(Huaguang Stone Forest)

The next day in the morning, we flew Huaguang Stone Forest to find the other 2 adepti. We went to the mountain where there was lot's of amber crystals. There we saw a person by the name of Li Ding praying for something. Toriyama took us down then landed.

Li Ding: Have mercy, O might adeptus! I beg you... Show mercy upon me and my brother... Spare our lives!

Aether: What's wrong?

When Aether spoke, Li Ding turned around and saw us and Toriyama.

Li Ding: Who are you? What's going on?

Paimon: We asked you first!

Kiana: We just came here looking for one of the adepti.

Li Ding: ...Oh! You enjoy safe passage in Jueyun Karst... And you have a dragon with you... And you have the Celestial Empyrean with you... It can only mean one thing! You must be adepti messengers! Sent here to rescue me and my brother!

Paimon: What is he talking about?

Patrick: He thinks we're adepti messengers and has misunderstood us.

Li Ding: ...Oh, have mercy, mighty messengers of the illuminated adepti! I beg you to save us... My brother and I, we only came here because our family is poor, and we heard tell of treasure hidden in the amber of Mt. Hulao.

Seele: Treasure in the amber?

Patrick: That reminds me of the mosquito in the amber from "Jurassic Park".

Li Ding: It was stupid of us... but all we wanted to do was find enough treasure to sell and support our family... We followed the path up the mountain, but suddenly, the amber... it swallowed up my brother, Li Dang!

Fu Hua: The amber swelled up your brother?

Li Ding: I ran away, and made it this far before it dawned on me: We were trespassers in the abode of the adepti, and this was our punishment. I had no idea how to rescue my brother, so I just started praying for the adepti to have mercy, right here on the spot. And now, at long last, two messengers come to my aid...

Paimon: What? We're not adepti messengers... We just wanna find the adepti, like everyone else!

Li Ding: No no no, you must be messengers... You have to be!

Fu Hua: Let's just role with it. It's hard to convince him now.

Everyone: Ok.

Li Ding: I have no idea which amber trapped him... Please, you have to rescue him! I beg you, show me some adepti mercy!

Aether: Oh, fine. We'll go have a look...

Fu Hua: We'll see what we can do.

Li Ding: Thank you, thank you! O mighty messengers of the illuminated adepti, I promise that we will never be so foolish again...

We began going down to find Li Ding's brother, Li Dang.

Paimon: Paimon was gonna ask him about where to find the adeptus, but... he seems pretty one-track-mind about rescuing his brother now.

Fu Hua: He must have been desperate to find his brother that he must have spoke without thinking first.

Paimon: Hmm... So, he said that Li Dang got trapped in amber somewhere on Mt. Hulao, and that they were following the path the whole way up. So, let's follow the path down from here, and make sure to be on the lookout for amber on the way.

Mei: Li Dang must be trapped in one of the larger ambers. It would be the obvious size since he can't be in any of the smaller ambers.

Patrick: Those would be what are trapping Li Dang somewhere.

https://youtu.be/e3YRit59ypw

We searched through the ambers. We smashed the ambers open and found different things trapped in them. Treasure inside chests, hilichurls, slimes, and boars. With the Cor Lapis from the ambers, we put them in our inventories.

Li Dang: Wh-What happened? ...Y—You rescued me? Thank you...

Kallen: It's what we do.

Li Dang: Oh! And have you seen my brother? His name is Li Ding, we were climbing the mountain together.

Aether: He's at the top of the mountain.

Li Dang: He made it to the top? That means he should be okay... Thank you! I will head up to find my brother now. Here's hoping I don't run into anymore amber on the way...

Sakura: Let us help you get to him. We don't want you getting trapped in another amber.

We helped him back to his brother.

Li Ding: Thank you for rescuing my brother, O might messengers of the illuminated adepti.

Bronya: Now answer the question.

Aether: Have you ever seen the adeptus here?

Li Ding: What? No... I mean, like everyone else, we've heard that there's an adeptus living in Mt. Hulao. But regular folks like us would never have the chance to meet them. No way. Unlike you guys... You're adepti messengers, so it's a whole different story. Anyway, we have trespassed in the realm of the adepti messengers...

Li Dang: Yes, thank you messengers...

And then the brothers left.

Captain: This felt like Kongming thinking I was an assassin again.

Sakura: And it felt like being called a bunny girl when I'm actually a fox girl.

Paimon: ...Boy, it'd be super helpful if we actually were adepti messengers. 'Cause it seems like this adeptus has got a real temper problem... But it's not like we've done anything wrong, so... hopefully we'll be okay... hehe...

Mountain Shaper: Who dares trespass on my mountain? Who is it that frees the thief from his incarceration?

On the rocks was a large crane. It was Mountain Shaper. He spread his wings then flew down towards us. He landed.

Mountain Shaper: Foolish mortals, come fourth and receive your punishment at once!

We had to do what he told us to do.

Toriyama: Stay by my side.

Patrick: Thanks.

We stayed by Toriyama's side as we walked up to Mountain Shaper.

Mountain Shaper: ...You intrude upon the sanctuary of Mt. Hulao, you destroy the amber of my mountain, and you free a thief whose freedom is not yours to give. The thieves' ignorance was an affront to the adepti... but your actions are an abomination of the highest order!

Paimon: Wait! We can explain...

Aether: Here, look at these...

We showed the adeptus our Sigils of Permission.

Mountain Shaper: Are these... Sigils of Permission? One is surprised to find that such a thing still exist in the mortal realm. In the beginning, Rex Lapis cast them for the mortals with his own hand. Few were made then, and thousands of years on, fewer still remain. Speak. One shall listen to the matter which brings you here, then one shall verify the truth thereof. You would be wise to speak the truth, for Liyue is not so far from here that one would be easily deceived.

We explained everything what happened in Liyue Harbor.

Mountain Shaper: Rex Lapis... Assasinated? At the Rite of Descension!?

Patrick: We don't know who or how someone assassinated Rex Lapis. He just feel from the sky like a rag doll and nobody saw how he was killed before falling from the sky.

Kiana: And they suspect it was someone from the crowd attending the Rite of Descension.

Mountain Shaper: What mortal in Liyue— nay, in all the world conspire to commit such foul treason? Or perhaps the more pertinent question is, what power in this world could aspire to achieve it?

Mei: That we don't know.

Fu Hua: We're trying to find the murderer right now.

Mountain Shaper: Rex Lapis charged the adepti with the protection of Liyue, and we have always honored this duty. As the people have prospered, so have we gradually withdrawn into the mountains. Indeed, this was a gesture of a good will towards humanity. But now... Alas! Rex Lapis, gone... Travelers, of the matter you have relayed, one has become aware. One now knows why Moon Carver has sent for us. Once one has dealt with certain matters here that require my attention, one shall convene with the other adepti.

Aether: Can someone explain the amber situation to us?

Paimon: Paimon can! Adepti always have magical powers in storybooks, seems it's true in real life too. You know, like how grass is actually adepti hair, and rivers are actually adepti saliva... There must be something similar going on with the amber.

Aether: So is rain... adepti tears?

Mountain Shaper: ...Your nonsense knows no bounds. This amber is produced by a flower that one has planted here, called the karst crawler. The majority of the plant is hidden underground. When stepped on, it produces amber to trap the invader. After taking up residence here, one planted many karst crawlers to ensure that the tranquility of the mountain would remain undisturbed. Over the years, they have helped to prevent many disturbances, but in the process they have also trapped many curious things...

Paimon: Oh, so the amber is... alive?

Mountain Shaper: Correct. Thus, one may not leave this place in its current state, for fear of the risk of innocent lives in one's absence. One will depart as soon as one has attended to this matter. One trusts that manner of your departure will be swifter in nature.

And then Mountain Shaper flew off.

Fu Hua: There was this one time when the Captain foolishly stepped on a karst crawler and got trapped in amber, so I had to break him out of it.

Captain: Felt like getting trapped in ice but more earthy.

Patrick: So now we have to find Cloud Retainer.

Fu Hua: And I just know where to find her. On the mountain where you found me.

(Mt. Aozang)

Fu Hua showed us a stone table with stone chairs in the middle of the pond.

Paimon: Hey, who put this table here? They've even set it ready for dinner, there's a wine jug and everything. Ooh, they even have the guest's' names carved into the seats! "Here sit's Retainer..." "Here sits Guizhong..." "Here sits Rex..." Maybe "Rex" is short for "Rex Lapis"? But Paimon has no idea about Guizhong." As for "Retainer," hmm... That's it! When Moon Carver was going through the names of his adepti buddies, he said there was one called "Cloud Retainer." So this must be where Cloud Retainer and the other adepti have their dinner parties!

Fu Hua: That's right, little Paimon. That is what the Captain, the ELFs, and I have figured out when we found it.

Paimon: Hehe, how about we cook up some extra-special dishes for he adepti? We're sure to get Cloud Retainer's attention that way! But... What do adepti even eat, anyway? Paimon has no idea... Hmm, people must make offerings here all the time. Guess all we can do is look around the area for any leftovers, maybe that'll give us some ideas. Do you think maybe it's at all possible that the adepti might like to try some... Sticky Honey Roast?

Fu Hua: When we were here the last time, there were three traces of food offerings. One was the one underneath the tree where I was mediating, one was all clean, and one was all messy. We figured out that the three food offerings were Jewelry Soup, Matsutake Meat Rolls, and Mora Meat.

Paimon: So we just have to make those?

Fu Hua: Yes. Mei, Sakura, let's start.

Mei and Sakura: You got it, Fu Hua.

The screen cut to after the three girls finished cooking the three dishes and placed them on the stone table, then an entrance with a seal opened up.

Fu Hua: And in there is Cloud Retainer.

I turned to Toriyama, I'm gonna send you back then I'm gonna summon you ack once we're speaking with Cloud Retainer.

Toriyama: very well, my apprentice.

I sent Toriyama back then we went into the dungeon. Once we got into the dungeon, we heard Cloud Retainer's voice.

Cloud Retainer: One senses the presence of Sigils of Permission... One knows not why you have come, though the sincerity of your offering is clear... Hence, you shall be granted an opportunity. Find your way through mine abode, and you shall receive an audience with the adeptus whom you seek.

Captain: So we have to solve puzzles to get to the adeptus. Seems simple enough.

Patrick: We also have to activate the mechanisms to get to Cloud Retainer. It's like going through a temple.

While figuring out the mechanisms, Kiana, the Captain, and Paimon made a few mistakes but we still got to Cloud Retainer on the floating platform she was on. Cloud Retainer was also a large crane like Mountain Carver. I summoned Toriyama back just like I said I would.

Cloud Retainer: One is most impressed. The path that leads through this abode defies those of ordinary abilities.

Cloud Retainer spread her wings and flew down to us and descended down then landed.

Cloud Retainer: The one before you is the adeptus, Cloud Retainer. Now, speak of the matter which brings you here.

Aether: Did you build this whole place?

Cloud Retainer: You surmise correctly. This place did oneself build, as did one design the mechanisms within. In fact, even Guizhong and Rex Lapis themselves found one's technological accomplishments to be worthy of commendation.

Paimon: This place is huge! And there are so many mechanisms... Do you really have this whole place to yourself? What's it even for? Did you build it as your private mechanism workshop or something? It's just like the stories say. The adepti leave the human world, find somewhere to go be a hermit, and then they research and invent these amazing things...

Cloud Retainer: One is simply not partial to the tedium of social interaction, and wished to find some peace and quiet. Find it one did... Shortly after which, you arrived bearing your Sigils of Permission... But enough! State the matter which brings you here, at once! You have disturbed the tranquility of this place for long enough.

We explained everything of what happened in Liyue Harbor.

Cloud Retainer: Rex Lapis... Assasinated!? How can this be!? Such a heinous crime... Who would dare?

Theresa: We don't know.

Himeko: Rex Lapis just feel from the sky like a rag doll and crashed down. His body was lifeless when falling down from the sky.

Cloud Retainer: The notion is so preposterous as to be unbelievable... one shall have to verify the truth of the matter independently... ...Perhaps one shall quash Liyue first, then convene with the other adepti—

Aether: Excuse us!?

Paimon: Wait, what!? Did you just say "squash Liyue Harbor"? Are you seriously gonna wipe out the whole city?

Cloud Retainer: Only a response of sufficient magnitude can negate the possibility of further incidents.

Aether: But the adepti are sworn to protect the city...

Cloud Retainer: It is as you say. We have protected Liyue Harbor under the leadership of Rex Lapis for 37 centuries. But in the face of this coup by nefarious actors... exceptional measures must be taken.

Patrick: You can't do that. You can't but the blame on all of Liyue. You only put the blame on one person.

Kiana: He's right! You can't do this!

Cloud Retainer: I can understand that only the person who assassinated Rex Lapis gets the blame. But it is necessary to do this to Liyue.

Paimon: Yikes! Yikes! Quick, you gotta think of something! She wants to squash Liyue flat, and it doesn't seem like she's bluffing!

Aether: You accepted our offering, that makes this a contract.

Paimon: Exactly what Paimon was going to say! We made all that delicious food, and gave every last bit of it to you!

Paimon: We were hoping you might help Liyue out... not wipe Liyue out!

Patrick: Because if you try to wipe Liyue out... We'll fight you.

I was prepared to draw out a weapon while Toriyama spread his wings out, ready to fight.

Paimon: ...Or at least let's... y'know, discuss it first? Can't hurt for you to get a second opinion.

Cloud Retainer: "Contract..." A cruel irony that you should appeal to the notion after the merciless murder of the God of Contracts himself. The people of Liyue seem quite content to dispense with their contracts. They are quite adept at taking that which is composed of black and white, and turning it gray... Nevertheless... Since you come here in the name of contracts, far be it from one to abandon one's own contractual obligations. Least of all when you come bearing Sigils of Permission... *sigh* Rex Lapis infused these sigils with adeptal power when he first cast them. That power once aided humans in battle. Most of the sigil's power has long since worn off... It is but a keepsake now. This keepsake cannot be taken as proof of your trustworthiness. One must investigate the claims that you make independently. This, no doubt, is Moon Carver's very reason for summoning us. Your audience with the adeptus before you is now concluded. Leave at once, and disturb me no further.

And then Cloud Retainer flew off.

Patrick: Well, that's all of the adepti. We should head back to Liyue Harbor. But first there is one thing to do first.

(Qingyun Peak)

We were at this spot.

Aether read the inscription.

Aether: "The one who may ascend is the one who kowtows atop the three mountains. The sun, moon, and stars shall each shine, and auspicious signs shall be sent by the three divine birds."

Paimon: Ugh... It's a real headache trying to make sense of the adepti and all this other stuff in Liyue. This must mean we have to find three shining birds on top of three mountains, right?

Fu Hua: We do.

Kiana: Why not just use Toriyama to fly up?

Patrick: Because there wouldn't be any fun with aligning the three divine birds at this spot to go up.

Kiana: Alright.

We split into 3 groups and once we had the three divine birds aligned, a wind current at the spot appeared then floating platform steps too. We headed back to the spot then used our wind gliders and got up to the floating platform.

There we found a few stuff and three chests. In those chests we found some super rare items and weapons for us to use in combat.

Aether read one of the books in the pile of stuff.

Aether: Wow, guess this guy that made this place wanted to get away from everyone.

Fu Hua had a turn to read it.

Fu Hua: I did use to live in a super high mountain for years where I was alone with Nuwa and Fuxi.

Book of Fuxi: Then I came into the picture.

Seele looked at the sunset.

Seele: Guys, sit down and have a look at the sunset. I summoned Toriyama back so he can enjoy the view with us.

Seele: What a beautiful sunset. Watching from a floating island enhances our experience with watching a sunset.

Patrick in mind: And I'm hoping to see more floating islands in Teyvat like in Skylands from "Skylanders." and like in a couple of other Anime and Video Games with floating islands. Floating Islands are one of the reasons why I like fantasy worlds.

Seele: Of all the worlds we've traveled too, this one is beautiful. Being adventurers is one of the most amazing experiences one could ever experience.

Fu Hua: Being back in a time like this makes me feel nostalgic. I've missed times like these but I'm glad to be in Teyvat.

Sakura: So am I. When Kallen and I were set free from our curse, we've had to get used to the modern day world. We've had to learn all about the histories, inventions, machines, and entertainment the modern day world had.

Kallen: I was with my own family blood again thanks to Kiana and Theresa since they also helped me get used to the modern day world.

Captain: Out of all the worlds I've been too, I was powerless, but being in this one and in Dirac, I have powers and fighting skills now.

Patrick: A lot of people who want to go to fantasy worlds would want to find adventure and love when getting sent to a fantasy world.

Bronya: The Bronya once refused to leave this one world but thanks to big sister Mei, Kiana, and Patrick, they knocked some sense into the Bronya and saved the Bronya.

Seele: And when I was trapped in this world and then the Sea of Quanta, big sister Bronya and big brother Patrick saved me.

We took a moment of silence to enjoy the sunset.

When it full disappeared, I summoned the transport back then Toriyama grabbed it.  We got on then Toriyama flew us back to Liyue Harbor. 

(Liyue Harbor)

We got back to Liyue Harbor and met up with Childe. This time, we did not put disguises on.

Childe: You've finally returned. How was your journey to Jueyun Karst?

Kiana: When we met Moon Carver we nearly got arrested by soldiers before two more of our missing friends and family showed up and saved us.

Sakura: It was the perfect time for us to show ourselves.

Kallen: Then we met the other adepti.

We explained everything to Childe.

Childe: ...I see. Moon Carver, Conqueror of Demons, Mountain Shaper, Cloud Retainer... Some of these names have never come up in the intel the Fatui gets hold of. As a returning gift, I too have information for you. Regarding the archons passing... The Liyue Qixing's response really has given me food for thought... They've announced that, as the true killer has not yet been found, they are not allowing anyone to pay their respects to the Exuvia. They've even gone so far as to try and cut off information... But with the Rite of Descension and all, even the Qixing isn't able to keep a lid on things.

Paimon: Exuvia?

Kiana: What is that?

Childe: It's common knowledge in Liyue that Rex Lapis is also an adeptus.

Childe: The Geo Archon is also the God of Contracts, and is also known as the Exuvia, Prime of the Adepti. The mighty and illuminated adepti of today all signed contracts to protect Liyue way back then.

Paimon: Guess that explains why they're all so focused on Liyue's well-being.

Childe: Naturally. They both have the responsibility and the aptitude for the job. If the ruling Qixing became unable to perform their duty properly, the adepti have the right to take corrective action. The Geo Archon's spirit has risen, so why would the Qixing hide his vessel? Truly suspicious.

Aether: I agree, something is definitely not right.

Theresa: They probably don't want anyone to steal the body to make a huge profit out of the dead body.

Himeko: Or they are trying to preserve the body.

Paimon: Oh! Right! HE's the whole reason we came here! If the Liyue Qixing has locked up Exuvia and won't let anyone near... Then Aether's quest to find The Seven is already over!

Childe: Oh? You're trying to find The Seven? And just why might that be, pray tell?

Aether: Nothing to do with you.

Kiana: he's right. This is none of your concern and is nothing that you need to know about.

Childe: Heh... nice answer. A knight that gets duped by the Fatui would really be no knight at all now, would they? But, I can help you with that too you know.

Paimon: Hmm? Really?

Childe: Give me some time. Time... to find someone. Someone who can help you break through this stalemate. Truly fascinating. The harder they try to silence the situation, the greater the chaos that erupts... If you want to be around to see it all come crashing down, best you stay alive until we next meet, yes?

Mei: Yes.

Kiana: Ok.

As we were leaving, I asked Kallen something.

Patrick: Did you fight against Childe too?

Kallen: I did not.

Patrick: We don't know why he's helping us but for now we can rely on him until he double crosses us.

Sakura: What are we going to do now?

Fu Hua: We spend a few days enjoying Liyue while getting stronger.

Patrick: You're in charge Celestial Empyrean Fu Hua.

We went to an Inn at Liyue Harbor and turned in for the night. We had a long way to go in Liyue.