"By the way, what were you two talking about just now?" As soon as they walked out of the arena, Paimon eagerly asked.
After Yu Jin and Venti's battle ended, they continued to converse below for quite some time. For Paimon, who is curious about everything, she had been itching with anticipation.
"What else could it be? Just discussing poetry," Yu Jin said with a shrug, indicating they hadn't done anything special.
"Ah? You discussed poetry?" Paimon's eyes widened, and she gasped in surprise. She never imagined that Venti and Yu Jin, after talking for so long, had only been discussing poetry.
"Uh... actually, that's not wrong," Venti scratched his head. Could what they did really be called a discussion?
But since Yu Jin had said so, Venti didn't want to contradict him.
"I didn't realize you had an artistic side!" Paimon flew a circle around Yu Jin, seemingly quite shocked that he could even say a few words about poetry.
"What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?" Yu Jin tapped Paimon's head. So young, and already learning to look down on people, instead of learning good things?
"No way! It's just that you don't look like someone who would write poetry," Paimon covered her head and ran behind Lumine.
Yu Jin had already called her dumb and now he was tapping her head, wasn't that just trying to make her even dumber?
"Haha, what can I say, Paimon, you don't hold anything back when you speak!" Lumine saw Paimon's deflated expression and, instead of comforting her, started to laugh.
To be honest, she also enjoyed teasing Paimon because it was quite amusing.
Joking and laughing, the group walked all the way from the Temple of the Thousand Winds to Windrise.
In the distance, the green leaves of the towering great oak tree swayed slightly, and countless gentle breezes swept over them. Windrise, as its name suggested, truly felt like the origin of Mondstadt's gentle winds.
"Hehe, Lumine, I also wrote a poem for you. Want to go to Windrise and listen?" Venti looked at the great oak tree. After speaking, he skipped towards the giant tree in the distance.
Lumine nodded thoughtfully. She looked at the others and asked, "Does everyone want to listen together? Venti probably spent a long time writing it."
Upon hearing this, Yu Jin patted Lumine's shoulder, took out two wads of cotton, and handed them to her, saying, "If it gets too cringeworthy to bear, just stuff these in your ears. Don't torture yourself."
"O-okay, thank you, Senior," Lumine took the cotton from Yu Jin, her eyelids twitching. Was Venti's poetry really that powerful?
"Bye-bye, good luck," Yu Jin waved at Lumine and then left.
"I won't be joining. With the Dragon Scourge completely eliminated, the Knights of Favonius have even more work. I need to hurry back and arrange everything."
While the Dragon Scourge's resolution was good news, the ensuing tasks were numerous. Informing various villages and towns, resuming external trade, clearing roads... Jean felt her head spin just thinking about it, wishing she could fly back to her office immediately and start working.
Jean looked in the direction Venti had departed, feeling a touch of regret. The Anemo God's song, alas, was not meant for her.
But she quickly cheered up. Fulfilling her duties and listening to the Anemo God's song—the former was more important in Jean's heart.
Anyway, Venti wouldn't be leaving Mondstadt anytime soon. She could always go to the tavern to listen when she had some free time.
"Don't look at me. That bard performs at my tavern the most. His songs are probably what I've heard the most."
Diluc felt Lumine's gaze and shook his head. As he said, Venti performed most often at various taverns, especially at Angel's Share.
Before knowing Venti's true identity, Diluc had seen Venti showcase his singing many times.
To be honest, his singing was mediocre, about the same as another bard at the tavern, Six-Fingered Jose.
"Alright, since that's the case, I'll go by myself then," Lumine saw that no one else intended to go, so she and Paimon walked towards Windrise.
As for Lanssangx and Dvalin? They had already flown away. It seemed Dvalin had said he learned to breathe fire and wanted to show Lanssangx.
"Lord Barbatos..."
"Let's go. As humans, it's best not to get involved in the affairs of the gods."
Diluc patted Jean's shoulder and turned to leave. His faith in the Anemo God was not as devout as Jean's, and he wasn't as interested in the stories between gods.
Jean nodded at his words and also left. Diluc was right; it was better not to meddle in the affairs of the gods... At Windrise, Venti was bathed in a faint green light, appearing sacred and serene.
"The wind among the trees is lovely; I like it very much," Venti said with a smile, turning around as he sensed Lumine's arrival.
"A very refreshing scent, it feels good," Lumine took a deep breath. The cool breeze seemed to carry away the impurities in her body, making her feel a sense of relief.
"So, the power you used earlier, that was from a Gnosis, wasn't it? Will you tell me what it is?" Lumine stared intently at Venti. Regarding the gods, regarding her brother, she couldn't afford to be careless.
"Oh, my, I didn't expect you to know about the Gnosis?" Venti looked surprised at her words. But after his surprise, he stroked his chin and said with a slight sigh:
"Hmm... this isn't really a topic for ordinary people, but since you know about it, telling you quietly wouldn't be out of line."
Venti lowered his hand from his chin, a rare serious expression on his face, and said, "You know about a Vision, right?"
Lumine nodded. Vision wielders were rare, but she had seen quite a few during her travels.
"Actually, every Vision wielder has the potential to become a god. Therefore, they are also called allogenes and have the qualification to ascend to Celestia."
After Venti finished speaking, he looked up at the floating island faintly visible in the clouds, lost in thought.
"allogene? I don't think we've heard that term before," Paimon looked at Lumine, speaking as if to confirm.
"Of course not. This is a secret only true gods know. As gods, we don't need such a basic organ as a Gnosis."
"A Gnosis is the magical organ of a god. At the same time, it resonates with Celestia," Venti said, touching the dull, colorless Gnosis at his waist, explaining further.
"Then your Gnosis..." Lumine looked at Venti's dim Gnosis at his waist, asking with some concern.
"Haha, it's alright. I won't be needing this anymore anyway." Lumine couldn't shake the feeling that Venti sounded relieved when he said that.
"However, there's one fellow who will probably still need it for a while," Venti seemed to think of someone, and a knowing smile appeared on his face.
"Who?" Paimon rubbed her hands, very curious. It was normal for Venti, who never did anything serious, not to use a Gnosis, because he didn't act like a god at all.
Paimon was very interested in these famous gods!
"It's the God of Geo, the deity of Mondstadt's neighboring nation. Unlike me, he personally governs the entire territory of Liyue."
"Every year, he makes a formal descent and bestows a divine oracle, guiding Liyue's direction. The time for this year is fast approaching."
"Lumine, you are seeking all of the Seven Archons. Your journey will be incredibly arduous. Liyue is one of the few nations where you can easily meet a god. If you miss it, you'll have to wait an entire year."
"Wow! Such important news, and you're only telling us now! Lumine, let's go quickly!" As soon as Paimon heard how urgent the timing was, she immediately pulled Lumine, wanting to set off on the spot.
Though she had no idea how to get to Liyue, of course.
"Wait! Outlander who caught the wind!" Venti immediately spoke up when he saw Lumine about to leave.
"Are you talking about me?" Lumine looked at Venti, the divine aura around him reaching its peak.
"Yes," Venti nodded, speaking as if giving a warning and a Contract employee (entrustment) at the same time:
"Traveler, when you embark on your journey, always remember the meaning of the journey."
"The birds, poems, and city-states of Teyvat, the monsters and the Fatui... and even the Seven Archons, are all part of your journey."
"Before you reach your destination, use your eyes to observe this world more!"
Venti's gaze was profound as he looked into Lumine's eyes, as if seeing the future.
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