Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue [353]

"I don't know the specifics either, but it's definitely dangerous."

Xingqiu sat on a rock. "Based on the data we've collected before, even severe ley line stagnation typically results in something called a 'ley line overflow.'"

"But when I showed these numbers to Mr. Zhongli, he said this wasn't just an overflow—it was an eruption."

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "And you didn't think to ask for more details? What good is just knowing the name?"

"The details are these: instead of clearing the blockage, the ley line's energy increased the stagnation. And with the build-up growing, it triggered an eruption."

"What's the danger? Enough to leave you with scars like that?"

Xingqiu explained, "You know how ley line stagnation affects the surface with energy seepage. Even the most skilled adventurers can't stay in those areas for long."

Gu Sanqiu nodded. He was familiar with that much—stagnation zones exuded mysterious substances, essentially the ley line's raw energy.

Normally, a ley line stagnation zone had a "core," the primary source of the blockage. It was like a complex sewer system being clogged by some obstruction. Removing the core was the best way to restore the ley line's flow. And through alchemical processes, these cores could often be converted into valuable items.

Some cores were lumps of raw gold ore, which could be sent to the Golden House for Mora rewards. Others contained strange treasures like power-boosting items or rare plants—and sometimes just worthless junk.

Ley line overflows occurred when the core's blockage reached an unusual scale, causing a large-scale clog. Such events usually yielded significant rewards for adventurers.

Of course, there were plenty of cases where adventurers, after much effort, found the core simply disintegrated before it could be retrieved. Those incidents were the bane of adventurers, often leading to skyrocketing blood pressure and bitter frustration.

But the energy permeating these zones wasn't something to casually inhale for a mystical boost; it was deadly for normal people. Only those who wielded elemental power or used alchemically enhanced tools could withstand it for a limited time.

While ley line energy often had a bad reputation, it wasn't inherently harmful—just overwhelmingly potent. Legends spoke of the ley lines recording all information about the world, making them akin to a supreme law. Even for those attuned to elemental energy, few could endure direct contact with such power.

Zhongli's mention of a ley line eruption—a phenomenon far greater in scale than an overflow—must have a significant underlying cause.

Gu Sanqiu pondered this. A ley line stagnation was straightforward to explain, but an eruption was something he'd never heard of. It couldn't be that Lord Jueyun Karst had gone somewhere to sleep and accidentally blocked the ley line channels, right?

As for the Foul Legacy Tree's sealed site… if he remembered correctly, there shouldn't be any backdoors to something like that.

With Zhongli's meticulous personality and adherence to the laws of the Geo Archon, even in a scenario demanding painful sacrifices, he wouldn't handle it carelessly.

Xingqiu waved a hand in front of Gu Sanqiu's face.

"Hey, hey! Snap out of it! What are you thinking about?"

"I'm wondering if this is a natural disaster or a man-made one."

"Probably both. Otherwise, how else would we have ended up this battered?"

Xingqiu pulled out a broken sword and held it up for Gu Sanqiu to see. "Look at this. The weapon you reinforced for me—snapped in two. Can you imagine how ridiculous our opponents must've been?"

Natural disasters referred to the ley line monsters drawn to the core, often clashing with adventurers in massive battles for control.

From the surface dwellers' perspective, these monsters were the so-called natural disasters. In some cases, ley line energy itself could manifest protective guardians resembling creatures, designed to defend the core.

As for man-made disasters, those were easier to explain—treasure hoarders or rogue groups looking for profit.

Ley line stagnation occurred sporadically across Teyvat, with no predictable time or location. Even Liyue's Ministry of Civil Affairs couldn't track them all, leaving gaps for outlaws to exploit.

"If I'm not mistaken, I told you not to use your weapon to test a Geo Shieldwall's defenses. Don't tell me you actually did that?"

Xingqiu shook his head. "Do you think I'm that stupid? No, we ran into someone far more skilled—a certain Abyss Mage who could use body-enhancing elemental techniques."

"Under his influence, even ordinary Hilichurls became tough to beat. And we still had to watch out for the others' elemental attacks."

Xingqiu's face twitched, his expression darkening as he glared at Gu Sanqiu.

"Sanqiu, do me a favor. Ask the Ministry of Civil Affairs if they have any policies for dealing with these opportunists. I'll personally sponsor the enforcement—no expenses spared."

Gu Sanqiu said nothing and turned to Buyu Raimei.

"Raimei, what exactly did Xingqiu go through?"

"Oh, it wasn't much… but it must've been frustrating."

Buyu Raimei chuckled awkwardly. "After we dealt with one wave of monsters, out of nowhere, three or four dozen elemental bottles flew at us—each loaded with a different element. They landed all over Xingqiu."

"If Mr. Childe hadn't reacted quickly, Xingqiu might've suffered more than just weapon corrosion."

...

Three or four dozen elemental bottles? Sounds like those weird alchemist-types in the Treasure Hoarders.

Yeah, running into something like that would piss anyone off. Xingqiu keeping his cool and not charging in is impressive.

"Well, if the Treasure Hoarders are putting in that much effort, this ley line eruption must have something worth chasing."

Gu Sanqiu turned to Childe. "What about you? If this was just about investigating the ley lines, wouldn't you be with your subordinates? Why are you hanging around with us?"

"Who knows? But honestly, the Fatui don't have much interest in this."

Childe spread his hands. "This is Liyue's problem. What does it have to do with a diplomatic delegation like us?"

Gu Sanqiu narrowed his eyes. "That sounds plausible, but it also makes you more suspicious. If you're not interested, why are you here in a personal capacity?"

"Because it's fun."

Childe smirked at him. "If it's an event that has everyone here so on edge, it's bound to be interesting. Maybe I'll even find an opponent worth my time."

"Just for fun, huh…"

Gu Sanqiu chuckled but didn't press the issue.

If Childe had said he came because he wanted to fight, Gu Sanqiu might have believed him.

But when he claimed it was "just for fun," it was almost certainly more complicated than that.