What happened?
"Ye Xi, my Grand Master wants to meet you. Could you come with me for a moment?"
Hearing this, Ye Xi was somewhat surprised.
[Madame Ping wants to see me?]
[She is one of Liyue's Adepti, having guarded this land for over three thousand years!]
[Her Realm Within the pot is legendary!]
[If I could get a Serenitea Pot, wouldn't that mean I'd have a mobile home?]
Actually, Ye Xi had already been planning to pay Madame Ping a visit. If the Realm Within the pot was anything like the small worlds in Inazuma, it would be incredibly convenient.
Most importantly, the Serenitea Pot was portable!
It was a true five star item!
Hearing Ye Xi's inner voice, Xiangling was utterly shocked.
She never expected that Ye Xi would know her Grand Master!
Furthermore, he even knew her Grand Master was an Adeptus!
Even she didn't know her Grand Master was over three thousand years old!
Standing beside Ye Xi, Yae Miko also heard a familiar name.
Madame Ping.
She knew this Adeptus!
She was one of the longest-standing Adepti guarding Liyue, an elder mentor raised by Rex Lapis himself!
Yae Miko remembered that when she was a child, she had even spent some time perched on Madame Ping's shoulder!
She turned to size up Xiangling once more.
Previously, she had thought Xiangling was just an ordinary girl, a mere passerby who happened to have a crush on Ye Xi.
She never imagined the girl was actually that senior's disciple.
Ye Xi nodded. "Sure, let's go together."
Xiangling was instantly delighted. "Grand Master is right at Yujing Terrace!"
Just as she was about to lead the way, Yae Miko spoke up. "So you're Xiangling? I am Yae Miko. I'd like to have a little chat with you."
"Eh?"
Xiangling's heart skipped a beat.
She had to admit, Yae Miko was indeed exceptionally mature and beautiful. Even girls would feel their hearts race when getting close to her.
However, she quickly regained her composure.
This was likely a declaration of war!
When love rivals meet, sparks fly! She wouldn't be intimidated!
Ye Xi glanced at Yae Miko. He remembered that last night, Yae Miko had mentioned she was jealous of Xiangling and Ganyu.
He didn't know what she had said to Ganyu in the meeting room earlier, but seeing her wanting to whisper secrets to Xiangling now made him a little worried.
Yae Miko returned him a reassuring look.
She then pulled Xiangling back a bit. As Ye Xi walked ahead, the two women followed behind.
"Xiangling? You can hear Xi's heart, can't you?" Yae Miko asked, getting straight to the point.
Although she already had the answer in her heart, she still wanted to confirm it.
Xiangling didn't expect such a question and was startled, but she instinctively nodded. "You… can too?"
The corner of Yae Miko's mouth curled into a smug grin. "Of course. After all, I am the one who has accompanied Ye Xi the longest."
"The longest?"
Xiangling felt a pang of bitterness and jealousy rising within her.
Seeing Xiangling's jealousy, Yae Miko felt a surge of secret glee. As expected, young girls were very easy to tease.
However, her intention wasn't really to bully Xiangling, but rather to get to know the girl.
While they chatted, they arrived at Yujing Terrace.
As if seeking help, Xiangling quickly ducked to Madame Ping's side.
"Grand Master, I've brought Ye Xi!"
She was actually quite shy; bringing Ye Xi to see Madame Ping felt like bringing someone home to meet the parents.
To her, Madame Ping was like family!
Therefore, when Madame Ping asked to see Ye Xi, Xiangling would have normally been quite hesitant and bashful if she hadn't been so afraid of losing Ye Xi forever!
Madame Ping looked over at the sound of her voice and spotted Ye Xi immediately.
In the eyes of a mortal, Ye Xi looked like an ordinary personlacking a Vision and altogether unremarkable. He could be described as handsome and elegant, but he certainly couldn't compare to those who held a Vision.
However, to an Adeptus like her who had existed for over 3,700 years, the perspective was entirely different.
She could feel a vast power contained within Ye Xi's body.
Such a person was absolutely no mortal!
He appeared to be a mediocre individual, but in reality, he possessed abilities far beyond the norm.
This piqued her curiosity. Who exactly was this man? Even as an Adeptus, she was completely unable to see through him!
"Madame Ping, your junior, Yae Miko, sends her greetings."
At that moment, Yae Miko stepped forward with a smile and bowed.
This also snapped Ye Xi out of his observation of Madame Ping.
In the game, one couldn't tell much, but in this world, he felt a distinct Adeptal aura around Madame Ping. Furthermore, she looked extremely kind; though her face was lined with wrinkles, she didn't seem at all harsh or sharp.
On the contrary, she looked like a compassionate grandmother, reminding Ye Xi of his own grandmother from his past life. In short, despite not being related, he felt a strange sense of kinship.
Hearing Yae Miko's greeting, Ye Xi was surprised. He hadn't expected Yae Miko to know Madame Ping.
Madame Ping looked surprised as well, fixing her gaze on Yae Miko as if wondering who she was.
But soon, a look of clarity appeared in her clouded eyes.
"Oh my, I'm getting old and forgetful. I was wondering who it was. If it isn't that greedy little fox from back then..."
Yae Miko nodded. "Senior still remembers me."
Madame Ping suddenly laughed. "I remember, I remember. You were still small then, perched on my shoulder with a piece of fried tofu in your mouth. You got oil all over my clothes..."
Yae Miko's face flushed slightly. "Senior, those are old stories. They're quite embarrassing."
"Ah, I didn't expect time to pass so quickly in the blink of an eye. That little fox has grown into such a handsome adult," Madame Ping sighed with emotion. She continued, "Xiangling mentioned earlier that she saw a beautiful older sister. So it was you."
By now, Xiangling had grasped the situation and said in shock, "Grand Master, you know Yae Miko?"
She was worried that her Grand Master might side with Yae Miko instead of her! If that happened, she would truly have no allies!
Madame Ping replied, "I do, I do. She is the successor of Inazuma's Sky Kitsune bloodline. Back then, she was always with that little fox, Kitsune Saiguu. As for now..."
Yae Miko's expression turned uncharacteristically somber, and she sighed. "Lady Kitsune Saiguu said she was going on a long journey and never returned..."
"Now, I have inherited the position of Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine."
Hearing Yae Miko's words, Xiangling was stunned.
She had heard of Inazuma's Grand Narukami Shrine. Since she often sailed with Big Sis Beidou, she would listen to Beidou's stories over drinks during boring nights at sea.
Beidou had mentioned the Grand Narukami Shrine and its Guuji, the Sky Kitsune Lady.
It was said that during the Vision Hunt Decree, this Guuji cared deeply for the people, providing interest-free loans, relief grain, and other welfare to impoverished businesses and families affected by the war. She was an exceptionally benevolent Guuji.
Xiangling never expected the person before her to be that legendary figure!
Wait, doesn't that mean this important person is several hundred years old?!
Madame Ping noticed Yae Miko's sadness and couldn't help but sigh with deep emotion as well. "As Rex Lapis often says, 'Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember... but where are those who share the memory?' It's a pity we don't know when we shall see our old friends again..."
"Little fox, you must not be like the Raiden Shogun and go chasing after some form of Eternity."
Madame Ping also recalled many fallen enemies.
Like a junior being lectured by an elder, Yae Miko hurried to nod. "I won't, Senior. I wouldn't have before, and now that I have Xi, I definitely won't."
"Furthermore, because of Xi, Ei is also beginning to step out of her isolation."
"I believe Inazuma will soon return to its former prosperity."
"And all of this is because of Xi!"
"Xi changed me, and he changed Ei!"
"He will surely change Inazuma's destiny!"
Hearing Yae Miko's words, Madame Ping was quite surprised. She turned her gaze back to Ye Xi. "This old woman's eyes must be failing me. I truly cannot see what kind of charm this young man possesses that allows him to influence the will of the Raiden Shogun."
"Other than seeing that he has a powerful energy which he is deliberately hiding, I truly cannot see anything else. Have I really become so dim-sighted in my old age?"
Seeing this, Ye Xi cupped his hands in respect. "You are correct, Adeptus. I have indeed hidden my abilities, as I simply do not wish to attract trouble. Beyond that, I truly have nothing extraordinary about me. I am but a novelist."
This left Madame Ping even more confused.
Yae Miko stealthily approached Madame Ping and began to whisper into her ear. She told her everything she knewfrom the moment she started hearing Ye Xi's inner voice to the theory that Ye Xi might be the Creator God. She even mentioned her own occasional laments and sighs upon realizing their world might be a fabrication.
Madame Ping's face was filled with astonishment after hearing Yae Miko's explanation.
She never expected Ye Xi to have such an identity! No wonder she couldn't see through him. How could she, a mere Adeptus, see through a God?
Madame Ping then whispered back comfortingly, "Child, among the myriad worlds, none are false. Once something is created, it becomes part of the Great Thousand Worlds."
"If our world were fake, how could you and I have thoughts?"
"But I understand everything you've said. So, he has such an identity."
"In that case, I can rest easy handing Xiangling over to him."
Madame Ping had no high demands; she only wanted what was best for her disciple.
Moreover, if Ye Xi was indeed the Creator Godor at least an entity that did not belong to this worldthen he was surely an extraordinary existence. Such a person was born with immense luck, and the world itself would revolve around him.
If Xiangling followed him, she would certainly never be harmed or treated unfairly.
That was Madame Ping's thought process. She wouldn't stop Xiangling; she would leave all decisions to Xiangling's own judgment.
Yae Miko said somewhat sourly, "I am already married to Ye Xi, Senior. This is quite unfair to me."
Madame Ping sighed. "State your conditions. That fox-like mind of yours... you're still a few thousand years too young to try and deceive this old woman."
Yae Miko hadn't expected her little scheme to be seen through so easily. She smiled and said, "My Ye Xi wants a Serenitea Pot. If you can agree to that, I'll turn a blind eye to Xiangling. However, if she wants Xi all to herself, I definitely won't agree."
Madame Ping glanced at Yae Miko and said helplessly, "In five hundred years, you've truly become a sly spirit. Fine... I agree."
For the sake of her precious disciple Xiangling, Madame Ping was truly going to great lengths.
At this point, Ye Xi was still in the dark about what Yae Miko and Madame Ping were discussing. He felt like he was being kept out of the loop.
Suddenly, Madame Ping turned back and said directly, "Ye Xi, if you want a Serenitea Pot, this old woman shall give you one."
"However, you must take good care of Xiangling. She is my most precious disciple."
"With the Serenitea Pot as a dowry, this shall be the contract between us!"
"I am entrusting Xiangling to you..."
Ye Xi: ???
[What's going on?]
[How did Madame Ping know I wanted a Serenitea Pot?]
[What do you mean 'handing Xiangling over'?]
Wait? What just happened? Meow, meow, meow?
He remembered things going like this: He came up to see Madame Ping, and then she started talking to Yae Miko. After they finished talking, she was going to give him a Serenitea Pot and include a free Xiangling!
Such a good deal actually existed?
Xiangling's face turned bright red.
"Grand Master, how can you be just like that Old Man! We haven't even started anything yet! How could you just marry me off like this!"
Madame Ping burst into laughter.
Ye Xi was still full of confusion. Although he was being kept in the dark, things seemed to be going well.
"Ye Xi, what do you think of this contract?" Madame Ping urged when she saw he hadn't agreed yet.
Ye Xi nodded calmly. "I understand."
"Good. The contract is struck. Let those who break their word suffer the Wrath of the Rock!"
After saying that, Madame Ping pulled a dark pot from her sleeve. It wasn't large, but it was incredibly exquisite and radiated a jewel-like luster!
"This is the Realm Within. Use it well."
Saying that, Madame Ping looked at Xiangling again.
"Xiangling is a bit mischievous, but her cooking is excellent. I hope you will treat her well for the sake of the Serenitea Pot."
"Furthermorethere is one more thing. An old friend of mine has made a request of me."
A look of hope appeared in Madame Ping's weathered eyes. "This isn't part of the contract, but I hope... I hope you can lend a hand when the Adepti are in trouble."
Ye Xi was slightly taken aback. If the Adepti were in trouble, how could he, a mortal, help?
But he couldn't just say no, especially since Madame Ping had given him both a five star item and her precious disciple.
"Adeptus, I am but a mortal. If the opportunity arises, I will help."
Hearing Ye Xi's response, Madame Ping nodded in satisfaction. "Good. That old man didn't misjudge you after all."
"Actually, at Mt. Aocang, there lives an Adeptus named Cloud Retainer."
"She has a human disciple named Shenhe."
"This child's fate is marked by both the Solitary Star and a Calamity. Her homicidal nature is extremely heavy; it is a catastrophic fate rarely seen in a thousand years, bringing harm to both herself and others."
"To allow Shenhe to grow up safely without endangering the innocent, the Adepti performed the Red Ropes of Binding on her."
"Recently, for some reason, the red ropes have loosened, and Shenhe is in danger."
"If possible, I hope you can save that child..."
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