With Yuna's soul now residing within the sword, there was no point in lingering here.
Kuki Shinobu and Itto still felt uneasy around Ei. As soon as Lumine left, they quickly followed after her.
-
Outside Tenshukaku.
Lumine's longsword lay cradled in Paimon's arms. The blade was surprisingly heavy, making it difficult for the small companion to carry.
"Paimon, let me take it."
"No! Paimon wants to carry it for a bit longer."
Lumine sighed, her hand pressing against her forehead in exasperation. She remained vigilant nearby, ready to catch the sword if Paimon lost her grip or accidentally dropped it.
They hadn't gone far when Kuki Shinobu and Itto rushed up behind them.
"Traveler!"
Lumine and Paimon stopped and turned around.
"Traveler, may I borrow your sword to examine it for a moment?"
"Mm-hmm."
Lumine nodded and glanced at Paimon.
With great effort, Paimon handed the longsword to Kuki Shinobu. Kuki Shinobu immediately grasped the hilt, her left hand gently caressing the blade.
A faint blue light flickered from the sword, as if responding to her touch.
"Little Yuna..."
Kuki Shinobu murmured, her emotions tangled beyond description.
"Traveler, this sword..."
Lumine's face hardened. "I still need to take this sword on my journey across the Seven Nations!"
The unspoken implication was clear: though Yuna's soul resided within this sword, it remained Lumine's. Yuna had always wished to travel the seven nations, and Lumine intended to fulfill that dream.
Therefore, this sword cannot be yours!
Lumine had adopted the same stance when facing Diluc before. This sword held immense importance to her.
Kuki Shinobu nodded and returned the sword.
"Visit the Arataki Gang and the Kuki House whenever you have time."
"I definitely will."
After Lumine and Paimon left, Itto stared at Kuki Shinobu with a complex expression.
"Shinobu, you..."
After such a devastating event, Itto had assumed Shinobu would leave the Arataki Gang. He had been pondering it for a long time, realizing he couldn't keep acting so recklessly.
The Arataki Gang...
This place, once filled with laughter, now only evoked heartache and sorrow.
The girl who had earned money for the gang and cooked their meals was gone. Itto had even considered disbanding the gang altogether.
"Boss," Shinobu said, "do you think Yuna would want to see you like this? Would she want you to disband the Arataki Gang?"
Itto thought hard for a moment, then shook his head.
"Then that settles it," Shinobu said. "I can't return to the gang yet, so I'm entrusting everything to you for now."
"Got it!"
-
Player World.
The Misty Specter questline had concluded.
This quest had infuriated many players, nearly crashing Mihoyo's official website. The Genshin Impact operations team fared even worse, being completely overwhelmed by the backlash, forcing them to issue an apology and promise each player twenty Intertwined Fates as compensation.
As a result, the number of players attacking Mihoyo dwindled significantly, though a persistent minority continued to relentlessly harass the company and the Genshin Impact operations team.
Chen Xiyao was among them.
As a prominent streamer, the twenty free Intertwined Fates meant little to her. What truly mattered was Yuna's tragic death.
Unforgivable!
Of course, Chen Xiyao didn't use her main account to voice her anger. Instead, she created a burner account to rant and criticize Mihoyo. As a public figure, being caught playing Mihoyo's games, benefiting from their content, and simultaneously bashing them...
That would send the wrong message.
A month after the Misty Specter questline ended, Genshin Impact received its version update.
This time, the update wasn't focused on Fontaine, but rather on an event called The Kaiyang Martial Summit.
The event's promotional image featured Qingxu, spear in hand, striking a heroic pose that instantly ignited the players' excitement!
It's finally here! they exclaimed. Qingxu is finally joining the gacha pool!
-
Liyue, Mt. Aocang.
"This spear is named Tidesong Jade Splinter, forged by Streetward Rambler at the Geo Archon's request, custom-made for you. As you descend the mountain to participate in the Tournament, I trust you will not tarnish your sister's legacy and will achieve exceptional results!"
Xianyun carefully handed Mu Qingxu the azure spear, imparting her detailed instructions.
"Your disciple will heed your teachings, Master," Qingxu replied solemnly, accepting the spear.
Though her sister's Vortex Vanquisher remained sturdy, its spiritual energy had waned, rendering it unsuitable for Qingxu.
The moment Qingxu grasped the Jade Splinter Spear, she felt a surge of Hydro Element energy, a sensation entirely different from wielding the Vortex Vanquisher. While the Vortex allowed her to wield eighty percent of her potential, this spear promised to unlock her full strength.
"Master, if there are no further instructions, this disciple will descend the mountain."
"Go then."
Qingxu sheathed her spear in her Vision Space and walked a short distance. Just before disappearing from her master's sight, she turned back and saw Xianyun waving at her.
"Remember, if you encounter an opponent you can't defeat, don't force yourself. You're still young, with plenty of room to grow, understand?"
"Understood, Master."
Qingxu turned and left Mt. Aocang.
As Qingxu vanished from view, Xianyun sighed. Another one gone.
Qingxu had been training with her on the mountain for the past month, and now that she was leaving, Xianyun felt a pang of reluctance.
She wasn't even an adult yet. Though her strength was considerable, matching it against those seasoned veterans... No, I still can't shake this unease.
Xianyun returned to her cave abode to pack a few essentials before heading to Liyue Harbor.
I wonder how Ganyu and Shenhe are doing. They haven't sent even a single letter. I should go check on them. Have they truly forgotten their master?
This time, she would visit all three disciples at once!
-
Beneath Mt. Aocang, Qingxu traveled swiftly, her mind racing.
She was descending the mountain to participate in a martial arts Grand Ceremony—the Kaiyang Martial Summit.
The name alone hinted at its connection to the Kaiyang, and since her elder sister had been the previous Kaiyang, it was highly likely the event was related to her as well.
Her master had told her that the event would feature not only skilled warriors from the military but also reclusive masters from Liyue and challengers from other nations. The Qixing were leading the organization under the Geo Archon's direct guidance.
The ceremony was scheduled to begin in three days.
Rumor had it that the rewards would be exceptionally generous, and the event had been heavily publicized for months. By now, over five thousand participants had already registered.
For Qingxu, the rewards were secondary, and even the prospect of training and experience ranked lower in her priorities.
What truly mattered was the ceremony's name. The prefix "Kaiyang" was enough to compel her participation!
Arriving at Liyue Harbor, Qingxu discovered that the Grand Ceremony was being held at sea!
Several colossal stone pillars supported a vast platform, its entire structure crafted from golden Geo Crystals—a clear testament to the Geo Archon's craftsmanship.
The Geo Archon himself created the arena for this Grand Ceremony? she wondered. Does that mean... he'll personally attend?
Qingxu clenched her right fist. Though young, her martial prowess was exceptional. Thanks to her sister's influence, her admiration for the Geo Archon rivaled even her sister's!
She must achieve a remarkable result!