He changed Tiwat

"How exactly do you 'mend the fence after the sheep are lost'?" Jiang Xue seemed to have become interested; for him, watching a good show was always a good thing.

“It’s very simple,” Han Fulai said with a smile. “When others say that you’ve colluded with the Fools… you’d better actually have colluded with the Fools.”

Chapter 176 That kid's skin is really thick

The exploration team was basically all out today. Apart from the scholar Haidif and the bard Talesin, two miners stayed in the main mining camp to take care of Qi Ding, who had not yet regained his memory, and Lao He, who had taken sedatives. The rest of the team, including Jinwu, carried various supplies and tools and embarked on their journey to the new mining area.

Even the newly joined demolition expert, Kritov, was panting as he carried a small box of shells and followed the main force.

That's right, it's a cannonball.

According to Jinwu's memory, in the equipment and spare parts warehouse of the new mining area, there is still a cannon left by the Blackrock Factory engineering team. Its full name is "Safe Distance Blasting Mechanism 2156". It is said to have been introduced from the alchemists of Mondstadt. The miners commonly call it the "Mountain-Opening Cannon".

When Jinwu mentioned the "mountain-breaking cannon," Kritov immediately said that he had seen it when he was with the treasure-hunting gang, but because it was too big and heavy, and no one would buy it if it were stolen, the gang had no interest in it—in Kritov's memory, the "mountain-breaking cannon" was of high quality and should still be usable.

Kritov, an alchemist from Mondstadt, had even met the inventor of this explosive device. According to him, the inventor was Master Abedo's assistant and, like Abedo, a genius worthy of admiration. His only flaw was probably his lack of talent for naming his inventions. That's why this "rock-pit cannon" was named in such an old-fashioned way using a numerical model number.

Kritov learned how to make the "Safe Distance Explosive Mechanism - Type 2156" shells during his alchemical exchanges with the inventor. The box of shells he was carrying were all made by him and Haidif the previous night using leftover materials from the main mining camp.

Han Fulai's assessment of this was: If Kritov hadn't gone astray, he would actually have been a real talent.

While he may not be comparable to a genius like Abedo, and may find it difficult to become a renowned "genius alchemist" in Teyvat, he is certainly qualified as an alchemical engineer. He may not be able to invent anything particularly powerful, but his alchemical knowledge is solid, and he can flexibly apply what he has learned to create suitable tools based on the situation.

This exploration team undoubtedly needs someone like Kritov right now.

If Kritov can truly reform, Han Fulai wouldn't mind giving him a bigger stage to perform on in the future—provided, of course, that he produces results that satisfy Han Fulai during this process of "redeeming himself."

Blasting the rocks blocking the road is the test Kritov will face.

Han Fulai carried the "Lumenite" catalyst at the front of the procession, while Jiang Xue brought up the rear.

Because the road had been marked in great detail on Zhiqiong's map, Jiang Xue didn't need to use the "Ayexia Chaos Probe" to clear the way today, giving him more time to think quietly.

He is currently pondering a question—whether he has been tricked by Han Fulai.

Jiang Xue still vividly remembers Han Fulai's words from yesterday: "When others say you've colluded with the Fools... you'd better actually have colluded with the Fools."

Han Fulai's strategy was quite simple: "seize the time"—since the other side wanted to delay us, we couldn't let them succeed. Not only could we not delay, but we also had to take control of the situation before our opponent did.

If you, Ningguang, want to use the charge of "colluding with the Fools" to frame me, then I, Han Fulai, will take control of the Fools in the Abyss of the Rocks first, and then use that to frame you—the witnesses are in my hands, and the testimonies are, of course, whatever I make up.

Whether it's silencing them, releasing them privately, or even letting the Fools collude with Ningguang... as long as the Fools can be controlled, whether to advance or retreat is entirely up to Han Fulai's will.

If we consider the Fools lurking in the deep abyss as a card, then whoever holds that card has the advantage.

As early as the Battle of Ba Che, Han Fulai had already used a similar tactic—when he had no cards in his own hand, other people's cards could also be his own cards.

Han Fulai's current disadvantages are also obvious:

First, Ningguang, or rather Yelan, clearly possesses more intelligence than him, and they have already begun their operation, meaning the Treasure Thieves are undoubtedly under their control. Furthermore, through the clues provided by the Treasure Thieves, Yelan has very likely already ascertained the whereabouts of the Fools lurking in the Layered Rock Abyss.

Secondly, Yelan is at least a day ahead of them. After collapsing the mine tunnel yesterday, Yelan had already set off to find the Fools. Yelan had previously explored the Abyss of Layered Rocks and was more familiar with the terrain than they were, so their speed would obviously be faster.

Third, Ye Lan has far fewer concerns than Han Fulai, and there are no factors that can hinder her. In contrast, Han Fulai has to ensure the safety of the exploration team, investigate and resolve the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss, and deal with the various schemes of the Treasure-Hunting Gang, the Fools, and even the Sumeru Scholars. The difficulty is far greater than simply finding the Fools.

With such a disadvantage, theoretically, Han Fulai had no hope of turning the tables on Ye Lan.

That's why Han Fulai went to find Jiang Xue, betting that Jiang Xue's understanding of the Layered Rock Abyss was no less than Ye Lan's.

The reason is simple: Jiang Xue originally wanted to go down into the mine alone, and bringing Han Fu along was just a side thing.

In other words, Jiang Xue, like Ye Lan, is fully capable of acting alone in the Abyss of Layered Rocks and achieving her own goals.

Unfortunately for Jiang Xue, Han Fulai made the right bet.

Even more unfortunately, this guy also guessed Jiang Xue's weakness.

“I know you came to the Layered Rock Abyss to find someone, and I also know that the person you're looking for is in the ancient civilization ruins. If you don't help me, I'll have no choice but to cut my losses and declare the Layered Rock Abyss a place of serious danger requiring closure, and evacuate from the Layered Rock Abyss... Mr. Jiang Xue, the security investigator and bodyguard, you wouldn't want things to turn out this way, would you?”

Thinking of this, Jiang Xue couldn't help but click her tongue and mutter to herself, "Has anyone told that kid that he's really shameless?"

He had decided that once he got out, he would find that old man Yun Tian and give him a good scolding.

As the original forging family of Liyue, the Xing family had once instructed the Yun family's ancestors in forging techniques, and the two families had always maintained a good relationship. Some time ago, that old man Yun Tian came to see Jiang Xue with the "Willing One" sword and they spent a day exchanging fishing skills. In the end, he bluntly said that, for the sake of his old face, it would be best if he could also help that kid Han Fulai out.

Out of consideration for the basket of fish that Yun Tian had given him, Jiang Xue reluctantly agreed to Yun Tian's request.

—In retrospect, the thank-you gift was too little.

Chapter 177 Fragments of the Nine Heavens Stone (Part 1)

The exploration team found the "rock-breaking blasting machine" in the equipment warehouse of the new mining area.

The barrel of the "mountain gun" was cast from iron, while the base was constructed from a wooden truncated cone and rivets. It was also equipped with a hand-cranked pulley-based directional control system and a rather crude but practical optical sight.

In terms of technical level alone, this "mountain gun" has reached the level of large-caliber howitzers in the World War I era—Mond's alchemical technology is indeed unique.

As Kritov said, the quality of the "rock-mounted gun" was indeed excellent. Even though it had been sitting in the warehouse for two years and had been covered in dust, it could be fired normally after a little adjustment.

Moreover, this time there were just enough people to move the large and heavy "rock-breaking blaster" to the mine tunnel leading to the "wishing stone".

What worried Kritov most was whether the shells he made could successfully blast through the rubble blocking the passage.

After repeatedly adjusting the direction of the cannon and confirming that everything was ready, Kritov closed his eyes, silently prayed to the wind god, and started the "mountain-opening cannon".

With a deafening roar, the cannonball, fueled by "double-concentrated rock oil" as an explosive catalyst, blasted away the boulders blocking the passage. These alchemically crafted "rock element cannonballs," besides their immense power, also possessed the ability to "decompose rock structures," shattering large chunks of rock into dust after the explosion, saving considerable effort in clearing the passage.

Han Fulai patted Kritov on the shoulder, offered his words of encouragement, and then instructed him to stay by Sister Jinwu's side and follow her orders.

Jinwu is experienced and alert; with her looking after the exploration team, Han Fulai can rest assured.

The reason Han Fulai gave Kritov special instructions was that he was going to leave the exploration team for a while—he wanted to find the Fools' infiltrators before Yelan, and he didn't have time to waste traveling back and forth to the camp.

He had already made an agreement with Jinwu and Haidifu that after exploring the "Wishing Stone," he and Jiang Xue would delve deeper into the unexplored areas to resolve the anomalies in the Layered Rock Abyss. As agreed, they would bring sufficient equipment, food, and water, and explore the lower part of the "Wishing Stone" within seven days.

Haidifu and Jinwu had no objection to this.

After the miners at Blackrock Factory unearthed the "Wishing Stone," development of the Layered Rock Abyss essentially ceased. The "Wishing Stone" wasn't located at the very bottom of the Abyss—but what lay beneath it remained a mystery. At least, that was all the exploration team and miners knew. Therefore, even if Zhiqiong accompanied them, she could no longer serve as a guide.

But Zhiqiong insisted on taking Han Fulai and the others to the "Wishing Stone," and her reason was reasonable: she wanted to redraw the topographical map of the area around the "Wishing Stone."

So Han Fulai, Jiang Xue, and Zhiqiong embarked on their journey once again.

This mine tunnel leading to the "Wishing Stone" is significantly longer than ordinary tunnels, stretching for more than a kilometer.

According to Zhiqiong, this mine tunnel leads directly to the location of the "Wishing Stone" and seems to be a product of the miners' plans to develop the "Rugged Stone Hall Mine Area". The original plan was to excavate a rest area and refuge room in addition to the existing passage, but all of these plans were abandoned after the appearance of the "Wishing Stone".

In addition, Zhiqiong also provided a rumor that circulated among the miners of the Black Rock Factory back then—

"I've heard that even larger tunnels and fractured spaces exist deeper inside... The miners say that a giant serpent... or a giant worm, lurks underground, constantly writhing and burrowing here..."

Although Zhiqiong quickly added that she didn't believe the rumor, her bright eyes undoubtedly betrayed her true thoughts.

She insisted on following Han Fulai and the others to wander around the "Wishing Stone," probably hoping to have a chance to see the legendary "giant snake" with her own eyes.

Han Fulai had not heard of the rumors about the "giant serpent" before, but he was certain that there was a "greater tunnel and broken space" hidden deeper in the "rugged stone hall"—because Jiang Xue had been there.

According to Haidif, the "ancient civilization ruins" that theoretically exist in the strata abyss should be located in the lower part of the "wishing stone".

In the past three days, Han Fulai and his "professional rescue team" have searched the entire developed section of the Layered Rock Abyss, but have not found any trace of the Fools. If there is any place where the Fools could hide, it would naturally be the part of the "ancient civilization ruins".

According to the archives in Yuehai Pavilion, the "dark calamity" five hundred years ago also occurred in a deeper stratum than the "wishing stone".

—Whether for the purpose of investigation, to help Jiang Xue, or to find the Fools, he was destined to go to the lower level of the "Wishing Stone".

At the end of the mine tunnel is a cliff, and down the cliff is a walkway built by the miners in the past.

Because it has not been repaired over the years, the plank road has many rotten and damaged parts, but with Han Fulai and Jiang Xue's skills, the plank road is not too difficult to walk on.

But more important than the boardwalk itself is the "wishing stone" right in front of you.

As the miners said, the stone floated in mid-air, emitting the same faint blue light as "Lumenite". Although it looked like a sphere from a distance, if you looked closely, you could see that there were many indistinct fine patterns on this "wishing stone", just like the patterns on an integrated circuit board.

The rocks that were unearthed along with this "wishing stone" are now surrounding it like stars around the moon, much like the beautiful planetary rings around Saturn.

Han Fulai could tell at a glance that this thing was definitely not a naturally formed "stone", but some kind of "high-tech product", and it was very likely that this thing came from Sky Island.

As Zhiqiong carefully followed Han Fulai and the others down the boardwalk, she introduced them to the "Wishing Stone".

"After the miners discovered this thing, 'Lumen Stone' began to proliferate rampantly in the Layered Rock Abyss... There must be some connection between them. Judging from the way it floats and its damaged shape, it looks a lot like the Dragonspine Fragment that Sister Xia mentioned... Ah, Sister Xia is the president of our Liyue Adventurers' Guild. She has a wealth of adventure experience and has told me a lot about her adventures."

As a time traveler, Han Fulai still remembered the "Frosty Nails" in the Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain, and immediately said that he understood what Zhiqiong was talking about.

Seeing that Han Fulai was knowledgeable, Zhiqiong excitedly offered her conjecture: "According to Sister Xia, those fragments of Dragon Ridge Snow Mountain can also float in the air, and there is a strange gravitational pull between them... Perhaps there is another, even larger fragment deep in the Layered Rock Abyss, and this 'Wishing Stone' will be attracted to the larger fragment and eventually inevitably combine with it?"

In the past, when Zhiqiong proposed this conjecture, Sister Jinwu would always directly deny it and dismiss it as a pipe dream, so she never expected Han Fulai to agree with her conjecture.

But Han Fulai answered her with a very serious expression: "You're right."

Chapter 178 Fragments of the Nine Heavens Stone (Part 2)

With Han Fulai's affirmation, Zhiqiong became even more enthusiastic: "Then, Master Han, do you think there might be an unnamed ancient civilization buried down here? Like the 'Snow Mountain Ancient Tomb' that Sister Xia mentioned?"

Since Zhiqiong was not the leader of the exploration team, she knew nothing about what lay beneath the "Wishing Stone." These conjectures were simply her "adventurer's romance," or rather, a kind of "intuition."

But it must be said that sometimes, a woman's intuition is really accurate.

"You're right," Han Fulai replied with those same four words.

"Then...then can I..." Zhiqiong's face was full of hope.

"No." Han Fulai shook his head and pointed to the area around the "wishing stone".

The rocky ground surrounding the "Wishing Stone" was covered with a layer of black silt resembling a swamp. This suggests that Qi Ding was also affected by this silt when he went to the vicinity of the "Wishing Stone." Although Han Fulai had used the catalyst "Pure Light Bloom" to dispel the effects of the silt for Qi Ding, Qi Ding has not yet recovered, which is likely related to the aftereffects of contact with the silt.

These issues can only be resolved once the "Pulsina Light Nail" that Haidif mentioned arrives.

"You saw that 'black mud' too... Watch out for Sister Jinwu's fists!"

Although Han Fulai's tone wasn't particularly harsh, Zhiqiong understood his meaning perfectly. Even if Han Fulai hadn't said it aloud, Zhiqiong knew that in this situation, she was completely "holding him back."

The "wishing stone" could already have a serious impact on the mental state of ordinary people, and if it were to be tainted with black mud, who knows what kind of trouble would arise... Of course, she knew that she shouldn't add any more burden to her teammates under these circumstances. Moreover, she knew that her body was actually not as strong as she appeared, and the aftereffects of being tainted with black mud were becoming increasingly severe.

But... I'm still not reconciled.

For an adventurer determined to explore all the world's hidden realms, the mysterious ruins are just a stone's throw away, yet they are forced to stop at the door due to their own lack of strength—such regret is far greater than the torment of illness on the body.

She pursed her lips and changed the subject: "Judging from the direction of the passage we came in, the location of the 'Wishing Stone' has shifted by forty-five degrees compared to when the mine was closed two years ago. Recently, the geological structure of the Strata Abyss has been changing at an accelerated pace, and black mud has also begun to proliferate on a large scale... Although I can't be sure, this may all be related to the 'Wishing Stone'."

"Are you saying that the 'wishing stone' is causing the giant abyss of layered rocks to 'rotate'? And this 'rotation' has caused the black mud to grow?" Han Fulai paused slightly. Zhiqiong's conjecture seemed far-fetched at first glance, but if it was considered a possibility, it might explain a lot of things.

The proliferation of black mud and the geological structural changes in the layered rock abyss did indeed occur at the same time, and Han Fulai also discerned the origin of the "Wishing Stone" from its manifestation. There is a high possibility that these two events are related, if they are mutually causal—

For example, imagine the bottom of the abyss as a "water tank" filled with black mud, and the "wishing stone" as a "plug" blocking the mud. Because the wishing stone was dug out, the mud started to surface; the more the "water tank" is rotated, the more mud is stirred up...

However, such conjectures are just conjectures, and there is no direct evidence to prove them.

"Why do you think that?" Han Fulai asked Zhiqiong curiously.

Zhiqiong scratched her cheek a little embarrassedly: "Uh...they all give me an uncomfortable feeling? Like...it makes me dizzy and nauseous when riding in a carriage, or like I lose my sense of direction when I encounter storms on a boat...Anyway, I feel like they're all pretty much the same thing..."

"You have that feeling?" Han Fulai subconsciously looked at Jiang Xue.

Jiang Xue silently shook her head.

He didn't feel anything, Jiang Xue didn't feel anything either, so why Zhiqiong...?

Han Fulai suddenly realized, "Wait, the concentration of black mud here is too high! There might even be gases containing black mud components in the air!"

The terrain here is close to a basin, and the sky above is sealed, with little air circulation. The black mud that has accumulated over the years has likely already evaporated into the air. He has immortal power, and Jiang Xue has divine eyes, so they can't feel the black mud in the air. But Zhiqiong is an ordinary person who has no resistance to black mud.

He channeled his divine power into the "Luminite" catalyst, triggering a "pure light burst" that temporarily dispelled any black mud components that might be present in the surrounding area.

Clearly, this approach is very effective.

Zhiqiong's expression also relaxed.

"Zhiqiong, you've seen the terrain; that should be enough for you to draw a map. Now, you should go back to camp," Han Fulai said in a commanding tone.

Zhiqiong pretended not to understand: "Thank you for your concern, I'm fine. I've experienced altitude sickness and seasickness before... This discomfort is nothing."

"Miss Zhiqiong! You..."

Han Fulai emphasized his words, but Zhiqiong exclaimed before he could: "Look! There's a strange mechanism around the 'Wishing Stone'! There wasn't one like this before!"

Han Fulai looked in the direction Zhiqiong was pointing—there was indeed a faint, almost imperceptible dark red color hidden in the swamp-like black mud around the "Wishing Stone".

The dark red mechanism resembled a piece of ore swallowed by black mud, encased in a large purplish-black slurry. Without careful examination, it could easily be mistaken for part of the black mud.

Jiang Xue then spoke up, "There are three such mechanisms surrounding the 'Wishing Stone.' If you observe with elemental vision, you can find an energy similar to black mud on those mechanisms, and this energy is being transmitted from the mechanisms to the 'Wishing Stone.'"

Was it made by Yelan or the Fools? What was the purpose of setting up these traps? And since the "Wishing Stone" itself contains light energy, why didn't it dispel the surrounding black mud, and why was it even contaminated by these traps?

Despite many questions remaining, Han Fulai knew how to solve them—since the energy properties of this mechanism and the black mud were the same, then the "Lumen Stone" catalyst in his hand was their nemesis.

"Zhiqiong, stay here and don't move." Han Fulai knew that Zhiqiong was unlikely to go back obediently, so rather than forcing her to go back, it was better to keep her within his sight so that he could rescue her if anything happened.

"Okay." Zhiqiong nodded very obediently.