After hearing this, Yuuko pondered for a long time, then said in a deep voice, "Answer my remaining questions."
Hearing this, the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya, spoke again:
"Regarding the Abyssal Monsters, I have also investigated the reason why they set foot in Inazuma during this period."
"Their goal was actually not the sacred sakura tree of Inazuma; everything they did before was merely a distraction."
"Their true objective is not in Inazuma."
"After I intervened, they withdrew their attack on Inazuma."
Hearing this, Yuuko thought for a moment and said softly:
"In other words, you secretly helped drive out the Abyssal Monsters?"
The Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya's expression softened considerably, and she nodded:
"After all, my main purpose for coming here this time was to ascertain your true nature, Yellow Fox. I wouldn't go too far. Considering the possibility of forming an alliance with you in the future, I naturally helped Inazuma."
Yuuko finished listening and sighed again, "Is that so? Then, on behalf of Inazuma, I thank you."
Hearing these words, the weight on the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya's heart finally lifted.
She was genuinely afraid that Yuuko wouldn't listen to her explanation and would continue the assault... Although this current body was not her true self, needlessly destroying a precious mechanical body...
...would still be a significant loss for the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya.
If possible, she wanted to avoid such a situation at all costs.
At this moment, Yuuko spoke again, "It seems you might not be an enemy after all."
Seeing this, the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya, sighed in relief, a smile appearing on her face as she said:
"So, if you could, please release..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Yuuko's fist suddenly swing down!
"Huh? Wait a minute!"
This fist, imbued with a faint pure white glow, smashed onto the body of the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya!
Boom!
The immense impact force caused the ground to crack open!
Centered around the fist, massive fissures spread outwards, extending for dozens of meters before stopping!
The scene was filled with swirling dust and ruined, broken ground.
After the dust settled, beneath Yuuko's feet lay a body completely devoid of life.
At this moment, the body on the ground began emitting strange noises, and its various parts started falling apart.
Various tiny metal components inside were exposed.
Seeing this, Yuuko was slightly surprised and muttered softly:
"It was a mechanical body after all..."
"I've long heard that Snezhnaya is an industrial powerhouse, but I didn't expect their technology to be so advanced..."
Looking at the 'dead' body beneath his feet, Yuuko pondered for a moment and said plainly:
"Although you did something beneficial for Inazuma, what you did previously must still be punished."
"If you want to cooperate, come back next time."
"Of course, if you dare to cause trouble again, I will kill you every time you show up."
One thing is one thing.
Although the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya, seemed to have secretly protected Inazuma this one time.
But launching a sudden sneak attack and destroying Hanachirusato's important mask.
Yuuko felt he absolutely had to make the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya receive corresponding punishment.
Furthermore, the Fatui from before were also dispatched by the Tsaritsa, Empress of Snezhnaya.
Talking cooperation is fine, atoning for past deeds is fine, but the prerequisite is that she must first endure Yuuko's punch!
"Forget it, I won't bother with her anymore."
Thinking this, Yuuko shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.
Now, Yuuko had more important things to do.
"Right now, it should still be in time."
He turned and walked towards a certain direction.
That was where Hanachirusato's mask had been shattered.
Arriving there, Yuuko stopped. There were fragments of the mask scattered everywhere.
Repairing the mask was actually quite simple.
But merely repairing the surface would be meaningless.
What Yuuko wanted to do was restore the memory and longing that were originally attached to the mask.
To achieve this, he would likely need to connect with the Ley Lines... Thus, Yuuko didn't waste time. He closed his eyes and half-crouched down.
And stretched out one hand, pressing it onto the ground.
The Ley Lines connect all parts of the continent of Teyvat; their flow can be found both above and below ground.
But from ancient times until now, no one has ever figured out exactly what they are.
The previous nation, Khaenri'ah, which attempted to touch them, was destroyed five hundred years ago by the Rulers of the Heavens.
Since then, no one among the Seven Nations has been allowed to study the Ley Lines.
To everyone, the Ley Lines are an extremely mysterious entity.
Now, Yuuko intended to follow the Ley Lines and retrieve the portion of Hanachirusato's memory caught within the Ley Line Current.
Doing this was undoubtedly very dangerous.
Even though Yuuko's physique is special and allows him to connect with the Ley Lines to some extent.
Delving so deeply into the Ley Lines still made it easy to completely lose oneself within the massive Ley Line Current.
At this moment, Yuuko's consciousness had entered a very strange place.
Here, various strange things rushed forward, like a ceaselessly flowing great current, turbulent and surging.
This is the Ley Line Current.
Flowing above are various Elemental Powers, as well as miscellaneous memories and wishes.
Of course, the location where Yuuko's consciousness currently resided was the very end of the Ley Line Current.
Yuuko was currently unaware of what the true depths of the Ley Line Current looked like or what they contained.
He dared not venture there.
Yuuko's current task was to quickly find the memory belonging to the mask within this massive Ley Line Current.
Then, using the Power of the Ley Lines, materialize and condense it.
Fortunately, because the mask had not been shattered for long, the memories within had not been pushed too deep into the Ley Line Current.
Almost immediately, Yuuko found that memory.
With a bare-handed grasp, he pulled that portion of memory out of the current.
Meanwhile, on the surface.
Yuuko's previously motionless body suddenly moved; the hand pressed against the ground abruptly clenched.
Although it looked as if he hadn't grabbed anything.
In reality, a faint light was condensing in his hand.
As the light condensed, a white fox mask appeared in Yuuko's hand.
At this moment, Yuuko also opened his eyes.
Looking at the mask before him, he gently exhaled:
"My former self would never have done something so dangerous... Never mind, as long as it succeeded."
Now, Yuuko felt a dull ache in his head.
That was the aftereffect of forcibly retrieving objects from the Ley Line Current.
If he hadn't handled it properly, his entire consciousness might have been assimilated by the Ley Line Current, absorbed, and unable to escape.
But now that he had successfully retrieved the important item, everything was fine.
Afterward, Yuuko swiped his hand across his face, and a Yellow Fox mask reappeared on his face.
Then, holding Hanachirusato's mask in his hand, he walked towards a certain direction.
Yuuko's next destination was the Grand Narukami Shrine.
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