He changed Tiwat

He was naturally surprised and puzzled by the appearance of "Qi Nan," but he remained calm. In a god-inhabited world like Teyvat, anything could happen.

As a materialist, the attitude of scientific materialism is not to reject the possibility of the existence of ghosts and gods, but to recognize them as "matter" when they appear.

Science denies the existence of ghosts and spirits because there is no evidence to prove their existence. If ghosts and spirits really existed, the scientific approach would be to accept their existence and study them from a scientific perspective.

There must be a reason for the appearance of this "Qi Nan" and a theory to support her existence.

While "Qi Nan" was saying those words, Han Fulai's mind had already begun to analyze the situation and consider the most appropriate response.

Liyue has gods, immortals, and the "Hall of Rebirth," so it's certainly not short of ghosts. In an environment like the Lava Abyss, it wouldn't be surprising if ghosts and spirits lingered. What he could now confirm was that the "Qi Nan" before him wasn't the true spirit of Qi Nan, because Qi Nan wasn't dead. Even if she were dead, she should be the ghost of an adult woman.

In light of the current situation, Han Fulai can now put forward at least four hypotheses.

Hypothesis 1: This "Qi Nan" is the incarnation of some kind of shapeshifting monster. There are legends in Liyue about mythical beasts transforming into beautiful women and marrying humans. It is quite possible that this "Qi Nan" is a transformation of some kind of mythical beast or monster.

Hypothesis 2: This "Qi Nan" is a past image existing within the ley lines. Due to the anomalies in the Laminariat, the ley lines became disordered, resulting in the current scene. Zhong Li had told him that the ley lines recorded everything about the Teyvat continent. If this is some manifestation of the anomalies in the Laminariat, then it wouldn't be surprising.

Hypothesis 3: This "Qi Nan" comes from the "Spirit Stone". Qi Ding came from the direction of the "Spirit Stone", and his dazed state is very much like that of someone who has been influenced by the "Spirit Stone". Since there are many unsolved mysteries surrounding the "Spirit Stone", anything is possible.

Hypothesis 4: This "Qi Nan" comes from "black mud". Many places in this mining area have been eroded by black mud. Like "spirit stones", black mud has various unknown properties. In Lao He's log, it is clearly mentioned that black mud will attract monsters. This "Qi Nan" may be some kind of monster that appeared because of the black mud.

As the saying goes, "fear comes from the unknown." If this "Qi Nan" really did pounce on them without a word, like a ghost, Han Fulai might be even more frightened. Because it appeared silently, even Jiang Xue couldn't detect its presence—an undetectable enemy is truly terrifying.

But "Qi Nan" spoke, revealing its existence and even answering Han Fulai's questions—which showed that it was communicable and could be understood.

A being you can communicate with and understand is not so scary.

For Han Fulai, the "Qi Nan" in front of him was already a problem, a problem named "Qi Nan".

This question has unknowns, and the answer is currently unknown, but the solution can be gradually found by repeatedly reading the question. As a test-taker from a small town, Han Fulai is least afraid of doing test questions.

As he made his assumptions in his mind, his body began to act.

Since the other party is willing to communicate and hasn't shown any hostility yet, why not try communicating? Of course, it should be a safe communication.

So he casually walked up and subtly brought Zhiqiong into his protective sphere.

Then he skillfully recited the eight-character mantra and activated the jade scepter shield.

Enveloped in the golden light of the Jade Shield, Zhiqiong felt incredibly safe. She was now experiencing the same sense of security that Genshin Impact players felt from the Geo Archon.

While feeling relieved, she also felt a little annoyed... It seemed that she had become a burden to be protected again.

"Qi Nan, can you tell your brother how you ended up here?" Han Fulai asked with a smile, his voice gentle, like an older brother talking to a lost little sister next door.

During the Lantern Festival, he spoke with Yi Xian and Yi Zhu, a brother and sister who had lost their parents, many times and knew very well how to talk to children.

Qi Nan answered his question very obediently: "I...I miss my dad. He's busy with work and can only come home once a month when he goes down to the mine. When he's not home, I'm all alone...If something happens, I'll be so lonely and scared."

Here we go again… Although Han Fulai showed no outward signs of distress, his suspicions deepened. This “Qi Nan” spoke in a very strange way, as if he were narrating someone else’s story in the first person…

“But you see, if only I could go down into the mine. In the camp, Dad could see me every day, take care of me, and protect me.”

"Qi Nan" continued speaking in that awkward tone. Rather than a daughter's longing for her father, it sounded more like Qi Ding was saying, "If only I could take Qi Nan down the mine with me."

Han Fulai turned his head and glanced at Qi Ding, who was still unconscious next to Jiang Xue.

Could the appearance of "Qi Nan" be related to Qi Ding's coma?

Chapter 143 You Are the Wishing Stone

She... or rather, her words suggested a deep understanding of the father and daughter, Qi Ding and Qi Nan. She seemed to be trying very hard to "play" the role of an eleven or twelve-year-old, sensible and considerate girl, but her speech was very strange, as if she were narrating something that happened to someone else in the first person.

Judging from this way of speaking, this "Qi Nan" has nothing to do with the Qi Nan who actually works in the General Affairs Department, nor is he a past image in the ley lines—because the Qi Nan in his childhood would not have spoken like this.

Therefore, his second hypothesis, that "Qi Nan" is a past image caused by disordered earth veins, can be ruled out.

Furthermore, if it were some kind of monster from the Abyss of Layered Rocks, its knowledge of Qi Ding and Qi Nan would be highly improbable. Qi Ding's work habits and thoughts, as well as Qi Nan's attitude towards her father, could not possibly be known simply by changing its appearance.

Therefore, his hypothesis that "Qi Nan" is some kind of monster skilled at changing its appearance can also be ruled out.

Two hypotheses remain: those concerning "spirit stones" and "black mud." Is this "Qi Nan" a product of "spirit stones" or "black mud"?

Han Fulai carefully recalled the entire process after meeting Qi Ding and confirmed one thing—this "Qi Nan" only appeared after Qi Ding was knocked unconscious by Jiang Xue.

Is there some kind of connection between "Qi Nan" and Qi Ding, for example—that "Qi Nan" won't appear when Qi Ding is awake?

Han Fulai thought for a moment and then asked, "Qi Nan, how about we go back to the camp with your father? It's very dangerous at the bottom of the Rock Abyss."

"That won't do. If he finds out I came here secretly, he'll definitely be angry, and then I won't be able to come out and play anymore."

Qi Nan decisively shook her head and refused.

Han Fulai's lips curled into a smile—in just a few words, he had already figured out the rules governing "Qi Nan's" existence.

It cannot appear in front of Qi Ding!

In fact, Han Fu had already suspected before that it knew so much about Qi Ding and Qi Nan, and why it would suddenly appear like this... Now, he has a deduction.

The key question is... how to verify it.

"Senior Jiang Xue, please bring Qi Ding over." Han Fulai turned around and called to Jiang Xue.

Jiang Xue responded, sheathed her sword, held the catalyst in her left hand and Qi Ding on her right, and slowly approached.

Meanwhile, Han Fulai was carefully observing Qi Nan's reaction—it showed no reaction and remained innocent and naive.

It can appear in front of others, talk to them, and approach the unconscious Qi Ding. At the same time, it is not afraid of the light energy of "Lumen Stone".

Han Fulai nodded to himself. If that was the case, he could now confirm the origin of "Qi Nan".

As Qi Ding emerged from the rugged stone hall, he kept muttering three words—"Where are you?"

At first, he thought Qi Ding was talking to himself, but later, when Qi Ding told them that he was looking for a toy doll, he naturally took the word "you" to refer to the toy doll that Qi Ding was looking for.

But what if Qi Ding wasn't looking for a toy doll at the time?

The distraught and stumbling Qi Ding wasn't looking for the toy doll, the "substitute for his daughter," but rather for his daughter, Qi Nan, herself!

Think about it again. Suppose Qi Ding had been near the "Spirit Stone" and was affected by it, falling into a state of mental confusion. In that state, he lost his miner's equipment, such as his headlamp and birdcage. Logically, under such circumstances, it would be impossible for him to have traveled from the distant "Spirit Stone" to this new mining area.

Putting aside the potential obstacles and dangers along the way, it's questionable whether Qi Ding, in his current state, could even recognize the route.

The most reasonable inference is that someone was leading Qi Ding here.

Just as Zhiqiong was the guide for this search and rescue team, Qi Ding's guide at the time was none other than the "Qi Nan" in front of him!

Before meeting them, Qi Ding was with this "Qi Nan"!

Qi Ding was already in a daze at the time, so he couldn't possibly think about any danger or abnormality. But when he suddenly heard his daughter's voice at the bottom of the giant abyss, he would definitely go to find the source of the voice!

After "Qi Nan" brought Qi Ding here, she disappeared. That's why Qi Ding kept calling out "Where are you?" He was looking for his guide, his daughter.

Han Fulai had gradually pieced together the whole story in his mind.

If nothing unexpected happens, this "Qi Nan" will not pose any threat to them. On the contrary, he should take advantage of this opportunity to obtain as much information as possible from "Qi Nan"—information about the Layered Rock Abyss.

While Han Fulai was pondering, "Qi Nan" spoke up again: "By the way, aren't you looking for that doll? Come with me."

After saying that, "Qi Nan" ignored their response and started running off in one direction. Her impulsive behavior and bouncy steps really made her seem like a little girl.

"Senior Jiang Xue, please take care of Zhiqiong and Qi Ding. I'll be right back."

Han Fulai left a sentence, took out the lightning element mining lamp that Keqing had given him from the Eye of the Blank God, and followed closely behind "Qi Nan".

Despite his short legs, "Qi Nan" moves incredibly fast. Even though Han Fulai's physical abilities far surpass those of ordinary people, it's quite difficult for him to keep up with "Qi Nan's" speed. And "Qi Nan's" bouncy and skipping manner clearly indicates that he has plenty of energy to spare. Han Fulai even suspects that if it weren't to accommodate his running speed, this "Qi Nan" might be able to "teleport".

The two of them almost traversed the mining area, reaching the southwest side of the area, a place very close to the underground watershed.

Along the way, they passed many sections of road blocked by black mud. Qi Nan seemed to float past without making any moves, while Han Fulai, relying on the Jade Shield, charged through them without the black mud being able to harm him.

However, he also discovered that when he stepped into the black mud, the Jade Shield would obviously waver—this black mud was clearly very harmful to the human body, and when he passed through the black mud area, he was essentially enduring some kind of energy attack.

"That toy doll...it's right up ahead."

Qi Nan stopped and pointed to a spot not far ahead.

"Dad must be very worried about losing that toy. He has to... find it!"

Without the lumenite catalyst, Han Fulai's miner's lamp was indeed insufficient to pierce the darkness of the layered rock abyss, with visibility extremely limited, illuminating only a few meters around him. "Qi Nan" said the toy doll was just ahead, but Han Fulai couldn't see it.

"Qi Nan" could run swiftly through the complex terrain of the Layered Rock Abyss without the aid of lighting, and could clearly see through the darkness of the Layered Rock Abyss.

All of this explains the identity of "Qi Nan".

Han Fulai had no more hesitation and said, "No need to pretend anymore, 'Qi Nan,' you are the 'Wishing Stone,' right?"

Chapter 144 How come there are bleeding dogs in Liyue?

What are you talking about?

Qi Nan still looked naive, seemingly unable to understand what Han Fulai was saying.

Han Fulai smiled. "Actually, I don't know your real name either... Jinwu and the others call you 'Spirit Stone,' while the miners call you 'Wishing Stone.' As for what you really are, I don't know either... Let me put it another way: you are Qi Ding's 'wish,' right?"

Qi Nan did not answer him.

The conversation was forced to stop.

A dark figure suddenly darted out from the darkness of the giant rock abyss, and a sharp claw emerged from the shadows, piercing through "Qi Nan's" skull!

Yes, penetrate.

No blood splattered, no brains burst open; the claw pierced through "Qi Nan's" head from the back to his forehead, as if it had pierced through the air.

The face of "Qi Nan" was covered by the beast's claw, but its small mouth curved upwards, and it was smiling.

It even turned its head to look back at the owner of the paw in this situation.

"Hehe, silly dog, you missed!"

The scene, which should have been terrifying, appeared extremely eerie.

"Awoo!" The monster in the giant abyss of layered rocks raised its head and howled, as if it understood Qi Nan's taunt.

As the monster howled, two more identical beasts emerged from the darkness, slightly smaller than the one in front of Han Fulai, but just as ferocious.

To be precise, they didn't emerge from the darkness; rather, they seemed to have been summoned by their leader and teleported from somewhere.

Like "Qi Nan", they appeared silently and without any warning.

They resembled giant wolves, covered in stiff manes, with strong limbs and huge tails, and they carried the same pungent, fishy smell that Han Fulai had smelled before—the smell of black mud!

If there's anything that makes these strange beasts different from ordinary magical beasts, it's that their bodies float in the air.

Han Fulai's pupils contracted.

Since arriving in Teyvat, he has seen everything from the remnants of demon gods and their familiars to rock dragons and Hilichurls. If we exclude the Rado Dragon King, whom he has yet to meet, he has seen all kinds of monsters in Liyue.

This was the first time Han Fulai had ever seen these three wolf-shaped monsters in Liyue, but as a Genshin Impact player, he was very familiar with them.

Those are the unique monsters found only in Inazuma, the annoying Genshin Impact monsters that Genshin Impact players are furiously cursing in player feedback. Compared to them, the "hyperactivity" of the Geo Lizard is nothing, and Zhongli's Jade Shield is as insignificant as air to them. They are the epitome of "dog developers," and their scientific name is "Beast Hound."

"Bleeding dog!" Han Fulai shouted.

For this Genshin Impact player who dominates Teyvat with the Zhongli-Ganyu combo, the Bleeding Dog's shield-ignoring damage mechanism is a nightmare. Just one pounce from it and your character will start losing health based on a percentage until they die. What's worse, this damage mechanism affects the entire team; even backline characters will take the damage.

If a player has Zhongli but hasn't removed the dodge button and is still practicing various movement and dodging techniques, it must be because Teyvat has bleed dogs.

The question is—how come there are bleeding dogs in Liyue?

In Han Fulai's memory, such annoying monsters only appeared in Inazuma and Spiral Abyss—why did Zhongli leave such a thing in Liyue that could easily break his defenses?

These beast-like hunting dogs appeared and disappeared in the air, launching wave after wave of attacks on "Qi Nan" with perfect coordination.

However, their attacks were futile, piercing through Qi Nan's small body.

“When Dad isn’t home, if someone bullies me, I don’t know what to do. It’s always better if Dad stays home a little longer…”

Although "Qi Nan" was not hurt at all, it had a very aggrieved expression on its face, as if it had really been bullied by other children.

"...If Daddy could always be by my side, I wouldn't have to be so obedient and sensible. I would have been an innocent child who often cuddled with Daddy, right?"

"Qi Nan" spoke as if reciting lines, his eyes fixed on Han Fulai, who was standing outside the battle circle, as if he were asking him for help.

Han Fulai remained unmoved as the pleading eyes looked at him.

Why would he help this "Qi Nan"? Just because it's pretending to be "well-behaved and sensible"? Or is what it just said considered "acting cute"?

Since it's not a person and won't get hurt, Han Fulai was happy to watch the show and could also take the opportunity to observe the characteristics of "Qi Nan," this "wishing stone" product.

Judging from the current situation, the appearance of these beast-like hunting dogs is very likely related to the black mud. The reason why these beast-like hunting dogs ignored him and kept attacking "Qi Nan" is probably because "Qi Nan" is the incarnation of the "Wishing Stone".

The minerals altered by the "Wishing Stone" are called "Lumen Stones," possessing the light energy to pierce the darkness of the layered rock abyss and the power to dispel the black mud. These beast-like hunting dogs, stained with black mud, are clearly the opposite of the "Wishing Stone."

For them, the "wishing stone" called "Qinan" should obviously be eliminated as soon as possible.

There are too many unsolved mysteries surrounding the "Wishing Stone" or "Spirit Stone." Gathering more information would undoubtedly be a major boon for Han Fu in resolving the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss.