Chapter 99: Calm Xiao

"Hurry, while he's still eating almond tofu, tell him about the Geo Archon's situation!"

Seeing that Lumine remained silent, Paimon quickly urged her. If Xiao ran away again, they would truly be left in tears.

"Xiao, the adeptus..." Lumine relayed the news of the Geo Archon's demise to Xiao, who listened calmly without even pausing his eating.

After Lumine finished speaking, Xiao finally put down the half-eaten almond tofu, crossed his arms, and looked at the two of them. Under their expectant gazes, he slightly opened his mouth.

"Hmm."

Lumine: "???"

Paimon: "???"

The two were speechless, exchanging glances filled with confusion and surprise. Xiao's reaction was far too calm, especially compared to the Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer they had met earlier. It was like night and day.

"Um, Xiao, don't you have anything to..." Paimon couldn't help but ask, though she didn't finish her sentence, her meaning was clear.

"The Geo Archon cannot die. I am aware of your request. I will head to Liyue Harbor as soon as possible."

"But..." Before Lumine could finish, Xiao vanished once again, leaving Paimon's words stuck in her throat.

"Waaah! So annoying! Why is this short adeptus like this?!" Paimon stomped her feet in the air, her cheeks puffed up in frustration.

Whoosh! A leaf, sharp as a blade, flew toward Paimon. Under her terrified gaze, it neatly sliced off her bangs, revealing her smooth forehead.

"Paimon, your hair... Pfft! Hahaha!" Lumine covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter, but eventually gave up and burst out laughing.

"My... my hair!" Paimon looked at the scattered white strands on the ground, her face crestfallen. "This is it, how am I supposed to face anyone now?"

"Disrespecting an adeptus warrants a small punishment. If it happens again, the consequences will be severe!" Xiao's indifferent voice floated into Paimon's ears, causing her to immediately shut her mouth, fearing he might shave her entire head.

"Xiao, we'll take our leave now." Lumine struggled to hold back her laughter, one hand clutching her stomach from laughing too hard, while the other picked up the despondent Paimon. She quickly checked out and dashed away.

Watching the Traveler and Paimon disappear into the distance, Xiao, standing atop a tree, murmured to himself, "My lord, what exactly are you planning?"

'Holder, Void Archives kindly reminds you: Fenghuang Downs is about to complete its evolution. Time remaining: 59 minutes and 59 seconds.'

At Wanmin Restaurant, Yun Fan was gently wiping the oil from Griseo's mouth with a handkerchief. Upon hearing the notification from Void Archives, he was momentarily stunned before nodding in understanding.

He had been so busy playing with little Griseo these past two days that he had completely forgotten about the Fenghuang Downs.

"Brother Yun Fan, what's wrong?" Seeing Yun Fan spacing out, Griseo tilted her head slightly, her purple eyes filled with curiosity.

"Ah? It's nothing. Little Griseo, take your time eating. Brother will show you something amazing later." Yun Fan smiled, folded the handkerchief, and tucked it into his pocket.

"Something amazing?" Though puzzled, Griseo nodded obediently and continued eating.

Perhaps out of curiosity for what Yun Fan had mentioned, Griseo only ate for another quarter of an hour before putting down her spoon.

As for why she wasn't using chopsticks, Yun Fan was also a bit confused. Despite her mastery with a paintbrush, Griseo just couldn't seem to learn how to use chopsticks.

"Yun Fan brother, let's go." Griseo looked up at Yun Fan.

"So soon? Are you really full, Griseo? Brother isn't in a hurry." Yun Fan glanced at the barely touched food on the table. Even with her small frame, Griseo couldn't have eaten so little, right?

"No, Griseo is very full." Griseo shook her head, her tone serious.

"Alright then." Yun Fan lifted Griseo from her seat and took her small hand. "Let's go. Brother will take you for a walk outside Liyue Harbor today."

Above the Jade Chamber,

The Tianquan, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang—the seven stars representing the pinnacle of Liyue's power—sat around a circular table. Since the appearance of the Divine Sovereign, the Qixing had gathered here once more.

The seven wore varied expressions: some grave, some relaxed; some anxious, some accusatory.

"Ningguang, are you sure the adepti will come?" Kaiyang asked, his eyes filled with seriousness. In truth, he knew full well that the Geo Archon's death was a matter of great importance, and the adepti of Jueyun Karst would not let it slide. They would inevitably confront the Qixing. His question was merely for reassurance.

"I'm certain. The messenger has been gone for over six days. The first adeptus to receive the message should arrive in Liyue today." Ningguang calculated the time and made her estimation.

"Really, next time you do something like this, give us a heads-up so we can prepare," Yaoguang sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness.

"It was an emergency. I had no choice." Ningguang picked up her teacup and took small sips, soothing her dry throat.

Not long ago, the Fatui Harbinger Tartaglia had approached the Traveler, asking her to seek out the adepti in Jueyun Karst to seek justice for the Geo Archon.

Upon hearing this, Ningguang immediately understood Tartaglia's intentions. After all, compared to Tartaglia, a military man, Ningguang, as Liyue's top merchant, was far more astute.

Tartaglia wanted to use the adepti to pressure the Qixing, allowing the Fatui to carry out some unknown operation in Liyue.

This was undoubtedly a premeditated plan, not a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even if Lumine refused to go, Tartaglia would send someone else. However, in that case, the initiative would no longer be in their hands.

After all, the Traveler was the optimal choice, not the only one.

Rather than let subsequent events spiral out of control, it was better to have the justice-driven Lumine, as the Qixing's envoy, personally invite the adepti. This way, the Qixing wouldn't be too passive.

Knock knock knock...

Urgent knocking echoed through the room. The Qixing perked up, exchanged glances, nodded, and then all turned their attention to Ningguang, the Tianquan, seated at the head of the table.

"Enter," Ningguang said solemnly.

Whoosh—

The door swung open, and Ningguang's secretary, Baiwen, hurried in to report.

"Honored Qixing, three adepti have arrived at the Jade Chamber!"