Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Hey, hey, why do you say something like that so casually? Do you even understand the weight of what you just said?"

Gu Sanqiu was dumbfounded. Albedo's tone was as nonchalant as if he were commenting on breakfast, like, "I had soy milk and fried dough sticks this morning." In other words, he clearly wasn't taking the matter seriously at all.

"Hmm. As someone living in Mondstadt, I suppose I should be full of reverence for the Anemo Archon," Albedo said, hesitating slightly. "But after exchanging a few brief words with him, I found it difficult to muster any respect."

"Whether it was his tone—like speaking to a child—or something about his demeanor, I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "Had he not knocked me unconscious, I might have gleaned more information from a longer conversation."

...No need to analyze further; it's definitely his demeanor.

Just think of Dvalin's anguished roars compared to Venti's cheerful attempt to shrug off responsibility with a playful "Ehe~."

My evaluation? Utterly devoid of majesty.

"So, do you know why he showed up?" Gu Sanqiu was genuinely curious about why Venti had appeared before them. If it was merely because their battle caused a bit of a commotion, that didn't seem sufficient justification.

"Could it have been because of me?"

Gu Sanqiu pondered the possibility. That dark power he'd unleashed was something even Lord Zhongli couldn't fully discern. If anyone could sense its danger, Venti might indeed be the one.

Albedo glanced at Gu Sanqiu. "I came to the same conclusion. After you used that ultimate move, it felt as though you'd become a completely different person."

"Be more specific."

"I've dissected—or rather, studied—members of treasure hoarder groups known for their murderous tendencies. Even their killing intent and battle-lust were far less oppressive than what you exuded."

"Mass murderers, huh? Strictly speaking, they probably don't compare to me. Not much of an argument there," Gu Sanqiu said with an awkward laugh. The truth was, he had taken quite a few lives himself.

"Then let me put it another way," Albedo said, his tone growing serious. "That power of yours... it doesn't belong to this era."

"Now that interests me."

Finally, someone who could offer some insight. When dealing with Zhongli, Gu Sanqiu had refrained from fully unleashing his abilities out of fear of harming the giant Dragon-Queller tree. Thus, he'd never sought to let the Geo Archon feel the full extent of his transformation.

"It's not of this era," Albedo mused. "I can't say for sure what kind of era it originates from, but the energy gives off an ancient—or perhaps decayed—quality, like wood that has rotted from sitting for too long."

Gu Sanqiu frowned. "Let me clarify. That power comes from within me, meaning it's part of my being. I'm a young man—what does 'rotten wood' have to do with me?"

I'm not some overworked wreck burning the candle at both ends every night. The phrase "rotten wood" felt way too close to describing premature aging, which didn't sit well with him.

Albedo paused, recalling that the person in front of him was barely in his twenties. He nearly allowed Gu Sanqiu's strength to skew his perception of his age.

"I have a way to investigate further, but it will require your cooperation—and for us to return to my lab. I'll need to run tests for comparative data. I can't provide definitive results just from basic checks."

"Fine by me. Shall we go now?"

Albedo thought for a moment. "Let's wait. Out of respect for the medical staff, I'll prepare some potions for you. Stay here for one more day before we leave."

"You say that like my injuries will miraculously heal in one day. Isn't this just a textbook case of turning a blind eye to the truth?"

Gu Sanqiu couldn't even muster the energy to argue further with Albedo.

---

"Sit still; this is the final step of the test."

Albedo scribbled on a clipboard. "Sucrose, is all the data fully recorded into the formation?"

"It's complete, Master," Sucrose replied.

Gu Sanqiu sat calmly within the golden formation Albedo had prepared, casually applying a freshly concocted salve to his wounds. If left untreated, these injuries might hinder his performance later.

The formation began to glow, a refreshing energy coursing through Gu Sanqiu's body before dispersing into the gemstones arranged at the formation's edge.

One by one, the gems lit up. Gu Sanqiu turned to look at the nearest one.

"What does this mean?"

"Each gem stores a specific type of data, categorized accordingly," Albedo explained, placing his clipboard on a nearby workbench. "When all the gems light up, it means the data I've collected shows no abnormalities compared to baseline readings. Your body is normal for someone your age."

Gu Sanqiu stepped out of the formation. "So, in short, this test found nothing?"

"Essentially, yes," Albedo nodded. "If you want more detailed results, we'd need to analyze your soul. However, that's the greatest mystery of the human body, and I doubt you'd let just anyone tamper with it. Besides, I don't have the precise tools for such an examination."

"So, from your intellectual perspective, what could cause a young person's body to emit the aura of rotting wood?"

"Typically, overindulgence, severe depletion of vital energy—issues like that. But from our fight, it's clear you don't suffer from those problems," Albedo replied, a spark of curiosity lighting his eyes. "Your condition is indeed fascinating."

"Well, if that's the case, I'll figure it out myself." Gu Sanqiu shrugged as he finished dressing. "Want to grab a drink at Angel's Share in a few days? Or Cat's Tail, maybe?"

"No, I'll be leading a trial expedition to a domain soon," Albedo replied, handing Gu Sanqiu a data sheet. "Beyond guiding the team, I'll need to calculate and simulate the environment's parameters. I won't have time."

"Another time, then."

Gu Sanqiu left Albedo's lab and wandered until he reached the towering tree at Windrise. Standing beneath its sprawling roots, he stared at the ancient plant in silence.

Windwheel Asters seemed to sense the aura emanating from him, playfully flocking around. Two even perched lightly on his ears.

"Alright, alright, off you go," Gu Sanqiu said, forming a cluster of pure, untainted Anemo energy in his hand and tossing it into the air. The Windwheel Asters gleefully chased after it.

"A brand-new body, but a decayed soul?"

His soul had taken over the original Gu Sanqiu's body, and after avenging the destruction of the Three Profound Society, he'd used his "golden finger" to reconstruct his body with elixirs.

In theory, his soul remained unchanged, and his body was entirely new. There shouldn't have been any issues.

"Could it be a problem I've always had? Or..."

"Am I someone's reincarnation?"

"Someone like... Gu Shen?"