Under Yelan's lead, Futsu Mitama and Shenhe moved swiftly toward Guili Plains.
Beneath the veil of night, as the wind brushed past the ruined fields, Yelan attempted to strike up a conversation. Encounters with people like these were rare, and she was curious—curious about their temperament, their resolve, and what kind of individuals could stand at the center of so many extraordinary events.
Yet Shenhe's expression remained placid, cold and distant, like frost that neither welcomed nor rejected. She paid Yelan no heed at all.
Futsu Mitama, meanwhile, kept his gaze fixed ahead. His expression was grave, his thoughts already deep within the ruins of Guili Plains, focused entirely on Dottore.
"Hard to talk to," Yelan thought to herself. Seeing their reactions, she chose not to push the matter, deciding that anything worth discussing could wait until after this was over.
She had considerable confidence in their strength—especially after listening the battle report with the Primo Geovishap.
According to reports, Futsu Mitama and Shenhe, together with Cloud Retainer, had slain that ancient monster that had lived for thousands of years. The Primo Geovishap was no ordinary beast; its power rivaled that of an Adeptus. Had it not been so, it would have perished long ago during the ancient siege.
As for Dottore, though Yelan did not fully grasp how dangerous a Fatui Harbinger truly was, she knew this much: one was the retainer of the Raiden Shogun, the other a direct disciple of the Adeptus.
With the two of them acting together, even if they could not kill Dottore, retreating safely should not be an issue.
As long as Dottore's presence in the Guili Plains ruins was confirmed, that alone would justify sanctions against the Fatui.
This was the conclusion Yelan and Ningguang had reached—and the reason they had stated so plainly that it did not matter whether Dottore lived or died.
At this moment, Futsu Mitama quietly shifted part of his attention to the Chat Group.
Unlike Shenhe, he was not the type to charge forward without preparation. Against a Fatui Harbinger—especially one ranked Second—he preferred to keep a trump card ready.
Even if this Doctor was merely a "slice" and not the original body, he was still Il Dottore. Underestimating him would be foolish.
So Futsu Mitama directly sent the information to the group.
[Futsu Mitama: "I'm going to take down Dottore. Just received confirmation—he's hiding in a ruin in Guili Plains. The situation is unclear, but the ruin is said to be tied to the predecessor of Liyue Harbor. There's a chance it's related to the God of Dust."]
[Raiden Makoto: "God of Dust?"]
[Azhdaha: "Guizhong? Aside from the Guizhong Ballista, the Dust-Cleansing Bell, and the Memory of Dust that Morax kept close, she didn't leave much behind. What ruins could there be? At most, something Morax built as a memorial."]
[Yae Miko: "God-made ruins, hm? If Dottore went there, then there must be something worth coveting."]
[Albedo: "? Why does this happen right after I put Klee to bed?"]
[Aila: "Young Master, please be careful. If you encounter danger, inform me immediately."]
[Kuki Shinobu: "We can't confirm whether it truly belongs to the God of Dust. All we know is that the Ministry of Civil Affairs pinpointed Dottore's location in Guili Plains and requested our help."]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Help? To deal with Dottore? Then why specifically Futsu Mitama—someone from Inazuma?"]
[Sangonomiya Kokomi: "Unless—the Liyue Qixing have already accepted him as one of their own?"]
[Kamisato Ayaka: "Perhaps it's because the Rite of Descension is near, and Liyue is stretched thin. They have little choice but to rely on him."]
[Zhongli: "That assessment is correct. Recent events have placed Liyue under great strain."]
[Zhongli: "As for the God of Dust, I have heard a legend: that Rex Lapis was never able to unlock the Memory of Dust she left behind."]
[Zhongli: "To honor that fallen ally, he sealed the Memory of Dust within Guili Plains."]
[Zhongli: "It is said to contain her lifelong knowledge—and perhaps more—but these are only legends."]
[Azhdaha: "? You seem unusually well-informed, Zhongli."]
[Zhongli: "Merely rumors. Treasure Hoarders once excavated ruins in Guili Plains and were promptly apprehended by the Millelith."]
[Azhdaha: "All I know is that Guizhong forced that thing onto Morax. Why he sealed it away later—that part puzzles me."]
[Raiden Makoto: "Perhaps after carrying it for so long, Morax may have returned her relic to where it belonged."]
[Yae Miko: "How poetic. But if Dottore is after Guizhong's legacy, then he's courting disaster."]
[Albedo: "Mm—disaster indeed."]
[Zhongli: "@Futsu Mitama, one more thought. If the invitation range is limited, perhaps you can use it to gauge how many individuals are inside the ruin."]
[Zhongli: "Knowing that in advance may prove useful."]
[Yae Miko: "That's…a creative application. Though the range should be very short."]
[Futsu Mitama: "Don't exaggerate. You were at least a meter away before."]
[Futsu Mitama: "But thank you, Mr. Zhongli. We're almost there. I'll open a group stream shortly."]
Zhongli's reminder struck home.
If he could determine who was inside the ruin beforehand—and names like Tartaglia, Scaramouche, or other Harbingers appeared—then charging in blindly would be tantamount to suicide.
Futsu Mitama silently acknowledged Zhongli's wisdom. As expected of one who had lived for millennia—experience bred insight.
Their pace did not slow. Before long, Guili Plains came into view.
Dark clouds swallowed the moon, and fragmented moonlight spilled across the earth. Standing atop a small rise, Futsu Mitama, Shenhe, and Yelan gazed forward.
"We're here," Yelan said, raising her hand and pointing toward a patch of overgrown grass. "He's in there."
"I can't confirm how many enemies are inside," she continued evenly. "I only saw one Fatui slip in. But I'm confident—it's Dottore."
Neither Futsu Mitama nor Shenhe questioned her.
Shenhe drew Calamity Queller in silence. Talismans drifted into place around her. Though their enemy this time was not a monster, she knew well the terror of the Fatui Harbingers—beings who wielded authority granted by a god.
From the outset, she intended to fight without restraint.
"Understood," Futsu Mitama said, eyes fixed ahead. "The rest is up to us. You—"
"What are you implying?" Yelan interrupted, arching an eyebrow. "I'm not just here to guide you."
"I may not be able to defeat Dottore, but dealing with subordinates won't be a problem."
"And if I only observe from outside," she added with a faint smile, "it would be rather difficult to explain myself to Lady Ningguang."
Futsu Mitama studied her briefly, then nodded.
"Alright."
Yelan's strength was no secret. Even Xiao had acknowledged her capabilities. She would not be a burden. Together, they reached the overgrown area. Yelan parted the grass, revealing a hidden opening leading underground.
"This way," she said, before dropping down without hesitation.
Futsu Mitama and Shenhe followed.
They landed amidst faintly glowing stones and plants that illuminated the surroundings.
A ruin—yet one that looked strangely new.
Both Shenhe and Yelan were momentarily taken aback. This did not resemble the ancient, weathered remains they had imagined.
"Wait a moment," Futsu Mitama said, looking toward the deeper passage. "I'll use a technique to check how many are inside."
Yelan and Shenhe watched him with surprise. But before he could act—
Several Geovishap Hatchlings burst from the shadows, bodies wreathed in black aura, bloodshot eyes locked onto him.
"They won't succeed," Shenhe said coldly.
Calamity Queller thrust forward.
Yelan loosed arrows in swift succession.
Futsu Mitama drew Musou Isshin in a single motion, lightning flashing as he struck.
In an instant, the Hatchlings fell.
Yet the battle had only begun.
From deeper within the ruin came the grinding of mechanisms—followed by the distorted cries of Hilichurls.
They had been detected.
Someone in the shadows had activated the traps, awakening everything that lurked within.
"It seems there's no need for secret arts anymore." Yelan tightened her grip on the bow, her gaze fixed on the depths of the ruins as her voice rang out calmly. "This has turned into a frontal assault. Judging by the sounds—"
"Ruin Guards and Hilichurls," she continued after a brief pause. "I can't rule out the possibility of more Geovishap Hatchlings either. Stay alert."
Shenhe did not respond.
Talismans drifted silently around her, circling like frost-bound spirits. A chilling aura spread outward, sharp and oppressive, enough to make one's heart tighten unconsciously. With Calamity Queller firmly in hand, she stepped forward—then broke into a charge, disappearing into the depths of the ruins without hesitation.
She did not know how many enemies awaited her.
She did not need to know.
When Shenhe embarked upon demon-slaying and evil-exorcising, she relied on only a single principle. That principle was—
Charge. No matter how many enemies stood before her. No matter how formidable they were.
She would defeat them. If necessary—she would kill them.
Even bound by her solitary fate, even with the murderous impulses within her suppressed by red ropes, Shenhe still carried a faint trace of violence deep within her heart.
It was not something she would ever reveal to those she considered companions.
It was reserved solely for her enemies.
Watching Shenhe charge ahead without pause, Yelan turned her head toward Futsu Mitama. His expression had subtly changed—surprise mixed with something heavier.
"Did you discover something?" Yelan asked, her tone measured but curious.
"Yes." Futsu Mitama nodded faintly, his eyes still fixed on the darkness ahead. His expression was complex, difficult to read. "Something big is coming."
Moments earlier, when he had activated the pull-in permission, a semi-transparent screen had appeared before him.
Names surfaced one by one.
They were listed from near to far—none of them yet part of the Chat Group.
Yelan.
Shenhe.
Juan Strickler.
Dottore.
Guizhong.
When his eyes landed on the final name, Futsu Mitama could not deny it—
He froze.
And in that instant of stunned silence, something within him clicked into place.
He understood.
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