The group gathered around the Fantastic Compass.
Mu Yang stepped forward, "I'll do it."
He didn't offer much explanation.
Everyone understood—Xiao had been fighting inside for a long time,
while Mu Yang had been conserving his strength outside. Now was the time for him to act.
Xiao didn't argue; it was just about activating the Fantastic Compass, after all.
Yelan began chanting under her breath, while Mu Yang channeled his power into the other side of the Fantastic Compass.
The Fantastic Compass didn't budge…
Not just Yanfei—everyone's faces turned grim.
Were they really trapped here for good?
Mu Yang was also puzzled. He had been planning to hand over control of the Compass to Xiao during the ascent while clearing monsters.
He hadn't expected that he wouldn't be able to activate it at all.
Could it be because the seal had been struck by the Celestial Nail earlier,
and his power shared the same source as the Nail's?
Was the Fantastic Compass throwing a tantrum?
Come on, this thing was almost as smart as his system!
System: "Don't drag me into this. I'm practically rusting from idling with you."
"Mu Yang's power is rather unique. Let me try instead," Xiao offered,
providing a simple explanation on Mu Yang's behalf.
The group nodded in understanding. After all, Mu Yang had mentioned that the source of his power had been sealed and cut off.
Yelan agreed—there were no other options at the moment.
She began chanting again, "Stars align, spirits descend swiftly. All demons and evils, vanquished by thunder…"
"As I command!"
At the same time, Xiao unleashed his own power.
This time, they succeeded.
The Fantastic Compass erupted with a dazzling pale blue light.
A beam of light shot upward, forming a pathway.
"The Fantastic Compass is an amplifying artifact. As long as we sustain this power, we have a chance," Yanfei advised.
Xiao unleashed his Yaksha power. "Leave the maintenance of the power to me. Everyone, step back."
The reversal had begun, and Bosacius's voice echoed in his mind:
"With this body, I shall guard the formation and seal the surface…"
Xiao silently recited in his heart, "…The Yaksha clan fights for this world."
"General Alatus, into the formation!"
[Holy crap, that's so cool!]
[General Jinpeng, into the formation!]
[It's got that vibe, that vibe!]
As Xiao donned his Yaksha mask,
the power of the Yaksha flowed endlessly into the Fantastic Compass.
A blue formation appeared beneath everyone's feet.
The formation began lifting them into the air, heading toward the seal.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Paimon, right on cue, started planting flags.
"Now we just need to reach the seal, let Mu Yang slash it open with one swing, and we're out!"
Lumine tried to hush her crow's mouth,
but it was too late.
The surroundings turned scarlet, and vengeful spirits locked onto the formation.
Their numbers were countless.
Paimon panicked, "I won't say it again, I swear I won't!"
[Love planting flags, huh?]
[Paimon: I've learned my lesson, please spare me!]
In her panic, Paimon clung to Lumine's neck…
rendering her sister unable to wield her sword for the moment.
Yelan and Mu Yang acted simultaneously.
The spirits on the left were bound by Yelan's threads.
The ghosts on the right were frozen by Mu Yang's silver frost.
Mu Yang/Yelan: "Careful!"
Xiao continued to pour in more power…
[As expected of my Empress Yelan!]
[With Mu Yang around, Lumine doesn't even need to worry about getting hurt.]
[Both are super reliable!]
In the players' view, Xiao's memories appeared.
[Hold on, what's this? Why does it feel like a death montage?]
[Mihoyo, are you really going there?]
Before Xiao's eyes was that reassuring figure.
"…This journey may be risky, but you insist on going."
Xiao lowered his head, "I've guarded this place for over a hundred years, never straying."
"But for the matter of the Nameless Yaksha, I beseech Lord Rex Lapis's permission."
Everyone fought with all their might, while Xiao strained to maintain the formation.
The closer they got to the seal, the stronger he felt the space's restrictions and pull on the formation.
He had to stay fully focused.
Kuki Shinobu, still tending to her boss, was struggling to fend off the spirits.
Yelan unleashed her ultimate, her threads weaving through and clearing the field in an instant.
Lumine wasn't far behind, wielding a greatsword infused with Geo and high-mobility Anemo and Electro.
Every strike was a critical hit, slaying countless enemies.
The number of spirits began to dwindle…
Mu Yang glanced up at their position.
Heh, the curtain was rising, and the real show was about to begin.
Before the group could catch their breath,
four Rifthound Whelps tore through the space, appearing simultaneously.
Their massive forms were enormous, capable of swallowing the entire formation in one bite.
Yanfei swallowed hard, "Those are… Khaenri'ah beasts?!"
[Holy cow, four Rifthound Whelps at once?!]
[We're done for—the shield-breaker in the team is still sleeping!]
[So they're invincible now?]
[Don't bring game mechanics into the story! Can't the Raiden Shogun zap Electro Slimes?]
Lumine's face darkened.
She had fought one of these on Tsumei Island in Inazuma.
Just one was troublesome enough.
And neither Yelan nor Yanfei had any experience fighting Rifthound Whelps.
This secret domain manifested based on one's thoughts and desires.
Could she have summoned these four herself?
Before she could figure it out,
Mu Yang was already preparing to act.
As he had done many times before, he stepped in front of Lumine.
"Don't worry, I've got this."
[Haha, I knew it! Everyone's used their ults, so how could Mu Yang not?]
[But Mu Yang can only use it twice, right?]
[One for clearing mobs, one for opening the gate—perfect, right?]
[The writers planned this out! Everyone has their role, and everyone's safe!]
[Hey, that death montage for Xiao earlier almost had me booking a ticket to Mondstadt!]
[Someone's popping champagne at halftime. I'm staying cautious.]
The four Rifthound Whelps bared their fangs and claws,
charging toward the formation in unison.
Mu Yang sheathed his sword, focusing intently.
Kuki Shinobu was initially a bit panicked.
These massive beasts didn't look like anything easy to deal with.
But she saw trust in both Lumine's and Yelan's eyes.
She knew of Lumine's exploits.
And over the past few days, she had come to understand Yelan's character.
For these two to trust him so much, the stories Mu Yang told about the secret domains were likely true.
He truly had that kind of strength.
Even Xiao, who had shown a hint of panic earlier, had now steadied his resolve.
That was the trust in Mu Yang's power.
Mu Yang remained utterly calm, even as the Rifthound Whelps' claws were nearly upon him.
Only then did he begin reciting:
"A spark of Sword Intent across a thousand rivers, two sleeves of white clouds reaching ten thousand peaks…"
With Withering Glory: Snow Burial Over a Thousand Peaks, all evil thoughts were purged.
The Rifthound Whelps, formed from condensed malevolence, disintegrated into ash in an instant.
[Holy crap! The poetry king!]
[So cool, so cool! Showing off? He's soaring!]
[This is way too OP—a quadruple kill!]
[Arataki Itto: Yo, grab some materials for me, thanks!]
However, the joy on everyone's faces didn't last long.
A new crisis emerged. The space wasn't going to let them leave so easily.
A massive pair of hands rose from below, gripping the formation tightly…