Meeting Eula could only be called fate.
Due to time constraints, Gong Qu and his companions had to depart quickly. The origin and details of the event would have to be explained on the way.
On the road outside Mondstadt.
The three walked together.
Listening to Gong Qu recount how he arrived in Teyvat, Eula's mind went into chaos, as though she had consumed too much forbidden knowledge.
"Wait, wait! What do you mean by 'different observation dimensions'? What is quantum mechanics? What are you even talking about?!"
"Don't understand?"
Gong Qu's tone made Eula want to hit him, but she forcibly pressed her fists down.
"Who could understand this?! I can barely even recognize Teyvat's common language anymore!"
"When in doubt, just refer to quantum mechanics. As for me, this is our first official meeting."
"Don't worry too much. The adventures we went on together were real; it's just that the way they manifested was a bit strange."
"Anyway, a Traveler is just a Traveler, right!"
Eula stared at Gong Qu with wide eyes, and the high vantage point from her gaze made it hard not to awkwardly shift focus elsewhere, a heavy pressure settling in.
"That's unquestionable. I am Gong Qu, and I am also a Traveler."
"Good, at least my target for revenge (or rather, admiration) hasn't changed."
Eula said, her face turning red.
"Did Gong Qu do something to wrong you, that you want revenge on him?"
Keqing, not being familiar with Eula, didn't understand the special meaning behind Eula's mention of "revenge."
It was only at this moment that Eula noticed—while they walked—Keqing and Gong Qu were walking hand-in-hand, their fingers intertwined.
That moment was like a thunderclap on a clear day.
Eula, who often swiped romance novels from Jean, felt her imagination running wild.
So they're that kind of relationship?
Wait, am I the protagonist of a tragic romance drama?
Eula suddenly felt inexplicably wronged, almost on the verge of tears.
Keqing, seeing Eula's face turn various shades—from pale to red to dark—was a little concerned about her physical well-being. She leaned toward Gong Qu and whispered in his ear.
"Gong Qu, does the 'Genshin' in your game mention if this lady has... some, uh, hidden ailment? Though she's also a Vision holder, it could be dangerous if she falls ill out here."
"Don't mind her, tsundere girls tend to self-sabotage. She'll find an excuse for herself and be fine soon."
The girl's feelings were too heavy.
There was also the matter with Ying that still needed resolving, and Gong Qu hadn't figured out how to face the other girls with full affection levels yet.
Keqing pouted.
Gong Qu often said things she didn't understand.
Lost in thought, she playfully planted a strawberry on Gong Qu's face, then laughed heartily, releasing an unmistakable scent of romance, heedless of the world around her.
Eula, trailing behind by half a step, witnessed the scene. The bitterness in her heart was indescribable.
It hurts! It hurts too much!
...
The main road from Mondstadt to the Whispering Forest was wide and open, and years of clearing monsters had ensured it was relatively safe.
For this reason, the Mondstadt official managing body, the Knights of Favonius, had placed a landmark at the entrance to the Whispering Forest, marking the boundary between the two areas.
"We'll split up here. There are a few hours until sunset. Whether we find Ying or not, we need to be back in Mondstadt before nightfall."
"Also, here's the healing potions I made. If either of you or Ying get injured, use them for emergency treatment."
Gong Qu handed Eula two bottles of healing potions, which had been gathering dust in his inventory for over a month, part of a beginner's pack.
He then briefly instructed Eula on what to say when they found Ying, and the three set off from the boundary landmark.
Eula went left, Keqing went right, and Gong Qu took the center, where his search range was the largest.
...
Paimon, where are you?
I was wrong. I shouldn't have gotten lost in my drunken dreams.
I shouldn't have forgotten you, who've always been by my side, just because someone left.
So... if you hear my call, please appear before me!
In the Whispering Forest.
Ying unleashed a wind and thunder-infused sword strike that dismembered three Hilichurls. The earth surged, quickly burying the fallen Hilichurls in the soil for eternal rest.
"Nothing here."
With the power of the Dendro element, after some exploration yielded no results, Ying moved on to the next location without hesitation.
The main road from Mondstadt rarely had monsters.
The terrain was also open.
Paimon, with her ability to fly, could easily escape.
But the Whispering Forest was different.
The terrain limited Paimon's mobility, and though most monsters in the area had been cleared due to their proximity to Mondstadt, they still posed a threat to Paimon, whose combat strength was no match for even one-third of a wild boar.
Buzz!
A presence only detectable by Vision holders began to spread out.
The ley lines... are shifting again.
Ying, holding the Pervading Rock given to her by her ex, activated the wind element at her feet and headed toward the leyline bloom.
After so long without finding Paimon, her goal had shifted from simply "finding someone" to "eliminating all threats."
As long as no monsters in the Whispering Forest posed a threat to Paimon, her chances of safely returning would increase drastically.
...
"What's going on? Mondstadt has refreshed the Hilichurl Geo-Slinger King? Isn't that something only regions with high Geo element content, like Liyue, have?"
Gong Qu stopped in his tracks.
He pulled out the Dragonbone Sword, which no one would recognize—at most, they would think it was a magical sword—and prepared to test this unexpectedly large foe.
Roar!—
The Hilichurl Geo-Slinger King roared, displaying unexpected agility for its size. With one jump, it slammed down toward Gong Qu.
Gong Qu quickly sidestepped to avoid the Geo-Slinger King's direct strike.
However, Teyvat was a world of elements. After the Geo-Slinger King landed, its immense Geo energy condensed into rocks, which shot out in all directions like bullets.
Clink! Clink!
Thud! Thud!
Gong Qu had to block some of the rocks with the Dragonbone Sword, but the rest hit him, only to be mostly absorbed by his Diamond Set armor.
He had gotten careless, forgetting that this creature's attacks came with special effects.
Gong Qu's Dendro energy flared up, granting him a healing and attack speed buff. His gaze sharpened, and he began to take the situation seriously.
The Hilichurl Geo-Slinger King turned around, its yellow eyes flashing as it charged at Gong Qu again.
Taking a deep breath, Gong Qu did not dodge this time but instead swung his sword upward.
Boom!
The fist and sword clashed, sending sparks flying, and they locked in a stalemate.
At a height of over four meters, the Geo-Slinger King made Gong Qu, who stood at about 1.75 meters, seem so small.
Yet, the strength Gong Qu displayed was enough to make most Geo Vision holders feel inferior.
"This mere Hilichurl Geo-Slinger King shall vanish in the face of this world-altering power!"
Suddenly, dark red flames erupted from the Dragonbone Sword, fueled by Dendro energy, creating a towering inferno.
Gong Qu swung his sword, and the sword energy transformed into a ravenous dragon, which devoured the Hilichurl Geo-Slinger King in one gulp.
At the moment the fire died down, a familiar figure emerged from behind the flames.