Outside the abandoned mine, Ganyu stood waiting, calmly chewing on a Glaze Lily she had brought along as a portable snack. Her workload today had been overwhelming. After finally finishing her duties, she hadn't even stopped to eat before rushing straight here to find Keqing.
"Ganyu? Why are you here?"
Keqing soon emerged from the abandoned mine. Seeing Ganyu, she couldn't hide her surprise. "It's not even six o'clock yet. By all accounts, you should still be buried in overtime."
As the Qixing's secretary, Ganyu's workload far exceeded what most people could imagine. At this hour, she should have had no free time at all.
"I came to see what you've uncovered," Ganyu replied, looking at Keqing as she explained. "Something major happened today. I plan to head to Mt. Aocang to see Cloud Retainer and report the intelligence regarding the Primo Geovishap."
Originally, Ganyu had intended to set out that very morning to consult the Adeptus about the Primo Geovishap.
However, her workload had suddenly surged at dawn, forcing her to remain in Liyue Harbor to deal with official matters. By noon, yet another major incident occurred, completely preventing her from leaving. Only after everything settled could she finally make time to depart for Mt. Aocang.
Still, knowing that Keqing had spent an entire day and night investigating, Ganyu decided to stop by first and gather whatever intelligence she could.
"Something big happened today?" Keqing frowned slightly, then seemed to recall something. "Are you referring to what happened at Mt. Aocang?"
"While I was investigating, I vaguely sensed a disturbance there. But this site took priority, so I didn't act on it immediately."
Regarding Mt. Aocang, Keqing had indeed felt the presence of something descending—but as always, she handled her work methodically. Only after resolving the Primo Geovishap situation here would she turn her attention elsewhere.
"What happened?" Keqing asked, curiosity piqued. "Did something occur there? Could it be that the Adeptus encountered the Geovishap?"
Mt. Aocang lay relatively close to South Gate, their directions not entirely dissimilar.
Could it be that the Primo Geovishap, driven back by Futsu Mitama and his group, had fled straight into the Adeptus's domain?
If so…wouldn't that be akin to delivering itself into a tiger's den?
As a citizen of Liyue, Keqing had deep faith in the Adeptus. During the great Dragon Crisis centuries ago, it was they who led the Millelith in suppressing the Primo Geovishap. The Adeptus had borne the brunt of the battle, while the Millelith dealt with the surrounding Vishaps and hatchlings.
Though it was unclear whether this Primo Geovishap had fully recovered its peak strength, intelligence from Futsu Mitama suggested it was undeniably formidable. Even Futsu Mitama—a retainer of the Raiden Shogun—had only been able to force it back temporarily. If the Millelith were to face it head-on, they would likely have to pay with their lives to slow it down.
Moreover, judging from the cavern alone, Keqing lacked confidence in repelling it through conventional means. The Primo Geovishap's massive form towered like a small mountain—human wave tactics would be utterly ineffective.
Only Vision holders, or martial artists of exceptional caliber, could hope to deal meaningful damage.
"That's not it," Ganyu said, shaking her head lightly as she chuckled. "If the Geovishap had appeared on Mt. Aocang at that time, I don't think we'd need to investigate or deploy forces at all."
"?"
Keqing was momentarily confused. She didn't quite grasp Ganyu's meaning.
What did she mean—they wouldn't need to act?
"Hm…" Seeing Keqing's confusion, Ganyu continued. "For reasons unknown, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma appeared on Mt. Aocang today."
"Not long after, Lord Rex Lapis himself also arrived. I don't know what the two gods discussed, but according to Lord Rex Lapis, she was merely visiting. We were told there was no cause for concern."
"That's why I said—if the Primo Geovishap had shown up then, we likely wouldn't have needed to do anything."
Keqing's pupils shrank slightly.
On one hand, she was shocked that the Electro Archon of Inazuma had personally come to Liyue. On the other, she was even more astonished that Lord Rex Lapis—outside of the annual Rite of Descension—had appeared after all.
It was well known that Lord Rex Lapis rarely manifested except during the Rite. Unless Liyue faced a truly grave crisis, his presence meant either to stabilize the people… or to personally eliminate a threat.
"So you're heading to Mt. Aocang now to understand the situation?" Keqing asked.
Given Ningguang's temperament, it was only natural that Ganyu would be sent to clarify what had transpired—whether it was Lord Rex Lapis's appearance or the Raiden Shogun's sudden visit, both were matters of enormous consequence.
"That's part of it," Ganyu nodded. "I also came to ask about your findings. If there's any intelligence on the Primo Geovishap, I can bring it to Cloud Retainer. With Cloud Retainer's temperament, once she learns of this, she'll likely act immediately to suppress it."
Hearing this, Keqing finally felt a measure of relief. The Primo Geovishap was no trivial matter—if the Adeptus could intervene swiftly, that was undoubtedly good news.
Moreover, with the Rite of Descension drawing near, Keqing was already under immense pressure. Resolving the Primo Geovishap incident as soon as possible was imperative. This year, she bore responsibility for the Rite itself. There were words she intended to say to Lord Rex Lapis—words that might invite criticism, but which she would speak regardless.
Some things had to be said.
"Then I'll be brief," Keqing said, knowing Ganyu was pressed for time. "Our findings confirm that Futsu Mitama was not exaggerating—he truly did repel the Primo Geovishap. We found scales and blood residue at the site. The battle marks in the cavern also prove they fought fiercely."
"Based on our investigation, after being injured by Futsu Mitama using Electro Archon Authority, the Primo Geovishap fled toward South Gate. We initially expected it to escape toward The Chasm, but it didn't."
She then looked directly at Ganyu. "Do you know if there's anything near South Gate?"
"I have two conjectures. One—there's something there capable of rapidly healing its injuries."
"Two—the Primo Geovishap sensed a god's aura, panicked, and fled to seek protection."
After hearing this, Ganyu fell silent, deep in thought. Liyue's land bore the scars of countless slain and sealed gods. If the Primo Geovishap sought refuge, it would instinctively seek out a lingering divine presence.
Ganyu had joined the Archon War midway—during the era when Lord Rex Lapis, masked and merciless, swept the land alongside Azhdaha and the Adeptus. Because of this, there were many sealed sites she herself had little knowledge of.
Then—
South Gate…
Suddenly, something clicked.
Ganyu's expression shifted, a trace of alarm flashing across her face. "I need to go to Mt. Aocang immediately, Miss Keqing," she said urgently. "I have a terrifying conjecture."
"I'll explain everything after speaking with Cloud Retainer."
With that, Ganyu turned and hurried away. Keqing reached out instinctively to stop her, then paused. If Ganyu was reacting this strongly, it meant the intelligence was likely of extraordinary importance.
"I'll follow up," Keqing decided.
She turned to a nearby Millelith general and issued her orders. "Maintain patrols and continue guarding this area. Ganyu and I are heading to Mt. Aocang. Report any findings once I return."
With a flash of Electro, Keqing vanished from the spot, chasing after Ganyu.
On Mt. Aocang, Futsu Mitama remained deeply engrossed in Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine. He raised his hand, and a yellow-brown glimmer of elemental power flickered faintly within his palm.
"So that's how it works… Is this the proper way to use this technique?"
"Still not enough. I can only vaguely sense the Geo Element. If Zhongli had uploaded the materials directly, I'd have mastered this already."
He muttered to himself, his focus sharper than ever. In his eyes, the text seemed to come alive, unfolding an entirely new world before him. As expected of a tome personally penned by Lord Rex Lapis—it possessed an almost miraculous effect.
Even so, it was nowhere near as convenient as Raiden Makoto's method of directly uploading "memories" to the group archive. Back then, after downloading Transcendence: Baleful Omen, he had grasped Electro control almost immediately. Now, relying on Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine, he could still learn—but it would take time.
"Aren't you resting?"
A calm voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"!"
Futsu Mitama jolted, turning around in surprise. "When did you get there?" he asked, staring at Shenhe.
"An hour ago," Shenhe replied evenly. His reflection lingered in her pale pupils. "I saw you muttering to yourself and condensing Geo elemental power. I was curious, so I came to take a look."
"However…it truly astonishes me that you can wield both Electro and Geo without a Vision."
Shenhe spoke calmly, yet there was unmistakable weight in her words. She knew well that there were individuals in this world capable of manipulating elemental power without a Vision. Such people were either born with extraordinary talent—or they stood among the likes of her master and the other Adeptus.
Yet someone like Futsu Mitama was different. He had begun training Geo element only recently.
From the very start of his training, Shenhe had watched him progress—from barely grasping the existence of Geo elemental power to controlling it with increasing ease. From any perspective, this rate of growth was nothing short of astonishing. As her master would put it, he possessed the bearing of a human Adeptus—human in body, yet bearing the qualities of the illuminated.
Shenhe herself had once received a similar evaluation. Her master had said that one day, she might become a human Adeptus who would stand guard over Liyue. Yet even now, Shenhe did not know whether she truly belonged among the people of Liyue.
Protecting Liyue was her responsibility—having been saved and raised by an Adeptus, she would without hesitation shield its people if the need arose. But what it meant to wish to protect others… that feeling still eluded her.
Her ever-talkative master had never given her a clear answer—only that she would understand when the time came.
"Is that so…"
Futsu Mitama glanced at the Chat Group and realized that nearly three hours had passed without him noticing.
Kuki Shinobu had @-mentioned him, saying she would stay in Liyue Harbor for the night and return to Mt. Aocang the following morning. She asked if there was anything he wanted to eat, offering to send it via a red envelope.
Futsu Mitama replied that he wasn't hungry and asked her to bring a few breakfasts in the morning instead.
"Mm."
Shenhe's temperament remained cool and restrained. Seeing that Futsu Mitama had finished speaking, she quietly turned her gaze toward the nearby cave dwelling.
"Where will you sleep tonight?" Futsu Mitama asked, noticing the lateness of the hour.
Sleeping outdoors wasn't a sustainable option—once or twice might be manageable, but not habitually. Even with Adeptus arts, no one could remain pristine that way.
"I usually sleep in the cave dwelling," Shenhe replied evenly. "But Master is likely teaching Junior Sister right now, so I will probably remain outside tonight. This isn't unusual. During training, I've lost track of time before—sat outside the entire night… and fell asleep."
"When I woke again, it was already dawn."
By her tone, what should have been an embarrassing memory sounded utterly mundane.
"Hm?" Futsu Mitama frowned slightly. "Why not return once Aila is being taught? Is it to avoid suspicion? You are also an Adeptus disciple—learning alongside her shouldn't be an issue."
Shenhe fell silent for a brief moment. Then she looked at him with a subtle, unreadable expression.
"No. It's because Master becomes very talkative when guiding others. She often tells… interesting stories about people. I'm unsure whether I might appear in one of them."
"To avoid behaving disrespectfully, I intend to rest outside."
Futsu Mitama's lips twitched faintly.
She truly was Cloud Retainer's disciple.
Shenhe clearly anticipated what might happen—and chose avoidance as her solution.
"Then how is your training?" she asked instead. "Do you need my assistance?"
Though reserved by nature, Shenhe held a favorable impression of Futsu Mitama and the others. Testing one's cultivation through battle was often the most direct path to insight. She herself had descended the mountain many times to eliminate evil spirits across Liyue. Though she held no formal contracts, she quietly upheld her duty as an Adeptus disciple.
"Not yet," Futsu Mitama replied, examining the faint Geo energy in his palm. "I've barely begun."
To wield the techniques within Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine would require far more time. When that day came, he would seek Shenhe out himself. After all—she was powerful, and she fought without restraint. There was no better way to test one's limits.
Just as the two spoke, both suddenly sensed something and turned toward the same direction.
Two figures had appeared upon Mt. Aocang. And upon seeing each other, surprise flickered on both sides.
"Futsu Mitama?"
"You're here as well?"
Keqing and Ganyu stared in disbelief.
In their understanding, Futsu Mitama should have been safely within Liyue Harbor at this hour. How had he ended up on Mt. Aocang?
Wait—could it be that the Raiden Shogun came because of him?
The thought arose simultaneously in both their minds. After all, everyone knew that Futsu Mitama was a retainer of the Raiden Shogun. If anyone could draw the Electro Archon to Liyue, it would be him.
"Why are the two of you here?" Futsu Mitama asked, his expression turning strange as he glanced at the moon. "It should be around seven or eight, right? At this hour, shouldn't you both still be working overtime?"
Between the Primo Geovishap incident and the preparations for the Rite of Descension, neither Keqing nor Ganyu should have had the leisure to visit Mt. Aocang—let alone together.
"I came with Ganyu," Keqing explained. "Because of the Primo Geovishap, we need to consult the Adeptus. But you—shouldn't you be selling the Primo Geovishap materials?"
Keqing had assumed Futsu Mitama was busy liquidating those materials to fund his weapon forging. Primo Geovishap parts were extraordinarily valuable, especially with merchants flooding into the city ahead of the Rite of Descension. With minimal effort, he could earn a fortune.
Yet here he was.
Even Ganyu was puzzled—she knew he had entrusted the materials to someone else, but she had expected him to be enjoying the festive atmosphere in Liyue Harbor.
"I'm here because Aila had an issue," Futsu Mitama replied without hesitation. "We brought the talisman of everlasting morality to seek Cloud Retainer's help. She also has talent for Adeptus arts. Cloud Retainer accepted her as a disciple, so I'm staying while she trains."
He summarized the situation simply. Yet Keqing and Ganyu exchanged glances, overwhelmed.
"The talisman of everlasting morality?" Keqing exclaimed. "Wasn't that a token left by Lord Rex Lapis? Where did you obtain it?"
"And Cloud Retainer accepted a disciple?" Ganyu gasped. "Aila?! Is this… fate?"
Clearly, Ganyu knew more than she let on.
"I got it from Consultant Zhongli," Futsu Mitama said frankly. "He said it was inherited from his ancestors. Since he noticed Aila's condition, he suggested seeking an Adeptus' aid."
Both women fell silent in thought.
Keqing nodded slowly. "Consultant Zhongli…an extraordinary man. His knowledge rivals legend. If only he had more initiative, I would have recruited him myself."
Futsu Mitama smiled faintly.
Zhongli working under Keqing?
That would be… a sight to behold.
"Oh—are you here for Cloud Retainer?" he asked. "She's still teaching Aila. You may need to enter the abode yourselves."
As he spoke, Cloud Retainer's voice rang out.
"Yuheng Star? Ganyu? How delightful!"
She had already emerged from her abode, wings folding as she landed. "So many visitors today—how rare indeed."
Keqing bowed politely. "We apologize for intruding."
Ganyu hesitated, her thoughts tangled—Did Master tell Shenhe anything? —but forced herself to refocus.
Urgent matters first. Cloud Retainer studied them for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. Speak."
Unnoticed by the others, she quietly dispelled the array that had sealed off her perception. Something told her—The days ahead would not be peaceful.
Therefore, not long after Keqing and Ganyu arrived, Cloud Retainer emerged from her cave dwelling, wings stirring the mountain air as she came to learn their purpose. The simultaneous arrival of the Yuheng Star and Ganyu could only mean one thing—they had come to seek an Adeptus. As one who safeguarded Liyue, Cloud Retainer was never one to evade responsibility. If the matter was grave, she would act without hesitation.
"Do you two have business with this Adeptus?" Cloud Retainer asked calmly, her gaze steady as it swept over Keqing and Ganyu. "This Adeptus has only just accepted a disciple today. If the matter is not urgent, there is no need to trouble me."
"After all, though she is clever and gifted, her cultivation has only just begun. This Adeptus is presently occupied."
Her meaning was clear: state the matter swiftly, so she could judge whether it warranted her intervention. Having just taken Aila as her disciple—whose aptitude for adeptal arts surpassed even Shenhe's—Cloud Retainer truly had little leisure.
"It's like this," Keqing said, succinctly recounting the Primo Geovishap incident.
"Hm?" Upon hearing that the Geovishap had been driven back by Futsu Mitama, Cloud Retainer turned to him in visible surprise. "To think you repelled that creature before this Adeptus even arrived. That fellow is no weakling. Even this Adeptus would need to expend some effort to subdue him."
"It seems your strength exceeds my prior estimation."
In Cloud Retainer's memory, the Primo Geovishap was a formidable existence. Were it not for its hostility toward humans and its attacks on nearby settlements, the Adeptus might never have intervened at all. Over millennia, countless vishaps had been born in Liyue, yet there was only one Geovishap. For it to reach such a state was no simple feat.
In ancient days, it had even been struck down by Azhdaha's tail, forced to bare its belly in submission.
Cloud Retainer still remembered that scene clearly. Afterward, peace endured for ages—until, centuries ago, the Primo Geovishap suddenly went mad, unleashing hatchlings and vishaps to ravage the land. Only then did the Millelith and the Adeptus launch a punitive expedition.
Cloud Retainer herself had taken part. She had beaten the Primo Geovishap so thoroughly that it lost all sense of direction. Yet even grievously wounded, the Primo Geovishap possessed an overwhelming advantage upon the earth. Once it resolved to flee, even she could not stop it.
Precisely because she knew its true strength, Cloud Retainer had not expected Futsu Mitama to repel it at all. In the past, the Primo Geovishap had only fled after being driven to the brink of death.
That Futsu Mitama had forced it back spoke volumes.
"No," Futsu Mitama said, shaking his head lightly. "I used the power of my authority. It likely sensed divine might and fled in fear."
Cloud Retainer did not refute this. Instead, she smiled faintly. "Indeed. When Azhdaha defeated it back then, Lord Rex Lapis was present. Now that I think on it, the Primo Geovishap must have sensed the aura of Lord Rex Lapis and Azhdaha, and thus chose submission. Peace followed for millennia—until it lost its reason a few centuries ago."
She then turned her gaze back to Keqing and Ganyu. "Tell me—where did you say the Primo Geovishap fled?"
"So long as its location is confirmed, this Adeptus can personally subjugate it. With Shenhe and Futsu Mitama here, I am confident this time it can be ended once and for all."
Her voice was calm, but the intent behind her words was unmistakably lethal.
As an Adeptus who had witnessed Liyue rise from nothing, Cloud Retainer would not permit a single Primo Geovishap to disturb the peace of this land.
Last time, she had been constrained by the need to protect the Millelith, and the Primo Geovishap's escape had been too swift. Now, however, with Shenhe and Futsu Mitama at her side, she would not let it slip away again.
Since it had become a calamity, its eradication would be justified.
"Understood." Hearing this, Keqing finally let out a breath of relief. "The Primo Geovishap fled toward the South Gate. We're still narrowing down the precise location."
"But based on current findings, it should be roughly within this area."
She produced a map of Liyue, marking a small red circle before showing it to Cloud Retainer.
"Hm… here?" Cloud Retainer studied it closely—then suddenly stiffened. Her eyes widened slightly. "This place?! This place?! Yuheng Star—are you certain this is no jest?"
Her shock only deepened Keqing's confusion. First Ganyu, and now Cloud Retainer as well. Just what lay there?
"Cloud Retainer… what should be done?" Ganyu asked, her expression troubled. She understood all too well what resided in that place.
It was precisely because she knew that her heart felt heavy. Having lived through the Archon War and witnessed Liyue across the ages, she knew that what lay at the South Gate was no ordinary being—far more dangerous than a mere Primo Geovishap.
"Master?" Shenhe asked softly, seeing her Master so unsettled for the first time. "What is in that place?"
Futsu Mitama leaned closer to glance at the map. Though it differed from the one in his game, some landmarks were unmistakable.
Wasn't that… Mt. Hulao?
"Adeptus…" Keqing began, wanting further explanation.
But Cloud Retainer cut her off, her tone grave. "Whether this is truth or error, Yuheng Star, you have done well. This Adeptus must find those two old fellows at once. We shall discuss this matter later."
With that, she spread her wings and departed in great haste, not even sparing a moment for her newly accepted disciple.
"?????"
Keqing could only stare, utterly baffled. Why did everyone keep leaving like this? Couldn't they explain before vanishing?
"If even Cloud Retainer reacts this way," she muttered, "then the situation must be dire indeed."
Ganyu nodded faintly, then turned to Keqing and Shenhe. "You likely don't know why Cloud Retainer and I reacted so strongly."
"Hm."
"Hm."
Keqing and Shenhe both nodded. They truly had no idea.
Futsu Mitama remained silent. He knew exactly why.
Beneath Mt. Hulao lay a being imprisoned for a thousand years—Azhdaha.
And beyond that seal existed his malevolent clone, through which Azhdaha perceived the world.
In ancient Liyue, Azhdaha's strength had been second only to Morax himself.
The strongest beneath the Geo Archon.
That alone was enough to explain the fear in their reactions.