The azure tornado, after engulfing the thunderclouds, instantly turned a terrifying shade of gray and black, with crimson lightning dancing within.
Ningguang, who was presiding over the ritual, saw this and her expression changed drastically, an ominous premonition flashing in her heart.
According to past events, the Geo Archon would descend amidst auspicious clouds, but… these auspicious clouds had turned into thunderclouds!
RUMBLE!
A thunderclap erupted, and the half-dragon form of the Geo Archon plummeted from the sky, crashing into the center of the Jade Chamber Square, kicking up a dust storm.
Ningguang was horrified and quickly stepped forward to check. The surrounding onlookers immediately began to murmur.
"The Archon has been attacked! Seal off the entire area!"
Ningguang stood up and waved her hand, summoning the Millelith to surround the place.
"Ah? Lumine? What should we do? How about we sneak away? After all, we're the only two foreigners here…"
Paimon looked around frantically. The Millelith had already begun questioning suspicious individuals in batches.
They were the only two newcomers in the area, and thus the most suspicious.
"Mhm, let's go!"
Lumine nodded, finding Paimon's suggestion very reasonable. She then turned and quietly slipped away with Paimon.
Feng Yi, who was engrossed in studying the death of the Geo Archon, didn't notice Lumine and Paimon sneaking away. By the time he realized, they had already left the square.
He had forgotten to tell Lumine and Paimon that with him around, they didn't need to worry about being questioned by the Millelith.
But it was too late. According to the game's plot, Lumine, while trying to escape, was accidentally discovered by the Millelith, mistaken for a suspect, and then rescued by the Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia.
Feng Yi followed the route he remembered, easily passing through checkpoints manned by Millelith stationed at the Jade Chamber thanks to Ningguang's earlier authorization token.
At a turn in the staircase, Feng Yi discovered a squad of injured Millelith soldiers lying on the ground.
Lingering traces of azure Hydro elemental energy fluctuations were found on the soldiers' wounds, and Feng Yi understood immediately that this was Tartaglia's doing.
As expected, Lumine had encountered Tartaglia.
From this moment on, Lumine and Tartaglia were both drawn into the game.
Lumine was drawn into Tartaglia's scheme, used as a pawn to search for the Geo Archon's corpse.
Tartaglia, in turn, was drawn into the schemes of Ningguang and Zhongli, serving as a tool to demonstrate the Liyue Qixing's strength and Zhongli's successful retirement.
Feng Yi changed direction and headed towards the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to meet up with Zhongli, waiting for Tartaglia to come to them.
Shortly thereafter, Lumine and Paimon reunited with Tartaglia in front of the Northland Bank.
"Young Master, we're here. Is this the Northland Bank? It looks quite wealthy."
Paimon greeted him. They now knew of his identity as a Fatui Harbinger.
"That's right, this is the bank established by Snezhnaya in Liyue. Although Liyue is the most important commercial hub in Teyvat, our country is also very wealthy…"
Tartaglia smiled. The 'Fatui' among the Harbingers, the Treasurer, managed Snezhnaya's economy and provided funds for the Fatui's activities abroad.
Each Harbinger had a credit card with a limit of hundreds of millions, refreshed annually.
"Here, take this…"
Tartaglia's previous trial mission objective was the Rite of Descension.
After being brought back to Snezhnaya and studied by 'The Doctor' and others, imitations were developed based on it.
However, these replicas were merely shells, lacking true effect, and could only serve as tokens.
"What is this?"
"Simply put, this is a token that will prevent the 'Three-Eyed and Five-Visaged Adepti' from harming you… Head north out of the city, west of Guili Plains, there is a stone forest. Its name is 'Jueyun Karst'. Liyue people believe it to be the abode of the Adepti. This is not just a legend; the Adepti truly exist…"
Tartaglia said with a smile, guiding the two outsiders to seek the Adepti.
"Tartaglia, why do you want us to find the Adepti?"
Paimon was confused, wondering about his purpose.
"Little one, my name is Tartaglia, not Tartaglia. Hearing you call me that reminds me of an old friend from Liyue, haha, it's been a long time. But speaking of business, what reasons do you think people have for seeking Adepti?" kanshu伍.ξà
This flying little creature, like Feng Yi, had a penchant for calling him Tartaglia.
Tartaglia chuckled. Feng Yi seemed to have returned to Liyue, and once he finished his business here, he would go find Feng Yi for a drink. kanδん
"Some seek wealth, some seek healing, some seek marriage… And you are seeking justice?"
"The Qixing dispatched the Millelith to search for assassins among the spectators. Can mortals assassinate a God of War who has swept through countless battles? The Geo Archon has never abandoned his divine power…"
"Such a crude response does not match their usual standard. The hidden purpose behind it cannot help but arouse suspicion…"
Tartaglia clasped his arms and analyzed it all for the two of them.
Sincerity is always the best policy. What he said were all unvarnished truths, and he believed the two opposite him could sense it.
"Lumine, I feel like what he's saying makes a lot of sense. I always feel like this matter isn't as simple as it looks…"
Paimon lowered her head, pondering, trying to turn her little head.
"My dears, the Northland Bank cannot indefinitely delay the Millelith's investigation, but the Adepti are unburdened by any taboos!"
The girl named Lumine, unlike the flying little creature, harbored deep suspicion. Thus, Tartaglia added a final push to increase the sense of urgency, forcing the Traveler to set aside her lingering doubts.
"Liyue was established by the Geo God and the Adepti – of course, it was established by force. Go find them, and you'll be a step ahead of the Qixing's messengers, bringing them untainted information!
If there is anyone who can help you in Liyue now… it would be the 'Three-Eyed and Five-Visaged Adepti' of Jueyun Karst!"
"I don't know why you're helping us, but I'll trust you for now. After this is resolved, I'll treat you to a meal sometime!"
Paimon exchanged a glance with Lumine. Without a better option, they would temporarily trust this Fatui Harbinger.
Lumine could feel that he wasn't lying, yet there was something strangely off about him, as if this 'Young Master's' help wasn't entirely altruistic.
Watching the two figures depart, Tartaglia's lips curved into a slight arc. The first phase of the plan was complete, and it was time to move on to the second.
These two outsiders were chosen as the optimal 'pawns' after considerable observation!