After bidding farewell to Hu Tao and Zhongli, they set out once again on their journey around the world. They spent five days exploring every corner of Liyue Harbor—seeing everything, playing to their hearts' content, and tasting every local delicacy—before heading out to the many regions of Liyue.
Qingce Village lay shrouded in drifting white clouds, its valleys lined with crescent-shaped terraced fields arranged in orderly layers. Come harvest season, the terraces would glow like gold, shimmering under the warm sunlight. When the mountain breeze swept through, waves of color rippled across the fields in cascading layers.
Dunhuang Tomb, Qingxu Port, Lingju Pass, Tianqiu Valley, Qingyun Peak, Jueyun Karst... Elliot and Shenhe spent nearly half a year traveling across the land of Liyue. They met many interesting people along the way and heard countless fascinating stories.
After leaving Liyue, they arrived in Mondstadt. Over the course of five years, they journeyed across all of Teyvat, visiting each of the seven nations.
"The Abyss monster?"
"How could it appear here...?"
Elliot frowned slightly at the dark-purple creature before him. More than five hundred years had passed since the fall of Khaenri'ah—how could something like this still appear on the mainland?
He slowly raised his hand. A sharp earthen spike burst from behind the Abyss monster, piercing through it and killing it instantly.
"Husband, what kind of monster is that? I've never seen one before." Having never encountered an Abyss creature, Shenhe asked curiously.
"This is an Abyss monster. By all logic, it shouldn't be appearing here."
"An Abyss monster...?"
"Yes. Let's head back. I have a bad feeling about this." Elliot rarely spoke in such a tone.
Calm as he usually was, the hint of worry on his face made Shenhe feel uneasy as well.
On their way home, they encountered several more of these Abyss monsters, but each was quickly dealt with.
Before long, as they passed through Mondstadt, they discovered something unprecedented—Mondstadt, the city of "freedom," had actually sealed its gates!
All Knight orders stationed outside had been recalled, and every entrance into the city was under strict control.
Since Barbatos became one of the Seven Archons, Mondstadt had never closed its gates—not once. No matter how dire the situation, Mondstadt had always remained the City of Freedom.
Shenhe gripped Elliot's hand tightly, anxiety written clearly on her face. Elliot gently stroked her hand in reassurance, whispering, "It'll be alright."
Shenhe nodded, and the two of them made their way toward the city.
Eula was guarding Mondstadt's entrance. When she saw Elliot and Shenhe approaching, she brightened and stepped forward. But before getting close, she suddenly froze, then asked tentatively, "Shenhe, did you two encounter any monsters covered in purple on your way here?"
"We did, but my husband took care of them," Shenhe replied honestly.
"I see..." Eula frowned slightly. "Then I'll need you both to undergo an inspection. Those monsters spread a contagious virus, and many people have been infected lately."
"Those monsters can infect humans? What happens if someone gets infected?" Shenhe asked fearfully.
"Once infected... they turn into something like those monsters. Their bodies turn purple, and they attack any living creature nearby—even their own family."
Eula saw no reason to hide such a serious matter; knowing the danger would only make them more cautious. Her words clearly startled Shenhe.
Elliot wrapped an arm around her gently, saying, "Don't worry. I'll protect you—and myself as well."
His reassurance eased Shenhe's fear. They followed Eula for the inspection, and once they were confirmed safe, they entered Mondstadt.
Today's Mondstadt was nothing like before. Fear and worry filled people's eyes, and the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.
"Shenhe! Elliot! You're back!"
Jean spotted them almost immediately.
"Yes, we're back," Elliot replied with a nod.
"Sorry, something serious has happened. I might not have time to catch up with you."
"It's alright. Eula already told us. Please be careful—don't take unnecessary risks." Shenhe fully understood Jean's situation.
"Mm. I won't say more. I still have work to do. You two should stay in Mondstadt for now—it's too dangerous outside."
"Understood."
After a brief exchange, Jean hurried off.
Watching her retreating figure, Shenhe silently prayed, "Please be safe..."
They hadn't intended to stay long—just long enough to check on the situation—but they hadn't expected things to be this severe.
After leaving Mondstadt, Elliot and Shenhe quickened their pace toward Liyue.
Elliot could have returned instantly, but knowing Zhongli was in Liyue—and that things wouldn't spiral out of control—he didn't rush.
Liyue's condition wasn't much different from Mondstadt's. The borders were essentially sealed, and all movement in or out required strict inspection.
Around Liyue Harbor, the Adepti, Ganyu, Xiao, and others patrolled the perimeter. Any Abyss monsters discovered were eliminated on the spot.
There was no helping it. The Millelith of this era no longer possessed the spirit they'd once displayed during the Archon War—standing face-to-face with gods. Now they could only patrol within the city and manage the flow of travelers.
If they were sent to fight the Abyss monsters, the losses would be far too great. Thus, the ones actually engaging the Abyss monsters were the Adepti and Xiao.
"Master! I'm here to help!"
Seeing her master and the others battling the Abyss monsters, Shenhe immediately rushed forward.
But Elliot would never let her take such risks. He stepped in first, raising his hand—sharp earthen spikes erupted around them, instantly skewering every monster nearby.
The Adepti and Ganyu were stunned, instinctively thinking the Geo Emperor had returned. Xiao's gaze darted around, searching for Zhongli.
While everyone assumed it was the Geo Emperor's doing, Zhongli himself stood atop a teahouse roof, quietly watching.
He wasn't sure whether this strange corruption could affect Adepti, so he had been guarding them from the shadows. Yet before he could even make a move, someone had already eradicated the Abyss Fiends in an instant.
What shocked him most was that he hadn't sensed the attack at all.
Even so, he had identified the only possible source.
Shenhe's husband—the man who had once vowed to dig a grave for him—Elliot.
He knew the strength of the Adepti and Xiao better than anyone, and he knew the limits of Shenhe's Cryo Vision. Only Elliot remained an enigma—outwardly kind, approachable, completely ordinary.
Yet even Zhongli could not see through him.
Five years ago, when Elliot and Shenhe visited the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli had sensed a faint, worn aura on him. It was elusive and mist-like; whenever he tried to grasp it, it vanished, leaving him unsure whether it was merely an illusion.
Now, in the blink of an eye, Elliot had wiped out a cluster of Abyss monsters. He possessed no Vision, and even when he unleashed elemental skills, Zhongli sensed nothing at all.
This only made the already mysterious Elliot even harder to fathom.