"Jiang Xuan, we just dealt with the Wither, are we going to explore the End again?"
Keqing looked at Jiang Xuan curiously.
In her impression, Jiang Xuan's arrangements for such major phases would always have a period of time in between.
Now, he was going to work continuously?
This was not Jiang Xuan's usual style.
However, Jiang Xuan smiled and shook his head.
"Times are different now... We all have enchanted diamond armor, and our combat power is sufficient."
"In fact, there's no need to fear the Ender Dragon anymore."
"Even with so many Endermen in the End, you should be confident in defeating them, right?"
Hearing this, everyone nodded in strong agreement.
To be honest, Endermen were no longer enemies to be concerned about.
Ningguang and the others had even asked Jiang Xuan a few days ago if they could have an Enderman mob grinder.
Although Lucky Blocks produced quite a few Ender Pearls, for large-scale collection, a mob grinder would be better.
"Also..."
Jiang Xuan paused and chuckled:
"This isn't really directly delving into the End; we're just going to find the End Portal first."
"Of course, another main reason is that we haven't traveled to that world in a long time."
"This time, we'll also take the opportunity to choose a suitable驻扎点 for Jean and the others. I estimate that in a few days, the Rite of Descension will begin preparations, and you all will become busy."
"While you still have some free time these few days, let's solve these minor issues first."
Jiang Xuan's words hit the nail on the head.
There was only one month left until the Rite of Descension.
No matter what, such an annual grand event had to be handled properly.
Moreover, Ningguang and the others also planned to showcase Liyue's true foundation during the Rite of Descension, in front of all Teyvat.
It was both a formal report to Rex Lapis and a way to let the people of Teyvat know how strong Liyue was now.
Therefore, this year's original plan for the Rite of Descension was completely overturned, and Ningguang had to redesign it from scratch.
Jiang Xuan was also right; Ningguang's workload for official duties doubled that day.
In a while, she truly wouldn't even have time to go to the Minecraft world.
"You've gone to a lot of trouble, Jiang Xuan..."
Jean nodded at Jiang Xuan, a little embarrassed.
"It's fine, it's bound to happen sooner or later!"
Jiang Xuan waved his hand and added:
"Before we go back, borrow Keqing's notebook. It contains information on most monsters, as well as many crafting recipes."
"As for those technologies, it might be a bit difficult for you to learn them now, but you can start studying them."
"It's probably best to learn those things once you're in that world, with a reference to compare against."
Hearing this, Jean and the others nodded seriously.
After eating and drinking their fill, they didn't continue discussing serious matters.
After chatting a bit about the characteristics of that world, they talked about the situations in other nations.
Liyue's intelligence department, commanded by Yelan, had even more convenient access to information than underground intelligence organizations.
Jiang Xuan had heard Ningguang mention Yelan many times.
She was a very capable woman.
Her relationship with Ningguang was ostensibly that of a subordinate, but in reality, it was a partnership.
It was said that Yelan was currently playing a game of chess with a certain Fatui Harbinger in another nation.
Jiang Xuan guessed it was Pantalone.
However, with Liyue as their backing, plus the overwhelming influential status brought by resource dumping during this period,
Pantalone and his group were also in distress.
After all, Yelan herself was not one to play by conventional rules.
Jean and the others also gained an understanding of the situations in most Teyvat nations through this conversation.
To be honest...
Mondstadt was considered lucky.
Snezhnaya, as the Fatui's main base, did not receive much preferential treatment.
The Cryo Archon was single-mindedly raising the banner of resistance against the Heavenly Principles. While the Fatui were spirited, the lives of ordinary Snezhnayan citizens were difficult.
Inazuma was even worse, with war, exploitation, and a suffering populace.
Moreover, being close to the Dark Sea, the monsters there couldn't compare to the Hilichurls in Liyue and Mondstadt.
Although Orobashi was dead, the lingering Archon residue still affected Inazuma's land.
It seemed to have many islands, but only Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island were truly habitable.
Other places...
Were either overrun by monsters or plagued by war.
To truly speak of misery, Inazuma had the right to complain.
Ningguang and the others were somewhat dismissive of Raiden Shogun's inaction.
But Venti and Zhongli understood more profound issues and merely sighed.
Was Ei at fault?
From a younger sister's perspective, her older sister died, her close friends died, and of all her companions, only Yae Miko remained.
Anyone would become withdrawn.
But as an Archon, she was at fault.
No matter how much suffering she endured, she had to consider her citizens. An Archon's duty is to bring a good life to their people, not to let a nation that still has a god fall into such a doomsday-like situation.
Even if Ei took over hastily, as a combat-focused Kagemusha, and assumed the position of the Raiden Shogun.
But she was the Raiden Shogun; that was an undeniable fact.
Venti didn't deny his dereliction of duty, and neither could Ei.
Even if, from a personal perspective, the reasons for this dereliction of duty were emotionally understandable.
But...
Ruling a nation is no game.
Just like ancient emperors in Jiang Xuan's world, once on that throne, one is alone, bearing the lives of the entire nation's populace.
One cannot simply say that the emperor made a mistake, killing thousands of people, and then claim it was because the emperor was childish and playful.
Hoping everyone would understand His Majesty's feelings.
Good heavens, she's just a child, don't bother with her?
Asking others to understand the emperor, why not ask the emperor to understand the countless people who died?
This was a cruel truth for Ei personally, but as one of the Seven Archons, she had to be rational.
Their every action would bring earth-shattering consequences.
However, this was none of Zhongli's business, so he could only sigh.
As for Sumeru, needless to say, when the Sumeru Akademiya, the Adepti, Ningguang, and the others were mentioned...
Even Venti looked disgusted.
It was clear that Sumeru was also not peaceful.
Natlan was far away, and its specific situation was unknown, but...
The Mare Jivari was in Natlan, and the Pyro Archon was a hot-tempered god who loved battle.
It was said that there was also war there, but this news was unconfirmed.
The only thing that could be guessed was that, in all of Teyvat, Natlan was the quietest, and the fewest merchants came from there.
Also not peaceful.
And Fontaine...
It was said that there was a struggle between the current Hydro Archon and the previous one, and two factions had formed among the populace because of this.
And the Hydro Archon...
Was also the most steadfast supporter of the Heavenly Principles.
Thinking about it carefully, among all Seven Nations of Teyvat, only Liyue seemed peaceful now.
This made Ningguang and the others very happy.
But Jiang Xuan estimated that Ningguang would soon be worried.
Liyue was doing well, but...
Zhongli was planning a big move.
When Rex Lapis faked his death and Archons attacked, there was bound to be some turmoil.
However, Jiang Xuan estimated it wouldn't be too chaotic, as Liyue's current strength was solid.
As for the Adepti, Xiao and Cloud Retainer also readily agreed to help with the act, and to subtly guide those Adepti who didn't know the specific situation.
Presumably...
Everything should be fine, right?
Pondering, Jiang Xuan glanced at Cloud Retainer.
She was sitting beside Lumine with a straight face, but her eyes held an indescribable divine glow.
Jiang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.
This was completely messed up.
He should have known not to let Lumine and Cloud Retainer be in the same group this afternoon.
Yandere Adeptus seemed to be making an early appearance.
Making up his mind, Jiang Xuan planned to find time to visit Wangshu Inn, in case Cloud Retainer made any more shocking remarks, he could intervene in time.
"Um..."
Suddenly, Lumine weakly raised her hand and looked at Ningguang:
"Sister Ningguang, Jiang Xuan and the others mentioned earlier that the Jade Chamber was retrofitted with many Redstone Cannons..."
Ningguang raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Indeed. I am working on transforming the Jade Chamber into an airborne war fortress."
"In the future, even without the Archon, the Jade Chamber should possess the power to suppress Archons when facing strong enemies."
This matter was also brought up by Jiang Xuan to Ningguang.
To have a high-altitude mobile fortress like the Jade Chamber, and its greatest use being symbolic?
That was simply a waste!
If Jiang Xuan's former world's scientific giants saw Ningguang's original plans for the Jade Chamber, they would surely reprimand her for being extravagant and wasteful.
Its greatest offensive form was self-destruction?
How ridiculous was that?
Fortunately, Ningguang had now re-evaluated the Jade Chamber, and such a high-altitude, area-of-effect strike fortress indeed possessed powerful strategic significance.
During this time, Ningguang had also been asking Jiang Xuan about the Orbital Dragon-Slaying Cannon.
It seemed she wanted to install one on the Jade Chamber.
At that point, what if it flew over Osial's head and fired?
It wasn't impossible!
Lumine's eyes darted around, and she smiled impishly.
"Sister Ningguang~"
The affectionate tone was sickeningly sweet, making Jiang Xuan feel a little queasy.
What would Ningguang do when she realized that Lumine, who called her "Sister Ningguang" every day, was actually an ageless girl over a thousand years old?
Would she shut down?
"I've already seen through your little schemes. You've been staring at the Redstone Cannons ever since you got on the Jade Chamber."
Ningguang shook her head, laughing, and waved her hand:
"Alright, I'll let you witness the power of Redstone Technology firsthand."
"However, the Redstone Cannons on the Jade Chamber are too powerful. This isn't a suitable testing ground."
She looked around at the surroundings.
On one side was the vast ocean, which they could bomb, but there was no guarantee that the TNT wouldn't cause a tsunami and damage the fishermen.
As for the nearby Mt. Tianheng, Jiang Xuan was still living there, so that was out of the question.
Guili Plains would have been a good choice, but Keqing had worked hard to change the land there, so it couldn't be destroyed.
"How about going to The Chasm?"
Keqing suggested softly, explaining:
"The miners in The Chasm have all evacuated, and the Millelith aren't stationed there. Bombing the deep mines should be fine."
Hearing this, Ningguang didn't say anything, but Zhongli already had a headache.
The Chasm...
How could Keqing even suggest that?
That place was Liyue's weakest Ley Line point, and there were also some unspeakable things below, as well as the black mud from five hundred years ago.
Zhongli had two Adepti stationed there long-term.
Never mind whether a few TNT blasts would unearth those unspeakable things.
The Adepti were obediently in secluded cultivation there, and she wanted to fire cannons at them?
Wouldn't the Adepti be furious?
He quickly gave Jiang Xuan a look, who also found it somewhat amusing.
"The Chasm cannot be bombed. The Ley Lines there are very weak. Moreover, the Liyue Qixing's seal was just reinforced not long ago. Let's find another place."
Keqing also thought of these things and scratched her cheek awkwardly.
But to be honest, Keqing also really wanted to see the Redstone Cannon in action.
After all, this thing was too dangerous; since it was installed, it hadn't been used.
No one knew its true power.
This was a good opportunity to record it.
After a moment of thought, Jiang Xuan suddenly spoke:
"I actually thought of a good place..."
Instantly, everyone's gaze converged on him.
Jiang Xuan looked at Zhongli meaningfully.
"We're... going to bomb Nantianmen!"
"???"
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