Amid lush blossoms, a beauty of adeptus poise and jade-like grace trembled slightly at the lips, overjoyed: "Then thank you, sir. Shenhe, aren't you going to thank the gentleman?"
Though Cloud Retainer's temperament is cool and reserved, she is always warm when it comes to communication.
All the more so now.
At this moment, Cloud Retainer truly was happy. Getting Ken's assurance was a boon for Shenhe.
"Thank you, Mr. Ken."
The beauty, cold as a sculpture, looked at Ken without a ripple in her tone.
With her seven emotions and six desires suppressed, Shenhe is a veritable ice-cool beauty. Her attitude isn't arrogance; she simply feels nothing about such matters.
Since her master instructed her so, she would obey.
Looking at the white-haired, ethereal snow-lotus of a beauty, Ken smiled faintly, actually curious what Shenhe would be like once her emotions were released—surely she'd come alive in an instant.
"Now that the Archon is safe and sound, and Shenhe's future is bright, it's been ages since we gathered to drink. Why not drink together here today?"
Cloud Retainer took the initiative.
The few before her were all old friends of millennia; although Ken was newly met, he was a friend worthy of trust.
Judging from what she saw in the Jade Chamber that day, when Ken took out the Memory of Dust, she had first thought the Archon had fallen and the Memory of Dust had drifted into Ken's hands.
Now it seemed it was a gift from the Archon—proof of a profound bond.
Of course—
Cloud Retainer felt the Archon gifted the Memory of Dust more because he knew old friends from bygone days were long gone; keeping it would change nothing.
Or… the Archon's wear and tear had become rather severe.
Whatever the reason, the Archon had his reasons for doing things; they ought to cherish the present moment.
"Pity… none of you cook well," Zhongli commented mercilessly.
The adepti: "…"
In the banquets of the old Twelve, the God of the Stove, Marchosius, was present; the dishes were naturally peerless under heaven.
Sadly, during the Archon War, Marchosius offered up his divine power and wisdom to the land of Liyue.
He shed his visage and adeptus power to become… Guoba.
"Speaking of which, Madame Ping is the lucky one," Cloud Retainer cast a sour glance at the green-clad beauty. "If this adeptus recalls, that apprentice of yours named Xiangling is followed by…"
"That's Xiangling's own adeptus fate," Madame Ping—beauty as jade, slender white fingers propping her chin—smiled. "Besides, your Shenhe is fortunate too."
To receive guidance from the Blue Star's great prophet—how many dream of it.
It's said even Ningguang once personally consulted Ken for insight into the Archon's passing, only to leave disappointed.
"You two, stop bickering. The Archon and Mr. Ken rarely grace us; let's not spoil the mood."
Moon Carver waved his sleeve, and a few bottles of excellent adeptus brew appeared on the table.
These were thousand-year-old vintages Moon Carver had treasured.
They were made by fermenting fruits nourished by adeptus qi, blended with the clearest morning dew, then buried among riotous adeptus blossoms, day and night bathed in qi.
After centuries upon centuries, the flavor had grown deep and mellow.
If Zhongli and Ken weren't here, Moon Carver would be loath to bring them out.
"If there's no food to go with the drink, why don't we sit for a while on Blue Star?"
Ken said with a smile.
Bringing these adepti to Blue Star would net him many free lottery pulls.
More importantly… forge bonds and invitations with the adepti, so many treasures of Jueyun Karst would enter his prize pool—like the adeptus brew before him.
"Excellent. This adeptus also wishes to see another world."
Cloud Retainer agreed first.
Having cultivated in Jueyun Karst for a thousand years, seeing another world would be good—perhaps even exchange cultivation insights with Blue Star's "adepti."
Alas, this hope was doomed.
Blue Star is a society of technology and civilization; aside from Ken as an exception… all are ordinary humans, with very thin elemental power.
Rumble—
Under expectant gazes, Ken summoned a prismatic vortex gate.
A mysterious aura washed down with the mountain breeze.
All the adepti sensed its extraordinariness, as if great power beckoned them through.
"Let's go."
Ken stepped through first, Zhongli close behind.
Seeing the Archon go, the adepti no longer hesitated and followed. In an instant, bustling Qingyun Peak returned to its usual quiet.
…
In the villa.
Yaoyao and little Paimon were watching TV on the sofa. Neither was familiar with Blue Star, so without a guide they naturally didn't wander.
But for the little ones, TV was a rare joy.
When tired, they could hop into the Genshin game and do some early exploration—great fun.
"Is Ken coming back?"
Seeing the vortex portal appear above the villa, Paimon's eyes lit up as she patted her belly—she was hungry again.
As Paimon spoke, the adepti stepped out in a row.
The two little ones widened their eyes. "The adepti of Jueyun Karst?"
Paimon had met many adepti; even if they assumed human form, she could sense their identity.
Yaoyao was simply the group's darling.
As Madame Ping's little disciple, she was beloved by the Jueyun adepti and recognized them at once.
"Eh? Who's that adeptus with the fluttering skirt?" Little Paimon, seeing a young-looking Madame Ping, whispered.
Yaoyao said proudly, "That's my master!"
Though Madame Ping usually appeared as an elderly woman, in Jueyun Karst she sometimes returned to her true looks. As her beloved pupil, Yaoyao knew.
Paimon's mouth twitched in disbelief.
M-Madame Ping?
You call that green-clad fairy Madame Ping?
The Madame Ping I know is a kindly old lady!
"That elderly appearance is a spell I use while walking the mortal world. This is my true form," Madame Ping said with a smile as she landed.
Paimon's jaw dropped. "Madame Ping, you're so pretty."
Even having seen many beauties, the little one had to admit—Madame Ping truly was beautiful… as was that chatty crane-adeptus, Flower and Clouds, also as lovely as a blossom.
"All right, let's drink on the terrace."
Ken led everyone up to the spacious third-floor terrace, where flowers were in full bloom, cool air drifted, and the view delighted.
The two little ones wanted to tag along, but upon hearing it was an adult drinking party, they sat obediently in the living room to watch TV.
Once on the terrace, however, Zhongli's actions surprised the adepti.
Seeing the revered Geo Archon deftly tidy the long table, sweeping petals into the trash, the adepti were stunned.
Uh…
They'd known the Archon for millennia; when had they seen him personally clean?
Even if a domain was messy, he'd resolve it with divine power.
When had he ever done it by hand?
And judging by his motions, he was practiced—enough to make one ache for him.
"What cleaning requires the Archon himself? Let us do it."
Moon Carver's mouth twitched.
Zhongli gave them a glance. "Sometimes doing things yourself is a kind of pleasure—especially on Blue Star. Unless necessary, you must not use elemental power."
"Understood," they said—though they didn't completely. Seeing Zhongli so earnest, they didn't argue, only etched his words in memory.
Such is the Archon's authority.
Ken pulled out his phone to order a spread, then showed the adepti around the villa, explaining Blue Star basics.
Watching videos of soaring skyscrapers and strange, wonderful appliances, the adepti wore the look of country folk in the big city.
Which pleased Zhongli greatly.
When he first came to Blue Star, he'd looked the same—but hid it well.
Now, seeing everyone alike, Zhongli felt balanced.
…
An hour later.
They returned to the terrace, marveling at everything. They had thought Liyue Harbor was bustling; Blue Star's technology surpassed expectations.
If Liyue possessed Blue Star's technology, its future would be even brighter.
"If fate allows, the Qixing will come to Blue Star. If they can digest this culture, Liyue's tech won't lag behind."
Ken understood.
But he had no intention of arms trafficking—it invites trouble.
His life on Blue Star was stable and good; it was his main world. He didn't want to disrupt it.
Most importantly—
Better to teach fishing than give fish.
If Ningguang and the others were sharp, they'd learn much on Blue Star; then, knowledge would blend and innovate, and Liyue's future would be better.
If they couldn't grasp Blue Star's tech—
Even if Ken toiled as an arms dealer, it would mean little to Liyue; strength borrowed from others is not true strength.
"Mr. Ken is right. Though Blue Star's elemental power is thin, otherwise this adeptus would be tempted to linger."
Cloud Retainer enjoyed the alien world's delights.
Ken said unhurriedly, "Come often if you like."
"That would be wonderful." Cloud Retainer glanced subconsciously at Shenhe beside her.
Even the cool beauty showed a trace of curiosity.
Such shock from another world would stir anyone.
Soon the food arrived. Not the Stove God's level, but true Blue Star specialties; paired with adeptus brew, they drank heartily.
"This wine is excellent."
Ken savored the flowering of flavor.
If Barbatos were here, he'd surely mooch in Jueyun Karst often.
"As long as you like it," Moon Carver smiled. The thousand-year vintage, into which he'd poured much thought, had the Archon's and Ken's approval—he was pleased.
Zhongli narrowed his eyes. "By the way… where is Xiao?"
Liyue had just undergone calamity yesterday; Xiao should be with the adepti discussing plans.
"There was an anomaly at Nantianmen. Xiao went to check," Mountain Shaper said.
At first they thought the seal was loosening due to the Archon's passing.
Now it seemed not.
"Azhdaha…"
At the name of that old friend, Zhongli's gaze deepened.
Once, Azhdaha had been his comrade; now sealed at Nantianmen.
"It seems Azhdaha's erosion worsens," Zhongli looked at Ken. "Do you have a plan, Mr. Ken?"
Azhdaha was born of elemental crystals, bearing earth's power and memories, sharing the lifespan of mountains and seas.
During the Archon War, Morax discovered him, creating Azhdaha the Dragon King, who then signed a contract to fight alongside Morax.
Sadly, after the war, erosion devoured Azhdaha's reason.
He violated the contract, attacking The Chasm, and Morax sealed him beneath the Dragon-Queller tree.
Now the seal remained; it could be reinforced.
But to see a once-comrade suffer day after day from erosion—this Zhongli did not wish.
"Perhaps it's related to reopening The Chasm. Let's go to Nantianmen together later."
Ken mused.
Azhdaha was very powerful; even Morax at his peak struggled alone.
He could seal Azhdaha because Azhdaha still had reason then—remembering their ancient contract and his care for life—thus accepted being sealed.
Ken wanted to meet the Dragon King.
But whether Anemo or Geo's familiars, all suffered many disasters—truly lamentable.
…