The Snezhnayan Candidate I: Between Freedom and Contracts

by Biozardeer00

As Aether prepares to travel to Liyue in order to find his dear sister, an encounter with the Harbinger Signora left him spellbound and slowly turning into her servant. With the Abyss Order on the rise and the Fatui carrying out the will of the Tsaritsa, will Aether successfully resist the spell or submit entirely during the search? Aether x Harem. Numerous OCs are involved. AU.

18. Spirits Above and Abyssal Monsters Below

Disclaimer, I don't own Genshin Impact Mihoyo does, I only own my OCs and my ideas. Reviews, suggestions, and critiques are welcome but flames are to be extinguished.

Chapter 18: Spirits Above and Abyssal Monsters Below

14 days before the Rite of Descension. Afternoon.

"Cheap and tasty Chop Suey"

Amidst the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, a certain blonde made his way down the streets of the harbor city. His intent was clear as he searched for a certain culinary establishment of a prodigious cook. Foreigners and locals alike happily go through the motions of their daily lives without a care in the world.

The sweet scintillating aroma of a multitude of local culinary delights invaded his nostrils, tempting him to forget about the rendezvous with his knightly comrades from Mondstadt and push the time back even further than he had originally planned once more. He already had multiple distractions, and it would be untoward for an Honorary Knight to be far later than he already is.

Gulp

Resisting the urge to stray from his path and stop by multiple food vendors, Aether thought of Paimon getting seduced by her own gluttonous vices with the greatest of ease and mustered the willpower to rise above his ravenous companion.

Several minutes that felt like hours passed, the pleasant aroma getting even harder to resist until at last he could see the sign of the Wanmin Restaurant and the view of Chef Mao unleashing his culinary skills that were inherited by his darling daughter Xiangling.

Paimon eagerly chatted with Jean, Amber, and Lisa. A veritable small feast laid out on their table with the main course being the meal newly brought over by Wanmin's star chef from Springvale not so long ago.

The Mondstadters enjoyed the Jueyun Chili Chicken and Dragon Beard Noodles with great gusto. Lisa loved the noodles, especially because of her specialty being the Flaming Red Bolognese in the arts of cooking. The other meals are delicious, of course, but the noodles are simply exceptional. They were as slender as the hairs on a dragon's beard and like a waterfall, draping their way into a soup that captured the very essence of the mountains of Liyue themselves. The softer mouthfeel compared to the average noodle dish makes it nigh impossible to stop eating once you've started.

"Compliments to the Chef~ The noodles are simply amazing!" Jean nodded in agreement. She found the Universal Peace the most suitable to her taste, the variety of colors. The sweet-and-sour preserved fruit is bound to the rich mouthfeel of the rice as if by invisible threads and after she ate each spoon full of rise. The blonde Knight could feel a faint fragrance remain on her lips which greatly increases her sense of satisfaction.

This was what Aether came to when he entered the doors of the homely establishment, his eyes widening when Lisa caught his gaze from her seat and teasingly slurped down her noodles with a sensual wink that distracted even the other male customers in the restaurant. The girls noticed that the Honorary Knight had flour all over his face and body. A bright red slap mark on his left cheek that no doubt stung.

"This Chili Chicken is really spicy, if I didn't know better. I might even call it sparking, don't you agree Baron Bunny?" Amber's words were met by Baron Bunny's trademark smile, the special non-explosive doll sitting on a small chair that was meant for children and infants. She wasn't joking for the heck of it. The cold chicken mixed in dressings is extremely tender, juicy, and sweet which nearly brought her to the realm of dreams even while awake.

There was a certain taste to it, something peculiar. Similar to one of Lisa's specialties in the Mysterious Bolognese, as if Electro was used to prepare the piece of poultry.

Chef Mao checked the cooking station of his restaurant. His curiosity was piqued after hearing from several customers who praised his daughter's cooking which had a certain zest to them today. Walking through the doorway to the cooking room where he got the shock of a lifetime.

WET

CRYSTALLIZE

ELECTRO-CHARGED

Instead of a new selection of bizarre ingredients and new methods learned from abroad. Mao stared with his jaw wide open as his daughter used Northlander equipment to do some of her cooking with the help of her dearest companion. He was too stunned to say anything when his apron-wearing daughter ran past him with Guoba on her back.

"X-Xiang…. Why…how…. where? W-what are these Fatui weapons doing here?! Please tell me she didn't!"

"Lunch's ready. Today for my new recipe, I'm serving Fusion Cuisine Electro-Charged Sticky Honey Roast!"

Paimon's gullet was practically the spitting image of the Abyss itself, devouring Crystal Shrimp after Crystal Shrimp like they were nothing. Barely tasting the springy chew of the shrimp and translucent outer skin before happily accepting the new food from Xiangling. Aether could barely take even a single one with a fork before most of the dozen disappeared into the darkness of her hungry maws.

'Is that crystal and actual sparks coming out of the meat?!' Thought Aether, astounded as his fairy companion readied spoon and fork, enduring the light shock as the unique flavor nearly overwhelmed her senses.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

He saw Chef Mao leave the kitchen with a horrified look on his before a loud knock at the wall of the restaurant's entrance gained the attention of everyone in the restaurant. One heavily armed Fatui Elite rested a large firearm on his shoulder as a Liyuen Fatui Pyro Mystic urged patience with his comrade.

"We've heard that one of this dump's employees stole some of our valuable equipment for profit. I will give you all one minute to hand them over or the shooting will begin. If this place becomes the first place to become the first culinary killing ground in Liyue history because some idiot robbed their own national ally, then it will be on your head."

Cocking his hefty Geo gun with one hand after swapping his gun mode from fully automatic to trench, or what he preferred to call ruin mode, considering Liyue's far away from Snezhnaya's trenches in the far north frontline against the Abyss Order. These babies were built to bring down Ruin Machines, after all.

Facepalming when his comrade completely ignored his suggestions to talk softly and diplomatically, Fu Jin could only pray to the Geo Archon to give him strength when he was assigned a Breacher instead of a Mystic because they took the theft of military equipment extremely seriously. They were blunt and less than diplomatic, even in the most peaceful of times.

"One, two, three…" Aether saw Fu Jin who looked back, pretending not to treat him any differently before he noticed Jean about to ready her sword. The Honorary Knight grabbed his fellow blonde's hand in a calming manner as she was about to get up, whispering that she should let the locals deal with this to not risk Mondstadt's position in any way.

Hesitantly relaxing her stance, she couldn't stand the sight of injustice. Jean saw merit in her friend's words and decided to place her trust in the people there, the action made both Amber and Lisa visibly relax as well as the sight had put them on edge.

"Guoba, get them!" An orange-ish red panda appeared in front of the Fatui with Jueyun Chili Pepper in hand, breathing red hot flames at them at the instruction of his companion.

Looking down at the pitiful creature of elemental power, Borya Krupin punted Guoba across Wanmin right into the face of a light blue-haired exorcist who was about to intervene in the face of such injustice, sending them both crashing into the table of merchants who had been talking to Xingqiu.

"GUOBA!"

"You're next, little girl, if we don't get what we came here for." Stated the Breacher humourlessly as his armored boot crushed the half-eaten chili pepper on the floor and pointed his weapon at the horrified cook. Paimon had more than a few foul things to say about this, but Aether did his best to keep her from making everything worse.

"W-wait! Whatever happened, I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. Kind sirs." Chef Mao said in a soft-spoken diplomatic tone to dissuade any possibility of violence. Xiangling should've known better than to pick up random weapons in the middle of nowhere to bring them home so they could be used for culinary purposes.

"One of yours stole our weaponry. Hand it over or your business will become national history." Seeing that the Fatui Elite wasn't kidding, Chef Mao quickly ran into his kitchen to collect the Northlander equipment as quickly as he could.

Xiangling on the other hand, immediately ran to the other side of her family business to help Guoba and one of her childhood friends. The sight outraged the Liyue citizens and especially the merchants who stood up. The only thing keeping them from doing anything drastic is the ruingun ready to fire.

Adrenaline coursed through Mao's veins as he brought Geo, Cryo, and Electro Fatui weaponry from the back as quickly as he could. His less-than-legendary strength forced him to drag the Electrohammer across the floor with everything he had for the sake of his daughter, his restaurant, and the customers.

"Haah…. haah….H-here, this is everything that is accidentally taken from you. Please, if that is all. Leave, you're disturbing our humble customers."

Picking the pilfered equipment and putting them on his back, Borya was about to demand the owner to cough up the name of the supposed thief only for Fu Jin to say that it was a mere accident and that fear is punishment enough for their southern allies. Paimon would be ready to blow several more tops if it wasn't for her partner covering her mouth and holding back a tide of insults.

Grunting in annoyance, Borya put his firearm away and left the restaurant with the recovered equipment. His patience was already running out at the completion of the mission. He left his partner to deal with his own people alone, as he had better things to do, like delivering these weapons to the closest Fatui garrison for a full report.

"You've got some nerve showing up here, Fu Jin, after you went and toadied up to the Fatui as their top lapdog just below that disgrace of a Qixing." One of the merchants yelled, throwing scalding hot tea at the Mystic, who simply bowed and apologized to his countrymen while he endured the heated liquid dripping down his face.

Jeers can be heard from the other civilians who were encouraged to speak up with that gun-wielding brute gone. They spat and shamed him, calling him an ungrateful wretch who sold out to the north. A rural bastard born out of wedlock, eking out an existence in an unsavory troupe as an athletic performer, ousted as criminals many years ago. Only rising when the Fatui needed puppets to dance for them in Liyue.

"T-this is too much." Whispered Jean as some of the more rowdy Liyuens started throwing half-eaten foodstuffs at the dark red-haired man who did nothing to defend himself. Chef Mao only sighed and stayed quiet, knowing that his old friend couldn't be defended so easily after what he had just done or at least allowed his partner to threaten to do.

"I regret ever taking you in when you needed Mora decades ago." An elderly gentry spat as he threw a bowl of boiling hot sparking soup on his head that was Overloaded with thrown Jueyun Chili Peppers in an attempt to avenge Guoba's suffering, he only grit his teeth and continued to apologize. All of which sounded hollow to them before he bowed out of the restaurant at the hundredth.

Aether could see the look of silent zeal in his eyes that held no regret in the seconds their eyes met before the bowl fell off his face to shatter on the ground, a trail of falling foodstuffs and hot liquids dripping onto the ground as the Pyro Mystic left in silence with a prayer in his heart at him surviving a worldly trial in the face of old neighbors and ex-friends.

"Your kindness is a waste on those zealots, Ma'am." said one of the citizens who had cooled her head when he left. Jean turned to look at the merchant as Lisa and Amber distracted themselves from the unpleasant scene. The latter wanted to intervene in some shape or form but enough advice from Kaeya and the others before this trip, including Yanfei, drilled in her head to not jump into Liyue's business without knowing the full story and taking sides blindly.

"How so? Isn't he one of your own?"

"Not anymore. He is much maligned, like the other Mystics outside of their fanatical circles. Many of them are disgraced individuals and criminals who turned to faith in the archaic sort to escape our Tianquan's laws or their personal failings. The things they do in the Geo Archon's name and their Kaiyang Master are an affront to modern Liyue."

Vigilante justice, murder, incitement of mobs, and theft are but a few of their deeds ever since the Kaiyang formed the Mystics. The merchant complained that they used either literal or ancient interpretations of older laws to abuse their very own. She even whispered that the Shengdians had brought back stoning. Poor, unwashed masses and intellectually deficient country bumpkins unfit for modernity.

Some of the wealthier culinary patrons of Wanmin agreed, nodding their heads. When that tyrannical Kaiyang is eventually ousted and replaced by one of a more noble standing or upbringing, like the Tianquan and the Yuheng. The laws of the modern age will once again apply to all of Liyue and all those Mystics, and rural fanatical zealots can feel the full force of the law on their necks without any of those nasty foreigners from the north to protect them from consequences.

'Those peasants will then be driven back to the dirt from whence they came, back to their well-deserved poverty and backbreaking labor. All of those requisitioned and reclaimed land the Kaiyang, with his Snezhnayan overlords acquired in these last few years, will be better put to use by their prior lawful owners, the mercantile class.' A wealthy gentry thought to himself, nodding as one of his fellow merchants said what was verbally uncouth to say in public.

He couldn't wait for those fancy Adeptal technologies that he heard were being implemented on the other side of the country to be in the hands of those more fitting, in the hands of lawful citizens like him. All of it is wasted on those zealots, foreigners, and plebeians.

Jean was more than a little surprised and slightly disturbed, not used to such wording that held nothing back. The civil strife hidden beneath the surface of Liyue was more than she had ever thought.

"I'm sure you understand and sympathize with us, Ma'am. Even in Mondstadt, surely there are traitorous elements and society's undesirables that trouble their illustrious Favonian knightly order." Jean nodded slightly and said a few words to show it, while she couldn't agree with everything. She could admit that there were more than a few collaborators who worked with the Fatui to undermine all she held dear.

The vile traitor Eroch was one of their most infamous but he had been long dealt with, then there were his knightly cronies embedded with the Knights of Favonius that were difficult to capture or even expose, and Barbatos knows what other corrupt elements that lie within her beloved Mondstadt.

"There's this one crazy Mystic they got in their ranks with watery daggers. I knew her when I had business with the village she's from. Vindictive and violent, that's what she was before and after she joined those vile Fatui. When her husband cheated on her and slept with a neighbor, you know what she did?" The merchant said, pausing to let the question sink in as Jean and her friends stayed silent, having a feeling that it was not going to be pleasant.

"That witch flew into a rage, and killed that woman with a kitchen knife so loudly that her neighbors heard everything. Got away with it and received praise since she was one of those secular types, she had her husband stoned with the so-called Wrath of the Rock and sent her children packing right into the hands of the Adepti living in the mountains as one of their pilgrim devotees to make amends for her husband's sins."

Upon noticing Lisa's clothing, the merchant quickly apologized with widened eyes that, of course, a witch in Mondstadt is in many ways different from any in Liyue. She mentioned that if the Tianquan's law extended to all of Liyue rather than half divided between East and West, the only thing awaiting that murderous shrew is the long arm of the law and a lonely prison cell rather than a promotion and foreign sponsorship.

Aether knew the merchants of Liyue weren't as innocent as some would like to show themselves as. The only thing different is that they live in high society and have their own legal yet brutally merciless methods to unleash their wrath upon those they dislike. It was not so black and white; it was far murkier than that even within the wealthy land of Liyue. He also knew that he could only change so much even if he would become to them, what he is to Mondstadt. True change, acceptance, and unity can only come from within, not merely from the words of a famed foreigner.

The atmosphere of the restaurant soon cooled down with the Fatui gone, Guoba being tended to and Xiangling giving her father a heartfelt apology, which he accepted with a sigh. Only hoping that his dear daughter can be more cautious in the future.

'I hope Xiangling tempers her enthusiasm for unknown and dangerous discoveries. I don't know what I'd do if she brings back Ruin Machine parts next.'

"They're lucky Paimon's partner is understanding or Paimon would've given a huge mouthful. Hmph!" exclaimed the white fairy as she stood on the table and shook her tiny fists angrily at where the Fatui had stood before.

Aether happily chatted with his Mondstadter friends, telling them more about details from his time abroad. Paimon expounded many of his valorous deeds against the pirates and their verminous beasts even gaining an elemental item from mercenaries that were impressed by him. Jean and the others were impressed, as they were heroic and very much knightly deeds that were done against such vile villainy.

Lisa was especially interested in Paimon's words of Aether getting closer to Ningguang, details he conveniently left out. A knight saving a wealthy merchant from the hands of dastardly pirates. Oh, how idyllic it sounds like it was straight out of a fairy tale. The only way it could be anyway more is if the damsel was a princess or a noble scion.

'Heehee, Jean, and Amber don't seem to suspect a thing.' Giggling as she noticed that neither the Dandelion Knight nor Outrider thought anything about it, Lisa felt amused, after all. Both had little experience in the realm of romance. She's definitely going to have fun with her little cutie to fish the juicy details out and toughen his resistance up to the wiles of a fair maiden so that Jean and Amber at least have a fighting chance against Ningguang.

"You're not the only that has been busy," Amber said excitedly as she pushed aside the empty plates to put several objects on the table. One was the completed piece of pottery, the set of Nameless Treasures painstakingly restored by Xigu Antiques and strange-looking stony gemstones. The former's other pieces were recovered in Qingxu Pool and Lingju Pass to complete the one found in the Dunyu Ruins after butting heads with Fatui and the Abyss Order that were fighting in those locations.

"Linlang said that it spoke of a story of an ancient being known as Azhdaha being sealed away by three Adepti after they assisted Rex Lapis in sealing him in a cavern somewhere. She said that one of the patterns has been ground away to the point that one of the Adepti is no longer identifiable. She knew who the other two were. The crane is known as Mountain Shaper and the deer is Moon Carver."

Aether and Paimon admired the ancient pottery, asking what their current plan was in using it. Amber made a thinking pose, saying that Linlang offered a lot of money, but they held off discussing it with Ganyu and Yanfei as well as Ningguang when she returned to Liyue. Jean looked happy, stating that Ningguang gave them praise as worthy allies of Liyue and that it would be a useful bargaining tool with the Kaiyang's faction for leverage.

Amber continued with the other objects, eight Stones of Remembrance. Golden spherical objects with cracks in them, she told Aether and Paimon that getting these was tricky since Ningguang tasked them to complete the collection stated in legends where there were nine in total and that she already has three in her vast collection.

It was quite an ordeal: tracking the stones using local legends, negotiating with merchants or individuals of note who already have some in their collection with Yanfei's legal expertise as well as Ganyu's position within the Liyue Qixing, and convincing rural communities in Western Liyue to relinquish their objects of worship and family heirlooms. All to chase after ancient legends in the hopes of improving Ningguang's faction's reputation with those of the West.

The Outrider then said that there's only one left to be acquired after negotiations with several prominent merchants within the Eight Trades that have managed to acquire it via fishermen discovering in the belly of a fish within the Sea of Clouds during their regular fishing excursions. Paimon admired the luster of a Stone of Remembrance closely, liking its color as Aether did the same.

"Paimon thinks maybe we can help with the negotiations."

"Are you sure cuties, it's going to be a very long and drawn-out set of hours for the negotiations. I've no doubt Jean could take it but I think it's going to be very boring for you two." Lisa said with a smile, giggling when Aether paled as he checked out the other ancient objects and Paimon quickly retracted her offer while shaking her head.

Finding himself entranced when he looked upon one of the stones more closely, Aether could feel turbulent thoughts racing relentlessly within his mind as he held it in his hand. Gripping tightly as he felt remembrance as memories of an ancient war flowed through his head like water seeping through the cracks of history.

"For a future without the pain of savage slaughter, for a future without lives lived in vain, for a future where every day is filled with peace..." Ancient voices spoke in his mind from a time he had no knowledge of. It might be the Archon War where warfare between Gods is daily, the Scouring that occurred right after with the culling of daemons by the Adepti, or any conflict with the Abyss Order or some domestic dispute.

"What about the place where you need to put all nine of the stones? I'm sure we can help with that." Aether offered with Jean nodding, opening a map of Liyue while moving the dirty dishes aside. Pointing at a certain spot in Cuijue Slope for when they should rendezvous in a few hours.

"Let's see each other soon, cutie~" Lisa said, winking at a smiling Honorary Knight as he and Paimon allowed the Favonians to leave the Wanmin Restaurant but not before having a few words with a less jovial Xiangling and Chef Mao. The two of them then continued to eat their meals, seeing people come and go, including Xingqiu until a light blue-haired youth showed up to sit at their table.

"Excuse me, I'm Chongyun, a local exorcist from Liyue. I've heard from your talk with the folks from Mondstadt that you fought honest to Archon monsters and demons during your trip abroad. Those versed in the arts of exorcism refer to all forms of demons and monsters as "evil spirits.""

The Young Exorcist with a bright presence seemed to be Xingqiu's age. He has light blue hair reaching his ears, pale skin, and ice-blue cat slit eyes. Chongyun wears a symmetrical white hooded jacket with navy embroidery as well as a blue shirt over white pants with gold cuffs, along with a dark navy undershirt with a Cryo Vision Aether can see on the left side of his belt. He has bandages around his right wrist and right ankle.

He said that his best friend, Xingqiu told him about the foreign pair and how righteous their exploits were. "So, how was it? Fighting real evil spirits, I never actually fought one and the closest monsters of that variety I've ever dealt with are agitated Abyss creatures. The type the Millelith of today is doing a great job dealing with nowadays."

Paimon did a good job of trying to describe the rat monsters and oceanic demons with exaggerated facial expressions and gestures. Awing Chongyun, who looked transfixed at the stories of them surviving such monsters can only be described as right out of ancient Liyue folklore. The results of karma corrupting humanity due to their own sins and vices, as well as the spawn of an evil deity. It made him feel little in the face of the blonde as he looked as young as he is yet experienced so much in so little time, yet he's here with a pitiful record in comparison with true evil spirits.

'I know it would be selfish to hope. I would really like the chance to fight true evil spirits in my lifetime.' Even with his unique condition, he's heard from the others of his benevolent profession that the sheer majority of the few entities that can be truly be considered as spirits or demons of evil are far and few between.

Other than Hilichurls and other Abyss creatures that would stretch the very definition, one of the last demons ever encountered in the last few centuries had been slain by a girl it preyed upon in a cave near a village. It was a ghastly event, a foul ritual steeped in tragedy.

He knew things must've gone terribly wrong for such things to be more commonplace in Liyue again, but dared he hope it may give him the opportunity to relive the glory of the exorcists of old. Especially those who had fought with the Adepti to cleanse Liyue of all things foul in the centuries after the Archon Wars of Rex Lapis' victory in the Scouring.

Much of them are recorded in Liyue's ancient book that remains popular even now, the Classic of Seas and Mountains. A favorite amongst many Exorcists and Adventurers, including him about Liyue's phenomenon, both natural and bizarre. Showing the ancient Exorcists' encounters with creatures such as Leishi, a demon that was a portly human with both dragon and avian features that pounded its body like a drum to control lightning. The Taotie, a gluttonous dog headed sheep bodied monster that was the bane of all kitchens and rice fields in old Liyue with the occasional taste for human flesh and anything drinkable that was felled when it tried to drink up all of Liyue's rivers and lakes to sate its insatiable thirst.

There was also the Aoye, a mountain-dwelling cow with black hair covering its body as strong as iron wire that was nigh impenetrable to the swords and spears of the ancient Millelith when it devoured Liyuen after Liyuen that neared its territory until his own ancestor, Yu the Sublime finally slew it with weapons blessed by the Adepti at Mt. Tianheng. Bolstering the starting fame of his own clan, the Tianheng Thaumaturges.

Chongyun grew annoyed at the thought of the four-horned demon cow. Xingqiu pranked him by feigning injury and helplessness in the face of his ancestor's ancient enemy only for him to learn it's just a dummy imitating a Mondstadt cow propped up with fake horns and painted mop hair which was a source of jokes for years.

His mind then traveled to Fu Jin, or more specifically, the weapon he wielded that was an Adeptal Relic. A legacy of the ancient Adepti Primate Sovereign who had long since passed on from the world, it completed the deed of slaying the skeletal demon Bai Gujing who bore the guise of an innocent forager girl and a murdered mother in its web of deceit until exorcists serving the monkey Adepti aided in her demise.

Aether then remarked on his explanation of the duties of an exorcist being similar to the Adepti, which had the light blue-haired boy nod. "I have great respect for the Adepti and the Yaksha among them. For generations, Adepti and Exorcists have been protecting Liyue together, one in plain sight and the other in secret."

Chongyun thought to include saying a little too well but kept such fanciful thoughts of actually slaying true demons to himself as it may turn into another one of Xingqiu's lectures about pride or worse, a prank like that Aoye incident.

Putting down some notes on the table, Chongyun then stated that with Xingqiu was busy for the rest of the day. He introduced the pair to him in order to help him in his endeavor and by the sounds of it, he'd be free for the next few hours.

Apologizing for being too headstrong and rushed, Chongyun scratched his head before smiling when Paimon said that it's fine and they have nothing else to do.

"This one is a flyer that said: "The Test of Courage is now being held on Wuwang Hill. Bring your best friend and test your courage together!" while I also have notes stating that there has been a flurry of nighttime disturbances out there, scaring children to be unable to sleep. Patrols and night watch weren't able to stop the footsteps and yelling and then there's a huge shadowy being in the plains of Guili flying around lobbing fireballs that makes strange noises."

Discussing the three most attention-worthy notes of them all. Aether and Paimon bounced their thoughts to Chongyun and vice versa, counting two of them out through discussion. He was convinced by some of their explanations, how the shadow might just be a Ruin Hunter causing trouble and likely already on the way to being dealt with by the local forces or how that the night disturbances may just be town drunkards or sneaky criminals trying their luck at night with the Kaiyang's Millelith cracking down on crime seriously.

"I think something strange must have happened at the Test of Courage. I guess this so-called "test" is supposed to be like a "test of mettle." Its purpose must be to try the will and power of exorcists." His voice was quick and excited before he caught himself and apologized again for being forceful.

'Wow, Chongyun is really polite,' Thought Paimon, who was a bit spooked on the topic of monsters and demons, but the exorcists always winning in the end is a good thing to hear.

And so off they went, in a similar method to Xingqiu. In the wooden embrace of an oxen cart to get to Wuwang Hill in a faster than normal on foot manner with the boost of a little Anemo to make it far faster that surprised the rider who held his old hat tight at the sudden kick, the three would continue their discussion about demons and exorcists with the occasional moo of the oxen.

"I do admire Xingqiu for his devotion to chivalry and his martial arts proficiency. However — I must warn you that he definitely has a mean side, too. If you find that you fall foul of his antics, come to me and we'll form a "Victims of Xingqiu" alliance. There is strength in numbers."

Their talk of Xingqiu was merely one of many before Chongyun talked more about his rare condition. Something called congenital positivity, a one in a in-a-thousand generations constitution where one had too much positive Yang spirit energy that repels evil for miles around. Unfortunately, in his words as he would actually struggle with anything truly malevolent mighty enough to resist without even testing his mettle against a demonic foe.

"Discipline is everything. Unbridled passion can have disastrous consequences. Trust me, I would know by observation, of course. Hahaha, not personal experience." Chongyun stated quickly, earning him strange looks from his new friends.

Hours pass and their topic of discussion turned to the more topical and trivial. Like his distaste for hot and spicy food like Jueyun Chili, as well as his preference of the colder side of cuisine, he proved it by eating some of his chilled popsicles.

"This is a note I received from my friend, Xingqiu. It has many clues about evil spirits on it. I'd like you to help to verify their credibility with your experience." Paimon looked confident they could do it in a flash, real easy and quick as their intuition is top-notch.

"At the foot of Mt. Qingce is a Violetgrass that has turned into a gigantic, man-eating monster. Also, there's a ghostly shadow skulking about Feiyun Slope at night. It's suspected to be a vengeful spirit and finally, Lurking in Liyue Harbor is a massive demon that was transformed from a popsicle."

"Ooh, a giant food monster? Maybe Paimon can save the day by eating it!" Paimon chirped happily, much to the disbelief of Chongyun who was adamant that there was no way, looking at his precious popsicles. He immediately tossed it aside as another prank. The next was unlikely.

"Paimon wants to know how many people have seen the Violetgrass monster?"

"None whatsoever. The Kaiyang's Millelith seem utterly unconcerned about such a thing." Chongyun wrote it off as well, thinking that at best it was a mutated Whopperflower, since anything bigger would've been already confirmed. The last of the three seemed to be the most likely. The three agreed after saying some words.

The Young Exorcist thinks it is possible even if it sounds too similar to previous rumors. Many people often pass through Feiyun Slope, so perhaps it's just some sort of misunderstanding as rumors merge together or get mistaken as the other. Either way, it was a lead for a future outing.

Paimon checked out the other notes. "Deep in the Sea of Clouds, a marauding demon has been raiding commercial fishing boats and building a luxurious palace. In Jueyun Karst, there's a piece of thousand-year-old amber that has gained consciousness and now roams about causing trouble. And lastly, it's said that people often see a demon who loves eating chilis in Wanmin Restaurant."

Aether started to laugh at some of the notes, wondering if it was just a joke for Chongyun to gawk at by his martial artist friend. The latter was obviously little Guoba, not some demon unless Xiangling gave him a costume. Chongyun waved off the sentient amber, knowing full well if it was true, then the Adepti would've already dealt with it or tasked rural hopefuls to do it for a boon.

The tip about the demon and the underwater palace seemed actually promising, as the three knew they had no means of undersea exploration. Chongyun noted it down just in case for the far, far future, knowing full well that if the news was true. It would likely be dealt with by local powers, the Crux, Snezhnaya, or whoever else that lives in the Sea of Clouds far sooner than he ever would hope to do so. Even then, he had no experience in underwater combat and the deeper the palace was, the more dangerous it would be, especially if it had all sorts of aquatic minions at its beck and call.

He looked at Aether in awe. Chongyun heard of his exploits with similar creatures during his time in the area. Piscine horrors and aquatic fiends of a corrupted, or possibly divine, nature. Maybe if he would actually get around to it and fortune smiles on him to be the one to fell it, he might enlist Aether's help.

The next batch was less promising. "A strange man wearing a mask and wielding a pole was once seen in the distance around Guili Plains. There's something eerie about his presence."

That lead was quickly shot down by Chongyun who flatly stated it's just the Vigilant Yaksha. He knew for certain if he was foolhardy enough to mistake him for a vile enemy or if he was actually a demon. He can kiss his Exorcist career goodbye and might as well check with Hu Tao for one of her deals to prepare for a quick trip to the afterlife. He wasn't amused by what Paimon said next.

"Hey! Not funny…I really should tell Xingqiu to get more serious in giving me supernatural tips." Aether almost snorted when he heard Paimon say that there was a blue-haired exorcist spotted that was actually a transformed demon.

"Uh, Paimon will be moving on now. There is a vigilant demon adept at concealing itself in mist. Recently, people have found traces of it in Mingyun Village, Guili Plains, and Yaoguang Shoal." Finally something vaguely true, they thought, though Chongyun was more hesitant. It was one that he had been personally tracking, but the demonic spirit is so cautious that he doubted any of them could catch it unless it was a trap. His fellow up-and-coming Exorcists said the same.

Most of the clues are either not reliable or nearly impossible to investigate, much to his chagrin. Chongyun was already planning to give his best friend a long, long lecture about giving him faulty and obviously nonsensical tips.

Getting off and paying the transporter for his services, the pair would make their way up to Wuwang Hill, where the Test of Courage would be happening. Aether and Paimon shivered as the bright day turned cloudy dark the second they stepped foot on the hill itself. There's something about this place. They can feel it. No wonder it's picked to test the courage of any willing takers. This place looks out of a horror-themed book.

When they actually reached the place, there were actually quite a few people, much to the Exorcist's excitement, which he quickly calmed down when he realized.

"Hehe, welcome to the Test of Courage! You two must be very close friends to trek out so far from the capital for being so young without any adult supervision with a pet." Hardly, Chongyun explained. They merely just met hours and Xingqiu or Xiangling would fit the bill of close friends than the blonde foreigner. Paimon was more than a little indignant about being a pet.

Uncle Jia who seemed to be the event organizer, warned to all participants to not get separated from their partner or they'd likely get spooked by things that go bump in the dark. He was offered a Yang energy drink to encourage him and heighten his supernatural sensitivity as well as become a more potent ward against the Yin Energy-filled ghosts, supposedly anyway.

Aether and Paimon looked at Chongyun nervously, who seemed to be quite curious about the drink that he never heard of before. After some prodding and discussion, Chongyun held his ground and said that he would drink it together with Aether rather than give his share to Paimon.

"Haha! Yes, that's it, you did great! You two may enter now." With a friendly pat on the pack, the trio was let in the event area and Chongyun immediately started to look weird and wobbly after the first few steps. He shrugged off his new friend's concern and moved on ahead.

"The Test of Courage isn't actually dangerous, you know," Aether explained when Chongyun looked more and more excited about sniffing out the evil spirit in such a popular venue. When it looked like he was about to take out his claymore and unleash his talismans everywhere, Paimon quickly dissuaded him.

"The people are just here to have fun. I bet the ghosts are just people in costume than anything legit." Sighing as he deflated like a balloon, Chongyun said that he might have gotten too excited since he's a stranger to entertainment who's too focused on practicing thaumaturgy and purging evil spirits or at least try to do so while balancing his own emotions to lose control than constantly distracting himself with leisurely flights of fancy.

What came next was a comedy of errors and misunderstandings, with Chongyun jumping the gun multiple times with the other participants who were either agitated or spooked by the atmosphere. Paimon pat the bright blue-haired youth on the shoulder for his overexcitement as he almost feverishly scanned everything that might be a clue.

"The traces are quite weak, though, so there are only two possibilities. Either the spirit that left the traces is very weak, or it has already left for some time now." Chongyun concluded as he prodded around the hill when Paimon was starting to get more spooked by the location by hiding behind him at the sight of a strange smoky mist. He explained to a curious Aether when he asked that this place is gloomy for a mysterious reason with many hypothetical ideas until it became a hotbed of spirits.

When time passed with no concrete sign of a spirit other than fakes in costumes, Chongyun had more and more doubts there were any in the first place much to his frustration which added to his stress as he had to request Paimon and Aether to let him rest for a bit as he looked uncomfortable.

"I think the drink we had earlier stirred the yang energy inside my body. If I don't take it easy, I lose control. I fear that I'll be the one endangering everyone here, not evil spirits. I might as well be a demon to be exorcised or clobbered." Chongyun looked considerably better when he chowed down on his popsicles.

He was still disappointed if there was any evil spirit here right now. His constitution is likely to have scared them off a long time ago. Even so, Chongyun knew he shouldn't always rely on it forever and started to slack off with his thaumaturgy. He may have exorcised plenty but neither were truly evil spirits or demons like those of in times of yore, if he started slacking now. The only one getting dealt with ease by anyone's constitution or violently 'Exorcised' is him and his friends.

"Ugh, does that mean that all the strange things here are just a hoax?" Muttered Chongyun in disappointment when they heard screams and people running around in terror only to see an obvious staff member in a costume chasing them around with exaggerated sounds. Not even Paimon was spooked by such a display, Aether simply comforted his new friend that the whole thing was staged entertainment.

"Let's check out that mist again." Quickly giving him a suggestion when it seemed he was about to return to the harbor with slumped shoulders. They returned to the spot before Chongyun suddenly had his condition deteriorate when they talked about splitting up to track the ghost down without him spooking it with his Yang energy.

"Ugh…let me know if you find it so that I can come and purge it in one fell swoop. I'll be with my popsicles for the moment…." Then they split up, Aether in one direction and Paimon in the other. Less intimidated by the environment at the knowledge of fake ghosts.

Aether searched high and low, keeping up his attempt for almost ten minutes before returning to Chongyun, who seemed to start arguing with some staff members. He quickened his pace when it seemed that he was running out of popsicles and the arguing seemed intense.

"Honestly, I find this whole thing quite confusing. If there really are ghosts here, then you're using them to make Mora, regardless of the participants' safety. You tell me, is that ethical business practice? Scamming people and accusing exorcists like me trying to get to the bottom of things of stirring trouble?"

"I've already told you! This is what kind of event the Test of Courage is! It's not our problem that you're taking it so seriously. We've got plenty of complaints from disturbed participants, so we'll have to ask you to leave."

Aether was too late to defuse anything as Chongyun remained sure that there were evil spirits before screams of terror ended the tense situation. These were more shrill and genuine seeming than the prior screams.

"RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! IT'S A GHOST! HELP!"

"Everyone! Just calm down, no need to panic. Please move in an orderly fashion!" The staff did their best to calm the participants in order to minimize any injuries, some getting nervous that there might actually be ghosts beyond rumors and a scary atmosphere bolstered by strategically placed torches and lanterns.

Paimon quickly flew by before Chongyun could rush to where the screams were coming from, explaining that there was no evil spirit, just a wandering ghost that got scared by his special constitution and that she only scared the participants because of his argument with the staff.

"She's a ghost, but she's also just a kid. Paimon will let you be the judge." Taking a deep breath to cool his emotions, the Young Exorcist calmed down and considered things. There were no rules to forcibly purge innocent spirits unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Alright... As long as she promises not to harm anyone, then I'll pretend that I never knew about her. However, if she ever does harm anyone, it'll be my job as an exorcist to come and purge her. To mend my mistake." Paimon nodded as she sat on her companion's shoulder, glad to see that Chongyun wasn't obstinate and was far more reasonable than it seemed in his quest to exorcise the malignant.

"I have faith in my judgment of good and evil. But, if I begin to neglect my perception of good and evil, it may lead to something I'd regret for the rest of my days. I know there is a duality in all things, even the supernatural and spiritual."

"Paimon thinks we should say goodbye to Qianqian." Chongyun looked surprised by the suggestion as she had Aether turn around to smile and wave at a translucent little girl hiding behind a corner up the steps in a slightly nervous yet curious manner. Eventually, he followed their example and smiled at the direction of the faint figure before waving as well until she seemed to disappear from sight.

"Cheer up Chongyun, it isn't the end of the world if you don't see any true demonic spirits for another day." Seeing his new friend's disappointment, Aether patted him on the shoulder to cheer him up as he slumped his shoulders as they went down the hill together and got on one of several oxen transports that were hired by the Test of Courage organizers that were still left as participants complained or otherwise praised the staff for the realistic scary experience when they regained their wits.

"Thanks for the encouragement. I'm already prepared to spend my life chasing this goal, so I do not regret such disappointments. I still have faith that one day. One day I may prove myself as a true Exorcist. One that can make my family, my friends, and peers proud."

Parting ways at the Wangshu Inn, Paimon asked for a light snack. Something Aether only obliged after some consideration after Chongyun vanished from view, not wanting to bleed money for something supposedly light. He chose to have her eat something filling and sizable but only that as he looked at the sky to see clouds, and that evening was almost here.

Seeing Paimon about to ask for seconds after devouring the Matsutake Meat Rolls. That is both aromatic and mouthwatering. He quickly paid the price of the meal and left, telling Paimon to hurry up since he didn't want to keep Jean and the others waiting longer than they likely already have, which worked like a charm.

3 hours ago. Just north of Cuiju Slope, Western Liyue border to Eastern Liyue…

A purple-haired girl mumbled under her breath about narrow-minded Morax zealots after leaving a sympathetic village that allowed her to rest, even giving her some tea for her trouble during her visit. Sometimes she really wondered why she should really bother since she was practically driven out by one of the northwestern towns after she made sure to clear up her schedule today to show that she meant well to the people.

"Ugh, if only they would let me explain that me merely stepping foot in their town won't bring down bad karma down upon their homes and drive their Adeptal blessings away for the entire year." Keqing sighed as she kept going, distracted by her recent failure to notice that she was heading in the opposite direction of the main road before realizing she just walked right into a Hilichurl camp.

'At least these monsters will be a decent way to let out my frustrations. The villagers were also complaining about Hilichurls showing up earlier after the Kaiyang's regular cullings.' Summoning her blade, Lion's Roar in the Yunlai sword stance. A sharp blade with extravagant carvings that somehow does not compromise on durability and sharpness. It roars like a lion as it cuts through the air and has many rumours about its history that some may say would be of legendary origin with its golden carvings and red handle.

Nimble as lightning, she made quick work of the Hilichurls until a large, hulking beast roared from one of the tents before bursting out of it like a cannon. The Yuheng narrowed her eyes and lunged at the creature, blitzing it from multiple angles only to realize in horror that it did nothing. It swung at her suddenly, sending her crashing into one of the Churlian structures, where she got up in a groan.

"A-an Electro Lawachurl?!" Indeed, the Thunderhelm Lawachurl native to Inazuma picked up the remains of its diminutive kin. Somehow absorbing their essence, growing bigger and faster. It snarled and charged right at her, its body enhanced and protected by an elemental shield, further strengthening it.

Hurling a Lightning Stiletto to its rear, she hacked at it like swift thunder, only to frown when even its back is fully protected before narrowly dodging another mighty swing that seemed to pick up in speed. Starting to think that retreat is a more valid option than courage, Keqing vanished and reappeared away from the giant Churl and began to sprint away from it.

"Guh!" When she tried to get out of the Hilichurl Camp, a barrier sent her reeling backward into the camp with the force she put into her movement. Shocked, she placed her hands on it. Materializing the barrier that seemed to be cast by hidden Samachurls that she failed to detect earlier.

"Speed of light!" Grabbing her sword that she dropped after being repelled, Keqing climbed onto a nearby rock and lunged upwards. Leaving silhouettes of herself as she flashed into the barrier. Despairing at the fact that it seemed to be a nigh unbreakable dome of Electro energy, a perfect counter to her fighting style as her Electro had no effect on the barrier itself.

She would've hoped the Lawachurl would've been careless and foolish enough to throw physical objects at her that she could use to break the dome, but much to her surprise. It seemed to be maliciously waiting for her to give up her escape and stand to fight it. In her eyes, the beast was far more cunning than any of its Lawa kin she ever encountered before.

When minutes turned into hours, Keqing founder herself panting as had to go all out against this Abyss monster just to avoid getting turned into paste.

'Guh, this is getting absurd. The one time I wanted the Kaiyang's forces to help me, they are nowhere to be seen.' She must've tested every inch of the accursed dome by now and slashed at all angles of the Lawachurl to no effect. In fact, it seemed to be only growing stronger by her Electro powers being absorbed onto its shield.

Holding her tongue when a part of her wanted to beg Rex Lapis or the Adepti to save her, Keqing stood true to her beliefs to trust in herself instead of the divine. Keqing deftly dodged another Plama Lawa punch combo by the Lawachurl albeit much slower than her prior ones, she cursed when no matter how long she waited the shield it had was permanent so her blows were worthless no matter how much force or speed she put into them.

Eventually, she started to slip up as Electro Shards left in its wake remained a constant problem to her well-being as she grew more and more tired. She doesn't have the power to absorb or resist Electro with ease, a fact the Lawachurl seemed to relish as it unleashed its Thunder Berserker state.

Roaring as its own speed grew faster and faster, Keqing unleashed Starward Sword again in a number that she lost count. She blended into the shadow of her own blade, striking a series of thunderclaps blows to her Churl enemy that had no effect, yet it was necessary to avoid its hyper-aggressive style of combat.

Stumbling after she was sent reeling by an exploding shard, the Lawachurl seemed to grin as it sensed an opportunity. It faked a charge, letting her dodge, and tricked Keqing's sharp instincts only to catch her open as it primed into a Movo Lawa charge.

Unlike its normal behavior until now, instead of ramming its head in her direction. It grabbed her with its stinging, electrifying hands and slid her body across the surface of the barrier dome.

Forcing her back into it as it charged clockwise, pushing back against the force that repelled Keqing the entire time as its speed grew higher and higher, enjoying her screams of pain until it bowled her across the dirt.

Taking advantage of its momentum, it unleashed its deadly Upa Shato. Roaring as it primed itself and jumped just below the dome's ceiling. Grunting and coughing, her clothes were badly singed and filled with dirt. Keqing barely managed to get a Lightning Stiletto out before it landed in a furious crater-making smash.

Coughing as she lay beneath the shadow of a Hilichurl Watchtower, Keqing could only try to make another only for it to sputter out of existence as she ran out of energy.

Cursing, Keqing tried to get up and take cover behind the tower only for the Lawachurl to be on her in moments. Slamming both its hands onto the ground in an Electro discharge before unleashing a combo of charged blows into her small body as the towering beast unleashed what felt like a lifetime of hatred.

Punch by punch, she could feel ribs crack and more than a few bones break as the beast beat her into the watchtower like a punching bag.

"Rghh…. I will not go quietly!" Grunted Keqing as she pointed her sword towards it after its blows ended for it to flick it aside, and throw her into the dome like a Mutant Electro Slime until she bounced off into the battered Churl tent in a smoking heap.

When it seemed to laugh in a mocking manner, the Lawachurl punched its fists together and approached her in a victorious manner before the entire barrier dome was set alight in a sea of flames.

It Overloaded violently after the fire persisted, the Abyss monster seemed to look behind its shoulder in horror as the Hero of Mondstadt imbued his Prototype Rancour with Anemo which swirled with his Natlan mask's Pyro flames before lunging on a hastily created Geo Construct and driving his blade right into the back of the Lawachurl's head.

Swirling flames reacted catastrophically with the sheer amount of Electro energy held in its shield before its body violently detonated but not before Aether could jump off and shield Keqing's battered form with a durable Geo Construct before what's left of the Lawachurl disintegrated into nothing. Raising his own shield in case the stone did not hold.

"Huh? Hiiiiii!" Squealed Keqing in a bright blush, eyes wide and utterly shocked by her proximity with Aether.

It felt far longer than it truly was as his presence was like a cloak, shielding the blaze of a wildfire as she found herself finding comfort in the shelter provided by his presence.

"You can get off me now, Traveler." Keqing's words were sharp, yet she made no move to shove him off or smack him. He quickly apologized as she got up, stumbling on her feet and falling right into his arms. Her face looked like Jueyun Chili, as she was the one apologizing.

"Here, I think it's yours. I saw the flash of purple in the skies and came as fast as I could." Aether held Lion's Roar in his hands after Paimon managed to find it in the camp rubble before handing it over to her companion.

"I... Um. Thanks for saving me." A part of the Yuheng wanted to tell him that she had everything under control, to preserve her own image and her pride as Liyue Qixing, but knew that it would be ridiculous to even try considering how outmatched she was.

Fidgeting slightly with a flushed face, Keqing also deeply apologized for her rash behavior in the morning. When he simply tried to save her from several malfunctions with the machinery and the only thing she gave him in return is unpleasant words and a stinging slap to the face.

"In my defense, you were touching places that you shouldn't be and it was so sudden that I couldn't judge your intent with a cool head!" Still utterly embarrassed, Keqing demanded to the stunned Aether to just forget about the morning incident at the docks and pretend that nothing happened.

He didn't dare tell her that he already told his Favonian friends and who knows how many eavesdroppers overheard it in the Wanmin restaurant. The gratitude would turn into righteous fury real quick. Aether then offered to escort her to the Wangshu Inn, an offer that would be politely rejected.

"No, I already troubled you enough. Seeing that you're here, the main roads must be nearby and with that the main roads leading to the Wangshu Inn." She hated troubling anyone more than whatever was necessary and being baggage to them, and even so. Keqing could tell that he was here for a reason and that with the evening upon them, it would be unfair to waste his time and force him to linger after the dark if it turned out to be time-consuming.

"Don't worry, I can take care of myself. If the Kaiyang and the Millelith really did their jobs, then the road to the inn will be clear." Seeing the look of concern on his face, Keqing hid a pained grimace as she stood upright and put on a stoic façade. Every part of her body hurts and the only way she would know for sure is with a checkup with Baizhu.

"If you say so, but at least take this." The Yuheng was halfway out of the tent in a slow limp before she was offered a bright green potion that looked exceedingly valuable. She tried to reject the expensive gift, pushing his hand away only to let out a sigh when she realized how childish she was acting before finally accepting it.

"This potion is…healing my injuries and restoring my energy?!" Keqing looked bewildered as she felt her own bones mend and wounds close up, feeling energized by elemental energy as it no longer hurt taking even a single step.

Readying a Lightning Stiletto, Keqing promised to pay back Aether for his rejuvenating gift before flashing away. Her body brimming with energy and vigor, as if completely refreshed. Reappearing atop a cliff, she glanced at Aether again with a slight blush before turning to see the Wangshu Inn in the distance and the main road leading to it before vanishing in a violet flash.

Far above the cratered battlefield, a disappointed sigh can be heard as he waited until both Yuheng and Traveler were far enough away before punching his fist in frustration into the wall of a cave up in the hills.

Xenjiao's Mystic Art: Boundless Sight dissipated as he clapped his hands, undoing Mystic Art: Illusory Veil which lifted the illusion he had cast on the purged Hilichurl Camp until it looked pristine outside of the spots actually hit during the fight between his Electro Construct and the Yuheng and the signs of battle.

The small iron rods he jammed into the ground in a circle in front of him were pulled out and the Electro sigil ring around it dissipated into nothing before he got up. His illusory veil of being a mere geologist lifted to reveal an Electro Mystic as the mercenary guards around him turned into Millelith.

'Failure again. How unfortuitous for the Traveler to save the Yuheng from certain death again on the same day.' His skill set was perfect for this but somehow he failed again. It was supposed to be simple, have the Yuheng Keqing killed in an accident or out in the wild with no witnesses with his illusion skills keeping him from detection from any who wasn't an Exorcist, Mage, or Adepti.

That unbeliever was none of it. Her senses were completely unsuited to dealing with such delicate and high-level mystical sorcery meant to trick the senses of all but the most magically attuned. It was the perfect moment too, that Ganyu was nowhere close to her at the time and the dock workers sensed nothing when he worked to sabotage the machinery.

"It seemed that it wasn't meant to be. Acting on my own initiative to replace him as top Mystic." Mumbled Xenjiao as he and the Millelith left the cave to disappear into the mountains of Western Liyue. Still sour that his plan to get showered with praise and prestige from his peers and his beloved Kaiyang, not to mention silent praise from Rex Lapis, for doing away with a blasphemer.

Under the sky-high shroud of pillowy white, the sun began to sink like a burning torch slowly being snuffed out behind the many mountain ranges of Liyue. A blonde hailing from lands afar trailed southwards with a fairy of fair white and map in hand, braving mountain passes and passing idyllic villages.

Before the long pair reached where they desired, a dark slope dotted with nine shimmering amber pillars. Together, they both moved downwards until they reached where a Witch of Purple Rosestood stood with interest.

"You're almost late, cuties~ The fun part is almost over." Lisa teased as she translated the inscriptions on a tabled jutting out in the middle of a circular platform slightly above muddy puddles, a dictionary for ancient Liyue text in her hands as she deciphered the content of the tablet. It brought her back to her student days, which wasn't entirely unpleasant.

"Seriously, are you just standing here while the other two are doing the hard work?" Paimon complained when the Librarian let them know that they'd succeeded in getting all the stones they needed to unlock this ancient site.

"Heehee, it is hard work, my little darlings. Neither Jean nor Amber have a knack for this. Their expertise is more physical. Unless you want to have a turn, Paimon~," Lisa giggled when she saw the fairy shake her head furiously, already getting a headache looking at the etchings of old Liyue script.

"Besides, after being forced to deal with stuffy merchants for so long. The two of them are more than a little excited to do some real fieldwork. Poor dears were getting worn down when the merchants in question were in their element."

Indeed, Amber and Jean were climbing each of the Nine Pillars of Peace to insert the Stones of Remembrance. The newly arrived pair noticed crystal devices prepared around the platform. An elemental test, Lisa put it as she wanted to gauge his elemental power.

Her eyes lit up with interest as Aether imbued the crystals with his elemental power. Anemo and Geo from within, and Electro and Pyro from without. Lisa's enticing face hovered above his left shoulder as she saw that the elements were quite strong. His connection to Geo has strengthened greatly compared to the last she saw of his Geo might. The Pyro breathed from his new mask and Electro provided by his golden shield was less surprisingly so.

"Very spirited, almost as much as you. Heehee~" Paimon stared at Aether feeling hot under the collar, feeling more physical versions of the pillowy goodness he saw above showing themselves behind him. A pleasant shudder spread around him, the pleasant goodness coming up to his collarbone as the Pyro he breathed out with the mask burned even more brightly.

"Remember, cutie, not everyone is like me. Sometimes, being distracted can be really dangerous." Lisa lectured, telling him to keep his wits about him in case some less than benevolent individuals use similar tactics. While she enjoys teasing Aether, she knows that if he remains so susceptible to the charms of the fairer sex. Encounters with less friendly ladies can be quite lethal.

When the flames of his Natlan mask grew so intense that the crystal couldn't take it, it Overloaded with the Electro and reacted quite strongly with Anemo and Geo.

Paimon headed for cover as the crystals shattered, hiding behind Lisa's hat as Aether protected himself and the lovely Librarian with his shield. Shards of experimental crystal cover the ground.

"Well, I think we can call that a smashing success. Very impressive, Honorary Knight~."

Jean and Amber were soon done with their little stony excursion and they happily greeted their newly arrived friends. For a moment the three could feel as the stone platform beneath them shined a brilliant gold. Even parts of the platform long hidden by dirt and plant life still shined brightly before the pillars that sandwiched the ancient gate built into Cuijue Slope gained a similar shine.

The two joined their friends by flying with their gliders, watching as the gate slowly creaked open like it was the first time since its creation. A dark wind blew out of the ruins as if it had long since been a den of evil and its opening by their hands just released it into the world.

The gust was so strong that the group had to steady themselves to not get blown right into the earth. Aether grabbed Paimon and steadied his footing while Jean held her ground with the power of winds as she kept Amber to the ground.

"Greed, nostalgia, vision, jealousy, anger, lust, self-aggrandizement, competition, turmoil..." Holding to her hat with one hand and grabbing onto the Honorary Knight's free hand, Lisa translated the inscriptions on the tablet with greater ease since it now glowed like the pillars. Making even dusty or cracked sections become readable once more.

"These nine mortal desires may heal the world, or do it great hurt. Their fire will never diminish, and it will never fade... Thus, we lay down nine pillars to bring peace, to end here the conflicts that plague this world. If one who comes after will break those pillars and enter, war shall once again consume the world. O you who read this tablet, claim the treasure that lies within, and bring peace to Liyue."

"Uh, I think we just made a huge mistake opening the gate to the ruins with that ancient translation." Stated Amber with a nervous laugh as she looked at the darkness of the ruins that radiated evil.

"Better that it was us here at the request of the Liyue Qixing than any group of mercenaries, adventurers or merchants ill-equipped to face the darkness within," Jean said, readying herself for the worst. The stone-written text spoke of war, yet it also spoke of ending it before it even began if one were to conquer its depths swiftly.

She had no clue whether the words meant anything beyond moral guidance and local superstitions. With the miasma of corruption, she felt from the entrance, it was only a matter of time before someone released the foul things that lurked within. Perhaps something within could spark a war or it's simply a moral lesson the people of Ancient Liyue wished to deliver unto their descendants. A legend could simply be just that, a legend.

The normally energetic and talkative Paimon and Amber found themselves cowed into silence as they shook in unnatural terror as the group approached the entrance with torches in hand, items they prepared just in case.

"This place gives me creeps, good thing there's an Honorary Knight in shining armour nearby to protect me~"

"Watch your footing everyone, who knows how long this place has been here." Jean noticed how clingy Lisa was with Aether and hid her slight annoyance and jealousy in a brave face. Amber held similar sentiments and hugged Baron Bunny tight as they walked down stone stairs in the underground lit only by torches of bright green balefire that had lit up the second they stepped foot within the ruins.

Walking carefully for Archons know how long, they eventually reached a stone platform with broken pillars overlooking a vast and dark shadowy chamber lit only with bright green flames with the ominous figures of two Armoured Yaksha statues facing directly at them.

The group carried torches that were lit with Pyro thanks to Amber, giving them better visibility than what little was offered by the balefire.

It was dreadfully silent, which only added to the sense of fear and foreboding as they watched every step they took until they found solid stable ground.

SCREECH

"EEEEEEK! PLEASE SAVE PAIMON!" A shrill scream pierced the silence as Aether quickly turned to look up with torch in hand to reveal Paimon being pulled up into the ceiling in the grip of a spider in its webbed den. Hungry for human flesh after it lived on scraps that its dark masters designed to provide for centuries.

Another scream added to the sudden ambush as everyone was trapped in webs by arachnids hidden in the shadows, shot from hidden corners. Amber yelled out in fright as she fell back first as a spider was pulling her into the wall until she managed to shoot a flaming arrow at the webs wrapping around her legs before hurling Baron Bunny to detonate when it shot more silky white only for it to pull in an explosive that ended its vile existence.

Jean used her athleticism to break free, using sharp piercing winds and quick Favonius Bladework to slice the web wrapping around her and Lisa to pieces before lunging back and forth with her sword pointed towards the spiders that glinted malevolently in the light of the torches.

Pulling back her sword after it tasted spider blood, Jean saw Aether unleash the powers of his mask at full power in a panic after saving Paimon by launching Anemo-imbued blades at her web as Lisa held her own with thundering fury as she fried whatever eight-legged horror she can see with her full might as she had no love for the disgusting arthropods.

Lighting up her Aquila Favonia with Anemo as she empowered herself with the power of the four winds. Her eyes met with Aether's before she was given an elemental shield with Geo before she Swirled her sword with Pyro.

Amber and Lisa stuck to each other, circling to guard each other's flanks as spiders made visible by the Traveler's flames became easy targets as they made their attempts to attack the group. Paimon made herself scarce, turning invisible in the chaos.

"I swear by my sword, victory shall be ours." Lunging at the spider in front of her cocooned in its own web, Jean readied her stance in what seemed to be Gale Blade only to divert into a running sprint straight into the maws of a hungry spider that opened its mouth dripping with Abyssal venom which dissolved upon contact with heat.

One by one, Jean pierced the spiders that were made visible by Aether. Her elemental protection gave her the ability to pass through the flames unharmed as she swept the spiders aside, blitzing across the walls of the underground ruins at high speeds. Easily maneuvering across pillars and stone platforms with supreme agility.

Before long, the spiders were utterly wiped out. Covering the ruins with ash as the group's presence on the floor of the ruins awakened its corrupted guardians as hidden platforms rose up, two Ruin Machines and two pulsating blobs of pure Abyssal Corruption.

The group fired spells and arrows at the machines and blobs. Damaging only the Ruin Machines as their offensive power bounced off the blobs that soon revealed itself as eggs for corrupted Geovishap Hatchlings, small lizard-like creatures that had traits like that of an armadillo and a young dragon.

Jean leaped from the walls of the underground ruins, blade pointed downwards with all her momentum right into the Ruin Guard's weak spot. Shattering it as it collapsed the second it turned on before her attempt to leap into the Ruin Hunter failed as a red barrier materialized, sending her crashing into the ash-covered floor.

Her friends helped her up as Jean coughed, the Ruin Hunter absorbing the corrupted blobs that oozed out of the hatched eggs. It gained vile sentience as it linked itself to the corrupted lesser Geovishaps and absorbed the destroyed Ruin Guard into itself.

The Hatchlings took the ranged blows meant for the Ruin Machine as it was upgraded into a Ruin Combiner.

"By Barbatos!" The group looked on in morbid horror at the sight of the arrow and blade-riddled fiends looking taking everything through their flesh. Geovishaps clawed off the projectiles stuck onto them in a shrill screech as their dead eyes faced down the party.

"Find the source of the barrier, Aether. We'll hold it off!" Yelled Jean as she rushed into the fray to put herself in between them and Lisa as well as Amber as they unleashed their renewed ranged assault.

Aether ran and looked around the underground ruins for anything that seemed red or held special energy, rolling into a dodge as the Ruin Combiner fired a salvo of missiles at him.

"Whoa!" Aether used Anemo to speed himself up with Prototype Aegis at the ready as the machine aimed in front of him, predicting where he would be. The elemental shield protecting him chafed under the intense salvo before shattering, forcing him to roll behind a pillar and move between them until he spotted the red light of fire traps protecting the device.

Smiling at the sight of Aether locating and destroying the infusion stone after she slashed at the Ruin Combiner's sides and rear after slashing at the corrupted young Vishaps and bouncing on their heads like circus trampolines to keep the machine's attention on her instead of Amber and Lisa so they'd be able to have freedom to attack as they please at range.

With a fierce stab into its glowing eye, Jean yanked it out when its six hands tried to grab her, only for her to slip below it to cut at its sides. She did enough damage to expose some of its inner parts to reveal a designated name, Fo-62012. It wasn't enough, as its armor had been reinforced by the Ruin Guard's mechanical parts, and the dark ooze was unbreakable even to her.

Transforming two of its arms into blades, it swung at where it predicted Jean would be only to clash with the Dandelion Knight. The blonde constantly moved until she was pushed back by a strong force as it entered an airborne state, detaching its limbs to make them into its propulsion. It used its Ruin Guard arms to protect itself from Jean and Amber's balls of Electro and flaming arrows when the scorched Geovishaps rolled away.

Jean dashed backward in front of Lisa and Amber as the Geovishaps rolled back in their direction. Jean uses Gale Blade to force the corrupted dragonlings into a deadlock. Focusing the might of the formless wind around her blade, Jean raises a miniature storm to keep herself from being forced into her companions as both hatchlings were compelled by the Ruin Combiner to keep pushing forward.

Finally, gathering enough power for a counterattack, Jean unleashed the storm with the Gale Blade. Sending them crashing into the two Armoured Yaksha statues overlooking the ruins, the small moment of vulnerability seized by the Ruin Combiner that unleashed a salvo of missiles, bullets, and an intense beam.

Relief washed over her face when Geo Constructs rose to protect her and the others from the assault, letting her unleash her Dandelion Breeze to refresh herself and the others.

Battered and burnt with many bone shards and scales falling off which exposed their tainted innards, the Geovishaps quickly rolled back towards Jean from the sides of the constructs as she prepared another defense only for the Ruin Combiner to strengthen its Abyssal Link with the Vishaps, unnaturally allowing them to change their rolling directions which would be normally be beyond their ability.

Letting them sidestep her, crashing from the flanks into Lisa and Amber into each other before being forced meters back and reversing their movement back into the staggered pair. Like a demented Fontaine pinball machine, the balls crashed through Lisa's electric barrier and Amber's Baron Bunny lure.

"NO! LISA! AMBER!" Jean's attempt to help her friends who were lying in small craters, stalled by the cracking of the Geo Constructs in front of her, the condition of the newly hatched Geovishaps deteriorating by the second as their broken scales and bones started to flake off as they were forcefully made to spin in a constantly moving and accurate manner.

"For Mondstadt, as always!" Jean grabbed the edge of Aquila Favonia and imbued herself with the power of the raging winds to lock her feet down as the Ruin Combiner smashed through the constructs with blade and drills, rushing towards the Dandelion Knight with murderous intent.

Holding her ground while holding her blade, Aether gives her another round of Geo protection. Sparks flew as Jean gritted her teeth, slowly getting pushed back before she grunted. Adding more Anemo into her legs to try to push the machine back as it drilled forward and swung its blade into her barrier.

Aether hid behind the pillar as the Ruin Combiner linked both Ruin Guard arms together and swung it at him wildly. His focus kept on the merged limbs, allowing a detached crawling Ruin Hunter hand to sneak at his flank.

Priming its propulsion engine before launching itself at him, the blonde was slammed into the pillar as the hand choked the life out of him. The two Geovishaps whirled, bouncing from opposite sides of the underground chamber. Heading straight towards him.

With a cough, as his vision faded, Aether retracted his golden shield. Moving his arm to try to push the strangling hand back, he managed to push it slightly back enough with enhanced strength to slip his hand up and open up his shield.

Reinforced metal and complex mechanisms worked together, the golden metallic sheen of the shield severing the hand's fingers. Letting him swing at it with an earthly force, he broke the detached hand before he raised and crashed a Starfell Sword onto its combined limbs so it could spin around and foil his next offensive.

He climbed atop the construct and sprinted towards the Ruin Combiner as the lizards crashed into each other with calamitous force, driving his Prototype Rancour into one of the gaps of its armor opened up by Jean. Imbuing it with Anemo with the added strength bestowed by Geo, and with a puff of his Natlan mask. He unleashed a burst of purification into the Ruin Combiner.

The durable dark ooze within its sturdy combined frame started to evaporate into nothing, also forcing the broken Geovishaps to die on the spot without the Abyssal Link with the injuries they had sustained, the Ruin Combiner slowing down and backing off from charging Jean to try to grab Aether by reaching backward.

With a quick hop, the Dandelion Knight deftly avoided wild swings. Rushing to the wall, her movement guided by the win so she could run upwards and leap downwards with the blade pointed down. Piercing the Ruin Combiner's one eye, cutting straight through without the Abyssal protection.

With a dying mechanical groan, the parts that comprised the Ruin Combiners scattered into pieces before laying motionless. Aether ensured it was dead while Jean helped her friends up and healed their injuries with what was left of her energy instead of herself.

"Praise Barbatos, we prevailed."

Practically limping to the end of the ruins with all threats dealt with, Paimon materialized and flew above her partner as they happened upon a treasure room with a broken stone tablet.

"This ruin gives Paimon the creeps. But this should be the end of it. At least we got some treasure for our efforts, too. We even got ourselves that ring! Never mind the Nine Pillars of Peace, this place is the Nine Pillars of Pain." Paimon greedily helped herself to the treasures, including a Royal Flora artifact, finding plenty of Mora and old trinkets with a peculiar ring that looked more than a little dull. Joking slightly to lighten the mood, she noticed the battered state the party was in.

"Ouch! At least we won and saved the day. The Tianquan will be really happy with what we achieved." Amber yelped as some of her bruises really stung, smiling at Lisa, who was helped along by Jean as she nodded with a similar smile.

"Aha, this type of physical fieldwork is a little too excitable for me." Said Lisa, who didn't lose her relaxed and easygoing nature in her injured state. Letting the others have their fun gathering and storing the treasure within the ruins.

"Disaster runs rampant throughout the world, and all who live do so in agony." Lisa muttered as Aether polished and blew on the dull ring enough to reveal ancient script on the fine gem held by the band. It was a good thing they prevailed or the warning would be a prophecy of the future. Even so, she had to admit that the second part was true as they all felt more than a little agony clearing the place out.

Rumble

Rumble

"Ahaha, Paimon's feeling hungry after all this ruin exploration. Let's go to Wangshu Inn to rest and recover before going back to Ningguang" Everyone agreed, no one protesting the plan as they went through plenty in this ruin alone to last for a long, long time and be an inspiration for many a new tale during dinner. With what they have collected and achieved here, the Tianquan will be very pleased with their success today.

Sorry for the wait, IRL events and the new Genshin and Honkai patches did plenty to delay this chapter. As usual, there will be polls to decide the harem members for each nation, some of them are guaranteed a place while others will not be included like the children. It'll mostly decide the sub-members of the harem and who will have their hangouts included.