"If you wish to venture deeper, please be cautious. The Chasm is not only home to the Abyss."
Dainsleif turned to face the group, preparing to bid them farewell.
Paimon, floating in the air, looked at Dainsleif in confusion and asked:
"Aren't you coming with us?"
Dainsleif shook his head. He had a more urgent mission to attend to.
"No. The Abyss Order's plan is still underway. I can't afford to waste any more time here."
Another plan?
Rover pondered for a moment before Dainsleif continued:
"The Loom of Fate. I suspect even the amplification devices here are connected to this scheme."
With that, Dainsleif vanished from sight.
"Then let's keep moving forward!"
Paimon eagerly flew ahead but was quickly called back by Aether.
"Let's go back first. At least make sure Zhiqiong is safe before we continue exploring deeper."
When the group retraced their steps, they found that the number of monsters had significantly decreased thanks to their earlier efforts.
"How are things here?"
Zhiqiong was busy sketching a map with her tools. When she noticed Rover and the others returning, she shifted her attention to them.
"It'll only get more dangerous from here. I don't recommend the Adventurers' Guild sending any more people down."
Indeed, even Dainsleif had warned them. The depths were undoubtedly perilous. After discussing it on the way, Rover and Aether had agreed that it would be best for them to fully explore the Chasm's interior before allowing Visionless adventurers like Zhiqiong to descend further.
Though Zhiqiong looked visibly disappointed, she reluctantly nodded under their firm insistence.
"Hello, you two."
After Zhiqiong left, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows.
Rover recognized this person—they had crossed blades before at Wangshu Inn, and their skills were decent.
"You are…"
Paimon stroked her chin, scrutinizing the woman clad in fur.
"My name is Yelan. I oversee the Chasm's internal affairs. Of course, I've also crossed paths with Rover here, so you could say we're quite familiar."
Rover nodded but kept his gaze fixed toward the depths of the Chasm.
"Did you come to stop us from going further in?"
Yelan shook her head and explained her reason for appearing.
"I sought you out because I need your help finding someone. I've just received intel that someone slipped past my surveillance and entered the Chasm. As a gesture of goodwill, here's a photo of the deepest part of the Chasm. It should give you a rough idea of what's ahead."
Rover took the photo. The scene was eerie—dark walls surrounded the space, but what stood out most was a massive blue pillar floating at the center. Beneath it, the ground was shattered, emitting an unsettling blue glow.
"Ancient texts mention that this resembles something called the Skyfrost Nail, said to be a punishment cast down by an unknown entity."
After sharing this information, Yelan left. Since Rover and Aether were already planning to investigate, they agreed to help her as well.
...
"Just as Yelan described…"
Upon reaching the deepest part, Rover immediately spotted the floating pillar at the center. The closer they got, the more an inexplicable sense of dread crept over them.
"Look over there! There's someone!"
Paimon, hovering midair, was the first to notice a figure standing atop a floating boulder nearby.
"Ah! You're the heroes who saved Liyue! I recognize you."
A girl with pink hair, wearing a hat, had been observing something before turning around at the sound of their approach.
"Seems we're pretty famous," Paimon remarked, flying up to the girl as introductions were exchanged.
"My name is Yanfei. I'm a lawyer from Liyue Harbor."
Aether was puzzled. According to Yelan's description, the person she was looking for didn't seem to be this girl.
Rover, however, remained cautious. What business would a lawyer have in such a sinister place?
"Why would a lawyer come to a place like this?"
Yanfei scratched her head helplessly and sighed.
"It's my first time here too. I'm handling something very important."
Rover wasn't entirely convinced. Just as he was about to press further, the Tacet Mark on the back of his hand vibrated, and Abby emerged from it.
"Ah, another familiar scent~"
The sensitive Paimon froze for a moment before quickly hiding behind Aether.
"Abby, this 'familiar scent'… is it the Abyss or a demon god?"
Paimon peeked out nervously, scanning their surroundings.
Abby crossed his arms and pointed to a corner, smirking at Paimon.
"It's a spacetime rift, Paimon. What're you so scared for? If there's danger, you'd be better off hiding behind me."
A spacetime rift? So there was one here too.
Hoping to reunite with an old friend from Jinzhou, Rover decided to see who had come through this time.
Approaching the Skyfrost Nail, Rover spotted the chaotic currents in the air. With a wave of his hand, Spectro energy surged forward, shattering the space like glass and revealing a black void.
"Where is this…?"
A man wielding a cyan-green spear stepped into view. Rover was momentarily stunned but quickly recognized the newcomer.
General Jiyan of the Midnight Rangers, frontline forces of Jinzhou.
"Rover? Long time no see. I was resting at the frontlines when I noticed a spacetime rift open nearby. Remembering what the Magistrate said—that these rifts usually appear when you're in trouble—I handed over command to my deputy and rushed here to assist."
Jiyan explained the situation, and Rover felt a warmth in his heart. Truly, his Jinzhou friends were reliable.
"It's nothing urgent. I just wanted to catch up. How is everyone in Jinzhou?"
"Everyone's been worried, but after Jinhsi and Changli shared their experiences, some got really excited. Take Chixia, for example—she's been clamoring about wanting to explore another world herself. Nothing could stop her."
Thinking of Ma Xiaofang—ahem—Chixia's enthusiasm, Rover wondered if this journey would spark some intense clashes.
Jiyan shared some recent happenings in Jinzhou, and soon, the others gathered around, exchanging introductions.