He changed Tiwat

His brother laid down his sword and said these words to him:

“If we switched places, if you were the one who survived... then as the abandoned experiment, the loser of the ‘Primal Man’ project, I would definitely want to replace you.”

"I will take your appearance and learn your alchemy."

"I will find a weakness and take the opportunity to get rid of you."

“In that way, I can rediscover the joy of being born into this world.”

So... I understand you.

Upon hearing those words, Abessau experienced for the first time the sensation of tears sliding down his cheeks.

A strange feeling drove him to roar at his brother, as if he wanted to unleash all the emotions pent up in his heart through words.

He said, "I want to be human!"

Abedo looked directly into Han Fulai's eyes and slowly began, "What I'm about to tell you is longer than what you just told me... It begins with an alchemist from long ago."

"...Um, I'm not used to the names you use, let's use numbers instead."

"The great alchemist created Number One. Number One, with her pride, blended perfectly into ordinary people. No one would have guessed that this friend beside her was actually an artificial human. However, Number One did not know that before her birth, the alchemist had conducted many experiments. Some failed and defective products were abandoned, but she did not die."

"Failure Experiment Number Two was swallowed by the dragon and remained on the snowy mountain with the dragon until many years later, when he awoke due to some mysterious dragon power."

"Yes... this is the origin of the story."

Chapter 151 Granting You a New Life [4k]

"Swallowed by a dragon, I remained on the snowy mountain with it...and was awakened by some mysterious dragon power..."

Han Fulai repeated Abedo's words in a low voice, his brows gradually furrowing.

According to Abedo's description, Rhinedot's way of dealing with the "failure" was to have the dragon Durin eat the "failure," which was Abedo.

At first glance, this method of handling things does seem cold-blooded and ruthless, very much in the style of an "alchemy madman," and the death of being "eaten" seems extremely cruel... However, if we consider the special vitality that Dulin possesses, and the "Primordial Man" project...

—It's not necessarily a mishap that Abeso awoke in the belly of a dragon hundreds of years later.

The timing of their awakening was also too coincidental.

If Abedo hadn't come to Mondstadt, hadn't come to the snow-capped mountains, Dulin or Abedo might still be sleeping in the snow-capped mountains to this day.

Are Dulin and Abeso actually the "materials" that brought Abedo, the "Primordial One," together...?

Aberdo noticed Han Fulai's solemn expression, but didn't explain anything, simply continuing his story:

"When Number Two woke up, he saw all sorts of creatures on the snow mountain, including animals, monsters, and humans... but he could clearly realize that he was a different being from those creatures. He felt lonely."

"He wandered aimlessly in the snow-capped mountains and found a small alchemy laboratory, where his brother, Number One, was also located."

"Scholars from foreign lands, knights from knightly orders, nuns from churches, adventurers from guilds... all sorts of people come to see Number One. Number Two discovers that Number One has miraculously blended in with these humans. Number Two never imagined that these experimental subjects could perfectly deceive everyone's eyes. People accept Number One as a friend and affectionately call him by his name."

"And that's exactly what Number Two wants. So, Number Two wants to replace Number One and become the happy one."

"The moment Number One is alone is the best time for Number Two to make his move. By eliminating Number One, he can become the sole individual. He will replace Number One in everyone's memory without anyone noticing, inheriting Number One's identity, residence, clothes, sword, name... and of course, friends."

"Number Two began his plan. He stole Number One's books and notes and studied the knowledge Number One inherited from alchemists. He was very clever and learned quickly. Then, he changed his original face to be exactly the same as Number One's."

"But the difference is that Number Two wanted to become a truly perfect person. So, he erased the mark on his neck that symbolized his flaw."

Han Fulai looked at the star-shaped mark on Abedo's neck and recalled what he had said to him in the alchemy laboratory: "This is my 'flaw' as a human being, proof that I am a man-made being."

"...Since even he can erase the mark, why do you keep it?" Han Fulai asked.

Abedo gave a somewhat sorrowful smile, raising his hand to touch the mark on his neck: "If you ask me, erasing the mark was probably just something Number Two did subconsciously. He was so eager to be perfect that he forgot that humanity is vibrant precisely because of its imperfections."

...Imperfect humans are the true humans. Because Abe pursued perfection, he was unable to become human.

This is undeniably ironic.

At the same time, there is also some sadness.

Abedo looked at Han Fulai's expression and laughed self-deprecatingly: "Well, this is the story of Number One and Number Two, two ridiculous artificial monsters trying to become human... an ugly story."

Han Fulai shook his head and said, "Abedo, don't say that. You're not a monster. Look, Bennett has had terrible luck, and Sugar and Diona look different from ordinary people... but these special characteristics don't affect their identity as humans. At least... as your friend, I wholeheartedly acknowledge that you are human, and a particularly outstanding one at that."

Abedo smiled again, this time with genuine joy.

“I’m so glad to hear you say that. Actually, there’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you.” As Abedo spoke, he suddenly bowed deeply to Han Fulai in a Mondstadt-style curtsy: “Thank you, my friend.”

"In return, you can come to me if you need anything in Mondstadt, and I will do my best to help you."

Abedo's actions flustered Han Fulai a bit. He quickly helped Abedo up, saying, "You're too kind. There's no need for such formalities between friends... Besides, I haven't done anything that warrants your gratitude."

This wasn't him being modest; he genuinely didn't feel he had accomplished anything significant.

Although he helped Aberdo with the plan to protect Aberdo, the situation changed later, and the plan was actually completed by Aberdo's own abilities, not by him. At most, he was just cooperating with Aberdo and keeping his secret.

Aberdo looked at him intently and said, "Do you remember what you said to Bennett before I took you out for a walk last night?"

"What I said to Bennett... I mean, the things I said to comfort him?" Han Fulai blinked, not understanding what was so special about those words that Abedo should be so grateful for.

Abedo nodded: "It was those words that made me make up my mind."

“You told me, ‘Fate is determined by heaven, but destiny is written by man.’ Nothing in this world is predetermined. Even if there are gods in heaven who want to manipulate people’s fate, people can change it through their own efforts.”

"So, if I really want to become human, I should be prepared to change my destiny, right?"

Han Fulai's eyes widened as he connected his earlier thoughts about the "Primordial Man" project with what Abedo was saying.

Abedo smiled and changed the subject: "The story we just told isn't actually over yet."

“We’ve told the story of Number One and Number Two, but before Number One and Number Two, there was actually a Number Zero—the dragon in the story.”

He told Han Fulai about the memories he had gained in the dungeons of Dulin.

"...As mentioned above, Zero is one of the two masterpieces of that great alchemist. Zero, created by the alchemist, represents 'black earth.' Black earth is the etymology of alchemy and also the foundation of life."

"Zero's life force comes from outside the world and is called 'humic poison'... but for Number One and Number Two, it is actually the nourishment for their growth."

Aberdo took out the decaying sword, which had lost its divine power, and plunged it into the ground, stirring up some soil.

The upper layer of soil contains tundra vegetation such as moss and lichen, while the lower layer is a layer of black humus.

“This layer covered with vegetation is called the ‘organic layer,’ where life exists; and when those life forms die, they turn into ‘ash,’ which goes deeper into the earth and becomes the foundation for new life.” Abedo pointed his longsword at the black soil layers. “This layer is called the ‘humic layer.’”

Listening to the terms Abedo used reminded Han Fulai, a liberal arts student, of the geography exam topics he hadn't seen in a long time.

The statements like "rock weathering provides soil parent material" and "reasonable human activities will promote soil development, while unreasonable human activities will accelerate soil degradation" give me a feeling of "dead memories starting to attack me"...

What Abedo was talking about was the cross-sectional structure of natural soil.

Natural soil, from the surface to the underground, is generally divided into the "organic layer", "humus layer", "leaching layer", "deposition layer", "parent material layer" and "parent rock layer".

The "organic layer" and "humus layer" are rich in organic matter and are the layers where the nutrients needed for crop growth are most concentrated. They are also the most suitable places for cultivation, and most of the plant's root system is located in these layers.

As water from the upper layers seeps downwards, water-soluble substances and fine soil particles move to the lower layers, causing leaching and carrying away minerals from the soil to even lower levels. This layer is called the "leaching layer".

The soil layer below where leached materials accumulate is called the "deposition layer." Generally speaking, this layer is no longer suitable for cultivation.

The "parent material layer" and "parent rock layer" below are small rocks that have just begun to weather and break apart, and still intact rock layers, which belong to "soil that has not yet become soil".

"The strata are the memories accumulated by time and life. Zero is the representative product of the 'humus layer' and the 'black soil' that nurtures new life. Zero is destined to become the nourishment for Number One."

Abedo placed his hand on his chest and said slowly, “'Chalk' is a white, soil-like substance, amorphous limestone. It is ‘immaculate soil’ formed by the accumulation of ancient organisms’ remains, and it is also the new form of dead things.”

—It is also the etymological source of the word "Cretaceous." The extinction event that occurred during the Cretaceous period marked the boundary between the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras in Earth's history, with ancient organisms dying out and new life emerging. The Cretaceous symbolizes the cycle of death and rebirth. Han Fulai mentally added to Abedo's words.

Aberdo's statement was actually quite straightforward—Durin is the "humus layer," the "fertilizer" that Rhein-Dortmund left for Aberdo.

The significance of Dulin's birth may be for today, so that Abedo can absorb his power and complete his "evolution".

"Number two, who was thrown into the dragon's belly, also absorbed the power from the 'humus.' He..."

Abedo paused for a moment, looking towards the camp in the distance, where there was a sugar laboratory, or rather, a vegetable greenhouse. Abedo was like a vegetable grown in a greenhouse, absorbing the essence of the soil, and its nutritional value was naturally higher.

"...Number Two, if he were to follow his original fate, would actually die by my sword just like Dulin," Abedo continued. "For Number One to become 'Gold,' he needs to go through four steps—Nigredo (blackening), Albedo (whitening), Bubedi (reddening), and Citrinitas (yellowing). After absorbing Number Zero's life force in the cave, Number One has already completed the Bubedi stage. The final Citrinitas stage will be completed after absorbing Number Two's life force."

Han Fulai nodded silently; he now fully understood what Abedo meant by "fate."

Abeshao had been nurtured inside the dragon's belly for hundreds of years, serving as the "alchemical material" needed for Abedo to become the "Primordial Man".

All of this was clearly designed by Aberdo's mentor, Rheindorf.

The "Primordial Man" project was an alchemical endeavor that lasted five hundred years.

Aberdo remembered the words his master had left him:

"You must carry on the unfinished work of your elder brother in the list, Bai Jun in one corner, and reach the other side of philosophy."

What the failed attempts could not accomplish, you will complete. Your eldest brother in the roster will become your nourishment, helping you evolve into the "Philosopher's Stone".

So he shed tears in the crypt of Dulin.

For Dulin, for himself, and for Abe.

The task his master left him was this: "Show me the truth of the world and the meaning of the world."

Becoming the "Primordial One" allows one to know the ultimate secrets, understand all hidden truths, and the true nature of the world. This is the destiny he bears.

However, after accepting Dulin's life, Abedo completed his "red transformation" and gained more human emotions.

Driven by emotion, he made a new choice: "Fate is determined by heaven, but destiny is written by man."

“Sometimes, the thought that alchemy is such a great science fills me with a sense of helplessness,” Abedo murmured. “As one of the few beings that have set foot on this earth, how arrogant are we, who yearn to control our destiny and thirst for creation?”

"Mr. Han, I would like to ask you a question: Is creation an act of arrogance? If not, then why do we call the things that control and create us 'God'? If so, then what right do we have to claim the identity of 'creator'? To what extent should our reverence and respect go, and where should we apply it?"

Han Fulai handed the adventurer's pocket watch he was holding to Abedo.

"You have chosen to create your own destiny. From this moment on, you are your own god—the happiness of mankind depends entirely on ourselves."

"Please give this pocket watch to your brother and tell him, 'Happy birthday, Joseph.'"

Aberdo accepted the pocket watch and sincerely said again, "Thank you."

In Aberdo's heart, Rheindorf was a mother who was both gentle and cruel.

She bestowed upon her children both her tenderness and cruelty equally.

They were given the tenderness of birth, and then cruel fate was thrown upon them to face.

But Aberdo is still grateful to his mother.

In any case, being born into this world is definitely a good thing.

To become human, to possess a human mind and human emotions, must be a good thing.

So he chose to face this so-called fate head-on and change it.

—Rheindorf's message also included the line: "Weave a new destiny for your brother and me."

Although Abedo knew that his master meant he would change the world after becoming a "primordial being," he still couldn't help but interpret the words literally.

Is it possible that the master also hopes to see his child live a happy life?

As parents, we all love our children, right?

He wanted to believe that when Rheindorf, as their "mother," gave them, her brothers, life, it was with love.

So after Abe shouted at him, "I want to be human!", Abe reversed his longsword and tapped Abe's forehead with the "Yanghua" flower embedded in the hilt.

With the "spindle of cinnabar," weave a new destiny.

"The ash of life between the universe and the earth's strata bestows upon you new life." Thus the son of chalk proclaimed to his destiny.

Chapter 152 The Unmelting Ice

When Han Fulai returned to the camp after finishing his conversation with Abedo, he saw Yura and Joel also returning together.

Joel was holding a chubby little white fox in his arms. It looked so cute and well-behaved, but if you looked closely, you would see that it was a fox made of snow.

Han Fulai couldn't help but ask curiously, "Joel, aren't you afraid the snow fox will melt if you put it in your arms?"

Joel smiled broadly and looked up to answer, "No, this is a 'snowman that will never melt' that Yura gave me!"

A snowman that will never melt?

Han Fulai was surprised again and looked at Youla.

Even ice created using celestial magic doesn't have the property of "never melting," does it? Ice lotuses like Gan Yu's and ice walls like Shen He's will melt away once the power of the spellcaster is gone.

Yura turned her head away without answering, but Amber, looking quite pleased with herself, explained, "It's the powder of the 'Ice Seal.' If you add just a tiny bit of this powder to the snowman, the snow will absolutely not melt. It's very important to Yura too..."

“You shouldn’t say so much at a time like this,” Yura quickly interrupted Amber’s “promoting Yura” segment. “It’s just a souvenir for Joel.”

Joel held the snow fox high in his hand.