In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

at this point in time.

Liyue may not have started luring the dark monsters into the Lava Pit yet.

However, even if the Abyss of Lapis Lazuli had not been embroiled in the war with the Dark Monsters at that time, the time difference would not have been significant.

all in all.

Hafdan and his group had only just settled down in the ruins.

They then encountered the abyss corruption brought by the dark monsters.

The war machines that originally belonged to them also lost their most basic ability to distinguish friend from foe under the influence of the abyss's power. As a result, Hafdan and his men had to put these machines, which were originally used to protect the people, into hibernation and send them to the ruins.

But this sacred spring could only weaken the curse on them; it could never purify it.

As time goes by.

Even with the help of the Holy Spring, the people of Kanria still inevitably turned into Hilichurls. The Black Serpent Knights, under the combined effects of the power of the abyss and the curse, had their flesh and bones melt away and their consciousness worn away, becoming the dark shells that now only remember to protect their people.

Although Hafdan had lost most of his intellect, he still retained human rationality.

But he had long lost the ability to observe people and recognize things.

He couldn't detect anything unusual about Rhodes's change in expression; he simply nodded mechanically to express his gratitude.

Subsequently.

He then swung his greatsword and shattered the amplification device that the Abyss Order had painstakingly installed into pieces with a single strike.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 229 Hafdan's Gift

"His will is very strong."

While Hafdan went to other rooms to destroy other devices, Xiao unusually took the initiative to speak.

Because one is constantly entangled with karmic obstacles.

Xiao usually doesn't come into contact with mortals.

Even when he had no choice but to come into contact with mortals, he would try to stay as far away from them as possible.

Karmic obstacles.

It refers to the resentment left behind when the demon god died.

This thing is just as torturous to the mind as the corruption of the abyss.

Without the protection of elemental power, rashly coming into contact with the resentment on Xiao's body would at least result in mental breakdown.

If you maintain this habit for a long time...

Even though he knew that Rhodes' elemental power was exceptionally strong, he still habitually stood a dozen steps away from Rhodes, maintaining a distance just enough to send his voice into Rhodes' ears.

Hafdan has a strong will.

Needless to say, Xiao knew this very well, and Rod was well aware of it as well.

Hafdan is not a god.

He was just a mortal.

Yet he stubbornly endured the five-hundred-year curse, preserving enough of his sanity to think.

It is nothing short of a miracle that these Black Serpent Knights have never forgotten their mission in five hundred years.

Hafdan can be described as a miracle among miracles.

"yes--"

"His will is truly incredibly strong."

Rhodes sighed, then said, "Let's go, let's go to the Sky Nail together."

Xiao didn't reply, but nodded, and then walked out of the ruins one after the other with Rhodes.

The two had just left the room.

They ran right into Hafdan, who was returning.

"I'm leaving now. Hope we meet again someday."

Out of respect, Rhodes greeted the knight.

However, what he did not expect was...

Hafdan, who shouldn't have needed any help, stopped him again and pointed into the depths of the ruins.

Is there anything else you need my help with?

Rod asked curiously.

"."

Hafdan shook his head.

at the same time.

Xiao said from the side, "He has something to give you as a thank you for helping him earlier."

"what?"

"Can you understand what Hafdan is saying?"

Rhodes blinked, his curiosity deepening.

its not right.

Hafdan didn't seem to say anything just now, did he?

How did the siren know what he was trying to say?

"Your mental strength is insufficient."

That's all the explanation Xiao gave.

But that's enough.

Compared to Rhodes's powerful physical body, his mental strength was indeed much weaker.

This is not something that Xiao has pointed out.

Both Nasita and the Great Tree King have pointed this out.

to this end.

They even gave Rhodes a leaf from the World Tree to protect his mind, so that he wouldn't be instantly subdued if he encountered an enemy skilled in mental attacks.

no way.

After the great changes that befell Sumeru, not only was its current situation worrying, but its foundation was also almost squandered by those spendthrift sons of the Order Academy.

It's pathetic to even talk about it.

As deities of Mount Sumeru, Naxi Da and the Great Tree King only possessed this single leaf from the World Tree.

This was a leaf that the two of them had to pick together.

Otherwise, given Narcida's control over the World Tree, Rhodes wouldn't even have a single leaf right now.

Problems arising from insufficient mental strength.

Rhodes simply couldn't decipher the messages that Hafdan was conveying through his consciousness.

Fortunately.

Youxiao provided the translation.

Rhodes, suddenly realizing what was happening, did not refuse Hafdan's offer and gladly followed behind him.

I did Hafdan a favor.

It's perfectly reasonable to accept a thank-you gift from him.

What kind of gift could it be?

Following behind Hafdan, Rhodes thought to himself.

The fact that the Black Serpent Knights were able to carry so many people all the way from Sumeru to Liyue back then means they must have carried sufficient supplies.

This made Rhodes intrigued by the gift that Hafdan was about to give him.

However, he didn't have particularly high expectations.

It's been 500 years, after all.

Even if there were objects that could survive for such a long time, they would probably have been almost completely corroded by the passage of five hundred years.

But Rhodes was already prepared.

No matter what Hafdan gave him, even if it was a seed that had long since turned to ash, he would accept it without batting an eye.

After all, given Hafdan's current mental state.

He probably couldn't tell whether the gifts he gave out were good or bad; at most, he just relied on instinct to give himself the most precious things in his memory.

Go further in.

The ruins are actually the brightest.

It's not because the Black Serpent Knights deliberately maintain the lighting inside the ruins.

Rather, it's because the Hilichurls who have gathered here need light.

The Hilichurls still living in this ruin are mostly old and frail, awaiting death.

Although the elderly Hilichurls become increasingly afraid of sunlight as they age, their yearning for light still draws them to the campfire as they approach death, where they quietly await their demise.

They were so quiet.

Even when Hafdan walked past them with two strangers, they didn't look up once, remaining in their previous postures. Even though their eyes, hidden behind their masks, were already red and swollen from the light, they didn't dare to tilt their heads, as if afraid of losing the light before them once again.

The Black Serpent Knights, who had previously harbored murderous intent towards Rhodes, now stood guard in front of these Hilichurls, like the most solid wall, firmly protecting these people they had sworn to protect. Even though the people they were protecting had become corpses, they remained by their side, stubbornly carrying out their mission with their broken bodies.

This scene immediately silenced Rhodes's previously joyful expression.