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 had drawn closer and closer.
It was like the legendary distance of a finger's breadth, yet the ends of the earth apart.
Walking through the sky, they seemed to step upon invisible stairs as they slowly arrived before the players.
The one walking at the front—the obvious center of attention—was the Goddess of Life, the Orthodox God of Creation and the State, Cheng Jue of the World Tree.
Although this was the players' second time seeing Cheng Jue of the World Tree, a sense of reassurance still rose in their hearts. It was as though Cheng Jue were the elder they respected most, making them instinctively reveal their most well-behaved sides.
For a moment, the plaza became exceptionally quiet.
Like children who had encountered a respected elder, the players did not dare meet her gaze and all looked elsewhere.
The other two following 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 female Elf with golden hair, clad in golden battle armor and carrying 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 aura and voluntarily giving Cheng Jue the foremost position.
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 a pair of golden eyes that seemed capable of seeing into one's heart. Her white gown was adorned with golden ornaments 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 was more like a god who gazed down upon the world from legend.
Jiu Yue, the fox girl, and Katheryne from the Adventurers' Association stopped ten meters away and bowed.
"Greetings, great Goddess of Life, Orthodox God of Creation and the State, Cheng Jue of the World Tree."
"Greetings, Elf 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' copied them and bowed as well.
Outside the air wall, when the other players were still considering whether to bow like them, they discovered that they could not speak at all.
For a time, the game system's world channel became extraordinarily lively.
[Damn, I can't speak!] [This is probably a cinematic scene.] [I wonder whether there's a main quest.] [We're a bit too far away. I really want to stand closer to the goddesses.] [Let me tell everyone, 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.] [Damn, thanks for the reminder, brother above. It's so clear! I can see the long legs of those two beautiful Elf ladies beside the goddess perfectly.] [I'm a mage, but Mage's Eye is blocked by the air wall. I officially envy archers.]
Hongmeng, standing beside Cheng Jue in the distance, watched the Traveler's comical way of bowing. Her face twitched, and she held back her laughter, turning her gaze toward 'Dun Qu Qi Yi' instead.
'Dun Qu Qi Yi's' proper, convincing bow finally suppressed Hongmeng's urge to laugh.
Cheng Jue was not surprised by this scene. She shifted her gaze away and let it fall first upon Jiu Yue and Katheryne.
Suddenly, Cheng Jue sensed several gazes sweeping over Hongmeng and Xiao Yi beside her. Those gazes were utterly unrestrained.
Cheng Jue glanced at the game system's world channel. Sure enough, a whole crowd of players was already discussing whether Hongmeng's legs were longer or Xiao Yi's.
Well, well. Are Hongmeng and Xiao Yi really something you lot can stare at? Take this—my Mosaic Technique.
When she glanced at the game system's world channel again, sure enough, a pack of beasts had already begun wailing like ghosts and howling like wolves.
[Damn, what's going on? Why is there mosaic censorship?] [I got mosaics too! They covered up the long legs of the two beautiful Elf ladies beside the goddess.] [Could this be censorship added by the officials?] [Official: We can't pass review without censoring it. Doge face for protection, cpj.]
Cheng Jue nodded in satisfaction, withdrew her gaze, and looked at Jiu Yue. Pretending to be surprised, she said, "I didn't expect Mondstadt to arrange for a Liyue merchant to come here."
Of course, Cheng Jue already knew who had come to Traveler Camp.
This question was merely a reminder to the players of each person's duties.
When Jiu Yue heard Cheng Jue's question, she had already rehearsed the lines on the road, but upon hearing it, she still felt a little unconvinced.
She gave an adorably indignant 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, Jiu Yue. I came here with Lord Zhongli's and Lord Venti's permission."
Seeing the little fox before her practically bristling, Cheng Jue smiled and soothed her. "All right, all right. Then the Travelers' gains will be in your hands from now on, little Jiu Yue."
As she spoke, she stroked Jiu Yue's little head. When Jiu Yue saw that Mother Goddess was petting her, she closed her eyes in enjoyment. Two snow-white fox ears poked out from her silky white hair.
Feeling comfortable, Jiu Yue even rubbed her head against Cheng Jue's hand.
Seeing this, Cheng Jue helplessly shook her head. She truly was just a little fox; she had experienced far too little.
Cheng Jue turned her gaze toward Katheryne beside them again, nodded slightly, and said to her,
"Katheryne, the Travelers will need you to take great care of them from now on."
"N-no... no problem." Seeing Mother Goddess being so solemn, Katheryne became so excited that she covered her face.
Beside her, Ali could clearly see large amounts of steam rising from Katheryne's head, like a boiling kettle, like some sort of machine.
Ali shook her head at the thought. How could that be possible? How could Miss Katheryne be a machine? It must have been an exaggerated effect created by the game company.
"Katheryne, where are the others besides you?" Cheng Jue asked with feigned confusion. In truth, Cheng Jue did not need to ask at all to know who was coming. If she wanted to know, she could simply ask Xiao Yi or make a deduction herself—it would be effortless.
The reason she asked was merely so the players could hear it.
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 prompt appeared before Ali and the other four.
[Main quest triggered] [Please elect one player to communicate with the Goddess of Life, Cheng Jue of the World Tree.]
Before you continue