It seems the Moon-Chasing Festival is coming up soon, right?
The moment this thought arose, a current sound rang out in sync, and Noah answered the terminal.
"Noah, it's me, Yangyang."
"How have you been lately? Are you adapting to life in Jinzhou? If you need anything, remember to come find me."
Her words were as gentle as ever, and soon another voice full of energy cut in:
"Hey, Yangyang, why are you beating around the bush? If you want to see Noah, just call him out directly."
It was Chixia who snatched the terminal:
"Do you want to watch fireworks? Do you want to play arrow-shooting pots? It's almost festival time—we'll take you to a great place. Without us, haven't you been bored out of your mind these past few days?"
"A great place?"
Noah pondered thoughtfully and casually guessed:
"It wouldn't be Taoyuan Vale, right?"
"Eh! How did you know!"
From the other end of the terminal came Chixia's surprised voice, followed by Yangyang explaining:
"Everyone in Taoyuan Vale has already repaired their homes, and Jinzhou officials have also set up complete flood prevention measures. From now on, Taoyuan Vale will never fall into the predicament it faced before."
"Moreover, every year in Jinzhou, people go to Taoyuan Vale before the Moon-Chasing Festival to write their wishes on paper slips and hang them on tall trees or put them into tree hollows."
Chixia excitedly introduced:
"It's said that wishes made in these two days will all come true—super effective! You should come try it too. Me, Yangyang, and Baizhi are all here waiting for you."
"On my way!"
Noah grinned crookedly, hung up the communication, and the motorcycle manifested from the Inferno Rider Echo appeared at his side.
He swung onto the bike, twisted the throttle to the max, and rode the ghost fire all the way at full speed.
"Woo-hoo!"
With the wind whistling past his ears, it took only ten-plus minutes to rush from Dim Forest to Taoyuan Vale.
"The person who invented Echoes is truly a genius, and the one who lets players have a great open-world experience without needing to draw characters is an even greater genius."
As night began to fall, faint warm lights already illuminated the spacious bluestone roads in Taoyuan Vale. Shops lined both sides of the ancient street, with red lanterns hung high at every household.
Fortunately, the Moon-Chasing Festival hadn't officially arrived yet, so the crowd wasn't too large.
Amid the roar of the motorcycle, Noah spotted the figures of Yangyang, Chixia, and Baizhi from afar.
"Noah, over here, over here!"
Chixia widened her eyes and waved excitedly.
With a stylish drift, Noah got off the bike, leaned against the Inferno Rider, and sharply slid his fingers in a sword gesture across his brow:
"Long time no see, you three—did you miss me?"
Yangyang nodded, Baizhi crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away, while Chixia was full of excitement:
"Wow, where did you get this ride? So cool! Wait, this seems like an Echo too! What have you been up to these days?"
"Like the ride? Borrow it for a couple days."
Noah patted the Inferno Rider and generously lent this Echo to Chixia. Chixia fondly stroked it, saying she'd only play with it for one day before returning it.
"I haven't been doing much these past few days—just casually dealt with a few Overlord and Elite Class Tacet Discords. Nothing worth mentioning."
"So strong." Chixia directly gave a thumbs up.
"Looks like you've recovered well." Baizhi nodded subtly.
"That's too dangerous— you're not injured, right?" Yangyang looked concerned.
Noah indicated he was fine and suggested:
"Let's celebrate this year's Moon-Chasing Festival together. Oh, right—where's the wish-making spot you mentioned earlier?"
"Over there."
The three women pointed in unison toward one direction.
Following where they pointed, Noah turned his gaze and indeed saw a wish-making tree atop a small hill, covered in full bloom with pink flowers.
"We've all made our wishes already. You should go make one too—the wishes made in these two days are super effective!"
Of course they're effective—because inside the wish-making tree lives a super-intelligent genius researcher Xiangli Yao, who specializes in fulfilling everyone's wishes.
Noah, who saw through it but didn't say it out loud, smiled faintly:
"Alright, you guys play first. I'll go over and make a wish."
A line of small text appeared in his vision.
[Event Quest: "Moonlit Wishes" will activate in three hours.]
[Quest Description: As the bright moon gradually becomes full, Jinzhou welcomes the lively Moon-Chasing Festival. Inviting family and friends to admire the moon and make wishes together is a traditional custom in Jinzhou.
On the eve of the festival, the legend of the "Moontree Lodge" wish-making reached your ears. You decide...]
[Completing the Event Quest "Moonlit Wishes" rewards: Xiangli Yao Waveband *1.]
Ah—free Xiangli Yao!
Noah's eyes lit up slightly.
Originally, among the many 5-stars in Wuthering Waves, Xiangli Yao's strength was on the lower side, so he hadn't planned to spend resources drawing him. But if it's free...
Who could resist such temptation?
The plot of "Moonlit Wishes" isn't complicated: Rover picks up the out-of-control assistant robot Patty, thereby meeting Xiangli Yao in the Moontree Lodge, who helps the public fulfill wishes.
Through continuous puzzle-solving, Rover and Xiangli Yao successively fulfill four people's wishes, uncovering a sealed past of Xiangli Yao's.
In the end, all wishes are granted, the Moon-Chasing Festival is held smoothly—very heartwarming, not difficult at all.
After sorting out the plot, Noah released his perception and indeed found a nearby out-of-control red assistant robot.
"Hand it over!"
He reached out, slightly activating his Resonance ability, and remotely pulled the assistant robot to him.
Next, it was time to go to the Moontree Lodge under the wish-making tree to find Xiangli Yao.
===✧✦✧===
On the other side.
Jinzhou City Hall.
Jinhsi was practicing dance steps in front of the mirror. Her movements had become increasingly smooth and natural—this dance she had privately practiced for a full half month.
From the initial clumsiness and bewilderment following video tutorials to now being completely familiar, every movement precise and perfect.
"Magistrate, the full set of dress you customized, [Peach Blossom], has arrived."
Sanhua's voice sounded from outside the door. Jinhsi stopped her dance steps, sat upright instead, and in the next moment, Sanhua pushed the door open.
An exquisite box was placed on the table. Jinhsi opened it, held the vibrant pink dress with both hands, her lips curving slightly, with hidden anticipation between her brows.
"There's one more thing, Magistrate. After reporting the matter of the Sentinel in Mt. Firmament, it shocked the entire Grand Library, and then—"
Sanhua took out another letter bearing a Blake Bloom mark:
"This is a letter sent by someone claiming to be a merchant from Black Shores, insisting it be opened by you personally. After inspection, the Black Shores mark on the envelope is not forged."
"Alright."
Jinhsi's expression turned serious. She put the pink dress back in the box, carefully unsealed the letter, and let her gaze fall on the neat handwriting.
As she read carefully, her brows involuntarily furrowed slightly.
The entire letter was full of flattering words, cautiously phrased—extremely humble, lowering their posture to the bone. The overflowing information could be summarized in one sentence.
Black Shores is in dire emergency; earnestly request the Sentinel of Jinzhou to lend aid.
But the specific nature of the emergency was not stated clearly.
"That won't do. The Sentinel is still recovering and cannot easily leave the Mianloong Chamber in Mt. Firmament."
Jinhsi shook her head slightly, turned the letter over, and saw another full page of flattery. This time, however, it inexplicably referred to the hero who saved Jinzhou three times as the Astral Modulator, requesting Noah's assistance.
"Even more no! What if something happens to Noah while he's away from Jinzhou? Moreover, Noah is a honored guest of Jinzhou; I have no authority to commission him."
Jinhsi furrowed her brows, took out stationery, wrote a polite refusal, and had Sanhua send the reply.
"The Grand Library's festival is approaching and cannot be disturbed by outsiders. Sanhua, pass the order: have all Patrollers be vigilant. If anyone carrying Blake Bloom enters Jinzhou, detain them immediately and report to me."
"Yes!"