Yunqin frantically "roared" in the consciousness channel, unleashing her fury at her main body, Lu Qiuyun's, consciousness: "Why did you block me! Are you doing something shady with Lydia?!"
"Do you have any idea how boring it was to pretend I knew nothing this whole time...?"
While she "raged" internally, she had to maintain a blank expression on the outside, terrified that Lumine and Paimon might notice something was wrong.
Lu Qiuyun's amused voice echoed in the consciousness channel, mingled with Lydia's light, wind-chime-like laughter. "Sorry, sorry, we didn't mean to block you. We were just discussing with Lydia and the other personas how to make your path ahead a little 'easier.'"
"Really? You're not lying to me?" Yunqin frowned, her voice dripping with suspicion.
Lu Qiuyun and Lydia exchanged a glance, silently adding in their minds: Easier for you to make your grand exit.
Despite their true intentions, Lu Qiuyun's voice remained gentle and reassuring. "We're not lying. We won't suddenly disappear again. At the very least, we'll stay with you until you make your grand, glorious exit."
Yunqin finally breathed a sigh of relief. In her consciousness, she nodded her little head emphatically. "That's more like it! You'd better stay with me from now on, or else... or else I'll never share the new Rex Lapis clay figurines with you again!"
As she spoke, the corners of her mouth secretly curved upward before she quickly suppressed the smile, pretending to look nonchalantly at the Statue of The Seven. But the excitement in her eyes was impossible to hide.
Meanwhile, Lumine had placed the three perfume oils in sequence.
The moment the last perfume oil touched the base of the statue, it suddenly emitted a soft golden glow, as if accepting the mortal offering.
But after a few seconds, the golden light gradually dimmed.
Paimon floated nearby, tilting her head as she speculated, "Could it be that Rex Lapis is actually a big sister?"
Zhongli couldn't help but laugh. "Rex Lapis has walked the mortal realm for millennia, witnessing countless sights and assuming countless identities. Perhaps he truly did once have a female incarnation who loved perfume oils."
He then dropped his playful expression, his tone turning serious.
"Next, we need to go to Yujing Terrace to find an old friend—Madame Ping. We must borrow an artifact from her called the Cleansing Bell."
"Madame Ping?" Yunqin's eyes instantly lit up, her voice rising several pitches.
Lumine and Paimon gathered around curiously. Paimon even floated right in front of Yunqin, her little head inches away. "Who's Madame Ping? Is she an Adeptus too?"
"Of course she is!" Yunqin puffed out her chest proudly, as if showing off a treasured secret. "Madame Ping's original name is Streetward Rambler. Master told me she was a renowned beauty in her youth! And her qin playing is exceptionally beautiful!"
"Have you ever seen what Madame Ping looked like when she was young?" Paimon pressed, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Even Lumine couldn't help but prick up her ears, eager to hear about the Adeptus's past.
Yunqin shook her head. "I've only seen her portrait."
-
The three of them set off toward Yujing Terrace.
Yunqin led the way, occasionally turning back to share amusing stories about Madame Ping with Lumine and Paimon.
Zhongli stood before the statue, watching their retreating figures. The smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
"So, the thing from the sea can no longer restrain itself... It intends to interfere with the mortal world after all..."
His words hung in the air as he let out a soft sigh.
The sigh carried the weight of millennia. His figure slowly dissolved into the morning light, vanishing in a faint golden glow.
Soon, Yunqin and the others arrived at Yujing Terrace.
They spotted Madame Ping from a distance.
Yunqin immediately ran over, her voice as crisp and clear as a wind chime. "Madame Ping! I've come to visit you!"
Madame Ping looked up, her cloudy eyes crinkling with a smile the moment she saw Yunqin. "Ah, it's Cloud Retainer's little darling! You've grown so much, I almost didn't recognize you."
Her voice, though raspy with age, was exceptionally gentle.
Yunqin chattered excitedly beside Madame Ping, exchanging pleasantries.
Suddenly, she remembered something and looked at Madame Ping with wide, unblinking eyes. "By the way, Madame Ping, where's Yanfei?"
Madame Ping smiled helplessly and shook her head. "That child told me early this morning she was heading out. She said she was going to the Legal Affairs Department to help with some dispute cases, but as for where exactly she went, I'm not too sure either."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Yunqin's eyes, but she quickly cheered up and pulled Lumine and Paimon forward. "Madame Ping, these are my new friends, Lumine and Paimon! Lumine is a Traveler journeying across Teyvat—she's incredibly strong! And Paimon is her guide. She may look small, but she's very smart!"
Madame Ping didn't seem to mind Yunqin revealing her Adeptus identity. Instead, she looked warmly at Lumine and Paimon, nodding with a voice full of kindness. "Welcome to Liyue, Traveler. The landscapes of Liyue are beautiful. You should take your time to explore them."
"Madame Ping, you're the most unique Adeptus I've met so far!" Paimon floated up to Madame Ping, her curiosity piqued.
Seeing Madame Ping's puzzled expression, she explained, "The other Adepti are either illuminated beasts or someone like Xiao, who seems so cold and distant. You're the only one who feels really approachable."
Madame Ping chuckled. "Every Adeptus has a different personality. The Conqueror of Demons prefers solitude; he carries too many burdens."
"As for me," she continued, "I prefer to stay in the mortal realm, to watch the bustling life of Liyue Harbor and chat with its people. That's what makes me feel grounded."
"But no matter our personalities," Madame Ping added, "we all silently strive to protect Liyue—we just have different ways of doing it."
Yunqin seized the opportunity to interject, her eyes filled with anticipation. "Madame Ping, we came this time hoping to borrow the Cleansing Bell from you."
Madame Ping glanced at the Serenitea Pot.
The pot, etched with faint cloud patterns, sat on an old wooden table, lightly dusted with age.
A nostalgic look filled her eyes, as if she were recalling a distant past. "Ever since you grew up and lost interest in playing with this bell, the Cleansing Bell has rarely been taken out. It's been stored inside the Serenitea Pot all this time."
"It's been a long while since the pot was cleaned," she continued. "It's dusty everywhere inside. Finding the bell might take some time."
"We'll help you find it!" Yunqin and Lumine declared simultaneously, patting their chests with a resolve that sounded like a solemn vow.
Madame Ping smiled and nodded. "That would be wonderful. With your help, I'll save a lot of effort."
"This Serenitea Pot is my magical artifact," she explained. "It contains a small world of its own. Once you're inside, please don't touch the old items carelessly. They're all quite ancient."
After a few more pleasantries, Madame Ping rose and picked up the Serenitea Pot, which seemed remarkably light in her hands.
She handed the pot to Yunqin, instructing, "Just touch the surface of the pot, and you'll be able to enter."
Yunqin reached out first, her fingertips gently touching the surface of the Serenitea Pot. Lumine and Paimon followed suit.
The instant they touched the pot, a gentle surge of adeptal energy enveloped the trio. Their figures gradually turned transparent before vanishing completely.
Just as the Serenitea Pot's lid closed, a faint, chilling wisp of Abyss energy seeped out from the seams of the pot.
Madame Ping's pupils constricted slightly. The smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a grave expression.
She rubbed her eyes and leaned closer to the Serenitea Pot, examining it carefully. "Am I getting old? Are my eyes playing tricks on me?" she murmured to herself.
"To sense such an ominous aura within Liyue's borders..." She looked at the Serenitea Pot again, her eyes now filled with worry. "I hope the children will be alright inside..."