Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [541]

“Did I… win?”

Gu Sanqiu took the medal, feeling a bit dazed. “Wait, passing the trial doesn’t necessarily mean winning… So this means the big boss acknowledges me?”

After a dizzying shift in space, Gu Sanqiu found himself standing on Yaoguang Shoal. The portal behind him vanished instantly, as if it wanted nothing to do with him.

If that portal had any awareness, it’d probably be cursing me for making it work overtime.

Most challengers only took twenty or thirty rounds before they got out. But for him? It turned into an ordeal.

Gu Sanqiu glanced down at the medal. The single character “百” (hundred) was carved in a bold, formal script—befitting the style of the God of War.

After all, a flamboyant doctor’s script wouldn’t exactly belong on the battlefield.

“Not bad. A perfect conclusion.”

He slipped the medal into his pocket. “Got to meet the big boss in person. Guess that counts as making connections?”

His feelings were… complicated. At this rate, he might just beat Goldilocks to the title of ‘Six-Nation Free Pass Prodigy.’

If I can walk anywhere and get recognized, I might truly achieve the dream of never needing a wallet. That’s definitely a status that would make Venti die of jealousy.

Of course, Snezhnaya was out of the question. Goldilocks had some strange kind of universal charm that seemed to work on everyone there, but Gu Sanqiu? Not a chance.

With the Fatui, he’d be lucky if they didn’t try to kill him on sight. Meanwhile, with Goldilocks, unless it was a direct confrontation, he could probably turn any encounter into playful banter, dragging the Harbingers’ dignity straight into the gutter.

Take Liyue, for example. If the usual "Rex Lapis assassinated, city locked down" scenario had played out, Goldilocks wouldn’t even need to run—he could just sit tight and wait for Gu Sanqiu to bail him out.

Goldilocks himself was still relatively straightforward, but that little gremlin Paimon? If she so much as told the Millelith, "We know Gu Sanqiu," the two of them wouldn’t even be arrested. At worst, they’d be escorted to Yuehai Pavilion for some tea.

…Which would completely ruin the rest of the storyline.

Speaking of which, I wonder if Yaya and the others have made any breakthroughs on the Sigil of Permission.

Right. The Sigil of Permission.

Gu Sanqiu’s expression darkened. After so many consecutive battles, his brain had nearly fried, and he’d almost forgotten something this important.

Once I’m done ringing the bell at Canglong Mountain, the Fatui’s secret lab is next on my list to blow up.

Although Madam Alice’s bomb formula was still incomprehensible, improvising with the parts he could understand would actually be safer.

At least that way, I can make sure the explosion stays within a controlled range. No random mountains in Liyue should mysteriously vanish.

“Tch, the giant shadow disappeared again.”

Sighing, Gu Sanqiu took off, stuffing various recovery potions into his mouth along the way to restore his condition as much as possible.

If another weird Abyss creature tries handing me something this time, I won’t be dumb enough to take it. No hesitation—just straight-up yelling, "Xiao, save me! Kill it!"

---

A few hours later, atop Canglong Mountain.

The Mountain Lord held the medal Gu Sanqiu had won from the arena, even going so far as to bring it close and sniff it.

“…Is there supposed to be a distinct smell to it?”

Gu Sanqiu was currently enjoying a special longevity meal from the Canglong Mountain dining hall—nutritious, easy to digest, and perfect for post-battle recovery.

“No, Lord Xiang, you may not know this, but the medals obtained from the arena are actually crafted from a rare mineral mined from the depths of Natlan’s volcanoes. They often carry a unique ‘volcanic scent.’”

The Mountain Lord explained, “This scent is incredibly difficult to forge. Even counterfeit versions can’t perfectly replicate that natural trace. That’s why those who know what they’re doing always check this way.”

“…Fine, I’ll give you that. So, have they arrived yet?”

“They’re on their way.”

The Mountain Lord’s expression turned serious. “By the way, I have something to report. After returning, we conducted a thorough internal investigation… but found no signs of a traitor.”

“This was our sect’s failure. Rest assured, Lord Xiang, we will see this investigation through to the end.”

“No need. Just keep searching at a steady pace, and don’t let paranoia set in. The last thing we need is everyone suspecting each other.”

Gu Sanqiu waved a hand dismissively. “For all we know, the traitor already fled. Maybe they want your sect to tear itself apart with mistrust.”

The real mastermind behind this was Celestia. No matter how thoroughly the sect searched, they’d never find a trace of that.

Gu Sanqiu had originally planned to tell them not to waste their efforts, but on second thought, it might actually do the sect some good—helping them awaken from their long dormancy. So he let it be.

With his consecutive victories, the Mountain Lord now treated Gu Sanqiu as if he were the true leader of the Xuanmen sect.

“We pay our respects to Lord Xiang.”

Leaders from various sects gathered, each taking the medal and instinctively bringing it to their noses for inspection. Gu Sanqiu sighed.

First thing I’m doing later is a thorough scrub-down.

Honestly, if it were just a bunch of delicate ladies sniffing it, he might have let it slide. But a group of burly old men doing it? He was already holding back from dousing the medal in disinfectant.

“Confirmed?”

This wasn’t a battle, so only the leaders had shown up. The muscleheads who had once ganged up on Gu Sanqiu were nowhere in sight. Instead, the group consisted of sect masters, grand elders, and other high-ranking figures.

“Lord Xiang, please strike the Bell of Contest.”

Everyone acknowledged him now. Achieving a hundred consecutive victories wasn’t entirely unprecedented, but it was enough to prove that even within all of Teyvat, Gu Sanqiu had secured a seat at the table.

Of course, that seat was still limited to the mortal realm. The pursuit of a higher path was something the sect had been chasing for countless years.

“Ring the bell? Sure.”

Gu Sanqiu took the golden striker and silver cord, chuckling. He had considered turning this into a grand succession ceremony—just to flex in front of his friends.

But he decided against it. Once he finished up in Minlin, he had to head straight for the Fatui’s research base. No time for theatrics.

“You’re supposed to be the sacred treasure of our sect. So why did you cower the moment the big boss showed up? Useless thing.”

He ran a hand over the golden bell, carefully tying the ceremonial bindings before lifting the striker.

Dong—Dong—Dong—

Three strikes.

Ascension achieved.

Across Canglong Mountain, throughout the various sects in Minlin, everyone who heard the sound instinctively stopped what they were doing and turned toward the mountain, bowing in respect.

The sect had a leader once more.

If the Liyue Qixing were the “gloves” of Liyue Harbor, and Rex Lapis its true ruler, then in Minlin, the sect’s leader was an equal to the Geo Archon himself.

A new King of Minlin had risen.

...

“So, it’s done… Young Master Sanqiu.”

High above the clouds, Moon Carver stood, listening to the bell’s chime. Beside him, a blue-and-white crane let out a soft snort.

“Hmph. With Young Master’s talent, this outcome was inevitable.”

The two Avian Adepti flapped their wings.

“Was this occasion truly worth our time?”

“We’re not watching from the shadows,” Moon Carver said. “Liushui Dishan is the one hiding.”

His gaze turned sharp. “Unfortunately… the ones meant to interfere didn’t take the bait.”

---

This is a fan translation of 原神之璃月奉香人 by 淡白蛋清. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!