The Jade Chamber in the Sky

Qiu Bai smiled at that. He did not think he acted all that mature. Perhaps being around Zhongli was what gave little Paimon that impression.

"I don't talk like that, little Paimon."

Qiu Bai smiled and patted Paimon's head.

"I told you, stop patting Paimon's head!"

Paimon escaped Qiu Bai's clutches, stamped her feet, and snapped at him angrily.

"Zhongli, I'll be heading off first."

"After all, I promised I'd visit the Jade Chamber in a little while."

Ignoring whether Paimon was still angry, he turned and spoke to Zhongli.

"The Jade Chamber? Do you mean that enormous building in the sky?"

Lumine asked in surprise.

The Jade Chamber here was much bigger than the one in the game, though not outrageously so-roughly four times its size.

"That's right. That is the Jade Chamber built by Ningguang, the Tianquan."

Zhongli spoke slowly.

"The Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing came to see us just now."

"She invited us up. I declined, but this old friend of mine wanted to take a look."

Zhongli smiled as he explained to Paimon and Lumine.

"Wow, Lady Tianquan herself invited you up!"

"Still, Paimon never expected Qiu Bai to get an invitation too."

Paimon pouted. She was still angry about Qiu Bai patting her head, so she was feeling particularly prejudiced against him.

"Hey, do I really look that unimpressive?"

Qiu Bai rubbed his nose, then continued.

"You'll get an invitation too eventually. I'll be off, then."

Qiu Bai headed toward the area beneath the Jade Chamber. Keqing had told him earlier.

He needed to find someone named Boyun and give him a password before he could go up.

"Take care, old friend."

Zhongli watched until Qiu Bai disappeared from sight, then turned back to Lumine and Paimon.

"In that case, let us prepare the materials needed for the Rite of Parting."

"Traveler, after experiencing a city whose god has departed, how do you feel about Liyue, a land with a god?"

Zhongli stood there, quietly awaiting Lumine's reply.

"Liyue really is better."

Lumine looked around Liyue. The sky was blue, and the surroundings were indescribably pleasant.

There were also the buildings and the way people dressed. Most importantly, the food was delicious!

"Indeed. With thirty-seven hundred years of history, this land with a god possesses the deepest historical roots among the Seven Nations."

A faint smile touched Zhongli's lips before fading. He looked at Lumine and spoke calmly.

"Preparing the Rite of Parting will also become part of your journey and broaden your horizons."

"Liyue is the most prosperous of the seven nations of this world. In years past, a god watched over it while the Liyue Qixing governed it, so many of the Fatui's diplomatic tactics could not be employed here."

"Ningguang, one of the Liyue Qixing, has always maintained a strict guard against the Fatui. Perhaps that is why Childe wishes to get things done through his connections with the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor."

With her hands behind her back, Paimon asked curiously, "Hmm, then how does helping us arrange the Rite of Parting benefit Childe?"

"I do not know, nor do I wish to know. As far as I am concerned, the Fatui merely provide financial assistance."

"I only hope that Liyue's traditions will not be forgotten."

Zhongli looked at Paimon and explained patiently.

"Wow, financial support!"

Paimon's eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhongli.

"Yes, this is the first installment of preparation funds Childe provided."

"If we run out, we can ask him for more."

As Zhongli spoke, he took a pouch of Mora from his clothes.

"All right, let us set off."

"The first step in preparing the ceremony is to obtain the finest Cor Lapis, of a quality befitting a god."

With that, Zhongli led Lumine and Paimon toward the Jade Mystery.

Meanwhile, inside the Jade Chamber.

Ningguang sat with her shapely legs crossed, reading the documents delivered by Keqing's informant. A faint smile played on her lips.

"I certainly didn't expect Mr. Qiu Bai of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to actually agree to visit the Jade Chamber."

"Perhaps this Mr. Qiu Bai is an adeptus."

Qiu Bai's sudden disappearance earlier had not particularly aroused Ningguang's suspicions.

But the information sent by Godwin, the proprietor of the Wangshu Inn, had left her uncertain.

Ningguang held her head, troubled. The Geo Archon had been assassinated, the Immortal Lord was missing, and she had no idea what stance the Adepti would take toward Liyue.

For now, she could only take things one step at a time. The pressure weighing on her suddenly felt as heavy as a mountain.

There were also the Fatui Harbingers to consider. Her intelligence indicated that three of them were in Liyue.

La Signora, Childe, and a third whose identity had yet to be uncovered.

But whatever they intended to do, even without a god, Liyue Harbor would not be so easily bullied.

"For now, I can only sound out Mr. Qiu Bai first."

Ningguang set down the documents, took a deep breath, and slowly walked out of the Jade Chamber to gaze at the bustling Liyue Harbor below.

It was noon now. The sun shone high above the Jade Chamber, whose shadow covered many areas at the foot of the mountain.

No matter when, the Jade Chamber will remain afloat above Liyue Harbor, bearing witness to the prosperity of the mortal world.

One day, I will make the Jade Chamber's shadow stretch across the Seven Nations.

Ningguang's gaze sharpened as the resolve settled firmly in her heart.

At that moment, Qiu Bai had just reached the man named Boyun.

"May I ask what you need?"

Boyun looked at the man before him and asked with some puzzlement.

Qiu Bai spoke slowly. "Hello, do you sell the moon here?"

At those words, Boyun smiled.

"So you're a friend of Lady Ningguang. Follow me."

With that, Boyun walked toward a Floating Ston nearby.

He smiled at Qiu Bai. "Please step aboard, sir."

Qiu Bai stepped onto it, and the Floating Ston rose into the air. A short while later, they reached the Jade Chamber suspended in the sky.

Qiu Bai looked around curiously, then spotted Ningguang standing near the edge of the Jade Chamber a short distance away.

As though sensing something, Ningguang turned to look at Qiu Bai.

Then she strode toward him on her shapely legs.

"Mr. Qiu Bai, it's been a while."

Ningguang walked up to Qiu Bai and greeted him with a smile.

"It has, Miss Ningguang."

Qiu Bai replied with a soft smile of his own.

"The wind is strong here, and it would be easy to catch a chill. Please come inside the Jade Chamber so we can talk."

Ningguang smiled at Qiu Bai. She had not looked closely at him last time, and his good looks truly took her by surprise.

Ningguang had met plenty of talented young men, but this Mr. Qiu Bai was something else.

Not only was he knowledgeable, but his bearing, appearance, and manners all put her at ease.

"Thank you, Miss Ningguang."

"After all, this is my first visit. It's like a palace."

Qiu Bai glanced around and could not help voicing his admiration. It was hard to imagine how much effort Ningguang had put into building such a palace in the sky.