The Rite of Descension Begins! Ganyu's Dark History!
The next day!
Yujing Terrace!
Because the Rite of Descension was about to be held, Liyue had already been lively for nearly half a month.
The Millelith maintained strict security, guarding every major thoroughfare within Liyue Harbor with utmost vigilance.
After all, the Geo Archon officially descended only once a year, issuing the decrees and plans for the coming year.
No amount of caution could be considered excessive.
Thus, even though it was still early, starting from the previous night, offerings and ritual platforms had been continuously transported to and from Yujing Terrace.
Unauthorized personnel were strictly forbidden from approaching.
Although worshippers would eventually be allowed to enter to behold the Geo Archon's presence—hoping to absorb a trace of divine aura—for now, Yujing Terrace was under full lockdown.
Even the usual incense offerings and prayers had been temporarily suspended.
Inside the residential quarters of Yujing Terrace.
From the elevated pavilions and towers, Luo Li could clearly see the entire terrace below.
He watched as rows of Millelith soldiers and attendants carefully moved items into place, following the familiar scale of past Rite of Descension ceremonies.
This wasn't their first time—there was no reason for mistakes born of nervousness.
"Teacher, the Geo Archon will definitely be very happy when he sees you later."
While Luo Li was observing, Ganyu's expectant voice suddenly came from behind him.
Since Ganyu had recognized him yesterday, Luo Li and Raiden Makoto's group naturally moved from the guest residence to the courtyard where Ganyu lived.
She rarely rested here, which conveniently made it available for them.
"What—aren't you going to help out?" Luo Li joked.
"You don't need to stick so close to me. I won't suddenly disappear again."
Ganyu puffed out her cheeks and refused.
"No. Lady Ningguang is presiding over the ceremony. There's nothing I need to help with."
Indeed, Tianquan Ningguang's capabilities were well known—steady and reliable. There would be no repeat of last year's incident, where the Yuheng boldly questioned the Geo Archon during the ceremony.
When Keqing spoke out back then, the entire audience had been stunned into silence as she articulated her ideals.
If the Geo Archon hadn't simply laughed it off, no one would've known how to react.
Luo Li chuckled but didn't reply.
Meanwhile, Ganyu continued imagining the scene of the Geo Archon meeting her teacher—unaware that she had already met him yesterday, and that an even bigger surprise awaited her.
"I was wondering where you two went—so you're here."
Raiden Makoto emerged from the pavilion, immediately spotting the master and disciple by the railing.
Eula and Noelle followed behind her.
"So today's the Rite of Descension? It's really lively."
Having changed into an ice-blue outfit, Eula walked briskly to Luo Li's side and leaned forward to look toward Yujing Terrace.
She seemed quite interested in such a solemn ceremony—after all, Mondstadt's festivals were usually the Windblume Festival or the Ludi Harpastum.
As for a god descending?
Unthinkable. In five hundred years, no one had even seen the Anemo Archon's shadow.
Unlike the Geo Archon, who dutifully clocked in once a year.
"If you'd like, Miss Eula, you can go watch the ceremony up close later," Ganyu offered proactively.
Eula was tempted.
It really was a rare opportunity—missing it would feel like a shame.
Noelle, on the other hand, wasn't particularly curious. Instead, she arrived carrying several cups of tea.
"Good morning. Freshly brewed tea—would you like full sugar, half sugar, or no sugar?"
The considerate young maid set the teacups on the nearby wooden table, her posture and demeanor reminiscent of a classic medieval maid.
"Same as usual," Eula waved her hand.
Raiden Makoto echoed the same.
But when Noelle looked to Ganyu, she hurriedly refused.
"I'll pass. Drinking too much sugar makes you gain weight."
Ever since that incident in her childhood, she no longer dared to eat recklessly and paid great attention to her weight.
Luo Li couldn't help laughing.
"A little is fine. You definitely won't end up rolling around like a ball like you did when you were young."
"Rolling around like a ball?" Eula asked in confusion.
She sized Ganyu up—no matter how she looked at her, Ganyu had the figure of a perfectly slender young lady. It was hard to imagine her ever being overweight.
Ganyu blushed furiously and hurriedly protested.
"Please stop talking about that, Teacher! That never happened!"
But this attempt at covering it up only piqued the interest of the other three girls.
Makoto asked curiously, "We've heard you two joke about it during gatherings before, but never in detail. Since it's just the few of us today, why not tell us something interesting about Ganyu?"
Luo Li glanced at Ganyu, who was on the verge of having her dark history exposed and dying of embarrassment. Seeing her face burning red, he ultimately decided to spare his disciple.
"Forget it. I'm afraid Ganyu would hold a grudge. You should ask her yourselves."
Some things were best known only to adepti and the old gods.
Even Zhongli didn't dare reveal Ganyu's embarrassing past—only Cloud Retainer, with her fondness for storytelling, enjoyed sharing such little anecdotes.
Eula's eyes flickered. She decided to find another opportunity in the future. With the person involved present, it really wasn't appropriate to press further.
Taking the tea Noelle handed her, she looked again at Ganyu, who had just breathed a sigh of relief.
After meeting Yanfei yesterday and learning about the relationship between Luo Li and Ganyu, Eula had been shocked for quite some time.
At the same time, she became even more curious about Luo Li's secrets.
To think that he was an existence from the same era as the adepti—no wonder he was so knowledgeable. It was just unclear why he had gone to Mondstadt.
And Sister Makoto was equally mysterious—no matter how hard Eula tried to pry information from her, it was useless.
After a long time, Eula couldn't help feeling discouraged.
Unaware of Eula's inner thoughts, Luo Li was instead thinking about Lumine.
He wondered where Teyvat's number-one errand-runner had gone.
If she were missing at such a crucial moment, how was the plot supposed to move forward?
He vaguely remembered that she had accepted some commission from the Adventurers' Guild. By now, she should be arriving soon.