[Ding! Congratulations on successfully completing the fifth reincarnation.]
[Please choose three skills to inherit: Calming Mantra, Great Fiery Calamity, Burning Ember.]
"Karma..."
"It's still here."
Elliot furrowed his brows, feeling the immense karmic burden surging through his body.
If he weren't in the system's dimension—where no negative buffs could take hold—he would've already been consumed by it.
Apparently, the Demonbane Sword's ability to "consume evil to deal extra damage" didn't mean it purged the karma entirely. It simply drew on its power to boost attacks.
The karma within him remained untouched no matter how many attacks he unleashed.
In short, Elliot Yuan now carried Xiao's thousand years of karmic torment. The moment he entered the sixth cycle, he would likely suffer torment worse than death...
Still, one skill among the options caught his attention.
Calming Mantra.
He took a closer look.
[Calming Mantra: Increases mental strength by 500%. Must be activated in a meditative state. Greatly enhances resistance to negative conditions. The longer the meditation, the longer the resistance lasts.]
After reading this, Elliot glanced at the other two skills and let out a bitter smile.
It looked like he had a choice, but in truth, he had none.
He was certain that if he chose either of the other two, the moment he entered the sixth life, he'd be overwhelmed by karmic pain and reduced to a mindless killing machine.
In his current state, if he went all out, even Xiao wouldn't be able to stop him. Maybe only the Geo Archon could stand a chance.
That sword strike he unleashed at the Vortex God, Osial—if it had been aimed at Liyue—it could've leveled several mountain peaks.
The black flames alone were lethal enough to incinerate an Archon.
If he truly lost control, he would become a monstrous creature that would plunge all of Teyvat into darkness.
[You have selected: Calming Mantra. Initiating your next reincarnation.]
[Initialization complete.]
[Mission: Help Ningguang become the wealthiest person in all of Teyvat.]
[Transferring you...]
As the new scene flashed in Elliot's eyes, waves of karmic despair surged into his mind like a tidal flood.
"Kill them... kill them all... You are the strongest... Slaughter these mortals... Make them kneel..."
"Turn the world to hell... Become its master... Rule them all..."
"Let them taste death... Make them tremble... My great master... Bring fear to all..."
"Join us... Power, riches, beauty—everything will be yours..."
Even with his mental strength multiplied fivefold, Elliot struggled to resist.
Hunched over in the middle of the street, he trembled, his eyes bloodshot, gasping like a beast on the brink of madness.
"Calming... Mantra... Now..."
He was desperate, but even the simple act of standing felt impossible.
"What's wrong with him?"
"No idea. Who wants to ask?"
"Forget it. Let's go get the Millelith."
Passersby stopped and stared in confusion at Elliot's state.
"Big brother, are you okay...?"
A child's voice reached his ears. Elliot jerked his head around, eyes red and twisted with fury. The sight made the crowd recoil in fear, and the little girl fell to the ground in fright.
She stared at him, eyes wide, filled with terror.
"Lit...tle... Ningguang..."
"Ugh..."
Elliot realized he had scared her. His mind was still clear, but he could barely control his body.
This wasn't the elegant, composed Ningguang he knew—but a young child, wearing tattered rags stitched together from mismatched cloth. She looked more like she was wrapped in a patchwork rag than actual clothes. She was barefoot, no shoes at all.
"Must... complete the mission..."
"Nine lives..."
"They... they're all waiting... waiting for me to return..."
Teeth clenched, fists trembling, Elliot slammed his hand into the ground.
Boom!!
A thunderous shockwave erupted from the impact, cracks spreading out like lightning. People screamed and scattered in all directions.
Ningguang stood frozen, legs shaking, staring blankly at him.
The brief pain jolted Elliot's body back to clarity. He quickly sat up cross-legged, locking himself into a meditative stance.
Even so, the karma surged relentlessly.
Though mentally prepared, he couldn't enter the meditative state.
Frowning deeply, he shut his eyes and struggled to purge the evil thoughts.
"Hurry! Over there!"
"Stay alert—he's dangerous!"
A group of Millelith soldiers arrived, spears raised and aimed squarely at Elliot.
To them, he looked completely out of place: strange clothes, inhuman strength, and clearly unstable.
He didn't seem like a man at all—more like a wild beast.
"Damn..." Elliot realized the situation. He had just managed to suppress a fraction of the corruption. If they dragged him away now, he'd lose control—and then it would all be over.
"What do I do... I can't end it like this... They're still waiting..."
"Waiting for me to come home..."
Panic rose within him. The darkness he had barely held at bay surged again.
A moment's distraction, and the corruption came rushing back—giving him no chance to rest.
His brows twisted tighter. His face contorted, menacing even with his eyes shut. The sense of dread radiating from him was palpable.
"Who are you?!"
"Where did you come from?!"
The squad captain barked sharply, leveling his spear at Elliot's head.
"Wait! Brother Yong'an! He's my brother—he's sick! Please don't take him!"
Little Ningguang stepped forward and blocked the captain with her small frame.
"Ningguang, I don't remember you having a brother. Don't cause trouble. This guy's a stranger, incredibly strong. He could be dangerous."
Captain Yong'an clearly didn't believe her.
It was understandable.
Everyone knew about Ningguang's situation.
She was only a few years old, already selling "Qiankun Mora Meat" on the streets to survive.
Her clothes were like rags, and she didn't even own a pair of shoes—walking barefoot through the streets.
Elliot, in contrast, looked clean and tidy. Maybe not wealthy, but clearly from a decent home.
The two couldn't be more different.
"He's Ningguang's brother—our cousin from Mondstadt. He came looking for us. He's not a bad person," Ningguang insisted, trying her best to explain.
...