While Raiden Ei wandered Yougou Mountain, Reisen Riou reveled in the Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine 2.2's 40% cognitive boost. He multitasked effortlessly, recording Shogunate duties while refining Longevity Thunder Elixir Art, integrating medicinal properties via Electro simulation. Previously, sneaking half a month's research yielded one herb's traits; now, he managed three. "Too powerful," he marveled post-shift, diving into Geo healing youkai techniques. Most Geo Vision holders used vibrational energy for healing, converting enemy attacks into recovery, though top-tier users excelled at this. Others formed shields mimicking crystal or jade structures, each unique, inspiring Reisen Riou's own shield research.
…
Late at night, in a Shogunate secret chamber, Ei examined the old Thunderous Yougou Divine Machine prototype. Elemental energy dwindled as her violet gaze parsed hardware traces, restoring data. She braced for grim visions—Kanjou Commission colluding with the Fatui, which only tightened her grip on her blade—until "Hanasari, Sacred Sakura…" triggered an invisible ripple. Time rewound briefly, unnoticed even by Makoto due to its small scope.
"Hanasari, Sacred Sakura…" Ei muttered, piecing together the Sakura Cleansing ritual's outline via this temporal glitch. "Inazuma faces a calamity—Grand Narukami Shrine abandoned, Yougou Mountain half-ruined. [Redacted] sides with Inazuma, but why don't I know them? Makoto and Yae Miko do. Gohyaku's a disgrace. Hanasari… is that Yae Miko? The White Kitsune Ring…"
Dawn broke. "I'll parse more tomorrow," Ei resolved. The next night, she continued: "The Raiden Shogun… me? No, a puppet I craft to govern Inazuma while I resist erosion in the Plane of Euthymia. That pink fox—Yae Miko's successor or my kin? I let Inazuma decay like this? I'm unfit…"
She uncovered more: "I, unyielding, finally heed my people's wishes, dueling the Shogun—my past self—in a mysterious realm, piercing time to meet Makoto's lingering will, planting that in the distant past. A tree, perhaps, sown by my hand? It's what affects my memory—Makoto's choice, planned despite her death. I disrupted her design."
"Per Riou's 'netizen sages,' the Shadow Ruler and Istaroth, God of Time, schemed too. Sister, what should I do?" Ei's martial prowess felt inadequate. "Riou's approach—strengthening Inazuma—seems best."
…
"What's with Ei lately? So secretive, sitting lost in thought," Makoto said post-paperwork, chatting with Yae Miko. "And Riou's odd too—no more socializing, just research. That old Tenmoku guy covers for him."
"Is his Longevity Thunder Elixir Art as good as you say?" Makoto asked.
"It's effective," Yae Miko replied. "Shrine maidens can't master the full art, but single techniques like Naku Weed or Seagrass are quick to learn. Healing via spellcraft? Unheard of." Inazuma's spells, rooted in youkai arts and adapted Liyue techniques, excelled at purging evil, sealing, or pranks, not healing. Riou's work filled this gap, empowering shrine maidens.