After his journey in Teyvat, Aether learned to assess situations carefully.
Having just arrived in this world, gathering intelligence was of utmost importance.
He couldn't help but wonder when his sister would cross over.
He had a feeling that their crossing wasn't as simple as it seemed, or perhaps it was premeditated.
"Abyss Herald, you go to that so-called Heaven Dou City to gather information. Find out what Morax has been up to in the three years since his early arrival," Aether said expressionlessly.
Was it because he didn't like to smile? Not really. It was just that this round of the Abyss had once again failed the Prince.
"Me? Investigate Morax's information?"
The Abyss Herald muttered to himself, feeling his head spin.
Send him to investigate Morax? Wasn't that just sending him to his death?
The Abyss Heralds were powerful, and he was one of the stronger ones among them.
But the one he was up against was Morax!
"I'm just asking you to gather intelligence, not to fight Morax. Why are you making that face?"
Aether rubbed his forehead, feeling somewhat helpless.
Was the Abyss Herald stupid?
Not really, he was quite clever.
But sometimes his actions made the Abyss Prince want to facepalm.
But there was no helping it. The Abyss Herald was a veteran of the Abyss, and he had to be given important tasks...
"Prince, what if I run into Morax..."
"Can't you just run if you can't beat him?"
"What if I can't even run?"
"You..."
Aether took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
Don't scold him, don't scold him! Although this guy was a bit dense, his work ethic was still good.
His relationship with his sister was also quite good, even though they seemed like enemies. Didn't he always come back?
Lost? Ah, right, lost to the Princess. Was that embarrassing? Not really. If the Abyss Herald had won...
"If you can't run, I'll step in."
Aether said calmly, his gaze at the Abyss Herald carrying a hint of something.
Why couldn't it have been another Herald?
His sister was searching all over for Paimon, worried she might encounter danger.
That's why Aether had sent the Abyss Herald to secretly protect her.
The Abyss Herald had been reporting some news about his sister, and then they ended up here...
Without him, he didn't know if the Abyss would stir up chaos.
After all, the Abyss was born because of Celestia.
If it weren't for him leading the Heralds who still retained some wisdom to organize the Abyss, Teyvat would have been in complete chaos.
With Aether's assurance, the Abyss Herald finally relaxed.
He could dedicate himself to the Abyss, but he didn't want to die for no reason! Who was Morax?
Even the arrogant and domineering Crimson Witch of Flames revered him.
Daring to slap the Anemo Archon, commanding the Raiden Shogun, yet acting meek in front of him...
It was clear that his reputation was fearsome. How could one not be afraid?
Since that Archon's death, he had become much more irritable.
If it weren't for his sense of responsibility, he would have rebelled long ago!
Skinned and boned an Archon...
Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.
Even though he was a Pyro Abyss Herald, he felt cold!
To the people of Liyue, Morax was a benevolent protector, an invincible being, someone who took great responsibility for his people.
But to some Archons and the rats in the shadows, Morax was a true demon!
"Uh, Prince, I'm off..."
"Please, keep an eye on me!"
Although reluctant, the Abyss Herald had no choice.
The higher-ups' orders were absolute. What could he do? He was desperate!
No other way, just try to avoid him as much as possible!
In an instant, the Abyss Herald transformed from his Herald form into a humanoid shape. From the outside, he looked no different from a normal human.
Besides, he had once been human. It was only due to a curse that he became this half-human, half-ghost form.
Although he gained great power, it wasn't the happiness he desired.
Almost no Abyss Herald willingly embraced the Abyss.
If not forced by circumstances, why would they have ended up like this?
Watching the Abyss Herald's retreating figure, Aether shook his head and disappeared from the spot.
While the Abyss Herald investigated Morax, he needed to personally gather some intelligence as well.
From the conversations of the people here, it was clear that this world also had gods.
He wondered how strong the gods of this world were and if they shared the same inherent love for humanity as the gods of Teyvat.
In Teyvat, one could say that no Archon didn't love humanity.
It was just that their philosophies differed, and so did their ways of expressing that love.
The Archons couldn't always consider whether their methods were something humans could endure.
At the same time, wars broke out among the Archons for territory.
Liyue was the best land in all of Teyvat, bar none!
Thus, the battles here were exceptionally brutal.
Morax emerged victorious from such an environment.
To say that losing his Gnosis and divine throne would strip him of his power...
That was pure nonsense!
Even the Abyss didn't dare cause trouble in Liyue.
Even Neuvillette, who had obtained the complete authority of the ancient dragons, would need hundreds of years to carefully consider before passing judgment on the Geo Archon, Morax.
"Those people seem to be followers of the Angel God. Angels usually represent justice and light."
"But why does their leader, that woman named Bibi Dong, have an evil aura?"
This was something Aether couldn't understand.
A righteous organization led by an evil leader, such a thing was shocking even in all the worlds he had visited.
It was worth investigating.
The Abyss Herald had no idea that after he left, the Prince immediately set out to gather intelligence on others and didn't follow him.
Aether did this because he truly believed the Abyss Herald was hard to kill...
Although he was really weak, he never died after losing.
With such luck and strength, it was almost impossible for the Abyss Herald to get into trouble.
That was why he felt safe leaving.
The Hilichurl camp wasn't far from Heaven Dou City. Disguised as a human, the Abyss Herald was stopped at the city gates.
The reason? He didn't have a gold soul coin!
The entry fee for Heaven Dou City was one gold soul coin. Nobles didn't need to pay, as they were tax-exempt.
Commoners and ordinary soul masters, however, had to pay the entry fee, especially for their first entry.
Of course, the fee was annual. Paying one gold soul coin exempted one from entry fees for a year.
After paying, one would receive a temporary entry permit, which allowed free entry without further payment.
"You don't have a gold soul coin?"