After this brief interlude, no one dared to test the strange door again. The group bypassed it and found another shortcut, only to hit yet another dead end.
After enduring all this, everyone decided to take a break and lit a campfire.
Rover stared at the flickering flames, his thoughts drifting far away.
Because he was highly sensitive to time, he could tell that the flow of time within this space was being artificially altered—and the distortion was growing worse.
Did Rover have a solution? Yes—he could transform into the Crownless and tear through this space. But what lay beyond? What secrets were hidden here? Everything remained unknown. This was merely his last resort, a measure to be taken only in desperation.
"I have a theory," Jiyan said, sitting beside Rover. He stretched his hands toward the fire, feeling its heat.
"Time and space here are chaotic, yet Xiao's voice reached us precisely. That means his state is being transmitted to us through some inexplicable spatial distortion.
"Whoever controls this space is a formidable opponent. They're using events from different locations to manipulate us, luring us step by step toward a specific destination. But even they can't fully control the chaos of this space—otherwise, we wouldn't be sitting here unharmed."
After Jiyan's calm analysis, Rover understood the principle behind it.
With that in mind, Rover raised his palm, releasing the power of Spectro, which enveloped the group.
Since this space preserved fragments of events occurring at the same time, the temporal force governing chronology must also remain intact. Once the space used these fragments to lure Xiao, Rover would be able to sense his location.
Once Xiao's position was locked, Rover could use his Havoc energy to forcibly carve a path through the distortion, allowing them to reunite with Xiao.
Just as he finished, Rover noticed someone approaching—Yelan and Yanfei.
"Let's consolidate our information," Yelan said, her expression grave. Yanfei was the first to share her findings.
"I think that door earlier was the space testing us—what we'd call 'mind-reading.' It learns our thoughts and exploits our desires."
Mind-reading...
Rover nodded slightly. Yelan then continued where Yanfei left off.
"My family has practiced arcane arts for generations, developing tools only our clan knows how to use. Yet in this space, I've seen similar devices—ones that vanish the moment I approach.
"Illusions and reality blur together. Every step must be taken with caution."
As they delved deeper into the domain, the group uncovered more of its secrets—but their unease grew as well.
Just as Rover was about to speak, he sensed his Spectro energy manifesting somewhere else in the space.
Looks like they've taken the bait.
He gave the other three a meaningful glance, signaling them to follow. Then, standing before a stone wall, he pressed his hand against it.
A terrifying, suffocating wave of Havoc erupted, surging forward and corroding the stone on either side. Gradually, the distorted space was torn open, revealing another passage.
"Xiao?" Yanfei called out, spotting a figure on the other side. As the figure approached, they confirmed it was indeed Xiao.
"You... stay back," Xiao said hesitantly, about to retreat—but the passage behind him had already closed.
"You don't need to worry about your karmic debt. Not while I'm here."
Xiao sighed and nodded. Kuki Shinobu walked over, holding a roll of bandages she always carried.
"You're badly injured," she said, quickly dressing Xiao's wounds.
Xiao's arrival lifted everyone's spirits. Now, they only needed to focus on finding a way out.
Rover suddenly remembered something and turned to Yelan.
"Yelan, isn't it time you told us what you know about this place?"
Indeed, Yelan was familiar with the Chasm and privy to many of its secrets. Rover didn't believe she was clueless.
Seeing no way to hide it, Yelan motioned for everyone except Arataki Itto, Paimon, and Kuki Shinobu to gather, then spoke slowly.
"My reason for coming here… is partly personal. I'm searching for the truth behind the Khaenri'ah beast invasion."
The moment Khaenri'ah was mentioned, Aether stiffened, unsure how to react.
"Five hundred years ago, a tide of dark beasts from Khaenri'ah swept across Teyvat, and Liyue was no exception."
Hearing about the calamity five centuries ago, Rover thought of Inazuma—how it had barely survived the onslaught at great cost. Liyue, however, seemed to have emerged relatively unscathed.
Yelan lowered her head, recalling the classified records.
"Under the Emperor's orders, the Millelith formed a defensive line and fought desperately to hold the beasts at the Chasm. The battle was unprecedentedly brutal.
"At the critical moment, someone—no one knows who—lured the beasts away, drastically easing the stalemate.
"Liyue ultimately won, but some never returned. Two of my ancestors fought in that war—one came back, but he was driven mad.
"When the outer Chasm was unsealed, I specifically requested Tianquan Ningguang assign me here to investigate the truth of what happened."
As Xiao listened, his pupils trembled violently. He seemed to recall something, gritting his teeth in silence.
Another heavy revelation. The atmosphere grew stiflingly quiet.
"That Yelan's really stingy, keeping secrets from me!" Arataki Itto's voice boomed loudly. Kuki Shinobu shook her head again.
"Bull Chucker, it's because you're an idiot who can't keep his mouth shut."
Paimon teased him, and Itto flared up again.
"What did you say?! So what if I spill the beans? At least I'm not some floating shorty!"
Kuki Shinobu tugged at Itto's sleeve, pointing at Yelan, who was watching them coldly from a distance.
"Boss, if you really overheard something you shouldn't have… I don't think you'll be leaving the Chasm alive."