Saying this, Paimon scratched her head again, pointing at the teapot on the table with a puzzled face. "The teapot here doesn't look abandoned for a long time? Could someone have just been here?"
Lumine frowned.
Paimon was right.
Although the teapot on the table looked a bit old, it wasn't covered in dust. Instead, there were traces of recent use.
She reached out and touched the teapot gently, and it still retained a faint warmth.
This meant that someone might have really just been here.
Maybe even nearby.
"It's warm."
Paimon looked at it, also surprised. "Should we wait and see if anyone comes back?"
"Hehe, guests from Mondstadt, hello. Please sit here."
Just then, a chuckle rang out.
The sudden voice instantly attracted Lumine's gaze.
An old man with his hands behind his back walked over slowly, looking kind.
"Eh?"
Hearing this, Paimon looked surprised. "How did you know we are from Mondstadt?"
"Because this is the border between Mondstadt and Liyue. Since the Dragon Disaster occurred in Mondstadt, few Mondstadters have come here."
The old man chuckled. "Liyue adventurers wouldn't be unaware of this place, and you dress like adventurers, so I guessed you are guests from Mondstadt."
"Wow, so amazing."
Hearing the old man's words, Paimon exclaimed immediately. "So that's it. Then who are you?"
"I am the owner of this tea stall. Small business, can't make much money. But... I have plenty of stories."
The old man chuckled. "Hehe... Opening a tea stall here, the most enjoyable thing is watching pedestrians come and go, and listening to stories casually."
"Stories?"
Paimon looked surprised.
The old man continued with a smile, "Look, guest, I'm just an old bag of bones."
"Haven't experienced any big storms in my life, lived peacefully and steadily..."
"But when people get old, they always feel something is missing."
"So, I left Qingce Village with some savings..."
"Coming out of Qingce Village, I decided to open a stall here, doing nothing but listening to people tell stories, and telling stories to others... Living quite well."
The old man chattered while picking up the teapot and pouring hot tea for Lumine and the others.
"This is Stone Gate. Past here, go south and it's Liyue!"
"You will encounter Qingce Village. It's very big and lively, a gathering place for adventurers and merchants. I believe the atmosphere there suits you very well."
"So that's how it is."
Hearing the old man's words, Paimon twisted her body in the air. "Then thank you very much."
Saying this, she picked up the tea unceremoniously and drank it, narrowing her eyes. "Comfortable. Drinking hot water early in the morning feels different."
In the wild.
Even if you want to drink hot water in the morning, you have to boil it, which takes time.
How could it be better than having it ready-made?
Immediately, Paimon and Lumine asked the old man for some more news, then left.
"Hehe."
Paimon flew while chuckling, "Unexpectedly, just walking a bit further, we can reach that inn."
"The old man said if we don't rest, we can arrive in the evening and rest there for a night."
"With Kael here, we should arrive at noon. Finally, good food."
"I haven't eaten Liyue's food yet. I must eat a lot!"
"Liyue's food..."
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine also narrowed her eyes. "Wonder how it compares to Mondstadt."
"Very rich."
Hearing Lumine's words, Kael smiled faintly.
Casually applied [Ripple] to the two, speeding up.
At this moment.
The Tea Stall.
The old man looked at the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow following Kael and the others, confused. "What is that? Looks like a guard? But feels like a monster, yet has no intention of attacking people."
"Doesn't look like Fatui either."
"Should I report it?"
The old man pondered for a moment and decided to report.
If unsure, just report it.
No loss anyway.
Mondstadt has had a Dragon Disaster recently, and there are many Millelith guards here in Liyue recently.
Wonder when the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt can solve the Dragon Disaster.
Thinking this, the old man left the place.
At this moment.
On the other side.
Mondstadt.
Inside the Favonius Cathedral.
Barbara's Room.
Soft morning light spilled into the room through the window.
Mondstadt's wind carried a trace of floral scent, blowing the white curtains gently in front of the window, adding a touch of warmth to this room.
However, the atmosphere in the room seemed a bit anxious.
In the middle of the room.
On a wooden table lay a Star Rail Pass emitting a faint glimmer.
It lay there motionless at this moment.
The luster on the surface flickered slightly, but it was slow to fully charge.
"How long has it been?"
Barbara sighed helplessly, tapping the table gently with her finger, looking depressed. "Why hasn't it finished charging yet... How long do we have to wait?"
"Fischl, you're not teasing me, are you?"
Barbara's voice carried a few sighs.
Her eyes looked at Fischl suspiciously.
Fischl said that as long as enough elemental power was injected into this to charge, this pass could take them to see Kael.
As a result, the energy recovery of this ticket was so slow that her patience was gradually worn away.
"Tsk..."
Hearing Barbara's words, Fischl stood by the table, arms crossed, expression equally dissatisfied.
Her golden long hair reflected brilliance under the morning light. Her purple eyes revealed a little impatience because the pass wasn't fully charged.
"How can the great [Prinzessin of Condemnation] endure such boring waiting!"
"My [Wheel of Fate] has deviated from the track. Kael, that loyal knight, has not appeared before us for two whole days..."
Fischl gritted her teeth, looking angry, her tone full of dramatic emotional fluctuations.
Seeing Fischl's appearance, Barbara was slightly stunned.
Couldn't help chuckling, turning to look at Fischl, eyes somewhat helpless. "Fischl, can't you just express it in a normal way?"
"Can't you just say... you miss him?"
Hearing this, Fischl's cheeks blushed slightly.
But soon she raised her chin, putting on an arrogant look. "Hmph, how can mere mortals understand my state of mind? We are existences with intertwined destinies. Only Kael can resonate with me and interpret my fate...!"
Barbara couldn't help rolling her eyes.
Although she was used to Fischl's "Chuunibyou" remarks.
But every time she heard her say this, she still felt a bit dumbfounded.
Barbara sighed softly, looked down at the pass, and poked its surface.
Feeling a weak fluctuation of elemental power, but still no sign of returning to normal completely.
"Sigh..."
Barbara dropped her shoulders, voice carrying a little frustration. "If this goes on, how long do we have to wait? If only we could contact Kael sooner. Don't know how he is now, if he encountered any trouble..."
"How can our Knight easily fall into crisis?"
Fischl smiled slightly, tone carrying a trace of certainty. "However... I have indeed not seen him for a long time. The trajectory of the stars at night cannot give me inspiration. Truly a sign of restlessness."
Barbara turned her head.
Looking at Fischl's slightly lonely expression, she suddenly realized.
Although Fischl still maintained her consistent mystery verbally.
But in fact, she was really worried about Kael too, right?
"...He must be fine."
Barbara comforted softly, a smile appearing on her face. "Kael is a very powerful person. Even if he encounters any difficulties, he will definitely be able to solve them."
"It's just... I really want to know where he is now and what he is doing..."
Hearing this, Fischl snorted lightly.
Turning to walk to the window.
Purple cape lifting slightly, eyes looking at the distant outside of Mondstadt City, voice carrying a trace of imperceptible lowness. "Yeah... I also want to know if that guy is safe and sound now."
The room fell into a brief silence for a time.
Only the breeze outside the window blew gently, bringing whispers from afar.
Meanwhile.
Liyue Territory.
Kael, Lumine, and Paimon walked and stopped all the way.
The Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow walked at the forefront.
"Have to say, Liyue territory is much safer than Mondstadt."
Paimon sighed while flying. "We haven't seen any monster attacks along the way. Walking on this road is really safe."
"Of course."
Lumine said without thinking. "This is the road connecting Liyue and Mondstadt, and there is a tea stall. There must be people like the Knights of Favonius clearing the surroundings regularly, just like Amber, ensuring safety here."
"Hehe, true."
Hearing Lumine's words, Paimon chuckled.
Waving her small hand, looking very happy.
While they were talking.
Not far away.
A group of merchants was moving slowly along the mountain road.
Several Liyue Adventurers wearing light cloth armor guarded the side, vigilantly scanning the surroundings, escorting several wooden carts full of goods.
Several merchants in the caravan were talking in low voices, discussing today's itinerary.
Occasional laughter came, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.
However, when their gazes swept over the slowly floating black shadow behind Kael...
Everyone's steps paused.
"Th-What is that?!"
A young Liyue merchant froze in place.
Eyes staring round, looking incredulously at the ice-blue warrior walking beside Kael.
That was a fully armed Ice Warrior.
Armor flashing with cold brilliance, surrounded by bits of ice crystals, like a king descending from the extreme cold land of the north.
His helmet was angular, obscuring his face, making his expression invisible.
However, the undeniable oppression made the surrounding air seem to drop to freezing point.
He held an Ice Axe emitting cold air, the blade sharp.
Occasionally ice chips fell from the axe tip, leaving fine freezing marks on the ground.
Whenever he moved slightly, a low metal friction sound would come from between the armor plates, like an ancient ice field warrior reviving.
"Hiss—"
Several Liyue adventurers sucked in a breath of cold air, gripping the weapons at their waists tightly, but daring not act rashly.
They instinctively wanted to retreat, but were deeply shocked by the scene before them.
Someone even swallowed quietly.
"Is this... a monster?"
An older Liyue merchant murmured in a low voice, forehead oozing some cold sweat. "Or some kind of... Ruin Guard?"
"Are you crazy? Where would Liyue get such a thing!"
Another person scolded in a low voice, but still couldn't hide his shock.
"Could it be... a guard from some place?"
A young Liyue adventurer looked suspicious, murmuring, "But this appearance... never seen before..."
Their eyes flickered, somewhat fearful, but attracted by the peculiar majesty of this warrior.
That coldness, clearly not deliberately released, made people shudder.
Someone quietly took out a Kamera, trying to record this scene.
Click—
The crisp shooting sound echoed in the air, recording the figure of the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow.
"Lumine has never seen such an existence. If this spreads back, I'm afraid the whole harbor will explode, right?"
The merchant who took the photo muttered excitedly in a low voice, "If I bring it back to Liyue Harbor, maybe I can sell it for a good price!"
"Idiot! Spreading news rashly will get you in trouble!"
An older merchant scolded in a low voice, face full of caution.
They had been merchants in Liyue for many years and had seen countless strange people and things.
Although the scene before them was mysterious, interfering rashly was definitely not a good choice.
Hearing this, the people in the caravan hurriedly put away the Kamera.
Afraid of being discovered by Kael's group, they lowered their voices quietly.
However, the moment they secretly took the photo.
The Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow turned his head slightly. Cold eyes seemed to penetrate the helmet, looking in their direction.
Although his expression couldn't be seen, that glance made the merchants feel as if they were placed in an extremely cold snowfield.
Coldness penetrated through the skin to the bone marrow. The ground under their feet seemed to freeze instantly, a shudder rushing straight to the brain.
Vmmm—
A burst of cold rippled slightly in the air. The tip of the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow's axe vibrated gently.
Ice-blue halo spread slightly. Traces of frost appeared faintly on the ground.
"Ah!"
"Go, go, go!"
The merchant who took the photo shook his hand in fright, almost falling.
Hurriedly putting away the Kamera, afraid he had done something disrespectful.
Several Liyue adventurers winked at each other, signaling the caravan to leave quickly and not provoke this unknown strongman.
They dared not approach, only looking at the figures of Kael and the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow from a distance, afraid the other party would suddenly erupt with terrifying combat power and involve them in an ice-cold storm.
"Hehe, this big guy attracts people's attention."
Noticing this scene, Paimon looked at the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow and chuckled.
"Uh."
Hearing Paimon's words, Lumine scratched her head. "When we get to Liyue Harbor, we won't be unable to enter because of this big guy, right?"
"Probably not."
Paimon scratched her head. "As long as we register, there should be no problem."
While speaking, the group walked.
Not long after, they got closer and closer to Wangshu Inn.
As they approached Wangshu Inn, Kael and the others saw more and more Liyue adventurers and pedestrians on the road.
Similarly, facing the strange Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow, these people dared not approach at all.
They could only stand in place, whispering about the Shadow.
Time passed.
Kael and the others arrived in front of a stone bridge in Dihua Marsh.
At this time.
Approaching noon.
Hot sunlight spilled on the bluestone road of Liyue.
The air was filled with moist water vapor. On both sides of the stone bridge, the stream flowed gurglingly, refracting sparkling waves.
On this important road leading to Liyue territory.
A team of Millelith stood straight at the bridgehead, scanning passing pedestrians with sharp eyes.
"All travelers passing the stone bridge need to accept inspection, routine check!"
One of the Millelith said loudly.
Voice loud, carrying the majesty of a soldier.
Their duty was to ensure the safety of Liyue territory.
Especially at such a traffic artery, suspicious people could not be allowed to pass easily.
Merchants walking on the bridge heard this reminder and stopped one after another, cooperating obediently with the inspection.
Some traveling merchants took out passes from their packages.
The Millelith beside them verified identities seriously. The whole process was orderly.
Just then, the eyes of several Millelith suddenly fell on Kael, Lumine, and Paimon walking toward the bridgehead.
At first, they just sized up these travelers and didn't think there was anything special.