"What's been going on these past few days? Why can't the elixirs I'm refining be gilded..."
Seeing another elixir that couldn't be gilded, even though he produced three from one batch, Ryan couldn't bring himself to be happy.
"Since you've finished refining the elixir, and it's getting late, I'll escort you down the mountain."
Seeing that Ryan had finished refining the elixir, Keqing put down the obedient Electro Slime in his hand and reminded Ryan.
He wasn't interested in the elixir Ryan refined. It was indeed getting late, and the cave was dim.
If Keqing hadn't used Ryan's fire to light the dry wood he picked up outside the cave, after Ryan put away his alchemy flame, the cave would have been pitch black.
"Oh, oh, okay, thank you... Huh?"
Ryan quickly put away the elixir and turned to thank Keqing.
However, after seeing Keqing's appearance, Ryan's eyes suddenly lit up.
"So it's one of us! This is great, it's my first time seeing one of our kind. From your appearance, are you a cat demon in human form?"
Ryan excitedly leaned forward and said to Keqing.
Although his master's true form was also a crane, that was a pure innate spirit, an element life.
If Ryan wasn't considered a disciple of a an adeptus, compared to Cloud Retainer, he wasn't an element life, nor an innate spirit. He could only be considered a beast that had taken human form, and should rightfully be classified as a "demon," as his cultivation hadn't reached the level of an adeptus.
And in Liyue, after the God War, demons were rarely seen.
Now he finally saw one of his kind!
"Cat demon...?"
Seeing Ryan suddenly lean in excitedly, Keqing was momentarily stunned after hearing what he said.
After a brief recovery, Keqing understood the meaning of Ryan's words. He glanced at the fox ears on Ryan's head and subconsciously raised a hand to touch his own hairstyle.
He had been wearing this hairstyle since he was very young, and he had always been used to it, but to be honest, when he was a child, he liked it precisely because it resembled cat ears... "Ahem, you've misunderstood. I'm no cat demon. I am Yuheng Star of the Liyue Qixing. You can call me Keqing."
"Also, since you claim to be a demon, for safety reasons, please come with me to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to register."
Keqing lightly coughed, choosing to change the subject from the cat ears and stating his identity. Then, he looked at Ryan, who was momentarily stunned by his words, and made his request.
It was not uncommon for people with animal features in Teyvat, so at first, he didn't think much of Ryan's fox ears and tail. But now that he knew Ryan was a "demon."
Most ancient texts described demons as vicious and evil. Although the young man in front of him didn't seem so fierce, there was no harm in registering.
Demons were indeed rare in Liyue Harbor; most were mere rumors.
"...You are Yuheng Star?"
Ryan recovered from his daze and immediately scrutinized Keqing suspiciously.
"But you have a cat tail behind you! Don't try to fool me, you're definitely a cat demon."
Before Keqing could answer, Ryan suddenly raised his hand, pointing behind Keqing, and said with certainty.
'What?'
Keqing was startled and quickly looked behind him.
"Where's the tail...?!!"
Keqing was puzzled for a moment, but in the next second, he immediately reacted and looked back at Ryan.
However, Ryan had already run out of the cave, holding the alchemy furnace, which had shrunk at some point. Only an elixir, still faintly glowing golden, floated quietly in front of Keqing.
"Why are you running?"
Although he didn't know why the other party was running, Keqing's first reaction was to grab the elixir in the air and chase after him.
But when he reached outside the cave, he found that it was already dark and he couldn't find anyone. Even with element vision, he couldn't detect any trace.
Keqing searched around, but didn't notice a white-furred fox stealthily slipping away from a high vantage point.
"Phew..."
And so, after slipping down Mt. Tianheng, Ryan finally transformed back into human form from his true form and patted his chest, letting out a sigh of relief.
"That was terrifying! Good thing I ran fast. Master was right, there really are many bad people outside..."
Ryan said with lingering fear.
After calming down a bit, Ryan took out the remaining two Ice Soul Tranquility Pills from his Bolsa Qiankun.
At this moment, the Ice Soul Tranquility Pill had cooled down, its golden light no longer visible, revealing its own pale white luster... just like a white Maltesers.
"Mmm, it's getting late now, and it should be closing time. Handing this over to Senior Sister Ganyu will complete the mission. After that, I can go find materials myself."
Ryan looked at the elixir, nodded his head in satisfaction, and then returned to Liyue Harbor.
The way back to the harbor was the road at the foot of Mt. Tianheng. Upon returning, he arrived at the lotus pond in front of Yujing Terrace and Bubu Pharmacy.
Ryan turned right and ascended Yujing Terrace, then walked straight towards the building next to it.
"Senior Sister Ganyu should still be here, hasn't changed location, right...?"
Ryan muttered as he got closer, looking up at the building in front of him with its red glazed tiles.
This was the center of power that managed the affairs of Liyue Harbor, and also the place where the Liyue Qixing held important meetings, Yuehai Pavilion.
"Please stop, outsiders are forbidden in Yuehai Pavilion."
The Millelith who had just changed shifts at the gate stopped Ryan.
"Alright, I'm here to see Senior Sister Ganyu. Can you please inform him?"
This wasn't Ryan's first time coming to Yuehai Pavilion to find Ganyu. He nodded cooperatively and asked.
"...Senior Sister Ganyu?"
The two Millelith couldn't help but exchange glances.
'Is he actually Senior Sister Ganyu's junior? Could it be a fake? I haven't heard of such an existence?'
The two were a bit surprised, but after seeing Ryan's unusual features, they hesitated for a moment before continuing:
"We will go inform Senior Sister Ganyu now. Please wait a moment."
"Alright."
Ryan nodded and waited obediently outside the gate.
Not long after, a light blue-haired Damselette with dark red Qilin horns on his head and a large bell on his chest walked out of Yuehai Pavilion.
As he walked out of Yuehai Pavilion, he deliberately shook his head to perk himself up, then looked at Ryan, who was bored and looking up at the night sky.
Ryan also heard the movement, came back to his senses, and looked at Ganyu.
"Ryan? It really is you. Um... long time no see. Why are you in Liyue Harbor?"
Recognizing Ryan, Ganyu took small steps forward to greet Ryan, then asked with some confusion.
Seeing this, the Millelith responsible for the announcement returned to their posts with relief.
"Senior Sister Ganyu, Master sent me to bring you elixirs. It's the same Mind Soother Pill as last time."
Ryan explained to Ganyu, and at the same time, poured out an Ice Soul Tranquility Pill from the bottle and handed it to Ganyu with both hands.
Ganyu had taken it ten years ago, so he should be very clear about the effects of the Mind Soother Pill.
Although this time the elixir had an extra prefix, Ryan felt it was due to his improved cultivation and technique, so their effects should still be similar.
"Eh? Is that Cloud Retainer's intention? How could I trouble you to make a special trip..."
Ganyu also took the elixir Ryan handed over with both hands, but said with some embarrassment.
"It's fine, Senior Sister. I just happened to have other things to do in Liyue Harbor."
"Oh, right, is the Rite of Descension coming soon?"
Ryan waved his hand, explaining, then eagerly asked Ganyu.
The Rite of Descension, the Emperor's arrival—this was a rare opportunity for him to meet the Emperor.
"Then I'll accept it... As for the Rite of Descension, it's still a week away. The previous Rite of Descension was hosted by Yuheng Star among the Qixing, and this time it's Tianquan Star's turn to host."
Ganyu nodded while putting away the Ice Soul Tranquility Pill.
"Yuheng Star?"
Hearing this title again, Ryan cautiously looked around.
"Senior Sister, actually, I just met a cat demon pretending to be Yuheng Star. He even tried to trick me into going to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Good thing I ran fast."
Confirming that no one was nearby, Ryan then quietly explained to Ganyu.
"A cat demon... impersonating Yuheng Star?"
Ganyu's face was a little confused, and his head tilted slightly.
"Mmm, a purple-haired cat demon. It's my first time seeing one too. I originally thought he was a good cat, but it turned out he was pretending to be Yuheng Star to trick me."
Ryan nodded affirmatively.
"Purple hair... cat demon... Does he also have pigtails?"
Hearing Ryan's words, Ganyu, who thought of something, couldn't help but confirm.
"Mmm."
Ryan nodded quickly.
"Ryan, what you're saying... might actually be Yuheng Star."
After receiving Ryan's confirmation, Ganyu hesitated for a moment before reminding him.
Someone who matches this description and claims to be Yuheng Star, besides the real one, it's probably not a fake, right?
"How is that possible? I saw Yuheng Star the last time I came to Liyue Harbor, and he was an old lady, wasn't he?"
Ryan said with disbelief.
"That was... the former Yuheng Star. He retired several years ago. The current Yuheng Star's name is Keqing, and he is a young and spirited Damselette."
Ganyu felt helpless, but he knew Ryan hadn't been to Liyue Harbor in ten years, so he could only explain in detail.
"..."
"Senior Sister, do you think it's still not too late if I go to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to turn myself in now?"
...