Chapter 021

As the alchemist had said, once she understood the method of "purification," those polluted entities emitting dark aura couldn't even get close to her. As she delved deeper, the stench of pollution became increasingly intense. Initially, Yue Zaiying had considered turning back and seeking help if she couldn't handle it herself. She didn't want to cause any bigger trouble. But now, it seemed that the alchemist hadn't deceived her.

However, he had definitely tricked her. Zaiying walked along the road, expressionless, thinking to herself.

"You seem to care a lot about him."

Out of the blue, the alchemist said this, and after a moment's thought, Zaiying realized who he was referring to. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

"No problem," the alchemist said. "I just want to advise you that puppets have no hearts. They can only poorly imitate humans and cannot be considered living beings. There's really no need to invest so much effort into them."

He naturally knew that this was the spark that would ignite the fuse, but he was confident that she wouldn't get angry like last time.

Because he didn't speak like this in front of that puppet, and from beginning to end, he only saw the emotions of that puppet.

"And what about you?" the alchemist paused in his footsteps.

"People who lack something always want to show off what they have obtained, Mr. Albedo," Yingjian looked at the alchemist and said, "Are you really a flawless human?"

"Of course!" the alchemist almost immediately retorted without any hesitation, "I was designed and created by the greatest alchemist, and I am his only successful creation."

"'Success' and 'failure' are two words that you have been emphasizing from the beginning, but I still don't understand," Yingjian said, "What is the difference between being human or what you call a 'true living being'?"

If at the time of the investigation, she was still pondering why the alchemist had abnormalities that were unlike humans, she was now certain of one thing.

Or rather, the alchemist had never hidden this fact.

"Whether human or not, we all exist in this world. If we must compare, there are plenty of bastards among the humans in this world," Yingjian said as she purified the contaminated area in front of her, "Although you are not that great, I can guarantee that there are people worse than you."

The alchemist scoffed, "It's quite amusing. You were just afraid and terrified because of your recent mistakes. How come you're suddenly lecturing others?"

"It's just that birds of a feather flock together. I have a feeling that you and Asan are quite similar," Yingjian spoke frankly, "Your creator definitely wouldn't want to see you like this. After all, you were his hard-won creation."

"It's similar to what you said," the alchemist didn't deny it, "When humans want to create something, it naturally has its own purpose—just like Khaenri'ah is an underground nation because life cannot be born there, and thus, the method of creation was born. But if, when creating life, you end up with a three-legged rabbit and a four-legged rabbit, and only one can reproduce—which one do you think humans would choose?"

The alchemist's tone carried a hint of mockery as he jokingly posed the question. But Yingjian stopped in her tracks and turned to look at him.

"He wants life," Yingjian said, "Since the purpose is life, it doesn't matter if it's incomplete, right? Or do you think a three-legged rabbit can't eat or drink?"

The alchemist had never discussed this issue with anyone.

It wasn't because he rarely interacted with humans. On the contrary, he had been interacting with humans since his birth as a human himself.

He had heard too many voices praising him in Khaenri'ah—some praised him as a masterpiece of the gods, a dawn, the pinnacle of alchemy. Some said, "Your creator is the greatest alchemist of Khaenri'ah, the glory of Khaenri'ah."

He had always been proud of that. Of course, only among other humans.

He had never received any praise from the "Golden" one. At the beginning of his birth, he only saw his creator walk out of the door.

[Rhine has always been like this, strict with herself, strict with others. Perhaps she has more important things to do. Thinking about it carefully, it's understandable that she doesn't have time to care about you.]

That was the first time he saw the legendary immortal witch.

It wasn't until "Albedo" was born that he realized that Alice's words were not complete.

[It's understandable that she doesn't have time to care about you, 'probably because he always pursues perfection.']

As soon as that person was born, he acquired a name. His eager creator became his teacher, and when he met humans again, they would greet him with a smile and call him "Albedo."

His creator denied his existence and treated it as dispensable.

The person that received the congratulations of the world from the beginning was Albedo; he never truly existed from the start.

"I'm curious, Miss Yingjian," the alchemist laughed softly, "How do you view that puppet?"

"He is my most important friend in this world, that's it, and that's enough."

There is no relation between him and life.

"Friends, huh? Not everyone is so lucky." The alchemist smiled. "I admit that he is indeed luckier than me. In a land ruled by gods, 'puppetry' can be called the highest masterpiece."

Before he could finish his sentence, a hand appeared before him. He looked up and saw a girl with crimson eyes, a hint of helplessness in her gaze.

"Friendship isn't something you can rely on luck for." Yingjian tilted her head slightly and made a suggestion. "How about being temporary friends for a while? Since it seems like we still have a long way to go, why not tell me your story?"

The alchemist took a moment, perhaps a moment or a quarter of an hour, before he spoke.

"Hey... I just tricked you into coming here."

"Mhm." Yingjian nodded casually. "I know. So as compensation, telling me a funny story might cheer me up."

"?"

*

Yingjian listened to the alchemist's story.

The alchemist spoke slowly, luckily the story was not complicated. He narrated the events calmly as a third party.

"You may not understand, but this kind of thing is similar to the talent that humans possess. Those without talent can only achieve similar results by putting in a hundred or a thousand times more effort." The alchemist shrugged. "Unfortunately, I don't even have the qualification to study now."

Yingjian heard his irony, but her mind involuntarily drifted to another matter.

'...So the reliable person that Auntie really spoke of can't be the real Albedo, right?'

'So from the beginning, she believed that the student Auntie mentioned was reliable – that much is true. The problem is that the person in front of her is not Albedo.'

Yingjian: "..."

Yingjian fell silent for a moment, reflecting on her own foolishness. But questioning him now would only invite mockery, so she decided to curse him silently in her heart.

"Pouring water into a pot that's about to drown and expecting the plant to praise you, is that really how things work?" She answered his question with a professional and slightly displeased tone. "In the end, it's just that he doesn't need you. Your existence doesn't bring any benefit to him – the renowned great alchemist of Khaenri'ah probably doesn't lack creations like you."

The alchemist frowned, about to retort, but Yingjian interrupted.

"Instead of hanging oneself on one tree, it's better to find people who need you. Your value will always be recognized by certain individuals, even though it may sound heartless... but that's the truth."

"If you feel obligated to repay the favor of the creator, then it seems like your research is quite important."

The girl's voice was clear as she looked ahead, lost in thought for a moment. But soon, she raised her hand and patted his shoulder.

"Since you've already tricked me into this mess, I'll help you complete this research. After everything is over, try finding someone who needs you."

The alchemist stared at the girl, still in a daze, until she stopped walking.

"This is just a suggestion, take it or leave it."

Yingjian didn't know why she said that, even though she was still a bit angry. But she couldn't bring herself to say something harsh.

And she knew that this feeling wasn't sympathy, it was gratitude.

Grateful that the creator of the little puppet didn't abandon him, grateful that he didn't have any enemies by his side, grateful that he was a person who was needed.

Grateful to have met him.

"You haven't finished what you were saying, Alchemist."

"..."

"Do you really want to help me?"

"If my abilities are enough, as long as you fulfill your responsibilities." Yingjian replied. "Although it may not be a win-win situation, let's just consider it a good deed and accumulate some positive karma."

"I envy him a little."

"Hm?"

"I'm talking about the puppet." The alchemist said. "Being able to have a friend like you is quite lucky."

"It's not that important... I'm just one of many. There are plenty of people who can replace me. But it's nice that you envy him; you'll meet many good people in the future."

The alchemist looked at Yingjian, noticing that her expression was genuine. He chuckled lightly. "Thanks for the kind words. Judging from the pollution level of the tree roots around us, we should be reaching the end soon. Let's talk about something else."

"Sakashita Musashi's words were not lies. The rumored crystal ore is indeed hidden within the secret realm of Kamakura Island. Whether it is for personal gain or for the so-called spirit of adventure, scholars and adventurers went to that mist-shrouded uninhabited island, and the end result was naturally foolishness."

The alchemist did not look at the surprised Inazuma, and continued, "After that, the Tenryou Commission sent people to investigate, and then the Electro Archon personally went to inspect, ultimately issuing the order to seal it off. And the root of all this is the Abyss."

"The Abyss?"

"That is a domain that the people of the Seven Nations should not enter, and it is also a domain that the gods avoid. Because it is a power from beyond the world," the alchemist said, "Do you remember the scroll I used on you? People from beyond the world can freely manipulate the seven elements without borrowing the power of the gods. The princess from beyond the world wrote down the method of using the elements on the scroll and handed it to the ordinary people in a land without gods ruling."

"If such a thing exists, then the power of the Vision is meaningless," Inazuma recalled the ice flowers she easily formed.

"For the Descendants, that may be the case, but the heavenly principles do not allow it. A nation that is too powerful will only invite rebellion and resistance, so He temporarily sealed off the passage to the Abyss. The Almighty will not tolerate such a thing happening—do you remember the impurity I mentioned before? When you used the scroll," the alchemist said, "That is a prohibition. Ordinary people using elemental power will produce impurity. And my research... no, Albedo's research, is to prove that impurity and the Abyss are of the same origin."

Inazuma looked at the black-stained roots and asked in confusion, "Isn't the sample we have here enough for you?"

"The samples that come to the Teyvat continent are changed by the rules of the world and are no longer in their original form. Only in the place closest to the entrance of the Abyss, which is the contaminated roots of the Raiden Sakura tree on Kamakura Island, can we obtain samples that are closest to the source," the alchemist said with a shrug, "But for me, these powers will also cause irreversible contamination."

Inazuma said, "So, am I here to purify the path for you?"

"You could say that. Actually, I was planning to come by myself, but if I can take advantage of you, then I can obtain more accurate samples. I completely ignored your disapproving gaze earlier," the alchemist said, lowering his head slightly in thought, "Actually, I was thinking earlier, since the Raiden knows about the Abyss in Kamakura Island and sealed it off, why didn't they think that the Abyss would be connected through the roots of the Raiden Sakura tree? Unless there is only one possibility—the Raiden doesn't know about the existence of the Raiden Sakura tree."

"Oh, how fascinating," Inazuma said expressionlessly, "So how can we cut off the contamination?"

"That's easy. Just tell your mother when you go back, and have her cut off the connection between the Raiden Sakura tree and the Sacred Sakura tree on this side. Then the impurity will not flow along the roots," the alchemist said, "...So, it seems like I've only brought you here to complete my research."

"It seems so. By purifying this area, you can temporarily suppress the flow of impurity. It will give the Raiden enough time to cut off the connection. After you go back, just tell her," Inazuma said with a click of her tongue.

The alchemist noticed Inazuma's displeasure and rubbed his nose. He walked without saying anything.

"We're here."

The alchemist stopped and took out something like a transparent pendant. After letting go, it floated in mid-air.

"The entrance to the Abyss is on Kamakura Island, but I don't know where exactly. In fact, it is more accurate inside the Abyss... Oh, I didn't mean to lure you in. Anyway, you wouldn't agree. In any case, thank you for bringing me here. If you need help in the future..."

The alchemist paused for a moment, took a few breaths, and then slowly said, "If you can... Can we be friends?"

There was no response for a long time.

"If not, then forget it." The container had finished collecting, and the alchemist raised his hand to pick it up. "I'm done."

Still no response.

"...Inazuma?"

*

The world of Teyvat is a magical world, at least in Inazuma's eyes.

So when she looked around and saw nothing but endless darkness, Inazuma finally couldn't move forward.

"Where is this exactly?"

She didn't know, she didn't even know how many days had passed.

Dark, damp, oppressive, and melancholy. It was filled with a sense of death everywhere, a place Inazuma had never seen in Inazuma... but strangely familiar.

Until there was a commotion ahead, reflecting what was seen. Only to see the deformed behemoth crashing to the ground, and standing in front of the fallen monster was...

"Zhongli?"

The young man heard the voice and instinctively turned his head in this direction, but was immediately embraced by warm arms.

"I missed you so much! Are you here to take me out?... Wait, why would I let you come, did you secretly follow me?"

Zhongli released his hand, but before he could get an answer, he felt his neck being choked, his back colliding with a steep stone wall, and a choking pain.

And those usually gentle purple eyes were cold and almost devoid of warmth.

"You really crossed the line, scum."