He changed Tiwat

Shen He gestured with his eyes that she was listening.

“We just found your father’s diary in the village… There are many inaccuracies in ‘The Goddess Splits the Temple,’ and I want to correct them.”

"Why do you want to change it?" Shen He asked.

“I’ve said before that opera is an adaptation of reality. But the protagonist of the opera is right in front of us, and I can’t ignore your feelings,” Yun Jin replied sincerely.

Shen He gently shook his head, "It's okay, I really like the version you just described."

"Huh?" Yun Jin was a little surprised. She originally thought that Shen He would specifically point out that the goddess was not that brave, which was actually a sign of dissatisfaction with the script, but Shen He sounded like he really liked the previous story.

Shen He gently touched his chest and slowly said, "My master once said that I can only truly integrate into human society when I learn to use my power for others. Therefore, I also hope that one day I can stand up and protect others, just like in the opera."

"But... I've never really thought about protecting others before, and I don't know if I'll ever have that thought in the future."

Yun Jin smiled and said, "Don't worry, it will definitely happen. In fact, in my opinion, you may have already changed a bit, you just need a 'trigger' to realize it."

“And I have a feeling that this ‘opportunity’ will appear soon.” Han Fulai smiled mysteriously.

"Alright, we still need to find the 'Secret Flower Stone'. From here to the southern pool of Tianheng Mountain mentioned in the book, it will be almost dusk. If we don't set off now, it will be too late."

When the group arrived at the location described in the book, it was just between dawn and dusk. The pool shimmered, the sunset reflected in its waters, blending seamlessly with the surrounding maple leaves.

Suddenly, a white light flashed among the rocks to the south, stretching upwards into the sky, as if it were the dividing line between day and night. The white light disappeared in an instant, but the prepared group saw it clearly.

"Nature bestows its most wondrous beauty, dividing day and night with yin and yang." Han Fulai sighed. No wonder some people felt that the "Secret Flower Stone" had the power to communicate between yin and yang. Anyone who saw the glimmer at the boundary between dawn and dusk would marvel at the wonder of creation.

Shen He had no interest in composing poetry. Her gaze was fixed on the spot where the flash of light had appeared. With graceful movements, she leaped up the cliff dozens of meters high in a few bounds. Soon, she returned to Han Fulai and Yun Jin with a dark green, strangely shaped stone in her hand.

"Miss Shen He, you have excellent skills!" Yun Jin couldn't help but praise.

"Now that we've gathered everything, let's hurry back to Liyue Harbor and have Han Zhang forge the 'Thousand Wonders Core'," Han Fulai said with a smile.

When the group returned to Liyue Harbor, it was already late at night. Just as Old Zhang of "Cold Edge Ironware" was about to close up shop, he saw Yun Jin walking over carrying several strangely shaped pieces of ore.

Old Zhang took the ore from Yun Jin's hand, examined it carefully, and clicked his tongue in amazement: "Oh...oh...this..."

"How's this stone? Is it usable? If not, we can look for another one." Shen He spoke quickly and directly, making no attempt to hide her urgency.

"I just didn't expect you to find it so quickly... We only left this morning and found it by evening..." Old Zhang quickly explained, "The materials you found are all genuine top-quality. I feel they can be forged into a really great finished product."

He clenched his fist, a look of eager anticipation on his face: "Alright, I'm going to show you my true skills too—"

Just then, Beidou arrived and greeted everyone in a very hearty manner: "Hey guys, how's your progress? I've run into a bit of trouble. Su Ling has never seen the 'Thousand Wonders Core,' and it will take some time to study it from scratch. I remember you guys mentioned 'Cold Edge Ironware,' so I came here to ask about it."

Han Fulai smiled and said, "As you can see, we have gathered all the materials."

Old Zhang patted his chest and took full responsibility: "Leave the manufacturing of the 'Qianqi Core' to me. You guys go and do other things first! Don't worry, I'll have it finished by the morning after tomorrow at the latest."

Yun Jin nodded and said, "Then we'll have to trouble Master Zhang. We're starting to prepare 'immortal talismans,' but where can we find anything related to immortals?"

Han Fulai smiled and looked at Shen He beside him: "Far away, yet right before my eyes."

Chapter Eighty-Seven: Immortal Talismans, Knowing When to Return

"Miss Shen He?" Bei Dou looked at Shen He in surprise.

Shen He didn't speak, but instead reached out and drew in the air. With a touch of immortal power, a silver talisman appeared in her slender hand.

"Haha, I never expected Sister Shenhe to be so capable! Amazing!" Beidou laughed.

Shen He calmly replied, "Over the years, I have been cultivating with immortals and have some knowledge of the methods for preparing talismans."

“And when we first met, I said that I wasn’t here to compete, but to help him win.” Shen He looked at Han Fulai. “Actually, I originally came to give you a talisman. My master said that you need to help Ningguang repair the Jade Pavilion, so he asked me to prepare the talisman for you.”

Han Fulai had expected this, and simply asked with a smile, "Didn't Immortal Master Liuyun also instruct that if he couldn't find me, he should directly give the talisman to Ningguang?"

“Yes.” Shen He nodded.

Han Fulai knew that his guess was completely correct. The reason why Liu Yun Jie Feng Zhenjun did not bring him any materials when he came to see him last night was precisely because of this.

—In fact, it doesn't matter who wins the bid for the reconstruction of Qunyu Pavilion; what matters is that Qunyu Pavilion can be completed in a short period of time.

In the immortals' plan, there was no place left for Han Fulai.

For the immortals, rebuilding the Jade Pavilion was merely a pretext to send Shen He down the mountain. The key was to make Shen He confront Ba Che!

“My master also said that this trip down the mountain is to let me experience the various aspects of life in Liyue Harbor. If I can adapt, I might be able to return to human society in the future. However… it seems that I have been isolated from the world for too long and lack a lot of social common sense. Staying here may not be the right thing to do,” Shen He continued.

Yun Jin was about to speak when Shen He interrupted, "I'm very happy to meet you all. Leave the preparation of the talismans to me."

Beidou's face rarely showed a thoughtful expression: "Whether it's suitable or not, I don't know the inside story, and I'm not quite sure. However..."

The maritime hero of the "Southern Cross" fleet strode forward, patted Shen He on the shoulder, and said, "Since we've met, it's fate. If you're ever in a bad mood, feel free to come aboard my ship for a drink."

"Thank you." Shen He bowed his head earnestly in thanks.

"Then, Master Zhang... I'll borrow a place here to prepare talismans."

Old Zhang nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Of course! I'd love to see what immortal techniques are like!"

Shen He borrowed the synthesis table from the blacksmith's shop, took out three sheets of yellow paper and laid them on the table. He channeled his immortal power, and with a few strokes of his fingers, mysterious patterns appeared on the paper.

Shen He performed a series of movements, with the Big Dipper appearing beneath her feet. A crystalline light swirled around her, and the divine eye on her braid shimmered with her every step.

"The divine power is not false, it commands all crafts. The goddess commands, hurry to the talisman. By invoking the divine power, summon the generals and command them with incantations!"

The spirits emerged from the void one by one at Shen He's summons, and then entered the talismans according to Shen He's instructions. On those three ordinary yellow papers, there was now a faint silver light and immortal energy flowing through them.

But that's not enough.

Shen He's hand gestures changed, and his footwork also changed accordingly. This time, he stepped out in the shape of Yin and Yang Bagua.

"All things are one, the ancestor of the Great Dao, supreme in the vast emptiness, pervading all! The Great Cavern Miro Venerable Dharma - Swift!"

As Shen He recited his incantation, a golden sphere of light appeared from the void, enveloping the three talismans on the alchemy platform, as if gilding them.

Shen He's hands moved swiftly, his immortal power spreading everywhere, drawing six lines on the alchemy platform, one above Kun and one below Zhen.

Han Fulai recognized this hexagram, "Earth over Thunder" (复), one of the sixty-four hexagrams in the Book of Changes.

"If the Yang energy returns and revives, then proceed with the fire without delay. When the time for revival arrives, know when to rise!"

Han Fulai's eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized the incantation Shen He was reciting; it was a poem by Zhang Boduan, the Ziyang Zhenren of the Song Dynasty and one of the Five Patriarchs of the Quanzhen School, explaining the secrets of Taoist alchemy. Shen He used this incantation to control the timing and heat for refining talismans.

The so-called "knowing the time of return" speaks precisely of the principle of "the return of Yang." The ancients believed that there are Yin and Yang energies between heaven and earth. Every year at the winter solstice, Yin energy reaches its end, and Yang energy begins to revive, which is called the return of Yang. But is there really a Taoist tradition on the continent of Teyvat?

If the Qimen Dunjia layout of Liyue Harbor had only given Han Fulai some guesses before, Shen He's talisman-making techniques and incantations made Han Fulai almost certain that Liyue and China might have a significant connection, and this connection might even be related to his time travel.

Of course, now is not the time to think about these things.

Shen He used his immortal power to activate the alchemy platform. Layers of flames rose from the platform, and in the blink of an eye, three talismans floated out, shining brightly as if they were pure gold refined in fire.

Shen He's face was paler than usual, and there was a fine layer of sweat on his forehead, clearly indicating that he was extremely exhausted.

She took a breath and said, "The talismans are complete." She handed the three talismans to everyone.

Master Zhang couldn't help but clap his hands, exclaiming, "The magic of immortals is truly amazing! It's an eye-opener, a real eye-opener!"

Han Fulai accepted the talisman and asked with concern, "Shen He, are you alright?"

Shen He gently shook his head and replied, "It's nothing. Although these talismans are not quite as good as those made by Master himself, they should still be considered of excellent quality..."

She was about to say something when she suddenly swayed and almost fell.

Han Fulai quickly helped Shen He up, "Gentlemen, Shen He is tired. I'll take her back to rest. We'll come back to retrieve the 'Qianqi Core' early the day after tomorrow."

The group readily agreed.

Han Fulai bid farewell to everyone and helped Shen He back to Yuehai Pavilion to rest. He couldn't help but scold, "Shen He, Master Liuyun should have only asked you to refine one talisman. You refined three at once. No wonder your body is weak."

“...But I’m happy to be able to help you,” Shen He said softly.

"...If your master knew, he would blame me for not taking good care of you." Han Fulai shook his head helplessly.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Master and say that it was my own choice to do it, not that you forced me. I won't cause you to be blamed by Master." Shen He earnestly stated that he would speak well of Han Fu.

"Sigh, that's not what I meant." Han Fulai was both amused and exasperated, so he simply shut up.

Han Fulai helped Shen He to the front of Yuehai Pavilion, where Gan Yu, whom they hadn't seen for many days, was already waiting at the door.

"...Senior Sister".

“Gan Yu…”

When Han Fulai and Shen He met Gan Yu, they both wanted to explain, but their voices strangely overlapped as soon as they spoke.

Seeing Shen He leaning weakly against Han Fulai, Gan Yu frowned slightly but didn't say anything. She simply led Han Fulai and Shen He into her lounge.

After settling Shen He in, Han Fulai finally had some free time and pulled Gan Yu into his office.

"Gan Yu, I have something to tell you."

"Perfect timing, I also have something to ask you."

Chapter 88 Liyue Jinchūriki Shinkaku

"I guess what you want to ask me and what I want to tell you are the same thing." Han Fulai smiled.

"So... how much do you know about Shen He?" Gan Yu asked.

"I may have learned some things I shouldn't have known, such as... remnants of the Demon God," Han Fulai replied.

Gan Yu stared into Han Fulai's eyes, as if trying to find an answer in them, but Han Fulai just smiled.

After a long while, Gan Yu sighed.

“Master told me this just two days ago, and now you know the result… Master’s mouth, I’ll definitely have to say something to her next time…”

Liu Yun, look at the image you have in your apprentice's mind. Whenever the topic of leaks comes up, the first thing that comes to mind is you letting something slip in a chat... Han Fulai silently complained.

"It wasn't Immortal Master Liuyun who said it. I deduced these things myself based on my two days with Shen He," Han Fulai said.

"...But even Shen He himself didn't know about this?" Gan Yu asked in confusion.

“Today, Shen He and I returned to the village where she was born and discovered some clues,” Han Fulai replied. “Those clues clearly tell me that Shen He is—a human jinchūriki.”

"'Human Jinchūriki'?" Gan Yu tilted her head upon hearing this new term.

"Ahem, that's a term from my hometown. It refers to someone possessed by a demon." Han Fulai coughed awkwardly.

“I’ve heard of people with similar circumstances to Shen He. That person was also an orphan who lost both his parents and grew up in a small village. He was possessed by a nine-tailed fox demon when he was young. A celestial being used magic to seal the fox demon inside his body, and he also had a celestial being as his master.”

“Oh, that really does look like it… although the demon god inside Shen He isn’t a fox spirit. While those fox spirits with the bloodline of Inazuma Shirotatsu occasionally possess humans to play pranks, they’re just pranks.” Gan Yu thought of a certain five-hundred-year-old little fox far away in Inazuma.

"However, how did you figure it out? The sealing spell of the Red Rope Binding Soul should have completely covered up the demonic aura on Shen He's body. Although I have met Shen He several times, I would not have noticed anything unusual if my master hadn't told me."

"Because there are too many suspicious points in Shen He's past," Han Fulai said.

"One point of doubt is that Shen He, a six-year-old girl who knows no magic, could withstand the remnants of the demon god for three days with just a surge of bloodthirsty energy. You must know that the remnants of the demon god are actually quite powerful. The wandering Immortal Master Liuyun could sense their aura from afar. Back then, when Shen He's father summoned the remnants of the demon god in the village, the demon god's aura still lingered in the village for many years. The villagers moved away from the village because they were afraid of the demon god's aura."

"Speaking of well-known remnants of demon gods on the continent of Teyvat, I know one: Andrius, the Wolf King of the North Wind in Mondstadt. He infused his power into the land of Wolf's Lair, and even after his death, his remnant soul continues to guard that land. There are many remnants of demon gods on the land of Liyue, and Xiao has been silently fighting against them for many years. Even if the demon god remnants that Shenhe encountered were not as powerful as the Wolf King of the North Wind, they shouldn't be something a six-year-old girl could handle. Otherwise, why would the Ascendant Yaksha have to go through so much trouble?"

"However, according to Master Liuyun, even if she hadn't been there back then, Shen He would still have been the one to win the battle against the remnants of the demon god."

"The second point of doubt: Why did Immortal Master Liuyun take Shenhe away directly? The cave where Shenhe fought the remnants of the demon god was in Tianheng Mountain, not far from her village. Immortal Master Liuyun said that after she eliminated the remnants of the demon god, Shenhe fainted without saying a word. At that time, Immortal Master Liuyun did not know the situation of Shenhe's parents, let alone that she had been deliberately abandoned in the cave by her father. How could a six-year-old child not miss home?"

"Master Liuyun is actually a very thoughtful immortal. According to Shen He, Master Liuyun was very considerate of her feelings. When he took her as his disciple, he gave her time to sort out her feelings and even specially made her a jade comb inlaid with emeralds. Moreover, when he taught her magic, he also specifically taught her the family's heirloom magic of exorcism. It can be seen that Master Liuyun was aware of Shen He's family."

"Logically speaking, Master Liuyun should have considered the possibility that this little girl was lost in a nearby village and taken her back to her family for care. Even if he wanted to take her as a disciple, he should at least have asked her family and relatives and left some information. Liyue reveres immortals, and being taken as a disciple by an immortal is a great opportunity, a good thing that everyone envies. The story of the Liyue play 'Goddess Splitting the Temple' also illustrates this point. Master Liuyun couldn't possibly be worried about not being able to take this disciple, could he?"

"Based on what I found in Shen He's father's diary, Shen He's father was still alive at least when Master Liuyun took her away. If Master Liuyun had sent Shen He back to the village, Shen He's father might not have died."

"The third point of doubt: Why didn't Immortal Master Liuyun investigate the origin of the demon god's remnants? When Immortal Master Liuyun rescued Shen He in the cave, the altar used by Shen He's father to summon the demon god should have been left at the scene. Surely Immortal Master Liuyun wouldn't have thought that six-year-old Shen He summoned the demon god himself? As a participant in the demon god war, wouldn't Immortal Master Liuyun have taken the matter of someone summoning a demon god seriously?"

“Under normal circumstances, after Immortal Master Liuyun saved Shen He, she should have investigated who summoned the demon god—in fact, Immortal Master Liuyun did investigate, and she knew Shen He's background very well. Since she investigated, she should know that Shen He's father found the method to summon the demon god in an ancient book. Why didn't Immortal Master Liuyun investigate the source of that ancient book? Since she went to the village, why did she allow the demon god's aura to remain in the village?”

"Fourth point of doubt: Are Shen He's destiny and her bloodthirsty nature the same thing? It's true that Shen He has the destiny of the Lonely Star and the Calamity Star, indicating a life full of hardships. But where does the bloodthirsty nature that she needs to be bound with a red rope come from? If this bloodthirsty nature is caused by her innate destiny, then Shen He was just an ordinary little girl before being abandoned by her father. Why didn't Shen He show any bloodthirsty nature before the age of six? If this bloodthirsty nature erupted after encountering danger, why couldn't Shen He suppress her bloodthirsty nature even when she was cultivating in the mountains, and why did she need a red rope to suppress it?"

"Although the fate of 'Lonely Star and Calamity' sounds unlucky, it is ultimately just a bad fate. People around her are prone to misfortune, and she will be lonely all her life—but it doesn't turn her into a murderous maniac. The Red Rope Soul Binding and Immortal Cultivation are both to help Shen He suppress that murderous nature. The destructive power caused by murderous nature is far greater than her fate."

"There is only one explanation that can connect all these doubts and provide a reasonable answer—the remnants of the demon god have not been eliminated; they are still hidden within Shen He's body. Shen He's murderous intent comes from the demon god!"

Chapter 89 The Test for Shen He

"Shen He was once just an ordinary human girl. All the changes in her began when she came into contact with the remnants of a demon god at the age of six. According to my speculation, Shen He's true experience, the secret that the Liyue Immortals have kept hidden for over a decade, is probably like this—"

"Shen He's father summoned the remnants of a demon god. The remnants of the demon god took a liking to Shen He's physique, perhaps because of her special destiny, perhaps because of her bloodline as an exorcist, or perhaps because of her cultivation aptitude. In any case, whatever her physique, it was very suitable for the remnants of the demon god to reside in. Therefore, the remnants of the demon god demanded that Shen He's father offer Shen He as a sacrifice."

"So Shen He's father summoned the demon god in the cave and abandoned Shen He there. The remnants of the demon god took the opportunity to invade Shen He's body and tried to destroy Shen He's consciousness and take over the host's body. This is what is known as 'possession'."

"But perhaps it was the protection of Shen He's mother in heaven that led her to carry an exorcism dagger left to her by her mother. The magic on the exorcism dagger protected Shen He's consciousness—or perhaps Shen He was indeed born with a strong will, even comparable to the power of the remnant of the demon god. In any case, Shen He prevailed in the battle of wills, causing the remnant of the demon god's attempt to possess her to fail."

"In an attempt to break Shen He's will, the remnants of the demon god conjured terrifying monsters to confront her, hoping to frighten the young girl and cause her to break down. However, the six-year-old Shen He persevered, gripping her dagger and confronting the demon god without retreating an inch. This is why, despite being only six years old and knowing neither martial arts nor magic, she was able to fight against the monsters conjured by the demon god's remnants for three days and even win—the monsters were merely illusions; the real battle took place within Shen He's consciousness."

"The True Lord Liuyun Jiefeng happened to be traveling and passing by Tianheng Mountain. He sensed the aura of the demon god, entered the cave to investigate, and destroyed the illusion. He also used magic to temporarily suppress the power of the demon god's remnants. Shen He collapsed from exhaustion at this time."

"Master Liuyun knew that the remnants of the demon god on Shen He's body had not yet been eliminated, and he also sensed the terrifying murderous intent emanating from Shen He. The more powerful the demon god, the greater the residual resentment. For example, I know that Immortal Xiao has been fighting against the remnants of the demon god, and his whole body is tainted with the resentment of the demon god, which Xiao calls 'karma.' Moreover, this kind of 'karma' is probably very difficult to eradicate, otherwise all the immortals of Liyue, including the Emperor, would have already used magic to remove these 'karma' for Xiao."