"Why must Nathan stay by your side? I don't agree with this!"
Just as Keqing was about to succeed, she was suddenly interrupted.
The training ground, which originally had only three people, was now intruded upon by an unexpected visitor.
She was an exceptionally tall woman with platinum blonde hair held up by black and gold hairpins.
A glimpse of crimson tassels hung down, perfectly complementing her striking red eyes. She wore black arm sleeves with wide, naturally flowing cuffs. Around her neck was a white collar, and she wore a tricolored qipao.
However, what caught the most attention were her long, slender legs. Her beautiful figure was perfectly accentuated by those fair legs. Such a beautiful woman gave off an immediate impression of elegant nobility.
This wasn't just because of her obviously expensive attire, but also due to the air of dignity she constantly exuded. As she strode forward on her long legs, her feet were adorned with gold-trimmed silver high heels.
"Click—click—click—!"
Each time her heels touched the ground, they produced a captivating sound.
The other three people were actually quite familiar with this unexpected visitor. However, their reactions were quite different from one another.
The Millelith squad captain was brimming with excitement, as the newcomer was also one of the Qixing.
Keqing, on the other hand, was grinding her teeth, as the visitor had clearly come to intentionally disrupt her plans.
As for Nathan, it was quite simple. This beautiful woman was also a popular character from the Genshin Impact game.
She was Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.
She was truly worthy of being called a wealthy woman, someone who could genuinely make Nathan cry out "Rich Lady, I'm hungry!" She owned a palace in the sky and always wore an elegant, mysterious smile. Her wealth was so vast that few on the entire continent of Teyvat could match it.
Unlike Keqing, who was a five-star rarity character, Ningguang was only a four-star. This meant that even non-paying players like Nathan could obtain her. He had already maxed her level in the game, but in reality, this was his first encounter with Ningguang.
Among all the Qixing, Ningguang was the most mysterious. While other Qixing members worked at the Yuehai Pavilion, her office was in the sky above Liyue.
That was the Jade Chamber, a floating palace in the sky that Ningguang had funded and built as her private domain. Ordinary people needed Ningguang's seal to visit the Jade Chamber, so for someone like Nathan who had only crossed over a week ago, she was definitely an unreachable existence.
But now, this Tianquan had unexpectedly appeared here, her crimson eyes fixed upon him.
For Nathan, who was meeting her for the first time, this felt somewhat uncomfortable. After all, in the game's lore, Ningguang was characterized as a strategist, always plotting something. Being targeted by her might not be a good thing.
Clearly, Keqing thought the same way. She stepped forward, directly shielding Nathan behind her. This action also blocked Ningguang's line of sight to him.
"Ningguang, why are you here?"
Seeing that faint smile on her opponent's face, Keqing launched the first strike.
"I should be asking you that, Keqing. Don't you have work to complete?"
Being fellow members of the Qixing, Ningguang naturally understood Keqing very well. Knowing her serious and responsible work attitude, she immediately countered with this question.
"I... I just felt frustrated and wanted to come out for some fresh air. Are you going to control that too?"
Taken aback by the counter, Keqing almost couldn't respond.
"Well, I have the same thoughts. I just came out for some fresh air as well."
No matter how aggressive the questions were, Ningguang could dissolve them like spring rain with just a gentle smile. This showed that the two were not on the same level when it came to verbal sparring.
Nathan, feeling the confrontational atmosphere between the two women, was puzzled. In the game's setting, these two Qixing members shouldn't have such a poor relationship.
"Hello there, young man behind her!"
Taking advantage of Keqing's momentary weakness, Ningguang suddenly leaned forward, half her body reaching past Keqing.
Nathan suddenly felt a wave of fragrance wash over him, and that heavenly beautiful face was right before his eyes.
"H-hello, Lady Tianquan!"
Ningguang's exotic red eyes were now just inches away, and Nathan could even see his own reflection in her pupils.
"No... you can't address me so formally!"
Compared to her sharp exchanges with Keqing, Ningguang's current tone was almost like she was pouting.
Her warm breath brushed against his cheeks, nearly making him lose himself in the warmth. Of course, Keqing, who was still acting as a barrier, wouldn't let Ningguang continue like this.
She lightly lifted her foot and stepped directly on Nathan's toes.
"Ouch!"
The pain in his foot brought Nathan back to reality. With Ningguang up close and Keqing stepping on his toes, he didn't know how things had ended up like this.
"Lady Tianquan, this is our first meeting, so such address is appropriate!"
Nathan controlled his expression, not wanting Ningguang to notice anything unusual. However, after hearing these words, she herself seemed to become unusual.
The faint smile that had always graced Ningguang's lips disappeared for an instant. However, this strange moment was brief, and she quickly smiled at Nathan again.
"First meeting...? Well, young man, you haven't introduced yourself yet!"
"Hello, my name is Nathan. I'm a traveler who came to Liyue a week ago!"
Although unsure of what was happening, Nathan used the same introduction he had used before.
"First meeting? Why does it feel like we haven't met in a long time!"
Upon hearing Nathan's name, Ningguang's eyes lit up momentarily.
"Nathan, what a nostalgic name... In exchange, I'll allow you to call me by my name."
Her request left Nathan unsure of how to respond.
"Then... Lady Ning..."
"Shh, not Lady Ningguang, just Ningguang, remember that!"
Before Nathan could finish, a delicate finger pressed against the corner of his mouth. The finger carried Ningguang's distinctive fragrance.
But this intimate gesture also made the pain in his foot intensify. Even though Keqing hadn't turned around, it was as if she had seen this intimate moment.
To escape his predicament, Nathan had to comply with her request.
"N-Ningguang!"
As the words left his lips, Ningguang's face bloomed into a radiant smile...