As her good friend, Mualani knew that Kachina was worthy of inheriting an Ancient Name.
She had witnessed Kachina's resilience many times.
She knew Kachina thought about many things when she spoke and had a very gentle and kind personality.
She was clearly outstanding, yet because she did not argue, she was looked down upon by the people around her.
Mualani had never doubted Kachina's strength.
The only thing she worried about was that Kachina lacked confidence and easily believed the criticisms directed at her...
Therefore, besides encouraging her, Mualani often praised Kachina's strengths to everyone.
She believed that one day, everyone would change.
"We should go register first. There isn't much time left." Kinich was a practical person.
He knew how to prioritize things clearly.
Because Kachina and Mu Yang had been chatting while walking and had even stopped to eat.
They had indeed wasted quite a bit of time.
Mualani began to worry. "What about Kachina? Are you really planning to participate in the team battle alone?"
Kinich was also somewhat concerned. "Because there is no threshold for participating in the competition, there are a lot of teams in the team battles, and the battles are very chaotic."
"No matter how strong your ability or how rich your experience, you cannot guarantee that everything will go smoothly during the match."
"At times like this, having more people and looking out for each other is never wrong."
Mu Yang said he had thought about helping, but because he was not a Natlan person, he was willing but unable.
He could not participate in the [Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame].
Mualani thought of an idea. Although there was no precedent of outsiders participating in the competition.
She could still ask on Mu Yang's behalf. Just one spot probably would not matter… right?
Mu Yang could tell that Mualani meant well.
Looking at Kinich's expression, he estimated that he would not allow this precedent.
The group arrived at the registration area. Since Mualani and Kinich had already completed their registration.
Kachina went by herself.
Although it was Mualani's first time meeting Mu Yang.
Mu Yang had already been infected by her enthusiasm.
Moreover, she was very talkative.
In just this short distance, Mu Yang had already heard her go from being a guide of the People of the Springs to talking about her family's dog.
"Are you afraid of small dogs? If not, please make friends with our family's little dog! He really likes playing with people. No matter who he sees, he runs up to greet them, hoping to be petted."
"Oh right, we often play in the water together. He has already learned how to surf. As expected of my good dog, the student has surpassed the master! If there's a chance, I'll introduce you two. His tail will definitely spin like a propeller. Just be careful not to get hit by it — it actually hurts quite a bit, haha."
If Mu Yang had not been able to see that her Vision was blue, he would have thought this was another Pyro girl.
After introducing herself, Mualani elbowed Kinich, who formed a sharp contrast with her.
Mu Yang guessed that on this short stretch of road, Mualani had probably spoken more than Kinich did in an entire month.
Kinich also introduced his tribe.
He pointed at the flag hanging above his head. "That is the symbol of us Scions of the Canopy. Our tribe is built on high mountains and has a very close relationship with the Tepetlisaur."
After saying this, Kinich fell silent.
It really matched his character setting.
Mualani took over the topic again. "That's the Flower-Feather Clan, that's the Masters of the Night-Wind, and that's the Collective of Plenty…"
"Oh right, as an excellent guide, if Mr. Mu Yang needs it, I can take you on a tour of all of Natlan!"
"Ah, it seems it's Kachina's turn. Let's go over and take a look!"
After saying that, she rushed forward on her own.
Facing such an enthusiastic barrage, Mu Yang really felt a bit mentally exhausted.
Looking at Kinich again, he had an expression of "I understand."
At this moment, the two of them somehow mutually understood each other.
However, Mu Yang was actually a little better off than Kinich.
Ajaw was really very noisy.
As for Mu Yang's system, it would only appear to complain about him once or twice when Mu Yang was alone.
Normally, when Mu Yang was doing serious things, it would not make a sound.
System: I'm just that considerate.
Mu Yang: "You really can't handle praise."
Mualani squeezed to the registration counter. "Um, I'd like to ask, we have a traveling merchant here who is very interested in the competition. Can he participate?"
The young lady at the registration counter rejected it without even thinking. "Only Natlan people can obtain the qualification to participate."
Mualani put her hands together. "Just make an exception. His strength is very strong. The audience would definitely want to see a strong fighter in action too."
The young lady shook her head. "It's not that simple, Miss Mualani. To you it might just be one special case."
"But to us, it would be thousands upon thousands of possible special cases in the future."
"Moreover, another purpose of the [Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame] is to produce Flames of Contention. Only by ensuring that the Flames of Contention can be delivered into the Sacred Flame can we ensure that the Sacred Flame burns eternally."
"Only then can Natlan forever avoid being invaded by the Abyss. Therefore, no matter how strong this gentleman is, it is meaningless for the competition."
"Because only battles between Natlan's own people will produce Flames of Contention."
And this was precisely the role of the [Pilgrimage of the Return of the Sacred Flame].
Every participant, whether they won or lost, had contributed to protecting Natlan. Participating itself was an honorable thing.
That was why everyone in Natlan was so enthusiastic.
Mu Yang stepped forward. "Sorry, we were being presumptuous."
The young lady looked at Mu Yang's handsome face and did not speak too harshly. "Thank you for understanding our work."
"If outsiders participate, it will affect the yield of this flame and ultimately affect the burning of the Sacred Flame."
There was no need to say the rest.
Natlan still relied on the Sacred Flame to resist the Abyss.
"So that's how it is. Sure enough, it's because of the Flames of Contention." Although Mualani had thought of it, she had not expected the problem to be so serious.
"I didn't expect it to be such a serious issue. I'm really sorry."
Mu Yang truly had not expected that this competition not only concerned personal reputation and the survival of Natlan, but also did not allow outsiders to help.
No wonder Natlan people did not go out.
They would need time to go out in the first place.
The young lady did not mean to blame Mu Yang and even arranged a good spot for him.
Because she still had an impression of Kachina.
This serious little girl always filled out the forms meticulously.
She had shouldered the responsibility of an [Ancient Name] at a young age.
Yet because her strength was still insufficient, she had been repeatedly struck down.
She probably guessed that this Liyue tourist was acting out of kindness and wanted to help her.
Fortunately, there was not only bad news on Kachina's side.
Two newcomers from the Collective of Plenty were worrying about not being able to find a team.
Thus, they joined Kachina's team just like that.