Arataki Itto had no patience for these analyses.
All he knew was that Xiao was the one in danger right now.
"Didn't expect the injured guy to be the one warning others to stay safe."
He pointed at the massive hole in the center.
"The secret's in that hole, right? Don't worry, brother, your big guy's coming to save you!"
"Boss, don't just charge in alone—you're not a dog."
[Miss Hina is the dog]
[Gorou: Don't @ me]
[They're talking about Miss Hina, why are you getting worked up, Gorou? (doge)]
Kuki Shinobu couldn't stop him this time.
After all, this was the only breakthrough point in the whole area.
Someone had to make the first move.
"Don't worry, your big guy's invincible—ow! My butt!"
[Hahahaha, props to the voice actor for that one]
[Lmao, is Itto a comedian?]
Arataki Itto's scream echoed through the domain.
Kuki Shinobu palmed her forehead. "…Looks like the pit's deep. Everyone, watch your step."
With Mu Yang's help, the group landed safely.
"Bull Chucker, you okay down there…?"
Itto forced a weak grin. "All good, all good… your big guy's butt is pretty tough, y'know…"
"If it hurts, just cry. I can hold back my laughter," Kuki Shinobu said, long used to her boss's embarrassing moments.
"You're thinking of laughing? You should be sympathizing with me!"
Kuki Shinobu shook her head. "Sympathy would tarnish your majesty, wouldn't it? Besides, I'm not the one in pain."
"Arghhhh!"
Kuki Shinobu, unfazed, pointed at Itto's waist with a single Zen-like jab.
The pain made him howl. "Shinobu, don't you have a heart? You're the ghost here…"
The domain was filled with a lively atmosphere.
Mu Yang, meanwhile, approached the small hut he'd been fixated on.
Now was the time to take the initiative.
He stepped forward to inspect it. "No trace of Xiao's aura here… but instead… a door?"
"A door in a place like this?"
Itto clapped his hands, piecing it together. This was just like those storybooks!
"It's one of those, uh, rescue cabins, right?"
"I read in a picture book that kind people build little houses in dangerous places. People in trouble can go inside to rest."
Everyone except Paimon shot him complex looks.
Was he optimistic or just naive?
Itto, oblivious to their expressions, continued, "The little bro's definitely in there, right, guys?"
At that moment, only Paimon would humor him.
Kuki Shinobu walked over to Mu Yang. "People with any sense of danger wouldn't be this optimistic, right, Mr. Mu Yang?"
Mu Yang nodded.
Behind them, Paimon and Itto started bickering again.
"Bull Chucker, your subordinate's roasting you."
"She's roasting you too, so why're you so happy?"
Seeing Mu Yang step aside, Itto strode up to the door.
"This is where you all fall short of your big guy. If no one else dares to open it, I will."
"Open this, and we're out. Let's go!" Facing the stone door, he crouched, fists charged with power.
Itto threw a punch, but the stone door didn't budge.
Scratching his head, he stepped back, ready to make an excuse.
Then Mu Yang tapped a mechanism nearby, and the door opened…
[Silence speaks louder than words]
[My silence is deafening]
[Shrimp's out here breaking hearts??]
[He punched the stone door, but his face is the one burning]
[Mu Yang's savage]
The stone door opened, revealing a strange sight.
There stood a thriving tea tree.
Beneath it was a stone table, where four people sat drinking tea.
Coincidentally, there were exactly four stone stools—no more, no less…
— — — — — —
Seeing this, Guinaifen knew an important plot point was coming.
She instantly perked up, fully alert.
"That white-clad one is Changsheng, and I've seen the blue-haired one before."
Little Gui analyzed the scene on the screen.
The door had been opened by Mu Yang.
Who would've thought it'd reveal a scene like this?
"Are the other two Mu Yang's friends too?"
[Look at the color scheme—one's gotta be a koi fish]
[That elegant noblewoman's vibe feels off, not like someone from Liyue]
[Big, big, BIG]
[Spot-on, rich and generous, and she knows how to dress]
[Mu Yang, I'm so jealous of you!]
"Hiss—something feels off."
She'd just analyzed the previous floor—this domain space had a consciousness.
This warm, idyllic scene felt way too out of place.
Was it trying to lull Mu Yang into a false sense of comfort?
The more she looked, the stranger it seemed. Black as the main color, with wing accessories… a raven?!
"Fam, could this be that bird?"
[Oh no, we're done for]
[It's the BOSS, isn't it? Mu Yang's walking right into it]
[No way, they all seem to be getting along fine]
The live chat buzzed with speculation.
— — — — — —
Back in Teyvat.
Mu Yang was stunned.
Lumine and the others were equally clueless about what was going on.
She only recognized Changsheng.
Mu Yang stepped through the door.
The moment he entered, the noblewoman set down her teacup and spoke to him.
"You're one step late again."
With that, she snapped her fingers.
As Mu Yang watched, the scene in the hut began to fade, like waking from a dream.
The warm, harmonious atmosphere was overtaken by a dark aura.
Clarisse slowly stood and approached Mu Yang.
Every movement exuded elegance and nobility.
As for the other three…
They were slumped in their seats, horrific sword wounds covering their bodies.
Black feathers burned at the edges of the wounds.
These were caused by Clarisse's signature weapon—flames that seared both mind and spirit.
Lingyuan and Fujin were motionless.
Yaojun's white robes were half-soaked in blood, the other half scorched by burning black feathers…
She struggled to stand, trying to fight back.
Clarisse remained calm and composed.
Her raven-feather sword slashed out, its sword aura splitting into five, aimed straight at the gravely wounded Yaojun.
The strike was swift and ruthless, impossible to dodge…
"Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers…" Mu Yang's voice was calm, but it carried a murderous intent.
With one swing of his sword, the illusion shattered.
At the same time, the door's power blasted him back out…
— — — — — —
In the livestream, Silver Wolf was dumbfounded.
"Well, well, well, that's how we're playing?"
[Holy abrasion!]
[Mu Yang, I'm not jealous anymore, say something…]
[This door's brutal—shrimp and pig heart door?]
Silver Wolf spoke up. "Alright, brothers, I'm locked in. I'll break it down in a new video, okay?"
[Hurry up, I'm betting five cents it's tied to that sword pool]
"No rush. Let's finish the plot first, then I'll drop a video—plenty of content, I promise."
— — — — — —
Back in Teyvat.
Lumine caught Mu Yang as he was flung back out.
Lumine: Why does this feel like I'm getting used to this?
Everyone gathered around, concerned about Mu Yang's injuries.
They also wanted to know what exactly happened inside.
But Mu Yang spoke first, offering an apology.
"Sorry, I acted impulsively. Now I've only got two swords left…"