Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

Gu Sanqiu cast a glance at Albedo.

Here was a guy who, just like him, claimed to be ready for a trade of blows but still reserved the tactic of activating a shield at the last moment.

High EQ interpretation: He's a worthy opponent with a fine understanding of tactics.

Low EQ interpretation: They're both equally underhanded.

Gu Sanqiu suspected that Albedo was using tactics to trick him into expending his energy.

"I'm not tricking you," Albedo said calmly. "This battle is indeed over, and this isn't part of any ruse. If we let the energy from our clash go unchecked, the entire area would detonate spectacularly."

Albedo looked at him, still composed. "I'd rather Mondstadt not experience any more drastic landscape changes, and I don't suppose you want to be remembered as the foreign envoy who caused massive destruction here?"

...

Another drastic change?

Albedo, it seems, knew quite a bit. Gu Sanqiu took him seriously this time; after all, the guy's younger sibling already had a record.

Given that his sister once shattered the Windrise cliff, effectively creating a new landmark on the map, Albedo's concern held weight.

Releasing his energy control, Gu Sanqiu let Albedo take command of the dense energy sphere.

"Simulated Solar Isotoma."

Several more floral alchemical devices appeared, absorbing the energy from the sphere. They floated gently upward and eventually dissolved like ripples fading into the night sky.

!!

Gu Sanqiu's eyes widened. Typically, dispersing energy after a battle involved brute-force suppression. But Albedo's method, which left not even a trace of disturbance, was unlike anything he could manage. This was like transforming energy from "something" into "nothing."

Is this the true depth of a master?

Albedo had a few beads of sweat on his forehead, and Gu Sanqiu had to admit, even down to these subtle signs, Albedo's body structure was exceptional. Yet it also proved how much energy this maneuver had cost him.

If this didn't at least tire him out, then it'd be absurd.

"Huff—That method of handling it was a bit taxing, but fortunately, no major issues arose," Albedo said, looking back at Gu Sanqiu. "Shall we move elsewhere to continue our discussion?"

Gu Sanqiu glanced around. This didn't seem to be Albedo's usual snowy base camp; it was probably just some random lab near the city that he'd chosen to stash him.

But...

"I've got a question—how exactly did you get me over here?"

"Even as the captain of the Knights' Investigation Team, transporting someone unconscious should've raised a few questions from the guards, right?"

"We transported you via a slime-gel-propelled balloon, lifting you high enough to safely bypass city walls."

Albedo explained without missing a beat, "Although if not for my guidance, these slime-fueled balloons can be somewhat unstable, which is why they aren't generally recommended for public use."

Gu Sanqiu: ...

So, he'd unknowingly taken his first flight, in an aircraft with a propulsion system that wasn't exactly reliable.

The fact that he didn't crash… maybe luck was on his side after all.

After settling down in an abandoned camp, clearing away a few Mitachurls and other wandering creatures, Albedo set up a small fire and brewed some hot water, pouring two cups.

"According to Liyue's customs, this would be akin to toasting with water, correct?"

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "Can we skip the pleasantries? If you're really sorry, then show me some sincerity."

"Sincerity?" Albedo pondered this. "If material wealth is required, I do have quite a few alchemical items, but beyond that, I suppose you could call me a scholar of modest means."

"Doesn't matter whether you're 'of modest means' or not—you kidnapped me out of nowhere for some experiment. You're lucky I'm not dragging you back to Liyue in pieces."

With a steely look, Gu Sanqiu locked eyes with Albedo. "Let's be straightforward—I'll let it go. But in exchange, you'll assist me with one of my own experiments. Yes, it's a human trial."

"A human trial? That may not be feasible," Albedo shook his head. "My true nature is that of an artificial human, which is quite different. Conventional trials on me wouldn't yield the data you're after."

"That's fine. The fact that you're artificial is actually ideal," Gu Sanqiu replied with a smirk. "If an ordinary person attempted this experiment, they might not survive long enough to record results. But as an artificial human, you should be tough enough to handle it without... dying, right?"

"Is this a particularly dangerous trial?"

"It's certainly more hazardous than floating me high above Mondstadt with a balloon powered by slime gel."

"...Understood. You intend this as recompense for my transgression?"

After a thoughtful pause, Albedo produced a notepad and pen. "I agree, but I insist on drafting terms."

"No problem."

Gu Sanqiu felt a quiet surge of relief; whatever contract Albedo wanted, his experiment was going forward regardless.

You kidnap me once, I test on you once. Fair, right? If he could even find a way to restrain him as payback, even better.

As long as Albedo didn't meddle with the experiment's specifics, Gu Sanqiu was even willing to fund him for this.

After all, he'd been on the lookout for a subject for this experiment for some time now. He'd initially considered asking Zhongli, seeing if Hu Tao's position at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor might let her pull a few strings with the old man.

But after his encounter on Mt. Hulao, Zhongli had demonstrated the astonishing ability to possess himself. That was when Gu Sanqiu realized Zhongli might not be the ideal choice after all.

If his experiment went beyond what the Geo Archon could foresee, Zhongli would no doubt "possess himself" again and put a halt to it. He'd even outright forbid him from pursuing it in the future.

After ruling Zhongli out, he'd examined other Liyue talent holders with Visions, but none had quite fit the requirements.

Simply put, their abilities were still stuck at a basic level.

By chance, Albedo had "offered himself up," which had been a pleasant surprise.

An artificial human, strong and skilled, highly knowledgeable, with a will of steel? Where else could he find such a perfect candidate?

Yes, it had to be him.

"One more thing."

After the terms were finalized, Albedo glanced up.

"Although it's a baseless hunch, unsupported by logic, I still want to ask."

Having secured the perfect subject, Gu Sanqiu's previous wariness faded, and he sipped his hot water with newfound ease.

"Go ahead."

"You were captured intentionally, weren't you?"

"Every step after that—all of it, from your interaction with Sucrose to my own involvement, even down to our combat here and now—was part of your design, wasn't it?"

Albedo's gaze remained steady and inscrutable. "While it's just a theory, I'm compelled by my nature to follow even the slightest hint of probability, even if it defies logic. And from the perspective of alchemy, something with such a high likelihood is worth exploring."

"...So? Is that the case?"

---

WATERE PPOSTURE CHECK

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