On the day of the Rite of Descension, Durandal followed Lumine and Paimon to Yujing Terrace, where many people had already gathered to attend the Rite of Descension.
Before the Rite of Descension officially began, many people would receive free incense distributed by the organizers. While praying before the incense burner, they would speak their wishes in their hearts and finally place the incense in the burner.
Durandal initially had no interest, but since Lumine and Paimon did it, she reluctantly accompanied them to complete this step.
During the actual prayer, she found that she still had a wish she wanted to fulfill, but she didn't intend to tell anyone about it, keeping it buried in her heart.
After this, the three entered Yujing Terrace together. It was crowded with people, and if not for the Millelith maintaining order, it would probably be even more congested.
This situation was truly unfriendly to short girls. As long as a tall person stood in front, they basically couldn't see what was happening ahead.
Hmm~ It wasn't allowed to stand on the high ground next to Yujing Terrace, which made Lumine very distressed. She considered whether to use the Geo Element to create a high place for herself, but doing so would definitely draw a warning from the Millelith, so she gave up the idea.
"Should I temporarily create a poison that can make people briefly unconscious, so they'll give up their spots?"
It was Durandal's first time experiencing such "humiliation." Anger rising in her heart, she wore a strange smile, preparing to make this Rite of Descension a little more lively. Fortunately, Lumine noticed this and promptly stopped her actions.
"I found you all! Lumine, Paimon, Durandal. Good thing you're conspicuous enough, it didn't take me much effort to find you."
"Xiangling? Why are you also here for the Rite of Descension? For you Liyue natives, isn't this kind of thing no longer fresh?"
The newcomer was none other than Lumine and Durandal's friend in Liyue Harbor—Xiangling. She came with Guoba to participate in the Rite of Descension.
Lumine looked at her with some surprise; she really hadn't expected Xiangling to come.
"It's not new, but I knew you were coming, so I followed along to watch. Anyway, the Wanmin Restaurant isn't busy right now, so even if I come out, it won't affect business. Plus, I can pray and ask the Geo Archon to look after the Wanmin Restaurant's business for the coming year."
"And me, and me! I'm also here to ask the Geo Archon to look after the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business for the coming year!"
Xiangling had just finished speaking when the mischievous Hu Tao jumped out from behind her, winking playfully at Durandal with her right eye and saying.
Lumine didn't know Hu Tao. Hu Tao came this time because of Durandal. She had nothing to do and was idle at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Thinking that Durandal was going to attend today's Rite of Descension, she came to watch and meet the person Durandal had taken an interest in.
"Look after your business?" Durandal frowned, "Looking after Xiangling's business is understandable; people need to eat every day. But your Wangsheng Funeral Parlor deals with funerals. If your business thrives, that's not a good thing."
"Oh my, a year has passed, and the Children has grown another year older. Adults also age a year, and as age increases, such things are unavoidable."
Hu Tao blinked, ignoring the people around her who were looking at her with strange eyes.
"No matter what, everyone comes here to pray for good fortune. I am the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and I hope my family's business can be better. Is there a problem with that?"
Hu Tao waved her hand, her gaze turning to Lumine, who had been watching her curiously. She walked over with her hands behind her back, sizing her up.
"You're the one Durandal took an interest in? Heh heh~ Not bad, really not bad. At least your appearance passes, but besides that, what else did she see in you?"
Lumine is a beautiful Damselette; this is an affirmation from Hu Tao, a beautiful Damselette herself, and no one would deny this point.
But besides being pretty, it wasn't enough for Durandal to care so much. There must be something special about her, those special qualities that made Durandal care so much about her.
"You know me? Did Durandal tell you about me?"
"She mentioned it in passing, but didn't say too much. However, I seem to have some impression of you. Hmm~ Aren't you that outsider who's been very active in Liyue Harbor recently?"
Short golden hair, exotic equipment, plus the obvious characteristic of being accompanied by a mysterious little thing, quickly reminded Hu Tao of the rumors.
It seems Lumine has been very active recently, even Hu Tao has heard rumors about her; she's really amazing.
"If you need my help, you can come to me. As long as you give enough Reward, I can do anything you ask, oh."
"Oh? Anything?" Hu Tao's large eyes swiveled, a mischievous idea forming in her mind, and she asked with a smile.
"Yes, anything I can do, I can fulfill for you, oh."
"In that case, can Durandal join the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
"Absolutely not."
Almost the instant Hu Tao spoke, Lumine refused her, her gaze at Hu Tao turning serious.
This surprised Durandal. Lumine usually had a high tolerance for beautiful Damselettes, and Hu Tao, as a beautiful Damselette, should have received the same treatment. Why was it different this time?
"Durandal is my companion, not my possession. I can't decide her whereabouts, and she specializes in healing others. Your Wangsheng Funeral Parlor does funeral business, right? Don't you think Durandal's abilities conflict with your business?"
"No conflict, oh. Besides healing, she can also discern a person's physical condition with her eyes. This can help the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor discover many potential users. Having her as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is an excellent choice. I don't see any conflict with this choice."
"Even so, no. Durandal is a very important travel companion to me. We will go to many places in the future, and I don't plan to leave her in Liyue."
"Is that so? That's truly a pity. I thought the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor could gain a capable hand."
Hu Tao didn't expect Lumine to agree, so she wasn't too disheartened by her answer.
She secretly observed Durandal, somewhat worried that her previous remark might have displeased Durandal. Only after confirming that she showed no reaction did Hu Tao breathe a sigh of relief.
Xiangling, who was watching with Durandal, couldn't help but look at Durandal. This person was really popular.
However, she herself didn't seem to realize this and kept looking towards the center of the ceremony, ignoring Lumine and Hu Tao.
"Are you very curious about how the Rite of Descension will be held? Or are you curious about the Geo Archon?"
"According to the records, when Rex Lapis descends, he always appears in a half-dragon, half-qilin form. As the god of Liyue, and the strongest among the Seven Archons, of course, I would be curious."
Actually, she most wanted to know what unexpected things would happen at this Rite of Descension. Moreover, she had just heard in conversations that the Tianquan Star, Ningguang, the one who invited her to the Jade Chamber for a talk, was hosting this Rite of Descension.
If circumstances allowed, she really wished she could float up a bit to see what was going on inside.
[I should have created a clone when I came here and observed Yujing Terrace through shared vision.]
It was too late to say anything now. She just hoped that Xiangling and Hu Tao, as Liyue locals, could help them find a suitable spot to watch the descent of Rex Lapis.
The atmosphere between Lumine and Hu Tao quickly returned to normal. When the topic wasn't Durandal, their interaction was quite harmonious.
With Hu Tao's help, the group finally found a place where they could clearly see the ceremony and stood there obediently, waiting for the auspicious moment to arrive.
"Speaking of which, every Rite of Descension is held at an auspicious time. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor also chooses an auspicious time for funerals. Do you think this auspicious time might produce something different?"
"How could that be! Don't forget that the Rite of Descension is overseen by the Tianquan. With the Tianquan's abilities, how could such a mistake occur? Don't talk nonsense there."
Xiangling put her hands on her hips, staring at Hu Tao disapprovingly. They were about to meet the Geo Archon; was it really appropriate to say such things at a time like this?
Hu Tao playfully stuck out her tongue, indicating that she was just joking and meant no harm.
It was originally just a joke to liven up the atmosphere, but Durandal took the remark to heart. Thinking of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's business, she suddenly felt she might understand what Zhongli was talking about.
"It should... be unlikely, right?"
Durandal looked at the sky hesitantly. That person wouldn't have such an absurd plan, would he? If it's true, what exactly does he want to do?
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
Paimon, holding a snack, asked while eating.
This fellow, even at this moment, hadn't stopped eating. By the way, where did she get her food from? Did they buy anything when they came to Yujing Terrace?
"No, I just feel like the sky is strange, like there's something unusual."
Upon hearing this, Paimon also looked up at the sky above Yujing Terrace, but with her eyesight, she couldn't see any problem with Yujing Terrace.
Just then, Ningguang officially announced the start of the Rite of Descension.
She skillfully wielded the power of the element, the Geo Element dancing under her control. After a dazzling display, a beam of light shot straight into the sky.
Everyone knew what was going to happen next: the majestic Rex Lapis would descend from the clouds onto Yujing Terrace... at least, that's how the Rite of Descension usually unfolded in previous years.
The originally clear and sunny sky was suddenly covered by a layer of dark clouds, and an ominous aura enveloped Yujing Terrace.
While everyone was at a loss, a colossal creature plummeted from the sky, crashing heavily onto the Rite of Descension altar.
The creature, half-dragon and half-Qilin in appearance, was completely lifeless, lying motionless on the ground.
Xiangling, Hu Tao, Lumine, and Paimon stared blankly at the scene, their heads synchronously turning forty-five degrees to the right, letting out a questioning "Hm?"
Durandal sighed, clutching her head, "This really is… an unexpected development."