Baiwen's words were rushed, her tone tinged with nervousness. Though the people of Liyue grew up hearing tales of the adepti, facing them in person still made her heart race.
"Everyone, it's time," the respected Tian Shu was the first to stand, his deep and steady voice addressing the Qixing.
"Mm," Keqing responded. As someone who always advocated for human governance, she was destined to clash with the adepti's ideals.
"Tian Shu is right," Ningguang also stood, her eyes narrowing. "Everyone, let us welcome the adepti!"
"Hmph! The Qixing sure have some nerve, making us wait out here for so long," Cloud Retainer snorted, addressing Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver beside her. She was clearly displeased.
"Cloud Retainer, calm down," Moon Carver shook his head. Cloud Retainer was excellent in many ways, but her impatience was a flaw. The messenger had just entered, and she was already complaining.
"Indeed. If you could lower your temper, perhaps you would have been married long ago, instead of remaining single all these years..." Mountain Shaper chimed in, inadvertently criticizing Cloud Retainer's personality.
"Hmm? Say that again," Cloud Retainer, in her crane form, stretched her neck and glared at Mountain Shaper, her eyes glowing red, as if daring him to continue.
"Ahem..." Mountain Shaper didn't dare to say more. He feared that if he uttered another word, Cloud Retainer's beak would rain down on him like a storm.
"Enough, both of you. The Qixing are here," Moon Carver interjected. If they kept this up, the Qixing would witness their bickering, and the adepti's dignity would be compromised.
Cloud Retainer finally retracted her aggressive stance and turned to face the opening doors of the Jade Chamber.
"Greetings, honored adepti!" Led by Tian Shu, the Qixing bowed to the three adepti, their manners impeccable.
In terms of contributions and seniority, the adepti had protected Liyue for thousands of years, their sacrifices far surpassing the Qixing's. In status, the adepti were the Geo Archon's attendants, half a rank above the Qixing. This bow was necessary.
"Hmm? All seven of you are here? Good, that saves us the trouble of waiting. Let's get straight to the point—where is the Fatui's base?" Cloud Retainer's gaze swept over the group, lingering slightly on Keqing. She had no intention of beating around the bush and directly asked the Qixing.
"The Fatui?" Ningguang was momentarily stunned before understanding. She stepped forward, standing in front of the other six.
"Honored adepti, the Fatui's current base is the Northland Bank. If you require it, I can lead you there." Ningguang had realized that these adepti weren't here to trouble the Qixing or Liyue Harbor but were targeting the Fatui. Likely, the Traveler had told them something.
She had considered pinning the Geo Archon's assassination on the Fatui, but if Ningguang herself did it, it would escalate into a diplomatic issue.
Now that Liyue had lost its Archon, and the Divine Sovereign's whereabouts were unknown—some even doubted his existence—Liyue faced immense diplomatic pressure. Ningguang had no choice but to tread carefully and avoid unnecessary conflicts.
But Lumine was different. As a traveler without a nation, she was bound by no one. Her words held no official weight for Liyue, and the Fatui could only accept their misfortune.
"You are quite considerate," Moon Carver nodded in satisfaction.
"Then I shall..." Ningguang was about to offer to lead the adepti to the Northland Bank when Keqing, who had been quietly standing by, suddenly spoke up.
"Ningguang, let me take the honored adepti to the Northland Bank. I have more knowledge about the Fatui and can explain more on the way."
"What do the honored adepti think?" Ningguang didn't make the decision herself but sought the adepti's opinion. At the same time, she was puzzled. Keqing had always been at odds with the adepti's ideals. Why would she volunteer now? Oh, right! Ningguang had almost forgotten—Keqing had once trained under an adeptus. Could her master be among these three?
"That will do," Moon Carver knew Keqing well. After all, she was Yun Fan's disciple, making her their junior in a sense. There was no issue with her leading the way.
"Come out," Yun Fan extended his hand, and under Griseo's curious gaze, a delicate 'lotus' bloomed in his palm, its surface flowing with golden light.
"Is this... Sister Hua's Fenghuang Down?" Griseo's usually calm expression broke into one of surprise.
"Not just the Fenghuang Down. Watch closely, Griseo. Brother will perform a magic trick for you." Yun Fan said mysteriously, letting the Fenghuang Downs float in the air before waving his hand over it.
At the same time, Griseo widened her eyes, not wanting to miss a single detail.
The moment Yun Fan's hand passed over it, the Divine Key glowed brightly, pure negative consciousness energy flowing across its surface. The red light at its core deepened, and small black petals sprouted from it. The white petals on the outside turned a withered yellow, falling away one by one.
As the black petals grew, a surge of positive consciousness energy enveloped them, lining their edges with a beautiful white border.
The Fenghuang Downs, washed of mortal dust, gathered the forces of light and darkness, forming a lotus capable of saving all living beings—this was the Thousand Feathers Extinguish the World.
"What is this?" Griseo instinctively reached out, and Yun Fan placed the 'lotus' in her hands. She held it carefully, as if cradling the most precious artwork in the world.
"This is the true form of the Fenghuang Down—Thousand Feathers Extinguish the World," Yun Fan explained.
"So beautiful," Griseo's eyes were completely captivated by the Thousand Feathers Extinguish the World. After admiring it for a while, she seemed to make a decision and turned to Yun Fan. "Yun Fan brother, I want to ask you for a favor."
"A favor?" Yun Fan was surprised. This was the first time Griseo had asked for help. He was curious to see what she would request.
Some time later...
"Little Griseo, are you done yet?" Yun Fan asked helplessly. He never expected that Griseo's request would be for him to hold the Thousand Feathers Extinguish the World and pose as her model.
Watching Griseo paint with such focus, Yun Fan sighed, "Really, what was I expecting?"