Liyue,
Mount Aozang,
Cloud Retainer's abode.
Usually, at this time, the immortal cave was silent inside and out.
After all, it was an immortal's dwelling, and ordinary people dared not disturb her.
But today was somewhat different from usual.
Outside Cloud Retainer's immortal cave, crisp hoofbeats and resonant crane cries could be heard.
That was the Moon Carver, appearing in the form of a divine deer,
and the Mountain Shaper, appearing in the form of a divine crane.
At this moment, both immortals had come to the outside of Cloud Retainer's immortal cave.
Immediately after, the immortal cave's great gate opened,
and Cloud Retainer also flew out upon hearing the commotion.
The three immortals gathered together, which was an extremely rare occurrence.
Because normally, the three immortals each performed their duties, overseeing and guarding their respective areas.
Immortals generally would not gather together.
But if the situation of three immortals gathering truly occurred,
then there was only one possibility: a major change had occurred in Liyue.
Moon Carver was the first to speak, asking, "Cloud Retainer, you asked us to come immediately, what important matter is it, after all?"
Mountain Shaper also looked towards Cloud Retainer, her expression very puzzled.
Cloud Retainer slowly opened her mouth and said, "This immortal recently received some news: the Fatui are attempting to break Liyue's peace."
"They first dispatched an advance team to attack the Millelith,"
"and then released the Ancient Geovishap sealed underground to cause widespread destruction."
"Not only that, but the Fatui also plan to release the God Osial, in order to disrupt Liyue."
Ever since the sudden appearance of the Ancient Geovishap last time,
Cloud Retainer felt that something was amiss, so she secretly investigated.
Upon investigation, Cloud Retainer discovered that the Ancient Geovishap incident had intricate connections with the Fatui.
This made Cloud Retainer even more convinced that the Fatui were brewing some kind of conspiracy.
If the Fatui were allowed to continue like this, Liyue's harmony would be completely shattered.
Therefore, Cloud Retainer called the other two immortals to intervene in this matter.
"The Fatui's objective is unknown, but it will absolutely not be beneficial to Liyue."
"I have invited the two immortals this time, hoping that everyone will pay more attention to anomalies around them and promptly thwart the Fatui's conspiracy."
When the Fatui were mentioned, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver exchanged glances.
They also knew that the Fatui were notorious.
Furthermore, Liyue had indeed been somewhat turbulent during this period, with the Fatui's shadow behind everything.
Even if Cloud Retainer hadn't mentioned it today, the two immortals would naturally have paid attention to those Fatui fellows.
Mountain Shaper pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke: "In that case, I did indeed detect an anomaly today."
"The amber that sealed the herb-gathering girl back then has now been unsealed."
"Could this also be an action by the Fatui?"
When that herb-gathering girl from back then was mentioned, the immortals all remembered her vividly.
After all, after that herb-gathering girl revived as a zombie, she fell into a state of loss of control and madness.
Even the immortals couldn't calm her down.
In the end, Mountain Shaper had no choice but to seal that little girl in amber.
If it was truly the Fatui who unsealed the amber, and intended to use that herb-gathering girl as a weapon,
then it would bring no small amount of trouble to Liyue.
Knowing the seriousness of the matter, Cloud Retainer immediately asked, "Mountain Shaper, can you sense where that little girl is?"
Mountain Shaper nodded without even thinking: "Naturally."
"When I sealed that little girl, the talismans on her were personally made by me. It's not difficult to find her based on her aura."
Mountain Shaper paused, then added: "Cloud Retainer, do you mean for us to secretly observe the situation of that herb-gathering girl?"
"If she returns to a normal state, let her live as an ordinary person."
"But if she loses control again, I will reseal her in amber."
As colleagues for several millennia, Mountain Shaper immediately understood Cloud Retainer's meaning.
Mountain Shaper had originally intended to observe the state of that herb-gathering girl.
Now, upon hearing Cloud Retainer mention the Fatui,
Mountain Shaper felt it was even more necessary to go and check.
Cloud Retainer nodded: "That's right, let's first see how that little girl is doing now, then we'll make a decision."
Moon Carver looked up at the flowing clouds in the sky, then said in a deep voice, "No time to lose, let's depart now."
After a brief exchange, the three immortals departed on clouds.
With Mountain Shaper leading the way, and the other two immortals following behind,
the three immortals, after all, possessed profound immortal power.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived at Guili Plains from Mount Aozang, and the entire process was without any commotion,
as quiet as a gust of wind passing by.
The three immortals silently appeared on the cliff.
They cast their gaze downwards, searching for the herb-gathering girl's figure in the village, which was in ruins awaiting reconstruction.
Because Mountain Shaper could sense the talismans she had made, she quickly found Qiqi's figure.
Mountain Shaper said to the two immortals beside her, "I found that little girl."
"She's currently... chopping wood?"
Cloud Retainer and Moon Carver also quickly discovered Qiqi.
They saw Qiqi chopping wood, with several young people helping her.
They didn't find any trace of the Fatui.
And Qiqi's current state was very stable; she could integrate into human life normally.
Humans also seemed to have accepted Qiqi, getting along very well.
However,
this momentary scene could not prove that Qiqi could remain by humans' side.
A sufficiently long period of observation was still needed.
At this moment, Cloud Retainer spoke: "Alright, no need to watch anymore, let's go back. That little girl will be fine staying here."
Seeing Cloud Retainer about to leave, Moon Carver was first stunned, then couldn't help but raise a question.
"Cloud Retainer, should we observe for a bit longer?"
"Is it a bit too early to draw a conclusion now?"
Mountain Shaper also felt it was necessary to observe for a while longer, after all, they had just arrived,
and many situations were still not understood.
However, Cloud Retainer said indifferently, "No need for further observation."
As she spoke, Cloud Retainer's gaze fell upon Makoto in the distance.
She saw Qiqi running lightly to Makoto's feet,
and then Makoto squatting down and gently rubbing Qiqi's head.
Cloud Retainer slowly withdrew her gaze, turned around, and said to the two immortals, "If that boy is by the herb-gathering girl's side, this immortal can be sufficiently at ease."
"You two should also have confidence in that boy; he will not disappoint you."
As she spoke, Cloud Retainer left Guili Plains without looking back.
Leaving behind the somewhat surprised Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver.
Mountain Shaper couldn't help but tease, "What's wrong with Cloud Retainer?"
"In over three thousand years, this is the first time I've heard her acknowledge a human."
Moon Carver also couldn't help but take another look at Makoto.
He always felt that Makoto's aura was somewhat familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly why it was familiar.
"To be able to gain Cloud Retainer's approval, that young man naturally has extraordinary qualities."
"Alright, since Cloud Retainer has said so, we don't need to linger here too long either."
After Moon Carver finished speaking, he turned and disappeared into the cliffs.
And Mountain Shaper also spread her wings and left the spot.
The three immortals came quickly and left quickly.
Originally, they were going to observe Qiqi for a period of time,
but now, because of Makoto, that observation time was directly shortened to nothing.
....
It's almost eleven now. The struggling author just finished a chapter and immediately posted it.
I will carefully read every one of your comments, whether it's criticism or suggestions, I will humbly accept them.
Everyone is welcome to leave comments.
It's getting late, families, rest early.
The struggling author will work on another chapter so everyone can wake up to fresh content tomorrow morning, hehe. Good night!