Tianquan Ningguang! The Ceremony Begins!**
Perhaps fortune was unusually kind.
Just as Lumine and Paimon arrived, passing by Yuehai Pavilion on Yujing Terrace, they saw crowds being guided by guards into the plaza of the Rite of Descension.
At a glance, over a thousand Millelith soldiers stood in tight formation, thoroughly securing the central ceremonial grounds.
Apart from the four stone bridges leading to the center, clear pools of water completely encircled the ritual platform.
On each bridge stood two tall pillars embroidered with cloud motifs.
Following the crowd inside, Lumine found herself far from the front, standing on tiptoe at the back.
"Hey… do you think Luo Li and the others are somewhere in the middle?" Paimon whispered.
Lumine scanned the area, but all she could see were heads—no way to tell who was who.
After searching for a while with no luck, she gave up.
"Maybe they're in a different area. We can look for them after it's over."
"Okay… but I'll fly up a bit and take a look first."
Still unwilling to give up, Paimon floated higher, trying to spot Luo Li.
After all, he had let them stay for so long and was such an easygoing person.
Paimon genuinely liked Luo Li—and Sister Makoto too.
Above Yujing Terrace
From the pavilion beside Yiyan Hall, Luo Li could see everything below clearly.
Since the time had not yet arrived, the crowd was merely being allowed in to observe.
The Millelith kept the spectators confined to the lower plaza, spears in hand, Zhaowu plumes on their chests, expressions solemn.
At such an important moment, there could be no room for carelessness.
Fortunately, most of the attendees had experienced the Rite of Descension before and followed instructions obediently.
"It's about to start!"
Eula immediately perked up.
She had originally planned to watch from closer up, but with so many people present, she had no choice but to give up the idea.
Noelle, unlike her, was focused on searching for familiar faces.
"Where are Lumine and Paimon? I don't see them… Did they fail to make it in time?"
The maid knight felt a little disappointed. Missing such a grand event would mean waiting another year.
And she had heard Lumine was looking for the god who separated her from her brother—missing such a chance would be a real shame.
Luo Li lifted his chin, indicating a conspicuous little figure hovering above the crowd at the far back.
"There—see?"
Sure enough, Lumine's golden hair stood out clearly among the sea of people, and Paimon floating above was even more eye-catching.
Noelle finally relaxed. She had grown fond of Lumine during their time together and had even planned to sketch the Geo Archon's appearance for her later.
Since Lumine was already here, that wouldn't be necessary.
"I'll go call her over later," Noelle said, visibly energized.
But with so many people below, even shouting wouldn't be heard—and in such a solemn setting, raising her voice would be inappropriate.
Luo Li, however, thought to himself that she likely wouldn't have the chance.
The moment Lumine set foot in Liyue, she had already stepped into a vortex of competing forces.
The Fatui.
Morax.
The Tianquan.
All of them viewed her as a piece on their board.
Yet Luo Li wasn't worried at all.
As Lumine continued to awaken her power, ordinary people would no longer be able to threaten her.
Even Fatui Harbingers wielding godlike authority would be no exception.
So it was enough to simply watch—occasionally offering small assistance—letting her figure out for herself what her journey truly meant.
And in the end, what answer she would choose.
Would she follow her brother, command the Abyss, overturn the Heavenly Principles, and reclaim their homeland?
Or would she walk a different path entirely?
At the Front of Yiyan Hall
Standing at the forefront, the unfortunate soul chosen to host this year's ceremony—Tianquan Ningguang—was issuing commands with a solemn expression.
Her silky platinum hair was gathered with a black-and-gold hairpin.
The crimson tassel at her forehead echoed the color of her pupils.
A golden cheongsam embroidered with phoenix motifs in three hues accentuated her regal, mature elegance.
As she moved, glimpses of the red tattoo on her thigh could be seen beneath the hem of her dress.
Everyone who saw her offered the utmost respect.
After all, as the great merchant who oversaw Liyue's laws, every regulation Ningguang enacted affected the hearts of countless traders.
Any single decision could bring joy to one party and sorrow to another.
Beyond that, her admirers spanned all Seven Nations—said to line up from Chihu Rock all the way to Yujing Terrace.
She was also rumored to be the woman who knew every secret in Liyue Harbor.
There was once a saying:
"Tianquan Ningguang—wealth unmatched, eyes bright and graceful;
peaches and apricots pale beside her beauty;
eyes that see all, ears that hear all;
a hundred matters understood, a thousand affairs resolved."
All knew that among the Liyue Qixing, Tianquan stood supreme.
Yet today, this revered and admired woman wore a seriousness unlike her usual self.
"Beihuan, Beixiao, Beishi—has everything been arranged properly?"
With one hand resting against her chest, Ningguang confirmed details with her three personal secretaries.
Beihuan answered at once,
"Lady Ningguang, everything is in order. We have verified it repeatedly—there are no oversights."
Ningguang nodded slightly.
She raised her little finger, clad in a metallic nail guard, resting it lightly against her cheek as she glanced at the sky.
"Wait a little longer. At noon, the Rite of Descension will begin. Inform everyone to make final preparations."
The three secretaries immediately moved to carry out her orders.
Ningguang herself closed her eyes, quietly waiting as time passed.
As clouds drifted and sunlight grew stronger, the spectators outside the plaza did not grow impatient—instead, their excitement intensified.
Though restless, they were not noisy.
Perhaps in the place where a god would descend, everyone knew to remain reverent.
After all, those who couldn't follow the rules had already been thrown out.
At last, Ningguang slowly opened her eyes and gazed toward the sky.
The blue heavens were utterly cloudless.
For this important day, she had even ordered the Jade Chamber to be moved several kilometers away from Liyue Harbor.
As the blazing sun gradually reached its zenith, Ningguang finally spoke, fulfilling the expectations of all.
"The time has come.
The Rite of Descension—begin!