Once upon a time, Luo Li had gone from barely surviving in Mondstadt to truly running wild only after arriving in Liyue.
Back then, the number of demon gods that had fallen by his hand was far from small.
In his youthful recklessness, he hunted demon gods everywhere he went. As a result, he was extremely familiar with their "scent."
These abnormal auras—residues that did not disperse and return to the ley lines even after death—might go unnoticed by ordinary people. But to Luo Li, they stood out as clearly as ink stains on white paper.
That said, calling it a "demon god" was likely an exaggeration. It was more accurate to describe it as a demon god's remnant or subordinate.
Otherwise, Shenhe could never have survived three days and three nights back then. Even with her cursed fate and her background as an exorcist, a human could not possibly contend with a true demon god.
After all, no matter how weak, a demon god was never something humanity could resist.
Seeing Luo Li so confident, Yun Jin felt greatly encouraged.
She immediately agreed, saying,
"Mr. Luo Li only needs to find Mingjun. If there are any monsters or dangers along the way, just leave them to me."
Although she practiced music and opera, Yun Jin's martial skills were outstanding as well.
At first, she had learned spear techniques simply because they looked good on stage. Later, it became a means of self-defense. By now, both goals had been achieved—and impressively so.
Luo Li merely smiled without comment. If she truly could handle it, he naturally wouldn't interfere.
At this point, he finally understood why most non-human beings chose to live in seclusion.
After outgrowing youthful flamboyance and spending centuries fighting across the land, he had long passed the stage of showing off like a peacock spreading its feathers.
Rosalyne glanced at Yun Jin, showing no particular hostility.
After all, there was no conflict of interest between them, nor the kind of friction that existed between Yun Jin and people like Lumine and Paimon.
"If you're ready, then we can set off now," Luo Li said.
The moment his words fell, Yun Jin immediately replied that she was ready.
She reached between her legs and pulled out a metal rod no longer than her forearm. With a flick of both wrists, sections snapped out from either end.
On closer inspection, it was a black-tasseled spear gleaming with cold light.
Yun Jin skillfully twirled it into a spear flourish and smiled.
"All set."
Since she had no issues, neither did Luo Li.
He had originally planned to return to Liyue Harbor with Rosalyne to sample the lunar cuisine at Xinyue Pavilion. He hadn't expected such a turn of events along the way.
Since there was nothing pressing, helping Yun Jin out was just fine.
At the start of their journey, the surroundings were still filled with birdsong and insect chirps. But the deeper they went into the mountains, the more oppressive and gloomy it became.
The sounds of insects gradually faded, and the presence of life slowly receded.
Luo Li remained calm. Seeing Yun Jin staying alert and vigilant, he explained as they walked:
"Mount Tianheng's northern side went through the Demon God War in the past. The forests here are filled with miasma, fierce beasts, poisonous insects, and even lingering demon god remnants. Ordinary people shouldn't come here lightly."
Since they were already on the way to find Mingjun, Luo Li casually shared some hidden knowledge to pass the time.
This was precisely why the area lacked birds and insects.
"If you keep heading in this direction, you'll enter the territory of Jueyun Karst. If you're lucky, you might even meet an adeptus. So if you ever get lost here, just head toward Jueyun Karst."
"Though the adepti dislike being disturbed and aren't exactly friendly, they won't watch humans die without helping."
The three walked through the dense forest, Luo Li's voice echoing through the silent mountain valley.
Mount Tianheng was part of a vast mountain range. To the east lay the Sea of Clouds, to the west the Lisha Desert, and to the north Qiongji Estuary.
It served to divide these regions cleanly while sheltering Liyue Harbor within.
This was one of the reasons Morax had relocated here toward the later stages of the Demon God War.
Listening to these fascinating tidbits—many of which she had never known—Yun Jin felt her horizons widen.
Mr. Luo Li was knowledgeable in astronomy and geography alike. He knew the affairs of all seven nations, and could recount customs and legends with ease.
He was practically a walking encyclopedia.
Yun Jin instantly turned into a model student, frequently asking questions about ancient secrets.
"For example, what exactly is hidden beneath Luhua Pool?" she asked.
"I've heard that although it looks like nothing more than a clear pond, strange elemental flows sometimes appear, along with scattered sealing formations."
Luo Li chuckled.
"The secret of Guizang. There's nothing more than a buried treasure down there—one that can disturb the minds of mortals."
Yun Jin wasn't particularly interested in treasure, but learning such information still excited her greatly.
"Then what about the rumors that one can seek immortality in Jueyun Karst?"
"You're talking about Taishan Mansion. In ancient times, cultivating immortality required trials above and below heaven and earth. Taishan Mansion represented the 'earth' trial. Unfortunately, adepti are elusive now, and it's nothing more than an ordinary treasure vault."
"So people really sought immortality back then?"
Yun Jin was like a curious child, constantly firing off questions.
Luo Li nodded.
"Yes. Not just ancient Liyue—people from the other six nations would also come in search of adeptal fate. Some famous figures you've read about in history may very well have been among them."
After all, the adepti—known as the Three-Eyed, Five-Manifest True Lords—could wield elemental power even without Visions.
To mortals, this was the most direct path to transcendence.
"I see…" Yun Jin murmured, half understanding.
"Even your Yun family ancestors were closely connected with the adepti," Luo Li added.
Yun Jin fell silent.
Indeed, the Yun family had once been master weapon-smiths of Liyue, working alongside the Kun family to forge countless divine weapons.
Later generations drifted away from blades and spears, instead falling in love with opera and music.
Even so, the bronze lock Yun Jin wore was an heirloom passed down from those early days.
Talking as they walked, the trio soon arrived at their destination—
An ancient ruin deep within Mount Tianheng.
By now, Yun Jin had almost completely turned into Luo Li's fangirl.
She was drawn to his calm and elegant demeanor, admired his vast knowledge, and found herself captivated by his almost bewitching good looks.
The mysteries surrounding him, the secrets he carried, and that abyss-like depth to his temperament made him a natural nemesis to young girls.
Clearly, Yun Jin was no exception.
It was no wonder Morax often sighed about his friend's countless romantic entanglements.
Luo Li truly was the kind of man who could drive women mad.