Chapter Summaries

Xiu Yuan harvested his crops, gave Rina and her children seeds and grain, and left Watatsumi Island to prepare birthday gifts for Kitsune Saiguu and Rascal Fox. In his absence, Yide and Gongshu lured the villagers to the shore with a smoke signal, where a pirate crew arrived and claimed them as its captives.

• Xiu Yuan shared seeds and grain with Rina and her children, then asked Rina to care for his animals while he was away.
• Xiu Yuan left Watatsumi Island by boat to prepare gifts for Kitsune Saiguu and Rascal Fox, while a hidden man watched him go.
• Gongshu and Yide lit a smoky fire and told the villagers that Yide's merchant friends were coming with gifts.
• A large ship arrived, and a bearded man wielding a skull-adorned blade announced that the villagers were now part of his pirate crew.

Xiu Yuan left Watatsumi Island for Narukami Island to buy birthday gifts, still uneasy about Yide but deciding he would return soon. Meanwhile, Yide revealed that the ship bringing his supposed merchant friends carried pirates, and Gongshu realized the crates had held people.

• Xiu Yuan recalled his suspicions about Yide and set out to buy gifts for Kitsune Saiguu and the sly fox.
• Xiu Yuan bought a purple gemstone earring and a cherry-blossom comb, then headed to a restaurant to buy fried tofu.
• Yide's armed companions streamed off their ship on Watatsumi Island, shocking Gongshu, Rina, and the others.
• Yide mocked the islanders for trusting him and admitted that Gongshu's gullibility had helped his plan succeed.
• Gongshu remembered the noise from the iron crates and realized they had contained people, then broke down in despair.

Yide revealed that Rina had unknowingly helped him learn when Xiu Yuan would be away, allowing him to lead the Pirate Crew in raiding Watatsumi Island. As the pirates searched for the village’s children, Rina tried to flee with her own children but was pinned beneath a table while a pirate approached them.

• Yide thanked Rina for finding out that Xiu Yuan had gone to Narukami Island, then admitted that the information let him choose when to attack.
• Yide ordered the Pirate Crew to search the village for all fifty-eight children and kill anyone who resisted.
• The pirates raided Watatsumi Island, setting houses ablaze and spreading panic through the village.
• Yide told the captain that he had gained the villagers’ trust by praising them and giving them small benefits.
• Rina rushed home, grabbed her children, and tried to escape, but a pirate blocked the doorway.
• Rina attacked the pirate with a plate and a table, but he knocked her down and went after her children.

Rina died holding off a pirate to help her children escape, while Xiu Yuan and the others celebrated Yae Miko’s transformation into a human. The festivities ended when Rina’s voice reached Xiu Yuan, making him turn urgently toward Watatsumi Island.

• Rina clung to a pirate’s ankle and urged her children to escape and find Lord Sasayuri, but the pirate killed her and cut off her hands to free himself.
• Yide counted 58 children aboard the pirate ship and advised the captain to keep Rina’s two children unconfined because of their connection to Sasayuri.
• Xiu Yuan arrived at Tenshukaku with fried tofu and joined the others waiting for the Rascal Fox to take human form.
• The Rascal Fox transformed into a naked young Yae Miko, celebrated her new human form, and received gifts from Xiu Yuan and the others.
• Xiu Yuan heard Rina call for Lord Sasayuri in his mind and turned toward Watatsumi Island in alarm.

Xiu Yuan left the others and flew to Watatsumi Island after sensing that something had happened. He found the village devastated and learned that pirates had taken the children north, so he swore to rescue them and pursued them.

• Xiu Yuan sensed trouble and hurriedly left Baal, Chiyo, Zebu, and the others to fly to Watatsumi Island.
• Xiu Yuan reached the island and found much of the village destroyed, with injured and dead residents among the wreckage.
• A wounded man told Xiu Yuan that pirates had taken the children before collapsing, and another villager said they had gone north.
• Xiu Yuan swore to bring the children back and flew north in pursuit of the pirates.
• Xiu Yuan saw Gongshu hanging from a tree beside a bonfire with green leaves laid over it.

Xiu Yuan discovered that pirates had taken Rina’s children hostage after signaling from Watatsumi Island, and watched the bearded pirate kill the boy. Blaming himself for the tragedy, Xiu Yuan lost the last light in his eyes as Yide convinced him that his presence had caused it.

• Xiu Yuan realized that Yide could have used signal fires to alert pirates, and blamed himself for overlooking the danger.
• Xiu Yuan found the pirates’ ship and saw Rina’s two children tied up on deck.
• The bearded man snapped the little boy’s neck in front of Xiu Yuan.
• Yide told Xiu Yuan that the boy had died because Xiu Yuan came looking for the pirates.
• Xiu Yuan concluded that he brought misfortune and that everything would improve if he died.

Xiu Yuan’s Karmic Debt took control after pirates threatened him and the child, killing the pirates and returning the ship to Watatsumi Island. After recovering his shattered memories, Xiu Yuan resolved to atone for letting the crisis break him.

• Yide tried to stab Xiu Yuan, but Xiu Yuan stopped the blade and his Karmic Debt seized control.
• Xiu Yuan’s killing intent paralyzed the pirates, and he killed them by bursting their hearts.
• Xiu Yuan returned the pirate ship to Watatsumi Island, told the islanders that one person had died and the others were alive, then vanished.
• Xiu Yuan went home and endured repeated, painful attempts to restore his shattered memories.
• After recovering his memories, Xiu Yuan heard his Karmic Debt promise not to let the same thing happen again and decided to atone.

After piecing together his memories, Xiu Yuan learned the full toll of the attack on Watatsumi Island and blamed himself for the villagers who died. Zebu and the villagers thanked him for saving most of them, but he could not stop seeing his failure to protect everyone.

• Zebu and the villagers waited outside Xiu Yuan's house for two days until he emerged.
• Xiu Yuan asked how many villagers had died, and Zebu told him twelve were dead and three were seriously injured.
• Zebu and the villagers thanked Xiu Yuan for saving them and their children, urging him not to blame himself.
• Xiu Yuan wept and blamed his carelessness for the twelve deaths, while Zebu struggled to understand his self-reproach.

Xiu Yuan blamed himself for the deaths on Watatsumi Island and asked to leave, convinced his lone calamity fate brought misfortune to those near him. Zebu tearfully begged him to return to Narukami Island, and he promised he would come back.

• Zebu argued that Watatsumi Island’s people needed trials to grow, while Xiu Yuan said their growth did not have to cost lives.
• Xiu Yuan told Zebu he believed he bore the lone calamity fate and feared his presence had caused disasters for those around him.
• Xiu Yuan asked Zebu to give his position to Jintai and said he wanted to go somewhere no one could find him for a while.
• Zebu recalled that Xiu Yuan had nearly died after his last attempt to rest and feared he would sacrifice his life next time.
• Xiu Yuan held the crying Zebu and promised he would return.

Xiu Yuan accepted the people of Watatsumi Island’s gratitude but remained unable to forgive himself, and he set out alone toward the rising sun. The author then explained the character’s flaws and asked readers to continue following the eighth life.

• The people of Watatsumi Island thanked Xiu Yuan and urged him to stop blaming himself for what happened.
• Xiu Yuan told Zebu he would return and asked her to treat him to Aburaage again.
• Zebu reluctantly let Xiu Yuan leave and said she would have to explain his departure to Kitsune Saiguu and the others.
• Xiu Yuan walked through the gathered villagers and rowed away from Watatsumi Island in a small boat.
• The author asked readers to discuss the story calmly, described Xiu Yuan as imperfect, and thanked readers for their support.

After Xiu Yuan withdrew from public life, he secretly protected Inazuma from pirates, helping the nation prosper while Baal and Zebu worried about the burden he carried. The chapter ended with them wondering how long it would be before he returned to them.

• Zebu told Kitsune Saiguu, Chiyo, and Baal what had happened to Xiu Yuan, and Baal urged them to give him time to recover.
• Zebu took over as head of the Tenryou Commission while assuring everyone that Xiu Yuan would always remain Inazuma’s Tenryou Commissioner.
• Violet lightning began destroying pirate ships, and people came to believe that a second, hidden god was protecting Inazuma’s waters.
• Safer seas brought more trade and prosperity to Inazuma, including Yashiori Island and Watatsumi Island.
• Zebu and Baal watched Narukami Island’s crowds and worried that Xiu Yuan’s relentless efforts would eventually break him.
• Baal and Zebu wondered when Xiu Yuan would return, though they sensed he was still nearby.

Zebu found Xiu Yuan on his deserted island and urged him to rest, questioning why he took so much responsibility upon himself. She decided they would share the work of protecting Inazuma and persuaded him to return to Narukami Island for a few days of rest.

• Chiyo reminded Zebu that Xiu Yuan had promised to make things up to them, and Zebu flew off to find him.
• Xiu Yuan met Zebu on the tiny deserted island where he lived and explained that he liked its privacy and location.
• Zebu asked why Xiu Yuan pushed himself so hard, and he explained that he wanted to contain evil and shoulder the responsibility that came with his power.
• Zebu told Xiu Yuan that she would join his patrols and alternate days with him, insisting that they split the work evenly.
• Zebu invoked Xiu Yuan's promise and asked him to return to Narukami Island for a few days of rest, and Xiu Yuan agreed.

Xiu Yuan shared a meal with Zebu and Chiyo before young Yae Miko framed him for threatening her. Zebu surprised everyone by deciding Miko’s invented punishment was a great idea and grabbing her to carry it out.

• Zebu fed Xiu Yuan her improved Aburaage, and he praised her cooking.
• Zebu demonstrated her new sword-hilt trick on Chiyo, who admitted Zebu had made the dish herself.
• Zebu reminded Xiu Yuan that he had promised to tell her if he faced another danger like the Great Serpent, and Yae Miko teased him for showing displeasure.
• After Xiu Yuan warned Yae Miko not to mislead Zebu, Miko pretended he had threatened to feed her to the fish.
• Zebu seized Miko by the neck and declared that feeding her to the fish was a great idea.

Zebu welcomed Xiu Yuan back with her companions, and he resolved to take on the burdens she would otherwise face and protect her smile. After sharing a meal, they planned to play cards beneath the cherry blossoms, while Xiu Yuan’s extraordinary strength and endurance astonished everyone.

• Zebu teased Xiu Yuan and Miko, then invited Xiu Yuan to go fishing before Baal and Kitsune Saiguu brought out dinner.
• As they ate, Zebu recognized that Xiu Yuan was still troubled by his lone calamity fate and feared harming others.
• Kitsune Saiguu asked about Xiu Yuan’s flying ability, and he said he could fly for days at a normal pace or for four to five hours at full speed.
• Xiu Yuan explained that his strength had grown enough for his blade to rival Zebu’s Musou no Hitotachi, though he denied being as strong as her.
• Kitsune Saiguu, Baal, and Zebu teased Chiyo until she fled in embarrassment, then invited everyone to play cards among the cherry blossoms.
• Baal asked what snacks everyone wanted, and Xiu Yuan requested candied hawthorn skewers.

Xiu Yuan searched Baal’s home for her Gnosis, but Baal caught him and challenged his identity as Sasayuri. The chapter left Xiu Yuan facing Baal’s suspicion after she explained why she believed he was not the person he claimed to be.

• Xiu Yuan found Baal’s Gnosis, which was shaped like a chess king, in an exquisite box.
• Baal appeared and revealed that she had been waiting for Xiu Yuan to search for the Gnosis.
• Baal asked Xiu Yuan what he intended to do with it, and he tried to come up with an excuse.
• Baal told Xiu Yuan she did not think he was Sasayuri, citing his sacrifice to protect civilians on Yashiori Island and his guilt over failing them.

Baal confronted Xiu Yuan after realizing he was not Sasayuri and had deliberately used the Gnosis to draw him out. Xiu Yuan revealed his identity and mission, then explained how taking Sasayuri’s place and fulfilling the Great Serpent’s final wish had changed what followed his death.

• Baal told Xiu Yuan she knew he was not Sasayuri and asked for his real name.
• Xiu Yuan realized Baal had deliberately left the Gnosis where he could find it, hoping to confirm her suspicions.
• Baal agreed to let Xiu Yuan take the Gnosis if he explained himself, and he identified himself as Xiu Yuan, a Reincarnator from another world.
• Xiu Yuan told Baal his mission was to kill the Great Serpent and take part in the war in Khaenri'ah.
• Baal asked whether Xiu Yuan had known the Great Serpent would attack Yashiori Island, and he explained that Sasayuri would have died if he had not taken over his body.
• Xiu Yuan said that killing the Great Serpent without triggering the Shogun’s devastation or the spread of Tatarigami had been possible because he fulfilled the serpent’s final wish.

Xiu Yuan told Baal that the war with Khaenri'ah would devastate Teyvat and leave Inazuma frozen under the Shogun's pursuit of Eternity. He revealed that he had a way to prevent the catastrophe, then vanished after asking Baal to keep his secret.

• Baal asked Xiu Yuan about the war with Khaenri'ah, and he explained that its power would bring destruction by the Heavenly Principles and the Seven Archons.
• Xiu Yuan told Baal that the war would kill them and described how the Shogun would retreat into the Plane of Euthymia while a puppet enforced the Vision Hunt Decree and closed Inazuma's borders.
• Baal asked whether the catastrophe could be stopped, and Xiu Yuan said that it could.
• Xiu Yuan clasped the Gnosis, felt faith flowing to him as Inazuma's second god, and promised to end the war and protect the land.
• Xiu Yuan asked Baal to keep his secret, then vanished in a flash of lightning.

After obtaining the Gnosis, Xiu Yuan went to Khaenri'ah and secretly warned its civilians to flee before disaster struck. He left after distributing his notes and began preparing for the coming war by training his mental energy.

• Xiu Yuan traveled to Khaenri'ah, believing its destruction was tied to its research into the Abyss and that ordinary civilians deserved a chance to escape.
• Xiu Yuan handed hundreds of robots handwritten notes warning that disaster would strike in three days and urging people to leave Khaenri'ah.
• Xiu Yuan left Khaenri'ah after distributing the notes, accepting that only a few people might believe the warning.
• Xiu Yuan practiced his Tranquility Mantra on a mountaintop to raise his mental energy to its peak before the coming war.

Xiu Yuan reached Celestia with Baal’s Gnosis and faced Heavenly Principles and the four Sustainers, offering important information in exchange for a condition. Three days earlier, Chiyo, Kitsune Saiguu, and Zebu realized Xiu Yuan was missing and began searching for him on Narukami Island.

• Xiu Yuan arrived at Celestia, where Heavenly Principles questioned him about the Gnosis Baal had lent him.
• Xiu Yuan told Heavenly Principles he had come with important information, but he would only share it on one condition.
• Three days earlier, Chiyo and Kitsune Saiguu visited Zebu at Tenshukaku and invited her to go fishing.
• Chiyo revealed her fishing secret to Zebu after Zebu threatened to poke her with a sword hilt.
• Chiyo found Xiu Yuan’s room empty, so she, Zebu, and Kitsune Saiguu searched for him among Narukami Island’s crowds.

After failing to find Xiu Yuan, Kitsune Saiguu, Chiyo, and Zebu learned from Baal that he had left for a few days, and Baal concealed her belief that he might not return from the war in Khaenri'ah. Five days later, a violent sea cataclysm struck outside Inazuma, but an unseen barrier kept the islands safe.

• Kitsune Saiguu, Chiyo, and Zebu searched Narukami, Yashiori, and Watatsumi Islands for Xiu Yuan but found no trace of him.
• Baal told Zebu that Xiu Yuan had left the previous night to handle something and had promised to return in a few days.
• Baal privately feared Xiu Yuan would die in the war in Khaenri'ah, but reassured the others that his strength and caution would keep him safe.
• Chiyo, Kitsune Saiguu, and Zebu accepted Baal's explanation and felt less worried about Xiu Yuan.
• Five days after Xiu Yuan left, a deafening explosion stirred up enormous waves and storms around Inazuma, but an invisible barrier stopped the sea from reaching the islands.