A fox even clingier than Yae Miko...
Gentler than Yae Miko...
And even more seductive than Yae Miko.
Chiyo couldn't help but inhale sharply as she looked at Tingyun.
She had always thought Yae Miko was already at the very top when it came to charm.
Someone she'd likely never be able to surpass.
But what was this?
A fox from Liyue...
was actually on an even higher level?
At the very least, Yae Miko didn't look nearly as alluring at first glance.
"Benefactor, please tell me already!"
Tingyun's heart was on the verge of breaking.
Whose funeral was it?
Why couldn't Su Ran tell her?
Was it some important figure of the Xianzhou?
But besides the Six Charioteers, whose funeral would warrant such secrecy?
Who was it?
Tingyun even forced tears into her eyes, hoping Su Ran would take pity on her and tell her the truth.
Otherwise...
if she only learned the truth upon arriving, how was she supposed to bear it?
"Tingyun, it's not that I don't want to tell you."
"It's just that once I do..."
...all the fun will be gone.
Seeing Su Ran trail off, Tingyun forced herself to stop asking.
She instinctively felt that if she pressed further...something bad might happen.
"If Benefactor says so..."
"Then this humble one shouldn't continue asking."
Though sorrow still filled her heart, she could only let the matter rest.
With tears shimmering in her eyes, she gazed at Su Ran.
Even if she stopped questioning him, her pitiful expression was enough to make anyone feel sympathy.
Even Ningguang inwardly sounded the alarm.
This fox is dangerous...
Even she felt a little sorry for Tingyun.
As for Su Ran...how could any man remain unmoved?
After all, they had just been talking about "taking someone else's place."
"Little fox, don't be too sad."
"Although a Lord Ravager invaded, the Luofu was preserved."
"There weren't any large-scale casualties."
Tingyun was someone Su Ran valued.
Not simply because he had improper thoughts—though admittedly he had a few.
The more important reason was that, inside the Crystal Palace in his memories, part of Phantylia's power still remained.
Although it was only a fragment of a Lord Ravager's power, far weaker than a complete Emanator, it was still an incredibly powerful force.
"I know you're upset..."
"But don't be upset just yet."
Tingyun: "..."
She quietly wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
Silently sobbing was already the limit of her self-control.
These past two days, she had been missing home terribly.
And now she'd learned that the moment she returned, she'd have to attend a funeral.
How could she possibly calm down?
Even Ningguang felt Su Ran was being a little too heartless.
She was about to return for a funeral, yet he was telling her not to be sad.
"Do you want revenge?"
Tingyun blinked.
She pointed at herself in confusion.
"Me?"
"Revenge?"
"Against whom?"
Surely...he wasn't talking about the Lord Ravager?
What qualifications did she have to seek revenge against an Emanator of Destruction?
Wasn't he overestimating her a little too much?
"That's right!"
"That Lord Ravager's power was split into two."
"And one half is with me!"
Seeing Su Ran's serious expression, Tingyun momentarily forgot her grief.
"...And the other half?"
"It's with me too."
Tingyun: "..."
So...
he'd completely wiped out the Lord Ravager?
Not only had it been split in half—both halves had ended up in his hands.
Then what revenge was left for her to take?
Someone had already done it.
"...Benefactor, what exactly do you mean?"
"I'm giving one half of that power to you."
"You'll become the vanguard against the Antimatter Legion."
"..."
Wasn't that a little absurd?
Using the power of Destruction...
to fight the forces of Destruction?
Was he seriously planning to do that?
"But this humble one has rather weak willpower."
"If I can't resist the influence of Destruction..."
"And become a pawn of the Ruin Author..."
"Then what?"
Tingyun knew her own limits.
She was clever, but hardly outstanding in combat.
Among all the talented people aboard the Luofu, why had he chosen her?
Besides...
remembering that Su Ran was a member of the Genius Society, she suddenly had a very uneasy feeling.
"I'm an Emanator of Erudition."
"Trust me."
"It'll be a perfect match!"
"I've even thought of your new form's name."
"Tingyun—the Fugue."
"...Please don't randomly add strange titles to my name."
And what was this "Fugue" supposed to mean?
She hadn't forgotten her way home.
She simply...
couldn't go home.
How was that "forgetting to return"?
"That's not important."
"The important thing is that you're getting buffed."
"You won't just be a support standing in the back cheering people on anymore."
"You'll become a Destruction hypercarry!"
Su Ran grabbed Tingyun by both shoulders, waiting expectantly for her response.
"...But this humble one actually prefers cheering from the back."
"Fighting really isn't suitable for a lady."
Listening from the side, Chiyo felt slightly offended.
What do you mean fighting isn't suitable for women?
"Then how about you, Ningguang?"
"If Tingyun truly doesn't want it, I'm not insisting."
"You'd also be a suitable candidate."
Especially since Ningguang hadn't walked any Path yet.
She possessed some strength, but in the wider universe, it was still far too insignificant.
One careless mistake, and she could easily end up repeating Tingyun's experience.
Perhaps with even worse luck.
"Benefactor..."
"I suddenly feel that..."
"Sometimes, when reason doesn't work..."
"...knowing a little martial ability is rather necessary."
The moment she heard Ningguang might receive it instead, Tingyun immediately overturned everything she'd said before.
"But..."
"I want it too."
Naturally,
Ningguang wouldn't let such an opportunity slip away.
She had no idea how much stronger this power would make her.
But one thing was certain—if she had the chance to compete with Tingyun for it, she would do so with everything she had.
She absolutely couldn't afford to let this opportunity pass.
Su Ran wasn't an ordinary person.
The gifts he bestowed were things even Teyvat's gods could never provide.
Such opportunities were exceedingly rare.
Naturally, she intended to seize every one she could.
For other matters, Ningguang might still hesitate.
But when it came to something from Su Ran...
even if she had to choke on it, she would still swallow it whole.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer