The next morning, Qiu Bai woke up early.
Stretching lazily as he stepped out of the inn, he noticed Zhongli emerging from another door.
"Morning, old friend," Zhongli greeted with a warm smile.
"Heh, morning, Morax," Qiu Bai chuckled, waving casually.
At that moment, Bonanus stepped out of a nearby guest room and approached them.
"Good morning, Lord Rex Lapis," she greeted Zhongli before turning to Qiu Bai.
"Lord Qiu Bai, do you still remember what happened last night?"
Qiu Bai lips twitched slightly—Lord Qiu Bai? What kind of title was that?
"Of course, I remember."
"Didn't you say you had a favor to ask me?"
Looking down at the petite Yaksha, Qiu Bai smiled.
"Yes, Lord Qiu Bai." Bonanus nodded, her expression turning serious.
"About six hundred years ago, I discovered a place..."
Her brows furrowed as she recalled the past.
"It's located a few hundred li from Liyue Harbor, in what is now known as Tianqiu Valley on the modern Liyue map."
"When I passed through that area six centuries ago, I felt something strange."
She paused for a moment, as if trying to recall the details.
After reviewing the latest maps of Liyue last night, she had pinpointed the location once again.
"Now, six hundred years have passed,"
"I don't know what has become of that place."
"Would you accompany me there, Lord Qiu Bai?"
Her large, watery blue eyes were filled with anticipation.
Qiu Bai fell into deep thought.
What could be so important that she specifically needed him?
Couldn't the Four Yakshas handle it?
"...Alright, I'll go with you."
"I don't have anything else to do anyway."
Facing those bright blue eyes and that adorable face, refusing was simply impossible.
"Morax, I'll be heading out first,"
"I'll leave those drunken Yakshas to you."
Qiu Bai turned to Zhongli with a smirk.
"Haha, leave them to me."
"As for the place Bonanus mentioned… I, too, have sensed something unusual there."
"But for you, old friend, it shouldn't pose any threat."
Zhongli eyes held a knowing glint as he offered a subtle warning.
"Oh right, Morax."
Qiu Bai suddenly produced a yin-yang fish jade pendant in his hand.
It was the symbol of authority belonging to his younger sister.
"Give this to Qiu Yue for me."
Then, he handed it to Zhongli.
"Alright, I'll remember this," Zhongli nodded.
"I imagine the Director is getting anxious as well. I'll take the Yakshas and find a place for them to settle in."
Zhongli smiled at Qiu Bai, who returned the gesture with a nod before turning to Bonanus.
"Hold on tight, Bonanus." (T/N: Yeah, dunno what author smokin here)
"So, Tianqiu Valley, huh? That's quite far..."
Qiu Bai stroked his chin. That location was near the very edge of Liyue.
But then again, it wasn't as distant as Jueyun Karst.
"Understood, Lord Qiu Bai."
Without hesitation, Bonanus clutched a corner of Qiu Bai robe with her small, delicate hands.
In an instant, Qiu Bai channeled his divine power, and the two of them vanished from Wangshu Inn.
The scene shifted, and when they reappeared, they stood atop a mountain in Tianqiu Valley.
The morning sun had just begun to rise, casting golden light over the vast lowland plain.
Ruins stretched out in the distance, with a large lake shimmering beneath the sky.
Qiu Bai scanned the area with his divine sense. Aside from a few archaeology teams, there were also some Treasure Hoarders lingering around.
"Not many people here," he mused.
"Well, that makes sense—it is a gathering place for Geo Vishaps."
He rubbed his chin, now understanding why the area remained mostly uninhabited.
Meanwhile, Bonanus covered her mouth with her small hands, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"That was an enormous distance yet Lord Qiu Bai brought me here in an instant!"
"Even flying would have taken so long..."
Her water-blue eyes blinked rapidly as she stared at Qiu Bai, who remained as calm and composed as ever.
"Bonanus, where exactly is the place you're referring to?"
"Point it out, and I'll take you there."
Qiu Bai deep, magnetic voice snapped Bonanus out of her daze.
She shook her head, regaining focus, and looked down at the valley below.
A mountain stood in the distance, with winding trails surrounding it and a river flowing nearby.
She raised her small hand and pointed in that direction.
"Lord Qiu Bai, it should be there."
"But something about it feels different now."
Her crisp, youthful voice carried a hint of uncertainty.
"Heh, no worries."
"We can take our time searching. Just hold on tight again, Bonanus."
Qiu Bai waved his hand dismissively with a smile.
After all, he had plenty of free time—helping this little girl wasn't a problem.
Bonanus obediently grasped Qiu Bai hand.
Qiu Bai activated his divine power once more, and in an instant, they vanished from the mountain peak reappearing at the location Bonanus had pointed to.
The two of them landed beside a small creek, surrounded by forest.
Scattered around were abandoned campsites, long since left to decay.
The moment he touched the ground, Qiu Bai felt something was off.
"Strange… Bonanus sensed something unusual here."
"Why don't I try sensing it myself?"
His lips twitched slightly.
For a brief moment, he had almost forgotten that he was a god.
Sweeping the area with his divine sense, Qiu Bai immediately sensed something amiss.
His gaze shifted toward the cave at the very end of the creek.
"So, it really is there?"
Qiu Bai muttered under his breath.
From inside that cave, a strange aura was emanating.
"What's wrong, Lord Qiu Bai?"
"Did you sense something too?"
Bonanus tilted her head in confusion upon hearing Qiu Bai murmur.
"I have a rough idea now, Bonanus."
"Come with me."
Qiu Bai turned to her with a gentle smile before striding forward, following the creek toward the cave at its end.
Bonanus obediently followed, sticking close behind him.
Just as they were about to arrive, a group of people emerged from the opposite direction.
Judging by their attire and equipment, they appeared to be an archaeological team.
Among them, three members carried Visions at their waists and held weapons in hand—likely acting as bodyguards to protect the scholars.
Seeing Qiu Bai and Bonanus approaching, the group looked at them with puzzled expressions.
"A scholar and a young girl?"
"This area is too dangerous. You should come with us."
One of the female guards, her Vision dangling from her waist, called out kindly.
They were confused, why would a frail scholar wander in the wild with a delicate young girl?
Did they not fear the monsters lurking in the area?
Looking closer, the group noticed that neither the scholar nor the girl had Visions.
Qiu Bai chuckled softly.
"I appreciate your concern."
"But don't worry, we're just here to enjoy the scenery. Besides, there aren't many monsters in this area."
His tone was warm and composed as he met the woman's gaze.
"Wait a moment, isn't this the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's guest consultant, Mr. Qiu Bai?"
One of the male archaeologists suddenly recognized him.
"This is the new guest consultant at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, just like Mr. Zhongli. He's incredibly knowledgeable—he knows everything!"
His voice was filled with admiration as he turned to his fellow teammates.
This man had once lost a friend in a battle against monsters.
When he went to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to arrange a burial, it was Qiu Bai who had personally assisted him.
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