[…I knew a face-con like Stelle wouldn't let Yiya slip by, but I didn't expect her to quietly do big things.]
[I bet Stelle followed Silver Wolf's VOD to get Yiya.]
[Those of us without Yiya thought we found a kindred spirit—turns out I'm the one who needs to be committed to Arkham.]
After some prerequisite dialogue, Zhongli's Story Quest Act I officially began.
It started with a conversation with historian Wanyun. Midway, a Fatui named Clement joined in.
Stelle was shocked: "There are Fatui in this place?"
[Wait—aren't all the Fatui in Liyue in prison right now? Is this one a fugitive?]
[Is it like Childe's Story Quest—personal reasons, got a one-day jailbreak?]
[Childe had a reason—to accompany his little brother. That was approved by Ziwei Star.]
Speaking of which, Stelle laughed: "Approved by Ziwei Star, yes—but Xuanjian approved Childe's jailbreak, not Childe's vacation."
"Just sent off his little brother, and boom—half a month more jail time for jailbreaking."
[We even got a hefty reward from Xuanjian for returning Liyue prisoners.]
[Thanks Childe for the Mora donation.]
Clement's appearance instantly put Lumine and Paimon on high alert. Then, with Zhongli's explanation, they learned that he was officially permitted by Liyue authorities to conduct archaeology in Liyue.
Zhongli had been invited as an advisor to Clement's archaeology team due to his vast knowledge. Historian Wanyun, having matters to consult Zhongli about, volunteered to join.
Next, Zhongli extended an invitation to Lumine and Paimon, giving Clement a reason he couldn't refuse.
Zhongli: "My friend here would never miss a single chest in sight."
Paimon: "I'm good at that too!"
[Opening ten minutes—two famous scenes already.]
[Didn't expect even Master Zhong to notice. You're too kind—I'm not that great, it's mostly Moon Mom.]
"Heh, I'm not just about chests—if it's materials, I won't miss them either." Stelle said proudly, then agreed to Zhongli's invitation and joined the archaeology team.
After agreeing, the group headed to Guyun Stone Forest—to search for ancient artifacts on the graves of Osial and the Jade Chamber.
They found no valuable ancient artifacts—but plenty of valuable decorations.
All remnants left from the day the Jade Chamber transformed into a sky-based weapon—parts that needed to be delivered to Yuehai Pavilion.
Half a month was enough for Ningguang to clear all her office antiques—but not enough to remove every piece of decoration.
So now at sea, Jade Chamber wreckage could sell for high prices—provided someone dared to buy.
Thus, the archaeology team returned completely empty-handed.
[Digging graves—only the coffin was valuable.]
[This guy actually thought there'd be good stuff left in Guyun after that kind of battle.]
[Two rounds minimum. During the Archon War, Jun Bai and Osial fought here too. If there hadn't been a second round, there might still be remnants from the first battle. Unfortunately there was a second round.]
[No matter what the first battle left behind—after Jun Bai's explosion and the Jade Chamber's suppression in the second battle, all that's left is Jade Chamber relics.]
During this, Wanyun and Clement had a fierce argument due to differing ideals.
Thanks to Zhongli and Lumine's mediation, it didn't escalate to physical conflict.
After discussion, the group—with Clement insisting against all objections—set their next destination: the Salt in the Sea.
This Fatui, unwilling to return empty-handed, decided to follow Wanyun's story of the God of Salt and explore related ruins in the Salt in the Sea, hoping to find something.
Arriving at the Salt in the Sea, the ruins were sealed and required breaking the seal to proceed.
Relying on Zhongli's knowledge, the group smoothly broke the seal. But before entering the ruins, Zhongli—hoping to avoid previous disputes—proposed a contract: take items in turns, one per person each time.
Wanyun and Clement—knowing the ruins' mechanisms required Zhongli's knowledge—agreed.
After signing the contract, the group entered the ruins.
Inside the ruins, Clement—driven by greed—tried to tear up the contract and monopolize everything in the ruins.
Zhongli: "Rex Lapis once said: a contract once made, the oath-breaker shall suffer the Punishment of Eating Stone."
Then, the livestream viewers watched this Fatui take the initiative to attack Zhongli.
[I can hardly believe my eyes—this guy thinks he's Second Brother?]
[Four Harbingers used every trick to avoid Rex Lapis—even unleashing Osial. Yet this brave soul directly confronts Rex Lapis.]
[Cryo Archon: If you can win, the godhood isn't impossible for you.]
[Celebrate—the boldest Fatui in history is born! Let us shout his name: Clement!]
"I respect every brave warrior."
Stelle saluted Clement with utmost seriousness. Then, after Zhongli held E to apply shield, she switched to her C6+1 Jun Bai: "Two gods fighting together—this is the greatest sincerity I can offer!"
"I will end your suffering as quickly as possible."
Clement—out!
After being defeated, Clement left ruthless words about exerting diplomatic pressure on Liyue before fleeing the ruins.
Fourth Seat unable to withstand diplomatic pressure: True or false!
Three Harbingers currently in prison: Go for it!
Second Seat repeatedly executed: I believe in you!
After Clement fled, Wanyun also revealed herself as a devout believer of the God of Salt.
This fanatic follower of the God of Salt spoke passionately and revealed what she believed to be the truth—
Rex Lapis and Phenex joined forces to ambush the God of Salt, leading to her death.
Stelle: "…"
[Stelle's silence is deafening.]
[How on earth did she reach this conclusion?]
[She must not have seen the fire tree and silver flowers rising from the sea the other day—if she could say something like this.]
[Osial: Yes, the Sky Phoenix Marshal needed to team up with Rex Lapis just to kill one god.]
"Borrowing a line from the Prime Minister—I have never seen such shamelessness." Stelle imitated the Prime Minister's tone to nine-tenths perfection.
Lumine and Paimon wore expressions of "Are you awake?"
They didn't know the God of Salt's strength—but they knew the Sky Phoenix Marshal's strength all too well.
Zhongli made no response and led the group deeper.
Then, in the depths of the ruins, facing what appeared to be two broken sword halves once used by the God of Salt, Wanyun likewise decided to tear up the contract—just to take the two sword pieces.
And the Punishment of Eating Stone Zhongli gave Wanyun for breaking the contract was—heart-piercing truth.
Zhongli calmly told her the truth that would shatter her faith.
The God of Salt was not only weak but, due to her kindness and cowardice, invited betrayal and destruction. The broken sword enshrined there was the very weapon used by the God of Salt's own people to slay their god.
The Salt in the Sea today was the result of the God of Salt's fall.
And the ones Wanyun regarded as the chief culprits in the God of Salt's death—Rex Lapis and the Sky Phoenix Marshal—were not her enemies. In fact, the Sky Phoenix Marshal was the God of Salt's friend.