The library's stillness lingered in Mondstadt as night crept in, leaving Ye Ruo with a grin and a memory of Lisa's flustered escape.
He'd been the intended catalyst of that quiet chaos, his playful visit meant to stir her lazy world with a gift and a tease.
Yet Ningguang, the enigmatic Tianquan Star of Liyue's Seven Stars, emerged as the unexpected pivot of his next move, her keen mind poised to tangle with his ambitions.
Her domain—built on wealth and contracts, a fortress of calculated grace—trembled with the promise of a visitor who defied her usual games.
Mondstadt's streets dimmed, the windmills' creaks softening under a star-strewn sky.
Cobblestones gleamed faintly, kissed by the day's last breeze, carrying the scent of dandelions and pine.
Ye Ruo strolled past shuttered shops, his wind-woven cloak swaying like a living gust, his Anemo Vision a steady pulse at his side.
Lisa's kiss lingered—warm, fleeting, a crack in her witch's armor.
Jean's interruption had sent her scurrying—work pulled her back.
"Shy beneath the mischief—cute," he chuckled, boots tapping stone.
Her blush had been new—elegance undone.
He'd left her to Jean—overtime loomed otherwise.
Jean's diligence shone—Liontooth's heir, unyielding.
Her office glowed afar—paperwork her battlefield.
Ye Ruo veered—freedom called, not desks.
His noodle shop buzzed—lanterns cast a golden haze.
Crowds thronged—steam rose from bowls, laughter spilled.
Instant noodles flew—adventurers' new love.
"Hundreds daily—branches soon," he mused.
His staff handled it—casual venture, not his core.
The bookstore loomed—[Wind and Bird], a Mondstadt staple.
Shelves brimmed—novels stacked, voices hummed.
Taverns echoed—his tales fueled drunken cheers.
"Spreading—time for more," he decided.
Merchants had hauled copies to Liyue—profit bloomed.
Some eyed Inazuma—thunder-guarded, locked tight.
"Lockdown—fools brave it," he snorted.
Thunderstorms raged—ships sank, mora bled.
Local fees gouged—millions per head, extortion's art.
"Shadow's mess—reclusive Thor," he muttered.
Gods varied—flawed, not sacred.
Mondstadt's bard drank—Liyue's rock slipped.
Inazuma's spark sulked—Sumeru's grass puzzled.
Fontaine's water schemed—Snezhnaya's ice trafficked.
"War's fire next—lovely bunch," he grinned.
The system chimed in his mind—panel flared.
He perked up—readers' gains sparked glee.
[Customer Hu Tao completed Old Mond: Emberghost Tales—Reward: Pyrewhisper Charm.]
[Pyrewhisper Charm: Summons fleeting Pyro wisps, igniting foes with ghostly flames; guides spirits to peace or chaos at will; can weave a blazing shroud, unseen until it burns.]
Hu Tao with fire ghosts—pranks grew wilder.
"Liyue's turn—check the seeds," he said.
His figure blurred—wind carried him south.
Liyue's cliffs rose—rock kingdom, god-touched.
Ports bustled—ships groaned under cargo's weight.
Mora flowed—Golden House minted wealth.
"Liyue—riches' vault," he murmured.
Rock King Morax ruled—contracts his creed.
Seven Stars governed—Ningguang shone brightest.
Her Jade Chamber gleamed—skyward, opulent.
Ye Ruo landed—harbor air stung with salt.
Sails flapped—merchants haggled, coins clinked.
Stalls glowed—silks, jade, spices piled high.
His bookstore's branch loomed—fresh paint, busy clerks.
"Opening soon—dandelion seeds spread," he noted.
A figure approached—silk robes, gold hairpins.
Ningguang strode—elegance masked steel.
"Wind Knight—rare guest," she said, voice smooth.
Her amber eyes glinted—calculation hummed.
"Business—your port calls," he replied.
She smiled—"Books—new trade?" she probed.
"Stories—wealth beyond mora," he countered.
Her fan flicked—"Liyue reads—profit follows," she agreed.
A shout broke—docks flared with chaos.
"Thieves—cargo hit!" a merchant cried.
Millelith rushed—spears gleamed, orders barked.
Ye Ruo's wind stirred—"Trouble—yours?" he asked.
Ningguang's gaze hardened—"Pirates—persistent," she sighed.
Her Geo Vision glowed—earth rumbled low.
"Join me—test your breeze," she challenged.
Ye Ruo grinned—wind coiled, eager.
They moved—harbor erupted, blades clashed.
Pirates swarmed—cutlasses flashed, crates toppled.
Millelith held—shields cracked under blows.
A captain roared—axe swung, Geo spear snapped.
Ningguang gestured—rock spires stabbed up.
Three fell—stone pinned, blood pooled.
Ye Ruo's gale lashed—wind blades shredded sails.
Pirates flew—screams drowned in gusts.
"Small skill—handy," he quipped.
Ningguang's brow arched—"Small—liar," she retorted.
Her spires danced—earth crushed a flank.
Ye Ruo spun—tornado swept the dock.
Cargo rolled—foes soared, chaos reigned.
A twist loomed—Pyro flared, mage emerged.
"Abyss—here too," he growled.
Ningguang's fan snapped—"Scouts—bold," she hissed.
Her Geo wall rose—fireballs cracked stone.
Ye Ruo's bow bloomed—wind arrows pierced.
Mage shrieked—shield broke, ash fell.
Millelith rallied—pirates fled, dwindled.
Dock smoked—silence crept, battle done.
Ningguang dusted silk—"Efficient—grudge-free," she said.
Her tone teased—respect gleamed.
"Abyss stirs—plains to port," Ye Ruo mused.
A subplot brewed—Ella's words echoed.
"Liyue's hum—ruins wake," he warned.
Ningguang's eyes narrowed—"Contracts bind—threats break," she vowed.
Her chamber loomed—talks awaited.
"Books first—trouble later," she offered.
Ye Ruo nodded—"Deal—stories spread," he agreed.
Her smile returned—steel softened briefly.
"Wind suits you—reckless," she teased.
"Rock suits you—unmoved," he shot back.
Laughter broke—tension eased, ties formed.
The system pulsed—Ye Ruo's fame a rising storm.
His reach grew—Teyvat's tale spun wide.
***
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