably wouldn''t make a move... Su Yuan took a few steps back and returned to Yelan''s side. "Jiangxue" no longer paid him any attention and once again immersed himself in the quiet joy of fishing. "This isn''t good..." Yelan murmured thoughtfully. "Has Jiangxue also entered an eerie state?" "But... it seems like he doesn''t have the urge to kill anyone..." Su Yuan looked again at the Yaksha mask in his hand. It was covered in damage and cracks, clearly bearing signs of a fierce battle... A terrifying thought suddenly crossed his mind¡ª Could it be... that Xiao was already dead? Xiao must have discovered something was wrong with Jiangxue and tried to fight him¡ªbut he wasn''t a match for Jiangxue in his eerie state... Afterward, Jiangxue dumped Xiao''s body in the river, which was why he was able to fish up Xiao''s mask just now... Should I commit suicide here to return to a previous save point? But what would be the point? According to Verr Goldet''s description, Xiao had already been missing for two or three days... There''s no way my return point could go that far back... "Su Yuan, what do we do now?" Yelan looked at him and asked. "We hurry¡ªback to Liyue Harbor!" Su Yuan clenched his teeth in frustration and spoke with firm determination. Xiao''s fate was still uncertain, but Su Yuan believed that Zhongli would definitely have a way to learn the truth about Xiao''s situation... He had to meet Zhongli as soon as possible! But at the same time, Su Yuan couldn''t help but worry. According to what Yelan had mentioned earlier, it seemed Zhongli might also be acting a little strange... If he had also fallen under the control of the eerie force, then Liyue truly would become a nightmare-level difficulty... After that, Su Yuan and Yelan returned to Wangshu Inn and warned Verr Goldet and Huai''an that Jiangxue was no longer himself, and that they absolutely must not disturb him while he was fishing¡ªno matter what. Although they didn''t fully understand the reason behind the warning, faced with Yelan''s serious tone, they nodded and agreed. Then, Su Yuan and Yelan continued their journey south, heading toward Liyue Harbor... "Yelan, how many people in all of Liyue currently know about the existence of the eerie?" Su Yuan asked, because just earlier, Yelan hadn''t revealed anything about the eerie to Fei''er Gedait and Huai''an. "Only the Liyue Qixing and a few of us core high-level personnel are aware of it..." "The Millelith soldiers, lower-level staff, and the general public all think it''s just regular disturbances caused by monsters and demons..." Su Yuan nodded and said, "I understand." "But now that I''m here, I''ll tell you in advance. I''ll be making my own decisions¡ªI''ll tell certain people about the eerie if I believe they can be trusted." "If we want to fight against the eerie, we need more strength on our side." Yelan smiled slightly, nodded, and replied, "Understandable. I trust your judgment." ............ After a long journey, by dusk, Su Yuan and Yelan finally arrived at Liyue Harbor. "Su Yuan, I still have a few matters to take care of. You go find Consultant Zhongli on your own." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Tonight, if you don''t mind, you can stay at my Yanshang Teahouse." "It''s right across the bridge from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor¡ªvery close by." "Of course, if you''d rather spend the night at the funeral parlor itself, I won''t stop you." Su Yuan muttered to himself weakly, Any normal person wouldn''t choose to stay overnight at a funeral parlor, right? With that, Yelan said her goodbyes and disappeared into a corner of Liyue Harbor. Following the directions Yelan had given him, Su Yuan headed straight toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. However, before he even arrived, he spotted a familiar figure... Zhongli¡ªhe seemed to be at a street stall, about to buy some baked flatbread... And what''s more, Su Yuan clearly saw Zhongli pulling out his wallet, ready to pay. Su Yuan watched the scene unfold, and his heart sank instantly... It''s over... No matter how you look at it, this just doesn''t seem like the real Zhongli... Never mind the fact that Zhongli never carries money when he goes out¡ªlet alone using his own wallet to pay. Zhongli was always a man of refinement. Even if he didn''t dine at top-tier places like Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk, he''d at least go to Wanmin Restaurant, right? Just look at this street vendor selling flatbreads¡ªthe pan was pitch black and covered in rust, the stove was stained with oil and crumbs. It didn''t look sanitary at all... Su Yuan felt that if this were truly Zhongli, there''s no way he''d be eating here... He thought to himself, Maybe it''s best to stay away from him for now... Because the man before him... was no longer Zhongli. For now, it''s better to just get through the night, gather some new intel, and then make a decision... After all, without any solid information about what''s happening in Liyue, it''s still far too difficult to act... Su Yuan was just about to quietly slip away, when Zhongli''s voice suddenly rang out: "Little friend, you seem unfamiliar to me..." "But why is there a faintly familiar aura about you?" Familiar aura? That must be from Xiao''s Yaksha mask... Su Yuan hadn''t expected that to be what drew Zhongli''s attention. Forget it. Looks like slipping away isn''t an option anymore. Time to face this head-on! After all, as a certain wise man once said: No matter what difficulties we face, we must not fear! Face them with a smile! The best way to overcome fear is to confront it! Besides, he still had two safe rewind chances left today¡ªit''d be a waste not to use them! So, Su Yuan stopped in his tracks and slowly walked up to Zhongli, meeting his gaze... "Mr. Zhongli, hello there..." Su Yuan said slowly. Zhongli gave a slight nod, then spoke: "If you have some time to spare, why don''t we find a place to sit and chat over some tea?" "I''ll treat," Zhongli added. "Sure," Su Yuan replied. Looking at the clearly abnormal Zhongli before him, Su Yuan was genuinely curious about what he was really up to. If he could glean even the slightest bit of information about Zhongli''s possible eerie corruption, that would be more than worth it... Then, Su Yuan followed Zhongli to a small street-side tea stall. They found a corner seat and sat down. Wait a minute... Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a bit like complaining inside. Old man Zhong, when you said you were treating me to tea, I thought at the very least it''d be a proper teahouse or something... how did we end up at a street-side tea stall? Su Yuan didn''t mean to look down on street stalls¡ªhe just felt that this was totally unlike Zhongli''s usual style. "Young friend, I''ll be blunt," Zhongli said directly. "Are you carrying a Nuo opera mask used for exorcism rituals? May I take a look?" Su Yuan nodded, handed the mask he had on him over to Zhongli, and then said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Su Yuan..." "''Su'' as in tiramisu, and ''Yuan'' as in ruins and rubble." Zhongli accepted Xiao''s mask and carefully examined it. Suddenly, he commented, "Su Yuan, that introduction of yours isn''t very balanced..." "Think about it¡ªtiramisu is something sweet, pleasant, and delicious. But ruins and rubble paint a scene of destruction, desolation, and sorrow..." "Isn''t that a little too contradictory? You might want to consider making it a bit more consistent." --------------- Exclusive access : 201ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 124: Ch 124 : Lost memories and powers? Chapter 124 - Ch 124 : Lost memories and powers?Looking at Zhongli in front of him, speaking such incomprehensible words, Su Yuan didn''t even know what to say. The way he introduced his own name hadn''t come from any deep thought¡ªit was just whatever rolled off the tongue... And besides, Su Yuan had no intention of continuing this act with Zhongli. He directly asked: "Mr. Zhongli, there''s no need to keep pretending. I know your true identity..." "You''re actually the Geo Archon, Morax!" "And right now, you''ve already been taken over by the Eerie, haven''t you?" "Me? The Geo Archon? Morax? Eerie?" Zhongli showed a puzzled expression. "Su Yuan, my young friend, I really don''t understand a single thing you''re talking about..." "I''m nothing more than an ordinary consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. While I may possess some knowledge, how could I possibly be connected to the Geo Archon, Morax?" "Everyone in Liyue knows that the Geo Archon has long since passed. In fact, I personally organized the Rite of Parting for him..." Su Yuan sneered coldly in his heart: Heh... this Eerie thing is still pretending not to know? That innocent look on his face¡ªhe''s really playing the part! Whether he''s Zhongli or something Eerie, I''ll know as soon as I test it! As he thought this, Su Yuan pulled out the small knife he carried with him and stabbed it toward Zhongli''s neck! If faced with a threat to its life, the Eerie is sure to show its true form, right? However, what happened next was completely beyond Su Yuan''s expectations... Faced with the sudden attack, Zhongli looked utterly shocked¡ªbut before he could react, the knife had already plunged deep into his throat... S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Staring at the scene before him, Su Yuan was stunned. What was going on? Why hadn''t Zhongli shown any sign of defending himself, and why had he been so easily stabbed? Because Su Yuan had been firmly convinced that Zhongli was under the control of an Eerie, he hadn''t held back at all in his attack... Zhongli looked at Su Yuan, clutching his bleeding neck, as if trying to say something¡ªbut in the end, the words never came. He collapsed in a pool of blood, lifeless. Huh? Su Yuan couldn''t make sense of it. Could it be... Zhongli hadn''t been possessed by an Eerie? No, that couldn''t be right. Even if he hadn''t been corrupted, how could the real Zhongli be killed so easily¡ªwith nothing more than a small knife? Besides... what he said earlier didn''t sound like a lie... Why did Zhongli''s behavior now seem just like that of an ordinary person... one without any of those memories? "Ahhhh!!!" Just then, the teahouse owner suddenly let out a piercing scream! "Help! Someone''s been murdered! Millelith, quick!!" The next moment, Su Yuan saw a flash of blue streak across his vision, and before he could react, his body was restrained and thrown to the ground, tied up tightly. Yelan stood over him, her brow furrowed deeply as she stared at him and demanded: "Su Yuan! What is the meaning of this?" "Was the whole reason you were so eager to see Consultant Zhongli... just to kill him?!" "I... I didn''t..." Su Yuan was clearly flustered, unsure of how to respond to Yelan. "I just wanted to test whether Zhongli had been corrupted or controlled by the Eerie..." "Then the result of your test is already clear¡ªZhongli wasn''t being controlled by the Eerie. He''s dead because of you..." "Su Yuan, you were far too reckless..." "Even though Zhongli did exhibit some unusual behavior, how could you resort to such a deadly move without conducting a thorough investigation first?" Yelan looked at Su Yuan, her voice tinged with helplessness. "You killed someone within Liyue''s borders. I must bring you to justice according to Liyue''s laws..." "Zhongli!" Just then, with a cry of alarm, Hu Tao appeared on the scene. She rushed to Zhongli''s body, cradling him in her arms, tears shimmering in her eyes... Then, Hu Tao raised her head and looked at Su Yuan, her gaze filled with emotions too complex to name. In her eyes, Su Yuan could read confusion, disbelief, anger, sorrow, regret... and so many other tangled feelings... Damn it... he really couldn''t bear seeing someone show an expression like that... In the next moment, Su Yuan activated his Delusion with full force, erupting with both Cryo and Hydro elemental energy, breaking free from Yelan''s bindings! "Su Yuan! Are you trying to resist?!" Yelan immediately grabbed Hu Tao beside her and moved her to a safe distance from Su Yuan... She watched him warily¡ªcould it be that the intel her informants gathered back in Fontaine had all been wrong? Was Su Yuan... actually not a good person at all? "Everyone, please... don''t be so tense..." Su Yuan slowly opened his mouth and said: "I have no intention of hurting anyone else. I''m merely trying to atone for my own foolish actions... trying to make things right..." As he spoke, Su Yuan reached out and pulled the dagger that was still embedded in Zhongli''s throat. He thought to himself¡ªit must be because this Delusion isn''t shoddy enough. After all, it was designed for elite Fatui operatives... Even though he had constantly felt it draining his stamina and life force, the process was still too slow... Given the current situation, stabbing himself in the heart would be a far quicker and cleaner method. With that thought, and under the shocked gaze of everyone around, Su Yuan drove the dagger in his hand straight into his own heart¡ªhard. ................ Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªit was that familiar and heart-wrenching sensation again... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew that he had died once more. He lifted his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this was your third death today...] [Although Zhongli is acting a bit unusually, there seems to be no sign that he''s been corrupted by the Eerie...] [Right now, Zhongli appears more like someone who has lost his memory and his power...] [He has become a truly ordinary person...] Su Yuan stared in shock at the message in his palm, then looked across the table at Zhongli, who was still carefully examining Xiao''s ceremonial mask. What was going on? Zhongli, while not currently under the Eerie''s control, had lost his memory and power¡ªand become just a normal person? "Little friend, where did you get this mask?" Zhongli asked. Zhongli spoke up with a hint of confusion in his voice: "This ceremonial mask... I''m certain I''ve never seen it with my own eyes, and yet, there''s an overwhelmingly familiar aura coming from it..." Su Yuan didn''t even know what to say at this point. Seriously, Old man Zhongli, did you really get dementia? Did you actually lose your memory? That''s Xiao''s mask! And you don''t recognize it? Before coming to Liyue, Su Yuan had assumed that once he found Zhongli, he could rely on him¡ªcling to his thigh, so to speak. But now, seeing Zhongli like this, Su Yuan wasn''t sure what he was supposed to do next... Losing his memory, losing his power¡ªsuch a ridiculously cliche plot, and yet it had actually happened right in front of him? Still, looking on the bright side, even though Zhongli couldn''t offer any help in his current state, at least he hadn''t fallen into corruption by the Eerie. That was a small blessing amidst the misfortune. --------------- Exclusive access : 201ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 125: Ch 125 : Xiao still alive Chapter 125 - Ch 125 : Xiao still aliveZhongli looked at the mask for a while longer, then handed Xiao''s ceremonial mask back to Su Yuan. After exchanging a few more words, Hu Tao suddenly appeared nearby... "Aiya ya~ My dearest Consultant Zhongli, do you know what time it is now? It''s already getting dark, we''ve got work to do!" Hu Tao''s mischievous, lively voice rang out as she skipped over to Zhongli''s side. "I waited and waited back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but you never showed up, so I had no choice but to come looking for you!" "I didn''t expect to find you here, sipping tea..." "You weren''t the kind of person to be so tardy back in the day!" "Su Yuan, my friend, let''s leave our chat here for today..." Zhongli looked at Su Yuan somewhat apologetically and said, "As you can see, Director Hu has come to drag me back to work." "You guys at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor... do you always do your business at night?" Su Yuan looked at Hu Tao and Zhongli with a bit of confusion. He really didn''t know much about this particular topic. "Yo yo yo~ This young man, you look like a stranger. Are you a tourist here in Liyue from another nation?" Hu Tao responded cheerfully to Su Yuan: "Here at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue, out of respect for ancient traditions and the deceased, some of our work is carried out at night." "In the evening, the family of the departed will leave behind the necessary items and offerings for guests, then close the doors tightly." "And we... do our best to carry out our work quietly and without disturbance, leaving only the funeral urn behind when we go." "Young man, I actually wanted to tell you more about the Funeral Parlor, but we''re really in a rush right now¡ªno time to spare!" As she spoke, Hu Tao grabbed Zhongli and vanished in a flash! Su Yuan watched her go. Judging by her current behavior, she probably hadn''t been corrupted by the Eerie, right? "So, what do you think? Does it seem like Mr. Zhongli has been taken over by an Eerie?" Just then, Yelan appeared beside Su Yuan. "Yelan, you said you had something to do and went ahead... Don''t tell me you''ve actually been secretly following and observing me this whole time?" Su Yuan asked. "You''ve misunderstood," Yelan replied with a faint smile. "I just finished what I needed to do, and came here afterward, that''s all." "Zhongli... While he doesn''t show any signs of being corrupted by an Eerie, there''s definitely something wrong with his memory," Su Yuan said seriously. "I noticed that too." Yelan nodded. "Even I can recognize that this is the mask of the Conqueror of Demons. Someone as knowledgeable as Mister Zhongli couldn''t possibly not know it." "After all, the design of the Conqueror of Demons'' mask isn''t exactly a secret in Liyue..." "Su Yuan, you''ve been traveling all day without a proper meal." "It''s right around dinner time now, and since you''ve just arrived in Liyue, let me treat you to a meal." "If you want to go to Liuli Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk, that''s fine too¡ªbut we''ll probably have to wait in a long line at this hour..." "No need, let''s go to Wanmin Restaurant instead." Su Yuan responded to Yelan, thinking that he happened to be hungry as well¡ªit''d be a good chance to grab a bite and also check in on how Xiangling was doing these days. When Su Yuan and Yelan arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, they saw Master Mao and Xiangling working in perfect sync¡ªeverything was running smoothly, their coordination flawless. As expected of a father-daughter team! "Eh? Sis Yelan! What a rare sight! When was the last time you even came to Wanmin Restaurant?" Xiangling lit up when she saw Yelan and greeted her enthusiastically: "Come, come! Hurry and take a seat¡ªthis way, please!" Seeing how cheerful and lively Xiangling still was, Su Yuan thought to himself that she probably hadn''t been affected or controlled by any Eerie either. "Sis Yelan, what would you like to eat this time? The extra spicy boiled black bass again?" "I still remember the first time you came to our restaurant¡ªyou thought even the spiciest dish on our menu wasn''t hot enough, and you just chomped down on a raw Jueyun Chili!" Yelan nodded. "Then I''ll have the boiled black bass, and also an order of tender chili chicken. And don''t forget¡ªextra chilies, as always." "Alrighty!" Xiangling said cheerfully, then looked over at Su Yuan. "First time at Wanmin Restaurant, huh? If you''re dining with Sister Yelan, I bet you''re no ordinary guy!" "Can you handle spicy food? If not, I''d recommend trying our Triple-Layered Consomme, Universal Peace, Come and Get It, or Squirrel Fish..." "Nice to meet you, Xiangling! I''ve heard a lot about you," Su Yuan replied with a smile. "My name''s Su Yuan." "As for the dishes, feel free to pick whatever you like¡ªI''m not picky with food..." Su Yuan glanced around the interior of Wanmin Restaurant but didn''t see any sign of Guoba. Unable to hold back his curiosity, he asked, "Xiangling, where''s Guoba? I don''t see him around." "Guoba, huh..." Xiangling frowned slightly, thinking for a moment. "Now that you mention it, it is odd¡ªhe was already gone when I got up this morning..." "But don''t worry, this isn''t the first time it''s happened." "Maybe he''s just wandered off somewhere to slack off and nap again..." Just off slacking and napping...? A sudden sense of unease crept over Su Yuan. Guoba isn''t just an ordinary pet¡ªhe''s the Stove God himself, the mighty Marchosius! Even though he''s taken on his current form due to the exhaustion of his power, who knows what kind of strength he might unleash after being affected by the Eerie phenomenon... Su Yuan immediately felt a massive headache coming on¡ªit was turning into a real problem... The situation in Liyue... was truly far from optimistic. After a simple dinner, Su Yuan followed Yelan back to the Yanshang Teahouse. "I''ve already spoken to Ningguang¡ªshe wants to meet you tomorrow." Before leaving, Yelan said to Su Yuan: "Tonight, just rest here at the Yanshang Teahouse." "This is my territory, so it should be relatively safe." Afterward, Su Yuan lay down on the bed, hoping to quickly fall asleep and move on to the next day¡ªbut no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn''t sleep... Because the current situation in Liyue was simply too difficult to grasp... Without intel, he had no way to proceed... And another question lingered in Su Yuan''s mind¡ªwhen exactly did the information in the palm of his right hand appear? Was it after midnight? Or when the sun rose the next morning? And how exactly did this information show up in the first place? Did it just appear on his hand out of thin air? Or was there something else going on? Su Yuan was genuinely curious¡ªwhere exactly did this intel come from? And who had been providing it to him? Since he couldn''t sleep anyway, he decided to just wait until midnight... to see if anything would appear in the palm of his right hand. But in the very next moment, Su Yuan suddenly heard the sound of wind blowing outside the window, and then the wall-mounted window shook twice... Right after that, a figure appeared inside the room... He had short hair that faded into shades of teal, and a divine beast tattoo on his right arm. He was a handsome young man, though not very tall... "My mask... you have it, don''t you?" he said calmly. "Xiao!" Su Yuan exclaimed with joy at the sight. Thank goodness! Xiao was still alive¡ªhe hadn''t died... However, he was covered in wounds and blood, and from the look on his face and his pallor, it was clear he was in bad shape... "It''s here! I have it with me!" Su Yuan quickly took out the Yaksha mask and handed it to Xiao. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Xiao, what happened? Why are you in this state..." Su Yuan asked with concern. "Thank you." But before Su Yuan could finish his question, Xiao had already taken the mask, uttered a brief word of thanks¡ªand then vanished from the room... --------------- Exclusive access : 204ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 126: Ch 126 : A new day, new intel, and people I can trust Chapter 126 - Ch 126 : A new day, new intel, and people I can trustAfter Xiao left, Su Yuan stood in the now-empty room, momentarily at a loss for words... When Xiao appeared just now, he had been gasping for breath, his body covered in wounds and blood¡ªit was obvious he had just been through a fierce battle... Why was he in such a hurry to leave? Su Yuan still had so many things he wanted to ask him... Still, it was a relief¡ªXiao was alive, and there didn''t seem to be any signs of Eerie corruption. That alone allowed Su Yuan''s heart to rest a little easier... Su Yuan suddenly felt a bit exhausted¡ªmaybe because the tension he''d been holding onto had finally eased a little. Forget it, staying up too late isn''t good for the body. Might as well get some sleep early... With that thought, Su Yuan drifted off into dreamland... ................. The next morning, Su Yuan didn''t wake up to the warmth of sunlight... Outside, the wind howled and rain pattered heavily. Looking through the glass window, it seemed there was a raging storm going on... "Neuvillette!!!" Su Yuan suddenly jolted awake, shouting the name instinctively. But he quickly came to his senses¡ªhe wasn''t in Fontaine anymore, he was in Liyue now... Rain in Liyue shouldn''t trigger Neuvillette''s Eerie corruption, right? After all, the condition for Neuvillette''s transformation should be centered around himself. As long as the area he is in remains sunny, he shouldn''t fall under the influence of the Eerie. Still... it''s raining? This might actually be the first time since crossing over that he''s woken up to a rainy morning, rather than a sunny one. Back in school during literature class, overcast skies and rainy weather in descriptions usually foreshadowed something ominous... Su Yuan suddenly had a thought¡ªhe wanted to try once more to see if he could disperse the rain... But the outcome was obvious¡ªhe failed. Though Su Yuan could still control a bit of Hydro elemental power, without the support of Neuvillette''s sovereign draconic blood, his strength had diminished far too much compared to before... Pulling his thoughts back on track, Su Yuan felt a stinging sensation in the center of his right palm. He quickly raised his hand and looked: [First of all, congratulations on surviving your eighth night.] [Currently available intel:] X [Skipped reread Ch 110 for rules 1-21] [22. In Liyue, there are currently only two people you can absolutely trust¡ªone is Chongyun, when his Pure Yang constitution flares up; the other is Shenhe, so long as the red ropes remains unbroken.] The very first piece of intel finally gave Su Yuan a glimmer of hope! See? Teammates and allies are starting to show up! Originally, Su Yuan had thought that the one person in Liyue he could most rely on and trust would be Old man Zhongli¡ªbut for some unknown reason, the old man had lost both his power and memory... Chongyun and Shenhe¡ªso that''s the big-nephew and little-aunt combo? As for why they could be absolutely trusted, Su Yuan already had some theories in mind. Chongyun was from a family of exorcists, and he possessed a Pure Yang constitution¡ªa rare and special physique. Ordinary evil spirits and monsters didn''t even dare approach him... However, when facing the Eerie, that constitution might not be quite enough¡ªperhaps that''s why the condition of his Pure Yang flaring up is necessary for him to be absolutely trustworthy? "Absolutely trustworthy," put another way, might simply mean that during that state, he won''t fall into Eerie corruption due to internal factors. But as for whether he could be affected by external Eerie forces¡ªthat likely still needs verification... Looking at it that way, Furina really is a bug-level character. During the daytime, no matter whether it''s internal or external influence, she remains completely immune to the Eerie... And yet, why that is... Su Yuan still didn''t have the slightest clue. As for Shenhe, her case was much easier to understand¡ª The majority of the Eerie''s power came from the negative emotions of humans... But Shenhe, from the moment of her birth, had a life fate that clashed with solitude and calamity. Her murderous nature was extremely intense¡ªan ill fate that harmed both herself and others... So in order to let Shenhe grow up safely and not harm any innocent people, the Adepti of Liyue placed a red ropes binding technique on her¡ªthe Soul-Binding Rope. This not only sealed away her baleful aura, but also suppressed many emotions that naturally belong to humans... Mundane worldly affairs rarely stirred waves in her heart, and all things in the mortal world were, in her eyes, nothing more than fleeting dust... Could this be what the rules that appeared in the palm of his right hand had referred to earlier¡ªabsolute calmness and indifference, emotions devoid of even the slightest impurity? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, Shenhe had exceptional bone structure and tremendous strength¡ªshe was a formidable physical attacker, with a fairly reliable level of combat ability... But at the same time, Su Yuan couldn''t help but have a very bad thought... If Shenhe''s red rope were ever undone, something truly terrifying might occur... Su Yuan steadied his emotions and planned to find Chongyun and Shenhe later today. Then, he continued reading: [23. In front of Hu Tao, please respect "death"... Otherwise, something bad will happen.] Hu Tao? Respect "death"? Something bad...? Su Yuan fell into deep thought as he stared at this piece of rule-based intel... After getting tricked once back when he was with Kirara, Su Yuan had become extremely cautious when reading these rule hints. This particular message might not state the direct cause of Hu Tao''s eerie transformation, but it was certainly related to it in some way... "Respecting ''death''"? If he thought about the operations of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, that probably meant showing respect for the departed... Could it be that if someone disrespected the dead¡ªdesecrated a corpse or something similar¡ªHu Tao would end up corrupted or controlled by the eerie influence? Su Yuan pondered this and continued reading: [24. The conditions for someone corrupted by Eerie may not be limited to just one...] [25. After surviving the ninth night, new intel will be unlocked.] Seeing the final rule for the day, Su Yuan could only sigh¡ªit was pretty much what he had expected... He and Neuvillette had already speculated long ago that the conditions for someone to become corrupted by the eerie forces were likely not just singular... Given the current situation, just figuring out one condition was already a blessing¡ªhow could he possibly have the time or energy to investigate what the other conditions might be? Besides, the rule only said there might be more than one¡ªit wasn''t definitive... Maybe it was just another case of wordplay, deliberately confusing his judgment. But more importantly¡ªwhy was there no intel about Yelan today? Without knowing the conditions for Yelan''s eerie transformation, Su Yuan really didn''t dare to share any information with her... Seriously, why did Yelan''s corruption have to be tied to "information" of all things? Also, there was no news about Zhongli or Xiao today either... Su Yuan was genuinely worried about their current state! With all these thoughts swirling in his mind, he concluded that his top priority now was to find Chongyun and Shenhe. They were the only people in Liyue he could currently place his trust in! With that, Su Yuan got out of bed, borrowed an umbrella, and stepped out into the rain, leaving the Yanshang Teahouse behind. Meanwhile, Yelan stood atop the roof of the Yanshang Teahouse, silently watching Su Yuan as he left. She murmured to herself: "Wasn''t Su Yuan looking at the palm of his left hand before?" "Why is it the right hand this morning?" "But... there''s still nothing on the palm of his right hand..." "Just where exactly is he getting his information from?" --------------- Exclusive access : 204ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 127: Ch 127 : The Eccentric Xingqiu, the Troubled Chongyun Chapter 127 - Ch 127 : The Eccentric Xingqiu, the Troubled ChongyunSu Yuan originally thought the rain would last for a long time, but after a while, the skies cleared and the sun came out. "Su Yuan, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?" Yelan''s voice called out from behind him. "Didn''t we agree that I''d take you to meet Ningguang today?" "Yelan, let''s put that off for now. I have a feeling Ningguang isn''t in that much of a hurry to meet me." Su Yuan turned to Yelan and said, "First, use your intelligence network to help me find where Chongyun and Shenhe are!" "There are so many celebrities, officials, and wealthy tycoons who would give anything just to meet Ningguang and can''t even get the chance..." "And look at you¡ªyou''ve got Ningguang inviting you personally, and you tell her to wait..." "You really are quite an interesting one." It wasn''t that Su Yuan didn''t want to meet Ningguang¡ªit was just that he had no idea what kind of state Ningguang was in right now... The most pressing matter at the moment was still finding people he could trust, sharing some of his information with them, and figuring out what to do next. "But Ningguang also said that confronting the Eerie is no trivial matter," Yelan added. "She wants everything to follow your lead, and for me to simply assist from the sidelines." "Whether it''s your feats in Fontaine, your heroic intervention at Yilong wharf when that fire broke out, or your concern about the Eerie threatening Liyue..." "She believes you''re someone who can be trusted." Su Yuan nodded. The fact that Ningguang trusted him was a great relief. With her support, things would be much easier for him while operating in Liyue... "You''re looking for Chongyun, right?" Yelan mused. "He''s a close friend of Xingqiu, the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. If you''re looking for him, why not head to the guild?" "At this time of day, chances are good he''ll be there." "As for Shenhe... there hasn''t been any sign of her around Liyue Harbor recently." Su Yuan nodded, then followed Yelan to the territory of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. However, before they could even enter, they saw Chongyun standing at the entrance, speaking with Axu, a servant of the guild. "Axu, what exactly is going on with Xingqiu?" Chongyun looked rather agitated. He was eating a popsicle, trying to suppress his pure-yang constitution. "Since yesterday, I clearly saw him from a distance¡ªcalled out to him, even¡ªbut not only did he ignore me, he also ran away as fast as he could..." "This kind of thing has happened several times now. It''s like he''s hiding something shameful... like he''s deliberately avoiding me!" "And now, I''ve come all the way here¡ªI know he''s inside, so why is he still refusing to see me?" "Brother Chongyun," Axu said with an apologetic smile, "I''m really sorry..." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Axu gave an awkward smile and said, "Though I''m not sure exactly what''s going on, the young master gave a strict order¡ªnot to see you under any circumstances..." "I''m just an ordinary servant, I have to follow the young master''s instructions..." "Xingqiu! What did I do wrong? What did I do to upset you so much that you''re avoiding me like this?!" Chongyun shouted toward the house: "Can''t you at least give me a reason? What is this supposed to mean?!" Watching this scene, Su Yuan fell into deep thought. What was going on? Wasn''t Xingqiu on really good terms with Chongyun? Why was he now acting so strangely and ignoring him? Could it be... that Xingqiu has already been taken over by the Eerie? "Chongyun." Su Yuan stepped forward and gently patted Chongyun on the shoulder. "You are...?" Chongyun turned around, looking at Su Yuan with a puzzled expression. Then he caught sight of Yelan''s face and exclaimed in surprise: "Oh? Miss Yelan..." "I still remember, back when I had just started out as an exorcist, I was invited to a client''s home for a cleansing, and had the honor of meeting you there..." "Nice to meet you, Chongyun. My name is Su Yuan¡ª''Su'' like in tiramisu, and ''Yuan'' like in ruins and rubble," Su Yuan said with a smile. "As for Xingqiu''s current condition... I might have a rough idea of what''s going on." Then, Su Yuan turned to Yelan and said, "Yelan, I''m going to share some detailed information with Chongyun now. Could you give us a moment?" Yelan nodded in understanding and quietly walked away. Su Yuan then led Chongyun to a secluded corner beside the Feiyun Commerce Guild. "This brother Su Yuan, you say you have some understanding of Xingqiu''s current situation¡ªare you some kind of expert in psychology or emotional analysis?" Chongyun sized up Su Yuan and suddenly blurted out something unexpected: "But don''t get the wrong idea, there''s nothing like that between me and Xingqiu. We''re really just good friends, that''s all." "I''m just really curious about what I might''ve done wrong to upset him so much that he doesn''t even want to see me..." Su Yuan gave Chongyun a somewhat speechless look. What was this guy even talking about? He had never thought about it that way at all... Although... in his own world, Xingqiu did have the "nickname" of the Feiyun Commerce Guild''s second young lady, with his feminine looks, a female voice actress, and a ton of people shipping him and Chongyun as a couple... "Chongyun, if I remember correctly, your constitution is rather unique¡ªyou''re what they call a pure yang body, right?" Su Yuan looked at Chongyun and slowly began to speak. "Think about it¡ªbecause of your constitution, all those demons, evil spirits, and monsters of every kind don''t dare go near you..." "You mean..." Chongyun immediately caught on to Su Yuan''s implication, his eyes widening, "You''re saying the reason Xingqiu refuses to see me might actually be because he''s been disturbed, possessed, or controlled by some kind of evil entity?" As soon as Su Yuan finished speaking, Chongyun reacted at once. "If that''s the case, then I must see him, no matter what!" "I''m from a family of exorcist¡ªit''s my duty to eliminate evil wherever it appears!" "More importantly, Xingqiu is my good friend. I can''t just stand by and do nothing!" "Chongyun, hold on a second," Su Yuan said calmly. "If it is an ordinary evil spirit... then that''s still the lesser problem here..." Su Yuan looked at Chongyun and said seriously: "What I''m about to tell you next... might completely overturn your understanding of the world." "Have you ever heard of something called... the Eerie?" Then, Su Yuan briefly explained the information he had about the Eerie to Chongyun. "So that''s how it is?" Chongyun''s expression grew solemn after hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, and he nodded thoughtfully. "Then the first thing we need to figure out... is what exactly is going on with Xingqiu right now." "Has he been possessed by an ordinary evil spirit... or has he been corrupted by an Eerie?" "If I can just get close enough to Xingqiu to observe him directly, I''ll be able to tell in no time whether it''s a demon or an Eerie." "But the problem is... Xingqiu absolutely refuses to see me." "Don''t tell me... we''re going to have to use force and break into the Feiyun Commerce Guild?" Su Yuan was also contemplating a troubling question: whether Xingqiu''s current condition was caused by a regular evil spirit or by an Eerie. He wasn''t entirely sure... If it was a demonic presence, then it would make sense for it to fear Chongyun''s pure-yang constitution¡ªbut if it was an Eerie, then wouldn''t that make the Eerie seem a bit too... weak? "Chongyun, right now, Xingqiu is simply refusing to see you..." Su Yuan looked at Chongyun and spoke: "So let me go into the Feiyun Commerce Guild and find out what''s really going on." "But... wouldn''t that put you in danger?" Chongyun asked, a bit hesitant. "Still, we have to confirm Xingqiu''s current state. If he has been corrupted and taken over by an Eerie, then we need to figure out what exactly caused his transformation." Su Yuan said with firm resolve. --------------- Exclusive access : 207ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 128: Ch 128 : Wipe out every last Eerie in this world! Chapter 128 - Ch 128 : Wipe out every last Eerie in this world!Su Yuan came alone to the entrance of the Feiyun Commerce Guild. "Sir, what were you and Chongyun chatting about over there just now?" Axu greeted Su Yuan with a smile, but quickly corrected himself: "Ah¡ªmy apologies, I overstepped. I shouldn''t be prying into things I shouldn''t know..." "Might I ask what business brings you to the Feiyun Commerce Guild?" "Sir?" Su Yuan frowned slightly. It was the first time someone had addressed him like that. "Heh, that''s right¡ªI''m referring to you, sir!" "I''m just a humble servant, and I''m used to speaking like this. The young master has also instructed us to treat everyone with courtesy and never judge others by appearances." "That''s always been one of the core principles of our Feiyun Commerce Guild!" Su Yuan nodded and said, "It''s nothing major¡ªI just wanted to pay a visit to your second young master, Xingqiu. I wonder if he''s available right now?" "I''ll have to go in and check..." Axu replied. "Young Master Xingqiu has been acting a bit strange these past couple of days¡ªhe''s mostly stayed alone in his study and rarely sees anyone..." "Please wait here at the entrance for a moment, sir..." With that, Axu opened the door and entered the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Su Yuan waited for a few minutes, and then Axu came back out. He gave a small bow, gesturing politely, and said, "Young Master Xingqiu will see you now." Then, under Axu''s guidance, Su Yuan followed him into the Feiyun Commerce Guild and was led to Xingqiu''s study. Xingqiu was seated at his desk, his back to the doorway, seemingly writing something with intense focus. From the back, he looked perfectly normal... Was he writing a novel right now? And because he didn''t want to be disturbed, he refused to see Chongyun? But then... why was he willing to see him? Su Yuan slowly walked forward and discovered that the characters Xingqiu was writing on the paper looked like tadpole script¡ªchaotic, irregular, and completely incomprehensible, like ghostly scribbles. It was impossible to make sense of what he was writing... Compared to the handwriting on prescriptions written by some doctors in Su Yuan''s original world, this was on a whole other level... Clearly, the problem wasn''t just that Xingqiu''s handwriting was bad¡ªit was that, apart from Xingqiu himself, could anyone actually read it? In a way, this kind of handwriting might even count as a sort of anti-forgery mark unique to Xingqiu. Could it be that Xingqiu hadn''t actually been possessed or corrupted by any evil spirit or Eerie at all? "Xingqiu, what are you writing?" Su Yuan couldn''t help but ask. "As you can see, just a novel," Xingqiu replied. "Mind sharing what genre it is?" Su Yuan continued asking. "Crime fiction..." Xingqiu replied. Huh? The moment Su Yuan heard the words "crime fiction", he immediately felt that something was off... Xingqiu, by nature, was someone who revered the idea of "chivalry." He was, after all, a swordsman¡ªa man of justice. Punishing evil and upholding good, helping others in need, were things he regularly did. No matter how you looked at it, he just didn''t seem like the kind of person who would write crime novels... "There''s a saying," Xingqiu suddenly said, "shoot the arrow first, then draw the target..." "In the same vein, I write the story first, then act it out." "That way, once the deed is done, this book can proudly proclaim: ''This novel is based on the author''s personal experience.''" Hearing such bizarre and unsettling words from Xingqiu''s mouth, Su Yuan suddenly had a very bad feeling... "Come, let me read you a rough draft of my novel," Xingqiu said casually. "You can help me take a look¡ªsee if there''s anything that needs tweaking..." "It goes something like this: in a certain place, there are two good friends..." "For now, let''s call them Xiao Qiu and Xiao Yun..." "But one day, due to some unexpected twist of fate, Xiao Qiu wants to kill Xiao Yun¡ªto keep him by his side forever..." "Xiao Qiu can''t just kill Xiao Yun outright. He wants to design a grand performance for him, a spectacle where Xiao Yun dies in the midst of everyone''s admiration..." "But Xiao Yun has no idea that Xiao Qiu wants to kill him. He still clings to Xiao Qiu shamelessly..." "Xiao Qiu doesn''t want to see Xiao Yun, because every time he does, he can''t suppress the urge¡ªthe impulse to kill him immediately..." "So, Xiao Qiu decides to string him along. He''ll wait until Xiao Yun''s emotions are on the verge of collapse... and then pretend to reconcile with him..." "And in the moment Xiao Yun feels a long-lost sense of warmth and connection¡ªhe''ll take his life..." "But I still feel... this isn''t flashy enough. Not dramatic enough. So I''m continuing to revise the story..." Su Yuan suddenly realized¡ªthe ink Xingqiu was using to write his novel was actually blood-red... And now, Xingqiu''s face began to distort, grotesque and unnatural, as foul-smelling crimson liquid oozed from every pore... Xingqiu had already been corrupted and taken over by an Eerie! The story he had just told¡ªabout "Xiao Qiu and Xiao Yun"¡ªwas clearly referring to himself and Chongyun! The reason he refused to see Chongyun wasn''t because the Eerie feared the Pure Yang constitution... it was because Xingqiu himself couldn''t suppress the overwhelming urge to kill Chongyun! The next moment, "Xingqiu" pulled a longsword from the wall¡ªits blade writhing with eerie energy¡ªand swung it straight at Su Yuan! Su Yuan dodged with all his might, but he was still a step too late¡ªa deep gash was torn across his abdomen... Though blood poured out, the wound wasn''t deep enough to slice fully through, so his intestines didn''t spill out. "Su Yuan! Xingqiu!" With Chongyun''s shout, he kicked open the door to Xingqiu''s study and appeared at the entrance. He rushed over and helped the wounded Su Yuan up. "I just couldn''t sit still... so I climbed over the wall and snuck in," Chongyun explained. "Then what exactly is going on with Xingqiu right now?" he asked, lifting his gaze toward Xingqiu¡ªwhose face was grotesquely twisted, and whose entire body was emanating an aura of eerie corruption... "Be careful! Run! Xingqiu has already been corrupted and taken over by an Eerie!" Su Yuan shouted in urgency. What the hell was Chongyun doing?! He was supposed to stay outside and wait! Su Yuan had the power to rewind time¡ªhe wasn''t afraid of dying and had planned to use his life to gather intel! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But now, with Chongyun charging in like this, wasn''t it just going to lead to another unnecessary casualty?! Although everything could be undone after a time reversal, Su Yuan truly didn''t want to see someone he knew and cared about die in front of his eyes again... "So this is the power of the Eerie..." Chongyun murmured to himself. "Die¡ª" The next moment, Su Yuan suddenly felt an icy, searing pain in his back. Looking down, he saw the tip of a massive greatsword piercing through his chest from behind... Su Yuan turned his head with great difficulty¡ªonly to see that Chongyun''s face had already contorted and twisted. His eyes were pitch black with crimson glints, and sharp fangs had sprouted from his mouth... What had just happened? What condition had been triggered? Why was Chongyun suddenly taken over by the Eerie as well? "Chongyun" violently pulled the greatsword out of Su Yuan''s body, causing him to collapse to the ground, feeling the blood and life force draining from his chest... "Chongyun... why did you have to appear in front of me?!" "Xingqiu" screamed as he seized his longsword and launched himself toward "Chongyun"! "Eerie... are demons all the same..." "I will purge this world of all demons and monsters..." "I will kill every last Eerie in this world!!!" "Chongyun" spoke those words as he picked up his greatsword and clashed fiercely with Xingqiu... Su Yuan''s consciousness gradually faded. The outcome of the battle between "Chongyun" and "Xingqiu" was something he was destined not to witness... In the final moments of his life, Su Yuan couldn''t understand... If the Eerie-infected Chongyun''s goal was to eliminate all the Eerie in the world¡ª Then why... was the first person he killed Su Yuan? Could it be... that he himself was an Eerie too? --------------- Exclusive access : 207ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 129: Ch 129 : An amnesiac adeptus? Chapter 129 - Ch 129 : An amnesiac adeptus?Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes¡ªit was that same familiar, heart-pounding sensation again. Feeling the stinging pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew that he had died once more... He raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this was your first death today...] [Xingqiu has already been corrupted and taken over by an Eerie. The specific cause and conditions remain unknown...] [However, for now, Xingqiu is preoccupied with completing his crime novel and does not pose an immediate threat...] [As long as he does not come into contact with Chongyun, there should be no major issues for now...] [However, once he finishes writing the novel, he will follow its contents and kill Chongyun...] [Additionally, the conditions under which Chongyun becomes corrupted seem... rather intriguing.] [He appears to fall into corruption upon witnessing the Eerie form of someone else...] [After corruption, Chongyun seems to exclusively target Eeries...] [Please be careful. Keep your distance from Chongyun...] Su Yuan frowned as he stared at the message in his palm. Xingqiu has already been taken over by the Eerie? ...That really is a headache. Also, could it really be that Chongyun''s condition for becoming Eerie-ified is simply seeing someone else who''s been corrupted? S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And even more, he only targets other Eeries? Su Yuan quickly began piecing together a battle strategy in his mind... In the future, whenever they encounter an Eerie, he could just send Chongyun in¡ªthen it would become a battle of Eerie vs. Eerie... After the fight ends, he''d find a way to trigger Chongyun''s Pure-Yang physique to purge the Eerie corruption. That should bring him back to normal... But... Su Yuan couldn''t figure out why the last line said he needed to be careful and keep his distance from Chongyun. Wasn''t the Eerie Chongyun supposed to only target Eeries? Could it be... that he himself was also an Eerie? But before long, Su Yuan dismissed that thought. I can clearly control my body just fine. There aren''t any crazy thoughts in my head either¡ªhow could I possibly be under the influence of the Eerie? "Chongyun, we need to change our plan..." Su Yuan looked toward Chongyun in front of him and said: "Xingqiu has already been corrupted by the Eerie, but for now, he doesn''t pose much of a threat..." Then, Su Yuan briefly relayed the intel he had just acquired to Chongyun. "I become Eerie-ified just by seeing someone else who''s been corrupted?" Chongyun showed a puzzled expression. "And after I turn, I only target Eerie creatures?" "Even if it''s not quite the way I imagined, as long as I can suppress evil and eliminate the Eerie... that''s good enough!" "To cure Xingqiu of his Eerie corruption, the most important thing is to figure out what caused it in the first place..." Su Yuan looked at Chongyun and asked: "Do you know if Xingqiu did anything yesterday before he started acting strange?" "No idea," Chongyun shook his head. "By the time I finished my training and went to find him, he was already avoiding me..." Su Yuan thought to himself, That''s not good... Without any witnesses, there''s no way to figure out what Xingqiu went through that led to his Eerie corruption... If he had to guess, could it be that someone criticized his handwriting or his novel? Or maybe it''s related to his sense of chivalry? Could it be connected to the Guhua Clan? "Chongyun, Shenhe¡ªyour aunt¡ªdo you know where she is right now?" Su Yuan continued: "We''ll need her help to fight the Eerie too!" "Auntie doesn''t like noisy places. I''d guess that right now, she''s off cultivating somewhere on a mountain in Liyue..." Chongyun said thoughtfully, "It might be a bit difficult to find her..." Su Yuan thought to himself, Maybe I should go to Mt. Aozang and look for that woman... the one who''s always so good at chatting. Since she''s Shenhe''s master, she''s bound to know where Shenhe is. And as an Adeptus of Liyue, she should also be able to offer him quite a bit of help... Just as Su Yuan was thinking this, he saw a tall woman with red-rimmed glasses walking past him and Chongyun. Well now, talk about perfect timing! Su Yuan turned to Chongyun and said: "Chongyun, did you know? The woman right in front of us is the famous Adeptus of Liyue¡ªCloud Retainer!" "She''s also your aunt''s master!" "She definitely knows where your aunt is!" Without the slightest hesitation, Su Yuan stepped forward and stopped Liuyun in her tracks. "Uh, Miss Xianyun, hello!" Su Yuan greeted her. Caught off guard by Su Yuan suddenly jumping out, Xianyun flinched, looking visibly startled... "Huff... Hello. I am Xianyun. May I ask who you are?" Xianyun looked at Su Yuan with a puzzled expression. "I''m Su Yuan¡ªSu as in tiramisu, Yuan as in crumbling ruins," Su Yuan gave a brief self-introduction, then asked: "I wanted to ask you, Lord Adeptus, do you happen to know where your precious disciple, Shenhe, is right now?" "Lord Adeptus? Is that how you''re addressing me?" Xianyun''s expression grew even more confused. She furrowed her brows slightly and looked at Su Yuan: "And Shenhe? Who''s that? I''m just an ordinary person who recently moved to Liyue Harbor from the countryside. I don''t have the time or energy to take on a disciple." Su Yuan''s heart suddenly skipped a beat. No way... Don''t tell me... you''re playing the amnesia game too? "Ahem... Lord Adeptus Cloud Retainer, there''s no need to pretend. I know who you really are." "I have something very important to discuss with you. If you don''t mind, let''s not stand around talking¡ªhow about we sit somewhere and chat?" "Adeptus Cloud Retainer? I''m just an ordinary woman. Why would I be associated with such a great, wise, clever, kind, beautiful, and warm-hearted Adeptus?" Xianyun shot Su Yuan a scornful glance. "Besides, is this your way of trying to strike up a conversation with me?" "You really don''t know how to chat, do you?" Without looking back, Xianyun walked off, leaving Su Yuan standing there, completely at a loss... "Su Yuan, are you sure you didn''t mistake her for someone else?" Chongyun, watching the whole scene, asked with a helpless tone. This doesn''t make sense... That person just now¡ªher appearance was clearly that of Xianyun! In all of Liyue Harbor, even in the whole of Teyvat, how could there possibly be a second person who looks exactly like that? Could it be that Xianyun has also lost her memory and her powers? A bad feeling suddenly rose in Su Yuan''s heart. He turned to Chongyun and said urgently: "Chongyun, where''s Yujing Terrace''s Yuehai Pavilion? Hurry¡ªtake me there!" If Su Yuan remembered correctly, Granny Ping should be running her tea stand near Yuehai Pavilion on Yujing Terrace... When Chongyun and Su Yuan arrived at the destination, they saw that Granny Ping was indeed there. "Children, are you here for some tea?" Granny Ping smiled kindly as she saw Su Yuan and Chongyun walking up to the tea stand. "Lord Adeptus Streetward Rambler?" Su Yuan asked tentatively. "Child, what did you say?" Granny Ping furrowed her brows slightly and leaned in closer, saying, "I''m getting old¡ªmy hearing''s not so good. Could you say that again?" "Granny Ping, do you still remember Haagentus... also known as Guizhong?" Su Yuan asked. Granny Ping''s expression immediately turned puzzled¡ªdeeply confused. "Haagentus? Guizhong?" "That name doesn''t ring any bells at all..." "Who is she supposed to be?" --------------- Exclusive access : 210ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 130: Ch 130 : First Meeting with Ningguang Chapter 130 - Ch 130 : First Meeting with NingguangSu Yuan looked at the scene before him, not knowing what to say. If Zhongli''s memory loss was just an accident and a rare case, then why did Adeptus Cloud Retainer and Madame Ping also appear to be suffering from amnesia? Could it be that all the Adepti of Liyue have already lost their memories and powers? Is that the true meaning behind the message on the palm of his right hand? Was Liyue the least affected by the disaster because the Adepti¡ªwho should have become extremely powerful after being corrupted¡ªhad lost their memories and powers, so their corrupted forms were only as strong as ordinary humans...? Or was Liyue actually the most severely affected, because if anything else were to happen, there would no longer be any Adepti left to protect it, no one left to help him...? But then¡ªwhat about Xiao? Although he had suffered many injuries, he didn''t seem to have lost his memory, nor had he lost his power... "Children, what''s wrong? Why are you all just standing there, not moving?" Madame Ping asked in confusion: "How about I make you a cup of hot tea to help you relax and lift your spirits?" "No, no, that''s okay, thank you, Madame Ping..." Chongyun quickly waved his hands and declined, saying: "I never drink hot tea. I only drink cold beverages..." "Child, that won''t do at all!" Madame Ping said earnestly: "You''re young now, with a strong stomach and sturdy body, so you like eating and drinking cold things..." "But when you get older, it''ll cause stomach problems and leave behind chronic issues!" As she spoke, Madame Ping poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to Chongyun. "It''s still better to eat more warm food¡ªit''s gentler on the stomach." "Su Yuan." At that moment, Yelan''s voice sounded from behind him. "What do you plan to do next?" "I know that there are still some Adepti in Liyue Harbor, but from the looks of it now, they all seem to be suffering from memory loss..." "Yelan, take me to see Ningguang," Su Yuan said helplessly. He had originally thought that the Adepti of Liyue would be the key to helping him fight against the Eerie... But now, things had taken an unexpected turn... Back when Liyue fought against the vortex god Osial, although the people of Liyue played a major role, at least they still had the help of the Adepti, and the Archon stood behind them... Now, in the face of something even more terrifying, unknown, and difficult¡ªthe Eerie¡ªthe Adepti had lost their powers and memories, and so had the Archon... This time, Liyue could only rely on its people. ............... Soon after, Su Yuan and Chongyun followed Yelan to the Jade Chamber. There, they were received by Baiwen, the secretary of the Jade Chamber. "Mr. Su Yuan, so you''ve appeared after all. It seems your movements align with the intel we''ve gathered." Baiwen smiled slightly and continued: "However, according to our information, we had estimated that you wouldn''t arrive for a few more hours..." "We''ll need to reflect on whether it was a failure on the intelligence side, or a misjudgment in analysis." Under Baiwen''s guidance, they weaved through the Jade Chamber for a while before finally arriving at the presence of the woman at the very peak of Liyue''s power¡ªthe Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, Ningguang. "Su Yuan, Chongyun, you''ve finally arrived." Ningguang gave a slight smile, rose from her seat, and gestured for Su Yuan and Chongyun to sit as guests. Su Yuan and Chongyun nodded in response, returned the courtesy, and then took their seats. Meanwhile, Yelan found a corner, leaned against the wall, and began playing with her dice. After that, Baiwen took her leave, and Baixiao brought a cup of hot tea for Su Yuan¡ªbut handed Chongyun a cup of iced tea with ice cubes floating in it... Chongyun looked at the iced tea in his hands with some surprise. The tea was rather dark in color¡ªit looked like a type of black tea... "Chongyun, black tea has the effects of refreshing the mind, relieving fatigue, and quenching thirst. Plus, a lot of ice has been added¡ªthis should be more suitable for your constitution." Ningguang looked at Chongyun and spoke slowly. Chongyun thought to himself, as expected of the Tianquan, Ningguang¡ªshe knew everything about Liyue Harbor like the back of her hand. She even knew about his special constitution and inability to drink hot beverages, and had specially prepared iced tea for him. ................ "Su Yuan, I''ve heard a bit about your deeds in Fontaine. I know you''re an experienced expert when it comes to dealing with the Eerie..." Ningguang narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at Su Yuan and spoke slowly: "I''d like to hear your thoughts on Liyue''s current situation." "Don''t worry¡ªeveryone within the Jade Chamber is trustworthy. You can speak freely, without holding back." "But... Yelan''s Eerie-fied condition..." Su Yuan looked at Ningguang and Yelan with some concern. If he revealed sensitive intel here... "No matter what, it''s something we have to face head-on." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ningguang said calmly: "If Yelan can''t be deeply involved, we''ll be losing a significant source of support." "Besides, Yelan already told me that based on your actions, she originally suspected that her Eerie-fied condition was triggered by receiving entirely new information¡ªsomething she hadn''t known before." Su Yuan nodded and said, "That''s right. I think so too." "That''s why... I''ve always been hesitant to tell Yelan any new intel." Ningguang continued, "But if that really were the case, then with how much new intel Yelan receives on a daily basis, she should''ve long since fallen under the Eerie''s control..." Su Yuan nodded again, acknowledging that Ningguang made a valid point... Besides, he had already told Yelan some intel about Aji earlier¡ªinformation that definitely qualified as brand new. Yet she hadn''t shown any signs of Eerie corruption or control. In the end, she was still brutally killed by Aji... Wait a second... Su Yuan''s head began to ache again. These scenes¡ªwhere were they coming from? "Actually, back when you and Chongyun were deliberately avoiding me during your conversation, I was observing you from a distance the whole time..." Yelan looked at Su Yuan and spoke: "Your movements, your words¡ªI caught all of it clearly." "But even now, I still show no signs of Eerie transformation." "So, my condition for becoming Eerie-infected probably isn''t just hearing some unknown, completely new intel..." Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. So everything he''d done had been within Yelan''s grasp all along? Since Yelan''s condition for Eerie-fied wasn''t triggered by learning false intel, nor by receiving completely new intel¡ªthen what exactly was it? Su Yuan thought it over again, but still couldn''t figure it out... However, the most pressing matter right now was to share information and brief everyone on the dire situation Liyue was currently facing... --------------- Exclusive access : 210ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 131: Ch 131 : The final winner… will be me Chapter 131 - Ch 131 : The final winner... will be me"The Adepti... have all lost their memories and powers?" As she listened to Su Yuan''s account, Ningguang furrowed her brow slightly, her expression thoughtful. "I can''t guarantee that all the Adepti are like this," Su Yuan replied, "but even the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao¡ªhis situation doesn''t look too promising either. While he doesn''t seem to have lost his memory or powers, it looks like he''s locked in some kind of bitter battle..." "But of the two Adeptus we''ve encountered so far¡ªAdeptus Cloud Retainer and Adeptus Streetward Rambler¡ªboth have lost their memories and powers." Su Yuan paused, then added: "And that guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor¡ªZhongli, who is in fact the Geo Archon Morax¡ªhe''s the same..." "Zhongli?" A look of confusion appeared on Ningguang''s face. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she nodded in understanding. "While I always knew he wasn''t just an ordinary man... I never expected that he was the Archon himself." "That really is... quite the surprise." "Zhongli possesses knowledge of many things unknown and misunderstood by others. I had even considered uncovering his weaknesses, turning him into one of my chess pieces¡ªto use him for my own ends..." "That''s right..." Yelan nodded in agreement. "In my intelligence network, I originally thought he was just some powerful Adeptus. I never imagined he was the Archon himself..." As Yelan spoke, she suddenly walked over to Ningguang''s side, locking eyes with her, as if she had something to say. "Yelan, what are you doing?" Ningguang looked at her, puzzled. "Why are you standing between Su Yuan and me?" "Lady Ningguang, there''s something I''d like to whisper to you in private..." Yelan looked at Ningguang and spoke slowly. "A whisper? Everyone present here can be trusted. Why the need for secrecy?" "Also... what did you just call me? Lady... Ningguang?" Noticing Yelan''s clearly unusual behavior, Su Yuan immediately shouted toward Ningguang: "Ningguang! Watch out! Yelan might be falling into Eerie corruption!" The next moment, "Yelan" raised her bow and shot an arrow straight at Ningguang''s head¡ªbut Ningguang seemed prepared and dodged the attack with a swift turn! "Yelan... your movements were far too obvious..." Ningguang used the momentum to put some distance between them and spoke calmly: "I know you too well..." "From the moment you walked toward me, I already knew¡ªyou had been corrupted and taken over by the Eerie." "Hehehehahaha..." A twisted laugh escaped from "Yelan''s" mouth. Her face began to distort, and a strange, unsettling aura started to radiate from her entire body... "Ningguang... to think you figured it out this quickly..." "So tell me... can I take your place as the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing?" "Why is it that you get to live such a glamorous and prestigious life, while I am forced to toil away in the shadows, doing unknown, thankless intelligence work in the dark?" "If it hadn''t been for my help and support back then, do you really think you''d be sitting in the Tianquan seat as Ningguang today?" "Now, I''m just taking back everything that should''ve been mine!" At that moment, a burst of eerie energy suddenly erupted from Chongyun, who was sitting beside Su Yuan! "The Eerie... I can smell it... I can see it..." "Chongyun" glared viciously at Yelan and shouted: "I must purge every last Eerie from this world¡ªrestore a clear and righteous sky to this land!!" With that, "Chongyun" brandished his greatsword and charged at Yelan, engaging her in fierce combat! Meanwhile, Ningguang seized the opportunity and moved quickly to Su Yuan''s side... "Su Yuan, just as you said¡ªChongyun''s condition for Eerie corruption is witnessing someone else being taken over by the Eerie..." Ningguang watched the scene unfold, her expression thoughtful: "And indeed... he''s only targeting the Eerie specifically..." At that moment, Su Yuan couldn''t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief... Earlier, the message from the palm of his left hand had warned him to be cautious of a corrupted Chongyun¡ªbecause he would target anything Eerie... So Su Yuan had been worrying¡ªCould I actually be Eerie myself? But the current situation eased that concern. "Chongyun" completely ignored him and went straight into a fierce battle with Yelan... That, at the very least, was indirect proof¡ªhe probably wasn''t Eerie, right? "Su Yuan, according to your previous explanation, the strength of someone after being corrupted by the Eerie depends on both their original power and the intensity of their negative emotions..." Ningguang observed the battle between "Yelan" and "Chongyun," then asked calmly: S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Between Yelan and Chongyun, who do you think will win?" Su Yuan looked at Ningguang¡ªwho remained utterly composed¡ªand for a moment, didn''t even know how to respond... No matter who wins or loses, it means one of them has to die¡ªso why can Ningguang remain so calm and composed? Could it be that, in her eyes, everyone is nothing more than a chess piece? Not living, breathing people? "Yelan, probably... Whether it''s life experience or combat skills, Chongyun doesn''t stand a chance against her." Su Yuan gave a simple reply, then began pondering the condition that triggered Yelan''s corruption... Things had already reached this point¡ªchoosing not to revert time was no longer an option. But before he did, he had to gather more intel... Just moments ago, when sharing information, Yelan had acted completely normal... But the moment Zhongli was mentioned as being the Geo Archon himself, her behavior started to shift... Su Yuan recalled Yelan''s exact words: In her intelligence network, she originally believed Zhongli to be an adeptus¡ªbut hadn''t expected him to be the Archon himself... Originally believed... hadn''t expected... Could it be...? Suddenly, a new thought struck Su Yuan¡ªwhat if Yelan''s corruption condition wasn''t just receiving new intel, but rather when the new intel conflicted with what she previously believed to be true? It seemed entirely possible! "Ningguang, I just had a new idea," Su Yuan quickly said to the woman beside him. "Yelan''s corruption condition might be when the new information she receives contradicts her previous intel!" "Oh?" Ningguang showed an intrigued expression and said, "Su Yuan, it seems we''re thinking along the same lines." Su Yuan nodded. It seemed his theory wasn''t wrong¡ªsomeone as sharp as Ningguang had reached the same conclusion as him. "But Su Yuan," Ningguang suddenly spoke, "about the question I asked you earlier¡ªyou gave the wrong answer." Was she referring to the question from before? The one about whether Yelan or Chongyun would win? If Ningguang was saying he answered incorrectly, did that mean she believed Chongyun would win? But when Su Yuan looked up at the ongoing battle, Chongyun was already being completely overwhelmed by Yelan, steadily losing ground¡ªit was clear he wouldn''t last much longer... Anyone with eyes could tell: Chongyun''s defeat was inevitable. "Because... the final victor..." Ningguang spoke slowly: "...will be me." In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of eerie power erupted from Ningguang''s body! In her hands were two gems swirling with bizarre energy¡ªshe abruptly launched them at Yelan and Chongyun with incredible speed! The sudden strike caught both of them completely off guard¡ªbefore they could even react, the eerie-infused gems pierced through their skulls! In an instant, blood and brain matter splattered as both collapsed to the ground, lifeless and still. Then, "Ningguang" slowly turned her head, her deeply sunken, pitch-black and blood-red eyes locking onto Su Yuan as she revealed a faint smile... "Even if an antique is priceless, the joy it brings only lasts for the moment it''s first acquired..." "But you, Su Yuan, you''re quite interesting..." "You''re worthy of becoming part of my collection..." "And I think... you''ll bring me joy for quite a while..." --------------- Exclusive access : 213ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 132: Ch 132 : Keqing, bedridden and unable to get up Chapter 132 - Ch 132 : Keqing, bedridden and unable to get upSu Yuan couldn''t figure it out¡ªwhat exactly had triggered just now that caused Ningguang to be corrupted by the eerie? Or... had she been under the eerie''s control from the very beginning, merely pretending all along? It made sense. Ningguang was someone with a deep, calculating mind. If she wanted to hide something, it would be difficult for anyone to detect. A terrifying thought suddenly crossed Su Yuan''s mind¡ªcould it be that the majority of people in Liyue had already been taken over by the eerie? They were just pretending... hiding it all this time... "Ningguang" leaned in close and gently stroked Su Yuan''s cheek. "Su Yuan, did you know?" "After obtaining wealth and fame, I developed a fondness for collecting all kinds of antiques and curios..." "But just as I said before¡ªno matter how priceless they are, the joy they bring only lasts for that brief moment of first possession." "Because they''re lifeless objects. Even if they carry countless stories, they have no way to speak." "But you''re different, Su Yuan..." "You may look young, but I can feel it¡ªthere''s a long, ancient presence inside you..." "You''re a living antique. So please, do tell me... all about your story." Su Yuan couldn''t make sense of it¡ªwhat nonsense was "Ningguang" even talking about? He was only twenty, alright? How was he suddenly some ancient relic? If anyone fit the definition of a living antique, it''d be someone like Zhongli¡ªhe''d lived for several thousand years! Whatever. No use overthinking it. He''d already gathered enough valuable information from this round... The true condition for Yelan''s eerie transformation... and that Ningguang had also succumbed to the eerie... "What''s wrong, Su Yuan? Don''t want to speak?" "Ningguang" looked at the silent Su Yuan with a sorrowful expression. "Ningguang... let''s settle this properly¡ªone good fight!" As Su Yuan spoke, bursts of Cryo and Hydro elemental energy exploded from his body and surged toward "Ningguang"! But in the very next moment, before he could even react, he felt something pierce straight through his skull... "I don''t need a disobedient collectible like you..." "Ningguang" toyed with the gem laced with eerie energy in her hand, her voice cold as ice. "If I put you together with the rest of my collection, and you ended up destroying them all¡ªwhat then?" In the final moments of his life, Su Yuan thought to himself: The gap between him and this eerie power... was still far too vast. He was still... far too weak... ............. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide ¡ª that same familiar and heart-wrenching feeling struck him again... Feeling the sharp pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew: He had died once more. He raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this is your second death today...] [Avoid heading to the Jade Chamber for now...] S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [It seems Ningguang has also been corrupted by the Eerie...] [Additionally, Ningguang appears to have a particular obsession with "antiques and curios" ¡ª this might be related to her conditions for Eerie transformation...] [Also, Yelan''s condition for corruption...] [Might involve a conflict between her old intel and newly acquired information...] Staring at the intel written in his palm, Su Yuan didn''t know what to say anymore... Seriously? Even Ningguang has been taken over by the Eerie? This Liyue instance''s difficulty... is absolutely off the charts! "Yelan, hold on a second..." Su Yuan called out to Yelan, who was leading the way ahead: "Before you listen to anything I say, I want you to completely discard all the intel in your mind. Start from zero ¡ª don''t trust any of it." "Alright." Though Yelan didn''t understand why Su Yuan was making such a request, she still nodded. "Okay, Su Yuan. I''ve done what you asked." Then, Su Yuan began explaining the newly acquired intel to both Yelan and Chongyun. "So Ningguang has been taken over by the Eerie too?" "Didn''t notice a thing..." Yelan furrowed her brows slightly as she listened to Su Yuan''s explanation. "Then again, if someone like her let you see through her thoughts, that would be the strange part..." "As for antiques and curios ¡ª I think a few days ago, while cleaning the Jade Chamber, someone accidentally broke a precious artifact..." "Could it be that Ningguang was already corrupted by the Eerie starting from that moment?" "Now the Jade Chamber is off-limits, and the Adepti have lost both their memories and their powers. What should we do next?" Chongyun looked toward the distant mountains and spoke: "Do we really have to search mountain by mountain, just to find where Aunt Shenhe is?" "Though chances are, she''s most likely somewhere around Mount Aozang..." "But Mount Aozang is already near the Chenyu Vale region¡ªit''s quite a long distance from here..." Su Yuan was a little speechless as well. If he had known they''d need to find Shenhe, he should''ve gone straight to Mount Aozang when they were coming from Chenyu Vale... Now that they had finally made it to Liyue Harbor, did they really have to head back again? And even though the chances were high, what if they didn''t find her? Wouldn''t that just waste a lot of precious time? "Yelan, where are Ganyu and Keqing right now?" Su Yuan turned to Yelan and asked. Right now, he had to find as many people as possible who hadn''t been corrupted by the Eerie influence¡ªto make them his allies. "Trying to seek help from more people?" Yelan murmured thoughtfully at his question. "As for Ganyu, she''s always working at the Yuehai Pavilion¡ªyou can find her there anytime." "As for Keqing..." Yelan frowned slightly. "She seems to have caught a cold and has been resting at home these past few days..." "I haven''t seen her around the Yuehai Pavilion or anywhere in Liyue Harbor lately." Hearing that, Su Yuan immediately felt something was off... Everyone knew Keqing''s personality¡ªshe was meticulous and decisive, always swift in action. She wasn''t the type to slack off¡ªin a way, she was something of a workaholic... She had even proposed in Liyue, "working an extra hour every day," a suggestion that, unsurprisingly, met with a lot of resistance... Someone like Keqing¡ªhow could she possibly stay home for several days just because of a minor cold? With her personality, she''d most likely rest for a short while, then push through the illness and get back to work. "Su Yuan, are you suspecting... that Keqing might''ve been corrupted by the Eerie as well?" Chongyun looked at Su Yuan and asked. "No... I think there''s something wrong with Bubu Pharmacy..." Yelan spoke up after a moment of thought. "After catching the cold, Keqing went to Bubu Pharmacy and had Doctor Baizhu prescribe her a few remedies..." "Given how skilled Doctor Baizhu is, a minor cold should''ve been easily cured. There''s no way she should be bedridden for several days without recovering..." Yelan''s words sent a chill down Su Yuan''s spine... as a terrifying thought crept into his mind. After all, Baizhu originally had a method of treating patients that involved his white snake, Changsheng, using a secret technique known as the "Serpent-Dragon Vitality Transfer." This method could channel Baizhu''s own vitality into the patient, and also draw out toxins or illnesses from the patient into himself... But if Baizhu has already been corrupted by the Eerie, then it''s entirely possible he''s been doing the opposite¡ªtransferring the patient''s vitality into himself, and shifting his own diseases and afflictions into the patient... Or perhaps it''s not Baizhu, but Changsheng who''s been corrupted? Or even worse... what if both of them have already been corrupted by the Eerie? Could a simple cold really leave Keqing bedridden for several days, completely out of sight? Could it be that Keqing is now overwhelmed by illness, her vitality completely drained? Just what kind of condition... is Keqing in now? --------------- Exclusive access : 213ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 133: Ch 133 : Quack doctor Baizhu? Chapter 133 - Ch 133 : Quack doctor Baizhu?When Su Yuan and Chongyun followed Yelan to Keqing''s residence, they found the main door tightly shut. No matter how much they called out, there was no response from inside... The situation was urgent, so Yelan delivered a flying kick and smashed the door open! The group rushed inside, only to see Keqing lying weakly on the bed, barely clinging to life... Keqing wore a pained expression, her body drenched in sweat and her clothes soaked through, trembling from time to time with occasional convulsions... Although Keqing''s condition looked terrible, Su Yuan felt slightly relieved¡ªat the very least, she was still alive... "Keqing!" Yelan hurried over, placing her hand on Keqing''s forehead and feeling an intense heat... Yelan kept calling Keqing''s name, but her eyes remained tightly shut and her expression vacant, showing no reaction to any sounds or movements from the outside world... Then, Yelan gently propped Keqing up and quickly pulled out a small ceramic medicine bottle from her pocket, pouring out a pill and placing it into Keqing''s mouth... "Yelan, what did you just give Keqing?" Su Yuan asked. "Just an immortal-blessed medicine passed down from my ancestors..." Yelan replied: "I originally kept this pill for emergencies..." "But given how dire Keqing''s condition is now, all we can do is hope it works..." Although Su Yuan really wanted to joke¡ªa pill passed down through generations? That thing must be pretty old by now... isn''t there a chance it''s expired or gone bad? But he knew this wasn''t the time to think about such things... After Keqing took Yelan''s pill, her condition clearly began to improve. She stopped sweating, her expression relaxed a little, and her body no longer trembled or convulsed... "This is my oversight... I was too caught up dealing with the matters at Yilong Wharf and didn''t properly consider all the possibilities..." Yelan said with a hint of guilt. "Yelan, this isn''t your fault..." Su Yuan looked at Yelan and Chongyun, then said: "Right now, I''m planning to head to Bubu Pharmacy and see what''s really going on with Baizhu!" .............. Inside Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu was speaking to Changsheng... "Changsheng, I''ve been feeling a bit strange these past couple of days..." Baizhu adjusted his glasses and said with a puzzled tone: "Why is it that the patients I told to come back for follow-ups the next day¡ªnone of them showed up?" "Also, have you really been following the terms of our contract, transferring my vitality to the patients and drawing their toxins and illnesses into me?" "Why does it feel like my body has actually been getting better these past two days?" "Don''t worry, Baizhu. I can assure you¡ªI''ve been following the contract to the letter." Changsheng gave a faint smile as she replied to Baizhu. "As for the patients not coming back, isn''t the reason obvious? They''re completely cured, that''s all!" "And your body improving... maybe the immortality elixir we were researching earlier is finally starting to show some results." "I hope that''s the case..." Baizhu said slowly. These past few days, Baizhu had a vague feeling that something was off with Changsheng¡ªbut he just couldn''t put his finger on exactly what it was... "Quack doctor! Heartless physician!" Just then, angry shouting suddenly rang out from outside Bubu Pharmacy. Gui came rushing in from the entrance, calling out anxiously to Baizhu: "Doctor Baizhu, something''s wrong¡ªsomeone''s causing a scene outside!" "Gui, don''t panic. Come with me and let''s take a look." Baizhu replied calmly. He then walked to the entrance of Bubu Pharmacy and found several people holding portraits of the deceased and a protest banner, blocking the doorway and preventing others from entering for treatment. The banner read: [Heartless Bubu Pharmacy! Quack Baizhu! Give us back our loved ones!] As soon as those people saw Baizhu appear, their emotions flared up, and they began hurling insults: "Quack Baizhu! Bastard Baizhu! Give us back our loved ones!" "It was just a normal cold and fever! He came to Bubu Pharmacy yesterday and got a prescription from you, you useless quack!" "And this morning¡ªwe found him dead in his bed!" Hearing what the people were saying, and then looking at the portrait of the deceased, Baizhu frowned slightly... He remembered this person¡ªit was just an ordinary case of fever and a cold. Even without treatment, it would''ve cleared up in a few days on its own... So yesterday, he had only prescribed a few mild herbal remedies as a symbolic treatment... The man''s health wasn''t particularly bad either¡ªhow could he have suddenly died? "Flowers wither and bloom, lives rise and fall¡ªsuch is fate, inescapable..." Changsheng, coiled around Baizhu''s neck, spoke with a sigh. "Baizhu, this isn''t your fault. It was simply his destiny. Some people are just fated to die..." As he listened to Changsheng''s words, Baizhu''s brows furrowed even deeper... Was this really something Changsheng would say...? A snake? "I''m deeply sorry to hear about your loved one''s passing..." Baizhu slowly stepped forward and spoke to the grieving people: "But... could you please take me to see your loved one? I want to confirm the actual cause of death." "In your dreams!!!" The people grew even more agitated at Baizhu''s words. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You already killed my family member, and now you won''t even leave his body in peace?!" "We''ve already reported this to the Ministry of Civil Affairs!" "Baizhu! Just wait¡ªyour Bubu Pharmacy is going to be shut down, and you''ll be locked up in prison!" "But Dr. Baizhu has done so much for Liyue over the years. He''s cured countless serious and rare illnesses¡ªeveryone''s seen it with their own eyes..." Just then, a few of the onlookers, unable to stay silent any longer, stepped forward to speak up in Baizhu''s defense. "Yes, yes, could this all be a misunderstanding?" "Dr. Baizhu is a healer who saves lives¡ªwhy would he ever harm anyone?" Now that someone had spoken up, more and more people began to step forward and speak in Baizhu''s defense. However, it wasn''t long before another heartbreaking wail echoed through the air: "Baizhu! You heartless murderer! Give me back my child!" "Doudou adored you, looked up to you¡ªwhy would you poison her?!" The crowd recognized the woman. Her name was Chen Xiang, and she had a daughter named Hongdou, nicknamed Doudou. Because of her health issues, Doudou often came to Bubu Pharmacy to get medicine from Baizhu. But the medicine there was always too bitter¡ªDoudou had a hard time taking it... Doudou even used to say that just seeing the gentle "Big Brother Baizhu" would make her feel better¡ªno need to take medicine at all... Chen Xiang once joked with her, "If you don''t like Baizhu''s medicine, what if he gets upset with you?" And Doudou replied, "Then... then maybe I''ll just get the medicine but not take it?" Those past moments all replayed in Baizhu''s mind, leaving him dazed and unsettled. That adorable little girl¡ªDoudou¡ªwas she really gone? Though Doudou had a naturally weak constitution due to congenital issues, with the help of Baizhu''s treatments and Changsheng''s secret technique, "Serpent''s Grace, Dragon''s Guidance", there was no way she should''ve died so suddenly... "Miss Chen Xiang... would you... let me see Doudou?" Baizhu looked at Chen Xiang''s face¡ªoverwhelmed with sorrow, anger, grief, and countless other emotions¡ªand couldn''t help but speak, unable to bear it any longer. --------------- Exclusive access : 216ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 134: Ch 134 : Baizhu and Changsheng Chapter 134 - Ch 134 : Baizhu and ChangshengWhen Yelan summoned the Millelith to temporarily settle Keqing, the group quickly rushed toward Bubu Pharmacy. However, by the time they arrived, they found a crowd gathered both inside and outside the pharmacy, all fervently discussing something... Moreover, Baizhu appeared to have gone out, leaving only the pharmacist Gui inside. Su Yuan and the others briefly spoke with Gui to understand the situation and finally learned what had just happened... Then, Su Yuan and Chongyun followed Yelan and hurried to Chen Xiang''s home. "As expected, Baizhu has already been corrupted by the Eerie," Yelan said with a frown. The situation in Liyue was far worse than she had imagined... "No, I actually think Baizhu is fine. The one corrupted by the Eerie is the white snake on him¡ªChangsheng," Su Yuan concluded after hearing Gui''s account. Baizhu had been acting completely normal¡ªif anything, it was Changsheng who had been exhibiting unusual behavior... Moreover, the secret art that transferred vitality and illness, the "Serpent-Earring Dragon-Towing Technique," was actually performed by Changsheng herself... "Tch... These Eerie things really do seep in everywhere, don''t they?" Yelan said, her voice grim. "Su Yuan, when you told me before that monsters¡ªor even other creatures¡ªcould be corrupted and controlled by the Eerie, it seems you were absolutely right..." What Su Yuan was worried about now was: if Changsheng really had been corrupted by the Eerie, how were they supposed to fight her? She had an almost bug-level ability to transfer vitality¡ªhow could anyone go against that? And more importantly... did Baizhu even realize that something was wrong with Changsheng? As he ran, Su Yuan thought through the situation in Liyue. So far, every adeptus they had encountered¡ªincluding Zhongli¡ªseemed to have completely lost both their memories and their powers... And then there was Xiao¡ªalthough he still seemed to retain his memories and power, no one knew who he was fighting or what situation he was caught up in... And Guoba¡ªXiangling''s companion, who was actually the stove god, Marchosius¡ªhe had also gone missing. No one knew where he''d gone, and that was another unstable variable... As for those who had already been confirmed to be corrupted by the Eerie: there was Jiang Xue from Wangshu Inn, Xingqiu of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, Ningguang in the Jade Chamber, and now possibly even Changsheng, the white snake on Baizhu... Today had only just begun, and Su Yuan had already used two of his limited rewind chances... With only a few of these reliable time-rewind chances left, could he really handle all the crises unfolding in Liyue? ......... Baizhu arrived at Chen Xiang''s home. As he looked at Hongdou¡ªlifeless, pale-faced, and lying motionless on the bed¡ªhis heart was filled with a mix of emotions, but he had also begun to piece together an answer... "Doctor Baizhu..." Though Chen Xiang had calmed down slightly by now, her tears still flowed uncontrollably as she looked at her daughter''s body. "Even though my reason tells me that you would never do something like this..." "But the facts are right in front of me, and I can''t help but believe it..." "Dou Dou was perfectly fine during the day yesterday. But, following your instructions, she drank the medicine you prescribed before bed..." "This morning, I noticed something was wrong¡ªher consciousness was fuzzy, her whole body trembling..." "And then... I watched my own child die in my arms..." "Miss Chen Xiang... may I excuse myself for a moment?" Baizhu looked at Chen Xiang and spoke slowly. "I will take responsibility for this... and give both you and Dou Dou an explanation." Chen Xiang nodded. Then Baizhu, taking Changsheng with him, left the room. Once outside, Baizhu looked at Changsheng with a serious expression and asked: "Dou Dou didn''t die from her congenital illness..." "She died because her life force was taken away¡ªdrained¡ªand many illnesses were injected into her." "In the final moments of her life, she must have been in terrible pain..." "Changsheng... what exactly is going on?" "Why... would you do such a thing?" Facing Baizhu''s questioning, Changsheng''s expression showed a hint of regret... "I didn''t expect you to notice so quickly..." "I only drained most of her life force, then transferred a bit of the illnesses from your body into hers..." "Children''s bodies are just too fragile. Who would''ve thought she wouldn''t be able to withstand even that..." "Changsheng!" Baizhu''s expression was filled with fury. He couldn''t believe that the Changsheng he had always trusted would say such things¡ªwould do something so cruel... "No! You''re not Changsheng at all!" "Oh Baizhu, what nonsense are you talking about..." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Changsheng" spoke as she coiled tighter around Baizhu''s neck, lifting her head to meet his gaze. Her serpent eyes had turned pitch black and blood red, with a foul-smelling red liquid constantly seeping from them... "''Changsheng'' flicked out her tongue and licked Baizhu''s cheek, speaking softly: "If I''m not Changsheng... then who else could be?" "I''m doing all this for your own good, Baizhu..." "You want to develop a true elixir of immortality, to achieve eternal life¡ªyet that is completely impossible. It simply can''t be done..." "Only through my method¡ªconstantly seizing the life force of others and transferring your illnesses away¡ªcan it be done." "Only with my help, Baizhu, can you truly achieve immortality..." "You''re not Changsheng at all..." Baizhu let out a quiet sigh, then, without hesitation, grabbed "Changsheng" with his hand and forcefully yanked her from his body. Facing her directly, Baizhu spoke: "The real Changsheng knows that developing an elixir of immortality and seeking eternal life is not my ultimate goal..." "My true goal is to eliminate the world''s suffering and ensure no one else dies young because of this curse..." "Changsheng... I hereby unilaterally revoke our contract." "I cannot let you keep using this power to harm others anymore...''" Hearing that Baizhu intended to sever their contract, "Changsheng" suddenly looked flustered. She couldn''t help but cry out: "Baizhu! What do you mean by that?!" "Have you forgotten? Without the contract with you, I''ll die very quickly!" "And without my help regulating your body, with your current condition¡ªhow long do you think you can survive?!" "I won''t allow you to abandon me... to leave me!!!" As she shouted, a surge of eerie energy erupted from "Changsheng", breaking free from Baizhu''s grasp. She then swiftly slithered back onto Baizhu, coiling tightly around his neck! Baizhu instantly felt his neck constrict¡ªwhile it wasn''t enough to suffocate him to death, it was still unbearably painful... And just then, this exact scene was witnessed by Su Yuan and his companions, who had just arrived. "Baizhu!" Su Yuan cried out in shock¡ªbut right beside him, an eerie aura suddenly burst forth from Chongyun as well! "Chongyun" lifted his head, looking toward "Changsheng" coiled around Baizhu, and slowly spoke: "Ahahaha... I can smell it¡ªI can see it..." "Eerie... prepare to die!" --------------- Exclusive access : 216ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 135: Ch 135 : Subordinates aren’t allowed to defy their superior Chapter 135 - Ch 135 : Subordinates aren''t allowed to defy their superiorSu Yuan frowned deeply at the scene before him¡ªjust as he had feared, the thing he was most worried about had happened... Changsheng had already been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie. Speaking of which, Changsheng''s true identity was anything but simple... She was Baizhu''s ancestral master, a small white snake capable of speech whom he rescued while searching for the "Herb Lord" in Chenyu Vale. She also possessed a unique life-saving secret art... Before he transmigrated, Chenyu Vale had already been released in the game. Scholars had analyzed it extensively, and all signs pointed to one conclusion¡ªChangsheng''s true identity was, in fact, the "Herb Lord" herself... She once defied the God of Dreams and was cut into three parts as a result... But her condition was still slightly better than Guoba''s. She had lost her former memories and most of her power, but she still retained her consciousness and could speak... In the World Quest from Chenyu Vale, Fujin had also said that she wanted to visit Liyue Harbor, to see those lovely people¡ªand to meet the Herb Lord... "She lost her ten fingers for picking tea, and along with them, the memories of a past life." It was now almost certain¡ªChangsheng was the Herb Lord. And now that she had been corrupted by the Eerie, she would be no easy foe to deal with... Seeing the clearly hostile "Chongyun" approaching, "Changsheng" showed no signs of panic. She turned to Baizhu and spoke slowly: "I had originally planned to keep pretending a while longer, but now that the enemies have come knocking..." "Baizhu, let me slaughter everyone in Liyue Harbor and transfer all of their life force into you¡ªso you can truly achieve immortality!" In the next moment, "Changsheng" turned her head, her pitch-black and crimson eyes locking onto the charging Chongyun. Suddenly, Chongyun''s movements slowed drastically... "What''s wrong? Those aging, worn joints making it hard to move?" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Despicable tactics..." "Chongyun" muttered through gritted teeth, clearly frustrated¡ªbut his speed had indeed dropped... Then, all of a sudden, "Chongyun" clutched his stomach and dropped to one knee, pain twisting his expression. "How does it feel to have accidentally ingested a herbicide? Stomach cramping? Dizzy? Seeing stars?" "Changsheng" glared viciously at "Chongyun" as she spoke: "I want you to fully taste the pain Baizhu once went through!" "And then, hand over all your life force¡ªevery last drop!" Right after, Chongyun''s skin began to visibly wither and age at a rapid pace... Su Yuan stared at the scene in despair. So this is how powerful a corrupted Changsheng really is... And even more terrifying¡ªshe was still in an incomplete state, yet already this strong... If the Eerie managed to corrupt any of the ancient adepti while they were at full power... just how devastating would that be? A chilling thought crossed Su Yuan''s mind¡ªwhat if Zhongli, Cloud Retainer, and Madame Ping weren''t victims of some unforeseen accident...? What if they had willingly sealed away their powers and memories to prevent their Eerie-corrupted selves from becoming a threat to Liyue? As Baizhu felt the overwhelming surge of life force being drawn into his body, he couldn''t hold back and shouted: "Changsheng! What are you doing again?!" "Just as you see, and just as you feel, Baizhu..." Changsheng spoke slowly: "I merely extracted all the life force from his body, bit by bit... and injected it into yours." "So much rich, potent life force¡ªyet it only extended your lifespan by a few years..." "And the further we go, the less effective it becomes..." "That''s why we must extract even more life force from others, in order for you to achieve true eternity¡ªtrue immortality." Su Yuan watched everything unfold with a sense of helplessness. He couldn''t think of any way Liyue could possibly break free from this situation... Chongyun''s Eerie rule was indeed useful, but his actual combat ability... was honestly a bit lacking. "Pardon the interruption... We heard about what happened from the neighbors. Please accept our condolences." Just then, a voice came from outside. Moments later, Hu Tao and Zhongli appeared at the courtyard gate. "We''re from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Would you be needing our full-service funeral arrangements?" But the moment she took in the scene before her, Hu Tao''s cheerful expression froze¡ªstunned. She looked at Baizhu, whose neck was tightly coiled by "Changsheng," and at Chongyun, half-kneeling on the ground, barely clinging to life... What''s more, both "Changsheng" and "Chongyun" emanated an eerie, ominous aura... "Baizhu! What the hell did you do?!" The next moment, "Changsheng" suddenly cried out in alarm! "Baizhu!!!" "Why are you doing this? Why would you go so far as to throw away your own life just to stop me?!" Everyone was shocked to see that blood had unknowingly begun to drip from the corner of Baizhu''s mouth... "Don''t you understand? If you die, our contract will be automatically dissolved." "And I''ll lose my power... and die not long after as well!" "I know..." Baizhu spoke slowly, blood pouring from his mouth... "But only this way... can I stop you..." As he spoke, Baizhu collapsed to the ground, losing his life. After Baizhu''s death, "Changsheng''s" power weakened drastically. In that instant, Chongyun broke free from her suppression, rushed forward at high speed, and with a single strike¡ªbeheaded her. "Eerie... purged..." Afterward, the eerie aura around Chongyun gradually faded, and he regained his clarity. Looking at Baizhu and Changsheng, both lying dead before him, his hands clutching his greatsword began to tremble... He turned to Su Yuan and asked, "Su Yuan... did I do all this?" "The one corrupted by the eerie power was Changsheng. The eerie version of you was being suppressed by her..." "Baizhu took his own life, weakening Changsheng''s power, and you struck her down in return..." Su Yuan explained quietly. Chongyun''s condition for breaking free from eerie transformation... was even simpler than Su Yuan had expected. As long as there was no more eerie energy around him, he would automatically exit that state? "Oh my, I didn''t expect what was supposed to be just a business job to turn into a buy-one-get-one-free deal..." Hu Tao looked at the scene before her and slowly spoke: "And among them was even the esteemed Doctor Baizhu..." "How wonderful. Without him and his meddling in life-and-death affairs, our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will definitely grow even bigger¡ªstep out of Liyue and sweep across all of Teyvat!" Hearing her words, Zhongli frowned slightly and said, "Boss Hu, what you just said... seems rather inappropriate." Su Yuan also felt something was wrong. Although Hu Tao could be mischievous and quirky, this wasn''t the kind of thing she''d say in a moment like this... "Consultant, you need to remember your place..." Hu Tao said slowly: "In the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, I am the one in charge. You''re just a lowly guest consultant..." The next moment, Hu Tao suddenly turned around and thrust her hand into Zhongli''s chest¡ªan overwhelming eerie force burst forth from her body. "Subordinates aren''t allowed to defy their superior..." --------------- Exclusive access : 219ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 136: Ch 136 : Respect and Contempt Chapter 136 - Ch 136 : Respect and ContemptLooking at Zhongli lying in a pool of blood, "Hu Tao" revealed a chilling yet delighted smile... "How wonderful... Wangsheng Funeral Parlor''s performance today just gained another client!" "Considering you''re one of our own employees, Consultant Zhongli, I''ll even give you a special discount..." As "Hu Tao" spoke, she raised her blood-stained hand¡ªnails painted jet-black and still wet with Zhongli''s blood¡ªand began counting with her fingers. "One... two... three..." "There are still three of you left who can become honored clients of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!" "Every single client who has personally experienced our services has never left a bad review!" Although Su Yuan really wanted to retort, "Of course they haven''t¡ªbecause they''re all dead!" What he wanted even more was to understand: why had Hu Tao suddenly fallen into eerie corruption too? And Zhongli... did he really die so easily at Hu Tao''s hand? Zhongli''s true form is a dragon, after all! Even if he had lost his memories and powers, his physical body shouldn''t be this fragile... And earlier, the rule in Su Yuan''s right palm had clearly warned him: in front of Hu Tao, one must respect "death"... Could it be that just now, something happened that disrespected "death"? Su Yuan turned to glance at Chongyun not far away¡ªwhat was going on with him? Wasn''t it that whenever he saw someone else''s eerie corruption, he would become Eerie himself? Why was it that now, Chongyun showed no signs of entering that state? Could it be that his rule had some kind of cooldown period? "Su Yuan, what do we do next..." Yelan asked seriously, watching everything unfold¡ªwhat was happening now had completely exceeded even her expectations. Yelan hadn''t expected that one day, despite being someone who held so much intelligence and information, she would find herself asking someone else what to do next... Su Yuan also desperately wanted to know¡ªwhat should they do next? Liyue''s situation was far too complicated. The little intel he had simply wasn''t enough to handle it all... If he had unlimited retries, then he naturally wouldn''t fear anything. As long as he took his time to explore, he''d eventually gather more information and find a way to break the deadlock. But today, he had already used two rewinds, and in return had only acquired some non-critical intel... He had learned that Xingqiu and Ningguang were also corrupted by the eerie force¡ªbut as for the cause of their corruption, he still had very few clues... "You know," a voice spoke lightly, "there are many different ways... to handle a funeral." Hu Tao looked at everyone and slowly began to speak: "Besides the usual burial and cremation methods, here at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, we''ve developed many other kinds of funerary rites. I wonder... are any of you interested in exploring those options?" "Of course, if any of you have unique or unusual ideas, feel free to tell me. I''ll do my best to fulfill your final wishes!" "For example, there was once someone who really, really loved cats..." "After she tragically died in an accident, I thoughtfully prepared a special kind of funeral for her¡ªa Cat Burial." "I gathered a group of stray cats that hadn''t eaten in days, and placed her corpse before them..." "The cats were starving, absolutely famished, and when they saw fresh meat¡ªthey leapt at it and feasted eagerly..." "She must''ve been happy, right?" "Her final remains were turned into nourishment for the very cats she had adored so much..." "And in the end, I didn''t even let her bones go to waste. I ground them down into powder and mixed them into the cat food, so that the cats could devour every last bit of her..." "Tell me, isn''t that attentive? Responsible? A perfect fulfillment of her request?" "Don''t you think this Cat Burial was incredibly creative?" Hearing the horrifying words coming out of "Hu Tao''s" mouth, everyone frowned deeply... Sure enough, once someone is controlled by eerie corruption, both their mind and body fall into madness... And just then, Chen Xiang¡ªwho had heard all the noise outside¡ªpushed open the door and came out... Then, she saw the bodies of Baizhu and the beheaded Changsheng lying on the ground, along with Zhongli soaked in a pool of blood... and Hu Tao, with a terrifying expression on her face... Startled, Chen Xiang let out a sharp scream and collapsed to the floor in fear. "Oh? Looks like we have another customer~" "Hu Tao" smiled delightedly upon seeing her. "That makes a total of six customers today!" "Six, six¡ªgreat fortune! What a wonderful day!" She then glanced at Changsheng''s severed head thoughtfully and murmured: "If we count Changsheng, that makes seven..." "Seven is a good number too... It symbolizes the harmony of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements..." "Although Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has never handled the burial of a snake before, I''m not some stick-in-the-mud." "No precedent? Then I''ll set the precedent!" S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Speaking of seven... it reminds me of Qiqi. Ugh, so annoying..." "When I have the time, I definitely have to bury her!" "Hu Tao" muttered to herself, then turned to face the group, smiling eerily as she asked: "So, have you all made up your minds?" "Do you... do you have any special requests for your funeral arrangements?" "Since none of you are saying anything, then I''m going to start~" The next moment, "Hu Tao" vanished into a blur and charged toward the group... Without hesitation, Chongyun rushed forward to block her with his own body. "Fighting evil and the eerie... it''s our duty as exorcists..." "Hu Tao''s" hands pierced straight through Chongyun''s chest. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he spoke with difficulty: "I''ll try to hold her off... You all... run..." "Run? Once I''ve set my eyes on a client, not a single one is getting away!" "Hu Tao" shouted furiously, then yanked her hands apart¡ªripping Chongyun cleanly in two! Blood splattered through the air. "Hu Tao" stood there, bathed in Chongyun''s blood, wearing a delighted smile... Right after, the crimson staff resembling firewood appeared in her hands. Eerie energy surged around it as she hurled it straight at Yelan with terrifying speed! "Yelan! Watch out!" Su Yuan shouted, but "Hu Tao" had already predicted Yelan''s evasive move. The spear she threw pierced straight through Yelan''s abdomen, pinning her to the wall... Moments later, Yelan''s head slumped to the side¡ªher breath gone. Enough... Su Yuan had had enough... He couldn''t bear to watch anyone else die right in front of him. Rewind... he had to rewind now! As he spoke, Su Yuan pulled out the small knife he always carried and aimed it at his heart, ready to stab¡ª But the next second, a sharp pain shot through his wrist. "Hu Tao" had somehow already rushed up to him, tightly gripping the wrist of the hand holding the blade! "Why... would you want to commit suicide?" "Life and death should be followed as they come... yin and yang must remain in order..." "Those who shouldn''t be alive still cling to life, while those who shouldn''t have died chose to leave early..." "This... is all a form of disrespect toward Death..." "Hu Tao''s" words made Su Yuan start to understand the reason behind her aberration... Could it be... when she entered and saw Baizhu commit suicide, she saw it as an act of disrespect toward Death¡ªand that''s what triggered her corruption? "Only I... have the right to scorn Death..." As Hu Tao spoke, she tightly gripped Su Yuan''s hand¡ªforcing him to plunge the knife straight into his own heart... --------------- Exclusive access : 219ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 137: Ch 137 : Beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree Chapter 137 - Ch 137 : Beneath the Dragon-Queller TreeSu Yuan suddenly jolted awake, once again overcome by that familiar and heart-palpitating sensation... Feeling the sharp pain in the center of his left palm, Su Yuan knew¡ªhe had died once again. He raised his left hand and looked at his palm. The writing there had already become somewhat messy: [Unfortunately, this is your third death today...] [The one controlled by the eerie corruption wasn''t Baizhu, but rather Changsheng, who resides on Baizhu''s body...] [Changsheng''s abilities are immensely powerful and terrifying. She can transfer Baizhu''s illnesses and pain onto others, and she can also extract others'' life force to sustain Baizhu...] [Even an eerie-corrupted Chongyun is no match for a corrupted Changsheng...] [Those who should not be alive continue to linger in the world, while those who should not die choose to leave early...] [Actions that go against the natural cycle of life and death, attempts to defy fate¡ªor killing others in Hu Tao''s presence, including suicide¡ªmight trigger her Eerie transformation...] [Additionally, Chongyun''s eerie transformation appears to have an internal cooldown. Once he exits his eerie state, encountering corrupted individuals again will not immediately cause him to re-enter it...] Su Yuan stared at the message etched into his palm, falling deep into thought... What puzzled him the most was Hu Tao''s conditions for becoming Eerie. Because in his mind, a faint and seemingly nonexistent memory began to surface¡ª A memory of Hu Tao holding Zhongli''s corpse, gazing at him with a complex and unreadable expression... If the condition for Hu Tao''s eerie transformation is witnessing someone who shouldn''t have died pass away prematurely, then why didn''t she fall into eerie back then? Could it be that Zhongli wasn''t actually dead at that time? Or is it that Hu Tao must personally witness the process with her own eyes? Su Yuan leaned more toward the latter explanation, because the rules indicated by the writing on his right hand also mentioned "in front of" Hu Tao. Respecting death "in front of" her likely means it has to be seen firsthand. Su Yuan thought to himself¡ªthis was already the third time he''d rewind today, yet so many questions still remained unanswered and unresolved... With just these limited rewinds, could he really save everyone? Some might say: Su Yuan, you can''t have it all. These people have nothing to do with you, so why go to such lengths to save them? Isn''t this a bit too much, like playing the saint? Yeah... Su Yuan understood that very well. In the end, he was just a transmigrator¡ªstrictly speaking, he had no real ties or connections with anyone in Teyvat... But every one of their pasts, every single one of their stories¡ªhe knew them all. And since he did have some ability¡ªwhy not do his best to try and save them? Su Yuan also knew that eerie outbreaks were occurring all over Teyvat. In the end, he wouldn''t be able to save everyone... But at the very least... at the very least, he couldn''t let the tragedies repeat themselves around him! Su Yuan looked at Keqing, who lay unconscious on the bed. Just moments ago, Yelan had given her an ancestral elixir passed down through generations. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed to have temporarily stabilized Keqing''s condition... "Yelan, Chongyun..." Su Yuan looked at the two of them and slowly spoke: "I''ve learned some new intel... and I also have an idea..." ............. Southeast of Mt. Hulao, at the base of the mountain where the river valley plains of Minlin lay, stood a massive tree known as the Dragon-Queller... At the sealed roots of the Dragon-Queller Tree, Dottore¡ªThe Doctor¡ªarrived. Gazing at the tightly woven and immensely powerful seal, he couldn''t help but marvel: "No wonder it''s Morax... even after all this time, the seal remains so formidable." Dottore gently placed his hand on the seal, feeling the intensely concentrated Geo energy pulsing through it, and slowly spoke: "Oh great Geo Dragon Sovereign, sealed twice over... do you harbor deep resentment toward Morax? Toward all of Liyue?" "Did you know? The Hydro Dragon Sovereign of Fontaine has already reclaimed his full power¡ªHe has become a complete dragon once more..." "That feeling... of fully controlling yourself, of possessing such boundless strength... it''s truly exhilarating." "So, allow me to propose a deal..." "I shall break this tedious seal for you, and grant you new power..." "Together, we''ll slay Morax. We''ll destroy the Geo Archon''s divine throne... and return the might and dominion of the Geo Dragon to you..." "Dottore..." Just then, Dottore suddenly heard a sound behind him. He turned around and saw Zhongli staring intently at him... "Is this truly your own will... or an order from your Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya?" "Oh? I didn''t expect you to show up here..." Faced with Zhongli''s sudden appearance, Dottore was a bit surprised¡ªbut not entirely caught off guard. "So, those creatures from the sea... failed to keep you occupied, huh?" Listening to Dottore''s words, Zhongli slightly furrowed his brows and slowly spoke: "So it was you stirring up trouble with those sealed God in Guyun Stone Forest..." "And what if it was?" Dottore chuckled and replied: "Morax, you and those Adepti really are full of contradictions..." "You all claim that Liyue is now an era ruled by humans, and that one must trust in the potential humanity can create..." "But when a true crisis comes, you and the Adepti can''t help but show yourselves." However, Zhongli had no intention of continuing to argue. He brandished his spear and lunged straight toward Dottore! He knew that Dottore had, to some extent, mastered the power of the Eerie¡ªenough to easily break through the seal he had laid. He had to stop him... But he was still a step too late. Dottore had clearly been prepared for this. In the next instant, a wave of intense Eerie energy burst forth from him¡ª And Zhongli''s Geo spear strike was easily dodged with a sidestep. "Morax, since you''ve shown up here, then I suppose it''s time for a new method¡ª A brand-new experiment..." As Dottore spoke, he injected a mass of Eerie energy into the seal binding the Geo Dragon Sovereign. "Back in the Nation of Water, Fontaine, the Hydro Archon Focalors made a decision I hadn''t anticipated..." "To protect Fontaine, she chose to absorb some of the Eerie energy herself..." "And you, Morax¡ªthe Geo Archon¡ªwill you make the same choice as she did?" Zhongli watched the scene unfold with a grave expression. With the boost from the Eerie power, Dottore''s speed and strength had already far surpassed what he had expected... "Come to think of it," Dottore added with a mocking smile, "Why do so many of you Adepti from Liyue behave just like Focalors..." "Splitting off a part of yourselves... Becoming truly human... Blending into Liyue Harbor..." "Do you all believe that when faced with the Eerie, you won''t survive?" "So you try to leave a part of yourselves behind in the mortal world?" Dottore gave a faint smile, turned his gaze toward Zhongli, and spoke slowly: "Morax, it''s time to make your choice..." "If you don''t hurry, the seal will soon be completely corroded¡ª and the Geo Dragon Sovereign will fall under the control of the Eerie..." --------------- Exclusive access : 222ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 138: Ch 138 : Catch someone off guard Chapter 138 - Ch 138 : Catch someone off guardSu Yuan''s top priority right now was to quickly find Baizhu and Changsheng... Although Xingqiu and Ningguang had also been corrupted and controlled by the eerie power, they didn''t currently show any impulse to harm others. But Changsheng was different. Keqing''s situation had already proven that Changsheng was likely transferring Baizhu''s pain and illness onto others¡ªand was even wantonly extracting their vitality to sustain Baizhu... If they didn''t stop Changsheng soon, there would undoubtedly be casualties! In fact, it was very likely that people had already been harmed! So, after Yelan brought in the Millelith and helped temporarily stabilize Keqing, the group rushed toward Bubu Pharmacy. But upon arriving at the pharmacy''s entrance, they found it already surrounded by a crowd. Some people were even holding banners and portraits of the deceased, shouting angrily and denouncing Baizhu as an incompetent doctor... Su Yuan knew that what he feared had come to pass... Soon after, the group had a brief conversation with A-Gui, the apothecary who had stayed behind at Bubu Pharmacy, and learned that Baizhu and Changsheng had gone to Chenxiang''s residence. Without delay, they turned and headed straight there. "Yelan, Chongyun," Su Yuan said, turning to them solemnly, "if we really end up having to fight an Eerie Changsheng, follow the plan I laid out earlier!" Su Yuan reiterated his warning once more, and both Yelan and Chongyun nodded firmly in response. Then, the group arrived at the entrance of Chenxiang''s courtyard¡ªjust in time to witness "Changsheng," radiating eerie energy all over, tightly wrapping herself around Baizhu''s neck... "Eerie creature! Prepare to die!" The instant he saw the eerie-possessed Changsheng, a surge of eerie power erupted from Chongyun''s body as well. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He entered the eerie state, drew his greatsword, and charged forward! "Baizhu... it seems someone''s come to interrupt our little heart-to-heart..." "Changsheng" glanced at Baizhu, then at Chongyun, speaking in a slow, almost relaxed tone. The next second, "Changsheng" turned her head and locked eyes with the rapidly approaching Chongyun. Her gaze was pitch-black and blood-red¡ªominous and twisted¡ªand suddenly, Chongyun''s movements slowed down drastically... "How does it feel? Aging, worn-out joints making it hard to move, huh?" However, before "Changsheng" could finish her smug remark, Su Yuan and Yelan sprang into action at the same time, swiftly advancing! Yelan turned into a streak of blue light, racing ahead of Su Yuan, speeding straight toward "Changsheng"... But "Changsheng" merely let out a cold laugh and said, "Do you think you''re fast?" She glanced at Yelan from the corner of her eye, and in that instant, Yelan felt as though all the joints in her body had rusted¡ªbecoming stiff and sluggish... At the same time, however, Chongyun''s movements suddenly sped up again... Su Yuan caught all of this with sharp eyes. It seemed that if "Changsheng" split her focus between two targets, her power would weaken... Yet even in this unfavorable situation, Yelan merely gave a slight smile¡ªas if everything was going exactly according to the plan she and Su Yuan had prepared in advance... In the next moment, Yelan gathered all her strength, pulled a small pouch from her pocket, and flung it hard toward "Changsheng"! Mid-flight, the pouch exploded instantly, releasing a cloud of pungent yellow powder with a strong, irritating scent! "Changsheng" stared at the yellow powder seriously. With a swift motion, she leapt off Baizhu''s neck and escaped the affected area before the powder could touch her... In that moment, both Yelan and Chongyun felt all the pressure that Changsheng had been exerting on them vanish completely! Because of the sudden turn of events and the yellow powder cloud obscuring her vision, "Changsheng" didn''t notice that Su Yuan¡ªwho had predicted her escape path¡ªwas already right beside her! "Catch a snake by the head ;In order to round up bandits, one must catch their ringleader first" As Su Yuan spoke, he seized the moment while "Changsheng" was off guard, adjusted his angle slightly, and suddenly reached out with both hands to grab the area where her heart was! The moment "Changsheng" felt her vital point gripped by another, she froze in surprise. Then, with a furious expression, she glared at Su Yuan. "You think this means you''ve won?" As she spoke, a surge of eerie power burst out from her body, attempting to force Su Yuan''s hands off her... But to her surprise¡ªwhy was it that even Baizhu couldn''t restrain her, yet this man before her could hold on so tightly without letting go? As the eerie force scorched his skin, Su Yuan gritted his teeth and refused to release her despite the intense pain... He had finally caught "Changsheng" off guard, caught her by surprise¡ªhow could he just let go now and let everything be for nothing? "Hmph... Let''s see how long you can hold out..." "Changsheng" growled viciously. She was confident that although Su Yuan had grabbed her vital point, he definitely didn''t have the guts to kill her... Su Yuan was also puzzled at this moment¡ªwhy wasn''t "Changsheng" using her power against him? Why hadn''t she transferred some disease into him, or drained his vitality? Could it be... she needed to be near Baizhu in order to activate those abilities? Also... wasn''t "Changsheng''s" strength in her eerie form a bit too weak? How could he manage to subdue her with his bare hands? But Su Yuan didn''t have time to think too much about it. In the next moment, he activated his Delusion¡ªunleashing both Cryo and Hydro elemental power from his hands. The two elements reacted in a brilliant burst of elemental chemistry, instantly freezing "Changsheng" in place. Su Yuan didn''t dare stop channeling elemental power from his hands, afraid that even the slightest lapse might give "Changsheng" the chance to break free again... "Eerie... damn eerie thing... go to hell!" Freed from "Changsheng''s" suppression and restraint, Chongyun once again raised his greatsword and charged at her! "Yelan! Feed Chongyun a Jueyun Chili!" Su Yuan shouted. Right now, "Chongyun" had only the eerie in his eyes, so he didn''t even notice Yelan standing behind him with a dried Jueyun Chili in her hand. Then, with a swift and precise move, Yelan slipped the Jueyun Chili into Chongyun''s mouth... In an instant, pure yang energy erupted from Chongyun''s body, blasting away all the eerie aura around him. His entire demeanor completely transformed! He bounced in place, full of energy, and shouted excitedly: "Evil spirits? Where are the evil spirits?!" "The strongest exorcist in Liyue is here¡ªby the power of the sun, I shall vanquish you!" Su Yuan looked at the whole scene speechlessly. Although he had long known that when Chongyun''s pure yang body erupted, he would enter a rather peculiar state... this was just too bizarre. In a way, wasn''t this also a kind of "Eerie"? Su Yuan glanced at "Changsheng," now frozen into a block of ice in his hands, and noticed she was slowly closing her eyes inside the ice? No way¡ªdid she just freeze to death? But Su Yuan quickly realized¡ªsnakes are cold-blooded animals, and when the temperature drops, they enter a state of hibernation... So that''s how it worked? Well, whatever the case, at least the Eerie Changsheng had been temporarily suppressed... "This scent... it''s realgar powder, isn''t it..." Baizhu knelt down, picked up some of the yellow powder from the ground with his fingers, rubbed it lightly, sniffed it, and then walked over to Su Yuan. Gazing at the frozen Changsheng, he spoke slowly: "Most snakes actually aren''t afraid of realgar. They simply dislike the pungent smell..." "So, do any of you perhaps know something... about why Changsheng turned out this way?" --------------- Exclusive access : 222ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 139: Ch 139 : Two Zhongli? Chapter 139 - Ch 139 : Two Zhongli?"So it really was the presence of something eerie...?" After listening to Su Yuan''s explanation, Baizhu nodded thoughtfully and looked at Changsheng, still frozen in a block of ice nearby. "If we''re talking about the conditions under which Changsheng became Eerie, I''m afraid it has something to do with me..." "Three days ago, in order to treat some patients with difficult and complicated illnesses, I had Changsheng transfer too much of their pain and sickness onto myself..." S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That night, I was so exhausted I briefly lost consciousness..." "After that, I started noticing my own health gradually improving. At the time, I grew a little suspicious and asked Changsheng whether she had actually transferred the patients'' ailments into my body." "Changsheng said she had suddenly realized a new method of regulation and conditioning¡ªone that could produce even more remarkable results... She even said that perhaps my previously developed elixir of immortality was finally taking effect..." "Looking back, she must have already been contaminated and controlled by the eerie force at that point..." Baizhu let out a faint sigh and said, "I should''ve realized something was wrong sooner, but because of my trust in Changsheng, I let it go for two or three days..." "And in those two or three days, who knows how many people''s life force Changsheng siphoned... all to restore me..." "Although Changsheng intentionally tried to hide it and didn''t completely drain those people''s life force, some individuals with weaker constitutions inevitably suffered unexpected consequences without that vital energy to sustain them..." "Chen Xiang''s daughter, Hongdou, was one such case..." Seeing Baizhu''s slightly sorrowful expression, Su Yuan didn''t know what to say to comfort him... He was someone who had always carried the world in his heart, a healer dedicated to saving lives¡ªyet now, because of a misstep, he had caused unintended harm... "Vital energy isn''t the same as lifespan," Baizhu spoke slowly. "It''s a form of pure life energy... like blood. If a person''s blood is completely drained in a short time, they die¡ªand it''s the same with vital energy." "But as long as the foundation isn''t damaged, losing some vital energy is like losing blood¡ªit can gradually recover..." "What I must do now is find every person who came to Bubu Pharmacy for treatment over the past two days and check on their current condition, one by one, then prescribe them nourishing treatments..." "Heh... sometimes I think I''ve relied too much on Changsheng''s ability..." Baizhu let out a faint, bitter smile. "Right now, I feel like I''ve returned to the very beginning of my journey in medicine... where I had to rely solely on myself for everything..." Too reliant... was it? Su Yuan began to wonder¡ªhad he also become too dependent on his rewind ability? If he didn''t have the power to rewind... would he really be powerless to do anything? A sudden resolve welled up in Su Yuan''s heart: what if, starting tomorrow, he tried to go a whole day without rewinding even once? Would something unexpected or interesting happen? After all, in many games, there were often hidden easter eggs or special triggers like that... He raised his hands and looked at his palms¡ªonly to be shocked to find that, from grabbing Changsheng bare-handed earlier, his palms had been badly burned by the eerie energy on her body. But... why did these burn marks look so familiar? They almost resembled the writing that had appeared on his palm during his fifth rewind... "Demonic aura? Where is it? Where''s the demonic aura?!" Chongyun ran around the courtyard in circles, checking the trees, the water jars, even under the stone stools¡ªyet found no trace of any evil spirits. At last, he came up to Su Yuan, slapped a talisman onto his forehead, and shouted indignantly: "Ha! I''ve found it at last! You''re the demon!" As he spoke, Chongyun raised his sword, ready to strike at Su Yuan''s head! At that critical moment, Su Yuan quickly summoned Hydro energy, laced with Cryo energy, and blasted a mixture of icy water right into Chongyun''s face¡ªinstantly sobering him up. "Su Yuan, did we succeed?" Chongyun asked anxiously the moment he regained his senses. "We did." Su Yuan nodded, pointing to the ice-block that was Changsheng. "Phew... that''s a relief." Chongyun let out a long breath. "I didn''t scare you guys just now when my pure-yang constitution went out of control, did I..." "My pure-yang rampage... I guess you could call it a different kind of eerie transformation too..." Chongyun couldn''t help but complain about himself: "A complete change in personality, totally out of control, no memory of anything afterward..." "I caused quite a few embarrassing scenes back at Wanmin Restaurant too..." "Why didn''t Hu Tao and Zhongli show up here..." Su Yuan frowned slightly, a bit puzzled as he spoke. For some reason, he had a strong feeling that, based on the clue from the palm of his left hand earlier, Hu Tao should have appeared here... Just then, a homing pigeon wearing a blue ribbon suddenly flew in from the sky not far away, landing directly in Yelan''s hands. Yelan took out a small scroll tied to the pigeon''s leg and began reading the note. "Everyone, I''ve just received the latest intel..." "Jiangxue has returned to Wangshu Inn, and he''s acting completely normal. He even proudly showed off to Yanxiao, bragging about how he caught several big fish today..." "Although there''s a chance Jiangxue might still be pretending, Su Yuan, you mentioned before that once the conditions for eerie transformation are no longer met, it usually ends on its own..." Yelan spoke calmly. "If Jiangxue''s condition for becoming eerie was being interrupted while fishing, then is it possible that his way of returning to normal was... actually catching some fish?" Su Yuan nodded and said, "That''s definitely possible..." "But based on what you all described earlier, even though Jiangxue is quite powerful, we still don''t know whether he''s actually willing to join us in fighting against the eerie forces..." Chongyun said. Su Yuan also looked troubled¡ªJiangxue clearly seemed to have given up on everything, now just wanting to live peacefully as a laid-back fisherman... "And then there''s one more piece of intel," Yelan continued. "Some residents near Minlin reported seeing what appeared to be the Geo Archon''s dragon near the Dragon-Queller Tree. It was wrapping its tail around the tree, ramming into Mt. Hulao with its body, and letting out terrifying roars..." "But by the time my informant arrived at the scene, all they found was a mess of trampled grass and scattered rubble. There was no sign of the supposed Archon-like figure at all..." As Yelan spoke, a bad feeling began to settle over them. Could it be that Hu Tao and Zhongli hadn''t shown up here because... something had happened to them? And that dragon-like figure¡ªcould it have been a eerie-transformed Zhongli? "Sorry to intrude... I heard from the neighbors what happened. My condolences." Just then, Hu Tao''s voice came from outside the courtyard gate. "Just now, we stopped by another place first, so we were delayed a little..." "We''re from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. May I ask if you require our all-inclusive funeral services?" Su Yuan saw that Zhongli''s figure had also appeared behind Hu Tao. But Su Yuan couldn''t make sense of it¡ªif the dragon-like figure near the Dragon-Queller was a eerie-transformed Zhongli, then who exactly was this Zhongli standing right in front of him right now? --------------- Exclusive access : 225ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 140: Ch 140 : The Geo Archon who hates seafood Chapter 140 - Ch 140 : The Geo Archon who hates seafood"The power of the eerie..." Hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Zhongli nodded solemnly. "Though I consider myself somewhat knowledgeable, I''ve never heard of anything like this before..." "A power this unimaginable, able to manipulate one''s mind and turn people into terrifying monsters..." "You know," Hu Tao also began to speak slowly, "Wangsheng Funeral Parlor didn''t originally specialize in funerals ¡ª we were more like doctors." "During the Archon War, when the world was plunged into chaos and corpses littered the land, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was born... Ordinary humans standing against death itself." "To define the boundary between life and death, and to maintain the balance between the two..." "But now, with the existence of these eerie forces, many more lives will surely be lost..." "As the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, how could I possibly stand by and do nothing?" "The Director speaks the truth," Zhongli nodded in agreement. Su Yuan also nodded. With this, it seems like Hu Tao and Zhongli have officially joined the team, huh? ............ On the shore of a small island in Guyun Sea, Xiao stood with his weapon, Primordial Jade Winged-Spear, in hand, weaving and slashing through countless aquatic monsters shrouded in pitch-black and blood-red auras¡ªcreatures beyond understanding or description. The other Adepti were battling these monsters near the vicinity of Guyun Stone Forest, but due to the sheer number of them¡ªand the fact that Adepti power had no effect on these beings¡ªthey were forced to rely on the most primitive, basic form of physical combat. It was inevitable that some would slip through. Xiao, stationed here as the final line of defense, was tasked with preventing the monsters corrupted by the eerie power from breaching Liyue Harbor. Back when he faced the lingering might of the vortex, and Beisht¡ªthe wife of the Vortex God, Osial¡ªXiao once declared: "This place lies only one mountain away from Liyue Harbor. If the situation truly spirals out of control..." "Even if I''m the only one left, I will hold the line." But now, Xiao no longer had the confidence to say such words. Just these lowly minions had already pushed him¡ªand the other Adepti¡ªto their limits. In fact, just yesterday, during an especially intense battle, his Yaksha mask had fallen into the water, and he had no idea where it had drifted off to... Later that night, as the monsters'' attacks weakened, he made a swift trip and successfully retrieved his mask. No wonder the Geo Archon had said that even though this was now an age ruled by mortals, and even though he had once declared his faith in humanity, the current crisis was far too dire¡ªAdepti must go all out to protect Liyue Harbor... Yet what puzzled Xiao was that the commotion at Guyun Stone Forest wasn''t exactly subtle. Even if no one had gone to inform Ningguang and the rest of the Liyue Qixing, was it possible they hadn''t noticed anything at all? And then there was that pitch-black and blood-red power emanating from the bodies of these monsters¡ªwhat exactly was it? Though it bore some resemblance to the remnants of demonic power and resentment that lingered in his own body¡ªknown as karmic debt¡ªit was even more terrifying and domineering. As Xiao pondered, he suddenly felt an overwhelmingly terrifying aura. The water before him began to swirl into a blood-red vortex, and from it, a massive figure emerged before Xiao''s eyes... It was none other than the Vortex God¡ªOsial¡ªwho had twice been sealed beneath Guyun Stone Forest! Only now, his entire body was wrapped in a sinister force of pitch-black and blood-red energy. His aura was far more dreadful than what Xiao had remembered. One after another, the other Adepti of Liyue also appeared beside Xiao. "Guyun Stone Forest has fallen..." Cloud Retainer spoke gravely: Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The Guizhong Ballistas¡ªthose which I''ve revised, improved, and revised again¡ªwere indeed effective against Osial''s smaller minions..." "But the moment Osial himself appeared, he destroyed all the Guizhong Ballistas in an instant." "We cannot retreat any further. Behind us... lies Liyue Harbor," Xiao declared resolutely. "What about the Geo Archon? Where has he gone?" Moon Carver asked. "With just us alone, I fear we may not be able to stop this current incarnation of Osial..." As they watched "Osial" stirring up a blood-red whirlpool, slowly advancing in the direction of Liyue Harbor, all of the Adepti found themselves at a loss on how to respond... Yet in the next moment, something entirely unexpected occurred¡ª A massive geo spear suddenly plummeted from the sky, crashing down at blinding speed, and struck Osial''s colossal body with tremendous force! Osial''s entire form trembled violently. From the many mouths on his heads erupted a chorus of roars¡ªwhether of pain or rage, none could tell. It was the Geo Archon! All the Adepti understood in that instant¡ªthe geo spear just now, was the work of their Lord Morax! However, everyone also noticed that something was off... The Adepti of Liyue were born from the elemental energy drifting between heaven and earth¡ªthey were beings of the purest elemental nature. Adeptal power, in essence, is also a form of elemental energy, and thus has proven ineffective against those monsters corrupted and controlled by the eerie power... Yet the Geo Archon''s stone spear¡ªalso made of concentrated Geo elemental force¡ªhad managed to deal tremendous damage to "Osial." As everyone pondered this contradiction, three more stone spears rained down from the sky. Only then did they notice that these were not ordinary Geo spears... Rather than calling them stone spears, it would be more accurate to call them eerie spears¡ªfor each of them was shrouded in a swirling aura of black and crimson eerie energy. These were... eerie spears? Everyone instinctively looked up¡ªonly to see that the figure of the Geo Archon standing in the sky... no longer looked like his usual self. His face was twisted, his eyes blood-red¡ªclearly showing the signs of being corrupted and controlled by the eerie power... "I hate seafood..." "It''s slimy... slippery... covered in that disgusting fishy stench that never washes off..." "Zhongli" spoke viciously: "I will wipe you all out¡ªevery last one of you!" Sensing that things had taken a dire turn, "Osial" immediately turned and attempted to flee back into the sea, while "Zhongli" pursued without the slightest hesitation... Both "Osial" and "Zhongli" vanished into the distant waves, leaving the Adepti behind¡ªbewildered, caught in the wind, unable to make sense of what had just happened... The Geo Archon... What had happened to him? Why had he also been corrupted and controlled by the eerie power? And on a distant mountaintop, Dottore stood gazing out at the sea, silently observing everything unfold... "I clearly told that eerie force... to break the seal on Azhdaha..." "That makes one Vortex Demon God, Osial, corrupted by the eerie power... one Morax, controlled by the eerie power... and one Azhdaha, who has lost all reason due to erosion... Together, they''re bound to cause quite a bit of trouble for Liyue Harbor." "But Morax... even under the control of the eerie corruption, did he still defy my command?" "Should I say it''s due to his strong will, or does he truly just hate seafood that much?" "Well, whatever. From the current situation, the likely outcome of this experiment... might just be that both Morax and Osial, corrupted by my eerie power, end up battling each other and exhausting the eerie energy within themselves during the fight..." "In the end, both Morax and Osial return to normal and break free from the incomplete eerie." "And then Osial... is sealed away by Morax once more." "I had originally planned for Osial to wreak havoc upon Liyue Harbor again, but instead, he ends up being sealed for the third time?" "To think¡ªmy use of eerie power to corrupt and control Morax actually ended up helping Liyue Harbor get through this crisis... at least temporarily." "Of course, there''s also the possibility that Morax, being far stronger, still had some leftover eerie power in him after draining Osial''s." "Osial could have been utterly destroyed, and Morax... might not have regained his sanity at all." "If that''s the case... then what comes next will be very interesting indeed." "I''d be able to observe more events, and gather even more experimental data..." "Ahaha... unexpected as it may be, the outcome must still be respected as part of the experiment." "Speaking of which¡ªmy dear old friend should''ve arrived in Liyue Harbor by now, hasn''t he?" "Maybe... I''ll go pay him a visit first?" --------------- Exclusive access : 225ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 141: Ch 141 : Granny Shan’s toy stall Chapter 141 - Ch 141 : Granny Shan''s toy stallAfterward, everyone chatted briefly, reminded each other to stay safe, and then went their separate ways. Baizhu was heading back to Bubu Pharmacy to look for the list of patients who had come to see him over the past few days. He planned to visit them one by one to check their health conditions. As for Hu Tao and Zhongli, they were preparing to handle the funeral arrangements for those who had died unexpectedly. Su Yuan, on the other hand, planned to stop by Wanmin Restaurant first to see what Xiangling had to say¡ªand whether Guoba had returned. Next on his agenda was to find out where exactly Shenhe had gone, and also to figure out why the Adepti currently in Liyue Harbor all seemed to have lost their memories. On the way to Wanmin Restaurant, Chongyun asked: "If the condition for Ningguang becoming Eerie was the destruction of a cherished antique, then what if we give her a similar item of equal quality or price? Would that restore her to normal?" Su Yuan nodded and replied, "That''s definitely a possibility... or maybe we could try to repair the broken antique." "Repairing it is out of the question," Yelan said. "That antique was smashed to pieces. Baiwen and Baixiao already disposed of it as trash a while ago." "So, what exactly was the broken antique?" Chongyun asked in confusion. "Apparently, it was a teacup once used by the Geo Archon." Yelan thought for a moment and said: "Ningguang has a discerning eye and wouldn''t collect counterfeits. That antique teacup must have truly been used by the Geo Archon." "Though in Liyue''s antique market, plenty of people claim that the antiques they sell are related to the Geo Archon, the vast majority of them are fake..." "Finding another antique teacup that was genuinely used by the Geo Archon will be quite difficult..." Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully¡ªan antique teacup used by the Geo Archon? That''s supposed to be hard? Just get a genuine antique teacup; whether it was actually used by the Geo Archon didn''t matter... As long as he poured Zhongli a cup of tea with that antique teacup, and Zhongli drank it¡ª Then wouldn''t both conditions of "antique teacup" and "used by the Geo Archon" be fulfilled? Maybe, just maybe, that would really bring Ningguang back from her Eerie state... The group continued on their way and arrived at Chihu Rock in Liyue Harbor. Various street vendors had gathered here, shouting and calling out to attract customers. Not far ahead, just past that street, was Wanmin Restaurant. But at that moment, Su Yuan noticed an elderly woman running a toy stall over there. On her long table were all kinds of dazzling toys on display... Many of them were related to the Geo Archon¡ªlike dragon-horn spinning tops, geo-block dice, dragon-beard wooden swords, Geo Lord opera masks, and so on. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There were also some toys meant to be played with under adult supervision, like kites, firecrackers, and fireworks, which carried a certain degree of danger... If Su Yuan remembered correctly, that old lady was called Granny Shan. She had been running her toy stall in Liyue for many years, and many people had bought toys from her since childhood. As the years went by, those children had grown up, started families of their own, and now brought their own children here to buy toys... And despite all those years, even though the cost of making toys had steadily increased, Granny Shan had never raised her prices. That''s why her reputation remained excellent. What had caught Su Yuan''s attention, however, was a particular fishing toy... In his original world, there were similar kinds of toys... It was a circular disk with many holes on top, and in each hole was a toy fish. When the switch was turned on, the disk would begin to rotate, and toy fish would occasionally pop their heads out from the holes and open their mouths. At that moment, if you placed a fishing hook into the toy fish''s mouth, and the fish retracted into the hole again, it would close its mouth and bite down on the hook¡ªthen, with a pull, it was as if you''d caught a fish. What Su Yuan was thinking was this: since the condition for Jiang Xue''s eerie transformation was someone disturbing his fishing... Then wouldn''t this toy fishing game count as a kind of alternative fishing? In an ideal scenario, whenever they had to fight against something eerie, he could just pull out this toy and let Jiang Xue fish anytime and anywhere. This way, he could leverage Jiang Xue''s eerie rules to create an eerie-vs-eerie situation... Hmm... Su Yuan nodded to himself. It was a good idea in theory¡ªbut the next problem was, how could he convince Jiang Xue to join his anti-eerie team? "Um... do any of you have any Mora on you?" Su Yuan looked toward Yelan and Chongyun, pointed to Granny Shan''s toy stall not far ahead, and said somewhat awkwardly: "I want to go over there and buy a toy..." After Yelan paid for the fishing toy, Su Yuan gave a brief explanation of his intended use for it. After hearing Su Yuan''s explanation, Chongyun looked at him in admiration and said with emotion: "Su Yuan, as expected of you¡ªyou actually thought of using the rules this way..." "No, I think this isn''t exploiting a loophole," Yelan said. "It''s just making use of the rules within reasonable bounds." "When dealing with Eerie entities, which are heavily bound by rules, there are basically no true loopholes to exploit..." When Su Yuan and the others arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, they found only Master Mao busy working¡ªthere was no sign of Xiangling. "Hello, Master Mao! Where''s Xiangling? We haven''t seen her around," Chongyun greeted him and asked. "Oh? It''s you all..." Master Mao responded while stir-frying a dish: "Guoba didn''t come back last night, and Xiangling went out early this morning to look for him..." "To be honest, without Xiangling helping out and Guoba tending the fire, I''ve been having a hard time managing things on my own..." "Master Mao, do you have any idea where Guoba might''ve gone? Or where Xiangling might be looking for him?" Master Mao frowned slightly and said thoughtfully, "That''s hard to say. Maybe Tianheng Mountain, or maybe Qingce Village..." "Su Yuan, since the search area is too big, I''ll mobilize my informants to help look," Yelan looked at Su Yuan and said: "For now, let''s focus on resolving Ningguang''s situation first." "Let''s head to the antique market later and see if we can find an antique teacup once used by the Geo Archon." Su Yuan nodded. For now, that seemed to be the only way... If they could help Ningguang recover from her eerie transformation, having her support would make handling everything else go much more smoothly... Just as Su Yuan and the others were preparing to head to the antique market, someone in the distance slowly began walking toward them... Chongyun seemed to sense something¡ªlike a kind of telepathic connection¡ªand lifted his head to look into the distance... And the person approaching... was Xingqiu. --------------- Exclusive access : 228ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 142: Ch 142 : Chapter 142 - Ch 142 : "Chongyun" versus "Xingqiu""Hey... Su Yuan, Yelan, look over there¡ªis that Xingqiu?" Chongyun poked Su Yuan and Yelan anxiously as he spoke. "He finished writing his crime novel and came looking for me this quickly?" "I remember you once said, Su Yuan, that while Eerie beings may disguise themselves in front of ordinary people, once pushed into a corner, they''ll start killing without hesitation..." Yelan said seriously, "We should probably get out of this crowded area first and then figure out how to deal with Xingqiu." "Mm." Su Yuan nodded and took off running with the others. Su Yuan and his group dashed out of Liyue Harbor, with "Xingqiu" relentlessly chasing after them. "Xingqiu" seemed to be intentionally maintaining this exact distance¡ªnot too close, not too far, just right... Finally, after they had run to a place with no one around, "Xingqiu" slowly spoke: "Chongyun, why are you running? Aren''t we good friends? Haven''t you always wanted to see me?" "It used to be me who avoided meeting you, but now, look at us¡ªroles reversed. It''s you who''s avoiding me now..." "Chongyun, why are you running? I came here to make up with you..." Hearing Xingqiu''s clearly abnormal words, Su Yuan and the others knew that Xingqiu was still under the control of an Eerie. "Miss Yelan, and this unfamiliar young man¡ªcould I trouble you to step away for a moment?" Xingqiu turned to look at Su Yuan and Yelan and slowly said: "Right now, I have a few private words I want to share with my good friend Chongyun..." Su Yuan was a little confused. If Xingqiu''s eerie transformation had a condition, shouldn''t it be something related to chivalry or his novels...? Why was Xingqiu now displaying such a clear sense of purpose, as if he was desperately targeting Chongyun? "Could it be... Chongyun, the reason you''ve been avoiding me is because you''ve made two new friends, and decided to abandon me?" "Xingqiu" revealed a pained expression. His face began to twist and distort, and an eerie power began to emanate from his body... "In that case, although this deviates from the plot I had planned in my novel, I suppose I''ll have to add a special side story..." "I''ll annihilate all of you..." "Chongyun... can only belong to me alone..." Xingqiu slowly advanced toward the group, but before long, a sudden burst of eerie power exploded from Chongyun as well! "I can smell it... I can see it... the scent of the Eerie!!!" Then, "Chongyun" drew his greatsword and charged straight toward "Xingqiu"... "One and a half hours..." Yelan glanced at "Chongyun" and said, "Su Yuan, you once told us that when Chongyun witnesses someone else undergoing eerie transformation, he himself can also transform ¡ª but it seems there''s a cooldown period for that..." "If the cooldown had already ended, then when Xingqiu fully revealed himself just a few seconds ago, Chongyun should''ve immediately entered his eerie state." "But right now, it''s only now that Chongyun is transforming..." "And it just so happens to be exactly one and a half hours since I fed him the Jueyun Chilis back at the Chen Xiang residence..." Although Su Yuan really wanted to comment, "Come on, Yelan, you''re not even wearing a watch. How do you know the time that precisely?" "The cooldown is one and a half hours, huh?" Su Yuan nodded, filing away another valuable piece of intel... Su Yuan had originally thought that the cooldown period would be even longer. After all, back when he coordinated with Neuvillette, they could only use that ability once a day... But this made sense too¡ªafter all, Chongyun''s eerie-transformed strength wasn''t particularly powerful. Su Yuan had been wondering how they were going to deal with the eerified "Xingqiu," but now that "Chongyun" had made the first move, he finally had a chance to witness the outcome of the clash he''d missed last time... Wait¡ªlast time? Su Yuan''s head throbbed again. Those blurry, fragmented images... it was probably his unusually good memory playing tricks on him once more... "Sword¡ªrelease!" With a furious roar, "Chongyun" slammed his greatsword down onto the ground in front of "Xingqiu," instantly creating a circular domain! Su Yuan figured this must be "Chongyun" activating his Elemental Skill¡ªSpirit Blade: Chonghua''s Layered Frost! Only now, due to the influence of the eerie energy, the originally ice-blue domain had turned into a deep, blood-red black... Within the bounds of the domain, "Xingqiu" seemed to be heavily affected¡ªhis expression grew unnatural, and his movements became sluggish... But "Xingqiu" wasn''t about to back down either. He immediately unleashed the Guhua Sword Technique: Raincutter, summoning four blood-red Rain Swords to orbit protectively around him... What followed was a one-sided battle¡ª"Chongyun" relentlessly suppressed "Xingqiu," leaving him with no choice but to defend. He didn''t even have a chance to counterattack... This outcome was a bit beyond what Su Yuan and Yelan had expected... Chongyun and Xingqiu are around the same age, and their strength is fairly evenly matched. Even if one were eventually to win, it shouldn''t be such a one-sided beatdown from the very start... S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Could it be... that Xingqiu didn''t undergo eerie transformation due to some internal reason, but rather an external, incomplete transformation?" Su Yuan muttered, voicing the possibility. "An external eerie transformation, huh..." Hearing Su Yuan''s words, Yelan''s expression also turned serious. "Su Yuan, based on what you told me before, the only one right now capable of causing this kind of external transformation... is that Fatui Harbinger, Il Dottore, ''The Doctor''..." "If Xingqiu really is an incomplete eerie... then it very likely means that Dottore is already in Liyue..." "But my entire intelligence network hasn''t caught even the slightest trace of anything like that..." "That''s not surprising. Back in Fontaine, no one detected Dottore''s presence either." Su Yuan furrowed his brow as well and said, "When it comes to hiding his tracks... he really is a master at it..." "Also, the way Xingqiu is targeting Chongyun so specifically... his intent is too clear. It really does feel like someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes..." "Yelan, be ready. If that''s the case, then once Xingqiu''s eerie energy runs out, we''ll need to stop Chongyun immediately." "Got it." Yelan nodded, though she added with a hint of concern, "But in the middle of a battle like this... trying to stuff a Jueyun Chili into Chongyun''s mouth might be a bit tricky..." "If only Hu Tao were here," Su Yuan sighed. "She has a Pyro Vision, after all..." "To trigger Chongyun''s Pure Yang Body, it doesn''t necessarily have to be spicy food..." "Just splashing hot water on him would have the same effect¡ªhis body would go into overdrive all the same..." "If I''d known earlier, I should''ve asked Arlecchino for a Delusion with a Pyro element..." "Or at least brought a thermos of hot water from Master Mao''s place back there..." Yelan said, "It''s just... Xingqiu showed up so suddenly, we didn''t have time to think that far ahead." But, as it turned out, Xingqiu''s defeat came far quicker than either Su Yuan or Yelan had expected... As the final blood-red Rain Sword surrounding Xingqiu shattered, a flicker of clarity seemed to return to his eyes¡ªhe appeared to have regained his sanity. "Chongyun!" Xingqiu shouted, but Chongyun''s greatsword still came swinging down¡ªstraight toward Xingqiu''s head... --------------- Exclusive access : 228ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 143: Ch 143 : The most important person Chapter 143 - Ch 143 : The most important personAt this critical moment, Su Yuan rushed forward and grabbed "Chongyun" by the arm, stopping him from continuing his attack on Xingqiu. Yelan also took the opportunity to shove a Jueyun Chili into "Chongyun''s" mouth... "Chongyun" turned his head and shot Su Yuan a furious glare ¡ª the same kind of look he had just given the eerie-possessed Xingqiu... Su Yuan was a little confused. Why was Chongyun looking at him like that? Wasn''t his vision filled only with "eerie" entities? But if Su Yuan really was an eerie, then why had Chongyun only targeted Xingqiu just moments ago? Before Su Yuan could make sense of it, the effects of the Jueyun Chili kicked in. A surge of intense Yang energy burst out from Chongyun''s body, sending him into another kind of "eerie" state... "Hahahaha! Evil spirits? Where are the evil spirits?!" Chongyun broke free from Su Yuan, bouncing around energetically as he looked around and shouted: "Evil spirits, come out and face your doom already! I, Master Chongyun is here! Hahahahahaha...!" Su Yuan didn''t want to watch Chongyun''s antics any longer. Taking advantage of a gap in his hysterical laughter, he splashed a wave of ice water right onto Chongyun''s face ¡ª and into his mouth... "Ah¡ªdang it¡ª!" "You filthy spirit! How dare you drench me with water?! Come here and accept your fate!" As Chongyun spoke, he charged toward Su Yuan, talisman in hand... But soon, under the continuous barrage of ice water, he calmed down before he even reached Su Yuan... "Su Yuan, enough, enough! Stop spraying! Stop splashing water! I''ve calmed down already¡ªI''m back to normal!" Chongyun said quickly and repeatedly. "Pfft¡ª" Seeing Chongyun drenched like a soaked chicken, Xingqiu couldn''t help but laugh out loud. "Xingqiu, you have the nerve to laugh? If it weren''t for you, would I be in this state?" Chongyun gave Xingqiu an exasperated look. He was reminded of some past incidents when Xingqiu had teased and pranked him... "Xingqiu, explain¡ªwhat exactly happened..." Yelan looked at Xingqiu and spoke up. By now, it was pretty clear that Xingqiu''s current condition was an incomplete eerie transformation caused by external factors. "Mm." Xingqiu immediately put on a serious expression, looked at Su Yuan and Yelan, and said, "I heard your conversation just now..." "You were right. I did indeed encounter ''The Doctor''¡ªDottore..." "That day, I was near Tianqiu Valley, looking for a quiet place to read for a bit, and maybe see if I''d come across something worthy of a hero''s intervention..." "Then I came across a frantic woman who seemed to be searching for something..." "When I went over to ask, I found out that her child had gone missing." "In a situation like that, of course I couldn''t just stand by and do nothing." "Following the clues the woman gave me, I found her child in an abandoned house in Tianqiu Valley..." "But the child I found... was no longer whole. He had already been brutally dissected..." "This was no ordinary matter. I was preparing to leave the place and report it to the Ministry of Civil Affairs..." "Because recently, there have been many such brutal murder cases happening around Liyue." "But just as I was about to leave that house, a tall figure blocked my way..." "That outfit, that mask, that deranged aura... there''s no mistaking it..." "It was The Doctor ¡ª Dottore." "Before I could even react, he injected a mass of dark, crimson energy into my head..." "After that, although I remained conscious, I completely lost control of my body." "He said to me: ''Second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild... I''ve heard you enjoy reading and writing novels. In that case, write a crime novel about yourself... then act it out ¡ª go and kill the person who matters most to you...''" "He also said: ''The current research conclusion is clear ¡ª a powerful emotional shock can break the effects of this incomplete eerie transformation... When you kill the one most important to you with your own hands, you''ll also be freed from the eerie state...''" "''Your expression then... must be utterly shocked, and very amusing to watch...''" "You all know what happened next. I refused to meet Chongyun, kept hiding from him, holed up in my room writing that so-called crime novel..." S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then, once it was finished, I came out to find Chongyun and followed the story''s plan to act it out..." "Wait a second..." Chongyun suddenly realized something and spoke up. "Did you just say that Dottore told you to target the person most important to you?" "That person... is me?" "Is there a problem? Aren''t we best friends?" Xingqiu looked at Chongyun and gave him a soft smile. "No problem, really... It''s just, if I''m your best friend, then why do you always tease and mess with me?" Chongyun asked, puzzled. "Exactly because we''re close ¡ª that''s why I do it!" Xingqiu responded with a smile. "You see how I act around my family''s business partners, and all those big names in Liyue ¡ª I''m always serious and proper." Su Yuan nodded in agreement. He''d experienced that himself. Toward people he wasn''t close to or didn''t like, Xingqiu always maintained a respectful yet distant demeanor. But with real friends, people he was truly close to ¡ª there was constant teasing and playful banter between them. Just like Su Yuan''s old college roommates before he crossed over into this world ¡ª they''d insult each other affectionately and even joke around calling each other "father and son." It had already been over a week since he''d crossed into this world. He wondered how those friends were doing now. "All right, all right, let''s not dwell on that for now..." Xingqiu looked at Su Yuan and Yelan, and said: "So, what''s going on in Liyue exactly? Can you fill me in? Maybe there''s something I can help with." Su Yuan nodded, then began telling Xingqiu everything he knew about the eerie phenomenon and the situation in Liyue. After listening, Xingqiu nodded thoughtfully and said: "I see... judging from that, things aren''t looking too good..." "But when it comes to something that threatens Liyue, someone with a chivalrous heart like mine could never just stand by and do nothing." "So the current problem is finding an antique teacup once used by the Geo Archon, to try to lift the eerie transformation on Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, right..." "I might have a suggestion. There''s a shop that might have what we need." "It''s just... I don''t know what kind of price we''ll have to pay to get something from that place..." Listening to Xingqiu''s words, Su Yuan felt a bit confused. If Xingqiu knew which shop had an antique teacup once used by the Geo Archon, then why did he sound as if it wouldn''t be possible to buy it? You run a shop, don''t you? Isn''t the whole point to sell things? Don''t you want to make money¡ªdon''t you need Mora? "Oh? You must be talking about that shop..." Yelan nodded thoughtfully after hearing Xingqiu''s words. "It''s true, that place has been open for so long, but I''ve never heard of it actually selling a single item..." "Hahaha, as expected of Miss Yelan¡ªof course you''d know even that." Xingqiu gave a faint smile and joked, "If Miss Yelan also happens to know a few trade secrets from the Feiyun Commerce Guild, I hope you''ll keep them to yourself..." "Don''t worry," Yelan smiled slightly in response. "As long as your Feiyun Commerce Guild doesn''t dabble in anything illegal or cross Liyue''s bottom line, I won''t give you any trouble." --------------- Exclusive access : 231ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 144: Ch 144 : Strange shop Chapter 144 - Ch 144 : Strange shop"Don''t just walk past¡ªdon''t miss out! These are once-in-a-century rare treasures!" Just behind Granny Shan''s toy stall, not far away, stood a small shop without even a signboard. In front of it, a middle-aged man with a thin mustache named Tai was enthusiastically hawking to the passing pedestrians. Noticing that Su Yuan and the others seemed to be heading toward the store, Tai waved and called out to them: "Hey there, esteemed customers! Come take a look! Every single item here is a rare treasure, one of a kind!" As the group approached, Tai appeared to recognize Xingqiu and greeted him warmly: "Ah, if it isn''t the second young master of Liyue''s renowned Feiyun Commerce Guild, Xingqiu himself!" "If Young Master Xingqiu finds something he likes in the shop, allow me to personally introduce the pieces and share their stories..." "Take a look at this porcelain vase¡ªdon''t let its plain appearance fool you! It''s ancient, and its value could rival half of Chihu Rock!" Tai held up a porcelain vase with a pale white glaze, singing its praises with great enthusiasm. "And check out this little incense burner¡ªlegend has it, it was placed before the statue of the Geo Lord for over a thousand years! It''s said to be infused with his ethereal, celestial aura!" As he spoke, Tai excitedly held out a soot-covered incense burner, nearly trembling with passion. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And this teacup¡ªthough it may seem ordinary, it was once used by the Geo Lord himself. It''s absolutely one of a kind..." Tai carefully picked up a teacup with golden trim, its design simple yet elegant, and spoke with reverence. Su Yuan thought to himself that this shop assistant, Tai, didn''t seem entirely normal. He was so enthusiastic, introducing all these so-called treasures with such passion... And then Su Yuan realized¡ªXingqiu and Yelan had probably come here precisely for that teacup once used by the Geo Lord. "In that case," Su Yuan asked, turning to Tai, "I''m quite interested in this teacup that was used by the Geo Lord. How much would it cost to buy it?" "Buy it? Sorry, it''s not for sale. No amount of Mora will buy it!" "Huh?" Su Yuan was at a loss for words. "If you''re not selling anything, then why open a store?" "Ah, that''s not the right way to look at it. Who says opening a shop must be for business and making money?" Tai chuckled and said: "Our master rented out this shop just to display these treasures¡ªto show off to the folks here in Liyue Harbor..." "Every day we get guests like you, cluelessly asking for prices..." "But this is exactly the kind of attention our master wants to attract..." Su Yuan finally understood why Xingqiu and Yelan had said this shop had never sold a single item... So it turns out, their boss was just some show-off with a very peculiar way of thinking! "Tai, I''m with the Liyue Ministry of Civil Affairs." Yelan pulled out an official document from who-knows-where and presented it to Tai, speaking up: "That teacup used by the Geo Lord¡ªwe need to requisition it for an urgent matter. Name your price. As long as it''s within reason, we''re willing to pay it." "I already said, no matter how much Mora you offer, I''m not selling it!" Tai shook his head firmly. "And the Ministry of Civil Affairs? So what? Liyue is a society ruled by law now. Just because I refuse to sell, what, are you going to try to force me?" "Is there no justice, no rule of law anymore?" Seeing that Tai wasn''t the least bit intimidated by her official identity, Yelan frowned slightly and slowly spoke: "Tai, I''ve looked into that mysterious master of yours for a long time, but never managed to get any solid information..." "But now, I think I''ve finally figured something out..." "Come to think of it, that guy''s an old nemesis of mine..." Yelan slowly raised both of her hands¡ªshe glanced at the ancestral jade bracelet on her right wrist, then at her bare left wrist¡ªand said: "I had another priceless heirloom bracelet... which is currently in his possession." "Your master... he''s the Ninth of the Fatui Harbingers¡ª''The Regrator,'' Pantalone, isn''t he?" After hearing Yelan''s words, Tai''s face twitched slightly¡ªbut he quickly returned to normal. "Our master''s identity... why should we have to tell you?" But that tiny reaction didn''t escape Yelan''s sharp eyes. She knew then¡ªshe had guessed correctly. And given the current circumstances, there was no need to keep playing nice... In the next instant, Yelan turned into a streak of blue light, instantly appearing in front of Tai and effortlessly snatching the antique teacup once used by the Geo Lord right out of his hands. "Tell your master this: first he took one of my heirloom jade bracelets. Then I intercepted that cloak he tried to present to the Tsaritsa¡ªconsider that my reply." "And now, I''m requisitioning one of his antique teacups. If he has a problem with it, he''s more than welcome to come after me." Everyone was stunned¡ªYelan had actually just... taken it by force? No, wait. Technically speaking, this was an official requisition... Given that Yelan and Pantalone were arch-enemies, using some strong-arm tactics made sense. "Well then, now that we have the teacup, let''s go find Ningguang," Yelan said as she turned and headed off in the direction of Yujing Terrace. Xingqiu looked at Tai, who was sitting on the ground, panting and clearly shaken, then glanced at Yelan''s retreating figure and couldn''t help but sigh. "What a pitiful man... truly a pitiful man..." Su Yuan took in the whole scene silently. Afterward, everyone left in turn, following Yelan toward Yujing Terrace. "This teacup looks a lot like the one Ningguang originally had in her collection..." On the way there, Yelan examined the teacup in her hand and said thoughtfully: "Now that I think about it, a lot of the antiques in that shop looked quite similar to the ones in Ningguang''s collection..." "There''s a good chance that Pantalone is secretly trying to compete with her..." When the group arrived at Yujing Terrace, Su Yuan noticed that Granny Ping¡ªwho was usually there running her tea stall¡ªwas nowhere to be seen. Though he found that a bit strange, the priority right now was to free Ningguang from the effects of the eerie corruption. Soon, the group arrived in front of Buyun. Under his guidance, and with the help of floating stones, they successfully ascended to the Jade Chamber. Everyone, that is... except for Xingqiu. Su Yuan had specifically instructed Xingqiu to stay behind at Yujing Terrace and not follow them up. Though the others were confused by this, Su Yuan''s attitude was firm, so they had no choice but to go along with it. After arriving at the Jade Chamber, Yelan turned to the others and said: "You all wait outside. I''ll go see Ningguang on my own..." With that, Yelan pushed open the door and stepped inside, walking somewhat tensely up to Ningguang. Whether or not they could bring Ningguang back from the eerie corruption¡ªthis was the critical moment. "Ningguang, I heard you accidentally broke a precious antique teacup a few days ago... one that was personally used by the Geo Archon." Yelan approached Ningguang slowly, holding the teacup, and placed it gently on the table. "So, I found one of similar quality to give to you." Ningguang picked up the gold-trimmed teacup and carefully examined it... Then, she nodded and said with satisfaction, "Not bad. This is indeed a genuine antique... and it was used by the Geo Archon." The next moment, Ningguang suddenly trembled all over, furrowed her brows, and touched her forehead. "Where... where am I? What exactly happened?" Yelan''s face lit up with joy at the sight. It worked! Ningguang had awakened from her eerie state! --------------- Exclusive access : 231ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 146: Ch 146 : So fast, Yelan Chapter 146 - Ch 146 : So fast, Yelan"Oh? Are you talking about me?" In response to Chongyun''s question, Ningguang smiled faintly and replied. "Since Su Yuan has already told me that the condition for my eerie transformation is the destruction of my precious antique collectibles..." "Then, from the moment I learned that, in my eyes, all of my treasures have become nothing more than trash that can be discarded at any time..." "And as it turns out, I was right." Hearing Ningguang''s words, Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. It seems that Ningguang''s eerie transformation condition isn''t based on objective reality, but, like Kirara''s, is influenced by her own subjective awareness... "But Ningguang, even so, you can''t let your guard down..." Su Yuan spoke seriously: "After all, I did mention before¡ªevery person might have more than one condition for eerie transformation." "Let''s think about that later. For now, we need to focus on how to deal with the eerified Xingqiu," Yelan said. "I used to yearn for punishing evil and promoting good, for walking the path of chivalry..." The ''Xingqiu'' looked at the group and slowly spoke: "But now, I think all of that is meaningless..." "All this talk of chivalry, righteousness, and morality¡ªit''s nothing but a shackle that binds people..." "Only by acting on your desires, taking revenge as you please, living freely and unrestrained¡ªthat is the true way of the world!!!" "So, Yelan¡ªaside from you, everyone else must die!" "Let''s become the freest, most untethered beings in this world together!!!" Everyone listened to "Xingqiu''s" mad ravings and looked at his deranged appearance. They more or less understood how he acted after falling into eerie transformation... "Xingqiu''s" personality had completely changed. He had lost his original heart of chivalry and become a vile villain guilty of every possible crime... And yet, the one who committed the unchivalrous act¡ªYelan¡ªwas the only one he allowed to live, while everyone else had to be eliminated... Su Yuan suddenly had an idea. Since Ningguang would no longer fall into eerie transformation from losing her antique treasures, then if Yelan were to take that antique teacup she had snatched earlier and return it to that shop owner, Tai, with a sincere apology... In that case, if the unchivalrous deed was made right again, would Xingqiu then automatically snap out of his eerie state? "Yelan, we''ll hold Xingqiu off here. You go return that antique teacup to Tai..." Su Yuan turned his head slightly and quietly said to Yelan. And Yelan, being sharp, immediately understood what Su Yuan was aiming at. She simply replied, "Got it." Then, Yelan began her performance. "Hahaha, Brother Xingqiu, I think you''re absolutely right!" "Life is all about living in the moment and enjoying it to the fullest!" "Xingqiu" could sense that Yelan held no killing intent. Seeing that she agreed with him, he was quite pleased and responded: "That''s right! Why should we be some kind of righteous hero, helping the weak?" "The weak should just be eliminated!" "We only need to focus on achieving greatness for ourselves!" As Yelan spoke, she casually picked up the antique teacup and said: "Ningguang, you don''t deserve to own something this valuable. It belongs to me now!" "Exactly! If we want something, we just take it¡ªno need to care about anyone else!" "Xingqiu" once again praised Yelan''s performance. "Well then, Xingqiu, I''ll leave this place to you. I''m stepping out for a bit of fresh air..." As she said that, Yelan naturally walked out the door, and "Xingqiu" didn''t stop her at all... Su Yuan knew¡ªthe real battle was about to begin. Chongyun''s eerie transformation was still on cooldown¡ªthere was no relying on him to deal with "Xingqiu"... And it had taken their group over ten minutes to get from that shop to the Jade Chamber just now... S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if Yelan was extremely fast, on her own it would probably still take her three to five minutes to get there... Which meant that Su Yuan and the others had to hold out against the eerie-transformed "Xingqiu" for at least three to five minutes... Su Yuan suddenly remembered¡ªwasn''t Xingqiu really into reading? If he told him some martial arts stories from his original world, maybe he could stall for time? No, that wouldn''t work. Xingqiu''s personality had changed drastically due to the eerie corruption. Martial arts stories wouldn''t appeal to him anymore... He should go for crime novels or stories with villains instead... "Xingqiu, I actually have a few stories I think you''d really like. How about I tell you one?" Su Yuan looked toward Xingqiu and gave it a try. "Heh... I''m not interested in anything you have to say." Faced with Su Yuan''s words, "Xingqiu" responded with nothing more than a cold sneer. Su Yuan understood¡ªif stalling wouldn''t work, then they had no choice but to fight! His hands instantly burst forth with Cryo and Hydro elemental energy, aiming to freeze Xingqiu on the spot! But due to the distance, the elemental spray was a bit too slow¡ªXingqiu easily dodged it... "I only want to kill all of you now, and then reunite with Yelan! Together, we''ll become the most free, the most unrestrained people in this entire world!" "Xingqiu" spoke as he slowly drew the sword at his side. In an instant, several curtains of pitch-black, blood-red sword rain materialized around him! Gripping the long sword now wrapped in a sinister aura of eerie power, "Xingqiu" gently slashed in Su Yuan''s direction¡ªand behind him, countless crimson phantom swords appeared, raining down on Su Yuan and the others! Ningguang quickly channeled her elemental power to erect her Jade Screen in defense! But just as expected, elemental energy was completely useless against eerie power. The Jade Screen shattered in an instant! The group struggled to dodge the relentless, dense rain of blades from "Xingqiu." They could only keep evading, unable to fight back at all... All they could do was try to avoid fatal strikes, but there was no way to escape unharmed. Each of them was soon bloodied and wounded... They tried retreating slowly, hoping to use the terrain to reduce incoming damage¡ªbut "Xingqiu" remained in pursuit, giving them no room to breathe... And it seemed like "Xingqiu" wasn''t even going all out¡ªhe was simply watching them, enjoying the panic and fear painted on their faces... "...Tch, whatever. I''m bored now." "You all slither around like eels and vermin, so pathetic..." "Xingqiu" said coldly as the eerie power around him suddenly erupted in full force! The next moment, Su Yuan, Ningguang, and Chongyun all felt their bodies being forcefully restrained¡ªthey couldn''t move at all... Su Yuan realized what was happening: "Xingqiu" was using that same simple and brutal move again¡ªsuppressing his opponents'' movements with eerie power! And with that, facing Xingqiu''s rain of swords, there was no way for them to dodge anymore! "...Time to send you all on your way." Watching the blood-red sword rain closing in on him, Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a little emotional... Was it going to end here again? But just as the sword rain was about to strike¡ª It all vanished in an instant. The eerie power emanating from Xingqiu disappeared entirely as well. Xingqiu clutched his head, looking around at the wrecked Jade Chamber and the wounded, bloodied group. He opened his mouth and said: "...I''m really sorry. This was all my fault..." "It''s alright, Xingqiu. What matters is that you''re back," Ningguang stood up, brushed the dust from her clothes, and wiped the blood from her body as she spoke gently. Su Yuan, however, was utterly shocked¡ªdid Yelan succeed? Did she actually manage to return the antique teacup that quickly? He had estimated three to five minutes, thinking he was already overestimating Yelan''s speed... But barely even a minute had passed... Just how fast was Yelan? How did she pull it off? --------------- Exclusive access : 234ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 146: Ch 146 : So fast, Yelan Chapter 146 - Ch 146 : So fast, Yelan"Oh? Are you talking about me?" In response to Chongyun''s question, Ningguang smiled faintly and replied. "Since Su Yuan has already told me that the condition for my eerie transformation is the destruction of my precious antique collectibles..." "Then, from the moment I learned that, in my eyes, all of my treasures have become nothing more than trash that can be discarded at any time..." "And as it turns out, I was right." Hearing Ningguang''s words, Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. It seems that Ningguang''s eerie transformation condition isn''t based on objective reality, but, like Kirara''s, is influenced by her own subjective awareness... "But Ningguang, even so, you can''t let your guard down..." Su Yuan spoke seriously: "After all, I did mention before¡ªevery person might have more than one condition for eerie transformation." "Let''s think about that later. For now, we need to focus on how to deal with the eerified Xingqiu," Yelan said. "I used to yearn for punishing evil and promoting good, for walking the path of chivalry..." The ''Xingqiu'' looked at the group and slowly spoke: "But now, I think all of that is meaningless..." "All this talk of chivalry, righteousness, and morality¡ªit''s nothing but a shackle that binds people..." "Only by acting on your desires, taking revenge as you please, living freely and unrestrained¡ªthat is the true way of the world!!!" "So, Yelan¡ªaside from you, everyone else must die!" "Let''s become the freest, most untethered beings in this world together!!!" Everyone listened to "Xingqiu''s" mad ravings and looked at his deranged appearance. They more or less understood how he acted after falling into eerie transformation... "Xingqiu''s" personality had completely changed. He had lost his original heart of chivalry and become a vile villain guilty of every possible crime... And yet, the one who committed the unchivalrous act¡ªYelan¡ªwas the only one he allowed to live, while everyone else had to be eliminated... Su Yuan suddenly had an idea. Since Ningguang would no longer fall into eerie transformation from losing her antique treasures, then if Yelan were to take that antique teacup she had snatched earlier and return it to that shop owner, Tai, with a sincere apology... In that case, if the unchivalrous deed was made right again, would Xingqiu then automatically snap out of his eerie state? "Yelan, we''ll hold Xingqiu off here. You go return that antique teacup to Tai..." Su Yuan turned his head slightly and quietly said to Yelan. And Yelan, being sharp, immediately understood what Su Yuan was aiming at. She simply replied, "Got it." Then, Yelan began her performance. "Hahaha, Brother Xingqiu, I think you''re absolutely right!" "Life is all about living in the moment and enjoying it to the fullest!" "Xingqiu" could sense that Yelan held no killing intent. Seeing that she agreed with him, he was quite pleased and responded: "That''s right! Why should we be some kind of righteous hero, helping the weak?" "The weak should just be eliminated!" "We only need to focus on achieving greatness for ourselves!" As Yelan spoke, she casually picked up the antique teacup and said: "Ningguang, you don''t deserve to own something this valuable. It belongs to me now!" "Exactly! If we want something, we just take it¡ªno need to care about anyone else!" "Xingqiu" once again praised Yelan''s performance. "Well then, Xingqiu, I''ll leave this place to you. I''m stepping out for a bit of fresh air..." As she said that, Yelan naturally walked out the door, and "Xingqiu" didn''t stop her at all... Su Yuan knew¡ªthe real battle was about to begin. Chongyun''s eerie transformation was still on cooldown¡ªthere was no relying on him to deal with "Xingqiu"... And it had taken their group over ten minutes to get from that shop to the Jade Chamber just now... S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if Yelan was extremely fast, on her own it would probably still take her three to five minutes to get there... Which meant that Su Yuan and the others had to hold out against the eerie-transformed "Xingqiu" for at least three to five minutes... Su Yuan suddenly remembered¡ªwasn''t Xingqiu really into reading? If he told him some martial arts stories from his original world, maybe he could stall for time? No, that wouldn''t work. Xingqiu''s personality had changed drastically due to the eerie corruption. Martial arts stories wouldn''t appeal to him anymore... He should go for crime novels or stories with villains instead... "Xingqiu, I actually have a few stories I think you''d really like. How about I tell you one?" Su Yuan looked toward Xingqiu and gave it a try. "Heh... I''m not interested in anything you have to say." Faced with Su Yuan''s words, "Xingqiu" responded with nothing more than a cold sneer. Su Yuan understood¡ªif stalling wouldn''t work, then they had no choice but to fight! His hands instantly burst forth with Cryo and Hydro elemental energy, aiming to freeze Xingqiu on the spot! But due to the distance, the elemental spray was a bit too slow¡ªXingqiu easily dodged it... "I only want to kill all of you now, and then reunite with Yelan! Together, we''ll become the most free, the most unrestrained people in this entire world!" "Xingqiu" spoke as he slowly drew the sword at his side. In an instant, several curtains of pitch-black, blood-red sword rain materialized around him! Gripping the long sword now wrapped in a sinister aura of eerie power, "Xingqiu" gently slashed in Su Yuan''s direction¡ªand behind him, countless crimson phantom swords appeared, raining down on Su Yuan and the others! Ningguang quickly channeled her elemental power to erect her Jade Screen in defense! But just as expected, elemental energy was completely useless against eerie power. The Jade Screen shattered in an instant! The group struggled to dodge the relentless, dense rain of blades from "Xingqiu." They could only keep evading, unable to fight back at all... All they could do was try to avoid fatal strikes, but there was no way to escape unharmed. Each of them was soon bloodied and wounded... They tried retreating slowly, hoping to use the terrain to reduce incoming damage¡ªbut "Xingqiu" remained in pursuit, giving them no room to breathe... And it seemed like "Xingqiu" wasn''t even going all out¡ªhe was simply watching them, enjoying the panic and fear painted on their faces... "...Tch, whatever. I''m bored now." "You all slither around like eels and vermin, so pathetic..." "Xingqiu" said coldly as the eerie power around him suddenly erupted in full force! The next moment, Su Yuan, Ningguang, and Chongyun all felt their bodies being forcefully restrained¡ªthey couldn''t move at all... Su Yuan realized what was happening: "Xingqiu" was using that same simple and brutal move again¡ªsuppressing his opponents'' movements with eerie power! And with that, facing Xingqiu''s rain of swords, there was no way for them to dodge anymore! "...Time to send you all on your way." Watching the blood-red sword rain closing in on him, Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a little emotional... Was it going to end here again? But just as the sword rain was about to strike¡ª It all vanished in an instant. The eerie power emanating from Xingqiu disappeared entirely as well. Xingqiu clutched his head, looking around at the wrecked Jade Chamber and the wounded, bloodied group. He opened his mouth and said: "...I''m really sorry. This was all my fault..." "It''s alright, Xingqiu. What matters is that you''re back," Ningguang stood up, brushed the dust from her clothes, and wiped the blood from her body as she spoke gently. Su Yuan, however, was utterly shocked¡ªdid Yelan succeed? Did she actually manage to return the antique teacup that quickly? He had estimated three to five minutes, thinking he was already overestimating Yelan''s speed... But barely even a minute had passed... Just how fast was Yelan? How did she pull it off? --------------- Exclusive access : 234ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 147: Ch 147 : Children, I’m back Chapter 147 - Ch 147 : Children, I''m backAt the top of Ningguang''s Jade Chamber, there are three personal secretaries. Their names are Baiwen, Baixiao, and Baishi. They look quite similar, wear matching uniforms, and even their names are alike. So how do we tell them apart? It''s simple¡ªjust look at their hairstyles. Baiwen has ear-length short hair and doesn''t wear any braids. Typically, she''s the first person you''ll meet upon entering the Jade Chamber. Baixiao also has short hair, but she ties it into two small braids. She usually paces back and forth in Ningguang''s office, seemingly on alert or keeping watch for something... As for Baishi, her hair is comparatively longer, tied into a high ponytail, and she also wears a pair of black-rimmed glasses. She prefers staying alone in a corner, secretly gazing at Ningguang with a dreamy expression, muttering to herself and even drooling a little... Because, well, Baishi... she''s fantasizing about designing different outfits for Ningguang in her mind. Because she believes that for someone as important and busy as Lady Ningguang, it would be a complete waste of time to worry about things like picking outfits. That, she sees as her inescapable duty and responsibility as a secretary! Just thinking about Lady Ningguang''s elegant and commanding presence in public, her alluring silhouette while changing clothes, her skin like polished jade fresh out of the bath... Baishi would start going... hehe... hehe... and then unconsciously drool... Baishi is, without a doubt, a total fangirl of Ningguang! Now, why was Su Yuan thinking about all this? Because right now, after Xingqiu snapped out of his eerie transformation, Su Yuan noticed Baishi''s expression go slightly... off, the moment she laid eyes on Ningguang¡ªclothes torn, injured, and bleeding. And then, Baishi began slowly walking toward Xingqiu... Su Yuan thought, could it be that Baishi, upon seeing Ningguang wounded with her clothes damaged, was falling into eerie transformation herself? Was she now bent on taking revenge against the one who hurt Ningguang¡ªXingqiu? "You... the one who harmed Lady Ningguang... I will never forgive you!!!" As Baishi shouted, her hands turned into sharp claws, and she lunged toward Xingqiu''s chest to strike! However, Su Yuan had already noticed something was off and had been prepared. He quickly unleashed his Cryo and Hydro elemental powers, freezing "Baishi" in place in an instant! "Ningguang! Go tend to your wounds and change your clothes right away!" Su Yuan maintained his elemental output at full force, not daring to ease up even slightly, and shouted, "Baishi has already been corrupted by the eerie force!" "The condition for her transformation must''ve been seeing your clothes torn or your injuries!" Ningguang nodded and immediately went to change clothes. Seeing the frozen "Baishi," Su Yuan finally let out a small sigh of relief... Looks like his freezing tactic still worked pretty well on ordinary people whose eerie power wasn''t too strong. After a few minutes, Ningguang had changed into a fresh set of clothes, ensuring there were no visible injuries or any damage to her outfit. "Su Yuan, you can stop now. It should be fine..." Ningguang said gently. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Don''t actually freeze Baishi to death..." "Mm." Su Yuan nodded and withdrew his power. Then, Baiwen and Baixiao helped carry Baishi over to the fireplace to thaw out. Before long, Baishi regained consciousness... "Achoo¡ª!" Baishi sneezed, then quickly looked toward Ningguang with concern and spoke anxiously: "What just happened?" "Lady Ningguang? Lady Ningguang, are you alright?!" "I''m fine," Ningguang said with a gentle smile as she looked at little Baishi. "You might''ve caught a bit of a chill. I''ll give you a few days off¡ªgo see Doctor Baizhu for some medicine and get some good rest at home..." But then, Ningguang quickly changed her mind. "Actually, forget it¡ªfor now, best not to bother Doctor Baizhu. He''s probably very busy these days." "Everyone! What''s the situation? Any casualties?" Just then, Yelan pushed open the doors to the Jade Chamber and walked in from outside. She scanned the room. Although the Jade Chamber was in disarray and everyone bore some injuries, there were thankfully no signs of anyone having died... "Phew... That''s a relief. Looks like I made it in time," Yelan let out a breath and spoke. "So, Yelan, just how did you do it? How did you manage to get to Tai''s shop and back in under a minute?" Su Yuan looked at Yelan, puzzled, and asked. "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line," Yelan replied with a faint smile. "The Jade Chamber is in the sky, right? I just dove straight down from above and used my Wind Glider to adjust my trajectory¡ªI landed right at Tai''s shop in no time," Yelan explained. "By the way, when I got there, Tai was actually writing a letter to his boss, Pantalone..." "The content of the letter was rather unsightly, too. He was saying he was being oppressed by Liyue''s authorities, that he felt extremely wronged, and that he needed Master Pantalone to stand up for him¡ªhe even suggested launching an economic war against Liyue..." "Does Tai really think Pantalone actually cares about him? He''s nothing more than a disposable pawn to that guy..." So that''s how she managed it? Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. So she really did perform a leap of faith straight from the Jade Chamber¡ªthat''s why she was so fast. *Lol Assasins Creed reference Wind Gliders really are convenient... He definitely had to find a way to get one for himself! At the same time, Su Yuan kept a close eye on Xingqiu. After all, reading someone else''s letter without permission was technically unethical¡ªand un-chivalrous behavior. Fortunately, Xingqiu didn''t seem to be acting strangely... Noticing Su Yuan''s gaze, Xingqiu said, "Don''t worry, Su Yuan. I know what you''re concerned about, but I''m fine right now..." "I think the condition for my corruption must be personally witnessing behavior that violates chivalry¡ªnot just hearing about it secondhand." Everyone nodded in agreement, and then Ningguang spoke up: "In that case, there''s no time to waste. Let''s head to Guyun Stone Forest immediately to investigate." The group then followed Ningguang, boarded the floating stone platform, and left the Jade Chamber¡ªreturning to Yujing Terrace. After returning to Yujing Terrace, the group passed through the stone archway and headed toward the Yuehai Pavilion. To Su Yuan''s surprise, he suddenly noticed that Madame Ping seemed to have returned¡ªright at the tea stall where she usually sat... Madame Ping spotted the group as well, her face beaming with a warm, grandmotherly smile as she waved them over. "Children, I''m back." The current Madame Ping gave off a completely different vibe compared to before... Unfathomable... ethereal... As if that seemingly frail body now held immense, hidden power... Could it be that Madame Ping had regained her memories and strength? Or perhaps... the battle at Guyun Stone Forest was already over¡ªand Madame Ping''s true self had returned? --------------- Exclusive access : 237ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 148: Ch 148 : Xiangling and Guoba Chapter 148 - Ch 148 : Xiangling and Guoba"Children, I see you''re all in such a hurry. If it''s about the matter over at Guyun Stone Forest, there''s no need to be so anxious..." Madam Ping looked at everyone and slowly spoke: "Although there were some unexpected incidents, the issues in the sea have temporarily been resolved." "But the real crisis... is far from over." Her words made everyone feel a sense of relief¡ªbut also increased their tension. "The Geo Archon has also been tainted by that eerie power. After slaying the Vortex God, Osial, he went missing..." "This is the matter we must pay the most attention to..." Hearing Madam Ping''s words, Su Yuan furrowed his brows slightly... So, that figure suspected to be the Archon around the Dragon-Queller Tree really was Zhongli? Based on the information available so far, it seems that the one who broke Osial''s seal was Dottore, and then Dottore used eerie power to corrupt and control Osial... If that''s the case, isn''t the Petrified Tree where Azhdaha is sealed? Could it be that Dottore intended to break Azhdaha''s seal and corrupt him too, but ended up being caught red-handed by Zhongli...? In the end, Azhdaha''s seal wasn''t broken¡ªinstead, it was Zhongli who ended up being corrupted and controlled by the eerie power... Then for some unknown reason, Zhongli fought with Osial, resulting in a bizarre clash between two eerily corrupted beings... If that really is the case, then Zhongli is likely experiencing an external and incomplete form of eerie transformation. As long as they can find him and find a way to exhaust the eerie energy within him, he should be able to return to normal. Even though they currently had a ready combatant in Chongyun, the gap between Chongyun and Zhongli was still a bit too great... Even if Zhongli''s eerie transformation is incomplete, a fully corrupted Chongyun likely still wouldn''t be his match... In that case, could the only solution be to use powerful emotions to flush out the eerie power from Zhongli? Among those in Liyue, Hu Tao is probably one of the people closest to Zhongli, right? Maybe... like he had done earlier with Furina, they could stage another play¡ªpretend to kill Hu Tao? That way, Zhongli might be overwhelmed with intense sorrow, and that emotion could flush out the eerie energy corrupting him... "Also, we suspect that among the Adepti of Liyue, someone has already been corrupted and controlled by the eerie force..." "But we currently have no evidence or clues as to who that person might be..." Madam Ping slowly spoke: "Between Liyue Harbor and Guyun Stone Forest, someone has set up an illusionary barrier..." "So from Liyue Harbor''s vantage point, the direction of Guyun Stone Forest always appears calm and peaceful..." "This was discovered by the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao, after the battle ended..." "So that''s what happened..." Yelan nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder I didn''t hear a single thing, even though the Adepti have been fighting against the eerie forces these past few days..." "Because Guyun Stone Forest has been used to suppress many Ancient Gods and is located in a remote area, there are no permanent residents there..." "My informants have been watching the direction of Guyun Stone Forest from Liyue Harbor every day, yet they didn''t notice anything unusual..." "I''ve learned my lesson once again... seeing isn''t always believing¡ªsometimes you have to conduct an on-site investigation to be sure..." "In any case, children, I will remain here... If you ever need anything, feel free to come and find me." Madam Ping looked at everyone as she spoke. "By the way! Madam Ping, I remember Xiangling is your disciple, right..." Su Yuan turned to Madam Ping and asked: "Guoba went missing yesterday, and this morning Xiangling went out to look for him. Since then, there''s been no sign of her¡ªno word, no trace. I''m starting to get really worried about her..." "Xiangling and Guoba are missing too?" After hearing Su Yuan''s words, Madam Ping frowned slightly, then closed her eyes and calculated with her fingers before speaking: "Fortunately, Xiangling is not in any life-threatening danger right now..." "It''s just that something seems to be interfering with her location¡ªI can''t determine exactly where she is..." Although Su Yuan still didn''t know where Xiangling was, hearing that she wasn''t in danger for the time being still allowed him to breathe a small sigh of relief... After that, the group bid farewell to Madam Ping and prepared to split up to handle different matters. Ningguang, still uneasy about the situation at Guyun Stone Forest, decided she needed to go see it with her own eyes. Xingqiu and Chongyun planned to head to the Dragon-Queller Tree in Minlin to see what was going on there, and also to visit the Adepti in Huaguang Stone Forest and Mt. Aozang to check if they were present. Su Yuan and Yelan were going to Wangshu Inn, hoping to recruit Jiangxue, a high-level combatant, and check in on Xiao''s current condition while they were at it. ............. To be honest, Xiangling was actually really worried when Guoba went missing... Although Guoba had run off a few times before¡ªeither to slack off or play around¡ªhe had never stayed out overnight. Xiangling didn''t know exactly where Guoba had gone, but deep down, she had a strong feeling he would be at the place where they first met... It was a rainy day. Xiangling had set out alone to pick some glazed lilies on Mt. Tianheng near Liyue Harbor. Halfway there, exhausted and hungry, she stumbled into a cave to take shelter from the rain. Inside, she found a shrine... Xiangling took two spicy meat buns from her bag¡ªshe ate one and left the other in front of the shrine, planning to eat it later. But before she knew it, she had dozed off... When she woke up, the spicy meat bun in front of the shrine was gone, and a mysterious creature was sitting beside her, staring at her... That was how Xiangling and Guoba first met. Following the path laid out by her memory, Xiangling returned to the same cave she had visited back then... Even before she entered, she could already hear some kind of noise coming from within... "Guoba! You really are here!" Xiangling ran toward the cave, full of joy. "Seriously, Guoba! Why didn''t you come home last night? I was worried sick!" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when she stepped inside the cave, Xiangling saw something that left her completely stunned... Guoba was sitting right on the offering pedestal of the shrine, happily gnawing on something... Xiangling was shocked¡ªshe considered herself a pretty creative chef, always experimenting with all sorts of rare and strange ingredients in her cooking... But this particular "ingredient" was something she had never tried before¡ªand had never even considered trying. Guoba... seemed to be chewing on a human arm, the fingers still clearly visible... And beside him lay a pile of ghastly white bones... Xiangling''s mind went completely blank. Was Guoba... eating people? At that moment, Guoba also seemed to notice Xiangling''s presence... He climbed down slowly from the shrine''s offering platform and began walking toward her... But... he still seemed to recognize Xiangling. He showed no sign of wanting to hurt her. Instead, he pulled the half-eaten arm from his mouth and held it out toward Xiangling, giving it a little shake¡ªas if offering to share it with her, gesturing for her to eat it... Staring at Guoba''s blood-red, twisted face, Xiangling didn''t understand what was happening¡ªbut she had a terrible feeling. If she didn''t eat it... she might not leave this cave alive. --------------- Exclusive access : 237ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 149: Ch 149 : Hello, my dearest friend Chapter 149 - Ch 149 : Hello, my dearest friendAfter leaving Liyue Harbor, Su Yuan and Yelan headed north toward Wangshu Inn. On the way, Yelan once again received intelligence from a messenger pigeon with a blue bowtie. "Verr Goldet says she seems to have seen signs of Xiao again..." Yelan looked at the small note in her hand and said slowly: "And this time, Xiao actually asked for three servings of almond tofu..." "Looks like fighting those monsters tainted by eerie corruption has drained him quite a bit..." Su Yuan joked: "After not having almond tofu for days, asking for three at once¡ªhe must''ve been absolutely craving it!" But in the next moment, Su Yuan could no longer laugh... Because up ahead, by the side of the path, there was a figure leaning against a sunsettia tree, seemingly waiting for their arrival... If he wasn''t mistaken, that mask, that outfit... No doubt about it¡ªthat was The Doctor, Dottore! And in the next instant, Dottore gave a faint smile and pulled out a strange-looking device, aiming it at Su Yuan and Yelan! Immediately, both Su Yuan and Yelan''s minds were overwhelmed with a barrage of buzzing¡ª "Bzzz¡ª Bzzz¡ª" That sound¡ªso loud, so sharp¡ªbut somehow, it also made one feel an irresistible drowsiness... "What... is this..." Yelan clutched her head, her speech slurring, and her body swaying unsteadily... "So sleepy..." Then, with a thud, Yelan collapsed to the ground. But Su Yuan, despite feeling extremely irritated and uncomfortable under the influence of the strange soundwaves, remained fully conscious. There were no signs that he was about to faint. "Oh?" Dottore showed a puzzled expression, shutting off the device in his hand as he slowly approached Su Yuan. "I had assumed that this soundwave¡ªdeveloped by the Sumeru Akademiya to induce a dream state without resistance¡ªonly failed to work on gods..." "Why are you still awake?" "We already tested it, and it was highly effective even against the Descender¡ªthe Traveler..." "But you, also a Descender... why doesn''t it affect you?" "Don''t tell me... in some way, are you also a god?" Dottore stared at Su Yuan in puzzlement, eyeing him up and down, and muttered thoughtfully. "Dottore! What is your real goal?!" "You already turned Fontaine into a complete mess¡ªare you here to ruin Liyue next?!" Su Yuan stared at Dottore nervously, shouting his question. He hadn''t expected to run into Dottore so soon... And this time, Neuvillette wasn''t with him... "Goal?" Dottore chuckled lightly and spoke slowly, "I believe I''ve said it many times already. It''s nothing more than satisfying that small, innocent curiosity in my heart..." "And besides, Su Yuan, my dear friend... must you speak to me like that?" Dottore showed a slightly helpless expression. "You have such a deep understanding of the Eerie power. And your mind... it''s full of wild, imaginative ideas." "I''ve said before¡ªI hoped we could become partners in academic exchange. That we could be close, inseparable friends..." "Pah! Who the hell wants to be friends with you?!" Su Yuan fired back without hesitation. "What a pity..." Dottore looked at Su Yuan, an expression of genuine regret crossing his face... "You don''t want to be friends with me... is it because you already have too many friends around you?" "Then I''ll kill all the friends you have now, one by one. And whoever tries to be your friend after that... I''ll kill them too, without hesitation." As Dottore spoke, he slowly began walking toward Yelan. Su Yuan, suppressing the fear and tension in his heart, stepped in front of Dottore, raising his hands and blasting him with a fierce surge of Cryo and Hydro elemental energy! But it was completely useless¡ªDottore''s strength far exceeded what Su Yuan could handle. "Oh? No Vision, yet you can still use elemental power? Is this one of the Descenders'' special privileges?" Sensing the Cryo and Hydro energy radiating from Su Yuan, Dottore spoke calmly: "And this Cryo energy... it has the scent of a Fatui Delusion." "Though I''ve mostly severed ties with the Fatui now, if you, Su Yuan, are willing to become my dear friend¡ªif you''re interested in Delusions¡ªI do have the means to get you the highest-grade Delusion available..." But soon, Dottore changed his tone. "No, no... Delusions, elemental power¡ªthose things are already outdated." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Su Yuan, become my friend. Join me. Let us study the Eerie power together... and fully master it!" Su Yuan looked at the scene before him, filled with frustration. The gap in strength... was just too great... As the Second Harbinger of the Fatui, Dottore already possessed strength comparable to that of the gods... And now, he had even partially mastered the power of the Eerie... Which meant his current power was likely even greater than when he had previously fought against the Eerie-corrupted Neuvillette... But Su Yuan noticed a curious detail¡ªDottore had just referred to him as a Descender? Until now, Su Yuan had only ever thought of himself as someone from another world... Because, in his eyes, he didn''t feel like he was worthy of the title "Descender"... After all, not all those from other worlds qualified as Descenders¡ªonly those whose very existence was equal to an entire world, only those who carried a will strong enough to rival a whole realm, could be called a Descender... Could it be that, in Dottore''s eyes, he was that powerful? Dottore gently pushed Su Yuan aside¡ªhis motion surprisingly gentle, almost as if he truly regarded Su Yuan as a friend... Then, he approached the unconscious Yelan, gripped her by the throat with one hand, and lifted her high into the air. He turned to Su Yuan and calmly said: "Su Yuan, my dearest friend... I''ll give you only five seconds." "Tell me your answer¡ªor Yelan... will be meeting her ancestors very soon." "Five... four..." At this moment, Su Yuan was plunged into deep inner turmoil... Do I really have to agree to Dottore''s demand and become friends with this scumbag, bastard, demon? Dottore probably already knows I could never truly be his friend... But what he wants, more than anything, is likely just to see me submit to him¡ªhe wants to see that helpless expression on my face. But if I don''t agree, Yelan will die at his hands... Or... should I just die here and use a rewind, choose a different path, and avoid Dottore for now? But it''s only halfway through the day, and I only have one stable rewind left... What if something even worse happens later? "Three... two... one..." "Don''t agree to him!" At that critical moment, a voice suddenly rang out from the distance, and a figure with messy blond hair appeared! He held a Dull Blade in his hand and charged straight at Dottore! "Dottore! Take this!" Su Yuan looked at the figure in both surprise and disbelief! Holy crap? Aether? Wasn''t he supposed to be in Sumeru? How is he here now?! --------------- Exclusive access : 240ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 150: Ch 150 : Meet Aether again Chapter 150 - Ch 150 : Meet Aether againFacing Aether, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, Dottore revealed a slightly surprised expression... He casually tossed Yelan to the ground, then blinked backward, dodging Aether''s attack. "So it''s you..." Dottore stared at Aether, speaking slowly. "That''s right, Dottore. It''s me. We meet again," Aether responded. "...Very well." As Dottore spoke, he turned to look at Su Yuan and said apologetically: "Su Yuan, my dearest friend, it seems that something unexpected has happened today. Someone who shouldn''t be here has interrupted our chance to form a bond of friendship..." "In that case, I shall take my leave for now. Let us look forward to our next meeting..." With that, Dottore slowly vanished into the nearby forest¡ªand Aether didn''t seem inclined to stop him. Su Yuan was a bit surprised¡ªwas Aether really that strong now? Wasn''t he nearly solo-killed by a single eerie hilichurl not long ago? And now he could scare off Dottore in a head-on confrontation? That''s... so strange... I just can''t make sense of it... Was it that Dottore had gotten weaker, or that Aether had gotten stronger? Su Yuan quickly went to check on Yelan''s condition. Fortunately, she was still breathing and had a heartbeat¡ªshe had only fallen unconscious... He gently laid Yelan down on the soft grass, letting the shade of the trees shield her from the sun. Then, Su Yuan turned to Aether and asked: "Aether, what are you doing in Liyue too?" "Since you''re here, that must mean everything''s fine in Sumeru, right?" "Yeah, that''s right. I just came from Sumeru. Everything''s normal over there, don''t worry." Right now, Aether looked and felt exactly the same as he had before... But as Su Yuan looked at him, he couldn''t shake the feeling that something was off¡ªthough he couldn''t quite put his finger on what it was... "But... aren''t the teleport waypoints broken too?" Su Yuan asked in confusion: "Sumeru and Liyue are so far apart. How did you get here so quickly?" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And how did you even know where I was?" "Not all the teleport waypoints are broken¡ªthere are still a few that are working normally." Aether replied, "I used those still-functioning waypoints to get to Liyue." "As for how I found your location, that''s simple," Aether said with a smile. "There''s a mysterious force on you... something that''s been drawing me toward you all this time. That''s how I found you." Su Yuan nodded. So that was it... It must be what the rule prompt in his right palm had mentioned earlier¡ªabout how people from other worlds are naturally drawn to each other... Aether must have sensed that pull and used it to pinpoint his location. Tch... it''s supposed to be a mutual attraction, right? So why can others sense where he is, but he can''t sense where they are? Su Yuan grumbled internally in mild frustration. "Well, whatever. In any case, since you''re here in Liyue too, Aether, that means we''ve gained another ally on our side!" Cough, cough... Just then, Yelan suddenly let out a couple of coughs. She furrowed her brows, rubbed her head, and muttered weakly: "My head... it''s spinning and aching..." "What happened to me...?" "Dottore! That bastard Dottore¡ªwhere is he? I think I saw his figure right before I passed out!" Yelan shot up from the ground in alarm, immediately going on high alert and scanning her surroundings. "It''s alright, Yelan. Dottore has already left," Aether said as he looked toward her. "Traveler?" Yelan looked at Aether in confusion, then turned to Su Yuan and asked: "Su Yuan, didn''t you say the Traveler had gone to Sumeru?" "I did. I went to Sumeru first, but everything there was calm and normal¡ªso I rushed over here to Liyue right after," Aether replied with a smile. He looked at Yelan and said warmly, "From here on, please allow me to travel alongside the two of you..." But just then, a sudden realization struck Su Yuan like lightning. That''s what felt off this whole time¡ªwhere''s Paimon? The floating "emergency food" who was always by Aether''s side¡ªwhy was she nowhere to be seen? "Aether! Where''s Paimon? What happened to her?!" Su Yuan grabbed Yelan and took a few cautious steps back, his eyes now filled with wariness as he stared at Aether. Yelan, picking up on the shift, also grew tense¡ªher expression turning grave as she locked her gaze on him. A terrifying thought flashed through Su Yuan''s mind: Could it be... that Aether has already been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie? Was that why Dottore had chosen to retreat without a fight¡ªbecause he knew something was wrong with "Aether"? And Paimon... she might already... "You mean Paimon?" Aether gave a faint smile, then slowly stuck out his tongue and licked his lips as if savoring something delicious. "On the way from Sumeru to Liyue, I was just... so hungry." "And since Paimon is the best emergency food in all of Teyvat, of course it was time for her to finally fulfill her purpose." "So, I made a nice broth out of her. The taste... I swear, it was the best thing I''ve ever eaten." "Not too salty, not too bland¡ªjust perfect..." Su Yuan''s heart sank. What he feared most had come true¡ªAether had already been corrupted by the Eerie. Which also meant... Sumeru might no longer be safe. But just then¡ª "Traveler! Seriously! Look what you''ve done with that awful joke!" A familiar voice rang out from the nearby grass, and a moment later, Paimon slowly floated out from the bushes. "Look at you scaring Su Yuan and Yelan like that!" Su Yuan and Yelan both stared at Paimon in shock¡ªthen turned their confused, shaken gazes back to Aether... Oh man, seriously? Even now you''re still joking around with us? The eerie smile on Aether''s face faded, replaced by a bright, cheerful grin. He stepped forward, giving both Su Yuan and Yelan a pat on the shoulder and said apologetically: "Sorry about that. I thought for a long time about what kind of scene it would be when we finally met again..." "In the end, despite Paimon''s objections, I went with this... unique kind of reunion." "So? Did I manage to scare you?" "Aether, that was a solid performance... but please don''t do it again." Su Yuan looked at Aether''s grinning face, clearly exasperated. "My poor heart can''t take shocks like that..." "Hahaha, alright, I promise¡ªno next time!" Aether laughed as he gave Su Yuan''s shoulder another pat. "But actually, Su Yuan... didn''t you notice? What I said just now¡ªthere were some contradictions in it." "I said I used teleport waypoints to come to Liyue, right? That should''ve been instant... so how could I have gotten hungry on the way? Let alone stewed Paimon and eaten her?" Su Yuan nodded ¡ª that''s true... Had he been too tense to notice the contradiction earlier? Well, either way, now that Aether had reunited with him, they had gained another strong ally in the fight against the Eerie in Liyue... After all, he was the protagonist of this world, wasn''t he? --------------- Exclusive access : 240ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 151: Ch 151 : Su Yuan and Jiang Xue Chapter 151 - Ch 151 : Su Yuan and Jiang XueAfterward, Su Yuan, Yelan, Aether, and Paimon followed the official road northward and finally arrived at Wangshu Inn by dusk. Verr Goldet and Huai''an greeted the group. "Traveler, long time no see," Huai''an said with a smile, greeting Aether. "You helped me a lot before by fixing the inn''s stairs and clearing out the monsters nearby..." "Oh, those were just small favors," Aether replied with a grin. "Besides, it''s not like you had me do them for free. You gave me a reward, I did the job¡ªfair deal." "Speaking of which, we tried hard to stop Jiang Xue from going fishing today," Verr Goldet said as she looked toward Yelan, "But he forced his way past us and went fishing anyway..." "However, not long ago, he returned. He still brought back a few big fish and handed them over to Yanxiao, acting as if everything was normal..." "How is the Conqueror of Demons doing?" Yelan asked. "Although it was a bit surprising that he ate three servings of Almond Tofu today, he should be fine..." Verr Goldet replied. "It''s just that ordinary people like us can''t see him..." "Aether, if I remember correctly, you have a good relationship with Xiao, right?" Su Yuan looked at Aether and said, "As long as you call out Xiao''s name, he''ll appear beside you." "How about going somewhere private and calling him over? Maybe ask him how he''s doing?" But in response to Su Yuan''s suggestion, Aether shook his head and said, "Forget it, Su Yuan. Based on the info you shared with me on the way, Xiao has been going through constant battles lately..." "Now that the fighting has finally quieted down, we shouldn''t bother him. Let him rest properly." Su Yuan nodded¡ªhe admitted Aether had a point... But still, if you''re this thoughtful and considerate, why the hell did you pull that stunt earlier and almost scare me and Yelan to death? "Verr Goldet, where is Jiang Xue now? I want to go see him..." Since they weren''t going to disturb Xiao for now, Su Yuan figured it was better to go meet Jiang Xue first. We must find a way to get Jiang Xue to join the team in fighting against the eerie forces... Of course, Su Yuan didn''t intend to guilt-trip him into it. If he tried reasoning with Jiang Xue and appealing to his emotions, and Jiang Xue still refused to join¡ªchoosing instead to live like a laid-back fisherman with no worldly ties¡ªthen there wasn''t much else Su Yuan could do... "Jiang Xue? He should be on the first floor of the inn right now," Verr Goldet replied, "at the very last table in the far corner, eating some snacks and sipping wine." With that, Su Yuan and the group headed to the spot Verr Goldet mentioned and found Jiang Xue. Jiang Xue looked up at the group and said calmly, "So many of you¡ªare you here to share a table with me?" "But there are plenty of empty tables around... and this one isn''t even in a good spot. Why come here?" "Besides, I''m used to being alone..." Looking at Jiang Xue''s calm and indifferent demeanor, Su Yuan felt this might be tricky... There was no energy or fighting spirit in Jiang Xue''s eyes¡ªjust a man going through the motions, living a quiet, indifferent life. "Jiang Xue, we have something very important we''d like to talk to you about. Could we borrow a moment of your time to explain?" Su Yuan asked. "Something important?" Jiang Xue repeated, then shook his head. "To me these days, the most important thing is just passing time with fishing..." "I''m not interested in whatever it is you have to say. Just go. Don''t disturb me while I''m eating and drinking alone." As he spoke, Jiang Xue waved his hand, gesturing for them to leave. No... this was far beyond what Su Yuan had expected... Jiang Xue was even more dejected, more apathetic, and more resigned to doing nothing than Su Yuan had imagined. Forget trying to have a conversation¡ªhe didn''t even seem willing to listen. But Su Yuan had to talk to him¡ªhe had to. So, ignoring Jiang Xue''s rejection, Su Yuan sat down right across from him and began speaking: "Before we get into the main topic, let me tell you a story first..." Jiang Xue didn''t respond, but he also didn''t shoo Su Yuan away again. He just quietly drank his wine and picked at his food. Su Yuan continued: "Once upon a time, there were two martial brothers. Every day, they trained diligently and cultivated their skills¡ªnot for fame, not for power¡ªbut to vanquish evil and protect the world, to cleanse the land of darkness..." "But the power of ordinary people is ultimately limited. Without a Vision, how could they possibly achieve all that?" "Later, the two brothers trained tirelessly together, and the elder brother was the first to receive a Vision." "The scriptures say that Visions are gifts from the heavens, bestowed upon outstanding individuals to help them slay demons and defend the world..." "But at that time, the elder brother began to realize something: those so-called monsters¡ªthey had their own lives, their own customs, their own language... even their own families." S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Other than their frightening appearances and their occasional attacks on humans, they weren''t so different from people..." "The elder brother could no longer bring himself to view them with hatred or judgment¡ªhe only wished to understand them, to communicate with them, to seek out their true nature..." "Eventually, a rift formed between the brothers." "The younger one believed that since his brother had received a Vision, he should carry the weight of his duty. How could he feel sympathy for the very creatures who brought disaster upon the world¡ªmonsters that left countless homes in ruins and families shattered?" "The younger brother was firm in his conviction: monsters were a blight upon the land. The only way to deal with them was complete eradication." "And so, in anger and frustration, the younger brother went off on his own to hunt the monsters... but was tragically killed in the process." "After his death, the elder brother was consumed with grief. He thought back to the three questions he had once asked his younger brother..." "And those very questions... he later carved into a stone tablet, leaving them behind for others to ponder¡ª" ''Are monsters born evil?'' ''Are mortals and immortals born good?'' ''If we claim to protect the world... are we judging good and evil based solely on our own hearts?''" After Su Yuan finished telling the story, he looked at Jiang Xue nervously... Although there was already some evidence suggesting that the elder brother in the story was Jiang Xue himself... Before Su Yuan transmigrated to this world, the game''s official lore hadn''t confirmed it¡ªthis theory was merely speculation by lore enthusiasts, with quite a few voices opposing the idea... Whether it was true or not now depended entirely on Jiang Xue''s reaction... After hearing the story, Jiang Xue''s expression remained calm as ever... However, he did lift his head to look at Su Yuan, and opened his mouth to ask: "Well then, young man, how would you answer those three questions?" Su Yuan keenly noticed that, while Jiang Xue hadn''t explicitly admitted to being that elder brother, there was something different in his gaze now¡ªsubtle, yet unmistakable... And Su Yuan had a strong feeling... the way he answered those three questions would determine whether Jiang Xue would be willing to join his team in the fight against the Eerie. --------------- Exclusive access : 243ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 152: Ch 152 : Do the Eerie of this world exist inherently as evil? Chapter 152 - Ch 152 : Do the Eerie of this world exist inherently as evil?As for those three questions, Su Yuan didn''t actually know the exact answers either... Just like in the world he came from, people had debated for thousands of years whether human nature was inherently good or evil, without ever reaching a definitive conclusion. These kinds of questions never have a standard answer¡ªeveryone has different perspectives, and they must be viewed dialectically... Now, Su Yuan found himself at a crossroads¡ª Should he try to guess Jiang Xue''s thoughts and answer the questions in the way Jiang Xue might want to hear? Or should he follow his own heart and answer them honestly and sincerely? In the end, Su Yuan decided to follow his heart and speak his truth. "For the first question, I believe that monsters of this world aren''t inherently evil..." "It''s like this¡ªif you''re a sheep, and you see a wolf, naturally you''ll think the wolf is evil..." "But from the wolf''s perspective, eating sheep, eating meat¡ªit''s simply the instinct passed down through generations..." "The environment they live in, the way they''ve been taught¡ªit all determines that they eat sheep..." "But if a wolf pup were raised from birth among a flock of sheep, and given plenty of food, I believe it might not only refrain from eating the sheep¡ªit might even become their protector..." "So here, I''ll answer the second question along with it..." "Whether it''s monsters, immortals, or ordinary people, I don''t believe anyone is born inherently good or evil. Everyone starts out as a blank slate..." "Whether someone becomes good or bad, right or wrong, is shaped by their environment and their own choices..." "As for the third question¡ªwhether defending the world is merely about using one''s own heart to judge good and evil..." "I believe it is." "This world never had any absolute distinction between right and wrong, good and evil. The world you see is nothing more than a world judged through your own subjectivity..." "What you believe to be right, others may see as wrong¡ªand vice versa..." "Hahaha..." After hearing Su Yuan''s words, Jiang Xue suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "Alright then, tell me¡ªwhat is it that you wanted to say to me? I''m all ears." Su Yuan felt an overwhelming sense of joy¡ªthough he wasn''t sure how well his words had landed, judging by Jiang Xue''s reaction, it seemed that Jiang Xue accepted what he said! Su Yuan nodded and said, "Thank you, Jiang Xue." Then, right in front of Jiang Xue, Su Yuan told him everything about the Eerie incidents, one by one... "So... it was the Eerie, huh..." After listening to Su Yuan, Jiang Xue nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder, these past few days when I went fishing, I always felt like time was passing unusually fast..." "So during that time, I was being controlled by the Eerie..." Then, Jiang Xue asked a question that left everyone bewildered. He looked up at Su Yuan and asked, "Then tell me, Su Yuan¡ªdo you think the Eerie in this world... are born evil?" That question truly stumped Su Yuan... Because, as things stood, the Eerie seemed to represent horror and misfortune by nature. Those who were corrupted or controlled by them would become strange¡ªbrutal, bloodthirsty, and violent... But after the discussion he just had with Jiang Xue, Su Yuan began to wonder¡ªmaybe not all Eerie were that terrifying... Take Jiang Xue, for example. The Eerie-affected version of him had simply been obsessed with fishing. He had shown no intention of harming anyone... Only when someone disturbed his fishing would he take the initiative to attack... "Su Yuan, do you think there might be Eerie beings in this world that not only refrain from harming others, but actually help people?" Jiang Xue continued speaking. Su Yuan thought about it for a moment, then nodded and said, "Perhaps such Eerie do exist..." "It''s just that... we haven''t encountered one yet." Hearing Su Yuan''s reply, Jiang Xue also nodded and said, "Alright, I understand." "I''m guessing the reason all of you came to find me was to invite me to join your team against the Eerie, right?" "I can join you¡ªbut I have one condition." Su Yuan nodded excitedly. They''d finally reached this point? Finally, would he be able to recruit Jiang Xue¡ªthis powerful expert¡ªinto the team fighting the Eerie? He just didn''t know yet what condition Jiang Xue would propose... "As you can see, I don''t have a job, and I don''t have any Mora on me..." "Though that cook always says I freeload, strictly speaking, I''ve never truly eaten for free..." "I always use the fish I catch to pay off the cost of my meals..." "But once I join you guys, I''ll have to travel all over with you and won''t have a fixed place to fish anymore..." "So, you guys have to cover my meals," Jiang Xue said. Everyone stared at him speechlessly. They had expected some grand, earth-shaking condition¡ªbut it turned out to be this simple? "No problem. From now on, your meals are fully covered by the Liyue General Affairs Office," Yelan agreed without hesitation. "Well then, let''s run a little experiment," Su Yuan said as he reached into his bag and pulled out the toy fishing set he had bought earlier from Granny Shan''s toy stall, handing it over to Jiang Xue. Jiang Xue looked at the toy in front of him with a bewildered expression, clearly unimpressed. "Su Yuan, what is this supposed to be?" he asked. "Is this some kind of onboarding gift for joining your anti-Eerie team?" "I''m not a child anymore. I don''t need stuff like this..." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No no no, Jiang Xue, you''ve misunderstood," Su Yuan said with a smile. "This is just an idea I came up with¡ªa way to make use of the conditions under which you corrupted by Eerie ..." "After all, who says toy fishing isn''t still fishing?" With that, Jiang Xue cooperated with the others and began the experiment. And the moment Jiang Xue gripped the toy fishing rod, his entire aura shifted completely... Su Yuan softly and cautiously asked, "Jiang Xue?" Jiang Xue made a "shh" gesture and said, "Quiet... don''t scare the fish away." Although there wasn''t any trace of eerie power emanating from Jiang Xue at the moment, everyone could tell¡ªhe had likely entered his eerie state... No one dared disturb him. Jiang Xue, one by one, fished up all the toy fish. After a while, Jiang Xue''s expression returned to normal, and the clarity returned to his eyes. He rubbed his head and looked at the toy fish in front of him, puzzled. "What... just happened?" "I didn''t expect this method would actually work." "Jiang Xue, keep that toy fishing rod with you," Su Yuan said. "From now on, whenever we run into a tough opponent, we''ll need you to take that out and enter your fishing state..." "That way, we might just be able to set up an Eerie versus Eerie scenario!" Jiang Xue nodded, carefully wrapping the toy in a cloth and putting it away with great care. At the top floor of Wangshu Inn, a small figure stood silently, watching everything unfold from above... But his gaze wasn''t focused on Jiang Xue¡ªinstead, it was locked onto Aether and Paimon, who were standing nearby, quietly observing. --------------- Exclusive access : 243ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 153: Ch 153 : Let me take a look Chapter 153 - Ch 153 : Let me take a lookSince it was already evening by the time they arrived at Wangshu Inn, and after all the running around they did, the sky quickly darkened. Afterward, under Yanxiao''s cooking, everyone had a simple dinner together. "Jiang Xue, I never thought the day would come when you''d actually leave Wangshu Inn..." Yanxiao looked at Jiang Xue, speaking with a bit of emotion. "What, can''t live without me eating your food anymore?" Jiang Xue glanced at Yanxiao as he replied. "Tch, as if I''d miss you." Yanxiao shot back without hesitation, "If I don''t have to cook your portion, that''s less work for me." "Don''t worry. I''ll come back to visit you when I get the chance," Jiang Xue said. "Tchh... the way you said that makes me sound like some lonely old man..." Later, Huaian arranged a top-tier suite for Su Yuan, and that''s where he would be resting for the night. Lying on the bed, Su Yuan closed his eyes, wanting to fall asleep immediately, eager to get through the day and obtain some new intel. Even though a lot of unexpected things happened today, he had still only used three rewind chances... If Aether hadn''t suddenly stepped in to help when they encountered Dottore, he probably would''ve had to use another rewind then... But just at that moment, Su Yuan suddenly felt that something¡ªor someone¡ªhad entered his room... He opened his eyes and¡ªoh? It was Xiao! "Last time, due to the urgency of battle, I didn''t have the time to properly thank you." Xiao looked at Su Yuan and slowly spoke: "Thank you for helping me retrieve my Yaksha mask. It''s very important to me." "Xiao, are you alright?" Su Yuan asked with genuine concern, looking him up and down. The wounds and blood he had seen all over Xiao''s body last night had completely vanished... So this is the recovery ability of the Yaksha clan? "I''m fine," Xiao replied calmly. "You''ve probably already heard from Streetward Rambler that among the Adepti, it seems one has been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie..." "Do you have any suspects in mind?" Su Yuan asked. "Not at the moment." Xiao thought for a while before answering. But then, he suddenly changed the topic and said to Su Yuan, "However, I have a feeling that the Traveler... there''s something off about him." "But I can''t quite put my finger on what exactly it is..." "In this world now overrun with the Eerie, we have to make sure that every person around us is truly trustworthy." "That''s why I''ve come to find you, Su Yuan¡ªbecause for now, you''re someone I can absolutely trust." "I want you to help me test the Traveler, find out what''s really going on with him..." Listening to Xiao''s words, Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully. It was true¡ªwhen Aether and Paimon showed up and met him earlier today, something about them had indeed felt strange... And earlier, when he asked Aether to try calling for Xiao, he''d just brushed it off with an excuse and didn''t do it... Most importantly, Xiao and he shared the same feeling¡ªAether seemed... off. But neither of them could quite say exactly what was wrong. "Alright, Xiao," Su Yuan nodded in agreement. "Actually, I''ve felt the same way." "So, tell me¡ªhow should I go about testing the Traveler?" Su Yuan thought to himself, Well, since I still have one guaranteed rewind chance left today, I might as well use it... If he could obtain some brand-new intel, that would be even better! Of course, starting tomorrow, he planned to try going a whole day without using the rewind ability, to see if anything special would happen because of it. "It''s simple. You just need to have the Traveler call out my name." "If I can sense the Traveler''s summons, then he is the real Traveler," Xiao said. "Alright," Su Yuan nodded in agreement. Then, in the blink of an eye, Xiao disappeared from the room. Su Yuan also left his own room and found Huai''an, asking him to bring him to the door of Aether and Paimon''s room. Su Yuan knocked on the door and asked, "Aether? Paimon? Are you asleep yet?" "I have something I''d like to talk to you about. Is now a good time?" "Oh! It''s you, Su Yuan!" Aether''s voice came from within the room. "But you might have to wait a bit, I just got out of the shower and I''m getting dressed..." Hearing that, Su Yuan instantly felt that something was... off. Since both he and Xiao suspected that Aether was acting a little off, Su Yuan couldn''t help but wonder¡ª Was Aether really drying off after a shower right now? Or was he trying to hide something he didn''t want others to see? After a moment of hesitation, Su Yuan made a bold decision! He pushed hard and slammed his shoulder into the door¡ª forcing Aether''s room door open with a bang! And what he saw next shocked him! There stood Aether, wearing nothing but a pair of short boxers and a towel draped over his shoulders, towel-drying his dripping wet blonde hair... The bathroom behind him was still full of warm steam, mist swirling in the air¡ªit clearly looked like someone had just finished a shower. "Ah! Su Yuan, what are you doing?! The Traveler already told you he was getting dressed! Why did you just barge in like that?!" Paimon flew over in a panic, planting herself right in front of Su Yuan and waving her arms around to block his view. "No peeking... NO PEEKING!!" Even though Paimon did her best to shield his sight, her tiny body wasn''t enough¡ª and with all her fidgeting, Su Yuan still managed to catch glimpses of Aether through the gaps. Aether was clutching the towel tightly around his body... And¡ªwait¡ªwas that a blush on his face? "Aww, are you blushing?" "Come on now, be good... let me have a look!" Although Su Yuan really wanted to blurt those words out, in the end, he held himself back¡ª because saying something like that would definitely make him seem like a total pervert... Still, he couldn''t help being curious. Aether, what exactly are you so shy about? They were both grown men, and Aether was even wearing shorts¡ªso what was there to be embarrassed about? "...Alright, alright, this was my bad," Su Yuan said as he sighed. "I shouldn''t have barged in before you finished changing." With that, Su Yuan backed out of the room and shut the door behind him. A little while later, Aether''s voice called out from inside again: "Okay, Su Yuan. I''m dressed now¡ªyou can come in." Su Yuan pushed the door open and entered, only to find Aether sitting on the bed, his face still red and wearing a slightly resentful expression as he looked at Su Yuan. Su Yuan was baffled. He hadn''t even seen anything¡ªwas all this really necessary? "Ahem... please allow me to apologize again," Su Yuan said with an awkward cough. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I may have accidentally broken the door lock when I forced it open earlier. I''ll ask Huai''an to replace it later, or maybe just get you another room..." "Just charge it to Yelan''s tab." Seeing Aether like this made Su Yuan even more confused. Was Aether really this shy... this reserved? Or... Was this Aether... not the real Aether? --------------- Exclusive access : 246ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 154: Ch 154 : The Strange Aether and Xiao Chapter 154 - Ch 154 : The Strange Aether and XiaoSu Yuan looked at Aether and Paimon before him, wondering what to do next... Although Aether''s behavior earlier had indeed been a bit strange, that alone wasn''t enough to prove he wasn''t the real Aether... Should he start by subtly probing for information, or be upfront and lay everything out? Aether seemed to notice the doubtful expression on Su Yuan''s face and spoke up: "Su Yuan, is there something you want to say?" "We''ve been through life-and-death situations together¡ªif there''s anything on your mind, just say it directly." Aether had finally recovered from his earlier shyness and now looked at Su Yuan with a sincere gaze. "...Alright, since you''re being this straightforward, I won''t beat around the bush either." Su Yuan nodded, then looked up, locking eyes with Aether. "To be honest, both Xiao and I feel that there''s something... off about you." "But the strange thing is¡ªwe can''t quite put our finger on what it is exactly." Aether''s expression darkened slightly. "Su Yuan... what are you trying to say? Are you suspecting that I''ve been corrupted by an Eerie too?" Aether showed a confused expression as he looked at Su Yuan and asked, "Weren''t you the one who told me that people like us¡ªthose from another world or Descenders¡ªare less likely to be corrupted by the Eerie?" Su Yuan nodded... It was true. He had said that during a private conversation with Aether back at the hospital in Fontaine. The fact that this Aether remembered it at least proved he was really Aether... "But you also told me," Su Yuan narrowed his eyes, watching Aether closely, trying to catch any hint in his gaze, "that it was only your personal, unconfirmed speculation..." "And Eerie beings can disguise themselves. They can even retain the host''s memories... So the fact that you know that doesn''t mean much." "...Sigh, what a headache..." Aether scratched his head and let out a sigh, speaking helplessly: "Never thought we''d reach a point where even we have to prove our identities to each other..." "Su Yuan, since you''ve come here, I''m guessing you''ve found a way to confirm whether I''m really me, right?" "Yes." Su Yuan nodded. "Xiao told me that if you''re truly yourself, all you have to do is call his name¡ªand he''ll be able to sense your call." "But didn''t I already explain earlier?" Aether seemed hesitant. "Xiao just went through a major battle and needs to rest. Should we really disturb him over something so small?" "Aether!" Su Yuan suddenly raised his voice. "What are you hesitating for? What are you afraid of?" "I just saw Xiao earlier¡ªhe''s perfectly fine! He doesn''t need that much rest!" "You only need to call his name right now, just once, and have him show up to meet you. That alone would settle everything perfectly!" "But you... why won''t you do it?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan stared warily at Aether and Paimon. By this point, he could no longer shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong... Aether, however, gave a faint smile, looked at Su Yuan, and spoke: "Su Yuan... if¡ªand I mean if..." "If I have been corrupted and taken over by the Eerie... and yet you still appear before me so openly, without any defenses..." "Wouldn''t that mean you''re as good as dead?" "Everyone only has one life..." "Aren''t you... afraid of dying?" Looking at Aether''s faint smile and subtly strange expression, Su Yuan suddenly found himself at a loss for words. There was no doubt about it now¡ªthis Aether was definitely not acting normal. Could it be... that terrible suspicion Xiao and I had really turned out to be true? And yet, in the next moment, something completely unexpected happened¡ª "Hahahaha, Su Yuan, you should''ve seen your scared little face..." Aether burst into laughter, holding his stomach as he laughed. "I was just messing with you again, and you got all nervous like that?" Su Yuan stared at Aether, utterly dumbfounded. What the hell? Aether, you''re joking around again? No matter if it was in the original game''s storyline, or when I met him after arriving in Fontaine¡ªhe never seemed like the kind of person who liked to joke like this... "It''s just calling Xiao''s name, right? What''s the big deal?" Then, Aether raised his head, looked up at the ceiling, and shouted: "Xiao¡ªare you there¡ª?" "I am." Immediately, along with the sound of his voice, Xiao appeared in the room in an instant. He looked calmly at Su Yuan, then at Aether, and slowly spoke: "That summoning... there''s no doubt. You''re the real Traveler." With those words, Xiao disappeared again in a flash¡ªseemingly off to take care of something urgent. Hearing Xiao say that, Su Yuan finally let out a long breath of relief... Although Aether was still acting a bit strange, since even Xiao had confirmed his identity, there shouldn''t be any major problems... After apologizing to Aether once more, Su Yuan left his room. Back in his own room, Su Yuan mulled over everything that had just happened... Even though Xiao had acknowledged that Aether was the real one... In Su Yuan''s eyes, Aether''s behavior still didn''t quite sit right... Could it be... A terrifying thought suddenly crossed Su Yuan''s mind¡ª Could Xiao have also already been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie? And has just been pretending this whole time...? After all, Madame Ping had mentioned before that even among the Adepti, there might be a traitor... And the very first one to discover the illusion barrier set up between Liyue Harbor and Guyun Stone Forest... was Xiao! Thinking about it that way, it all started to make sense... If both Xiao and Aether had already been corrupted and were simply working together to put on an act to lower his guard... Then if that''s the case... things might be a lot worse than he had imagined. Xiao was already powerful to begin with, and on top of that, he carried karmic debt, along with the remnants of fallen gods and lingering resentments... If he had truly become corrupted by the Eerie, his strength would surely be nothing to scoff at. And as for Aether, that went without saying¡ªhe was a Descender, the main character of this world. If he had fallen to the Eerie as well, then dealing with him would be far from easy... Su Yuan thought to himself, since he already had this suspicion, he had to find a way to verify it. Tonight, he would make full use of his last stable rewind... Starting tomorrow, he would attempt to go without using any rewinds at all¡ªto see if something special would occur. And so, Su Yuan left his room once again, heading to the top floor of Wangshu Inn, where he called out Xiao''s name: "Xiao? Are you there?" But Xiao didn''t appear... That was strange. At this hour, if he wasn''t at Wangshu Inn, where else would he be? Could Xiao have gone out on patrol again? After all, as night falls, the demons and monsters grow restless... If that''s the case, then Su Yuan would check around the Dihua Marsh area... He had to be sure¡ªjust what was Xiao''s current condition? --------------- Exclusive access : 246ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 155: Ch 155 : Karmic debt Chapter 155 - Ch 155 : Karmic debtSu Yuan exchanged a few brief words with Huai''an, then prepared to leave Wangshu Inn and head to nearby Dihua Marsh for a look around. Just as he stepped out of the inn''s main gate, Yelan appeared at his side. "Yelan... What are you doing here..." Su Yuan looked at her, unsure of what to say. People who dealt in intelligence work really did have a knack for appearing out of nowhere. "Su Yuan, it''s so late¡ªwhy aren''t you resting? What are you doing out here?" Yelan glanced at him and asked: "By the way, how did your and Xiao''s test of the Traveler go?" Su Yuan thought to himself, As expected of Wangshu Inn, Ninguang and Yelan''s turf¡ªof course she knows everything. "Xiao said the Traveler seemed fine, but I still feel like something is off..." He looked at Yelan, then said seriously: "I even suspect that Xiao might have already been taken over by the Eerie..." "That the traitor Madame Ping spoke of among the Adepti... might be him." "Just now, I tried to find him again to confirm a few things, but he was nowhere to be found on the rooftop of Wangshu Inn..." "So I thought I''d try my luck at Dihua Marsh to see if I could find him." "I see." Yelan nodded at his explanation. "Then let''s go together." After a while of traveling, Su Yuan and Yelan arrived at Dihua Marsh. Dihua Marsh is called Dihua Marsh not for any particularly special reason¡ªsimply because reed flowers grow abundantly by the waterside here... The leaves of the reeds are a common material used in papermaking, while the solid end of the reed stalk can be made into a writing brush, and the hollow end into a flute¡ªquite an elegant tradition in Liyue. Of course, Su Yuan and Yelan weren''t here to discuss the cultural history of Dihua Marsh right now¡ªthey were here to look for signs of Xiao. Up ahead, not far from them, on a stone protruding from the water, a figure sat cross-legged, holding a jade-green polearm in his hand... Around him lay numerous corpses of monsters, all of them torn to pieces¡ªsevered limbs and mangled bodies scattered about. However, something about Xiao seemed... off. He was gasping heavily, and his entire body was trembling... "Xiao?" Su Yuan called out cautiously, raising his hand to greet him. Xiao seemed to hear Su Yuan''s voice and turned to look over... But in the very next moment, Xiao suddenly went berserk and charged straight toward Su Yuan! "Su Yuan! Watch out!" Yelan reacted in an instant, tackling Su Yuan to the ground, narrowly dodging Xiao''s sudden attack. Su Yuan''s heart sank. Could it be that Xiao had already been corrupted and controlled by the Eerie? No... that didn''t make sense. If Xiao had really been corrupted by the Eerie, he had gone to great lengths to hide it earlier¡ªso why would he suddenly blow his cover now? Su Yuan and Yelan looked at the black smoke-like substance continuously drifting from Xiao''s body and felt an overwhelmingly ominous presence... But this aura¡ªwhile menacing¡ªfelt distinctly different from the power of the Eerie. "It''s karmic debt... the lingering resentment and remnants of the gods and demons Xiao has slain¡ªit''s erupting all at once," Yelan said solemnly, watching the scene unfold. So it was karmic debt¡ªnot Eerie corruption after all. No wonder Xiao had left Traveler''s room so abruptly earlier. He must have sensed the karmic debt was about to surge and didn''t want to harm anyone else, so he came here to Dihua Marsh alone... "Still... this karmic debt business looks like it might be a bit easier to deal with than the Eerie..." Yelan drew her weapon and faced off against Xiao, speaking slowly: "At the very least, karmic debt isn''t immune to elemental power..." "But still..." Su Yuan looked at Xiao, tormented by the karmic debt, and couldn''t help but feel worried... Though karmic debt and the Eerie are two different things, there are still many similarities between them¡ª They both stem from negative emotions, both can take control of a person''s body, and both can twist someone''s thoughts into something cruel and mad... But the most pressing problem right now is¡ªeven if he and Yelan team up and actually manage to defeat Xiao, he has no idea how to suppress karmic debt... "Yo... night fishing, and you didn''t think to invite me?" "Well, look what we''ve got¡ªa big catch..." At that moment, Su Yuan and Yelan heard a voice from behind them¡ªit was Jiang Xue. Jiang Xue glanced at Xiao, who was being consumed by karmic debt, then looked at the piles of monster corpses around him, and slowly said: "The Conqueror of Demons... I think you''d get along quite well with my junior disciple." As he spoke, Jiang Xue slowly placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his side, continuing: "Though I once swore to seal my blade, today, in order to seek guidance from the renowned Conqueror of Demons, I shall..." "Draw my sword!" In the next instant, Jiang Xue unsheathed his weapon. His entire aura changed. His once-lazy gaze became razor sharp once more... Su Yuan vaguely recalled a conversation Jiang Xue once had with Yanxiao in a certain world quest... Jiang Xue had said that he had trained in the sword tirelessly, using every means possible to grow stronger¡ªknowing full well it was the wrong path, yet still walking it. All just to seek justice, to find an answer... This "wrong thing that must be done," the justice he needed to pursue, the answer he had to know¡ªwas to face the Geo Archon alone, with nothing but a sword, and ask him: Why had someone like him, who had no desire to fight monsters and was practically a useless man, been chosen by the heavens and granted the gaze of the gods¡ªa Vision... While his junior disciple, full of passion and determination, died without ever receiving one? In the end, Jiang Xue made a scene in Dihua Marsh and successfully came face-to-face with the Geo Archon. But as expected, the battle''s outcome was never in doubt¡ªJiang Xue was defeated... However, the Archon acknowledged Jiang Xue and told him the answer he had long sought. It was simple: the granting of Visions is not decided by the gods. Upon receiving this answer, Jiang Xue gave up his original name and began using the alias "Jiang Xue." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He abandoned his Vision, sealed away his sword, and came to Wangshu Inn¡ªthe only place willing to take him in¡ªwhere he lived as a carefree fisherman, idly passing the days... If all these speculations were true, even so, Jiang Xue was still just an ordinary human. Could he really stand as an equal against Xiao¡ªthe Conqueror of Demons¡ªnow driven mad by karmic debt? After all, mortals and Adepti are not the same. In terms of experience, technique, physique¡ªJiang Xue didn''t seem to match up to Xiao at all... Just as Su Yuan was growing anxious and the clash seemed inevitable, everyone present suddenly heard the sound of a flute, gentle and flowing... The melody was ethereal and open, as though a breeze were passing through one''s heart. It brought peace and clarity to all who heard it. Su Yuan looked up¡ªand there, atop a stone platform rising from the center of the water, sat a figure clad in a green cloak and wearing a matching hat, adorned with a single Cecilia flower at the brim. The figure faced away from the crowd, legs swinging casually in little black shoes, playing the flute freely... --------------- Exclusive access : 249ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 156: Ch 156 : A new day, new intel—Aether and Paimon haven’t been corrupted by the Eerie? Chapter 156 - Ch 156 : A new day, new intel¡ªAether and Paimon haven''t been corrupted by the Eerie?What the hell? Su Yuan was stunned. That figure¡ªwasn''t that the good-for-nothing Barbatos? Was his appearance here just a coincidence, or had he already foreseen that something would go wrong with Xiao? But since he was here, and playing that flute for Xiao, then the karmic debt afflicting Xiao would likely soon be suppressed... Sure enough, as the soothing flute melody continued, the black smoke-like aura around Xiao began to gradually fade, and his consciousness seemed to slowly return to normal. "Oh? Looks like I''ll have to wait for another time to witness the techniques of the Conqueror of Demons," Jiang Xue said calmly, glancing toward Venti''s direction, then at Xiao, who was gradually recovering, before slowly sheathing his sword. Soon, Xiao''s clarity fully returned. He frowned slightly, holding his forehead and temples as he looked at everyone, opening his mouth to speak: "You... Why are you all here?" "There is karmic debt lingering on me. You should all stay away, in case it spreads and affects you." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Xiao... no matter what, you didn''t have to bear it all alone, in silence," Su Yuan said, heart aching a little as he looked at Xiao''s state. Xiao rarely interacts with others, and a large part of the reason is because he worries that the karmic debt on his body might affect those around him... "But it''s all fine now¡ªbecause that person, he already came." Su Yuan turned and pointed toward the raised stone platform out on the water. But to his surprise, the figure was already gone. "That man just blinked and vanished. I couldn''t even see how he left," Jiang Xue said calmly, looking at Su Yuan. Su Yuan was momentarily speechless. Venti, Barbatos... why were you in such a hurry to leave? I was just thinking that since I finally ran into you, I could ask you about Mondstadt! "I know who it was," Xiao said with a nod. Even though he didn''t see Venti''s figure, the feeling within him didn''t lie. "Every time my karmic debt flares up and I''m on the brink of madness and collapse, he always shows up at just the right moment... and pulls me back from the edge." Well... even though there were some unexpected developments, the result turned out to be a good one after all. Honestly, if Venti hadn''t stepped in, Su Yuan really didn''t know how they could''ve handled Xiao under the influence of his karmic burden... "Since the situation''s already resolved, we might as well head back to the inn and get some rest," Jiang Xue said, yawning and stretching as he took the lead and began walking back. Xiao was about to teleport away, but Su Yuan grabbed his arm to stop him. "Xiao, no need to rush off so quickly..." Su Yuan spoke gently: "I still have some things I want to say to you..." "This is a perfect time for all of us to take a walk under the night sky, feel the breeze, enjoy the scenery, and just chat a bit. Isn''t that nice?" "You really don''t have to always be alone..." "None of us here are ordinary people. That karmic debt of yours isn''t going to affect us." After some persistent coaxing from Su Yuan, Xiao finally agreed to walk back with the group. "So, Xiao... about the Traveler¡ªare you sure there''s really nothing wrong with him?" On the way back, Su Yuan asked quietly. "Even though his behavior has been a little strange... when he called my name, it still felt exactly the same as before..." Xiao thought for a moment before replying: "If he were really under the control of the Eerie, I would''ve definitely sensed something off when he called my name..." Su Yuan nodded. With this second confirmation, it seemed Xiao still didn''t think there was anything seriously wrong with the Traveler. "Su Yuan, if you ever need my help in the future... you can call my name directly too." Xiao looked at Su Yuan and said seriously. Su Yuan was pleasantly surprised. Xiao saying that... didn''t it mean he was acknowledging him? Haha, who would''ve thought¡ªhe had actually reached a point where he was getting the same kind of treatment as the protagonist! Looks like taking good care of Xiao''s Yaksha mask before really scored him a big boost in favorability... "Alright!" Su Yuan replied with a smile and a nod. Afterward, Su Yuan returned to Wangshu Inn, though he still couldn''t shake his unease about Aether... Thinking back to the earlier dinner with everyone¡ªwasn''t Paimon, that little glutton, eating less than usual? And unlike how she always behaved in the game, she didn''t seem nearly as enthusiastic about the food either... .............. When Su Yuan woke up again, it was already the next morning... He rubbed the back of his head, which was still aching a little... Looking around at his surroundings, he was surprised to find that he was back in his own room... Who was it that knocked him out last night? And who brought him back to his room? Could it really be that something was wrong with Aether and Paimon? Feeling a stinging pain in the palm of his right hand, Su Yuan lifted it and looked at his palm... Hopefully, today''s intel would offer some real answers... [First of all, congratulations on surviving the ninth night.] [Currently available intel:] [Skipped reread Ch 126 for rules 1-24] [25. Aether and Paimon are currently not under the control of the Eerie.] The very first piece of intel filled Su Yuan with relief... Because recently, Aether and Paimon had really been acting a bit too strange... But now, with this rule prompt appearing in his right palm, it basically confirmed that they were safe and trustworthy... Although the rule prompts sometimes played with wording, anything stated directly and clearly had almost never been wrong... Su Yuan was in a great mood and continued reading: [26. In front of Morax, be sure to abide by the "contract."] Su Yuan read this rule prompt and nodded thoughtfully... This was probably the condition that triggered Zhongli''s eerie transformation... Makes sense¡ªZhongli is, after all, the embodiment of contracts. If someone were to break a contract in front of him, it would cause him to fall into an eerie state... But the current issue was that, because of Dottore, Zhongli was already in a state of incomplete eeriness, and now his whereabouts were unknown... The top priority now was to find him as soon as possible and exhaust the eerie energy within him so he could escape from that state... It was only an incomplete transformation, and during the battle with Osial, he had likely expended a lot of it... Currently, the reliable combat power Su Yuan had on his side was Chongyun¡ªand Jiang Xue... Especially Jiang Xue¡ªone of the top human powerhouses in Liyue. He had even fought Zhongli before, so it should be manageable... Su Yuan nodded and continued reading... But the next rule prompt left him a bit confused: [27. Be cautious of those who have come to Liyue from foreign lands.] [28. After surviving the tenth night, important intel will be unlocked.] --------------- Exclusive access : 249ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 157: Ch 157 : Exchange information, head to the Dragon-Queller Tree! Chapter 157 - Ch 157 : Exchange information, head to the Dragon-Queller Tree!"Be careful ¡ª someone who came to Liyue from a foreign land?" Su Yuan stared at this rule-based piece of intel, falling into deep thought... Did this mean that among the people who came to Liyue from other lands, someone had been contaminated or controlled by the Eerie? Then, thinking it through ¡ª who had he encountered so far that came to Liyue from elsewhere...? First, there was Aji from the Treasure Hoarders. He had clearly been contaminated and controlled by the Eerie, so of course Su Yuan needed to be cautious around him... Of course, he couldn''t forget Dottore ¡ª that guy was also a major threat... Then there were Aether and Paimon. But the very first rule-based prompt today had already mentioned that neither Aether nor Paimon were under Eerie control, so this probably wasn''t referring to them... Could it be referring to Venti, whom he encountered last night at Dihua Marsh? That did make some sense ¡ª even though Venti had helped Xiao once again, he left suddenly without saying anything... Was this piece of intel warning him to be wary of Venti? As for this important piece of information, Su Yuan felt like he was starting to get a clearer picture now... It seemed that whenever the total number of pieces of intel reached a new multiple of ten, an important piece of intel would be unlocked... In other words, for every ten pieces of intel, there was at least one crucial piece of information. The first important intel had taught him that the Eerie could be used against the Eerie... The second one had revealed the nature of the Eerie and how to break free from its control... Su Yuan was already looking forward to what vital information tomorrow''s important intel might bring! However, his top priority right now was to find out who the person was that knocked him out yesterday. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When he first woke up this morning, Su Yuan had thought it was Aether under Eerie control who had done it. But now, the intel clearly showed that Aether wasn''t controlled by the Eerie at all... Soon after, Su Yuan saw Yelan in the lobby of the inn. It seemed that Aether, Paimon, and Jiang Xue had also been waiting there for a while... But there was still no sign of Xiao... Maybe Xiao just wasn''t used to being around crowds... Su Yuan really wanted to complain ¡ª why was he always the last one to wake up every day? Everyone else always ended up waiting on him... "Su Yuan, I received some brand new intel this morning," Yelan said as she looked at him. "What a coincidence, I also have some new intel I want to share with you all..." Su Yuan replied. "Alright then, Su Yuan, you go first," Yelan said. Su Yuan nodded and began: "First, the Traveler and Paimon haven''t been contaminated or controlled by the Eerie ¡ª they can be trusted..." "Second, the condition for the Geo Archon''s transformation into an Eerie seems to be related to ''contracts.'' In his presence, we must honor ''contracts''..." "Third, we need to be wary of people who''ve come to Liyue from foreign lands..." "Oh? Based on what you''re saying, Su Yuan, does that mean we should be wary of you too?" Hearing Su Yuan''s intel, Jiang Xue smiled slightly and said: "After all, you''re also someone who came to Liyue from a foreign land!" "Hey now, Jiang Xue, that''s a bit much..." Aether glanced at Jiang Xue, then at Su Yuan, and waved his hand dismissively as he said: "Su Yuan would never hurt any of us." "If we can''t trust him, then who can we trust?" "Alright, then I''ll go ahead and share the intel I received..." Yelan looked around at everyone and slowly began to speak: "First, more and more people have reported seeing a figure near the Dragon-Queller Tree who looks remarkably like the Geo Archon..." "Even several of my informants claim to have seen him with their own eyes..." "The Geo Archon is likely near the Dragon-Queller Tree, at the foot of Mt. Minlin and Mt. Hulao..." "In addition, we''ve also received word from Ningguang..." "The vortex god Osial... no, to be precise, all the gods that had been sealed and suppressed beneath Guyun Stone Forest ¡ª they''re all dead. Severed limbs and remains now litter the entire seafloor..." As Yelan relayed this information, Su Yuan was at a loss for words... Zhongli, even in his current incomplete Eerie state, managed to completely annihilate all those sealed gods beneath the sea? And previously, the reason Zhongli chose to suppress rather than kill those gods might have been because their deaths would trigger an uncontrollable large-scale AOE, and would leave behind lingering divine resentment and divine remnants ¡ª all extremely difficult to deal with... Zhongli, in his current Eerie state, had taken out that many Archons in one go ¡ª and nothing happened to him at all? Could it be because of the power of the Eerie? "Also, according to intel from informants in Liyue Harbor, it seems Xiangling has returned to Wanmin Restaurant with Guoba ¡ª and she brought back a completely new ingredient, which is said to be incredibly delicious..." Yelan continued: "Wanmin Restaurant is now more popular than both the Liyue Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk. Even though it''s not mealtime yet, there''s a line outside stretching so long, and there aren''t nearly enough seats to meet the demand..." "Hmm, but anyway, our priority is still to head to the Dragon-Queller Tree in Minlin first," Su Yuan said. "We need to free the Geo Archon from his Eerie state. And since it''s an incomplete Eerie transformation, he''ll retain memories from this entire period..." "That way, we can get even more intel from him..." "By the way, what''s the situation with Chongyun and Xingqiu now? Weren''t they headed to Minlin and Mt. Hulao?" Su Yuan asked, as if something had just occurred to him. "That''s the strange part," Yelan replied, frowning slightly. "Yesterday I gave both Chongyun and Xingqiu a carrier pigeon each. But even now, there''s been no word from either of them..." "Not only that, my informants haven''t seen any sign of them either..." Su Yuan thought to himself ¡ª That doesn''t make sense... Xingqiu was always sharp-minded, and with Chongyun''s condition ¡ª where simply encountering the Eerie would cause him to transform ¡ª there shouldn''t have been any major problems... Could it be they ran into Dottore? But didn''t Dottore intercept him on the way to Wangshu Inn? Those two routes weren''t even in the same direction ¡ª would Dottore have had time? Or... did Chongyun and Xingqiu run into the old man Zhongli? Or maybe that mysterious Adeptus who had been corrupted by the Eerie? Regardless, there was no time to waste ¡ª they had to head to the Dragon-Queller Tree in Minlin right away! "Yelan, everyone ¡ª there''s no time to lose. Let''s move out now!" Su Yuan said, looking at the group. ......... Meanwhile, over at Wanmin Restaurant, a customer who had just tasted one of Xiangling''s new dishes was completely blown away. Enchanted by the flavor, they sought out Xiangling and asked her what ingredients she used ¡ª and how exactly she made the dish. Xiangling gave a slight smile and said to the customer, "If you really want to know, why not come back to the kitchen and take a look?" With Wanmin Restaurant now packed to the brim ¡ª people constantly coming and going ¡ª no one noticed when someone stepped into the back kitchen... ...and never came out again. --------------- Exclusive access : 252ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 158: Ch 158 : Putting on a show Chapter 158 - Ch 158 : Putting on a show"Neuvillette, is this Liyue''s Chenyu Vale?" Furina hugged the Hydro Slime in her arms, glancing around curiously. This scenery¡ªshe had never seen anything like it back in Fontaine. After all, in order to play the role of the Hydro Archon well, she had barely left Fontaine in the past five hundred years. "Yes. This place is called Yilong Wharf," Neuvillette replied with a nod, speaking calmly. "It''s where Su Yuan first arrived in Liyue, having sailed here from Lumidouce Harbor." "Neuvillette, is it really alright for us to just leave Fontaine behind like this and run off to Liyue?" Furina looked at him with some concern. "Fontaine is still in a crucial period of reconstruction right now..." "Well, to be honest, I don''t feel great about it either. Wriothesley practically begged me to personally pick some Chenyu Vale tea leaves and bring them back for him..." "Because starting next week, he''s apparently not allowed to have even a single drop of tea anymore..." "He told me... this is his last bit of time left. No matter what, he wants to taste tea leaves picked by me personally..." "Besides, a promise is a promise. I gave him my word." Furina nodded and said, "If we put it in Liyue terms, then it''s: ''A contract once made must be honored¡ªthose who break it shall face the punishment of stone.''" "Hahaha, Neuvillette, you can''t even handle slightly dry food. If you had to eat actual stone, I can''t even imagine what kind of face you''d make..." Furina laughed. Watching her laugh, Neuvillette said softly, "Besides, even if something truly happens in Fontaine, I am now a complete dragon. As long as there''s water, I can return swiftly, no matter where I am." Hearing that, Furina finally relaxed a little. "Hehe, we''ve snuck into Liyue like this¡ªSu Yuan probably has no idea..." "It hasn''t even been two or three days. If we''ve got time later, let''s go see him and give him a surprise!" "Mhm." Neuvillette nodded. Then, his gaze shifted toward a nearby corner. Truthfully, ever since arriving at Yilong Wharf, he had sensed many eyes watching them from the shadows... After all, their visit to Liyue wasn''t under official diplomatic capacity but a personal journey, so they hadn''t notified Liyue authorities in advance. But at the same time, neither he nor Furina had made any attempt to hide their identities, so it was only natural that Liyue''s officials were keeping a close eye on them... ............. In the Jade Chamber, Ningguang reviewed the reports handed to her by Baiwen and Baixiao... "In the presence of Morax, honor the contract..." "Beware those who come to Liyue from distant lands..." S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ningguang turned her gaze to another report. It detailed the appearance of two prominent figures from Fontaine spotted near Yilong Wharf today: The Hydro Archon, Furina, and the Chief Justice, Neuvillette. While earlier intel had already confirmed that during Su Yuan''s time in Fontaine, these two were his allies... Su Yuan''s latest intel, however, now warned to "beware those who come to Liyue from foreign lands"... So for both herself and Liyue, caution was still the wiser course of action. Ningguang closed the intelligence documents and found herself pondering a strange question... One that bordered on semantics, perhaps¡ªbut important nonetheless. Beware the "people" who come to Liyue from distant lands... According to Su Yuan''s description, Neuvillette''s true identity was the Sovereign Hydro Dragon of this era, a being of dragonkind by nature... So then, the question was¡ª Does he really count... as a "person"? ............. "Strange... truly strange..." Dottore stood atop a high mountain, gazing toward the Dragon-Queller Tree in the distance, utterly perplexed. "Morax has clearly been corrupted and is under the control of the eerie force. Even if some unexpected turn of events occurred midway, leading him to Guyun Stone Forest to eliminate those aquatic demons that posed a significant threat to Liyue..." "But breaking the seal of Azhdaha should be a simple task, and yet... he still hasn''t finished it?" "All he needs to do is use the eerie power and strike the seal¡ªit should break quickly." "The eerie force corrodes and restrains elemental power. Even a small amount would cause noticeable damage to a seal like that..." "And yet, look at him now¡ªcoiling his tail around the Dragon-Queller Tree, ramming his body into Mt. Hulao... Why does it all seem like brute force, completely lacking in finesse?" "Could it be that the combined toll of the eerie corruption and time has already dulled his mind?" "Or... is it that he''s not fully under the eerie''s control, and is actually putting on a show here with me?" "He''s been in this eerie state for quite some time now, and yet, he hasn''t harmed any innocent people..." "Morax, after all, is a master of deception... Just like that one from Fontaine¡ªshe''s no slouch either..." "Pretending to be dead, even though she clearly isn''t..." "He clearly hasn''t been controlled by the eerie force... yet he''s pretending that he has..." "Could it be that Morax, like me, is also a madman in his own way?" "Is that why he can retain his sense of self within the eerie corruption¡ªand put on a show with me right here?" "Oh? Su Yuan and his group... they''ve arrived already." "Then let''s have them take a look for me. I''d like to know what state Morax is really in..." .............. After a long and exhausting journey, Su Yuan and his group finally arrived near the Dragon-Queller Tree. However, the figure that resembled the Geo Archon was nowhere to be seen. All that remained was shattered stone scattered across the ground, and a grassy field so trampled it was barely recognizable. Aether suddenly raised his head, gazing up at the mountaintop above, his eyes fixed intently on something for a long time. Su Yuan caught the movement in the corner of his eye and looked up as well, curious about what Aether was seeing. Noticing both the Traveler and Su Yuan staring upward, Yelan also raised her head to look. "So... what exactly are you all looking at? There''s clearly nothing up there..." Jiang Xue also looked up¡ªbut saw absolutely nothing. "There was a strange bird up there just now," Aether said with a faint smile. "It looked like it realized I''d noticed it... and flew off right away." Uh... Su Yuan didn''t quite know what to say for a moment. So it was just a bird? He''d thought they were onto something important... ................. On a distant mountaintop, Dottore spoke with a touch of anger in his voice: "Tch... I''ve already done you the courtesy of not exposing your true identity..." "And now you''re deliberately getting in my way?" "All I want is to be a simple observer in this experiment¡ªyet you insist on interfering with me?" "This will be the last time..." "Next time, I definitely won''t be so polite." "Maybe the old me still held some reservations about you all..." "Because there were simply too many unknowns surrounding you..." "But now, I finally have the power to face you head-on." --------------- Exclusive access : 252ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 159: Ch 159 : The Unstoppable Jiang Xue Chapter 159 - Ch 159 : The Unstoppable Jiang XueShortly after Su Yuan and his group arrived near the Dragon-Queller Tree, a carrier pigeon with a blue ribbon landed in Yelan''s hand. "Su Yuan, I just received some intel..." After reading the contents of the message, Yelan looked at Su Yuan and said: "Furina and Neuvillette have arrived at Yilong Wharf in the Chenyu Vale¡ªthey''re in Liyue now." "Huh?" Hearing this news, to be honest, Su Yuan felt both surprised and delighted... After all, Fontaine was the first place he arrived at after crossing over, and he had spent a lot of time with the people of Fontaine. And more importantly¡ªNeuvillette''s power in his Eerie-transformed state was incredibly strong. With that in mind, dealing with Dottore seemed much more promising now... But the problem was¡ªhe no longer had the ability to disperse rainfall. How was he supposed to coordinate with Neuvillette now? Then again, Su Yuan thought to himself, maybe they didn''t come specifically to find him. Perhaps they had other matters to attend to¡ªhe shouldn''t get ahead of himself... He couldn''t always rely on Neuvillette, after all. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as the group was pondering where to start looking for Zhongli, a figure suddenly leapt down from the Dragon-Queller Tree¡ª That figure was none other than Zhongli! Moreover, an intense Eerie aura was radiating from Zhongli''s body... Everyone instinctively stepped back, keeping their distance, watching Zhongli with high alert. Yet Zhongli made no move to attack them¡ªinstead, he gazed at them calmly and solemnly. "You''ve... finally arrived..." "Now that no one is watching from the shadows, I can finally speak with you properly..." Everyone stared in shock at the scene before them. Could it be¡ªZhongli hadn''t been fully taken over by the Eerie? Could it be that Zhongli, to some extent, had managed to control the Eerie power? Su Yuan stared at the unfolding scene, lost in thought... Then what exactly was Zhongli''s current condition? Zhongli didn''t seem like the type of person to have gone mad, so... was it the second possibility? That kind of absolute calm and indifference¡ªutterly devoid of any emotions tainted by impurity? And yet... Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that something still felt off... Also... what did Zhongli mean when he mentioned someone watching? Could it be that just now, "The Doctor" ¡ª Dottore ¡ª had been secretly observing all of them? But in the very next moment, something completely unexpected happened! Zhongli, who had just said he wanted to speak properly, suddenly erupted with a violent outburst. Gripping a stone spear coiled with Eerie power, he lunged straight at Yelan, who stood at the front! Su Yuan stared in shock ¡ª what was going on? Could it be that Zhongli was still under the control of the Eerie? Had what he just said about wanting to talk peacefully merely been an act? Zhongli''s speed was terrifyingly fast. Not only Su Yuan, even Yelan hadn''t had time to react! Su Yuan realized he had let his guard down again ¡ª once more, deceived by the honeyed lies of the Eerie! The Eerie... they could disguise themselves! However, among everyone present, there was one person who had been prepared all along and managed to react in time¡ª That was Jiang Xue! Ever since arriving at the Dragon-Queller Tree, his hand had never left the hilt of his sword¡ªalways ready to draw it at a moment''s notice! Jiang Xue rushed forward and held his longsword horizontally, shielding Yelan from the attack! Because the situation unfolded so suddenly, Jiang Xue didn''t even have time to pull out his fishing rod to initiate his Eerie transformation! But to his surprise... Zhongli''s strike didn''t seem powerful at all. In fact, Jiang Xue was able to block it quite effortlessly... It was as if Zhongli hadn''t used any real force at all. At that moment, everyone noticed Zhongli''s face had become horribly twisted and contorted. One of his eyes was already beginning to look... unnatural. Gritting his teeth, he forced a few words out through clenched jaws¡ª "Go... quickly..." "Stay away from me..." "Protect... Liyue..." Seeing this scene, Su Yuan began to form a clear idea in his mind. The Eerie power might be capable of suppressing a person''s actions and controlling their body¡ªbut as with all things, there are exceptions. Just like before, under the oppressive force of Eerie-Focalors, when everyone else was completely immobilized, Melus and Silver were still able to break free and step forward to protect Navia. Su Yuan assumed that the emotions in their hearts back then were utterly pure¡ªfree of even the slightest impurity. They simply wanted to protect Navia. Of course, it''s also possible that Focalors hadn''t undergone full Eerie transformation at the time, so her suppressive force wasn''t as overwhelming. And now, it seemed that Zhongli might be in a similar situation... Even though he was being controlled by external Eerie corruption, Zhongli was still able to retain a shred of clarity... Was it because of his deep desire to protect Liyue? To protect its people? "Jiang Xue, what are you spacing out for?! Take out your fishing toy¡ªnow!" Su Yuan shouted toward Jiang Xue. Jiang Xue nodded, quickly sat down cross-legged, pulled out the fishing toy, and swiftly entered a focused state... "You all... need to go..." Zhongli''s face was contorted and strained. As he stared at Jiang Xue¡ªwho seemed to be doing something incomprehensible¡ªhis own consciousness looked like it was already nearing its limit... The next moment, "Zhongli''s" face twisted completely, and a flood of crimson, foul-smelling fluid began pouring from him... In his hand, the Eerie-infused Geo spear materialized once again, and he charged straight at Jiang Xue, who was closest to the front! "What the hell are you making such a ruckus for..." "Jiang Xue" looked at the charging "Zhongli," wearing a somewhat irritated expression. "You''re scaring off the fish!" The next instant¡ª"Jiang Xue" vanished from everyone''s sight! No one could see his figure anymore. All they could make out was a storm of gleaming swordlights dancing around Zhongli! "Zhongli" kept swinging his eerie-infused Geo spear to defend himself, but it was clear he was struggling to keep up... Moments later, "Zhongli," apparently having had enough of Jiang Xue''s attacks, swung both hands and summoned an incredibly sturdy Jade Shield around himself! Only now, the Jade Shield was no longer golden and radiant¡ªit was pitch-black and blood-red, formed entirely of Eerie power... Su Yuan understood well¡ªactivating this kind of shield for defense was one of the fastest ways to drain Eerie energy! As long as "Jiang Xue" kept up this relentless assault, it wouldn''t be long before all the Eerie power remaining in "Zhongli" was completely drained! However, at the same time, Su Yuan realized a serious issue... What if, once Zhongli''s Eerie energy was exhausted¡ªhow would they get Jiang Xue to stop? The real concern now was¡ªwould Jiang Xue only stop and return to fishing after he had killed Zhongli? But before Su Yuan could come up with any solution, he saw that Zhongli''s Jade Shield was already starting to crack¡ªand in the next instant, it completely shattered! Zhongli''s face also seemed to have fully returned to normal... But "Jiang Xue''s" blade didn''t stop at all¡ªit was still swinging directly toward Zhongli''s neck! Looking at Jiang Xue''s unstoppable, fierce momentum¡ªwas there anyone who could stop him now? --------------- Exclusive access : 255ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 160: Ch 160 : Shenhe and Aether Chapter 160 - Ch 160 : Shenhe and AetherAt this critical moment, Zhongli waved his hand, and a tall stone ridge suddenly rose beneath his feet. He stood atop it and ascended smoothly, narrowly dodging Jiang Xue''s attack! Su Yuan was stunned¡ªso the stone ridge could be used like that? Created directly underfoot? And in Zhongli''s hand, another weapon appeared¡ªnot a spear formed from Geo energy or eerie power this time, but a real, solid Vortex Vanquisher. "Jiang Xue" relentlessly pursued him, leaping toward the higher ground, and Zhongli met the strike head-on! Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a bit of disbelief¡ªhow come after being freed from the eerie corruption, Zhongli actually seemed even more at ease in battle? As he clashed with "Jiang Xue," Zhongli calmly opened his mouth and said, "If I disturbed your fishing just now, I sincerely apologize..." "But in truth, not a single fish has been scared away." "If you don''t hurry back and continue fishing, then those fish might really escape..." As Zhongli spoke, "Jiang Xue" turned and glanced back¡ªjust as Zhongli had said, not a single fish had gotten away... Well, of course. After all, it was just a fishing toy, not real fishing¡ªhow could any fish possibly escape? "Jiang Xue" glanced at Zhongli one more time, then said nothing and returned to his original spot, resuming his fishing. Su Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief. He had thought Zhongli and Jiang Xue were about to fight to the bitter end¡ªhe never expected it to be resolved like this. Jiang Xue really was obsessed with fishing... But at the same time, a brand new thought popped into Su Yuan''s mind¡ª What if, just now while Jiang Xue was fighting Zhongli, someone had stolen the fish from his fishing toy... or even destroyed the toy entirely¡ªwhat would have happened to Jiang Xue then? Well, it definitely wouldn''t have been anything good... Most likely, just like what happened with Chevreuse before, he would have fallen into a state of permanent eeriness... Thankfully, things had turned out far better than he had expected. Everything was resolved perfectly. Zhongli... was finally back. Wait, no¡ªit wasn''t over yet. Chongyun and Xingqiu... they were still missing. Just as Su Yuan was thinking that, a voice called out from behind in the distance. "Su Yuan! Yelan! Everyone! Sorry we''re late!" Everyone turned to look¡ªand sure enough, it was Chongyun and Xingqiu... But they weren''t alone. Behind them walked a woman with a frosty, indifferent expression, as if untouched by worldly matters. She had cool-toned drooping eyes and long, gradient gray-white hair that partly covered her right eye... No wonder they didn''t know where Chongyun and Xingqiu had gone¡ªthey had gone to find Shenhe. But... that still didn''t quite make sense... If they had found Shenhe, couldn''t they have just used Yelan''s messenger pigeon to send word? Why had there been no message at all? "Eh? Judging by your confused looks... don''t tell me you didn''t receive the messenger pigeon we sent?" Xingqiu looked at everyone, a bit puzzled. "We didn''t," Su Yuan shook his head and replied. "It''s probably because the terrain in Liyue''s mountains is too complicated. Messenger pigeons can''t fly at high altitudes, so there''s always a chance they could get lost..." Yelan thought for a moment and said, "But that''s not important now. The Geo Lord is no longer under the control of the eerie power, and you even found Miss Shenhe..." "Yeah, we happened to run into Miss Shenhe yesterday," Xingqiu said, looking a little exasperated. "She saw me and Chongyun walking along a mountain path and thought I was about to bully or mess with Chongyun again..." "I swear, I was totally innocent this time..." "But after we explained everything, Miss Shenhe understood our situation and agreed to help us..." "Hello, Shenhe." Su Yuan greeted her and said, "My name is Su Yuan ¡ª ''Su'' as in Tiramisu, and ''Yuan'' as in crumbling ruins." "Hello, Su Yuan." Shenhe gave a small nod and responded calmly. Then, Shenhe walked toward Aether and stood in front of him, speaking: "Traveler, long time no see." "Yeah, Shenhe, it''s been a while." Aether nodded with a gentle smile. "Hi there, Shenhe!" Paimon also waved and greeted cheerfully. But in the next moment ¡ª Shenhe''s expression suddenly changed! She stared at Aether, her brows furrowed slightly, and her face was full of confusion and caution... Without hesitation, Shenhe pulled out a long spear in one hand and a talisman in the other, her stance clearly wary of Aether. "You are not the Traveler... Who are you, really?" Everyone stood there in stunned silence, especially Su Yuan... S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rule prompt on his right palm had clearly stated that Aether and Paimon weren''t affected or controlled by the eerie power... And even Xiao had said that the feeling of someone calling his name ¡ª that was the Traveler! Su Yuan quickly turned to look for Zhongli to ask for his opinion ¡ª only to realize Zhongli had disappeared. He was nowhere to be seen... "Are all these gods like this? Coming and going as they please, vanishing without a trace?" Jiang Xue muttered softly when he noticed Su Yuan seemed to be looking around for Zhongli. With no other choice, Su Yuan, feeling that something was off, called out loudly, "Xiao¡ªare you there?" In just a moment, Xiao''s figure appeared beside Su Yuan. "You called for me?" Xiao looked at him and asked. "Xiao, let me confirm once more¡ªwhen the Traveler called your name earlier, are you absolutely certain that feeling wasn''t wrong?" "That sensation... I could never mistake it. He is the real Traveler," Xiao reaffirmed with conviction. "Shenhe, what are you saying? I am the real Traveler..." Aether still wore a gentle smile as he looked at Shenhe and spoke slowly, "What''s wrong? It''s only been a little while¡ªhave you forgotten what I look like already?" "If I''m not the Traveler, then who else could be?" "No... you''re not... You absolutely are not..." Shenhe touched the red ropes tied to her body, her tone unwavering as she insisted. Su Yuan also looked toward the red ropes on Shenhe, and thought again of the rules marked on his right palm... [In Liyue, there are currently only two people you can absolutely trust¡ªone is Chongyun, when his Pure Yang constitution flares up; the other is Shenhe, so long as the red ropes remains unbroken.] Absolutely... trust... At first, Su Yuan had thought that this "absolute trust" probably meant that, under certain conditions, those individuals wouldn''t fall into an eerie state due to internal factors... But now, even though Shenhe''s red ropes was perfectly intact, she still made such a judgment... Though the current situation seems to contradict the rule''s guidance... Should he... choose to trust Shenhe instead? --------------- Exclusive access : 255ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 161: Ch 161 : The truth Chapter 161 - Ch 161 : The truthSu Yuan suddenly remembered¡ªever since the immortals had placed the soul-binding red rope on Shenhe, while it had suppressed the ominous energy within her, it had also sealed away many emotions that were originally human... But according to the previous in-game descriptions and storylines, it was also clear that Shenhe seemed to have fallen for the Traveler at first sight... Even the red rope couldn''t suppress Shenhe''s feelings for the Traveler. "Long-lost, unfamiliar emotions gradually surged forth, as if something deep within the threads of fate had begun to loosen." To Shenhe, the Traveler was special... Could it be that the reason Shenhe was acting like this now... was because she had sensed something? Or rather, it was because she hadn''t sensed anything¡ªthat feeling of heart-stirring affection¡ªthat she was reacting this way? Just then, a shocking thought struck Su Yuan like lightning... If that really were the case, then ever since he met Aether in Liyue... everything would make sense. "Xiao, when you hear someone calling your name, what exactly do you use to distinguish who it is?" Su Yuan turned to Xiao and asked: "Is it by the sound of their voice?" "No. Voice tone can be imitated¡ªthat''s not reliable..." Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Xiao replied: "It''s the aura¡ªmore precisely, the aura deep within the bloodline. That''s something that can''t be faked by any other means..." "The aura deep within the bloodline..." Su Yuan murmured softly to himself, then continued to ask Xiao: "Then, if two people are twins, or siblings... wouldn''t their bloodline aura be almost the same?" "It would be very similar, yes. But in the end, there would still be a difference..." Xiao thought for a moment and then slowly said: "Unless... the two of them had gone through a long, long time together and understood each other deeply¡ªonly then might they gradually assimilate..." At that moment, Xiao seemed to realize something too. He lifted his gaze and looked toward Aether... Seeing Xiao''s reaction, Su Yuan finally understood everything. Why Aether was able to find him directly, Why Dottore retreated without a fight, Why Aether''s behavior was so strange, Why he acted shy when Su Yuan saw him coming out of the bath... So that''s how it is... Su Yuan slowly stepped forward, walked up beside Shenhe, looked toward Aether, and said: "Shenhe was right. You''re not the Traveler..." "At least... not the Traveler of the present." Aether looked at Su Yuan with a confused expression, and somewhat aggrievedly said: "Su Yuan, have you forgotten? Who was it that saved you from Dottore''s hands?" "There''s no need to say any more." Su Yuan cut Aether off. "I''ve already seen through your identity..." "Lumine... Princess of the Abyss Order..." "Lumine? Su Yuan, you even know my sister''s name, and that she''s the princess of the Abyss Order?" Aether''s face showed a look of shock as he stared at Su Yuan. "Su Yuan... do you have news of my sister? Do you know where she is?" Yelan, Xingqiu, and Chongyun all looked on in confusion as well, speaking up: "Su Yuan, Shenhe... could it be that there''s been some misunderstanding..." Su Yuan stared at the scene before him, face serious and grim... Even now... still refusing to admit it? Although he had already pieced together most of it from the clues... But there was still one thing missing¡ªcrucial evidence... Suddenly, Su Yuan seemed to think of something... Back in the story, the Dendro Archon once said that the real Aether was the Fourth Descender, while Lumine, for some unknown reason, didn''t belong to the Descenders. The Irminsul still recorded information about her... In a sense, Lumine was a native of Teyvat... Which meant¡ªif they flipped the perspective¡ªby asking just a few questions, they could determine whether the person before them was Aether or Lumine. Su Yuan took a deep breath, looked at the Aether before him, and slowly asked: "Tell me¡ªdo you know who the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata is?" "And also, who is the Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers?" Before Aether could respond, Yelan jumped in to answer first: "Greater Lord Rukkhadevata? I''ve never heard that name before..." "As for the Sixth Harbinger of the Fatui, that I do know. That seat''s been vacant for hundreds of years¡ªthere''s never been anyone assigned to it..." Su Yuan looked toward Aether and asked, "Why aren''t you saying anything? Are your answers exactly the same as Yelan''s?" "No... I was just thinking... whether answering you directly would be a bad idea..." As Aether spoke, he pulled out a pen and paper, scribbled something down, folded the note, and tossed it into Su Yuan''s hands... Su Yuan unfolded the note, and saw, written boldly: [The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata sacrificed herself to save Sumeru, exhausting her power to help the Scarlet King eliminate forbidden knowledge...] [The current Dendro Archon, Nahida, is the purest branch on the World Tree...] [As for the Sixth seat among the Fatui Harbingers¡ªisn''t that the "Balladeer"? The puppet created by the Raiden Shogun and later betrayed and manipulated by Dottore... No, I guess he goes by "the Wanderer" now...] [So, what do you think of my answers, Su Yuan?] [I really am Aether...] Su Yuan stared at the note in shock. If this was actually Lumine in disguise¡ªhow would she know all of this? And not just vaguely¡ªshe knew the details. But then he quickly came to a realization. It was entirely possible that Lumine had read Aether''s memories¡ªthat''s how she knew all this... After all, he already knew that Aether had gone to Sumeru¡ªand that the teleport waypoints had malfunctioned... But if the "Aether" standing before him now was actually Lumine... Then where was the real Aether? "Oh, right. There''s something else I want to say to you," "Aether" added, scribbling something down again before tossing another note into Su Yuan''s hands. Su Yuan opened it, but this time¡ªwhat was written on it shocked him even more... [Su Yuan, I know you probably have the ability to rewind or revert things...] [And the condition that triggers it is your death...] [If you don''t want me to reveal this to everyone, then stop focusing on my identity...] [Just tell everyone that I am Aether...] [Trust me, I won''t harm you...] [After all, we have a common enemy...] These words were essentially a confession. It was as if the note directly told Su Yuan, I''m not Aether, but what can you do about it? I know your biggest secret, and if you don''t want that secret exposed, you''ll have to compromise... "How about it, Su Yuan? Are you satisfied with my answer?" Aether smiled as he looked at Su Yuan and spoke. "Mm." Su Yuan nodded helplessly, then looked around at the others and said: "Earlier, I misunderstood something, but now I''m sure..." "The Traveler is the real Traveler, without a doubt..." --------------- Exclusive access : 258ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 162: Ch 162 : This is your position Chapter 162 - Ch 162 : This is your position"Did you see that? Even Su Yuan said I''m the real, genuine Traveler. What are you all still hesitating about?" "''Aether'' smiled faintly and looked at the group. "Didn''t you all agree to trust Su Yuan?" "Su Yuan, what exactly happened just now? What did the Traveler show you?" Yelan turned to Su Yuan, asking with confusion. "It''s nothing... just some secrets that only he knows, enough to prove his true identity..." Su Yuan looked at "Aether," feeling a bit helpless as she spoke. Although it was now almost certain that this ''Aether'' was actually Lumine in disguise, he still had no idea what her true intentions were for approaching him... And what did she mean by saying they had a common enemy? Lumine was the princess of the Abyss Order, and the game''s story had also mentioned that before the Abyss swallowed the divine thrones, she had an unfinished war with the Heavenly Principles... Could this common enemy refer to the Heavenly Principles? But what made Su Yuan even more puzzled was, if Lumine had used some special method to acquire Aether''s memories... Then, now that she knew about the death rewind ability, didn''t it mean Aether also knew about it? How did Aether come to know this? S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No! Su Yuan suddenly noticed a detail... On the note earlier, Lumine wrote the word "perhaps"... Could it be that she doesn''t have concrete evidence of Su Yuan''s death rewind ability, and it''s just a guess? But now, his behavior might have inadvertently confirmed this guess... Damn it! The situation was so complex and unexpected earlier that he hadn''t considered all these aspects... If only he had boldly exposed Lumine''s true identity earlier, without worrying about revealing the fact that he had the death rewind ability. Maybe that would have been better... Now, it felt like he had a fatal weakness, one that Lumine had firmly grasped. Su Yuan even thought to himself, maybe he should commit suicide and rewind, following what he had just planned, so that Lumine wouldn''t truly believe he had the death rewind ability... However, it seemed like "Aether" had seen everything clearly... "Aether" walked around Shenhe and came to Su Yuan''s side, gently patting him on the shoulder. Leaning in, he whispered in his ear: "Don''t even think about it..." "Life is very precious..." "My brother and I are not the same..." "I''ve had one journey, and reached the end..." "My eyes have already been filled with the sediment of this world..." "Before you could take that step, I have countless ways to stop you..." "So, don''t think like that, and don''t do it..." Then, "Aether" looked at the others, gave a mischievous smile, and said: "Since things are almost settled now, let''s go back to Liyue Harbor!" "Speaking of which, it''s been a long time since I went to Wanmin Restaurant. I miss the dishes Xiangling makes!" ............. Zhongli stood at the peak of Mt. Hulao, looking around... Just moments ago, he had clearly sensed Dottore''s presence in the area, so after restoring himself to normal, he didn''t have time to speak with everyone and immediately rushed here... But he was still a step too late. Dottore''s figure was already gone from this place... Dottore, that madman, acts without regard for methods or principles, and now he even controls strange powers... Allowing him to roam freely within Liyue, with no one able to find him, Zhongli couldn''t help but feel uneasy... How did Dottore manage to conceal himself so expertly? ............ On the way back to Liyue Harbor, Shenhe remained very cautious of "Aether," even though Su Yuan had already spoken up. She still firmly held on to her judgment. After returning to Liyue Harbor, Xingqiu went back to the Feiyun Commerce, Chongyun took Shenhe to his place, and Yelan went to find Ningguang... As for Jiang Xue, his hands were itching, so he ran to the dock to fish... After all, fishing with toys was still quite different from real fishing... So, the only ones heading to Wanmin Restaurant were Su Yuan, "Aether," and "Paimon." It was a good opportunity with fewer people around, and Su Yuan wanted to have a good talk with "Aether" to figure out his true intentions... Speaking of which, Su Yuan actually had some bad premonitions about Xiangling... What exactly was that incredibly delicious ingredient she suddenly brought back? Su Yuan recalled when they first arrived at Liyue''s Shenyu Valley, the owner of Jiu Lue Tea House, Liang, had used human flesh and blood to nourish the tea trees... If Xiangling had truly been controlled by something strange, would she really be using human meat in her cooking? Upon arriving at the entrance of Wanmin Restaurant, Su Yuan immediately noticed how crowded it was. If they were to queue properly, it would probably take quite a while... However, Xiangling, who was busy, seemed to have noticed the arrival of Su Yuan and "Aether," quickly put down her work, and walked over to greet them: "Oh? It''s Su Yuan?" "And the Traveler and Paimon, it''s been a long time!" "Come, come! Please, come in! You''re all VIPs, I''ve saved a spot just for you!" Then, under Xiangling''s lead, Su Yuan, "Aether," and "Paimon" made their way through the crowd and entered the interior of Wanmin Restaurant... However, Su Yuan looked around and realized that there were no empty tables in the restaurant... But indeed, Su Yuan could distinctly smell a sweet and appetizing fragrance in the air... "Xiangling... all the seats in the restaurant are already taken. Where should we sit?" Su Yuan asked in confusion. "If it''s really a problem, we can wait in line for a bit. It''s not like we''re starving anyway..." "Oh, don''t worry about it! You are honored guests, after all!" Xiangling said with a beaming smile. "How could I let you sit with those ordinary people?" Su Yuan could clearly sense that something was off with Xiangling... The Xiangling he knew was always friendly and down-to-earth. Why was she now emphasizing her "honored guest" status so much? Xiangling spoke as she walked into the kitchen... Su Yuan hesitated for a moment, but then saw "Aether" and Paimon walk in without a second thought... Su Yuan was still hesitating when suddenly he felt a strong shove from behind. He staggered a few steps forward and ended up entering the kitchen... Turning back, Su Yuan saw that it was Guoba who had pushed him. Then, Guoba slowly walked into the kitchen and shut the door behind him... Inside the kitchen, Su Yuan could hear the sound of something crackling. He focused and saw a large pot of oil boiling... Xiangling flashed an eerie smile, pointed at the bubbling pot of oil, and said to Su Yuan and the others: "This is the spot I''ve prepared for you. Are you satisfied?" --------------- Exclusive access : 258ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 163: Ch 163 : Eerie power vs Abyss power Chapter 163 - Ch 163 : Eerie power vs Abyss powerStaring at the faces in front of him¡ªfaces that were constantly twisting, with deeply sunken eye sockets oozing a crimson, foul-smelling liquid¡ªSu Yuan knew that what he had feared had finally come to pass... Although Xiangling had found Guoba, it seemed that Guoba had already been corrupted and taken over by the Eerie power by then... And Xiangling herself had not been spared either... Then, what exactly was the condition for Xiangling''s eerie transformation? Su Yuan guessed that it most likely had something to do with the food they ate... But right now, he didn''t have the luxury to think it through¡ªhe had to find a way to deal with the crisis in front of him... "Su Yuan, if you really do have the ability to return from death," said Aether calmly, showing no panic in the face of the eerified ''Xiangling'' and ''Guoba,'' "then I suppose in situations like this, you''ve probably died more than once already, haven''t you...?" "And then, you used your life in exchange for information, trying to figure out how to use the rules of the eerie to help people break free from the transformation, right...?" Su Yuan remained silent at Aether''s words. "Eerie power... what an interesting force. This is the first time I''ve truly seen it up close." As Aether spoke, a longsword appeared in his hand, wrapped in an energy that was pitch-black with a hint of violet... Su Yuan could sense a terrifying aura and immense power radiating from it... "The Eerie power is naturally the bane of the seven elemental forces... but when it comes to the Abyssal power, which also exists outside the world''s boundaries... will it really have the upper hand?" "Then let me have a taste of what you''re capable of!" Aether spoke as he turned into a blur, dashing straight toward "Xiangling"! Su Yuan thought to himself, So Lumine is going to take on Xiangling? Then that means he''d have to find a way to hold off "Guoba"... But just as he turned around, Su Yuan saw "Paimon" enveloped in a powerful surge of Abyssal energy. She was holding a pitch-black tome, already confronting "Guoba" head-on. "Su Yuan, just stay back and watch..." Paimon said slowly: "You''re someone Her Highness wants to protect. How could we possibly let you fight and risk your life?" Su Yuan thought, Wow, so I''m just here to spectate now? Guess I don''t even need to lift a finger... Still, he was genuinely curious. While Eerie power and Abyssal power shared many similarities, they were ultimately two entirely different forces... So what would happen when these two powers from beyond the world collided¡ªwho would come out on top? As the Traveler, wrapped in swirling Abyssal energy, rushed toward her, "Xiangling" first showed a pained expression and said: "This feeling... You''re not the Traveler..." But almost instantly, she changed her expression, stuck out her tongue, and gave a bright yet eerie smile: "But I don''t dislike this version of you at all~" "I wonder... what would you taste like?" As she spoke, "Xiangling" picked up a spear infused with Eerie power¡ª ¡ªand clashed violently with Aether''s longsword, which was shrouded in the energy of the Abyss! In an instant, with a loud "boom", both "Xiangling" and Aether were forced to retreat under the tremendous impact of their clash! "As expected, this so-called Eerie power, while it utterly suppresses elemental energy, doesn''t seem able to overpower the Abyssal power..." Aether looked at "Xiangling" and spoke slowly: sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "These two forces seem to repel each other... like magnets with the same polarity." Hearing Aether''s words, Su Yuan fell into thought. Could it be that because both are powers from beyond the world, they''re fundamentally incompatible and thus repel one another? He always had a feeling that Eerie power was slightly more advanced than Abyssal power. After all, you could use elemental energy to fight the Abyss¡ª but elemental energy seemed completely ineffective against the Eerie... "If Dottore were here," Aether continued, "he''d definitely be itching to run some experiments..." "If Eerie power and Abyssal power reject each other, then what if you injected a constant stream of Abyssal power into someone under Eerie control..." "If the Abyssal energy within their body grew to far exceed the Eerie influence, could it eventually push the Eerie power out entirely and replace it with Abyssal power instead...?" "And if that happens, would that person be freed from the control of the Eerie transformation?" As he listened to Aether''s musings, Su Yuan nodded. Yeah... if anyone were crazy enough to actually try something like that, it''d definitely be that lunatic Dottore... Su Yuan then turned his attention toward the battle between "Paimon" and "Guoba"... "Guoba"''s fighting style was fairly straightforward¡ªhe either pounced in for physical combat, or ate a chili pepper and spewed eerie fire from his mouth... "Paimon," on the other hand, held her dark tome, conjuring Abyssal shields around herself while using agile footwork to easily evade Guoba''s attacks. She appeared to be completely in control of the fight. Su Yuan thought to himself, Is it because Guoba lost his memory and powers¡ªjust like Changsheng before¡ªthat his strength after becoming Eerie isn''t that great? Watching "Guoba" fumble around awkwardly, completely toyed with by "Paimon," Su Yuan felt like even he could probably land a few hits on him... Come to think of it, what exactly is "Paimon" disguised as right now? An Abyss Herald? Or maybe an Abyss Lector? Judging by the tome she was wielding, she was probably an Abyss Lector... Hmm... "Feel the graaace~" "If Eerie power and Abyssal power are essentially on the same level," Aether said, lifting his longsword before him and slowly walking toward "Xiangling", "then this will be much easier to handle..." "Let''s see who commands their power with more mastery... with more strength..." In the next moment, a dense surge of Abyssal energy erupted from Aether''s body¡ª That swirling mass of violet and black seemed to take physical form, flooding the entire back kitchen with a suffocating presence. And now, she no longer maintained her disguise¡ªreturning to her original form. The sheer pressure in the air made Su Yuan feel like he could barely breathe... So this is the true power of Lumine... The Abyss Order''s... Princess... As he watched Lumine slowly walk toward "Xiangling," Su Yuan was suddenly gripped by a bad feeling... Lumine... she''s not really planning to kill "Xiangling," is she? "Su Yuan... take my advice¡ªyou''re still too soft..." "You always want to save everyone, but in the end... you may find yourself unable to save anyone at all..." "Sometimes, in order to achieve your goal in the most efficient way... sacrifices are unavoidable." "No... don''t..." Su Yuan reached out his hand, trying to stop Lumine¡ªbut his legs felt rooted to the ground, as if they were bound in place. He couldn''t move an inch... "Xiangling" was completely shrouded in Eerie energy, trying to resist the Abyssal power radiating from Lumine¡ªbut it was all in vain... Lumine stood before "Xiangling," looking at her calmly. She slowly raised the sword in her hand and said: "This strike carries five hundred years of everything I''ve become... Can you withstand it?" --------------- Exclusive access : 261ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 164: Ch 164 : Have we met somewhere before? Chapter 164 - Ch 164 : Have we met somewhere before?Lumine raised her sword¡ªcoated in Abyssal power, the longsword effortlessly pierced through the eerie force surrounding "Xiangling," slashing straight at her neck... "Xiangling''s" head fell from her shoulders, rolling a few times on the ground. Her body collapsed in a pool of blood, completely lifeless... "Su Yuan, just as you said... once the original host dies, the eerie force dissipates along with them..." Lumine looked at Xiangling''s body lying in the blood and slowly said: "You never needed to save anyone. And you can''t save everyone..." "This is the fastest way to deal with the eerie..." Su Yuan stared in shock at the scene before him. Xiangling? Xiangling just... died like that? Lumine¡ªwasn''t she being a little too cold-blooded...? But before Su Yuan could even recover from his shock, he felt an intense surge of eerie power erupting behind him! The entire space suddenly seemed to heat up... "Xiang... ling..." Su Yuan turned around. It was "Guoba"... "Guoba"¡ªhe spoke... Tears of blood were also streaming down from the corners of his eyes... Guoba, now radiating an overwhelming eerie power, forced "Paimon" back and moved to Lumine''s side... "Your Highness... Guoba is... not going to be easy to deal with now..." "Paimon" looked gravely in the direction of the "Guoba" and spoke: "The concentration of eerie power in him now¡ªrough estimate¡ªit''s increased by over a hundredfold compared to before..." Lumine nodded. She looked at "Guoba" and could also feel a powerful force radiating from him... "Su Yuan, just as you said... negative emotions can also amplify the eerie power..." "I killed Xiangling, and it seems Guoba... went berserk because of it..." As she spoke, Lumine slowly walked toward "Guoba" and said: "That''s fine. The Xiangling from just now was still a bit too weak..." "Back at the Dragon-Queller Tree, if the eerie Jiang Xue hadn''t been able to defeat the eerie Morax, I was already planning to step in..." "Come, Guoba. Let me see just how powerful this eerie force can be!" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The next moment, Guoba spewed out a torrent of blazing, eerie flames from his mouth! If one were to make a comparison¡ªhis previous fire breath was like a lighter... But now, it was like the blast from a rocket launch! They weren''t even on the same level! And yet, even in the face of this, there wasn''t a trace of panic on Lumine''s face... In fact... was that a hint of excitement? She gathered energy in her hand and swung her sword vertically. Instantly, a powerful wave of sword energy, formed from Abyssal power, sliced Guoba''s eerie flames cleanly down the middle! The wave of sword energy surged forward with an unstoppable force¡ªGuoba''s flames couldn''t resist it in the slightest! Until finally, Guoba himself was sliced cleanly in two... "Eerie power... so this is all it amounts to?" Lumine spoke as she sheathed her sword, letting out a quiet sigh. Su Yuan didn''t know what to say... So this was Lumine''s true strength... this was the power of the Abyss... Back then, Dottore must have already recognized Lumine''s true identity¡ªhe knew how powerful she was. That''s why he didn''t bother engaging further and simply retreated... "Su Yuan, judging by your expression... do you think what I did was cruel?" Lumine walked over to Su Yuan''s side and spoke slowly: "You don''t need to save everyone..." "The only ones you truly need to protect... are your family." "Everyone else doesn''t matter." "The more you care about someone, the more it hurts... the more unbearable it becomes when you have to part." "The fastest way to eliminate the eerie power is simple¡ªwhoever is tainted by it, kill them." "No! That''s not right!" Su Yuan couldn''t accept Lumine''s viewpoint and shouted: "If we have the power to save others, why not try to save them?" "This black-and-white approach of yours is completely unacceptable!" As he spoke, Su Yuan pulled out the small knife he always carried and aimed it at his heart, ready to stab himself! But Lumine would never let him get his way. She immediately grabbed his hand and snatched the knife away from him! Still unwilling to give up, Su Yuan glanced at the boiling oil pot nearby and, without hesitation, sprinted toward it¡ªtrying to throw himself in! But Lumine merely swept her leg lightly at his ankle, and Su Yuan was tripped to the ground... "I told you¡ªdon''t even think about killing yourself in front of me..." "Besides, with how you''re acting now, you''ve pretty much confirmed it for me¡ªyou do have the ability to rewind after death." Lumine grabbed Su Yuan by the collar, locking eyes with him as she spoke sternly: "Su Yuan, you have to learn to accept partings. You have to learn to live with regret..." "This mindset of trying to save everyone¡ªit doesn''t work!" "There''s no such thing as a perfect ending in this world!" "If you keep pushing forward blindly, all you''ll do is repeat the same mistakes!" Looking into Lumine''s serious gaze, Su Yuan suddenly had a strange feeling¡ªhad he seen her somewhere before? But it wasn''t the feeling of recognizing her from when he played the game... It felt like he and Lumine had truly, physically met in real life before¡ªand maybe more than once... Su Yuan shut his eyes tightly, a deep frown forming as a splitting headache hit him... Seeing this, Lumine released her grip and let Su Yuan slide down to sit against the wall. After a long while, once the pain had slightly eased, Su Yuan looked up at Lumine and asked in a trembling voice: "Lumine... have we... met somewhere a long time ago?" "A long time ago? You''re overthinking it. Yesterday was the first time we met," Lumine replied calmly. Su Yuan nodded. Yeah... that made sense. He''d only been in this world for a few days. How could he possibly have met Lumine a long time ago? Lumine had already been active in Teyvat for several hundred years... Could this be what the rule inscribed on the palm of his right hand had warned about¡ªthat while his memory might be good, memory itself isn''t always reliable? Just then, footsteps echoed from outside, and the back door of Wanmin Restaurant''s kitchen was opened from the outside... An old figure appeared at the doorway¡ªit was Madame Ping. Madame Ping walked in and took a look at the scene before her: Xiangling, decapitated and lying in a pool of blood, and Guoba, split cleanly in half... "Su Yuan... Traveler..." Madame Ping looked at the two of them and slowly spoke: "Can you tell me... what exactly happened here?" --------------- Exclusive access : 261ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 165: Ch 165 : Yuanzhong Chapter 165 - Ch 165 : Yuanzhong"Madame Ping..." Su Yuan looked at Madame Ping, whose face was filled with sorrow, unsure of what to say... After all, the two who had just been killed by Lumine¡ªone was her beloved disciple, Xiangling, and the other was her old friend from long ago, the Stove God, the demon god Marchosius... Madame Ping, in her youth, once admired beauty¡ªbut now she chooses to appear this way, largely because of Guizhong''s passing... All the signs pointed to one thing¡ªMadame Ping was someone who deeply valued bonds and relationships... Now, with two people important to her dead before her eyes, what kind of grief must she be feeling? "Xiangling was a passionate and kind child..." Madame Ping looked at Xiangling and slowly spoke: "Although I knew that as a mortal, she had her natural lifespan... she wasn''t meant to die here..." She then turned her gaze to Guoba and continued: "Gods are undying. Even if they are slain, they always leave something behind in the world..." "Back then, we made a promise¡ªthat when the land flourished again and the people lived in peace and happiness, the Stove God might return to the world in some form..." "And now... he has returned... only to leave once more here..." Seeing Madame Ping''s expression growing increasingly off, Su Yuan suddenly sensed that something was wrong... Could it be... Madame Ping was also falling into an eerie transformation? "I told you this wasn''t the right way to do it!" Su Yuan looked toward Lumine and shouted: "Choosing to kill the eerie together with the host will likely cause a chain reaction¡ªdragging more people who are connected to them into the eerie as well!" And it seemed that Lumine had also sensed everything. She tightened her grip on her sword, looked at Madame Ping, and gave a faint smile before speaking: "Oh? Have you fallen into the eerie transformation as well?" "Earlier, an ordinary person like Xiangling, along with a broken Guoba..." "The eerie power didn''t give me much of a feeling..." "And now, even an Adeptus of Liyue at their peak power has been controlled by the eerie..." "Let me experience just how much power you truly have!" With that, Lumine surged forward, enveloped in Abyssal power, heading straight for Madame Ping! However, Madame Ping only slightly raised her hand. The eerie power in her hand gathered, easily deflecting her strike! But similarly, because the eerie power and Abyssal power repelled each other, when their attacks collided, a tremendous sound rang out, and both of them were forced to retreat... Su Yuan watched this scene¡ªindeed, Madame Ping had also been controlled by the eerie transformation... And the cause of her transformation was probably the loss of someone important... With this in mind, the mole among the Adeptus wasn''t likely Madame Ping... "So this is the power of the Adeptus of Liyue... truly extraordinary!" Lumine said, and once again, she charged forward, clashing with Madame Ping in a fierce battle! Meanwhile, Su Yuan thought to himself that he needed to take advantage of this moment when Madame Ping was holding off Lumine to find a way to commit suicide and rewind time! Although Su Yuan acknowledged that some of what Lumine had said made sense, he still couldn''t agree with her approach... He knew he couldn''t save everyone, but at the very least, for those people in front of him, he would do everything in his power to save them! But just then, as Lumine continued fighting with Madame Ping, she suddenly said: "Keep an eye on Su Yuan, don''t let him commit suicide..." Only then did Su Yuan notice that there was still Paimon beside him... "Su Yuan, Princess has already given me orders, you really shouldn''t try to commit suicide again. It would be embarrassing for me..." But in the next moment, Su Yuan didn''t hesitate at all. Cyro and Hydro elemental powers erupted from his body and shot directly at Paimon! Since Paimon was trying to stop him, he would first find a way to defeat her, and then try to commit suicide to rewind time! Faced with Su Yuan''s sudden attack, Paimon didn''t dodge. She was instantly frozen into an ice block! But the next moment, flames began to burn around Paimon''s body. Even though Su Yuan desperately sprayed more elemental energy to replenish it, the ice block still melted at a visible rate... In just a few seconds, the ice block completely shattered, and Paimon''s skin continued to melt, her form growing larger... "Serve the Abyss..." "Ah~ this scorching¡á truth¡á!" Only then did Su Yuan see clearly¡ªPaimon had seemingly transformed into something resembling an Abyss Herald... However, this Abyss Herald was unlike any he had seen in the game... sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even that world boss, the "Iniquitous Baptist," only controlled four elements: fire, ice, lightning, and water... But the Abyss Herald in front of him seemed to be surrounded by a full seven elements, along with numerous Abyssal forces... Furthermore, their form didn''t completely resemble an Abyss Herald. It had many features of an Abyss Apostle as well... What kind of ultimate fusion monster was this??? With just the small amount of Hydro and Cyro elemental power he controlled, was he really a match for her? "Since you want to unleash all your power, I can no longer pretend to be that petite figure..." "This is the complete Abyss, the full Herald and Apostle, completely... me!!!" "Be careful, don''t go too hard, or you might kill Su Yuan..." Lumine was still fighting with Madame Ping. Though she appeared to be handling it easily, she still couldn''t manage to defeat her after a long while... Su Yuan thought, Hasn''t she used all her strength yet? Is she still testing what moves Madame Ping has? "Don''t worry, Princess... I''ll be gentle with Su Yuan..." "Su Yuan, let me tell you, my name is Yuanzhong, the most loyal follower of Princess..." "I am also the pinnacle of all Abyss Heralds and Abyss Apostles..." "Though my mastery over the Abyssal power is nowhere near that of Princess, I have already mastered the seven elemental powers to perfection..." "I suggest you give up on the idea of fighting me. You are no match for me..." But no matter what, asking him to give up was absolutely impossible! Su Yuan, fearless, continued charging toward Yuanzhong in a death rush! "Since that''s the case, I''ll just calm you down a bit..." Yuanzhong said, forming a small ball of Electro elemental power in his hand and throwing it at Su Yuan with great speed! "Feel the sensation of being paralyzed by lightning, that tingling, numb feeling!" --------------- Exclusive access : 264ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 166: Ch 166 : What? I’m immune to elemental power? Chapter 166 - Ch 166 : What? I''m immune to elemental power?Facing the lightning orb rapidly flying toward him from Yuanzhong''s hand, Su Yuan didn''t even have time to dodge¡ªit hit him squarely in the stomach! "Ahhhh!" Su Yuan let out a cry of pain and trembled... But soon, Su Yuan realized something was off. Huh? Why didn''t he feel any tingling sensation at all? It was like that lightning orb hadn''t hit him at all... Yuanzhong also showed a puzzled expression and muttered to himself: "Could it be because there wasn''t enough elemental energy?" "That shouldn''t be it... Why didn''t it have any effect?" As he spoke, Yuanzhong formed another orb of lightning, slightly larger this time, and hurled it at Su Yuan again! Yet Su Yuan didn''t try to dodge at all¡ªhe just let the attack hit him straight on... However, when the lightning elemental orb struck Su Yuan, it was like a pebble thrown into the ocean¡ªno ripples, no reaction. Still completely ineffective. Both Su Yuan and Yuanzhong were stunned, neither of them able to understand what was going on... Especially Su Yuan¡ªhe himself had no idea that he was immune to elemental power? Well, now that he thought about it, ever since he transmigrated here, he had been fighting against the eerie, and had never really fought a normal person properly... But just then, a few vague memories suddenly surfaced in Su Yuan''s mind¡ªhe seemed to recall being tightly bound by Yelan at some point in the past... If he truly was immune to elemental power, then why had Yelan been able to restrain him back then? Could the key lie in whether the elemental power was meant to cause harm? At the same time, a terrifying thought crept into Su Yuan''s mind... Could it be... that he was one of the Eerie? After all, the eerie seemed to also be immune to elemental power... "This is impossible! Why can you ignore elemental energy?!" After two failed attacks in a row, Yuanzhong seemed to be losing his composure. This time, the lightning orb forming in his hand was several times larger than before! Then, with a mix of confusion and anger, he hurled the lightning elemental orb at Su Yuan once again! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But once again, the result was the same¡ªSu Yuan remained completely unaffected... "Aaaargh!! If lightning doesn''t work, then let''s try the other six elements!" Yuanzhong seemed to be utterly humiliated, growing increasingly hysterical as he launched elemental orbs of every kind¡ªpyro, cyro, hydro, anemo, geo, and dendro¡ªall at Su Yuan! But Su Yuan simply stood there, as if nothing was happening to him at all... At that moment, both Su Yuan and Yuanzhong came to a grim realization: elemental attacks seemed to have absolutely no effect on Su Yuan. And even Lumine, who had been fighting Madame Ping, appeared caught off guard by this development... Out of the corner of his eye, Su Yuan clearly saw that Lumine was also looking at him with a mix of confusion and surprise... And this moment of distraction from Lumine didn''t go unnoticed by Madame Ping. She suddenly pulled out a slightly worn-looking teapot from who-knows-where and aimed it directly at Lumine! In the next instant, a dark, blood-red mist began to swirl around the teapot, generating an immense suction force that instantly sucked Aether right into it! Su Yuan was completely stunned... Huh? The Serenitea Pot can be used like that? Isn''t this kind of like something straight out of Journey to the West? Like the Crimson Gourd and Jade Purity Bottle used by the Gold and Silver Horn Kings? But hey, at least in Journey to the West, you had to call someone''s name and have them respond before they could get sucked in. Yet Madame Ping''s Serenitea Pot could just straight-up absorb someone without a word? "Your Highness!" Seeing Lumine get sucked into Madame Ping''s teapot, Yuanzhong no longer cared about Su Yuan. He immediately gathered abyssal power in his hands and charged toward Madame Ping! Seeing Yuanzhong''s attention shift away from him, Su Yuan figured this was the perfect opportunity to kill himself and rewind! Glancing at the still-boiling, steaming cauldron of oil, Su Yuan thought that if he just dove headfirst into it, it would be the fastest way to die... But in the next moment, something completely unexpected happened¡ªcracks suddenly began to form all over Madame Ping''s Serenitea Pot! The cracks spread quickly, accompanied by loud cracking sounds¡ªcrack¡ªcrack¡ªcrack¡ª Then, with a thunderous BOOM, the teapot completely shattered! Su Yuan was just a second away from leaping into the oil pot, but right at the last moment, he felt someone grab him by the back of the neck¡ª "Su Yuan, I told you..." Lumine''s voice rang out behind him. "I won''t allow you to kill yourself in front of me." Su Yuan turned to look, only to see that Lumine had returned to her true form. Her body was covered in wounds and blood... But those abyssal powers seemed to be healing her continuously, with the injuries visibly closing up at an incredible speed. And seeing that Lumine not only escaped from her Serenitea Pot but also destroyed it, Madame Ping was utterly furious. "Do you have any idea... how many rare and precious materials it takes to use the power of the Exterior Realm to craft a sub-world like the Serenitea Pot?" "The Lustrous Gold Clay beneath the Dihua Marsh riverbed... the Jadeite Ore mined from the depths of The Chasm..." "With the changing times, all of these have become nearly extinct treasures..." "You... killed my disciple and friend, and now you''ve destroyed my prized creation¡ªhow could I possibly forgive you?!" Madame Ping roared in rage. Finally, the customers outside began to notice the commotion in the kitchen and sensed something was wrong... Some of them gathered at the kitchen door and pushed it open, only to be met with a sight beyond their understanding¡ª Madame Ping, upon seeing these ordinary people rush in, simply waved her hand, unleashing what seemed to be a twisted, corrupted version of her usual energy blast... In an instant, half of Wanmin Restaurant was reduced to dust. The onlookers at the kitchen entrance were instantly turned into minced flesh and shattered limbs... Panic erupted outside. Screams and cries filled the air, chaos spreading like wildfire... Madame Ping¡ªthe adeptus who once protected Liyue Harbor¡ªhad now fully become a twisted calamity of horror. "Well well... my power''s already grown quite a bit since just a moment ago..." Watching the innocent lives being wiped out, Lumine didn''t show even the slightest bit of pity or remorse. To her, it was as if mere ants had died¡ªcompletely irrelevant to her. She looked toward Madame Ping and said slowly: "I did want to see more of your strength... to personally study this Eerie power through you..." "But now, there''s something more important I need to do." "So let''s finish this¡ªwith the next move, we end it." --------------- Exclusive access : 264ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 167: Ch 167 : Spaghetti should be mixed with Type 42 concrete Chapter 167 - Ch 167 : Spaghetti should be mixed with Type 42 concreteAfter an earth-shattering slash, Madame Ping was ultimately no match for Lumine and fell beneath her sword... According to Lumine, it was a strike imbued with an overwhelmingly powerful and dense abyssal force¡ªa slash strong enough to cleave the world itself! Wherever that strike passed, even space itself had been torn and broken, unable to return to its original state for a long time... Su Yuan stared in shock at the scene. So this... this is the result of Lumine''s centuries of growth? This is her true strength? Just one strike¡ªonly one¡ªand she had completely annihilated the Eerie Madame Ping head-on. But such a powerful attack didn''t come without a price... At this moment, beads of sweat rolled down Lumine''s forehead, her breathing was ragged, and her face had grown slightly pale... "Your Highness... That attack puts immense strain on your body. Unless it''s absolutely necessary, you shouldn''t use it frequently..." Yuanzhong said with concern, glancing at Lumine. "Yuanzhong, that''s not something you need to worry about. I know my limits," Lumine replied, then slowly walked over to Su Yuan, locking eyes with him. "So that''s how it is..." She looked at Su Yuan and slowly said: "I finally understand now... why you had that look on your face back then..." "Back then? Have we really met before?" Su Yuan asked, confused. Could I really have met Lumine in the past? "Su Yuan, if you truly believe what you''re doing is right... then go ahead and do it." "Because I... have no right to persuade or stop you..." The next moment, Su Yuan felt a sharp pain in his chest... Su Yuan looked down and realized that Lumine had stabbed the small knife¡ªtaken from him earlier¡ªstraight into his heart... "The next time you see me, if you want me to listen to you..." "Then please say this to me..." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Spaghetti... should be mixed with Type 42 concrete..." Huh? In the final moments of his life, Su Yuan couldn''t understand. He was completely baffled... Why would Lumine¡ªwho had just been desperately trying to stop him from killing himself¡ªnow choose to kill him herself? And also... "Spaghetti mixed with Type 42 concrete"... wasn''t that a meme from Earth, his original home? Why... why would Lumine know that? .............. Su Yuan suddenly opened his eyes wide¡ªthere it was again, that familiar and heart-pounding sensation... Feeling the stinging pain in the palm of his left hand, Su Yuan knew he had died once more... Which also meant that today''s plan¡ªto make it through without using even a single rewind¡ªhad failed. At this moment, Su Yuan was once again walking alongside Aether and Paimon, on their way to Wanmin Restaurant to check on Xiangling. He raised his left hand and looked at his palm: [Unfortunately, this is your first death today...] [Xiangling and Guoba have already been corrupted and taken over by the Eerie.] [That incredibly delicious ingredient is very likely human flesh, specially prepared through some twisted method...] [Also, Lumine wields Abyssal power and is incredibly strong...] [Moreover, her attitude toward those corrupted by the Eerie isn''t to save them¡ªit''s to eliminate them.] [Once Xiangling and Guoba die, Madame Ping will also fall into eerie corruption...] [Even the eerified Guoba, Xiangling, and even Madame Ping were no match for her...] [Also, Eerie power and Abyssal power are both forces from beyond this world, and they seem to repel each other...] [Finally, if you want to get Lumine to listen to you...] [You can say to her: "Spaghetti should be mixed with Type 42 concrete."] Su Yuan stared seriously at the intel message on his left palm. Xiangling and Guoba... have already been corrupted by the Eerie? And as expected, Lumine''s strength was terrifying. As the wielder of Abyssal power, she could directly face off against the Eerie... impressive. But the last part¡ªthe spaghetti with Type 42 concrete¡ªSu Yuan just couldn''t wrap his head around it. If he remembered correctly, that was a meme from back home on Earth, wasn''t it? Why would saying something like that make Lumine listen to him? Could she even get the reference? Or could it be that Aether and Lumine, as travelers who roam across different worlds... had been to Earth too? "Su Yuan, what are you staring at?" Aether looked over at Su Yuan, noticing how he was fixated on his left palm¡ªwhere, to him, there was absolutely nothing written. "It''s nothing. I was just thinking... maybe we shouldn''t rush to Wanmin Restaurant just yet," Su Yuan replied. "Hm? Why not? Weren''t we going to check on Xiangling?" Aether asked. "Xiangling and Guoba... have already been corrupted by the Eerie." "Well, doesn''t that mean we should go?" Aether smiled and said, "Let''s go help Xiangling and Guoba, bring them back from the Eerie''s control!" But staring at Aether''s smile, Su Yuan didn''t buy it. The prompt in his palm had already told him¡ª Aether''s attitude toward those controlled by the Eerie... was not salvation, but extermination. "Lumine, it''s just us here right now. You don''t need to pretend anymore..." Su Yuan looked straight at "Aether" and spoke slowly: "I know the truth¡ªyour stance has never been to save them... only to kill them." "Oh? Su Yuan, you sure have some sharp intel..." "Aether" smiled, squinting at Su Yuan and letting out a sigh of admiration: "You even know that, huh..." "But even if you don''t go, if I choose to head to Wanmin alone¡ªwhat exactly are you gonna do about it?" Su Yuan had a feeling¡ªlike everything that was happening right now was all within Lumine''s control. It was as if she could see right through everything about him... She seemed to be waiting, anticipating... waiting for that phrase to come out of his mouth. Then a terrifying thought struck Su Yuan¡ª Could it be that everything that happened in my last loop... was also part of Lumine''s plan? Even if she suspected that he had the ability to rewind time upon death, there was no way she could prove it. No way to confirm it definitively... But¡ªLumine had told him that strange phrase during the last loop. And now, if he were to say it to her in this one, it would be the same as directly telling her: I have the power to return after dying. Su Yuan realized¡ªhe absolutely could not say that phrase to Lumine. "If you really insist on going," he said, shrugging and waving his hand, "Then I guess I''ve got no choice but to go with you." Aether gave him a puzzled look, turning to Su Yuan and asking: "You don''t have anything... special you want to say to me?" "Something special?" Su Yuan mirrored the puzzled look deliberately, then replied with a calm smile: "Nope. Absolutely nothing at all." --------------- Exclusive access : 267ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 168: Ch 168 : Humble efforts Chapter 168 - Ch 168 : Humble efforts"Su Yuan, don''t you know? You''re terrible at acting¡ªyou''re really bad at lying and pretending." "Aether" looked calmly at Su Yuan and slowly spoke: "Even though you keep denying it, I know there''s something you really want to say to me..." Hearing Aether''s words, Su Yuan frowned, unsure how to respond... Bad at lying and pretending? Bad at acting? Honestly, Lumine, you''re not much better. Ever since our first meeting, I''ve felt that something was off about you... And when it comes to acting skills, sure, I''m no match for Furina, but I''m definitely better than that guy Neuvillette, right? You probably haven''t seen Neuvillette''s acting before¡ªthat''s the only reason you''d say something like this... "Su Yuan, let me tell you the truth¡ª" "If you really do have the ability to rewind time upon death, then in the last cycle, I must have said something specific to you." "Different phrases carry different meanings..." "You have to tell me¡ªwhat exactly did I say to you last time?" Aether looked seriously at Su Yuan and said: "This will greatly affect the choices I make next..." Listening to Lumine''s words and seeing how serious she looked, Su Yuan started to wonder¡ªcould he have misunderstood everything? He had thought she was trying to verify whether he had the power to return after death¡ªasking him this as a test. But judging from her tone now, it seemed like she already believed he had that power. After a long pause, Su Yuan finally made up his mind¡ªto tell Lumine the truth... Because from the current situation, she and the Abyss¡ªat the very least¡ªare not his enemies... But when it comes to others who have been corrupted and controlled by the eerie force, that might not be the case... "Spaghetti... should be mixed with No. 42 concrete..." Su Yuan spoke slowly. Upon hearing those words, Aether''s entire body trembled, and an expression of barely contained shock appeared on his face... "So that''s... that''s what it is..." Aether clenched his fists, then revealed a somewhat wistful expression... Meanwhile, Su Yuan looked at the scene in confusion and asked, "So what does it mean? What''s the significance behind those strange words?" "And how do you even know them? Don''t tell me... you''ve been to Earth too?" Faced with Su Yuan''s questions, Aether remained silent for quite a while before slowly responding: "Sorry, Su Yuan. I can''t answer those questions..." "But from now on, no matter what you say to me, or what you ask me to do¡ªso long as it''s within reasonable limits¡ªI''ll accept it." Su Yuan thought to himself, so the message in my palm was right... As long as I say those words to Lumine, she''ll obey my commands? "All right, since you''re being this cooperative..." Su Yuan pondered for a moment, then spoke: "My first request... or rather, let''s call it a plea..." "Even though I know you''re powerful, when dealing with those corrupted by the eerie force¡ªplease don''t go straight to killing them..." "Let''s work together to figure out what triggers their transformation... and find a way to return them to normal!" "Okay." Aether nodded, then immediately dropped his disguise and returned to her original appearance... As for "Paimon," she slipped into the shadows to the side and vanished without a trace... "Huh? Lumine, you''re not keeping up the disguise anymore?" Su Yuan asked, clearly puzzled. Lumine had previously threatened him to maintain her cover¡ªso why was she now choosing to reveal herself so willingly? "I disguised myself as my brother to get close to you," Lumine said calmly, "to learn certain things about you..." "Now that I''ve achieved my goal, there''s no need for the disguise anymore..." "Besides, I''m not someone particularly good at pretending. And right now, I don''t have the energy to keep up an act..." Su Yuan nodded in understanding. So then¡ªwhat exactly had Lumine found out about him? "Aether has been looking for you this whole time," Su Yuan continued, "but because of the eerie incident, he went to Sumeru first. I don''t know how he''s doing right now..." Su Yuan said with some concern. But then again, according to the rules written on his right hand earlier, the real Aether and Paimon hadn''t been corrupted by the eerie force, so they were probably still okay... "His situation isn''t exactly ideal right now," Lumine said, "but fortunately, his life isn''t in danger. It''s all just part of the experiences and trials of his journey..." Su Yuan looked confused. Liyue and Sumeru were worlds apart¡ªhow did Lumine know what condition Aether was in? And more importantly, why did she seem to possess Aether''s memories? That part still didn''t make sense to Su Yuan... But Su Yuan didn''t speak up to ask, because he felt that even if he did, Lumine wouldn''t give him an answer. "Alright, let''s not dwell on that for now... Let''s analyze the situation with Xiangling and Guoba," Su Yuan said. "According to the intel, Guoba disappeared first. It''s likely he was already corrupted by the eerie force at that time..." "Then Xiangling went searching for Guoba and found him, but afterward, she too became corrupted..." "Guoba''s true identity is the stove god, the divine beast Marchosius, and Xiangling is a passionate, innovative chef..." "So the condition for their corruption probably has something to do with food..." "And if Guoba and Xiangling are really eating people..." "Then maybe we can investigate recent disappearances in Liyue Harbor. We might find some clues from that," Su Yuan mused. "Alright, I''ll follow your lead," Lumine nodded. Then, Su Yuan and Lumine changed their destination, choosing not to head to Wanmin Restaurant but instead to move toward Yujing Terrace. However, as they passed the roadside near the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Su Yuan was suddenly stopped by a voice. "Su Yuan." He turned in the direction of the voice¡ªand to his surprise, it was Zhongli. Only... something about Zhongli now seemed a little different from before... "Back at the Dragon-Queller Tree, I just left in such a rush¡ªI didn''t have the chance to properly thank you," Zhongli said with a faint smile. "Thank you, Su Yuan. Thank you for everything you''ve done for me, and for Liyue." Su Yuan looked at Zhongli in pleasant surprise. He had been wondering where Zhongli had gone¡ªso he had returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor after all! Then Zhongli turned to Lumine at Su Yuan''s side and said, "Lumine, long time no see." However, Lumine didn''t respond. She only looked at him with a cold, indifferent gaze. "Are you still holding a grudge over what happened back then?" Zhongli sighed softly, sounding a little helpless. "Well, let bygones be bygones." "You''re thinking about how to deal with Xiangling and Guoba, aren''t you? Let me lend a hand and contribute what little strength I can." --------------- Exclusive access : 267ch on paetron sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 169: Ch 169 : Wasting food is a shameful act Chapter 169 - Ch 169 : Wasting food is a shameful actSu Yuan looked at Lumine and Zhongli¡ªso the two of them were old acquaintances? Well, that made sense. Lumine had embarked on her journey in Teyvat centuries ago, and Zhongli was one of the original Seven Archons who had never been replaced, so it was only natural that they knew each other... However, the relationship between Lumine and Zhongli seemed... a little strained. But that, too, was understandable. Lumine and the Abyss Order were in direct opposition to the "Heavenly Principles," while Zhongli, at least on the surface, was still one of the Seven Archons under their rule... Even though Zhongli had already faked his death and retired... "Ahem, let''s get back to business..." Su Yuan coughed a couple of times to ease the awkward atmosphere, then spoke, giving Zhongli a brief summary of the current situation. "I believe Guoba was already corrupted by the Eerie on the day he went missing..." "And now both Guoba and Xiangling... it seems they''re eating people. If we don''t stop them soon, it''ll definitely lead to more casualties..." "Eating... people..." Upon hearing Su Yuan''s words, Zhongli murmured to himself, as if his thoughts had drifted back to a time long ago... "Liyue once endured an age of ceaseless war and rampant Archon conflict. Countless people were displaced, their homes and farmlands destroyed, harvests lost, and famine claiming lives by the thousands..." "In those years of starvation and chaos, the land was plagued by calamities and disease." "It was Marchosius¡ªwho is now Guoba¡ªwho poured all of his power into the land to quell these disasters..." "And only because of that sacrifice has today''s Liyue become a place where everyone can live in peace and plenty..." Zhongli looked at Su Yuan with calm and profound eyes and slowly spoke: "So I was thinking, in the past, Guoba exhausted all of his power just to ensure that people could live in a world where they were well-fed..." "And now that people no longer worry about having enough to eat, it''s inevitable that some will become wasteful and extravagant..." "Could it be that the condition for Guoba''s eerie transformation was witnessing someone wasting food right in front of him?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Su Yuan nodded in agreement, thinking to himself that as Guoba''s old friend, Zhongli truly understood him. He then said, "That''s definitely a possibility..." "Everyone... I''ve finished my investigation." Just then, a sudden voice rang out behind Su Yuan¡ªit was Yelan: "On the day Guoba went missing, two merchants from Snezhnaya were dining at Wanmin Restaurant." "According to Chef Mao, the two merchants originally wanted to eat at Liyue Pavilion or Xinyue Kiosk, but since they didn''t make reservations in advance, they couldn''t get a table..." "By their own admission, they only came to Wanmin Restaurant because they had no other choice..." "They criticized the food and made all sorts of picky comments¡ªthey were clearly dissatisfied." "As a result, they barely touched the dishes. Most of the food ended up being wasted..." "Not long after, the Ministry of Civil Affairs received a report from their attendants that the two Snezhnayan merchants had gone missing..." "While we weren''t able to locate them, we did find some of their torn clothing scattered in the wilderness..." "Judging by the nature of the tears, it looked like they had been attacked by a wild beast..." "And Guoba, in a certain sense, does count as a beast¡ªhe fits the description perfectly..." "Given that, and based on your earlier deductions, we can basically confirm..." "The condition for Guoba''s eerie transformation is witnessing someone wasting food in front of him¡ªand he then targets those who waste food..." After hearing Yelan''s explanation, Su Yuan also nodded and began to think. If that''s the case, let''s piece together the current situation. First, Guoba saw the two Snezhnayan merchants wasting food, then fell into an eerie transformation, killed them, and possibly even ate them... Xiangling must have found the transformed Guoba. Then something happened that caused Xiangling to fall into an eerie transformation as well. Xiangling is now obsessed with cooking human meat¡ªcould it be that her condition for transforming was eating human flesh? No, Su Yuan suddenly had a new thought. What if Xiangling''s condition for becoming Eerie was tasting an ingredient she had never eaten before? After all, Xiangling is a chef who loves experimenting with new things and often adds all kinds of strange ingredients into her dishes... If that''s the case, it all makes sense. "Everyone, I just had a thought¡ªwhat if Xiangling''s condition for becoming eerie was tasting a food she had never eaten before?" Su Yuan looked at everyone and voiced his idea. "That does sound like a real possibility," Yelan said thoughtfully, nodding in agreement. "If that''s true, then do you all remember what I told you about Wriothesley, the prison warden of Meropide Fortress in Fontaine?" "Like Xiangling, he also falls into an eerie transformation after consuming something." "For him, it''s tea. But as long as he metabolizes all the tea from his body, he can return to normal." "So if we follow the same logic¡ªif we can get Xiangling to metabolize and expel all those strange ingredients she ate, maybe she can recover too?" "That is indeed a method worth trying," Zhongli nodded. "But that Wriothesley warden only drank some tea," Yelan said worriedly. "It''s a liquid, so he could just sweat it out to metabolize it..." "But Xiangling¡ªshe probably ate a lot of solid food. That method won''t work for her..." "Isn''t that an easy fix? Let''s just go find Baizhu!" After thinking it through, Su Yuan slapped his forehead and immediately said, "We''ll ask Baizhu to give us some medicine that induces nausea and vomiting, plus some strong laxatives or purgatives..." "As long as we can get Xiangling to take it, and get her to completely empty her stomach and intestines, she should be able to return to normal!" "Su Yuan, that''s really... an ingenious and daring idea," Lumine couldn''t help but comment. Then, the group headed to Bubu Pharmacy. Seeing them arrive, Baizhu stood up and greeted them. "Everyone¡ªwhat brings you here?" "It''s nothing much. We just came to ask for a few medicinal ingredients," Su Yuan replied. "By the way, Baizhu, we haven''t seen you in a day or two. How are the patients doing?" At that, Baizhu showed a sorrowful expression and let out a small sigh. "I did everything I could to treat them... but nearly ten people, whose bodies were too weak and had lost too much vitality, unfortunately passed away..." "Well, let''s not talk about that anymore. It was my fault..." "Tell me¡ªwho''s sick? And what kind of medicine do you need?" --------------- Exclusive access : 270ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 170: Ch 170 : Mechanical Cooking Divine Machine Chapter 170 - Ch 170 : Mechanical Cooking Divine Machine"To make someone feel nauseous and vomit, and also give them diarrhea..." After hearing Su Yuan''s request, Bai Zhu gave a puzzled look, unsure of what to say. "Are you trying to save people or harm them?" However, after the group''s explanation, Bai Zhu quickly understood the situation. He nodded and said, "I understand. I''ll prepare the medicine for you right away." Bai Zhu then skillfully took out various herbs from the cabinet and drawers where he stored them. He packaged the herbs into two separate bags. First, Bai Zhu picked up the bag on his left and explained, "This bag contains herbs like Copper sulfate, Common grass, Fritillaria, Gourd seeds, and Soap pods. These herbs irritate the stomach lining and may cause nausea and vomiting." Then, Bai Zhu picked up the bag on his right and continued, "This bag contains herbs like Senna leaves, Rhubarb, Cassia seeds, and Glauber''s salt. Taking them in excess will cause intense diarrhea." "Thank you, Bai Zhu!" Su Yuan said as he took the herbs. "By the way, how is Changsheng doing?" Su Yuan asked. "After you froze Changsheng into an ice block, she has been in a state similar to hibernation..." "If our earlier assumptions are correct, once I recover a bit more, I can try defrosting her and see if she''s returned to normal." "Alright," Su Yuan nodded and said, "After all, Changsheng''s individual strength in her eerie form isn''t very powerful..." "If she still hasn''t recovered by then, we''ll just have to freeze her again." Su Yuan suddenly felt that Changsheng now was like Schr?dinger''s cat... Unless you defrost her, you wouldn''t know if she''s still in her eerie state or not. Soon, Su Yuan and his group prepared to leave Bubu Pharmacy and head towards Wanmin Restaurant. Alright, they had the medicine to induce vomiting and diarrhea now... The next problem was how to get Xiangling to actually ingest these herbs... "If we directly present these herbs in front of Xiangling and make her eat them..." "Although she is under the control of the Eerie, it doesn''t mean she has lost her intelligence," Yelan slowly said. Su Yuan nodded and said, "Yes, that''s true. Since Xiangling likes to try new and unique foods, we can try to create a dish and mix these herbs into it..." "But, is there anyone among us who is good at cooking?" Su Yuan looked around, and he realized that none of the people with him seemed to be skilled in cooking... If he had known earlier, he would have invited Yan Xiao from Wangshu Inn... "Cooking?" At that moment, a voice sounded from the side. It was the woman wearing red-framed glasses! "One''s mechanism culinary masterpiece, the improved version, is exactly what we need, isn''t it?" "Xianyun!" Su Yuan said with some surprise. It seems that her main body has returned to Liyue Harbor... "Xianyun''s immortal mechanism techniques are trustworthy," Zhongli nodded as he saw the newcomer. "Let''s go. We''ll head to the Yanshang Teahouse and find a quiet place to make this dish," Yelan also spoke up. Then, the group made their way to Yelan''s Yanshang Teahouse and found a secluded room. Then, Xianyun lightly waved her hand, and a boiler-shaped mechanism appeared in her hand. In Su Yuan''s view, yes, this was the same mechanism culinary masterpiece that had appeared many times in the game. Although there were some differences in certain details, it seemed Xianyun had made some improvements... However, Su Yuan still had some concerns and spoke up, "But these ingredients are mostly bitter or have strong, stimulating smells..." "And to ensure the medicinal effects, they need to be used in large quantities and high doses..." "With that, will the dish even taste good? Will Xiangling be willing to taste it?" "Haha, Su Yuan, my young friend, you can rest assured..." Xianyun smiled slightly and replied, "This One''s mechanism culinary masterpiece has been significantly improved once again!" "The main feature this time is that, no matter what ingredients you put in, the resulting dish will always taste amazing!" Huh? Su Yuan couldn''t quite believe it. That sounds too miraculous! As Xianyun spoke, she placed other prepared ingredients into the mechanism culinary masterpiece, then looked at Zhongli and said: "Emperor, next, please channel your immortal power and use your divine arts to activate the mechanism culinary masterpiece!" "Why does Zhongli need to channel his immortal power? Can''t you do it yourself?" Lumine asked, looking somewhat confused. "It''s simple," Xianyun explained, "because my mechanism culinary masterpiece is ultimately meant to be shared, not just for me to use alone..." "I need to see if the quality of the dishes remains consistent when powered by different people''s strengths..." "Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, those two old fellows, have already tried my mechanism culinary masterpiece, and they couldn''t stop praising it." "But the Emperor hasn''t used it personally, so I wanted him to give it a try and share his experience," Xianyun said. Upon hearing Xianyun''s words, Zhongli glanced at her, then nodded and replied, "Alright." Zhongli slowly raised his hand, and a golden energy flowed from his palm into the mechanism culinary masterpiece. The mechanism culinary masterpiece began to operate on its own... Before long, the group could smell a delicious fragrance... However, Su Yuan couldn''t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The situation was urgent, and they needed to figure out how to get Xiangling out of the strange transformation state quickly... If the Emperor was going to test the mechanism culinary masterpiece, there would be plenty of opportunities for that later... Shouldn''t they be focusing on getting Xianyun, the creator of this mechanism, who was most familiar and skilled with it, to quickly prepare the medicinal dish? Activating the mechanism culinary masterpiece required channeling immortal power, and Xianyun had deliberately let Zhongli take this opportunity. Was it because she couldn''t use her own immortal power? Suddenly, Su Yuan had a thought¡ªcould Xianyun be the "internal spy" that Madame Ping mentioned among the Adeptus? If that was the case, why was Xianyun still maintaining this disguise? What was her purpose? What could be the conditions for her eerie transformation? As Su Yuan pondered, the mechanism culinary masterpiece had already finished cooking. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The entire process had only taken a few minutes. When the lid was lifted, a fragrance immediately filled the air... The dish looked perfect, with color, aroma, and taste, and there was no hint of any medicinal smell... Su Yuan couldn''t help but want to complain, "Xianyun, are you sure this is a cooking machine and not some molecular reassembler?" Did the medicinal ingredients inside still have any effect? Xianyun skillfully plated the dish and placed it in a sealed take-out box. "Let''s go. We''ll head to Wanmin Restaurant now!" --------------- Exclusive access : 270ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 171: Ch 171 : Medicine is also a kind of new ingredient Chapter 171 - Ch 171 : Medicine is also a kind of new ingredientWhen Su Yuan and his group arrived at Wanmin Restaurant, it was still packed with customers, business booming as usual. The "Xiangling" who was serving guests seemed to notice their arrival and quickly ran out to greet them. "Oh my, hello everyone! Long time no see! Are you here to eat?" "Xiangling" greeted them with a cheerful smile, speaking enthusiastically: "Although the restaurant is already full, you''re my good friends and honored guests¡ªI''ve saved a special table just for you. Come with me!" "No need, Xiangling. We''re not here to eat..." As Su Yuan spoke, he handed over the dish that had been prepared using the mechanical cooking device built by Cloud Retainer. "We used some special ingredients to make a brand-new dish and wanted you to try it and give us your opinion." Su Yuan looked at Xiangling with some nervousness. If she was willing to eat it, that would be perfect... But if she refused, they''d have to come up with another plan. "Special ingredients? A brand-new dish?" Upon hearing this, "Xiangling" seemed to light up with excitement. She immediately took the dish from Su Yuan''s hands and, without hesitation, began to eat... Su Yuan hadn''t expected things to go this smoothly... Next, all they had to do was wait for the effects of the medicine to kick in. "Xiangling" would start vomiting and having diarrhea, and might be able to recover from her Eerie state! "It has a very unique flavor..." After tasting it, "Xiangling" commented like this. But soon, her stomach began to gurgle... "Excuse me for a moment..." "Xiangling" showed a slightly apologetic expression and then hurried off, holding her stomach... Everyone could hardly believe it. Could things really have gone this smoothly? After "Xiangling" entered the restroom, the group quietly followed and waited outside the door, trying to listen for any sounds coming from within... Although this kind of behavior might seem a bit perverse, it was a necessary measure under the circumstances... sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It seems the medicine is indeed taking effect. Xiangling is definitely vomiting and having diarrhea..." Yelan said. After a while, Xiangling pushed the door open and stepped out of the restroom. Su Yuan immediately approached her and tentatively asked, "Xiangling?" But at that moment, Xiangling''s expression was a bit gloomy, and there was something off about her demeanor. She slowly spoke: "I thought... you sincerely wanted me to try a brand-new dish..." "At first, I thought I just had an upset stomach from eating too much, but now it''s clear¡ªyou drugged the food, didn''t you?" "You made me waste all that delicious food I ate..." "Unforgivable!!!" In the next instant, a surge of eerie power erupted from "Xiangling''s" body. Her fingers suddenly transformed into sharp claws, wreathed in a strange aura, and she lunged toward the nearest person¡ªSu Yuan! Faced with this sudden development, Su Yuan was completely baffled... Why was this happening...? Even "Xiangling" herself said the food she ate was all wasted¡ªso why hadn''t she exited the Eerie state? "Su Yuan, haven''t you realized it yet?" At that moment, Lumine''s voice sounded beside Su Yuan''s ear... Then, Lumine drew her sword and intercepted "Xiangling''s" attack in his place! "If Xiangling''s condition for becoming eerie was, as you guessed, eating something she had never eaten before..." "Then shouldn''t the many medicinal ingredients that Baizhu prepared for her also count among those?" Lumine''s words made everyone suddenly come to a realization... Although the effects of the medicine did cause Xiangling to expel most of the food she had eaten earlier... But some of the medicinal ingredients still remained in her body, not completely purged... Seeing her attack blocked, "Xiangling" looked a bit annoyed, but when she sensed the unfathomable Abyssal power emanating from Lumine, she knew Lumine wasn''t someone to be trifled with... "I can feel it... there''s an incredibly strong power within you..." "Xiangling" looked at Lumine and spoke: "With a power like yours, why would you choose to stand with the weak?" "Even though you''re not one of us, that doesn''t matter..." "Let''s wipe them all out¡ªtake all the medicinal ingredients for ourselves!" Medicinal ingredients? Hearing what "Xiangling" said, Su Yuan started to piece something together... Xiangling had just eaten a large quantity of medicinal ingredients, and now she was craving them¡ªwanting more. That means... if the current "Xiangling" is chasing after medicine, then before, when she was constantly eating people, it really did mean she had fallen into an eerie state because she consumed human flesh... "Su Yuan, what would you do next, if it were up to you?" Lumine turned and asked Su Yuan. Su Yuan was a little surprised. He hadn''t expected Lumine to actually start listening to him so directly. That strange, cryptic question earlier¡ªwhat did it really mean? But now that he had someone as powerful as Lumine at his side, he needed to make good use of her... "Lumine, since most of the food in Xiangling''s body has already been expelled, and only a bit of residual medicinal effect remains..." "Then fight her¡ªbut without harming her!" "Make her sweat it out¡ªget all the remaining medicinal effects out of her system. That should be enough to bring her back to normal!" "Got it." Lumine nodded. Then, she began to fight "Xiangling"... As expected, with the Abyssal power under her control, Lumine steadily overpowered the eerie "Xiangling." Meanwhile, Su Yuan noticed that Xianyun seemed to be forming hand seals, setting something up in the surroundings... "Xianyun, what are you doing...?" "Just using some immortal arts to set up an illusion barrier," Xianyun replied. "This way, the ordinary people outside won''t know what''s happening here." "After all, something like the eerie¡ªit''s better the general public doesn''t know about it..." Su Yuan recalled what Madame Ping had said before¡ªthat there was a traitor among the Adeptus... That traitor had placed an illusion barrier between Liyue Harbor and Guyun Stone Forest... And now, Xianyun was also setting up an illusion barrier... Thinking back to her earlier suspicious behavior, could the traitor really be Xianyun? But then again, isn''t she being a bit too obvious? Still, it''s true¡ªsome of the eerie ones just aren''t good at hiding... And Xianyun... really does have that kind of personality. "Ahhh... What''s going on right now?" At that moment, Xiangling suddenly cried out: "Guoba... What happened to Guoba?!" Su Yuan turned his head¡ªLumine''s sword was paused right between Xiangling''s brows... And finally, Xiangling had returned to normal. --------------- Exclusive access : 273ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz Chapter 172: Ch 172 : The offering is a bucket of slop Chapter 172 - Ch 172 : The offering is a bucket of slop"So... so that''s how it was..." After everyone explained the situation, Xiangling finally understood what was really going on... Su Yuan suddenly felt a bit of regret. Back when he first encountered Xiangling, he should have told her about the existence of the Eerie... This wasn''t the first time he had made this kind of mistake¡ªhis intentions were good, not wanting to drag others into danger¡ªbut in the end, it only led to even worse consequences... "I remember those two Snezhnayan merchants you mentioned..." Xiangling spoke slowly: "Although their behavior of wasting food was wrong, it definitely wasn''t enough to warrant death..." "If Guoba''s condition for becoming Eerie was seeing people waste food..." "Then those two Snezhnayan merchants are probably already done for..." "Because when I found Guoba in the cave earlier, he was gnawing on a human body. I''m guessing it was one of those two..." "But Guoba seemed to still recognize me. He didn''t try to hurt me. Instead, he brought the human meat over and motioned for me to eat it..." "So Xiangling, you ate it, and then fell into an Eerie state?" Yelan looked at Xiangling and asked. "No, I could tell it was human meat¡ªthere''s no way I would''ve eaten it..." Xiangling let out a bitter laugh, feeling a bit helpless as she spoke: "At that time, when I saw that Guoba was acting strangely, I ran away in a panic, trying to find Master for help..." "But during my escape, I was so flustered and nervous that I accidentally bit my tongue and swallowed it..." "After that, I lost consciousness, and only just woke up now..." As she spoke, Xiangling spat out her tongue, and it was clear that a small chunk was missing from it... Although Su Yuan knew that Xiangling might have eaten human meat, he didn''t expect this to be the situation¡ªshe had just accidentally bitten her own tongue, and then became controlled by the Eerie corruption... "However, my condition for becoming Eerie was actually eating a brand new ingredient..." Xiangling sighed helplessly: "From now on, I''ll have to be extra, extra careful with food..." "And I can''t taste or innovate new dishes anymore..." "Anyway, none of that matters now. I just want to get Guoba back to normal and have him by my side again..." "Yeah, the priority now is to evacuate the people in the restaurant to prevent unnecessary casualties." Yelan nodded and spoke. She then called a group of Millelith soldiers, who evacuated all the customers from Wanmin Restaurant under the guise of a fire inspection. Although all the customers looked dissatisfied, as if they hadn''t eaten enough, they had no choice but to comply with the Millelith''s orders since they were from the official Liyue military. The Millelith also evacuated all the people from nearby shops and stores, setting up positions at every entrance and exit. Now, within the entire Wanmin Restaurant, there were only Su Yuan''s group and Guoba... With no ordinary people around, Guoba no longer disguised itself, releasing an eerie aura, and vigilantly glared at everyone... "??...??¡ª¡ª!~!?!" "?!!?@??&¡ª¡ª?=?£¤?~?!" Guoba was speaking in a language none of them could understand, but from its behavior, it seemed to be very angry... "I see now. I understand, old friend..." Only Zhongli, after hearing Guoba''s words, nodded thoughtfully. "Guoba says that he hasn''t harmed any innocent people..." "The ones who wasted food got what they deserved, they had it coming." "''They live only to become food for others...''" After hearing Zhongli''s translation, Su Yuan nodded... It indeed aligned with what he and the others had speculated¡ªthe reason for Guoba''s eerie transformation was related to food wastage... Now, by reverse reasoning, if those two Snezhnaya merchants could eat all the food they wasted, Guoba''s eerie transformation should automatically revert... However, the most important issue now was that those two Snezhnaya merchants were probably already dead and gone... How could one get a dead person to eat? Wait... Su Yuan suddenly thought of something... Dead people? Isn''t the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in charge of this? S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They handle the funeral affairs of the deceased, including offering tributes to them, right? "Everyone, I''ve just thought of something that might help Guoba reverse his eerie transformation..." Su Yuan turned to Xiangling and slowly said: "Now, Xiangling, let me ask you a question: Do you still have the leftover food from the two Snezhnaya merchants that day?" This question is crucial because if those leftovers can''t be found, then these ideas would just be futile... "Uh... how should I put it... I think it should still be there..." Xiangling thought for a moment before speaking: "The food, it would be difficult to separate it now because it was all mixed together in the slop bucket..." Su Yuan thought to himself, All mixed together... If that''s the case, we''ll just have to offer the entire slop bucket... Su Yuan nodded and continued: "The root cause of Guoba''s eerie transformation might be seeing people waste food..." "But now those two Snezhnaya merchants, it seems like we can''t have them eat the food again..." "But now I''m wondering, what exactly is the definition of ''wasting'' food?" "Let''s assume those two Snezhnaya merchants are already deceased. Then, if we find their portraits, arrange a funeral or ceremony for them, and offer the leftover food to them, would that still count as wasting?" After hearing Su Yuan''s words, the group was momentarily silent... They felt that Su Yuan''s reasoning seemed to make some sense... "This idea seems worth trying." Xianyun nodded and was the first to express approval. "Perhaps we should try it. I''ll go find the hall master to arrange the necessary matters," Zhongli also nodded. "I''ll contact the subordinates of those two Snezhnaya merchants and have them assist us with these tasks," Yelan spoke up as well. "Then I''ll leave it to you next, Lumine..." Su Yuan looked at Lumine and said: "The task of keeping Guoba restrained is in your hands now..." In response to Su Yuan''s request, Lumine simply nodded and replied with a single word: "Alright." Looking at Lumine''s calm expression, Su Yuan couldn''t help but feel a little guilty... At this point, he was basically treating Lumine like a tool... But when he tried to ask her about that strange, cryptic line she had said earlier, she refused to explain... Su Yuan thought to himself¡ªonce Guoba''s issue is resolved, he must find a chance to have a proper talk with Lumine... And so, the mission to save Guoba officially begins! --------------- Exclusive access : 273ch on paetron Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz