While they're still goofing around, Yelan has already found a new clue on the other side.
[Yelan: "There's an entrance ahead. It seems like there's a path inside."]
The group arrives at the 'entrance' Yelan mentioned, which leads to a Domain. As they discuss in front of the entrance, Yelan suddenly hears something—someone's approaching.
Everyone turns to look and sees a character portrait—er, I mean, they see Xiao. Lucian drew a portrait for him. Xiao is as dashing as ever, though still hasn't grown any taller.
[Yanfei: "Vigilant Yaksha, why are you here?"]
Xiao's identity is no secret, so Yanfei directly addresses him by his title.
[Xiao: "I just came down from above. I heard noises and followed them here."]
So Xiao fell from above too, which makes everyone even more curious. You can leap three meters high, and you still couldn't escape this 'Five-Finger Mountain'?
Readers know Xiao's capabilities from his stories, so they wonder if he fell on purpose or by accident. If it was intentional, that's fine, but if it was an accident, this place must be extraordinary to trap someone like Xiao!
[Paimon asks: "Did you fall by accident? Wanna come with us?"]
[Xiao replies: "No need. I have other matters to attend to. I'm looking for someone."]
Reading Xiao's words, readers recall his story and grow puzzled. Didn't most of the people Xiao would look for already… pass away? The story mentioned the Yakshas—didn't the Geo Yaksha and Hydro Yaksha die fighting each other?
Wait a second—Arataki Itto and Yelan are Geo and Hydro, respectively. Readers start to panic. Shikikan, tell me this is a coincidence, please tell me!
Looking closer, excluding the Traveler, the group consists of Geo, Pyro, Electro, Anemo, and Hydro—exactly the five Yakshas' elements. Xiao himself is puzzled by his presence here. Why would he come to the Chasm to find someone? Who could it be?
After thinking it over, Xiao considers one possibility—Bosacius. Among the people he knows, few are unaccounted for, so it's likely he heard rumors about Bosacius or Yaksha-related legends that brought him here.
At this thought, Xiao grows excited—his eyes widen slightly, almost ready to unleash his Whirlwind Thrust. Thankfully, he's not reckless and decides to finish the story first to understand this mysterious place.
[Xiao: "This isn't a place for you to be. Leave quickly."]
His words sound curt, but everyone knows Xiao's reserved nature—he's genuinely concerned for them.
After Xiao leaves, Arataki Itto remarks:
["That guy just now had some serious presence, almost as cool as this boss. Seems like a tough character!"]
Readers chuckle. If you didn't talk, you might have some presence too, but the moment you open your mouth, it's gone. Still, Xiao can't compare to you—you haven't had your 'Dragonfield Enlightenment' moment.
[Kuki Shinobu, worried: "Is it really okay to let that guy go off alone?"]
Paimon, however, is confident in Xiao, saying he's super capable and can handle himself.
Before entering the Domain, Yelan reminds everyone to stay vigilant. Here, Lucian drew another illustration of the group standing at the entrance, ready to go in. Readers notice a small pond in front of the entrance. Everyone's boots are high enough to stay dry, and Kuki Shinobu's ninja shoes are fine, but Yanfei's wearing cotton boots—her feet are soaked! Good thing she's an Adeptus and knows adeptal arts, or her feet would be ripe.
The story then describes the Domain's puzzle-solving process, written by Lucian specifically for Lumine to aid her adventures. The Domain's style feels somewhat similar to those created by Adepti. After exiting, the group shockingly finds themselves back at the starting point—something's off.
Readers start getting bad vibes; the atmosphere is turning eerie. All they can think is, 'Xiao,' 'Vigilant Yaksha,' 'Liyue's great hero,' 'Guardian of Dihua Marsh,' please come save them! While they're not sure if Xiao can solve this, his track record is reassuring. With Xiao around, they'd at least feel safer.
[Itto: "In Inazuma, there's a saying: merchants walking at night fall prey to tanuki tricks, circling the same spot all night, unable to leave until dawn…"]
Liyue readers nod, Yeah, we know that—it's called ghost walls.
[Paimon: "That's just ghost walls, right? I know that too!"]
See? Even Paimon knows! If Paimon knows, then pretty much everyone does, so Itto doesn't need to explain further.
[Itto: "I think we're caught in something like that now, but no worries—I've got a helper who can ward off evil. In times like this, it's time to call him out!"]
[Paimon snarks: "This Oni has a companion who wards off evil… talk about a big heart."]
Readers nod at Paimon's jab—that's exactly what they were thinking.
[Itto: "Come on out, Ushi!"]
[Ushi: "Moo—!"]
Lucian drew an illustration of Ushi—a cow with a 'roof' on its back. Looking at Ushi's golden horns, readers recall Itto's explanation of Oni rankings—yep, this is a 'Golden Oni.'
[Itto: "This is our Arataki Gang's unofficial member, Ushi!"]
In the illustration, Itto smugly combs his hair with a comb while Ushi sways in front of him. The next panel even shows Ushi doing a front flip.
["Oh, Ushi's saying hi to everyone. You can call him Ushi or Brother Ushi. Ushi's great at finding paths—he'll lead us out in no time!"]
The group's reactions vary: Lumine's mouth is agape in shock, while Paimon furrows her brows, looking worried.
In reality, Furina's curious, "If Ushi wards off evil, why's he with Itto?"
Before Itto can answer, Lucian chimes in, "That's a long story."
"Back then, Ushi was so ugly that no one wanted him. While wandering alone, he met Itto…"
…500 words of touching backstory omitted here.
"And so, even though Itto's an Oni, he was the only one willing to get close to Ushi, becoming Ushi's white moonlight."
Furina covers her mouth, "Really?"
Navia, intrigued, "Really?"
Ayaka, moved, "Really?"
Hu Tao eyes Lucian playfully, smirking.
Itto scratches his head, "Really?"
It sounds so real, I'm starting to doubt myself.
No choice—Lucian's the prophet here, his words carry weight. Lucian shrugs, "Nah, I just made it up."
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Kaedehara Kazuha: About Xiao
"This Adeptus acts decisively and is worthy of respect, but he lacks a bit of 'enjoyment' in life. If there's a chance, perhaps he could join us to see the world."