"The aura of the Hundred-Proof Talisman... It's been a long time since I've seen this," Cloud Retainer stroked her chin, looking at Lumine and Paimon, who were preparing to worship food outside her abode, a hesitant expression on her face.
After thinking for a moment, she still waved her hand directly, opening the door to her abode.
She had already received worship from Stelle before, which included not only food but also Stelle herself.
Since these were people who had a close relationship with Stelle, just like herself, Cloud Retainer naturally could grant them a small shortcut.
There was no need for formal worship.
"Eh?! Lumine, look!" Paimon was originally focused on Lumine preparing ingredients, when she suddenly caught a glimpse of the entrance to the distant abode out of the corner of her eye, and the restriction suddenly disappeared.
Lumine stopped her work, turned her head to look, and a puzzled expression appeared on her face.
"Could it be that the Adeptus has already noticed us and doesn't need us to prepare food for worship?" Paimon stroked her chin, guessing.
"No matter what, since the door to the abode is open, let's go in," Lumine shook her head. She hadn't thought that much; anyway, they were here for important business.
They had already notified the other Adepti; this Adeptus named Cloud Retainer surely wouldn't be ungrateful and drive them away.
"Mm, you're right!" Paimon nodded.
The two immediately set off, crossed the central pond, and entered the door of the abode.
Upon entering, what they saw was not the Domain-like place that Stelle had seen before.
Instead, it was an ancient mansion.
"Why have you come to find this Adeptus?" Cloud Retainer stood in front of the mansion, arms crossed, looking at the two.
"You, you are the Adeptus?!" Paimon's eyes widened.
"What, do I not look like one? Why do so many people question this Adeptus's identity??" Cloud Retainer's gaze fell on Paimon's small body, her expression somewhat displeased.
"Uh, no, that's not what I meant, it's just..." Paimon scratched her head, somewhat at a loss for words.
The Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper she had seen before were in animal forms, and she had thought that this Adeptus named Cloud Retainer should also be a deer or a bird.
But she never expected it to be an older sister wearing glasses.
"This Adeptus will not bother with you. If you have something to say, say it quickly and do not disturb this Adeptus's cultivation," Cloud Retainer snorted lightly, then looked at Lumine and said.
"It's something very important. Please don't be surprised when we tell you," Lumine said with a solemn expression.
"Rex Lapis was assassinated."
"Oh, that someone would commit such a heinous crime," Cloud Retainer nodded, responding casually, thinking that these two had indeed come for this matter.
She just didn't know whose instruction this was, or who gave them something like the Hundred-Proof Talisman.
"Uh, did you hear clearly? Rex Lapis was assassinated!" Paimon looked at the calm Cloud Retainer, repeating it with some surprise.
"I heard clearly. This Adeptus's ears are fine."
"Uh..."
This shouldn't be. Why is the reaction so calm? Could it be that this Adeptus doesn't have a good relationship with Rex Lapis normally?
"What, do you wish for this Adeptus to cry buckets, and then go to Liyue Harbor to suppress all those mortals, making them buried with Rex Lapis?" Cloud Retainer glanced at Paimon.
"No, no, no! Please don't do that!" Paimon quickly waved her hands.
"Wait?! Stelle... is here with you??" Lumine suddenly realized. She carefully observed Cloud Retainer's appearance and quickly came to a conclusion.
This feeling couldn't be wrong, this inexplicable sense of closeness emanating from the Adeptus.
She definitely had something going on with Stelle.
Should she say it was indeed Stelle? He even managed to win over an Adeptus.
"Eh!?" Paimon looked at Lumine in astonishment, completely failing to understand how she had figured it out.
"So, you are Shenhe's master?"
"Only just realizing it now, huh... Come in. Although she might not be able to get out of bed for a while," Cloud Retainer turned and walked into the mansion.
"Can't get out of bed..." Lumine repeated, her expression somewhat strange.
Is the Adeptus really that powerful? Even Stelle couldn't handle it.
----
"Shenhe!" Paimon saw Shenhe as soon as she entered the room and greeted her happily.
"Hello. It's truly good to see you both are fine," Shenhe nodded, speaking faintly.
It was just that for some reason, there was a faint blush on her face, making her look a little strange.
"Shenhe, this Cloud Retainer is actually your master! No wonder she let us in without requiring our worship," Paimon exclaimed.
In reality, all of this was thanks to Stelle, but there was no way to explain it to her in detail right now.
"Um, Cloud Retainer, where is Stelle?" Lumine turned her head and asked.
"Let Shenhe take you. Later, Shenhe will also see you down the mountain. This Adeptus needs to first meet with the other Adepti to verify, and then go to Liyue Harbor to demand an explanation," Cloud Retainer said, then turned and left.
Rex Lapis had not told them the plan in detail, but no one would believe that Rex Lapis was assassinated.
So, some of the less informed ones might go to Liyue Harbor or find other Adepti first.
She was about to get busy herself.
"Okay, okay," Lumine watched Cloud Retainer's departing figure, roughly guessing that things might not be so simple.
"Follow me," Only after her master left did Shenhe speak to the two.
"Mm, okay."
Shenhe led the two towards Stelle's room, but for some reason, she deliberately slowed her pace.
Upon reaching the room door, Shenhe even gently knocked.
"Come, come in," Stelle's voice came from inside.
Pushing open the door, Stelle was lying on the bed, fully clothed, and there was a pleasant fragrance in the room.
"Stelle!" Paimon immediately flew over, seemingly unaware of any abnormalities.
However, Lumine was all too familiar with this scent. She subtly glanced at Shenhe.
Then she walked to Stelle's side, pretending nothing was wrong.
"Stelle, what's wrong with you? That Adeptus said you couldn't get out of bed. Are you sick?" Paimon asked worriedly.
"Uh, no, not sick, it's just that, when I came here, I accidentally fell... rolled down the mountain," Stelle's gaze slowly shifted to Lumine's face, feeling a little guilty.
"Oh, I see. You're too careless," Lumine said with a smile.
"Was it thanks to Cloud Retainer that you're okay?"
"Yes, yes... The Adeptus's power is truly terrifying as such."
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