The news of Mondstadt being attacked by Stormterror spread like wildfire, and Liyue, being the closest, naturally received the news first.
However, it wasn't common knowledge; currently, only high-level officials with intelligence networks were aware of it.
"Are you saying that the information about Mondstadt's Dragon Disaster was all foreseen by a book?" asked the woman in luxurious attire.
Her long, platinum-blonde hair was coiled up with black and gold hairpins, branching from her back and cascading to her legs, while a red tassel hung from her forehead, complementing her eye color.
Her arms were adorned with black sleeves and golden finger covers, paired with a luxurious gold and white cheongsam, exuding her noble status.
Her exposed legs were as fair as jade, with one leg crossed over the other, seemingly revealing that alluring absolute territory.
She was Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Seven Stars, a well-known wealthy woman across all of Teyvat.
"That's right. Look, I managed to get a copy."
Across from her, a tall woman with short blue hair and a white cloak responded.
As she spoke, she took a book from her embrace and handed it to Ningguang. This person was Yelan.
Ningguang took the book but didn't examine it closely, only generally scanning the story content written within.
"How interesting." Ningguang smiled. "This ability to foresee the future, if used in business, would truly be invincible."
"In the future, if there are any more books by this author, send me a copy."
It was impossible for Ningguang not to be interested in such content; the book contained the future, and opportunities were all within it.
Yelan nodded in agreement. Although the book hadn't been released in Liyue yet, it was effortless for her to acquire a few copies with her methods.
And now that Ningguang had spoken, it would be even less trouble.
She could directly negotiate with the Steam Bird Newspaper to add Liyue as a release location in the future.
"So, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, has he truly returned?" Ningguang asked.
The return of a nation's Archon—this piece of intelligence was no less significant than the prophecy book.
Yelan didn't answer immediately but pondered for a moment before finally saying:
"It's still uncertain. Mondstadt was prepared because they knew Stormterror would come, which led to the Anemo Archon, who would have normally intervened, not making a move this time."
"At least my informants didn't see any signs of the Anemo Archon making a move, so we can't confirm his return."
"However, given the accuracy of this book, the Anemo Archon's return is almost certain."
"Is that so?" Ningguang fell into thought.
The Anemo Archon's return, the appearance of the prophecy book, and the arrival of an outsider.
She wondered if these would affect the Rite of Descension a few months later.
As one of Liyue's most important festivals, the Rite of Descension could not afford any mishaps.
Ningguang was considering whether she should arrange more guards for the Rite of Descension.
In the past, Ningguang wouldn't have considered this, because the Geo Archon was too powerful.
Given the Geo Archon's strength, there was no need for guards; the security at the Rite of Descension could even be called weak.
After all, that was the Geo Archon; how many people in all of Teyvat could defeat him?
The guards at the Rite of Descension were merely to maintain order, not to protect anyone.
But now the situation had changed, with too many unknown factors. To be safe, Ningguang felt it was necessary to add more guards.
Even if they couldn't provide protection, they could at least expand the scope of intelligence gathering on that day, in case of emergencies.
"Yelan, on the day of the Rite of Descension, I'll trouble you to personally lead the security. Also, please notify Beidou and tell her to be at the harbor that day without fail."
"Yes, I understand." Yelan did not question Ningguang's decision.
In Liyue, besides Ningguang and Yelan, the Fatui were also discussing the impact of this matter.
Childe held the report sent by his subordinates and the 'prophecy book' written by Lin Qiu.
"A prophecy book?" Tartaglia read the book with a puzzled expression. "Does such precise prophecy truly exist in this world?"
After reading, Tartaglia was indeed surprised by the book's content. Regardless of whether it was a prophecy or not,
even if it wasn't, just its level of understanding of Mondstadt's high-ranking officials made it a very valuable book.
There truly are countless capable people. He wondered if such a person could foresee the future during combat?
If he could, wouldn't all his attacks be predicted by the opponent?
If that were the case... it truly made his hands itch. He really wanted to experience fighting such a person right now.
"I wonder what Mr. Zhongli will think of this matter."
In Tartaglia's opinion, Mr. Zhongli was a capable man.
Even with such a supernatural book, he imagined that person would be able to offer an opinion or two.
"Hmm... wait a minute, if this author's future predictions aren't just for Mondstadt, but also for Liyue... my plan..."
Tartaglia fell into thought.
"What a headache. Why isn't such a person a teammate?"
Tartaglia gave up on thinking.
In fact, Tartaglia knew Lin Qiu.
In the past, when he invited Zhongli to dinner, Lin Qiu would also come to freeload.
However, at that time, Lin Qiu was truly very weak.
He didn't pique Childe's interest, and they were merely nodding acquaintances.
Lin Qiu hadn't revealed his identity as an author to Childe. On one hand, his friendship wasn't high enough.
On the other hand:
In Lin Qiu's opinion, if Childe knew he had the ability to prophesy, he would probably immediately fly to Fontaine to fight him.
However, Lin Qiu had no prophetic abilities at all.
He couldn't defeat Childe now, so he naturally wouldn't tell Childe this information.
It wouldn't matter even if his identity was exposed later, because the Rite of Descension was only a few months away.
Zhongli was about to make big news, and Childe wouldn't have time to go to Fontaine.
Childe still didn't know that the powerful individual who could foresee the future, who gave him such a headache, was the little weakling he had once looked down upon.
"Let's go discuss it with Brother Zhongli."
Childe decided to treat Zhongli to a meal; after all, it wasn't his own money he was spending.
Besides the Liyue high-ranking officials and the Fatui, one other person received the intelligence first.
That was Fontaine's mascot, the little Hydro Archon—Ms. Furina.
"It's... it's really a prophecy?"
Ms. Furina held the report sent by her subordinate, utterly astonished.
Although she wanted to meet Lin Qiu, it was only a faint hope, and her expectations weren't high.
But now it was different. Ms. Furina wished she could immediately set aside her status and go find Lin Qiu.
Since he could foresee Mondstadt's future, he should also know Fontaine's prophecy, right?
Did he have a solution?
Ms. Furina paced back and forth in her small room, thinking about how she could meet Lin Qiu.
Now she knew about Lin Qiu's abilities as a Prophet.
But the problem was that Lin Qiu himself hadn't made it public; the people of Fontaine didn't know that Lin Qiu was the author of the prophecy book.
That is to say, although Lin Qiu's book was popular, Lin Qiu himself was still just an ordinary Liyue person.
People who wanted to meet Ms. Furina every day were queuing up, including countless high-ranking officials and noble families from Fontaine.
If Ms. Furina canceled her meetings with these people to see an ordinary foreigner, they would inevitably feel resentful.
"Why doesn't he make it public?!"
Ms. Furina pouted and stomped her foot like a spoiled child.
Lin Qiu was unwilling to make it public, and she couldn't make it public for him.
At this rate, unless some event occurred, she could only leave it to fate.
"Never mind, I'll first research what he might like." Ms. Furina took out Lin Qiu's intelligence report and began to study it.
To achieve an information exchange with the other party, she naturally had to show sincerity herself.
This intelligence was Charlotte's exclusive interview with Lin Qiu, and this unreleased interview had already been obtained by Ms. Furina.
"Hmm, let me see: 22 years old, unmarried, unemployed, 0 income, 182 cm tall, 72.5 kg weight, won a district essay gold prize as a child, owns a property in Liyue... Uh, although it's very detailed, why does it feel useless?"
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Character Voice Line · Ms. Furina: About Lin Qiu's Interview
"Although many personal details were mentioned, he didn't reveal any hobbies! Good thing I'm smart; I found out that he only reacted most strongly to 'fishy chanson'. He must like this!"