Chapter 53: Longhua

Longhua walked through the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, holding an umbrella.

Her disciple, Xuanqing, followed closely behind.

"Things have changed so much."

Hearing Longhua's words, Xuanqing replied softly, "For you, Sect Master, five thousand years have passed. Even for immortals, that's a long time."

Longhua spoke calmly, "It's to be expected. The difference between Shan Hai Jing five thousand years ago and now is like the difference between this Liyue Harbor and what it was back then—five thousand years ago, there was nothing here."

She still remembered how, over five thousand years ago, she had led the humans seeking her protection away from this troubled land, creating an island overseas where they could thrive.

In the blink of an eye, five thousand years had passed.

Longhua stopped and glanced at a nearby stall.

"Xuanqing, did you bring Mora?"

Though she hadn't left the island in five thousand years, she wasn't unaware that Mora was the currency used in the outside world.

Xuanqing handed over the Mora she had obtained by selling some old items during her previous trip to Liyue Harbor to prepare accommodations for the Sect Master.

Longhua didn't take the Mora. Instead, she pointed at a piece of jade on the stall with her left hand.

"How much for this?"

"Ah, you have a great eye, miss! This is the finest Noctilucous Jade. Look at its quality! The last piece of this grade sold for 200,000 Mora. For you, I'll give it for 190,000 Mora."

"Xuanqing."

Hearing the Sect Master's call, Xuanqing handed over the Mora to complete the transaction.

Longhua, meanwhile, had already taken the Noctilucous Jade and walked away, admiring it with satisfaction.

Xuanqing quickly caught up after paying. She wasn't surprised by the Sect Master's spending habits.

Everyone in Shan Hai Jing knew that the Sect Master loved all kinds of beautiful and rare stones. Every year during the Shan Hai Festival, the island's inhabitants and disciples would present her with various rare stones as gifts for her birthday. Each time, the Sect Master would be delighted, treasuring the stones and carefully storing them in her vault.

Thus, upon arriving in Liyue Harbor, Xuanqing had already anticipated this scene.

After admiring the Noctilucous Jade for a while, Longhua put it away and glanced around, her brows slightly furrowed.

"Do humans in the outside world all have such vibrant vitality?"

"I was also curious about that, Sect Master. After asking around, I learned that humans here have been consuming a type of immortal medicine called 'Crystal Marrow.' It strengthens the body and extends life."

"Oh? Who developed such a medicine?"

"It was created by the Fontaine Academy of Sciences under the direction of the Supreme Bishop of Fontaine."

"The Supreme Bishop of Fontaine?" Longhua turned slightly, glancing at Xuanqing. "Who is that?"

"He is one of the highest authorities in Fontaine, second only to the Hydro Archon."

"To create such a medicine and make it accessible to all, benefiting the masses... Such an extraordinary person makes me feel a sense of admiration."

Longhua nodded slightly, then turned back and continued walking forward, sighing softly.

"I've always kept Shan Hai Jing hidden, believing it was the best way to protect its people. But now, it seems I was wrong. I've let the people of Shan Hai Jing miss out on such a miraculous opportunity."

"Without you, Sect Master, Shan Hai Jing would have suffered greatly during the thousand-year Archon War and the calamity that swept Teyvat five hundred years ago. The people of Shan Hai Jing are eternally grateful to you. They would never resent you."

Longhua didn't comment on this, instead asking calmly, "Morax is 'dead.' Who governs Liyue now?"

"The Qixing of Liyue."

"Xuanqing, go and discuss with the Qixing the matter of opening Shan Hai Jing to the outside world and integrating it into Liyue Harbor's jurisdiction."

"Sect Master?" Xuanqing's eyes widened in surprise.

"Shan Hai Jing exists to protect its people, and the Xuanlong Sect exists to guide and educate them. Neither was meant to be a prison. The people deserve to pursue better lives, healthier bodies, and longer lifespans."

Longhua spoke softly but firmly:

"They may choose not to pursue these things, but I cannot deny them the opportunity."

"...Understood, Sect Master."

Xuanqing bowed slightly.

"Go now. The sooner this is done, the better. It's a significant matter and will likely require considerable preparation."

"Yes, Sect Master."

Xuanqing walked away, and Longhua watched her leave before turning her gaze toward a stall where a girl and an emergency food stood.

"You've been following us for a while. Why not come forward?"

The girl and the emergency food exchanged awkward glances before stepping forward.

"Sorry, we were just curious."

Of course, the girl was the Traveler, and the emergency food was... well, the emergency food.

Axue, following the Lantern Rite questline, had arrived at the harbor and seen the two girls from the animated cutscene at the beginning of the storyline.

"Wow, that girl is so beautiful! And she has such a mysterious aura."

Paimon waved her finger as she spoke.

"Let's follow them and see. They seem to be from Liyue, but I've never seen them before. I'm curious about who they are."

『Is this really okay?』

『Following people? I'm great at that.』

Axue chose the second option and quietly trailed behind, listening to the conversation between the two girls.

She quickly realized that Shan Hai Jing was likely a new region in Liyue, and its opening would coincide with the qipao girl's release in the gacha.

"Hello, are you an immortal?"

"Yes." The girl nodded calmly in response to Paimon's question. "In the past, both immortals and humans in Liyue called me the 'Fairy of Mountains and Seas.' But now, I'm more commonly known as the Sect Master of the Xuanlong Sect. My immortal title is rarely mentioned, so you can call me Longhua."

While the players were engaging in dialogue with the mysterious qipao girl...

Elsewhere, outside the game's camera view.

"This Golden Shrimp Ball is delicious! Though the ingredients could be better. Ye, hurry up and sell those Crystal Shrimp to Liyue. I want to eat this at the next Lantern Rite."

"Instead of that, why don't we just kidnap this chef and take her to Fontaine?"

Furina and Ye were feasting while seriously discussing how to abduct Xiangling to Fontaine.

After delaying a few trials and dumping his work on Neuvillette, Ye had secretly brought Furina out to enjoy the Lantern Rite in Liyue.