After all, even if you find an adeptus, there's no guarantee they will teach you their arts. You might even be put through some trials first.
From the game's storyline, Nolan felt that the adepti were somewhat aloof when dealing with ordinary people. They rarely appeared before humans unless they were particularly interested.
"Eh, you're interested in this kind of spellcraft? I've never heard my elders mention it, but even if it exists, it probably wouldn't be taught to outsiders," Chongyun said, a bit embarrassed.
Spellcraft? So these exorcists used spellcraft instead of magic? They were probably similar, just different names. As an outsider, Nolan couldn't grasp the nuances and sighed, saying, "I see. It seems that finding such methods would indeed require seeking out the adepti."
While everyone was chatting, Xingqiu had gone inside Wanmin Restaurant to order some food. He returned just in time to hear Nolan mention the adepti.
Sitting back down, Xingqiu asked with interest, "Nolan, are you also looking for adepti like my senior brother?"
"Yes, I just know a mental/spiritual technique, but it requires a strong mind to be effective. So I'm looking for ways to train my spiritual power," Nolan explained briefly.
"I see. It's a pity that I have new books to read recently. Otherwise, I would have loved to join in the search for adepti and take down those Treasure Hoarders running rampant in the wilderness," Xingqiu said with a hint of regret.
Reading books. For a book-loving Xingqiu, that was indeed a fitting reason, Nolan thought to himself.
As they waited for their food, Xingqiu suddenly remembered something and asked, "Chongyun, didn't you mention that you have an aunt who studied adepti arts with an adeptus? She might know methods to train spiritual power."
"That's true. But ever since my aunt went to study with the Cloud Retainer at Mt. Aocang, we haven't seen her, and there's no way to contact her," Chongyun said, his ice-blue hair hanging down as he sighed.
He was too young at the time and had never met her.
"Oh, really? Could it be that the disciples of the adepti aren't allowed to leave the mountain until they've mastered their training?" Lumine, now leaning back against her chair, seemed puzzled.
"That shouldn't be the case," Chongyun said, somewhat uncertain.
"Lumine might have a point. Adepti arts are the training methods of adepti. Your aunt, being human, might lack the necessary talent, and thus hasn't yet mastered her skills to the point where she can leave the mountain," Xingqiu said with a look of sudden realization.
After a pause, he smiled and suggested, "Chongyun, since you usually exorcise spirits in the mountains, why not join Nolan and the others in their search? The adepti might appear in respect for your aunt."
"Of course, such an interesting endeavor is something I wouldn't want to miss. As for reading, I can do that on the road," he added with a chuckle.
Hearing Xingqiu's suggestion, Nolan's eyes lit up.
That's right, adepti might not meet with him, but with Chongyun, they might stand a better chance. And even if they didn't meet an adeptus, meeting Chongyun's aunt Shenhe would be just as good.
He knew that 'aunt' wasn't untalented as Xingqiu suggested. On the contrary, she had talents that amazed even the adepti. She had learned nearly everything they taught. So, finding her and asking for her guidance might be easier than learning from an adeptus.
"Yes, that's a great idea!" Paimon echoed in agreement.
"Alright, since you all insist, I have no objections. If everyone wants to go, we can set off after the Rite of Descension," Chongyun said after a moment of thought. He realized there was no issue with this plan since exorcising spirits could be done anywhere.
However, Chongyun doubted that an adeptus would reveal themselves just because of his aunt.
"Here it comes, the food is here! Sorry to keep you waiting, Xingqiu and Chongyun!" At that moment, a young girl dressed simply, like the girl next door, came out carrying a tray full of dishes. A cute creature, resembling a yellow raccoon and walking upright, followed her with another tray.
"Xiangling, if you don't bring the food soon, our stomachs will shrink from hunger," Xingqiu said, pretending to clutch his belly dramatically.
"Hehe, good food takes time to cook. Don't worry about small delays like this," Xiangling laughed as she placed the delicious dishes from her tray onto the table. Guoba, being shorter, barely managed to place his tray on the table.
"Wow, what an amazing little bear! It even helps with the work, unlike Paimon, who only thinks about food," Lumine said, teasing her companion while looking at Guoba.
"Hey, that's not true! I'm also seriously doing my job as a guide!" Paimon retorted, hands on her hips in indignation.
"This is Guoba, my good partner. And you must be the new friends Xingqiu and Chongyun mentioned. I'm Xiangling, nice to meet you all," Xiangling said. Being long-time friends with Xingqiu and Chongyun, she wanted to get to know their new friends as well.
"Yes, yes, nice to meet you, Xiangling. This guy here is Nolan, the one next to him is Lumine, and I'm Paimon. Nice to meet you!" Paimon said with a smile, introducing her friends.
"Alright, I need to get back to work. Please come by Wanmin Restaurant often!" Xiangling said as she hurried back with Guoba. It was dinner time, and she was too busy to chat.
"Of course," Nolan and the others nodded in agreement.
They continued discussing their plan to search for Chongyun's "aunt" after the Rite of Descension. After enjoying the delicious meal prepared by Xiangling, the group concluded the dinner hosted by Xingqiu.
Under the night sky, the stars were arranged like a river. Even in the bustling city of Liyue Harbor, the streets and squares became less crowded as it approached eleven at night. The taverns were the only exceptions.
After dinner, Nolan, Lumine, and Paimon strolled around Liyue Harbor to get familiar with the new city. However, Liyue Harbor was too large to explore entirely, so they only covered a small nearby area, like the docks and the shipyard.
Finally, at this late hour with fewer people around, they returned to the teleport waypoint by the tree in the square.
"Great, no one's looking this way. Let's activate it now," Paimon said, feeling exhausted and eager to rest.
Lumine brushed the golden strands of hair from her face and tucked them behind her ear, then reached out her fair hand towards the glowing red teleport waypoint. As she pressed her palm against it, she felt its cool surface.
In no time, the red light of the teleport waypoint faded, and it began to rise from its base, eventually hovering slightly while emitting a blue light completely different from its inactive state.
"Alright, grab my hand," Lumine said, holding the waypoint with her left hand while extending her right hand to Nolan and Paimon.
Paimon placed her small hand on Lumine's arm, while Nolan grasped her soft fingers as if holding hands.
This guy!
Lumine naturally noticed Nolan's more intimate grip, and a faint blush appeared on her fair face, though it was hardly visible in the night. I hope he hasn't figured out what happened that night, she thought, feeling a mix of embarrassment and annoyance as she turned her head to initiate the teleport. Still, she didn't pull her hand away.
[Lumine Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 200 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.8 (5/800)]
Seeing the Affection notification pop up on his character panel, Nolan was momentarily taken aback. Then he smiled and tightened his hold on her hand a bit more.
Just as they were about to teleport, a female voice suddenly interrupted them.
"Oh my, running into suspicious characters while out for a night stroll. Since you're making me work overtime, I can't let you leave so easily!"
Yelan had been watching these sneaky individuals for a while. Seeing the girl activate the strange device only made them seem more suspicious, so she decided to intervene.
Yelan concealed herself in the shadows, swiftly approaching them without them noticing. Thin, water-blue threads emerged from the void, binding the group together before they could react.
"Hey! Who are you? Why are you grabbing us?" Paimon shouted angrily, unable to move.
Standing before Nolan and the others was a short-haired woman dressed in a sleeveless, shoulder-baring top with a white, sleeved cape draped over her shoulders. Her neckline revealed a glimpse of her fair skin.
Yelan!
Nolan instantly recognized her as the renowned "Queen Yelan," well-known among players. But he never expected their first encounter to involve being captured as suspicious characters. This was bad.
Moreover, her skills were impressive—Nolan hadn't noticed her approach at all! Still, they weren't actually suspicious. As long as they explained, everything should be fine.
"Stay still and come with me for questioning," Yelan ordered.
Yelan's pale lips curled into a smile as she tightened the "Lifeline" threads with a slight tug of her fingers.
"An investigation?"
Lumine didn't know who this woman was, but she wasn't about to sit still and do nothing. Since her hands were bound, she lifted her foot to touch the teleport waypoint.
"Hey, wait."
Nolan, guessing what she intended, quickly tried to stop her. If they teleported away without explaining, they might be considered fugitives next time they returned.
But it was too late. As Lumine touched the waypoint, they were immediately teleported.
The stars seemed to reverse their course.
They plunged into darkness before their vision quickly lit up again, accompanied by the gurgling sound of flowing water.
It was the sound of the fountain in Mondstadt's Plaza. They were back.
"Phew, we're back. But these ropes are still here! Find a way to untie them quickly, or I'll be squashed!" Paimon, recognizing the familiar city of Mondstadt, breathed a sigh of relief.
"That woman... who knows who she is, but she just tried to arrest us for no reason," said Lumine, bound by the blue threads, her white dress revealing her bare back as she pressed against Nolan. She was about to use Anemo to cut the threads when a hand nearby managed to grab her right hand.
"Ahem, don't act rashly."
Lumine and Paimon couldn't see Nolan, but he hurriedly stopped Lumine.
He looked at Yelan, who, to his surprise, had been teleported along with them. She was now raising her eyebrows curiously as she observed their surroundings. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"What is it?" Lumine asked, puzzled, turning her head. The golden strands by her ear brushed against Nolan's face. She then noticed the woman still holding the threads.
She fell silent.
"So, this is Mondstadt? I see. That device is for teleportation, and because I was connected to you via the 'Lifeline,' I was brought along," Yelan said as she stepped closer, her long legs wrapped in tight-fitting high-heeled boots. She smiled and added, "Are you spies from Mondstadt?"
"Hey! This is ridiculous. We were just using the teleport waypoint, we're not spies! And if we're suspicious, so are you, roaming around at night," Paimon retorted, unable to hide her frustration.
"Hehe, it seems I haven't introduced myself. I work for the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Liyue. My name is Yelan. Seeing you sneaking around at night, I thought it was reasonable to capture you," Yelan said, leaning in and staring at Paimon.
"Well, this is actually a misunderstanding," Nolan began, catching the faint fragrance emanating from Yelan. Just then, he noticed a figure on the rooftop of a nearby building.
"Miss Yelan from the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Liyue, could you please release our two Honorary Knights and their white companion?"
A nun stood on the rooftop, arms crossed, speaking in a bored tone.
"Paimon is not some white companion!" Paimon protested, clearly missing the point.
"Oh? And who are you?" Yelan asked, looking up with some confusion.
"Hmph, I'm Rosaria of the Church of Favonius," the nun replied, leaping down from the rooftop. Finally, Nolan and the others got a clear look at her.
---
(End of chapter)
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