He's Gone

The next day, the entire sunrise was still visible from the Guili Plains.

Warmth unlike that of a fire spilled over Xiangling, waking her from her dreams.

"Mmm, the weather's lovely today..."

"Huh? How did I fall asleep?!"

Only then did Xiangling realize she had neglected her duty last night.

The sunlight on her face was a little dazzling, making it hard to see what was in front of her.

Almost instinctively, she searched her surroundings, until she spotted a hazy figure beside the extinguished campfire.

"Thank goodness, Lord Lin Yi is still here. If anything happened to him, I'd be in trouble."

Just as Xiangling was feeling relieved that nothing had gone wrong, something happened.

That figure actually began making strange noises.

Xiangling was puzzled. Even if Lin Yi talked in his sleep, surely he wouldn't make noises like that?

Once her eyes adjusted to the sunlight, she looked again and froze!

"What... what's going on? How did Lord Lin Yi turn into a Hilichurl?!"

Panic appeared on Xiangling's face.

A Hilichurl was lying right where Lin Yi had been sleeping.

If she ruled out the possibility that Lin Yi had turned into a Hilichurl...

Then the only explanation left was that Lin Yi had moved while she slept, and this Hilichurl had come here to warm up and rest.

"Th-then where did Lord Lin Yi go?"

"This Hilichurl must be behind it!"

Having only just woken up, Xiangling's mind probably hadn't quite caught up yet. A cold gleam flashed in her eyes as she carried the Langya Spear over to the still-sleeping Hilichurl.

Perhaps sensing something, the Hilichurl's snot bubble popped. It woke up babbling in its incomprehensible language, but when it looked behind itself, the sight made it afraid to move.

The cold, gleaming tip of the Langya Spear pressed directly against the Hilichurl's neck.

At the slightest movement, Xiangling could take its life.

The Hilichurl immediately clasped its hands over its head, trembling all over with fear.

It had only wanted to warm itself by the fire because it was too cold. Somehow, it had drifted off, and when it woke up, this girl in light clothing that wasn't the least bit sexy wanted to kill it.

Xiangling had learned a little of the Hilichurl language from Yanfei and managed to question it enough to get a rough idea of what had happened.

By the time it arrived, Lin Yi was already gone.

"Fine, I'll spare your life for now. If you're willing, help me find Lord Geo Archon. Do a good job, and you'll be handsomely rewarded!"

Xiangling had picked up the essence of Lin Yi's methods and actually dangled an empty promise before the Hilichurl.

Watching the silly creature run off swinging its club as though it had received a royal pardon, she didn't really expect it to be any help.

Without wasting time, Xiangling searched several kilometers around the area, but even from high ground, she could find no trace of Lin Yi.

"Oh no, oh no, I've really messed up this time. How am I supposed to explain that he's gone?"

Just as Xiangling grew so frantic that she was nearly in tears...

Something suddenly came to mind.

Madame Ping had once told her...

Anywhere within Liyue's territory, no matter what danger she found herself in, all she needed to do was call sincerely, "Conqueror of Demons, Three-Eyed, Five-Manifestation Adeptus-Xiao!"

Then she could summon Adeptus Xiao, the legendary guardian of Liyue, to help those suffering from all kinds of hardships and confusion escape their peril.

Thinking it over, Xiangling knew that searching for someone across this vast continent by herself would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

With an Adeptus's help, she would naturally get twice the results with half the effort.

"I've never met him, but I hear Adeptus Xiao doesn't show his emotions and makes people feel they should keep their distance. I just hope he isn't too stern..."

"Three-Eyed, Five-Manifestation Adeptus-Xiao! Venerable Adeptus, I need your help!"

Xiangling's call carried far. Even the flowers, grass, and trees seemed to hear it, their branches swaying constantly as though helping her pass along the message.

A moment later, a gentle breeze stirred, but Xiangling still saw no one.

Then, in the next instant, something seemed to appear in the sky.

Looking closely, she saw a green figure wrapped in Anemo energy.

"A green-haired youth, clothes patterned with clouds, an aura like a demonic rakshasa... could this be the legendary Adeptus Xiao?"

Xiangling stared, entranced.

By then, Xiao had already arrived before her and spoke in a cool voice.

"I am Xiao, the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifestation Adeptus. I have answered your summons to protect you. What help do you need?"

Withdrawing her somewhat rude stare, Xiangling explained her request.

"Sorry to disturb you, Lord Xiao. Last night, I was responsible for guarding Lord Lin Yi, Liyue's Geo Archon. But I carelessly fell asleep, and when I woke up, Lord Lin Yi was nowhere to be found. I hope you can help me find him."

"Just call me Xiao. What did you say was the identity of this missing man named Lin Yi?"

"Huh? Liyue's Geo Archon. Oh, right, he's the newly appointed Geo Archon. The former god, Morax, has fallen."

What?!

Hearing this news, Xiao found it hard to believe.

His emotional turmoil made his aura difficult to control.

Even the little that escaped sent Xiangling staggering.

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Xiangling's forehead.

Adeptus Xiao's personal level was definitely above 70. He was at least as strong as Lady Ningguang, if not stronger!

So powerful!

Realizing he had lost his composure, Xiao quickly reined in his aura and asked for a few details.

Now wasn't the time to press her about the old and new Geo Archons.

Recently, he had rescued a blond from the depths of the Abyss who had recklessly challenged a demon god for a mere 60 Primogems.

His knowledge of recent events in Liyue went no further than the merchant caravan he had encountered yesterday.

And the man who had caused that dazzling phenomenon was the new Geo Archon, Lin Yi.

An unusual gleam flickered in Xiao's eyes. He still harbored doubts about this New God's identity.

"Since I have answered your summons, I will see your request fulfilled. Wait here. I will return shortly."

"That's wonderful! Thank you!"

Xiao: ...

Without another word, his figure flickered, and he vanished on the spot.

Meanwhile, in an underground space somewhere in the Guili Plains...

Lin Yi had also just woken up. His whole body ached, as though he had slept very uncomfortably.

He had dreamed of being dragged along the ground until his body nearly fell apart, and it felt almost exactly like what he was experiencing now.

"Yawn... Xiangling, what's for breakfast today?"

When Lin Yi opened his eyes and saw the pitch-black cave before him, he was utterly dumbfounded.

"What's going on? What's that girl Xiangling playing at, some kind of cave bondage play?"

"Hey, Xiangling! Keqing! ...Anyone else there?!"

Lin Yi called out repeatedly. Numbing vines bound him tightly, leaving him unable to move.

Clearly, someone had snatched him up while he was sound asleep last night!

"Unbelievable. Every kind of ridiculous crap happens to me. These numbing vines are making it really hard to gather elemental energy!"

As Lin Yi analyzed the situation...

A woman's voice rang out from the depths of the cave.

"The divine prophecy foretold your arrival!"