Guinaifen has never seen such a spectacle.
Can someone make an entrance like that?
Her eyes widen as she stares at the computer screen, watching Mu Yang collapse precisely into Lumine's arms.
"Whoa, this… this…"
[Is this still that Mu Yang?]
[The Mu Yang who went toe-to-toe with the Raiden Shogun just collapsed like a delicate flower?]
[Is this Mu Daiyu?]
[Daiyu: I have a sword that can move mountains…]
"Anyway, I'm loving this. Just stay in my arms like that."
[Is there something weird about this place?]
[Does it have a special effect against Adepti?]
[Not necessarily. He came from somewhere else, so maybe he's just exhausted.]
— — — — — —
Back in Teyvat,
Yanfei convinces Itto and Kuki Shinobu.
Just as the group prepares to search for Mu Yang's whereabouts,
they sense an overwhelmingly powerful Sword Intent rushing toward them.
The others instinctively dodge,
but Lumine stands her ground, feeling the Sword Intent is incredibly familiar.
And it holds no hostility toward her.
Sure enough, the sword only slices open space, causing no harm to anyone present.
Mu Yang steps out from the other side.
Seeing his calm and composed demeanor, Lumine breathes a sigh of relief.
She's about to ask what just happened
when she notices something off about Mu Yang's aura.
He's too weak.
Instinctively, she moves to support him, and Mu Yang collapses into her arms…
Yelan is drawn back by the commotion.
Everyone exchanges glances, unsure of what to do.
Lumine brings Mu Yang to a stone wall, letting him lean against it.
At this point, Mu Yang has lost consciousness.
Lumine checks on him and signals to the others not to worry.
Mu Yang isn't in mortal danger; he's just extremely drained and weak from overexertion.
Kuki Shinobu pulls out food and water from somewhere.
"If anyone needs anything, just let me know."
Paimon, hearing that Mu Yang is fine, also breathes a sigh of relief.
She starts livening up the atmosphere. "Great! Bull Chucker, you might not be the sharpest, but your subordinate is super capable and reliable!"
Hearing praise for Shinobu, Itto proudly puffs out his chest,
as if the compliments were for him.
It takes him a while to react. "Wait! I'm plenty smart too!"
The tension eases a bit with the bickering of these two kids.
Yelan reports her recent findings.
"There's an entrance up ahead. It seems to lead somewhere."
Yelan describes a secret domain entrance.
Since there's a path, they should try it out.
Based on Yelan's description,
Yanfei guesses this secret domain might have existed for a long time.
The rock formations resemble those recorded in ancient texts.
Lumine pulls out supplies from her bag to feed Mu Yang.
If Mu Yang were awake right now, things would be much easier.
He'd definitely know when these rocks date back to.
Lumine thinks to herself…
No, Mu Yang might have forgotten a lot. Even if he were awake, he might not know.
The priority now is figuring out how to get out.
The group discusses their plan.
Mu Yang can't move, so someone needs to stay and look after him.
Yanfei is the best choice.
Lumine is a superstar at exploring secret domains; they need her to lead the way.
Yelan has been navigating the Chasm for years and knows the area well.
As for Shinobu and Itto, they aren't very close to Mu Yang.
Paimon, of course, is glued to Lumine's side.
She's only useful in life-or-death situations, where she might pitch in a little.
The plan is set.
Yanfei stays to care for Mu Yang, while the others explore the domain.
"Be careful on the way."
Yanfei takes the food and water from Lumine, continuing to tend to Mu Yang…
Lumine's group reaches the entrance to the secret domain.
Just as they're about to enter, they spot a familiar figure.
"Xiao? What are you doing here?" Paimon exclaims in surprise.
Yelan looks at the Vigilant Yaksha without speaking,
her eyes carrying a hint of wariness.
[Yelan's reaction is interesting.]
[Seriously, shouldn't Liyue folks respect Adepti?]
[Keqing: What did you say?]
[Hold up, Keqing just doesn't vibe with the Geo Archon. She still sends gifts to Granny Shan and Cloud Retainer during holidays.]
[Yelan's an intelligence operative. There's no way she doesn't know Xiao's been purging demons in Liyue for millennia. Why the attitude?]
Xiao says he just came down from above.
"I heard a noise and followed it here."
Lumine explains the situation to Xiao.
Xiao senses Mu Yang's aura. "He's just overexerted. A little rest, and he'll be fine."
He mutters, "Mu Yang's here too. He must be investigating the same thing…"
"What?" Lumine feels like Xiao and Mu Yang are hiding something from her.
Xiao doesn't want to lie. "I'm here to find someone. Mu Yang's goal might be the same as mine."
He turns around. "This isn't a place for you to be. Leave as soon as possible."
With that, he vanishes.
[Xiao, buddy, at least tell them how to leave before you go!]
[You could've taken them with you!]
[Hahaha, I'm dying.]
[Lumine: You're the one who told us to come here for a vacation. We want to leave too!]
Paimon sighs helplessly. "Still coming and going without a trace, huh."
Itto takes a while to process. "That guy just now had some serious presence, almost as cool as me. Seems like a tough one!"
Paimon rolls her eyes. She knows Xiao's strength.
People like Mu Yang and Xiao are way stronger than Itto.
Right now, she just thinks Itto's confidence is a bit over the top.
"Bull Chucker, where do you get that confidence…"
Kuki Shinobu looks worried. "Is it really okay to let that man go off alone?"
[Shinobu, I know you mean well, but didn't you see? That was teleportation!]
[If you had his skills, you'd have been out of here already.]
Lumine says the man is very capable and used to working alone.
There's no need to worry about him.
Seeing their response, Kuki Shinobu drops her doubts.
"From here on, everyone, please stay alert."
"No one knows what's ahead. Be ready at all times."
Itto tries one last bit of bravado.
"Even though I've accepted you as teammates, with my combat talent, I don't need his warnings or his leadership."
When it comes to taming the bull, Shinobu's the expert—one "Boss" and he quiets down.
Lumine shakes her head. Finding a way out is the priority.
As the protagonist, she takes the lead into the ancient ruins, with the others following closely.
— — — — — —
On Mu Yang's side,
Yanfei is startled by a sudden figure.
"Vigilant Yaksha?!"
"Hm." Xiao merely nods.
By now, Mu Yang has woken up.
With the spotlight off him, he can naturally call "cut."
He figured the first secret domain wasn't dangerous and there was no way out,
so he planned to slack off a bit.
He didn't expect Xiao to show up here.
Xiao wants to share some of his Adeptus energy to help Mu Yang recover, but Mu Yang stops him.
Mu Yang, of course, understands why Xiao is here.
"The secret domain is strange, and the energy drain is greater than outside. Be careful."
From this, Xiao vaguely guesses the reason for Mu Yang's weakness.
But even if this place is dangerous, he has to go.
He's here to find that nameless, crazed Yaksha.
He needs to settle things once and for all…