"Hello, little one. I'm Keqing," Keqing put on what she thought was her gentlest expression and greeted Griseo.
"Hello, Sister Keqing. I'm Griseo," Griseo responded politely, though her face remained mostly expressionless. This puzzled Keqing, who wasn't familiar with Griseo. Did the child seem unhappy? Had she said something wrong?
"Griseo, what are you doing here?" Seeing that it was Yun Fan's sister, Lumine, who knew Griseo, also stepped forward. However, her gaze wasn't fixed on Griseo but rather subtly scanned the surroundings.
In her memory, Griseo was always inseparable from Yun Fan. If she was here, did that mean Yun Fan was nearby too?
"Brother Yun Fan asked Griseo to come help you two sisters," Griseo replied, not revealing that Yun Fan was actually nearby.
"Yun Fan? That guy really has everything figured out," Keqing sighed, then earnestly requested, "Thank you, little Griseo."
On the Jade Chamber...
"You've arrived. Hmm? Who's this little girl?" Ningguang, hearing footsteps behind her, turned around with a smile. But when she saw Griseo, she was slightly puzzled.
Why had Keqing brought a little girl to the Jade Chamber? They were about to face an ancient god. Bringing a child here seemed too dangerous. Unless... this seemingly harmless child was also an adeptus?
"This is Griseo. But let's not dwell on that. Have the adepti arrived?" Keqing briefly introduced Griseo and then got straight to the point.
Hearing Keqing's words, Ningguang's expression darkened. "Yes, Mountain Shaper predicted the awakening of an ancient god and came to me early. The adepti are currently adjusting the Guizhong Ballistas in preparation for the battle."
"I see. This will be a fierce battle one that determines the fate of Liyue."
After their conversation, Ningguang nodded to Keqing and walked over to Lumine, who was yawning lazily.
"Miss Lumine, thank you for standing with Liyue in its time of need. Once this is over, I will mobilize the Qixing's resources to help you search for your brother across Liyue and all of Teyvat," Ningguang solemnly promised, offering something far more valuable than money.
"My brother? Oh, right. Thank you, Ningguang," Lumine was momentarily stunned, then remembered. She had almost forgotten she was supposed to be looking for her brother.
"Lady Tianquan, can't the Jade Chamber move any faster? I sense that the ancient god will awaken in less than fifteen minutes," a deep, middle-aged voice came from nearby. Lumine and Ningguang turned to see Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and Moon Carver walking over, having finished adjusting the Guizhong Ballistas. The one who had spoken was Moon Carver.
"Huh?" Moon Carver's eyes lit up with surprise as he quickly approached Griseo. He examined her closely, muttering, "What a natural talent! Truly a born cultivator. Little girl, would you like to train with me? I promise..."
Thwack!
Cloud Retainer smacked Moon Carver on the head with her wing, scolding, "What are you thinking, trying to recruit a disciple at a time like this? Look at you, acting like you've never seen talent before. Let's deal with the crisis first!" As she spoke, she shot a glare at Mountain Shaper, who was also eyeing Griseo. Mountain Shaper awkwardly chuckled.
"I was just... Huh? Where'd she go?"
Moon Carver, feeling a wave of guilt, was about to apologize to Cloud Retainer when he noticed she was no longer there.
He looked around and finally spotted Cloud Retainer near Griseo. Instantly, his face darkened.
"Little girl, your name is Griseo, right? Would you like to become my disciple? Let me tell you, those two middle-aged men over there aren't good people. They especially like cute little girls like you. If you..."
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper's foreheads twitched. Weren't we in a life-or-death situation? What about our years of friendship? How could you slander us just to recruit a disciple?
Thinking this, the two were practically grinding their teeth, dark auras emanating from their bodies.
Cloud Retainer, however, seemed oblivious to their glares and continued her pitch.
"Become your disciple? Can you teach Griseo how to paint?" Griseo tilted her head, her innocent eyes looking at Cloud Retainer.
"Paint? Of course!" Cloud Retainer agreed without hesitation. She was quite confident in her painting skills, having spent years drawing blueprints for her inventions. While she might not be the best in Liyue, among the adepti, she considered herself the top artist.
"Here, let me show you."
Cloud Retainer waved her wing, a scroll and brush appeared in her hands. With a few strokes, she painted a lifelike crane on the paper, its image vivid and detailed.
"Now, you try," Cloud Retainer handed the brush to Griseo. Griseo took it and, with a few fluid strokes, created a crane that seemed to come alive on the paper, its cry almost audible.
"This..." Cloud Retainer was at a loss for words. She hadn't expected the little girl to be such a skilled painter. Her own demonstration now seemed amateurish in comparison.
"Ahem, it seems I can't teach you painting. But in terms of cultivation, I can take you as my personal disci... Hey! What are you two doing? Let me go!" Cloud Retainer coughed lightly, trying to diffuse the awkwardness. But before she could finish, she was being grabbed, and her feet left the ground as she was hoisted into the air.
"Hmph! In a time of crisis for Liyue, you're here trying to recruit a disciple? Shame on you, Cloud Retainer!" Moon Carver scolded loudly.
"Exactly! You're too selfish," Mountain Shaper chimed in, tightening his grip on Cloud Retainer's arm as they carried her away.
"You two...!"
Witnessing this scene, Ningguang, Keqing, and the others exchanged glances before bursting into laughter. Who would have thought the lofty adepti could act like this?