Custodian of Clouds

When I got in the Domain, it felt largely different to what I feel whenever I enter my Domain. No, this doesn't feel like a Domain at all actually. I could have used my eyes again to see just what was going on here, but Mountain Shaper said to not use it in front of an adepti that I am not acquainted with yet. I sighed and just continued on looking around. There were a lot of floating islands around, but they can't seem to be connected.

"One senses the presence of a Sigil of Permission…"

"One knows not why you have come, though the sincerity of your offering is clear… Hence, you shall be granted an opportunity."

It was like an echo, but I couldn't find the source. I looked around and thought that maybe she was at the very top island. I could fly there, but just as I was thinking that, she spoke once more.

"Find your way through mine abode, and you shall receive an audience with the adeptus whom you seek."

I sighed and already knew that flying isn't really an option. If I flew, I'm pretty sure she would take that as an insult to her challenge. I noticed that there was a totem that had the Pyro symbol on it. I already knew what these things do since I came across one of these back when we destroyed those Anemo crystals.

I summoned my sword, switched to Pyro, then tapped it to the totem. It glowed and made a Pyro logo above it, indicating that it has been activated. However, Electro and Cryo slimes appeared as soon as the totem activated. I sighed and shook my head. I really thought that I wouldn't have to fight anything else today.

I wanted this to be quick, so I just slashed all of them as fast as could using my Pyro infused sword. It took me only 4 seconds to kill them all. It would have been faster if I were to be serious, but I might accidentally destroy the totem if I did that, so I just decided not to. After killing all the slimes, I heard something break. I looked to the direction where the sound came from and found a puzzle mechanism trigger. I went to it and investigated.

It had two options, turn left or turn right. I decided to test it out first and the platform just ahead of me moved. Ohh, I think I get it now. The platform makes a bridge when it is facing another platform. I kept switching it until the platform made a bridge to this one. It was connected to another platform as well.

I kept doing that over and over, as well as the Pyro totems, until I reached the very last platform. Standing in front of me was none other than Cloud Retainer. She said she was impressed by my performance because the path that leads to her abode defies ordinary abilities. I took what she said as a compliment. She then asked why I was here, so I told her the exact same thing I told the other adepti.

"Rex Lapis… assassinated!? Such heinous crime… How can this be!?"

"Who would even dare!?"

"Perhaps one shall squash Liyue first, then convene with the other adepti-"

"Yeah, no. I know you think that this is a sufficient response, but we don't even know who the culprit is. You might just destroy Liyue for nothing. Also, you've sworn to protect Liyue with the other adepti, right?"

"It is as you say, boy. We have protected Liyue for 37 centuries under the leadership of Rex Lapis. However, exceptional measures must now be taken."

"You accepted my offering, so that makes this a contract."

Liyue's Archon was the God of Contracts. So, it is natural that his comrades would not break a contract. So, making a contract with Cloud Retainer is my best bet to make sure she won't squash Liyue. Ah, good thing I at least researched this one. She laughed a bit at how ironic it is that I speak of a contract when the God of Contracts himself is dead. She still agreed that we make a contract though. She also said that this Sigil of Permission that I am holding is something Rex Lapis made. All of its power is almost gone now though. Phew, it still had a bit at least so I can still talk with the last adepti.

"This keepsake cannot be taken as proof of your worthiness. One must investigate the claims that you make independently. This is, no doubt, Moon Carver's very reason for summoning us." She already called it a keepsake...

With that, my audience with Cloud Retainer has concluded.

---

Now, time to visit the last adeptus. Demon Conqueror. It was starting to get pretty late, so I just warped to the nearest location to Wangshu Inn and headed there on foot afterwards. This place had a completely different vibe than Liyue Harbor. This place only had a few people and didn't look modern at all. Well, I like this kind of atmosphere as well.

I headed to the inn and looked around. When I couldn't find the adepti, I decided to go upstairs. There, I saw a really nice view on the balcony. It was really peaceful here. Well, that was until someone spoke up.

"To the blind, everything may not be as it appears. A Sigil of Permission? You came prepared."

"Are you the Demon Conqueror?"

"You are having too much contact with our world. Leave. Now."

He left with just that. Geez, edgy much? I sighed and decided to ask the boss of the inn about him. The boss of the inn, Verr Goldet, told me that the adeptus was named Xiao. She said that Xiao was actually in a good mood today since I was able to meet him. Seriously? Was he in a good mood? He looked more irritated than anything else really.

"Haah, this is gonna be hard…"

I talked a bit more with Verr Goldet so that I could think of a way to make Xiao listen to me.