Everyone was chatting casually.
Well, mostly it was Keqing enthusiastically laying out her grand vision.
Many of her previous policy ideas, which might have been difficult to implement before, now had a much higher margin for error—especially with the support of that "other world" as their foundation.
In short, Keqing firmly believed that if all these reforms were put into action, Liyue's overall development would double.
This time, Ningguang didn't stop her.
In the past, due to limited resources and overall strength, Ningguang had always felt that Keqing's bold plans were too ambitious.
For instance, building a city in the Guili Plains—such a task wouldn't be completed in just a year or two.
Not to mention the city-building process itself would take over a decade of meticulous work.
And the land of Guili Plains, with its monsters and ruins, wasn't easy to handle either.
But now, Keqing had already completely surveyed and mapped the area. The Millelith could deal with the monsters and relics.
As for relocating the population…
That had become even easier.
After Liyue's overwhelming defeat of a demon god, the unity among the people was stronger than ever.
And with that world's easily obtainable, ready-to-use materials, even something as huge as building a city could be done in just a year or two.
Spending a year or two to build a new city for Liyue? Why not?
So this time, Ningguang didn't stop Keqing's plan. Instead, she carefully considered the feasibility of building the city.
Guili Plains held a unique significance for both Zhongli and the people of Liyue.
Long ago, Liyue's early citizens had lived in Guili Plains. It had been jointly ruled by two gods, a tale of great harmony.
But after a demon god attacked from the sea and Guizhong perished, Guili Plains became uninhabitable.
That was when the people of Liyue left their ancestral home and settled around Mt. Tianheng.
If they could redevelop Guili Plains, whether for Zhongli, the adepti, or the common people, it would be a source of great joy.
After a careful discussion, Ningguang clapped decisively.
"Tomorrow, we'll convene a Qixing Council to discuss the first step of human governance: the development of Guili Plains and the founding of a new city there. It's the perfect project to mark the beginning of our human-led era."
"It will boost morale and provide tangible benefits. Liyue Harbor and Guili City supporting one another will be of great strategic value."
"Tomorrow, we'll work out a detailed construction plan!"
Keqing had been proposing this for two to three years.
And now, at last, it was officially accepted.
There was a sense of long-awaited relief, like a dream finally coming true.
"Ehehe~!"
Before Keqing could say anything more, Venti suddenly interjected with a teasing tone:
"I have a feeling... your Qixing Council meeting tomorrow might not happen."
Ningguang blinked, suspicious.
"Why? Does the Lord have some secret move we don't know about?"
"Has nothing to do with the old man,"
Venti said with a grin as he pointed to the sky.
Others might not feel it, but he could see it clearly—
The divine aura of the Cryo Archon had already arrived near Liyue Harbor.
Back then, even when Venti had stolen the Cryo Archon's scepter, she hadn't stepped outside her domain. But now, she was personally coming to Liyue—what else could it be for?
"A god is arriving from afar… You all will probably be talking with her for a long time tomorrow."
"A god…"
Ningguang rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"The Cryo Archon?"
Venti nodded.
"But why would the Cryo Archon suddenly come to Liyue?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Venti shrugged, grinning playfully.
"If I can tell that these resources don't belong to Teyvat, do you really think she can't see that?"
"A mysterious world… and with how she must've witnessed Liyue's power firsthand yesterday—this is, for her, the most direct path toward resisting Celestia."
Ningguang and Keqing exchanged a glance. They more or less understood the Cryo Archon's intent now.
Suddenly, Paimon spoke up:
"Don't tell me… the Cryo Archon wants to steal Ryen's world?"
"…"
Everyone went silent.
They looked at Paimon with strange expressions, unsure how such a wild guess had come out of that tiny mouth.
"So… you're saying this because you think the Fatui are all greedy thieves, and therefore the one leading them—the Cryo Archon—must also be one?"
Lisa asked with an amused smile, clearly interested in how Paimon's mind worked.
Paimon spread her hands confidently:
"Isn't it obvious?! The Fatui are always snatching stuff, one after another. If they're like that, how could their Archon be any better?"
Hearing this, Venti laughed so hard he collapsed onto the table.
"As expected of Paimon! That sharp logic—truly admirable!"
he said, clearly teasing.
Paimon puffed up proudly and was about to say more, when Jean, looking a bit embarrassed, hurriedly covered her mouth.
If Paimon kept rambling like that, Lumine would definitely be humiliated when she returned—and then give Paimon a good scolding.
"Back to the main topic,"
Venti shrugged, then said in a gentler tone:
"The Cryo Archon isn't here to steal anything. She's not that foolish. And besides, whether or not that world can even be controlled is another matter entirely."
"The Cryo Archon herself is not a ruthless god. In fact…"
Venti sighed softly and paused before continuing, his voice now distant and a little melancholy:
"In the past, she was truly a merciful god who would lower herself to show compassion. Her loyalty and love for her people… far exceeded that of any of the Seven."
"But fate is strange, isn't it? Who would have thought that in the coldest land, the god of the purest love would be born? And yet, the god of the purest love no longer shows love for the world…"
Here it was again—Venti's familiar, riddle-like speech.
"So what exactly are you trying to say?"
Keqing asked, a bit exasperated.
Venti shook his head.
"I'm just saying… the Fatui are the Fatui. The Cryo Archon is the Cryo Archon. The Fatui may use each other and be driven by personal motives…"
"But the Cryo Archon—she walks firmly on the path of resisting Celestia."
"She will be a fitting ally for you…"
"Of course, you'll understand better when you talk to her tomorrow. If things go as expected, even the old man himself will make an appearance."
"That god… even without any guarantee of victory, she still boldly walked ahead of us."
"To be honest, I feel a bit guilty. Giving her the Gnosis—it was also a way for both me and the old man to use her…"
"If we can help her now, we should."
Ningguang's eyes flickered. She seemed to have realized something and slowly nodded.
"I understand. But let's save the details for tomorrow. No matter what, the Fatui are absolutely not potential allies."
"That's why the old man said it himself—'The Fatui are the Fatui, the Cryo Archon is the Cryo Archon!'"
Venti added with a cheeky smile, then fell silent.
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