Hearing Zhongli invitation, Qiu Xue looked at the expectant expressions on Lumine and Paimon's faces.
She had originally planned to find a quiet place to change back into her male form, but now seeing their anticipation, she felt a little embarrassed to refuse.
Besides… now that she was using this form, she figured she might as well choose a proper name for it.
"I'll go with Qiu Xue."
(Author : After reading the readers' comments, I decided on this name, which was suggested by one of you!)
Qiu Bai thought to herself.
"Alright, Zhongli, I accept your invitation."
Qiu Xue gently brushed her hair aside, a soft smile forming on her lips as she looked at Zhongli.
Then, she turned toward Lumine and Paimon.
"Alright then, I'll accompany you on this trip."
Her warm and graceful smile made Paimon jump with excitement.
"Yay!"
Paimon stomped her feet in joy.
"Then let's go, beautiful big sister!"
She was just about to fly ahead when she suddenly paused, as if remembering something.
Then, she hesitantly asked:
"Uh… where are we going again?"
Lumine sighed and covered her face in exasperation, clearly speechless at Paimon forgetfulness.
She then turned to look at Zhongli.
Zhongli nodded and said calmly:
"Since my friend has agreed to my invitation then let us proceed to our next destination together."
The term "old friend" had now been replaced with just "friend."
Qiu Xue tilted her head slightly, hands folded gracefully in front of her, and smiled peacefully at Zhongli.
Noticing Qiu Xue gaze, Zhongli subtly averted his eyes and cleared his throat.
"Uh… Old friend?"
Zhongli asked cautiously, a bit unsure why the woman in front of him was looking at him like that.
"Hehe~"
Qiu Xue didn't respond directly—instead, she simply let out a sweet giggle.
That one laugh almost bewildered the mighty Lord of Geo, let alone Lumine and Paimon, who stood behind her.
Paimon, still confused, looked between Qiu Xue and Zhongli and muttered:
"I can understand if Qiu Bai is your old friend, but…"
"This beautiful big sister is too?"
She stared at Zhongli with pure disbelief, struggling to understand how this freeloading, jobless old man had ended up with such mysterious and powerful friends like Qiu Bai and this elegant lady.
Zhongli simply chuckled, his voice steady and composed:
"A fortunate meeting led to a friendship that transcends time."
Hearing this, Qiu Xue let out a soft laugh and nodded in agreement.
"Then Zhongli, you must know the name of this beautiful big sister, right?"
As soon as Paimon finished speaking, Lumine also looked at Zhongli with expectant eyes.
Zhongli mouth twitched slightly at the question.
The truth was, he didn't know what to call her now.
Morcius? Taiyi Xianjun? Old friend?
He obviously couldn't just call her Qiu Bai, Paimon's question had completely stumped him.
Before Zhongli could answer, the woman spoke up.
"Traveler, little Paimon."
"My name is Qiu Xue~"
Qiu Xue looked at Lumine and Paimon with a smile, then turned to Zhongli, playfully winking at him.
Her gaze seemed to say:
"You helped me out earlier, so now I'll help you out too."
"Wow! She told us her name while we were totally off guard!"
Paimon waved her hands excitedly, she hadn't expected this elegant big sister to just tell them her name outright.
She had seemed so mysterious before.
"Qiu Xue, huh? That's such a pretty name!"
Paimon clapped her hands, clearly pleased with how fitting the name was.
Lumine nodded in agreement.
Lumine: "I'm Qiu Xue's dog!"
Qiu Xue laughed softly, looking at Ying and Paimon.
"I told you my name because I consider you both my friends."
Her personality had now completely shifted into a female mindset.
"Then that means we're really good friends now, Qiu Xue."
Lumine looked at Qiu Xue, a subtle smile forming at the corner of her lips.
After seeing Qiu Xue nod, Lumine dropped all pretense.
"Qiu Xue! Quick, let me touch your beautiful legs!" (T/N : LUMINE PLEASE GET A GRIP!!! I have to go first before you imbecile!!)
"I can't hold back anymore!"
Lumine expression turned into that of a shameless pervert as she stepped closer to Qiu Xue.
Ever since earlier, she had been eyeing Qiu Xue gorgeous legs, resisting the urge to touch them.
"H-Huh?!"
Qiu Xue face instantly flushed red at Lumine words.
Before she could even react, Lumine demonic hands had already landed on her jade-like legs.
"Wow… such beautiful legs." (T/N: Such fate, I can't savor it myself haiya)
Lumine murmured in admiration, rubbing them while chuckling to herself.
Paimon, meanwhile, covered her face, but secretly peeked through her fingers.
Zhongli had turned his head away, completely avoiding the chaotic scene unfolding behind him.
Qiu Xue, still blushing furiously, stared at Lumine, who was feeling up her legs with a lovestruck expression.
"H-Have you touched enough yet…?"
Feeling the strange sensation on her legs, Qiu Xue lowered her head and whispered shyly.
Ever since she had transformed into a female body, certain sensitive areas had become… well, very sensitive.
And apparently, she blushed easily now too.
"How could I ever get enough?!" (T/N: Hell yeahhhh, agreed! *cough* sorry daoist fell for demonic temptation)
Lumine declared shamelessly.
Lumine looked up at Qiu Xue flushed face before finally stopping her hands.
"If I keep going will people really start thinking I'm a perverted creep?"
A strange thought crossed Lumine mind.
Once Qiu Xue blush gradually faded, Paimon peeked through her fingers and turned to Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, what's the next step in preparing for the Rite of Parting?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot about that!"
Lumine scratched her head, mimicking Paimon's reaction.
She had nearly forgotten their actual mission but really, who could blame her?
Qiu Xue beautiful legs had been far too distracting.
"Hey, Traveler! Stop copying me!"
Paimon stomped her foot, looking at Lumine with a pouty, annoyed expression.
"I know, I know. Follow me."
Qiu Xue, still maintaining her gentle and composed demeanor, smiled at Lumine and Paimon.
"Our next destination is Liyue Harbor."
"Wait—Qiu Xue, you know the steps of the Rite of Parting too?"
Paimon asked in surprise.
"Of course. Any true Liyue local should know them."
Qiu Xue smiled and explained, while Lumine nodded in agreement.
After all, Zhongli himself had mentioned that the traditions of the Rite had been gradually fading over time.
With that, Qiu Xue gracefully stepped forward, her long legs moving elegantly toward Liyue Harbor.
Lumine and Paimon quickly followed.
Zhongli, however, remained silent.
He turned his head, looking back at the statue of the Geo Archon—as if seeing a reflection of his past self.
His gaze then shifted toward Qiu Xue retreating figure, her silhouette overlapping with a distant memory buried deep in his mind.
Suddenly, Zhongli's pupils shrank.
A vision flashed before his eyes—a scene from long ago.
A woman in a flowing azure dress turned to face him, her expression gentle and warm.
"Morax, I entrust to you... the Lock of Mortal Dust."
A soft yet ethereal voice echoed in his mind.
She smiled kindly, extending her hand to pass him a precious artifact.
"Guizhong..."
Zhongli stood frozen, lost in his thoughts for a long while.
A heavy sigh escaped him.
"Mr. Zhongli? What's wrong?"
Paimon, noticing Zhongli had stopped walking, tilted her head in confusion.
Qiu Xue also turned around, hearing Paimon's words.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed for a brief moment.
"The wear on Morax form... has new cracks?"
She murmured under her breath.
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