After temporarily parting ways with Xiao, Bonanus and Bosacius continued along the path toward the adeptal abode.
Bonanus felt a faint but persistent nervousness—an unpleasant sensation that lingered in her chest.
As for why she was so tense… it was probably because the aura permeating this region was simply too overwhelming for a soul that had once been an ordinary mortal in her previous life.
"Big Brother Bosacius… I'm a little nervous…"
Bonanus tugged at the leg of Bosacius's trousers—mainly because he wasn't wearing anything else. Pants were all she could grab.
"Why are you nervous, little sister?"
Bosacius asked in confusion. Though many years had passed, those adepti were comrades who had once fought shoulder to shoulder with them.
Nervousness? Why would she feel such an emotion?
"Because I feel like the god who saved me… doesn't belong to this world."
Bonanus frowned.
"I mean—what if the adepti don't believe us, and think we're impostors sent by the enemy?"
After all, given Morax's knowledge and memory, there were virtually no gods he did not know.
And no lie could escape Morax's scrutiny. As the God of Contracts, he had witnessed countless forms of deception.
She was very likely to slip up.
"Hah! I thought it was something serious."
Bosacius laughed.
He gently rubbed Bonanus's head with his left hand. With another hand, he gave a confident thumbs-up toward himself, while the remaining pair of arms swayed casually, signaling her not to worry.
"When we get there, little sister, just stay silent."
"I'll handle everything else."
"Wow… Big Brother Bosacius is amazing!" Bonanus's eyes sparkled.
As expected of the eldest—when it truly mattered, he was absolutely reliable.
Bosacius struck a cool pose, as if saying: When was your big brother ever not handsome?
"Come on. Let's not keep Rex Lapis waiting."
"Okay!"
---
Moments Later...
Entrance of the Abode to Visit Immortals, Mt. Aozang
"Leader of the Five Yaksha, Marshal Tengshe—Bosacius, pays respects to Rex Lapis!"
Bosacius knelt on one knee before Morax, his gaze filled with reverence.
Seeing this, Bonanus followed suit, moving to stand slightly behind and to Bosacius's right, also kneeling on one knee.
"One of the Five Yaksha, Spiral-General—Bonanus, pays respects to Rex Lapis!"
Compared to Bosacius's composure, Bonanus was clearly nervous.
These were characters she had once only seen in a game—she had thought she would be more composed.
But facing them in person was entirely different.
And they weren't in animal form—every one of them had taken on a human appearance.
Adepti in animal form looked cute.
Adepti in human form looked sharp.
Especially Zhongli's presence.
He was merely sitting there, quietly drinking tea, yet the invisible pressure he exuded was immense.
And—he was looking at her.
Staring.
She felt as though he were about to bore a hole straight through her.
"Sit," Zhongli said calmly. "There is no need for excessive ceremony. Fresh tea has been prepared—have some, and then we shall talk."
He set his teacup down, one hand resting thoughtfully against his chin.
"Yes, Rex Lapis!"
Bosacius and Bonanus rose and took their respective seats.
"First," Moon Carver spoke, "allow us to congratulate you both on returning to Liyue after enduring great hardship, and for aiding us in resisting hostile forces."
"However," he continued, "there are several matters on which we seek clarification. We ask that the two of you share everything you know."
Bosacius nodded slightly. He inclined his head respectfully toward Morax, then began recounting all that had occurred.
He spoke of the battle in the Chasm centuries ago against Khaenri'ahn beasts, of being sealed away, and of the Daoist Boyang.
(T/N: Honestly I don't know what role Boyang specifically played and used ritual master before, but because this is Liyue, which is set with a Chinese background and because of cultivation, I'll start calling him a Daoist from now on.)
He also mentioned the god Bonanus had spoken of, and the so-called relics left behind.
Everything that should be said was said.
Everything that shouldn't be said—wasn't.
"I am familiar with Daoist Boyang," Morax said calmly. "He rendered great service during that war."
"When Alatus obtained Boyang's notebook, he even came to consult me about it."
The other adepti nodded as well. Clearly, they had all heard of Boyang.
There were even rumors that he had escaped the Chasm without ever touching the seals—an astonishing feat.
"As for the god you mentioned," Cloud Retainer asked, tilting her head, "do you know his name?"
"We do not," Bonanus answered honestly.
"That is… rather strange," Mountain Shaper said suspiciously. "To entrust a life-saving artifact to an unfamiliar Yaksha during wartime—most unusual."
"Mind your words, Mountain Shaper," Moon Carver warned.
"Hmph."
Cloud Retainer shot her ill-tempered old friend a glance, then turned back toward Bosacius and Bonanus.
"The relics the Spiral Yaksha mentioned—may we examine them?"
Bonanus nodded calmly on the surface.
Inside?
Total panic.
Relics? What relics?! I made that up on the spot!
Fortunately, her system-issued beginner items were still with her.
Hopefully… they would be enough.
She retrieved the contents of the so-called "relics" from her storage space:
An Adeptal Energy Storage Pouch
A Transformation Talisman
A Dull Blade
A bottle of Hand Cream
The three adepti were not surprised by the sudden appearance of objects.
Such storage methods were commonplace among immortals—some could store entire houses.
"This is… an unrefined, rusted sword?" Mountain Shaper raised an eyebrow. "And a mortal item?" (the hand cream)
Cloud Retainer examined the transformation talisman carefully.
"This is merely a transformation talisman—nothing rare. My disciple Shenhe has mastered such arts."
The talisman had yellowed with age, clearly centuries old, yet the script was unfamiliar.
Likely a technique newly devised by that god during that era.
"This item is rather intriguing," Moon Carver said, holding the energy pouch. "A cloth bag capable of storing adeptal energy."
"I've never seen such a thing," Cloud Retainer remarked, leaning closer. "To preserve adeptal power without leakage… it qualifies as a treasure."
After thoroughly examining the items, the adepti found nothing amiss.
They returned the objects to Bonanus.
The three fell briefly silent.
They had expected something dangerous.
Instead, they saw only practical tools.
"Do the three Adepti have any further questions?" Bosacius suddenly asked.
Not without reason—he had noticed Bonanus trembling slightly.
That wasn't good.
She needed rest.