40: A Dream from the Geo Archon

As Saphir's voice fell, a surge of fire erupted from her hand and slammed down onto the Cryo Regisvine's core. The fire and ice elements triggered a Melt reaction, instantly breaking through the powerful Cryo shield that had nearly stymied the whole team. With that done, she casually dusted off her hands, returned to her seat beneath the tree, and resumed petting a blissed-out Paimon in her lap.

The Regisvine, stripped of its shield, was now like a puppet without strings. It collapsed limply, completely vulnerable to attack. Lin Yi didn't even bother to join in—he left the opportunity to the younger fighters, standing off to the side as he watched the system panel.

Saphir's status had updated after she changed stances.

[Entity: Afurola Saphir (Nether Mode)]

Level: lv90 (Blessed by the Gods)

HP: /

Abilities: Unknown

System-logged Skill: Ninja Art: Flying Squirrel

Constellation: Nether Throne

Activated Star: Belial's Sloth (Touched the Anemo Archon's Gnosis) – Effect: Unknown

Disposition toward Host: Friendly (Favorability rising)

He also saw a new system prompt:

"Host is advised to gather more intel to increase Phantom: Afurola Saphir's combat effectiveness."

Lin Yi smiled bitterly. Getting this woman to show off all her skills willingly? Yeah, not likely. But at least he now had information on one.

Ninja Art: Flying Squirrel

Launch upward to deal Pyro DMG and juggle enemies; can be recast up to four times in succession if hitting a target.

But without Lin Yi's own firepower, the three girls' attacks were barely scratching the Regisvine. And while Flying Squirrel was effective for breaking the shield, its raw damage was almost negligible.

Still, little by little, they wore the monster down. Eventually, with a mournful groan, it collapsed.

Another huge Ley Line Blossom bloomed in its wake.

This time, the operation had been flawless. No one was injured. Once the shield was broken, the Regisvine might as well have been a training dummy.

The ley line energy surged into Lumine, raising her to level 20. With that, the whole team had finally reached a functional combat baseline. Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction—though seeing Noelle still stuck at level 18 made him frown.

He wasn't keen on taking them to fight the Electro Hypostasis yet. Two levels might not seem like much, but in battle against a pure elemental boss, it could be the difference between victory and disaster.

While he was still deliberating, Saphir reminded him,

"You need to go to the Electro Hypostasis anyway. Don't forget—there's still a drop of Dvalin's Tears in the Dadaupa Gorge. If we don't grab it now, we'll just have to backtrack later."

She had a point. And not just the gorge—the Eagle's Gate Domain was another place they had to visit, both holding corrupted crystallized tears.

Decision made, Lin Yi began prepping dinner.

They had been hunting elemental bosses for two full days. At their current pace, they'd be back in Mondstadt by tomorrow.

As usual, Lin Yi did the cooking while Noelle assisted. Saphir lounged in a tree nearby, staring at the flickering campfire with a distant look in her eyes.

"Lin Yi, I won't be joining the Hypostasis fight tomorrow," she said suddenly. "I'll handle the three Hilichurl camps instead. We'll split up—it'll be faster."

There was a strange unease in her heart, as if something bad was approaching. But she couldn't pin down what.

Lin Yi's hand paused. Then he shook his head.

"No. I don't agree."

Saphir glanced down at him.

"We're running out of time. We should wrap this up quickly and head back."

"I said no." Lin Yi looked up at her seriously. "I know what you're trying to say, but I'm still not letting you go alone. Dvalin's tears contain heavy Abyssal taint. Going alone is too dangerous."

"That was a one-off. I'm fine now," Saphir insisted.

But Lin Yi set the food aside and met her gaze.

"Don't push yourself. I'm not worried about you. I just don't want to clean up the mess when you lose control. You've got no sense of self-preservation, and you hit way too hard. I don't want to have to fight you."

Saphir flushed instantly.

"W-what kind of nonsense is that? 'Clean up your mess'? Is that how you talk to a lady?"

She turned away with a huff, not bothering to reply further. But she also didn't bring up splitting up again.

Nearby, Lumine's shoulders trembled—clearly struggling to hold back laughter.

Barbara covered her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle.

Noelle bit her lip, her face bright red with the effort.

The endless bickering between Lin Yi and Saphir had been the group's favorite entertainment on the road.

Liyue – Jade Chamber

Ningguang was already asleep. Her sleep schedule was strict—late nights were disastrous for skin health. And Ningguang, known across Liyue for her flawless skin and elegant figure, had no intention of letting time dull her allure.

Suddenly, her slumbering brow furrowed. Her dream faded, replaced by the image of a man in flowing white robes, his face hidden behind a solemn white mask.

Ningguang immediately recognized what was happening.

"A dream-sending technique… from the Adepti."

But she had no ties to the Adepti—not directly.

Only Rex Lapis, the Geo Archon, contacted her this way.

She knelt.

"My Lord."

The man's voice was hazy and untraceable, his identity masked in every sense. She had never once connected this figure to Zhongli, the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

"Rise," the voice said calmly.

Ningguang obeyed, awaiting instruction.

"A distinguished guest will arrive in Liyue in the coming days. Arrange for Ganyu to receive them. I tried contacting her just now, but she's not asleep."

Ningguang hesitated, then nodded.

"Understood."

The figure added,

"Don't worry about work. The Yuheng Star has returned."

Ningguang responded immediately,

"That's reassuring. Yelan has also been idle lately, so we have enough staff."

Rex Lapis nodded.

"Very good."

The dream faded, and Ningguang returned to peaceful sleep.

When she awoke the next morning, she sat up and began to piece together the meaning behind the dream.

Keqing has returned. A guest of honor is arriving.

If Rex Lapis himself had instructed Ganyu to welcome this guest, then the visitor's identity must be incredibly prestigious.

Someone of celestial rank? But if it were another Adeptus, they wouldn't be called a "guest."

Foreign royalty? Barbatos himself? But Mondstadt was still in the throes of a storm crisis. There's no way the Anemo Archon would be free to travel.

Saphir? Possibly. But even as a Fatui Harbinger, she didn't warrant this level of ceremony. The Fatui's emissary to Liyue was Tartaglia, and even he hadn't earned such notice.

So who could it be?

Too many unknowns.

For now, she would go to the Yuehai Pavilion.

After dressing and tending to her appearance, Ningguang summoned one of her secretaries—Baishi.

"Any appointments today?"

Baishi thought for a moment.

"Nothing urgent. The Yuehai Pavilion is in order. But… regarding the General Affairs Office…"

Ningguang frowned.

"What about it?"

"Since the Yuheng Star's absence, the workload has actually increased. I know it's not proper to gossip about the Qixing, but… I don't understand what caused this surge. You know Lady Keqing well. Her absence shouldn't have caused so much backlog."

That was dangerous talk from a subordinate—but Baishi was a seasoned aide. Ningguang knew she wasn't speaking carelessly.

Keqing was a workaholic. But if the workload increased when she left, then something else was going on. Still, Ningguang didn't dwell on it.

"Forget it, Baishi. Cancel today's appointments. I have a new task."

Baishi bowed.

"Yes, Lady Ningguang."

As Ningguang walked away, she didn't see the secretary's expression twist.

A blush spread across Baishi's cheeks. A thin line of drool slid from her lips.

"Hnnngh—Lady Ningguang's scent! Her legs… so long… so white… so round! I'm so lucky, uwaaah!!"

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