Faced with the request from the New Eridu delegation, Xianyun did not agree. She shook her head without hesitation.

"New Eridu is not Liyue. What concern is it of mine?"

At this, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, President Mikhail of the Hollows Investigation Association, and the others all froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Because Xianyun was right.

New Eridu was far from Liyue, with no real connection to it.

Though New Eridu was facing the crisis of Hollow Zero, there were no signs of Hollow disasters in Liyue. The Adepti of Liyue truly bore no responsibility to intervene.

After a brief hesitation, Zhu Yuan spoke seriously. "If New Eridu were to join Liyue, would you, Adeptus, be willing to lend your strength against the Hollow crisis...?"

Before she could finish, President Mikhail cut her off.

"Zhu Yuan, wait."

Zhu Yuan quickly explained, "President Mikhail, if we can suppress Hollow Zero, then what harm is there in joining Liyue?"

At that, Mikhail fell silent.

Indeed. If Hollow Zero could be suppressed—if this world could be saved, if New Eridu could be saved, if the disaster could finally be ended—what would be wrong with joining Liyue?

On the side, Cloud Retainer paid no mind to their debate. She only said indifferently, "This matter is not mine to decide. For such things, you should speak with the Liyue Qixing. I take my leave."

With those words, Cloud Retainer said nothing more.

She transformed into a great crane, spread her wings, and soared into the clouds, vanishing in an instant.

...

On the hillside, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Qingyi, Soldier 11, and President Mikhail all looked upward at the direction she had gone, unable to help but sigh.

That kind of power was beyond mortals—it belonged only to the Adepti.

There was a long silence.

Then Paimon finally spoke, breaking it. "Back then, the Adepti swore a contract with Rex Lapis to protect Liyue. New Eridu isn't part of Liyue, so of course they don't want to intervene..."

Arataki Itto laughed. "Then it's simple! Just let New Eridu join Liyue, right?"

Tsukishiro Yanagi stayed silent.

Zhu Yuan let out a sigh.

President Mikhail spoke slowly. "We'll return and discuss it further."

They still hadn't recovered from the shock of what they'd witnessed.

At that moment, Paimon piped up again. "It's freezing up here at night, and Slimes and Hilichurls could be wandering around. Let's hurry back."

Slimes... Hilichurls...

Zhu Yuan had heard those names more than once, but she had never seen them herself.

She sighed softly. "Miss Keqing, Mr. Sam Li, Traveler... let's go back."

Before returning to Liyue Harbor, Zhu Yuan turned once more to look at the mountains behind them, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

What lay on the other side?

Was it really the peaceful land the Traveler and Paimon had described, untouched by Hollows? Or was it like the Outer Ring—reduced to ruins, abandoned by Liyue?

Zhu Yuan made a quiet decision in her heart.

Tomorrow morning, before meeting another of Liyue's high officials at the Jade Chamber, she would climb to the very peak of Tianheng Mountain to see the other side with her own eyes.

...

Just as when they came, Keqing carried a lantern in front while the others followed behind.

On the way back, suddenly—

A familiar voice echoed in Sam Li's ear.

"Emperor, long time no see. You seem... changed."

Sam Li was silent.

Then Cloud Retainer's voice sounded again. "How was my performance just now?"

Sam Li hesitated, then answered quietly, "Excellent."

Immediately, Paimon's head whipped around.

"Sam Li, what did you just say? Who are you talking to?"

Sam Li shook his head. "Nothing. Let's go back."

The truth was—

Back at the entrance of Wanmin Hall, when both sides had first met, Sam Li had secretly sent a message to Cloud Retainer. It was he who had asked her to draw everyone to Tianheng Mountain, to display the power of an Adeptus and push the cooperation between New Eridu and Liyue forward.

And now, it seemed the plan had succeeded.

...

Soon, the group arrived at Yujing Terrace, where they were given guest rooms in the back courtyard, reserved for foreign delegations.

That night, Billy, Nekomata, Nicole, and the others slept soundly.

But Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, President Mikhail, and a few others couldn't sleep at all. Their minds were filled with thoughts of the Adepti.

According to what Keqing and the Traveler had said, there wasn't just one Adeptus in Liyue.

Cloud Retainer was one. The youth who looked barely in his teens, Xiao, was another. And beyond them, there were surely several others who had yet to appear.

Remembering Xiao, they recalled how before, they had thought Paimon was joking.

How could a boy who looked no older than a teenager have lived for two thousand years?

But now, it seemed Paimon hadn't been lying.

That Xiao wasn't a prodigy—he was, like Cloud Retainer, an immortal.

...

Early the next morning.

At first light, Zhu Yuan was still in a restless sleep when she heard Qingyi calling.

"Zhu Yuan, wake up. Yesterday you said you wanted to see what's on the other side of the mountain..."

"Hm... Is it morning already?"

Zhu Yuan stirred groggily.

She had barely slept two hours, her thoughts keeping her awake most of the night. Dark circles were visible beneath her eyes.

Seeing her condition, Qingyi spoke softly. "Maybe we shouldn't go yet. Rest a little longer. After we visit Ningguang, the Tianquan, we can climb Tianheng Mountain."

Zhu Yuan rubbed her eyes. "No, Senior. We must confirm more information before we go to the Jade Chamber."

With that, she dressed quickly, then went to wake Soldier 11 and Tsukishiro Yanagi, then President Mikhail...

And together they hurried out of Yujing Terrace.

Just as they reached the gates, they came across a figure with two horns atop her head—a sheep-like Thiren... no, a qilin, one of the mythical beasts.

Zhu Yuan paused, struggling to recall. "Gan... Gan..."

Gan... what was it again?

She couldn't quite remember.

The woman spoke softly. "My name is Ganyu..."

Zhu Yuan coughed lightly and forced a smile. "Ah—Miss Ganyu, good morning. Do you live nearby?"

Ganyu shook her head. "No, I'm here for work."

Work? So early?

The sun had barely risen, and she was already at her post. Even more diligent than Hoshimi Miyabi.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Ganyu looked at them curiously. "It's so early... where are you all headed?"