"How does it feel?"
Hearing Luo Li's question, Rosalyne had already forgotten the strange taste from earlier, her expression filled with delight.
She raised her hand and felt the flames rising from her palm. The sensation was extraordinarily wonderful.
"I feel great. Even better than when I first awakened as the Witch."
The cold and elegant woman shaped the flames into several lotus flowers. Even the petals looked vivid and lifelike.
This level of control was something that someone who had just eaten a Devil Fruit could never achieve.
Luo Li couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
As expected of the Witch of Flame.
Her talent was absolutely no less than Lisa, who was said to be once-in-two-hundred-years.
"Even if I were to lose the divine authority's ice power right now, I would never again be harmed by flames."
After adding that, Rosalyne contentedly withdrew the fire, then主动踮起脚尖向洛离献上欢喜的谢吻 — she stood on her toes and offered Luo Li a joyful kiss in thanks.
Though it left him wanting more, this clearly wasn't the right moment to repay her affection, so Luo Li suppressed the restlessness in his heart.
"That's good."
...
Several days later—
With the Rite of Parting concluded perfectly and no further complications, the people of Liyue, who had been living in constant anxiety, finally returned to calm.
The passing of the Geo Archon seemed as though it had changed nothing—yet at the same time, everything had changed.
The Liyue Qixing were busier than ever, barely having time to rest.
Keqing, for example, had only now realized how deeply she had misunderstood the Geo Archon.
After truly taking over Liyue's affairs, she finally understood how arduous the Archon's millennia-long labor had been. Difficult problems arose one after another, with no end in sight.
Her past self had been far too naïve, thinking she could stand on equal footing with a god.
Because many issues had no immediate answers or solutions, she had no choice but to temporarily seek Luo Li's wisdom.
Just like now.
At Yuehai Pavilion—
"Ah! I can't take it anymore! How did the Geo Archon manage all of this before?!"
Looking at Keqing sprawled over a desk piled high with documents, Luo Li took the tea Ganyu had prepared, leisurely took a sip, and only after savoring the fragrance did he slowly speak:
"These are just small matters. Once you get used to them, you won't find them difficult."
Everyone grows through this stage.
When he and Morax first tried governing a nation, it also took time before they became truly adept.
Wisdom and experience were rarely innate; they were accumulated through trials—both good and bad.
Keqing, her twin ponytails tied neatly, puffed her cheeks slightly, clearly dissatisfied with his "sitting-and-talking-without-back-pain" attitude.
After all, she was now one of the seven people at the top of an entire nation. One wrong decision could affect countless citizens.
With no one left to correct her mistakes, every decision required repeated deliberation. She dared not relax in the slightest.
"Easy for you to say," she muttered.
She only ever showed such girlish behavior in front of him.
Despite her complaints, her hands never stopped as she continued processing the submitted documents.
Luo Li nodded slightly. Under his deliberate guidance, her speed steadily increased, and her way of thinking unconsciously began to resemble his own.
Having managed three nations—ancient Mondstadt, Guili Assembly, and Inazuma—handling such matters was effortless for him.
"By the way, Mr. Luo Li, I've recently discovered a talented individual," Keqing suddenly said while reading a document.
"Oh? Who?"
"That gentleman from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He's extremely knowledgeable and admirable. However, his thinking style is too similar to the Geo Archon's. If he were more decisive and independent, recruiting him to work by my side would be a tremendous help."
Ganyu nodded in agreement. "I think he resembles the Geo Archon in some ways as well."
Hearing that, Luo Li almost laughed out loud.
Of course he does—it's the same person.
Suppressing his thoughts, he finished handling the final document related to the nation's future and casually tossed it to Keqing.
"Alright, my teaching over the past few days ends here. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't be helping you anymore."
Keqing hurriedly caught it and skimmed through the contents.
She couldn't find a single flaw or hidden danger. It was flawless.
What's more, he had completed it in less than a quarter-hour—half of that time spent drinking tea.
The realization left her feeling utterly powerless.
After a long pause, Keqing took a deep breath and solemnly said to Luo Li, for whom she had long harbored feelings of admiration:
"Thank you very much for your guidance. I will remember this kindness forever."
The light shining in her eyes was far too familiar.
Luo Li felt speechless. Sometimes he hadn't even tried to raise affection levels, yet they kept increasing anyway.
This wasn't just respect for an elder or a wise man—it was something else entirely.
He waved his hand, signaling her not to dwell on it, then turned to Ganyu.
"Where has Shenhe been these past couple of days?"
As her fellow disciple, Ganyu found Shenhe rather difficult to approach—cold and a little fierce. She had even considered recommending work for her, thinking she might simply be too idle.
Hearing her teacher ask, she replied immediately:
"Um… probably buying medicinal herbs at Bubu Pharmacy?"
She wasn't entirely sure, but based on Shenhe's routine, it was easy to track. Aside from cultivation and meditation, her life followed a strict routine.
At this hour, she was either buying medicine, eating, or meditating.
"Alright, let's go find her."
With the affairs at Yuehai Pavilion settled and his task of guiding the Qixing—entrusted by Zhongli—complete, Luo Li was free to step down.
After bidding Keqing farewell, he and Ganyu headed toward Bubu Pharmacy.
Located below Yuehai Pavilion, the pharmacy overlooked a lotus pond.
Many visitors passed by, and couples often stopped there to admire the flowers.
Crossing the clear pool and ascending the steps toward the pharmacy, they soon arrived inside, where sandalwood incense drifted softly through the air.
As expected, Shenhe was there.
But she wasn't alone.
Inside, Beidou and Lumine were speaking with Baizhu, the owner of Bubu Pharmacy, while Shenhe stood alone to the side, chewing medicinal herbs with plain water.
"A-He, how many times have I told you not to come here just to buy medicinal herbs to eat?"
Luo Li was truly exasperated. It seemed Cloud Retainer had completely brainwashed her.
Who eats medicine like a meal?
Even when corrected, she would unconsciously return to buying herbs.
The moment Shenhe saw Luo Li, she panicked and hurriedly hid the herbs behind her back—
But the roots still clinging to the corner of her mouth exposed her completely.
This contrast between her cold, intimidating exterior and her clumsy behavior was honestly adorable.