Genshin Impact's Incense Burner of Liyue [483]

"Will that day eventually arrive as well?"

Zhongli murmured to himself, "Liyue needs an opportunity for transformation, even now—a moment to catalyze its metamorphosis."

"As for the Gu Clan, an ancient part of this land… will it crumble entirely under the pressure of erosion brought by change?"

"But regardless of whether it is me or Liyue itself, have we truly prepared to bear the cost of such a transformation?"

"If the trial can be overcome… perhaps that contract wouldn’t be impossible to fulfill."

The golden-brown hue of a mysterious power stirred the air of the Stone Forest. Apart from the occasional gust of wind and the faint rustling of rock fragments, the domain fell into a deep and unbroken silence.

---

"Here comes the young master!"

Gu Sanqiu free-fell into the chasm’s depths, cheerfully ignoring the designated stairways that the mining operations had built. Honestly, bungee-jumping straight into the crevice—sans rope—was faster.

I wonder if Goldilocks has figured out some new teleportation mechanics in Mondstadt. If so, maybe he could set up a few anchor points here in The Chasm. That’d be the ultimate shortcut.

A gust of wind carrying a faint stench swept past, prompting Gu Sanqiu to frown and activate his Geo shield. It was then that a realization struck him.

Unpurified corruption like this doesn’t wait for adventurers to clean it up. There’s no way it’d kindly stay confined to one spot.

The way the air circulated in the underground mining zone meant that traces of corruption were likely spreading all over, albeit at varying concentrations.

"It’s only a matter of intensity," he muttered to himself. "For now, it’s manageable."

As he continued descending, he spotted clusters of tumor-like black-and-purple growths along the way.

"So, even the monsters and Geovishaps here have been tainted. This corruption is more serious than I thought."

He hadn’t brought any Lumenstone Adjuvant with him. Given how tightly regulated that resource was after the closure of The Chasm, trying to procure some would only alert his elder sister.

Want to head into The Chasm?
Kneel first, you little brat!

"Technically, I’m still within Liyue’s borders, so this doesn’t even count as adventuring. Yeah, that’s a solid argument," he reassured himself, glancing at a nearby group of monsters. The smarter ones had already chosen to build nests near human structures, far away from the strange orbs of corruption.

"So much filth… Clearly, Lumenstone alone isn’t enough to solve this. We’d need catalysts. But of course, that’s restricted technology."

Gu Sanqiu clicked his tongue. Specialized problems like this are Goldilocks’ domain anyway. If he ever needs to come here, I’ll just push the Qixing to hand him some catalysts.

What’s a little catalyst compared to his ability to clean up most of the corruption in The Chasm?

A pure-hearted traveler with no strings attached… What were they even afraid of? As if he’d smuggle Liyue’s restricted resources out to anyone else.

Sure, the traveler might get a modest reward for their efforts, but compared to the economic value The Chasm could generate once purified? Pocket change.

And if they refuse to pay?
Don’t worry. I’ll fund it myself. Once the corruption’s gone, the entire Chasm belongs to me!
Anyone who wants to mine here? Fork over a mountain of Mora! (crossed out)

Gu Sanqiu coughed awkwardly. Though, yeah… that might get me beaten up.

"Still, I never expected the underground mines to be in such a state. No wonder Lord Jueyun gave in to erosion and did what he did."

His mood grew complicated. It seemed that no matter where you went, humanity’s hunger for resources—masked under the guise of sustainability—was a universal truth.

When it came to so-called “unclaimed resources” or “nature’s gifts,” human greed far outstripped any temptation offered by demons or monsters.

Buzz.

A mysterious wave of energy pulsed from deep within the mines. The moment it touched him, Gu Sanqiu’s face went pale. He lost control of his elemental power and plummeted straight to the ground.

Boom!

Climbing out of the small crater he had made, Gu Sanqiu coughed and spat out some dust he had accidentally inhaled. Wiping his mouth, he muttered, "Good thing I’m durable. But what the heck was that?"

The wave carried an overwhelming, almost commanding force. In that instant, it gave him the same gut-wrenching dread as when he had once faced Lord Jueyun’s malice directly.

"A no-fly zone in The Chasm? How did Lord Jueyun even move around here back in the day?"

Then he paused and nodded to himself. "Oh, right. Lord Jueyun couldn’t fly either. Never mind."

Even as he joked, Gu Sanqiu raised his shield again, gripped his spear tightly, and extended his spiritual senses outward, ready for any threats that might appear.

"A no-fly zone… This doesn’t feel like a natural remnant of The Chasm’s forces."

Buzz.

The wave pulsed again, but this time it didn’t harm him. Instead, it carried a pure yet chaotic spiritual energy, radiating a strange sense of joy.

Suddenly, tears streamed down Gu Sanqiu’s face. Stunned and bewildered, he looked toward the depths of The Chasm.

"What’s down there?"

He wiped at his tears, but they wouldn’t stop falling, as if drawn out by the wave’s influence.

"I have to see it. I have to!"

Determination lit up his eyes as he started running at full speed. Aside from dodging the occasional patches of corruption, anything in his way—monsters, obstacles, ruins—was obliterated by sheer physical force.

The spiritual wave seemed to recognize his determination, subtly guiding his path with faint pulses of energy, leading him onward.

---

"Hey, uh, boss… Do you know what’s happening over there?"

A Treasure Hoarder nervously gulped, glancing at the dust clouds and rumbling sounds in the distance.

"Not a clue," replied his companion, just as shaken. "But stay away. Stay far, far away!"

The Treasure Hoarders quickly scattered like frightened birds, unwilling to get anywhere near the rampaging figure tearing through the mine.

Meanwhile, after nearly half an hour of nonstop sprinting, Gu Sanqiu finally skidded to a halt.

"This…"

Tears still streaking his face, Gu Sanqiu stared in shock at the scene before him.

The underground mine was in ruins.

Decayed weapons, corruption-stained soil, and countless skeletons littered the battlefield.

The remains lay scattered in all directions—some frozen mid-strike, others collapsed where they had stood. It was as if the power of the ley lines had preserved this place, sparing it from weathering away completely.

"Is this… one of the battlefields of old?"

The oppressive spiritual energy dissipated into the air, and without its influence, his tears finally stopped. Kneeling, Gu Sanqiu gently touched one of the skeletal remains.

"So it was you who guided me here."

The spiritual wave surged again, bringing with it echoes of battle cries and furious roars.

"This is Liyue’s land! Begone, all ye demons!"

"Behind us lies our homeland of stone. Stand firm and hold the line!"

"Millelith, fight to the death without retreat!"

"Millelith shall stand firm as a fortress! Armor and spears shall guard against all evils!"

The skeletons, seemingly frozen in defiance, weren’t deserters. They had fallen not because they fled but because the monstrous tide had been too overwhelming. The soldiers had formed unyielding battle formations, resisting until their last breath.

"These were… heroes of their time."

Deep beneath The Chasm, the ground was littered with the remains of legends.

---

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!