Genshin Impact: Dionysus reigns supreme, all demons retreat!

Chapter 345 The Secret Technique of Bai Chen of the Fox Abode Palace

"Is this method dangerous?"

If the other people at Narukami Shrine heard this, they would probably be overjoyed and begin praising Lord Saigyu's great power.

But when Xu Ning heard what Hu Zhaigong said, his first thought was that if there was danger, he must stop her.

Fox Palace shook his head.

"It's not dangerous. It's just that with my current abilities, it seems I'm not yet capable of fully unleashing that secret technique..."

With a gentle tap of his pipe on the gourd in Xu Ning's hand, Fox Palace laughed and said, "...But things are different now. With the power of your wine, plus the ability of the Divine Cherry Tree, I can definitely unleash a secret technique that will surprise you all. Perhaps it can even solve the siege of Inazuma."

Is there any secret method in this world that could possibly solve Inazuma's current predicament?

Seeing that Xu Ning was still hesitating, Hu Zhaigong laughed and said, "You're quite suspicious, kid. Let me tell you frankly, it's just a method to accelerate growth, which can make plants grow to a certain extent in a very short time."

"After all, we foxes are quite skilled at cooking certain flowers and herbs. But..."

Fox Palace walked up to the Divine Cherry Blossom, reached out and touched its trunk, and whispered, "I've just been hesitating..."

Xu Ning walked to her side. "What are you hesitating about?"

Fox Palace smiled and patted the sacred cherry tree, saying softly, "I hesitated, afraid of hurting it, afraid that after it saved the land it loved, it would never be able to look at it again..."

"Fortunately, you came. I think with such a magical wine as yours, it will surely survive to the end. Suddenly, I'm not so scared anymore."

Xu Ning was relieved and, imitating Fox Palace, patted the sturdy trunk of the Divine Cherry Tree, and said with a smile, "I can guarantee you that in the future this Divine Cherry Tree will grow very well, and its roots will spread throughout Inazuma, protecting all the people of Inazuma."

Fox Palace turned to look at Xu Ning's serious face, her eyes seemingly filled with an indescribable emotion. After a long while, she softly asked, "Can I trust you?"

Xu Ning raised the gourd and said seriously, "You can always trust me."

Fox Palace took out a circular magic artifact inlaid with gold ornaments and thunder patterns from his bosom.

"Once I use this secret technique, I cannot stop. Otherwise, it will cause irreversible damage to both me and the Divine Cherry Tree. Although I wanted to wait until Chiyo was well-rested tomorrow before protecting me, the monsters' attacks have created a vacuum tonight, which is a golden opportunity to cast the spell."

"If you're not tired, shall we start now? Maybe they'll wake up tomorrow morning to a wonderful surprise."

Xu Ning glanced at the silent darkness outside the barrier, nodded, and said, "Okay."

Fox Palace walked up behind Xu Ning, placed his hands on his shoulders, pushed him in front of the tree trunk, and laughed, "You stand here. When I tell you to start, pour the wine down. I'll be casting the spell behind you. Don't stop or turn around. You must concentrate."

Xu Ning, his shoulders tense, replied, "Don't worry!"

Fox Palace released his hands and took a step back, holding the White Star Ring he had just taken out to his chest, and aimed it at the trunk of the Divine Cherry Tree.

"The Imperial Envoy of Narukami..."

Upon hearing this incantation, Xu Ning's heart skipped a beat; it was about to begin.

However, he immediately heard Harunosuke Yuugami's voice behind him.

"Xu Ning, are you and Lord Zhaigong using some kind of magic?"

"Bai Chen bloodline..."

Ignoring the question from Seinosuke behind him, Kosai-gumi calmly uttered his second incantation.

Xu Ning thought that since the Fox Palace needed to chant incantations and could not respond to Harunosuke, he should have no taboos.

"Harunosuke, keep an eye on things and don't disturb Lord Kitsui."

As soon as Xu Ning finished speaking, he heard Fox Palace recite the third incantation.

"Bring me the fried tofu quickly!"

Xu Ning almost burst out laughing.

It turns out that this incantation was overheard by Harunosuke Yuugami at this time. No wonder that kid later set up an incantation restriction with the exact same words at the shrine of Kosai-gu.

However, we must find out which fried tofu shop it is that both Fox Prince and Yae are so obsessed with it. Once Inazuma has calmed down, we'll have to go and try it to see how delicious it is.

While he was lost in thought, Harunosuke Yuugami suddenly shouted loudly.

"Lord Zhaigong, your body... what's wrong with you? Xu Ning, what kind of magic is this?"

However, Harunosuke's voice was filled with panic, as if something terrible had happened behind him.

Xu Ning's entire body suddenly trembled, as if a conjecture he had never wanted to admit had been confirmed. He turned his head with difficulty.

Through the White Star Ring behind him, Xu Ning saw the figure of the Fox Palace gradually becoming transparent, and some pink light particles were being projected onto the Divine Cherry Tree through the White Star Ring.

"You...you lied to me..."

There is absolutely no method to force the growth of the cherry tree, and there is no such thing as harming the divine cherry tree.

From beginning to end, there is only Fox Maiden, a Fox Maiden who is preparing to merge himself with the Divine Cherry Tree.

A fox spirit who, because he loved this land and every living being on it, was willing to sacrifice his own fox palace.

No wonder every time I see Yae no Miko, she's either standing under the sacred cherry blossom tree or leaning against it...

No wonder the Divine Cherry Tree was just an ordinary tree when it was planted, but it turned into a fox in the future...

“…I should have thought of that earlier…”

Xu Ning unconsciously gripped the wine gourd tightly, staring intently at the shadowy figure behind him.

Fox Palace wore an apologetic expression. "I'm so sorry. I feel like I've lied to so many people these past two days: Chiyo, Ichizo, Kichifuji, Yae, Hibiki, Fujiki, and you."

"But at least in the end, everyone can live a good life. Even if it makes you angry, I don't care anymore. Consider this my last act of selfishness. Xu Ning, help me complete the final step..."

Xu Ning had never felt that the Dust Concealment Gourd in his hand was so heavy; even turning it upside down required all his strength.

When the wine was spilled onto the roots of the Divine Cherry Tree, the entire tree seemed to come alive.

The thick tree trunk, possessed by the true form of the celestial fox, transformed into a giant fox image, with countless cherry blossoms blooming simultaneously on its slender branches.

Her roots coiled around the entire Shadow Mountain, descending downwards, and her sprawling branches penetrated the ferocious bodies of the beast pack of wolves without hindrance, instantly turning them into black mist, which was then absorbed into her branches.

Large numbers of demons were transformed into black mist by the sprawling branches of the Divine Cherry Blossom, and then absorbed by the branches.

Konta Village, Inazuma Castle, Futsuna, Hiki Village...

Even the distant Coral Palace and Qinglai Island are now covered with newly grown cherry trees.

The dark filth was completely absorbed by the Divine Cherry Tree, and the withered land gradually regained its vitality.

The fox clan, including the celestial and terrestrial foxes who were ordered by the Fox Palace to guard the various barriers, seemed to sense something at the same time. They emerged from their hidden places and began to howl at the moon.

With a deafening roar, half of the side room was reduced to dust by the immense force of Mikoto Chiyo. The crazed demon leader, dressed in a small garment soaked in wine, burst out from the shattered wood.

"You stinky fox, are you crazy? What stupid things are you doing with this Liyue guy? Stop it right now!"

Suddenly, a person lowered their head and opened their arms to block Mikoto Chiyo's path. "Lady Mikoto, please... please do not disturb Lady Saigu..."

"Harunosuke, don't tell me you can't see what she's doing!"

A few tears fell silently, and only then did Kami Harunosuke say in a trembling voice, "I know...please...please..."

"Don't let Lord Saigu's sacrifice be in vain"—these were words that Kami Harunosuke could never utter.

Mikoto Chiyo stood there stiffly, her eyes, which had been washed by the dim night, lost their color once more.

At that moment, Ling Shanfang, who was on the Thousand Gates Void Ship near the desolate sea, had just closed his tired eyes when he was suddenly awakened by a long howl with a crying tone.

Ling Shanfang was startled and rushed out of the bedroom, where he saw the little fox Yae crying and howling in the direction of Ying Xiangshan.

Moreover, it wasn't just Yae; the mournful cries of foxes seemed to be heard everywhere on Narukami Island.

An ominous feeling rose in Ling Shanfang's heart.

Ling Shanfang scooped up the three little ones on the ground, waved his red feather fan, and suddenly flew off the Thousand Gates Void Boat towards Ying Xiangshan.

Xu Ning was unaware that he had sat down against the Divine Cherry Tree at some point.

The gourd in his hand was tilted to one side, and the flowing wine was no longer being absorbed by the roots, soaking his trouser legs and spilling onto the ground.

Xu Ning picked up the White Star Ring that had fallen beside him and held it in his arms. He picked up the wine gourd, tilted his head back and took a sip. Looking at the fox that had turned into a tree trunk above his head, and with his eyes fixed on the direction of the desolate sea, Xu Ning suddenly remembered the little fox Yae that he had left there.

Xu Ning covered his eyes with one hand and gave a wry smile.

"I was originally planning to say that after the war is over, we would go together to bring them back. How am I supposed to tell her this now?"

Through his blurred vision, Xu Ning seemed to see Ling Shanfang flying over with the eight-fold little fox, but at this moment he only felt as if his soul was being peeled away, and his consciousness gradually became blurred.

When Xu Ning opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the cave beneath the desolate sea.

The same scene made him almost believe that what happened last night was just a dream.

But when he realized that he was resting his head on Shen He's lap, he suddenly realized what time and space he was in.

"You're awake," Shen He said to Xu Ning in a calm tone.

Xu Ning felt her face was wet, as if there were tear stains. She casually wiped her face and asked, "How long was I unconscious this time?"

Shen He seemed to have no sense of time, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "It's been a while."

The woman in green, who was squatting to the side, chimed in, "It's probably been more than half a day."

Xu Ning nodded, climbed off Shen He's lap, and looked around.

The cherry blossom branches entwined around the torii gate had unexpectedly blossomed, filling the entire cave with a refreshing fragrance.

"It looks like the exorcism was successful. Let's get ready to go out."

Shen He naturally had no objections, but Qingyi pointed to a room sealed by a lightning barrier and asked, "That room is so well guarded, aren't we going to go and see what treasures it holds?"

Xu Ning naturally noticed the room directly opposite the torii gate.

Even through the barrier of lightning, one could see the celestial foxes guarding the area, their forms turned to stone.

As expected, this room is where the talisman is stored. According to the normal procedure, I should obtain the talisman here, complete the array diagram according to the Great Exorcism procedure, and then exorcise the miasma.

However, now that I have cleansed this place of miasma, the protective objects here have naturally lost their meaning. But there's no harm in just taking a look.

Xu Ning walked to the door of the room, looked at the familiar barrier, and suddenly felt a pang in his heart.

It seems that the Fox Palace once set up a barrier here to protect the people hiding here. Could this barrier also be her doing?

Xu Ning couldn't bear to destroy the barrier with violence. Recalling the scene of the Death Star of the Big Dipper passing through the thunderstorm, he placed his hand on the thunder pattern on the wine gourd and communicated with the Heart of the Thunder God.

"Draw thunder!"

The lightning power on the barrier seemed to be attracted by the heart of Thor, and countless fine currents were sucked into the Dust-Hidden Cave from the mouth of the gourd.

The lightning power on the barrier was running low and could not be sustained, so a large hole appeared.

The three of them went in one after another, with Xu Ning at the back. After entering, he relaxed the suction of the Dust Concealment Gourd. The lightning barrier trembled and returned to its original state, but it was much thinner.

Xu Ning walked to the stone statues of the three foxes, stretched out his finger and flicked out a bolt of lightning, pressing it onto the forehead of the celestial fox statue.

With a "thud," a scroll suddenly appeared in mid-air and fell at Xu Ning's feet.

Xu Ning bent down to pick it up, untied the knot, and discovered that it was written in Liyue script.

"...Since the Black Tide raged and was stopped by the Divine Cherry Blossom, the situation in Inazuma has been stabilized. However, the miasma has not been cleared, infecting all things and spreading endless poison. I crossed the sea to Liyue to seek immortal arts. What I obtained is as follows..."

Xu Ning said in surprise, "I didn't expect it to be that Yuijin Seinosuke's secret scroll. In the end, this guy still went to Liyue to seek immortal techniques. Judging from this thick scroll, he must have learned a lot of good things."

Xu Ning looked down at the table of contents and found that there were no immortal techniques like the Great Luo Mi Zun spell. Instead, it described shikigami techniques similar to divine thought shaping, enchantment techniques that add elemental attachments to swords using talismans, and a half-finished training ground that creates an illusion.

"Why do these things look so familiar? Oh well, I don't have time to think about it now. I'll look at them when I have time."

Xu Ning casually tossed the scroll into the cave, and following the same method as before, led the two through the lightning barrier. They jumped out of the cave from the half-tower they had entered from, and saw that the sky outside was already full of stars.