Everyone returned to the manor villa.
Jiang Xuan naturally picked up Nahida and Paimon.
As long as the little one, Nahida, was around, Jiang Xuan would usually carry her, and now, there was Paimon too.
Ganyu didn't feel jealous at all.
Jiang Xuan's behavior of raising a daughter had also influenced Ganyu.
Although she repeatedly admonished herself that Nahida was the Dendro Archon.
But...
Often, Ganyu would forget this fact.
Perhaps it was because taking care of Nahida with Jiang Xuan felt more like a family of three.
"Jiang Xuan, how are you all? Did everything go smoothly? Are you hurt?"
Paimon had completely defected, shrinking into Jiang Xuan's arms, looking at him obediently.
"Don't worry, a few Wither Storms are no big deal."
Jiang Xuan chuckled, boasting, completely devoid of the tension he felt when first facing the Wither.
After all, he had dealt with the Wither in the end.
If he could handle it, it was a minor issue!
"Really?"
Paimon scratched her cheek and mumbled:
"Then why does everyone look so unhappy? Shouldn't we be happier after getting a Nether Star?"
Jean and the others' eyes flickered.
They remained silent about Dottore, planting their hatred deep in their hearts.
Only when the day truly bloomed would the backlash of hatred be more ferocious.
Now...
Even ten thousand curses wouldn't faze Dottore.
Unless a knife was actually plunged into Dottore, anything they said would be useless.
Suppressing their current hatred and anger would make it easier to vent later.
Lumine also noticed Jean and the others' change. Her eyes rolled, and she playfully pinched Paimon's cheek.
"You little rascal! You just got your belly rubbed by Jiang Xuan and you're already betraying me?"
Hearing this, Paimon pouted, her attention immediately diverted.
"But Jiang Xuan's massages are really comfortable, and besides, Jiang Xuan isn't as harsh as Lumine is to me!"
"Harsh!"
Lumine exploded, pulling Paimon out.
"You rascal! Who saved you! Who took you, this great big eater, around to eat and drink all the time!"
"I've been out taking adventurer quests to earn Mora to support you! You just follow me around and hide whenever there's a fight!"
"You don't even fulfill your duties as a guide, only remembering to eat and drink wherever we go! Who's the harsh one here!"
"Darn it! I didn't even abandon you, and you dare to dislike me!"
Hearing this, Paimon felt guilty, seemingly realizing she was indeed a bit disloyal.
She painstakingly climbed onto Lumine's shoulder, nuzzling Lumine with a flattering expression.
"Just kidding, Lumine! Paimon has always been Lumine's best companion! Wherever Lumine goes, Paimon goes!"
"How could I abandon Lumine just because of Jiang Xuan's massage skills!"
Saying that, Paimon even foolishly turned her head and winked at Jiang Xuan.
It was as if she was telling Jiang Xuan that this was just a temporary measure to appease Lumine, and she was still firmly holding Jiang Xuan's banner.
This comical scene also cheered everyone up.
Lumine snorted, still a bit displeased:
"In that case, tomorrow you're coming with me to explore. I'm going to hit Lucky Blocks!"
Paimon's face stiffened, and she awkwardly said:
"Uh... you know, Lumine, Paimon has no combat power!"
Saying that, Paimon secretly started to slip away, trying to get back to Jiang Xuan.
But Lumine quickly grabbed her, sneering.
"No combat power? I seem to recall Jiang Xuan sharing a quarter of his physique with you?"
"I think I also saw you having a blast slaughtering pigs earlier."
Paimon looked at Lumine with a tearful face, weakly saying:
"Lumine! How could you bear to make me fight? I'm so short, I can't possibly beat those monsters!"
"Stop making excuses!"
Lumine pouted, annoyed:
"I'm just asking you to come with me to find Lucky Blocks, we won't encounter any monsters, and besides, there aren't any zombies during the day."
"If we encounter monsters, I'll take you and run, alright?"
Seeing Paimon still reluctant, Lumine said wistfully:
"I heard that if you're lucky, you can get a lot of cakes from Lucky Blocks."
"Cakes!"
Paimon's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but swallow.
Then she put on a stern little face and nodded haughtily.
"Since Lumine has invited Paimon so earnestly! As Lumine's good companion, I'll go with Lumine!"
"It's absolutely not for the cakes!"
"Mmm... but if we get cakes, I'll help Lumine taste them thoroughly!"
Lumine inwardly grumbled, "Glutton."
The large and small duo continued chatting quietly.
After this interruption, everyone's anger towards Dottore, which had been mentioned in the mine, dissipated.
Jean took off her Diamond Armor and handed it to Jiang Xuan.
"Jiang Xuan, here are your armaments..."
They had personally experienced the powerful effects of the Diamond Set that afternoon.
It was a bit ugly, but it was incredibly powerful, and what's more, it was fully enchanted with Protection.
A life-saving artifact!
But the more they understood the preciousness of the Diamond Set, the more Jean felt she couldn't simply accept it.
However, once Jiang Xuan gave something away, there was no taking it back.
He waved his hand and said softly:
"Just keep what I gave you. These aren't precious treasures, don't worry about it."
"But the enchantments..."
"Don't worry about the enchantments either."
Jiang Xuan smiled and shook his head, his gaze fixed on Nahida.
"Ganyu can make up for these expenses by just opening a few Lucky Blocks."
Jean fell silent, thought for a long time, and then put the armor away.
Jiang Xuan stretched, and said softly:
"Alright, time's almost up. Let's call it a day, we should head back."
Although Diluc and the others were full of energy and eager to continue exploring this world, being unfamiliar with the place, it was better to stick with Jiang Xuan and his group for safety.
The Dual-Passage Door began to coalesce again, and Jiang Xuan began his final instructions.
"When you return to Teyvat later, you should put your equipment and supplies into your backpacks."
"Unless absolutely necessary, don't take them out, because these things are very heavy. Without my Physique buff, even if you could lift them, it would take a lot of effort."
Although diamonds were much lighter than iron ore and gold.
A full set of Diamond Armor would still weigh over ten tons.
Jean and Diluc could wear them, and use the weapons.
But Lisa's Physique made it difficult for her to bear such heavy items.
Even if she could wear them, she would have to constantly use her Elemental Power.
Even with Lisa's abundant Elemental Power, this wasn't the way to use it.
Everyone nodded, took off their Diamond Sets, and put away their weapons and other items.
Seeing this, Ningguang couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Actually, coming in a bit later also has its advantages..."
"When Jiang Xuan and we first came to this world, we couldn't even gather a full set of iron armor."
"Let alone enchantments or alchemy potions."
"Coming in later, with our current progress, you can actually catch up very quickly."
Jean opened her mouth, intending to say something, but the Dual-Passage Door had already finished forming.
Ningguang also stood up with Jiang Xuan and smiled:
"Let's go, back to Teyvat. We'll have dinner at the Jade Chamber later, and I believe you all have many questions you want to ask."
"Perfect, we can chat during this time."
Hearing this, Jean and the others said no more.
They indeed had many questions that needed urgent answers.
Even though they seemed to adapt quickly, coming in the morning and dealing with the Wither Storm with Jiang Xuan in the afternoon.
In reality, they were all like puppets on strings, doing whatever Jiang Xuan arranged.
They didn't understand why they had to do it this way.
They didn't even quite understand how to build with blocks.
Being directed in their actions versus understanding the world's characteristics and utilizing them to plan their own actions was a huge difference.
They weren't just Millelith or miners who only needed to follow orders.
Only by mastering the unique aspects of this world could they assign tasks to the Knights of Favonius once they were stationed here.
...
Although the number of permanent residents in the MC world was quite high now, compared to Teyvat, it was still very quiet.
Even at the relatively remote foot of Mount Tianheng,
One could still hear the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor.
However, Jean and the others didn't pay attention to any of this at the moment.
They clenched their fists, feeling slightly unaccustomed.
Their Elemental Power had returned, but...
That destructive power, capable of devastating the world, had vanished without a trace.
It left them feeling somewhat lost.
Keqing understood their state well and said with a light chuckle:
"It's hard to get used to, isn't it? Going from such immense power back to your original strength."
"It'll be fine after you come a few more times."
Diluc nodded, but in his heart, he still imagined delivering a punch with that power directly at Dottore.
He was sure not even a bone shard would be left.
What Demon God or Archon level combat power?
Pure physical strength, taken to its extreme, to break all techniques with a single force, was the supreme choice.
Power taken to its extreme was ultimate destruction.
This held true across all worlds.
"Let's depart now."
Ningguang said softly.
"If we wait any longer, Baiwen will bring the food here."
Without much rest, everyone soon left, chatting and laughing.
They boarded the Floating Stone and headed to the Jade Chamber.
All of this was observed by the Fatui stationed at the entrance of Liyue Harbor.
The Fatui encountered earlier when the Millelith brought Jean and the others to Liyue were indeed watching the foot of Mount Tianheng.
Although Dottore had been warned by the Adepti not to continue exploring,
The Adepti never said they couldn't watch from afar.
Besides, the Fatui weren't the only ones doing this.
Organizations like the Adventurers' Guild, and even other Seven Nations, were curious about everything at the foot of Mount Tianheng.
Anyone with common sense could tell that Liyue's changes were related to that place.
But knowing was one thing, daring to investigate was another.
Ningguang didn't bother with those curious gazes; as long as they didn't enter or interfere, they could watch all they wanted.
According to Liyue's rules, no one would bother them.
This was a lesson Dottore had learned after many setbacks.
Previously, he had only sent people to observe from afar, but there had been no significant discoveries. Only Ningguang and other insiders regularly visited the area.
But now...
Everything had changed.
After repeatedly confirming that he had seen Jean and the others, a Fatui agent quietly departed, discreetly returning to the Northland Bank.
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