Remembering that he still had his check-in system, Zhong Baiye immediately pushed all other thoughts aside and silently commanded it.
Begin check-in.
[Ding! Check-in successful.] [The host has obtained a Geo Vision and the Geo Traveler's Power.]
After hearing the system's response, Zhong Baiye immediately began checking his body.
But the Millelith had tied him up completely, so he could only glance over himself out of the corner of his eye.
A yellow Vision pendant suddenly appeared on his waistband, as though he had been wearing it all along.
None of the Millelith around him found anything strange about the Vision appearing out of thin air.
Zhong Baiye struggled hard and managed to touch the Vision pendant with his hand.
Suddenly, a massive stream of information flooded his mind.
He shook his head before slowly regaining his senses.
It turned out that the Vision was telling him how to use his power.
Recalling the knowledge of how to control Geo now in his mind, Zhong Baiye immediately wanted to try it out.
But he was tied up, and no matter how he tried to use his Vision, there was no response.
"Don't waste your energy. Those bindings were specially made to deal with enemies who possess Visions. Once you're tied up with them, even Lady Ningguang couldn't do anything."
The white-haired man leading the group offered Zhong Baiye that reminder.
Knowing he had no chance of escaping now, Zhong Baiye decided to wait and see where the Millelith were taking him.
Before long, the Millelith brought the tightly bound Zhong Baiye onto a massive stone platform suspended in midair.
Once everyone was on the platform, the secretary beside them placed both hands on the blue-green patterns on the stone.
With a flash of green light, the stone platform actually began rising slowly into the sky.
Zhong Baiye looked up and saw a huge pavilion floating overhead, like a city in the sky.
He immediately realized that this had to be the Jade Chamber from the game, and he couldn't help marveling at it.
Seeing the Jade Chamber in the game was impressive enough, but only seeing it with my own eyes lets me truly feel how it stands apart from the mortal world.
Just as Zhong Baiye was marveling at the magnificent Jade Chamber, the white-haired man leading the group suddenly patted his head.
"You're probably innocent, kid. Just explain everything properly to Lady Ningguang in a bit, and you'll be fine in no time."
Zhong Baiye still wasn't confident he could prove his innocence. Seeing that even the white-haired Millelith leader didn't suspect him, he was so touched that his vision blurred.
Rumble!
Before long, the massive stone carrying Zhong Baiye and the Millelith finally stopped at an opening in the Jade Chamber.
Zhong Baiye was soon escorted inside.
Standing before him were not only Ningguang, but also a girl dressed in purple with twin ponytails.
That must be Keqing, the beef offal chef. She's even cuter than in the game.
Though Zhong Baiye was still tightly bound, seeing Ningguang and Keqing in person sent his inner fan into an uncontrollable frenzy.
"Who are you, and why did you appear at the Rite of Descension?"
Ningguang questioned Zhong Baiye with a stern expression.
"I'm Zhong Baiye, a traveler. I accidentally fell into a pit earlier, and when I woke up, I was there."
Sensing the grave atmosphere around him, Zhong Baiye immediately delivered the story he had prepared.
In Teyvat, travelers were people who came from other worlds. Lumine from the game was one such traveler.
Although Zhong Baiye had crossed over from the real world, he was indeed a traveler in essence.
After Zhong Baiye finished explaining his origins, the surroundings fell as silent as a black hole. No one made another sound.
Ningguang lowered her head as well, considering whether Zhong Baiye was telling the truth.
Just then, the girl with twin ponytails suddenly looked furious.
"I think he's lying! He must have something to do with what happened to Rex Lapis!"
Now seated, Ningguang raised her slender, delicate hand and waved her manicured fingers at Keqing.
"Keqing, calm down."
Then Ningguang addressed Zhong Baiye with a stern expression.
"Don't think you can deceive me. I am Ningguang, the Tianquan. I can tell whether every word you say is true or false."
Hearing this, Zhong Baiye's heart sank.
That was right. In the original game, Ningguang had been making her way in Liyue Harbor since childhood.
Even in Liyue, where everyone did business, she was one of the foremost merchants.
The Kaiyang, one of the Liyue Qixing of Liyue Harbor, had even remarked, "Ningguang, who knows every secret in Liyue Harbor, is herself Liyue's greatest secret."
That alone showed how far Ningguang's insight and intellect surpassed those of ordinary people.
How could Zhong Baiye possibly fool her?
Left with no choice, he could only tell Ningguang the truth.
"I really am a traveler. I crossed over from a world called Blue Star. I had absolutely nothing to do with Rex Lapis's murder!"
This time, Ningguang judged that Zhong Baiye was telling the truth, and the stern expression vanished from her face.
"Zhong Baiye, correct? I know that you truly had nothing to do with Rex Lapis's murder. But I have no evidence. Here in Liyue, you must produce evidence to prove your innocence. Otherwise, even I cannot release you."
Zhong Baiye was just an unfortunate college student who had only just crossed over. Even his phone was gone. Where was he supposed to find any evidence?
Just as he was racking his brains for a way to clear his name, he suddenly noticed the Vision at his waist.
Wait, I still have a Geo Vision. The game never explained the exact relationship between Visions and gods, but it's worth a try.
He immediately said to Ningguang and Keqing, "I have a Geo Vision. I've received Rex Lapis's recognition. There's no way I would do anything to murder him."
Once Zhong Baiye said this, he saw the tense atmosphere around him vanish.
Seated at the head of the room, Ningguang crossed one long leg over the other and gave him a captivating smile.
"Young man, this Vision can indeed prove that you have received Rex Lapis's recognition, but..."
Just as Ningguang was about to finish, Keqing, standing beside her, continued with an apologetic expression.
"But only people who possess Visions understand that. Ordinary people don't know these things. You'll still have to find another way to prove your innocence."
After saying this, Keqing bent at the waist and bowed to Zhong Baiye.
"I'm truly sorry for treating you that way earlier! I'll untie you right away."
Knowing that he was finally safe now, Zhong Baiye let out a long breath and flexed his hands, which had been bound for so long.
"There's no need for that, Lady Keqing. There was reason to suspect me when I appeared there. I was at fault too."
Seeing Zhong Baiye's easygoing manner, Keqing couldn't help developing a slightly favorable impression of him.
If Zhong Baiye had an affection system, he would definitely have seen an "Affection +1" indicator popping up above Keqing's head right then.
Before you continue