After Ruola and the Traveler left Sanka, they officially began their adventure.
Exploring ruins, picking fruit, searching for ore, battling, solving puzzles…
Following Lumine and Paimon, Ruola learned quite a lot.
For instance, when they attacked Hilichurl camps, Lumine didn't just rush in blindly.
She employed an endless array of tactics like stealth, assassination, luring enemies, and setting traps, which left Ruola stunned.
Wielding the Sword Ruola had given her—Endless Edge—Lumine took down Hilichurls one by one, displaying unmatched power.
Ruola secretly compared herself to Lumine and realized she couldn't win at all!
Her other personas might be able to, but this Ruola persona could not.
And one must remember that Lumine currently only had one element!
However, Ruola quickly understood that Lumine was, after all, a Traveler who had crossed mountains and seas, with a true age of over 500 years; there was no way she would be simple.
Moreover, it wasn't just Lumine who was extraordinary; little Paimon also seemed quite formidable.
Putting aside other things, when targeted by Hilichurl archers, Paimon dodged incredibly fast, looking extremely graceful and even beautiful.
While it was possible that Paimon had simply become skilled through practice, Ruola always felt that Paimon was not simple.
Having just cleared a Hilichurl camp and obtained an exquisite treasure chest, Lumine happily stored everything in her spatial inventory.
"Hey, Ruola, hurry up, we're leaving now! It's your turn this time, right?"
Ruola coolly twirled her spear, then tossed it, and the spear was absorbed into her Vision space.
Looking at Paimon, who was rushing ahead, Ruola's lips curved slightly:
"Paimon, if you come and pick me up, I might consider giving you the Sweet Madame I've been saving!"
Hearing that there was Sweet Madame to eat, Paimon immediately flew back.
"Hehe, I'm back! Ruola, you have to keep your word!"
Ruola petted little Paimon.
This little guy was truly greedy; as long as there was good food, it was easy to get along with her and manipulate her.
"Let's go, we'll rest up ahead, and then I'll give it to you."
After Ruola finished speaking, she looked at Lumine, and seeing her nod, she picked up little Paimon and left.
Paimon struggled in Ruola's arms: "Ruola, let me go! Paimon can walk by herself!"
"Hehe..."
No, I won't let go; Paimon is so cute.
...
A few days passed in a flash, and with the Rite of Descension in Liyue approaching, Lumine and Paimon finally set off for Liyue.
Before their departure, Ruola personally saw them off.
"Go back, Ruola, this is far enough."
"Lumine, Paimon, when you go to Liyue, remember to miss me! You must come during the Windblume Festival; I'll treat you to delicious food again then!"
Ruola tried to tempt little Paimon with food.
Lumine and Paimon nodded emphatically.
Lumine said: "Don't worry, Ruola, Paimon and I will come back. We'll miss you, and we'll miss everyone in Mondstadt."
Paimon waved at Ruola: "Goodbye, Ruola!"
"Goodbye, Lumine, goodbye, Paimon!"
Watching Lumine and Paimon leave, Ruola slowly turned and returned to Mondstadt.
It had been several days since she had gone to see Noelle, and Ruola felt a bit guilty, so she had to go accompany him quickly.
This Ruola persona temporarily had no tasks; she was just waiting for the plot to arrive.
...
Liyue.
Late at night, in an ancient-style room, Mu Qingge was diligently working at a neat desk.
As one of the Liyue Seven Stars, the Kaiyang Star who oversaw all affairs of the Millelith, Mu Qingge held significant power, and her workload was also quite heavy.
Especially these days, working until this hour was normal!
A few months ago, Mu Qingge promoted a general to help her, as she was still young, and staying up late every day was not realistic and would affect her development.
However, that general was still in training, so for this period, she still had to handle things herself.
With the Rite of Descension approaching, things became busier, and the amount of work for the Millelith greatly increased, all of which she had to arrange.
Sigh~
What a headache!
Logically speaking, at just seventeen years old, Mu Qingge should not have been able to reach such a high position.
Moreover, this was the Kaiyang Star, who managed the Millelith, a crucial military post of immense significance, which should have been held by an experienced and far-sighted adult.
But it was Mu Qingge, nonetheless.
It suggested that she absolutely possessed exceptionally outstanding abilities!
Yes, among Jiang Mumu's many personas, if one were to discuss overall ability, the Mu Qingge persona definitely ranked first!
This was an all-rounder persona, and also the most stable one.
When Jiang Mumu designed the persona, she had given her very high points in all aspects, originally hoping she could enter Liyue's leadership.
Mu Qingge had shown extraordinary wisdom from a young age, obtaining a Geo Vision at the age of three, and from childhood to adulthood, she was always the 'child of someone else's family' in the eyes of adults, her reputation spreading throughout Liyue Harbor.
At ten, she successfully completed her studies, and at thirteen, she participated in the Rite of Descension, receiving the blessing of the Archon and being bestowed with the weapon Cloud Retainer's Retainer.
That's right, it's the Archon's weapon in the game that doesn't look like his signature weapon!
In the same year, Mu Qingge joined the Millelith, and the following year, she became a minor commander.
Due to her formidable strength, impartial attitude, and tenacious character, she thrived within the Millelith.
Subsequently, Mu Qingge repeatedly achieved remarkable feats; her seasoned approach, never making mistakes, and exceptionally outstanding work performance, far surpassing those of the same rank, earned her immense prestige in the military within just a few years.
Furthermore, her white hair and red eyes, coupled with her extreme beauty, made her even more revered in the military, a place where women were rarely seen.
In the last Liyue Seven Stars reshuffle, Mu Qingge won against an old Millelith general by a narrow margin.
That old general was getting on in years and had long wanted to retire; Mu Qingge was his chosen successor, and he cast his vote for Mu Qingge.
Everyone knew that Mu Qingge had been guided by the Archon, so even when she was finally chosen as the Kaiyang Star, no one objected.
How could they oppose someone the Archon himself approved of?!
Thus, Mu Qingge successfully became a member of Liyue's top echelons of power.
She did not disappoint everyone's expectations; since taking office, she has strictly enforced military discipline, rectified military appearance, and strengthened military power, achieving significant results!
...
Inside the room.
The girl seated at the desk had long, silver-white hair draped over her shoulders, and her beautiful face exuded a heroic spirit.
She wore a standard-issue armor that perfectly showcased her curvaceous figure.
A Geo Vision hung at her right waist, and she wore combat boots.
With her silver-white hair down, Mu Qingge's sharpness was concealed; she lacked her usual imposing aura and seemed much more approachable.
Suddenly, Mu Qingge put down her pen and looked outside with sharp eyes.
She neatly tied up her long hair and walked out of the room.
"Lord Mu, has something happened?"
The two Millelith guards stationed outside the room immediately inquired when they saw Mu Qingge emerge.
Lord Mu treated them without airs, so the two Millelith could inquire at this time.
If it were the former Kaiyang Star, they wouldn't dare to ask proactively.
"Nothing, no need to be nervous."
Mu Qingge came to the street, looked left and right, her eyes narrowed, and she immediately pursued in one direction.
Liyue Harbor was a renowned commercial city, and even at this hour, there were still a few scattered people on the streets.
There was no concept of a curfew here; if you wished, you could stroll until dawn.
This was also a major characteristic of Liyue Harbor.
Mu Qingge's combat boots stepped on the ground without making a sound, and her speed was so fast that the people on the street didn't even react.
"Stop, no one will come here anymore."
Chasing to an open field, Mu Qingge stopped.
On a large boulder in front of her, Tartaglia turned around: "Haha, so late and still disturbing, please forgive me, but I had a sudden insight and my hands were itching for a fight."
Mu Qingge flipped her right hand, and the vortex vanquisher appeared in her grasp: "Let's talk later; just remember the agreement."
"Excellent, I like your straightforward nature."
Tartaglia drew his weapon and charged forward.
Instantly, elemental power surged, and the two began to fight.
Tartaglia was a martial arts enthusiast, and so was Mu Qingge; since he enjoyed fighting, she was naturally happy to oblige.
This was not Mu Qingge's first fight with Tartaglia, nor would it be her last.
Each time, Mu Qingge would win by a small margin, thereby gaining the right to ask Tartaglia a question, which was their agreement, or one could say—
A wager.