The banner was merely a phantom and didn't physically pierce the ground. It clung to the Pyro elemental monument, functioning as a formation node and taking over its role of absorbing elemental energy.
Nolan summoned several more banners, placing them beside other formation nodes, and began siphoning elemental energy from the surrounding environment.
Because the banners absorbed energy more efficiently than the elemental monuments themselves, they quickly drew in the majority of the local elemental flow.
With most of its energy sources cut off, the ruin's formation swiftly began to destabilize.
Within seconds, the formation began to dissolve due to insufficient power.
Using this method—disrupting the energy supply by isolating a formation—was something anyone with even a basic understanding of formations could come up with.
But pulling it off wasn't so simple. After all, elemental energy is everywhere—how could you truly block it off?
And most people didn't have a more efficient node than an elemental monument to interfere with a formation's energy flow. So rather than this kind of "brute-force" disruption, the safer route was still to carefully study the formation's pattern and find a way to dismantle it properly.
As the formation silently unraveled, a powerful updraft suddenly surged from the recessed hole below!
"A wind current?"
Keqing looked at the sudden burst of air with mild surprise.
Nolan approached the edge of the hollow and found, just like in the game, a strange device at the bottom—this was the source of the wind current.
On the far wall below the opening, a small stone structure resembling a house could be clearly seen.
"That should be the Hidden Palace of Guizang. The two domains must be within."
Yelan stood at the edge, the pointed tips of her high heels pressing slightly past the lip. The flowing sleeves of her white shawl fluttered behind her, revealing her snowy back.
She seemed ready to jump in for a closer look when Keqing stopped her:
"Wait—this is a god's domain after all. It's bound to be dangerous. Better to let Nolan send in a avatar first for scouting."
Keqing was always decisive and efficient, but never reckless. When conditions allowed, thorough reconnaissance was a must.
And who better to handle that than Nolan?
"Heh, of course."
Nolan didn't object. He leaned close to Keqing and whispered,
"Since I've done so much today… how about a kiss as payment?"
"You bastard!"
Keqing pinched him in annoyance. This scoundrel had already taken liberties along the way, and now he was asking her to kiss him?
"Hmph. Do a good job first, then we'll talk."
She squeezed the soft flesh at his waist, hesitated for a moment, then begrudgingly agreed.
After all, they'd already hugged and clung to each other—what difference would a kiss make?
"Sigh… Can't you two tone it down a bit?"
Yelan rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Did they really think whispering meant no one else could hear?
Ahem.
Nolan gave a light cough to cover up his awkwardness.
Yelan's affection level toward him was already nearing Level 7. At that point, their relationship was far beyond ordinary friendship.
Even if he got a little shameless in front of her, she'd probably just mock him a bit.
If this were someone else—or a girl with low affection—he'd definitely be more careful about appearances.
But with Yelan? Once her affection went up a little more… heh, she'd be the next tsundere like Keqing—all mouth, no heart.
"Hmph."
Keqing folded her arms and stepped slightly to the side, pretending nothing had happened.
To earn his promised reward, Nolan quickly summoned a projection of the Sword God, sending it down to the base of the opening to begin exploration.
First, the stone hut-like structure was pushed open. But unlike in the game, it didn't immediately lead to a domain entrance.
Inside was a long stone hallway, hinting at a large interior space. The Voyage to the Sanguine Sky of the God of Dust, Guizhong, was likely somewhere within.
And the Travels of the Moonlit Venturer should be located even deeper underground.
The Sword God fearlessly flew inside while Nolan extended his spiritual sense to explore alongside it. For now, there were no signs of danger.
"Let's head in too. No point waiting up here."
Nolan said to Yelan and Keqing.
"Mhm."
Neither objected. They jumped into the opening without hesitation. As they neared the bottom, they opened their Wind Gliders and used the wind current to slow their descent.
But they quickly retracted their gliders—otherwise the upward draft would send them flying into the sky.
Nolan didn't bother with such trouble. He simply used a spatial blink to reappear at their side.
He glanced at the dim corridor ahead and relayed what he had sensed:
"It's a multi-level labyrinth. I didn't find anything that could have damaged the elemental monument.
"But I've already located the entrance to the Voyage to the Sanguine Sky with my spiritual sense. To save time, I'll just teleport us there directly."
"That works. We still need to investigate whether the monument's damage was due to age and wear… or if it's connected to something in the domain."
Since the labyrinth seemed safe, Yelan saw no reason to waste time. Entering the domain directly was the best choice.
"Alright, give me your hands."
Nolan raised his hand, motioning for Yelan and Keqing to take hold.
They assumed spatial teleportation required physical contact, so they grabbed his hands without suspicion.
Feeling the soft warmth of the hands he held, Nolan used spatial teleportation to bring both Yelan and Keqing directly to the entrance of the Voyage to the Sanguine Sky.
The area was quite dim due to the lack of light, though not completely dark. The reason for this was the starlit, galaxy-like portal that shimmered before them.
Without a doubt, what lay beyond was the Voyage to the Sanguine Sky of Guizhong, the God of Dust.
"It's time to let go, you know," Yelan said with a faint smile on her fair face as she looked at Nolan. "Holding hands with the girl you like while also holding another girl's hand? That's not exactly polite. Or… are you saying you have feelings for me too?"
"..."
Nolan felt a bit awkward under her teasing gaze. Damn… As expected of a master of intelligence-gathering—she had seen right through him.
With no way out, he had no choice but to release both of their hands and quickly change the subject:
"Before we head in, I'll have the 'Sword God' scout it out first."
The avatar that had entered the palace earlier also teleported here under his command.
"You're hopeless," Keqing muttered with her arms crossed, shooting an annoyed look at Nolan for his awkward attempt to dodge the question.
Seriously, for a lecher like him to not have feelings for Yelan? As if.
"Hehe, I wouldn't mind becoming your lover like Keqing," Yelan chuckled. "You're quite decent—aside from being a little too flirtatious and sentimental.
"But if I just said yes so easily, wouldn't that make me seem too easygoing? Girls should maintain a little modesty, after all."
While controlling the Sword God to explore the domain, Nolan replied,
"In my hometown, we believe in free love. If a girl likes someone, she should be proactive and not worry about what others think.
"Hehe, so if you think I'm a good catch, you'd better make a move—good men get snatched up quickly!"
He wore a grin as he pitched himself with all he had.
"A loyal, devoted man might be in high demand. But a playboy like you? What's so great about that?"
Keqing said, clearly unimpressed.
"Ugh…"
Nolan was momentarily at a loss—he couldn't even come up with a retort.
"I gave you the chance, but you failed to convince me. Let's just say… I'll wait and see how you perform in the future. Besides, I'm not planning on finding a boyfriend anytime soon."
Yelan said with a smile, her hands folded beneath her chest.
"Fair enough."
Nolan replied, a bit disappointed.
At the same time, through the eyes of the Sword God, he saw what lay beyond the portal.
It was indeed a domain—dimly lit with a dusky yellow sky. The ground wasn't traditional land, but instead a vast sea of clouds.
After a few simple tests, the avatar confirmed it was safe to stand on the clouds; they wouldn't fall through.
It was just like how it had been in the game.
Getting back on topic, Nolan relayed the domain's current state to Yelan and Keqing.
"No signs of anything unusual?" Keqing asked.
"Not for now."
The Voyage to the Sanguine Sky seemed quite expansive. From what the Sword God could see, there was nothing particularly strange within view just yet.
"If it's not dangerous, let's head in too," Yelan said, pressing a pale hand gently to her chin.
"Alright."
Nolan had no objections and nodded. Together with Yelan and Keqing, he stepped into the portal.
It was like darkness swallowed his vision—and then light returned once more.
The scene that greeted them was just as the "Sword God" had seen—an amber-tinted sky overhead, and a sea of drifting clouds below their feet.
It truly felt like they were standing atop the clouds.
"What a beautiful sight. That God of Dust sure had good taste," Yelan remarked in admiration.
"Let's not get distracted. Let's take a look around, and if we don't find anything unusual, we'll head back—we still have work to do later," Keqing urged.
"Alright."
Nolan nodded slightly. His spiritual sense and the "Sword God" projection were already actively scanning the domain.
He turned to Keqing and said,
"By the way, since we've successfully entered the Voyage to the Sanguine Sky, isn't it time you gave me the 'reward' you promised?"
"Hmph, it's just a kiss. Of course I'm not going back on my word," Keqing replied, trying to maintain a composed expression—but the faint blush on her fair cheeks betrayed her.
"But it's… just a kiss on the cheek, alright? Don't get any ideas!"
She crossed her arms and tried to sound calm and unaffected.
"Alright, though that's a bit of a shame," Nolan replied with mock disappointment. Still, a kiss on the cheek wasn't bad either. He leaned in obediently, offering his face.
Keqing stepped forward, gently cupping his face in her hands. The always-decisive Keqing was, for once, hesitant—like a little girl mustering the courage to jump over a puddle.
"Aww, come on Keqing, didn't you say you were in a hurry to finish other work? Hurry up and kiss him already—don't waste time," Yelan said with a teasing smile.
It was rare to see the mighty Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing acting like a bashful girl.
"I-It's just a kiss! What's the big deal!"
Keqing shot Yelan a glare, then, riding that tiny spark of momentum, leaned in and pressed her soft lips to Nolan's cheek.
He felt the warmth and softness of her lips for just a moment—then it was gone, leaving only the cool emptiness of air in its place.
He looked at Keqing a little helplessly.
"I never said how long the kiss had to be. I did it, so that's that."
Keqing clasped her hands behind her back, resting them lightly against her skirt where her sheer black tights hugged her figure. Her gaze drifted off to the side, clearly avoiding his.
"…Alright, I'll count that as you holding up your end."
Nolan chuckled.
"What do you mean 'count that'?! I did hold up my end perfectly!"
Keqing protested, clenching her fists as if daring him to keep talking so she could clock him.
Nolan wisely didn't argue and instead led the two forward. He had already expanded his spiritual sense and sensed something unusual up ahead.
At that moment, a notification popped up on his character panel:
[Keqing Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 380 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.10 (MAX)]
Huh? Keqing's affection just maxed out!
Nolan's eyes lit up with surprise. That kiss really made a big impact!
[Through sincere intentions and persistent effort, your fate—once separate from hers—has now become deeply intertwined. From this day forth, her guiding star shall shine alongside yours. Ability acquired: "Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor."]
Immediately after, another notification appeared on his panel.
"Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor"—what a strange name. He vaguely recalled that "Opulent Splendor" was the name of one of Keqing's alternate outfits in the game.
This new affection-based ability seemed to reference that, though with a couple of extra words. He had no idea what it did.
Curious, Nolan opened the ability description:
[Grace of the Night's Opulent Splendor: Mark clothing on yourself or others. Damage received by any marked article of clothing can be transferred between garments. Each garment can absorb a limited number of attacks, determined by its material. When that limit is reached, the clothing is destroyed, but the wearer remains unharmed. You can mark a number of garments equal to the combined levels of yourself and Keqing.]
Oh? So damage is transferred to marked clothing, and if the clothes get destroyed, the person doesn't get hurt?
That's basically a one-time damage shield!
Nolan was stunned.
One article of clothing could nullify one attack. Keqing was level 75, and he was level 100—that meant they could mark up to 175 pieces of clothing!
Damn!
His own defenses were already solid, and he could absorb energy to block some hits. In cases where he couldn't win, he could always escape using spatial teleportation.
But if some overwhelmingly powerful foe launched a sneak attack before he could react—he'd still be in trouble.
Now, with this affection skill, even the strongest attacks would be absorbed instantly, giving him precious time to respond. This was practically a god-tier ability—one that made him nearly invincible!
As Nolan led the way forward, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
(End of Chapter)
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