Chapter 337

The process of dispelling Ke Lai's Archon resentment appears simple.

Actually, it consumes a great deal of energy.

Especially Yae Miko, who is responsible for conducting the ritual.

She not only needs to maintain the ritual for a long time, but must also be careful not to be tainted by the Archon's resentment.

This requires her to remain fully focused throughout, without the slightest distraction.

Consequently, after this.

Even she lost her former vigor, appearing exhausted; after saying a word to Luo De, she went limp and fell into Thunderbolt True's embrace, and Thunderbolt True took her aside to rest.

And Ke Lai, whose Archon resentment had been drawn out, returned to normal appearance; those frightening scales and devouring purple-black flames also dissipated along with the resentment, as if they had never appeared.

She fell unconscious.

And remained unconscious for two days and two nights.

During this period.

Dixiya and Tadela both took leave and together cared for her at home.

Nadixa, after communicating with Luo De about Sumeru Cheng's affairs, hurried back to Sumeru Cheng.

Thunderbolt True, having recovered his health, went out to wander the city in the company of Yae Miko, and did not return for two straight days.

However, the two of them went out together.

Even if they stayed out all night, there was no need to worry.

On the contrary, Luo De needed to worry that the people of Hope City would not be too badly toyed with by the two of them.

As for Luo De.

He, who should have been at leisure these past two days, has instead been busy staying with a guest.

This guest.

Is the slice that acted as a traitor.

That fellow's demand is very simple.

It is to sell other slices to give himself a chance to break free of control, and then become the unique Mottor.

For this he did not hesitate to sell the slice that had produced a false divinity.

He also helped clear out the spies within Hope City.

And this time he came to Luo De.

His purpose is only one.

To imprison him, so that he completely loses contact with the other slices.

"All the slices there are going smoothly, but I, the weakest slice in power, have had nothing happen to me."

"This will arouse suspicion among the other slices."

The child slice's reasoning is very sufficient.

He is very worried about the other slices, especially the strongest one that has the ability to erase the other slices, suspecting him.

If that is indeed the case.

Then his situation would become extremely dangerous.

"That fellow's selfishness is the worst among all our slices."

"He will spare no effort to eliminate anyone or anything detrimental to the Mottor."

"My current situation is extremely dangerous; you must think of a way to protect me, so that I can continue to provide you with information without worry."

Luo De also thought the child slice's words made sense.

So after he requested protection, Luo De arranged for him to stay by his side, giving him a menial position unsuitable for his age.

Although this drew criticism from many people.

But due to Luo De's formidable reputation, they only dared to gossip in private, not saying anything openly.

"Give you a new name."

"Let's call you Deher."

The child slice's original name was too conspicuous, so Luo De also gave him a new name.

The child slice did not object.

He gladly accepted the proposal.

As for how to protect him, to sever his connection with the slices.

Luo De's method is simple.

He, after all, is also an Archon, and possesses genuine divine authority.

Therefore, it suffices to place a portion of that authority on Deher, and then use the authority's power to block his connection with the slices.

Of course.

This authority, Luo De has kept a backhand for.

Given Deher's special nature as a Mottor slice, he cannot decipher the usage rights of this authority, and moreover his life and death are controlled by the authority, equivalent to entrusting his life to Luo De's control.

Luo De also stated this clearly.

He currently cannot trust Deher, so he must take this measure, ensuring that this Mottor slice from his youth absolutely cannot pose a threat to him or those around him.

Deher expressed his understanding and accepted this restriction akin to a time bomb.

After the preliminary trust and formal cooperative relationship were established.

Deher then began to act as Luo De's assistant, helping him handle the major and minor matters reported from Hope City.

This also let Luo De witness just how terrifying the abilities of a Mottor slice are.

In short.

With Deheer's assistance, the trivial matters that used to give Luo De a headache could be handled perfectly and properly in not much time; the approach was sound and clear, with no underhanded schemes, and everything was a reasonable, evidence-based solution satisfactory to all parties.

"Talent!"

This is the conclusion Luo De reached after working with him.

You should know this is a slice of Duo Tuolei at a few years old; his real age is just what he looks like, only a few years.

But in terms of experience and exposure.

Even more seasoned than many old-timers of the Academy.

This also made Luo De sigh with feeling.

No wonder almost all of Duo Tuolei's slices have a disdainful look.

Aside from that slice full of pessimism that ultimately committed suicide, that guy might be the only one among Duo Tuolei's many slices who, when mentioning his own research, holds a pessimistic and insecure attitude.

"What a pity."

"No need to go onto the proper path."

After complaining about Duo Tuolei's lack of focus and wasted talent, Luo De returned home and saw Ke Lai finally waking from a coma.

Compared to before.

After dispelling the Archon's resentment, Ke Lai, who could now wield the Archon's residual power, became noticeably stronger, no longer looking intermittently ill.

"Teacher."

Ke Lai, whose health had recovered, spoke much louder than before.

"How do you feel?"

Luo De rubbed Ke Lai's head with a smile, asking concernedly: "Any lingering Archon resentment? Any hallucinations here?"

"Already gone."

Ke Lai happily rolled up her sleeves to show Luo De her faintly visible arm muscles: "Teacher, look, I'm strong now—Tadel isn't even a match for me."

"Oh, is that so?"

Luo De raised an eyebrow slightly at the pouting Tadel beside him.

Facing Luo De's gaze, even though she was reluctant to admit it, she nodded: "Yes, Teacher, even if she flails wildly, relying solely on strength, I'm no match for her."

"Oh."

"Like that."

Luo De chuckled: "Then it seems our little Ke Lai can fully control the Archon's residual power?"

"Mm, indeed."

The one answering this time was Yae Miko, sitting leisurely to the side.

Although dispelling the Archon's resentment for Ke Lai the day before left her exhausted, these two days of play have restored her original energy.

Now she sat cross-legged on the sofa, telling Luo De about Ke Lai: "This little girl is impressive; free of the Archon's resentment, she has fully mastered the Archon's residual power; strictly speaking, she can now be considered a follower of that foolish Archon who died who-knows-how-long ago."

"Archon follower?"

Luo De looked at Ke Lai again, crouched to her level, and said: "Come, try it; let me see how strong the Archon's power inside you is."

Upon hearing that,

Ke Lai hesitated slightly, then raised her hand and summoned a purplish-black flame.

But as the flame rose, scales—whether snake or dragon—covered her arm instantly, transforming her body into a humanoid black serpent.

"Huh?"

The aura of this black flame and scales gave Luo De a sudden sense of familiarity.

"It's Aoluobasi."

Leidianzhen pointed out the source of Luo De's familiarity: "You hold Aoluobasi's authority in your hand, so naturally this power feels familiar."

"Aoluobasi?"

Luo De patted Ke Lai's shoulder, signaling her to retract the Archon's residual power, then turned and said: "That guy isn't an Archon who controls water elemental power? Using his remains, how could one produce a medicament that wields fire elemental energy?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

Leidianzhen laughed and threw the question back.

"."

Luo De then realized: "You mean Duo Tuolei did all this?"

Upon mentioning the name Duo Tuolei,

The others were fine.

But Ke Lai involuntarily shuddered.

Several hundred years have passed.

She could never forget the person who once used her as a human test subject.

Just that.

Not daring to forget such a thing.

It's not hatred, but fear.

Ke Lai was truly tormented horribly.

Thus, after losing the Archon's resentment as an emotional catalyst, her memory of Duo Tuolei left only boundless fear.

"Don't be afraid."

Just then, Luo De's gentle voice reached her, calming Ke Lai's fear‑trembling body.

Then Luo De crouched again, gathered Ke Lai into his arms, and softly patted her back to soothe her.

Afterward, Luo De gave Tadel a glance, signaling her to take the now‑calm Ke Lai back to her room.

After finishing these.

Luo De then looked again at Lei Dian Zhen and Yae Miko, frowning as he said: "Continuing the previous topic, you mean that Duo Tuo Lei used the water elemental energy of an Archon's bodily remains to produce a potion that can manipulate fire elemental energy, made from Archon residue?"

"That's correct."

Compared to the lively Yae Miko, Lei Dian Zhen spoke calmly: "That guy is an outright genius; the Archon residue itself does not possess a power that little Ke Lai could withstand, but after his modifications, the finished potion weakened the Archon residue's power and altered its nature, becoming the fire elemental energy that little Ke Lai can now control."

"And that's not all."

"The evil eyes appearing in Inazuma, the evil eyes appearing in Sumeru, the evil eyes appearing in Mondstadt all bear such traces of modification."

Lei Dian Zhen finished speaking.

Luo De then narrowed his eyes and said: "Did you obtain the evil eye from Sumeru?"

"If it weren't for the evil eye that Duo Tuo Lei distributed during his charade, Lei Dian Zhen's tone shouldn't be so certain."

"As expected,"

Next, Lei Dian Zhen said: "I and Yae Miko managed to obtain an evil eye, just as you said; this evil eye's evil nature is abnormal, and its bodily degradation modification is severe. Although it can grant the ability to use elemental energy in the short term, during use the Archon resentment within the evil eye amplifies the user's inner desires, making the user unable to stop wanting to use the evil eye. Thus, the elemental energy carried by the Archon residue within the evil eye continually seeps into the user's body, thereby completing the basic modification of such a biological weapon."

Luo De listened attentively, then asked: "Is Sai Nuo's seal effective?"

"Yes."

"But it can only prevent the user from becoming obsessed with using the evil eye; that's all. The Archon residue's elemental energy can still erode the user's body."

Lei Dian Zhen then revealed a major piece of news.

Upon hearing this news, Luo De couldn't help but feel startled and said: "In other words, their bodies have now been almost completely eroded?"

"Not quite that bad."

"But it is indeed severely eroded."

"If they were to detach from the evil eye, they would likely contract elemental sickness."

Lei Dian Zhen's expression also became much more solemn.

The evil eye created by Duo Tuo Lei can be said to be very difficult to resolve.

It not only makes users obsessive, but also provides a certain protective effect, making it hard for users to bear the consequences of losing the evil eye.

"Really troublesome."

Luo De muttered a curse, then said: "Can you guys deal with that evil eye? Like Ke Lai?"

Just as he finished saying that.

Yae Miko immediately slumped onto Lei Dian Zhen with an "ouch", constantly complaining: "Hey kid, I'm not your Sumeru slave; for this kind of thing, you can have whoever you want do it, go find whoever you want to do it."

Lei Dian Zhen then gave an embarrassed smile, and immediately said to Luo De: "Dispelling Archon resentment is not a simple matter; with Yae Miko's energy, it's impossible to achieve the degree you mentioned."

"Oh, I see."

Luo De furrowed his brows and did not bring up the matter again.

While he had already given up on those desert people who couldn't lose their evil eye, Lei Dian Zhen then came up with this.

"The day before yesterday, I, Bu Ye Er, and Yae Miko discussed together."

"We roughly came up with a plan."

"That is, we can temporarily use our power to produce something similar in effect to this evil eye, but without harming the body as much—a false Vision."

"False Vision?"

Upon hearing that, Luo De immediately perked up: "Can you actually make it?"

"I have dissected an evil eye, plus the experimental report you gave me."

"I have a rough idea."

"Coincidentally, you also have something on your end that can replace the Archon residue without harming the human body."

Lei Dian Zhen's words had just fallen.

Luo De then raised his eyebrows and asked: "What is it?"

"The branches on the Oasis Source."

"Although it can only provide grass elemental energy, it can also produce the effect of a false Vision."

(End of chapter)

(End of chapter)