Beidou said she had some clues about the [Thousand Marvel Core].
It was said that crafting the core wasn't too difficult; the challenge lay in preparing the required minerals, which were hard to come by.
So, Beidou planned to head back to her ship and ask her crew if they'd heard anything.
Yun Jin suggested they could go into the city and consult Master Zhang at [Cold Blade Forge].
Lumine agreed with the idea.
Sometimes, after completing commissions in Liyue, she would visit the blacksmith shop behind the Adventurers' Guild, watch Master Zhang work, and chat with him.
"Let's go check it out. Old Zhang's forging skills are trustworthy."
Beidou put her hands on her hips. "Sounds good! Let's split up then. Whichever side makes progress, we'll be one step closer to victory."
"I'm off then. See you later!" Beidou said, heading toward the harbor.
"Alright, let's get going too!"
As usual, Paimon kicked off the conversation to pass the time on the road.
"By the way, Yun Jin, what question do you want to ask Miss Ningguang?"
Yun Jin explained that she was looking for a venue for her new opera performance.
Ningguang's insight was exceptional, and Yun Jin wanted to seek her opinion.
"A new opera?" Mu Yang feigned interest as he spoke up.
Even if he already knew, he had to ask.
After all, if someone who frequently watched Yun Jin's performances showed no interest in her new opera, it would seem suspicious.
He wondered if he'd get the chance to hear the premiere of The Divine Damsel of Devastation...
"Is Mu Yang interested too? Then let me tell you all about it."
Yun Jin shared the origin and outline of the new opera.
It was a work her father had poured his heart into, based on local legends.
It was a legendary tale depicting gods, spirits, and immortal maidens, titled The Divine Damsel of Devastation.
[The Divine Damsel of Devastation (triggers certain associations)]
[You're gonna split my melon, huh?]
[Sala, sala!]
As they chatted, they arrived at Cold Blade Forge.
Master Zhang recognized Lumine at a glance.
"It's you guys! Are you here to buy something or commission a forging today?"
Lumine shook her head. "Neither. Old Zhang, do you know about the [Thousand Marvel Core]?"
Master Zhang didn't even need to think. "I can make it."
"Last time Lady Ningguang rebuilt the Jade Chamber, I contributed as well."
However, while making it was simple, the materials were hard to find.
"Last time, Lady Ningguang prepared them. Do you have the materials this time?"
Master Zhang knew they were working on rebuilding the Jade Chamber, and Lumine wasn't the first to ask about the Thousand Marvel Core.
Lumine explained they didn't have the materials yet but could look for them.
It would be great if Master Zhang could tell them what minerals were needed.
Master Zhang was forthcoming, as he had a good impression of Lumine.
"In general, you need Starshatter Iron Ore and Secret Blossom Stone."
"If I remember correctly, Miss Ningguang found the minerals near Mt. Tianheng last time."
Starshatter Iron Ore had a property that supposedly resonated with Visions, making it relatively easy to find.
The real challenge was Secret Blossom Stone, which was extremely rare on the market.
Lumine mused, "No wonder Ningguang made the [Thousand Marvel Core] one of the challenges."
"So how do we find it?" Paimon frowned. "Have Mu Yang or Shenhe heard of it?"
Both said they didn't know much about minerals.
After all, Mu Yang didn't need to forge anything. He'd just buy a sword, and if it broke, he'd replace it...
Even if rare minerals were used, the resulting sword probably wouldn't withstand a single strike of [Sword Traverses Mountains and Rivers].
Master Zhang suddenly remembered something.
"A few days ago, I heard that people around Mt. Tianheng know a special method to locate Secret Blossom Stone."
"I suggest you start by searching for Starshatter Iron Ore near Mt. Tianheng. If you meet any locals, you can ask them about Secret Blossom Stone."
For now, that was their only option.
Yun Jin spoke up, "Speaking of which, The Divine Damsel of Devastation is actually set in Mt. Tianheng."
"It's said that Mt. Tianheng has pleasant scenery and is a place many Adepti enjoy visiting."
"A trip there might give me new inspiration. Let's not delay—shall we head out now?"
The group agreed and set off for Mt. Tianheng.
Yun Jin's words not only piqued Lumine's interest in The Divine Damsel of Devastation
but also made her notice Shenhe's subtle expression earlier.
When Mt. Tianheng was mentioned, Shenhe had clearly paused.
Now, with Yun Jin mentioning Adepti and The Divine Damsel of Devastation, could there be a connection?
— — — — — —
In the livestream, Guinaifen was about to move her character to the quest location.
'Thanks to "HuTaoTaoWantsToBury77" for the highlighted message': There's a Qiqi down there, streamer, go talk to her. (100 yuan)
"Huh? Qiqi's there?"
Guinaifen said she hadn't noticed.
The chat insisted there was, saying during the conversation earlier, a top-down shot showed Qiqi by the harbor.
"Ohh, okay, let's go ask her then. Why did Ningguang borrow Qiqi?"
She switched to Hu Tao and hopped over to Qiqi.
Entering the dialogue, it switched to Lumine and Paimon, or else Qiqi might've run off...
Qiqi still recognized Lumine and Paimon. "Ah, it's you."
Lumine asked, "What's Qiqi doing here?"
Qiqi answered honestly, "The sea... has danger."
"Qiqi is helping... evacuate people."
[Hehe... my waifu's so cute!]
[Look at that drool, hopeless case.]
"Danger? Evacuate people?" Lumine was puzzled.
Qiqi nodded. "Mm, Ningguang said... bad things in the sea."
"So, she sent Qiqi... to evacuate people."
Qiqi spread her hands. "But... no one listens to Qiqi. Qiqi can only guard here."
She sounded a bit dejected.
Guinaifen, hearing her tone and seeing Qiqi's little expression, said,
"Qiqi's so good, it's too unfair for my baby."
[Poor little thing, my heart aches.]
The players all felt sorry for Qiqi.
But in the next moment, Qiqi bounced back.
She said firmly, "If there's danger, Qiqi will stand up... protect everyone."
"You all... don't go near the sea. It's dangerous."
Her words melted the players' hearts.
They couldn't stop praising how adorable Qiqi was.
Guinaifen also gave a shoutout to the viewer who sent the message. "Buddy, that was a great tip."
"But don't actually bury Qiqi, okay?"
"So, what's this danger in the water?"
[If it's got Ningguang and Mu Yang this serious, it's probably Osial, right?]
[That's why Ningguang's rebuilding the Jade Chamber?]
[Using the same trick again, huh?]
[This battle's gonna cost a fortune.]
The chat buzzed with speculation about the plot's direction.
Guinaifen, meanwhile, headed to the quest location, Mt. Tianheng.