Baishi, after all, was the secretary of the Jade Chamber and possessed impeccable professional competence.
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and said, "I'll head back immediately. Did Lady Ningguang say anything else?"
"No."
Xiao Xuan shook his head.
"Lady Ningguang is gathering people. The entrances to The Chasm have been blocked by monsters. To find out what's happening inside, we need to send someone to find a way in. She's already sent for Vision holders."
Ji An, who had been listening nearby, spoke up. "Miss Baishi, if needed, I can also help."
Upon hearing this, Baishi couldn't hide her delight. "If Mr. Ji An is willing to help, that would be absolutely wonderful."
Seymour quickly added, "Me too! I want to help as well!"
"???"
What could he possibly do?
The other three couldn't help but look at him with strange expressions.
Miss Baishi figured Seymour was probably still fixated on his research topic. She shook her head and said:
"Mr. Seymour, as you've heard, the situation is urgent right now. We really can't accommodate your research. While your knowledge is extensive, it wouldn't be of any help in this incident."
She put it quite tactfully.
The meaning was clear: look at the timing of your research! The situation is critical — please don't add to the chaos!
"Who says I can't help!"
Seymour grew anxious. With a chance to observe The Chasm up close, he was determined to fight for it.
"Miss Baishi, this Millelith soldier just mentioned that numerous Geovishaps have broken into The Chasm, right? I might know the reason behind it!"
Baishi's expression shifted slightly.
Ji An and Xiao Xuan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Mr. Seymour, you know the reason?"
"I said *might* — it's just a guess, but it should be related to an event a thousand years ago."
Seymour cleared his throat lightly and said, "Earlier, I mentioned that to research Liyue's history, I consulted a great deal of material. Among it, I happened to come across something that seems related to this matter."
Baishi sighed and said, "No more delays. Let's talk on the way."
Seymour paused, then couldn't contain his excitement. "Miss Baishi, does this mean I can come along? What about Lady Ningguang's side—"
Baishi shook her head. "Mr. Seymour, this incident is no small matter. If a full-scale battle breaks out with those Geovishaps, no one can guarantee the outcome. So, at most, you can only investigate the outer perimeter of The Chasm."
"The outer perimeter only? I won't be able to examine much there..."
Seymour tried to protest, but Baishi interrupted him with a serious expression.
"Mr. Seymour, this is the best I can do within my authority."
"Alright, the outer perimeter it is!" Seymour wisely fell silent.
---
Next.
They returned to the Jade Chamber, where Ningguang was coordinating various matters.
Keqing had already led the Millelith to The Chasm, while Ningguang remained in Liyue Harbor to guard against any other unforeseen incidents.
When she learned that Ji An had voluntarily offered to help at The Chasm, even amidst her hectic schedule, Ningguang managed a smile for him. "Mr. Ji An, stepping forward in this time of crisis — Ningguang and Liyue Harbor will remember this kindness."
After bidding farewell to Ningguang, Ji An and Seymour set off for The Chasm.
Upon reaching the bridgehead, they found someone already waiting there.
"Ah, Ji An, you're finally here!"
"♫~"
These two were, naturally, Xiangling and Guoba.
"Hehe, Xiao An."
Hu Tao, whom he hadn't seen in a few days, trotted over and tugged at his sleeve.
Suddenly.
"Hiss."
That prickling sensation on his back — why was it back again?
Ji An looked around suspiciously.
What the heck...
---
According to Xiangling and Hu Tao, after receiving Ningguang's message, they had both come to the bridgehead to wait for him without any prior arrangement.
Xiangling's reasoning was simple: no need to overthink it. When something like this happens, knowing Ji An's character, he'd definitely come to help!
Hu Tao's answer was a bit more mystical — she insisted it was because their hearts were connected, and the moment Xiao An thought of something, she just knew.
---
On the way to The Chasm, Seymour continued telling Ji An about the earlier matter.
"That event a thousand years ago that I mentioned — I came across it while gathering data, in an unofficial anecdotal record."
"It says that the place where the Star of Liyue once fell — now The Chasm — was attacked by a mountain-shaking Dragon King of Rock, causing unimaginable and devastating losses."
"Investigating the cause, it goes back to what I said earlier. The chasm created by the falling star yielded endless beautiful jade and ore. To expand territory and develop production, the people of Liyue went into the mountains to mine. The over-exploitation triggered tremors in the ley lines, angering the Geovishaps."
Upon hearing this, Ji An couldn't help but ponder. "But, according to what Miss Baishi said, The Chasm has long been sealed and mining has long since stopped. Why would the Geovishaps choose to invade now?"
Seymour sighed. "That, I don't know. Perhaps the answer can only be found once we get there."
---
At that moment.
The Chasm.
Zhongli walked toward an entrance. Standing opposite him was a young man with a gentle demeanor, dressed in coarse grey clothing and wearing glasses.
The moment he saw Zhongli, the young man spoke softly.
"It's been a long time, Morax."
"...Azhdaha."
Zhongli looked at him, a rare trace of gentleness appearing on his face.
"Haha, I was worried you wouldn't recognize me in this form. Seems I worried for nothing."
The gentle young man smiled slightly, his tone as casual as if greeting an old friend.
Zhongli walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"What's the situation inside?"
"It's the 'Obsession.'"
The gentle young man sighed. "Originally, the divided wills of Azhdaha were only myself and the one still beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree."
"But after *his* aura appeared, a third divided will was born."
"The 'Obsession' is more powerful than either of us. She forcefully seized the Dragon King's authority and all the 'wishes' tied to him, broke through the seal, and escaped."
"Afraid she might do something irreversible, I secretly followed her out the moment she broke the seal. But due to insufficient power, I could only possess this young man named 'Kun Jun.' Unfortunately, I couldn't stop her in time."
Upon hearing this, Zhongli slowly closed his eyes. "The fault for this lies with me."
Kun Jun shook his head. "How could we blame you? You only wanted to let Azhdaha see him — to fulfill the thousand-year-old wish we all share."
"Haha... speaking of which, after the 'wishes' were taken by her, my memories have grown hazy as well."
Kun Jun smiled bitterly. "Those were memories shared by the three of us, yet that little girl went and claimed all the 'wishes' for herself. What a domineering one."
Zhongli sighed softly and walked inside.
Kun Jun called out from behind, "Morax — 'she' is very emotionally unstable. You need to be careful. There are still many miners and Millelith soldiers inside..."
"I understand."
---
Zhongli walked deep into The Chasm. The further in he went, the denser the Geovishaps became. They roared at him, but not one dared to charge forward.
Wherever he passed, the Geovishaps automatically cleared a path.
Until he arrived before a vast, open mining area.
Here, nearly a thousand Geovishaps had gathered, roaring unrestrainedly at the sky, venting their fury.
And at the center stood one particularly enormous Ancient Geovishap. Sitting atop its body was a long-haired girl dressed in clothes the color of dark earth and sky, with two horns growing from her head.
Sensing the newcomer's presence, she rose to her feet, looking down at Zhongli from her height. Her piercing voice was filled with unimaginable violence and hatred.
"Morax. You're here."
-------
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