Aerin casually glanced at the chat window.
He had already expected this kind of reaction.
Anything involving things like the End of All Things or Elemental Demon Kings—existences that transcended conventional technology—was bound to spark doubt.
After all, such things could not be studied.
They could not be replicated.
They were fundamentally beyond comprehension.
When something exceeded the boundaries of understanding, rejection was only natural.
That said, the moment Aerin had obtained the Elemental Demon King reward, he had already distributed that power to the Valkyries.
Not long after—
A video appeared in the chat.
It was footage of Furina summoning her own Demon King.
In an instant, the atmosphere of the chat shifted again.
March 7th: "Gah—! So it's all real! People from Teyvat really can summon Demon Kings!"
Herta: "Teyvat doesn't even look technologically advanced. Why are they this strong?"
Yae Miko: "Please. What does a world's level of development have to do with personal power?"
Yae Miko: "In your universe, all it takes is a glance from an Aeon to grant immense strength. Our world works the same way. If Master wishes it, destroying a star—or even an entire star cluster—is effortless."
Firefly: "…Effortless?"
Silver Wolf: "Um—just asking—but can your 'Master' see our chat?"
Lisa: "Of course he can. Bella's here too. So is the cosmic overlord."
Eula: "Well done, Lisa. You just killed the conversation."
Lisa: "Hey, that's not my fault. Relax. Master isn't some mass-murdering maniac."
"They're so timid."
Furina puffed out her chest proudly, waving a hand dismissively.
"The moment something exceeds their understanding, they call it fake."
"I've never seen such arrogance."
Clorinde and Focalors remained silent.
Focalors maintained a polite smile—one that didn't quite reach her eyes.
She has the nerve to say that, Focalors thought.
Didn't she faint on the spot the first time she saw this stuff?
Just then—
A yellow figure burst into the room.
"Clorinde!"
"Navi—what's wrong?" Clorinde asked, confused by the flushed, overexcited expression.
"Why's your face so red?" Furina asked curiously.
"Did you run around Teyvat three times or something?"
"No! Why would I do that?!" Navia denied quickly, then blurted out,
"Master just asked Clorinde and me to accompany him to Liyue!"
At that moment, Focalors finally realized something.
The light screen had shown a hundred years passing in Teyvat—
But in reality, only a few days had passed since Fontaine's crisis was resolved.
And so far…
Aerin hadn't been to Liyue yet.
"Nope, I'm coming too!"
Furina leapt forward and vanished into Imaginary Space.
"…Furina?"
Focalors froze.
She hadn't even reacted—and Furina was already gone?
After a brief pause, Focalors asked calmly,
"Did Master say anyone wasn't allowed to go?"
Navia shook her head. "No."
"I see."
Focalors nodded.
"Then I'll go as well."
Outside Fontaine — A Hillside
Space twisted.
Fragrance drifted through the air.
Aerin turned around—only to find that, besides Clorinde and Navia, Furina and Focalors had followed him too.
"Master, are you heading to Liyue?" Focalors asked carefully.
"Yes."
Aerin nodded.
"I haven't been there yet. Thought I'd pay a visit."
"May Furina and I come with you?" Focalors asked with a smile.
Aerin didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he reached up—
Grasped the air—
And released it.
In the next instant, a vast sea of clouds formed before them.
"…What's this?"
Furina stared at the fluffy, marshmallow-like clouds and scratched her head.
"Doesn't Liyue's mountains house immortals like Xianyun?" Aerin said with a grin.
"We'll travel there the proper way—riding the clouds."
"Let's broaden their horizons a bit."
Focalors and Clorinde exchanged helpless looks.
So childish, they thought.
Is he really planning to flex on the Liyue immortals?
Then again…
Xianyun did call him "Supreme Immortal" every other sentence.
"Riding the clouds?!"
Furina gasped.
"What kind of power is that?"
"Try standing on it," Aerin said, gesturing.
"…Clouds can support weight?"
Furina hesitated.
"Aren't they just condensed water vapor?"
She talked as she jumped—
And froze the moment her feet landed.
Soft.
Stable.
Her eyes lit up.
"It works! I'm standing on it!"
Navia's eyes sparkled.
"Master! Can I try too?"
Aerin nodded.
"Let's go. Since we're free anyway, we'll take a stroll through Liyue's mountains."
"Clorinde, Focalors—you're coming too."
Teyvat — Liyue Harbor
Inside a clean, elegant private room.
Ningguang and Ganyu stood at Aerin's sides, serving tea.
A gentle breeze flowed in—
And a tall, elegant figure entered, carrying a freshly cooked dish.
Xianyun carefully placed it on the table.
"Master, this is Crab Roe Tofu."
"There's also a steamed blackback perch. The Geo Archon is finishing it."
Aerin nodded in satisfaction.
"The Geo Archon truly lives up to his six thousand years. His cooking is the finest in Teyvat."
Ningguang immediately refilled his tea.
"You flatter us, Master. If you wished, far greater delicacies could be created with but a thought."
"You eat our food only to give us purpose—to prevent us from doubting our worth."
"Tsk. Such a sweet tongue," Aerin teased.
Ningguang blushed.
Xianyun shot her a glare—and jabbed Ganyu with her elbow.
"Why are you poking me?" Ganyu asked, confused.
Xianyun nearly choked.
A century ago, humans and immortals clashed over governance. Now that everyone's a Valkyrie, Ningguang's flattery is lethal.
And my own disciples are hopeless at this…
She was seething internally when—
"Xianyun," Aerin said.
"Yes! I'm here, Master!" she straightened instantly.
"Go call Shenhe and the others. And tell Morax to bring the final dish himself."
"I can't eat all this alone. No need to waste it."
Xianyun adjusted her glasses.
"That would be improper. We should only serve—"
Ningguang cut in smoothly.
"Master's kindness is our blessing. We've dined with him in Imaginary Space before. Please don't reject his goodwill."
Xianyun nearly exploded.
Then—
Three heads popped up outside the window.
"Really?! We can join too, Master?"
Hu Tao, Yanfei, and Xiangling stacked themselves vertically.
Aerin laughed.
"Of course. You've been crouching there long enough."
Hu Tao jumped in cheerfully.
"We were waiting for permission!"
Divination Commission — Xianzhou
"Six thousand years?!"
Fu Xuan nearly screamed.
"The chef serving Aerin lived for over six thousand years?!"
"Lady Fu Xuan," Qingque muttered, stunned,
"that red-framed woman said she has thousands of years of life experience."
"Six thousand years…"
"One man alone nearly matches the entire history of the Xianzhou."
"And he's just a chef under Aerin?"
"This is absurd."
Stellaron Hunters
Firefly and Silver Wolf stared at the screen.
"So… this is the guy Bella obsesses over hating?" Firefly asked.
"The Master of Teyvat… Aerin?"
They stared.
A long time passed.
"…He's really handsome," Firefly admitted.
"And he seems genuinely kind to the people around him."
"I don't feel anything terrifying at all."
Silver Wolf facepalmed.
"We're infamous Stellaron Hunters."
"Did you forget the phrase 'don't judge by appearances'?"
"Or is he some kind of Firefly-specific mental debuff?"
"You saw his face and your brain shut down?"
Firefly's face turned bright red.
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Blade frowned.
Kafka smiled knowingly.
"You're wondering how beings who lived for thousands of years avoided Mara, aren't you?"
"I suspect it has everything to do with Aerin."
She opened the chat again.
A new video filled the screen—
Furina, Focalors, Clorinde, and Navia, laughing together.
What shocked Kafka wasn't the people—
But what they were standing on.
A massive cloud.
"They're riding clouds," Kafka said softly.
Silver Wolf opened the chat.
Froze.
"…Huh?"
"They're flying."
"On clouds."
"…Is their world a cultivation novel?"
"Is their public transportation literally cloud-riding?"
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