The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

By transforming into a roly-poly toy, one can openly and legitimately slack off.

Seeing this, Kiana, who arrived later, could only wave and smile before greeting them:

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Kage and I are going to Naruto Shrine next. Would you like to come?"

"what?"

Upon hearing that the two were going to Naru Shrine, Mango and Hayato were completely bewildered.

Why would you go there for no reason?

Yingxiang Mountain is not easy to climb...

"Is it to pray for peace on the mountain? Hmm... I think the mission is more important, so I won't go with you."

Upon hearing this, Kiana turned and glanced at the disguised Shadow, noticing that she didn't seem to have much of an opinion, so she slowly nodded.

"Eh? Manyo, you're not going? That's fine then. What about Hayato?"

With someone taking the lead, Zaoyou naturally also felt that climbing the mountain was too tiring, so she said:

"Zaoyou wants to sleep! We're not going."

"Ah, well then. Next... Shadow, will you come with me?"

"Me? I can leave anytime."

Since Ying has already agreed, the other two have politely declined.

Kiana felt that if she lingered any longer, it would be too late.

They're just deliberately stalling for time.

Without much thought, she flew directly with Ying to the foot of Yingxiang Mountain.

Gazing at the majestic mountain peak and the towering cherry tree atop it, Kiana suddenly wondered whether Yae no Miko was inside the Naruto Shrine at this very moment.

And next, it's time to go over and catch up with her.

"Let's go. Oh! No, we can fly, Shadow. I'll go first..."

Unfortunately, just as Kiana was about to leap into the air and fly directly to the top of Shadow Peak,

Ying slowly reached out and placed her hand in front of her chest.

"It's a rare opportunity to get out of the mountains, and I haven't experienced the mountain path of Yingxiang Mountain in a long time. I want to walk up it slowly. Would you like to come with me?"

"Huh? Hmm..."

Only now did Kiana finally realize that Shadow's trip was ultimately for leisure and relaxation.

Even with the interference of the Abyss Order, her will will not easily change.

If that's the case... then maybe we should indulge her a little?

"Okay, let's go hiking together."

"Okay, let's go together."

The two smiled gently, then held hands and began to climb the rugged Shadow Mountain...

The Battle Between Flame and Lightning and the Abyss (Genshin Impact): Chapter Eleven - The Eightfold Divine Child is Cornered...

The mountain path leading to the mountain is still just as difficult to walk.

Steep cliffs, broken bridges that have been left unrepaired and unmaintained, and the nomadic tribes and sea demons that traverse these places.

The various strange enemies make this otherwise peaceful Shadow Mountain seem like a sacred mountain that pilgrims must climb, arousing curiosity.

How exactly do the local residents of Inazuma Castle go up to worship?

Of course, these difficulties were nothing to the two girls who were climbing the mountain hand in hand.

"This is a huge vote—! Ah!"

Several ninja with swords rushed over, only to be flung away by Kiana's sword.

"Let me try—ah!"

A sea monster suddenly appeared halfway through the journey, and before it could finish speaking, it was cut down by the shadow along with its sword.

These strange enemies, only visible in the Inazuma region, are no match for the two incredibly powerful young girls.

There was almost no chance of fighting back.

However, despite the huge gap in strength, they still went one after another.

They would occasionally rush out from the mountain path to ambush you.

Although the mountain path leading from the shadow to the bottom of the mountain doesn't take too far to climb, the two of them encountered enemies at least five or six times along the way.

This also dragged down these fearless Inazuma samurai, to the point that Kiana, who originally wanted to have a good emotional exchange with Kage, became annoyed.

"What? Why do I always see these weird guys on this road?!"

"Hmph, how foolish! Knowing they are no match for them, they still rush forward one after another. These wild samurai... though brave, they cannot be called useful men."

Ying gave a brief assessment of the unruly samurai who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, then stroked his smooth chin and pondered:

"Perhaps when I return to the shogunate, I should issue some orders to have this mountain path protected, and not allow these reckless people to trespass on the road leading to Narujin Shrine."

"Hehe, Ying, it's good that you have this intention. Whew... Shall we keep going?"

"Eh? I was just... cough cough! Never mind. Just follow me."

After Ying finished speaking, she extended her delicate hand, which Kiana then reached out and took.

The two pretty young girls walked hand in hand toward the shrine atop the mountain.

After traversing the rugged terrain halfway up the mountain, the two finally reached the steps leading to the shrine.

Compared to the journey below, this part of the road seemed very peaceful and tranquil.

Along the mountain path, you can occasionally see one or two incredibly intelligent foxes; they are remarkably perceptive of human nature.

Upon seeing Shadow and Kiana arrive, they will bow and greet them like the shrine maidens.

She would even walk ahead of them, seemingly guiding them to Naruto Shrine.

Guided by these foxes, Kiana and Shadow slowly climbed the mountain path.

After passing by many worshippers coming and going, the two of them finally arrived at the entrance of Naru Shrine.

At this very moment, the shrine maiden who had met Kiana a few times, Inashiro Emi, was quietly waiting at the mountain gate.

"Gentlemen, you've finally arrived."

Upon seeing Kiana and the disguised Shadow arrive, the priestess smiled with delight, then coughed twice to formally welcome them.

"Welcome to the shrine, both of you. Lady Yae no Miko has had a premonition that distinguished guests are coming. Hmm... I didn't expect two of you to arrive in one go? Lady Yae no Miko is truly a prophet..."

Kiana was stunned upon hearing the priestess's story.

Did they actually anticipate my arrival?

It's truly unexpected that Yae could have foreseen this...

"Yae... well, it's something she could do. Whew, shall we go see her now?"

"Alright, please follow me."

Inashiro Yingmei smiled gently, then turned around and began to lead the way for the two.

The location is the residence where Yae no Miko rests.

At this moment, it is very quiet here.

The little witch who used to wait here is nowhere to be found.

Without her obstruction, Inashiro Emi was able to open the door and immediately turn around to kneel and bow to the two of them.

"Your Highness, the distinguished guest you have been waiting for has arrived."

She knelt respectfully on the ground, her back to the two people, so her face was almost invisible.

However, Kiana and Kage could guess what kind of expression she was wearing at that moment based on her magnetic and confident voice.

"Oh? You've already arrived? Hehe, it's really kind of you two to come all the way from Shinri Prefecture—! Eh? Eh!"

Yae no Miko confidently turned around and glanced at the two of them sideways, hoping to get a sense of their expressions.

However, upon seeing Kiana's face and feeling that extremely familiar aura...

She realized in an instant...

The shrine maiden of your own shrine has been invited to the wrong place!

"You? And you too? You guys???"

Yae no Miko couldn't hold back and fell backward, looking at the two of them like a little fox who had been forced into a corner.

She never expected that her plan to have the priestess wait for distinguished guests would result in these two formidable individuals arriving...

"Huh?"

Seeing that the normally perfectly fine Yae no Miko was showing such a frightened expression.

Kiana and Shadow were both somewhat bewildered.

Kiana was the first to react, slowly taking off her shoes and stepping forward to ask with concern:

"Yae, what's wrong? Did you eat something bad?"

"No...nothing like that, I'm perfectly fine."

As Kiana slowly approached, Yae no Miko scrambled away like a frightened fox.

Finally, somewhat timidly, she grabbed the bedroom wall and asked incredulously:

"Why did you and her end up here?!"

"Huh? Can't we come? Come to think of it, so the person you've been waiting for isn't us?"

"Of course not! I sensed an ominous demon lurking nearby, and guessed that the Kamisato family would come up the mountain for help, but who could have imagined..."

After the initial shock, Yae no Miko finally recovered.