The Ethereal they'd just faced was incredibly powerful. Without the help of Keqing, Xiao, and the others, Hollow Special Operations Unit 6 would have been in for a tough fight.
But with Keqing, Xiao, Hu Tao, and the Traveler on their side...
Everything became much easier.
Especially Xiao—he didn't need anyone else. He charged in alone and unleashed a brutal assault on the high-ranking Ethereal.
Compared to the enemies of the Archon War, this vine-like creature was slow and clumsy. To Xiao, it was like a giant sandbag—perfect for letting loose.
Under the stunned gaze of Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others, it wasn't long before the massive Ethereal collapsed. Its flailing vines fell limp, crashing to the ground and shattering into piles of crystal fragments.
That was it.
So simple.
So overwhelmingly powerful.
The only ones who could match him were likely on the level of Void Hunters.
Yet Xiao looked so young—probably even younger than Hoshimi Miyabi—which only made his talent all the more terrifying.
Of course, what she didn't know...
Was that the boy she was looking at had already lived for over a thousand years. He was an ancient being.
...
After the last high-ranking Ethereal was taken down, Paimon finally let out a huge sigh of relief. The pressure was gone—she could finally breathe.
"That's so much better..."
Just then, Keqing and the Traveler walked over.
"We've taken care of the monsters. Can you lead us out of these ruins now?"
Hoshimi Miyabi snapped back to attention and gave a slow nod. "Mission complete. Let's return."
Keqing and the Traveler exchanged relieved smiles.
Finally, they could leave this cursed place.
With the official map guiding them, the way back was smooth.
Before long, they reached the edge of the Hollow.
Asaba Harumasa grinned. "The exit's just ahead. Hey, Soukaku, what's the first thing you're gonna do when we're out?"
Soukaku lit up. "That's easy—five big bowls of ramen!"
Paimon stared at her, shocked. "You can eat that much on your own? Want me to help?"
Soukaku shook her head. "Nope—"
Paimon: "..."
Following the lead of Hollow Special Operations Unit 6, Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, Xiao, and Paimon all stepped into the Hollow's exit.
Darkness flashed before their eyes—
And suddenly...
Everything changed.
The dim, eerie world of the Hollow gave way to sunlight and clear skies. Gone were the ruins—replaced by towering, surreal buildings stretching high into the clouds.
What was this place?
Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, and Xiao all stood there in stunned silence, taking it all in.
Skyscrapers pierced the heavens...
Wide roads stretched farther than any street in Liyue...
Compared to the ruins just moments ago, it felt like another world entirely.
Keqing turned to look behind them—and saw that the ruins were gone.
In their place stood a massive, spherical black zone.
The sudden shift and flood of new information left Keqing completely dazed.
This place wasn't Liyue... it wasn't Sumeru... it wasn't Mondstadt...
Could it be... Khaenri'ah?
Legend said that five hundred years ago, Khaenri'ah was just like this—technologically advanced, grand and radiant.
But hadn't Khaenri'ah already been destroyed?
Keqing couldn't make sense of it—until the Traveler gently patted her on the shoulder.
That snapped her out of it.
The Traveler took a deep breath. "Well, that trip wasn't for nothing. We really found a place like this."
Keqing furrowed her brows. "Maybe Azhdaha and Zhongli really did end up here..."
Paimon was just as shaken. "Where are we? What is this place?!"
She instinctively looked up.
But there was no sign of Celestia.
At that moment, Tsukishiro Yanagi walked over.
"Thanks for your help. But you really shouldn't enter the Hollows again. If we run into you in there next time, the Section Chief won't be so forgiving."
Keqing nodded. "Thanks for the warning."
Tsukishiro Yanagi added, "We've got other business to attend to, so we'll leave it here. If anything comes up, you can find us at the Hollow Special Operations Department."
Keqing nodded again.
As the squad turned to leave, Hu Tao suddenly called out.
"Sorry to bother you again, but... have any of you seen someone named Zhongli?"
Hoshimi Miyabi: "????"
Tsukishiro Yanagi looked just as confused. "Zhongli???"
Soukaku shook her head. "Nope. Never heard of him."
Hu Tao quickly clarified, "He's this tall guy—very elegant, always walking his bird and listening to storytellers. Handsome too, real gentleman."
Paimon jumped in. "Yeah! Super handsome!"
Hoshimi Miyabi shook her head. "..."
Soukaku followed. "Nope, still don't know him."
Hu Tao let out a disappointed sigh. "Alright..."
With that, the two groups finally went their separate ways.
Hoshimi Miyabi and her team returned to the Hollow Special Operations Department to report in.
Keqing and the others, still in awe of everything they'd seen, began to explore the unfamiliar city—hoping to find the Geo Archon's Statue of The Seven.
...
Half an hour later—
Hoshimi Miyabi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Asaba Harumasa, and Soukaku had returned to the department.
Noticing Hoshimi Miyabi deep in thought, Tsukishiro Yanagi asked gently, "Still thinking about those people?"
Hoshimi Miyabi frowned slightly. "That name... Zhongli. I swear I've heard it somewhere before..."
She thought for a moment—
Then suddenly remembered.
Bird-watching, storytelling, elegant manners, handsome looks... and that outfit description...
Wasn't that Sam Li from Hare's House?
The one-character difference in the names had thrown her off.
But now, it was clear—the person Keqing and the others were looking for might be Sam Li.
Hoshimi Miyabi shared her hunch with Tsukishiro Yanagi.
Tsukishiro Yanagi smiled. "No need to dwell on it. Next time we run into them, we can just tell them then."
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "Yeah."
And with that, they got back to work.
...
Meanwhile—
On the other side of New Eridu, Keqing, Hu Tao, the Traveler, Paimon, and Xiao were exploring the city.
Half an hour passed...
They still hadn't reached the city's edge—and by now, their stomachs were growling.
Hu Tao let out a long breath. "This city's way too big."
Paimon clutched her belly. "Traveler, Keqing—aren't you hungry? Let's find somewhere to eat!"
She glanced around excitedly—
And pointed up ahead. "Look! There's a Koi Noodle House over there!"