Upon witnessing the effects of the modified W-Engine, Hoshimi Miyabi was utterly astonished, frozen in place.
Compared to its unmodified state, every anomaly had doubled. This was an S-class W-Engine, already offering immense bonuses to its user. Doubling those effects pushed it far beyond the scope of an S-class, reaching the level of an SS-rank W-Engine—something researchers had never managed to create.
And yet, all of this was achieved simply because Cloud Retainer had made a few casual modifications along the way.
Earlier, Hoshimi Miyabi had heard from Keqing that Cloud Retainer was a master of mechanisms, capable of creating marvelous devices such as the legendary cooking machine, along with countless other ingenious inventions...
Only now did Hoshimi Miyabi witness the true wonder of mechanical arts.
Seeing her stunned expression, Keqing asked earnestly, "What do you think? Is there a noticeable improvement compared to the previous W-Engine?"
Hoshimi Miyabi nodded. "A significant improvement. My deepest gratitude to Adeptus Cloud Retainer..."
With that, she immediately equipped the W-Engine and entered the Hollow alongside Keqing, Cloud Retainer, and the others.
Apart from Moon Carver crashing headfirst into the Hollow earlier, this was the first time the Adepti had formally entered one since arriving in New Eridu.
Before stepping inside, Hoshimi Miyabi explained the Hollow's characteristics as they walked.
"The space inside is chaotic, making it very easy to get lost. But don't worry, I've brought a Hollow data carrier...
Also, the ether concentration and activity inside are extremely high. It's best to make preparations before entering..."
She spoke while glancing at the Adepti, only to find Cloud Retainer and the others completely unconcerned. Their relaxed expressions made it clear they didn't take the Hollow seriously at all.
And rightly so. A Hollow of this level posed no real threat to them.
The moment they stepped past its boundary, the Hollow's surface twisted, glowing with shifting rainbow light. In an instant, the group was drawn inside.
...
Once inside, Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper lifted their gazes to the distance.
Everywhere they looked was ruin: collapsed buildings, subways rotted by etheric corruption, streets pitted and broken.
On the surviving structures were terrifying claw marks—clearly left by the Ethereals.
Cloud Retainer frowned.
Before entering, she had heard Keqing and the others describe what to expect inside, but hearing and seeing were two very different things. The desolation before her stirred old memories—of the devastation five hundred years ago, and even a thousand years earlier.
Five hundred years ago, monsters had landed on Liyue from the sea.
A thousand years ago, the remnants of a wrathful god had ravaged the land.
The aftermath then had been the same—ruins, just like this.
After a moment of silence, Cloud Retainer sighed. "This immortal never imagined that even now, people would still suffer such catastrophic threats."
Moon Carver said coolly, "No matter. We need only level it."
Mountain Shaper added solemnly, "A millennium ago, we followed His Imperial Majesty in conquering the land and battling the gods. Now, let us follow His Imperial Majesty once more and purge these Hollows from the world."
At this, Moon Carver smiled. "Then let's start with this Hollow."
With that, the three Adepti strode boldly into the depths of the Hollow.
Hoshimi Miyabi hurried to keep up.
But their words left her troubled.
As far as she knew, hadn't the Geo Archon of Liyue already passed away? Yet their conversation seemed to suggest otherwise—that the Archon might still live.
For a moment, she couldn't make sense of it. But based on the information she had gathered, a possibility formed in her mind: perhaps the Geo Archon had not truly perished. Or rather... death might not mean the end. Return could still be possible.
...
As the group pressed deeper into the Hollow, Cloud Retainer quickly sensed something amiss and frowned. "Indeed, the space here is chaotic. Even this immortal cannot predict its shifts."
Hoshimi Miyabi stepped forward. "I brought the Hollow data. Follow me..."
Glancing at the data readout, she immediately adjusted their path and led the way in another direction.
Cloud Retainer arched a brow. "This little device can record spatial fluctuations in real time? Not bad. If I had the time, I'd craft one myself."
Hoshimi Miyabi: "..."
This Hollow was particularly active.
Not long after they began, a group of ordinary Ethereals appeared. Cloud Retainer merely waved her hand, conjuring a gale that swept them into the air before slamming them to the ground, shattering them instantly.
Soon after, stronger Ethereals appeared. Moon Carver crushed one with a single punch, while Mountain Shaper unleashed a barrage of water arrows, riddling the high-tier Ethereals like a hedgehog.
With overwhelming might, the Adepti swept through the Hollow, clearing everything in their path.
...
While Hoshimi Miyabi, Keqing, and the Adepti were cutting through the Hollow...
Elsewhere in New Eridu, Nicole, Billy, Anby, Sam Li, and Nekomata were helping Hu Tao and Xiangling search for suitable shop locations.
Hu Tao intended to open a branch of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Xiangling wanted to open a branch of the Wanmin Restaurant.
So Nicole brought them to Lumina Square.
It was the most luxurious district in all of Janus, home to the Public Security Bureau branch and the Hollow Investigation Association branch.
Cinemas, fine restaurants, and massive shopping centers lined the area. It was truly a commercial paradise.
With Xiangling's cooking, opening a restaurant here would guarantee instant success and plenty of Dennies.
But Xiangling shook her head.
Everything here was ideal—except there were far too many restaurants.
Though confident in her skills, opening Wanmin Restaurant here would inevitably spark competition, leading to friction or even conflict. She felt it was better to find a quieter spot.
Nicole sighed and nodded. "Alright..."
Then she turned to Hu Tao. "What about you? Open here—right across from the Public Security Bureau. Safety is guaranteed. It'll definitely thrive."
Hu Tao shook her head firmly. "Funeral services don't belong in noisy places..."
Opening a Wangsheng branch right in front of the Public Security Bureau? What kind of joke was that?