After searching tirelessly for hours, Yelan's expression grew increasingly grim.
She began to regret not heeding Mu Qingge's advice to split up and search separately. If they had stayed together, they could at least have provided mutual support.
Unable to find anyone below, Yelan reluctantly returned to the surface.
"Lady Yelan, why have you returned alone?" the Millelith Commander guarding the entrance asked. Mu Qingge and Yelan had always entered and exited together before, yet now only Yelan had emerged, and after such an unusually long interval—they had gone in early morning and it was now dusk. The Commander couldn't help but worry.
"Select your most skilled and resourceful soldiers to accompany me back down. We're going to find Mu Qingge."
"What?! Lady Mu has gone missing?"
The Commander's face betrayed his panic before he immediately followed Yelan's instructions, rushing off to assemble a team.
These Millelith soldiers had all been brought by Mu Qingge. Upon learning of her disappearance in the depths below, they clamored to volunteer for the search mission, eager to find Lady Mu.
The Commander selected ten soldiers to accompany him, and together with Yelan, they descended into the depths of The Chasm.
By the following morning, Yelan and the Millelith soldiers emerged from below, their faces grim.
Not only had they failed to find Mu Qingge, but they had also encountered numerous monsters, leaving each of them bearing wounds.
The Chasm had never been so treacherous before. When had it become a breeding ground for Abyss Monsters?!
Yelan called out to the Commander who had accompanied her on the search:
"Send someone to Liyue immediately to inform Lady Ningguang of everything that has transpired here."
The Commander immediately acknowledged the order and hurried off to make the arrangements.
-
Naturally, the Millelith sent to The Chasm would need a messenger. The Millelith soldier delivering the message was well-versed in the methods for reaching the Jade Chamber.
Jade Chamber.
Knowing that someone had arrived from The Chasm, Ningguang didn't delay and swiftly received the messenger.
The soldier was a delicate-looking Millelith warrior, his face weathered from days of continuous travel.
"Lady Ningguang," he reported, "a surge of monsters has suddenly appeared at the bottom of The Chasm. Several days ago, Lady Mu and Lady Yelan descended to investigate, but only Lady Yelan returned. Lady Mu has gone missing..."
"As of my departure, a full day and night had passed since Lady Mu's disappearance. Lady Yelan organized multiple search parties, but they found no trace of her!"
"What?!"
Ningguang abruptly shot to her feet, her face etched with shock.
If Mu Qingge hadn't encountered a truly dire situation, she would never have acted so rashly.
After the soldier finished relaying the rest of his report, Ningguang said, "You may rest now."
"This humble servant is fine," the soldier replied. "I implore Lady Ningguang to send reinforcements to aid in finding Lady Mu!"
Ningguang saw the intense pleading and deep worry in the soldier's eyes. She nodded firmly.
"Rest assured, I will do everything in my power!"
After dismissing the soldier, Ningguang summoned her three Secretaries.
"You will temporarily oversee the Jade Chamber's affairs," she instructed. "I have urgent business requiring my immediate departure."
"Where will Lady Ningguang be going? Should one of us accompany you?"
Ningguang seemed pressed for time. As she strode out of the Jade Chamber, she called back, "No need. Simply attend to your duties here."
-
Wangshu Inn.
The inn's owner, Verr Goldet, maintained close ties with the Qixing.
Upon seeing Ningguang arrive in person, looking rather urgent, she immediately hurried to greet her.
"What's the matter, Lady Ningguang? Is there some urgent business?"
Ningguang cut straight to the point: "I'm looking for the Conqueror of Demons!"
After Ningguang ascended the stairs, Verr Goldet personally stood guard at the staircase, keeping watch and acting as a lookout.
Nearby, at a table by the window, Zhongli gently set down his teacup.
-
At the very top of Wangshu Inn,
"Conqueror of Demons!"
Mu Qingge, as one of the Qixing and the strongest combatant among the Liyue Qixing, her disappearance within The Chasm was a matter of grave importance to Liyue.
Yelan was also present, and Ningguang was well aware of her capabilities. If even Yelan couldn't find Qingge, Ningguang doubted anyone else could.
Although it was unwise to seek the Adepti's assistance so soon after the Qixing had assumed control of Liyue, Ningguang knew which matters took precedence. Moreover, she had previously stated that she would seek help from the Adepti if faced with an irreversible situation.
Among the Adepti, the Conqueror of Demons at Wangshu Inn was undoubtedly the most suitable.
As soon as Ningguang's call echoed, a cyan figure materialized a few meters before her.
"What is it?"
"Lady Ningguang of the Liyue Qixing greets the Conqueror of Demons. The situation is as follows..."
Ningguang meticulously recounted the events that had transpired at The Chasm to Xiao, then formally requested his assistance.
Xiao: "The Kaiyang ... has gone missing?"
"In addition to that, the Millelith reporting in mentioned that they discovered something about an Unnamed Yaksha deep beneath The Chasm during their investigation... This matter might be of great importance to you."
"An Unnamed Yaksha?"
Xiao's expression shifted, and a particular figure immediately flashed through his mind.
"Understood. I will depart at once."
Shortly after Ningguang left, Zhongli arrived.
"Geo Archon!"
Zhongli nodded.
Xiao explained Ningguang's purpose to Zhongli. When Zhongli heard that Mu Qingge had gone missing beneath The Chasm, his brow furrowed.
"This journey may be perilous, yet you insist on going..."
"For over a century, I have guarded this place, never straying from my post. Only for the matter of the Unnamed Yaksha do I beseech the Geo Archon's permission to depart!"
Zhongli extended his hand, revealing another Mystic Barrier, this one of a different color.
"Qingge possesses one of these as well. The two barriers will resonate with each other, making it easier to find her if you carry this."
"By the Geo Archon's decree, I obey!"
With those words, Xiao vanished from the spot.
Zhongli sighed softly, his gaze fixed on The Chasm's depths.
-
Inazuma.
After Lumine and Paimon persuaded her, Ei emerged from the Plane of Euthymia.
As they passed a certain spot, Paimon shielded her eyes with her small hand, looking around curiously.
When she spotted the long queue of people, Paimon immediately cried out in delight.
"Traveler, look! It's Yuna! She's set up her stall today!"
Stars practically danced in Paimon's eyes, her small face clearly displaying: I want some!
Ei, puzzled, asked, "What's happening here? Why are so many people lined up?"
Lumine replied, "Nothing special. It's just a very popular stall owner has set up shop."
"A stall owner? What do they sell?"
Lumine recalled the ingredients Yuna had been preparing during their last encounter. "Probably sweets. Yuna's sweets are really delicious. Want to try some?"
Ei was tempted, but she hesitated. "I think I'll pass. There are too many people. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to go over there."
Lumine keenly noticed the flicker of interest in Ei's eyes, and her excitement grew.
This outing with Ei had a purpose from the start. If Ei liked sweets, then with Yuna's skill...
With this thought, Lumine quickly suggested, "We can come back later. Yuna always sets aside some for Paimon and me. Let's wait until the crowd thins out, then we'll come back."