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"Ah, what brings you two here?" Lin Feng looked at them with a smile and inquired.
"We... we were on our way to visit an Adeptus; just passing by!" Paimon scratched her head, not wanting to mention they were being pursued due to their bounty.
"Perfect timing! I need help setting up this base station," Lin Feng said, directing his request towards the duo.
"Sure thing!" Paimon nodded eagerly, knowing that once the base station was operational, she could play games and watch videos again!
Before long, the base station was completed, promptly connecting its signal to Mondstadt.
"Where are you headed? Since I still have more base stations to build, if it's along the same route, we can travel together!" Lin Feng offered, pulling out two Sunsettias with a grin and handing them to the pair.
"Great, hehe..." Paimon accepted the Sunsettias immediately, agreeing readily.
***
On their way to Jueyun Karst, Lin Feng constructed another base station, ensuring better signal coverage.
Soon, they arrived at Jueyun Karst, the abode of an Adeptus within his cave dwelling.
"Hey, is anyone home?" Paimon called out towards the cave entrance, which was sealed by an invisible talisman barrier, preventing them from entering.
However, there was no response. Lin Feng noticed three cooking spots nearby and couldn't help but smile, saying:
"Traveler, look over there at those campfires. I bet we need to offer food as tribute to meet this Adeptus!" He pointed towards the remnants of campfires not far away, addressing the duo.
"Hmph, what arrogant Adeptus! Acting so high and mighty!" Paimon huffed angrily, but still, determined to escape their wanted status, she joined him in searching for ingredients.
With gratitude guiding their actions, the trio successfully prepared the offerings.
"Mortals, why have you disturbed this Adeptus? What brings you here?"
A faint voice echoed, its origin unclear.
"A response! Oh Adeptus, we seek your assistance!" Paimon hastily shouted into the air.
"Hmph, matters of mortals hold no interest for this Adeptus!"
The voice replied again, carrying a hint of impatience.
"Traveler, quickly take out that Talisman of Hundred Inhibitions!" Paimon urgently called to Lumine.
Lumine nodded and produced the talisman Childe had given her.
"Mortals, how do you possess such a thing? Never mind, enter if you must!" The voice responded again, this time with a noticeably softer tone from the Adeptus.
Internally, he wondered why Emperor Gongzi would give this talisman to mere mortals.
"There's the assassin, everyone charge!" At that moment, a squad of Millelith arrived, rushing directly towards Lumine.
"Mortals, this is an Adept's abode; restrain yourselves!" Mountain Shaper seemed visibly upset, dismayed by Liyue's decline in etiquette.
"Very well, teach him a lesson but drive him away without causing harm!"
Lumine nodded, swiftly engaging in battle and knocking all the Millelith soldiers unconscious.
"Enter now!"
The glowing yellow talisman at the cave entrance began to fade, revealing a passageway inside.
The trio hurriedly stepped forward, treading cautiously on the transparent path while glimpsing the sheer abyss below. Lin Feng felt his heart race, lacking any Wind Glider for protection.
In the distance, a massive deer stood with its mouth opening and closing, speaking human words.
"Speak, what brings you to this humble Adept?" Mountain Shaper asked indifferently.
Lumine promptly recounted her ordeal.
"Hmph, preposterous! The Seven Stars seem increasingly incompetent, blaming the Emperor's assassination attempt on a mere observer!" Mountain Shaper stomped angrily, expressing his fury.
"Precisely! I can't even defeat a wild boar, yet they accuse me!" Paimon nodded vigorously, chiming in agreement.
"Travelers, inform the other Adepti about this matter while I confront Liyue for an explanation!" With that, Mountain Shaper lifted effortlessly, running through the air towards the sky on invisible hooves.
"He...he just left like that, expecting us to find more Adepti? How rude!" Paimon kicked at the air indignantly but couldn't replicate Mountain Shaper's aerial stride.
Couldn't they let us ride instead? Climbing such steep mountains is incredibly challenging! One misstep and we'd be crushed to dust.
Lin Feng gazed at Mountain Shaper's abode, suppressing the urge to install a signal base station right there.
***
After some time, the trio arrived at the entrance of Cloud Retainer's cave.
Lin Feng decided not to venture inside and instead focused on constructing the signal base station outside, ensuring that there would be no lack of coverage even amidst Jueyun Karst - otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing for him!
At this moment, Lumine, who was initially supposed to offer food tributes, found herself relieved as a massive crane flew towards them.
"Mortal, what are you doing? Are you trying to damage this Adept's abode?" The crane landed beside Lin Feng, demanding angrily.
"Ahem, I'm just building a structure to facilitate long-distance communication for Liyue's citizens!" Lin Feng coughed awkwardly, managing a sheepish smile.
"A chicken that big?" Paimon exclaimed, her mouth agape with surprise.
"Insolence! What chicken? I am the Cloud Retainer True Monarch!" The crane glared furiously at Paimon, rebuking her indignantly.
Paimon scratched her head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I meant...a celestial bird, my mistake!"
"Hmph?" The crane eyed Paimon, its tone distinctly unfriendly.
"Celestial...Celestial Being!" Paimon corrected herself, scratching her head again.
"Well then, explain yourself! Why are you constructing this device at the entrance of this Adept's cave?" Cloud Retainer asked, turning to Lin Feng.
"No particular intention, just wanted to help you communicate more easily with others!" Lin Feng scratched his head and explained.
In truth, he had meant it as a resting spot for when she grew weary from flying...
"Hmph, this Adept has no need for such communication. Quickly restore this place to its original state!" Cloud Retainer gazed at Lin Feng, issuing a commanding tone.
Lin Feng promptly took out his phone and began introducing it to her.
"Can this device allow conversations with other Adepti?" Cloud Retainer asked, somewhat skeptical.
"Yes, if you don't believe me, I'll call the Traveler right now!" Lin Feng hastily dialed, demonstrating its capabilities.
After some negotiation, Cloud Retainer finally agreed but demanded five phones from Lin Feng.
"Oh, and if you see my disciple Ganyu, remember to give her one of these devices. Have her contact me; it's been ages since she visited, and this Adept is unaware of how she's faring!" Cloud Retainer looked at Lin Feng, speaking mildly.
"Sure thing!" Lin Feng nodded, feeling his heart bleed at losing so many phones at once.
"Um... O-O-Oh, Immortal...Immortal Lady, we actually came here to report something important!" Paimon, unsure of the proper title, settled for "Immortal Lady."
Fortunately, Cloud Retainer didn't dwell on it this time and instead focused on the Talisman of Hundred Inhibitions held by Lumine.
"Speak, what brings you here?" Cloud Retainer's tone was aloof and detached as she addressed them.
Lumine and Paimon recounted their ordeal once more, causing Cloud Retainer to erupt with fury.
"The Emperor assassinated! Unthinkable!"
Paimon waved her hand dismissively and continued, "The Traveler and I only saw a massive dragon corpse falling from the sky before we were immediately wanted for questioning!"
"The Liyue Qixing have gone too far. I shall gather the Adepti to suppress Liyue; Mountain Shaper must not wait any longer!" With these words, Cloud Retainer flapped her wings twice, ready to take flight.
"Suppress? Does...does she intend to kill the Liyue Qixing? Aren't Adepti supposed to protect Liyue?" Paimon exclaimed, deeply shocked by Cloud Retainer's declaration.
"Hmph, those foolish Seven Stars allowed the Emperor to be harmed right under their noses. Humans can no longer govern Liyue responsibly. I will summon the Adepti to regain control over Liyue!" Coldly snorting, Cloud Retainer spread her wings and flew away, leaving one final remark behind.