In fact, the information Yelan reveals in the story isn't exactly top-secret. It's just that, five hundred years ago, some of the soldiers who fought in the Chasm returned acting deranged and strange, and she's here to investigate the cause. Additionally, there was an 'unknown ally' who drew away some of the enemies during the battle, and she wants to uncover their identity.
To modern readers, this hardly counts as a secret. Look at what Shikikan usually spills—pretty soon, he'll be exposing the underwear of every god in Teyvat! Maybe one day, Shikikan will write a "Celestia Home Store Review," complete with illustrations of everything in Celestia's wardrobe.
Anyway, after the 'adults' share their intelligence, there's still no breakthrough. The group seems doomed to be trapped in this space forever. The only good news is that Paimon and Xiao have woken up.
Paimon was roused from her sleep by constant mooing, as Ushi was looking after her. Xiao, upon waking, immediately warns everyone to keep their distance due to his karmic debt.
Notably, because time is frozen in this space, while Xiao is awake, his injuries haven't healed—he's still in a battle-worn state.
[Yanfei: "I've got Adeptus blood—don't underestimate me!"]
Karmic debt? There's barely a normal human here tonight—no vegetarians allowed!
[Xiao: "…Hard to say."]
In reality, Yanfei pouts. Isn't that just underestimating me? Half-Adeptus is still Adeptus!
It's not that Xiao's belittling her, though. Karmic debt is so potent that even Adepti might not withstand it. Look at the other four Yakshas—didn't they perish because of it? If Adepti could resist karmic debt, they wouldn't have died. Xiao only survived thanks to Venti's help. Quick, say "Thank you, Dr. Venti!"
In the story, Yanfei asks Xiao why he came here. Xiao doesn't hide the truth, telling them he's searching for a Yaksha named Bosacius, the eldest of the five Yakshas and his big brother. The deaths of the other Yakshas are confirmed, but Bosacius descended into madness and vanished without a trace.
[Xiao: "Yakshas fought countless battles. Whether dead or alive, we owe each other closure—to know their fates."]
["As the one who survived, I have a duty to uncover everyone's whereabouts."]
These words carry a heavy weight, deepening the already somber mood of readers who reach this part.
Xiao doesn't know which Yaksha appeared in the Chasm; he came to investigate with a "better safe than sorry" mindset.
[Xiao: "Bosacius had his pride. If he fought, he'd surely declare his name. I thought an unnamed Yaksha… couldn't be him."]
To his surprise, the unnamed Yaksha was indeed Bosacius, and he even injured Xiao. Bosacius, such a proud Yaksha, fought on the front lines even in madness, yet forgot his own name.
Interestingly, the secret Yelan tried to keep was about the Chasm's battles five hundred years ago, but Xiao brings it up again while talking about the unnamed Yaksha. So much for secrecy—even if Lucian didn't write Yelan's words, Xiao's dialogue would've spoiled it anyway.
Readers spot a blind spot: Yelan said some of her ancestors went mad, and Bosacius also went mad. Could Bosacius be one of Yelan's ancestors? Look at Yelan's cloak and sleeves—don't they make her look like she has four arms? An ancestor named 'Yaksha' seems plausible.
Ahem, setting aside this humorous speculation, most readers are now wondering if Yelan's ancestors fought alongside Bosacius, given the matching time and place.
As Xiao talks, the topic shifts to wills. Upon learning about their purpose, he considers 'making a will.' Thankfully, Paimon interrupts, or the atmosphere would've grown even more oppressive.
[Xiao: "Everyone, whether this mission succeeds or fails, we need to find a way to get you out."]
He says 'you,' excluding his own life from the equation. If Xiao is left in this space, he'll be worn down until he becomes a ghostly shadow wandering within it.
[Xiao, outlining his plan: "…If I exert all my strength, I might be able to tear a passage through this chaotic space."]
[Yanfei asks: "What do you mean by 'exert all your strength'?"]
[Xiao: "…It means giving everything I have."]
[Paimon: "Wait a second! When you say 'send us out,' do you mean… you're staying behind?"]
Paimon's words jolt everyone, including the readers, who realize Xiao never mentioned leaving with them.
[Xiao: "An explosive attack can only create a small rift. To send you back to the outside world, I'd need to continuously channel power to keep the passage open."]
["…I know how to push myself to the limit. I can do this."]
Of course, he's an expert at risking his life—he's been doing it for thousands of years.
Readers suddenly miss the recent Lantern Rite story. Let Xiao keep getting 'roasted'—not this! The problem is, readers don't know when this story takes place. Is it before or after the Lantern Rite? If it's after, doesn't that mean his 'get-out-of-death-free card' is gone?
Coming off such a joyful festival only to face this 'endgame' is too painful!
[Yanfei firmly refuses: "No… no way. Even if you're telling the truth, I won't agree."]
[Paimon echoes: "I won't agree either! Leaving one person behind to escape—what kind of plan is that?!"]
[Traveler, concise: "We should all leave together."]
None of them are the type to abandon a teammate, unanimously rejecting Xiao's proposal. This moves some adventurers deeply. In such a dangerous situation, refusing to abandon, give up, or sacrifice others is something ordinary people rarely achieve.
But Xiao isn't easily swayed. Right now, he's focused on getting everyone else out. If they delay, he'll only grow weaker, and their hopes will dwindle further.
[Xiao: "What if I say this is my 'will'?"]
Xiao's willingness to sacrifice himself isn't due to self-destructive tendencies. In his heart, he's never valued his own life highly. The Geo Archon, his friends, and Liyue—there are too many things he considers more important than his own existence.
Unlike someone with self-destructive tendencies, Xiao doesn't actively seek death; he just doesn't have a strong desire to live.
This statement leaves Yanfei momentarily speechless, and readers who adore Xiao nearly have a heart attack.
But then Yelan steps up, blunt as ever:
["Is that your strategy?"]
Yelan's about to roast Xiao.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice · Yelan: About Xiao's Idea of Sacrifice
"I can't accept trading someone else's sacrifice for my own life. I can't accept it again…"