"Receiving such praise from Mr. Qiubai makes all the effort I put into building the Jade Chamber worthwhile."
Ningguang smiled as she spoke, looking at the somewhat surprised Qiu Bai.
"Miss Ningguang is too modest."
After saying this, Qiu Bai followed Ningguang into the Jade Chamber.
The sight that greeted him was a central structure designed in Liyue's traditional architectural style, surrounded by elegant guest rooms. The entire place exuded a sense of grandeur and refinement, with a subtle fragrance lingering in the air.
From a barefooted little girl to the powerful woman she had become, achieving such a feat was no easy task. Qiu Bai had great respect for Ningguang, after all human life lasted but a fleeting century.
At this moment, Ningguang stood before Qiu Bai.
Her golden-yellow eyes carried a hint of amusement as she spoke, "Mr. Qiu Bai, please follow me."
"Miss Ningguang, just call me Qiu Bai. There's no need to be so formal."
Qiu Bai waved his hand with a smile before stepping into Ningguang office.
The room was relatively simple in decor. By the window, a massive frame supported an enormous blackboard, on which various sheets of paper were pinned. These papers contained trade secrets of Liyue Harbor as well as future plans for its development.
Qiu Bai finally took a careful look at the Tianquan Star of Liyue standing before him. At that moment, Ningguang was pouring tea into a cup.
Her platinum-blonde hair was styled up with a black and gold hairpin, while a crimson tassel dangled over her forehead, complementing her golden eyes.
She wore black arm sleeves and gold finger guards, with long, wide sleeves draping naturally. A white scarf was wrapped around her neck, and she was dressed in a cheongsam with gold, white, and black interwoven patterns. Her Geo Vision hung as a pendant at her chest, while her bare legs were gracefully exposed.
With a slight bend of her waist, she elegantly poured the tea, radiating an indescribable grace.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, please have a seat."
After setting the teapot down, Ningguang smiled at Qiu Bai.
"Then I won't be polite."
Qiu Bai, hearing her words, took a seat without hesitation.
"So, have you given any thought to my proposal?"
Ningguang gazed at Qiu Bai with a gentle smile, speaking slowly.
Qiu Bai lifted the lid of his teacup, blew lightly over the tea, then took a small sip.
"Truly an excellent tea, far better than what I had at Liuli Pavilion."
"However, I doubt Miss Ningguang invited me here just for tea."
Qiu Bai placed the teacup down, smiling as he looked at Ningguang and spoke.
Ningguang was slightly surprised, she hadn't expected Qiu Bai to see through her intentions so easily.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, do you already know why I invited you?"
She asked with some curiosity.
"Of course I do. Otherwise, why would someone like me, who enjoys a leisurely life, consider taking up a position?"
Qiu Bai smiled as he met her inquisitive gaze.
"All I can say, Miss Ningguang, is that everything you have done so far has been the correct course of action."
"I can't speak for the other Adepti, but as for myself, I am quite satisfied."
With these words, Qiu Bai had openly admitted to being an Adeptus.
However, he did not specify which Adeptus he was, as there were many in Liyue.
"Everything I've done so far has been correct…?"
Ningguang murmured softly.
"Miss Ningguang, I must ask you not to reveal my identity to outsiders."
"That includes the other Adepti. When the time is right, I will explain everything myself."
Qiu Bai spoke slowly, watching Ningguang deep in thought.
After all, in the wake of the Geo Archon supposed death, the Fatui had already taken numerous actions that crossed diplomatic boundaries.
To temporarily stabilize the situation and prevent La Signora from seizing Barbatos Gnosis, Ningguang had ordered the information to be sealed and Morax body to be hidden.
It was officially declared that, since the true culprit had yet to be found, no one was allowed to view the remains of the Immortal Ancestor.
Meanwhile, Zhongli, playing his role, was solely focused on Liyue's traditions, giving the Qixing time to fully take over the city and establish a buffer period.
The Qixing tacitly approved the preparations for the Rite of Parting and informed Zhongli that the Immortal Ancestor remains would be temporarily placed in the Golden House before the ceremony.
"So, should I address you as Mr. Qiu Bai or as an Adeptus?"
Ningguang asked with a faint smile, her gaze fixed on Qiu Bai.
She had originally planned to test him with her words, but to her surprise, Qiu Bai had admitted everything himself.
"I don't think like those old-fashioned adeptus."
"Just treat me as one of you. Miss Ningguang, calling me Qiu Bai will do."
Qiu Bai responded with a smile.
"However, I do have some doubts."
"Mr. Qiu Bai, you just said that everything I've done so far is correct."
"What do you mean by that?"
Ningguang asked with some confusion. Could it be that the Qixing's attempt to replace the gods was also the right path?
Zhongli: "Correct. Absolutely correct."
"I mean it literally. From the moment you observed the Traveler entering Liyue…"
"To everything you've done up until now, it has all been correct."
Qiu Bai took a sip of tea before looking at Ningguang and speaking slowly.
"However, all of Liyue has yet to provide a truly satisfying answer."
All of Liyue, not just the Qixing but also the citizens and even the adeptus were included in his words.
"I understand now. Thank you, Mr. Qiu Bai, for clearing my doubts."
"I will keep today's conversation a secret and won't speak of it to anyone."
Ningguang, slightly surprised, looked at Qiu Bai. Did this Adeptus before her truly know everything about the Traveler's actions, even those yet to unfold?
Qiu Bai gave a slight nod before his figure vanished into thin air, leaving Ningguang alone in deep thought.
Soon after, she summoned Baiwen, Baishi, and Baixiao, instructing them to gather information on the whereabouts of the last remaining Harbinger of the Fatui.
Beyond Liyue's Borders
As soon as Qiu Bai arrived on the outskirts of Liyue, he sensed a battle ahead.
With a quick scan using his divine perception, he realized it was Xiangling and Guoba, fighting against three Stonehide Lawachurl.
The battlefield was scorched black by Xiangling Pyro attacks, with flames still spreading rapidly across the land.
Yanfei: "Setting fire to the mountains is illegal, you know!"
Qiu Bai teleported directly in front of Xiangling and Guoba.
"Ah!"
"Mr. Qiu Bai! You scared me!"
Xiangling clutched her chest with one hand while holding her Dragon Bane in the other. Her expression showed she had clearly been startled by his sudden appearance.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, please step back! You might get caught in the fight!"
Just as Xiangling spoke, one of the Stonehide Lawachurl thrown a massive Geo-Slime, aiming straight for her and Qiubai.
"There is no need to panic."
Qiu Bai voice remained calm as he looked up at the incoming Stonehide Lawachurl. He slowly raised a single finger.
A strange black aura emanated from his fingertip, locking onto the Stonehide Lawachurl mid-air.
In an instant, the black energy completely froze the beast in place.
Then, Qiu Bai closed his hand, and the Stonehide Lawachurl disintegrated into tiny black particles, vanishing into the air.
The other two Stonehide Lawachurl attempted to flee but were met with the same fate, turning into black specks and disappearing without a trace.
Qiu Bai then turned his gaze to the scorched ground, raising his finger once more this time releasing a pure white aura.
Lush green sprouts rapidly broke through the charred earth. Within moments, the entire area, once covered in blackened ash, was restored to its original vibrant greenery.
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