Chapter 14: Two Years and a New Draw

"Where did you go just now?" Cloud Retainer, who should have been in her room studying machinery, appeared quietly before Yun Fan as he returned to the abode.

"Me? I took on a disciple and spent the day teaching her," Yun Fan didn't hide anything. There was nothing to hide—he hadn't done anything wrong... probably.

"That Yuheng?"

"Huh? You knew?" Yun Fan looked at Cloud Retainer in surprise.

"All the birds and beasts on Mt. Aocang are my eyes and ears," Cloud Retainer said proudly.

"I almost forgot your true form is a big bird—no, a crane," Yun Fan quickly corrected himself. He didn't want to argue with Cloud Retainer about this.

"Hmph!" Cloud Retainer snorted.

"I assume you gave her the realm gadget too? Consider it a reward for her diligent service to Liyue."

"Yes, yes, thank you for your generosity, Cloud Retainer." Who would have thought Cloud Retainer was such a tsundere crane? So unstraightforward.

"However—"

Cloud Retainer's tone shifted. "Having multiple wives and concubines is common in Liyue, but if you ever wrong Shenhe, I won't let you off!"

Yun Fan could only laugh awkwardly.

"You should rest now. I'm going to find Shenhe."

Yun Fan scurried away, amusing Cloud Retainer. Someone as promising as Yun Fan would undoubtedly attract many outstanding women in the future.

She wouldn't—and couldn't—expect Yun Fan to love only one person. After all, this marriage was essentially forced upon him, even if he hadn't refused.

"Is Shenhe cultivating at the summit again?" Yun Fan leaped up the mountain and arrived at the peak.

Bathed in moonlight, the beauty's fair cheeks glowed with a soft blush. Her cool gaze rested on the crescent moon, making her look like a goddess under the moonlight.

Seeing Yun Fan approach, Shenhe offered a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"You don't have to force yourself to smile. I prefer your usual cool, aloof self—like an adeptus."

"I'm not an adeptus," Shenhe returned to her usual indifferent demeanor.

"I know. You're just an ordinary girl," Yun Fan chuckled.

"An ordinary... girl?" Shenhe repeated Yun Fan's words, then smiled genuinely—a smile from the heart.

"Want to talk?" Yun Fan seized the opportunity to invite her.

"Mm..."

Two years later...

In the blink of an eye, two years had passed.

During these two years, Yun Fan spent most of his time on Mt. Aocang, learning adeptal arts and formations from the three adepti. He rarely returned to Liyue Harbor, though he did spend a few days each month teaching Keqing combat skills. Fortunately, Keqing's remarkable comprehension allowed her to master "Purple Thunderclap."

Yes, Keqing had risen. She was no longer the "scraping" Keqing of old. If this were a game, she would now be the undisputed top Electro DPS in Liyue.

Over the years, Yun Fan and Shenhe had grown closer. The turning point had been that night two years ago. Even the hardest rocks would crumble under the passage of time, let alone a living person like Shenhe. The saying "familiarity breeds affection" held true.

'Holder, two years have passed. Draw opportunities x2 have been granted.' Hearing the voice in his mind, Yun Fan's expression darkened. Ever since he had asked the Void Archives to help with Keqing's lodging issue, it had blocked him, citing that 'the Primordial Code is not the host's babysitter.' He couldn't contact it unilaterally.

Now, after two years, the Void Archives had finally made a move. During this time, he had wanted to study the Geo Archon's Gnosis thoroughly. What a waste.

"Give the Gnosis back first."

'Granted.'

Yun Fan took back the Gnosis, confirmed that the divine power within was intact, and sighed in relief.

"Did you finish analyzing it?"

'There was nothing to analyze. It's just an empty shell of laws. For the holder, aside from the divine power inside, it's useless.'

"Fine, then proceed with the draws." Yun Fan didn't have high expectations. After all, the Gnosis was likely just a monitoring tool given to the gods by Celestia.

'Drawing... Manifesting rules...'

'Come! Vent your fury!' A white-haired man wearing a mask laughed maniacally as flames erupted from his body, carrying the power to burn everything to ashes.

'Acquired item: Mask of the Asura King.'

"Kalpas? No, it's Kalpas?" Yun Fan stared in surprise at the Void Archives' notification. The next moment, a mask resembling Kalpas's appeared in his hand.

Yun Fan examined the mask, which was primarily gold and dark brown. It lay quietly in his hand, yet exuded a powerful fighting spirit and scorching heat.

'Mask of the Asura King: Can summon Kalpas at his peak to fight for the holder. (Note: Kalpas's energy consumption is provided by the holder.)'

"Ugh, why couldn't it have been Elysia's crystal?" Yun Fan felt a pang of regret upon learning the mask could summon Kevin. If it had been Elysia's crystal, he would have drained himself dry to keep that flower-like girl in the world.

'Second draw in progress... Manifesting...'

'Acquired item: Pure and Innocent Love...'

"Elysia's crystal?!" Yun Fan felt incredibly lucky. This was beyond his wildest dreams.

'Just kidding. Acquired weapon: Eden's Star · Anti-Entropy.'

"I #￥%!@…%#￥#…￥#"

The next moment, Yun Fan was kicked out of the mental space by the Void Archives for excessive language.

"Haah, haah..." Taking deep breaths, Yun Fan calmed himself.

He hadn't expected the Primordial Code to play such a trick on him—a feint. He had been careless.

But to have Elysia slip through his fingers was truly frustrating.

Summoning Eden's Star · Anti-Entropy, Yun Fan fired a test shot. A blast of explosive Cryo energy shot out, piercing through a distant mountain and freezing passing birds into shattered ice fragments.

"Incredible power," Yun Fan muttered. Although this weapon wasn't as suited to him as the Seven Thunders of Retribution or Raikiri, a heavy cannon was still a great addition. He quite liked it.

'Eden's Star · Anti-Entropy evolution progress: 0%'

'Absorb energy to increase evolution progress.'

Evolution? No rush. Take it slow.

"Yun Fan, are you there?" Keqing's voice came from the foot of the mountain, tinged with anxiety. She must have been startled by the earlier commotion.

"Huh, is it time to teach Keqing combat skills again?"

Yun Fan put on Kalpas's mask. It fit surprisingly well.

As the sun set, Yun Fan put away the weapon.

"Keqing, it's been two years since you started training with me."

"Yes, it's been two years," Keqing replied with a hint of nostalgia. Over these two years, she had developed a strange affection for this "faceless" master, though she didn't know how to express it.

"I have some matters to attend to. You won't need to come here to find me anymore." Hearing Yun Fan's words, Keqing stiffened, her eyes glistening with tears. "I understand, Yun Fan."

Seeing her like this, Yun Fan felt a pang of guilt. He instinctively patted Keqing's cat-eared head.

"Don't worry. We'll meet again in at most a year. When that time comes, I'll show you my true face. Don't fail to recognize me."

"I... I understand..." Keqing patted her flushed cheeks and replied in a voice as soft as a mosquito's.

When she looked up again, Yun Fan was gone.

"I'll be waiting for you..."