Xiao's sudden cry of pain sent a wave of shock through the Elite Live Room.
He knelt on the roof of Wangshu Inn, clutching Primordial Jade Winged-Spear with white knuckles. His jaw was set in a tight, pained grimace, and his body was wreathed in blue flames that looked as though they were consuming him from the inside out.
[Arataki Itto: Is that stuff poison?!]
[Ganyu: This is bad. I'm heading to Wangshu Inn immediately!]
[Xiao: No... there is no need. This level of pain... is nothing to be alarmed about.]
Seconds later, wisps of violet and black gas began to leak from his pores, igniting in the air. Xiao's hands tightened as the entire Wangshu Inn seemed to tremble under the pressure of his aura. "Hah—!"
With a sudden roar, the dark miasma was incinerated by the brilliant blue light. Xiao slumped forward, gasping for air as the glow faded. It was over.
[Ningguang: Is it finished? What exactly happened?]
[Ganyu: I'm not sure. Conqueror of Demons, are you alright?]
[Diluc: It looked like he was expelling a toxic substance. This might be a blessing in disguise.]
[Venti: That blue liquid was like a pure wind. It could cleanse the filth within one's body.]
[Paimon: What do you know, Tone-Deaf Bard? You talk like you're best friends with Lord Barbatos or something.]
[Zhongli: That violet light was the karmic debt—the lingering resentment and curses of fallen gods. Legend says the Guardian Yakshas protected Liyue for millennia, but the filth from the remains of defeated demons manifested as karma, eroding their bodies and souls in eternal agony.]
[Ganyu: Of the five Yakshas who once followed the Rex Lapis, four have already perished in their endless battles.]
[Noelle: Every city has someone protecting them in the shadows.]
[Yoimiya: So the stories of Liyue's Adepti are all true.]
Xiao stood up, his expression returning to its usual coldness.
[Xiao: For a thousand years, I have hunted tens of thousands of vengeful spirits. If you don't want trouble, stay away from me. This is my contract with Rex Lapis—nothing more than fulfilling my duty.]
[Zhongli: How do you feel? @Xiao]
Normally, Xiao wouldn't answer such inquiries, but...
[Xiao: Exceptional. The liquid was like a pure spring. It has purified a vast amount of my karmic debt. The pain has lessened by more than half.]
[Ningguang: A rare treasure indeed. This mysterious broadcast continues to defy logic.]
On the screen, Xiao nodded slightly. His face was stoic, but internally, he felt a lightness he hadn't known in a millennium. He wasn't completely cured, but he was eighty percent better.
「The 'Justice Knows No Origin' Q&A session has concluded.」
「Ordinary Live Room: Performance Leaderboard Top 3:」
「1: Blanche (2 correct)」
「2: Mondstadt Katheryne (1 correct)」
「3: Miles (1 correct)」
"Mondstadt victory! Hahaha, all top three are from Mondstadt!"
"Miles is from the Knights of Favonius!"
"Miss Blanche is the shopkeeper of Mondstadt General Goods!"
"Mondstadt really dominated this time."
「Miles receives: A master-crafted Favonius Sword.」
「Katheryne receives: 300,000 Mora.」
「Blanche receives: An exclusive solar-powered delivery truck.」
「Randomly selecting Katheryne for a comment...」
The camera showed a smiling Katheryne standing at the Adventurers' Guild reception desk. She beamed at the lens: "Ad Astra Abyssosque! Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild."
「The 'Unlucky Board' for this session:」
「1: Iron Tongue Tian (2 incorrect)」
「2: Naoe Hisamasa (2 incorrect)」
「3: Ogura Rei (2 incorrect)」
"Hahahaha! Iron Tongue Tian, you're the champion again!"
"He's officially famous now."
"At his age, you shouldn't overdo the exercise."
「Randomly selecting Iron Tongue Tian for a comment...」
Back on screen, Tian was sprawled on the ground, his face covered in tears: "Forty laps! That's forty laps in seven days! Who can top that?!"
Laughter rang out across Teyvat.
「Elite Live Room Lottery is about to begin.」
An Anpan (red bean bun) appeared in front of everyone.
「Those who find sesame filling win 3rd prize; fruit filling wins 2nd prize; honey filling wins 1st prize. Those who answered incorrectly can only find red bean paste.」
「3rd Prize: Vitality Elixir (Restores physical vigor and enhances skills).」
「2nd Prize: Physical Fortification Potion.」
「1st Prize: Small Beam Cannon.」
[Yoimiya: Lottery time! Lottery time!]
[Ningguang: A cannon?]
[Keqing: Ningguang, are you okay now?]
[Ningguang: Actually... that punishment was quite comfortable.]
[Jean: Comfortable???]
[La Signora: Hmph. Tartaglia, you just wait.]
[Lisa: But you were screaming so loudly.]
[Ningguang: In the moment, it was overwhelming—I couldn't handle the intensity. But afterward, my entire body felt relaxed. I just need a bath. What kind of treasure is this cannon?]
The last 1st prize was an Adepti treasure. This time... the three items were displayed on the screen.
[Arataki Itto: That cannon must be worth a lot of money, right? At least 500,000 Mora?]
[Diluc: You are vastly underestimating the rewards.]
[Ningguang: Some things cannot be measured in Mora. If you win it and wish to sell, I am willing to pay 5 million Mora.]
[Arataki Itto: FIVE MILLION!!!]
[Tartaglia: Northland Bank can offer more. If it's for sale, let's talk business.]
[Diluc: Price is not an issue.]
As the three tycoon giants spoke, Arataki Itto—who had never seen such wealth—was completely stunned.