That afternoon, at Liyue Harbor.
Jiang Yan crouched beside Ningguang's basket, carefully sorting through its contents.
"Not bad. Judging purely by value, this exceeds ten thousand Mora."
Ningguang's large, watery eyes sparkled.
"Really, Tianquan gege?"
"Of course."
She had cleverly taken advantage of the price difference between Guili Plains and Liyue Harbor—buying low and selling high. Most of the profit came from medicinal herbs, supplemented by ores she had gathered in the mountains.
For a child her age, this level of business instinct was astonishing.
"Congratulations," Jiang Yan smiled. "You've passed my test."
Ningguang jumped in delight.
Then Jiang Yan looked at her seriously.
"Ningguang, are you willing to become my disciple and study by my side?"
Under normal circumstances, no one would refuse such an offer.
The Tianquan's disciple.
That identity alone would allow one to walk proudly across Liyue—no, across all seven nations.
But Ningguang hesitated.
She wanted to agree immediately.
Yet the words caught in her throat.
"Although I really want to become your disciple…" she lowered her head, voice soft. "I'm afraid I don't have enough talent… I might embarrass you…"
Jiang Yan burst into laughter.
"You're afraid of shaming me?"
She nodded, cheeks puffed slightly in worry.
He rubbed her soft white hair vigorously.
"No one is born suited for anything."
"You have extraordinary talent. With diligence, there's nothing you can't handle."
"It's settled. From today onward, you are my first disciple!"
Truthfully, the test had only been symbolic. Regardless of the result, he would have taken her in.
After all—
This was Ningguang.
The successor he had chosen five hundred years ago.
And who could refuse such an adorable little apprentice?
She blushed like a ripe apple.
"…Master."
"Good."
He took her small hand.
"Come. I'll introduce you to some friends. You'll be learning from them too."
—
Later, at Chihu Rock.
A brown-robed young man sat calmly, sipping tea as a storyteller performed nearby.
"Yo, Zhongli. Drinking tea again?"
Jiang Yan sat down casually with Ningguang.
Zhongli raised his cup slightly.
"You caused quite the stir with the Millelith case. Shouldn't you be busy?"
"Even busy people visit old friends."
Zhongli's gaze shifted to Ningguang.
"And this is?"
"My disciple," Jiang Yan replied cheerfully. "Ningguang, greet your martial uncle."
"Hello, Martial Uncle~"
Zhongli's tea paused midair.
A rare flicker of surprise crossed his calm face.
"Your disciple?"
"Yes."
Zhongli examined Ningguang thoughtfully.
Then he extended a finger and lightly tapped her forehead.
A faint golden glow shimmered—
Before her, a Geo Vision materialized.
"I came in a hurry and brought nothing suitable," Zhongli said mildly. "Take this as a meeting gift."
Though Visions were not granted by his personal will, invoking the authority of the Geo Gnosis to produce one was well within his capability.
Jiang Yan laughed.
"Generous for once."
"I have always been generous."
He sipped his tea.
"To study commerce under Jiang Yan is fitting. If you encounter questions, you may seek me."
"With that promise, my disciple has struck gold."
Ningguang stared wide-eyed at the floating Geo Vision.
She didn't fully understand what it meant yet—
Only that it must be something extraordinary.
"Accept it," Jiang Yan said gently. "Your martial uncle's gifts are invaluable."
After chatting a while longer, Jiang Yan led her away.
—
On the street, Ningguang finally whispered,
"Master… who exactly is Martial Uncle?"
Jiang Yan smiled.
"He has a name everyone in Liyue knows."
"He is called…"
"Rex Lapis."
Ningguang froze in place.
Rex Lapis?
The Geo Archon?
The calm young man sipping tea and listening to stories—
Was the very god of Liyue?
Her small hand tightened around Jiang Yan's.
Her world had just grown far, far bigger.
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