Abyss Order Headquarters.
Aether's fists were trembling as he glared at the light screen in front of him. The veins at his temples throbbed violently.
"Damn it!"
"That bastard—that Gu Chen—he deserves to die!!"
"My sister's purity…!!"
His voice was hoarse with fury. His expression twisted into something feral, as if he might leap into the screen at any moment and stab the man himself.
"Your Highness…" one of the Abyss Heralds spoke cautiously, trying to soothe him. "He truly was saving your blood relative…"
The Herald shouldn't have said that. The moment he did, Aether's rage only burned hotter.
"My sister's physique—what kind of body do you think she has?! Even if she'd been thrown into the ocean, she wouldn't drown! She'd have recovered on her own!" Aether roared.
The Herald wisely fell silent.
But looking at how the girl had been barely breathing in that footage… if not for the resuscitation, she would've been a goner.
Your Highness just can't admit it, the Herald thought silently, shaking his head.
[Transcendent Group Chat]
Baizhu: That emergency rescue method is rather unique. From a professional standpoint, though, it's quite effective—ideal for reviving patients whose breathing has weakened or stopped entirely.
Zhongli: So, it seems Mr. Gu Chen was not committing indecency, but rather applying an efficient life-saving technique?
Tighnari: That's right. I've studied medicine as well, and I agree with Dr. Baizhu. It's a valid procedure. Look—see? The young lady in the video is already breathing again.
In the video, after a few rounds of artificial respiration and CPR, Lumine suddenly coughed violently, expelling seawater that splashed all over Gu Chen's face.
He wiped his cheek with a grimace and muttered, "As long as she's alive."
"Cough, cough—"
Lumine coughed for a while, gasping as color slowly returned to her lips.
"You're awake? How do you feel?" Gu Chen asked.
Sunlight fell on her face, highlighting her pallor. Her golden eyes were wide and dazed—almost adorably blank.
Seeing her confusion, Gu Chen frowned and whispered to himself, "Hope she didn't drown herself stupid…"
Lumine: Family… I don't want to live anymore.
Paimon: Lumine, stay strong!
After another round of coughing, Lumine finally steadied her breath and looked at him. "You saved me, right? Thank you."
Such a polite kid, Gu Chen thought, nodding slightly. "Glad you're okay. By the way, you—"
Before he could finish, a rumbling growl came from Lumine's stomach.
A faint blush crept up her pale cheeks. "Um…"
Gu Chen chuckled. "Don't worry about it. There's not much to eat around here, but I came to fish. Let's hope we get lucky."
"Stay put, don't move around. I'll go catch something first. Filling our stomachs comes before anything else."
He patted her shoulder reassuringly before choosing a spot to fish.
Lumine hugged her knees, tilting her head as she watched him cast his line. A soft smile tugged at her lips.
"He's really a good person… but why does my chest hurt so much…"
Lumine: Aaaahhh!!!
Paimon: It's over. Traveler's lost it…
Klee: That big brother's so nice! But fishing takes forever—Klee can help with bouncy bombs! Then Sister Honorary Knight can eat fish right away!
Lisa: Easy, little cutie. Remember, this is called the Past Life Series—meaning it's about a past life, not the present.
Zhongli: Indeed. Logically speaking, one may view it as someone else's story.
Hu Tao: Hehe~ this is getting very interesting!
Gu Chen's makeshift float bobbed suddenly. He jerked his fishing rod—and with a splash, something white flew out of the water.
Many in the chat recognized that little white shape immediately.
Paimon: ?!
"Since when do things like this live in the sea?" Gu Chen blinked, staring at the tiny white creature dangling from his line.
Looking closer—he froze.
"That's… a person? Just… smaller?"
He sighed. "Today just keeps getting weirder…"
He followed his usual routine—checked its breathing, listened for a heartbeat—and exhaled in relief. "This one's tougher than the last."
Setting the little white creature down gently, Gu Chen returned to fishing.
Nothing unusual happened after that, and soon he was roasting freshly caught fish over a campfire.
Keqing: Such simple movements, yet they show practiced skill. I can almost smell the fish through the screen.
Paimon: Lumine, I'm so hungry!!
Lumine: Sorry, I don't have that kind of skill. Maybe go find this Gu Chen from my past life.
Paimon:Sob…
Mona:grumble… Klee, maybe we should go fishing—with bombs?
Klee: Really?!
Jean: ?
Kaeya: Ladies, maybe keep that talk out of the group chat, haha~ (smirks)
Venti: What's that face at the end supposed to mean?
Kaeya: There's an emoji option in the chat menu—try it!
Venti: (smirking)
Zhongli: (drinking tea)
Lumine: So… My past self and Paimon were both saved by Gu Chen. But why does my chest still ache?
Venti: Maybe that's just empathy! After all, same face, same person~
On-screen, Gu Chen handed a skewer of grilled fish to Lumine, whose eyes shone with hunger. Then he crouched beside the tiny white creature, waving another skewer temptingly in front of its nose.
The aroma of roasted fish filled the air.
The little white thing twitched—and slowly opened its eyes. Sniffing the air, it immediately drooled.
"Looks like someone's starving," Gu Chen said kindly, pressing the fish into its tiny hands.
Still half-asleep, the creature didn't even think—just started devouring the food eagerly.
Paimon: So hungry… I'm seriously so hungry right now…
Watching her past self eat with such bliss while she and Lumine were currently surviving on the road, Paimon clutched her stomach and looked at Lumine pitifully.
"I really don't have that skill," Lumine sighed helplessly.
After everyone had eaten, Gu Chen finally started asking questions.
Lumine explained her situation from the start.
Jean: Blocked by a god and forced to embark on a journey to find her brother… so that's the Traveler's secret?
Collei: What kind of god would do that? Which nation's deity?
Amber: Traveler, don't worry! I already posted missing-person flyers all over Mondstadt!
Ganyu: It's probably not the Geo Lord. The Emperor would never do such a thing.
Jean: Nor would Lord Barbatos have any reason to.
Venti: Of course not! Barbatos is a proper god—he'd never do something like that!
La Signora: Heh.
Lumine: ?! You're here too?!
La Signora: Why not? Don't I qualify as "Transcendent"?
Lumine:Hmph. Bandit.
La Signora: Call me what you want. I only hope that next time we meet, you'll have more time—so I can make sure you never continue your little journey.
Diluc: The Fatui… as despicable as ever.
Tartaglia: Uh… awkward…
Venti: Okay okay! Let's all enjoy the video together!
On screen, Lumine and Paimon finished their introductions and looked toward Gu Chen.
"My name's Gu Chen. Like you, I'm someone from beyond this world. My goal is to travel through all seven nations. Right now, we're standing in the land ruled by the Anemo Archon—Mondstadt."
"You're traveling to the Seven Nations too?" Paimon asked in surprise, then grinned. "Then let's go together! Lumine can look for her brother, you can go sightseeing, and I'll be your guide~!"
Gu Chen hesitated.
"I don't mind," Lumine said quickly, a faint blush coloring her face, her eyes bright with expectation.
Abyss Order Headquarters.
"AAAAARGH!!"
BANG!
Aether slammed his fist into the armrest of his throne, the shockwave echoing through the hall.
"My past self—kill him! Kill that man!! I'm begging you!!!"