Just as Billy was curiously examining the golden patterns on his body, he suddenly felt a tingling sensation spread through him. His whole body went out of control, no longer responding to his commands.

Before Billy could even make a sound, he had already lost consciousness.

At the same time, Nicole, Nekomata, Zhu Yuan, and Hoshimi Miyabi noticed that at some point, countless specks of golden light had appeared all around them. Like fireflies, they drifted up from within the body of Mount Hulao beneath their feet.

In an instant, the entire Mount Hulao region seemed to turn into a sea of gold.

Nicole reached out and caught one of the golden specks. Warmth immediately gathered in her palm. She was just about to open her hand to take a closer look when, the moment her fingers parted, that firefly-like speck slipped free and flew toward the center of the canyon ahead.

Nicole turned, looking toward Sam Li and Azhdaha in the heart of the gorge.

Countless golden motes were converging around them, drawn in as if by a tide. One after another, they gathered and sank into Azhdaha's body.

Anby murmured, "So this is the materialized Geo element."

Nekomata said excitedly, "Quick, catch a few! Maybe we can awaken Geo-attribute Vision too..."

Nicole shook her head. "It's never that simple..."

The group stood at the edge of the cliff, watching as countless golden specks kept pouring toward Sam Li and Azhdaha. The process continued for two to three hours.

As the sun in the distance neared the horizon, Nicole suddenly remembered, "What's going on with Billy? Why hasn't he woken up yet? He's not allergic to Geo, is he?"

Nekomata sighed helplessly. "He's a robot. Doesn't seem like he has an allergy module installed."

They waited even longer.

By the time the sun had set and dusk had fallen, Nicole, Anby, and the others were still on the cliff. At that point, the only reason they could see Sam Li and Azhdaha in the canyon below was because of the light still radiating from Geo energy.

Suddenly, Nekomata cried out in excitement, "Look ahead! Azhdaha moved. It seems like it's almost over."

Hearing that, everyone snapped their attention forward.

Sure enough, Azhdaha rose to his feet. He first threw his head back and let out a long, piercing roar that shook the air. Then he opened his enormous jaws and unleashed a stream of golden dragon's breath toward the distance.

BOOM!

The golden breath swept outward, shaving an entire mountaintop flat beside the cliff and making all of Mount Hulao tremble.

Soon after, the scattered motes of Geo energy faded, and Azhdaha, Sam Li, and the others were swallowed by the darkness.

Moments later, Azhdaha's deep voice rumbled out from the dark. "This power... is my true strength."

Immediately after, Azhdaha — now once again in his small dragon form — and Sam Li emerged from the darkness and returned to the cliff's edge.

Nekomata hurried over to Azhdaha, circling him and peering from left to right. "Mr. Azhdaha, you don't seem any different—"

Azhdaha replied coolly, "My power lies within my heart. How could mere mortals hope to fathom it?"

At last, Azhdaha's strength had been restored.

Beside them, Zhu Yuan took a long breath. "It's too late to return to Liyue Harbor now."

Hoshimi Miyabi said solemnly, "Let's descend the mountain first..."

Just as they were preparing to head down, Nicole suddenly said, "Wait! Billy's been in a deep sleep since daytime. Sam Li, check on him — has his energy depleted?"

Nekomata jolted. "I almost forgot about Billy... Meow!"

Hearing this, Sam Li slowly walked over to Billy. He placed a hand on Billy's arm and used Geo energy to wake him.

As golden Geo energy flared, the golden patterns on Billy's body lit up again and instantly spread to cover him from head to toe.

Billy jerked awake in a panic. "Huh? What's going on? Why is it dark? Nicole, Anby, Sam Li, where are you?"

Nicole sighed helplessly. "Stop shouting. We're right behind you."

Anby explained calmly, "You were unconscious for several hours."

Hearing that, Billy finally processed it. He hurriedly turned to Sam Li. "Sam Li, help me out here! What just happened? Why did my AI module suddenly shut down?"

Sam Li spoke slowly. "While gathering Geo earlier, I extracted some rare metals from Mount Hulao's rock formation. I used them to forge your mechanical body, making your frame harder and more powerful."

After listening to Sam Li's explanation, Billy froze for a moment. Then he tried moving his body — and immediately shouted in shock, "Seriously? My strength has more than doubled! My damaged knee's fully healed and way more agile... Sam Li, this is incredible! I love you to bits..."

Just as Billy was bouncing with excitement, an exceptionally bright star appeared in the night sky overhead. It grew brighter and brighter, drawing closer and closer.

Nekomata let out a cry. "Meow! A star is falling..."

Zhu Yuan looked startled. "Wait, that's not a star. That's... a Vision?"

When the "star" finally descended, everyone could clearly see it — a gemstone shining with golden light, just like the Geo Visions that Qingyi and Seth had awakened earlier.

In the next moment, Billy reacted and reached out, snatching the Vision as it fell in front of him. He held it up, turning it over again and again, grinning so hard he couldn't stop.

The instant he obtained the Vision, Billy could feel his power rise to a whole new level.

At that moment, Sam Li said slowly, "Try channeling the Geo element into your body."

Following Sam Li's instruction, Billy focused — and at once, his mechanical body erupted in golden light. Thin golden lines flickered across his frame, identical to the ones Sam Li had created before — the same intricate markings that appeared on Sam Li's birdcage and the Statue of The Seven — all brimming with immense Geo power.

After transforming into this "Golden Body," Billy's strength surged yet again.

Thrilled, Billy immediately struck a cool pose. "Nicole, Anby, Nekomata, Sam Li, isn't this golden body of mine absolutely badass?"

Nekomata nodded. "It is quite bright..."

Anby stated seriously, "Your energy level has increased."

Nicole smiled. "Alright, Billy's awake now. We can head down the mountain."

Nekomata quickly moved behind Nicole. "The mountain path is so dark, Nicole. You should lead the way."

Mount Hulao was extremely steep. One wrong step and you could go straight off the cliff.

Nicole peered into the darkness ahead, and her eyes lit up. "Billy, come here. Transform into Golden Billy again."

Billy froze. "Turning golden drains my elemental power..."

Nicole chuckled. "When I tell you to transform, you transform. If you don't turn golden to light up the area, how are we supposed to see the path ahead?"

Billy went silent, covering his face in defeat. "Fine, Boss Nicole..."

Half an hour later, by the time everyone finally made it down from Mount Hulao, Billy had been completely drained.