Chapter 12 – Purifying the Source

In the deepest part of The Chasm, Qiu Bai looked at the dark energy before him and immediately chose to take action.

As he separated the Avatar of Yang, the white-clad Qiu Bai brought his hands together, and a dazzling white light emanated from between his palms.

Bright as the sun, it illuminated the entire underground space.

Under this brilliant white light, the dark energy around the ancient tree seemed to burn away.

After a while, all the dark energy from the ancient tree and its roots was completely purified.

The ancient tree regained its vitality, with emerald green leaves sprouting from it, and its dense roots also restored to life, turning a vibrant green.

The white-clad Qiu Bai tossed the white light in his hand above the ancient tree, illuminating the underground space.

From an overall perspective, it truly resembled Enkanomiya under daylight.

“With this, the matter is resolved.”

Qiu Bai withdrew the avatar back into his body and then left The Chasm.

After a while, two Abyss Heralds emerged from a portal.

If Qiu Bai were here, he would surely be surprised—isn’t this the classic “N-dian” guy? In the game, he often makes you feel the classic frustration.

The two Abyss Heralds looked at the now-purified ancient tree with astonishment.

“The power of the Abyss combined with the Darkest Calamity—how could it suddenly be purified?”

“Even the God of Rock of the mortal world was helpless against the Darkest Calamity, and with the added power of the Abyss, it was still dealt with.”

The Abyss Heralds looked around the space with helplessness. Their plan, years in the making, had been destroyed just like that.

“It seems we must reconsider our plans.”

“Let’s return and report to His Highness first.”

After saying this, the two Abyss Heralds teleported away. If they stayed any longer, they would surely be detected by the God of Rock.

At this moment, Aether was sitting on his throne, reminiscing about his recent reunion with his sister.

“Sister, we will meet again, but not now.”

“Before the Abyss submerges the Divine Throne, I have an unfinished war with the Heavenly Principles.”

Suddenly, Aether sensed something and looked ahead as two Abyss Heralds emerged from a black hole.

“Your Highness, the Darkest Calamity beneath The Chasm has been purified.”

“We do not know who did it, but our plan…”

The two Abyss Heralds knelt on one knee, looking at the ground as they informed Aether of the matter.

“That Darkest Calamity—even we of the Abyss were helpless against it.”

“We infused it with the power of the Abyss centuries ago, yet it was still purified.”

Aether thought about The Seven of the mortal world, but none seemed capable of purifying such a calamity.

“Whoever can purify that thing must be a deity at least equal to The Seven.”

“Let that plan rest for now. We should turn our attention to Enkanomiya in Inazuma.”

Aether glanced at the many Abyss Heralds standing beside the hall, and it seemed a decision had formed in his mind.

“Enjou, go to Enkanomiya.”

“Make sure to complete the mission.”

Enjou stepped forward from the side of the hall, kneeling on one knee as he spoke.

“Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. Enjou will surely accomplish the mission.”

With that, Enjou vanished from the hall.

Aether looked into the distance and murmured.

“We will reunite, Lumine.”

“That day will not be far away.”

Meanwhile, in Liyue Harbor, Qiu Bai noticed Zhongli listening to a storyteller and grew interested. Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and greeted him.

Qiu Bai walked over and sat beside Zhongli.

“Zhongli.”

“You certainly have the leisure to sit here and listen to stories.”

Qiu Bai picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea, then turned to Zhongli beside him and said.

“Hehe, Iron Tongue Tian’s storytelling is quite entertaining.”

“Though most of it doesn’t match the facts, today’s story Iron Tongue Tian is going to tell is actually about you.”

Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai with a mysterious expression, and Qiu Bai, now intrigued, sat back in his chair, ready to hear what the storyteller had to say.

Iron Tongue Tian began as well, raising his fan to his chest before launching into his tale.

In those days, Liyue was struck by a flood as immense as the pillars of heaven, sweeping through Guili Assembly.

The Adepti, alongside Rex Lapis, protected the residents as they retreated to Liyue Harbor. Just then, a terrifying force shot from the distance toward the sky!

Rex Lapis searched far and wide, eventually finding a figure in a valley.

He was the Adeptus of Yin and Yang at that time. As the saying goes, it’s through conflict that friendships are forged!

Rex Lapis and the Adeptus Lord battled for three hundred rounds, shaking the heavens and splitting the earth! Mountains trembled and the ground quaked!

In the end, the Adeptus Lord was briefly at a disadvantage, and the two deities became close friends.

The Adeptus Lord couldn’t bear to see the common folk below Guili Assembly suffering from fierce winds, torrential rain, and the torment of illness.

So he used his Divine Power to disperse the dark clouds in the sky! And calm the raging winds!

At that time, a storyteller stepped forward, looked at our Adeptus Lord, and bestowed upon him the name Adeptus of Yin and Yang!

Iron Tongue Tian closed his fan, and the audience below showered him with tips.

“It really doesn’t match the facts, you know. I clearly couldn’t withstand more than a few of your moves.”

Qiu Bai glanced awkwardly at Zhongli beside him. If it were his current self, fighting Zhongli for three hundred rounds might make sense.

But back then, Qiu Bai had only exchanged a few blows with him. If Zhongli hadn’t held back at the time, Qiu Bai might have been done for.

“Hehe, old friend, there’s no need to be modest.”

“Nowadays, your power likely no longer falls short of mine.”

Zhongli took a sip of tea and looked at Qiu Bai as he spoke slowly.

“The dark energy beneath the Chasm has been completely purified by me.”

“I don’t know where that dark energy came from, but I’ve already turned that place into a tourist attraction.”

Qiu Bai wasn’t wrong—the scenery there now was absolutely stunning.

Especially after installing a small sun there, it felt like an underground world.

“Even so, it doesn’t mean the people of Liyue can set foot there.”

“That place reaches deep into Liyue’s Ley Lines. I have sealed it once more.”

Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai, somewhat surprised. How long had he been gone, and he’d already resolved it?

After all, Zhongli had tried every method of Divine Power back then and couldn’t find a solution, yet Qiu Bai went over and fixed it in no time.

Still, he wasn’t entirely shocked, given how mysterious his old friend truly was.

Meanwhile, in Jueyun Karst, the Adepti scattered across Liyue in search of the Adeptus Lord.

Half a day passed, and all the Adepti gathered once more in Jueyun Karst.

“Adeptus Lord, where have you gone?”

Cloud Retainer, having taken human form, gazed into the distance and murmured.

“Perhaps the Adeptus Lord has already awakened and simply wanted to see the outside world?”

Mountain Shaper reminded from behind.

“You old fool! How could the Adeptus Lord, who was still slumbering just the day before, awaken without any warning!”

Qiu Bai: “Is there a possibility that I actually would?”

Cloud Retainer glared at Mountain Shaper and snapped.

“You all go back first. I’ll continue searching a while longer.”

Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver exchanged a glance, somewhat resigned.

Still, she followed Cloud Retainer, preparing to search once more for the Adeptus Lord.

Where could the Adeptus Lord have gone? Could it truly have been stolen?