Genshin Impact: I, the Winter's Executor, am forced to work.

"you are?"

"What, has my IQ degenerated to this extent in the future?" The sphere's tone was somewhat sarcastic.

Qin Ye showed no surprise whatsoever: "If you are the past me, then there are only two possibilities: either the present me is not me, or I have developed a new consciousness, and you and I have no connection anymore."

While it's possible to have a conversation across distances, that's only if we're not the same individual.

"Haha, your analysis is quite interesting." The other party didn't hide anything: "I was indeed just a fragment left behind by borrowing the power of an old friend. The real me... is now standing opposite me."

"So you deliberately left a backup plan here, could it be to tell me what happened in the past?" Qin Ye frowned.

"Of course not. If I... it's not easy to express here, so let's just refer to you and me as 'we.' We want to know what happened in the past, and it's more appropriate for someone to relay the message than anyone else. There's no need to extract another fragment."

"Columbia?" Qin Ye nodded in agreement. "Then what is the significance of this fragment?"

"To make dead trees sprout new buds."

"?"

Okay, I suggest calling up Rock King and Daines Reeb, then we can finish all the riddles.

"You've come here, so you've probably already seen the new branches of the ley lines... which are the honeysuckle trees, right?"

"Yes, that's exactly why I came."

"I'm just telling you that we have many backup plans, but whether you can move forward and make the choice is still up to you. We even tried to defy the laws of nature in the past, but that doesn't mean that this goal will continue indefinitely."

"I think I understand what you mean."

In other words, whatever your past purpose may have been, even if you laid the groundwork, if you choose to retire, then it doesn't matter.

This also shows that if I still have ambition now, then everything I have in the past will become my unique asset.

"But I always feel that my past self is indeed dragging my present self forward."

"Hehe, it's just a matter of willing participants taking the bait."

Seeing that his test had been easily seen through, Qin Ye shrugged: "Now I completely believe you. And I have to say, I do need power, but it's only to protect the people I need to protect. As for the principles of heaven and earth, maybe I'll do them too?"

"In short, after you leave here, you will get what you want, and my purpose will be achieved. Since you have the path you want to take, just keep going. I am just a fragment, and there is only so much I can say to you."

The black sphere gradually turned into specks of fluorescence, indicating that it was about to dissipate.

"The last two questions: Was the mask on the tree branch also placed here by me? And when were you separated from this fragment?" Qin Ye asked quickly.

"Mask? I don't know anything about it." The reply faded into the distance, but it was clear that his response was genuine.

"As for when I came into existence..."

The sound grew fainter and fainter, so Qin Ye quickened his pace to get closer and listen intently.

"About five hundred years ago."

Chapter 177 Determination

Columbia stood beside the nail of judgment, sensing the slightest movement around her, hoping that the person she longed for would return soon.

The ground cracked as before, and Qin Ye's aura emerged from below, bringing joy to the girl's heart.

The man rushed out quickly and landed smoothly beside the girl.

"Qin? What happened?"

"I'll tell you all about it when I get back, until then..."

Qin Ye's gaze fell upon the Nail of Judgment. Now he understood the significance of the sapling's existence. Unlike Dotore's experiment, the sapling's power perfectly repaired his body, bringing it to a perfect balance.

The way normal people gain power is through continuous cultivation, climbing step by step in a down-to-earth manner, and finally reaching the destination.

Dotole's experiment bypassed the middle step, drawing out the original power, but lost the foundation that should have been built up through steady progress.

Now this flaw has been completely fixed.

He also mastered how to utilize the power of the earth's veins while using elemental power.

Is this what Dotole meant by the missing part of his body? Not entirely.

After all, Qin Ye knew that his father had many other tricks up his sleeve, so he must have other untapped powers.

For example, why is he naturally able to use his elemental powers with ease?

He had even tried to defy the laws of nature in the past, so his current strength was somewhat insufficient, after all, he believed that he was never a reckless and impulsive man.

Even the simple act of repairing the body requires a separate space, demonstrating the extreme care taken.

Qin Ye strode towards the Punishment Nail, forcibly initiating "communication" with the chaotic ley lines.

Elemental forces began to spread from beneath their feet, guiding the flow of the earth's veins.

After a long while, a powerful force was released, and the honeysuckle saplings at the foot of the mountain began to grow at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The oppressive force of the Punishment Nail completely disappeared, and it gradually flew into the sky.

Qin Ye didn't show excessive joy. Instead, he turned around and looked at Columbia first, nodding to her.

"I just went downstairs..."

He explained every single detail to the girl.

"I see... Since you've made this choice, I will always support you."

She gently grasped Qin Ye's hands, expressing her determination with each word.

"Your hands are so cold." Qin Ye frowned, placed his other hand on top of her fair little hand, and held it in hers.

"It's nothing." Columbia shook her head, but a happy smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

"I roughly know what's going on with that mask. Don't worry, everything is moving in a good direction."

"I understand." Qin Ye secretly observed the other person's expression. "I didn't tell you about this sapling, you..."

You're not angry with me, are you?

He wanted to express that meaning, but he was afraid that saying it would upset the other person.

“I know you. I’m afraid you’re in some dangerous situation and don’t want to involve me, so you’re going to do it on your own.”

The girl seemed to be narrating something perfectly normal.

"What's wrong? You seem a little down?" Although he didn't know how to describe it, Qin Ye sensed that the other person's attitude was somewhat different from before he went down into the special space.

"Well, I have some things to do, but I wanted to be there for you through this crisis in Mondstadt first, but then..."

Qin Ye squeezed her small hand.

After Mondstadt, it was Liyue's turn to set up a plan. This series of interconnected plans must have made Colombia afraid to leave.

"It's alright. Mondstadt is far from reaching its most difficult moment. Rather, whether it's the Geo Archon, the Abyss, or my main objective, it will ultimately lean towards Liyue. That's where the real show begins. So, you go and accomplish the important task now, and Liyue will come back in time, isn't that perfect?"

Seeing the girl deep in thought, Qin Ye blinked and added, "You don't need to limit yourself for my sake; that's not the kind of development I want to see."

Unexpectedly, Columbia shook her head: "It's more accurate to say that you're the one who made me make this decision. Seeing you keep moving forward gives me the confidence to continue."

The girl opened her arms and hugged Qin Ye's waist: "Then I'll be right back."

"So fast?"

This drive...

"Hmm, maybe we can make it back in time for the battle in Mondstadt."

"...Alright then, safety is the most important thing." Qin Ye reminded him again.

"it is good."

The girl walked away reluctantly, turning back every few steps, and finally gave Qin Ye a sweet smile before leaping up the cliff and disappearing from sight.

"..."

I'd never seen her use her skills before, but now I realize that the strongest are always the most low-key.

These fluid and graceful movements...

Qin Ye put aside the teasing in his mind and left the mountaintop in almost the same manner.

Although we don't know how much time has passed in the space below, let's check on Teacher Abedo's condition first.

"..."

Wait, if I jump from here, where will I land? And where is Aberdo's experimental platform again?

The snow-capped mountain is covered by clouds and mist all year round, so Qin Ye was a little disoriented during the descent.

He stood with one foot in the air, the wind propelling his body, turning his vertical fall into a horizontal movement.

With the help of the wind, he soon broke through the fog.

Anyway, Aberdo's laboratory can be found by going around the main road, and it's all white from the air, so it's more reassuring to go through the route again.

Otherwise, you'll get lost and waste time.

He landed quickly and soon arrived at the foot of the mountain.

"I didn't expect there to be waterfalls and flowing water nearby."

Qin Ye gazed at the boundary between the snow-capped mountains and the green plains of Mondstadt. He planned to move against the flow of the water. He knew the map of this area by heart and knew the location of the adventurers' stronghold.

Wendy should know his current location, so the fact that he hasn't received any messages from the other party means that Mondstadt's problems haven't reached their most difficult point yet.

Tatiana's side is probably...

Never mind, he doesn't really need to worry about that side.

The rest...

Just as he was pondering, the sound of a woman humming suddenly reached his ears.

"?"

Not right.

He forced himself not to observe the situation in the water and planned to leave quickly.

"Who?"

The greatsword, which was difficult for an ordinary person to wield, was thrown like a dart, grazing Qin Ye's cheek and embedding itself in the snow behind him.