"Alright, it's getting late. Children shouldn't stay up too late. Let's talk about Xiao's situation," Zhongli said. With that, Venti stopped teasing him and turned to look at Xiao.
Xiao was slightly taken aback.
His situation?
What could be the matter with him?
Xiao was puzzled.
Zhongli said solemnly, "Klee possesses a powerful support card that can heal injuries and purify negative status effects." The adepti were surprised—how could a little girl wield such power? But then again, considering the wonders of Lu Heng's shop, it made sense.
"May I ask, Rex Lapis, what kind of negative status effects?" Mountain Shaper already had some guesses. Since Xiao was specifically mentioned, the most severe negative status affecting him would undoubtedly be karmic debt.
As fellow adepti and followers of Rex Lapis, they had known each other for thousands of years. They were well aware of each other's personalities and circumstances. While other issues could be managed, Xiao's karmic debt was something no one could resolve. Even Zhongli could only slightly alleviate it, and the effects were far from ideal.
But now… it seemed there was a solution?
"Erosion, karmic debt, poisoning, corruption by evil spirits—all these count as negative status effects." Zhongli nodded slightly, his tone firm. "Most conceptual negative statuses are included."
His demeanor and tone indicated he had already verified this personally.
For a moment, the adepti were stunned.
The scope of this was far too broad!
"Xiao, your karmic debt can now be resolved," Zhongli said, looking at him.
Xiao was momentarily dazed.
Lu Heng recalled Xiao's story.
In his youth, Xiao had been naive and was captured by an evil god who exploited his weaknesses, forcing him to serve as a demon under their command. He was compelled to commit countless cruel and bloody acts. He wrought slaughter, crushed countless dreams, and was even forced to devour the sweet dreams of his victims, enduring unbearable pain while being utterly powerless to resist.
Later, during the Archon War, Morax slew the evil god and liberated the yaksha.
"Xiao" was not his true name. Back then, Morax, concerned for his safety and fearing he might be controlled again if his real name were known, bestowed upon him the name "Xiao."
To repay Morax's kindness, Xiao followed him and fought relentlessly throughout the Archon War.
After peace was established and the world entered an era of prosperity, Xiao did not partake in its comforts. Instead, he continued to battle unseen threats lurking beneath the surface of this peace.
Those threats, to put it bluntly, were the remnants of the gods who had fallen during the Archon War.
The gods were indestructible. Though their consciousnesses dissipated, their power and resentment lingered, festering like filth and repeatedly plaguing the living.
Countless gods had perished on the land of Liyue.
Why were there so few tales of divine resentment causing chaos in this land?
Aside from Morax's overwhelming strength, there was also the Stove God, Marchosius, who infused all his spiritual power into the earth to quell disasters, as well as the yakshas—unsung heroes who guarded the peace day after day, year after year.
Xiao appeared youthful but was already over two thousand years old. Among the adepti, his seniority and prestige were unparalleled.
The yakshas were the most valiant and battle-hardened under Morax's command, excelling in slaughter.
Yet, even though their blades struck only enemies and evil spirits, the yakshas suffered deeply from the torment of karmic debt.
Plagued by this debt, they grew increasingly powerless against the remnants of the fallen gods.
The leader of the yakshas, Bosacius, the Marshal Vritras, was corrupted by the remnants and vanished during the cataclysm of Khaenri'ah five hundred years ago.
But Lu Heng knew he had perished in the depths of the Chasm, buried alongside the monsters that emerged from the depths.
The General Alatus, Bonanus, was corrupted and died in mutual slaughter with Menogias.
The General Viśvavasu, Indarias, was corrupted and succumbed to rage and fear.
The General Airavata, Menogias, was corrupted and died in mutual slaughter with Bonanus.
Of the five mighty yaksha generals, only Xiao remained.
The suffering of the yakshas was largely due to the karmic debt they bore.
And now, the problem that had haunted Xiao for so long—one that even Morax and the adepti had been powerless against—had finally met its solution.
"Rex Lapis, I..."
Xiao's throat tightened. He couldn't quite articulate what he was feeling.
The heavy burden of karmic debt was something he had long grown accustomed to.
It was so severe that relief was only ever temporary.
He had long considered himself a broken vessel, destined to die from the karmic debt. That day might come soon, or perhaps during his next battle.
But Xiao, accustomed to it, paid it no mind. He only wished to do more for this land before his uncertain demise, to repay Morax's kindness.
"Klee."
Zhongli turned to her and said, "This big brother here has a very serious... um, illness. Because it's so severe, it might not be cured all at once. Could you help alleviate it for him first?"
Describing karmic debt as something akin to clinging ghosts might scare her, so Zhongli chose his words carefully.
"Is it the healing bombs?" Seeing Zhongli nod, the kind-hearted little girl immediately said, "Klee can do it! Leave it to Klee!"
"Then let's begin."
Zhongli smiled warmly. He took Klee's hand and led her to stand nearby, then said, "Xiao, just stand here. The bombs Klee throws after using the card will only have healing effects."
"Klee..."
Xiao took a deep breath and clasped his hands in gratitude. "I don't know how to thank you. If there's anything you need—"
"Big brother, stop talking and stand still~"
The eager little girl had no time for formalities.
Fortunately, Lu Heng, who had already foreseen this scenario through "cyber fortune-telling," had brought her backpack.
She pulled out two adorable bombs from her bag.
Xiao, interrupted, wore a complicated expression.
A bomb arced through the air and dissolved into him.
Boom!
The bomb's impact was significant.
A pure white holy light enveloped Xiao.
Before everyone's eyes, wisps of black energy emerged from Xiao's body, only to be instantly purified upon contact with the light!
"How do you feel?" Zhongli asked with concern.
Xiao carefully assessed himself, his golden eyes widening in shock.
He said tremulously, "A portion of it has been completely eradicated!"
Compared to the karmic debt he had accumulated, the portion purified was minuscule—barely a drop in the ocean.
But this wasn't temporary relief like medicine could provide. This was a genuine, complete purification of that portion!
Though small, it left Xiao feeling noticeably lighter.
"Klee, we'll have to rely on you," Zhongli said solemnly.
"If it can't be cured all at once..."
Klee grew anxious. "Klee only has sixteen bombs left..."
"It's alright!"
Xiao spoke up immediately. "I already feel much better."
"Use them all on this big brother," Lu Heng said with a smile. "As for the materials to make more bombs, I'll help you collect them."
"Let me handle it."
Zhongli asked, "Klee, what materials do you need?"
Klee counted on her fingers: "Gunpowder, dried lizard tails ground into powder, and..."
Before she could finish, Cloud Retainer, in her crane form, abruptly stood up.
"I recall there's an ancient Geovishap in Tianqiu Valley. I'll go borrow its tail!"
Without another word, she transformed into her crane form and flew off.
"I'll search my abode for materials suitable for bombs!" Mountain Shaper also took off.
"This old woman will go buy some gunpowder," Granny Ping said with a chuckle.
"My abode might have some things too," Moon Carver said before hurrying away.
Zhongli fell into thought.
Venti handed Klee the [Highly Compressed Particles] card and asked, "Old man, what are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about Azhdaha's dragon horns and shed scales..."
"Would he object?" Venti asked, amused.
"He won't," Zhongli said firmly.
Was this just about saving Xiao?
Of course not—Azhdaha needed saving too!
What's wrong with using some materials shed from his body?!
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T/N:
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