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

All of this burst forth in that one sound.

Under the watchful eyes of a group of Abyss Apostles and Abyss Mages, Ying stood before Kong.

"What is it that we can't face together?"

Kong's gaze darted away, avoiding her eyes.

His expression became complicated, a mixture of guilt and helplessness.

"Listen to me, Ying."

Kong's voice was very soft, "I don't want to involve you in this."

"why is that?"

Ying grabbed his arm, her fingers tightening as if afraid he would disappear in the next second.

She tried to find answers, explanations, and even the slightest hint of change in his eyes.

But what I got in return was still that ambiguous statement.

"Continue your journey, Ying."

"I will tell you everything at the end of the journey."

He broke free from Ying's grasp.

The movement was subtle, but undeniable.

The abyssal apostles and abyssal mages sprang into action, blocking Ying's path.

Holding magical implements, they were enveloped in a dim light, forming an invisible wall that kept Ying out.

Under everyone's gaze, Kong turned around and walked step by step towards the abyss passage behind him that was slowly opening.

Ying opened her mouth, wanting to call his name.

But the sound was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.

He stepped into the crevice and disappeared into the main hall.

Ying stood still, staring at the direction Kong had disappeared in, without moving.

Paimon flew to her side and gently tugged at the hem of her clothes.

"Ying..." Her voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

Dain stared intently at the Abyss Apostles and Abyss Mages who were constantly retreating into the Abyss Passage.

Just as the last person stepped into the passage, he sprang into action.

Whoosh!

With a whooshing sound, Dain's figure disappeared through the abyss passage.

Ying looked in the direction where the passage disappeared, but did not chase after it like Dain did.

She seemed still immersed in what she had just said.

Paimon followed behind her, his little face full of worry, but he didn't say anything.

Chapter 153 Yelan's Request

Ying stood still, staring at the direction Kong had disappeared in, without moving.

Paimon was beside her, and she opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something.

But these words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single one.

That person was Ying's brother. She knew too little about him to comment further.

Last time at Qunyu Pavilion, given the tense and confrontational situation, it was inconvenient to explain clearly, so we let it go.

But what about this time?

Xu Chuan wasn't there, and no immortals were bothering him, so why couldn't they have a proper chat?

He started by saying nonsensical things, then turned and left without giving a proper explanation.

Paimon grew angrier and angrier, and stomped his foot in mid-air.

The movement, combined with her small body, made her look less angry and more like a little bird with its feathers ruffled.

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Paimon."

Seeing the little guy's indignant expression, she reached out and caught Paimon from mid-air, holding him in her arms.

Paimon struggled for a moment, then stopped moving and nestled obediently in her arms, her little hands resting on her shoulders.

Seeing that Ying took the initiative to speak, Paimon breathed a sigh of relief.

She leaned on Ying's shoulder, turned her little head, and suddenly a brilliant idea flashed in her mind, which she blurted out.

"Next time we'll bring Xu Chuan along; that guy's got the best ideas."

After she finished speaking, she paused for a moment, then thought about it more and more and felt that the idea was excellent.

Xu Chuan always manages to handle things that others can't.

He's dealt with the Dragon Plague of Mondstadt, he's dealt with the Mystic Realm of the Laminaria, and he's dealt with the Maelstrom.

Ying's brother shouldn't be too difficult for him either, right?

Thinking of Xu Chuan's reliable figure, Ying felt inexplicably at ease.

She made up her mind not to look for Kong for the time being.

The outcome was the same for both meetings.

Ying knew very well that even if they met, their relationship would most likely end the same way.

If that's the case, then it's better not to meet at all.

Not far away, Ye Lan made arrangements for her subordinates and walked over from the entrance of the ruins.

She walked quickly, but landed very lightly, making almost no sound as she stepped on the gravel.

"Gentlemen, this matter is far from over."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the deep darkness at the heart of the ruins.

Dain had long since disappeared.

“Mr. Din rushed after him, and even if we wanted to help him, there was nothing we could do.”

"I hope he is safe."

"Yes."

Paimon peeked out from Ying's arms, his little face full of worry, "Dain was too impulsive."

Although he had only met him twice, Paimon was still somewhat worried about his safety.

Those abyss mages and abyss apostles are not to be trifled with.

Moreover, they outnumbered and outgunned others.

Is it really okay for Dain to chase after him alone?

What if we fall into an ambush?

"Unfortunately, we still don't know what the Abyss Order is plotting."

Ye Lan withdrew her gaze and landed on the upside-down statue. "However, I think this statue might be a breakthrough point."

Her gaze shifted from the ominous statue to Ying.

That gaze held a question, and also a hint of expectation.

Ying followed her gaze.

The statue was suspended upside down from the dome by thick black chains, the surface of which shimmered with dark purple light, firmly binding the entire statue in the void.

This is a statue of Barbatos, the god of wind.

Ye Lan's words were loaded with meaning, and Ying understood immediately.

With her title of Knight of Honor of Mondstadt, it was indeed most appropriate for her to step forward.

"It concerns the statue of the Anemo Archon, so leave Mondstadt to me."

Ye Lan chuckled softly, a hint of approval flashing in her eyes.

"It seems that Miss Ying and I really have a special understanding."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I have already sent people back to Liyue Harbor. Until we have a proper solution, we will protect this ruin and prevent anyone from entering."

Ye Lan's expression suddenly became somewhat subtle, and her tone softened.

"However, I have another request."

Ying looked at her, seemingly puzzled.

"I hope that Miss Ying can inform the Liyue Master before she departs for Mondstadt."

Yelan sighed, "Ever since those events in Liyue Harbor, the attitude of these immortals towards us has become rather subtle."

She looked at Ying with a hint of earnestness in her eyes.

"Therefore, I have no choice but to swallow my pride and ask Miss Ying for help."

Since the passing of the Rock King Emperor, the relationship between the immortals and the Seven Stars has remained tense.

Although Ningguang made a pact with the immortals at the Jade Pavilion, that barrier cannot be bridged with just a few words.

Ye Lan knew that her identity as the "General Affairs Officer" might not be effective in front of the immortals.

But Ying is different; she is an outsider.

As Xu Chuan's friend, he had also helped the immortal.

She's the most suitable person to step forward.

"Wow!" Paimon jumped up from Ying's arms, his little face full of helplessness.

"Looks like we're going to be busy again."

She sighed, her hands on her hips, looking rather unhappy.

But she quickly cheered up.

Xu Chuan is also in Mondstadt; you'll see him when you get there.

Thinking of this, Paimon's mood suddenly improved a lot, and he even felt a little expectant.

Ying nodded and did not refuse.

"I understand, leave it to me."

She looked at Ye Lan, "However, if Miss Ye Lan makes any discoveries, please let me know as soon as possible."

"must."

Ye Lan nodded slightly to her, then turned and walked towards the entrance of the ruins, beginning to arrange for people to seal off the site.

Her voice came from afar, low and urgent, with an undeniable decisiveness.

Ying stood in the valley, looking at the distant, rolling mountain ridges.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the clouds, falling on the mountaintops, the forests, and the tips of her golden hair.

"Let's go." She turned around and walked down the mountain.

"Alright!" Paimon followed behind her, sometimes rushing ahead and sometimes falling behind.

It seemed as if she was deliberately trying to attract Ying's attention.

Paimon is doing his own thing to dispel his friend's sadness.

At this moment, the topic of conversation between the two of them was clearly going to fall on someone.

"What do you think Xu Chuan is doing right now?"

Ying thought for a moment, "They're probably busy traveling. It's quite a long way from Liyue to Mondstadt."

"Yes, I wonder where he is now."