It was true that Childe loved to fight—but that didn't mean he had a death wish.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm was, in his eyes, the perfect place for training. But that was only true if he was fully prepared. Otherwise, it would simply be a grave.
After finally gaining the chance to cultivate immortality, with endless life ahead to enjoy, Childe might not fear death—but he had no desire to die so soon.
His first choice of teammate was already decided: Diluc.
It wasn't that Childe hadn't considered others. He had, but no matter how he weighed it, none of them seemed right.
Ningguang and her group had already ventured into the Nine Nether Secret Realm once. They had the experience, and they were strong. On paper, they were the obvious choice.
But in truth, Childe immediately ruled them out.
For one, they would never agree to team up with him. And more importantly, their goals inside the secret realm were entirely different.
Ningguang's group valued stealth above all—avoiding fights when possible, maximizing resources.
But what Childe sought was ceaseless combat. Resources were only secondary.
With that in mind, nearly everyone else was crossed off his list, leaving only Diluc.
Childe knew of Diluc—high in Teyvat's underground intelligence circles, a man who had once traveled across the world honing himself for the sake of vengeance.
For strength, Diluc too was willing to gamble his life.
Only by joining forces with him could Childe achieve his goal in the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
No matter what they pursued in future expeditions, for this first one, Childe wanted nothing more than to fight to his heart's content.
But there was still time before that day came. In the meantime, he would have to build rapport with Diluc.
Mulling over his plan, Childe sidled up beside him with a grin.
"Senior Brother Diluc…"
Diluc's mouth twitched. Restraining his faint impatience, he said calmly:
"There's no need to be so deliberate. Speak plainly."
Childe scratched his head awkwardly.
"Haha… Senior Brother Diluc really is straightforward. I've just entered Mount Shu and don't know much yet. The Sect Master said if there's something we don't understand, we can ask our seniors—so I came to ask, that's all."
Diluc frowned slightly, tone flat.
"There's no need to invoke the Sect Master's name. If you have questions, we'll explain.
And besides, you're not good at this whole social business. You don't need to try so hard. I already know what you're after."
He cast Childe a glance, and the latter felt a little sheepish at being exposed.
Yet, Diluc found himself amused.
This guy really wasn't good with social niceties.
Just like himself.
Truthfully, Diluc didn't dislike Childe. Among the Fatui, he was one of the few he could actually tolerate.
And that was only because Childe had joined Mount Shu.
Passing its trials to become a disciple proved his nature wasn't rotten.
As for his bloodthirst, his endless challenges across the world—Diluc didn't care.
Loving to fight wasn't a crime.
Besides, Childe hadn't been with the Fatui long, and he hadn't committed any real atrocities yet.
Diluc had even checked into his background: outwardly reckless, but in truth a sunny youth who cared deeply for his family.
Of all the Harbingers, Childe was one of the very few Diluc could accept.
Of course, that didn't mean he'd start treating him warmly.
With that, Diluc spoke bluntly:
"Whatever you were before, whatever I was before—once we join Mount Shu, we are only one thing.
Disciples of Mount Shu.
I serve as a disciple of Dragonhead Peak's Hall of Discipline. I keep its rules strictly. I will never act against a fellow disciple, nor abuse my authority.
You needn't worry.
Instead of wasting time scheming, you'd do better to focus on cultivation—lest you shame Mount Shu in the outside world later."
Hearing his little ploy laid bare, Childe felt embarrassed, but also relieved.
Scratching his head, he chuckled.
"Thanks for understanding, Senior Brother Diluc.
As for the past… I only learned about it after I joined the Fatui. You can rest assured—I'm nothing like that madman. I've disliked him for a long time. I have family too, after all.
I won't get close to him. Frankly, he fits Mount Shu's definition of a demon that should be eradicated. I don't want to break sect rules.
If not for my loyalty to the Tsaritsa, I would have left the Fatui already."
Though Diluc had already made himself clear, Childe still tried to clarify.
He hadn't known of what the Doctor did when it happened—he wasn't even in the Fatui yet.
And even if he had, he would've stood against him.
Now, he only remained because of his devotion to the Cryo Archon.
To Diluc, Childe's little rhetoric was clumsy.
The boy had some cunning, but not much.
In the end, he was the type who preferred to solve problems with his fists rather than his head.
Which, ironically, made him simple enough to deal with.
Diluc's expression softened slightly.
Seeing this, Childe seized the moment.
"Speaking of which, since we're disciples of Mount Shu now, it's our duty to vanquish demons. The Doctor has committed countless evils.
Senior Brother Diluc, should I help you take him down?"
Childe's voice carried no hesitation.
For one, he truly detested the Doctor's experiments on children. As an older brother himself, he couldn't stand it.
In the past, he simply hadn't been able to beat him—and besides, the Cryo Archon still needed him. So Childe had turned a blind eye.
But now that he had discovered the path of cultivation, he saw things differently.
A Vision? Enhanced soldiers? A World Tree project?
Too small in scope!
What the Cryo Archon craved, Zhongli and the others could already achieve with ease.
Late-stage Spirit Transformation… in cultivation terms, that was only mid-tier.
With cultivation, who needed schemes? With strength, who needed brains?
Slay the Doctor, win Diluc's favor, and smooth his road to immortality—wasn't that the perfect outcome?
As for the Doctor's plans?
Who cared!
Compared to cultivation, what was one measly Doctor?
The more he thought about it, the more convinced Childe became.
He leaned in eagerly.
"Senior Brother Diluc, what do you think? Just say the word—after a week, once I've gotten the hang of some techniques, I'll head back and kill him.
Though, with all his clones, I might need your help finishing the job."
Diluc glanced at him, then looked away.
"Unnecessary.
The Doctor hasn't even begun cultivating. Why would I need help to kill him?
Once I reach late Foundation Establishment—or even mid-stage, with a few good artifacts—
killing him will be trivial.
I don't need anyone else to take my revenge."
This wasn't arrogance.
The more he understood cultivation, the clearer the gulf between cultivators and non-cultivators became.
At best, the Doctor was on par with an Archon.
When Diluc mastered his techniques fully, he could crush such an existence in moments.
And when the time came, he would make the Doctor kneel beneath the radiance of his Vajra Manifestation, confessing every vile deed of the past.
But for now, this wasn't even one of Diluc's priorities.
His focus was breaking into mid Foundation Establishment as soon as possible, then finding a suitable artifact.
After all, of all the Mondstadt disciples who'd joined Mount Shu, even Kaeya had obtained a basic artifact from the Sword Forest.
Only he had come away empty-handed.
Sometimes, he wondered if perhaps he shouldn't have chosen Mount Shu's Buddhist path.
But Jiang Yan had said before—there was no true divide between Buddha and Dao. It didn't matter.
With a quiet sigh, Diluc pushed the thought aside.
He noticed Childe still lingering nearby and frowned.
"You haven't left."
Childe scratched his cheek, glancing around at the surroundings.
"Leave? On Qingluan's back? Where am I supposed to go?"
Diluc realized his question had been pointless and fell silent.
Childe, grinning, leaned in again.
"Actually, I had something else I wanted to say. It's about the Nine Nether Secret Realm."
Diluc glanced at him.
"Already making plans for the secret realm? You really do prepare early."
Childe chuckled, spreading his hands.
"It's dangerous, but filled with opportunities. Best to be prepared."
Diluc didn't respond, only turned back calmly.
"A fine thought, but you don't yet have the qualification to think about the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
You don't even have a clear grasp of your true essence circulation, nor a proper cultivation method.
You've yet to enter Sword Flight, you have no artifacts, not even a single complete technique.
That place is beyond you, for now."
Childe shrugged, unfazed by the scolding.
"Of course I know. Even with all their preparations, Senior Sister Ningguang and the others failed their first expedition.
With my skills now, I wouldn't last half a day.
But I never said I was going now.
The Sect Master said once we've gotten familiar with cultivation and learned some techniques, he'll hold the Secret Realm Exploration Assembly.
If it's an assembly, it must involve competition. So… why not secure teammates early?
Better than being left alone—because being alone in the Nine Nether Secret Realm is suicide."
He spoke with such open sincerity that Diluc studied him for a moment.
But he gave no clear reply. Only said calmly:
"We'll talk about it when the time comes."
Childe wasn't discouraged. As long as Diluc didn't refuse outright, there was hope.
So he let the matter rest and chatted idly with him instead, about Mount Shu's many wonders.
Gradually, the two began to hit it off.
New and old disciples alike grew more at ease with one another, bonds growing steadily warmer.
The inner disciples of Mount Shu, in particular, adapted their mindsets quickly.
As for Ganyu, she didn't engage much in their conversations.
She simply followed Jiang Yan's orders to the letter, guiding Qingluan to carry everyone around Mount Shu so they could familiarize themselves with the sect's terrain.
Especially the areas beyond the Seven Peaks, where monsters often gathered in large numbers—those places were dangerous indeed.
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