Chapter 62. Fusion Spell Card!
At this moment, Cloud Retainer no longer knew where to begin complaining.
What kind of scenes had she not witnessed before? She had survived the Archon War, fought against gods, and personally watched Liyue Harbor rise from nothing into the prosperous nation it was today.
Cloud Retainer was someone who had truly seen the world.
Yet even she, after hearing Futsu Mitama's explanation, felt a brief wave of dizziness wash over her. For a moment, she found herself unable to accept reality.
It was too fantastical. Truly far too fantastical.
"So, what you mean is…"
Cloud Retainer finally looked toward Aila and Black Aila. Her tone carried an unusually complicated emotion as she slowly said, "The fusion battle between the two of you no longer needs to continue."
"You are now independent individuals? Your souls are no longer incomplete? And Futsu Mitama, due to a twist of fate within that mysterious space, directly stepped into the Demon God Realm?"
She summarized everything according to her own understanding, yet even while speaking, she continuously shook her head, clearly finding the entire situation difficult to believe.
It all felt unreal.
However, reality was already right before her eyes. No matter how absurd it sounded, it had already happened, and she had no choice but to accept it.
Fortunately, this outcome was a good one.
There was no longer any need for a life-and-death struggle between Aila and Black Aila. Their incomplete souls had become whole, and they had even separated into independent existences.
From this perspective, both of them had finally broken free from the shackles imposed upon their souls.
Thinking this far, Cloud Retainer gradually felt relieved.
More than ten days ago, when Aila returned to Mt. Aocang to inherit a new legacy, Cloud Retainer had already sensed something troubling.
Aila's strength was approaching its limit.
At her previous rate of growth, she would likely have reached that limit within less than half a year.
Afterward, if she wished to become stronger, it would require an unimaginably long period of accumulation.
And even then, what would improve would not be her fundamental power, but merely her martial techniques and combat arts.
Martial arts and techniques were certainly important. Cloud Retainer acknowledged that fully.
However, no matter how exquisite one's techniques were, they still required sufficient strength to support them.
Back during ancient Liyue, there had once been many spear masters praised by Rex Lapis himself. Their spear arts were extraordinary, yet their personal strength remained limited.
No matter how refined one's martial skill became, if the body itself could not withstand greater power, everything would ultimately remain meaningless.
But now, Cloud Retainer no longer needed to worry.
At the very least, Aila would not stagnate like the old Adeptus who had survived since the Archon War.
Some of those ancient beings had spent thousands of years improving only slightly.
Others had even regressed.
After all, too much time had passed since the age of war. Most of them no longer fought frequently, so a decline in combat ability was perfectly normal.
Not everyone was like Futsu Mitama, constantly throwing himself into dangerous battles wherever he went.
And they were never ordinary battles either.
Kuki Shinobu understood this especially well.
Before traveling alongside Futsu Mitama, she was already considered one of the top experts in Inazuma City.
Even against Kujou Sara, she could fight evenly—well, provided Kujou Sara was not being completely serious.
But after adventuring with Futsu Mitama, the weakest enemies she encountered became Fatui elites, Mitachurls, and Vishaps.
Later on, the opponents escalated even further—Primo Geovishaps, Dvalin, Scaramouche, and even La Signora.
Under such intense battles, Kuki Shinobu's strength advanced at an astonishing pace.
By the time she returned to Inazuma half a year later, Kujou Sara was already being steadily suppressed by her.
At the time, Kujou Sara had been utterly bewildered, unable to understand how Shinobu's strength had risen so dramatically after disappearing for only a short period.
In response, Kuki Shinobu could only helplessly say:
"There's no helping it. It's all experience."
High-intensity combat naturally accelerated one's growth.
Shenhe and Aila's rapid improvement was likewise inseparable from countless dangerous battles.
"By the way, Futsu Mitama."
At this moment, Cloud Retainer looked toward him with visible curiosity in her eyes.
"Can this so-called fusion… be performed by anyone?"
As the "True Monarch of Invention," Cloud Retainer had always enjoyed researching strange mechanisms and mysterious phenomena.
Naturally, she was extremely interested in the item capable of ending the fusion battle between Aila and Black Aila.
More importantly…
Could this item be used by others as well?
If possible, Cloud Retainer suddenly felt that fusing with Guizhong might actually be rather interesting.
After all, they had known each other for countless years. Their compatibility should not be low.
And perhaps…
She also wished to experience what it felt like to stand within the realm of gods.
"Well…" Futsu Mitama stroked his chin thoughtfully before replying, "It's not impossible. But the compatibility between both individuals must reach at least fifty percent."
"If it doesn't reach fifty percent, then fusion likely cannot occur."
After Aila and Black Aila separated, the Fusion Card had automatically returned to Futsu Mitama's possession.
In other words, it could still be used. However, the compatibility requirement remained absolute.
"Oh?!"
Paimon's eyes immediately lit up.
"Then let me fuse with the Traveler! If the Traveler and I fuse together, we'll definitely become super powerful!!!"
Clearly, Paimon possessed tremendous confidence in herself.
"…"
Lumine's expression became extremely subtle.
Because in her mind, fusing with Paimon probably would not result in one plus one equaling two.
Instead, it would more likely become one plus one equals 1.1.
To be honest, Lumine even felt that assigning Paimon the extra 0.1 combat power was already being generous.
After all, an ordinary Hilichurl probably possessed more combat capability than Paimon.
"Wait a moment. Let me check."
Futsu Mitama took out the Fusion Card. Looking at Lumine and Paimon, he also became slightly curious.
Could the two of them actually fuse?
Soon, compatibility percentages appeared before his eyes.
Lumine and Paimon: 13%.
Fusion impossible.
Futsu Mitama blinked slightly in surprise.
He had not expected the Fusion Card to possess such a convenient auxiliary function.
Perhaps if someone else used the card, compatibility percentages would not appear at all. The fusion would simply fail directly after rejection.
Thinking this, he lightly shook his head and said:
"What a pity. Your compatibility is only thirteen percent. Fusion is impossible."
"Eh?! How can that be?!"
Paimon immediately protested loudly.
"The Traveler and I are the best partners ever! How could it only be thirteen percent?! It should at least be forty-nine percent!!!"
"I don't think compatibility refers to relationships alone," Lumine quietly muttered.
In her opinion, compatibility likely involved numerous factors.
Strength.
Physique.
Elemental nature.
Or perhaps something even more abstract.
Honestly speaking, Lumine actually felt that the reason she and Paimon could even reach thirteen percent was precisely because their relationship was extremely close.
Although Paimon could be rather noisy on ordinary days, there was one thing Lumine never doubted.
Whenever something dangerous happened to the Traveler, Paimon would always be the first one to rush forward.
Whether during A Bite of Liyue, the administrator competition, or countless smaller incidents afterward—
Whenever Paimon found something valuable or beneficial, the first person she thought of was always Lumine.
So Lumine believed the failure probably stemmed from differences in strength, constitution, or perhaps because she herself was a Traveler from another world.
Of course…
Paimon also hardly looked like a native of Teyvat either.
After journeying through so many worlds, Lumine had still never seen another being remotely similar to her.
"Mm. It likely has little to do with relationships alone."
Cloud Retainer nodded thoughtfully.
"This Adeptus believes the requirements must be extremely strict. If simple emotional closeness were enough, then this card would be far too unreasonable."
Aila and Black Aila could fuse so perfectly precisely because they had originally been the same person.
Aside from differences in hair color and build, the two of them were practically identical.
Futsu Mitama also agreed inwardly.
However, he still had no idea how compatibility itself could be increased.
The system description had never explained it.
Much like condensed resin or various mysterious items, he would likely need to explore its mechanics personally.
"I want to fuse with Master."
At this moment, Shenhe finally stepped out from behind where she had silently been standing.
She looked directly at Futsu Mitama and calmly said:
"I also wish to test whether I can fuse with Master. y strength is relatively close to Master's, our relationship is extremely good, and as for our physiques…"
Shenhe suddenly paused.
Although Cloud Retainer usually appeared in her crane form, Shenhe had naturally seen her human appearance before.
After all, she had been raised by Cloud Retainer since childhood. And if memory served correctly…
Master's human form was not very different from her own.
"Very well."
Cloud Retainer did not refuse. In fact, anticipation could even be heard within her voice. Although Shenhe was still somewhat weaker than her, the difference was not enormous.
Cloud Retainer also felt fusion might genuinely succeed.
"Alright."
Futsu Mitama raised the Fusion Card once more.
Soon, a new compatibility percentage appeared before him.
Cloud Retainer and Shenhe: 45%.
Fusion impossible.
"Only forty-five percent."
Even Futsu Mitama sounded slightly helpless this time.
This result genuinely surprised him.
Both their emotional bond and overall compatibility should have been extremely high already.
Could the issue truly be their physiques?
"Wait for this Adeptus."
At that moment, Cloud Retainer seemed to suddenly realize something.
A layer of white mist instantly rose around her body.
"Wah?! What's happening?!" Paimon exclaimed dramatically once again.
Lumine, meanwhile, remained completely calm as she quietly watched the transformation.
Soon, the white mist gradually dispersed.
Standing there now was a tall and elegant woman with glasses, possessing an intellectual aura and bearing a faint resemblance to Shenhe in style.
"!!!"
Futsu Mitama's eyes widened slightly.
"Wah wah wah!!! The Adeptus turned into a human?!" Paimon shouted loudly.
Aside from Paimon and Futsu Mitama, everyone else remained perfectly calm, as though this development was entirely expected.
After all, for an Adeptus at Cloud Retainer's level, taking human form was perfectly normal.
Lumine's strength might have diminished greatly, but her insight remained.
Aila, Black Aila, and Shenhe were even less surprised.
Cloud Retainer herself had mentioned more than once during training on Mt. Aocang that the Adeptus once frequently traveled to Liyue Harbor in human form in order to protect the people during troubled times.
As for Futsu Mitama—
He already knew.
Back in his previous life, he had even controlled her human form for a while.
But seeing it in person…
That was an entirely different matter.
Futsu Mitama unconsciously glanced downward for a moment.
Mm.
Not as exaggerated as Shenhe's, but still remarkably impressive.
"Futsu Mitama."
Cloud Retainer's majestic voice rang out once more.
"Would this form increase the so-called compatibility? Previously, while in this Adeptus form, compatibility with Shenhe was already forty-five percent. Now that this Adeptus has assumed human form, let us see whether it increases."
Shenhe said nothing, yet a faint trace of anticipation also appeared within her eyes.
"Let me check."
Futsu Mitama nodded slightly.
However, before activating the Fusion Card again, he could not help but glance at Cloud Retainer's human form a few more times.
As expected of "that woman."
Her human appearance was genuinely beautiful.
Cloud Retainer did not notice Futsu Mitama's gaze, believing he was merely observing the so-called "compatibility."
"Hm?!"
Futsu Mitama suddenly revealed a rather surprised expression. He looked toward Shenhe and Cloud Retainer before saying:
"Sixty-five percent compatibility. Should we try fusing now?"
Then, after glancing around the street outside, he added:
"If we're going to do this, we should probably head inside first. This is still the middle of the street. It'll be far too conspicuous."
Indeed, although Futsu Mitama's residence was located beside the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, ordinary people rarely approached this area casually.
Still, nobody knew how long the fusion process between Shenhe and Cloud Retainer might take.
Aila and Black Aila's fusion had been extremely fast, but that was because they possessed perfect compatibility.
Shenhe and Cloud Retainer only had sixty-five percent.
Who knew whether the process would become longer or more unstable because of that?
"Very well."
Cloud Retainer nodded in agreement before immediately walking toward the residence.
Shenhe silently followed behind her master.
Aila and Black Aila exchanged glances before following as well.
"I'm getting excited already!"
Paimon floated through the air with visible anticipation.
Although everyone had once watched Aila and Black Aila fuse through the Chat Group's live broadcast, a live stream was completely different from witnessing it in person.
"Mm."
Even Lumine nodded slightly, curiosity flashing within her eyes. She was genuinely looking forward to seeing what would happen next.
Soon, the entire group returned to Futsu Mitama's residence.
Within the courtyard, Cloud Retainer and Shenhe stood facing each other, already prepared.
At this moment, Kuki Shinobu also stepped out from inside the house.
She blinked slightly while observing the scene before her.
Although she still did not fully understand what was happening, the moment she saw Futsu Mitama holding the Fusion Card while Shenhe stood beside an unfamiliar but elegant woman, she immediately realized the woman's identity.
Cloud Retainer.
Earlier, when Cloud Retainer first arrived, she had asked where Futsu Mitama and Aila had gone.
At the time, both Shenhe and Kuki Shinobu explained that Ningguang had summoned Futsu Mitama to discuss matters, while Aila had accompanied him.
After hearing this, Cloud Retainer calmly stated that she could simply wait for their return.
Yet just as Kuki Shinobu and Shenhe were preparing to ask about the situation through the Chat Group, Cloud Retainer suddenly seemed to sense something and instantly flew away.
Now, not only had she transformed into human form, but Futsu Mitama had even brought out the Fusion Card.
Naturally, Kuki Shinobu became curious.
However, she did not interrupt directly. Instead, she quietly walked toward Aila and Lumine before asking in a low voice what exactly had happened.
Aila and Lumine briefly explained the situation to her.
After listening, Kuki Shinobu became somewhat dumbfounded.
She truly had not expected so many unbelievable events to occur in such a short amount of time.
"Presumably, this Liyue Adeptus must be rather shaken internally."
Sangonomiya Kokomi smiled softly.
She had unconsciously placed herself in Cloud Retainer's position earlier.
Without the Chat Group's existence, even Kokomi herself would probably have been completely bewildered by everything that had happened.
Yet an Adeptus was still an Adeptus.
Cloud Retainer had swiftly grasped the core issue and immediately focused her attention on the Fusion Card itself.
Not only that, she had even proposed personally testing it.
And more astonishingly…
She and Shenhe actually possessed sufficient compatibility to fuse.
"Mm."
Lumine lightly nodded. Her tone carried a trace of expectation as she said:
"I wonder whether the fusion between this Adeptus and Shenhe can reach the Demon God Realm."
"Difficult."
Black Aila slowly shook her head, her expression serious.
"The Demon God Realm is not something so easy to enter. Although the Fusion Card itself is extraordinary, stepping into that realm symbolizes a complete transformation."
She paused briefly before continuing:
"For the two of us—and for Young Master—to enter the Demon God Realm… in a sense, we were very fortunate."
Black Aila understood better than anyone how difficult it was to cross that boundary. Her and Aila's breakthrough had relied heavily upon the effects of the Fusion Card itself.
As for Futsu Mitama—
He had directly stepped into that realm after increasing his Chat Group level.
Because of this, Black Aila felt that Shenhe and Cloud Retainer reaching the Demon God Realm through fusion alone was highly unlikely.
"Let's wait and see."
However, Aila held a different opinion.
For some reason, she felt that if her master fused with senior sister, they might truly reach that level.
At this moment, Futsu Mitama raised the Fusion Card once more.
He looked toward Cloud Retainer and Shenhe standing before him before loudly declaring:
"Spell Card Fusion! Activate!"
"I offer Cloud Retainer and Shenhe on the field as sacrifices!"
"Descend!"