"Ugh... is that nagging old man finally done? Speaking of which, what did he say?"
Paimon, groggily following Feng Yi away, took a good while to snap back to reality.
She had gotten so drowsy while listening that she hadn't absorbed anything afterward.
"He said that the coming years might not be peaceful, and every household should increase their reserves of grain and prepare emergency food. But we don't need to worry about that, since we have you, Paimon..."
Feng Yi chuckled, the words flowing out effortlessly.
"Hmph, so you only think of me now? I'm very reliable... Wait, Feng Yi, you're awful! I, Paimon, am not emergency food!"
Paimon didn't react at first, looking proud of herself. But as soon as she understood, she became furious, launching a flurry of kicks and punches at Feng Yi.
However, with combat power less than that of a wild boar, Paimon's strength was far too inferior. All her attacks were blocked by Feng Yi with one hand.
"Lumine, look, Feng Yi is bullying me! Quick, help me teach him a lesson!"
Seeing that she couldn't do anything to Feng Yi, Paimon immediately sought external help.
"Paimon, don't be angry. I'll help you get your revenge tonight..."
Lumine gently patted Paimon's little head, offering a few words of comfort.
"Why only tonight? Can't it be now?"
Paimon didn't understand why getting revenge had to wait for a specific time.
Lumine and Feng Yi exchanged a smile, offering no further explanation, and simply told Paimon to relax.
The three of them, chattering and laughing, followed the long flight of stairs along the bridge and arrived at Yujing Terrace.
"Lumine, Paimon, I heard that wishes made on the day of the Rite of Descension are very effective. Shall we try it?"
Seeing the Yujing Terrace plaza crowded with people gathered to witness the Rite of Descension, Feng Yi pointed to the wishing incense burner nearby.
"Okay."
"Yes, yes! I want to make a wish too!"
Upon hearing that wishes were effective, both of them wanted to give it a try.
The three arrived at the wishing incense burner and queued up. After the people in front finished making their wishes, they all went to offer incense together.
'I wish Feng Yi gets beaten terribly tonight, to the point where he can't fight back...'
Before closing her eyes to make her wish, Paimon stole a glance at Feng Yi and silently recited in her heart.
She, little Paimon, was not someone to be easily bullied and held grudges fiercely!
With Rex Lapis's blessing, Lumine would surely be invincible tonight.
Heh heh, Feng Yi is in for a miserable time tonight!
'I hope to find my brother as soon as possible, and... I hope Feng Yi has smooth sailing and stays safe from now on, and stays by my side for a long time...'
When Lumine made her wish, she also secretly glanced at Feng Yi.
'Zhongli, as a friend, I've never asked anything of you in my life. I hope you bless my beloved ones with good health, happiness, and harmonious coexistence...'
Feng Yi's wish was simple and unpretentious. He had made a similar wish during the Lantern Rite.
At this moment, Zhongli, who was drinking tea in a teahouse somewhere, suddenly sneezed. He quickly calculated and exclaimed, 'I can't help with that.'
Zhongli: Don't force me, if you force me again... I'll make the Geo Archon die right in front of you!
After the three finished making their wishes, they all wore happy smiles. To outsiders, it seemed they had made good wishes.
"Haha, are you guys also here to soak in some 'immortal energy'? You know what's good. On this day, your wishes will be blessed by the Archon and the Adepti..."
The waiting time for the Rite of Descension ceremony was rather boring, so a merchant voluntarily came forward to strike up a conversation.
Zhongli: Don't make rash promises. Never mind others, but Feng Yi's wish is too outrageous, I truly dare not guarantee it!
"I hope so, haha, I hope so."
Feng Yi smiled and nodded. Apart from a few reclusive Adepti, he knew most people in Liyue.
However, the Adepti always lived in seclusion in the mountains, pursuing the Way of nature, and generally did not cultivate through incense offerings.
Fulfilling the wishes of mortals was more like a matter of fate for them.
When fate decreed, they would help realize the desires; when fate had not yet arrived, even if mortals knocked their heads bloody, they would not be moved.
Therefore, making wishes to the Adepti at the Rite of Descension ceremony was merely a gimmick for those in power; but for ordinary people, it was a spiritual comfort, giving them hope to act.
"By the way, do you know? Most of Liyue's Adepti are in beast form. I heard that even Rex Lapis himself, on formal occasions like this, appears in his half-scale, half-dragon immortal form..."
The merchant spoke enthusiastically, sharing some interesting anecdotes about the Adepti.
"Oh? You know a lot?"
"Of course! To participate in today's 'Rite of Descension Ceremony of the Seven Stars,' I've read various books about Rex Lapis available on the market for over half a month. What do you want to know? I can answer anything for you..."
The merchant declared: Besides the Adepti, no one knows Rex Lapis better than I do!
"Really? Then can you tell me what human form Rex Lapis usually takes?"
Feng Yi asked with a serious expression.
"Uh... ah, this... The esteemed Rex Lapis is ever-changing. One moment he might be a guest having tea, and the next he could be a restaurant owner. He walks among the mortal world of Liyue with a thousand faces, and no one can discern the true identity of the esteemed Archon. Let alone you and me, even the Seven Stars who govern Liyue might not have such discerning eyes..."
The merchant's face stiffened. If he had the ability to recognize the esteemed Archon, would he still be here?
Wasn't this question purely making things difficult for him?
He didn't believe that anyone, apart from the Adepti, could recognize Rex Lapis at a glance.
"Hey, Zhongli, are you also here for the 'Rite of Descension Ceremony of the Seven Stars'?"
Feng Yi waved to a familiar figure not far away, calling out to him.
Zhongli stood by the railing, looking down at the bustling crowds on the street below. A faint smile appeared on his usually stern face.
Hearing Feng Yi's call, Zhongli nodded from afar as a response.
"I have urgent matters to attend to. We'll talk later."
With that, Zhongli turned and left Yujing Terrace.
After Zhongli departed, Feng Yi glanced at the merchant and smiled without saying a word.
Before long, Ningguang, the Tianquan Star, who was presiding over this 'Rite of Descension Ceremony of the Seven Stars,' arrived. The crowd, in unison, stopped their conversations and gathered around her.
"The auspicious hour has arrived!"
Ningguang looked up at the sun, then nodded and stepped forward.
She dismissed the two maids beside her, and several orange-yellow elemental crystals rose around her. As Ningguang formed hand seals, the crystals were instantly embedded into the outer wall of the large incense burner in the center of the plaza.
Rumble~
A dazzling golden light erupted from the heart of the incense burner, shooting straight into the sky, leaving a shimmering golden pillar between heaven and earth.
Instantly, the wind and clouds changed, and a colossal inverted vortex began to gather above Yujing Terrace...