System Space.
Jiang Mumu, operating through her Ishkab avatar and leveraging the Emotional Value system, had just finished deploying a series of commands with meticulous precision.
She let out a long, weary sigh, leaning back in her chair as if completely drained. She collapsed into a casual sprawl, utterly unconcerned about her appearance—after all, she was the only one here.
The so-called "ancient power of the Pure Soul" was merely a smokescreen. Behind every inexplicable miracle, the driving force was none other than the Emotional Value she had been diligently collecting.
At that moment, the entirety of Natlan was enshrouded by an invisible "Ode of Resurrection."
This vast and hidden law, like a silent, descending nightfall, gently blanketed every inch of the land.
Every warrior who sacrificed their life in battle on this soil would have their soul guided by the Ode of Resurrection the moment they perished, granting them the chance to be reborn.
Resurrecting all those who fell in battle across Natlan seemed to require an unimaginable amount of energy, but Jiang Mumu had cleverly conserved a significant portion of her Emotional Value.
The key lies in Natlan's unique foundational setting—the "Night Kingdom."
Though corrupted by the Abyss, its foundations remain intact, and its Order persists.
Jiang Mumu harnessed the power of Emotional Value to transform and utilize it.
Even if they were not native to Natlan, any soul that died in battle here could temporarily reside in this special kingdom, then be reshaped and returned to Life by the Ode of Resurrection.
Given that Natlan already possessed the Ode of Resurrection as a foundational mechanism, Jiang Mumu's actions were more akin to a precise and efficient upgrade and expansion of the existing system.
While the required Emotional Value investment was substantial, it fell far below initial projections.
Had events unfolded according to the original storyline, Natlan's sacrifices would have been catastrophic, nearly annihilating its entire army.
Jiang Mumu didn't consider herself a saint in the traditional sense, but she wasn't callous enough to stand by and watch such a massive tragedy unfold without intervening.
Thanks to her interference, the final actual battle losses would likely be far lower than what fate had originally dictated.
Of course, she would never reveal any of these plans in advance.
Even the Lord of the Night, Yohualtecuhtin, was subtly ensnared by Jiang Mumu, ensuring her Awakening was delayed and preventing her from revealing the truth to Mavuika and the others.
Jiang Mumu needed Emotional Value—vast quantities of intense Emotional Value.
Without knowledge of the Ode of Resurrection, the raw fear, despair, grief, and resolute acceptance in the face of death would generate far greater and purer Emotional Value energy than the diluted, hopeful emotions of those who knew resurrection through the Ode was possible.
The difference in harvestable energy between the two was astronomical.
And when the battle reached its most brutal and despair reached its peak, she would unleash the Ode of Resurrection's power, reversing life and death...
The shock, elation, overwhelming gratitude, and renewed hope at that moment would generate another immeasurable surge of Emotional Value!
Thus, though Ishkab (Jiang Mumu) had secretly shrouded all of Natlan with the Ode of Resurrection's protection, the existence of this final safeguard remained known only to herself and the temporarily deceived Yohualtecuhtin, who might sense something but couldn't fully grasp it.
Secrecy was the most crucial element of the Plan.
-
With only two days remaining until the Abyss's full-scale assault, Jiang Mumu had completely taken control of the native Abyss forces across Teyvat from their source.
The Abyss Monsters that had been attacking various regions of Natlan suddenly vanished without a trace.
At first, the people of Natlan didn't notice, but as time passed, the anomaly became impossible to ignore.
In the wilderness:
"Sir, we haven't encountered any Abyss Monsters so far, and no squads have reported being attacked. They... seem to have completely retreated..."
Hearing her subordinate's report, Angie remained as vigilant as ever.
She found the Captain and reported:
"Frontline soldiers confirm all Abyss Monster activity has ceased across all sectors. We've maintained observation for six hours, and there are no exceptions."
The Captain turned, his eyes devoid of joy, only deepening into a sharp, cautious gaze.
"Vanished?" His voice was low and gravelly, honed by years of battlefield caution. "Those creatures, who know only consumption and destruction, would retreat on their own? Unless their source has suffered a greater upheaval, or..."
He paused, his gaze drifting into the distance before settling on the location of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
"...Or perhaps they're gathering strength for an even more lethal attack, clearing the stage. It's as if they're... awaiting a unified command."
Angie's expression hardened. "You believe this is the calm before the storm?"
The Captain scoffed. "This is the suffocating sensation of a noose tightening slowly. Issue orders: double the vigilance at all perimeter outposts and activate the highest-level Detection Formations. Order frontline teams to rotate for rest, but they must remain armed and ready at all times. Command the engineering teams to inspect all defensive fortifications and Barrier Cores."
He raised his head, his gaze burning into Angie's.
"Tell everyone: the true test has only just begun. This isn't the end, but the worst possible beginning—we've lost track of the enemy, and they are undoubtedly watching us from the shadows."
-
Time flowed slowly, with only one day remaining until the Abyss's full-scale assault.
Guided by her connection to Chu Xi, Umbral Scion arrived in Natlan. Piloting her Doctor persona, she sensed the unusual atmosphere permeating the land and nodded in understanding.
Compared to other nations, Natlan currently had the most severe concentration of Abyss Energy. Given that the Forbidden Knowledge aura on Chu Xi was nearly identical to the Abyss's signature scent, her presence here was unsurprising.
Though Umbral Scion could detect Chu Xi's presence in Natlan, she lost the ability to track her once she entered the nation's territory.
This left the Doctor slightly frustrated, but it merely meant she would need to remain in Natlan longer—a minor inconvenience given the time at her disposal.
Luring the Doctor here with Chu Xi's aura had been entirely Jiang Mumu's plan.
Umbral Scion would emerge as the ultimate combat force in this decisive battle!
In Natlan, Ishkab remained missing, and the Stone Tablet showed no change from Yohualtecuhtin, Lord of the Night.
Just as The Captain had sensed the Abyss's intentions, so too had the people of Natlan.
Warriors from every tribe prepared for the final battle against the Abyss. With one of the Six Heroes missing and another yet to awaken, Mavuika's plan had to be temporarily shelved.
Though Natlan suffered no Abyss attacks that day, the atmosphere was many times more oppressive than during previous assaults.
Children of Echoes: Kachina polished her spear alongside her comrades, her unwavering gaze occasionally drifting toward the horizon.
Scions of the Canopy: Kinich stood alone on a high cliff at the edge of his tribe's territory, surveying the silent wilderness.
The night wind brushed against his clenched fist, yet it couldn't dispel the deep sorrow etched between his brows.
Those eyes, usually sharp and focused on their target, now reflected the distant, faint glow with vacant emptiness, all their vitality extinguished.
Each fruitless search struck his heart like a dull blow, the warmth of his sister's smile and the dangers she might face tearing through his mind in endless torment.
Finally, he slowly knelt, his forehead pressed against the icy ground, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
After a long moment, he lifted his head. The Claymore suddenly materialized in his right hand, which he heaved onto his shoulder.