!!!
A crushing wave of crisis slammed across Xingqiu's body. There wasn't time to wonder what kind of absurd projection those Treasure Hoarders had accidentally summoned.
Realizing they'd been exposed, Xingqiu grabbed Chongyun's hand and hauled him out of their hiding place as fast as their legs would carry them.
Even though they left the spot with maximum speed, the projection on the other side seemed to know what they'd do before they'd done it.
Swish.
With the crackling pop of rampant plant growth, countless emerald vines erupted in an instant at the places where Xingqiu and Chongyun had just stood.
With no time to redirect, Xingqiu forcibly activated the Vision at his waist and executed an emergency aerial adjustment using the obscure footwork recorded in the Guahua sect manuals — the so-called "Void-Wandering Step."
"Be careful! They're strong — give it everything you've got."
Once safely on the ground, Xingqiu released Chongyun's hand and was about to shout a warning to his friend.
Before he could finish the sentence, a suffocating pressure flowed out from the boyish projection.
Instinctively, Xingqiu tried to draw on his element — but he found that, for some reason, there was no element around him except green.
That knocked the Vision-used Xingqiu into confusion.
What? You can do that? If I can't use any elements, how the hell am I supposed to fight? Who on earth are these guys?!
A cascade of bewilderment filled his head.
Completely powerless to strike back, Xingqiu and Chongyun were quickly bound by vines into two green parcels.
Xingqiu: "."
Chongyun: "."
Awkward — they went down instantly.
Same outcome for both.
Although the enemy's strength was terrifying, being tied up made Xingqiu and Chongyun oddly calm.
—The gap was so huge that if the projection had wanted them dead from the start, they wouldn't have even had the chance to react. The fact that they were still alive meant they probably wouldn't be killed now.
The proof was obvious: the Treasure Hoarders on the ground still had chest movements — they were clearly alive.
Maybe it was the projection of some deity that was friendly to humans — Xingqiu and Chongyun, bundled tight in green, silently pitied the Treasure Hoarders' astronomical luck. Just summoning any projection and getting this kind of oppressive presence… was it amazing luck or a cosmic curse?
Perhaps because Xingqiu and Chongyun harbored no hostility, they hadn't been knocked unconscious like the Treasure Hoarders.
When they saw the Qianyan Army arriving one after another from behind, both of them felt their scalps go numb and knew exactly what was about to happen.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Careful!"
—Xingqiu and Chongyun cried out with the truest urgency they'd ever experienced.
Liyue, Guiliu Plain.
The vast plain lay overrun with weeds, but today the usually deserted field was unexpectedly lively.
Surrounded by a sea of green bundles, Xingqiu kind of wanted to faint away with the Treasure Hoarders — at least then he wouldn't be the one to shatter the Qianyan Army's impeccable image in his own mind.
At that moment, the youth standing in the center of the field stepped forward for the first time. The sudden motion immediately drew all eyes.
What the crowd didn't know was that the boy perceived none of it. His thoughts were more like:
"Uh? Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?"
Lin Feng stared at the carpet of green parcels around him, utterly bewildered.
This all traced back to half an hour earlier.
While his consciousness had been traveling through the ley channels, Lin Feng felt the energy in his body nearing full charge. Before he could celebrate, he sensed a faint connection being made between himself and somewhere beyond Sumeru.
Having no experience with this, Lin Feng hadn't realized that the awareness he carried through the ley lines was itself a kind of information — and information can be projected by the leyline.
As luck would have it, a particularly unlucky Treasure Hoarder gang had drawn the prize: Lin Feng's projection.
Because Lin Feng habitually treated humans kindly, the projection had reflexively held back — otherwise those Treasure Hoarders' gravestones would probably already have shoulder-high grass — literally two meters high.
Once the initial confusion passed, Lin Feng swiftly assessed the scene.
Seeing no casualties eased him a little — not out of sympathy for the Treasure Hoarders, but because if the Qianyan Army had suffered losses, it wouldn't be easy when he returned to Liyue and met Master Zhongli. He didn't want to be slapped with a reprimand and a few heavenly marks on his record.
With that in mind, Lin Feng quickly dispelled the bonds on all the Qianyan soldiers. He was curious about the two familiar faces among the tied group, but this was hardly the time to indulge in that weird ship-shipping mood.
Detecting a powerful aura nearby that hinted at the visitor's identity, Lin Feng flickered and vanished from the spot.
Guiliu Plain, a lonely hill.
A few wisps of bluish-black smoke shimmered, accompanied by a faint xin sound.
A youth-adeptus appeared beside Lin Feng.
"Thank you, sir, for your leniency a moment ago. On behalf of the Qianyan Army, I offer our thanks."
Xiao turned toward Lin Feng. His features were elegant; his tone clear and cold as he offered gratitude.
"You needn't be so formal, Demon-Slaying Sage," Lin Feng replied. "The Qianyan Army's elite are renowned across the continent for discipline and care for the people. Had they been harmed, I'd have felt guilty as well."
Lin Feng had expected a reproach. Instead, the normally stern Xiao began with thanks.
"Even if it was merely a projection, the fact you unconsciously held back speaks volumes — your kindness is deep indeed."
"By imperial command, I have come to make up for any troubles the people of Liyue caused you. I don't mean to give you a hard time."
Sensing the near-divine might of the youth beside him, Xiao understood why the Lord of Contracts would have told him, "Do not make an enemy of him."
Hearing Xiao's apology, the phrase that caught Lin Feng's attention most was "the Lord of Contracts."
He realized Zhongli had somehow noticed this incident quickly and even had time to inform Xiao.
Lin Feng — who also possessed broad perception — understood what maintaining that level of full-territory surveillance cost: a constant flood of information in the mind. It was a blessing far worse than a 9-to-9-6 grind — more like an all-hours, 007-level job. He'd love to retire if it were him.
Realizing just what Zhongli had sacrificed, Lin Feng felt humble and said to Xiao:
"This whole matter was an accident. I'll be leaving soon. Please tell the Lord of Contracts I send my regards."
"I'm half Liyue myself, and I deeply admire what the Lord has done for this land."
Seeing Lin Feng's candid respect for the Lord of Contracts, Xiao's tone softened from its earlier iciness.
"For thousands of years the people of Liyue believed that Liyue is indispensable to the Lord. You're the first I've seen who truly understands it's not that the Lord needs Liyue — rather, Liyue needs the Lord."
"I will convey your greetings faithfully," Xiao promised.
Because neither Lin Feng nor Xiao were ordinary, both had ways of learning how things had unfolded. Although their meeting had been triggered by the earlier accident, neither bothered to dwell on the unlucky Treasure Hoarders — tiny fry, barely worth mentioning.
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