Having left the Great Wolf King's trial ground, Lumine and Paimon led Shao Yun to find Dainsleif.
After a short walk, they spotted Dainsleif standing in the distance.
Paimon immediately called out in delight, "Hey! Dain, so this is where you are! Did you run into Acting Grand Master Jean?"
Dainsleif gave a slight nod, though his eyes held a trace of evasion.
"Yes, I saw Acting Grand Master Jean, but I deliberately avoided her—I didn't want to cause trouble."
He then shared his experiences in Wolvendom.
"I took care of some monsters, but didn't find any useful clues. What about you all? Any solid intel?"
Lumine immediately recounted everything they'd learned—from the secret the Great Wolf King's soul fragment had shared to Barbara's mention of the Tyrant's Resentment.
Like puzzle pieces falling into place, these revelations formed a clearer picture in Dainsleif's mind about the location of the world's first Field Tiller.
Lumine's thoughts drifted to that solitary Ruin Guard atop the ruins of Stormterror's Lair.
With the location confirmed, the group prepared to depart.
Just as they were about to set out, Shao Yun pulled Dainsleif aside and spoke in a low, serious voice.
"Dain, I need your help with something."
Dainsleif frowned slightly, puzzled.
"Help? With what?"
Shao Yun cautiously looked around, ensuring Lumine couldn't hear them, then lowered his voice even more.
"I can't say much, but if you're willing to help, I'll give you anything you want in return. How about those thirty silver coins? I remember you saying they were powerful."
But Dainsleif shook his head firmly.
"I said before—I don't have the guts to touch those things."
Shao Yun wasn't deterred by his rejection.
"Dainsleif, I need your help. If the silver's not enough, then I'll have the devil behind me grant you one wish—whatever you want. I'll bear the consequences alone. I know I can't reach it now because of some damn contract, but believe me, it will show up."
Dainsleif rubbed his chin, then asked, "I need to know what you're planning—otherwise, I won't agree."
Shao Yun sighed and got to the point.
"In that case, I'll be blunt. I want to take back Lumine's brother—Aether—from the Abyss Order. That so-called 'Prince.' I need you to restrain him."
Dainsleif's eyes immediately darted toward Lumine in the distance, then back to Shao Yun. He lowered his voice.
"You know about Aether? That thing behind you told you?"
Catching the flicker of curiosity and hesitation in Dainsleif's eyes, Shao Yun pressed his advantage.
"That's not important. What matters is this—we both want to stop the Abyss Order. I want to bring Aether back to Lumine's side. We can work together. Once I take him, the Abyss Order will chase us down. I need you to cover us—until my contract with that thing ends. Once I see it again, it will fulfill your wish."
Dainsleif was silent for a moment, clearly torn. Regardless of whether that devil could grant wishes, removing Aether would cripple the Abyss Order. That alone made it worth agreeing to.
At last, he made his decision.
"All right. I'll help you. I'm not betting on that devil of yours—but tell me exactly how I should assist."
A slight smile played on Shao Yun's lips, his tone laced with relief.
"Just stick to the original plan with Lumine. I'm sure Aether will show up. When the time comes, I'll act—you only need to restrain him."
Dainsleif nodded. The deal was struck.
"Understood. I won't ask how you're so sure. I'll follow your lead."
…
The group—Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif—departed from Wolvendom. As Shao Yun attempted to summon his horses, the system indicated they were currently in the open world.
"What the hell? Where are my three horses? They've vanished!"
A prompt appeared.
[You can whistle to summon your mount.]
Hearing that, Shao Yun gave a sharp whistle that pierced through the forest air.
Soon, a rhythm of galloping hooves echoed in the distance, growing louder and closer.
At last, Boadicea, Carrot, and Buell charged into view, every inch as majestic as he remembered them.
Seeing their familiar forms, Shao Yun felt a swell of emotion.
'Damn... if it weren't for safety reasons, I wouldn't have stabled you in the mobile system. You're better off roaming free.'
…
The group mounted up, the sound of hooves thundering across the wilderness as they galloped toward Stormterror's Lair.
Beneath the towering, crumbling spire, they climbed all the way to the top.
Dainsleif skillfully extracted the "eye" from the ancient machine—the core of the world's first Field Tiller.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun was carefully maintaining his cowboy revolvers. The steel glinted coldly in the sunlight.
Strapped to his back, the Lancaster Repeater of Hosea Matthews and a gleaming golden pump-action shotgun stood out strikingly—each weapon carrying an aura of power.
Noticing this, Lumine asked curiously, "Shao Yun, are you preparing for something?"
He smiled lightly and answered, "Just a habit—keeping my gear in top shape. No need to worry."
Dainsleif, however, studied Shao Yun carefully before responding gravely.
"Time is short. We need to return to that ruin and destroy the Inverted Idol. If we're lucky, we may even encounter an Abyss Herald again—this time, it won't escape."
Shao Yun holstered his revolvers swiftly.
"Then let's not waste time."
But Lumine caught a faint trace of unease in Shao Yun's eyes. She couldn't help but ask again.
"Shao Yun, are you hiding something from us? You seem... preoccupied."
He gently shook his head, his gaze soft yet unwavering.
"Trust me, Lumine. No matter what happens, I'll never hurt you."
He waved them forward. "Enough guessing—let's go take care of that filthy Inverted Idol."
…
After wrapping up their business in Stormterror's Lair, Shao Yun, Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif rode forth, leaving Mondstadt behind.
They passed through the stone gate marking the boundary between Mondstadt and the unknown, passed Wangshu Inn, and followed the waterside path of Dihua Marsh toward the hidden domain of the Defiled Statue.
The reeds swayed, light sparkled off the water—but all this serenity was dwarfed by the foreboding aura ahead.
The entrance to the domain was like a wound in the landscape—an ominous hollow that exuded an unspoken dread.
Shao Yun calmly retrieved a handheld lamp from his backpack—a rare relic left behind by the roboticist Marco Dragic.
This lamp was no ordinary light source—it seemed to contain a miniature nuclear core, glowing endlessly without need for recharge.
Paimon's eyes lit up in awe.
"Wow, Shao Yun, that lamp is super bright!"
Shao Yun smiled faintly and nodded, his gaze already focused on the dark entrance.
"Yeah, not bad. But we'd better hurry."
Just as he prepared to step inside, Dainsleif's voice rang out behind him—seeking final confirmation.
"You're sure about this? The Abyss Order is far stronger than you realize."
Shao Yun caught the meaning behind his words. Snatching Aether from their grasp was near impossible.
"Yes. I have to try. Maybe... this will bring us something we never expected."
This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance—it wouldn't come again.
Dainsleif looked into Shao Yun's resolute eyes. Though doubts lingered, he slowly nodded.
"Then let's go in together."
The four of them stepped into the domain. Shao Yun's lantern shone like the brightest star in the night, cutting through the darkness and dispelling all fear and gloom.
Lumine's eyes followed that warm, unwavering light. Curiosity and gratitude welled up within her, and she asked softly,
"Shao Yun, where did you get that lamp?"
Shao Yun smiled and turned to her.
"If you like it, I can give you one. It may not be as good as this special model, but it's still practical."
He pulled out a simpler lantern from his bag and handed it to her.
Though plain in appearance, it glowed gently—adding a touch of warmth to the shadowy domain.
With their two lamps illuminating the path, the domain's contours began to emerge. A winding, narrow trail unfurled beneath their feet.
Shao Yun, Lumine, spirited Paimon, and steady Dainsleif ventured deeper underground.
Amid the interplay of light and shadow, they wound through twist after twist—until they finally arrived before a grand, looming hall.