After storing everyone inside the teapot, Zhongli chose to return.
It had been a fruitful trip.
After seeing them off, Takumi turned his gaze to the reluctant Holy Empress.
"I'll take you to Teyvat sometime."
"Besides, they might even move here in the future."
"So there's no need to be so sentimental."
Hearing that, the Holy Empress froze.
A hint of joy flashed in her eyes and she nodded quickly.
"Okay~!"
Another world, huh?
She was definitely interested in seeing it.
After saying that, she stood up.
"I'll go rest now. See you later!"
With that, she left without looking back.
"I'm leaving too! Bye-bye~~!"
Sima Miori also said goodbye and left with Tendou Kisara.
After sending them off, Takumi had the robots clean up the place.
He went back inside to wash up.
After his shower, he opened the group chat.
Zhongli had already reported their safe return.
Takumi chatted briefly in the group before turning back to his other tasks.
He'd check in later.
He still had to deal with the cursed children.
Meanwhile, Zhongli and the others arrived back in Jueyun Karst.
After checking in with Takumi in the group chat, Zhongli turned to Ganyu.
"Ganyu, don't tell anyone about my identity."
"Give these books to Ningguang. She'll know what to do."
Zhongli handed over the books from Takumi's world.
Ganyu nodded.
"Understood, my Lord."
She knew the importance of these books.
And keeping Zhongli's identity secret? No problem.
Honestly, the first time she realized he was the Archon, she had been stunned.
Who would've thought the Archon was right beside her all along?
"Let's head back. Teyvat is about to undergo some changes."
"But we now have an escape route, so we don't need to worry too much."
Zhongli smiled faintly.
The winds had started blowing in Mondstadt.
And those winds would soon reach all seven nations.
He had no intention of following the original plot.
Retirement? Not yet.
If the Cryo Archon wanted the Gnosis, fine.
Let her bring the full set of alchemical materials from Snezhnaya.
As for Khaenri'ah's legacy? She could have it.
Sumeru needed a visit too.
But that could wait until the Traveler pulled that guy out of the Pure Land.
With a plan forming, Zhongli glanced at Cloud Retainer.
Then disappeared with Ganyu, Xiao, and Madame Ping.
Cloud Retainer returned to her cave to study the items she brought back from Takumi's world.
She was fascinated by machinery now.
She had learned a lot recently!
...
Zhongli dropped off Ganyu and the others in Liyue Harbor and returned alone to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
He had been away for quite a while. Hu Tao was probably worried.
She might've even started posting missing person notices.
Zhongli sighed.
He really wasn't good at dealing with Hu Tao.
Time to come up with another excuse.
But he remembered the seeds he brought back from the other world.
Perhaps giving her some exotic fruit would do the trick.
With that thought, Zhongli quickened his pace.
Meanwhile, Ganyu said goodbye to Madame Ping and the others.
Madame Ping went home.
Xiao headed to Guili Plains.
Ganyu took the books and headed straight for the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang was still working.
Time to deliver the books.
She moved smoothly through Yujing Terrace and took the elevator up to the Jade Chamber.
Some people were surprised to see her—it had been a while.
They became serious.
If Ganyu had been gone that long, something important must have happened.
Perhaps new orders from the Archon?
When Ganyu arrived, Ningguang was already waiting.
"You're back?"
She was curious—where had Ganyu gone?
None of her informants could track Ganyu.
Only that she had gone to Jueyun Karst.
"Yes. Everything went smoothly."
"I went with the Lord to another world."
"These are gifts from there. The Lord told me to give them to you."
Ganyu handed over the stack of books.
Ningguang was stunned.
Another world?
Was this a joke?
She had assumed Ganyu went to discuss matters with the Adepti.
But another world? With the Archon?
She took the books, still unsure.
"These are from another world?"
Ganyu nodded.
"Yes. Don't worry about the text—it's written in our language."
"The world's owner is a friend of the Lord. He gave them these."
"They'll be a great help to Liyue."
Ganyu gave a brief explanation.
Seeing that, Ningguang no longer hesitated and began flipping through them.
They contained a wealth of knowledge—mainly industrial.
Ningguang's eyes lit up.
"Excellent material! I know exactly what to do."
She only skimmed a bit but already had ideas.
She put the books away.
Then asked:
"Did the Lord leave any other instructions?"
Before Ganyu could answer, a voice called from outside.
"Ningguang, is Ganyu back?"
Click-clack, click-clack—heels echoed across the floor.
Moments later, a cat-eared head peeked through.
It was Keqing, one of the Liyue Qixing.
Beautiful and strong—Keqing had both.
Ningguang wasn't surprised by her arrival.
After all, it was Ganyu's first time disappearing this long.
And she had left on direct orders from the Lord.
Now that she was back, of course Keqing would show up.
Most likely, the rest of the Qixing had also gotten word and were on their way.
"Since you're here, the others should arrive soon."
"We'll wait and talk together."
"Ganyu, have you eaten? Want something to eat?"
Ningguang paused to wait for everyone.
Better than explaining everything repeatedly.
As for Ganyu, she shook her head.
She had already eaten.
And more importantly—she had found a way to lose weight!