Outlanders, your journey ends here. The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles…
Aether! No…
You are sinners of Khaenri'ah. You have betrayed…
The power from beyond this world, the power to negate this world…
"No! Hah… hah… hah…" Lumine woke up from the chaotic memories, gasping for breath. Just now, she had seen the scene of Aether being taken away again, along with some memories she had never recalled before.
"Where am I?" Lumine wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and rubbed her temples. She realized she was lying on Yun Fan's bed.
"You're awake?"
Lumine turned toward the voice and saw Yun Fan sitting in a chair nearby, holding a teapot.
"Have some water," Yun Fan walked over to the bed and handed her a cup of warm tea.
"Thank you," Lumine sipped the water, one hand pressed against her chest. Her heart was still pounding at an abnormal rate.
"I intended to use the Fenghuang Down to protect your consciousness, but I accidentally unlocked part of your sealed memories," Yun Fan explained what had happened.
"I understand. Thank you, Yun Fan," Lumine said, though in her heart, she thought, So it's called the Fenghuang Down?
"No need to thank me. We're companions, aren't we?" Yun Fan shook his head.
"Mhm!" Lumine smiled faintly in response.
"Did you remember anything?"
"I remembered…"
Lumine recounted everything she had recalled to Yun Fan, who nodded thoughtfully. Based on Lumine's account and the game's storyline, he suspected that the Khaenri'ah war 500 years ago might have involved forces from beyond Teyvat, rather than being purely a conflict within the continent.
In the game's PV, it was said, "We are not the dregs left after the selection of the gods. From beyond this world, we have obtained the power to negate this world."
What exactly was this "power to negate this world"? Was it the Abyss's power, or something else entirely?
"I'm sorry, I can't draw any useful conclusions. But it seems we have another lead: Khaenri'ah," Yun Fan said. He wasn't ready to tell Lumine about Aether yet.
"That's alright. Let's explore it during our journey. Yun Fan, our next destination is Liyue."
"Liyue? Right, the Rite of Descension is coming up. When do you plan to leave?" Yun Fan calculated the time. There were only about ten days left until the Rite of Descension. He had almost forgotten about it.
"Probably in five days. Venti said he'd return the Holy Lyre in three days. We'll rest for two more days, so five days in total."
"Alright. You and Paimon can go ahead. I have some things to take care of. We'll meet up in Liyue," Yun Fan said after some consideration.
"Mhm," Lumine didn't ask why. In her mind, Yun Fan was a merchant, and handing over the Good Hunter's operations would take time. She assumed he needed to deal with that.
"Hey, long time no see, Diluc," Yun Fan greeted Diluc at the Angel's Share the next evening. Diluc was wiping water droplets off a wine glass.
"It's only been three days," Diluc shook his head and took out a finely crafted wooden box from behind the counter. The box had golden patterns and a Hydro symbol on it.
Yun Fan took the box and opened it. Inside was a beautifully designed camera, predominantly blue with gemstones that looked expensive. It had a ceramic-like texture when held.
"This camera…" Yun Fan's mouth twitched. He had only asked for an ordinary camera, but this one was way too flashy.
"This is the Fontaine Hydro Limited Edition Camera. There are only ten in all of Teyvat," Diluc explained.
"Ah, I see. I'm satisfied," Yun Fan said, both amused and exasperated. At first, he had thought a camera would be easy for Diluc to obtain. He hadn't expected Diluc to go all the way to Fontaine for a limited edition.
"Glad you like it."
After getting the camera, Yun Fan sat at the bar and ordered a glass of Dandelion Wine. After downing it in a few gulps, he said to Diluc, "I'll be leaving Mondstadt soon. After I'm gone, could you take care of the Good Hunter for me?"
"Of course. You're always welcome to come back."
"Mhm," Yun Fan nodded. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar blue-haired woman.
"Bring me a few more bottles of Dandelion Wine."
After getting the wine, Yun Fan walked over to where the blue-haired woman was sitting.
The Angel's Share was Mondstadt's largest tavern, usually packed in the evenings. However, there were several empty tables around the woman, enough to seat about eight people. It seemed the other patrons were avoiding her.
Thud! Ignoring the curious gazes of the other patrons, Yun Fan placed the wine on the table and sat down across from her.
"You? Sitting across from me without my permission? I'll remember this! Hic!" Eula, the Spindrift Knight, declared, punctuating her words with a loud hiccup.
"Hmph, drinking without inviting me? I'll remember this too!" Yun Fan retorted without hesitation, then opened a bottle and filled both their glasses.
"You're quite an interesting person," Eula chuckled. This guy was the first to talk to her like this.
"By the way, who exactly are you? That power you wielded… it's definitely not something an ordinary Vision holder could possess," Eula's eyes held a hint of curiosity. The image of Yun Fan's powerful and imposing figure from that day was deeply etched in her mind. She was very curious about this so-called merchant.
"I'm just a friend of the Anemo Archon."
"A friend of the Anemo Archon? You're quite the big shot," Eula's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, though it wasn't directed at Yun Fan. It was aimed at the people of Mondstadt, who looked down on her simply because she was a Lawrence. If they knew Yun Fan was a friend of the Anemo Archon, they'd probably worship him. Hah!