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

Xu Chuan stood by the bamboo grove, lost in thought.

"Unless their ancestors underwent genetic modification like the Frostmoon Child, it is difficult for ordinary humans with their fragile bodies to adapt to the erosion of elemental power."

"Teyvat was originally the world of dragons, and humans were ultimately outsiders."

Even if the laws of nature transformed the primal elemental forces, making them docile and controllable, only a very few people watched over by the gods would be qualified to glimpse the path to extraordinary power.

This is an objectively existing physiological barrier.

It's not something that can be overcome through diligent practice; it's a natural limitation etched into the very foundation of human genes.

"If one uses the Golden Light Mantra to enhance one's life cultivation and then assists the soul of a demon, it might be possible to gradually master elemental power."

The Golden Light Mantra refines one's essence, energy, and spirit, leading to an overall elevation of one's life level.

If you first raise the life realm of an ordinary person and then infuse them with the power of a demon's soul, you can theoretically reduce the risk of elemental erosion.

Unfortunately, he has only managed to teach one and a half people so far.

Grandpa Zhongli wasn't taught by him.

The Rock King himself was already standing at the top of the Teyvat Pyramid.

He learned the Golden Light Mantra purely because he lived a long life and had high comprehension; it has no reference value for ordinary people.

Ying is considered half a Ying.

Her elemental adaptability is an innate anomaly, and he doesn't need to worry about it.

However, her progress in the Golden Light Mantra was always a step behind; she couldn't use it on her own and had to rely on his guidance to barely activate it.

This phenomenon itself is suspicious, but Xu Chuan has not yet found a reasonable explanation.

With such a small sample size, speculation remains just speculation.

To verify the feasibility of using the Golden Light Spell to enhance life force and then control the souls of demons, at least ten sample data points are needed for preliminary modeling.

I wonder how things are going with Grandpa Zhongli.

Before leaving Liyue, he discussed with Zhongli the possibility of popularizing the Golden Light Spell; perhaps he could give himself a surprise.

While Xu Chuan was conducting his experiments in the cave, the city of Daozhi outside was in an uproar.

In the council chamber of the Tenryo Regulations, Kujo Takayuki slammed his hand on the table.

The teacup on the table jumped up, rolled to the ground and shattered, splashing tea all over the floor.

"The dignified Executor of the Fools has vanished into thin air in Inazuma Castle!"

His roar pierced through the paper door and echoed throughout the corridor.

The warriors waiting outside the door all bowed their heads, not daring to utter a sound.

"It's one thing that those useless Fools can't find anyone, but what are you all good for?"

Despite Kujo Takayuki's rage, a samurai captain forced himself to speak: "Lord Magistrate, I have sent men to turn Inazuma Castle upside down."

"Reports have also come back from all the checkpoints that no suspicious persons have left Inazuma Castle since last night, and we have indeed not found any trace of Your Excellency."

"So you mean she just vanished into thin air?"

Chapter 204 The Overwhelmed Heavenly Commander

"What about Nasaro?"

"I sent her to keep an eye on that Liyue person, where is she?"

The samurai lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest.

"This is exactly what I wanted to report to you... Lady Sara also went missing last night."

"I have gathered all of Lady Sara's attendants, but none of them know where she has gone."

"Her last known location was outside the residence of the Divine Child, and there have been no further sightings since."

Kujo Takayuki felt a lump in his throat, unable to go up or down.

His vision blurred intermittently, and his hands trembled slightly.

The ceremony for the 100th Eye of God is about to begin. This is a grand event that he has been painstakingly preparing for for months, and it is his way of showing his loyalty and merit to General Thunder.

The Heavenly Commander will showcase the great achievements of the Eye Hunting Order at this festival, and diplomatic envoys from various countries will witness firsthand Inazuma's solid step on the path to eternity.

But now, the winter envoy has disappeared, and his own general has also disappeared.

The Fools were acting like madmen, coming to question us every day, and the preparations for the festival were thrown into chaos.

"What are you all standing there for? Go investigate!"

The samurai scrambled out of the council chamber.

Several days have passed.

Xu Chuan emerged from the cave.

During this time, in addition to continuing to refine the experimental data on the lady and Kujo Sara, he also took the time to take out Hana Sanri's mask and nurture it for two hours.

The golden cloud patterns on the mask were more stable than before, and the fluctuations of consciousness inside had become more subtle and perceptible.

This is a good sign, but it will take more time and opportunity for Hana-sanri to truly awaken.

He changed into a clean robe, put the mask back on his waist, and pushed open the door to enter the wooden tea room.

This teahouse, hidden deep within Inazuma Castle, still retains its serene and elegant appearance.

The bamboo blinds were half-rolled up, and the afternoon sunlight was filtered into thin strips of light that fell on the tatami mats.

The water in the tea kettle was bubbling and steaming, and the air was filled with the unique aroma of matcha.

Ayaka Kamisato was kneeling in front of the tea kettle.

Today she wore a light blue kimono with embroidered camellia patterns from the Kamisato family on the cuffs, and her long, silvery-white hair was loosely tied back with a ribbon.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up, and her eyes lit up noticeably the moment they met Xu Chuan's gaze.

"Now that I've seen Lord Xu Chuan, Linghua can finally feel at ease."

She rose and bowed, her movements still dignified and elegant, but her speech was a fraction faster than usual, and the worry hidden beneath her calm surface finally found an outlet.

"The news of the disappearance of the winter envoy has caused a great stir in the city these past few days. The Tianling magistrate is searching everywhere, and the entire Inazuma Castle has been turned upside down. Even the She magistrate has been asked to assist in the investigation."

“I thought you were also…” Ayaka Kamisato paused, not finishing her sentence.

"What? They dug it up too?" Xu Chuan sat cross-legged in front of the tea table, took the teacup handed to him by Ayaka Kamisato, and smiled.

"That old man, Kujo Takayuki, is probably in a terrible mess right now."

"More than that." Ayaka Kamisato covered her mouth, a smile rarely seen in recent days appearing in her eyes.

"His current situation is even worse than being in a state of utter chaos. The Fools refuse to accept the fact that the lady is missing, insisting that it was due to the failure of the Heavenly Order to protect her."

"Now the whole city knows about it."

There was a hint of barely perceptible schadenfreude in her voice.

For this usually dignified young lady to show such an expression, Kujo Takayuki's situation must be truly dire.

Ayaka Kamisato finally couldn't help but chuckle softly.

“Linghua has seen quite a few good shows these past few days, and her mood has improved a bit compared to before.”

"The 100th Eye of God Festival is in a few days. I wonder how they will handle it."

Xu Chuan put down his teacup, the porcelain clinking against the wooden table with a crisp sound.

"Then let's give them another push."

Under the girl's astonished gaze, he raised his hand and brushed it across the spatial ring, a flash of light appearing.

Kujo Sara appeared out of nowhere in the tea room.

After a dizzying moment, Kujo Sara stood still, supporting herself against the wall with one hand.

After Xu Chuan released the suppression of the Ancient Rock Dragon Lizard's soul, Kujo Sara, who had regained control of her body, almost reflexively took several steps back.

Her back slammed heavily against the wall of the tea room with a dull thud, and the paintings on the wall were knocked askew.

She had retreated to the very end, with nowhere left to go, her back pressed tightly against the wall.

Her body, possessed by the soul of the ancient rock dragon lizard, trembled, a reminder of the terrifying nature of the person before her.

"What are you going to do to me now?" Her voice was tense.

"The experiment is over."

Xu Chuan's tone was calm, a stark contrast to his previous coldness when he told people to "be quiet" in the cave.

"Besides, you haven't lost anything; on the contrary, you've gained quite a bit of benefit."

He pointed to the empty seat next to the tea table, gesturing for her to sit down.

Ayaka Kamisato observed this scene out of the corner of her eye.

She saw Kujo Sara's body stiffen for a moment, and saw a fleeting struggle appear on her face.

Then, as Xu Chuan indicated, she walked to the tea table and sat down.

The way he sat down was stiff, his back was straight, and his hands were placed on his knees without moving. He didn't look like he was sitting down, but rather like he was waiting for his fate.

A surge of curiosity welled up in Ayaka Kamisato's heart.

What exactly did Xu Chuan do to Kujo Sara during the days he was missing?

How did the Tengu General, who was known for his strength and coldness in the Tenryo magistrate, become like this?

But she resisted the urge to ask more questions.

"The Heavenly Order and the Fools are in complete disarray right now, which is the perfect opportunity for us to launch a counterattack."

Xu Chuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and turned his gaze to Kujo Sara.

"That old fellow Kujo Takayuki colluded with the Fools, deceiving the Raiden General while suppressing the Shabu-bugyō."

"Since you've crossed me, I won't let this go so easily."

Kujo Sara remained noncommittal, only slightly frowning.

She was indeed ordered to monitor Xu Chuan, but she didn't know much about the things between Kujo Takayuki and the Fools.

Kujo Takayuki was exploiting her loyalty, but never letting her get close to core secrets.

Seeing this, Xu Chuan continued, "Do you think I'm going to force you to deal with the Heavenly Commander?"

"So you're going to betray the Kujo family and become my mole?"

Kujo Sara didn't speak, but her tightly pursed lips gave the answer.

That's what she thinks.

“But the truth is quite the opposite.” Xu Chuan placed the teacup on the table, his voice calm and clear.

"Starting today, I will set you free."

Kujo Sara was stunned, her eyes widening slightly.

First, they inexplicably kidnapped her and conducted experiments on her that still send chills down her spine when she thinks about them. Now, they suddenly want to let her go.

She couldn't figure out what this guy was thinking.

“Miss Linghua told me that you are one of the few people in the Heavenly Territory who are loyal to General Leidian.”

Ayaka Kamisato tacitly picked up the conversation, her voice gentle and sincere: "Miss Sara's actions are not bound by family or clan, and Ayaka has always respected this quality."

"The conflict between the Social Commissioner and the Heavenly Commissioner is a power struggle within the three commissions, and you should not have been involved."

"Whether it's the Eye Hunt Order or a festival, if Miss Sara believes it's the General's will, then she should naturally comply."

"But what if someone uses the General's name to betray the General?"

Kujo Sara's brows furrowed even more.

She could ignore the power struggles between the Heavenly Commander and the Social Commander, and she never got involved in those political calculations.

But if what Ayaka Kamisato said is true, if Takayuki Kujo really betrayed Raiden-shogun.

"It is now certain that the Heavenly Commander colluded with the Fools, deceived the Thunder General, and harmed the interests of Inazuma."