"…Friends."
"Which Adeptus should I seek next? I'm unfamiliar with this land," Lumine asked.
"Moon Carver and Cloud Retainer frequently appear in these mountains. Whether you encounter them depends on fate."
"Additionally… There is the Conqueror of Demons, the Vigilant Yaksha. You may find traces of him at Wangshu Inn."
With that, Mountain Shaper transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
[Paimon]: I wonder which Adeptus we'll find next?
[Moon Carver]: Judging by geography and narrative order, it should undoubtedly be this Adeptus. The probability is highest.
[Paimon]: It's just a meeting in a video, not in real life!
[Moon Carver]: ...
Paimon truly lived up to her reputation.
Carrying Mountain Shaper's message and countless questions, Lumine and Paimon searched carefully until they reached Mt. Hulao.
Among the rocks stood a Treasure Hoarder, pleading desperately before a cave entrance blocked by massive stone.
[Moon Carver]: Without question, that is Adeptus's abode.
"Spare us, Adeptus! Show mercy! Please, have mercy on my brother!"
"What happened?" Lumine asked.
"You—who are you?! How can you walk safely in Jueyun Karst's depths?"
"Shouldn't we ask you that?" Paimon retorted. "Why is a Treasure Hoarder begging outside an Adeptus's cave?"
The man's eyes lit up.
"You must be divine envoys! Sent by the Adepti to save us!"
Despite Paimon's protests, he continued pleading.
"We were poor… heard rumors that amber in Mt. Hulao held priceless treasures…"
"My brother was suddenly swallowed by a giant amber crystal!"
"Please save him!"
Reluctantly, valuing a life above all else, Lumine agreed to help.
Descending the mountain, she located enormous amber formations and shattered them with elemental power.
At last, they freed the trapped brother.
The two men reunited tearfully, swearing never to return and to find honest work in Liyue Harbor instead.
Yet before Lumine and Paimon could relax—
A thunderous voice resounded.
"Mortals! You dare trespass upon sacred ground—and release those bound by Adepti law!"
The air trembled.
"Step forward and receive judgment!"
They turned.
Suspended midair was another radiant Adeptus—clearly the master of this mountain.
"You trespassed upon Mt. Hulao, shattered amber, and freed those under restraint. Though those thieves were ignorant of Adepti law, your actions are equally reckless."
"W-We had an important reason!" Paimon protested.
Lumine stepped forward, raising the Sigil of Permission.
"We came under Mountain Shaper's instruction."
Adeptus's gaze fell upon the ancient talisman.
"…The Sigil of Permission."
"I did not expect such a relic to remain in mortal hands."
"Forged by Rex Lapis himself, granted sparingly to mortals who could wield Adepti power… Few remain after millennia."
After a pause:
"Explain everything. Liyue Harbor's situation. Leave nothing out."
Lumine recounted the Rite of Descension. The fall of Rex Lapis. The accusation.
The Adeptus grew increasingly shaken.
"Rex Lapis… assassinated?"
"At the Rite itself?"
Rage rippled through the mountains.
"Who in the mortal realm would dare such blasphemy? And who possesses power capable of threatening the Geo Archon?"
Its voice grew heavy.
"We Adepti bear the decree to protect Liyue…"
The ancient contract's echoes stirred once more across the peaks.