Jueyun Karst.
For a brief moment, a portal flickered into existence before vanishing back into the void.
The surge of spiritual energy released in that instant drove the surrounding beasts of Jueyun Karst into another frenzy.
They pushed desperately toward the spot where the portal had appeared, but scaling the mountain was absolutely impossible.
Though the beasts lacked intelligence, their instinct to seek profit and avoid harm remained. Deep down, they felt that whatever dwelled on that mountain was terrifying.
None of them noticed the streak of light that flashed across the skies above them.
High in the heavens, Lumine stood with her hands behind her back, riding atop an ancient, ornate flying sword that darted through the clouds.
Paimon sat comfortably on her shoulder, peering around curiously at the scenery.
After a while, Paimon pulled her gaze back, muttering:
"The spiritual energy density outside Mount Shu really is so thin, I can't even cultivate properly once."
"No wonder Senior Sister Ningguang and the others don't like coming out. Seriously!"
"I thought after not coming out for so long, I'd at least enjoy the scenery of Teyvat again. But with such poor spiritual energy, this is just awful! Paimon never wants to come out again!"
Her constant complaints buzzed in Lumine's ears, testing her patience.
Finally, unable to stand it anymore, Lumine snapped irritably:
"We've only been out a little while! And you're whining nonstop—how are we supposed to travel together in the future like this?"
"Besides, didn't Senior Sister Ningguang already promise to let you try Liyue cuisine when we get there?"
"And didn't the sect master give you plenty of spirit stones? You don't even need to absorb the outside energy!"
"And lastly—"
Lumine took a deep breath, then turned and shouted angrily:
"You! Why can't you fly on your own?! You're really heavy, you know?!"
"Hehe~!"
Paimon giggled mischievously, tilting her head as she muttered:
"This is all for the sake of training Lumine's body! Sect Master said that only with a strong physique can Lumine unleash the full power of the Divine Sword Lightning Judgment."
"Paimon doesn't need body training, so I'm just helping Lumine out!"
"Besides, just the other day you carried back a beast weighing several hundred tons to Mount Shu—so what's the big deal about carrying Paimon?"
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"People will think I'm your mount at this rate!"
"Paimon doesn't mind~!"
"Say one more word and I'll throw you down!"
The two bickered noisily, but though Lumine seemed annoyed, her mood was actually quite good.
This was the first time since joining Mount Shu that they had gone out to play.
Although they bore divine constitutions and received immense resources—
Things like spirit stones that ordinary disciples dreamed of, Lumine and Paimon could obtain by the pile.
Artifacts too.
Paimon's little crown had been reforged by Jiang Yan, now a low-grade spirit weapon.
In her spatial ring, she also had three or four other spirit tools.
Lumine was the same—her battle armor, earrings, belt… and the flying sword beneath her feet were all powerful artifacts.
They weren't quite as extravagant as Klee, who was practically clad head to toe in top-tier treasures, but they weren't far behind either.
As two of the three divine bodies in Mount Shu, their treatment was nearly the same as Klee's, aside from not directly calling Jiang Yan "Master."
And with such treatment, came responsibility.
Responsibility not to others, but to themselves.
They needed to train harder, awaken their divine constitutions, and master the techniques Jiang Yan had passed down.
That's why Lumine's simplified Divine Sword Lightning Judgment and Paimon's Basic Spell Codex had both advanced considerably.
Only then had Jiang Yan allowed them to go out for some relaxation.
By chance, Senior Sister Ningguang had invited them to Liyue, so they went along with it.
After all, Liyue was also their planned second stop.
But this trip wasn't without purpose.
Zhongli, Cloud Retainer, Ningguang, and other Liyue leaders—aside from Ganyu and Xiao, who were preparing to transcend their tribulations—had all returned to Liyue.
The reason: in three days, Zhongli would hold the Rite of Descension.
At that time, he would announce his abdication before all the people of Liyue.
Zhongli's identity could no longer be hidden, not after those who participated in the recent trials had returned.
But Zhongli didn't mind. From now on, he would remain in Mount Shu cultivating.
Once he finished handing over Liyue's affairs, he wouldn't be returning.
As for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Hu Tao could manage it just fine—especially now that she cultivated the Ten Thousand Ghost Record.
Zhongli was eager to abdicate. He had much to do.
After stepping down, he would spend time cultivating in the Demon-Sealing Tower, aiming to reach the peak of Spirit Transformation before the Great Nine Nether Secret Realm Expedition.
Then avenge himself against the Greenwind OX.
And afterward, continue cultivating to revive old friends.
The duties of the Geo Archon—he couldn't wait to cast them aside.
This meeting in Liyue was only to discuss some final details.
Lumine and Paimon had been invited because they were no longer "just travelers."
Ningguang had already invited them to become honorary consultants of Liyue.
After all, they were divine bodies, and though they had joined Mount Shu only recently, Lumine had already reached mid-stage Refining Essence into Qi, soon surpassing even Ningguang and the others.
Paimon too was advancing quickly toward that stage.
It was obvious their futures were limitless. Better to win them over now, while still weak, than risk being beneath their notice once they grew strong.
Investment—Ningguang excelled at such things.
Flying swiftly, Lumine and Paimon soon left Jueyun Karst.
For the first time, they gazed upon the vast land of Liyue.
It was beautiful indeed, but perhaps after seeing the grander world of Mount Shu, Liyue's scenery left little impression.
In truth, Lumine felt little attachment to Teyvat at all.
What part of Mount Shu wasn't greater than Teyvat?
To her, Mount Shu was truly home.
Even once she found Aether, she had no plans to resume traveling.
Destiny and missions could wait.
Right now, cultivation was what mattered most!
After a round of banter, Paimon obediently perched back on Lumine's shoulder.
The biting winds dissolved before them as they flew.
Resting her face in her hands, Paimon asked listlessly:
"Say, Lumine."
"Venti already said your brother is doing just fine. You know it was the Sustainer who blocked you both back then."
"We've also met the Geo Archon—so Zhongli probably won't give us more answers either."
"Our Liyue journey should be over soon. Where do you want to go next?"
Lumine raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"That's something you should be saying, isn't it? Don't you still care about Liyue's food?"
"Hehe~"
Paimon scratched her cheek sheepishly, muttering:
"Because abyssal beast meat tastes better! Normal food just doesn't compare anymore."
"Unless Liyue has dishes made from abyssal beasts, Paimon's not stopping here!"
Lumine rolled her eyes.
"Haven't thought that far yet. Venti said Aether's fine anyway, so I don't need to worry."
"Our next stop should be Inazuma, but…"
"Word is it's chaotic there. I plan to cultivate in Mount Shu a while longer first."
"Teyvat's spiritual energy is too weak. I still haven't fully mastered the simplified Divine Sword Lightning Judgment."
"We'll wait before going."
Hearing this, Paimon beamed happily.
"Yay! Then Paimon can keep working on abyssal beast recipes at Mount Shu!"
"There are abyssal beasts in Teyvat too—you don't have to be in Mount Shu for that."
Lumine reminded her, but Paimon countered firmly:
"Teyvat's beasts only reach the peak of Foundation Establishment. They don't taste nearly as good as Spirit Transformation ones!"
"Ha? Easy for you to say!"
Lumine glared at her angrily.
"You want to eat Refining Qi beasts, but why make me hunt them? You're already Refining Qi yourself!"
"And you've studied the Sect Master's Basic Spell Codex!"
Paimon laughed awkwardly.
"Because I don't like fighting! Besides, I'm only early-stage Refining Qi—what if I lose to one of those beasts?"
"Lumine, could you really bear to let Paimon fight?"
Expressionless, Lumine nodded.
"Yes."
"And anyway, you've got a pile of artifacts and spirit weapons on you! You're just plain cowardly."
Unashamed, Paimon lifted her chin proudly.
"Cowardice is Paimon's secret to survival!"
Faced with her thick-skinned companion, tougher than swordsteel, Lumine gave up arguing.
She accelerated, and in the blink of an eye, Liyue Harbor came into view.
Though the Mount Shu Grand Ceremony was over, Liyue Harbor's bustle hadn't ended.
If anything, it was livelier.
First, because of its proximity to Mount Shu.
Second, because Liyue was the frontline of spiritual revival, overrun with beasts.
Major sects all needed abyssal beasts, so cooperation with Liyue—and gaining access to Jueyun Karst—was crucial.
And with cultivators returning, the whole city rang with drums and fireworks.
It looked like New Year's.
The festive atmosphere stirred even Lumine and Paimon, who hadn't expected much.
Liyue's prosperity was a completely different experience from Mondstadt.
Exchanging a glance, they decided not to make a flashy entrance.
Since Ningguang hadn't specified the meeting time, they could just wait until everyone was gathered.
So, they would stroll around Liyue first!
They landed quietly in a secluded spot.
But the moment they did, they spotted not far away—a lone Abyss Mage standing atop a small hill, staring at them in bewilderment.
"Lumine! Look at him!"
Paimon pointed.
Lumine thought for a moment, then said:
"So that's what Captain Jean and the others called one of the Abyss Order's elite fighters?"
"The Abyss Order, huh?"
Paimon pouted unhappily.
"So he's a bad guy, right? Lumine, deal with him!"
Lumine shot her a glare.
"You're scared of Foundation-level beasts, and now you're afraid of an Abyss Mage too?"
"Hehe…"
Paimon scratched her cheek, muttering:
"Didn't Sister Yae say? A proper lady never fights with her own hands."
Lumine pursed her lips helplessly.
"That's because Sister Yae has the Heavenly Enchantress Physique! One look from her and enemies tear each other apart. That's why she doesn't need to fight herself!"
"It's the same, it's the same! Anyway, Lumine, hurry up and finish him off—I wanna see if Liyue has abyssal beast dishes!"
Sighing at Paimon's nagging, Lumine raised her hand. Behind her, a flying sword formed.
In the next instant, it shot forward like a streak of light toward the Abyss Mage.
Against an opponent of this level, Lumine didn't even bother with the Sword Control Technique.
Just a single pass of her flying sword was enough.
But just before it pierced the Abyss Mage, he suddenly dropped to one knee in excitement.
"Princess! At last I've found you! The Prince has been searching for you these past days!"
The sword froze in front of his brow.
Lumine stared blankly at him.
"Princess? Who? Me?!"
"I'm warning you! Don't try to claim ties with me!"
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