"Xin Hai? Xin Hai?!"
Feng Yi told Xin Hai that the culprit behind the lost provisions should be this Hydro Hilichurl Drummer that hid underground.
But Xin Hai seemed absent-minded and did not respond for a long time.
"Ah?! Sorry, I was spacing out just now. So rude of me. Feng Yi, what were you saying?"
Xin Hai's thoughts were pulled back to reality by Feng Yi's call, and she apologized with a look of shame.
She had been preoccupied with reminiscing about the beautiful scenery inside the Serenitea Pot.
But the scenery in the pot was truly beautiful, with emerald green grass, sparkling water, and a gentle breeze. If she had the chance to leisurely study military strategy there, Xin Hai felt that would be the happiest thing in the world.
"I was saying that the real culprit behind the lost provisions should be this Hydro Hilichurl Drummer. It was hiding underground the whole time, which is why the resistance forces didn't notice anything unusual during their sweep..."
Feng Yi didn't mind Xin Hai's distraction and repeated his guess.
"Yes, the environment here is a bit unusual. It might be close to the remains of the God Orobas, and the aura of the Susepon is quite strong, which is why some evil creatures would be born... Look, that's the skeleton of Orobas!"
Xin Hai sighed sadly and then pointed to the giant snake skull framework in the distance.
"Feng Yi, you might not know, but it was Orobas who brought our ancestors from Enkanomiya to the surface, leading to the existence of Watatsumi Island today. Our ancestors have always regarded it as a guardian deity. However, during the Archon War, Orobas invaded Yashiori Island. General Raiden personally arrived and slew it with her 'Musou no Hitotachi.' That strike also formed the current Musou Isshin..."
Xin Hai didn't understand why Orobas would launch a surprise attack on Yashiori Island without any warning.
But Xin Hai had a vague feeling that Orobas must have had its reasons for doing so.
"After Orobas died, Watatsumi Island had many disagreements with the Shogunate. But the establishment of the resistance army this time is not for faith, but solely against the Vision Hunt Decree. Orobas disrupted peace, and the General stood up to stop it. Now, the General has issued the Vision Hunt Decree, stripping the people of their desires, and someone must stand up to stop the General..."
Xin Hai's eyes were exceptionally firm. For Watatsumi Island, for everything she cherished, she had to persevere.
"Xin Hai, I believe Orobas was not an evil god. It protected the people of Watatsumi Island, was close to humans, and had always lived in peace with Narukami Island. Although not comparable to the Electro Archon, it did protect the creatures of the region. Its sudden invasion of Yashiori Island must have had a reason..."
Feng Yi didn't know how to comfort Xin Hai. He indeed knew the story of Orobas, but this matter was too deeply involved. Even an Archon like Orobas could only seek death after discovering secrets it shouldn't have known, let alone a Seelie like Xin Hai.
To outsiders, the Archon Orobas was a loser of the Archon War who fled to the depths of the sea.
In the depths, Orobas protected the local populace and became their Great God of Watatsumi, the deity Ruojin.
The shrine maidens were responsible for handling all affairs, with the head shrine maiden being the "Living God Shrine Maiden," who oversaw politics and ceremonies.
At that time, an independent regime of Watatsumi Island was established, separate from the Narukami Island Shogunate. Even when the Electro Archon unified Inazuma, Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island "divided the western seas and lived in peace."
Until a certain period, Orobas "suddenly harbored ill intentions and launched an invasion eastward."
Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The General's beloved general, a Tengu named Sasayuri, also perished here.
The Great Serpent was killed in anger by the General and died on Yashiori Island.
The Great Serpent Orobas has always been considered a Susepon that disrupted peace.
But the truth of the matter was much more complex, involving some ancient secrets.
In simple terms, Orobas touched upon the truth of the world before its birth in Enkanomiya.
When it realized it was being targeted by the Heavenly Principles and could not escape death.
To protect the residents of Watatsumi Island, Orobas reached an agreement with the Heavenly Principles and launched an attack towards Narukami Island.
Ultimately, Orobas, which had no real intention of attacking, fell under the General's 'Musou no Hitotachi.'
Feng Yi felt very depressed and frustrated when he learned the truth himself.
This must be what it means to be in the martial world, where one cannot control their own destiny!
"Feng Yi, thank you for comforting me..."
Xin Hai knew Feng Yi was trying to comfort her and couldn't help but smile through her tears.
Despite her delicate appearance, she was inwardly very strong and not so easily defeated by sadness. Otherwise, how could she manage Watatsumi Island?
Seeing this, Feng Yi didn't explain further. The investigation into the lost provisions was over, so he and Xin Hai walked towards Watatsumi Island.
"Feng Yi, that..."
On the way, Xin Hai suddenly called out to Feng Yi, hesitating, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Xin Hai? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Feng Yi turned and saw a blush on Xin Hai's face that was unusual for her, and asked with concern.
"No... no, it's not about my health, it's... it's about your teapot..."
As soon as she had a moment of leisure, the beautiful scenery inside the Serenitea Pot reappeared in Xin Hai's mind.
"You mean this? It's called the Serenitea Pot. It's a treasure refined by a Liyue adept. It contains a world of its own. The situation was urgent just now, so I put you inside. I'm very sorry for acting without your consent..."
Feng Yi thought Xin Hai was going to confront him, so he quickly apologized.
"No, that's not what I meant. I'm not blaming you at all. I should thank you for protecting me just now... Feng Yi, this might be a bit sudden, but I have a request that I'm ashamed to ask. Could... could I enter the Serenitea Pot again and stay for a while longer? Just for a little while, please?"
Xin Hai was a bit embarrassed, but she really loved the serene and peaceful mountain scenery in the Serenitea Pot and wanted to experience it for a little longer.
"Of course, you can stay as long as you like if you enjoy it!"
Feng Yi laughed heartily. He was delighted that Xin Hai wanted to enter the pot.
Feng Yi found a hidden and safe place to put down the Serenitea Pot and then took Xin Hai inside.
Noticing that Xin Hai's clothes were stained with mud and sand from the recent battle, Feng Yi suggested that Xin Hai go to the hot spring pool in the Serenitea Pot for a good bath and to relax.
Xin Hai happily accepted Feng Yi's thoughtful arrangement.
The moment she stepped into the hot spring pool, her astonishment was evident. It was truly a divine artifact refined by an adept, even the hot spring pool was so extraordinary.
As Xin Hai soaked in it, she felt all her fatigue melting away, and she felt extremely comfortable.