He had already gone blind as soon as he arrived in Genshin Impact.

Seeing that Paimon was safe and sound, Ying breathed a sigh of relief, after all, he was her travel companion.

Although they had only known each other for a few days, Ying felt that Paimon was a friend she could become close to.

After listening to Paimon's description of the number of Hilichurls in the ruins, Ying realized that something was wrong and nodded.

"Okay, I understand. Let's leave here."

Then he quickly pulled Paimon away from there.

Little did she know that someone had been watching her ever since Ying arrived.

"Your Highness, everything is ready."

"Okay, then follow my orders."

"Yes."

".............".

Mondstadt

"Thank you for your information, Traveler. We have already informed the Knights of Favonius."

"I wonder if you'll be participating in the monster-slaying operation next, or if you have other plans?"

Catherine checked the information recorded in her hand, and then asked about Ying's arrangements.

"Do you have money? Well, for the safety of Mondstadt, it's our duty."

"Well said, you truly are an excellent adventurer."

Applause came from behind Ying, and the somewhat flippant voice made her turn around and look in the direction from which the sound came.

The newcomers were Kaeya, Diluc, and other members of the Knights of Favonius.

As for why Diluc came to participate in this expedition, it was because Jean had asked him for a long time before he came.

After all, Mondstadt doesn't have many usable players right now; it's basically just a handful of small fry.

As for why she didn't go herself, Qin had her own plans regarding the unusual gathering of monsters.

This made her suspect that this might be a conspiracy against Mondstadt. Of course, she might be overthinking it, so just in case, she chose to stay.

Seeing Ying's puzzled expression, Kaiya realized that the other person didn't seem to know him.

"Oh dear, I almost forgot to introduce myself. My name is Kaeya, and I am the cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius."

"This is Diluc, Lord Diluc. He is the owner of the largest winery in Mondstadt, or simply put, the richest man in all of Mondstadt."

"Stop talking nonsense and get going."

Kaeya's joking words made Diluc's brow twitch; if there weren't other people around, he would have kicked him no matter what.

"Okay okay."

Seeing that Diluc was getting impatient, Kaeya decided to stop while he was ahead and then looked at Luminous who was watching from the side.

"If you want to join the expedition, you must follow orders and not act rashly."

"This will greatly increase the chances of everyone being safe."

"Well, I will."

Hearing Kaiya's somewhat serious tone, Ying nodded, promising that she wouldn't do anything reckless.

"That's good, let's go."

Immediately after

A large group of people left Mondstadt in a grand procession, drawing the attention of the Mondstadt residents who were unaware of what was happening.

Chapter 18 Six Bell Chimes

—Two days before the banquet

"Xiao Di, what are you looking at?"

"Hmm? It's nothing."

Wu Di wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he noticed that everyone around him had a faint black aura about them.

Moreover, the painful groans carried by the wind were becoming more and more numerous and obvious.

"Barbara, look at the expression on that person's face."

Wu Di's sudden question drew Barbara's attention to the person he was pointing to.

"Hmm? Let me see... Hmm—, her face is a little pale, she seems to be feeling unwell."

Is it strange that you're asking these questions?

"Is that so...?"

Barbara's words made Wu Di realize that this was not an illusion; the dark energy was indeed affecting people.

"Barbara, come with me, I have something to tell you."

"oh oh."

Barbara followed Wu Di back to the West Wind Cathedral and into the room that had been prepared for him.

Wu Di has been staying here for the past few days.

He closed the door, moved two stools over, and had the two of them sit down.

"Xiao Di, is it something important?"

Wu Di nodded and then began to explain that it was because of the special nature of his eyes.

Therefore, they can see things that ordinary people cannot see.

Now he discovered that the residents of Mondstadt all carried a strange black aura to varying degrees.

The person Wu Di just pointed to was the one with the most dark aura, and most importantly...

Wu Di discovered that the black energy was draining the host's life force.

Wu Di suspected that the density of the dark energy on each person directly affected the speed at which they absorbed life force.

After hearing these words, Barbara could no longer sit still. This was such an important matter that she had to tell her sister immediately!

Her expression was somewhat serious and worried, and she hurriedly asked.

"Xiao Di, are you sure these things are true?!"

"I am absolutely certain."

"Then we must tell my sister about this."

The two hurriedly arrived at the Knights' headquarters and told Jean the information.

As Qin listened, her expression grew increasingly serious. After listening, she stood up and spoke to the soldiers on guard outside.

"Have Lisa come over here. Tell her I have something very important to discuss with her."

"Yes!"

The soldier dashed down to the library and quickly called Lisa over.

"Qin~, is there something important?"

Qin repeated the information she had just given, which gradually made Lisa's originally lazy expression become serious.

"It seems this matter is a bit troublesome."

"Oh, by the way, there's another unfamiliar face here. My name is Lisa. Are you Wu Di, whom Qin Xin has been longing to hear about?"

Qin was a little stunned, but also somewhat helpless, after all, this was Lisa's usual behavior.

"Hmm? Yes, my name is Wu Di."

"Hehe, then I'll call you Little Didi~."

"So, Little Didi, let me ask you, do the three of us have that black aura on us?"

Wu Di glanced at the colors on their chests: blue, green, purple, but not the black.

"You don't have it."

Lisa nodded, then took Wu Di's hand and led him to the window, pointing to the citizens outside and asking.

"And what about their bodies?"

"Hmm—, they all have them, but the degree to which they gather black energy varies."

"Hmm, I understand. This black aura won't affect someone with the Eye of God."

But it's different for ordinary people.

"Absorbing life force? That's a bit like the dead zone in Sumeru."

Lisa reached her own conclusion, prompting Qin, who was standing nearby, to quickly ask her question.

Is there a solution?

"If it really is a dead zone within Sumeru, then I am powerless to help unless I find that node."

"Of course, this is also a hypothesis, so I need more time."

"Well then, without further ado, I'll go look for clues~ Goodbye, Qin, and the two little cuties~."

Watching Lisa leave, Qin turned to look at Wu Di and Barbara, her expression somewhat solemn.

"Barbara and Mr. Wu Di, please do not spread this matter, otherwise it will cause panic among the people."

"Yes, Xiaodi and I understand."

The two nodded, promising not to tell anyone.

"Thank you for your help."

Jean managed a forced smile, perhaps because Mondstadt was going through a turbulent time.

One troublesome thing after another came, making her feel a little tired.

"Then we'll be leaving."