"Pity~"
The World-Class Item was Taro's first choice, the most optimal one in his mind, yet it turned out to be useless here. That was, without a doubt, disappointing.
"Looks like I'll need to use something else to verify this."
After thinking for a moment, Taro pulled out his spoils from the morning—a few pieces of slime condensate. They'd dropped when he cut down those Slimes.
In the game, Slimes were also classified as both a profession and a race.
A few seconds later, the familiar chime rang out:
[Ding~ Elemental lifeform detected: Slime. Would you like to add as a race…]
"No."
Taro shut it down without hesitation. That thing was far too low-level.
Still, it confirmed his suspicions.
Races native to Teyvat could indeed be slotted into his race modules.
Which meant there was no need to go bothering Azhdaha just yet. The elemental dragon sovereigns were the apex of elemental life, but at their core, they were still elemental beings.
If even the lowest-level Slimes could be added, then the dragon sovereigns would naturally qualify as candidates.
The future suddenly looked much clearer.
What remained now was to verify the categories of Archon and Sovereign.
And by Sovereigns, Taro wasn't referring to the Seven Archons of the mortal world.
He meant the Four Shades of Phanes—the primordial governing authorities of life, death, time, and space.
Still, trying to make contact with any of those four was going to be exceedingly difficult.
From what he knew, Mondstadt's Barbatos and Inazuma's Enkanomiya were linked to the Sovereign of Time. To pursue that lead, he'd have to start from one of those places.
There was also Natlan, the land tied to the Sovereign of Death.
As for the remaining two, he was still in the dark.
The elemental dragon sovereigns, though—that was easier.
Mondstadt had Dvalin.
Liyue had Azhdaha.
Sumeru had the Dendro Dragon.
And Fontaine had Neuvillette.
Those seemed much more approachable compared to the Shades.
"…What about Liyue's Adepti? Do they count as elemental lifeforms?"
Taro rubbed his chin, wondering.
Theoretically speaking… maybe, maybe not?
Find a chance to pluck a feather or draw some blood to test it?
The more he thought about it, the more tangled his thoughts became.
He shook his head, tugged the blanket over himself, and decided to shelve it for tomorrow.
Tomorrow's problems belong to tomorrow. Tonight… I just need to sleep well.
His first night's sleep after crossing into this world needed to be restful.
While Taro drifted off, the Adepti gathered at Mt. Aozang all shivered in unison. Even Zhongli, standing atop Mt. Tianheng, paused.
A faint ripple of malice brushed against them all.
The Adepti looked around at one another in confusion.
An omen…?
No. Probably just our imagination.
"Enough."
Madame Ping broke the silence first. "Tomorrow, I'll go with the Lord of Geo to meet him. The rest of you can take your turns later. But remember—no rash actions. This is far too important. If anyone tries something reckless… my spear will keep them in line."
"You first?"
Cloud Retainer arched a brow. "Why not me? And another thing, Ping—who here would be foolish enough to act recklessly?"
Madame Ping's eyes immediately slid toward Cloud Retainer.
The meaning was clear without words.
"What is that look supposed to mean?!" Cloud Retainer bristled, feeling slighted. Some sister you are…
"You know perfectly well." Ping smiled faintly. "And as for why me—it's simple. You lot have hidden yourselves in the mountains for too many centuries. You've long since lost your feel for the common people. Among us, aside from Rex Lapis himself, only I have lived in the harbor for thousands of years. None of you are suited to negotiation."
It was blunt, but true.
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper exchanged looks and sighed. She wasn't wrong. They rarely descended into the city, and their understanding of human affairs was shallow.
Unlike Madame Ping, who had dwelled in Liyue Harbor for over two millennia. She knew the ways of the people.
"I—"
Xiao started to speak, then stopped. In truth, he wasn't much better. Conversation had never been his strength.
For the first time in his life, the Vigilant Yaksha despised his own inability with words.
Not that it was really his fault. With karmic debt clinging to him, he could not linger among mortals anyway.
"This matter is settled," Madame Ping declared. "I'll make the first contact. After that, each of you can take your turns. We cannot let Rex Lapis carry all of this burden alone."
With that, she stood.
"No more chatter. Everyone, take stock of what you can offer. If the price is not too great, trade in kind. If it is… then it will come down to your resolve."
"I'll go on ahead."
"Wait."
Cloud Retainer caught her sleeve. "One more thing."
"What is it?"
"The staff."
She gestured at the scepter hovering over the stone table.
"We may believe it is real, but none of us have actually tested it. Before we fight over who should wield it, shouldn't we confirm the truth for ourselves?"
"She's right."
Moon Carver nodded. "And if it truly can resurrect mortals beneath the level of gods… then who should it be used on first?"
"Each of us has someone in mind," Mountain Shaper sighed. "It will not be easy."
"Don't ask me!"
Madame Ping waved them off. "My choice is already clear. My goal is only one—Guizhong."
She left without looking back.
Not that others weren't important to her, but there was no denying priority. For her, there could only be one answer.
The Dust Goddess, Guizhong.
After she left, silence fell.
Then, slowly, all eyes turned to Xiao.
There were too many Adepti, too many ties to the past. A decision could not be reached in an instant.
But the Vigilant Yaksha…
"Xiao," Moon Carver said at last. "You are the last of the Five Yakshas. Three are dead, one is missing. Only you remain. Let us old ones wait a little longer. You should be the one to try it first."
"Rex Lapis, what say you?"
"Granted," came Zhongli's answer immediately.
"As it should be," Mountain Shaper agreed.
Cloud Retainer offered no objection either. With a wave of her sleeve, the staff drifted across the table into Xiao's hands.
He caught it, face solemn.
"…Thank you."
The three Adepti nodded together.
Xiao tightened his grip. Images flashed in his mind—Bosacius, long missing, perhaps still alive somewhere.
But the other three… Mihuo, Indarias, Bonanus.
All gone.
After a long silence, Xiao spread his wings. The golden Dapeng form of the Yaksha streaked away across the sky, heading for Guili Plains.
(End of Chapter)
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