Sunlight streamed through the window, warming the Damselette's face.
Just then, Paimon, rolling over, was kicked off the bed by Lumine.
Paimon woke up and groggily got out of bed.
“Lumine, wake up! The sun’s already high!”
After a playful pushing match, they went downstairs to Good Hunter for breakfast, where they found Qixuan already waiting for them.
Qixuan: “The Honorary Knight is still sleeping in, huh?”
Lumine: “Hehe.”
After breakfast, they all went to Windrise.
Venti was still napping under the tree.
Paimon: “Wake up, bard!”
Lumine: “When did you come up with that nickname?”
Paimon: “Oh, just before!” She poked her fingers together sheepishly.
After Venti woke up, Lumine began to ask questions.
Lumine: “Since you aren’t the God who attacked me and my brother, do you know which God it was?”
Venti: “Based on your previous description, I think I do know, but I cannot say.”
Lumine: “Why not?”
Venti did not answer, so Lumine could only continue to ask.
Lumine: “What is the Abyss?”
Venti: “It’s a power from beyond this world. The Abyss isn’t a specific enemy; more accurately, it’s a ‘calamity’.
On the surface, it only seeks to destroy everything. Because it is not a living being, it has no logic or plans.
In reality, thousands of years ago, the continent of Teyvat was corroded by the Abyss. The Abyss is dangerous and cunning, capable of invading the ley lines to read Teyvat’s memories and carry out targeted destruction.
As of now, there seems to be no power capable of completely eliminating the Abyss, but your appearance might be different.”
Lumine: “Me?”
Paimon: “Is it because Lumine has the power to purify the Abyss?”
Venti: “Little Paimon is very clever!”
Lumine continued to ask: “What is a Vision? It sounds very important.”
Venti: “High above, there is a ‘Celestia,’ and the administrators of that island are the ‘Gods’ of Teyvat, also known as the ‘Sustainer’ of this world.”
“The Gods of the various nations are, more fundamentally, called the ‘Seven Archons,’ and the Gnosis sounds very powerful, meaning it’s more advanced than a Vision.”
“This thing is issued by Celestia and is closely connected to it. It’s merely a symbol of status and has no effect on those of us who are already ‘God’ level.”
Lumine had a faint guess in her heart.
Lumine: “Paimon said the next country we’re going to is Liyue. What kind of country is it?”
Venti: “Well, isn’t there a ‘Adepti’ from Liyue right next to you? And I’ll tell you a secret: she’s not even from this ‘world’.”
Lumine and Paimon were instantly stunned.
Qixuan: “Hey, hey, my hearing isn’t bad, you know. Do you want me to ‘skewer’ you with Heavenly Fire?”
She didn’t mind turning Venti into a “candied hawthorn skewer.”
Venti: “Ehe! Oh, right, if you go to Liyue now, you might still make it for the Rite of Descension!”
Lumine: “I have no more questions.”
Paimon: “Then let’s go!”
Lumine embarked on her journey anew.
Venti played his lyre under the tree, and a gentle breeze enveloped Lumine.
Venti’s voice rang out:
“Traveler, when you embark on your journey again, you must remember the meaning of the journey itself.”
“The birds, poems, and city-states of Teyvat, the Tsaritsa, the Fatui, and monsters, are all part of your journey.”
“The destination does not mean everything. Before you reach the end, observe this world with your eyes.”
… … … …
On the way to Liyue, Lumine asked Qixuan many questions about Liyue.
Lumine: “What kind of nation is Liyue?”
Paimon: “I only heard before that Liyue is a nation symbolized by ‘contract.’ It’s very prosperous, and the world’s first Mora seems to have been produced in Liyue.”
“And Mora is named after that God!”
Qixuan: “Paimon knows a lot, huh?”
Paimon: “Hehe, I am Lumine’s guide, after all!”
Qixuan: “Liyue is a place with a prosperous economy, strong power, and people living in peace and contentment.”
“Liyue, with its core spirit of ‘contract,’ is the most respected, and Liyue also has many delicious foods and festivals!”
“Like boiled black-backed perch, cured pork with bamboo shoots, Jueyun Guoba, and snacks like grilled tiger fish, Mora Meat, and tender Jueyun Chili Chicken.”
“Liyue’s Lantern Rite is a grand festival held once every year. On that day, there will not only be many fun things but also plenty of delicious food.”
(The protagonist will still make time to return to Liyue and keep an eye on Liyue’s development.)
Listening to the dish names Qixuan mentioned, Paimon’s mouth watered enough to form an ocean.
After walking for a long time, they finally arrived at Verr Goldet, and then had lunch there.
Lumine immediately fell in love with the food there. Qixuan said there was plenty more delicious food.
Especially Paimon, who ate the most, her little mouth was almost full, yet she kept stuffing more in.
While eating, they heard people nearby discussing the Rite of Descension.
Lumine asked Qixuan: “I heard Venti mention the Rite of Descension before, so what kind of event is it?”
Qixuan explained: “Liyue’s Rite of Descension is a ceremony held for Lord of Geo, who is Liyue’s God. It is held once a year in Liyue Harbor.”
“The people of Liyue believe that Liyue’s current prosperity is due to the protection of their God, which is why the Rite of Descension exists. To guide Liyue’s development for the new year, Lord of Geo will bestow a sacred prophecy.”
Paimon & Lumine: “Wow!”
Lumine: “It must be very grand, then?”
Qixuan: “Of course. Liyue has always paid attention to all etiquette and various matters, big and small.”
“After we finish eating, let’s go explore Liyue Harbor. The Rite of Descension doesn’t start until the next day.”
Lumine & Paimon: “Okay!”
After eating, Lumine and Paimon went ahead, while Qixuan said she was going to meet some old acquaintances.
Paimon, on the other hand, was very happy exploring, because she was hungry again.
Lumine: “My wallet~”
On the other side, Guizhong was discussing Mechanical Engineering with Xianyun on Mount Aocang.
Qixuan, meanwhile, stealthily crept up from the side.
With a smack, she directly hugged Guizhong’s waist.
Guizhong was startled, turned her head, and said in surprise: “Why are you back?”
Qixuan said: “Isn’t it to give you a surprise?”
Xianyun: “More like a fright.”
After Qixuan chatted with Guizhong and the others for a bit, she left.
She then found Marcius and Heuri at Wanmin Restaurant. Heuri was now the “salt” supplier for Wanmin Restaurant.
As for Marcius…
Marcius: “Call me Guoba.”
Qixuan: “Did Xiangling give you that name?”
Marcius said: “At that time, I was collecting ingredients in the wild and found this little girl in a ruined temple.”
“After that, the Mora Meat she made was so delicious that I followed her back.”
Marcius stated that he usually had to make “ruru” sounds and couldn’t let Xiangling discover that he could speak.
Qixuan: “Hahaha!”
Finally, Qixuan went to see “Old Man” Zhongli. After much thought, Zhongli told Qixuan about his plan to “fake his death and retire” tomorrow.
Qixuan: “Are you really going to do that?” (She, of course, knew that the plot was like this.)
Zhongli sighed: “I have governed Liyue for too long. I am not sure how Liyue will fare under ‘human’ governance once I am no longer here.”
Qixuan expressed that she had nothing to say, then went back to sleep, preparing to await the good show Zhongli would put on tomorrow.
At this time, Lumine and Paimon had finished their sightseeing and returned to their lodging.
They fell into a dream, preparing to participate in the Rite of Descension tomorrow.