Not only was Cloud Retainer stunned, but even Ganyu was left dumbfounded.
In her memory, her master's mechanical arts had always been impeccable. Yet to her shock, Elliot had pointed out flaw after flaw—and judging by her master's expression, it seemed every single one was accurate!?
Ganyu stared blankly at Elliot.
This masked sovereign before her, whose strength was unfathomable, seemed to harbor countless secrets yet unknown...
All the time she had spent with her master, never once had she seen Cloud Retainer look at anyone with such an expression—an expression of genuine reverence.
"Dark Night Sovereign... will you teach me the art of mechanisms?"
Cloud Retainer, usually so proud of her mechanical arts, now found herself seeking guidance from Elliot.
"Hmm. Very well." Elliot nodded, then asked, "From what Ganyu has said, there should be other Adepti training here with you. Where are they?"
"They went out. They won't return for a while," Cloud Retainer explained.
After all, they weren't the type to remain shut in their abode every day. The outside world was far more entertaining.
The only true homebody was Cloud Retainer herself, who delighted in studying mechanical arts indoors and only ventured out when inspiration ran dry, seeking insight from nature.
"By the way, where did you find this child, Ganyu?" Cloud Retainer shifted the topic.
"I met her at Cuijue Slope."
"She went that far!?" Cloud Retainer looked shocked, then turned to Ganyu.
"If I'm not mistaken, you snuck out at night again because you were hungry, didn't you?"
Flustered at being exposed, Ganyu flushed and turned her head away, unable to meet her master's gaze.
Seeing her like this, Cloud Retainer chuckled softly. "This child, Ganyu—she's gotten lost several times before for this very reason."
"Master!" Ganyu protested, unable to sit still as her master threatened to reveal her embarrassing past.
"I remember one time," Cloud Retainer continued anyway, "she slipped out at night because she was hungry.
"Some humans, with poor vision in the dark, caught sight of a round shape slowly moving through the forest.
"Curiosity drove them closer. Ganyu sensed something approaching and turned around, startling them so badly they dropped their torches and bolted in panic, nearly setting the forest aflame."
Hearing Cloud Retainer's tale, Elliot couldn't help but sigh. Truly eloquent—she revealed Ganyu's secrets without hesitation, ignoring her protests entirely.
This one, he thought, couldn't be trusted to keep anything hidden—she really would say anything.
Meanwhile, Ganyu's face burned crimson. She looked utterly flustered, like a scolded child.
"Master, I'm going to get angry!" she huffed, cheeks puffed out.
"So, you ended up at Cuijue Slope because you went out at night searching for food?" Elliot smoothly redirected the conversation, sparing Ganyu further embarrassment.
At his words, Ganyu froze, then lowered her head and gave a faint "Mm."
"I was so hungry at night that I went looking for food. I just followed the scent and didn't remember the way back.
"By the time I was full, it was already noon. I didn't know where I was. The farther I walked, the more I strayed, until I ended up at Cuijue Slope.
"Since Cuijue Slope was flat, and my masters could all fly, I thought they'd find me quickly.
"So I waited there, and waited... but even after more than a month, they never came. If I hadn't met you, I don't know how much longer I would've waited."
Since her master had already exposed her, Ganyu saw no point in hiding it anymore.
Besides, Elliot didn't seem to care about her weight—this gave her the courage to speak.
"I see..." Elliot nodded.
No wonder she had gotten lost. She'd eaten from night until noon the next day before finally feeling full.
...
As they talked, the secret realm of the Adepti's abode opened once more, and familiar figures appeared.
Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, and Skyward Guide entered one by one.
Including Cloud Retainer, there were two immortal cranes and two immortal deer.
All had attained enlightenment and immortality, possessing the [Inner Eye] that granted mastery over elemental power.
The so-called [Inner Eye] was equivalent to the human [Vision].
Unlike the human Vision, which manifested externally, theirs remained hidden within their bodies—hence the name.
Upon their arrival, Cloud Retainer swiftly briefed them on the situation.
What followed was a round of "tests," in which Elliot thoroughly bested each of them, under the guise of "seeing if they were qualified to join Liyue."
The outcome was inevitable: all three Adepti were defeated, conceding without resistance. No matter what tactics they tried, Elliot easily dismantled them.
It was hardly surprising—they simply couldn't withstand him.
Back when Elliot had tested Morax, he had beaten him for five days and nights straight.
Morax had tried countless strategies, only to have them all shattered. At last, utterly subdued, he had admitted defeat.
And so, with Elliot leading, the Adepti followed him on the path toward Liyue.