"Don't worry about work for now, Ganyu.
Tell me—do you know where this place is?"
As the secretary of the Qixing, Ganyu had always been diligent, earnest, and dependable.
For years, she had carried a tremendous portion of Liyue's administrative burden.
Naturally, Ningguang had long harbored the intention to draw Ganyu fully under her wing.
But previously, the Qixing maintained a delicate balance.
Any faction tilting the scales risked being collectively suppressed by the others.
And above all of them was the Geo Archon himself, watching from the seat of divine authority.
Under such constraints, Ningguang could not act too boldly.
Besides, Ganyu treated every Qixing member equally; it was impossible to recruit her privately.
But now—
If Liyue wished to take the next step, someone had to seize control of the whole board.
And that person could never be the Geo Archon.
Although Ningguang still didn't fully grasp the extent of Su Ran's transcendence, she did understand one truth:
If she was to stand beside him— or even just work for him—
she needed more power.
Or…
she could throw away all authority and dedicate herself entirely to his work.
But Ningguang did not want to give up either world.
Not Liyue.
And not the vast universe outside.
That meant now was the perfect moment to recruit reliable talent.
Once the outside world connected with Teyvat, it would be too late.
Inazuma wouldn't fight over such things— but Snezhnaya absolutely would.
"…I… I don't know,"
Ganyu murmured, gazing around.
Everything was unfamiliar.
Strange architecture.
Unnatural silence.
If Ningguang had not personally brought her here, she might have already panicked.
"This place lies beyond the sky— outside Teyvat entirely."
Over the past two days, Ningguang had spent countless hours studying.
With the station's guidance functions, it was easy for her to explain the basics.
Around them, holographic models displayed planets, stars, and incomprehensibly large structures.
Ganyu listened carefully…
and understood almost none of it.
But she did grasp one thing:
There were worlds outside.
Many worlds.
Far greater and far more advanced than Liyue.
"If one day, Teyvat opens communication with those civilizations…
Tell me, Ganyu— shouldn't Liyue be the leader?"
Ningguang already knew the geopolitical landscape.
Inazuma's shogun was too conservative, impossible to be the first mover.
And although Ningguang was the station's director, her primary duty was to safeguard Su Ran's interests.
Liyue could prosper— but only if Ningguang gathered enough authority to act freely.
She didn't need to surpass the Archon.
But she did need to rise above the other Qixing.
Otherwise, every significant decision would be strangled by committees and votes.
If forced to choose, she would rather abandon her Tianquan position and focus entirely on the station.
After all— this opportunity was granted to her alone.
Not to Keqing.
Not to Yelan.
Not to any other Qixing.
If she didn't seize it fully, she didn't deserve it.
"I… I think… such decisions…
should be left to the Geo Archon,"
Ganyu whispered after a long hesitation.
Her loyalty and conservatism made such an answer inevitable.
Ningguang smiled. She expected this.
She did not fear Morax's judgment.
Su Ran would never allow the Archon to become an obstacle.
All Ningguang had to do was wait for the inevitable.
"The Archon may decide," she replied softly.
"But Ganyu—would you be willing…
to work for me?"
Ganyu blinked.
"…Huh?"
Wasn't she already working for all seven Qixing?
When did the option of not working for them appear?
"I mean," Ningguang clarified, "to work exclusively for me."
For the first time, she laid her ambition bare.
She described her plans— her preparations, her vision for Liyue's future.
And then she showed Ganyu the space station's workflow.
The efficiency.
The precision.
The ease with which a single person could do what once required hundreds.
Ganyu finally grasped the reality:
The old way of working would soon be obsolete.
"The Qixing once existed to balance power.
It was effective—for the past."
Ningguang extended a Synesthesia Beacon toward Ganyu.
"But that era is over.
Teyvat's future cannot afford seven voices.
It needs one."
Her gaze sharpened.
"This opportunity is unequal.
Liyue can seize it.
Inazuma can seize it.
Snezhnaya is already watching eagerly."
"If we hesitate— the Ice Queen will take everything first.
Her nation will unify under a single voice."
Ningguang tapped the beacon lightly.
"If Liyue cannot unify under mine… then we will lose."
Ganyu stared at the device, her expression dazed.
"This seems… too serious…"
she whispered.
"If I choose now…
Liyue's entire administration might become unbalanced…"
"Serious?" Ningguang chuckled.
"Ganyu, you witnessed the battle between the Electro and Cryo Archons.
You saw them fighting over the future."
"I am offering Liyue a chance.
Opportunities like this do not come twice."
Ganyu hesitated.
Her nature made decisive choices impossible.
So Ningguang delivered the final push:
"If we miss this moment, then both Inazuma and Snezhnaya will rise beyond Liyue's reach forever."
—------------------------------
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