Chapter 95: The God of Fire's Guidance and a Parting of Ways
Nudged forward by the group—though it was mostly Stelle and March 7th relentlessly teasing him—Wise finally gathered his courage and approached Mavuika.
"Lady of Pyro, please forgive my intrusion." Wise offered a respectful nod, his usual calm demeanor tinged with genuine earnestness. "I also use the power of fire, but I feel my application remains entirely superficial. I lack proper technique and deeper control. If you have a moment, could you perhaps offer me some pointers?"
Mavuika turned her gaze toward the young man. Her eyes, carrying the weight and warmth of Natlan's sun, assessed him. She sensed the aura radiating from him—a raw, primordial heat that contrasted with his composed exterior. A smile touched her lips; she appreciated his straightforward ambition.
"The path of fire is a volatile one," Mavuika began, her voice carrying the natural authority of an Archon. "If one blindly pursues sheer explosiveness, it becomes all too easy to scorch both oneself and others. More, it hinders your ability to fight alongside your companions."
She raised a hand. With a casual flick of her wrist, a small sphere of crimson flame ignited above her fingertips. The fire did not merely burn; it danced, shaping itself like a living, breathing entity across her palm.
One moment, it stretched into a razor-sharp blade. The next, it flared outward into a miniature, impenetrable shield. Then, it compressed inward, collapsing into a searing, blindingly white point of absolute heat, before finally diffusing into a gentle, warming halo that bathed their faces in a soft glow. It was a flawless display of absolute mastery.
"You must learn to command its form and its momentum," Mavuika explained, letting the flame dissipate into embers. "You must understand its intent and its source. That mastery is far more crucial than raw, destructive output. Since you possess the drive to learn, you may seek me out for sparring and guidance whenever you find the time."
Such an offer from an Archon was a monumental gesture of recognition. Wise's eyes brightened. He bowed deeply, the gratitude evident in his posture. "Thank you, Lady of Pyro. I will not forget this."
With the heavy burdens lifted, the group dispersed to make the most of their remaining time.
March 7th practically vibrated with excitement. Clutching a heavy, clinking pouch of Mora—generously sponsored by Lumine—she bolted toward Natlan's bustling market district, determined to scour every stall for exotic accessories and local snacks.
Zhongli, on the other hand, opted for a far more leisurely pace. He strolled alone along the ancient streets and weathered ruins, his amber eyes quietly observing the local customs, the vibrant traditions, and the deep historical scars etched into the stone.
Then there was Stelle. Possessing a seemingly infinite reserve of chaotic energy, she locked her sights on the vast, untamed wilderness stretching beyond the city walls.
"Treasure chests! The wild treasure chests of Natlan are calling my name! I can hear them!"
Ignoring all protests, she grabbed Dan Heng by the sleeve—completely ruining his plan to find a quiet corner in the local library—and dragged him along. Lumine and Paimon, already caught in the gravitational pull of Stelle's enthusiasm, followed close behind.
"Adventure! We are going on an adventure right this second!" Stelle cheered, hoisting her flaming lance into the air like a conquering hero.
Lumine and Dan Heng exchanged a long, weary glance, a shared smile of absolute helplessness forming on their faces.
Paimon, however, pumped her tiny fists in the air. "Yay! Adventure! That means we will find more delicious food out there!"
Even though the massive victory banquet had only just concluded, the little guide's stomach was already plotting its next conquest.
Thus, the newly formed Natlan Sightseeing and Treasure Hunting Expedition set off. Calling it a perilous adventure was a massive overstatement; it was essentially a heavily armed picnic. With the combined combat prowess of the four of them, the local wildlife and wandering monsters posed absolutely zero threat.
Along the dirt paths, Stelle sprinted toward every suspicious rock formation and hidden alcove. True to her instincts, she unearthed several common chests, happily pocketing the scattered Mora and raw ores. Dan Heng walked at a measured pace, his gaze sweeping over Natlan's unique geology and fiery vegetation, silently cataloging the data. Lumine and Paimon simply soaked in the stunning, rugged landscapes, marveling at how drastically the terrain differed from the other nations of Teyvat.
The breezy, lighthearted atmosphere completely washed away the lingering chill and tension they had brought back from the Night Kingdom.
But peaceful moments were always fleeting. The extra time granted by the chat group system was quietly ticking down to zero.
The multiversal travelers reconvened at the grand entrance of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame. Their farewells were free of grand speeches, grounded instead in simple, sincere gratitude.
"Goodbye, friends of Natlan! We will definitely come back to play next time!" March 7th waved her arms vigorously, her camera already packed with new memories.
"Take care of yourselves," Dan Heng said, offering a respectful nod to Mavuika, Kachina, and the gathered warriors.
Mavuika shifted her attention to the Proxy. "Remember my advice, Wise."
"I will. Thank you for everything," Wise replied, his tone carrying a heavy weight of respect.
High above, a brilliant pillar of blue light descended, precisely enveloping the five off-worlders. Within the azure glow, their physical forms began to turn translucent, dissolving into particles of data and starlight.
"Farewell, my friends," Mavuika's voice cut clearly through the hum of the teleportation field. "The gates of Natlan will forever remain open to you."
The blue light flared blindingly bright for a fraction of a second, and then vanished.
As the figures of the Astral Express crew and the Proxy sibling disappeared, a sudden quiet settled over the entrance of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
Zhongli adjusted his coat and offered a polite, shallow nod to Lumine, Paimon, and the Natlan locals led by their Archon.
"The matters here have reached a satisfactory conclusion, and so I, too, should take my leave," Zhongli announced, his voice smooth and unhurried. "Having been granted this rare opportunity to set foot upon the warm earth of Natlan, I must take the time to experience its foreign customs and sights properly, lest this journey be made in vain. Director Hu has always possessed a fondness for novelties, so I am obligated to procure one or two suitable souvenirs for her return."
He spoke with the relaxed, contented air of a wealthy tourist on holiday.
Mavuika nodded in understanding, stepping forward to offer her hospitality. "Would you like me to arrange a local guide for your travels?"
"I thank you for your kindness, Lady of Pyro," Zhongli gently interrupted, a faint, appreciative smile playing on his lips. "However, when wandering and visiting ancient sites, the true essence lies in following where the heart leads. Traveling alone allows one to better perceive the authentic charm of the land. I can manage perfectly well on my own."
He politely declined any accompaniment. His composed, immovable demeanor made it entirely impossible for anyone to insist otherwise. With a final nod, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor turned and walked down the stone steps, his figure soon blending into the bustling crowds of the city.
The moment Zhongli departed, Paimon floated right up to Lumine's ear. Her tiny hands tugged urgently at the Traveler's cape, her large eyes sparkling with unfiltered greed.
"Lumine! Lumine! Let's get back to our adventure! We still have the whole afternoon ahead of us. Let's go open more treasure chests! Natlan's wilderness has to be hiding so many shiny treasures just waiting for us!"
Lumine opened her mouth to agree, but Mavuika stepped into their path, raising a hand to stall them. "Traveler, Paimon, wait just a moment. Tonight, right here at the Stadium of the Sacred Flame, we are hosting a grand celebration banquet for all the citizens of Natlan."
Mavuika placed a hand on her hip, her expression brightening. "This is not merely to celebrate our final victory in the Nightwarden Wars. It is also to officially announce Kachina's safe return to the public, ensuring that any lingering doubts or ugly rumors are completely put to rest. You two are the undisputed protagonists of tonight's festivities. Do not even think about being absent!"
Lumine and Paimon exchanged a knowing look. There was absolutely no way they would refuse an invitation to such a monumental public celebration.
"We understand," Lumine promised, placing a hand over her heart. "We will definitely be there on time."
"That is the best news ever! Another banquet!" Paimon's previous obsession with treasure chests vanished into thin air, instantly replaced by the promise of free food. She spun in a happy little circle, leaving a trail of stardust in her wake. "There is going to be so much roasted meat!"
"Mm. Setting up the venue will still take quite some time," Mavuika noted, glancing back toward the stadium doors. "You are free to move around as you please. Just ensure you return before evening falls."
With that settled, Mavuika gathered Kachina, Iansan, Chasca, and the rest of her warriors, hurrying back inside to throw themselves into the intense preparations for the night's feast.
Left to their own devices, Lumine and Paimon's afternoon officially transformed into true Natlan wilderness exploration time.
Paimon's objective was crystal clear: secure the loot. The duo ventured out, traversing the craggy mountains and sparsely vegetated canyons surrounding the Stadium of the Sacred Flame.
Paimon's internal treasure-hunting radar was operating at maximum capacity. She zipped through the air, barking directions as she guided Lumine over steep ridges, through winding valleys, deep into damp caves, and up treacherous slopes.
The physical toll was worth it. Their harvest was incredibly substantial. They pried open several exquisite chests, each packed with a heavy bounty of Mora. Paimon's small face practically glowed with sheer joy.
"Hehe, we are rich! We are so rich!" Paimon cheered, hugging a bulging sack of coins to her chest and rubbing her cheek against the velvet fabric in absolute contentment.
Lumine wiped a bead of sweat from her brow and chuckled at her companion's antics. "The biggest gain isn't the Mora, Paimon," she said, lifting a finger to point toward a stone pedestal in the distance. A metallic, anchor-like device hovered above it, emitting a soft, pulsing blue light. "Look over there."
"Ah! It is a Teleport Waypoint!" Paimon gasped, flying over to inspect the ancient mechanism. "This is perfect! With this, it will be so much easier to travel around the Stadium of the Sacred Flame in the future!"
For the remainder of the afternoon, they focused their efforts on exploration, successfully activating several key Teleport Waypoints scattered across the region, laying down a convenient, glowing transportation network for their future adventures across the fiery lands of Natlan.
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