Untitled
Clouds Flow and Water Streams, Ending Here,
Ningxin Leaves Me, to Sleep with Gods.
In October, Pearls Form, the Dragon Hall Shatters,
Scattered Beneath the Eaves, Protecting My Lord.
This was an untitled poem Orion and the others saw behind a pavilion in Jueyun Karst.
After a short rest, they crossed a wooden bridge. At the start of a mountain path, before a memorial archway, a stone tablet also bore a few lines of poetry.
"Watch the Tides Ebb and Flow,
Sit and Observe the Clouds Unfurl.
Please Ascend to the Lofty Heights,
And Behold This Jueyun Karst."
"Following this path leads to Qingyun Peak, which is the dojo of Moon Carver True Lord."
Xiao pointed to the mountain path ahead, then continued to lead the way.
Orion and Skirk followed behind. The higher they went, the thicker the mountain mist became, giving off a distinct ethereal, immortal aura.
After walking an unknown distance, the mist dispersed, and the group had reached a considerable altitude. If it were a strong young person with high oxygen demands, this altitude might already cause slight altitude sickness, but Orion and Skirk showed no special reactions, and Xiao also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least he wouldn't have to carry any sick people down.
As they continued, another notice appeared before them, bearing two large lines of text: "Those who enter this pass, ring the bell thrice, dispelling the three obscurities of deception, greed, and dullness; those who depart this realm, contemplate the myriad directions, for only the Heavenly Dao is true."
This meant that Moon Carver True Lord's dojo was right before their eyes.
This Moon Carver was a disciple of Rex Lapis, seemingly stern but also a person of deep loyalty and righteousness – a deer, that is.
However, there was still a distinction between immortals and mortals. When Moon Carver first met the Traveler in the story, or rather, when the Traveler first met the Adepti, they all seemed somewhat aloof, putting on airs.
But as the story progressed and the Adepti grew more familiar with the players, once they dropped their pretenses, their quirky personalities all emerged.
Therefore, Orion was quite curious about how Moon Carver would react upon seeing him.
Unfortunately, Moon Carver was not here; he had gone out.
Xiao hadn't expected to make a wasted trip and said to Orion and Skirk apologetically, "My apologies, I didn't expect him not to be in his cave dwelling. I should have come to scout ahead first."
Orion shook his head, "It's fine. Let's go find another Adeptus then."
Xiao crossed his arms in thought, "However, compared to Moon Carver True Lord, the other Adepti are not as specialized in combat. Since you want to learn to master the Pseudo-Black Hole, and also need an Adeptus who is free... has leisure time to guard against accidents, I think Moon Carver is a better fit."
"I have other matters to discuss with the Adepti," Orion said, pointing to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata on his back, explaining his search for a method of transformation.
Xiao understood, "In that case, it doesn't matter. For the transformation method, finding Moon Carver True Lord, Adeptus Streamflow, or Cloud Retainer would be similar. However... Cloud Retainer is relatively reclusive and not always diplomatic in her speech. I'll take you to Mt. Hulao to find Adeptus Streamflow."
So, the three, having failed to find the immortal deer, headed towards Mt. Hulao to seek the immortal crane.
On Mt. Hulao, amidst layers of mist, a mountain path stretched directly to the sky. The paths here were significantly more difficult than those on Qingyun Peak.
Fortunately, none of the three were ordinary people. On their way up, they also conveniently slaughtered all the Hilichurls they encountered.
The Hilichurls on Mt. Hulao lived a much better life than those elsewhere.
Their stewed meat soup actually contained many herbs! Things like Qingxin and Violetgrass, they added a whole bunch.
Truly Hilichurls from the mountains of Liyue, even their food was so high-class.
But what class are you to eat the same food as us Liyue people? You're all getting killed!
Hilichurls: How selfish of you!
Before even reaching the summit, they saw a giant deer and a giant bird, carrying something and coming down together.
It was Moon Carver True Lord and Adeptus Streamflow.
Orion had seen the later Lantern Rite cutscenes and knew the personalities of these two old men. They liked to sneak away together to find fun places to play, leaving Cloud Retainer, a homebody, to always think everyone was cultivating in seclusion.
The two Adepti also saw Xiao from afar and came over to greet him, "Oh? Isn't this the Conqueror of Demons? How many years has it been since we last met? What brings you to our humble abode?"
Moon Carver True Lord also saw Orion and Skirk nearby, "And these two are?"
Xiao explained the situation succinctly: Orion and Skirk were promoting the Hexenzirkel while also doing good deeds., the Pseudo-Black Hole was too powerful and they wanted a less populated place to practice, and also the large tree branch on Orion's back wanted to learn the method of transformation.
Adeptus Streamflow and Moon Carver exchanged glances, their faces showing difficulty.
Finally, Moon Carver spoke first, "Since the Conqueror of Demons has a request, we naturally have no reason to refuse. However—we two have matters to attend to outside and it is truly inconvenient!"
Adeptus Streamflow quickly chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! We two are going on a long trip to Mondstadt to meet old friends. Oh, there are many amber deposits I've planted on this mountain, often sealing some monsters within. If you want to use them for training, just break open the amber yourselves!"
With that, the two quickly ran off.
Xiao watched their retreating figures and said to Orion apologetically, "My apologies, I didn't expect such bad timing again. But it's strange, do they have old friends in Mondstadt? There shouldn't be that many powerful beings under the Anemo Archon, should there?"
Xiao knew Venti, and naturally understood that the powerful beings in Mondstadt were mostly among ordinary people, with Dvalin being the only active Anemo Archon's familiar.
Orion also watched the two disappear. Suddenly, he noticed that both the deer and the crane seemed to be carrying something on their backs.
Looking closely, it was fishing rods and tackle.
Orion rubbed his temples and turned to ask Skirk, "It's almost summer, shouldn't the fish in Cider Lake be migrating back to spawn?"
Skirk thought for a moment, "Yes."
Orion, Xiao:...
Those two old farts stood them up for fishing.
Xiao uncharacteristically felt weary. He looked up at Orion, "Do you still want to go to Cloud Retainer's place?"
Orion definitely wanted to go.
Who doesn't like a well-endowed auntie?
But with so many amber deposits here, it would be a shame not to open a couple and test his luck.
What if a treasure chest popped out?
So Orion said, "Of course I'm going to Cloud Retainer's place, but since we're already here, I'll try opening a 'blind box' as Adeptus Streamflow suggested and see what comes out."
With that, Orion took out Greater Lord Rukkhadevata from his back, assumed a classic baseball batting stance, and swung with all his might!
"Amber, is meant to be broken! Hah!"
The incredibly hard Greater Lord Rukkhadevata shattered the entire amber in an instant upon impact. However, no boars, treasure chests, or Hilichurls appeared within, but rather a small blue figure spun and flew out.
Skirk, with quick reflexes, flashed and caught the small figure.
Orion and Xiao were startled, but quickly reacted and rushed to Skirk's side.
When the two saw clearly, they were both somewhat surprised.
Xiao knelt down and asked with some confusion, "How did you get sealed in amber? Adeptus of Suffering and Deliverance?"
The one who flew out of the amber was none other than Liyue's herb gatherer, the pity terminator, the chosen one of lifespan theory, the coconut milk devouring machine, the child who revives the dead, the Adeptus of Suffering and Deliverance, the little zombie—Qiqi!
-
-
-
-