Jun Bai and the others decided to split up temporarily.
The kites and incense they needed to procure next had already been pre-ordered, so they only needed to collect them. As for the incense, the three types of Nilotpala Lotus were not expensive, but turning them into incense would be a bit troublesome.
Jun Bai knew he was not good at dealing with someone like Ying'er, so he volunteered to go pay the remaining balance for Zhongli.
Zhongli, Lumine, and Paimon—the broke trio—would be responsible for collecting the kites and having the incense custom-made.
"Lumine, if you encounter danger, you can hide behind Zhongli. He is not as simple as he looks."
Before leaving, Jun Bai reminded her.
"Understood." Lumine nodded to show she got it.
Then the group split up at the crossroads.
Jun Bai arrived at Rongfa Shop and stated he was there to collect Zhongli's order.
After paying the 300,000 Mora debt in one go, the boss of Rongfa Shop readily brought out all the various supplies needed for the Rite of Descension.
"I'll add another 150,000 Mora. Please have someone deliver these to Yujing Terrace." Jun Bai handed over a stack of large-denomination Mora to the shop boss.
"No problem, sir."
The boss smiled in response, then looked at the funeral supplies Jun Bai had bought with some hesitation and asked, "Sir, are these items you bought needed for the Rite of Descension?"
"They are indeed. How did you know, boss?"
Jun Bai asked curiously.
"When I was young, I helped my father prepare the Rite of Descension for the Sea Gazer. I still have some impression of it."
The boss recalled the Rite of Descension he had attended with his father in the Guili Assembly when he was a child. Then, in a sorrowful tone, he said, "Since you are preparing the Rite of Descension, does that mean the rumor circulating is true?"
"If you mean the news of the Archon's passing, it has not been confirmed yet. The Rite of Descension is merely a commission from the Qixing."
Jun Bai explained.
"Sigh… If even the Qixing have made such a decision, then Lord Archon probably really…" The boss sighed.
"Boss, before the news is confirmed, if everyone truly believes the Archon has left, then the Archon may really leave Liyue." Jun Bai comforted him.
Although he had read the script, considering that he had previously expressed uncertainty about the news of the Archon's passing in the plot, Jun Bai still had to show this attitude in front of the players.
He couldn't say that he had just been at Mt. Aocang saying he needed to see the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Remains before making a judgment, then immediately go around Liyue Harbor telling everyone that the Archon had passed away.
The residents might not find it strange, but Lumine and the players might start thinking he had a split personality.
Therefore, throughout this journey, whenever the circulating rumors came up, Jun Bai consistently maintained his stance—
The news of Rex Lapis's passing has not been confirmed. Do not jump to conclusions yet.
"That makes sense. I was being a bit too pessimistic."
The boss smiled, then returned the Mora to Jun Bai. "Since this is for Lord Rex Lapis's Rite of Descension, I won't take this Mora. I'll deliver it for you free of charge."
"Just consider it my small contribution to Lord Rex Lapis."
"Thank you very much." Jun Bai accepted the boss's kindness.
After finishing this matter, Jun Bai walked unhurriedly toward the agreed meeting point.
"Sea Gazer… Time really is ruthless."
Recalling the previous Rite of Descension the boss had mentioned, old memories surfaced in Jun Bai's mind.
It was the image of a white-haired, red-eyed youth and a cheerful man chatting happily at Fengdeng Lou, eventually regarding each other as close friends.
At that time, Phenex—who only had his God's name—and the Sea Gazer, who already had considerable seniority among the adepti, had a very good relationship.
Jun Bai remembered that in the background story he had prepared, and in the original plot, the calamity god that caused the Sea Gazer's fall was personally slain by the Nirvana God—himself.
The Sea Gazer had avoided his fated death and changed his original fate of perishing.
However, even though the original ending had been rewritten, the Sea Gazer, who was already a senior among the adepti, ultimately could not overcome time.
Forty years ago, the Sea Gazer looked up at Liyue's flourishing era, laughed heartily toward the sky, and then passed away peacefully of old age.
"But he was laughing quite happily."
In that illusory memory that had not yet become reality, Jun Bai found the Sea Gazer's carefree smile.
It seemed that this Lord had felt no regrets in his life before departing.
"It can be considered… a good ending."
Jun Bai chuckled lightly.
From afar, he saw Zhongli standing beneath the Statue of the Seven. With a flash, Jun Bai appeared in front of him.
"Things are done. Where are Lumine and Paimon?"
"The two of them went to brew the required incense. By my calculations, they should be back soon."
The moment Zhongli finished speaking, Lumine and Paimon's figures appeared in the distance. Paimon was even waving at them.
"Zhongli! Jun Bai! We're back!"
The group reunited beneath the Statue of the Seven.
After a brief exchange, Lumine offered three different types of incense to the Statue of the Geo Archon one by one.
Lumine made the offerings while Paimon provided commentary:
"This is 'Golden House Hidden Beauty.' Miss Ying'er said it has a sweet and dreamy scent and is very popular with little girls."
The statue showed no reaction.
Lumine took out the next one. Paimon continued:
"This is 'Mountain Shade Brocade.' Miss Ying'er commented that it smells noble and overbearing, the favorite of wealthy young ladies."
The statue still showed no reaction.
Lumine took out the final incense. Paimon said:
"The last one is 'Misty Immortal Affinity.' The fragrance is gentle yet lingers for a long time, like dim heavenly light and hazy mist. It is most popular among mature women."
"You actually remembered everything that woman said?" Lumine looked at Paimon in shock.
You shouldn't have this level of intelligence!
"After all, Miss Ying'er left too deep an impression before." Paimon smiled bitterly.
Recalling the series of blush-inducing, unairable words she had heard from Ying'er while brewing the three incenses, Lumine instantly nodded in agreement.
At this moment, the Statue of the Seven representing Rex Lapis reacted to the third incense, glowing with a light far brighter than usual.
"Huh? This is?"
Lumine and Paimon showed identical expressions of surprise.
"It seems our currently status-unknown Rex Lapis is very satisfied with the third incense." Jun Bai's gaze intentionally or unintentionally landed on Zhongli.
The surprise on Paimon's face grew even stronger. "If the answer is the third one, does that mean… Rex Lapis is actually a big sister?"
"Look at the Statue of the Seven and tell me that's possible!"
Lumine said, looking at the wildly seated male figure on the statue.
"Hahaha… who knows, maybe."
"Rex Lapis has thousands upon thousands of forms. Perhaps such an image really exists."
A trace of a smile appeared on Zhongli's face.
Lumine and Paimon turned to look at Jun Bai. When it came to understanding Rex Lapis, this person was the expert.
"Don't look at me. I only followed the Archon in battle for a period of time. I wasn't always by his side."
"I have never seen the Archon take a female form, but whether he cross-dressed while I wasn't around—I have no idea."