In the following days, the port of Liyue fell into a strange calm, with a stifling atmosphere engulfing the entire society.
With the actions of Ningguang, the negative public opinion towards the Qixing diminished significantly, but the unease caused by the departure of the Archon grew even stronger.
In this nation that walked alongside gods, for the second time in thousands of years, they felt the fear of the departure of the God of Geo. What was even more serious than the first time was that this time, the Archon might have left forever.
Walking on the streets of Liyue, Wang Daoyi noticed that the goods at the roadside stalls were decreasing and prices were rising, reflecting the anxiety of the people through the changes in prices.
However, there was nothing he could do. No matter how strong he was, he couldn't control prices, and he hadn't studied economics to handle the market changes brought about by social factors.
Arriving at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Zhongli was already waiting for him.
"Archon," Wang Daoyi greeted with a bow.
"Hmm, how is it outside?" Zhongli asked.
Wang Daoyi recounted what he had seen along the way and also mentioned the recent announcements made by the Qixing.
"The Qixing have announced that due to the lack of capture of the real culprit, they do not allow anyone to access and inspect the 'Transcendent Supreme Laws."
"As long as the Qixing do not disclose the Gnosis, suspicion will continue to linger, and the undercurrents in Liyue will become even more intense."
Zhongli nodded, then continued, "The plan is going smoothly. The Fatui's Executor has already contacted the Traveler and provided her with a replica of the 'Forbidden Curse Scroll.' By now, she should have also made contact with Yunjin and the others. Let's see if the Qixings can withstand the pressure from the divine beings."
Pausing for a moment, Zhongli continued, "The Fatui's target is my Gnosis. Tartaglia will definitely investigate my Gnosis, so he will definitely come to me. After all, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is the final destination of death. Even as the Archon, there should be a funeral ceremony after death. Only by holding the funeral ceremony can Tartaglia have a chance to discover the whereabouts of the Gnosis."
"So, next, he should come to me with the Traveler. To avoid accidents, you shouldn't come to see me in the near future."
Zhongli calculated Tartaglia's actions firmly, then informed Wang Daoyi that he would be receiving the Traveler in the next few days and advised him not to appear before him, to avoid revealing anything to Lumine. Wang Daoyi nodded, indicating that he understood.
Reaching out, Zhongli took out a chess piece-shaped object and tossed it to Wang Daoyi, saying, "Take care of this for now. If Liyue cannot bear the final test, it will be up to you to handle it!"
Seeing Wang Daoyi holding the Geo Gnosis, Zhongli added, "You can comprehend it, but you are too floaty now. You need to settle down. Before mastering the divine form, don't touch other divine insights."
Zhongli's reminder made Wang Daoyi put aside his thoughts and carefully stored in the Gnosis, without asking much. Seeing Zhongli stop speaking, he respectfully bid farewell and left the courtyard.
In the next few days, powerful auras entered the Jade Chamber every now and then, almost erupting into battles several times. However, these auras eventually left the Jade Chamber, and the Qixing revoked the wanted notice for Lumine
Only Xiao came to see Wang Daoyi after receiving some information from this junior. After learning a little, Xiao didn't go to the Jade Chamber but returned directly to the Wangshu Inn.
To avoid encountering Lumine, who was purchasing supplies with Zhongli, Wang Daoyi also stayed at home and focused on studying the Laws of the Geo in the Gnosis. Unfortunately, Zhongli didn't allow him to directly contact the divine insights, so he could only study the surface knowledge of the Laws of the Geo Gnosis. Even so, Wang Daoyi's control over the Geo element became more proficient.
As for Lumine, after the revocation of the wanted notice, she followed Zhongli to purchase various supplies every day and returned to the Wanmin Restaurant to spend the night every night. Every now and then, she would ask Xiangling where Wang Daoyi was. Xiangling, following Wang Daoyi's instructions, directly said that he was in seclusion at home and didn't plan to come out recently.
After a few busy days, Lumine finally gathered all the things Zhongli needed. To thank Lumine for her help, Zhongli said he would treat Lumine to dinner at the Third Bowl Harbor.
Zhongli treating her to dinner was something Wang Daoyi and Tartaglia would do consciously, but unfortunately, although Lumine had seen Zhongli's lavish spending, she still didn't know that Zhongli really didn't carry Mora with him.
In the evening, Lumine brought Paimon to the agreed place, only to see Zhongli sitting next to a table.
"Hi, Zhongli, we're here. What delicious things are you treating us to this time?" Paimon waved to Zhongli and asked with a smile, "I want to drink beverages."
Lumine sat down beside Zhongli and found that he had already ordered.
"Well, I've already ordered. This restaurant, 'Third Bowl Harbor,' unlike those taverns in Mondstadt, ordinary fruit juice is not up to standard here. So, I ordered other beverages for you."
Lumine smelled a hint of alcohol and smiled, "So, am I finally being treated to a drink this time?"
The last time Lumine drank alcohol was after the defeat of Stormterror, when she celebrated with everyone at the Dawn Winery. Unfortunately, after returning to Mondstadt, the taverns there refused to sell her alcohol, citing her appearance as underage.
However, she quickly heard Zhongli's reply.
"So, this time, I ordered sweet wine dumplings for you."
Lumine delighted expression froze for a moment, and she forced a smile, "I didn't expect this kind of ending."
Unlike Lumine reaction, Paimon was more straightforward. Picking up the sweet wine dumplings, she took a big sip and revealed a surprised expression, "Delicious!"
Paimon's reaction attracted Lumine attention, dispelling her disappointment. She also picked up a sweet wine dumpling and took a sip, "Hmm, tasty!"
As they ate, a storyteller came up to the front.
"Wow, there's even a storyteller here. The atmosphere is just right!" Paimon exclaimed with a mouthful of dumplings, emitting a vague praise.
Zhongli chuckled, picking up a cup of clear wine, "As the saying goes, besides good wine, a good atmosphere is also important here!"
Lumine and Paimon nodded, then listened as the storyteller on stage began to tell
a story.
"You all know that here in Liyue Harbor, there's the Celestial Abode in the Clouds and the Palace in the Mist."
First, he hinted slightly, seeing the pensive expressions of the audience, then slapped the table.
"What does 'having a hand that reaches the sky' mean? Look at this, this is having a hand that reaches the sky, this is what Lord Morax has acquired."
The storyteller pointed up to the high sky, and everyone looked, seeing the Jade Chamber.
"On a clear day, when you look down from that pavilion, you can see half of Liyue's scenery."
Getting into the mood, the storyteller began with the construction of the Jade Chamber by the Geo Archon Zhongli in the sky above Liyue, and then spoke of the rumors surrounding the Peak of Vindagnyr. It inevitably aroused curiosity about this Geo Archon.
If Wang Daoyi were here, he would explain to Lumine that this storyteller was paid by Zhongli and would often promote Zhongli.
Lumine was also drawn to this name, curious about Zhongli.
"Speaking of which, we've seen her before during the Rite of Decension, and Tartaglia also mentioned her. It seems that she's the one who's hiding the Transcendent Supreme Laws," Lumine and Paimon chatted as they ate.