"What's wrong with a witch, huh? Witches can't cultivate immortality now? Who made that rule?"
Alice gave a little huff, then said seriously:
"A witch is still a person, isn't she? If even a demon god like Morax can cultivate, then why on earth can't I—the Great Witch of All Spirits—do the same?
I, Alice, will cultivate immortality! And I'll take Klee with me on the immortal path! We'll be a mother-daughter duo known across the heavens and all the realms!"
(You mean a mother-daughter disaster duo, right?)
Everyone silently thought the same thing.
Alice and Klee already had more than enough destructive power. Add immortal cultivation to the mix… and Teyvat might as well start preparing for a cataclysm.
"To walk the road to the heavens! To sing while I tread! To block out the sky with a snap of my fingers! I ask the immortals above—who dares to take one of my bombs?!"
Alice's inner drama queen was burning bright, her eyes sparkling.
Beside her, Lumine squeezed her cheeks suspiciously.
"These lines… why do they sound so familiar?"
"Wait, Lumine—you know about cultivation too?!"
Paimon's eyes shone with curiosity as she turned toward Lumine.
Lumine nodded lightly, explaining:
"Cultivation is… originally a system from novels. Cultivators defy the heavens, battle for the Dao, create sun, moon, and stars with a wave of their hand, reverse time and bring back the dead with just a blink.
They often make their names known across countless worlds.
But… that's just fiction, isn't it?"
Alice gave Lumine an appreciative look. This little traveler clearly read a lot of books—definitely a cultured one.
Then Alice said softly:
"That's what I thought at first too. But then Morax told me… that gentleman has acknowledged this form of power.
Cultivators are truly terrifying, and yet that man isn't even an immortal yet—he's only at the third of the four great human realms.
If you look at it through the cultivation system, then all of this is real.
In fact…"
Out of the corner of her eye, Alice glanced at the wisp of wind drifting outside the window, and couldn't help but chuckle.
Some things never change—he was still up to his old tricks.
Once upon a time, she really had been far weaker than Venti. For all his careless, drunken appearance, he was one of the original Seven Archons—a frighteningly strong one at that.
But after years guarding the border and venturing into other worlds, she'd gained more than a few tricks of her own.
These days, her strength wasn't far off from his.
It's not like you could hold the border against demon gods every day without serious power.
"I heard from Morax that Xiao's karmic debt is gone now. His erosion, gone too. Cultivation can even bring the dead back to life."
The moment she said it, the breeze outside couldn't hold back any longer.
It whooshed through the now-windowless frame and solidified into a boy dressed entirely in green.
"It's that guy who talks to dragons outside the city!"
Paimon pointed in excitement at Venti.
Lumine understood instantly—so this was the Anemo Archon.
She was about to ask him about her brother, but Venti raised a hand, looking unexpectedly serious.
"Traveler, I know what you've come for—but sorry, now isn't the time to talk about that.
I can tell you that your brother is doing well, but he doesn't want to see you just yet. And the one who took him wasn't any of the Seven.
If you want to know more, you'll need to leave more of a mark on Teyvat.
As for now… I have more urgent business."
His eyes locked on Alice.
Alice smirked. "What, you've been eavesdropping all this time and finally decided to show yourself?"
Jean quickly stood, a touch of happiness in her expression.
"Lord Barbatos."
Venti's face softened, and he nodded gently. "Just call me Venti."
Jean inclined her head, knowing he had something important to say.
"Alice, you know this isn't something to joke about."
Alice pouted.
"You're fast—go take a trip to the Dark Sea and see for yourself. And since Morax has resolved erosion, do you think I'd joke about something like this?
I'm about to take Klee to cultivate immortality—would I gamble with my daughter's future?"
Venti went quiet.
Alice would never risk Klee's safety without absolute confidence.
Which meant… this was real.
Erosion—gone.
The dead—could return.
Cultivation could grant a power strong enough to solve Teyvat's greatest crises.
No wonder Alice had come back.
And if it was real…
He had to go to Liyue himself.
Even if it meant risking Zhongli giving him the "Stone Shatterer's Punishment," it was worth it!
"When do you set off? I'll go with you."
Alice grinned. "Oh? And you're not afraid of Morax catching you?"
Venti scratched his cheek, looking a little guilty.
"Eh-heh… old friends and all, the old man wouldn't hit me too hard… right?
Besides, if he's cultivating now, I definitely can't take him in a fight."
Alice waved it off.
"The sooner the better. Every day lost is a day Klee falls behind.
I want my good girl to cultivate as soon as possible. Immortality, eternal youth, a longer life, greater strength… my daughter will be even more beautiful."
Lisa's eyes lit up at "eternal youth." That alone was worth risking her life for.
And really—like Alice said—what's wrong with a witch cultivating immortality?
"Tomorrow then," Venti said. "Today isn't a good day to leave Mondstadt anyway, and since you're back, I could use your name to… discourage a few people.
I'll be leaving for a while, and I need to make sure Mondstadt stays safe. You don't mind, do you?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Eh-heh, deal! Oh, and…" Venti reached out his hand.
"What about my share? You gave Kaeya one—how could you not bring something for an old friend?"
Alice rolled her eyes, tossing him a bottle of Shenzhou Maotai.
"Don't drink it all in one go. I only brought two bottles back."
"Yeah, yeah, I know!"
He popped the cap, inhaled deeply, and looked utterly blissful.
"Good wine!"
Then he quickly capped it again, looking pained at the thought of wasting even a drop.
Jean's face twitched.
Yep—Alice hadn't exaggerated one bit.
Her city's Archon was, indeed, a hopeless drunkard.
Still… the thought of both Venti and Alice leaving worried her. The Stormterror situation wasn't resolved yet.
"Lord—Venti, if you and Lady Alice are both gone, what about Dvalin?"
"Relax, Jean," Alice said with a wave.
"I gave him a little explosive snack—just enough to put him out of commission. He won't be moving for at least half a year.
Worst case, Venti can deal with him after he finishes cultivating.
Besides…" Alice glanced meaningfully at Lumine.
"Those little pests who were scheming against him—now that I'm back, they've probably already run for it.
Unless they want me to go blow things up again…"
Venti's eyes widened in realization, glancing at Lumine.
"So it was them. I knew there had to be a reason Dvalin suddenly hated Mondstadt so much.
If it's them, we're fine—they'll hide faster than mice at the sight of you."
Jean looked puzzled. "Venti, who exactly was plotting against Dvalin?"
"The Abyss Order," Alice answered flatly. Then, with a smirk:
"But don't worry. Their little prince will have fled the moment he heard I was back."
"That I believe," Venti chuckled.
"You really did a number on him last time. Even hearing your name makes him shiver.
With you back, he knows his plan's dead, so he's long gone.
For now, though, I need your name to… remind an old friend of something."
He sighed, glancing toward the distant Goth Grand Hotel—where frost was already creeping over the windows.
He'd have to put some plans on hold.
The thought left him a little regretful…
"Mama!"
The office doors burst open, and Kaeya walked in with Klee.
The little elf-girl leapt straight into Alice's arms, planting a big kiss on her cheek.
"Mama! Klee missed you so, so, so much!
When I saw one of your bombs, I knew you were coming to see me!
I've been super good!"
With the sunny little bundle in her arms, the whole office seemed to warm up.
Alice's teasing expression melted into pure love as she hugged Klee tight and kissed her back.
"My darling girl's been so good. Mama missed you so, so much too.
This time, Mama's taking you to Liyue to study—and we'll be together for a long, long time.
Mama can even celebrate your birthday with you."
Klee's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! Klee's the happiest person in the world!
As long as Mama's here, I'm super happy!!"
The heartwarming scene made everyone smile.
Kaeya, however, discreetly glanced at Venti, then leaned toward Jean and whispered:
"Captain, this bard…"
Jean whispered back:
"He's Lord Barbatos. It's… complicated. I'll explain later."
Kaeya nodded slightly, his eyes now studying Venti with interest.
Feeling the gaze, Venti raised his Shenzhou Maotai bottle in a little toast.
"Lumine… don't you feel like we're kind of… extra here?"
Paimon muttered jealously, eyeing Klee.
Lumine rolled her eyes. This floating food-companion… really had no filter.
No need to state such cruel truths out loud.
Still, her mind kept drifting back to the way Venti had looked at her when they'd mentioned the Abyss Order.
Did that mean… the Abyss Order was connected to her somehow?
As if sensing her thoughts, Venti turned and smiled.
"Lumine, now that I've told you about your brother, know this—neither I nor your brother want you to stop traveling.
Visit all Seven Nations, and you'll learn everything you wish to know.
For now, why not spend some more time in Mondstadt? Enjoy the scenery—and, if you don't mind, maybe help Captain Jean deal with the dragon problem.
I'm sure she'll offer a handsome reward… right, Jean?"
Jean caught his meaning immediately.
Lumine clearly carried great secrets—and great strength. Having her help would be invaluable.
"Of course. If you're willing, the Knights will pay you generously for your aid—it could fund the rest of your travels."
Lumine's eyes lit up. "A lot?"
Jean gave a helpless little smile and nodded. "It should count as generous."
"Deal!" Lumine pumped a fist. "I'm in!"
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