By the time Luo Qing returned to his room, it was empty — Yelan was long gone.
"Master Luo Qing, that woman escaped!" Natalia gasped.
"I'm not blind. Stop making such a fuss."
"But, Master Luo Qing, she was such a beauty! Isn't it a shame to just let her go like that?" Sergei asked, confused.
"Sergei, watch your words! We are proud soldiers of Snezhnaya, not some bandit gang! Go outside and give me three hundred push-ups!"
[Frustration Value from Sergei +10]
Luo Qing turned to Igor next.
"Have the researchers arrived?"
"Master Luo Qing, they're already waiting downstairs," Igor replied respectfully.
"Bring them up."
Luo Qing waved him off and walked back into his room. After a moment, he added, "If any of you three eavesdrop outside my door again, I'll make you dance on Yujing Terrace. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!" the three chorused.
Luo Qing ignored the three troublemakers. They were the most troublesome of his former recruits back at the training camp, and he'd brought them to Liyue for good reason.
He checked his luggage and found no signs that it had been tampered with. Yelan must have been focused on escaping and hadn't lingered in his room.
Remembering her unwavering expression, Luo Qing knew he wouldn't have gotten any information from her, no matter how long he had Natalia tickle her. He had a good idea why she was there, so there was no point in pressing further.
He'd given her an out, hoping they wouldn't cross paths again.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be just a photo for the scrapbook next time.
Soon, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
At his command, several Fatui scholars entered the room.
"Greetings, Master Luo Qing. I am Ovelo, the head of the Fatui research division in Liyue." The leader bowed politely.
"We have been informed of your mission by the headquarters in Snezhnaya. Until Master Childe arrives, we are at your full disposal."
The Fatui's influence spanned across the seven nations, not for mere spectacle, but to gather any information or objects beneficial to Snezhnaya.
Whether they hailed from the Archon War or the Khaenri'ah cataclysm, the Fatui would claim them if they proved useful.
Their research institutes existed for precisely this purpose.
Artifacts from Khaenri'ah or ancient mechanisms left behind by the Adepti — all of these fell under their purview.
"Alright, Ovelo. Did you bring what I requested?" Luo Qing asked calmly.
"Yes."
Ovelo gestured to one of his assistants, who stepped forward with a small box and placed it on the table before Luo Qing. Opening it, he presented its contents.
"This is the newly recreated Forbidden Talisman. It should possess almost the same power as the original, but whether it will work against... that individual's creations has yet to be confirmed."
"Is that because you're too afraid to test it yourselves?"
Luo Qing chuckled, picking up the talisman to examine it closely. It was inscribed with ancient Liyue script in cinnabar ink, with Adepti energy faintly pulsing between the runes.
"Impressive that you managed to harness Adepti energy. How many of Liyue's hidden ruins did you plunder for this?" he asked, a teasing edge to his voice.
"Well, about that..."
"Liyue is, after all, an ally. Don't push things too far," Luo Qing warned with a smile.
"Of course, Master Luo Qing. We understand," Ovelo replied, bowing deeply.
"Good. You're dismissed. I'll test this thing out myself."
"Understood. We'll take our leave."
Once the researchers were gone, Luo Qing went to the balcony. He wasn't worried about Yelan returning for a sneak attack — no, this was something more important.
It was time for his second ten-pull.
He needed a spot with good Feng Shui to try his luck.
[Single Pull: 100 Points / Ten-Pull: 1,000 Points (Current Frustration Points: 1,083)]
"Heaven and Earth, hear my plea! Grant me a golden miracle!" Luo Qing chanted dramatically, pressing the ten-pull button with a flourish.
Ten meteors streaked across his system interface.
This time, surely it's gold...
Just kidding.
Still only purple.
With a string of swooshes, the ten items appeared in his inventory.
[You received: ]
Millelith Spear (+0) x1
Physique Enhancement Card x3
Affection Boost Card x2
Weapon Enhancement Card x2
Tears of Sorrow Card x1
Complete Restoration Pill x1
"Even the perfect Feng Shui can't save me..." Luo Qing sighed as he looked at the list of items. At least, this haul was a bit more useful than the last. He began examining his new treasures.
[Physique Enhancement Card: Use on a target to increase their overall physique by 100 points. (Standard Teyvat adult male physique: 100 points)]
[Affection Boost Card: Use on a target to increase their affection for the host by 10 points. (Maximum affection: 100)]
[Weapon Enhancement Card: Increases a weapon's enhancement level by +1.]
[Complete Restoration Pill: Heals all injuries of a target, restoring them to peak condition.]
"Definitely more practical than the last batch." Luo Qing nodded approvingly, turning his attention to the only purple item he received — the Millelith Spear.
Once the standard weapon of the ancient Millelith, this spear was crafted from the rock shards of Guyun Stone Forest. It was said to pierce anything, even dragon scales. With Adepti blessings, units of Millelith soldiers once used these spears to destroy demons and slay gods.
However, after the Archon War, the Millelith's capabilities had dwindled, and fewer soldiers were able to wield the Millelith Spear. The standard weapon of today's Millelith had become the lighter, more practical White Tassel spear.
Of course, the Millelith Spear Luo Qing acquired wasn't quite the same. His version could be enhanced.
Checking the details, Luo Qing noted that a single enhancement would boost the weapon's stats by 10%. With a maximum of +20, this meant he could potentially double its effectiveness.
Since he had it now, it wouldn't make sense to leave it in his inventory.
With a thought, the Millelith Spear materialized in Luo Qing's hand.
Thud.
The spear slipped from his grip, landing heavily on the mahogany floor with a dull thud.
He... couldn't lift it.
"Wow, this thing's really that heavy," he muttered, eyeing the slight indentation it had made in the hardwood. No wonder the modern Millelith didn't use it anymore.
For anyone else, that might be the end of the story.
But Luo Qing wasn't just anyone.
He had cheats.
With another mental command, he used all four Physique Enhancement Cards at once.
A rush of power surged through him, his muscles and senses sharpening instantly.
Four enhancement cards meant he now had five times the strength of a normal Teyvat adult male. In terms of raw physicality — strength, reflexes, endurance — he had reached the level of a seasoned Vision wielder.
Grasping the spear's handle again, Luo Qing gave it a gentle tug.
This time, he lifted it effortlessly.