The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

The group then turned back to the place where the Five Hundred Hidden Site was located.

Just as Kiana had said, those little guys had been waiting for a long time at Ichizou's place.

After some conversation, Wu Baizang did not immediately fulfill his promise to hand over the comb. Instead, he asked Ying why they had the scent of the demon fox clan on them.

After reaching the conclusion, Gosho sighed for a moment, then agreed to keep his promise and hand over the comb.

After receiving the comb, Ying and Kiana exchanged a smile.

The sealed fox demon wasn't inherently bad, and it even revealed information about the purification location.

Before parting, he asked Ying to tell that so-called stinky fox to come back quickly and continue the battle of magic.

Ying and Paimon exchanged a glance, and without taking it too seriously, agreed, their plan being to bring it up later when they had the chance.

However, Kiana knew that they were destined not to be able to convey these words on behalf of Ichizou.

"Prepare to proceed with the ceremony. This time... leave the battle to me."

"Huh? Is it really okay?"

Ying grasped Kiana's hand with a hint of surprise.

"Haha, don't worry about me."

Kiana waved her hand, then held Ying's small hand and shook it. The two then happily went on a picnic.

Following the directions given by Wu Baizang, they continued exploring and eventually found the tree roots hidden by the illusion barrier in front of a beach.

"Is this the place? Just bare rocks..."

Paimon was puzzled when he saw one of the three little fox demons from before, a medicine fox named Master Ji, suddenly appear.

Under the magic of the fox demon, the originally bare stone suddenly disappeared.

The tree roots on the other side of the rock were revealed.

"How amazing..."

Looking at the drastically different cliff, Ying and Paimon were greatly shocked, and at the same time looked at the little fox demon with great gratitude.

After receiving the thanks, the little fox demon responded with a sound and then disappeared.

That certainly fits the characteristics of a demon.

"Then, let's begin the purification process."

Ying stretched and smiled at Kiana before starting to climb the vines.

The plan is to purify this area of ​​tree roots...

The Song of Flames and Lightning (Genshin Impact Inazuma Main Story): Chapter Sixteen - If this fire were any more intense...

Compared to the previous polluted cherry tree roots, this root is in a particularly hidden location, and the sequence that needs to be adjusted is also more difficult to find.

Ying stood at the base of the tree, looked around, and then covered her forehead in a somewhat helpless manner:

Paimon.

"Huh? What's wrong?" Paimon appeared out of nowhere and asked, looking very puzzled.

"Could you fly me up there to adjust the sequence? I'm feeling a bit tired."

"Uh...no. Besides, Paimon can't possibly do that!"

Paimon bluntly refused this impossible request.

With her tiny arms and legs, it would be impossible for her to carry Fei Ying directly unless she instantly doubled in size.

Of course, Ying didn't really expect her to be able to take her to the top.

After all, if it were possible, why would we need the Wings of Wind?

"Paymon is useless, ha! All he does is eat!"

"Hey!"

Ying joked around for a bit, then stretched her wrists, intending to continue climbing, a sport she was already used to.

However, this time...

She reached out her hands, but before she could even grasp the tree roots, she felt a strong force around her waist, and then she was pulled into a warm embrace...

"Kiana! Why are you hugging me so tightly again? Oh... don't hug me so tightly."

He got caught again, and this time they were so close together.

Ying blushed uncharacteristically and began to struggle.

However, her power was completely insignificant compared to Kiana, who was a Herrscher; at best, it was just the erratic movements of a kitten.

"Don't be afraid, I just want to help you get up there, Paimon, right?"

"Forehead..."

Reminded by Kiana, Ying turned her face away helplessly, regretting her earlier remarks.

Unfortunately, Paimon took the opportunity to cover his mouth and look at Kiana with a happy expression.

"That's great! Kiana is so reliable! She easily accomplished something that even Paimon couldn't do!"

"Huh? Haha, should I be happy?"

Kiana couldn't help but chuckle at Paimon's praise.

She smiled, then leaped into the air, landing squarely in the center of the tree trunk.

Although this action is casual, it saves a lot of climbing time.

"arrive."

"That was fast..."

Ying, now free, looked around. Even though she knew that the girl who had accompanied her for some time was no ordinary person, she was still surprised.

Seeing Ying staring straight at her, Kiana thought she had hurt her by not using enough force and rubbed the back of her head.

"If you'd like it slower, I can adjust the speed."

"Hmm...no need."

Ying forced a smile, then turned around to begin preparations for the purification.

However, as soon as she set off and adjusted her first position, Paimon, who was flying around with her, stood with his hands behind his back, looking rather strange.

"Traveler, why has your face been changing color so often lately? This has never happened before... Do you have a fever?"

“…Paimon,” Ying muttered, rubbing her forehead, “idiot.”

"Huh? Did Paimon say something wrong?"

Paimon looked surprised and waved his hands repeatedly, apologizing profusely.

However, Ying ignored her apology and instead began to adjust the sequence with agile movements.

Time passed slowly, and the rising sun gradually climbed into the sky, the heat blowing on everyone with the sea breeze.

'drop...'

A glistening bead of sweat dripped from Ying's golden bangs, creating ripples in the small pool of water at the base of the tree.

"Finally done... Let's go down."

Ying breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled at Kiana.

"Okay. Thanks for your hard work, leave the rest to me."

Kiana tossed her ponytail, then put her right hand on her hip and gave a carefree smile.

Her smile was always so radiant, as if it could dispel the darkness and cold of the world, causing Ying to be momentarily stunned and almost lose herself in that dazzling smile.

"Ahem, thank you."

Ying feigned a cough, then leaped into the air as if fleeing, activating her Wind Chaser Wings and landing at the base of a tree, intending to begin her prayer.

Before she even landed, Kiana had already landed precisely a short distance from the tree roots, ready to go.

Her swift and decisive action reflects her formidable strength.

"here we go."

"Ah."

The voice just fell.

With the completion of the prayer, the filth that had accumulated in the tree roots for so long was finally able to take the form of a fallen warrior and manifest itself in the world.

Unfortunately, he hadn't been slowly condensing for long.

What we are about to face is a terrifying existence that is beyond the reach of ordinary people...

"Come on, filth."

"Hmm? Let me try the knife!" The filth forced out of the Thunder Cherry Tree roots slowly pulled out the knife, without the slightest fear.

Yes, it's just a desire for battle.

Battle is imminent.

Kiana, wielding the Blazing King Sword, did not initiate an attack.

Her indifference, however, was seen by the martial artist as a sign of weakness.

"Just this one strike!"

The purple-clad samurai ran his hand over the blade, then raised his katana high and slashed it down.

'Clang!'

Compared to the filthy entities they had encountered before, this fallen warrior was clearly stronger, and even the sound of their weapons clashing was much clearer.

However, even though the monster was slightly stronger.

The Blazing King Sword remained completely still!

"The moment of decisive battle has arrived!"