As Ningguang's voice fell, Baixiao stepped forward and began to unveil the red cloth.
The first thing that caught their eye was a plain iron bucket.
Inside, there seemed to be something like milk.
But Jean and the others had grown serious, staring intently at Ningguang.
"Milk that possesses the ability to remove all negative statuses, including curses."
Ningguang looked deeply at Lisa, who had slightly clenched her fists.
She hadn't expected that she merely wanted to talk to that alchemy master, to ask if there was a way to solve her problem.
But Ningguang...
Immediately revealed something that could solve her curse.
What was on the tray after that?
Baixiao continued to reveal the next item.
It was a round apple, but it looked as if it were made of gold.
"A Golden Apple that also possesses the ability to cure curses, and can even instantly restore most of one's vitality and all stamina."
"By the way, the Conqueror of Demons' karma was resolved by combining a Golden Apple and milk."
Lisa immediately turned to look at Xiao, who calmly nodded.
Jean excitedly held Lisa's hand, her eyes full of joy.
At the very least, in Jean's eyes, her best friend was saved.
She watching Lisa relieve the drain on her life by sleeping every day, how could Jean not feel heartache?
Now...
Lisa gave Jean a look, signaling her to calm down.
Everyone remained silent, looking further back.
It was a book glowing with purple light, like a magic tome.
"An enchanted book that can attach law entries to weapons, giving them the qualification to become Divine Artifacts. This one is for longswords, with the Fire Aspect enchantment."
As soon as her voice fell, Xiao took out a Diamond Sword gleaming with cold light.
Under the moonlight, it shimmered with a strange color, just like the book.
He swung it lightly, touching a prepared wild chicken.
The next moment, a roaring explosion of flames instantly engulfed the wild chicken.
"The Conqueror of Demons' Elemental Power is Anemo."
Ningguang said softly.
At this, Jean and the others couldn't sit still.
Diluc immediately said in a deep voice:
"Miss Ningguang, do you mean that after enchanting a weapon, one can use Pyro powers?"
Ningguang shook her head slightly.
"It means the weapon possesses natural and powerful Pyro energy. Otherwise, it wouldn't qualify as a Divine Artifact."
"By the way, there are many types of enchanted books, and many law entries that can be applied."
"For longswords, there are Looting, Sharpness, Knockback, and so on."
"Enchanted books engrave laws onto the weapon."
As soon as her voice fell, Lisa said:
"So, calling them Divine Artifacts is not inappropriate, right?"
Ningguang smiled and nodded.
"Additionally, enchanted weapons can be used by ordinary people, not just weapons, but also armor..."
"Millelith fully equipped with enchantments and drinking various buff potions possess the strength of top-tier Archons."
Ningguang waved her hand, and a Millelith soldier, clad in enchanted iron armor, wielding an enchanted iron sword, and carrying an enchanted longbow on his back, appeared, enveloped in the bubbles of alchemy potions.
He showed his face for a moment and then quickly departed.
But in that instant, Diluc already felt that the Millelith soldier posed a fatal threat to him.
It was certainly not something an ordinary Archon could handle.
He might even be instantly killed if he faced them.
"So... do you all want to continue watching? Or should we proceed with our cooperation based on this?"
"If not, these items can be sold to you at a low price."
Ningguang waved her hand, and Baixiao stood before the next tray.
Jean and Diluc immediately turned to look at Lisa.
At this point, their minds were somewhat muddled, and they could only trust Lisa.
Lisa's gaze was fixed on the Golden Apple, and a voice in her heart urged her to agree now, but...
Lisa chuckled softly and took a deep breath.
"We've come this far, why not continue?"
"A smart choice."
Ningguang smiled slightly, and Baiwen immediately appeared, placing the pre-prepared contract before Jean and the others.
"Next, you will see Liyue's true foundation, beyond Teyvat's imagination."
"Sign this contract, and Mondstadt and Liyue will form a lifelong mutual advancement agreement. From now on, Liyue's enemies will be Mondstadt's enemies."
"And vice versa."
"This contract, forged by Rex Lapis's divine power, is eternal and unchangeable. Should it be violated, Mondstadt will face suppression from Rex Lapis and the Adepti, and Liyue will send troops to punish them."
"Once this agreement is signed, Mondstadt will have no room for regret. Consider it carefully, Acting Grand Master Jean of the Knights of Favonius."
Looking at the contract before her, Jean felt as if a great mountain was pressing down on her arm.
She didn't know whether to sign it.
Ningguang wanted to completely tie Mondstadt to Liyue's great ship.
Prosper together, suffer together.
If something happened to Liyue someday, Mondstadt would inevitably be annihilated.
She dared not sign, and moreover, she was only the acting Grand Master.
"Jean..."
Lisa pursed her lips.
"Miss Ningguang, I am just the acting Grand Master... I have no authority..."
Jean shook her head and looked at Ningguang, but the latter said softly:
"To my knowledge, your Grand Master granted you the authority to make all decisions for Mondstadt before his distant expedition."
"But, Mondstadt is freedom..."
Before she could finish, Ningguang softly said:
"A free nation also has a guide, doesn't it, Jean? I have faith in you, not your Grand Master."
"I believe you understand the corruption within the Knights of Favonius's high ranks. The Grand Master leading a distant expedition might very well have intended for you to consolidate Mondstadt and entrust it to you."
"The cooperation between Liyue and Mondstadt requires someone who genuinely cares about Mondstadt and can lead Mondstadt."
"Furthermore, with the contract signed, Mondstadt's enemies will also be Liyue's enemies. We will eliminate anyone who jeopardizes our cooperative relationship for you."
Hearing Ningguang's blunt disdain for the Knights of Favonius's high ranks, Diluc almost clapped his hands in approval.
He had long been displeased with the Knights' high ranks.
But if Jean controlled Mondstadt, with her dedication and responsibility, she would be the most suitable leader for Mondstadt.
"This contract, for us, has a hundred benefits and no harm, at least for now."
Diluc reminded her softly.
After all, one could glimpse Liyue's strength, however profound, from what they had seen.
If something truly happened to Liyue, then it would surely be all of Teyvat that was in trouble.
Mondstadt would not be able to escape it.
In that case, signing decisively was the best option now.
"Jean, whatever choice you make, I will support you."
Lisa smiled, looking gently at Jean.
Jean remained silent for a long time, thinking of the current situation of Mondstadt's citizens, and the Fatui and monsters lurking outside.
Then she thought about the lives of Liyue's people she had seen today in Liyue Harbor.
In her heart, she yearned a thousand, ten thousand times for Mondstadt to be as strong and prosperous as Liyue.
Jean bit her lip tightly and took a deep breath.
"If... I sign this contract, will the lives of Mondstadt's citizens be like those in Liyue?"
Ningguang smiled and nodded.
"Naturally, we will help you."
Jean said no more, picked up the pen with difficulty, and carefully read every single word.
In her eyes, every word there seemed to represent the future of a Mondstadt citizen...
After a while, Jean closed her eyes and signed her name, then stamped it with the Knights of Favonius's seal.
Having done all this, Zhongli's calm voice suddenly echoed in the air.
"The contract is formed. Those who violate the contract shall suffer the Punishment of Stone Eating."
Jean slumped weakly into her chair, as if exhausted, gazing powerlessly at the contract before her.
"Congratulations, you have made the most correct choice."
Ningguang chuckled softly and had Baiwen take the contract.
"The original contract will be held by Rex Lapis. We will each receive a copy in a few days. The oversight authority rests with Rex Lapis and Barbatos."
"As for now..."
Ningguang smiled and said:
"Baixiao, continue."
"Yes, Lady Ningguang."
Meeting everyone's complex gazes, Baixiao continued to unveil the next red cloth.
It was a spherical object emitting a strange power, like a pearl, yet also like an eye.
"Ender Pearl. It possesses spatial power, allowing for short-distance teleportation, even for ordinary people."
Ningguang explained airily.
The previously enchanted Millelith soldier stepped forward, picked up the Ender Pearl, and threw it into the distance.
The moment the Ender Pearl landed, the Millelith soldier strangely appeared there.
"Ender Pearls are consumables, and please note, using an Ender Pearl will cost you some life force. However, that's not a problem."
As soon as her voice fell, the Millelith soldier took out a Healing Potion and drank it in one gulp.
He instantly became re-energized.
At this moment, Lisa and the others finally understood why Ningguang insisted they sign the contract before seeing these items.
This item, with its spatial power, could not possibly exist in Teyvat.
At the very least, Lisa, who knew of the Heavenly Principles' existence, knew that the Heavenly Principles would never allow such a thing.
In other words, Mondstadt, having signed the contract, would face the Heavenly Principles alongside Liyue.
Lisa's heart was conflicted; she gazed meaningfully at Ningguang.
"Miss Ningguang has quite the plan..."
"Hehe..."
Ningguang knew Lisa had guessed her thoughts and shook her head, saying:
"Don't worry too much. We have absolute confidence to protect ourselves, and we can protect your Mondstadt too."
Lisa said nothing, merely falling silent.
"Ender Pearl..."
Diluc's eyes grew hotter.
For him, besides making Mondstadt stronger, revenge was the most important thing.
With alchemy potions, enchanted books, and now Ender Pearls...
Diluc felt he had a hundred percent certainty of getting revenge.
And a hundred percent certainty of making Mondstadt stronger.
Coming here today was definitely the right choice.
The only unknown was how much Mora Liyue intended to sell these items for.
It would probably be an astronomical figure, but Diluc didn't care.
As long as he could achieve his and his father's dream, he would be willing even if Dawn Winery was gone.
Baixiao was about to continue unveiling the red cloth, but Ningguang found it a bit troublesome.
She stood up and waved her hand, and Elemental Power surged out, stripping away all the red cloths.
She then stepped forward herself to explain.
"Diamond, it can forge the hardest and most powerful weapons. Combined with enchantment entries, it can forge powerful Divine Artifacts."
"Diamond armor offers ultimate defense; even top-tier Archons cannot break through it."
"Blaze Rods, Ghast Tears, Bone Meal that makes crops ripen instantly..."
The more Ningguang introduced, the more silent Jean and the others became.
Finally, Ningguang solemnly picked up the strange totem.
Ningguang, who usually seemed indifferent to all materials, now displayed unprecedented solemnity.
"This will be something that overturns all your perceptions."
"Its name is... Totem of Undying!".
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