Chapter 134

Venti soon arrived at Dawn Winery.

As he approached, the familiar scent of wine filled the air, and he almost couldn't resist sneaking in for a drink.

But he held himself back.

First, he needed to visit an old friend.

With that thought, Venti quickly made his way towards the gates of Liyue.

As he arrived, he noticed workers constructing roads.

Seeing this, he was quite surprised.

Were they really building a road connecting Mondstadt and Liyue?

Observing the construction, he couldn't help but be amazed.

Venti vanished in a gust of wind and soon arrived at Mondstadt's border.

He landed on the newly constructed concrete road.

Stepping on it, he was taken aback.

Was it really this solid?

It looked impressive.

If this road were completed, travel between the two regions would become much faster.

And what were these structures?

Venti marveled at the unfamiliar devices scattered along the road.

Curious, he hastened his pace towards Liyue Harbor.

As soon as he entered Liyue's territory, Zhongli sensed his presence.

The divine energy was too distinct.

Zhongli, who had been drinking tea, put down his cup and turned to Childe.

"I have some business to attend to."

"Let's end our conversation here."

Without waiting for a response, he got up and walked directly to his vehicle.

Childe blinked in surprise.

Leaving so suddenly?

What happened?

Though puzzled, he didn't ask further.

If Zhongli had something to do, then so be it.

With that, Childe settled the bill and wandered around Liyue Harbor.

Exploring alone was dull.

Maybe he'd visit Guili Plains tomorrow.

With that thought, Childe continued his aimless stroll.

Meanwhile, Zhongli took off on his flying motorcycle.

He used his power and instantly appeared near the Statue of The Seven.

As the Geo Archon, teleporting wasn't much of a challenge for him.

When he arrived, Venti was already waiting.

Seeing Zhongli's sudden appearance, Venti grinned.

"Old friend, I came to see you."

"Look, I brought a gift."

Saying that, Venti approached with a playful smile.

Zhongli's lips curled slightly.

"Barbatos."

"It has been a long time."

He was genuinely pleased to see Venti.

Few of his old friends were still around.

Although Barbatos had made some questionable decisions in the past, Zhongli no longer dwelled on them.

Seeing that Zhongli wasn't upset with him, Venti sighed in relief.

He quickly raised the bottle of wine in his hand.

"Shall we find a place to drink?"

"There's so much I want to ask you, old friend."

Venti glanced around, taking in the sights of Liyue.

What was that structure over there?

A dam?

And what was with the constant flow of Electro energy?

Liyue had changed significantly.

Surely, Zhongli hadn't built all of this himself.

"Fine."

"Follow me."

Zhongli started his motorcycle but didn't offer Venti a ride.

Instead, he took off towards Guili Plains.

Seeing this, Venti was stunned.

"Whoa, you can fly?"

"Old friend, can you get me one too?"

Seeing Zhongli soar through the sky, he was amazed.

That vehicle could fly?

Was it similar to those metal contraptions he had seen earlier?

Excited, he wanted one for himself.

"I didn't make it."

"You can ask him later if you want one."

Zhongli planned to take Venti to meet Takumi.

And perhaps, while they were there, have Takumi replicate Venti's Gnosis.

After all, Venti didn't seem to care much for it.

He probably wouldn't mind trading it away.

And all for the sake of a flying vehicle.

One shouldn't underestimate Venti's willingness to barter.

Since Takumi could create a replica of Zhongli's Gnosis, it was worth trying with others as well.

And without the divine mark?

That might actually be a good thing.

If the real Gnosis still bore Celestia's imprint, it would be better to leave it in Snezhnaya's hands.

Though Zhongli didn't know what Venti was planning, he figured the bard wouldn't refuse such an opportunity.

Zhongli sped ahead while Venti followed closely behind.

Soon, they arrived in Guili Plains.

Zhongli sensed Takumi's location and made his way there.

Luckily, Takumi was at home.

The perfect place for a drink.

Meanwhile, Venti looked around in astonishment.

How had this place changed so much?

It looked magnificent.

"Did you build all of this, old friend?"

He couldn't hold back his curiosity.

"No."

"It was built by a traveler from another world."

"I made a contract with him."

"He helped develop Liyue, and I paid him with a Vision."

"It was a fair trade."

Given the current progress, Zhongli felt he had made a wise investment.

If things continued like this, Liyue would become even more prosperous.

The only concern was whether Celestia would interfere.

But considering the current state of the Heavenly Principles, even if they wanted to act, it wouldn't be easy.

Takumi had time.

And he was becoming stronger.

Zhongli was genuinely surprised by the rate at which Takumi's power was growing.

Knowledge was his strength.

If he kept progressing, he might surpass the Seven Archons—and even Celestia itself.

If that day came, would Celestia even have the power to stop him?

As long as Takumi stayed away from the Abyss, Zhongli would protect him until he was strong enough to defend himself.

He wasn't sure what the future held, but he had finally found someone who could lead Liyue forward.

Hearing Zhongli's words, Venti nodded thoughtfully.

"His name is Takumi?"

Zhongli was slightly surprised.

How did Venti already know his name?

Noticing Zhongli's confusion, Venti chuckled.

"Someone in Mondstadt recognized me."

"Fortunately, it was just a little girl."

"She ran up, called me out, and then left."

"I suspect that person, Takumi, was the one who told her about me."

It was quite frustrating.

He had been minding his own business, only for a child to suddenly expose his identity.