On the Rich Lady Raising System's panel, his intimacy and trust levels with Ningguang were generally hidden, except under certain special circumstances.
It was like pursuing someone romantically: no progress bar appeared above their head to tell you how things were going.
Perhaps the person you loved would accept you in the very next moment.
Or perhaps, even after a long courtship, they would still reject you...
But either outcome was an authentic expression of the emotion called "love."
Naturally, Lin Yi had no idea exactly how far his relationship with Ningguang had progressed.
He had not begun courting Ningguang just to complete the system's tasks.
He had done it because of his genuine feelings.
Of course, directing those feelings toward someone could put unfamiliar and overwhelming pressure on them.
"Love may not happen overnight, but when it truly stands the test of time, the two people who spend their lives together will find it as fresh as ever when they look back."
Although Lin Yi looked forward to that, he understood that he could not rush things. For now, a hug might be the most she could accept. If he kept pushing, it could easily backfire.
He browsed the other pages. Most systems offered a vast, orderly array of tasks.
But what Lin Yi really liked was that his system primarily served a supporting role.
It did not interfere excessively with his choices or progress, only offering a few prompts when he unlocked certain milestones.
In a world centered on exploration and adventure, if a powerful system imposed restrictive tasks and forced him down a particular path, he would rather do without it.
After checking that their surroundings were safe once more, Lin Yi still felt a little uneasy. He ordered Keqing to remain alert at all times and report even the slightest sign of trouble immediately.
Keqing was somewhat reluctant, but Ningguang had ordered her to obey him unconditionally, so she could only nod in agreement.
"Since this is an assignment, I'll naturally do everything I can to complete it. I only hope the Geo Archon won't make me do anything too unreasonable."
Even though Lin Yi had made sensible, distinctive adjustments to policies concerning people's livelihoods, childbirth, and development, earning the public's approval and admiration.
Keqing still could not quite bring herself to trust his character completely.
Very few people knew that Morax had faked his death to retire.
Naturally, she had continued to suspect that Lin Yi might have plotted Morax's murder.
Lin Yi had not offered much explanation. People said time would prove everything, and he looked forward to seeing how Keqing's opinion of him would change.
Now that the security issue had been settled as well.
Lin Yi felt a little more at ease and brought up the system's draw panel.
The panel did not have the familiar standard and rate-up banners. It did not even separate characters from weapons.
There was only a gray-white text box with a large question mark on it.
It seemed to signify a mixed bag.
Lin Yi was in no hurry to use the three draws he currently had.
"My guess is that this draw might leave out characters and weapons altogether. Instead, it might offer materials and items that improve my intimacy with Ningguang, help with infrastructure, and so on."
Of course, since it was a draw, the rewards would vary in quality and rank.
With luck like Lin Yi's-getting Keqing on a fifty-fifty pity and somehow getting Diluc even on a guaranteed pity-he could only hope that these three rewards would be useful in his current situation.
Host possesses three Intertwined Fates. Would you like to draw?
"Draw!"
Ding!
The familiar animation played on the panel as the Intertwined Fates turned into balls of light and shot upward.
At that moment, Lin Yi's mental energy was entirely focused within his mind, briefly cutting off his senses from the outside world.
What he did not know was that, the instant he confirmed the draw.
A dazzling glow enveloped his carriage.
Everyone in the caravan, along with Keqing and Xiangling, stared at the bizarre sight in shock.
The glow was primarily gray-white. The other discernible colors were blue, purple, and orange, seemingly representing three tiers of reward items.
None of them had ever seen anything like it. The strange energy within it did not even belong to any of the elements.
Standing beside Keqing, the caravan owner watched the unusual phenomenon and spoke in wonder and concern.
"Will Lord Lin Yi be all right? Those lights don't seem ordinary at all, yet somehow they make me feel strangely expectant..."
Keqing said nothing, but her concern grew steadily stronger. If something happened to Lin Yi, Lady Ningguang would not be the only one troubled. Liyue would also plunge into fresh unrest if its New God came to harm.
After weighing the risks, she decided to go inside and check on him to ensure his safety.
"Everyone, keep watch over the surroundings! Be ready for anything unexpected, and don't give anyone an opening!"
Keqing quickly organized the Millelith soldiers escorting the caravan into a defensive formation. As Liyue's Yuheng, her leadership and coordination skills were beyond question.
She had turned the area into a veritable fortress.
Coupled with the Millelith's exceptional combat discipline, even an attacking mob of a hundred level-20 Hilichurls would have struggled to break through their defenses.
Once the preparations outside were complete, Keqing wasted no more time.
She cautiously stepped into the area enveloped by the dazzling glow.
A strange sensation immediately swept through her body and mind, as though some mysterious voice were calling her, trying to summon her.
"Keqing, be careful!"
Only Xiangling's call from beyond the glow brought Keqing back to her senses.
Cold sweat broke out over her skin. That sensation had left her startled and wary.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
Just as Keqing tried to take another step forward, a powerful force abruptly descended and blocked her.
Like a shackle, it prevented her from getting any closer to Lin Yi.
The center of the dazzling glow was inside the carriage.
On the system panel in Lin Yi's mind, the familiar animation played: the intertwined light rose into the sky, then coalesced as the rewards descended.
He had no idea that this very scene was unfolding around him, witnessed by Keqing, Xiangling, and the others.
When the rewards had fully descended, the glow outside also underwent a distinct change.
The radiant light gathered into a pillar that shot into the sky. The instant it touched the heavens, the winds and clouds shifted dramatically.
The pillar of light became the center of a world drained of color.
Atop Mondstadt's clock tower, Diluc had just put away his Delusion when he noticed an unusual energy arising where the distant sky met the earth.
In Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun, Ei, sensed a fluctuation as she casually killed a monster and looked toward Liyue.
Even Sumeru, and even Snezhnaya...
Boom!
With a thunderous crash, the gray glow abruptly transformed into a brilliant golden radiance.
In the next instant, the light contracted and condensed. Teyvat's skies and earth fell still again, leaving only a lingering energy field on the ground where the caravan stood.
"No, this is far too dangerous! The Geo Archon hasn't gained formidable strength yet. Something could happen to him!"
Just as everyone was fretting, a voice came from inside.
Before you continue