Chapter 229: Lumine Growth

After multiple clashes, Lumine strength was finally depleted.

She knelt on one knee, her dull blade stuck in the ground.

Qiu Bai, standing before her, still maintained his calm composure, showing no signs of fatigue.

"Well done. This special training can now conclude." 

Qiu Bai said with a smile, looking at Lumine kneeling on the ground.

"Your power, speed, and combat awareness have all been enhanced."

He then extended his hand, white divine light emanating from it to restore Lumine energy.

With a wave of his hand, he dissolved the barrier.

"Thank you, Qiu Bai." 

Lumine said excitedly, looking at him and then her own hands, clenching her fists.

"I really feel like I've become stronger."

"Oh? It's over already?"

Yae Miko walked over to Qiu Bai and Lumine, smiling as she spoke.

"Hmm... More or less." 

Qiu Bai replied after a moment of contemplation.

"Traveler, how do you feel?"

Paimon flew to Lumine, asking with concern.

"When you two were fighting, I was on the edge of my seat!"

"I'm fine, Paimon. Qiu Bai has restored my energy." 

Lumine reassured her worried companion with a gentle smile.

"And with Qiu Bai help, my power has increased significantly."

"Let's have Lumine try that mechanism again, Lady Guuji." 

Qiu Bai suggested to Yae Miko with a smile.

"Let's see if she can handle it easily now."

"It's just over there." 

"Interested, little one?"

Yae Miko looked at Lumine. 

"Is that thing useful?"

Lumine asked curiously.

"Let's just say... it's a device that can replicate the Raiden Shogun techniques."

Yae Miko explained, glancing at the stone-like machine behind her.

"I made it from memory... if her martial skills haven't deteriorated."

"Getting familiar with her moves and finding countermeasures would be very helpful, wouldn't it?"

Yae Miko turned back to Lumine with a smile.

"That sounds reasonable." 

Paimon said, scratching her head.

"But Lady Guuji, why did you make such a machine?"

She couldn't understand why the Electro Archon familiar would create such a device.

"Hehe~"

Yae Miko chuckled mysteriously.

"It's a secret. Now go try not to get hit by those techniques, little one."

"I'll give it a try." 

Lumine nodded and walked toward the machine.

With Qiu Bai help, she had grown much stronger and felt confident.

After a while, following a flash of lightning, Lumine calmly walked out.

"Not that difficult." 

Lumine said proudly, hands on her hips, her innocent face looking adorable.

"Hahaha..."

Qiu Bai couldn't help but laugh.

"Although you handled it easily, the real Raiden Shogun won't follow predictable patterns."

"But I'm surprised that Lady Guuji is the Electro Archon familiar. I wouldn't have guessed."

Paimon said, puzzled.

"Dvalin doesn't have a human form, does he?"

"Hmm, does that mean you're more interested in my fox lady form?"

Yae Miko crossed her arms.

"I want to see it!"

"Definitely interested!"

Lumine replied eagerly.

"Ah~ Dream on~"

Yae Miko teased.

"We can't?"

Lumine expression dropped in disappointment.

"I've seen it." 

Qiu Bai said mysteriously.

"Really, Qiu Bai?!"

Paimon exclaimed in surprise.

"You've seen Lady Guuji fox form?!"

"Indeed." 

Qiu Bai nodded.

"Oh?"

Yae Miko put her hands on her hips, eyeing Qiu Bai.

"Hahaha... I can't say more, she won't let me." 

Qiu Bai shrugged helplessly.

"I'll tell you all about it someday." 

He added, using divine power to transmit his voice only to Lumine and Paimon, then winked.

"Hehe~"

Lumine nodded vigorously, giving Qiu Bai a knowing smile.

"Actually, the strange thing isn't my appearance." 

Yae Miko sighed wistfully.

"It's that we no longer see each other, isn't it?"

"An eternally unchanging nation was our shared dream." 

Yae Miko continued, hands on hips.

"But I never believed that meant complete stagnation..."

"From a certain point on, she began walking a path I found increasingly difficult to reach." 

Yae Miko turned around, gazing up at the night sky.

"Before Ei entered the Plane of Euthymia, she didn't say goodbye."

"Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but I believe this was her way of keeping our friendship eternal." 

Yae Miko shook her head resignedly.

"No farewells, no diminishing of our relationship. It remains eternally as it was back then—at least that's what she probably thinks."

"Perhaps it's the Raiden Shogun who's being presumptuous." 

Lumine said softly, trying to comfort Yae Miko.

"Ah, Raiden Ei?"

Yae Miko mused.

"If the real Raiden were here, everything would be easier."

Originally, they were twin Archon sisters, complementing each other weaknesses.

One skilled in governance, the other in martial arts—their partnership had built Inazuma.

Now, with one no longer present, and the martial-oriented Raiden Ei, how could she truly understand the meaning of eternity?

"Since we've already embarked on two completely different paths of eternity."

Yae Miko turned to face Qiu Bai and the others.

"I can either maintain the status quo or choose to bring her back to the right path, regardless of the cost..."

"Pulling her out of her self-created world." 

Yae Miko looked up at the starry sky, her brows furrowed.

"That is my duty as her eternal familiar."

"Lady Guuji is truly a good friend." 

Paimon said with a gentle smile.

"By the way, Lady Guuji, do you think the Traveler could defeat the Raiden Shogun now?"

Paimon asked expectantly.

"In my opinion... not a chance." 

Yae Miko said with a smile after examining Lumine.

"Hey! Then wasn't this all for nothing?!"

Paimon crossed her arms, annoyed.

What was the point of all this special training?

"Hehe~"

Yae Miko chuckled.

"You are the most important part of my plan. I have my calculations—how could I let you face her without any chance of victory?"

"Speaking of which... Traveler, what do you think of the resistance forces?"

Yae Miko asked Lumine.

"Honestly..."

Lumine frowned.

"They're no match for the Raiden Shogun either."

(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)