Lumine's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this.
Shenhe was human, so why describe her with innate ferocity and killing intent?
Such terms applied to a six-year-old child didn't exactly sound like a good thing.
She grew even more curious about what would happen next.
Cloud Retainer continued, "After this adeptus dispatched the creature, she still refused to let her guard down. She even pointed her dagger at this adeptus, wary and cautious."
"It wasn't until she confirmed this adeptus meant no harm that she silently fainted."
[Wahhh, little Shenhe, what kind of experiences are these?]
["Silently fainted"—she didn't even have the strength to cry out.]
Paimon spoke up, "So, if Cloud Retainer hadn't passed by, Shenhe would've…"
However, Cloud Retainer's response caught everyone off guard.
Not necessarily.
"When this adeptus arrived, I could already sense the demon god's resentment fading. If she had persisted, it's likely Shenhe would have prevailed."
— — — — — —
[Good heavens, is this something a six-year-old could do?]
[So, even if Cloud Retainer hadn't shown up, Shenhe could've won?]
[This child Shenhe has the makings of an Adeptus!]
Guinaifen was also shocked by Shenhe's story.
"Six years old, facing off against a demon god's remnants—and winning?!"
"No wonder she was chosen as a disciple by an Adeptus. Her talent is truly heaven-defying."
[Exactly, just look at Xiangling's burst locking her panel!]
[You're hopeless, completely immune to reason.]
[Certified Raiden National and Wanderer team player.]
[Shenhe's support effects aren't bad either. My Ayaka feels great with her!]
Guinaifen quickly steered the conversation back to the plot.
For Musk Reef, she relied on luck for pulls and high-investment characters to steamroll, never bothering to study it.
Unless Mu Yang enters the banner, she has no plans to spend time researching this place.
— — — — — —
Lumine was puzzled. Why did Shenhe, so young, have to fight a demon god's resentment?
Cloud Retainer sighed. "Alas, with all the tribulations of the mortal world, she bore her share. Seeing she had nowhere to go, this adeptus took her in."
Lumine asked, "So why does Shenhe also call Mu Yang her master?"
Cloud Retainer explained, "Shenhe has a unique constitution, making her an excellent candidate for cultivating Adeptus arts. This adeptus and the other Adepti cherished her talent and were all willing to teach her."
"As for Mu Yang, he was worried this adeptus couldn't handle little Shenhe."
The prideful adeptus crane turned her head. "Hmph, what a joke. A mere child—how could this adeptus not manage?"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a smile, saying nothing more.
"Mu Yang has his ways with this child, giving her delicious food and fun toys to keep her happy."
"He even had the audacity to compete with this adeptus in mechanism crafting, seeing whose toys Shenhe liked more…"
Of course, when it came to training, Mu Yang didn't slack off either.
Skilled in swordsmanship, Mu Yang guided Shenhe to gradually master all weapon types in Liyue…
[True · Weapon Mastery!]
[Then why doesn't she use a one-handed sword?]
[Bold! That'd overlap with her master's role (lol).]
[Dealing damage is too tiring. Support is the way to go!]
[Venti, Zhongli: Slacking off! Feels great!]
The memories of this training period were quite entertaining.
Whether it was Lumine, Paimon, or the players, everyone listened with great interest.
However, Cloud Retainer's tone gradually grew heavier.
The days of training passed quickly, but the killing intent Shenhe displayed from childhood didn't fade with age—it only grew stronger…
"Moon Carver read her fortune, declaring her to be marked by Lonesome Destiny and Calamitous Fate, shrouded in malevolent energy that could harm those close to her."
"This was a dangerous matter, requiring red ropes to bind her soul and suppress the killing intent in her blood."
Lumine noticed the red ropes on Shenhe's body.
So they were used by the Adepti to restrain Shenhe's fate.
That day, Changsheng seemed to have some thoughts about the red ropes as well.
It was likely because she recognized Mu Yang's power within them that she asked Shenhe about her connection to him.
Facing a powerful enemy alone in a cave at six years old…
No, defeating a powerful enemy. Was this fate a blessing or a curse?
Without this fate, she likely wouldn't have encountered such a harrowing ordeal.
But it was precisely this fate's ferocity and violence that allowed her to survive.
Is this… destiny?
Speaking of the soul-binding red ropes, Cloud Retainer's mood visibly sank.
After all, once the red ropes were applied, Shenhe became more subdued, but while her expression softened, she also seemed somewhat numb.
Perhaps the ropes' power was so strong that it suppressed her other emotions as well.
Paimon mused, "No wonder Shenhe, as a human, feels even harder to approach than Mu Yang."
"So that's why I thought she was like an Adeptus. It's because of the soul-binding red ropes."
Cloud Retainer nodded. "Meeting in the sea of people is fate itself. You share a bond with Shenhe, so please take good care of her."
Lumine understood. "Of course, we'll look after her. And we've got Mu Yang, too."
"Mu Yang, he…" The great adeptus crane hesitated, then said, "Hmm, I hope this adeptus is overthinking things."
[I hate two kinds of people: first, those who don't finish their sentences; second—]
[Oh no, the Lantern Rite. Is this bad feeling about to come true?!]
[No, don't do this! I want to spend the Lantern Rite with Mu Yang!]
Paimon teased Cloud Retainer. "I get it, hehe. Cloud Retainer followed because she's worried about Shenhe, right?"
Would the prideful adeptus crane ever admit it?
However, she also reminded Lumine that while Liyue Harbor seemed peaceful now, dangers lurked beneath the surface.
"Back then, Ningguang boldly claimed that this is an era of contracts between Liyue and its people."
"This adeptus wishes to see how she'll handle the coming storm."
Cloud Retainer's stance was clear: if Ningguang handled it well, she'd be willing to bear witness to her achievements.
If not, the Adepti would take over.
"Alright, this Adeptus has delayed you long enough. Go rest."
Lumine was about to tease Cloud Retainer as well. "So…"
Cloud Retainer turned her head. "Ahem… This Adeptus will watch you return and then depart."
Lumine and Paimon descended the slope, heading back to [Three Bowls Won't Cross the Harbor].
On the way, Paimon chattered nonstop. "So Shenhe isn't an Adeptus, just someone who grew up with them…"
"No wonder she doesn't like being treated as an Adeptus or with reverence. It probably makes her feel troubled."
Paimon seemed to understand why Shenhe didn't feel happy when praised by others.
Lumine responded absently to Paimon's chatter.
She was thinking about what the Adeptus had said about a crisis in Liyue Harbor.
Ningguang was sparing no expense to urgently rebuild the Jade Chamber.
During the day at Bubu Pharmacy, Baizhu's large batch of healing medicine was also prepared for Ningguang.
She even borrowed Qiqi…
Were these all to prepare for the upcoming crisis?
From the hilltop, Cloud Retainer watched Lumine return, lingering for a long while.
It seemed she truly cared about her disciple—or perhaps, Mu Yang as well…
At Mu Yang's location,
he was regulating his breathing to steady himself. It wasn't that he didn't want to go see Cloud Retainer.
Rather, Clarisse had started causing trouble.
He had used his popularity points to boost his strength once, but the results were minimal.
Time was running out, and the Lantern Rite was approaching…