(The Thrill-Seeker of Liyue: Yelan Arrives)
For the next few days, Su Xuan's diary had not updated with events—only scattered photos from the road between Mondstadt and Liyue.
But even images reveal information.
Su Xuan, Lumine, and Paimon traveled the official route from Mondstadt to Liyue:
Past Dawn Winery → Stone Gate → Dihua Marsh → Wangshu Inn → Guili Plains → and finally toward Liyue Harbor.
Now, in the misty rain of Dihua Marsh, the three walked forward under a shimmering telekinetic barrier.
Paimon stretched out her arms.
"Su Xuan's telekinesis is amazing! Look! It's like we're waterproof!"
Lumine smiled quietly.
Traveling with Su Xuan was… heavenly.
He was a walking treasure chest—food, cushions, blankets, new clothes, bath supplies—everything existed just because he felt like it.
And yet… every night she lay awake thinking:
Will he… come to my room?
But he never did.
She worried herself for nothing—
And somehow, that made her feel even more uneasy.
Am I… not his type? Not as attractive as the women in Mondstadt?
Her thoughts spiraled—
Until Su Xuan suddenly pointed ahead.
"There. A Statue of The Seven."
The Liyue statue's posture was completely different from Mondstadt's gentle wind god.
The Geo Archon's statue sat with overwhelming dominance—aloof, immovable.
Paimon blinked.
"Hard to believe that guy became a 'wander-around-town-with-no-money' kind of person…"
"Time wears everything down," Su Xuan replied.
He nudged Lumine forward.
"Come. Take what belongs to you."
Lumine touched the statue—and golden rock-light pulsed under her skin.
Geo resonated through her body. Her presence seemed stronger, sharper—her beauty more defined.
"Su Xuan… can you not do the same?" Lumine asked suddenly.
"Just touch the statue and gain power?"
"Call me Su Xuan." He smiled. "And no. I can't."
Then he wrote in the diary:
[Lumine can gain elemental power just by touching The Seven. I cannot.]
[Because Lumine herself is a massive energy receiver—just like her brother, who absorbs Abyssal power.]
[The so-called 'purification' she performs is actually absorption.]
[Meanwhile, when I touched The Seven, I gained the theory behind them—not power.]
[The statues are simply conduits linked to the Ley Lines.]
[Which means—Lumine is essentially… a mobile Statue of The Seven.]
Lumine's eye twitched.
"…Thanks. I love being compared to a statue. Really."
But Su Xuan wasn't done.
[Once I fully understand Ley Lines, World Tree, Visions, and the False Sky…]
[I could recreate Teyvat's entire system myself.]
[Even overwrite the real world with my own copy.]
[I could replace the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles at will.]
Everyone who read the diary:
"HUH!?"
But then—calm as always—
[But being the ruler of a world is exhausting. I don't want the job.]
Everyone:
"YES—PLEASE—KEEP NOT WANTING IT."
Meanwhile, Lumine swallowed nervously.
This was no longer just the strongest man in the world.
He could rewrite the laws of existence.
So yeah — she was definitely never letting go of this man's thigh.
"Hey…" Lumine spoke softly.
"Your authority can read biological structure. Does that mean… you've already studied my—"
Su Xuan paused.
Then smirked.
"I don't need to study you to know everything about you.
But if you falsely accuse me—"
He leaned closer.
"I will make it real."
Lumine's face flushed crimson.
"…Who's scared," she muttered, legs squeezing together on instinct.
Su Xuan blinked.
"What?"
"Nothing!"
Before the moment could deepen, Paimon suddenly pointed forward.
"Look! A real building! That must be—"
"Wangshu Inn," Su Xuan confirmed.
"And they serve food! Let's goooo!" Paimon cheered.
But Su Xuan didn't move.
"You two go ahead. Rest. Then head straight to Liyue Harbor. I'll meet you there."
Lumine turned, concerned.
"Are you sure… leaving you alone is fine?"
Su Xuan chuckled.
"In this world? There's no one who can harm me."
Lumine accepted this without question.
But the reason became clear when the woman approached through the rain:
Yelan.
High heels. Sapphire earrings. Dice pendant. Cool violet makeup.
She walked like a woman who measured danger for a living.
Lumine instinctively stepped forward—
Su Xuan gently moved her aside.
"Go. I'll handle this."
Once Lumine and Paimon were out of earshot, he faced Yelan.
"Let me guess. Ningguang sent you?"
Yelan tilted her head, rain sliding down her umbrella.
"Don't say it like I'm her subordinate. We… cooperate.
But no. I came on my own."
She lowered her voice.
"I wanted to see what it feels like to stand close to someone as dangerous as you."
Su Xuan paused.
Then—telekinetic force rippled.
Rain froze in place.
Pebbles lifted from the ground and floated.
Within a shimmering barrier—
Only he and Yelan remained.
"You," Su Xuan said slowly, "are the type who can't feel alive unless you're close to danger."
"Correct."
Yelan's voice was steady—but her pulse hammered.
"I don't believe I can conquer you.
I simply want to feel what cannot be overcome."
Su Xuan stared.
So she came here to suffer?
"…You're addicted to pain." He stated flatly.
Her breath skipped.
He continued:
"So—if you assume I won't kill you—
Then there's no thrill. No gamble."
He flicked a pebble.
It tore through the air—
And slammed into her arm.
Pain exploded through her nerves.
Her knees nearly buckled.
Su Xuan's voice was quiet behind her.
"If you want danger—then run."
"I won't track you with telekinesis.
You have ten minutes.
If you escape—
You win."
"If I catch you—"
His smile was slow, merciless.
"Your life belongs to me."
He lowered his hand.
"And isn't that exactly how Liyue does things?"
"A transaction."
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