After Lumine took Yoimiya around Sumeru for many days, the two finally parted ways.
This trip actually involved a lot of things.
Unexpectedly, besides herself, there were other adults who could see the Aranara.
But Yoimiya was a kind-hearted person with childlike innocence, so it wasn't strange that she could see them.
Lumine suddenly blurted out, "Paimon, do you think Mu Yang could see the Aranara?"
Paimon held her chin in her hand, "I don't think so…"
"Why not?"
Paimon began analyzing, "Think about the first time we met Dori."
"It was exactly because of Mu Yang that she didn't dare scam us, and even exposed their cooperative relationship."
"This shows that in terms of business, Mu Yang is even more formidable than Dori. If even Dori can't see them, then Mu Yang probably can't either."
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine wondered if she classified all great merchants as shady merchants?
"…This explanation feels a bit forced…"
The two returned to Liyue and found the harbor even livelier than usual.
There were even Genius Invokation TCG banners everywhere.
When they asked, they learned that the Summoning King Grand Prix was currently being held.
And Mu Yang was the biggest investor in this competition.
The two returned to the store, just about to ask Mu Yang about the competition.
But Mu Yang spoke first.
It was said that a [Card Phantom Thief] had appeared in Mondstadt, and Mu Yang was worried someone was sabotaging the event.
So he wanted to ask Lumine to go investigate.
Paimon asked, "Mu Yang, why are you taking this competition so seriously?"
"Naturally, to use this opportunity to make [Muyu Snow City] famous and attract more customers."
Mu Yang replied, "Me, Shenhe, and Xinyan are all representing the store in the competition, so that's why I want to commission you to investigate the [Card Phantom Thief]."
Lumine agreed without even thinking.
Every time there was a big event, it would be strange if no one came to cause trouble for her.
She was already used to it…
Thus, Lumine, having accepted Mu Yang's commission, set off for Mondstadt.
The players' journey also began from this moment.
[Duel! Summit of Summoning! Round 1: Dark Clouds Gather]
At this point, players started complaining.
[It's over. Doesn't this mean Liyue's finals have already been spoiled by the preview livestream?]
[Haha, good thing I didn't watch ( )]
[Then you know now—Mu Yang beat Hu Tao and became champion]
[Damn it! You really deserve to be 4!]
Lumine arrived back in Mondstadt.
When it came to Genius Invokation TCG, the first place to investigate would be the Cat's Tail Tavern, a famous gathering spot for card players.
It was said that after Cyno visited his senior Lisa during the last Windblume Festival, he had been holed up in the Cat's Tail Tavern playing cards every day…
That guy's card addiction was terrifying.
Lumine was genuinely worried that one day he'd go mad and start asking prisoners during interrogations if they wanted to play cards…
As soon as she reached the city gate, Lumine noticed the card-playing atmosphere here was no less intense than in Liyue Harbor.
As expected of Mu Yang.
Spending so much money and partnering with the Adventurers' Guild to create this competition.
Who knows when he'll recoup the investment?
But then again, Mu Yang doesn't seem to lack money.
Maybe, like Cyno, he just purely wants to play cards with others.
Passing by two people, she could hear them dejectedly confiding in each other.
"Sigh, don't even mention it. I got eliminated in the preliminaries. What about you?"
The other waved his hand, "Not much better. I got crushed by that little kid Timmie."
"Usually he just feeds pigeons, but when he plays cards, he's actually this strong…"
[Timmie is this strong? Could he be the gifted player mentioned in the preview?]
[Level 10 card player, not joking around with you]
[Eh, just that (stubborn)]
[Next time I'll fill it out, super easy]
Lumine hadn't expected Timmie to be so skilled, though she seemed to recall seeing it once.
Timmie playing under the streetlamp on the bridge.
Perhaps this was the heavens rewarding hard work.
She was here on a mission and had no time to listen to gossip.
So she headed straight for the Cat's Tail Tavern.
At this moment, in front of the Cat's Tail Tavern stood two cat girls.
[Bliss]
[Historic Meeting of Teyvat Cat Girls]
Diona cried out in surprise, "I-I-I, am I seeing this right?! Big sis, you… you have two tails behind you?!"
Kirara put her hands on her hips, "Oh, you didn't see wrong. Yep, two little sisters. Wanna touch them?"
Diona gently poked them, then immediately pulled her hand back.
Her eyes were filled with childlike curiosity.
"Does it hurt where they split? Which one grew first? What if they keep moving around uncontrollably while I'm sleeping?"
Kirara had never thought about these questions and suddenly felt stumped, "Uh… umm…"
Diona also realized she had been too abrupt.
She quickly apologized to Kirara.
"Sorry, was that hard to answer? I've never seen someone with two tails before."
[Yae has nine tails]
[Fox Trash: The Guuji has no tails~]
[I've never seen a 'person' with tails either… not even one]
[I have…]
[??? Did they just get run over by a truck?]
Lumine and Paimon walked up the stairs. Seeing this Inazuma-dressed cat girl, it seemed like their first time meeting her.
The two just stood to the side watching Kirara comfort Diona.
"Hehe, little sister, don't worry. I think you'll grow two tails very soon too."
"Huh? M-Me… I'll grow two tails too?"
Kirara said with great certainty.
"Mm! Little sister, you're also a youkai, right? You've already transformed into a human form, so your youkai power must be very strong."
She was sharing experience like a senior.
"I also grew an extra tail without realizing it while climbing trees. People call this form… [Nekomata]?"
[Classic talking past each other]
[She didn't seriously think Diona was a baby cat youkai, did she?]
Diona finally noticed something was off.
She hurriedly explained clearly to Kirara.
Her ears and tail were symbols of the [Kätzlein] family bloodline.
Now it was Kirara's turn to be shocked.
"Huh? So… so you're not a Mondstadt youkai?"
Diona was also amused by her reaction.
"There's no such thing in Mondstadt, big sis. Is this your first time here?"
"Mm! Thanks to the company's business expansion, I finally get to visit different cities like this."
As she spoke, her wristwatch beeped.
"Ah! I was so busy chatting, the next delivery is going to be late!"
"Miss Diona of the [Kätzlein] family, I've indeed received the goods. Thank you again for choosing [Komagoya]!"
Little Diona happily said goodbye to the cat youkai big sis, welcoming her to come play again next time.
Watching Kirara's departing figure.
Diona was still pondering: Could it be that only Inazuma youkai grow tails?
Moreover, this big sis's feet looked like… cat paws?
[That cat paw close-up was amazing (sudden excitement)]
[Netizens' XP is still so jaw-dropping]
[MHY has always been excellent at close-ups]