Three days later Watatsumi Island. When Luo Li stepped onto the island, surrounded by attendants, his gaze was immediately drawn toward the distant gorge splitting Yashiori Island in half. That was the Musou no Hitotachi Gorge the wound left behind by Ei's single world-cleaving strike. The eastern half of the island was completely severed, exposed without a trace of concealment. Everywhere lay scattered remains of the defeated god Orobashi. His post-mortem hatred had seeped into the waters, mixing with his blood to produce an ominous mist. Over time, fewer and fewer people dared live on Yashiori Island. "Inazuma doesn't have hard-working Yakshas like Liyue If not for them tirelessly purging the remnants of defeated gods, many places in Liyue would look just like this."
Luo Li sighed. If not for Liyue's Yaksha unceasing labor, half its land would be toxic wasteland like Yashiori. "Your Highness, we've arrived." Startled from his thoughts, Luo Li looked ahead. A group from Sangonomiya awaited them at the island's border. There was little small talk. Given the urgency of the current era, neither side saw the point in meaningless pleasantries. Normally, a Shogunate envoy would be housed casually and mostly ignored. But discovering that the envoy this time was Inazuma's second Highness, they dared not show negligence. If mishandled, the Shogunate might take their slight as a pretext for total war a disaster Watatsumi could not afford. As descendants of Enkanomiya, they had finally returned to the surface thanks to the Great Serpent God. If driven back underground, they might never again see the sun. Thus, the reception was grand, and anyone harboring resentment toward the Shogunate was excluded from the welcoming party. Soon, a dazzling palace appeared constructed entirely of enormous overlapping shells. Miniature jellyfish drifted around it like floating lamps. The scene was peaceful and dreamlike. Recent unrest hadn't visibly affected this place daily life seemed calm and steady, untouched by unease. "Compared to Narukami Island… Watatsumi is far more suited for a peaceful life." No one dared respond.
If the Highness said it, agreeing risked sounding wrong. But Luo Li wasn't expecting a reply he simply admired the view.
He had only ever seen Watatsumi in the game; experiencing it in person was breathtaking. Cascading waterfalls, shimmering lakes, schools of fish beneath clear waters, and even thumb-sized pearls scattered every where.Soon they reached the palace, where another group awaited them. Luo Li walked without hurry, looking more like a tourist strolling through a resort than someone sent to deliver a warning. But none dared comment. At the palace entrance, a poised woman stepped forward with a polite smile. "You must be His Highness Luo Li of the Shogunate.
A pleasure to meet you. I am the Divine Priestess the living god of this generation's Sangonomiya." Hearing her self-introduction, Luo Li finally lifted his gaze with interest.
A Divine Priestess the predecessor of Kokomi's future role. He now understood why Watatsumi women's clothing was always the way it was. The priestess wore airy, flowing white gauze over her shoulders, and a short blue-white skirt ending at mid-thigh. A bow tied at her waist, revealing long, slender, flawless legs a paradise for leg enthusiasts. Luo Li didn't immediately reply. The priestess, not offended, continued: "Shall we speak inside?" Behind her, shrine maidens stepped aside, opening a path paved with what looked like silver-white sand. A closer look revealed it was all pearl powder. If nothing else, Watatsumi certainly never lacked seashells. Soon both sides sat in the main chamber prepared for the meeting. Luo Li's purpose was not only to deliver a warning, but also to judge whether reconciliation between Watatsumi and Inazuma was possible. If not done now, it might never be done. Seated across the table, the Divine Priestess smiled gently, like a spring breeze. May I ask what guidance His Highness wishes to offer?" Luo Li didn't bother circling around. "A great disaster is approaching Watatsumi. I'm here to help you." Her expression remained composed, but several people behind her grimaced and nearly stepped forward. If they hadn't been briefed in advance, some would've accused him of fearmongering on the spot. And then Luo Li would have taught them what "sit down and behave" truly meant. Unlike Raiden Makoto, he didn't need to be diplomatic.
If Watatsumi fell, it meant nothing to him.
The priestess, however, remained calm. "May I ask for your reasoning?" She didn't take him for someone spouting nonsense. If Luo Li wanted to deceive them, he wouldn't need to come in person. And recent strange incidents had already raised her suspicions. Smart people needed only a hint. "Recently, there must have been a surge of monsters near Watatsumi, correct?" Silence. Several attendants behind her widened their eyes they had not heard such news, assuming life was proceeding as usual. After a moment, her gaze returned fully to Luo Li. "Narukami must be experiencing the same. Do you know the reason?" When discussing serious matters,
her smile faded completely. Her eyes sharpened. "In the early stages of the anomaly, I suspected something on Watatsumi was attracting them. But after sending scouts…
we discovered all of Inazuma was affected." Her words made one thing clear she was already informed to some extent. And the unspoken message:
Don't treat me as someone easy to deceive.
A Divine Priestess was no naïve girl. Anyone leading an entire faction
was never simple.
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