134: Lisa: “Off To Liyue! In Search of Alchemical Elixirs!”

Angel's Share Tavern.

At this moment, Jean, Lumine, Paimon, Diluc, Lisa, and Kaeya—five people and one emergency food—were gathered here.

Stormterror had been dealt with. Now came the real business after the banquet.

As for why they weren't discussing it in the Knights of Favonius headquarters?

Well, Diluc wasn't exactly fond of the Knights, after all.

Venti downed the remaining wine in his cup in one gulp and shouted:

"Charles! Come on, come on! Keep it coming!"

Everyone was already used to their Wind God's lazy attitude and didn't think much of it anymore.

Only Lumine and Paimon looked at him with some concern.

They leaned in quietly when no one was watching and whispered:

"Venti, are you sure you're okay? Your Gnosis…"

"Ehe~!"

Venti blinked playfully.

"Let's not tell anyone about that, alright? Besides, that thing—totally not worth worrying about!"

Seeing this, Paimon pouted unhappily.

"You really are the worst at being serious. Can you just gloss over something like that?"

Lumine pressed her lips together and said nothing more.

She wasn't stupid. Judging by Venti's behavior, she'd already figured it out.

Venti was putting on an act.

Otherwise—forget how powerful he truly was—just that moment where he blinked and appeared all the way from Mondstadt to Windrise…

If the Fatui Harbinger, The Lady, had really managed to catch him, that would be a miracle.

This guy was acting!

Lumine understood that clearly, but she didn't say anything.

Venti's Gnosis had indeed been taken away by Rosalyne.

But it hadn't happened when they returned the Holy Lyre.

The butterfly wings flapping over in Liyue had made Rosalyne uneasy—so she rushed there ahead of time, just after Venti sent Jean and the others off to report back to the people of Mondstadt.

She ambushed him.

That slap—Venti truly took it head-on.

But now, thinking back carefully…

At that moment when Rosalyne struck him, there really was a flicker of guilt and relief in Venti's eyes.

As if...

…as if a child who had done something wrong was finally at peace after accepting punishment.

Considering how Rosalyne and Venti spoke to each other, there was likely some sort of personal history between them.

Still, Lumine couldn't help but complain inwardly.

No matter how you looked at it, for a god to be treated with such little dignity—it was ridiculous!

So this is what freedom means?

His own nuns couldn't even remember his name and just called him Barbatos—he didn't mind.

Someone slapped him—he didn't mind.

Even when his best friend Dvalin was in trouble—this guy was still putting on an act.

The wind of freedom, truly elusive.

Still, having someone like this as a friend... well, he certainly did liven up the atmosphere.

"Lumine."

While she was lost in thought, Jean came over and softly asked:

"You'll be heading for Liyue soon, right?"

Lumine hadn't answered yet when Paimon's little head nodded furiously beside her!

"Yep yep! Lumine's coming with me to eat Delicacy Stew! And Golden Shrimp Balls! And Crystal Dumplings!"

"You little...! Can you at least try to act like a proper guide?!"

Annoyed, Lumine grabbed Paimon's cheeks.

"All you think about is eating! And we don't even have that much Mora!"

"Oww oww oww!"

Paimon struggled free from Lumine's grip and floated away, looking pitiful.

"But delicious food is a nation's culture too!"

"We have official business! Serious business!"

"I know, I know! But enjoying food doesn't get in the way!"

"I said—we don't have Mora!"

"We can pick it up along the way! Paimon will help you!"

"Help me fight?"

"Eek! So mean! Paimon has at least one-fifth the combat power of a wild boar!"

"Who's more outrageous here? You're the one who always hides in your little pocket dimension during battle!"

The bickering between the big and little "cuties" amused everyone nearby.

Leaning lazily against the counter, Lisa covered her mouth and chuckled, her voice soft and enticing.

"Oh my… such adorable little ones. How delightful…"

"If little Paimon begs nicely, big sister wouldn't mind giving you some Mora~"

"Really?!"

Paimon's eyes lit up and she zoomed to Lisa's side.

"Lisa-sis, please~! Paimon knows you're the best and you love us so much~!"

She sweet-talked shamelessly, and Lisa giggled while tossing her a coin pouch.

A quick glance showed it held at least five million Mora.

But Lisa was quite wealthy—this was nothing to her.

Besides, since the Knights couldn't afford to reward Lumine properly, she had to help Jean save face in front of their friend.

Jean glanced gratefully at Lisa.

Then, in a gentle voice, she said:

"Since Lumine is also heading to Liyue, why don't we all go together?"

"The road to Liyue is long—it'll take at least a month or two. We can keep each other company."

Upon hearing that, Lumine immediately smiled.

"Really? That's great! Let's all go together!"

At the end of the day, Lumine was still a young girl—of course she feared loneliness.

These people were her new friends, and having them along meant more people to chat with on the road.

Jean nodded, then turned to the others and said:

"This time, Diluc and I are going to Liyue on behalf of the Knights' Procurement Division and the Mondstadt Merchant Guild. We'll likely be gone for three or four months."

"So, Mondstadt will be in your hands, Lisa, Kaeya."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lisa smiled and shook her head.

"Let Kaeya handle it. I'm coming with you."

"Huh?"

All eyes turned to Lisa.

This was the sorceress known for never moving unless absolutely necessary—the epitome of laziness.

The kind of person who built an alchemy lab inside the library just because her house was more than five minutes away.

She rarely ever left Mondstadt.

And then there was her condition…

Jean looked worried.

"Lisa, you…"

"Aww~ Little Jeanie's concern really moves me~"

Lisa winked, her eyes briefly flashing with electric light.

"But this time, I must go… That place—might be my only chance…"

She fell silent for a moment.

Her condition—or rather, her lifespan—had become critical.

That's why she always needed to sleep, to preserve her life energy.

She studied alchemy to find a solution.

But now, she was nearly out of time. Lisa had long believed she only had a few years left before she'd say goodbye to Jean and the others.

But now, she saw new hope.

From within the space of her Vision, Lisa retrieved a bottle of glowing elixir.

Her gaze sparkled faintly with determination.

"This is…"

Diluc was a little confused and glanced at Lisa.

"Is it a new potion you've been working on?"

Lisa shook her head.

"It is a new potion, but… it was sent from Liyue."

"Liyue? But I remember…"

Before Jean could finish her sentence, Lisa spoke:

"Liyue doesn't have powerful alchemists, that's true. But… this potion is too strange."

"According to the letter from the Tianquan, this potion can temporarily boost the power of an ordinary person to exceed even that of an Archon."

"And with no side effects."

At the mention of power, a blaze ignited in Diluc's eyes.

"How reliable is it?"

Lisa slightly shook her head.

"One hundred percent…"

"Before you all returned, I tested another bottle—the power potion—by having little Eileen drink it."

"I took her out for a bit, and with one strike… she shattered a Ruin Guard. In less than a minute, she cleared out seventeen Hilichurls, including two Hilichurl Berserkers and one Hilichurl Shaman."

As soon as she finished, everyone's pupils contracted in shock.

Diluc immediately reached out for the potion.

"Ten million Mora. Sell it to me!"

Lisa looked at the eager Diluc with a half-smile, arcs of electricity crackling around her.

"Do you think I lack Mora? Or… are you trying to take something from me, Master Diluc?"

Diluc fell silent.

He had to admit, Lisa could overpower him.

But this alchemical potion…

He needed power for revenge!

Moreover, if it had side effects, Lisa wouldn't have given it to Eileen.

Lisa waved her hand lightly and said softly:

"Don't be so conflicted. Since Liyue can send this, it means it can be mass-produced. If you want to buy it, go talk over there."

"I'm heading there myself to meet this alchemist. Maybe he can…"

"Heh…"

Lisa chuckled self-mockingly and said quietly:

"In any case, this thing is bizarre. It doesn't feel like a product of Teyvat."

As her words fell, Venti, who had been sipping his drink alone this whole time, suddenly spoke lightly:

"It's not that it feels like it isn't… it really isn't from Teyvat. Its laws are completely different."

Venti's words confirmed what Lisa had suspected deep down.

After all, he was the Anemo Archon—his perspective was far broader than hers.

"What do you mean?"

Diluc frowned and looked at Venti.

Venti set down his glass, grinning mischievously at Diluc.

"I'm not sure either, but… the fundamental laws of this thing are completely different from those of Teyvat. Even the large amount of resources you've been trading with Liyue recently—"

"Iron ore, food, fluorite… Though they all carry the divine energy of the old man, I can sense that they're not from this world."

"I can't say more, or else the old man might seal me away without hesitation."

"This might involve Liyue's secrets. And I'm sure none of you want to see me, the great War God, suppressed, or Mondstadt locked down by Liyue, right?"

Everyone fell silent.

Venti had already given them plenty to think about. Any further, and it'd be dangerous.

After all, there was no telling how the Geo Archon would react.

Lisa looked at Venti and said solemnly:

"So… there's a chance, right?"

Venti shrugged and replied gently:

"Probably. But in any case, we have to go find out. This time, I'll go with you and send you there."

"Hm… it's been a long time since I last saw the old man too."

He, too, was eager to find out what exactly the old man was up to.

The others noticed that Venti had his own motives, but didn't ask.

This was a matter between gods. Their only concern… was Liyue.

"In that case…"

Jean paused, looked at Lisa, and said softly:

"Kaeya, I'll leave things here to you. We must depart for Liyue immediately!"

Kaeya smiled and waved his hand.

"Getting tossed such a huge responsibility out of nowhere is a bit tricky, but… I wish you all a safe journey."

"Ehehe~!"

Venti leaned in and winked.

"Even against the wind… we can still fly."

Kaeya rolled his eyes and said nothing more.

"Do we need to pack anything?"

Jean turned to look at Lumine, Diluc, and the others.

Everyone shook their heads immediately.

"No need."

If this were before, they would've prepared thoroughly before setting out.

But now, things were different. Whether it was Jean's concern for Lisa or Diluc's thirst for power—

They all wished they could leave right now.

Lumine didn't have much to carry—just needed to bring Paimon along.

Jean nodded lightly and said softly:

"Then… we'll count on you, Venti."

Venti stretched lazily, and a breeze of emerald wind wrapped around everyone.

"Get ready! The wind… is fast!"

In the next instant, a powerful gust surged, and everyone's figures vanished without a trace.

Kaeya looked out the window at the clear sky and let out a quiet sigh.

"These are turbulent times…"

"Teyvat… seems on the verge of a storm."

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