The Chasm.
Yelan carried a blue lamp, venturing alone through the winding mine tunnels.
It was a special lantern crafted with Lumenstone.
Lumenstone—a rare ore mined deep below the Chasm—functioned as a Catalyst.
When placed in dark tunnels, it could emit dazzling light.
But once removed from those depths, it reverted to a regular chunk of rock.
After a while, Yelan came to a stop, frowning at the black sludge-like anomaly ahead.
"...Tch. What a pain..."
—
Yuehai Pavilion.
Ganyu lounged in a chair, clutching a warm cup of tea, eyes half-closed as a Recorder on her desk played opera music.
Ever since the Secretariat was formed, her workload had decreased dramatically.
Minor tasks and daily chores rarely made it to her desk anymore.
Only crucial policy-related documents still required her personal review and approval.
"So bored..."
Ganyu sighed after sipping her tea.
"Just sitting here doing nothing is unbearable..."
She glanced at the Recorder, mind drifting to the dream from the other day—everyone hanging around Mr. Xia's place, watching movies and playing games on computers.
If they had computers and smartphones here, wouldn't that massively improve productivity?
She stared at the tea for a moment longer, then drained her cup and stepped into the communal office area.
"Lady Secretary!"
"Are these the yet-to-be-reviewed documents?"
"Yes!"
"Hand them to me."
"But... they're just trivial matters..."
"No worries. I'm idle anyway. Helping out more is good for everyone."
"Thank you, Secretary!"
Ganyu offered a calm nod and carried the stack of files back into her office.
A few days later, Yuehai Pavilion was abuzz with praise for Ganyu's deep compassion for her subordinates.
—
Late night.
Wanmin Restaurant had closed for the day.
Chef Mao cleaned up the kitchen, took a shower, then planned to head back to his room.
He passed by his daughter's room—and noticed her light was still on.
He knocked. "Xiangling?"
"Huh? Dad?!"
Chef Mao paused, puzzled. Why did Xiangling's voice sound a bit… flustered?
"It's really late. You haven't gone to bed yet?"
"I'm going soon!"
"Alright. Don't stay up too late—getting up early's important."
"I know! I know!"
"Make sure you learn well with Mr. Xia..."
"Aiyaa, I knooow! You go sleep already, Dad!"
"...Mm."
Footsteps receded.
Only when Xiangling heard the door shut in her father's room did she sigh in relief.
Blushing furiously, she lowered her head and reopened the novel on her desk.
"This plot… is so good..."
—
Akasha Terminal.
Nahida softly asked,
"Sis?"
"Mm?"
"Were you listening just now?"
"Yeah. Nilou, right? Definitely a talent worthy of being a sage."
"What do you think?"
"Go with your plan. Even if it fails, I'll handle the consequences."
"...I knew it. Sis, you've been feeling off lately."
"No."
"Yes. We're connected—I can sense your emotions."
"Tch... fine. I have been feeling a little off."
"Did something happen? You can tell me."
"You're too young to understand."
"I'm 500 years old!"
"You've never grown a day. Still too short."
"You're not tall either, Sis!"
"That's because my powers haven't recovered. Once they do, I'll be back to my original form."
"Then I'll grow up too!"
"Still a long way to go. Back in my day—"
"So, what exactly happened? I've read every book in the Sumeru Library. There's very little I don't know."
"Oh yeah? Then tell me: how do you steal a man?"
"???"
"They don't teach that in books, do they? Go on, go do your great mission. Don't worry about your big sis. I'll visit next year. Bring your Raiden sisters too."
"!!!"
—
High above, a massive crane soared through the air, descending gracefully into the backyard of Bubu Pharmacy.
With a soft shimmer, the crane transformed into a middle-aged man.
At the sound of wings, a white snake slithered out from the house.
"Mountain Shaper has arrived."
"Mm. Changsheng, is Baizhu inside?"
"Baizhu is preparing medicine. Please, right this way."
"Thanks."
Mountain Shaper followed Changsheng inside, spotting Baizhu hunched over a strange apparatus, surrounded by flasks and beakers.
Changsheng called out, "Baizhu, the lord is here!"
Baizhu turned away from the instrument and smiled.
"Mountain Shaper—"
"No need for formalities," Mountain Shaper waved a hand. "I'm just here to deliver the medicine."
"You really managed to obtain that rare elixir?"
"Yes. Took a lot of effort. I flew back to Jueyun Karst and visited several friends. Finally tracked it down."
With that, he produced a red berry that looked a bit like a large hawthorn fruit.
"Doctor Baizhu, take a look—is this the right one?"
Baizhu examined it carefully, nodded. "It's exactly what I needed."
"Good, I was worried it was something else."
"Thank you for your trouble."
"Now it's your turn. Please hurry with those digestion pills—dinner's at Mr. Xia's place tomorrow, after all."
"Noted. It's not hard to make. I'll finish them up tonight."
"Make extra... uh, Granny Ping said her stomach's not great either..."
"Understood."
Changsheng watched the two chatting about non-existent illnesses and rolled his eyes in silence.
---
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