A Long Life, Lived Again [Honkai/Genshin Crossover]

Jueyun Karst, Confusion, and the Adepti

Finally having reached the mountain path Aether had been looking for, Hua paused. The traveler seemed to be struggling for breath, as they had been running consistently.

"Why don't we take a break?" she suggested to him.

"I can't."

"Because of what you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes."

"Hmm... well, I think we're here."

they had reached an open area. It appeared to be an ancient plaza, with stone surrounding a circular shape on the ground.

Aether perked up. He had noticed.

Near the structure on a platform at the back, was a unique-looking stag. It was green and brown, with glowing amber eyes.

It slowly turned to face them as they drew closer.

"And who might we be? Those that dare enter Jueyun Karst..." It spoke, it's voice full of authority.

Aether stepped forward, taking something off his belt. "Please, take a look at this sigil of permission."

The stag paused, as if pondering something, then spoke again.

"You have a sigil of permission... it has been many a season since one was last in the presence of one such talisman."

The stag then looked behind Aether, narrowing his eyes at Hua and Senti.

"You have brought strangers. How does one know whether one can trust them?"

Aether paused, as if thinking. "This is Hua, and her sister Senti. They helped me find this place, so that i could ask for an adeptus such as yourselves help."

"Hmm." The stag murmured "He who stands before you is the mighty and illuminated adeptus, Moon Carver. Speak, now."

There was a commotion from behind Hua, and she whirled around to see people dressed in traditional soldiers armor.

"It's the assassin! They dared to come here? To Jueyun Karst?" The one that appeared to be the leader grumbled.

One of the soldiers behind him spoke up.

"Sir? we're already a bit too far inside the area ourselves... The adepti will deal with the assassin, so can we please go back?"

Moon Carver glared at the soldiers.

"...You are disturbing our borders." He then turned to Aether, Hua, and Senti "See them gone. One with not have interruption."

Senti, with a gleeful look on her face, drew her sword. With a flash of fire, more of the feathers from earlier were summoned.

The feathers were shot at the soldiers, breaking their formation.

"The assassin has help!" a soldier screeched.

"She's a vision bearer!" Another shouted.

Hua impaled one with her sword, careful only to injure them. She assumed that they were soldiers of the rulers of this nation, and that they might hold a grudge against her later if she killed them.

After a bit, the soldiers retreated. as they ran, Moon Carver spoke again.

"You were saying?"

As Aether explained, Senti listening, Hua started to clean her sword. Wiping the blood off of it with a small cloth, she jumped when Moon Carver's voice raised.

"PREPOSTEROUS."

She turned around, walking up to the three, well, four if you counted Paimon. She always forgot about Paimon.

"The Liyue Qixing... utterly disappointing. Blaming a mortal for a god's death? that is just wrong." Moon Carver spat "Especially if they really did do it themselves."

Aether nodded, his eyes betraying slight annoyance. Not with the adeptus, but with the situation.

"Traveler, of the accusations placed upon you, one has become aware. The mind knows it answer, but one must still consult with ones fellows."

"Along with your... partners, you must take your sigil of permission and seek Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer here in Jueyun Karst. Seek also the Conqueror of Demons, the sole remaining Guardian Yaksha, at Wangshu Inn."

"Thank you, Moon Carver." Aether said gratefully. He began to walk off, leaving Hua and Senti behind with the Adeptus.

Before Hua could take a step, Moon Carver spoke softly.

"Beware the path you tread, Visitor from another world. I cannot help you, but perhaps the archons can."

Hua jumped and turned around, but Moon Carver was nowhere to be seen.