"See what I'm holding in my hand? Show some respect, or I'll beat you into poultry meat."
Stelle looked at Mountain Shaper's sudden change in attitude and spoke in an extremely arrogant tone.
[Petty person gaining power.jpg]
[I still prefer the unruly and arrogant version of Mountain Shaper from earlier.]
[Before seeing the military tally: But you two are equally extremely rude; After seeing the military tally: I didn't say anything just now.]
"Alright, next we continue the adeptus-visiting journey."
Stelle put away her arrogant expression and happily followed the quest marker to the next location.
Normally, with Stelle's free-spirited personality, she would usually call her roommate March 7th to handle this kind of plot that required running around everywhere.
But the situation was different now.
The subtle sense of satisfaction from having these adepti—who were high and mighty in the eyes of Liyue's citizens—act respectful and obedient in front of her was truly hard to refuse.
Although it was because of the military tally, Stelle just loved the feeling of throwing her weight around.
So now Stelle could hardly wait to meet the next victim… The Mighty and Illuminated Adepti.
[Is this the feeling of a novel's great villain suppressing others with their background?]
[I suddenly understand how a villain's arrogant personality is cultivated. If it were me, I'd be arrogant too.]
[Unfortunately, there are only three adepti to find.]
[Hm? Something feels off. That Adeptus deer didn't only tell us to find two adepti, but now there are only two quest markers?]
Seeing the bottom barrage, Stelle finally realized the issue. She pondered and said: "Maybe it will appear in the next quest stage?"
Of course, speculation was just speculation. For now, she still had to continue the main storyline. Relying on Venti to climb mountains and cross ridges all the way, Stelle quickly arrived at the quest marker's destination—Mt. Aocang.
The quest prompt said to find Cloud Retainer's abode, so Stelle once again displayed her treasure-hunting specialty.
Soon, Stelle found the entrance to a cave abode, a stone table used for dining, and three recipe books.
At this moment, the cutscene triggered.
"The only clue we have right now seems to be this stone table. There are tableware and a wine pot on it. But there are fallen leaves, so it looks like no one has taken care of it for quite some time."
"There are words carved on the chairs beside it. Let me see. This seat belongs to Cloud, this seat belongs to Guizhong, this seat is reserved for the Geo Archon, and this seat belongs to the Sky Phoenix."
Paimon read out all the information on the stone table one by one.
Lumine analyzed: "The Geo Archon should refer to Rex Lapis. As for Sky Phoenix, it's most likely Jun Bai. Guizhong—I think that's the adeptus we met in Guili Assembly."
"Then the last one, Cloud, must be the Cloud Retainer we're looking for right now." Paimon continued.
"This stone table seems to be the place where Cloud Retainer and the other adepti gather for meals." Lumine said, suddenly understanding.
"It looks like even adepti really like delicious food."
Paimon felt she had found a kindred spirit.
Lumine, however, looked as if it was only natural and said: "Wasn't this something we should have known from the very beginning? Have you forgotten the banquet at Fengdeng Lou?"
"Now that you mention it, that's true." Paimon laughed.
"In that case, I feel like we can make some food that adepti like to attract the attention of Cloud Retainer inside the cave abode." Paimon suggested an idea.
At this time, two dialogue options appeared in front of the player.
(Make the delicacies listed in the recipes and offer them to the adeptus)
(Take out the military tally and make the adeptus appear)
"I still have to offer delicacies to it? Giving it too much face!" Stelle shouted loudly, then firmly clicked the option below.
[Stelle's gaze is as determined as if she's about to join the Party.]
[Joking aside, with Brother Bai backing us, do we still need to give the adeptus face? The adeptus should be the one giving us face!]
[To put it practically: something that can be solved by taking out the military tally, and you still want me to cook?]
Lumine shook her head at Paimon and said: "No need. I have a better idea."
As she spoke, Lumine took out the military tally and infused it with elemental energy.
The phoenix silhouette that had intimidated the Millelith emerged. The aura of the Nirvana God suddenly appeared on Mt. Aocang.
"The Sky Phoenix's military tally?"
A surprised and uncertain female voice rang out. A blue-and-white Adeptus crane flew out from the depths of Mt. Aocang and landed in front of Lumine and Paimon.
"Coming to find this Adeptus while holding the Sky Phoenix's military tally—clearly there is important news to convey. This Adeptus is Cloud Retainer. What is your business? Report it at once."
Cloud Retainer said in a calm tone.
Holding the military tally, Lumine relayed to Cloud Retainer the same words she had told Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper.
"The Geo Archon… The Geo Archon has been assassinated!?"
"So absurd, hard to believe. No… this Adeptus shall first go suppress Liyue Harbor, then wait for all the adepti to gather—"
Even Cloud Retainer, whose temperament was among the best among the adepti, still felt shock upon hearing this news. After the shock came an explosion of rage.
Her wings flapped, stirring up gusts of violent wind on the peak of Mt. Aocang. She looked as if she had lost control of her emotions.
"Huh?"
Paimon had not yet reacted and was almost blown away by the strong wind. Fortunately, Lumine promptly grabbed the hem of her clothes.
"Wait—" Lumine wanted Cloud Retainer to calm down first. However, with only part of her strength recovered, she could not move an inch under the pressure of an adeptus's aura.
Her voice of explanation was swallowed by the gale. The two could only watch helplessly as Cloud Retainer raged.
At this moment, the military tally in Lumine's hand erupted with a surge of aura. The phoenix silhouette appeared on its own and shielded the two of them beneath its wings.
"Calm down, Cloud Retainer."
A youthful-sounding voice rang out.
Following the voice, Jun Bai, with a calm expression, walked onto Mt. Aocang with steady steps.
Behind him was the uneasy Guizhong, who was fidgeting with a strand of her hair, along with a dark-green-haired young man whom neither Lumine, Paimon, nor the players recognized.
The moment Jun Bai's voice fell, the previously furious Cloud Retainer instantly calmed her anger.
"Lumine, Paimon, you've worked hard. I've already notified the people in Guili Assembly, so there's no need for you to make a special trip there."
Jun Bai smiled kindly at Lumine.
"Jun Bai?" Lumine was a little surprised to see Jun Bai here. "You already know about the Geo Archon?"
"On the way here I ran into Moon Carver and learned the full story from it." Jun Bai explained. "Then I went to Guili Assembly and told the other adepti about this matter."
"Sky Phoenix, are you saying the Geo Archon has truly met with misfortune?"
Cloud Retainer asked with her head lowered.
Jun Bai shook his head and said: "It's hard to say."
"Morax… should still be alive." Guizhong suddenly said. "With Morax's strength, if He had truly fallen, the rampaging authority alone would have at least destroyed all of Liyue Harbor. In a more serious case, it's not impossible for half of Liyue to be razed to the ground."
The dark-green-haired young man stepped forward and said: "But Lady Guizhong, the fact that the Geo Archon's aura has disappeared is also true."
"Moreover, when I fell back then, my authority did not go berserk either." Jun Bai added.
"You're different. You're an exception. Besides, can what happened to you really be considered 'falling'?" Guizhong retorted.
"Then can you be sure that Morax is not another exception?" Jun Bai countered. "No one can confirm that Morax's authority will definitely go berserk after his death, right?"
"So, we cannot be certain about Morax's current state either. To be specific, we will only know for sure after seeing the divine remains of the Prime of the Adepti that appeared on Yujing Terrace."