Hearing Jiang Xuan's plan, Ganyu asked curiously.
"Jiang Xuan, what exactly is a Wither Storm? Why do you have to kill so many?"
"A Wither Storm..."
Jiang Xuan chuckled, shaking his head.
"It's a true BOSS in every sense, similar to the Archons in your world."
"Its power in the Overworld might not be inferior to the Ender Dragon. In short, it's an extremely terrifying and powerful monster."
"But its drops are also things we absolutely need to get. They can be used to create divine artifacts that provide widespread group buffs."
"However, Wither Storms are very dangerous. We won't consider those details now. When I'm ready to deal with them, I'll explain everything to you carefully."
No one questioned Jiang Xuan. They secretly committed the Wither Storm to memory.
Jiang Xuan's plans were always well-considered; he always had a clear strategy for what to do and when.
He led everyone to steadily explore this world.
Any danger could be turned into safety through his knowledge and arrangements.
Ningguang greatly appreciated this kind of strategic thinking, which was always steady and aimed for victory. It was also why she liked Jiang Xuan now.
Her man didn't need to be incredibly strong, but he had to share her vision.
The group didn't stay in this world for long before quickly returning to Liyue Harbor.
However, as soon as they exited the Teleportation Gate, Zhongli's expression darkened.
Xiao, who was always observing him, sensed a shift and leaned in, whispering:
"Rex Lapis, what's wrong? Has someone else come poking around, needing me to deal with them?"
Although Xiao's Karma was completely lifted, he was still a Yaksha, with a strong killing intent.
In the period before, knowing that the Fatui had been trying to explore this area, Xiao hadn't hesitated to eliminate some Fatui soldiers during his nightly monster-hunting rounds.
Presumably, this was one of the reasons why they were behaving themselves now.
Regardless of whether Liyue targeted them, the Ministry of Civil Affairs' targeting was merely commercial suppression.
But to be targeted by an Adeptus, who had genuinely killed many, was a different story.
Zhongli shook his head, softly saying:
"It's not the Fatui. Barbatos has arrived..."
Xiao was somewhat speechless. Seeing Zhongli's eyes flicker, he understood that Zhongli was probably thinking of Venti's tampering with the Contract back then.
Xiao couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Venti.
This time, having truly set foot in Liyue, Venti truly couldn't escape the Punishment of Stone Eating.
But this was between old friends, so Xiao couldn't say anything, merely retreating to the side.
He didn't plan to go monster-hunting tonight.
Venti had helped him quite a bit before; because of his Karma, Venti had constantly helped him suppress it.
Xiao still felt grateful to Venti.
If Zhongli intended to be harsh tonight, Xiao felt he might still be able to intercede.
Zhongli pondered for a moment, then said softly:
"I have some personal matters to attend to. I'll leave first and return tomorrow morning."
With that, he nodded to Jiang Xuan and the others, then immediately left the small courtyard.
Although Venti had quickly suppressed his Divine Power, how could Zhongli not sense the dense Anemo Archon's power above Dihua Marsh?
Excellent!
Tampering with a Contract centuries ago, and now disregarding it by using Divine Power in Liyue.
If Zhongli didn't take a pound of flesh from Venti today, he wouldn't live up to his title as God of Contracts.
Xiao sighed inwardly.
His Archon was good in every way, except for being extremely rigid about Contracts.
However...
No matter what, Venti was still his good friend, and Zhongli wouldn't truly let Venti come to harm.
As soon as Zhongli left, Baiwen arrived.
Seeing Ningguang, she didn't hesitate to speak in front of the others, softly saying:
"Lady Ningguang, Miss Lisa from Mondstadt has arrived as you invited, along with Acting Grand Master Jean and others."
Ningguang was currently chatting with Jiang Xuan.
Hearing this, Ningguang chuckled.
"So eager? Did they request cross-border teleportation?"
Baiwen shook her head.
Ningguang understood, and waved her hand, saying:
"Prepare a banquet at the Jade Chamber. I will invite them there later to entertain them."
Baiwen quietly assented and hurried away.
Watching Baiwen's retreating back, Ningguang chuckled:
"No request for cross-border teleportation, yet the letter I sent yesterday arrived today..."
"It seems their Anemo Archon is also quite eager."
Keqing looked puzzled and asked softly:
"Why did you invite Mondstadt to Liyue?"
Ningguang took a sip of tea, then slowly said:
"Low-end resource exports have temporarily saturated, but low-end resource exports for Mora are not Liyue's optimal choice."
"Currently, we have three Villager Trading Centers established, and three Alchemy Potion production lines."
"Plus the gains from Lucky Blocks..."
"Liyue now needs to bind interests through high-end resources, selectively selling more advanced resources to create inextricably linked relationships with other nations."
"This was the inspiration Jiang Xuan gave me."
Ningguang looked at Jiang Xuan with tender eyes, her affection evident even to Ganyu.
"Hoarding everything alone is destined not to last."
"What we need to do is to ensure that more people stand with Liyue on the same front forever."
Keqing somewhat understood Ningguang's plan and mused:
"You want to sell Alchemy Potions?"
"Not just that."
Ningguang shook her head slightly.
"Diamonds, Ender Pearls, various Monster Materials, and unique devices from that world."
"These are all within the scope of trade."
"However, these won't be things that can be bought with Mora. I imagine my pen pal will know what Mondstadt needs to do."
Everyone suddenly realized.
To put it nicely, it was about forming an alliance for mutual advancement; to put it bluntly, it was about finding subordinates.
Ningguang was also aware of the events in Khaenri'ah.
What Ningguang wanted to do now was certainly not to let Liyue walk the path of Khaenri'ah alone, which would eventually lead to other nations being coerced by the Heavenly Principles to attack Liyue.
She wanted all nations to become Liyue's allies, or at least more than half of them.
That way, even if the Heavenly Principles later demanded the Seven Archons to once again fulfill their responsibility to destroy a nation, as with Khaenri'ah.
The unbreakable bond of interests between nations would make them realize that if Liyue fell, they too would not survive.
At that time...
All of Teyvat would help Liyue fight the enemy.
This was what Ningguang intended.
In any world, hoarding everything alone was a major taboo.
So, how to hoard this wealth was a matter of great skill.
Once that step was reached, if the Heavenly Principles dared to threaten Liyue with destruction.
Then her "Second Throne" would face the wrath of the entire world.
Liyue would become the hidden "Third Throne"!
As for the Gods...
Did they truly believe that all Seven Archons were willing to obey the Heavenly Principles now?
As far as Jiang Xuan knew, six of the Seven Archons already harbored animosity towards the Heavenly Principles.
By then, if their nations and their people chose to advance and retreat with Liyue,
Ningguang wondered whether the Heavenly Principles' words would carry more weight, or if the Archons' people would be more important to them.
She wanted to weaken the Heavenly Principles, making it a lone ruler.
This was an idea Ningguang had since Zhongli spoke of Khaenri'ah and the Heavenly Principles.
Jiang Xuan looked at Ningguang with appreciation and, holding Nahida, said:
"I'll go with you this time."
Ningguang paused, then suspiciously asked:
"You're not interested in them, are you? Lisa and Jean are indeed stunning beauties..."
Jiang Xuan laughed, looking at Ningguang, and retorted:
"What are you saying? I haven't even met them yet."
At least, not yet.
After thinking for a moment, Jiang Xuan still said:
"Since they've come, I assume that Lumine, the traveler from another world, is also with them..."
Hearing this, everyone understood.
Since Jiang Xuan came from beyond the stars, his interest in Lumine, a fellow traveler from another world, was understandable.
"It seems my charm isn't enough then. My numerous invitations to the Jade Chamber were less effective than a single visit from the traveler."
Ningguang said with a hint of complaint.
Jiang Xuan chuckled, thinking to himself.
You weren't inviting me to the Jade Chamber to admire the scenery; you were clearly eyeing my body!
Ganyu was keeping a close watch now. Even if you wanted to, you'd have to wait a while, wouldn't you?
After a brief chat, feeling that it was time, Ningguang rose and, with pleasantries, led the group out of the small courtyard.
They ascended the Floating Stone platform outside the entrance.
This was something Ningguang had recently created.
Essentially, it placed her main entrance right at Jiang Xuan's doorstep, the meaning of which was self-evident.
It was almost explicitly telling him, "My home is always open to you, you can come anytime, even at night."
However, Jiang Xuan rarely visited the Jade Chamber.
Firstly, he was lazy, and secondly, whenever such thoughts arose, Ganyu would pull him away to play cards.
Baiwen acted quickly. Coupled with the fact that the Jade Chamber had a dedicated delivery line for Liyue's major restaurants,
By the time Jiang Xuan and the others went up, the banquet was already prepared.
Today was Ningguang's home turf, so Jiang Xuan didn't try to steal the spotlight. He found a random seat and quietly waited for Mondstadt's arrival.
Not long after they were seated, Jean and the others, dressed in formal attire, were brought up to the Jade Chamber by Baiwen.
Ningguang elegantly rose to greet them, smiling as she extended her hand to Jean.
"This should be our first formal meeting, Jean."
Her tone was warm and friendly, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.
Jean unconsciously relaxed some of her tension and said softly:
"I apologize for this sudden visit; Mondstadt's official letter is still en route..."
"Hehe..."
Ningguang chuckled, shaking her head.
"It's alright. These are just formalities; there's no need to pay too much mind to them. Please, take a seat first."
Chatting, Jean and the others took their seats.
Lisa's gaze was calm, observing everyone present.
Those in attendance were almost the pinnacle of Liyue's power.
Tianquan Ningguang, Yuheng Keqing, Qixing Secretary Ganyu...
Plus the two silent individuals, a man and a woman, whose aura was extremely similar to that of Adepti.
Clearly, they were Liyue Adepti.
It was even highly probable that they were the three Yakshas, Conqueror of Demons and Cloud Retainer Adeptus, whom Venti had mentioned not seeing today.
Lisa wasn't concerned with these details; she wanted to know if the alchemist she was thinking about was present.
It was only then, inadvertently, that Lisa suddenly noticed Jiang Xuan in a corner, with Nahida sitting obediently in his lap.
Lisa's pupils constricted, and she felt a shock.
"Lesser Lord Kusanali..."
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