"Lumine, look! Liyue Harbor is right ahead."
A mysterious white creature floating in the air excitedly pointed at the city ahead. The golden-haired Damselette following her couldn't help but exclaim in awe at the exceptionally prosperous and magnificent city before her.
Compared to Mondstadt, Liyue was clearly larger and more bustling, and the street vendors added a lively, common touch to the city. Foreigners seeing such a sight would involuntarily smile, a look of contentment on their faces.
"It's a good thing Venti reminded us, otherwise, we definitely would have missed this year's Rite of Descension. Lord Rex Lapis only appears on this one day each year to announce Liyue's latest commercial changes for the coming year."
"Since Paimon knows so much, do you know the exact time and location of the Rite of Descension?"
"Uh… since Venti was the one who reminded me about it, then of course I wouldn't know."
"Why can you say that with such conviction?"
"But for something like this, we can just ask a local, right?"
Lumine and Paimon walked onto the wooden bridge leading to Liyue Harbor. Only as they got closer did they realize that this city was simply incomparable to Mondstadt. While Mondstadt City's high walls protected the city, they also confined its inner prosperity. Liyue, however, was a city without walls, boldly displaying its beauty to every resident.
The various snacks and delicacies from the street vendors emitted enticing aromas, making Paimon, a true foodie, almost walk… no, fly off course.
At this moment, distracted by the food, Paimon wasn't watching where she was going and bumped right into someone walking towards her.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, little one, are you alright?"
"Uh, I'm fine." Paimon felt like her head had hit an iron plate and was a bit dizzy, but she knew it was her fault, so she couldn't get angry.
"Paimon, are you alright? Friend, I'm truly sorry." Lumine, who was walking behind Paimon, saw her bump into a passerby and quickly stepped forward to apologize.
"Oh? Judging by your attire, you don't seem to be locals. Are you also foreigners here to see the Rite of Descension?"
"Yes, that's right. We came from Mondstadt. My name is Lumine, and this is Paimon. This is our first time in Liyue." Lumine's heart brightened. She had just been thinking of finding a passerby to ask for information, and wasn't this a perfect opportunity?
"Lumine and Paimon, right? It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Uchiha Mikage; you can just call me Yuto."
"Oh? Uchiha… Yuto, that name is so long. Are you not from Liyue either? It sounds like it has an Inazuman style." Paimon asked curiously from the side.
"Paimon is truly knowledgeable! That's right, I'm from Inazuma. For now, I've settled down in Liyue."
"Hmph hmph hmph, of course! I'm the best guide in Teyvat." Paimon was clearly very pleased by Yuto's compliment and began to gesticulate wildly in the air. Lumine looked at Paimon's smug expression and couldn't help but strike a pose with her hands on her hips, a look of doting helplessness on her face.
Although Lumine really wanted to tease Paimon for not even knowing about the Rite of Descension just now, she didn't expose her in front of a stranger.
"Mr. Yuto, could you tell us the time and location of the Rite of Descension?"
"You're quite lucky; it's happening today! It will officially begin at 12 PM. There's still some time before the ceremony starts. As for the location, it's at Liyue's Yujing Terrace, which is considered the highest point in Liyue Harbor. According to the Liyue Qixing, that spot is closest to Lord Rex Lapis, making it very suitable for communicating with the God of Geo."
"The highest point? Is it that palace floating in the sky?"
"Ah, that's Tianquan Ningguang's property—the Jade Chamber. Ordinary people don't have the right to go up there."
"What did you mean by the Liyue Qixing and Tianquan Ningguang just now?"
"Hmph hmph, I know this! Just like Mondstadt is a city-state of freedom, Liyue is a nation of contracts, valuing commerce and trade. The seven great merchants representing seven commercial forces, the Liyue Qixing, are the actual controllers of this nation! As for Tianquan Ningguang, she must be one of the Liyue Qixing."
"It seems Paimon is indeed very knowledgeable! That's right, but in reality, there are differences even among the Liyue Qixing. Some Qixing aren't even known to the citizens, remaining obscure, while Tianquan Ningguang is the most powerful among the Qixing. One Qixing once described her this way: 'Ningguang, who controls all of Liyue Harbor's secrets, is Liyue Harbor's greatest secret.'"
"Wow, she sounds like a very impressive person."
"Of course, she's very impressive! The most crucial part is that Tianquan Ningguang started out as just an ordinary fishmonger. Through her wisdom and hard work, she climbed step by step to the highest point of power in Liyue. Just hearing it, you can imagine how much effort she must have put in.
I just arrived in Liyue not long ago myself and haven't witnessed this Rite of Descension yet. How about we go together to see it?"
"Wow, that's great, Yuto! You're such a good person. I want to give you a nice nickname."
Oh no! Is Paimon, this merciless nickname-generating machine, going to target me? Huh? Strange, I don't know why, but I feel a faint sense of anticipation. However, my anticipation didn't last long before Lumine pulled Paimon back.
"Paimon! Don't give nicknames to people you just met; it's very impolite. Mr. Yuto, I'm truly sorry."
"Uh, alright then, we'll save the nicknames for when we're more familiar with each other."
"Haha, it's fine. I actually quite like Paimon's lively demeanor. Hmm, there's still some time before the Rite of Descension begins. How about we grab some lunch first? You need a full stomach to have the energy to watch the Rite of Descension. I just heard Paimon's stomach rumbling."
"Lumine, I think Yuto understands me perfectly! After traveling for so long, my stomach has been rumbling, and I'm almost too tired to fly." Paimon's eyes gleamed with golden light, and her drool was already flowing uncontrollably.
Lumine really had no choice, and after Paimon's reminder, she felt a bit hungry herself, so she agreed. "Then we'll trouble you, Mr. Yuto."
"Perfect! There's a commoner's restaurant in Liyue called Wanmin Restaurant. Their dishes are not only varied, plentiful, and delicious, but also inexpensive. During my time in Liyue, I've almost always eaten there."
"Wanmin Restaurant? That sounds a bit familiar. Oh! Is that Xiangling's family's place?"
"Oh? You know Xiangling too? That's great! But how do you two know each other?"
"Of course! We're good friends with her; we met in Mondstadt. She even said that if we came to Liyue, she would treat us well. Lumine, let's go find Xiangling!"
With Xiangling as a common connection, Lumine gradually lowered her guard towards Yuto. Since Yuto was Xiangling's friend, and she was Xiangling's friend, and they were going to Xiangling's family restaurant, then there should be no problem.
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