Chapter 24: Chapter Twenty-Four: Abyss Mage
"Unbelievable!" Xian Yu exclaimed as he caught sight of something utterly baffling.
It wasn't just a fuss he was making; the scene in front of him was undeniably absurd. Initially, he wondered why there were so few Hilichurls in the snow-covered mountains. Moreover, he hadn't been attacked by Hilichurls along the way, so he assumed it was the norm.
"I didn't expect to find so many Hilichurls here..."
But it wasn't just Hilichurls; there were also many shamans, giant Hilichurls, and even a few Frostarm Lawachurls, and an Abyss Mage.
An Abyss Mage! This was the first time Xian Yu had ever seen a real Abyss Mage.
What's more, their interactions were astonishing, with an unusual sense of harmony. Can you picture a group of Hilichurls "dancing" together? Some Hilichurls were playfully scratching each other's heads.
The larger Hilichurls and Frostarm Lawachurl sat like philosophers, gazing into the distance as if pondering the meaning of life.
Where were the monsters in this scene? It looked more like a harmonious "society." The division of labor was clear, and their actions were well-organized. If it weren't for their familiar Hilichurl appearances, you might even mistake them for a new race.
"Could those speculations about the ancient civilization I read be true? Are these Hilichurls actually descendants of an ancient nation?"
"Is there transformation into this form a result of the curse?"
Xian Yu pondered these questions, feeling that the speculations about his past life were likely accurate. But he couldn't delve into these mysteries at the moment. Who knew if these ancient truths would draw unwanted attention?
These matters were beyond his current comprehension.
Xian Yu's series of thoughts may seem long, but in reality, only a few breaths had passed. His presence had also been noticed by the Hilichurls.
It was only natural for him to be discovered. A man of his size suddenly appearing in the bright light couldn't be missed, unless someone was visually impaired.
There's a saying that goes, "The most terrifying thing is when the atmosphere suddenly turns quiet."
Although the scene wasn't completely silent, it had grown much quieter than before, and countless eyes were fixed on Xian Yu, giving him a bit of an uneasy feeling.
His life might not have been in immediate danger, but the weight of all those gazes was enough to make his skin prickle.
This Dragonspine mountain had already thrown quite a few surprises his way, and he had only just stepped into the cave. The peak of the mountain still lay ahead, and Xian Yu felt uncertain about what awaited him next.
Maybe he might actually encounter the "Devil."
Just as Xian Yu hesitated about continuing his ascent up the mountain, he suddenly heard a voice coming from the other side.
"Human! Why have you come here?" A slightly hoarse voice inquired.
Xian Yu was taken aback that instead of an immediate attack, the being was asking questions. But when he saw the "individual" who spoke, it all became clear to him.
As for the Abyss Mage, he recalled that these creatures indeed had the ability to communicate.
It was easy to forget, given how he typically fought them in the game, that they could actually talk.
No attack, but a conversation, indicated that there might be no need for a battle. This was a relief. Xian Yu preferred peace above all else.
To be specific, Xian Yu had never intentionally sought out trouble thus far. Others seemed to have a knack for finding him. It was almost a "sad" tale.
"I came here with the sole intention of reaching the mountain's peak. There are some ancestral relics left there, and I've come to retrieve them."
His words, cold and composed, caused the Abyss Mage to eye him strangely, but the creature made no sudden moves.
As for Xian Yu, his words were entirely fabricated. In the land of Teyvat, he had no knowledge of his own ancestors.
Maybe his predecessor knew this, but the key point is that Xian Yu is not a native here! So it's not like he's just casually chatting about it?
To put it plainly, it would be reasonable to feel panicked, but you appear so self-assured!
"Ancestor? I did sense an aura similar to ours from you, but for some reason, you still maintain this form?"
After speaking, he mumbled, "It's truly perplexing..."
A similar aura? Xian Yu's eyes grew puzzled. He was well aware of his own situation. Isn't the aura of an Abyss Mage, well, "abyss"?
"I don't possess any abyssal aura in my body, and I've never encountered the abyss. Why would the Abyss Mage say this?"
"Could this aura refer to 'spiritual power'?"
"No, no, no! That can't be. While my power is unique, it doesn't clash with my identity, and no one has ever mentioned it. So it shouldn't be my power."
If it wasn't connected to his distinctive power, it wasn't difficult to deduce why the other party made that statement.
Xian Yu had just come from Durin's burial site, and he had even taken two dragon teeth with him. Durin's origins could be traced back to the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah, which, like Sal Vindagnyr, was also destroyed in similar way.
Furthermore, he was in close proximity to the core, so it made sense to have a similar aura. However, if that was the case, it raised a new question.
Why hadn't he noticed this at all?
Doubtful but choosing not to dwell on it, Xian Yu proceeded. At least for now, it was a fortunate turn of events. Otherwise, the moment he entered the cave, he might have been met with a barrage of attacks!
Xian Yu, who had been mistaken for someone else, boldly continued inside under the watchful eyes of many.
As long as he didn't expose his flaws, it was unlikely he'd be discovered, since he hadn't been attacked initially.
The Skyfrost Nail was the only thing he knew about. It was an item from Celestia, and it offered an excellent opportunity to observe the "sky."
Xian Yu had no doubt that items from the "Celestia" couldn't be ordinary things!
To reach the mountain's summit, this cave proved to be an insurmountable obstacle, regardless of the timing.
Following the Abyss Mage among the many Hilichurls, Xian Yu slowly ascended.
Xian Yu, trailing behind the Abyss Mage, couldn't help but find it all a bit too easy. Was the Abyss Mage really so readily believed?
Thoughts swirled in his mind. Xian Yu began to reflect.
Why did he automatically associate "abyss" with "evil"?
He had come across a theory: Genshin Impact and Honkai...
Was it a gaming habit, or a preconceived notion?
These Hilichurls and the Abyss Mage had also arrived in this world, and he had never heard of them causing large-scale harm.
The information Xian Yu had came entirely from the game. In games, enemies were a given.
But that didn't mean he had to be an enemy to these creatures now!
Whether they were Hilichurls or Abyss Mages, even the treasure Hoarders didn't harbor a grudge against him. There was no need to target them.
"I nearly fell for the game's trickery!"
"Thankfully, I'm a cultivator, and I've been cultivating myself."
"It has nothing to do with them."
"All conflicts in the world are merely due to positions and interests..."
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