When Qiu Nian reappeared, he was already beside a tree.
Another unconscious Millelith soldier leaned against it, brows tightly furrowed, clearly in great pain.
Using the same method, Qiu Nian removed Azhdaha's influence from him, then continued his search.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Zhongli and Kun Jun, whom Old Dai had invited, engaged in a brief exchange of expertise.
Both acknowledged each other's knowledge, and Old Dai, impressed by their understanding of geology and minerals, decided to enlist both of them.
In the end, Lumine and Paimon followed them to a mining site outside the Chasm.
While searching for four missing miners—
Kun Jun demonstrated an ability to perceive the "memories" of ores.
Through this, they discovered that the missing miners had followed a blue-haired little girl and left.
Kun Jun revealed that he had lost part of his memory.
He only vaguely remembered needing to find something called "Dragon-Quelling Stones."
Zhongli agreed to help him search.
Following Kun Jun's ability, they traveled north and eventually found one of the missing miners near Nantianmen.
Afterward, Kun Jun gave Lumine and Zhongli each a piece of "Old Stone" as thanks.
Zhongli explained that Dragon-Quelling Stones were a rare type of mineral.
Most crystals formed naturally under high temperatures—
But Dragon-Quelling Stones were the result of elemental reactions.
They originated from a great battle hundreds or even thousands of years ago.
Formed from the violent collision of elemental forces—
These crystals had miraculously endured to this day.
However—
As crystallized constructs, they were extremely rare and not widely known.
And centuries ago—
They had already been completely mined out.
So why would someone in modern-day Liyue—
Be searching for something that no longer existed?
If Kun Jun truly knew of such stones—
He should also know they were long gone.
Although there were some mining enthusiasts interested in Dragon-Quelling Stones—
Someone like Kun Jun, searching for them without even knowing why…
Was extremely unusual.
Because of this—
Zhongli grew suspicious of Kun Jun and decided to observe him further.
A few days later, at noon—
Bright sunlight illuminated the canyon.
On Qiu Nian's side—
He had already found all the missing Millelith.
And gathered them together in a shaded area.
After finishing this—
He notified the Millelith stationed outside the Chasm.
Soon, the unconscious soldiers were transported back to Liyue Harbor for examination.
With that done—
Qiu Nian began walking toward the direction of the Dragon-Queller Tree.
A spring breeze carrying the scent of flowers brushed past him.
He took a deep breath of the fresh air.
"The agitated Geovishaps…"
"Were likely stirred up by the ancient Geovishap—Azhdaha's kin."
"Has even that ancient Geovishap awakened from its slumber?"
"After resolving this matter…"
"I should pay it a visit."
He walked along a small stream, thinking to himself.
After some time—
He arrived beneath the enormous Dragon-Queller Tree.
This massive tree—
Was in fact the tip of Azhdaha's tail.
And beneath it—
Qiu Nian encountered Lumine, Paimon, and Kun Jun, who were also investigating.
"You're here too?!"
Paimon exclaimed in surprise.
Lumine smiled and nodded at him.
"To think we'd run into you here."
Qiu Nian walked up to them—
Then turned his gaze toward Kun Jun.
"And this gentleman is…?"
"Hello, Mr. Qiu Nian. My name is Kun Jun."
Kun Jun stepped forward and introduced himself.
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"…Strange."
"Why do you feel familiar to me…"
"Just like Mr. Zhongli does?"
"But we've never met…"
Kun Jun said, looking puzzled.
"Even you feel that way about Qiu Nian?"
Paimon asked in disbelief.
"…No."
"Compared to Mr. Zhongli…"
"The sense of familiarity I feel from Mr. Qiu Nian…"
"Is much weaker."
Kun Jun shook his head.
"Mr. Zhongli and I are both consultants at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."
"Perhaps you've seen us somewhere before."
Qiu Nian replied with a light chuckle.
So this current "Kun Jun"—
The benevolent will of Azhdaha—
Had not yet come into contact with that stone tablet.
That was why—
His sense of familiarity toward Qiu Nian was only faint.
After all, Qiu Nian had only stayed in Liyue for ten years back then.
Their time together wasn't long.
"My lord, you finally showed up!"
Xuehua said excitedly upon seeing Qiu Nian.
[So this is when he appears]
[Lumine is investigating missing miners, Qiu Nian is investigating missing Millelith… are their paths converging here?]
[Kun Jun feels familiarity toward both Zhongli and Qiu Nian… could he be that chunky monster from the PV? (facepalm)]
[Doesn't seem like it]
[Qiu Nian, please just enter the banner already! (crying)]
[If not, at least give us another Guixu blessing (laughing)]
"…Kun Jun feels familiarity toward both Qiu Nian and Zhongli…"
Lumine placed a hand on her chin, thinking.
"Oh right, Qiu Nian—why are you here?"
"Weren't you investigating the missing Millelith?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"I've already found them."
"When I did, they were unconscious—but fortunately not in critical condition."
"I informed the Millelith stationed outside the Chasm and had them sent back to Liyue Harbor."
"After that, I felt like taking a walk…"
"And ended up here."
"Just happened to run into you all."
Qiu Nian explained calmly.
"The missing Millelith were unconscious too?"
"That sounds just like the missing miners…"
Lumine immediately caught the key detail.
"…It really does."
Paimon and Kun Jun nodded.
Qiu Nian feigned a puzzled expression.
"It's like this—"
Paimon began explaining everything from start to finish.
"I see."
"So aside from the Millelith who disappeared ten days ago…"
"There are also missing miners."
"And even their symptoms are nearly identical…"
Qiu Nian rested his hand on his chin, looking slightly surprised.
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