[When you revealed the truth, you used the Stellaron Crisis on the Luofu as a topic to explain why the Express is going there next. This shocked the Trailblazer. Why would you, far away in Belobog, know about the crisis on the Luofu?]
[You continued to say that even if you didn't choose the Luofu, the Stellaron Hunters would appear to tell you to choose it.]
[Everyone fell silent at your words.]
[While everyone was silent, the image of a woman appeared on the train. It was the Stellaron Hunter Kafka.]
[Kafka's appearance shocked everyone. They all looked at you in unison. Just as you said, a Stellaron Hunter appeared.]
[Kafka was curious that you didn't seem surprised by her arrival.]
[Especially when the Trailblazer asked Kafka if the Stellaron Hunters came because of the crisis on the Luofu.]
[Hearing the Trailblazer's words, Kafka showed a look of surprise. Obviously, she didn't expect the Trailblazer to ask this, but it also meant that what the Trailblazer said was true.]
[Seeing Kafka's reaction, the Trailblazer looked at you in shock, asking if you could predict the future?]
[The Trailblazer's words attracted Kafka's attention to you. When Kafka saw you, she was very surprised because you did not appear in Elio's script.]
[For a time, Kafka became interested in you and approached you directly.]
[Facing Kafka's approach, you choose...]
[ OPTION 1: GLADLY ACCEPT ]
Facing the active invitation from a Stellaron Hunter, and it's Kafka herself initiating the conversation, you might as well go with the flow and agree. See what the Stellaron Hunter wants to chat with you about. No loss anyway.
Reward: Kafka's Path Branch Skill — [Spirit Whisper].
Effect: Upon use, there is a high probability of making the designated target enter the [Dominated] state.
[ OPTION 2: CALMLY REFUSE ]
You know the danger of the Stellaron Hunters. Once you attract their interest, it will be troublesome. Anyway, you also know their information. The best way is not to respond. Keeping a distance is the best choice.
Reward: [Kafka's SMG]. (A submachine gun with Path Power.)
[ OPTION 3: "EHE" SMILE ]
There is no interest without reason in this world, and no free lunch. Since she is interested in you and wants to talk, let's see what price she is willing to pay in exchange for a response.
Reward: [Mark of the Immortals]. (Abundance Material.)
Looking at these three options, Kael's eyelid twitched wildly.
Kafka?
The reward for the first option was actually Spirit Whisper.
Looking at the woman who had already sat down in front of him.
Although she still wore a bamboo hat with a veil covering her face, making her features invisible.
But looking at her body shape and listening to her voice, Kael fell silent abruptly.
This voice... is Yelan's voice.
Even though she simply disguised herself, the voice was still female.
Shouldn't Yelan be at Yanshang Teahouse in Liyue?
And even if she appears, she should appear after the Osial disaster, coming back from outside.
Now, she actually appeared at Wangshu Inn.
"Of course."
Immediately, Kael nodded. "Please sit."
Although he said a useless sentence, Yelan had already sat down first.
"Who are you?"
Beside him, seeing Yelan sit down, Paimon asked curiously, "Your outfit is so strange."
"I am an adventurer from Inazuma. Because Inazuma is under the Sakoku Decree (Lockdown), I escaped when it was being sealed."
Yelan spoke without changing her expression, making Paimon widen her eyes. "From Inazuma? That place is very far from Liyue, and you can only come by boat."
Kael: "..."
What an "Inazuman Adventurer."
"What about you?"
In the next second, Yelan asked, "I see you don't dress like adventurers, nor do you have the shadow of people from surrounding nations."
"Hehe, this is the Traveler Lumine, this is Kael. We are from Mondstadt."
Paimon chuckled. "And we helped Mondstadt solve the Dragon Disaster. We are Honorary Knights of the Knights of Favonius."
"Oh? The Stormterror disaster in Mondstadt was solved?"
Hearing this, Yelan's tone was surprised. "From Mondstadt? Then why come to Liyue?"
"Since you became Honorary Knights, staying in Mondstadt is much better than staying in Liyue. Why think of coming here?"
"Because Lumine wants to find someone. Ask the Archon about her relative."
Paimon looked at Lumine and said without thinking, "Liyue's annual Rite of Descension is about to begin. It is said that the Geo Archon will appear and send down oracles. If we participate, we can see the old man himself."
"Even if you want to see the Archon, you cannot talk to him."
Hearing Paimon's words, Yelan was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Only the Liyue Qixing can talk to the deity."
"Eh? Is that so?"
Hearing this, Paimon widened her eyes abruptly. "But we can see the Geo Archon, right?"
"En, you can."
Yelan nodded.
Then she looked at the Eternal Winter Calamity Shadow not far away and asked curiously, "What is that guy? Is it human? Or?"
"It's Kael's guard."
Paimon grinned. "We could come from Mondstadt to Liyue easily thanks to this guy's protection."
"Is Mr. Kael from Snezhnaya?"
Hearing Paimon's words, Yelan looked at Kael. "I have been to Snezhnaya, but I haven't seen this kind of creature there. This creature feels... not like a human, but has human characteristics."
"En, you can understand it as an Alchemy Creation."
Kael nodded. "It can't speak, but it's a good helper for guarding."
"Alchemy creation? Then I roughly understand."
Hearing this, Yelan realized.
If it involved alchemy, it wasn't strange.
Alchemy was the most unexplainable thing.
Especially the intelligence on alchemists from Mondstadt made even her feel a bit incredible.
As Yelan spoke.
At this time, in front of Kael, the virtual panel appeared again.
[Facing Kafka's approach, you chose to Gladly Accept.]
[Congratulations on obtaining Option One Reward: Kafka's Path Branch Skill — [Spirit Whisper]. Upon use, there is a high probability of making the designated target enter the [Dominated] state.]
As the writing emerged, the air seemed to tremble slightly.
An invisible but powerful force surged like a tide, quietly pouring into Kael's body.
This power had no substantial impact, but it was like a gentle and indifferent touch, as if some existence slowly injected it deep into his soul.
In an instant, Kael's consciousness seemed to be pulled by a wonderful fluctuation. The aura of the whole world became different.
It was a strange perception.
He could clearly feel the changes in himself, as if something new was quietly awakening.
An ability he had never touched before, like a long-sleeping beast, surging and eager to move in his blood.
A current seemed to flash through Kael's mind. All information about Spirit Whisper was clearly engraved in his consciousness.
Like some sealed taboo knowledge, suddenly unlocking the binding key.
"Spirit Whisper...?"
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly, raising his hand to feel this new power.
The air vibrated slightly at his fingertips.
He didn't cast any Path Skill, but the surrounding airflow seemed to respond to his consciousness, as if the language of the whole world became clear and controllable.
A strong sense of spiritual control surged in his heart.
He seemed to be able to capture the core of all sounds in an instant.
He even had an intuition.
As long as he was willing, he could use this ability to make others obey his words.
Even... Dominate their will.
Is this the skill transformed from Kafka's Path Power?
This power was extremely weird, carrying a charm that infected people's hearts. It was different from any elemental power, and different from common magic.
It wasn't sharp and direct like a sword edge, nor explosive like magic.
Instead, it was more like a subtle manipulation, making people fall into it unknowingly.
They might even think they had free will while being controlled.
This is truly... a dangerous skill.
The corner of Kael's mouth hooked up slightly, an indescribable eagerness rising in his heart.
His palm clenched slightly. The power in his body seemed ready to be awakened at any time.
The feeling of dominating others' wills was like an irresistible new experience, making people want to try it.
Wanting to verify its limit, wanting to see what level this power could reach.
"Everyone, I still have something to do, so I won't chat anymore."
At this time, Yelan chuckled. "If there is a chance next time, let's chat again."
Saying this, Yelan stood up and left.
"Wow."
Watching Yelan leave decisively, acting swiftly, Paimon scratched her head. "Are Inazuma adventurers so crisp?"
"She is not an Inazuma adventurer."
Regarding Paimon's words, Kael shook his head and laughed. "This is just her disguise."
Regarding Yelan, he knew some news.
A strange type of patient occasionally appeared in Liyue Harbor's pharmacy.
Sometimes a Sumeru mercenary, sometimes a Fontaine adventurer, sometimes a Mondstadt fisherman who claimed to have fallen into the water and hit a reef...
These people were different ages, different identities, coming from all over the world, but had the same quirk—a slight addiction to pain.
They liked the dull pain when pressing bruises, and also loved the stinging pain when applying herbs to wounds.
Even in some painful treatments, they didn't mind if anesthesia was used.
Novice pharmacists were mostly surprised by the patients' extraordinary endurance, so their attention was diverted, and they didn't notice that those patients seeking medical treatment were the same person from beginning to end.
Those mentioned above were all Yelan in disguise.
Relying on superb disguise skills, she always avoided people's eyes and ears.
As for the injuries on her body, of course, they came from her ceaseless dangerous operations.
Although he didn't know why Yelan's disguise today wasn't very superb.
But Kael guessed that Yelan's disguises outside were mostly casual.
"Ah? Not an Inazuma adventurer?"
Hearing this, Paimon's eyes widened.
Lumine also looked over in surprise.
Does Kael know information about that person just now?
"Guests, the signature dishes are here."
At this time, the Manager of Wangshu Inn walked over with a smile, carrying two exquisite food plates steadily, placing them on the wooden dining table.
The air was instantly filled with a tempting aroma, whetting the appetite.
Golden Shrimp Balls were arranged neatly on a white porcelain plate.
The outer layer was wrapped in a layer of golden fried batter as thin as hair, like layers of silk threads winding, forming a unique crispy texture.
The shrimp balls were fried extremely crispy. The smooth surface flickered with a faint layer of oil, emitting an attractive aroma.
As if with a gentle bite, one could feel the wonderful texture of crispy outside and tender inside, shrimp meat bouncing against the teeth.
The Manager introduced enthusiastically, "This Golden Shrimp Balls is our inn's specialty. We use fresh Liyue sea shrimp, peeled and marinated with secret spices, wrapped in special golden silk batter, and fried at high temperature until golden and crispy. After biting open, you can feel the tender and juicy shrimp meat. The outer layer is crispy but not greasy. Paired with the special pomelo sauce on the side, the taste is fresher and more refreshing."
"Wow!"
Paimon's eyes lit up instantly.
Sniffing the aroma rushing into her nose.
She couldn't wait to reach out and pick up a shrimp ball.
Then carefully pinched the Golden Shrimp Ball and blew on it gently.
Then bit down without hesitation—
Crunch!
A crisp cracking sound rang out. The outer golden silk batter shattered like thin ice.
Then, the fresh and juicy shrimp meat bloomed in the mouth.
The shrimp meat was full of elasticity, carrying a faint sweetness.
And the outer crispy skin added a rich texture. The two blended, forming a taste impact with extreme layers.
"Wooah—!"
Paimon covered her mouth, cheeks bulging slightly, eyes full of satisfaction. "So, so delicious! Really so crispy! The shrimp meat is so sweet!"
She immediately reached out to dip a little pomelo sauce and licked it gently.
The sourness and sweetness of the pomelo instantly combined with the savory shrimp balls, making the taste more refreshing, not greasy, but adding a unique aroma.
"Hehe, I like this!"
Paimon shook her legs excitedly, picked up another one without hesitation, stuffed it into her mouth quickly, face full of happiness.
While Paimon was gorging herself, the Manager served a bowl of crystal clear Almond Tofu.
This dessert was served in an exquisite blue and white porcelain bowl. Inside were square blocks of snow-white tofu, floating on a layer of pale golden syrup.
The surface of the tofu was smooth as jade. With the slight shaking of the bowl, the tofu trembled slightly, presenting a soft and tender texture.
The Manager smiled and said, "This Almond Tofu is one of our Liyue's classic desserts. The tofu is ground from selected high-quality almonds, steamed with mountain spring water. The texture is dense and delicate, with a faint almond aroma. The syrup is boiled with honey and osmanthus. The taste is sweet but not greasy. One bite, and I guarantee you can feel the taste of Adepti cuisine."
Paimon's eyes lit up again. She picked up a spoon, scooped up a piece of Almond Tofu, and sent it gently into her mouth.
The tofu melted gently on the tip of the tongue, delicate and smooth like a wisp of light cloud. The faint almond aroma permeated the mouth, carrying a moist sweetness.
Plus the lubrication of the syrup, the texture of the whole dessert could simply be described as melting in the mouth, making people unable to stop eating.
"Wow... This is too delicious!"
Paimon held the porcelain bowl with both hands, looking intoxicated. "Soft, like a cloud... And the sweetness is just right, not too greasy. It's simply food that only immortals can eat!"
Lumine chuckled lightly, picked up a spoon, gently scooped a mouthful of Almond Tofu, and her eyes couldn't help lighting up.
Indeed, the delicate texture of the tofu was impressive.
The fragrance of the syrup was just right, enriching the taste layers of the whole dessert.
This light but not heavy sweetness happened to add a gentle ending to the Golden Shrimp Balls just enjoyed, making people eat with satisfaction.
"Liyue's food is really different from Mondstadt's."
For a time, Lumine marveled.
And Kael also gently scooped a spoonful of Almond Tofu, tasted it, and let out a long breath.
Finally ate this kind of dish.
In Mondstadt, you can't eat this kind of food.
I haven't eaten it for more than ten years.
Simply a sin.
Seeing Kael eating happily, the Manager of Wangshu Inn revealed a satisfied smile. "Guests, enjoy. If you need anything else, you can call me at any time."
"The remaining signature dishes will be served later."
"Mm-hmm-hmm."
Paimon nodded repeatedly, mouth full of food, speaking indistinctly: "Definitely—"
Sunlight spilled on the table. The breeze blew the banner of the inn, making a soft fluttering sound.
Read ahead with 100+ chapters now and daily updates!
NOW AT 20% OFF!
Promo code: CFE65
@patreon.com/Zefyrus