Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Chapter 166 Xuan Yue's Abnormality, Information from Lei Movie

"Don't come near...don't touch..."

"...It's up to you now..."

"We will eventually part ways, if not today, then tomorrow..."

"I'm so tired, can I... take a nap?"

"Ah Yue..."

"Aqing—!!"

Xuan Yue sat up with a start from her dream, and only realized what was happening after instinctively reaching for the right side of the bed.

He was all alone here; Xuanqing wasn't here.

His Ah Qing isn't here...

Pressing his brow, he recalled the whispers from his dream.

The dark lotus flowers engulfed that figure.

The petals closed, and without hesitation, he chased after them, trying to stop them. Just as they were about to touch, the petals dissipated and transformed into transparent crystal butterflies, whispering and forming the shape of the Dragon Abyss Stone.

Sealed into darkness…

These past few months have been a nightmare, and each time he has been powerless to stop it.

And it couldn't stop...

"So tired..." Now, all sleepiness was gone. He casually reached for the documents he had placed on his bedside table yesterday... no, this morning, and continued to review them.

This is a geological survey and exploration of relics on the other side of the desert, as well as the current situation of nearby villages.

The two sets of data, one from geological surveys and the other from site exploration, show different situations. The former includes clear timelines and detailed geological analysis, while the latter suggests that there are significant risks involved and that additional funding needs to be allocated.

It made no mention of any dangers inside, whether anyone was in danger, or the progress of the work.

If word gets out, people will laugh at them, thinking they're a bunch of idiots and their blatant scam is just a way to swindle money.

Xuan Yue picked up a pen and made annotations in the blank space of the document:

Approved, another three million Mora will be reimbursed.

"..." The subordinate who came in early in the morning to pick up the documents was also confused when he saw this annotation. He asked cautiously, "Sir, is the annotation on this document mixed up with the previous one?"

"No, you can have it." Xuan Yue took a sip of tea, then picked up the hat beside her and prepared to go out.

"Sir, where are you going? Do you need someone to follow you?"

"No need, I'm going on a business trip. If any problems arise in Sumeru City, just send a letter to the 'messenger' in Ormos Port."

"Yes…"

-----

He paid no heed to the swirling sandstorms and the wind-eroding insects buried underground, and walked unhurriedly toward his destination.

Withered tree trunks, wild beasts soaring in the sky waiting for their chance, and patrolling machinery. They watched the "person" pass by, yet dared not touch him.

"Tch..." Xuan Yue sneered, disdainful of dealing with these beasts who acted on instinct, and casually walked into a cave.

If you ask him where he's going, he'll only answer with two words: "Deep inside."

The underground is a maze of interconnected passages, and even experienced adventurers dare not venture deep into it without adequate preparation.

After all, the unknown is the most terrifying thing.

A ball of flame condensed in Xuan Yue's palm, illuminating the darkness and guiding him forward. The golden flame, carrying an oppressive aura, easily drove away the dangers deep within, making way for him.

He stopped when there was no way out of the cave, no light, and no living plants or animals.

Standing before the layers upon layers of stone walls, Xuan Yue's mood grew increasingly calm. Then, she raised her hand and began to inscribe an array on the stone wall...

If someone familiar with Xuan Yue were present, they would have noticed a hint of ruthlessness and madness welling up in her eyes.

His eyes were stained with blood, flashing with an eerie red light.

"Inazuma" —

Lei, hiding in her "Pure Land of One Heart," was reading a light novel that Shenzi had brought from outside. So engrossed was she that she didn't even notice a crystal butterfly appearing in her mental realm.

The crystal butterfly transformed into a projection and quietly appeared behind her.

"What are you looking at?"

"Look..." Lei Yingdian was about to reply subconsciously, but his reaction was still to slash at the outsider with his knife.

Then he watched helplessly as his knife passed right through the other person, who was completely unharmed.

"It's you. How come my Pure Land barrier is just a decoration in your eyes? But how come you..." Lei Yingdian was speechless, looking Xuan Qing up and down in his consciousness form. He pondered for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up and stopped thinking about it.

Xuan Qing: "Long time no see. Your strength has recovered quite well recently, so I came to check on you. I took a short stroll around, and it seems things are back on track."

Lei Movie: "And you? Are you alright? If it weren't for that battle, we probably wouldn't even know you were so severely 'contaminated'."

"Thank you for your concern. But the fact that I can stand before you like this and project my consciousness proves that I have now suppressed those 'taboos'."

"How much longer can you hold on?"

"..." Xuan Qing paused for a moment, but quickly recovered, offering a helpless wry smile: "It's uncertain. The spread of the 'Forbidden' is accelerating, and their power is growing daily. Although the Travelers are working hard to repair the ley lines in Liyue and Inatsume, it's still a drop in the ocean."

"I... is there anything I can do to help?" Lei Yingdian put down the book in her hand and looked at him with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

Xuanqing shook his head: "Protect the Rice Wives and try not to touch them. The Rice Wives have lost a deity, and now they are in dire need of rebuilding. If something happens to you at this important turning point, all our previous efforts will be in vain."

"What about Xuan Yue? If he knew your current state, he probably wouldn't just stand by and do nothing."

"Yes, he won't. But I can't tell him now."

"Can you tell me... why is this?"

Xuan Qing closed his eyes, his expression grave, and said, "It's not a secret. 'Forbidden' things are deeply rooted in the ley lines, which are the gathering place of memories. The spread of 'Forbidden' things is through the ley lines, spreading to all parts of Teyvat. To eradicate them, we must completely solve the problem at its source. This is common knowledge."

"But there is another way—'to destroy the country.'"

"!" Lei Yingdong's eyes widened, somewhat incredulous but immediately understanding: "You're afraid Xuan Yue will do something extreme, that's why you don't dare let him know."

"Hmm... This approach wouldn't have any consequences during the era of the Demon Gods, but now the seven gods jointly govern their respective countries, and the seven nations have already been recognized by 'Order.' If one nation suddenly disappears, I'm afraid... I can't protect it."

Xuan Qing's expression was very calm, but his hands behind his back were clenched into fists and were trembling slightly.

He dared not think about the price, or rather—he was unwilling.

“I understand… Ruyavis. I understand you, including Xuan Yue.” Lei Yingdong took out Dream Heart, stroking its blade. “My sister often said, ‘In battle, winning or losing is not important, as long as you return safely.’ I also often told her, ‘With me here, I will definitely protect you, sister.’”

"...Even now, I often think, if I had resolved things here sooner and rushed over earlier, would I have been able to see her one last time?"

Xuan Qing: "Please accept my condolences."

"Thanks to the traveler, I am now at peace, but Xuan Yue is not."

Lei's words immediately set off alarm bells in Xuan Qing's mind: "What is your basis for this?"

"The Demon God's perception is exceptionally sharp. From the first time I saw him thousands of years ago, I knew he had a knot in his heart. At that time, I heard some of the Demon God's evaluations of him, such as his skill in commanding and arranging troops, but I didn't understand them. But from some point onwards, the outside world bestowed upon him the title of 'God of War,' on par with Morax."

"Later, Orobas ran into Inazuma's territory, and I stopped him. That's when I fought with him."

"His sword intent was obsessive, insane, and ruthless, yet it was suppressed by reason. Later, I shared this feeling with Zhen Ting, and she said, 'That god's will is very strong; otherwise, he would have already gone mad.'"

Lei told Xuan Qing about her experiences back then in detail, and also included Lei Dianzhen's words, since she only had a feeling about it and dared not say it was absolute.

Xuan Qing: "...Thank you for letting me know. I hadn't noticed these things before."

"Hmm, I didn't expect Xuan Yue to be able to hold on for so long. I thought you already knew and had resolved his inner conflict." Lei Yingdong was a little confused.

"Anyway, thank you. I need to go back and discuss this with them. If it's true..." Xuan Qing sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I'll have to go and bring him back myself."