Wangshu Inn.
Watching the retreating figures of Ye Xi and his group, Xiao activated a sound-transmitting talisman.
"Xiao, what is the matter?"
After completely ridding himself of the suffering of [Karma], Xiao couldn't wait to share this news with the Lord of Geo.
He recounted the events that had just transpired.
"...He actually eliminated the Karma for you?"
Hearing Xiao's account, Zhongli was also extremely surprised.
However, upon careful reflection, for someone who could even harness Abyss Power, what was mere Karma?
"This is excellent."
"Recently, the effects of the [Union Heart-Calming Powder] have been diminishing. Without the Anemo Archon's assistance, I fear your days would have been numbered."
"Now that you have been liberated from the bitter sea of Karma, it is entirely due to the merit of our young friend Ye Xi."
"Pay close attention to him. Do not let him come to any harm. If you are plagued by Karma in the future, we may need to trouble our young friend again."
This matter had always been a thorny problem in Zhongli's heart.
Xiao had sacrificed too much for Liyue over the years. He could not stand by and watch Xiao lose his sanity to Karma like the other Yakshas of the past.
However, the efficacy of the medicinal pills he had improved was indeed far less effective than before, and he truly could find no other solution.
If this continued, sooner or later, he would have had to turn his blade against Xiao.
That's right.
Once Xiao lost control, there were few among the Adepti willing or able to contend with him; Zhongli would have to act personally.
But now, everything was fine. Ye Xi had helped resolve Xiao's problem and had even completely cleared the [Karma].
Although new [Karma] would be generated for the sake of conquering demons, with Ye Xi present, it would no longer be an issue.
What needed to be done now was to protect Ye Xi well and ensure no accidents befell him.
Hearing the Lord's instructions, Xiao hurriedly nodded. "I understand, my Lord!"
After ending the transmission, Xiao looked in the direction of Guili Plains.
He had to place Ye Xi's safety above all else!
Suddenly, a series of tremendous noises came from that direction.
Xiao was instantly startled, thinking it was the work of evil demons. He hurriedly used Lemniscatic Wind Cycling to rush toward Guili Plains.
However, before he even arrived, he saw a gigantic machine soaring into the sky.
Looking closely, he discovered that inside were none other than Ye Xi and the others who had just left Wangshu Inn.
It appeared there was no danger whatsoever.
However, this massive commotion had badly frightened the adventurers and merchants in the inn, who scrambled to look in the direction of the sound.
When they saw that gigantic flying machine, they were all astonished beyond measure.
"W-What is that!?"
"My Good Heavens! Is it a new monster? Why is it flying in the sky!"
"It doesn't look like a monster; it looks like some kind of mechanism!"
"I heard there are Adepti in Liyue who are very skilled in mechanism techniques. Is that true?"
"As a Liyue native, I can certify that Adepti definitely exist, but whether they make mechanisms, I don't know."
"That direction... it seems to be the direction Lady Yuheng left in just now! Could it be that this mechanism belongs to that pretty boy from earlier!?"
"Shh! Are you crazy!? If this mechanism belongs to that young master, doesn't that imply that the young master is an Adeptus!?"
"Disrespecting the Adepti! Be careful of divine punishment!"
"Ah!? ...This... I wouldn't dare anymore!"
"No wonder there were so many beauties around him; so he was an Adeptus! Put that way, it all makes sense!"
"..."
The inn suddenly fell silent.
No one dared to discuss the Adepti anymore; after all, everyone feared their punishment.
Especially the people of Liyue. Many merchants racked their brains trying to go to Jueyun Karst to seek the Adepti, just to meet one face-to-face.
Now that they had seen a true Adeptus, they had gossiped about him behind his back. Wasn't this just throwing away all their good fortune?
Thinking of this, they hurriedly prayed in their hearts, hoping the Lord Adeptus would not hold a grudge against small people.
High up in the sky.
Ye Xi drove the plane, heading toward Sumeru at full speed.
Eula and Amber, sitting in the back, were scared pale.
Although they had Wind Gliders, this was just too high!
However, this feeling of fear and trembling did not last too long.
The rain had passed and the sky cleared; sunlight bathed the earth.
Looking at the beautiful scenery of clouded mountains and mist from the sky was refreshing and gladdened the heart. They soon relaxed.
"Amber, this is much faster than Wind Gliders!"
Hearing Eula's exclamation, Amber hurriedly nodded. "Isn't it just! How can Wind Gliders compare to this speed! Look, it hasn't even been that long, and we're already in the mountains!"
"This is Jueyun Karst."
Keqing introduced the stories of Jueyun Karst and the Adepti to Amber and Eula.
Not long after, they entered the territory of Sumeru.
Below was filled with lush, towering trees, brimming with the breath of nature.
At this moment, both Eula and Amber felt a sense of being on vacation.
"Look, we're arriving at Sumeru City! This is too fast!"
Amber couldn't help but marvel. "With this plane, it wouldn't even take two or three hours to get from Sumeru to Mondstadt! It's so convenient!"
"I wouldn't dare imagine being able to make a round trip between Mondstadt and Sumeru in a single day!"
"With this, I can come to see Collei every day—uh..."
Just as she finished speaking, Amber felt Eula's sharp gaze.
"Cough cough cough...."
Before long, the plane returned to the Ye Family Compound.
At this time, many of the girls had gone out, leaving only the idle Lumine and Paimon.
Originally, Lumine wanted to go flirt with Nilou, but Paimon, this fellow, just ate and ate, never stopping, and didn't want to go out at all.
Seeing Ye Xi fly the plane back, Lumine's face was full of anticipation.
"Traveler, do you think Master Ye Xi brought back anything delicious?"
Lumine: ...
Just then, the cabin door opened, and two figures that filled her with surprise jumped down from the plane.
"Eula—! Amber—!?"
Lumine was startled, her eyes filled with pleasant surprise!
"Why have you guys come!"
Eula and Amber were also stunned for a moment. "Traveler! Why are you here too! And Paimon!"
"Amber!"
Lumine stepped forward and hugged Amber; the two girls were overjoyed.
Amber was the first girl she had met on the Teyvat continent!
"Traveler, have you been well recently? Why haven't you returned to Mondstadt to see everyone!"
Eula huffed and chimed in, "You actually haven't come back to drink with me for so long. This grudge, I have recorded it."
"Pfft... Eula still loves to hold grudges like that! Then I'll accompany you properly~"
"Go, go, go."
Keqing and Ganyu, who came down from the plane, looked at each other. They hadn't expected that Lumine actually knew Amber and Eula as well.
However, they had indeed heard Lumine say before that she had many friends in Mondstadt.
This was truly too coincidental!
On the other side, Cyno bade farewell to Ye Xi and went back to the Akademiya to report his mission.
Ye Xi stored the plane into his portable space.
"Master Ye Xi, where is Collei?"
Hearing Amber's question, he smiled and said, "Don't worry. Collei is patrolling the Avidya Forest. I estimate she won't be back until evening."
"You guys try some Sumeru fruits first. These are the key export commodities after our Infrastructure (Jijian) project is completed."
"If progress is smooth, we can sell these goods to Mondstadt."
"Eh!?"
Amber was instantly full of confusion, completely failing to understand what Ye Xi was saying.
"W-What sword fighting (Jijian) project...."
Ye Xi looked at Amber, and Amber looked at Ye Xi with a bewildered expression.
That innocent gaze was filled with blankness, looking exactly like a layman.
"Sword fighting!?"
Aside, Eula, who was chatting with Lumine, pricked up her ears and turned back to ask, "By the way, Master Ye Xi, when does our Fencing (Jijian) competition start!?"
"Who is my opponent!? I am already ready!"
Ye Xi: ? ? ?
"Fencing.... competition? ...Opponent?"
He looked at Eula. Eula stood with her hands on her hips, casting a determined gaze.
"Wait, are we chatting across servers?"
He carefully questioned Eula and Amber!
Sure enough!
This was a massive misunderstanding!
Moreover, the fundamental error of this matter even escalated up to Grand Master Jean!
In other words, this matter had been understood incorrectly from start to finish!
Ye Xi understood.
No wonder Grand Master Jean sent the Spindrift Knight Eula. Speaking of Eula's swordsmanship, it was top-tier in Mondstadt.
But the problem was, this wasn't about that at all.
No need to ask, it must have been the work of that Barbatos who never did any proper work!
Previously during the gathering of the Four Gods, he had deliberately explained the meaning of 'Infrastructure' (Jijian). It was impossible for Barbatos not to know.
Most likely, that guy just thought it was fun!
Deliberately and carelessly saying the wrong meaning!
It was very much like something that person would do.
Mondstadt.
Upon the great tree at Windrise, Venti was drinking Dandelion Wine with a smirk on his face.
"Ehe~"
"Truly interesting~"
"The little Outrider Knight and the pitiful little girl she once influenced."
"The Shuraba of the Lawrence Clan's daughter."
"Ye Xi's despair."
"Just thinking about it is amusing! Should I go to Sumeru to take a look~"
As an idle Anemo Archon, he still paid very close attention to his subjects.
At this moment, a dragon landed at Windrise, very annoyed.
"Dvalin? You've come? Want to go to Sumeru with me?"
Dvalin instantly roared, unable to bear it any longer: "Barbatos! Do some proper work!"
"Ehe~"
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