Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

As Elliot lowered his spear, black flames suddenly flickered at his fingertip.

"Black flames...? I've never seen fire like that before…" Shenhe stared at the strange flickers dancing on his fingers, surprised.

Elliot calmly stepped in front of the charging Rock Shield Mitachurl, who roared and lunged at him.

"He doesn't have time to grab his weapon!" Shenhe rushed forward in alarm.

But Elliot didn't panic. With steady composure, he flicked the tiny black flame from his fingertip and turned away, not even glancing back.

Boom!

The moment the flame touched the Rock Shield Mitachurl, a towering blaze of black fire engulfed it completely.

The beast let out a harrowing shriek.

Shenhe, who had just arrived, stood frozen in shock.

"Hello. I'm Elliot—'Yuan' as in distant. Nice to meet you."

He offered a light smile as he introduced himself.

"I am Shenhe. My fate is cursed—I bring harm to those around me. The Adepti instructed me to bind my soul with this red cord to restrain my murderous impulses."

Watching the Mitachurl collapse, Shenhe responded with her own simple introduction.

She typically avoided mortals and didn't know how to interact with them, but from Elliot's skills, he didn't seem like one. He might even be a disciple of the Adepti.

Seeing he was also alone, a fleeting sense of kinship stirred in her.

But she quickly dismissed it—wishful thinking, she reminded herself.

She knew many Adepti, yet none who lived reclusively like her among mountains and beasts.

"A cursed fate? Hurting those around you? That's... unusual," Elliot said, pretending to be surprised.

"It's true," Shenhe replied without hesitation.

"So, you live alone?"

"Yes. I left the world of men long ago. Now I live among rivers, mountains, birds, and beasts."

"It sounds romantic, but also a bit lonely. Why not travel with me?"

Shenhe blinked, clearly thrown off by the offer.

"You're... not afraid of me?"

"I enjoy a challenge. There's a saying: 'Even knowing there are tigers in the mountains, still one must go.' That's the kind of person I am."

He smiled, glancing at her.

"And besides, you're as beautiful as a celestial being. What's there to fear?"

Everyone appreciates a compliment—especially from a stranger.

Shenhe, unaccustomed to such things, was clearly affected. After a moment's thought, she nodded.

"Alright. I'll go with you. But I have one condition."

"What is it?"

"I don't go where there are crowds."

"Of course. I came to these remote mountains for the solitude."

"Good."

And just like that, the two of them began traveling together.

They didn't speak much along the way. Elliot knew not to ask too many questions up front—it would only push her away.

Shenhe didn't understand human relationships, but she wasn't a fool. Building trust would take time.

In his first life, he had become Hu Tao's grandfather.

In his second, Qiqi was still a child—he had saved her, so her trust was natural.

But Shenhe was different. They met by chance. Asking too much too soon would make him seem suspicious.

First impressions mattered. He couldn't afford to slip.

It wasn't until nightfall that they stopped to rest in a cave.

They sat quietly by a campfire, each roasting two fish over the flames.

"Why did you choose to train in the mountains?" Shenhe asked, breaking the silence.

"I've seen the lights of the city. Naturally, I wanted to see the moonlight in the forest," Elliot answered smoothly.

"Which do you like better?"

"That's a hard question. They can't really be compared. Both are necessary. But if I had to choose, I prefer the latter."

Shenhe was visibly surprised.

Most mortals, she thought, preferred the bustling lights of the city. Few enjoyed the solitude of the wilderness.

"Why?" she asked, puzzled.

"Peace."

"Peace?"

"Yes. Here, there are mountains and streams, birds and insects, and a sky full of stars."

"Cities are homes for humans. But nature... is the home of the world."

Elliot rose slowly and walked to the edge of a cliff, gazing down at the forest below.

Shenhe's eyes lit up.

Those words struck her deeply. For once, someone seemed to understand her.

A rare flicker of emotion stirred in her heart. She stood and walked over to him.

"But…" Elliot said suddenly.

"But humans can't live without cities. That's where they belong."

Shenhe's smile faded.

She thought she had found a kindred spirit—but in the end, he still thought like everyone else.

"A home among people is a luxury I gave up long ago. I've grown used to the wild."

Her voice was quiet and distant.

"You're still so young—why talk about a place to belong as if it's out of reach?" Elliot turned toward her, meeting her gaze.

"To me, this 'cursed fate' talk is nonsense. Everyone has the right to happiness. Not even the heavens can take that away."

"Just because you've suffered doesn't mean the rest of your life has to be the same."

For a moment, Shenhe was stunned, staring into his eyes.

Do I... really have the right to happiness?

She questioned herself over and over.

"Ah! The fish's burning!"

Elliot suddenly rushed over to the fire, grabbing a completely blackened piece of fish.

"What do I do now... It's burned to a crisp."

He held the ruined fish like it was a tragedy.

Seeing his reaction, Shenhe let out a small laugh—without even realizing it.

And then she froze in surprise.

"Did I… just laugh?"

She looked at him, eyes filled with curiosity.

This man...

He was unlike anyone she'd ever met.

"We can gather some wild fruit later," she said with a soft smile, walking over.

Her fish, perfectly cooked, hadn't burned—it had simply been placed farther from the flames.

"Here, let's trade. This charred one still tastes good—you should try it."

Elliot held out his ruined fish, grinning awkwardly.

"It's alright. I burned my first fish too. You'll get better with practice."

She offered her own cooked fish in exchange.

Elliot quickly pulled his back, scratching his head with a sheepish smile. "Kidding!"

"What is... kidding?" Shenhe asked, confused.

So Elliot began explaining—and threw in a few notes about when not to joke.

Things ordinary people took for granted, Shenhe needed to learn step by step.

And that, of course, was the key... to bringing her back into the world.