While Lu Heng and Furina were enjoying their travels through mountains and waters...
Liyue
"Are you really not lying to me?"
Chongyun stared at Xingqiu with deep suspicion.
Despite being the second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild, this guy was actually a troublemaker at heart!
And a terrible friend at that!
Thus, Chongyun was extremely wary, fearing that Xingqiu might be setting him up again.
"I'm really not lying to you!"
Xingqiu looked utterly helpless.
After finally tracking down his friend, he was met with nothing but skepticism.
How heartbreaking!
But when he thought about all the things he had done in the past, Xingqiu quickly let it go.
"I swear, this time it's definitely a good thing!"
Xingqiu had brought along a portion of the Pure Yang inheritance and handed a book to Chongyun.
Chongyun took it hesitantly and began reading.
The more he read, the more shocked he became.
Was this real?!
Why did it feel like one of Xingqiu's martial arts novels?!
The content was utterly mind-blowing to Chongyun.
"So, according to you, if I master what's written here, I can control my Pure Yang constitution?!" Chongyun grew excited.
Born into an exorcist family, his duty was to ward off evil spirits.
If the Vigilant Yaksha operated in the shadows, slaying demons unseen, then exorcist families like his handled matters in the open.
However, compared to Xiao's power, exorcist families were far weaker, only capable of dealing with minor issues.
As an exorcist, Chongyun had been raised with a strong sense of duty to vanquish evil.
But!
His Pure Yang constitution granted him immense talent while also making him as conspicuous as a blazing sun in the night sky!
Evil spirits would flee long before he even got close.
Thus, to this day, the number of evil spirits Chongyun had slain could be counted on one hand.
In comparison, he had eliminated far more monsters than actual evil spirits.
Now, Chongyun seemed to see a glimmer of hope!
If he could control his Pure Yang constitution, he could finally fulfill his duty properly!
Chongyun was both thrilled and incredulous.
This matter was of utmost importance to him—Xingqiu wouldn't joke about something like this... but after years of searching for a solution without success, this sudden breakthrough felt unreal.
He feared it might be another one of Xingqiu's pranks, or worse, a fleeting hope.
"It's real!"
Before Chongyun could speak, Xingqiu sighed. "Don't think the card shop I just described is some fictional story! It's a real place in Liyue Harbor."
Xingqiu took out his phone and called his elder brother in front of Chongyun.
"See? Have you ever heard of something like this before?" Xingqiu asked.
Chongyun began to believe him.
Honestly, if it weren't for Xingqiu's track record, Chongyun would have trusted him immediately.
"So, I can really control my Pure Yang constitution!" Chongyun clenched his fists, exhilarated.
"Control? That's nothing!"
Xingqiu chuckled. "Your real goal should be to cultivate into a Pure Yang Sword Immortal!"
"Huh?!"
Sword Immortal?!
Xingqiu's words instantly ignited Chongyun's passion.
An immortal!
To be worthy of the title "immortal"—could he really achieve that?
"Even if this otherworldly technique doesn't cultivate spiritual energy, you already have your own methods!"
Teyvat did indeed have its own cultivation techniques.
However, they weren't as mystical as people imagined.
These techniques and skills were merely applications of Vision abilities.
But that was enough to excite Chongyun.
"I want to visit that shop too!" Chongyun began calculating his savings.
Daily meals weren't a concern for him.
But spending 10,000 Mora per draw would require family support.
"Then let's go talk to your elders," Xingqiu said, unsurprised.
"Let's go!"
Chongyun was eager to return home and gather funds.
Noon
Furina had woken up.
Seeing Lu Heng and Focalors return, she immediately pounced on Lu Heng in front of Focalors, clinging to him for over ten seconds.
Then, she tilted her head up slightly, adopting a queen-like demeanor as she looked at Focalors.
"Latecomer, why haven't you paid your respects?"
Focalors couldn't help but laugh.
Furina's rapid shift in attitude surprised her.
But it was a good thing.
At the very least, it meant Furina held no resentment toward her.
"Alright, alright. Greetings, Sister Furina." Focalors humored her.
"That's more like it!" Furina beamed.
Little Focalors, easily handled!
From now on, in this household, aside from Lu Heng, who else but I, Furina, shall reign supreme?!
"Time to eat."
Lu Heng tapped her head lightly. "If you're not feeling well, don't jump around. Sit still and wait for me."
"Ow."
Furina rubbed her head but obediently sat down.
While Lu Heng went to prepare the meal, Focalors leaned in and whispered,
"Was I helpful?"
Furina instantly understood what she meant.
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she nodded. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known how to..."
"It's better sooner than later. At least you're the first to truly enter his heart," Focalors said with a smile, then asked, "Feeling better now?"
"Much better!"
The healing card's effects were remarkably potent.
"That's good."
After the three finished eating, Lu Heng headed to the Liyue branch shop to appraise cards for those waiting.
Furina and Focalors chatted happily.
Just as Lu Heng was about to leave, he spotted a familiar figure.
After a brief pause, he decided to wait a little longer.
"So this is the card shop?"
Beidou observed the scene outside the store.
After arriving at Liyue Harbor last night, she had noticed something unusual about the city.
The changes weren't drastic enough to be immediately obvious, but while dining at Wanmin Restaurant, she overheard people talking.
Restaurants, teahouses, taverns—any lively place was a hub for the latest gossip.
Beidou was close with Xiangling and took the chance to ask her during a lull.
That was how she learned about the card shop.
"We came back at just the right time."
"If we'd set sail a couple of days earlier, who knows how much Liyue Harbor might've changed by the time we returned!" Beidou felt fortunate. If they'd missed this wave of change, she could only imagine how much Ningguang would mock her.
The crew members of the Crux Fleet lined up behind her, nodding in agreement.
"Kazuha, why are you spacing out?" Beidou patted the young man's shoulder.
Kaedehara Kazuha snapped out of his thoughts.
The gentle and amiable young man smiled. "Just lost in thought for a moment."
"It's almost our turn," Beidou said, rolling her shoulders.
Mora?
Though she wasn't as wealthy as Tianquan Ningguang, she dared say she wasn't short on funds!
The Crux Fleet wasn't just a few ships.
Led by the flagship, the Alcor, it was a massive fleet!
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T/N:
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