It was blocked—lightly so—by the blond-haired young man standing before him.
The moment she witnessed this scene, Kuki Shinobu's pupils shrank in disbelief. Once Futsu Mitama unleashed Musou no Hitotachi, the outcome should have been decided. Victory was inevitable.
The Abyss Lector was no longer a threat. Every scheme, every retreat, every hidden contingency had already been seen through. No matter how strong he was, that strike alone should have ended everything.
And yet—it was stopped? Was it truly possible for someone to withstand Futsu Mitama's Musou no Hitotachi without suffering so much as a scratch?
Shock surged through Kuki Shinobu's mind. Before she could dwell on it further, a sharp rush of wind swept in from the side. Her instincts screamed, and she leapt backward without hesitation.
"ROAR—!!!"
The Electro Hilichurl let out a furious howl. It paid no attention to the astonishing confrontation nearby—its eyes were locked solely onto Kuki Shinobu, filled with savage intent as it charged, determined to crush her into nothing.
"Damn it!" There was no time to worry about Futsu Mitama anymore. Kuki Shinobu snapped into action, drawing several talismans and hurling them forward.
Flames erupted instantly, engulfing the Electro Hilichurl. It wailed in agony as the fire scorched its body, its advance finally halted.
Meanwhile, Futsu Mitama stood motionless, his gaze fixed upon the blond-haired young man before him. His expression had turned solemn.
The other party held a longsword that appeared utterly ordinary, yet he stood there with disconcerting calm, as though nothing in this world could disturb him.
Aether.
Or rather—Aether, Prince of the Abyss Order.
The Traveler who had likely recovered his peak strength.
Someone who had once directly confronted the Maintainer of Heavenly Principles.
That alone was proof enough. Whether it was Aether or Lumine, the twins had never been weak. After recovering dual elemental power, Lumine could already fight Tartaglia evenly. With three elements, she had defeated La Signora outright.
If she were to fully recover her original power, she would undoubtedly stand at the level of an Archon.
And now, the Aether before him—someone who had calmly blocked Musou no Hitotachi—clearly possessed combat strength on that same level.
Strong. Unquestionably strong.
He radiated no oppressive aura, no killing intent, no elemental turbulence. And yet, the quiet composure in his eyes sent a chill down Futsu Mitama's spine.
If this man truly wished to kill him—
It would likely be as effortless as that single block just now.
Without hesitation, Futsu Mitama retreated. Zhongli was nearby—he was certain of it. Even so, he had no idea what Aether intended to do next, and survival came first.
The brocade pouch Yae Miko had given him was already clenched in his hand. If the situation took a turn for the worse, he would open it without a moment's hesitation.
With Yae Miko—an existence at the level of an adeptus—he should at least be able to stall or deflect Aether's attack. And if that bought even a brief moment, Zhongli would surely intervene.
"You're very good." Aether spoke calmly, his voice steady and composed. "I apologize for this incident. But for my sake—could you spare my subordinate?"
His tone was polite—perhaps too polite.
Someone who possessed power comparable to an Archon, who had joined the Abyss Order, should not have spoken this way. Especially not to someone who stood opposed to the Abyss.
And yet, Aether's demeanor remained courteous, restrained, almost gentle.
Futsu Mitama could not discern his intentions—but precisely because of that politeness, he sensed an opening. He tightened his grip on Musou Isshin and met Aether's gaze directly.
"Who are you?" he asked coldly. "Why do you protect the Abyss Lector? Do you have any idea how many people have lost their loved ones because of the Abyss Order's actions?"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"You should have a sibling of your own. So tell me—why would you choose to do this?"
Futsu Mitama posed the question directly, sharp and unyielding, one that cut straight to the heart. Aether had a younger sister—at this moment, Lumine was likely somewhere far away, perhaps still fishing with Paimon, oblivious to the undercurrents stirring across the land.
"Your Highness—"
Aether did not answer.
Instead, the Abyss Lector spoke first, his voice heavy with remorse. "I acted of my own accord and caused you trouble. I sincerely apologize for forcing you to intervene and rescue me."
He clenched his fists, resentment and frustration bleeding through his words. "This god's lackey isn't strong, but he's full of tricks. If only I had—"
Before he could continue, Aether lifted a hand slightly and shook his head. His gaze shifted toward a distant mountain peak, as though he had perceived something unseen by others. His voice remained calm, almost detached. "If you had succeeded, your only outcome would have been death. I already told you—there is no need to concern yourself with him. The master of this land would not have tolerated it."
Futsu Mitama followed Aether's line of sight. On a faraway peak, a solitary figure stood in silence, overlooking the battlefield. Even at such a distance, its presence was unmistakable. It was watching Aether—and perhaps that was precisely why Aether's demeanor had been so restrained, so measured.
"Regarding this incident, I offer my apologies." Aether turned his gaze back to Futsu Mitama. "I have no desire to become your enemy. No matter the circumstances, killing you would provoke two Archons at once."
"At this stage, the Abyss Order will not act in a way that invites such consequences. In a sense, our objectives do not entirely conflict."
He paused briefly, then continued evenly. "I hope you will not obstruct my plans in the future. I do not wish to oppose you—but if you insist on standing in my way and interfering with my ultimate goal, I will not hesitate."
With that, Aether cast a glance toward the Abyss Lector, signaling that it was time to leave. They could not remain any longer. If the one watching from that mountain peak chose to act, even he would find retreat exceedingly troublesome.
The Abyss Lector took a deep breath, then looked toward Futsu Mitama with venomous resentment. "You've been granted a second chance at life. Be grateful for His Highness's mercy. If not for him, you would already be dead."
As he spoke, a portal opened beside him, awaiting Aether.
"Oh, right."
Aether seemed to recall something. He turned back and addressed Futsu Mitama calmly. "If possible, keep an eye on the Fatui Harbinger known as Dottore."
"He has deliberately shifted much of the blame onto us. The incident involving the Primo Geovishap was his doing. The Abyss Order has no interest in Demon God remnants."
"In fact, we had hoped the Primo Geovishap would survive. Dottore has been excavating ruins and dismantling Morax's seals—he is searching for something. I do not want him to succeed. You already bear hostility toward him, so consider this information a gift."
He cast one final, meaningful glance toward Zhongli's position on the distant peak, said nothing more, and stepped into the portal. His figure vanished.
The Abyss Lector lingered for a heartbeat longer, still unwilling to concede. "Enjoy this borrowed life, god's lackey. Next time, I will kill you—if not for His Highness—hmph!"
Even knowing that he would already be dead without Aether's intervention, his stubbornness remained unbroken. With that final snarl, he entered the portal as well, and the rift closed.
Once Aether departed, Futsu Mitama nodded faintly and turned toward Kuki Shinobu. Chakra Desiderata flared, and Musou Isshin was unleashed once more. A flash of lightning cut through the night, and the Electro Hilichurl's head was obliterated in an instant. Its body collapsed, lifeless beyond any hope of recovery.
In this world, elemental resistance existed—but elemental immunity did not. Even an Electro Slime could be slain outright with sufficient force.
"Phew." Kuki Shinobu exhaled deeply. She looked at Futsu Mitama and asked, "Who was that person just now?"
"He blocked your attack. Honestly—it's hard to believe. That slash even incorporated the Raiden Shogun's martial arts."
She knew it well—Musou no Hitotachi. Even Cloud Retainer regarded that technique with caution, yet it had been stopped so casually by a young blond man whose attire belonged to no nation she recognized.
"He's extremely strong," Futsu Mitama replied quietly. "But we were fortunate that we weren't his target."
He glanced once more toward the mountain peak, only to find it empty. Zhongli had already withdrawn, clearly with no intention of revealing himself. His presence alone had been enough to restrain Aether and prevent further escalation.
Still… the Abyss Order's interest in Juvenile Jade lingered in his mind.
Futsu Mitama reached into his pocket and retrieved a piece of Juvenile Jade. It was pristine and translucent, resembling a gemstone on the verge of completion—yet forever halted at this stage. The Primo Geovishap had died too early, and with its death, the transformation had been cut short.
He hadn't expected the Abyss Order to covet this item. It seemed increasingly likely that they truly were planning something within Liyue.
And yet, Aether had claimed that the Primo Geovishap incident was orchestrated by Dottore, who had deliberately smeared the Abyss Order's name. The excavation of ruins across Liyue—was that also his doing?
If so, then the Abyss Order had unwittingly taken the blame for someone else's machinations. Mud clung to their name; whether or not it was filth hardly mattered once it stained their reputation.
"Very strong—?" Kuki Shinobu's expression grew grave. "From how easily he blocked your strike, could he be an Archon? Even the adeptus are wary of that slash. Only an Archon could withstand it so effortlessly."
She sighed softly. "Still, it's fortunate we survived."
She looked toward the distant glow of approaching torches. "The Millelith are coming again. As expected—once you use the Electro Archon Authority, it draws attention immediately."
Futsu Mitama could only shrug. When the Authority was fully unleashed, thunderclouds gathered and lightning roared across the sky. It was impossible to conceal.
They remained where they were, informing the arriving Millelith of the frenzied Vishaps, the Abyss Lector, and the information Aether had provided, so it could be relayed to the Liyue Qixing. The soldiers accepted his account without hesitation. His identity was well known—Raiden Shogun's retainer, ally of the adeptus, and one of those who had helped suppress the Primo Geovishap.
Afterward, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu resumed their journey toward Mt. Aocang.
Meanwhile, within the group chat, messages flickered one after another, speculation and unease spreading quietly.
As Futsu Mitama read through them, he found himself nodding in silent agreement. In all of Teyvat, aside from the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, Morax remained an unrivaled pinnacle of power. Even without his Gnosis, none dared covet Liyue.
And in truth, Zhongli had not yet relinquished it.
Aether's sudden appearance had likely been both a rescue and a warning—an attempt to distance the Abyss Order from Dottore's schemes. Whatever lay beneath it all, those matters could wait.
At that moment, Futsu Mitama's thoughts turned briefly to Zhongli. He wondered what the old god had felt, watching from afar, witnessing an old acquaintance walk a path so different from before.
On a distant peak, Zhongli and Albedo were already preparing to return to Liyue Harbor.
"Do you know him?" Albedo asked quietly.
Zhongli nodded. "I do. But I cannot explain him. I once made a contract with him."
He sighed softly. "What I can say is that he has changed. Or perhaps—his resolve has only grown firmer."
Albedo fell silent. Anyone who could sign a contract with Zhongli was no ordinary being.
"But as long as he noticed my presence," Zhongli continued calmly, "he would not act against Futsu Mitama."
And so, the night passed without further upheaval.
Futsu Mitama informed the Millelith of the situation, such as the frenzied Vishap, the Abyss Lector, and the words of His Highness Aether, so that they could relay it to the Liyue Qixing.
At this moment, the Millelith soldiers naturally chose to believe Futsu Mitama's words. Because his identity was known to most of the Millelith. As a Raiden Shogun's Retainer, he fought alongside the Adeptus to jointly encircle and suppress the Primo Geovishap. And recently, the Abyss Order had indeed become more active.
The Millelith didn't quite understand why Futsu Mitama was attacked by the Abyss Order, but that didn't prevent them from reporting the matter. Furthermore, the Millelith were curious why Futsu Mitama didn't return to Liyue Harbor to rest so late, but instead ran to the vicinity of Cuijue Slope. In response, Futsu Mitama directly explained that he was going to discuss matters with the Adeptus. Then the Millelith offered an escort.
Although their strength was inferior to Futsu Mitama's, if they encountered some magical beasts, they could deal with them, and there was no need for Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu, the two Inazuma guests, to act. But Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu refused, stating that it was unnecessary because Mt. Aocang was not far away, and they would arrive in a short while.
Moreover, the Millelith still had patrol duties and would soon need to send people to report back. They were the ones working the hardest.
Under the combined persuasion of Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu, the Millelith finally nodded in agreement and dispatched several soldiers back to Liyue Harbor to report. With the matter settled, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu resumed their ascent, carefully avoiding several formations Cloud Retainer had deliberately set along the way, and soon arrived at Mt. Aocang.
No sooner had they set foot on the mountain than they discovered Shenhe calmly eating glaze lilies, sweet flowers, and Qingxin.
"Hm?" Shenhe turned her head while chewing on her decidedly "delicious" meal. Seeing the two of them, she spoke in an even tone. "You're here already. I thought you weren't planning to come back tonight."
When Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu had departed earlier, they had mentioned returning to Mt. Aocang, but by then it was already late. Shenhe had assumed they would stay the night in Liyue Harbor instead, which was perfectly reasonable. After all, if one could live comfortably in Liyue Harbor, why endure the solitude and hardship of Mt. Aocang? That was how Shenhe herself saw it.
In truth, Shenhe had once considered returning to Liyue Harbor as well. She was human, not an adeptus like her master, yet she never quite felt at ease among mortals. Each time she entered the harbor to handle matters on her master's behalf, she felt out of place. After lingering briefly, she would always return to Mt. Aocang, occasionally slaying demons and monsters along the way to keep the surrounding lands at peace, but doing little else.
Compared to the bustling mortal world, she preferred the stillness of Mt. Aocang. There, at least, her mind could remain calm. Confused though she might be, the mountain suited Shenhe's temperament all too well.
"How could we not come back? We still need to pick up Aila," Futsu Mitama replied as he walked to the tent and sat down. Watching Shenhe eat those plants, his expression turned subtle. "I remember leaving you dry rations. Why are you eating these again?"
Shenhe glanced toward the cave dwelling while calmly chewing a sweet flower. "Master said I should eat more. It might help me reach the size Sister Ganyu had in her childhood."
"As for Sister Ganyu's childhood… I know a little about it, so… well…" Shenhe paused, as though weighing her words, then concluded flatly, "Anyway, I don't want to become like that."
Hearing this, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu exchanged glances. Ganyu's childhood stories were something they both knew well. Azhdaha had once mentioned that during the Archon War thousands of years ago, Ganyu—round as a ball—had become stuck in the esophagus of a giant beast and subdued her enemy in that state. The experience left a deep impression on her, prompting strict diet control and regular exercise thereafter.
Whether it was Cloud Retainer's loose tongue or Ganyu's infamous past, even the usually detached Shenhe felt an odd sense of awkwardness. Becoming "round as a ball" was hardly something any young woman desired. And whether due to misconception or reality, Shenhe did seem to have gained a little weight recently from eating and drinking with Futsu Mitama and the others. At the very least, she felt an uncomfortable heaviness in her chest, which troubled her greatly.
And so, she had returned to eating Qingxin, glaze lilies, and sweet flowers.
"…," Kuki Shinobu glanced down at her own stomach, suddenly suspecting that she, too, had gained some extra fat. Recently, she had eaten twice at Xinyue Kiosk, once at Liuli Pavilion, once at Wanmin Restaurant, and cooked many dishes herself. Thinking carefully, even her thighs seemed fuller—yet her chest remained unchanged.
"Is it 'delicious'?" she asked quietly as she moved to Shenhe's side, eyeing the Qingxin and glaze lilies in her hands while pointedly ignoring the sweet flowers. They were far too sugary for her peace of mind.
"Not 'delicious,'" Shenhe shook her head. "If you eat them occasionally, they're fine. Eat too much, and there's bitterness."
"Still, if you grow accustomed to it, you can endure it. It helps train the mind and repel distracting thoughts, among other things."
Hearing this, Kuki Shinobu began searching nearby for Qingxin and glaze lilies. They were plentiful on Mt. Aocang, and she quickly found some. Soon, the two young women sat side by side, quietly eating.
Futsu Mitama could only stare, dumbfounded, before shaking his head helplessly. Indeed—for women, was maintaining a good figure truly that essential?
As for himself, he wasn't worried. He trained daily; even if his physique changed, he could rely on stimulating his body with Electro to compensate.
While Shenhe and Kuki Shinobu had their late-night meal, Futsu Mitama took the opportunity to recount their encounter with the Abyss Order. Whether it was the Abyss Order or matters concerning "Dottore," he felt Shenhe would be busy for quite some time. In Liyue, slaying demons and monsters was not Shenhe's burden alone—Xiao and the exorcists of Chongyun's lineage also carried that duty.
"Were you injured?" Shenhe asked, her brows knitting slightly when she heard that Aether had effortlessly blocked Futsu Mitama's strike.
Having sparred with Futsu Mitama many times, she knew well that even her master would not take that slash lightly. Even if Cloud Retainer could withstand it, it would not be easy. Yet according to Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu, the blond youth had blocked it with nothing more than an ancient yet magnificent longsword.
That strike was derived from Musou no Hitotachi. Even if Futsu Mitama had yet to grasp its true essence, how could an ordinary person block it so casually?
If the opponent could do so, then their strength was terrifying—likely surpassing even her master's.
That meant—a Seven Archon–level existence?
Shenhe's expression turned solemn. Such a possibility was not unfounded. Her master had once told her that in ancient times, many Archons possessed strength rivaling the Seven. The Seven had defeated them and driven them out—or rather, most of those defeated Archons had refused submission and fled into the Dark Sea.
Could this Abyss Prince be a former Archon who had fallen into the Abyss?
"No," Futsu Mitama shook his head calmly. "He didn't attack me. He only blocked my strike—and he was watching somewhere else. He was likely wary of something."
As his words fell, a familiar female voice suddenly rang out. "Naturally, that would be Lord Rex Lapis."
Cloud Retainer appeared, having evidently heard everything, and spoke with pride. "With Lord Rex Lapis present, Liyue is naturally secure."
Her tone then sharpened. "What this Adeptus did not expect is that the people of Snezhnaya would act so brazenly in Liyue. Are the Liyue Qixing truly allowing this?"
She was clearly displeased. The Abyss Order was difficult to manage, slipping away like rats at the slightest lapse, but the Fatui were visible and tangible. Allowing them free rein in Liyue was, in her eyes, utterly unacceptable.
"The Qixing have been occupied with preparations for the Rite of Descension," Futsu Mitama said, speaking up calmly. "Their original investigation targeted the Abyss Order. They didn't expect the Fatui to be involved. And as for the information that prince provided, we still can't be sure whether it's true."
Cloud Retainer considered this briefly, then nodded. "That is true. The Rite of Descension is indeed no small matter. Still, to be so occupied that they allow enemies to exploit a loophole—the Qixing are not without fault."
She did not dwell further, instead turning to Futsu Mitama. "You intend to take Aila down the mountain tomorrow?"
Futsu Mitama nodded. He had already informed her of his plan to bring Aila to see the Rite of Descension.
Cloud Retainer hesitated, troubled. "But Aila is currently in a phase of rapid growth. Is it wise to let her go play now?"
"The Rite of Descension occurs every year. If this Adeptus recalls correctly, next year it will be overseen by the Tianquan."
Her intent was clear: she wished for Aila to train steadily for another year. With the Raiden Shogun's presence, "Black Aila" would not dare invade her mind again soon. When they met next, it would likely be in the real world.
Who knew when that confrontation would come? To avoid wasting time, Cloud Retainer preferred that Aila focus entirely on strengthening herself.
"This—" Futsu Mitama hesitated. He wanted to say that next year, Lord Rex Lapis would likely give Tianquan—Ningguang—a surprise that would render the Rite of Descension a relic of history. This year was, in truth, the last chance.
But he spoke patiently instead. "This year's Rite of Descension is special to us. It's the first one Aila and I will witness in our memory."
"If she can't attend, or if neither of us can, she'll be deeply disappointed."
For cultivators, leaving regrets in the heart was taboo. Cloud Retainer understood this well and fell into contemplation. For trivial matters, cancAilation was acceptable. But when Futsu Mitama was involved, the situation changed. How could she fail to see Aila's feelings?
They were master and servant in name—but were their emotions truly so simple?
Having lived for countless years, Cloud Retainer understood the weight of such feelings. Forcing Aila to miss the Rite could plant a regret, and regret could become weakness.
With a helpless sigh, she spread her wings. "Very well. This Adeptus will allow it. But before reaching Liyue Harbor, this Adeptus will accompany you."
She rose into the air, still uneasy. "I will fetch Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver as escorts, and have them observe Liyue Harbor as well."
"Though Adeptus rarely enter the mortal world, there is no harm in attending the Rite of Descension."
With that, Cloud Retainer took flight, vanishing swiftly from Mt. Aocang. She did not fear Black Aila or Dottore—but the Abyss Prince's Seven Archon–level strength could not be ignored. Should he attack, even Futsu Mitama and Shenhe together might be powerless.
Better to be cautious.
Watching her depart, Futsu Mitama's mouth twitched. "Isn't this—a bit excessive?"
Three Adeptus escorting Aila to Liyue Harbor was a display of prestige beyond words. Worse, if all three attended the Rite, they might hear certain "treasonous" remarks from Keqing. That could turn chaotic.
Silently, Futsu Mitama mourned for Keqing. Fortunately, Lord Rex Lapis—Zhongli—stood on her side. At most, the Adeptus would fume and let the matter rest.
Shenhe, however, shook her head calmly. "It isn't excessive. According to Master, Junior Sister's situation is delicate. Because of that 'self,' many eyes are on her."
"The Abyss Order may be among them. And you carry Juvenile Jade. I don't know what they want with it, but if they desire it, there must be a secret. To ensure the Rite of Descension isn't disturbed, caution is best."
She produced dozens of yellow talismans. "I also need to prepare more. If there's no battle tomorrow, all the better. But if there is…what I have now won't suffice."
Kuki Shinobu nodded solemnly and joined her in preparing talismans, hoping to learn along the way.
Only Futsu Mitama remained, bewildered, watching the two women prepare for what looked like an impending war, while Cloud Retainer had already gone to rally other Adeptus.
He truly felt it was unnecessary. This was Liyue, after all—just a Rite of Descension. If something went wrong, he could always @Zhongli in the group chat under the name "Lord Rex Lapis."
Still, seeing them so earnest, he quietly picked up Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine and began studying as well.
If a battle came and he relied solely on Electro, it would likely end in stalemate.
He himself would never have been able to deal with an enhanced Geovishap so swiftly, much less nearly cleave an Abyss Lector in two with a single strike.
After all, he had yet to fully grasp the elemental combat techniques recorded in Eight Directions Containing Jade to Shine. If he were to truly comprehend them in their entirety, then facing an Abyss Lector would no longer be such a taxing endeavor.
With this thought in mind, atop Mt. Aocang, Futsu Mitama, Kuki Shinobu, and Shenhe each immersed themselves in their own preparations. Their objective was simple and unified—to grow markedly stronger, or at the very least, to secure additional means of offense before the coming day.
Time slipped by quietly. The night passed without conversation or disturbance.
When dawn finally broke and the first ray of sunlight spilled across the land, several figures descended upon Mt. Aocang in succession. Cloud Retainer returned, accompanied by Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, and the Conqueror of Demons, the four Adeptus gathering together beneath the morning light.
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