Hello everyone...Right now I don't how should I feel now. After 90 pulls I was guarantee a 5 star pull in Genshin Impact. But instead of getting Zhongli like I wanted. I got Jean instead...which is a big bummer.
Anyway, welcome to the next part for the Zhongli quest I hope you all enjoy it. Now I will go to the corner and cry in misery.
Everyone saw the figure before them and it's someone they never seen before.
He was a handsome young man that messy black hair and green eyes. He wore black green clothing with a while jacket over it.
(Anyone who doesn't know him. He is a new character for the new upcoming game of Miyoho. Honkai: Star Rail. Something that I am looking forward to)
The girls(besides the main girls) blushes in seeing the handsome man before them.
"Greetings everyone. I am Danheng. I am called here as the host and representative the one who pulled you all here in the theater." The man explained. Everyone eyes widen in hearing this.
"Tell us why did your master brought us all here." Jean asked as she the one who steps up and speak.
"To reveal some truth from what my master told me. I'm also here to prevent from any fights or blood being spilled. After Mr. Xiao sudden attempt to attack Miss Wanyan. Master decided to bring someone to prevent any serious fights from happening." Danheng explained and Jean nodded in understanding. "Mr. Aether"
"Yes?" Aether asked as Danheng looks at him.
"My Master would like to thank you for preventing any blood being spilled. As a reward he allow you to have one wish." Danheng said. Aether eyes widen in hearing and immediately knew what is wish was.
"Can you bring my sister here?!" Aether asked with hope in his voice. Wanting to meet his sister again and try talk to her.
Danheng closes his eyes for a few seconds and Aether was tense in, hoping that his request would be accepted.
Danheng opens his eyes and spoke. "My master agreed but I will bring your sister here after showing your journey with Mr. Zhongli as my master instructions." Aether was happy to hear this and could wait as he knew that waiting for an hour or so is much better than other options.
"Now there two more people my master wanted to bring." Danheng said and suddenly a flash of light happened again which blinded everyone beside Danheng.
The light die down and soon everyone look back and saw Zhongli and Venti appeared before everyone.
Zhongli and Venti eyes opened and look around and was surprised to see everyone.
"Where are we?" Venti asked.
"Hello Mr. Zhongli and Mr. Venti." Danheng stood before them. "I am Danheng and welcome to the theater."
"Tell us Mr. Danheng. Why did you brought us here?" Zhongli asked respectfully.
"Everyone here was teleported by my master. He wishes for us to watch the multiverse that specifically focus on Mr Aether and his adventures." Danheng explained. The two archons were surprised at this but was interested.
"Well that's is certainly interesting. But where is Aether?" Venti asked before his eyes finally saw where Aether was. He was surprised that Aether was surrounded by the girls on a special seat. "Why is he surrounded with those girls?"
"I believe my master called Mr. Aether a dense idiot that he decided to surround him with the girls that are interested or affectionate on him." Danheng said but everyone heard this.
"Why are you calling me a dense idiot!?" Aether asked as he was confused why he is being called like that. The main girls just blushed in calling out for having feelings for Aether before the girls groan at Aether dense side.
Zhongli couldn't help but chuckle in hearing this while Venti laughs at the girls reactions.
"Well that's is quite true. Aether is oblivious to the girls feelings around him." Zhongli said with a smile on his face.
"Hahahaha! An interesting thing to see. Now I accept the offer to join this viewing." Venti said happily.
"Same for me. This is a great experience for us to learn more about Aether." Zhongli said.
"Well I'm glad to hear that. We are currently viewing Aether journey he had with Mr. Zhongli. Learning the history and truth of Havria." Danheng explained. Zhongli was surprised at hearing this.
"...I see. I was not expecting that." Zhongli said. He knew that his identity will be exposed as Rex Lapis/Morax. What he didn't expect that it would be so soon.
"I'm sorry Mr. Zhongli but that is My master wanted." Danheng said with an apologetic look.
"If this is what your master, who I assume is more powerful than everyone else in this room. Then we have no choice don't we." Zhongli said with a sigh.
"Yes, He doesn't want you to be surprised when the people will know the truth while you didn't know who expose your identity. So he brought you here." Danheng said. Zhongli just nodded at him. Soon Zhongli and Venti took their seat that was near the section of Aether and the main girls.
The adeptis look at Zhongli and couldn't help that he is someone very familiar but just couldn't grasp on the man identity.
Soon the screen started to play.
Soon the entire group finally arrived at the Guyun Stone Forest
Kliment looks around and was disappointed in what he was seeing " This place looks so ordinary... Can we really find anything valuable here?
"Huh? Paimon thinks it looks really grand!" Paimon said as she looks at the beautiful scenery in front of them.
"I agree with Paimon the view of Guyun Stone Forest is view and it would be much better viewing on the highest peak of the area." Venti said as he went to that place before and couldn't but be amaze at the view of the area.
"I don't mean the scenery, but rather that there should be something out of the ordinary. A big battle did just occur and all... And I don't even know where to begin looking here." Kliment said in frustration as he looks around.
"Guyun Stone Forest is actually the perfect place to be if you wish to learn about the Archons or the history of the Archon War." Zhongli told as he started to tell the story to them. "Legend has it that Rex Lapis threw spears made of large rock into the sea here, piercing and crushing the Overlord of the Vortex. After many years of wind erosion, those stone spears have turned into the unique rock formations we see now." Zhongli said and Paimon was completely shock at hearing this and same could be said to Aether.
"Ah yes I remember that battle. Being witness of the battle between Rex Lapis and Osial was terrifying." Moon Caver said.
"Yes, We couldn't assist Rex Lapis during the battle because we would only be standing in his way." Cloud retainer said.
"The land shake as the sea were roaring. That battle resulted to why Guyun forest is like that today." Mountain Shaper said.
"The most we could do is to try to stops the other gods from attacking Rex Lapis from behind." Xiao said. Zhongli didn't say anything as he remembers his battle against Osial and the other gods in Guyun Stone Forest.
"Th-These mountains were the Lord of Geo's weapons?" Paimon asked in shock. Zhongli nods at her.
"What we see now is just the part of them that remains. The stone spears hurled by Rex Lapis all those years ago were much greater, both in number and in size." Zhongli explained as he crossed his arms. "But due to the different angles they landed at, their large centers of mass, erosion by seawater, and years of gravity, many of them have been completely swallowed by the sea. So, besides wind erosion, the initial collapsing of the stone spears also played a big part in the formation of Guyun Stone Forest." Zhongli said. Everyone was impressed at Zhongli knowledge about the island but Aether is not surprise at all that Zhongli knows this but how much detail that Zhongli can recall.
"Yes, that kind information is mostly known by an adepti but this man has given much details." Xiao said as he looks at Zhongli. Zhongli ignores the stare and focused on the screen as he knew his identity will be reveal soon.
"Well... A god able to fight one so powerful that Rex Lapis was certainly very strong in its own right." Kliment as he was impressed after hearing Zhongli explaination.
"Indeed, this is where the value lies in research at Guyun Stone Forest. Most of the objects from that time were lost to the sea, but the gigantic waves created by the Overlord of the Vortex have given those sunken objects a chance to see the light of day again." Zhongli explained about the possible buried treasure or artifacts.
"I just notice something." Kequing said as everyone could hear it.
"What is it Kequing?" Ganyu asked.
"The way he spoke is almost as if he is speaking old ways. You can clearly hear it" Kequing said.
"It could be just his manner. Mr Zhongli is very knowledgeable and he seems to came from a prestigious family." Ganyu said.
"Well the way he speak is similar to a high prestige person." Ninnguang said. Aether couldn't help and wonder how the girls were able to pick up those kind of things.
"So you're saying that if we look carefully, we'll be able to get very, very rich-" Kliment said before he realized what he was saying and changed his tune. "Uh, I mean - rich with archaeological knowledge and historical value, yes? That's all I seek in life." Kliment said nervously with a nervous smile
"You sure know how to hide your greed Kliment." Childe said with a sarcastic voice.
"Well, since we brought so many people, I think it would be best to split up and look." Kliment suggested
"Okay then, I will go with my friend here. Although I have a smattering of knowledge in various disciplines, when it comes to archaeology, I can't compete with the expert here." Zhongli said with a smile as he looks at Wanyan
"Huh? M-Me?" Wanyan said nervously and suprise.
"What's the matter? This is your profession. Why are you so surprised?" Kliment asked with skeptical look on his face.
"Yes why do you look surprised miss Wanyan. If you are archaeology especially you came from Liyue. You should have a basic knowledge about the history of Guyun Stone Forest or the historic lands of Liyue itself." Ninnguang asked. Wanyan just didn't respond to Ninnguang question which made her more suspicious about the so called archaeology.
"I get it... I'll escort him, then." Wanyan said with a sigh.
"Okay. If we find anything valuable or rare, let's meet on the shore opposite from here." Zhongli said and everyone nodded at him. Zhongli turns to Aether.
"The ancient god probably left behind lots of elemental marks. Following them should make our search much easier." Zhongli said to Aether as he knew about Aether elemental vision which would be a huge help in this search.
"Well, go ahead then, Aether. Use your Elemental Sight to look for any marks." Paimon said and Aether nodded and started to look around the Guyun Stone Forest with Zhongli and Paimon following him.
"So relics and artifacts left some Elemental marks if they are used by the gods." Bennett said as he was surprised at this information.
"Yes especially weapons or anything related to the gods would always leave an elemental mark. This would determine if that artifact was used by the gods or not. And if it's real or not." Madam ping said.
Soon they were greeted by bunch of hilichurls and some slime monsters. Zhongli and Aether quickly dispose all the enemies that came to their way as they coordinate their attacks with no problem.
"Seems like the monsters created a home on Guyun Stone Forest." Yanfei said.
"No suprise there especially when that place is rarely visited." Kequing said. The people in the theater agreed on what the girls said.
"Why are there enemies here?" Paimon asked in suprise. Aether uses his anemo attack to get rid of any coming enemies that were charging towards them.
Zhongli attacks any coming enemies with his polearm before create a stone pillar and create a shockwave attack that attacks enemies around the pillar and killing them. "Guyun Stone Forest is a place where a god was defeated, and its remnants still affect the area to this day."
"No kidding after the Osial incident it seems that the water of the area has rise up." Kequing said.
"Yes you barely can get another land of the island without getting wet or swimming throw it unless your cryo user which would freeze the lake temporarily." Ganyu explained.
"They're... gathering together here. But why?" Paimon asked as Aether kills another enemy with his sword.
"See that object in the center?" Zhongli pointed at a stone that was glowing a bit. "Perhaps it emits the remnant strength of that god. That would certainly attract them." Soon enemies made up of water surround the trio. Zhongli immediately created a shield around them to protect them from the mimic monsters attack. Aether quickly rushes and stacks the monsters with Zhongli backing him up.
"But, the Hydro Mimic monsters... Hmmm. I have a contract, and must put my personal feelings aside. Go ahead, defeat them and recover the relic." Zhongli said as stands on the side Aether attacked the mimic monsters.
"Contract. What do mean by contract Mr Zhongli?" Hu Tao asked her subordinate.
"You will know soon Director. All shall be reveal." Zhongli said with his focus on the screen.
This got the adeptis curious and wonder what Zhongli met.
Soon after a few minutes they have finally defeated the monsters that were surrounding them.
Zhongli picks up the stone relic and examine it. "It's just a stone slab... but its design is quite unique." Zhongli let out a sigh "This should be enough to garner some information. Let's head back. "
"Are you geolist by chance Mr. Zhongli." Ningguang asked. Zhongli turns to her.
"You could say that Lady Ningguang." Zhongli said. Ningguang eyes narrowed a bit and decided to keep a close eye on Zhongli.
Aether and Paimon agreed and soon the trio headed back to meet up with others after gathering enough information. The trio arrived and saw Kliment and Wanyan were arguing.
"You call yourself a scholar of archaeology? You can't even recognize this or that, what are you good for?" Kliment shouted in anger.
"We all have our areas of expertise! I already tried very hard to explain!" Wanyan argue to the Fatui.
"Something tells me that the two really didn't make any progress." Barbara said. All agreed with her.
"Stop arguing! What in the world happened?" Paimon asked as she looks at the two. Kliment turns to the trio and pointed at Wanyan
"This girl just kept bragging about how she's an archeologist, but she doesn't even know anything about the surrounding ruins! I even know more than her!" Kliment complaint before crossing his arms.
"She left me to rely solely on my guessing - I mean, experience - to find anything valuable to take back. Ugh, what a waste of time!" Kliment growled angrily at the woman.
"I-I've just been researching the God of Salt, so I'm not familiar with the sea relics. Is that so strange!?" Wanyan said to Fatui. Aether narrowed his eyes in hearing this.
'One shouldn't lack general knowledge in their field...' Aether thought as he found this strange especially that this girl is a resident in Liyue. Aether expected the girl to familiar with the artifacts or relics in Liyue.
"Agreed. Lack of general knowledge of the land while claiming to be archeologist. That's just make it more suspecious of you Ms. Wanyan." Ningguang criticized the girl. Wanyan just didn't respond since she knew she would get exposed soon.
"Not to mention it could get the others killed because of lack of information." Diluc said with his arms crossed. He knows that this girl is a pretender at this point.
Aether thought was cut off when Wanyan shouts at Kliment. "And you! You kept asking about how much Mora everything is worth! Can the value of relics only be measured in Mora!?"
"Well most Archeologists do sold off relics to make money. But since they are looking for relics of the gods. Well that's really depend of the history and what the value the market determines it." Yanfei said.
Kliment stuttered at the accusations. "Uh... I mean, isn't measuring their value in Mora the easiest way? This also matches the traditions of Liyue, does it not?"
Zhongli tried to neutralise the situation. "Now, now, calm down, no need to make a fuss. We were able to bring back some intriguing objects. Let's have a look." Zhongli started checking the objects that they gather "Oh.." Zhongli eyes narrowed a bit before placing down the objects after checking it.
"What a shame. *sigh* These objects were indeed washed ashore by the Overlord of Vortex, but they have nothing to do with the god besides being in the vicinity at the time." Zhongli said before he shown the stone slab to Kliments and Wanyan. "This stone slab we found, however, has a mysterious pattern and faint aura of divine power. Perhaps it will be useful for research purposes."
"Quick, give it to me!" Kliment demanded he took the stone without hesitation.
"Clearly he is only doing this for money. But then again it's kinda obvious from the start." Bennett said.
"Don't bother kid. Kliment is known for his greed back in Snezhnaya." Childe told Bennett.
"Hehe, at least we didn't come for nothing. The power of gods, yes! This is good..." Kliment turns to the other objects that were gathered. "Oh, but these other objects are certainly worth a little something right? It should be enough to cover the cost of hiring you - it's all mine!" Kliment said with greed in his eyes.
Paimon turns to Wanyan and asked. "Sooo... it's only valuable for research if there are remnants of divine power on it?"
"It really depends on the person. After all artifacts and relics tells the history of a certain nation." Jean comments and many agreed to her.
Wanyan shook her head and respond to Paimon question. "Not at all. My quest to uncover the history of the God of Salt is because history can tell us about culture and beliefs..." Wanyan then glares at Kliment.
"But YOU... You're just trying to use archaeology to get rich!" Wanyan accused the Fatui and the Fatui waved her off.
"Nonsense! I'm a professional archaeology researcher from Snezhnaya, I swear. If I'm lying, may the Lord of Geo strike me down!" Kliment declared and Aether couldn't help but shook his head especially with Zhongli presence in here.
"Gladly. I will personally kill you, myself." Xiao growled after hearing that from Kliment.
"He really is just tempting fate isn't he?" Yanfei said and many nod at her.
'No, you're trying to get rich off archaeology...' Aether thought as he could help but be in disbelief.
"Oh, by the way. You probably don't want to sell that teacup." Zhongli warned
"Oh, why's that?" Kliment asked as he glares at Zhongli.
"That's not an ancient teacup. It's part of Ningguang's collection, it must have fallen here along with the Jade Chamber. So unless you want to mess with the Qixing..." Zhongli said and Kliment started to realize that Zhongli was talking about.
"Well looks like I'm gonna have fun negotiating those diplomats because they are just piling up the reasons to make it harder to have it on their favour." Ningguang chuckles as she plans to use this information to squeeze every Mora as much she can on Snezhnaya.
Kliment couldn't help but be disappointed after hearing this. "Agh, I see... What a shame. It was of such high quality, too."
"See!? You do want to sell these objects!" Wanyan shouted as she points her finger at the Fatui.
"S-So what! Why can't I pursue wealth both intellectual and material? Don't be so simple-minded!" Kliment shouts back before crossing his arms and look away.
"Did that happened a lot?" Ganyu asked Aether. Aether sighs and nodded at her.
"You should hear them argue while we make our way to Sal Terrae. Makes you wish that they could zip their mouth." Aether said.
"Alright then! No need to stay here any longer. Hm. I'm rather quite intrigued by the God of Salt too, actually. Let's go to Sal Terrae next." Kliment said
"Argh! You're simply a money-grubber!" Wanyan shouted
"And what are you then? All you think about is digging up valuable relics every day!" Kliment shouted back. Zhongli just sighs while Aether shook his head.
"They're still arguing. Let's not bother them..." Paimon suggested and the trio agreed to it and headed towards to Sal Terrae, their next destination.
"Yes those two were quite annoying." Zhongli said as he remembers the Kliment and Wanyan arguements when they make their way to Sal Terrae
"We will have short break. My master already prepared a lot for food for everyone." Danheng said. Soon a food area room appeared before them. "And please do not push or argue. The food will be enough for everyone."
The people nodded and head to the food area to eat. Danheng sighs and suddenly his phone rings. He answers it.
"Yes....Of course....I understand...." Danheng said with a sigh. He knew that many things will be revealed soon and he just hope that everyone will be prepared.
Well that's a wrap anyone I suddenly have an idea for a chapter after the Zhongli quest before proceeding to Venti story quest.
That would showing possible kids that Aether will have. Showing the abilities of Aether kids from different timeline.
Stay tune for the next part. Peace out!