Sacrificing Myself: Nine Transmigrations (Genshin Impact)

[Ding! Congratulations on successfully completing your second reincarnation.]

[Please select three skills to inherit: Explosive Flame Pillar, Burning Palm, Black Flame.]

Elliot found himself once again transported to a vast, white void.

This time, the system presented him with three fire-related skills—none of which he was familiar with.

In his previous lives, whether it was Eight-Flame Array or Flame Flash Teleportation, he'd at least used them before. But these three? Total strangers.

Thankfully, he was allowed a trial.

But the trials only made it worse—he didn't know which one to choose.

The first, Explosive Flame Pillar, unleashed a massive column of fire centered around him, which detonated after five seconds to deal massive damage.

The second, Burning Palm, attacked from within—melting organs directly. A technique meant to target the heart.

The third leaned more toward deception. A tiny orb of black fire—only slightly larger than a lighter's flame—that, once it touched an enemy, would instantly spread and engulf them in flames.

After thinking it over, Elliot chose the third one.

Black Flame.

The other two weren't bad, but overall, this one suited him best.

[You've selected: Black Flame. Preparing your next reincarnation.]

[Reincarnation initiated!]

[Mission: Help Shenhe adapt to human society.]

[Transmitting now...]

As white light swallowed him, Elliot began his third life.

"Shenhe..."

He murmured her name, brows furrowed—not because the mission was difficult. In fact, it seemed relatively straightforward.

The issue was...

Shenhe's past was no better than Qiqi or Hu Tao's.

If anything...

It was even more tragic.

Born into a family of exorcists, Shenhe's fate was cruel from the start.

Her mother fell seriously ill early on, with both her body and spirit gradually deteriorating.

Her father, who loved his wife dearly, was tormented watching her waste away. He sought out every doctor he could find, but none could help.

Desperate, he turned to ancient texts, hoping for a miracle.

Obsessed, he scoured every scroll and scripture he could find. Nothing worked—until, in a moment of fate, he saw the very book he'd dreamed of in the hands of a neighbor named Mingjun.

That book claimed to hold the key to saving his wife.

Consumed by madness, Shenhe's father snatched the book away from Mingjun.

Mingjun knew what the book contained—it described a ritual to summon a deity through sacrifice.

But such things...

Could they truly be trusted?

Shenhe's father didn't care anymore. He was determined to bring his wife back.

No one could stop him.

He followed the ritual precisely and summoned the deity.

"I offer my life to bring back my wife!"

As the summoned "god" appeared before him, he dropped to his knees and pleaded his case.

The god simply stared, then pointed to the young Shenhe.

"She was born under a cursed star. Even if she lives, she will bring disaster to those around her. She might even be your death. Wouldn't it be better if…"

Shenhe's father had been a good husband—but he was no father.

Taking the god's words to heart, he turned on Shenhe.

He personally threw her into a cave filled with the remains of fallen gods, then left without looking back.

The young Shenhe waited, believing her father would return for her.

When hope faded, she received a Vision. Armed with only a dagger, she fought the monsters in the cave with all her might.

One day, two days, three...

Until she collapsed, her father never came.

It was Cloud Retainer who saved her.

Passing by the cave, Cloud Retainer sensed the evil aura and entered, only to find a frail young girl locked in battle with remnants of demonic beasts.

Shenhe was thin, clearly starving, and barely holding on—yet her will was unbroken as she fought on.

After rescuing her, Shenhe still didn't lower her guard. She raised her dagger at Cloud Retainer.

Only after confirming he meant her no harm did she collapse.

Later, Cloud Retainer sought out Mountain Shaper to divine Shenhe's fate. The answer was clear—she bore the curse of the "Calamity Star," destined to bring misfortune to her kin.

To prevent her from harming others, Cloud Retainer bound her with red cords that suppressed her nature—but also sealed away her true self.

As she trained among the Adepti, Shenhe grew increasingly cold and distant.

She spent years cultivating on mountain peaks, living among birds and beasts, ignorant of the mortal world. Her blunt nature and emotionless tone left no room for warmth or negotiation.

Some even called her the "mysterious white‑haired adeptus."

Elliot's task—

—to bring her back from isolation and help her reconnect with the human world.

After all, humans are social creatures.

Unless forced, who would choose to be alone forever?

"So... where should I find her?"

With that in mind, Elliot strolled leisurely through the forest.

Just then, a few Hilichurls leapt out, wooden clubs swinging straight at his head.

He was about to fight back when a sudden gust of cold wind blew in.

An cryo spirit streaked past him and sent the Hilichurls flying.

"Glyph script, cryo spirit—Shenhe..."

Speak of the devil.

The Hilichurls barely got up before Elliot grabbed his spear and charged.

His swift, deadly strikes left them no chance to retaliate.

Shenhe blinked in surprise. She had assumed he was just an ordinary man—but he was clearly skilled.

Then, without warning, a massive Rock Shield Mitachurl loomed behind her.

She noticed the shadow just as a spear whooshed past her cheek.

"Flame Flash!"

BOOM!!!

A deafening explosion erupted behind her. The shockwave sent her flipping through the air. She landed gracefully and turned—

Elliot was there, spear in hand, blocking the Rock Shield Mitachurl's attack.

"When did he—!?"

She was stunned.

He'd just finished off two Hilichurls in the distance—how had he suddenly appeared behind her and even shielded her?

Two forces clashed—Elliot landed in front of Shenhe, the Rock Shield Mitachurl staggered backward.

Shenhe began summoning her power. Glyphs lit up around her, and cold wind surged.

But before she could strike, a hand gently stopped her.

"This all started because of me—so I'll be the one to finish it."

Elliot turned back and gave her a small smile.

Shenhe was momentarily stunned.

Before she could say anything, he had already stepped forward...