While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

The incredibly sharp blade pierced right through the rock armor protecting the rock dragon's body.

It goes in through the back, comes out through the abdomen, and is driven into the ground.

The rock dragon let out a short roar, then fell silent.

Its body twitched a few times, then remained completely still.

Blood gushed from the wound, seeping into the gravel and soil.

When the body dies, the soul has no support and is no longer bound.

The soul drifted out of the rock dragon lizard's body, hovered in mid-air, and looked around blankly.

Without the protection of a physical body, it is as fragile as a lamp that can be blown out by the wind at any moment.

"Soul, come!"

Xu Chuan raised his hand, and the Spirit Binding and Commanding technique was activated instantly.

An invisible chain bound that soul.

The rock dragon's soul had no chance to resist.

In the blink of an eye, it transformed from a ferocious wild beast into a docile domestic dog.

The once volatile and aggressive soul was now left only with submission.

It hovered quietly in front of Xu Chuan, its head slightly bowed, as if waiting for a command.

Xu Chuan nodded in satisfaction.

"Go and find your kind who are as powerful as you, and bring them here."

Without the slightest hesitation, the rock dragon's soul turned and drifted into the depths of the forest.

It moved as fast as the wind, disappearing into the rocks and trees in the blink of an eye.

Xiao stood aside and witnessed the whole thing.

He was still holding He Puyuan's hand, but he never had the chance to make a move.

"You can control the souls of dead monsters."

"Just some petty tricks." Xu Chuan sheathed the Corruption Sword and shook off the blood from its blade.

“This is no small trick.” Xiao looked at him, his golden eyes filled with something indescribable.

Xiao didn't continue speaking; he thought of Fushe.

If Xu Chuan wanted to, he could completely control the remnant soul of Fu She.

It should be known that the souls of the immortal yakshas, ​​even if they are only remnants, are far more powerful than those of monsters like the rock dragon lizard.

But Xu Chuan did not do that.

He chose to entrust the floating dwelling to Zhongli, to the immortal, to the one who could bring peace to the floating dwelling.

Not long after, a series of chaotic footsteps came from deep in the mountains.

It's not one path, it's many paths.

The soul of the rock dragon lizard drifted back, followed by seven rock dragon lizards.

They stared with blood-red eyes, panting heavily, crushing the rocks beneath their feet.

"Good timing."

Xu Chuan's lips curled up slightly, and he did the same thing.

The Corruption Sword was drawn once more, the power of the wind element lifting it as it danced in the air like a nimble swallow.

Swords flashed, and blood splattered.

The seven-headed rock dragon lizards didn't even get within ten steps of Xu Chuan before the Corruption Sword pierced their vital organs one by one.

Their corpses lay scattered on the ground, their dark yellow blood forming streams that flowed down the cracks in the rocks.

Xu Chuan raised his hand and activated the Spirit Binding and Commanding technique again.

Seven souls drifted out from the seven corpses.

Including the first one, there were a total of eight rock dragon lizard souls, quietly floating in front of him, like a row of soldiers waiting for inspection.

Xu Chuan looked at the souls and said in a flat tone, "They're only barely satisfactory."

To unleash the full power of summoning spirits and commanding generals, these alone are not enough.

A demon-level soul is indispensable.

Since Fushe's remnant soul has already been handed over to Zhongli, it is no longer under consideration.

The vortex demon god Oser was once one of his alternative options.

Unfortunately, the Abyss Order intercepted it in the end.

As for Andrius, the Northern Wind King of Mondstadt...

Xu Chuan did indeed have designs on it.

It perfectly meets all the conditions for binding and commanding spirits; even with only half a soul remaining, its power is still formidable.

When we reach Nordkal, there might be a chance to reunite its soul with ours.

Once I return to Mondstadt, I should definitely pay a visit to this Warden of the Four Winds.

Xu Chuan began by taking the soul of the Eight Rock Dragon Lizard into his cave.

Looking at the continuous mountain ranges on the horizon, he thought of Ying and Paimon, who had set off before him.

"I wonder how things are going on their end."

Chapter 151 Goodbye, Dain

When Xu Chuan and Xiao were hunting the soul of the Rock Dragon Lizard.

Far away from him, a group of people were traveling through Mount Ozang.

The ancient trees on both sides have gnarled branches and canopies that block out the sun, sifting the midday sunlight into shimmering pieces of gold that fall on the mountain path covered with fallen leaves.

The air was cool and humid, and occasionally birds would take flight from the treetops, their flapping wings echoing through the valley.

Mount Aozang is rarely visited by people, and as far as the eye can see, it is full of magnificent natural scenery.

The mountain's steep terrain possesses a certain ethereal charm.

The group traveled through the mountains, splitting into several small teams, searching for something in twos and threes.

In one of the squads, the combination of a blonde girl and a white flying object stood out.

"Phew... I'm so tired!"

Paimon flew in mid-air, her little hand resting on Ying's shoulder, her entire weight hanging on it.

She was panting heavily, her face flushed red, looking exhausted and about to collapse.

Having traversed most of Liyue, I have arrived at Mount Aozang once again.

Paimon felt he still found it difficult to adapt to this high-intensity trek.

She glanced at the two people beside her who didn't seem too tired and couldn't help but ask.

Aren't you all tired?

Ye Lan walked at the front, her steps steady and light.

Hearing Paimon's words, she turned her head, her eyes filled with the curiosity typical of someone gathering intelligence.

"I thought you wouldn't get tired of flying."

"Just like walking, flying is tiring too!"

“If Paimon is tired, I’ll carry you on my back.” Ying stopped and reached out her hand to Paimon.

"Hmm, Ying is still the best to me."

Although she was eager to find Kong's whereabouts as soon as possible, Ying did not neglect her companions.

Ye Lan surveyed her surroundings, her gaze shifting from the distant mountain ridge to the shade of a large tree.

"In that case, let's take a break."

"Great!"

Paimon clapped his little hands and instantly perked up.

That look of being on the verge of exhaustion seemed to have never existed.

The three of them found a shady spot to sit down.

The tree canopy spreads out like a huge umbrella, blocking out the midday sun. Under the tree are several flat stones, smoothed and cooled by the mountain breeze.

Paimon rested his little head on Ying's lap and soon fell into a sweet sleep.

Her breathing became even, her small mouth was slightly open, and a satisfied smile was on her face.

Ying lowered her head, looked at Paimon's sleeping face, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

She reached out and gently brushed the stray hairs from Paimon's forehead, her movements light so as not to wake her.

This operation is unlike any other.

When she and Paimon were alone, they could go wherever they wanted, stop whenever they wanted, and rest whenever they wanted.

But this time, we're teaming up with the Liyue Seven Stars to investigate the whereabouts of the Abyss Order, so we'll inevitably have to work in sync with their plans.

Ying leaned against the tree trunk, her gaze piercing through the gaps in the leaves as she looked towards the distant sky.

She couldn't help but think that with so many people searching together, she hoped they could find Kong successfully.

Ye Lan did not rest.

She leaned against a rock not far away, arms crossed, in a languid posture, but her eyes never stopped moving.

My gaze swept from the surrounding trees to the distant mountain ridge, and then back to the nearby path.

It's her professional instinct; no matter where she is or what she's doing, she'll unconsciously start collecting information.

“Speaking of which,” Ye Lan said, her tone casual as if she were talking about the weather, “you and that Mr. Xu Chuan must have a very good relationship.”

Ying's fingers paused slightly.

"Why wasn't he invited to join this operation?"

Ying was stunned for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Knowing Xu Chuan as she did, she was certain he would agree to help if she asked.

But for some reason, whenever she thought of the scene where Kong invited Xu Chuan to join the Abyss Order, she subconsciously wanted to avoid that situation from happening again.

Ying thought for a moment, then lowered her eyes and chose to tell a little lie.

"He has his own things to do."

"I see."

Ye Lan took in that moment of hesitation, the slightly evasive gaze, and the somewhat deliberate answer.

She outwardly showed an expression of approval, but inwardly she was quite certain that Ying was not telling the truth.

That's very strange.

Could it be that I've misunderstood the relationship between the two of them?

But they're clearly sharing a room, that shouldn't be the case.

As Ye Lan pondered, she decided to test the waters again.

"When I saw you were staying in one guest room, I thought..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Ying then realized the meaning behind her words.

The girl's eyes darted away unnaturally.

Although she tried to keep her face calm, the slight blush on her ears, like they had been burned, betrayed her true thoughts at that moment.