Just as the Abyss Herald blades were about to strike Lumine, Qiu Bai instantly moved in front of her.
With nothing but a single finger, he effortlessly blocked the full force of the Abyss Herald's attack!
"You… what are you?!"
"This is impossible!"
The Abyss Herald voice trembled with pure shock.
No matter how much force he exerted, the scholarly-looking man before him didn't even budge his finger remained completely unmoved!
Paimon, witnessing this, quickly flew over.
"Hmph! You big bad guy!"
"With Qiu Bai here, let's see what you can do now!"
Hands on her hips, Paimon mocked the utterly dumbfounded Abyss Herald.
Lumine, too, smiled as she watched Qiu Bai stand before her.
"You really don't understand, do you?"
"I've got something interesting for you."
Qiu Bai lips curved into a playful smirk.
He slowly extended his left hand, holding up a single finger, and waved it slightly in front of the struggling Abyss Herald face.
A moment later—
That same finger began radiating an eerie, pitch-black aura.
The surrounding space warped, an overwhelming sense of suffocation filling the air wherever the black mist touched.
The Abyss Herald stiffened.
The moment he sensed that aura, cold sweat dripped down his face.
Without a second thought, he leapt backward at full speed, opening a portal and vanishing without a trace.
Qiu Bai chuckled.
"Heh… that was fast."
"If I really wanted to erase you, you would've ceased to exist long ago."
He rubbed his chin, watching the space where the Abyss Herald had just disappeared, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Qiu Bai, that was amazing!"
"What was that black energy? Even from so far away, it made me feel like I couldn't breathe!"
Paimon, still staring at the spot where the Abyss Herald had fled, hurriedly flew up to Qiu Bai, her curiosity overflowing.
The pressure she had felt from that black mist was no less terrifying than what the Abyss Herald had experienced.
Lumine narrowed her eyes in thought.
"That black aura of Qiu Bai… I think I've seen it before."
Her mind drifted back to the battle against Osial.
Back then, Qiu Bai had still taken the form of Yin-Yang Immortal, floating high in the sky, calmly facing the ancient sea god's wrath.
He had raised one hand, releasing that same eerie black mist and in an instant, Osial devastating attack had been completely erased.
The energy Qiu Bai had used then.
It was almost identical to what he had just displayed now.
Qiu Bai let out a light chuckle, glancing at Paimon and Lumine confused expressions.
"That is my divine power."
"The power of a god who governs Yin and Yang."
"The divine power of the God who governs Yin and Yang?"
Paimon still looked at Qiu Bai, her face full of confusion.
Seeing this, Qiu Bai simply raised his finger and pointed toward a large boulder in the distance.
In an instant—
The massive rock dissolved into countless black specks of light, vanishing completely.
"Wahhh!"
Paimon let out a shocked scream, her eyes fixed on the spot where the boulder had once stood, now completely empty.
Lumine eyes also widened in disbelief, staring at the space where the rock had disappeared, momentarily speechless.
"Q-Qiu Bai…"
"Please, never point your finger at me again."
Paimon gulped, her voice carrying a trace of fear as she looked at Qiu Bai.
She was genuinely terrified that, with just a casual flick of his finger, she might vanish from Teyvat forever.
Qiu Bai chuckled.
"Hahaha."
"Little Paimon, I have complete control over my divine power. You don't need to worry."
Seeing her worried expression, he reached out his palm, still emanating that eerie black mist, and placed it gently on Paimon head.
Paimon squeezed her eyes shut, her tiny legs curling inward as she clutched her hands tightly against her chest.
She braced for the worst…
But after a moment.
Instead of feeling anything terrifying, a warm sensation spread across her head.
Curious, she peeked open one eye, glancing at Qiu Bai, who was simply patting her head.
She looked at her own hands completely fine.
She hadn't disappeared.
Even the strange suffocating aura from before had completely vanished.
"Huff… You idiot! Can't you at least give me a warning before trying something like that?!"
"That was seriously terrifying, okay?!"
Paimon let out a deep sigh of relief, then immediately crossed her arms, turned her back to Qiu Bai, and huffed angrily.
"Hehe…"
Lumine smiled at the scene, comforting her.
"Don't worry, Paimon. Qiu Bai would never hurt you."
After a brief pause, Paimon turned back, her face thoughtful.
"Still, that Abyss Herald was really strong."
"I didn't think the Abyss Order had such powerful creatures among them."
She waved her hands, looking at Lumine with a bit of unease.
"We're almost at the ruins exit."
"Let's hurry! This place is way too creepy—I don't wanna stay here a second longer!"
With that, Paimon shook her head and urged Qiu Bai and Lumine forward.
The three of them headed toward the exit of the ruins.
Just as they stepped outside—
They were met with the sight of a lone figure.
A golden-haired man, wearing a dark mask, with a flowing cape draped over his back.
It was Dainsleif.
His gaze swept over them, and he spoke in a low, measured tone.
"Our reunion has come sooner than I expected."
"Judging by your expressions, I assume you've already encountered the Abyss Herald inside?"
His eyes then shifted to Qiu Bai, his expression curious.
"And this person is…?"
Dainsleif turned to Lumine and Paimon, awaiting an answer.
Paimon was just about to explain Qiu Bai identity.
But before she could say a word, Qiu Bai casually raised a hand and smiled at Dainsleif.
"I am Qiu Bai, a guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Nice to meet you."
"Yes… He is indeed the guest consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor—Mr. Qiu Bai."
Paimon scratched her head, glancing at Qiu Bai, who was clearly trying to keep a low profile.
"I see."
Dainsleif crossed his arms, his sharp gaze sweeping over Qiu Bai before turning to Lumine.
"Can I trust him completely?"
Lumine placed a hand over her chest and nodded firmly.
"Yes, you can."
"I trust Qiu Bai."
"Yeah, yeah! Qiu Bai is super strong!"
"A really powerful ally!"
Paimon clapped her hands, trying to reassure the still-wary Dainsleif.
Dainsleif studied Lumine and Paimon expressions, then turned his curious gaze back to Qiu Bai.
"If that's the case, then I'll continue."
He exhaled slightly before explaining.
"I am still investigating the Abyss Heralds."
"I didn't expect to run into you here."
He extended a hand slightly, emphasizing his words.
"In fact, this ruin holds even deeper mysteries."
Lumine furrowed her brows and began recounting everything they had seen—the upside-down Statue of The Seven, the twisted way in which the ruins inhabitants had perished—every eerie anomaly they had encountered.
Dainsleif expression darkened.
"An inverted statue and the Abyssal energy in its hands?"
"No, even in all my battles against the Abyss, I've never seen anything quite like that."
His eyes flickered with thought before he muttered:
"But I have my suspicions."
Then, his gaze shifted back to Qiu Bai.
"And this Abyss Herald you mentioned—if it couldn't even withstand a single finger from Mr. Qiu Bai…"
Dainsleif let out a low chuckle.
"Interesting. I've never encountered a Herald so weak before."
"This is a rare opportunity. Come, let's chase after it."
Just as he was about to move, a voice called out from behind him.
"Dains, no need to trouble yourself."
The voice belonged to Qiu Bai.
Dainsleif turned, his brows furrowing slightly at the sudden interjection.
"Hmm?"
His displeasure was evident.
"If we waste too much time, we'll lose the best opportunity to catch up."
"Heh."
Qiu Bai simply smiled and extended a hand.
"Come, grab onto me."
"I've already found the trail you're looking for."
Lumine and Paimon didn't hesitate for even a second—they immediately reached out and grabbed the edge of Qiu Bai's cloak.
Dainsleif, on the other hand, hesitated.
He stared at the utter trust in Lumine and Paimon's faces, lost in thought.
After a moment, he let out a quiet sigh and stepped forward
Grasping onto Qiu Bai cloak as well.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)