After working intently for quite some time, Nahida finally straightened up, satisfaction gleaming in her emerald eyes.
The meditation device that had once served as her prison was now completely transformed—remade into a tactical command room capable of freely connecting to the outside world through the Akasha System, while also protecting its occupant from harm.
After completing this masterpiece, Nahida rose to her feet, nodded contentedly, and said softly, "Alright, it's finally done! From now on, this meditation device won't be a cage that imprisons anyone anymore."
Yet to Shao Yun, the new "birdcage" didn't seem all that different from the old one. The only true change was that the "key" to open it now rested in Nahida's hands.
"I don't know," he muttered under his breath, "but it doesn't seem all that different to me…"
Nahida glanced sideways at him upon hearing that.
"If I made the difference too obvious, someone would notice right away! It's better to keep things subtle."
Noticing the slight displeasure in her tone and the way she looked askance at him, Shao Yun lifted his hand and gave her a light flick on the forehead—a small act of playful revenge.
Then he asked, "So, what should I do next?"
Nahida rubbed the spot he had tapped, pouting slightly, while pulling out six newly modified Akasha Terminals.
"These Akasha Terminals were the ones you all left on the table earlier. I've remodeled them—they're now encrypted communication devices for us alone."
She paused before adding, "However, to avoid drawing the Akademiya's attention, these Terminals can no longer access knowledge from the Akasha System. For now, they can only serve as simple communication tools."
Nahida handed the six Akasha Terminals to Shao Yun and instructed, "All you need to do is return each one to its owner. I've left a special message inside for each of them."
Shao Yun took the devices and stored them carefully. Nahida, eager to act, turned and stepped back into the "birdcage" she had just rebuilt.
As the device began to close around her, she called out to him, "Now, I must find out what's causing the people of Sumeru to fall into that deep slumber!"
"Once I've solved that problem, we'll make plans to reclaim the Akademiya—without spilling any blood."
"And… thank you for celebrating my birthday."
With those words, Nahida closed her eyes again, returning to a still and silent state, as if imprisoned once more.
Shao Yun placed the special Akasha Terminal on his head, muttering, 'I go through all that trouble to free you, and you just walk back into a new cage?'
Still, one thing was certain—Nahida had already sentenced Scaramouche to death. 'In a way, that devil ended up doing me a favor…'
But then again—'A devil's favor is never free.'
…
Late into the night, silence blanketed the world. A cold moon hung high, spilling silvery light over Sumeru.
Shao Yun trudged wearily back toward his residence.
When he pushed open the door, he found the room brightly lit. Dunyarzad, Lumine, and Paimon immediately rushed forward to meet him.
"How did it go? What happened?"
Then Lumine suddenly realized something—Nahida wasn't with him. Her expression tightened as she asked anxiously, "Where's the Lesser Lord Kusanali? Why isn't she with you?"
Shao Yun quickly raised his hand to calm them.
"Easy, everyone. Don't panic. Let me explain."
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and recounted Nahida's meticulous plan in full detail.
He also explained why the people of Sumeru had fallen into unnatural sleep—how the Akademiya had been harvesting dreams to create a god.
When he finished, Lisa murmured thoughtfully, "The scholars of the Akademiya… so they've gone this far? No wonder Cyno sensed something amiss…"
Dunyarzad, on the other hand, was furious, her voice trembling with resolve. "If the Lesser Lord Kusanali needs our help, then there's no time to hesitate! Please, tell me what to do. Whatever it takes—even if I must risk my life—I'll do it!"
Nilou nodded without hesitation. "That's right! I feel the same. No matter how difficult things get, if there's anything I can do, please let me know!"
Seeing their passion, Shao Yun waved a hand to calm them down.
He then pulled out the modified Akasha Terminals and said, "First things first—put these on. Nahida turned them into communication devices, and she's left a message in each one for you."
At the mention of Nahida's message, everyone reached out eagerly for their respective Akasha Terminals.
Lisa, meanwhile, stood aside quietly, watching the scene unfold.
Dunyarzad quickly placed hers on her head. A gentle, familiar voice flowed into her mind, and her face softened into an entranced smile. "Oh… so that's what she meant…" she whispered.
Curious, Paimon fluttered closer. "What did Nahida say? You look so happy—tell us!"
Smiling warmly, Dunyarzad replied, "The Lesser Lord Kusanali told us not to worry. She promised to handle Sumeru's troubles herself."
Nilou then removed her own Terminal and chimed in, "Mine said almost the same thing. The Dendro Archon told me not to worry either."
At that moment, Dehya scratched her cheek, looking unusually shy. "Heh… mine wasn't that special. She just thanked me for protecting the kids out in the desert."
Lisa turned to Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon, her eyes soft with understanding. "It seems you three are about to stir up quite the commotion in Sumeru."
"As expected, wherever you go, fascinating things always follow."
She smiled faintly and shook her head.
Shao Yun shrugged. "To be honest, it's not that exciting. We just have to do the grunt work."
Seeing that the immediate crisis had passed, Lisa waved her hand. "Well then, if there's nothing else, I'll head back. In a few days, I'll be returning to Mondstadt."
"Traveler, little Paimon, Mr. Shao Yun—do you have any messages for the Knights of Favonius?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a quick glance. Paimon giggled, "Hehe~ just tell everyone we said hello!"
Lisa turned to Shao Yun, awaiting his answer.
He thought for a moment and replied, "Same here… nothing special to say."
Unlike the other two, he had no real ties to Mondstadt anyway.
…
After Lisa, Nilou, Dunyarzad, and Dehya left, the house grew quiet—only Shao Yun, Lumine, and Paimon remained.
Lumine looked to Shao Yun and said, "She left a message for me and Paimon too. Nahida said there are things she needs our help with—but also told us to wait and watch how the situation unfolds."
Shao Yun stayed calm. "If Nahida said to wait, then that's what we'll do. Let's relax and rest for now—it's already late."
Lumine exhaled softly, finally letting go of her tension. "Alright then. Paimon and I will go take a bath first, then sleep."
Even though it was already the middle of the night, Lumine and Paimon still went to wash up before bed.
As soon as they entered the bathroom, the system suddenly flashed text across Shao Yun's vision.
[Why didn't you tell Nahida how to fix Sumeru's problem? If she connects to Irminsul, everything can be resolved!]
Shao Yun glared at the screen. "You really are useless, aren't you?"
"To interpret that so-called 'The World Has Forgotten Me,' she needs the power of two Gnoses. Nahida doesn't even have one right now!"
He waved his hand irritably. "I was planning to wipe out those Sages and Scaramouche, take both the Dendro and Electro Gnoses."
"But Nahida insists on solving everything without bloodshed! Isn't that what you wanted? So, what's the point in saying anything?"
The system fell silent for a few seconds before another message appeared.
[You're right… but 'it' is starting to pressure you to cooperate. I'm afraid you'll end up bound to 'it'.]
Shao Yun sneered. "So being tied to you is somehow better?"
The system responded:
[At least I don't trade in human souls.]
Shao Yun had no energy left to argue. He slumped into a chair, muttering, "Enough. I'm too tired to think about this right now."
"You know what? The effects of the Legend of the East set are gone, and that devil's trying to force me to obey. That's a bad sign."
"For now, let me rest. I'll deal with everything else later…"
As soon as he finished, another message appeared.
[Owl Trinket granted.]
[Effect: Reduces Health, Stamina, and Core Deadeye consumption by 15%.]
The small trinket materialized in his hand. He understood that this was all the system could do for him now.
He fastened it to his belt, and as it touched the fabric, a faint, soothing energy rippled through his body.
A complicated expression crossed his face.
"To be honest, you're not exactly a good partner," he said quietly. "But… thanks for all the help you've given me."