Chapter 232: Legend of the Four-Armed Yaksha

As soon as he heard that an immortal-level expert could spar with him

Tartaglia instantly became like he'd been injected with chicken blood, rushing like a whirlwind to the next mechanism, without needing the Ninth Brigade's help, he alone began to tear it apart fiercely

Seeing his direct superior suddenly putting in such effort

The resting soldiers exchanged a glance, without saying much, they dragged their weary bodies into the battle to destroy the binding mechanism

"So that's how it is."

Luo De, who had been observing from the side for a long time, finally figured out how these Fatui soldiers were resisting the Abyss corrosion

The evil eye is indeed one of those methods

But what's truly crucial is a device with a very peculiar shape

It's not big

It fits just right when worn on clothing

Its function is to generate a protective shield similar to an elemental energy barrier, which can be used to isolate the pervasive Abyss force around

Moreover, these Fatui soldiers are also using Luminite Stone

However, unlike the finely crafted Luminite Stone mineral lamps made in Liyue that can provide illumination and amplify the Luminite Stone's effect, these are different

The Ninth Brigade's use of Luminite Stone is rather crude

They simply hang it on their equipment as a trinket, mainly relying on that special device powered by the evil eye to protect themselves

"There are still forty‑one people left."

Luo De also counted the number of people in the Ninth Brigade

If I remember correctly

When they entered the Layered Rock Abyss, they altogether were sixty‑four people

It seems that after this long period of exploration and combat, they have lost a full third of their numbers

Counting those with visible injuries

Now only ten people remain unharmed, which can be described as heavy casualties

Just as Luo De was carefully observing Tartaglia and the Ninth Brigade

Xiao, who had hardly spoken all the way, finally asked: "Is the immortal you mentioned the Four‑Armed Yaksha of the rumors?"

The legend of the Four‑Armed Yaksha has long been circulating in Liyue

It is not a rumor that just recently surfaced

For those unfamiliar with yakshas, this is just an immortal's legend, not much different from the other immortal tales prevalent in Liyue

For those familiar with yaksha legends,

Upon hearing the words "Four‑Armed Yaksha," the first thing that comes to mind is the name Fu She, especially for Xiao, who is most closely associated with Fu She among the immortals

In fact

Long ago, Xiao had heard that an unnamed yaksha was buried beneath the Layered Rock Abyss

But he had always been busy slaying demons and fulfilling his contract, lacking both time and energy to come to the Layered Rock Abyss to investigate the truth

Moreover, Fu She is not someone who hides his name

If it were really him, he would surely announce his name in battle and definitely would not leave behind the nameless yaksha moniker that leaves people clueless

Therefore, even though he was curious inside, Xiao never came here on his own initiative

This time, taking advantage of Zhongli's arrangement to send a message, he can finally investigate thoroughly

"Huh."

"That's the one."

"Under the Emperor, the first yaksha, the Soaring Snake Grand Marshal, Fu She—he is buried here."

Luo De directly spoke Fu She's name, confirming Xiao's suspicion, then he pursed his lips toward the bound Frozen Sky Spike and said: "Once the binding on that thing is broken, the seal below will also be released together, and then we can go in together."

"Good."

I don't know whether Zhongli told Xiao that Luo De could be trusted unconditionally, but whatever Luo De says, Xiao believes it, and since they met, Xiao has never questioned a single word of Luo De's

Indeed, after confirming that what Luo De said was Fu She, a rare hint of sadness appeared on his face

Immediately after

Xiao remained as usual, keeping his distance from Luo De, continuing to stay silent like a sealed gourd; Luo De didn't speak to him, and he would absolutely not take the initiative to say a word

Such a dull and heavy atmosphere

Only after Ye Lan actively appeared did the scene finally become a little lively

When previously inviting Tartaglia,

Luo De then sent Ye Lan a message telling her she didn't need to hide

"General Affairs Office Ye Lan, have you met the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons?"

As for the famed immortal of Liyue, Ye Lan still held a certain respect

But that was all

Compared to ordinary people who panic at the sight of an immortal,

Ye Lan's behavior clearly shows she places herself on equal footing with Xiao, aside from not addressing him directly, her conduct and speech show no trace of reverence

As for her near‑rude words and deeds,

Xiao didn't mind it, nodded, and took it as a response

Although Tartaglia hasn't arrived yet,

but the trustworthy people have all gathered; after a greeting, Luo De began his explanation

"You two."

"Let me say this first."

"The place where the Sealed Floating Temple and the Thousand Rock Army are sealed, due to the influence of the conflict between the two forces beneath the Layered Rock Giant Abyss, the time and space inside are in a state of extreme chaos, and that space also reads our thoughts, reflects our preferences, and creates an effect similar to wish-fulfillment; if one's will is not firm enough, it's easy to get lost inside."

"Speaking of this."

"Ye Lan slightly raised eyebrows and interrupted: 'Wishing Stone?'"

"Wishing Stone."

"This is what the miners of the Layered Rock Giant Abyss call the Nail of Cold Heaven."

"With this name in mind, the source of the wish-fulfillment-like effect Luo De just mentioned becomes very clear."

"However, Ye Lan's main concern is not the danger Luo De spoke of, but another point that is easily overlooked."

"'How do you know there is a seal here? And you know so much about its interior?'"

"Ye Lan serves under Ningguang, is Liyue's top-tier intelligence agent, Ye Lan's authority is not much less than Ningguang's, and the files Ye Lan holds are also Liyue's top-tier secrets."

"However, this seal location is unknown even to Ye Lan."

"Luo De not only knows the exact location and how to enter, but is also intimately familiar with the situation inside."

"According to Luo De himself."

"This place has been sealed for hundreds of years, and everyone who knew the internal situation has been left forever underground."

"So how does Luo De know all this?"

"Xiao also has the same question, staring at Luo De in unison with Ye Lan, waiting for Luo De's answer."

"Regarding this."

"Luo De's explanation is straightforward."

"'The Dendro Archon is the God of Wisdom, who governs the World Tree, and can be considered all-knowing.'"

"'Anyway, for anything that can't be explained, just push Nadixa out and it's done.'"

"As for whether Ye Lan and Xiao believe it or not,"

"Then Luo De can't control it."

"'The Dendro Archon?'"

"Ye Lan muttered something and stopped asking."

"Although the Dendro Archon has only just been freed not long ago, after all the God of Wisdom is renowned far and wide; even though far away in Liyue, Ye Lan knows that another meaning of the God of Wisdom is omniscience and omnipotence, so Luo De's explanation can barely be considered reasonable."

"Having figured these out."

"Afterwards, Ye Lan did not interrupt Luo De again, listened attentively to his finish, then looked thoughtfully at the busy Dadalilia, Ye Lan's eyes flickered a few times, but Ye Lan said nothing, merely showing a faint smile."

"In order to fight as soon as possible the adeptus-level master Luo De mentioned."

"The excited Dadalilia had no intention of stopping, clearing one mechanism then moving to another."

"Seeing that the members of the Ninth Battalion were already exhausted."

"Dadalilia also ordered them to rest forcibly, not allowing them to follow."

"Although this order was not willingly followed by the Ninth Battalion's soldiers, under Dadalilia's compulsory command they still came to the entrance in earnest, sitting with full vigilance near Luo De and the others."

"The one who looked like the battalion commander kept staring at Ye Lan's face, seeming to try to match Ye Lan with a certain figure from memory."

"'By the way,'"

"Seeing the rather hostile reaction of these Foolish People soldiers, Luo De calmly asked Ye Lan a question: 'Did you previously intentionally let them discover you?'"

"'Huh?'"

"'You know this too?'"

"In the midst of speaking, Ye Lan, whose words and deeds were inconsistent, gave the Ninth Battalion's soldiers a light smile, as if completely not seeing their hostility."

"'I have picked up a few Foolish People's diaries before, all of which mention someone stalking.'"

"'One of the diaries explicitly wrote that the stalker was a woman.'"

"Luo De stated firmly: 'With your abilities, Dadalilia was initially played by you; just based on these Foolish People soldiers, how could they possibly discover you so clearly?'"

"'Hah—'"

"Ye Lan smiled and did not deny Luo De's words."

"Since Luo De was correct, Ye Lan had indeed previously intentionally exposed Ye Lan's whereabouts to the Ninth Battalion's members."

"The reason is,"

"also very simple."

"That is to create a little panic, so these Foolish People soldiers dare not act recklessly."

"Due to the special nature of Ye Lan's work."

"Ye Lan and the Foolish People have had plenty of dealings."

"The number of Foolish People's intelligence agents dead at Ye Lan's hands is unknown, and even the Executive Officer has once crossed blades with Ye Lan."

"Therefore, from a subjective standpoint,"

"Ye Lan does not trust the Ninth Battalion at all."

"Even though the Ninth Battalion, since entering the Layered Rock Giant Abyss, has never done anything that could possibly harm Liyue."

"But out of distrust of the Foolish People."

"Moreover, the Layered Rock Giant Abyss is a lifeline for Liyue, absolutely not allowing any leakage."

"So Ye Lan would from time to time, by intentionally exposing Ye Lan's whereabouts, make these soldiers realize they were being monitored by Liyue people, bringing panic while also making them dare not openly commit destructive acts."

"'Don't blame me for not reminding you.'"

"'After entering the sealed place, no matter what Dadalilia says or does, do not get into an argument with him.'"

"'That place is too dangerous; if internal conflict occurs again, it might drag us all in.'"

"Luo De did not use Zhongli to wave a big flag, simply gave Ye Lan a prior reminder about this."

"'You'd better say this to that Foolish People's Executive Officer.'"

Night Lan said with a hint of mockery: "A reckless, arrogant, willful, rash person is far more dangerous than I am."

Night Lan didn't particularly mind having outsiders tag along to explore the sealed site where the immortals and the heroic souls of the Qianyan Army are sealed.

But among those accompanying them, there is someone from the Foolish People.

She then seemed not so happy.

Luo De noticed this and therefore came specially to remind Night Lan.

"I will definitely tell him."

Luo De said with a pout: "I hope you two can really coexist peacefully as you say; I don't want to waste precious energy pointlessly resolving your dispute in that ruin."

"Hmph, hopefully."

(End of chapter)