Chapter 145. Entering the Abyss
Futsu Mitama was pulled by Raiden Ei into the spatial rift, rapidly moving in a certain direction.
Futsu Mitama offered no resistance. He was just pulled along by Raiden Ei. With his current strength, even if he wanted to resist Raiden Ei, she would still have to expend some effort to subdue him.
Well, of course, that was unnecessary, so Futsu Mitama didn't resist and just let Raiden Ei pull him away.
He just couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Yae Miko's excited expression, eager to tell him about Kazuha and Kunikuzushi, and her stunned face the moment Raiden Ei took him away.
Unintentionally, Raiden Ei had actually made Sly Fox suffer a setback. This was truly a rare sight.
It was a pity he hadn't recorded it, and the group live stream had been closed on the way to Inazuma. This was quite regrettable.
"What was Miko planning to say just now?"
At this moment, Raiden Ei seemed to realize her actions were a little inappropriate. She continued to look forward, somewhat puzzled.
"Why do I feel like something bad is about to happen?"
For an existence of Raiden Ei's caliber, if anyone dared to openly scheme against her, she would still have an intuition about it.
Yae Miko was indeed planning to openly scheme against Raiden Ei, intending to stop sending her light novels and desserts.
Therefore, she could feel that something bad was about to happen.
"Nothing, just planning to tell me about Kunikuzushi,"
Futsu Mitama said casually.
"Oh."
Raiden Ei immediately dismissed it. So it was about Kunikuzushi. Then it didn't matter.
Collecting Abyss materials was the most important thing right now. This trip to the Abyss still carried some risks.
But if Futsu Mitama was with her, then no matter what the danger, they could basically overcome it.
The current Futsu Mitama was no longer the one who was trapped in the Abyss by the Abyss Order and needed three Archons to rescue him.
After gaining Demon Gods-level combat power, even in the dreaded Abyss, as long as he didn't provoke deeper existences, he could basically walk freely.
One must know that in Snezhnaya, the Fatui Harbingers were also stationed in the Abyss. Tartaglia, Signora, Kunikuzushi, and others all emerged from the Abyss.
If they could operate in the Abyss, how much more so could Futsu Mitama, who could crush them?
This was also why Raiden Ei agreed to take Futsu Mitama along; his strength was sufficient to act with her.
If he didn't have that strength, Raiden Ei would absolutely not agree to let him go with her.
"But is the Abyss rift opening in the Dark Sea?"
Futsu Mitama realized that he and Raiden Ei had been rapidly advancing in a certain direction for a long time. At this distance, they were almost leaving Inazuma territory.
And this direction was relatively close to the Dark Sea, which was not a good place.
If they entered the Abyss from there, they would most likely have to fight the Archons there.
The Dark Sea was the area where the defeated Archons from the Archon War went. They were unwilling to submit to the rule of the Seven Archons, so they fled there.
For thousands of years, there had been no movement in the Dark Sea, as if the Archons who went there had already died.
But Futsu Mitama, who knew the Demon Gods' vitality, was aware that these guys were not existences that died so easily.
Even the many Demon Gods sealed in Liyue's land hadn't completely perished after such a long time.
How much more so these Demon Gods who maintained their "freedom"? They must have ways to protect their lives.
It's just that now, he and Raiden Ei were rushing so brazenly towards the Dark Sea. Was that perhaps not a good idea?
Even if they were just passing through, the Demon Gods defeated in the Archon War probably wouldn't let Raiden Ei succeed easily.
After all, she was the current Electro Archon, and that identity alone was enough for those defeated Demon Gods from the Archon War to trip her up.
"No, it's just approaching that area a little."
Raiden Ei said calmly. She naturally wouldn't enter the Dark Sea; she was quite aware of how many existences there were hostile to the Seven Archons.
Using the Abyss rift to enter the Abyss was merely to save some energy. If she had to fight the Demon Gods who survived the Archon War before entering the Abyss, then it would be more cost-effective to just break through space and force her way into the Abyss.
"Hmm."
Futsu Mitama secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't that he was afraid of fighting, but he felt that Raiden Ei rushing directly into the area of those failed Archons was a bit too risky.
After all, a thousand years had passed. Who knew what state those Demon Gods were in now?
"We're here."
Just then, Raiden Ei suddenly spoke. She reached out her hand, and Engulfing Lightning appeared in her grasp.
"Rip—!!"
As a lightning-infused slash was delivered, space was torn open. Raiden Ei walked out first, and Futsu Mitama naturally followed closely behind.
After leaving the spatial tunnel, Futsu Mitama looked around. He found himself and Raiden Ei standing on the sea surface, with an ominous, pitch-black rift below them.
This was clearly the Abyss rift Raiden Ei mentioned. Jumping down from here would lead directly into the Abyss.
As for which layer of the Abyss they would enter, that was unclear. Tartaglia seemed to have accidentally fallen into the Abyss this way, where he met his master and learned his martial arts.
It was also because of that encounter that Tartaglia became so warlike.
Futsu Mitama, having been to the Abyss, knew that Abyss creatures were indeed beings of frantic combat, the type where it's either you die or I die.
It was no wonder that if warriors were trained there, the Fatui soldiers would be so united and unafraid of death.
Finally, Futsu Mitama looked into the distance. Even with his eyesight, he could only vaguely see a small island far away. That was probably Watatsumi Island.
Because of Watatsumi Island's unique geography, Futsu Mitama had remembered it clearly back then, the kind he absolutely couldn't mistake.
As for the other side—
Futsu Mitama looked in the other direction. That was the Dark Sea, and just like its name, it was pitch black and nothing could be seen clearly.
Even when Futsu Mitama used his Divine Power and applied it to his eyes, he could only see a tiny bit.
No wonder the Demon Gods chose to flee to that place back then. It seemed the Dark Sea area was indeed special.
Dark mist enveloped the area, giving off a rather ominous feeling.
To be honest, Futsu Mitama didn't want to get close to it. When he looked in that direction, a faint sense of repulsion rose in his heart.
Just like when he first entered the Abyss, the aura within the Abyss wasn't pleasant.
He believed Raiden Ei felt the same; she also didn't want to enter the Abyss, but each time she did, it was with a purpose.
Last time she entered the Abyss was to save Futsu Mitama. This time, entering the Abyss was to revive Raiden Makoto. She had already merged almost all materials on the continent of Teyvat with the Irminsul.
Only a few materials from dangerous places she hadn't collected, and one of those places was the Abyss.
Originally, Raiden Ei planned to come alone, but seeing how hard Futsu Mitama worked as the Acting Dendro Archon in Sumeru, she thought it would be good to have him accompany her, and fight alongside her!
To see his growth, and at the same time, let him see her powerful side.
"Let's go."
Raiden Ei said calmly, holding Engulfing Lightning, and rushed towards the Abyss rift.
Futsu Mitama also nodded slightly, and he too rushed towards the Abyss rift.
Just as the two were about to enter the Abyss rift, a scorching beam of light suddenly shot from afar!
Futsu Mitama felt a slight sense of crisis approaching. He realized that this attack was aimed at him, and the attacker was naturally a Demon God.
But... this attack was so weak. It felt even weaker than Shouki No Kami, piloted by Kunikuzushi.
Was it a probing attack? Or had the Demon Gods in the Dark Sea weakened to such an extent?
Thinking this, Futsu Mitama was about to take out Seven Thunder of Retribution: Narukami to counterattack.
Raiden Ei's eyes, however, flashed with a bolt of lightning.
She said coldly, "You dare!"
Raiden Ei brandished the Engulfing Lightning in her hand. Terrifying Electro Element solidified, and a blade aura containing immense energy shot towards the direction of the attack.
Its speed and power completely dwarfed the scorching beam that had shot over.
The scorching beam that came from the Dark Sea was directly destroyed by the purple blade aura.
At the same time, the purple blade aura vanished from Futsu Mitama's sight, plunging into the thick, dark mist.
"Roar—!!!"
A painful roar echoed. From the sound, the opponent seemed to be male.
Clearly, Raiden Ei's angry strike had caused him considerable suffering.
"Alright, let's go in."
Raiden Ei's face was cold. Although she knew that even if she didn't act, Futsu Mitama could easily defend against this attack.
But she was the Electro Archon after all, and Futsu Mitama was her successor.
For her successor to be attacked meant she wasn't strong enough, that people dared to attack when she was present.
If she wasn't there, wouldn't those losers of the Archon War just swarm him, ganging up on Futsu Mitama without any martial ethics?
Although this situation was unlikely to happen, as those losers also had their dignity, otherwise they wouldn't have fled to the Dark Sea.
But Raiden Ei was still worried about this possibility, so she immediately acted, not only to teach the opponent a lesson but also to deter the guys inside.
"Hmm."
Futsu Mitama nodded silently. He glanced at the Dark Sea direction again, finally understanding what "Demon Gods also have differences" meant.
To be hit so miserably by Raiden Ei's angry strike, it was clear that the opponent's strength wasn't that great.
Raiden Ei and Futsu Mitama quickly entered the Abyss rift, and this sea area fell into silence.
—
In the depths of the Dark Sea, several voices rang out. They were conversing.
Raiden Ei's attack had made the otherwise stagnant Dark Sea a little livelier.
"I told you not to anger Beelzebub. Now you know her power, don't you?"
"She's gotten stronger. Has thousands of years of erosion had no effect on her at all?"
"When will we be able to return to the continent of Teyvat?"
"The human by her side also gives me a terrifying feeling; clearly, that human boy has also stepped into the same realm as us."
"Sleep. In this dreadful place, not sleeping will only lead to losing one's mind and attacking everything around."
With the last voice, the Dark Sea fell into a deathly silence; no Demon Gods spoke again.
—
On the other side, deep within the Abyss, in the area occupied by the Abyss Order.
The impact brought by the last arrival of the three Archons seemed to have completely vanished. Although the buildings here remained dilapidated, the core members of the Abyss Order were gathered, discussing their upcoming plans.
"Recently, Futsu Mitama has caused quite a stir in Sumeru."
An Abyss Lector spoke, floating in mid-air, his tone somewhat sinister.
"I think this is a good opportunity. It is said that Futsu Mitama has sidelined Lesser Lord Kusanali, that incompetent Dendro Archon. He is now the Acting Dendro Archon, so perhaps we can—"
Towards the end, the Abyss Lector chuckled sinisterly, clearly plotting something wicked.
Listening to the Abyss Lector, another Abyss Herald shook his head, stating seriously,
"I am aware of the situation in Sumeru, but I believe it's a smokescreen. If things aren't as you say, then that damned Futsu Mitama will come looking for trouble with us. The troublesome Kunikuzushi and Dottore were both dealt with by him. His strength is growing, and we must proceed with caution."
The Abyss Herald's voice was filled with worry, but he quickly changed the subject.
"However, this is also a good opportunity. If Futsu Mitama is in Sumeru, we can proceed with our operations in Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma. Operations in these three regions were halted because of Futsu Mitama. Now that he has been in Sumeru for so long, and we have recovered, we can continue with the plan."
These words made the members of the Abyss Order present nod repeatedly.
Yes, because of Futsu Mitama, they had been recuperating for almost a year.
There was no other way; the three Archons intruded into the Abyss and, by chance, directly clashed with them. After that battle—
Even with the Abyss Order's deep reserves, they were severely wounded after that battle, all their trump cards were revealed, and they were even dealt with by the three Archons.
Moreover, the Abyss itself is not a good place. Some Abyss creatures simply don't care whether Abyss Order members have the [Abyssal Aura] on them, launching indiscriminate attacks.
What's more infuriating is that those Abyss creatures are incredibly strong! They couldn't defeat them without going all out.
And most of them were injured, so the back-and-forth made their recovery even slower.
Now, most of the Abyss Order members have recovered from their injuries, and they are starting to get eager, preparing to make some big moves.
At this moment, an Abyss Herald spoke, his arms crossed, his tone calm.
"The plan can continue, but do not go to The Chasm."
"Why?"
An Abyss Lector expressed his incomprehension. The Chasm was a key part of their plan; logically, it should be the top priority.
"Did His Highness speak?"
The clever Abyss Herald guessed something, thinking it must be due to His Highness.
The plan for The Chasm was crucial, so important that it determined whether they could lift the curse on their [comrades]. If successful, Abyss Order members would continuously join!
Thus, the Abyss Order would grow stronger, and they would shed that damned curse.
"Yes." The Abyss Herald nodded, his tone serious.
"His Highness's sister is currently helping the Liyue people clear the mud from The Chasm. While this is harmful to us, it's not beneficial. But she is, after all, His Highness's sister. She will eventually become our [His Highness] in the future, so let's temporarily put that plan on hold."
"It's not too late to resume the plan after she leaves The Chasm. After all, there isn't much mud left there. Truly worthy of His Highness's sister; she is indeed much stronger than those Liyue good-for-nothings."
The Abyss Herald fiercely disparaged people from various nations, showering Lumine with praise. The reason was simple: she was His Highness's sister.
No one knew better than the Abyss Order how powerful and great His Highness was.
Precisely because they knew, the Abyss Order adored His Highness and everything he cherished so much.
Hearing the Abyss Herald's words, the other Abyss Order members nodded in agreement.
Putting everything else aside, the mere identity of His Highness's sister was enough to make the Order's plans compromise.
If it were anyone else, the Abyss Order members would definitely curse, declaring that no one was allowed to block the Order's plans!
Unless it was a monster as powerful and influential as Futsu Mitama!
But His Highness's sister was different. Although her current strength was somewhat weak, according to His Highness, his blood relative, just like him in the past, had her powers sealed by the Shades.
It was normal for her strength not to be great now. After a few years, once her journey concluded, her strength would undergo a leap-like improvement.
Once she witnessed everything and understood everything, it was highly likely she would embrace the Abyss Order, becoming their Princess.
Just thinking about this future made the core members of the Abyss Order's brains tremble!!!
Double the joy!!! Double the joy!!! A Prince!!! And a Princess!!!
How could the Abyss Order not be worried about its great cause!!!!
"And... Dainsleif, that guy, has appeared again. What should we do?"
At this moment, an Abyss Lector suddenly spoke, his voice quite sinister.
"Recently in Mondstadt, he seems to have noticed something and has been tailing us. Because of his arrival, some of our deployments in Mondstadt have already been damaged."
Hearing the name Dainsleif, some core members of the Abyss Order fell silent.
Several other core members were enraged, declaring Dainsleif a traitor!!! They had the same goal! Why did he keep obstructing them!
If His Highness hadn't been soft-hearted, they would have killed him long ago.
"Regarding him, I have my own arrangements."
At this moment, a calm male voice sounded.
Hearing this voice, the core members of the Abyss Order knelt on one knee in salute.
Even the Abyss Lector stopped floating in mid-air, dropping directly to the ground to show his respect.
The newcomer was naturally Aether. He looked at the core members of the Abyss Order discussing amongst themselves, his tone calm.
"Regarding the war machines and the purification of the curse, you may all proceed. My sister, Lumine, will be leaving The Chasm soon. As long as you are careful, she won't discover you."
Hearing Aether's words, the Abyss Order members immediately began to praise him.
Flattery such as "Worthy of the benevolent His Highness" was directly showered upon him.
Regarding the war machines, even if His Highness didn't say so, they were constantly working on it. There were too many powerful magical beasts on the continent of Teyvat.
Putting everything else aside, even the semi-finished [Primo Geovishap], under their modification, began to infinitely approach a true Primo Geovishap.
But for unknown reasons, whether due to potential limitations or something else, those Vishaps were always unable to break through the final step and become true Primo Geovishaps.
Therefore, the members of the Abyss Order no longer focused on the Vishaps, turning their attention to other creatures.
"Where is Enjou?"
Aether looked around at the core members of the Abyss Order, inquiring about Enjou's whereabouts.
Because he needed him to help with something.
"Your Highness, Enjou has gone to Inazuma."
An Abyss Herald quickly answered. He had a good relationship with Enjou, so he knew where he had gone.
Another Abyss Herald also quickly said.
"He wanted to investigate Enkanomiya, so he said he would go to Inazuma and left a few days ago. Currently in Inazuma, besides Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko, who are worth fearing, other notable presences, such as Futsu Mitama, the maid next to Futsu Mitama, the Divine Priestess, etc., are no longer there."
"Now is a good opportunity to go to Enkanomiya; perhaps we can discover some intelligence beneficial to our operations."
As the two spoke, Aether nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
"If he returns, have him come see me."
Aether left these words, also preparing to rest before commencing the next phase of their operations.
The other core members of the Abyss Order, seeing His Highness preparing to leave, naturally bowed again, wishing His Highness a safe departure.
"Hmm?!"
But at this moment, Aether seemed to realize something, his expression changing slightly as he looked up at the sky.
"What?! This aura!!!"
The Abyss Herald was also quite shocked. His reaction was a beat slower than Aether's, but he also felt this familiar aura.
"Futsu Mitama?!!! Impossible!!! When did his aura become so terrifying!!!"
The Abyss Herald who had met Futsu Mitama once also widened his eyes, unable to believe what was happening.
"Raiden Shogun is here too?!!! Damn it!!!! Did Enjou do something in Inazuma?!"
Another Abyss Herald speculated.
Did Enjou do something that earned him the hatred of Futsu Mitama and Raiden Shogun, and he himself escaped through unknown means?
But if he escaped, then they were the ones who would suffer!!!!
His suspicion was not unfounded, because ever since they captured Futsu Mitama last time—
The Abyss Order's actions could be said to be extremely low-key. They had not interfered with Inazuma's affairs at all, not even showing their faces!!!
Yet this was the result: Futsu Mitama and Raiden Shogun descended here together! To call it a coincidence! They wouldn't believe it even if they were beaten to death!!!
"You all stay here."
Aether's expression was somewhat solemn, as if he was wondering what was going on.
As he spoke, a sword appeared in Aether's hand, and a pair of wings emerged from his back. He quickly flew towards the sky.
Aether was quite bewildered at this moment, not understanding what had happened, but this base was very important and could not afford any mishaps, so he had to guard it here.
—
On the other side, after Futsu Mitama and Raiden Ei appeared, they also looked around with some surprise.
"This place looks familiar."
Raiden Ei looked at the surrounding scenery, finding it somewhat familiar, as if she had seen it somewhere before.
"The surroundings of the Abyss all seem the same, don't they?"
Futsu Mitama thought it was mostly the same; the scenery within the Abyss was mostly pitch black. It was just that there weren't many Abyss creatures around, which surprised Futsu Mitama. He remembered that the last time he came to the Abyss—
The Abyss creatures here were very enthusiastic, constantly trying to devour him whole.
To be honest, if it weren't too boring in Sumeru, Futsu Mitama wouldn't want to come to the Abyss. After all, the surrounding black mist already made him feel a little uncomfortable.
But as the Group Leader of the Chat Group, Futsu Mitama's inherent purification effect was much stronger than that of other Chat Group members.
The forbidden knowledge that even Maha Rukkhadevata couldn't deal with was now slowly disappearing under the Chat Group's purification.
Therefore, with the Chat Group present, the black mist that troubled ordinary people could not harm him at all.
Raiden Ei also noticed this, which made her feel a little emotional. Although with her strength, under conscious conditions, she would not fear these things at all.
But if she were unconscious, even she would be corrupted, becoming ruthless, cruel, and bloodthirsty.
This made Raiden Ei look at Futsu Mitama a few more times. No matter how she looked, he seemed particularly pleasing to the eye. Truly worthy of being her Inazuman citizen!
"Hmm? This aura—"
But soon, Futsu Mitama and Raiden Ei simultaneously looked downwards. They both noticed a familiar aura rapidly flying upwards from below.
Because it was quite familiar, Futsu Mitama and Raiden Ei immediately drew their weapons, ready for battle.
"It's really you two."
Aether flew up. He looked at Futsu Mitama and Raiden Ei, his expression particularly subtle.
He seemed at a loss for words for a moment.
Their Abyss Order had just planned to act, and you two came to block the entrance. Is this too much of a coincidence?!
Could there be an internal traitor within the Order? But that's impossible.
Aether was very clear about the Abyss Order's loyalty and execution capabilities.
"Hi." Futsu Mitama waved at Aether, chuckling. "It's been a while since we parted ways in The Chasm. It's truly nostalgic to meet again."
As he spoke, Futsu Mitama tightened his grip on the Seven Thunder of Retribution: Narukami in his hand, exuding the Demon God Realm's pressure.
Hearing these words, Raiden Ei's expression also became serious, and she too exuded terrifying Archon's pressure.
Because she also remembered that back in The Chasm, this Prince of the Abyss Order had also tried to abduct her Futsu Mitama!
He even used a honey trap and thought his sister had been abducted by Futsu Mitama!
What a joke! How could Futsu Mitama be the kind of person who coveted beauty?
"You broke through?!"
Aether also looked at Futsu Mitama with some shock, clearly not expecting that since their last parting, the other party had actually stepped into the Demon God Realm.
How could this be?!!! Is the Demon God Realm so easy to enter?!!!
Or had he been too busy with his plans during this time and missed some important intelligence?