Chapter 109. Strength Increases!
"Dragon Crisis?"
Futsu Mitama was momentarily taken aback. He had not expected Ningguang to reveal such information so casually.
"A Dragon Crisis? Mondstadt is facing one now? What exactly is happening?"
Kuki Shinobu also looked toward Ningguang, curiosity evident in her eyes. In her memory, Mondstadt's most renowned Dragon Crisis was the calamity from five hundred years ago.
The poisonous dragon Durin had descended upon Mondstadt. According to historical records, the nation had been in an extremely precarious state at the time—its powerful figures had fallen, while the next generation had yet to fully mature.
Back then, Mondstadt possessed no one capable of confronting Durin head-on, let alone resisting its onslaught.
In the end, it was the Anemo Archon's retainer, Dvalin, who rose to face the threat. The two dragons clashed across Mondstadt's lands for an indeterminate number of days, until Durin was finally slain atop Dragonspine, his throat torn open by Dvalin's fangs.
That was the Dragon Crisis of five centuries past.
Yet now—Mondstadt was facing another Dragon Crisis?
What was happening? Could there truly be another dragon reckless enough to challenge Dvalin?
"This information was obtained just yesterday," Ningguang said, turning to Kuki Shinobu as she explained calmly. "Reports indicate that enormous dragon silhouettes have been sighted across Mondstadt, and the resulting turbulent winds have already begun to affect the city's residents."
"But for now, there have been no casualties. Still…this giant dragon is somewhat special. In the letter, the Acting Grand Master of Mondstadt didn't seem inclined to elaborate. She merely reminded me to exercise caution when the Liyue caravan arrives in Mondstadt."
In truth, Ningguang herself did not fully understand the situation in Mondstadt. All she knew was that a Dragon Crisis had indeed erupted there. Seeing that Futsu Mitama was about to depart for Mondstadt, she chose to share this information with him.
"Special?" Futsu Mitama was momentarily surprised.
A Dragon Crisis in Mondstadt—did that mean—Lumine was about to appear?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
It was still too early. According to the timeline, Lumine's arrival coincided with the crisis reaching its climax. Only when Dvalin was on the verge of turning his fury upon humanity did Lumine and Paimon emerge. Unable to remain idle, Barbatos intervened, bringing the farce to an end.
He even conveniently relinquished his Gnosis in the process.
When Albedo arrived later, he had made no mention of any Dragon Crisis, even stating that Mondstadt was peaceful and stable.
Klee had said much the same.
In other words, the Dragon Crisis had only just begun.
"Hm." Ningguang nodded slightly and continued, "But rest assured. I will personally write you a letter. You may deliver it to Jean, the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."
"In Mondstadt, she should be able to assist you…though perhaps it will be difficult to say who will be helping whom."
Ningguang was well aware of Futsu Mitama's strength. As the Raiden Shogun's retainer alone, he already possessed formidable power. Now that he had also inherited Rex Lapis's legacy, his strength would surely advance yet another step.
By then, it might even be the Knights of Favonius who would seek his aid.
Moreover, he was still so young. To be honest, Ningguang had never expected that someone comparable to an adeptus would still be at such an age.
He had ample time ahead of him—time to grow, to squander, to become even stronger.
And in that understanding, she also grasped why the Raiden Shogun had entrusted her authority to him, naming him her retainer.
At the same time, the Lord of Geo had also acknowledged him, designating him as a successor.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Futsu Mitama accepted Ningguang's goodwill without hesitation. With her letter of introduction, his dealings in Mondstadt would undoubtedly be smoother. Even without it, he could still rely on his status as the Raiden Shogun's retainer, as well as his friendship with Albedo and Klee, to integrate himself into Mondstadt.
But convenience, when offered, should be accepted.
One more friend meant one more path. It was no different from when he had first arrived in Liyue and immediately sought out Zhongli. With Zhongli's help, many subsequent matters had become far easier.
The talisman of everlasting morality, Raiden Shogun's peaceful entry into Liyue, Black Aila, Il Dottore's slices—
Without Zhongli's assistance, each of those events would have been far more troublesome.
"What trouble is there?" Ningguang smiled faintly. "And the bloodjade branches—I can also give them to you along with the letter. Just wait here for a moment. Have some tea, try the pastries. I'll return shortly."
With that, Ningguang rose and left the room. Her secretary quietly closed the door behind her, leaving only Futsu Mitama, Kuki Shinobu, Aila, and Yelan inside.
"Honestly," Yelan said, looking at Futsu Mitama with mild curiosity, "what made you decide to go to Mondstadt?"
Their friendship was not deep—at most, it had been forged in last night's battle—but that was still camaraderie born of shared danger. So Yelan asked directly.
"Something important. Very important."
Futsu Mitama could not reveal the existence of condensed resin. That was all he could say.
"Something important?" Yelan rested her chin on her hand. "You've been in Liyue less than ten days, and you're already leaving for Mondstadt. Isn't that a little rushed?"
She had no intention of prying. It simply felt sudden. If possible, Yelan had hoped he would remain in Liyue a while longer. Once her work concluded, she wished to speak with him more.
Futsu Mitama was easy to converse with—pleasant, even—and she found herself wanting to understand him better.
She was also curious about Inazuma's current state. Many Inazumans were stranded in Liyue, unable to return due to the Sakoku Decree. Some had even fled the nation.
They all knew Inazuma was in dire straits—but how dire, no one could say.
"Saving people."
Futsu Mitama answered honestly. Condensed resin was meant to save people—or more precisely, to save lingering souls.
Azhdaha needed it to resist erosion.
Raiden Makoto required it to stabilize her soul, so that she might one day be revived through a perfected husk vessel.
As for Guizhong, everything was already prepared. Only condensed resin remained.
Yelan paused. Saving people?
Her intuition told her that the "people" he spoke of were not what she imagined.
"Then I'll wait for your return to Liyue," she said with a graceful smile. "Next time we meet, I may trouble you with something."
She did not press further. If it were ordinary medical matters, Bubu Pharmacy would suffice. Why Mondstadt?
Clearly, this was something far from simple. Their relationship had not yet reached the point where she could inquire further.
"Alright." Futsu Mitama agreed readily.
What kind of trouble could Yelan possibly bring him? She usually resolved matters on her own—unless it was something like last night's operation.
And situations requiring adeptus-level strength were rare across Teyvat. As for anything below that—he did not even consider she would need him.
He bore the inheritance of both the Raiden Shogun and Rex Lapis.
Electro Archon Authority. The Memory of Dust.
What was wrong with being strong? Was that not perfectly natural?
At that moment, the door opened once more.
Ningguang returned, her hands empty, while three attendants followed behind her, carrying three items.
As she resumed her seat, the attendants placed them upon the table in turn.
An envelope, still scented with fresh ink.
And two bone-like branches, faintly suffused with a golden glow.
"Are these bloodjade branches?" Futsu Mitama ignored the envelope for now, his gaze fixed on the branches, a hint of curiosity flashing through his eyes.
They differed slightly from what he had imagined. In the records, bloodjade branches were said to possess a far more vivid hue.
Was this all the blood of a Primo Geovishap could achieve?
"Hm." Ningguang nodded. Seeing his expression, she explained, "The legendary bloodjade branch is said to be formed from the blood of the Dragon King."
"Though a Primo Geovishap is close to that existence, it is still lacking. So while these are indeed bloodjade branches, their quality is somewhat inferior."
There was faint regret in her voice, but nothing could be done. Bloodjade branches required dragon blood. The blood of a Primo Geovishap simply fell short.
"These are the finest bloodjade branches I currently possess. I hope they meet your needs."
"It's fine." Futsu Mitama shook his head calmly. "That you could produce bloodjade branches at all is already a surprise. If these are insufficient, I'll seek another friend. He should still have a way to obtain them."
His words sounded cryptic.
Bloodjade branches had not appeared for centuries. It was rumored that some remained within The Chasm—but it was sealed, rendering retrieval nearly impossible.
Ningguang and Yelan exchanged glances, both curious about this so-called "friend."
Naturally, Futsu Mitama said nothing.
That friend was Azhdaha. If all else failed, asking Azhdaha to pluck a bloodjade branch would be trivial. To a being whose body was as vast as mountains, such a thing would be no more than a strand of hair.
Still, Ningguang's bloodjade branches were far from useless.
Futsu Mitama was already considering whether they might be used to strengthen Aila's and Kuki Shinobu's weapons.
Both weapons were beginning to fall behind. They were forged by his own hands in the past—excellent, yes, but no longer sufficient.
For Kuki Shinobu, the weapon was adequate. Her usual opponents were no more than Mitachurls or Vishaps.
But for Aila, it struggled to keep pace. Against a Primo Geovishap, its shortcomings were already apparent. And against enemies like Black Aila or Fatui Harbingers, it would fare even worse.
Futsu Mitama had learned this lesson clearly.
If a weapon cracked mid-battle, even forming one through elemental transformation might be too late. A moment's flaw was all an enemy needed.
"Then, we should take our leave."
After delivering the information and entrusting the Juvenile Jade, Futsu Mitama put away the envelope and bloodjade branches and prepared to depart.
"So soon?" Ningguang looked slightly disappointed.
She had hoped to host them properly—perhaps to sit with Futsu Mitama over tea and speak of Liyue's future. Even if he denied it, she firmly believed he was Rex Lapis's successor. And if that were the case, speaking with him in advance was only natural.
Even if she were mistaken… Rex Lapis would surely correct her in a dream.
"It's getting late," Futsu Mitama said. "We need to rest well tonight. We depart tomorrow."
Though they could easily go days without sleep, a long journey awaited them. Rest was still preferable.
"Then allow us to see you off."
Ningguang rose to her feet, and Yelan followed suit.Together, they escorted Futsu Mitama, Aila, and Kuki Shinobu from the Jade Chamber.
After they departed, Ningguang stood at the edge of the chamber, gazing down at Liyue Harbor.
"I believe," she said softly, "that he truly is Rex Lapis's successor."
If Ningguang had once merely admired Futsu Mitama for his strength and his background as the Raiden Shogun's retainer, then now, she could clearly sense something far more unique about him. Unlike Rex Lapis's steady, reassuring presence, Futsu Mitama carried an aura of vitality and flourishing fortune.
It was as though standing beside him would cause matters to proceed smoothly, as if all things would naturally develop in a favorable direction. More importantly, he was no fool. He possessed keen insight, able to grasp Liyue's current situation at a glance.
Even when facing the Fatui—nominal enemies—Futsu Mitama proposed using them as a blade to strike at the Abyss Order. He did not regard the Fatui as foes to be endlessly guarded against, resisted at every turn, or eliminated outright at the first opportunity.
Instead, upon recognizing the Liyue Qixing's difficult position, he took the initiative to hand over the exceedingly precious Juvenile Jade.
Ningguang would be lying if she claimed she was unmoved. To casually offer such a rare treasure—one that might presently be unusable, yet whose value was immeasurable—was no small gesture.
Anyone with even a shred of conscience would recognize Futsu Mitama as an exceptional individual.
But Ningguang was no ordinary person. Viewing him from every angle, she arrived at a clear conclusion: Futsu Mitama was genuinely good to Liyue—so much so that it seemed slightly incongruous with his identity as the Raiden Shogun's retainer.Rather, the title of Rex Lapis's Successor appeared far more fitting.
And Ningguang truly hoped that he was. For if that were the case, Liyue would secure several more millennia of peace. It was even possible that Rex Lapis and his successor might govern Liyue together.
Yelan crossed her arms, smiling faintly as she spoke. "You're the Tianquan. You can say such things openly—but I wouldn't dare to speak so casually. Besides, Futsu Mitama hasn't admitted to being the 'Rex Lapis's Successor' himself."
"In Liyue Harbor, there is another individual suspected of that title. Mr. Zhongli of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. According to our investigations, he was the first to receive Rex Lapis's inheritance—and the one who passed it on to Futsu Mitama."
"His family has been upright for generations. He enjoys an excellent reputation in Liyue Harbor, and he himself is learned and versatile, possessing knowledge across countless fields. He is, without doubt, an extraordinary individual."
Indeed, after Rex Lapis announced the existence of a successor, the Liyue Qixing had immediately begun their investigation.
Two names quickly rose to prominence.
One was Futsu Mitama—well known and unmistakable.
The other was Zhongli.
As for all others, they were dismissed almost at once.
Naturally, Yelan had overseen this investigation. She had only just concluded matters at the Archon ruins that afternoon, returned to Liyue Harbor to report her findings, and before she could even rest, she was summoned to the Jade Chamber.
Together with Ningguang and her three personal secretaries, they spent hours organizing intelligence and dossiers on the suspected successor.
They had barely finished when Futsu Mitama arrived.
To be honest, Yelan harbored more than a little resentment.
But she said nothing.
Even Keqing and Ganyu—far busier than she—had not complained. What right did she have to speak up?
"Then who do you hope it is?" Ningguang asked with a smile, clearly valuing Yelan's opinion.
"Me?" Yelan looked down at Liyue Harbor, her voice calm. "Compared to Mr. Zhongli, who knows a little about everything, I prefer Futsu Mitama—the one who fought alongside me."
Ningguang smiled, saying nothing more. She turned and returned to the Jade Chamber. There were still countless matters awaiting her.
Though Keqing had proposed the era of humans and Adeptus, this "test" was one the entire Liyue Qixing had to complete together.
—
The night passed peacefully.
After returning to their residence, Futsu Mitama and the others washed up and went to sleep.
That night, Aila once again attended to him. She knew they would soon be separated for more than ten days, and her reluctance was evident.
Yet this separation was necessary.
If they did not part for a time, she would be unable to defeat Black Aila. Indulging in fleeting comfort would only result in her consciousness being replaced.
Sensing her impending departure, Futsu Mitama quietly accepted her care. This little maid of his truly was a "maker of useless people." He would not experience such attentiveness for quite some time.
There was regret—but as the saying went, absence makes the heart grow fonder.
This brief separation might lead to an even greater reunion.
—
The next morning, after a simple breakfast, Futsu Mitama, Aila, Shenhe, Kuki Shinobu, and the others arrived outside Liyue Harbor.
Klee was still asleep. Albedo could not bear to wake her, choosing instead to stay behind and watch the house. When they passed the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, they noticed it had not opened.
Zhongli and Hu Tao had clearly not returned overnight.
It seemed they had taken on several major commissions—there was no news even in the group chat.
Zhongli was likely too busy to respond.
Outside the city gates, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver were already waiting.
"Oh?" Cloud Retainer looked at Shenhe and Aila in surprise. "Your states of mind have advanced further? This truly astonishes one."
She had expected Aila's mentality to improve after the Rite of Descension. After all, separation from Futsu Mitama would compel her to savor every remaining moment, solidifying her resolve to grow stronger.
Combined with her unique "nothingness," a transformation was all but inevitable.
And indeed—it had occurred.
Aila's mind had advanced further, unperturbed by trivial matters.
Aside from cultivation, she held no other thoughts.
What Cloud Retainer had not expected was that Shenhe had changed as well. Her temperament had subtly shifted. If she had once been ethereal, like an untouched fairy, she now carried a trace of the mortal world—like an adeptus who had walked among humanity.
The former was innocence untested.
The latter was maturity born of experience.
This pleased Cloud Retainer greatly.
Mountain Shaper nodded approvingly. "Good. Very good."
Shenhe had long been at a bottleneck. Now, she had found a reason to advance further.
Moon Carver also nodded. "Indeed. Experiencing the mortal world tempers the heart."
Though neither Shenhe nor Aila spoke much, they both inclined their heads in acknowledgment.
"Thank you for your care." Futsu Mitama addressed the three Adeptus respectfully. "I'll be troubling you while I'm away."
"There is no need for such courtesy," Cloud Retainer replied calmly. "Aila is my disciple. It is my duty."
"This is not the place for conversation," Mountain Shaper added. "Let us speak at Mt. Aocang."
Futsu Mitama nodded, tightly holding Aila's hand as they made their way there. As before, the three Adeptus concealed themselves, hoping to lure out any lurking threats.
None appeared. Disappointing.
At the foot of Mt. Aocang, Futsu Mitama released Aila's hand.
"This is farewell—for now." He gently pinched her cheek. "Grow stronger. I don't want you to be replaced. Even if that person is you—I still want you to be the one who stays."
Aila nodded, determination burning in her eyes.
She would not lose.
"Be careful," Shenhe said quietly. "I will cultivate here. When I achieve something, I will descend again. Then…take me traveling."
Futsu Mitama agreed readily.
Shenhe smiled faintly.
Aila and Shenhe turned toward Mt. Aocang, leaving only Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu behind.
"Reluctant?" Kuki Shinobu teased. "You could stay a few more days."
Futsu Mitama shook his head. "Time is tight. And Black Aila won't arrive so quickly."
"She's still in Snezhnaya. This amount of time is enough for us to return to Liyue from Mondstadt."
Upon hearing Futsu Mitama's words, Kuki Shinobu could not help but retort, "You really don't mention Inazuma at all. Ever since you left, it feels like you have no intention of going back."
Indeed, Kuki Shinobu could clearly sense it. Ever since departing Inazuma, Futsu Mitama showed no eagerness to return, as though the nation held nothing that could draw him back.
Was Inazuma truly that bad? Well, perhaps it was.
As a native who had grown up there, Kuki Shinobu understood all too well just how dire the situation in Inazuma was. Compared to Liyue, it lagged behind in nearly every aspect—talent, governance, even the land itself.
The only thing Inazuma could truly boast of was the Raiden Shogun. Beyond that, there was little worth mentioning.
This was not merely Kuki Shinobu's personal view. In the Chat Group, both Raiden Makoto and Yae Miko frequently discussed this very issue.
As a result, Sangonomiya Kokomi bore an immense burden. Unbeknownst to her, the Resistance she had formed had become Inazuma's final hope. Yet she hailed from Watatsumi Island, guided by her own beliefs.
Of course, Sangonomiya Kokomi also believed in the Raiden Shogun. Living upon Inazuman soil, such faith was only natural.
The problem lay elsewhere. The former Electro Archon and the Raiden Shogun's retainer had both placed their expectations upon her shoulders. This alone was enough to drown her beneath endless pressure and exhausting affairs.
Within the Chat Group, Sangonomiya Kokomi's most frequent messages were little more than:
"Energy -1."
"Energy -2."
And so on.
"Not at all," Futsu Mitama replied seriously. "It's simply that I haven't completed the Raiden Shogun's mission yet. Going back now wouldn't be appropriate. I'm only temporarily away from Inazuma. How did it turn into me not wanting to return?"
Yes—only a temporary departure.
Futsu Mitama understood clearly that he would inevitably return to Inazuma to resolve the tangled mess awaiting him there. Though he found it troublesome, the assistance he had received from Yae Miko, Raiden Makoto, and Raiden Ei was genuine.
And so, no matter how troublesome it was, he would see it through.
That was simply how he was. If a matter had not yet fallen upon him, he could choose to ignore it. But once it did—
He would take responsibility.
"Let's go. Back to Liyue Harbor."
Futsu Mitama cast one last glance toward Mt. Aocang, then departed together with Kuki Shinobu.
Within the Chat Group, he specifically @-mentioned Albedo and Zhongli, asking them to wait outside Liyue Harbor.
He and Kuki Shinobu were already on their way back. Once they regrouped, they would set off for Mondstadt together.
Zhongli and Albedo replied, saying they would meet first and wait for their arrival.
Traveling at full speed, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu soon arrived outside Liyue Harbor.
There, they saw Zhongli, Albedo—and Klee.
At this moment, Klee was brimming with energy. With her bombs strapped to her back, she stared intently at the fish darting beneath the bridge, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Klee very much wanted to go fishing right now.
But with Albedo and Zhongli present, she could only restrain herself.
Still, gazing at the fish beneath the bridge, Klee felt that bombing them would surely be incredibly fragrant. She was itching to act—but Albedo firmly held her back.
After all, attempting to blow up fish in Liyue Harbor right in front of the Geo Archon was far too audacious.
Moreover, Klee's fishing bombs were no trifling things. One careless mistake, and this thousand-year-old bridge might very well be reduced to rubble.
"Mr. Zhongli, are you alright?"
At that moment, Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu approached. For the first time, Futsu Mitama noticed a trace of fatigue on Zhongli's face. It was a truly rare sight—something one might see only once in a century.
Zhongli was Rex Lapis. What situation had he not witnessed? How could a single night with Hu Tao leave him weary?
"I'm fine," Zhongli replied with a slight nod. His tone remained calm. "I simply accompanied Director Hu last night to handle a few matters—sending off several elderly residents of Liyue Harbor. They had already reached the end of their lives. By rights, they should have passed away days ago."
"But because of the Rite of Descension, they held on to their final breath, unwilling to depart."
"Now that everything concluded at once, last night became rather troublesome. After that, Director Hu and I went to Qingce Village. It was said that several elderly residents there also passed away. She said that since I would be leaving Liyue today anyway, we might as well settle everything in one night and allow them to rest in peace sooner."
"After finishing all these matters, even Director Hu—normally so energetic—collapsed the moment we returned to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and fell asleep."
Zhongli spoke of these events as though they were trivial.
Yet the content itself was unsettling.
From Liyue Harbor to Qingce Village, the distance alone was considerable—let alone arranging funerary rites and handling all related affairs.
Just listening made Futsu Mitama and Kuki Shinobu feel a headache coming on.
It was fortunate that this had been Zhongli. Anyone else would likely have collapsed long before enduring such an intense workload under Director Hu.
Only now did they understand why Hu Tao so often complained about those unwilling to pass on. After all, their appointed time should have arrived days—or even over ten days—earlier.
Had the cycle of life and death proceeded normally, Zhongli and Hu Tao would never have been so busy.
But everything had accumulated. The deceased enjoyed the Rite of Descension, departed without troubling the Lord of Geo—
And Zhongli and Hu Tao paid the price, working through the entire night.
It was, quite frankly, miserable.
And didn't they still trouble the Lord Geo?
"Then let's set off."
Though sympathetic, Futsu Mitama was ready to depart. He looked ahead and said firmly:
"Destination—Mondstadt."
"Yay!" Klee cheered immediately.
Although Liyue was nice, Mondstadt felt far freer to her. Here, she could do nothing. But back in Mondstadt, at the very least—
She could go bomb some fish.
Just as Futsu Mitama and the others were about to step forward—
"Ding!"
The familiar notification sound rang out. Futsu Mitama subconsciously glanced at the Chat Group.
[Group Announcement: Group Level LV2 has been upgraded to LV3.]