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

He got up, washed, and packed his things. The ordinary silver sword hung at his waist, while the Eye of the Ice God was carefully tucked away close to his body.

Xu Chuan looked at himself in the mirror and suddenly felt that he had a bit of an "adventurer" vibe.

He went outside and headed towards the Knights' headquarters.

Qin said she would send someone to escort him to Abedo. Xu Chuan guessed several times along the way.

Amber is probably the most suitable; she's a scout knight, familiar with the wilderness, and the two of them know each other.

Kaeya is also a possibility. Although he's a deep thinker, his strength is undeniable.

As for the worst-case scenario...

Could it be that little girl who keeps saying "Klee wants to fry fish"?

While Klee is indeed powerful, she should still be in solitary confinement at this point.

Lost in thought, Xu Chuan walked into the Knights' headquarters.

Qin was already waiting for him.

“Mr. Xu Chuan, are you ready?” she asked.

“Ready?” Xu Chuan nodded. “By the way, Commander Qin, who is escorting me…”

Before he could finish speaking, a familiar figure walked out from the side.

Short, light blue hair, sharp eyebrows and eyes, pine needles rustling behind his back.

Yura.

Xu Chuan was stunned.

"What?" Yura raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Not satisfied with me?"

“No…” Xu Chuan was a little surprised. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be busy with other things?”

In Xu Chuan's view, she should seize this opportunity and busy herself with rescue efforts after the dragon disaster.

Why are you here to escort him?

Yura gave a soft snort and turned her face away.

"Don't overthink it," she said curtly. "It just happens to be on my way. I'm also going to the snowy mountains to investigate the Abyss Order's whereabouts, and I'm just giving you a ride."

Xu Chuan couldn't help but laugh when he saw her awkward expression.

Drop by?

It is indeed convenient to travel from Mondstadt to the Dragon Ridge.

The problem is, she just got back yesterday and is setting off again today, clearly taking on this task voluntarily.

That arrogant weirdo.

"Thank you very much then," Xu Chuan said earnestly.

Yura glanced at him without saying a word, but the curve of her lips betrayed her feelings at that moment.

Qin watched this scene from the side and smiled slightly.

“Yura offered to escort you,” she said. “She said it would be easier for you on the way since you know each other.”

"Now that you're ready, let's set off. Be careful on the road."

Xu Chuan nodded and went out with Youla.

Stepping out of the Knights' headquarters, the sun was shining brightly.

Yura walked ahead with brisk steps.

Xu Chuan followed beside him, his gaze sweeping over the scene on both sides of the street.

The traces left by the dragon disaster are still there.

Several damaged roofs have not yet been repaired, and some shops still have piles of debris that were blown over by the wind in front of them.

The two left the city gate and embarked on the road leading to Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain.

Along the way, the chaos caused by the dragon's calamity was clearly visible.

The trees on both sides of the road were snapped in half by the strong wind, and broken branches and leaves were scattered all over the ground.

Several overturned horse-drawn carriages lay scattered on the roadside, their goods strewn everywhere.

Occasionally, you can see a few caravans clearing the road; wave to them as a greeting.

The monsters are even more troublesome.

Hilichurls, slimes, and even a few Abyss Mages, as if their nests had been disturbed by the dragon scourge, were scattering everywhere.

Yura slashed down no fewer than ten waves of monsters along the way, each strike clean and swift, making Xu Chuan exclaim how cool she was.

Without her, I would have to be extremely careful to walk this road alone.

Although knights can now survive unarmed combat, real combat experience is something that cannot be acquired overnight.

Halfway through their journey, the two entered a scrambled forest.

The trees here were even more severely felled, as if they had been crushed by something from the sky.

Scattered blackened branches and leaves lay on the ground, and an indescribable smell of decay filled the air.

Then, Xu Chuan saw that thing.

Chapter Twenty: Tears of the Dragon

Not far ahead, in a corner of a woodland ravaged by a giant creature, a faint scarlet light caught the eye.

It was a dark red teardrop crystal, silently suspended on a patch of withered yellow grass.

It seems to have existed for too long, and the ominous aura it exudes has caused the surrounding vegetation to lose its vitality, even the most tenacious weeds have withered.

Yura paused, her brows furrowing tightly.

“This thing…” her voice was filled with obvious repulsion, “makes me very uncomfortable.”

Xu Chuan knew what this was.

Five hundred years ago, Dvalin fought a great battle against the dragon Durin.

Dvalin was accidentally contaminated by poisonous blood; these crystals, emanating this eerie aura, are the tears it shed in its agony.

The teardrops contain the power of the abyss, and have a strong corrosive effect on the native creatures of Teyvat.

In the story, Ying purified these tears and used them to replenish the power of the Sky Harp.

The presence of something containing the power of the abyss piqued Xu Chuan's curiosity.

He had already come into contact with and experienced the power of elemental forces, and he was gradually able to adapt to and control them.

So, what about the power of the abyss?

Will it become like the elements?

He tentatively approached.

There was no stinging or rejection.

Nothing at all.

He reached out and gently touched the dark red teardrop.

A cool sensation came through, like holding a piece of ordinary glass.

The power of the abyss flowed in his hands, yet it was like a gentle stream, without the slightest aggression.

Xu Chuan tried to hold the teardrop tightly, hoping it could be purified like fireflies.

Unfortunately, after using the Knight's Undead ability, the teardrop remained unchanged, its inner abyssal power clinging to its core like a maggot.

The power of the abyss simply remained quietly in his hand, neither dissipating nor transforming.

The power of the abyss that Xu Chuan knew was not like this.

It should erode the body of life, wear down its spirit, and constantly tempt people into the abyss.

Until they completely lose themselves and become monsters of the abyss.

Could it be that I received a counterfeit product?

Yura stared at him for several seconds, her eyes filled with concern.

"Are you OK?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine."

Xu Chuan released his hand, letting the teardrop float on his palm.

He thought to himself, "I don't feel anything at all."

However, as he released his grip and dispelled his control over it, the ominous aura of the teardrop reappeared.

Yura couldn't help but frown; she could clearly feel this thing.

Xu Chuan picked up the teardrop, held it in his hand, and activated the Knight's Undead Rage ability.

The unsettling aura that had made Yura uncomfortable vanished instantly.

After observing for a while and confirming that Xu Chuan was indeed unaffected,

Yura was relieved to let him carry the strange teardrop with him.

The two continued on their journey.

Soon after, they encountered Sugar.

Upon seeing Xu Chuan and Youla, her eyes lit up, and she quickly walked over to them.

"Mr. Xu Chuan! Miss Yura!" she said happily, "What brings you here?"

"The orchestra leader asked me to invite Teacher Abedo back to Mondstadt," Xu Chuan explained simply. "And we just happened to run into each other."

Sugar nodded: "Let's go together then! I'm heading back to camp!"

The three of them traveled together, heading deeper into the Longji Snow Mountain.

The higher you go, the lower the temperature gets.

Snow gradually appeared underfoot, and breath began to condense into white mist.

The outlines of the distant snow-capped mountains became clearer and clearer, towering into the clouds with a majestic presence.

Xu Chuan gazed at the mountain, his feelings a mix of emotions.

The last time he came, he was the one being chased.

He touched the Eye of the Ice God in his arms and then gripped the silver sword at his waist.

This time, it's different.

Half a day later, they arrived at Aberdo's camp.

The familiar cave entrance appeared before my eyes.

At the cave entrance, there were some alchemy equipment piled up, as well as a few collected ice mist flowers.

Warm light shone from inside, and one could vaguely see figures moving about.

"Professor Abedo!" Sugar walked in first. "We're back!"

Xu Chuan followed behind and stepped into the camp.

Abedo raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Sugar, over Yura, and finally landing on Xu Chuan.

"We meet again," Abedo said calmly.

Xu Chuan nodded: "We meet again."

The two exchanged a glance.

Abedo's gaze lingered on Xu Chuan for a few seconds, then he raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Interesting changes."

Xu Chuan was taken aback: "What?"