Arrangements and the Main Quest

There were three of them. Gasps rose from the crowd, drawing every player's attention as they curiously looked up at the sky.

Three figures descended from the distant crown of the World Tree. At first, they were merely three blurry silhouettes, but before anyone could even blink, they drew closer and closer.

It was like the legendary feat of crossing vast distances in a single step.

Walking through the sky, they seemed to tread upon invisible steps as they slowly approached the players.

The one walking at the front—the obvious center of attention—was the Goddess of Life, the True Goddess of Creation and Civilization, Cheng Jue of the World Tree.

Although this was the second time the players had seen Cheng Jue of the World Tree, a sense of reassurance still welled up within them. Cheng Jue felt like the elder they respected most, and they unconsciously showed their most well-behaved sides.

For a moment, the plaza became exceptionally quiet.

Like children before a respected elder, the players did not dare meet her gaze and all looked elsewhere.

The other two accompanying the goddess then drew the players' attention.

Standing to the left of the Goddess of Life, Cheng Jue of the World Tree, was a tall blonde female elf clad in golden armor, with a longsword at her waist.

She shone like a queen, yet she was willing to stand behind the Goddess of Life, Cheng Jue of the World Tree, concealing her own imposing presence and voluntarily yielding the foremost position to her.

Standing to the right of the Goddess of Life, Cheng Jue of the World Tree, was a white-haired elf no less striking than the other. She had golden eyes that seemed capable of seeing into people's hearts and wore a white gown adorned with golden decorations and black patterns, lending her an even greater air of nobility.

If the one on the left was a queen, then the one on the right resembled a deity from legend, overlooking the world from above.

The fox woman Jiu Yue and Katheryne from the Adventurers' Association stopped ten meters away and bowed.

"Greetings, great Goddess of Life, True Goddess of Creation and Civilization, Cheng Jue of the World Tree."

"Greetings, Elven Queen Hongmeng. Greetings, God of Heavenly Principles, Xiao Yi."

Seeing Jiu Yue and Katheryne bow, Ali, Young Mistress, Qi Lin, and 'Dun Qu Qi Yi' followed their example and bowed as well.

Outside, beyond the air wall, the other players were still wondering whether they should bow too when they discovered that they could not speak.

For a while, the game's world channel was extremely lively.

[Holy shit, I can't talk.]

[This is probably a cutscene.]

[I wonder if there's a main quest.]

[We're so far away. I really want to stand closer to the goddesses.]

[Listen up, I'm an archer. At level five, I can learn a support skill called Far Sight. Even from far away, I can see clearly. Once I activate Far Sight, it's like I'm standing right beside the goddesses.]

[Holy shit, thanks for the reminder, bro above. It's so clear—I can see the long legs of the two beautiful elf ladies beside the goddess perfectly.]

[I'm a mage, and my Mage's Eye is blocked by the air wall. Officially jealous of archers.]

Standing beside Cheng Jue in the distance, Hongmeng's face twitched as she watched the Travelers' ridiculous bowing poses. Holding back her laughter, she could only turn her gaze toward 'Dun Qu Qi Yi'.

'Dun Qu Qi Yi's' proper, convincing bow finally suppressed Hongmeng's urge to laugh.

Cheng Jue was not surprised by this and simply shifted her gaze, landing first on Jiu Yue and Katheryne.

Suddenly, Cheng Jue sensed several gazes sweeping over Hongmeng and Xiao Yi beside her. Those gazes were utterly unscrupulous.

Glancing at the game's world channel, Cheng Jue found, as expected, that a huge crowd of players was already discussing whether Hongmeng's legs or Xiao Yi's legs were longer.

Well, well. You think Hongmeng and Xiao Yi are for you to stare at? Take this—my Mosaic Technique.

She glanced at the game's world channel again. Sure enough, a pack of animals had already begun howling miserably.

[Holy shit, what's going on? Why is there mosaic censorship?]

[I got mosaicked too. It covered the long legs of the two beautiful elf ladies beside the goddess.]

[Did the officials censor it?]

[Official: We can't pass review without censorship. Doge emoji for survival, cpj.]

Cheng Jue nodded in satisfaction, withdrew her gaze, and looked at Jiu Yue. Feigning surprise, she said, "I didn't expect Mondstadt to arrange for a Liyue merchant to come here. Of course, Cheng Jue already knew exactly who had come to the Travelers' camp. Asking this was merely a reminder to the players of everyone's respective duties."

Hearing the question from Cheng Jue of the World Tree, Jiu Yue felt somewhat indignant despite having rehearsed their lines on the way there.

She let out a spoiled little huff. "Mother Goddess, why can't I come? The goods in my carriage include not only Mondstadt specialties, but Liyue specialties as well."

"Besides, Mother Goddess, don't underestimate me. Lord Zhongli and Lord Venti both approved of me coming here."

Looking at the little fox before her, who was practically bristling, Cheng Jue smiled and soothed her. "All right, all right. Then I'll be counting on little Jiu Yue to handle the Travelers' gains from now on."

As she spoke, she stroked Jiu Yue's little head. Seeing Mother Goddess touch her, Jiu Yue closed her eyes in enjoyment, and two snow-white fox ears emerged from her silky white hair.

Feeling comfortable, Jiu Yue even rubbed her head against Cheng Jue's hand.

Seeing this, Cheng Jue shook her head helplessly. She truly was a little fox with too little experience.

Cheng Jue turned her gaze toward Katheryne at the side once more and gave her a slight nod.

"Katheryne, I'll have to trouble you to take good care of the Travelers from now on."

"N-No... problem." Seeing Mother Goddess treat the matter so seriously, Katheryne became so excited that she covered her face.

Ali could clearly see great clouds of steam rising from Katheryne's head, like a boiling kettle—like some kind of machine.

Ali shook her head at the thought. How could that be possible? How could Miss Katheryne be a machine? Perhaps it was just an exaggerated effect created by the game company.

"Katheryne, where are the others?" Cheng Jue asked in feigned confusion. In truth, if she wanted to know who was coming, she did not need to ask at all. She could easily ask Xiao Yi or deduce it herself.

The only reason she asked was for the players to hear.

Upon hearing Mother Goddess's question, Katheryne immediately replied, "The others are behind us. Jiu Yue and I arrived first."

"Is that so?" Cheng Jue nodded, then turned to the people standing beside Jiu Yue and Katheryne.

"Travelers, we meet again."

"After living in this world for the past few days, what do you think of it?"

Following Cheng Jue of the World Tree's question, a system notification appeared before Ali and the other three.

[Main quest triggered]

[Please elect one player to communicate with the Goddess of Life, Cheng Jue of the World Tree.]