He changed Tiwat

There's a reason he thinks that way.

For Yingmei and Paimon, these leyline memories were merely records of the past, roughly equivalent to ghosts from five hundred years ago returning to life for a few moments to chat with them. Anyway, there were countless strange and wonderful things on the Teyvat continent, and adventurers who had traveled far and wide were already used to them.

But it wasn't like that for Han Fulai.

Liyue also has many things that resemble "ghosts". Wuwangpo, a "feng shui treasure land" managed by the Hall of Rebirth, has a particularly large number of them. It is said that if you wander around Wuwangpo at midnight, you are likely to encounter "ghost walls"... The ghost stories sold in the "Wanwen Collection" are almost all based on Wuwangpo.

Of course, Master Hu of Wangsheng Hall had already debunked the rumors. Those were not ghosts or monsters, but simply records of the earth's veins, and they would not harm anyone.

Master Hu used to use this as a selling point, advertising that purchasing a burial site in Wuwangpo would allow one to frequently meet with deceased relatives... but Yan Fei stopped it under the pretext of "false advertising".

It's important to understand that the memories within ley lines are incredibly complex, encompassing millions of years of Teyvat's history. Trying to access a specific memory from within is virtually impossible. Theoretically, the memories flowing from ley lines are completely random, much like a gacha system in a mobile game without a set path or guaranteed rewards—you could get any kind of memory from anywhere.

So strictly speaking, Master Hu is indeed suspected of "false advertising." It's true that it's easy to "encounter ghosts" at Wuwangpo, but it's uncertain whose ghost you'll encounter...

However, the ley line memories they encountered today were all about the "Dark Calamity" of five hundred years ago, and each one was related to General Thunder—

Once might be a coincidence, but twice? Han Fulai would never believe it could be a coincidence.

The reason why the roots of the Divine Cherry Tree were attacked by the abyss monsters, the reason why the memories flowing out from them are all related to the "Dark Calamity" five hundred years ago, and the disappearance of the Yae Divine Child... there must be some connection in all of this that he is unaware of.

Normally, no matter what secrets are hidden behind this, with the invincible Thunder General present, it could be shattered with a single strike.

But just at this critical juncture, Lei's film ran into trouble.

In Inazuma, the only high-end military force that has reached the level of a demon god is the Shadow and the Divine Child. However, one of them is now missing and the other is not in good condition. If another "Dark Calamity" really occurs and the abyssal demons invade in large numbers, Inazuma will not be able to muster any decent resistance.

To use an old Liyue proverb, this is like "when it rains, it pours," meaning all sorts of bad luck have come at once.

What if there really is some conspiracy behind this...?

"Ying, what is your current state? Can you tell us the truth?" Han Fulai emphasized.

Now is no time to worry about the general's reputation. Before finding out the truth of the matter, he must first achieve the "know yourself" part of the "know yourself and know your enemy" principle.

Lei Yingdian also realized that she could no longer insist on the "dignity of a general." Moreover, Han Fulai and Ying were her "Grand Minister" and "Secretary," respectively, and should be the people she trusted most. To continue to hide things from them would undoubtedly damage the trust between them.

She pondered for a moment before speaking, "My current situation is very similar to that of the protagonist in the novel 'Reincarnated as the Thunder General'... Simply put, this body cannot currently be considered 'my' body, and I am unable to unleash its power..."

Ying immediately remembered what had just happened: "So the reason you didn't use 'The Strike Without Thought' when dealing with those 'Beast Hounds' wasn't because you wanted to 'save your energy,' but because you simply couldn't use it?"

"Why is that? The shadow was perfectly fine not long ago!" Little Paimon was still full of questions.

Ying silently lifted her braid, showing them the faintly glowing "three-point mark" on the back of her neck.

"'She,' the General, is resisting my will. Although my condition is not good, I can still exert the strength of a demon god. As one of the 'Seven Rulers of the Mortal World,' wielding great power over a region's ley lines, I originally possessed inexhaustible elemental power... But because of the General's resistance, I can no longer use this body to absorb elemental power. The energy currently in this body is decreasing with every use, so I have to conserve it as much as possible..."

"And even now, I am vying with the general for control of this body. The general is very stubborn... perhaps because of the memories she has seen in the ley lines, she firmly believes that in order to prevent those tragedies from repeating themselves, we should continue the 'eternity' in the 'Pure Land of One Heart'."

The mark she just showed is actually a sign that distinguishes who has the dominant body position between her and the puppet general—the mark lights up when the general is in control, similar to an indicator light for a machine.

At this moment, it was clearly Shadow who was speaking to everyone, but the "Sanba pattern" representing the consciousness of the puppet general lit up, which means that two consciousnesses coexist in this body.

"Ah...I see..." Paimon finally understood, but a new question immediately arose: "So the puppet general also has its own will?"

Shadow had previously referred to the General as the "Puppet General" and had even said things like, "Let the General take the hit; we can always replace him if he breaks," which led Ying and Paimon to actually regard the "Puppet General" as a "puppet."

In their eyes, the puppet general is a robot similar to "One-Eyed Little Treasure," only more powerful and better looking than "One-Eyed Little Treasure."

But Han Fulai, who had seen the "scattered soldiers," knew very well that the puppets Ying created all possessed their own will—or rather, she created not "puppets" but "artificial humans" like Abedo.

Considering that the puppet's manufacturing technology comes from Kanria, the existence of the puppet general and the "skirmishers" is actually likely a taboo on Sky Island, and may even be related to "forces from outside the world".

Within the coverage area of ​​the Earth Vein Monitoring System, these are all slides that you absolutely cannot touch.

So Han Fulai directly changed the subject: "So, if you were to have another 'royal duel' with Ying now, is there a chance you might lose?"

Although she was very reluctant to admit it... Ying still honestly lowered her head and quietly hummed in agreement.

Han Fulai looked directly at Ying and said seriously, "In that case, I still suggest that you return to Tian Shou Ge first and resolve the issues between you and the general. Ying and Paimeng, you two escort Ying back to the city in case something more serious happens on the way... Leave the matter over in the Desolate Sea to me. Trust me, I will definitely bring the Divine Child back."

Although he phrased it rather tactfully, everyone understood the underlying meaning.

Even if Lei Yingdian could no longer unleash the "Unthinking Blade," her martial arts skills were already powerful enough, and there were few people in the world who dared to say they could defeat her now—but within that "few people," there just happened to be two "Descendants" standing in front of her.

The invincible Thunder General, for the first time in his life, was gently advised, "It's dangerous ahead, you should go home..."

In the past, Ying would have taken these words as an insult and drawn her sword, but at this moment she was surprisingly not angry at all.

—Because Han Fulai took on the responsibilities and dangers that should have belonged to her.

As a general, no matter what kind of enemy he faces, Ying is always at the forefront.

She has always existed as the "Guardian of Inazuma".

But this time, someone made it clear that they wanted to take the danger in her place and become her protector.

Ying hadn't felt this sense of being protected for a very long time—she thought of her relatives and friends who had died in the war.

Sasa Yuri, Mikoto Chiyo, Kitsuri-sai-miya... and, my older sister.

Come to think of it, his thoughts, his words, and his actions are very similar to his sister's...

Ying's eyes gradually became misty.

Should I... accept his kindness?

Just then, she heard the general's voice: "You have indeed suffered 'wear and tear'."

Ying was startled, and her body stiffened for a moment—in that brief moment when her mind was elsewhere, the general had almost taken control of her body.

Ying took a deep breath, her gaze becoming clear and firm once again.

“No, the Divine Child is my servant, and this is my duty that I cannot shirk. Besides, without me, you probably wouldn’t be able to find the Divine Child.”

Han Fulai frowned – Ying had clearly said she couldn't sense the location of the Divine Child anymore, yet she was still insisting that without her, they couldn't find the Divine Child; she was obviously just putting on a brave face.

Perhaps he should have spoken more harshly? Even if it offended Kage, it would be much better than letting Kage act recklessly and causing some unexpected incident... After all, Kage is Inazuma's true pillar, and he must not be allowed to fall.

If he's looking for someone, he still carries the amulet the divine child gave him. Perhaps if he gets closer, the "signal" will become stronger, and he might be able to contact the divine child.

In terms of strength, especially in terms of survival skills, he is probably the strongest among the people present.

Furthermore, as a transmigrator, he had been to the desolate sea in the game and was quite familiar with the path to that underground palace, so he was naturally the most suitable person to go...

Yes, this is completely rational thinking without any emotional factors.

But Ying's next words made him change his mind:

"If I'm not mistaken, the 'disappearance' of the divine child is probably not due to the barrier of the desolate sea, but rather to the abyss. The power of the abyss can sever the connection between gods and their followers."

Ying suddenly clapped her hands: "That's right, it seems like the same thing happened with Dvalin!"

Paimon remembered too: "Yes! Wendy said that the 'Abyss Mage' who wanted to control Dvalin used abyssal energy to sever the connection between him and Dvalin!"

“So the Wind God also had a similar experience…” Ying thought for a moment, then said, “This is my speculation—the appearance of the ‘Beast Realm Hound’ may indicate that some powerful abyssal monster wants to cross the gap between the two worlds.”

"'Beast Hounds' are not powerful monsters in themselves, but they have the ability to traverse space. Their claws, like my blade, can tear through space. In my past experience, they usually act as 'vanguards,' clearing the way for the more powerful monsters that follow."

"The Desolate Sea is where the Fox Palace sealed away a large number of abyssal demons. Five hundred years have passed, and its underground has likely been polluted by the abyssal energy of the demons, turning it into an otherworldly realm similar to the abyss. Those 'Beast Realm Hounds' may have also dug out a passage connecting to the abyss within it. I suspect that the Divine Child discovered that passage when he went to check out the Desolate Sea Palace, and sensed that some powerful demon wanted to invade Inazuma..."

"Her 'disappearance' is because she traveled to the other side of the passage. Due to the barrier of abyssal energy, I was unable to sense her location. You probably don't have much experience in conquering the abyss, right? But I, who guard the border of the 'Dark Outer Sea,' am very familiar with the abyss. Moreover, as long as I am close enough to the Divine Child, the abyssal energy cannot prevent me from sensing her location."

Han Fulai recalled that when he called out to Xiao in the abyss, he was able to make Xiao sense his location only through a contract... In other words, it really is impossible without a shadow?

Ying then added, "Besides, although I'm not really in the zone right now,... don't I still have you guys?"

She gave a slightly mischievous smile—

"With my 'Grand Minister' and 'Secretaries' guarding me, where in this world can't I go?"

Ying immediately straightened her back, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Ying is right. With me here, there's nothing to be afraid of!"

Paimon echoed the same sentiment: "Wandering Teyvat requires courage!"

Han Fulai couldn't help but complain, "Paimon... Shadow didn't say he was going to take you..."

"Huh?" Paimon was dumbfounded.

Ying earnestly mimicked Han Fulai's tone from earlier: "I suggest you, Paimeng, go and inform the Shefengxing that we're going to explore the Wilderness Sea, so they can bring people to meet us, just in case."

Paimon puffed out his cheeks: "No way! When we went to the Evil Eye Factory, when we went to the Heavenly Territory Enforcer, and when we went to 'One Heart Pure Land,' you didn't take me with you... This time you won't get rid of me, humph! And Shadow, why do they both get official positions while I don't? This is discrimination!"

Shadow blinked: "Both of them have caught 'Wu Xiang's' blade. Paimon, do you want to give it a try?"

Paimon went silent.

Chapter 220 The Desolate Sea Palace [4k]

"This is the Desolate Sea Palace... It looks so eerie..."

Paimon stood... or rather, hovered in front of the entrance to the underground palace, hesitant and afraid to look inside.

Well, Paimon eventually came along too.

Han Fulai and Ying had only teased Paimon a few times before. Paimon was, after all, a good friend of everyone, so they couldn't really exclude her.

The reason Luminous couldn't bring Paimon into the Evil Eye Factory incident was because she needed to infiltrate in disguise, and bringing Paimon would be too conspicuous. The same reason applied to the Sky Lord's mission. As for Luminous not being able to bring Paimon into the "Pure Land of One Heart," it was because Shadow deliberately refused Paimon, the "Primordial Eternal Ruler Matrix," access in order to conceal his previous "Wallfacer Plan" from Sky Island. In fact, even now, neither Luminous nor Paimon knows what Han Fulai and Shadow discussed in the Pure Land...

Moreover, Paimon is not just a simple "emergency food". Last time, when Han Fulai and Yan Fei were trapped in the special space at the bottom of the giant rock abyss, Paimon played a significant role.

Their journey might take them into the abyss, and if they encounter a situation that the others cannot handle, Paimon's hidden power might be the key to breaking the deadlock—the key to "emergency food" is not "food," but "emergency."

Therefore, from any perspective, Paimon is an indispensable member of their team.

However, it was Paimon who insisted on coming, but when they arrived at the destination, it was also Paimon who hesitated and dared not go in...

As its name suggests, "Huanghai" is a desolate place by the sea. As far as the eye can see, it is barren, deserted, and has no buildings.

This place wasn't originally called "Wilderness Sea"; it was just an empty space without a name. It wasn't until after the "Dark Calamity" passed that people started calling it "Wilderness Sea" in memory of that disaster.

In the language of Inatsume, the word "荒" does not mean "desolate" but rather "a desolate soul".

Inazuma is a kingdom ruled by the twin demon gods Raiden Shin and Raiden Kage. Because Kage has always served as a "shadow warrior" and dislikes showing his face in public, most of the people of Inazuma in ancient times did not know that the title of "Raiden General" was shared by twin sisters. For example, Koyama, the tea master who followed Raiden Shin, never truly communicated with Kage during his lifetime.

Raiden Shin's personality is inherently different from Raiden's, and this is even more apparent to outsiders. The gentle god in Inazuma Castle who would drink tea and chat with people is the same ruthless shogun wielding a naginata on the battlefield; to the common people, they are two completely opposite extremes.

Thus, a legend arose among the people of Inatsuma, similar to the "Immovable Black Stone Appearance," saying that the shogun had two faces, one for enemies and one for friends, two souls. The one who usually governed Inatsuma Castle was the shogun's "Harmony Soul," while the one who was ruthless and merciless during conquests was the shogun's "Wild Soul."

From then on, "荒魂" became a synonym for "war" and "disaster". Words associated with the word "荒", such as "荒凉", "荒芜", "饥荒", and "灾荒", are all words with negative emotional connotations.

The word "荒海" in Inazuma's language originally refers to "a vast, turbulent sea," expressing a lament for the sea's ruthlessness and the hardships of seafaring, much like facing the "wild spirit" of a general.

As for why people call this place "the desolate sea," it's because of the words left by Fox Palace in the refuge:

"The birds are crying, the fish are crying, the birds are crying, the fish are crying, the birds are crying, and the fish are crying, it's like sending home late spring."

Summer grass is the trace of the dream of soldiering (the summer grass, the soul of the warrior, vaguely leaves traces of the dream)

The river of the wild sea and the sound of the gods (the river in the wild sea surges, the Milky Way is high, and the sound of the gods reaches the sky)

"Traveller's illness is a dream, a dream comes from a dry wilderness"

The "desolate sea" in the poem originally referred to the monstrous beasts that surged like ocean waves during a calamity. Later generations named this place "desolate sea" in commemoration. The Desolate Sea Palace is the only ark that survived the dark waves that swallowed everything.

The entrance to the desolate sea palace that Paimon saw wasn't actually a proper "door"...

It was a deep pit.

After falling into the bottom of the Abyss of Laminaria, Paimon developed a phobia of underground caves... Although this pit wasn't as huge as the Abyss of Laminaria, and the drop from the surface was only a few meters, he was still afraid!

After all, this "Desolate Sea Palace" was just a temporary underground refuge built five hundred years ago by the Fox Palace and its people. Naturally, such a place would not have any decorations. It was just a pit dug under a large cherry tree, and then an "underground air-raid shelter" was opened in the pit.

At that time, the Fox Palace had the people hide in the cave, and then used the divine power of the Thunder Cherry Tree and the barrier magic above to cover the entrance, deceiving the eyes and ears of the demonic beasts and protecting the people below.

Without the magic concealing it, the Desolate Sea Palace is now just a rather eerie-looking cave.

"Sure enough... the seal here has been broken. The monsters we've encountered along the way probably came out of here." Ying looked at the Thunder Cherry Tree with some emotion.

Inazuma's "Thunder Cherry Blossom" is different from ordinary cherry trees. It is grafted from branches taken from the divine cherry tree at the top of Mount Kageshiro. It contains the thunder element power of the divine cherry tree and can be used as a "talisman" to suppress demons.

In Ying's memory, this Thunder Cherry should have erected a lightning element barrier like a protective shield, isolating the inside from the outside and preventing outsiders from contacting it.

When ordinary people approach the barrier, they will receive a warning from the Divine Cherry Blossom and experience that tingling, numb feeling... which is also known as "electrocution".

If any villains or demons attempt to force their way through the barrier, they will be punished by divine lightning and instantly reduced to ashes.

However, the cherry tree in front of them did not create a barrier, and it had even withered.

This indicates that the "Divine Cherry Blossom Great Exorcism" left behind by the Fox Palace has become ineffective, and the monsters in this area are no longer suppressed by the branches of the Divine Cherry Blossom.

"Um... Ying, how about I stay outside and meet everyone...?" Paimon whispered to Ying, discussing the matter.

Ying has been traveling with Paimon for a year now, and she's long been used to Paimon's tendency to back out at the drop of a hat... Anyway, no matter how long the little guy hesitates outside, he'll eventually catch up.

So she decided to let Paimon skip that complicated process.

Suddenly, Ying grabbed Paimon's wrist and leaped into the air—she even shouted "You jump, I jump!" as she jumped, though it's unclear which Mondstadt bard's poem she heard the phrase from...