Everyone was chatting happily, with only Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver feeling troubled.
When they saw the Geo Archon's adeptal form descend, they immediately sensed something amiss and flew up to investigate.
However, upon reaching the skies, they found no trace of anyone. The two adepti split up to search but discovered nothing suspicious—and even managed to lose the Vigilant Yaksha in the process.
"Moon Carver, let us return to discuss this with the Qixing," Mountain Shaper suggested.
"Agreed," Moon Carver nodded.
The two adepti headed straight for the Jade Chamber, where they coincidentally saw Lucian and Ningguang emerging from a room.
Wasn't this the person who had been standing with the Anemo Archon earlier? Who was he?
Though the two adepti read prophetic texts, they didn't follow news reports and thus didn't recognize Shikikan's true identity.
"Adepti, this is the author of the prophetic texts," Ningguang introduced.
"Oh? So you are the extraordinary one," Mountain Shaper remarked in surprise.
He leaned closer to Lucian, his long bird neck tilting left and right before finally clicking his tongue in amazement.
"How strange, how strange. Though merely a mortal, you carry traces of adeptal energy."
Cloud Retainer, still holding a grudge against them, naturally hadn't mentioned teaching Lucian adeptal arts.
"Indeed peculiar. Do you possess any adeptal artifacts?" Moon Carver inquired.
Lucian shook his head—he carried no such artifacts.
The adeptal aura around him must have either come from practicing adeptal arts or from spending too much time with Shenhe, seeping into his very being.
"Then it seems you have a predestined affinity with the adepti. Would you care to cultivate immortality with me?" Moon Carver pressed.
Again, Lucian shook his head. He had already taken a master—why would he need another?
Noting that the adepti hadn't addressed Lucian's special status, Ningguang interjected:
"Adepti, have you by chance seen that consultant, Zhongli?"
She had previously suspected Zhongli's true identity and had even discussed the possibility with the adepti. Presumably, they had already investigated.
Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver nodded. "We observed Zhongli from the shadows."
"A man of dignified bearing and extraordinary speech, truly an outstanding figure of this era. But we believe he cannot be Rex Lapis."
Not only did Zhongli lack the Geo Archon's aura, but he even drank tea from round cups—not square ones!
Zhongli had long noticed their covert surveillance, but his concealed aura made it impossible for even the two adepti to detect anything.
"However, your conjecture is correct—Rex Lapis is likely unharmed," the adepti continued.
This time, they had witnessed the Geo Archon's adeptal form descending with their own eyes.
Yet it was all too bizarre—this was Rex Lapis we're talking about. How could he die as naturally as if his lifespan had simply expired?
Moreover, no remnants of a fallen deity appeared after his "death," further suggesting the Archon was fine.
That was why they had immediately flown up to search the skies for him.
Unfortunately, they found nothing—and lost the Vigilant Yaksha in the process.
Ningguang nodded. It seemed even the adepti couldn't identify the true Geo Archon.
After hearing their analysis, Lucian said, "What if Zhongli is intentionally disguising himself?"
The adepti shook their heads. "He does not appear to be."
Rex Lapis is Morax—creator of Mora. How could he possibly go out without carrying money?
Lucian sighed, giving up on convincing them. They'd find out soon enough anyway.
He thought to himself, Venti, you said the old man couldn't act—yet he's completely fooled them.
Zhongli wasn't bad at acting—it just depended on who he was deceiving.
"Where is the Vigilant Yaksha?" Ningguang asked.
Hadn't there been three of them earlier? Why was one now missing?
"We do not know. We suddenly could no longer sense his presence," the adepti replied.
"But there's no need for concern—the Vigilant Yaksha will be fine."
With Xiao's combat prowess, it would be impossible to kill him silently in such a crowded place.
He likely returned to Wangshu Inn after confirming Rex Lapis was unharmed.
At that moment, Xiao was actually having tea with Zhongli, Lumine, and the others.
Well—Xiao wasn't sitting and drinking tea. He was standing in attendance.
"So, Mr. Zhongli is indeed a Liyue adeptus?" Lumine asked.
After all, apart from Venti, everyone present was a Liyue adeptus—and Zhongli seemed quite familiar with them.
"That is correct," Zhongli nodded. The Prime of the Adepti was still an adeptus—no issue there.
Xiao pressed his lips together, remaining silent as Venti stifled a laugh.
"No wonder Zhongli lacks so much common sense about human society," Paimon said with an "as expected" expression.
Though they hadn't met Zhongli before, thanks to Lucian's books, Paimon was already well-acquainted with his habit of never carrying money and his peculiar spending habits.
"My apologies for amusing you, Paimon," Zhongli said with a smile.
"Pfft—" Venti failed to suppress his laughter.
"Ahem—I accidentally choked on the tea just now. It's too strong."
Madame Ping shook her head helplessly. Couldn't he at least find a better excuse than blaming her tea?
"Traveler and Paimon, now that you've learned about the Rite of Parting's procedures, would you join me in preparing for it?" Zhongli ignored Venti.
"Sure, sure!" Paimon immediately agreed.
For no reason other than the fact that they could get plenty of money from Childe during the process.
Being able to spend freely without using their own funds—why would they refuse? Plus, any leftover money could become Paimon's private savings.
With Paimon's agreement, Lumine naturally didn't object either.
Lumine wondered how Lucian and the others were doing with their conversation. Should she share this news with Lucian?
As fellow outsiders, there was a sense of "meeting an old friend in a distant land"—even if they weren't actually old friends.
At that moment, Lucian was entering the room where Keqing and the others were gathered. A chorus of lively feminine voices reached his ears.
Though all present were women, Hu Tao's voice stood out the most—even Beidou paled slightly in comparison.
"I could hear you all from the hallway," Lucian said.
His old homeroom teacher's line—who knew he'd get to use it one day?
Lucian still loved stealing others' lines.
"Lucian, you're here! Finished your talk?" Hu Tao quickly bounded over to him.
True to form, she was the most energetic—while others had barely turned their heads, Hu Tao was already at his side.
"What did you talk about? Can you tell this funeral director?" Hu Tao pressed.
"Apologies, Director Hu—this is a secret between Mr. Lucian and myself," Ningguang said with a smile.
She then approached Furina and said, "Hydro Archon of Fontaine, may you enjoy your time in Liyue. The Tianquan extends her greetings."
"Mm. I sincerely hope you uncover the truth behind the Geo Archon's murder," Furina replied.
Ningguang gave Furina a puzzled look. That the Geo Archon wasn't truly dead was something the adepti recognized at a glance, and she herself could deduce it through analysis.
There was no way the Hydro Archon couldn't see through this. What was the meaning behind her words?
Unless... this was also part of Rex Lapis's plan?
If so, this Hydro Archon's acting skills were truly impeccable—not even Ningguang's discerning eyes could detect any falsehood in her performance.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voice- Ningguang: About Furina
"A formidable archon. While her exterior seems exaggerated, her true nature... even I cannot discern it."