"Ah, I see. I thought you might know, Old Gu," Chongyun said, scratching his head. "My family's records mentioned several exorcist families. Even though each one had different methods, they all shared the same purpose, so we could communicate."
"When Xingqiu and I traveled around Liyue, I took the time to visit the old residences of these exorcists," he continued. "But they were either abandoned, or their lineage had been lost. Some even mistook me for a con artist and threatened to call the Millelith."
Chongyun's face showed a trace of frustration. "I just wanted to find others who shared my interests, but it seems most of the exorcist families have disappeared into history. That's why I came to ask you."
"There's no need," Gu Sanqiu said calmly. "Even if you did find someone from an exorcist lineage, what makes you so sure they'd even get along with you?"
He continued, "Don't feel like you have to fit into the mold of your title. It may not even be what you like, and it could bring more trouble than it's worth."
"For example, do people who climb the tower for treasure always need to hang out with treasure hoarders? Do they even trust those so-called 'companions' with anything private?"
"If you want to talk, wouldn't it be better to do it over drinks or in the company of some friendly people? Those kinds of places are a lot more comfortable."
Chongyun furrowed his brow, processing Gu Sanqiu's words. He made a point of ignoring the comment about certain "establishments," reminding himself that he was still a pure exorcist and wouldn't let Gu Sanqiu lead him astray.
"Don't get hung up on belonging to a certain circle. That's not important," Gu Sanqiu said. "What matters is how you want to live, what you like and dislike—that's the foundation of your 'circle.'"
He coughed and downed a pill. "Sorry, I got a bit sentimental there. We're all men here, so that was unnecessary. If it resonates, fine. If not, just laugh it off."
Gu Sanqiu clapped Chongyun on the shoulder. "Go get some sleep. You'll feel better after resting. Just... maybe don't cuddle with Xingqiu."
Under the night sky, Gu Sanqiu leaned against a large tree, keeping watch over the fire. The smoke drifted up, obscuring his expression.
"Hey, you should sleep," Xingqiu said, giving Gu Sanqiu a playful kick to the shin. "I'm really curious where you got this habit from. I bet some big-shot is losing their temper, secretly investigating right now."
Gu Sanqiu grinned. "That was supposed to be my line." He snuffed out his cigarette, crossed his arms, and stretched out one leg while bending the other. "Wake me when it's morning."
Xingqiu was about to insist that Gu Sanqiu sleep in the cabin but stopped when he heard the sound of his peaceful breathing.
"So, the Gu family has a technique for falling asleep in seconds?"
"It's not just the Gu family—we all can do it," Chongyun chimed in, nodding.
"Is it easy to learn? Can regular people do it?" Xingqiu asked, intrigued.
"I know what you're thinking, but no. This technique can't be widely taught, and it wouldn't be practical," Chongyun said, shaking his head. "I've heard that someone in Minlin once tried to sell it. But as soon as it hit the market, it was immediately pirated. Some people even bought one copy and shared it with dozens of families."
"In the end, it didn't even boost the sect's reputation. The sect leader had to beg the authorities to catch the bootleggers."
Xingqiu fell silent, then remembered Gu Sanqiu's unconventional methods and the supernatural stories he'd heard recently about "trees eating people" and "spirits carrying coffins." Suddenly, the fact that the Gu family had risen to the top of the exorcist world didn't seem so surprising.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo—"
"Why do you have that thing?" Xingqiu asked, his face darkening as he watched Gu Sanqiu holding a toy rooster that crowed like a real one.
"For fun, obviously. I was planning to keep watch for the second half of the night and wake you two up with it," Gu Sanqiu replied, amused. "But I figured I'd spare you since this isn't Liyue Harbor. It's important to get quality rest in dangerous places."
"Heh, much appreciated," Xingqiu muttered through gritted teeth.
"Enough of that. Go grab some fresh water from the cabin—we need to make breakfast," Gu Sanqiu said, pulling out a small bag with a pink round logo and a comical belly button design.
Item: Abyssal White Sugar (Bagged)Source: Abyssal Realm Grand Red Sugar Co.
Note: Don't let weird ideas like 'the Abyss can only have brown sugar' cloud your judgment.
"One bowl of sugar water each to start the day... Chongyun, you can use it for shaved ice if you like."
He distributed the entire bag of white sugar between them. "If you ration it right, it'll keep you going through a full day of high-intensity activity. It's great stuff."
"Is it really that good? Where'd you get it from? I've never seen it before," Xingqiu asked, intrigued.
"Private channels, custom order," Gu Sanqiu replied with a smirk. Nothing more private than my golden finger... right?
Two hours later, Gu Sanqiu had changed into shorts and a T-shirt with bamboo and Sweet Flower prints, sipping on a cold drink that Chongyun had kindly made for him.
"So, no discoveries yet?" he asked lazily.
"Nope, nothing. You sure you don't want to help?" Xingqiu replied.
"I don't have your energy. Besides, the way you two are digging around, I can't tell if you're treasure hunting or doing an archeological dig."
Ever since they arrived, Xingqiu had been combing through every inch of the island, treating even the smallest clue as though it could be significant. Gu Sanqiu was starting to question the nature of his affection toward Chongyun.
Aside from a few rusty weapons and some broken, unidentifiable tools, they had found nothing, which is why Gu Sanqiu had changed into more relaxed clothing.
Strangely enough, it was still calm.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Xingqiu asked.
"Simple. Just blow it all up." Gu Sanqiu smiled. "If what we're looking for is really here, regular attacks won't damage it. This way, we won't waste time. Makes sense, right?"
"You've got a point," Xingqiu agreed, realizing they weren't here to write research papers on ancient civilizations. Their target was something far older—and possibly still dangerous.
"Come on, give me a hand. I want to see just how powerful you really are, 'the man who's not allowed to go all out in Liyue Harbor,'" Xingqiu teased.
"I told you not to bring that up."
Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "Minor Quake."
He stomped the ground, and immediately, the entire island began to shake. Leaves flew, stones tumbled—it was as if a giant had grabbed the island and was trying to shake it apart.
"Hmm, looks like nothing's here," Gu Sanqiu said, flashing a bright grin at the dumbfounded Xingqiu and Chongyun. He casually tossed aside his drink.
"Let's move on."
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