Genshin Impact: The Road to Reversal

Chapter 541 Catastrophe is Coming (Part 1)

After leaving the inn, the three of them came to a secluded corner, where Karin used her Moon Saint powers to quickly teleport them to the outside of Phoenix's residence.

However, when they pushed open the door and stepped into the room, Phoenix was nowhere to be found.

The room was silent, with only the daylight streaming in through the window illuminating the simple and austere furnishings.

"She's not here?" Karin looked around anxiously. "Shouldn't she have just come back from training camp and be resting at this time?"

Arecino's heart sank, an ominous premonition creeping over her like cold vines. Just then, the maid who usually cleaned Phoenix's room came in carrying a basin of water.

“Miss Arecino, and two more guests… Did you all come back so early today?” She paused for a moment when she saw the three of them.

Karen nodded. "Yes, we have something we'd like to discuss with Miss Phoenix. Do you know where she is right now?"

“Hmm…” The servant looked up and thought for a moment. “Just now, it seemed to be a guard from Lord Hyotei’s side who came over and said that Lord Hyotei had something to discuss with him. Then Lord Phoenix went out. He’s probably in the castle’s council hall now.”

“The council chamber…” Arecino’s expression turned grave. Without a second thought, she turned abruptly, and without even thanking the servants, she dashed out of the room like an arrow.

"Arechino!" Mo Yan and Kailin exclaimed, immediately following behind.

A strong intuition told Arecino that this summons was anything but ordinary! The fact that the Ice Emperor Reikos suddenly summoned Phoenix at this time was likely related to the impending Sangyang Rebellion.

Could it be... that moment is about to arrive sooner than expected?

She raced towards the castle without regard for anything else, her heart pounding wildly in her chest, almost shattering her ribs. Twenty years of forbearance, companionship, and the deep-seated fear and reluctance all transformed into a resolute determination to run towards that figure.

Mo Yan and Kailin struggled to keep up with her speed, and because it happened so suddenly, they even forgot to use their elemental powers.

Just as they finally reached the magnificent gate, the heavy doors were pushed open from the inside.

Phoenix appeared at the doorway, still wearing the blue and white phoenix robe that symbolized her status. Her face was calm, as if what they had just discussed was not a matter of life and death.

“Teacher!” Arecino’s voice trembled uncontrollably as she rushed to Phoenix.

Phoenix stopped and looked at her with some surprise, as well as Mo Yan and Kailin, who were panting behind her.

"It's you, and Arecino too... What's the rush?"

Arecino opened her mouth, a thousand words stuck in her throat, yet she didn't know how to begin. Should she simply say, "You are about to face your death, and I have come to bid you farewell"?

Just to be on the safe side, she decided to ask for clarification before making a decision.

“Teacher…” Arecino took a deep breath, suppressing her surging emotions, her voice still carrying a barely perceptible tension, “Lord Hyotei’s sudden summons…is something wrong?”

Phoenix's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, his heterochromatic eyes seeming to see through something, yet he didn't say anything.

"Yes, the people at the front just reported that there have been some chaotic things happening around the glacier recently. Not long ago, Evil Demon, Flame King and Blood Princess successfully captured a villain in Three Harbors who attempted to create chaos with strong magic. After interrogation, it was found that Sang Yang was secretly causing trouble. In addition, the island has recently started to make trouble. Therefore, the Ice Emperor specifically asked us to come and strengthen the defense of the glacier."

"So... the war is really about to begin?" Karin's voice trembled slightly.

Phoenix nodded slightly, tacitly agreeing. Then he turned his gaze back to Arecino.

"By the way, since you're here too, why don't we come together?" she said with a smile, one hand on her hip.

“Ah, me?” Arecino’s brow furrowed slightly.

“That’s right. Although you don’t belong here, you are still a paladin personally appointed by him, so you should know more about the glacier’s defense system than others. Your suggestion might come in handy,” Phoenix said with a smile.

“I…” She subconsciously looked at Mo Yan and Kailin.

Mo Yan didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly to her. Kailin also clenched her fist, signaling her to keep going.

Arecino took a deep breath, suppressing the complex emotions surging within her, and nodded solemnly to Phoenix: "Okay, I'll do my best."

“Yes, that’s for the best.” Phoenix laughed heartily. Just then, she looked at Mo Yan and Kelin beside her. “Oh, by the way, didn’t you two say you were quite interested in our trial? Perfect timing. The Secret Realm will open in a few days. Although I can’t let you enter the trial directly, as observers outside the Secret Realm, I will give you special seats to observe the situation inside.”

"Really? That's wonderful!" Karin's eyes lit up, temporarily setting aside her sorrow at parting. To witness the legendary Glacier Trial firsthand was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they had long been troubled by their lack of understanding of the trial's mechanics. Now, that problem was solved, except…

Phoenix nodded slightly, then turned his gaze back to Arecino: "Well then, let's go. There are some plans that need to be implemented as soon as possible."

She turned and walked first into the depths of the castle, her steps steady and firm.

Arecino glanced at Mo Yan and Karin one last time, her expression complex, before quickly following Phoenix.

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, the excitement on Karin's face gradually faded, replaced by worry: "Mo Yan, do you think... Peruvieri can really do it?"

Mo Yan silently watched the two figures gradually disappear at the end of the corridor, and sighed softly: "I don't know. But this is her choice, and it is the 'ritual' she must face. All we can do is wait."

……

After a brief discussion, Phoenix took Arecino to the front lines, while Mo Yan and Karen remained in the city.

Time passed slowly, and two days later, in the early morning, they arrived near the trial grounds under the arrangement of Phoenix's men.

A secluded cliff. The view from here is superb, overlooking the entrance to the secret realm below, shrouded in powerful barriers and enveloped in mist.

At this moment, the preliminary candidates who had passed the initial selection had gathered in the open space in front of the entrance. They were dressed in their respective uniforms, and their expressions ranged from nervous to excited to solemn. Among the crowd, they immediately spotted Peruvieri and Clévy.

After 20 years of trials and tribulations, their appearance has matured, but compared to the future, they still lack the sharpness honed by the trials of life.