"Did Ningguang find out anything?" Keqing quickly pressed for more information. She had asked Ganyu to help search the archives on a whim, thinking that a god wouldn't mingle among mortals under their real name. But now, it seemed that might actually be the case.
"I'm not sure about the specifics," Ganyu shook her head. "It seems this person left Liyue about a year ago, and Ningguang's investigation ended there. It's said that during his time in Liyue, he stayed at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. If you want to know more, perhaps you could ask there."
"I see. Thank you, Ganyu!" Keqing pushed aside her work and quickly left the office. "Ganyu, could you handle my work for me? I'll make it up to you next time!"
"Huh?" Before Ganyu could react, Keqing had already disappeared. The helpless half-adeptus could only sigh and move the mountain of documents from Keqing's desk to her own. After a while, she wore a troubled expression.
"Looks like I'll be working overtime again tonight."
Guyun Stone Forest...
Griseo waved her paintbrush, and colorful ink gathered in the air, forming a fully armored metal knight several meters tall. The knight carried a massive sword on its back, its entire body covered in thick armor. On its helmet was a sharp, blade-like horn.
"Zhongli, are you ready?" Yun Fan looked with interest at Zhongli, who stood with his arms crossed not far from Griseo. It had taken a lot of effort to drag Zhongli out here to be a training partner.
Well, to put it nicely, he was a training partner. In reality, he was just a target for Griseo.
What if one day Yun Fan wasn't around to protect Griseo? It was better to train her now so that if she was ever bullied, she could just slash back with her sword.
Zhongli didn't speak, only nodding slightly, his golden eyes glowing faintly.
"Dominus Lapidis!" With his deep voice, surging Geo energy formed a Jade Shield, tightly protecting him.
'If Zhongli's shield were enhanced by the Preservation rules of the Star Rail world, how thick would his health bar be?' Yun Fan marveled at the dense divine energy flowing through the Jade Shield, then called out to Griseo, "Griseo, go all out. Don't worry about Zhonglihe's tough."
"Hmm." Zhongli frowned slightly. Though he had heard this nickname before, it still annoyed him.
"Okay, Brother Yun Fan, Griseo understands," Griseo responded, waving her brush again. "Please, Sir Knight!"
Following Griseo's command, the majestic steel knight drew its massive sword and swung it down heavily onto Zhongli's shoulder.
Boom! The blade collided with the Jade Shield, producing a dull thud. The ground beneath Zhongli's feet cracked, but he remained unfazed, his expression calm as ever.
Seeing that her attack had no effect, Griseo, who had been worried about hurting Zhongli, relaxed. Then, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on her face.
"Hiss" "Caw" "Hehehe..."
One after another, ink-formed creatures emerged from Griseo's brush. In just a few minutes, the area was swarming with them.
Yun Fan, watching from the sidelines, was stunned. It wasn't that Griseo's power was overwhelmingly strong, but the creativity of her ink creations was far beyond what was shown in the game. In reality, she was practically a one-woman army.
"The world in the painting is beautiful. I hope you like it."
Hum—
A mysterious voice echoed in everyone's ears, followed by an endless radiance gently falling upon the earth.
In the next moment, a beautiful, massive scroll unfurled in the air, forming a faintly visible barrier that enveloped all living beings present.
Ultimate Skill: "Creation: Dreamscape Painting."
"Marvelous power," Zhongli praised. Though Griseo's ability wasn't true life creation, the sheer numbers were impressive. In all of Teyvat, few could achieve such a feat.
"Roar!"
The ink creations, empowered by the Dreamscape, bore a starry emblem on their bodies. Their strength and speed increased dramatically.
Under the relentless assault of the ink army, Zhongli's Jade Shield, which he hadn't reinforced, lasted only about three minutes before shattering under the immense pressure.
"Dominus Lapidis!" Zhongli calmly recast his shield.
"Alright, Griseo, call your friends back," Yun Fan said, having gotten a rough idea of Griseo's combat capabilities. Unless she activated her Herrscher form, it was nearly impossible for her to defeat Zhongli in her normal state. His defenses were just too solid.
"Okay," Griseo obediently recalled all her starry creations back into the scroll, then ran back to Yun Fan's side. Yun Fan reached out and gently patted her head.
"How's my little sister's strength?" Yun Fan asked proudly, as if he had been the one fighting.
"Hmm, at the level of an Archon," Zhongli judged fairly. Though Griseo was slightly weaker in one-on-one combat, when it came to summoning an army, even he was outmatched.
"Hahaha, you've got a good eye. Griseo, say thank you to Uncle Zhongli," Yun Fan said with a laugh.
"Okay," Griseo left Yun Fan's side and walked up to Zhongli. She opened her little mouth and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhong Erzhu."
'?' Zhongli silently raised an eyebrow, then gave Yun Fan a disapproving look. Such a pure, innocent child, corrupted by this guy.
"Hahaha..." Yun Fan laughed awkwardly, turning his head away, but in his heart, he thought, 'Well done, my little Griseo!'
"Never mind. There's something I need your help with," Zhongli shook his head. He was too old to bother with the younger generation's antics.
"The preparations for the Rite of Parting are almost done. I hope you and..."
Whoosh
Before Zhongli could finish, a sonic boom sounded, and Yun Fan, carrying Griseo, was already gone.
Expect me to work for free? Not happening!
"Sigh..." Zhongli sighed helplessly. He had expected Yun Fan to do this. Oh well. At least there was still the Traveler to help him. Speaking of which, she should be back in Liyue Harbor by now, right?