Chapter 570: Ch 570 : Rockfall Trap

Listening to Ningguang’s proposal, Su Yuan nodded in agreement...

Indeed, his next plan was to head for Natlan.

After all, the intel had already clearly indicated that if he wanted to revive the information hidden within the palm of his left hand, he must go to Natlan—the Kingdom of the Night God.

However, just as Ningguang had said, if one wanted to go to Natlan, they would have to pass through Sumeru first...

But everyone knew what the current situation in Sumeru was like.

Ever since the Little Dendro Archon Nahida had fallen into a state of Eerie, Sumeru had practically become a fallen nation...

Even so, he still had to go to Natlan.

Thus, Su Yuan nodded firmly and said,

"Alright then, let’s head back to Liyue first together!"

"Although I could just teleport back to Liyue using the teleport waypoint, since we still have the escort mission involving Xiao, I’ll travel with you all instead."

"If Su Yuan is returning to Liyue before heading to Natlan, then take me with you," Aether said directly.

"Yeah! Even though we didn’t go deep into Natlan last time, we did get to know a little about it while traveling with Dainsleif! We can at least provide Su Yuan with some useful information!" Paimon added.

"No matter what, thank you, Su Yuan, for all that you’ve done for Mondstadt. You’re always welcome here," Jean said with a warm smile.

And so, Su Yuan, Aether, Paimon, Qiqi, and Ningguang, together with Xiao, set out on their journey back to Liyue...

After leaving Mondstadt, Su Yuan looked back at the city gates and towering walls that were growing smaller in the distance.

A puzzled expression suddenly appeared on his face...

He had stayed in Mondstadt for quite some time, and now that he was leaving, he realized—

he still hadn’t seen Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, better known as Venti!

So, what in the world was this carefree Archon doing?

Why hadn’t he shown himself at all?

As the group continued southward and arrived near the Dawn Winery, they found the butler and maids all waiting by the roadside.

When they saw Su Yuan and the others approach, they bowed respectfully and said with deep gratitude:

"Thank you, everyone, for bringing Master Diluc back safely. We’ve prepared a few small gifts—some of Dawn Winery’s finest vintages. Please, accept them."

Following their words, the group glanced over and saw several wooden crates nearby, each seemingly filled with bottles of wine.

"In that case, I’ll graciously accept," Ningguang said with a soft smile, making no attempt to refuse.

"These fine wines are treasures beyond price. I’ll gladly take them."

After bidding farewell to the people of the Dawn Winery, the group continued onward.

The journey remained smooth and uneventful for quite some time.

But when they reached the area near the Stone Gate, something completely unexpected happened...

Everything seemed almost too coincidental—as if deliberately planned.

From the high mountains above, a barrage of massive boulders suddenly came crashing down toward them!

"They’re just some rocks—nothing to worry about," Ningguang said calmly, utterly composed.

She then gathered Geo energy into gemstones in her hand and fired them at the falling boulders.

"As long as we shatter those boulders into dust, they won’t pose any threat to us..."

But the moment her gemstone attacks struck the rocks, Ningguang’s expression changed drastically.

She said sharply, "No—that impact... these aren’t ordinary rocks!!!"

Sure enough, as soon as her attack hit, the "boulders" suddenly exploded from within!

From inside, countless sharp spikes and blades shot outward, hurtling straight toward the group!

At that moment, everyone realized—these weren’t natural falling rocks at all.

This was a trap—a falling rock trap deliberately set by someone!

Being sharp-minded and battle-seasoned, Ningguang reacted immediately.

She summoned her Jade Screen using her Geo power to block the barrage of hidden weapons.

However, Su Yuan suddenly sensed that something was seriously wrong...

And strangely, he seemed to be the only one who could feel it!

"No! These aren’t ordinary physical projectiles!" Su Yuan shouted urgently.

"Ningguang—watch out!!"

And in the very next instant, the situation everyone dreaded most unfolded right before their eyes!

The spikes and blade-like projectiles actually passed straight through Ningguang’s Jade Screen, as if her defense didn’t exist at all.

Without any resistance, they pierced directly through her body—blood splattering through the air—as Ningguang was riddled with holes like a sieve...

Watching the projectiles that had pierced through Ningguang and were now deeply embedded in the ground, Aether suddenly realized— these weapons carried traces of an Eerie power!!!

However, this Eerie aura had been concealed during the attack itself, only revealing its true nature after it struck.

Seeing Ningguang killed so suddenly by the ambush, both Aether and Su Yuan shared the same thought.

The one capable of setting up such an intricate trap, and of using Eerie power as well — who else could it be, if not Dottore?!

But now wasn’t the time to hunt Dottore down— the immediate priority was survival!

The falling boulders hadn’t stopped; many more were still crashing down toward them!

"Qiqi! Quickly cast a command seal on yourself and use Eerie power to crush those boulders!!"

Su Yuan shouted, and at the same time summoned his Foul Legacy Armament, dark armor covering his entire body, as he prepared to use Abyssal power to counter the incoming Eerie-infused rocks.

"O-Okay..." Qiqi nodded and placed a command seal upon herself.

Then, with Su Yuan and Qiqi working together, they finally managed to destroy all the falling boulders and end the crisis.

"Damn it... If we had realized earlier that these rocks carried Eerie power, Ningguang wouldn’t have died..." Paimon said through clenched teeth, her voice filled with frustration.

Su Yuan looked solemnly at Aether and said,

"No matter what, I think you’re thinking the same thing as I am, right?"

"This has Dottore’s fingerprints all over it!!!"

"He’s definitely nearby—we have to find him!!!"

But just as Su Yuan finished speaking, two hands suddenly reached out from beneath the ground, grabbed Qiqi’s legs— and ripped her in half in an instant!!!