In the livestream, Guinaifen began to ponder.
She recalled what Zhongli had said during last year's Lantern Rite.
During the festival, the activities of demons and malevolent spirits become even more rampant than usual.
Mu Yang and Xiao, during the Lantern Rite, would confront these evil entities.
But Mu Yang's situation was even more unique than Xiao's.
"Could it be that he's responsible for fighting the demons and evil spirits of the entire Chenyu Vale?"
"So he doesn't have time to see little Shenhe."
[That seems likely, but maybe that blue tsundere big sister is helping him out?]
[No way, how could fighting evil spirits leave him in this state? Does this look like he's ready to fight?]
[He's gone overboard and lost control!]
[I practice with true sincerity!]
— — — — — —
On Lumine's side, she also recalled Zhongli's words.
She asked Shenhe, "Did Mu Yang never tell you the reason?"
Shenhe shook her head. "No, he didn't. Master Cloud Retainer wasn't willing to say much either."
Lumine felt frustrated but helpless.
Paimon brought over the ingredients. For now, they'd focus on preparing breakfast and deal with the rest later.
Right now, Lumine was too concerned to think clearly. After spending so much time with Mu Yang, her feeling was:
If Mu Yang was hiding something from her, revealing it would likely do no good for either of them.
But if she didn't ask, his current state worried her deeply.
"Lumine! Lumine—!" Paimon shouted at the top of her lungs.
"Huh?" Lumine snapped back to reality. "What's wrong?"
"The breakfast is going to burn!"
"Oh, oh..."
Paimon hurriedly woke Lumine up to save her breakfast.
Paimon: No, to save everyone's breakfast, hehe.
The trio brought the food to the table.
"Mu Yang, how are you feeling now?"
Though Paimon's emotional intelligence could be lacking at times, Mu Yang was someone important, and she was genuinely concerned.
By now, Mu Yang had returned to his usual self. "I'm fine now. I've finished regulating my breathing. Sorry for worrying you."
Shenhe added, "Master's aura is almost back to normal."
Paimon patted her chest in relief. "Phew... that's good, that's good. Hurry up and eat something!"
Lumine served the less-than-perfect breakfast to Mu Yang, looking a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry, I got distracted halfway through. Have this for now, I'll go make..."
"No need." Mu Yang took the chopsticks and finished the food in a few quick bites.
"It's just cooked a bit too long. It doesn't affect the flavor."
[I bet even if we made something bad, he'd still praise it.]
[He's making me emotional, ugh.]
[So, is Mu Yang really okay?]
[Do you believe him? Because I don't.]
[Classic tough guy act. If I'm wrong, come back and stab me, I'm calling it now.]
Under Mu Yang's exaggerated praise, Lumine buried herself in her food, too embarrassed to look at him.
Since both Mu Yang and Shenhe said he was fine, she'd take it as fine for now.
But Lumine kept her guard up.
"Shenhe, here, take one. This one's for Mu Yang."
Paimon had Lumine pull out a few chicken drumsticks. "These are ours."
"What's this?" Shenhe asked, puzzled.
"Hehe, we grabbed these downstairs when we got back yesterday. You haven't tried them yet, have you?"
"They're super tasty!" Paimon recommended while munching.
"Thank you." Shenhe took a bite. "...Indeed, the flavor is rich. It's better than what I've grilled in the wild."
Lumine told her that the chefs downstairs had been trained by Mu Yang.
"And actually, Paimon was planning to eat all of these herself."
"Hey, don't say that out loud! You're ruining the vibe!"
Paimon waved her hands frantically, puffing up her cheeks in annoyance.
Across the table, the two were laughing and joking.
In this atmosphere, even Shenhe didn't realize she was smiling.
And Mu Yang, watching this scene, smiled subtly as well.
[Here I go— the sweeter it is now, the worse it'll be later...]
[Don't say it!]
[This feels like setting up a flag.]
After breakfast, the group decided to check on the progress of the Jade Chamber's construction.
Currently, the workers were operating in three shifts, working day and night.
All to ensure the Jade Chamber could take flight as soon as possible.
With the large [Resonant Dawnstone] they obtained yesterday, there should be significant progress.
Ningguang would likely choose that stone—it was of top quality!
They arrived near the Golden House.
As expected, the Jade Chamber had made great strides and was already halfway airborne.
"It looks like it's being held down by something." Paimon observed the Jade Chamber floating midair.
It seemed to be tethered by chains.
Baiwen approached. "That's because it's not fully built yet."
Paimon waved. "Baiwen! Beidou's here too! And... uh... someone I don't know..."
Baiwen first explained why the Jade Chamber was in its current state.
The Jade Chamber was massive, and to ensure balance, they split the construction into two phases.
Before securing a suitable [Resonant Dawnstone], they built the Jade Chamber's base on the ground.
Once the [Resonant Dawnstone] was ready, they combined it with the base, allowing the incomplete Jade Chamber to float to the height of the mountaintop.
The remaining construction could then be completed up there.
When everything was ready, the chains would be removed, allowing the Jade Chamber to rise to its intended height.
"Thank you, Miss Baiwen, for clarifying."
"The Adepti are too kind. Thanks to the [Resonant Dawnstone] you found, the project is progressing much faster than expected."
"New materials have arrived, so I'll take my leave." Baiwen bowed and departed.
Beidou let out a hearty laugh. "So it was Lumine and Mu Yang teaming up, no wonder we were a step behind."
Yun Jin added, "Mu Yang, it's been a while."
Then, Mu Yang introduced everyone present, as he knew them all.
After the introductions, he clarified that he hadn't actually contributed.
Yesterday, it was all Lumine and Shenhe's efforts.
Lumine teased, "Big Sis Beidou, are you also competing in the Jade Chamber reconstruction?"
"Yup. During a past adventure at sea, I happened to come across a [Resonant Dawnstone], so I brought it here."
That wasn't what Lumine meant to ask. She wanted to know if Beidou also needed to ask Ningguang a question.
Beidou just smiled without answering.
Yun Jin, however, spoke up. "May I ask, is Miss Shenhe also here to compete?"
Shenhe clarified that she wasn't. "I don't have any questions for Ningguang. I'm just helping Lumine and Paimon."
"And, of course, fulfilling Master's trial."
In other words, Shenhe was on the same team as Lumine.
Upon learning this, Yun Jin said she really needed the chance to ask Ningguang a question.
Since all three of their [Resonant Dawnstones] had passed muster, the best approach would be to team up.
By sharing information, they could secure the [Thousand Marvel Core] and [Adeptus Talisman] as well.
That way, they could claim the top three spots.
All three parties agreed to the plan.
Yun Jin was pleased with this alliance.
From Baiwen's words earlier, she had confirmed Mu Yang's Adeptus status.
Though Mu Yang claimed he was just a bystander, his disciple was here.
Shenhe must know something about the [Adeptus Talisman], right?
So, they only needed to figure out what the [Thousand Marvel Core] was.
However, Yun Jin didn't directly ask about the [Adeptus Talisman].
That approach felt a bit like taking advantage, putting her and Beidou in a favorable position.
Beidou, picking up on the cue, steered the conversation toward the [Thousand Marvel Core]...