As things stand now, Morax did not want to simply wait for Takagi's arrival in Liyue. If possible, he would rather take the initiative.
"Cloud Retainer, you should also go to Mondstadt with me. It just so happens that Takagi's second trip will take you with him into the cosmos. If you can get acquainted with him earlier in Mondstadt, it might be beneficial for you."
Morax turned and spoke to Cloud Retainer. Takagi's second trip would not necessarily provide security services, and it was impossible for Morax to say he wasn't worried. After all, Cloud Retainer had been an adeptus by his side for many years. He certainly did not want her to meet with any accidents outside of Teyvat. If Cloud Retainer truly had an accident beyond the stars, Morax felt that the relationship between Takagi and Liyue would be in a very awkward situation.
"I shall heed your words, Rex Lapis. It just so happens that I can also ask Takagi if he has a way to solve the problem with Shenhe."
Cloud Retainer glanced at Shenhe, who was quietly watching from not far away. Shenhe was affected by her constitution and had to wear the red ropes that suppressed her temperament. If Takagi could solve Shenhe's constitutional problem and was willing to help, for Cloud Retainer, this would be perfect.
"Alright, go make preparations, Cloud Retainer," Morax nodded. Receiving the instruction, Cloud Retainer immediately soared into the sky.
......
"As expected of the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt that Barbara mentioned. You're really amazing. If you hadn't trapped them all with the wind, it would definitely take more time to deal with them," Seele walked up to Barbatos and said with a smile.
"Yes, thanks to your help this time," Bronya added.
"It is my honor to be able to help. Takagi helping Jean, Barbara, and Klee embark on their Paths is also of great significance to Mondstadt."
Barbatos smiled at the people of Belobog, then turned his head to look at the hands raised toward the sky.
"However, the Fragmentum Monsters would actually prioritize attacking the hands of the Creation Engine instead of attacking us living beings. Perhaps this is the way the Stellaron intends to allow Cocolia to break free. Miss Bronya, you might need to pay more attention to the situation here," Barbatos suggested.
"I understand. I will have personnel strictly monitor this place afterward," Bronya nodded solemnly.
"Then, we won't disturb you here anymore. This trip came in a hurry, and time is limited. Miss Seele, could I trouble you to take us to see other places?" Barbatos asked.
"Of course, come with me," Seele said, stepping back toward the return path. Barbara, Lisa, Diluc, and Noelle also didn't have much interest in the Stellaron and quickly followed Seele's footsteps.
......
Some time passed. Mondstadt, Knights of Favonius Headquarters.
"Welcome back, Lisa, Barbara, Diluc, and Noelle. How was the trip?" Acting Grand Master Jean saw the group walking in and greeted them with a smile.
"Being able to experience the culture of another world is indeed a good thing. It's just a pity that the trial run for this Star Rail was too short," Diluc said regretfully.
"The Star Rail is still in Mondstadt anyway; there will be more opportunities in the future. But then again, without Takagi, it is indeed difficult to step onto a Path. What a shame—if Lisa, Diluc, and Noelle could all step onto a Path, Mondstadt's strength would be further enhanced," Kaeya remarked.
"Takagi also mentioned this, so I am not surprised. However, Lisa was chosen by Takagi to go to Herta Space Station. Presumably, in that place, Lisa should be able to step onto a Path," Diluc said.
"I hope so." Lisa smiled. "Speaking of which, where is Takagi now? Has he not returned yet?"
"He is still lingering outside with Amber. However, the Honorary Knight and Paimon saw that you were about to return, so they came back one step earlier," Acting Grand Master Jean explained.
"By the way, Diluc, where did Ven... Lord Barbatos go?" Paimon asked curiously.
"He disappeared the moment he left the Star Rail," Diluc answered.
"I think Lord Barbatos probably has his own things to do." As the words were spoken, Venti's voice appeared at the door. Upon seeing this, Paimon and the Traveler were both somewhat speechless.
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we set off for Windrise? It is best to deal with the matter concerning Dvalin as soon as possible. This time, with several Pathstriders here, I believe Dvalin's problem can be easily resolved." Venti ignored the strange looks and spoke with a light chuckle.
"Lord Venti is right; Dvalin's matter should indeed be dealt with early. Honorary Knight, Paimon, can I trouble you?" Jean asked.
"Of course, that's why I came back from Takagi's side," the Traveler nodded.
"Acting Grand Master Jean, let me go too. I think my strength can also be useful," Barbara raised her hand and said.
Acting Grand Master Jean: "..."
Traveler: "Barbara has the power of Abundance; maybe she can purify the curse on Dvalin just like me."
Venti: "That is good too; one more person to purify is one more person for insurance."
Seeing the Traveler and Venti say this, Jean could only nod to Barbara. "Since that's the case, Barbara, you come with us."
"Yay! Lord Barbatos, don't worry, I will definitely help Dvalin get rid of the curse!" Barbara was so happy she almost jumped. Suddenly, the expressions of those who knew Venti was the Anemo Archon became extremely strange.
"Does Master Diluc want to come along?" Paimon asked.
"I won't go. Going now would probably only hold everyone back. Call Klee; she should be able to help," Diluc shook his head.
Kaeya: "To give such an answer... that's not like you, Diluc."
Diluc: "If you had been to Belobog and personally felt how little your power would be useful there, you would understand my thinking."
Kaeya: "Okay, I generally understand."
Venti smiled and said, "Since that's the case, it will be a few Pathstriders plus me, the best bard in the world. Everyone, shall we set off now?"
Acting Grand Master Jean nodded slightly. "Let's set off now." Although she didn't really want Klee to be involved in danger, she knew Klee, having stepped onto the Path of Destruction, could indeed help a lot.
......
Meanwhile, in Springvale.
"Takagi, it's already very late. Let's rest in Springvale today," Amber followed beside Takagi and said with a smile.
"Is it that late already?" Takagi raised his head to look at the sky, and the corner of his mouth suddenly lifted. "Let's rest later; someone is here."
"Someone?" Amber looked up at the sky. "There's no one." Amber looked at Takagi with confusion, but was startled by the figures who suddenly appeared. "Wow! Who are you guys? When did you appear? And why is there a bird?"
"Presumptuous! This adeptus is Cloud Retainer!" The bird Amber mentioned frowned.
"Cloud... Cloud Retainer?! Isn't this one of the five passengers Takagi chose earlier!" Amber muttered, then looked at the mysterious person beside Cloud Retainer. "Could this one also be a Liyue adeptus?"
"Not an adeptus; this one is the Geo Archon of Liyue, Morax," Takagi smiled.
Amber: "The Geo Archon?!"
Morax: "Lord Takagi, you recognize me?"
"Alright, it really is the Geo Archon! As expected of Takagi, he even attracted the Geo Archon," Amber said.
"I can feel the aura of an Archon on you. An Archon with such a pure and profound aura must be Morax. I just don't know what you are looking for me for?" Takagi asked with interest.
"I wish to meet with the Anemo Archon. In addition, Cloud Retainer was fortunate enough to be chosen by you as one of the five tourists to the Herta Space Station, so I wanted to send her to meet you first. Also, I wanted to invite Takagi to visit Liyue," Morax said.
"I see," Takagi nodded. "Of course I'm going to Liyue. After all, there are many places in Liyue that I'm interested in. Speaking of which, there is a place in the universe that has many similarities with Liyue. To some extent, it could even be called the cosmic version of Liyue."
Morax: "A cosmic version of Liyue?"
"It's a place called the Xianzhou Alliance," Takagi smiled. "Whether it's in clothing, speech, or culture, both sides have extremely similar aspects. For example, storytelling, opera, and acrobatics—what Liyue has, the Xianzhou Alliance also has. Setting aside the differences in power, Liyue and the Xianzhou Alliance are seventy to eighty percent similar."
Morax found this very interesting. "There's actually a place in the universe with storytelling and opera? I wonder if I will have the opportunity to board Takagi's Star Rail and travel to this Xianzhou Alliance."
Takagi smiled. "If you can win a ticket, of course you can go."
Morax nodded. "Then I hope my luck will be better at that time. However, with so many people wanting to go to the universe, relying on luck will probably be very difficult."
Takagi smiled. "Perhaps you, as the Geo Archon, might have surprisingly good luck."
Morax: "I hope so."
Cloud Retainer: "Since Takagi can set up the Star Rail in Mondstadt, can he also set up the Star Rail in Liyue?"
Hearing this, Takagi's smile deepened. "You want me to set up a Star Rail for traveling to the Xianzhou Alliance? When setting up the Star Rail, I need to walk around Liyue and observe it first. If the experience is good, I would naturally be willing to leave a Star Rail in Liyue. However, it's not easy to get the generals of the Xianzhou Alliance to agree to build a Star Rail that allows people to travel between Liyue and the Xianzhou Alliance. For Belobog, Liyue's affairs still hold considerable appeal. But for the Xianzhou Alliance, Liyue's affairs are probably very difficult to attract them."
Belobog was currently Takagi's possession, so he could independently build tourism and trade routes there. But the Xianzhou Alliance did not belong to him. Moreover, given its scale, nothing from Teyvat would likely catch their eye. Getting them to agree to a tourism route would be much harder.
"Takagi, is this Xianzhou Alliance very powerful?" Amber asked curiously.
"Of course. If we evaluate them purely from the perspective of power, within the entire Xianzhou Alliance, there are quite a few existences that could easily obliterate Teyvat," Takagi said.
Morax: "..."
Cloud Retainer: "..."
"I... should I not have asked that question?" Amber said weakly.
"Hahaha, don't worry. Although the Xianzhou Alliance is powerful, it's not an organization that casually obliterates other worlds. Once I obtain travel permits for the Xianzhou Alliance, you will naturally understand the situation there. For now, let's learn about the Herta Space Station. After all, Cloud Retainer is one of the five people going there." Takagi looked at Cloud Retainer, his tone suddenly pausing.
Cloud Retainer: "What's wrong, Takagi?"
Takagi: "Cloud Retainer... I can call you Cloud Retainer, right?"
Cloud Retainer: "If it's Takagi, of course you can."
Takagi: "Cloud Retainer, are you always like this, in bird form?"
Cloud Retainer: "Bird... bird form?!"
Takagi: "Just like this bird shape? You should be able to transform into human form, right?"
Cloud Retainer: "Naturally I can; is there a problem?"
Takagi nodded. "What I mean is, when you go to the Herta Space Station, it would be more convenient if you transformed into human form. Otherwise, I'm worried you might be targeted by some researchers with strange interests. In the Herta Space Station, even some seemingly weak researchers might have some advanced inventions. Although the probability is small, if you were treated as some kind of pet and captured... you wouldn't want to experience that, would you?"
Cloud Retainer fell silent, but Morax was very pleased. Takagi's willingness to remind her at least showed that he didn't dislike her. This increased the likelihood of her safety. After a period of silence, Cloud Retainer's body was gradually enveloped in light. When she reappeared, a tall lady with a single ponytail, a good figure, and glasses appeared before Takagi.
"Is this acceptable, Takagi?" Cloud Retainer asked.
Takagi: "Yes."
Cloud Retainer's human form was quite beautiful, no less than Shenhe or Ganyu.
"This is the previous... Liyue Immortal?" Amber exclaimed.
Takagi: "The Liyue Adepti can all transform; it's nothing big. Stay calm, Amber."
Cloud Retainer: "Takagi, may I ask a question? Do you possess the power to change a person's fate, or can a Path alter a person's extremely ominous fate?"
Hearing this, Takagi immediately knew that Cloud Retainer was referring to Shenhe. "Changing one's fate is no small matter; ordinary means are naturally difficult to alter. However, if one were to borrow Path Power, I believe it would be possible to change. As for whether I can change a person's fate, I would first need to look at the specific situation of that person," Takagi smiled.
Upon hearing this, Cloud Retainer's heart immediately rejoiced. However, she did not directly suggest that Takagi go take a look at Shenhe yet.
"Speaking of which, it seems Acting Grand Master Jean, Lumine, and the others are about to fight Dvalin over at Windrise. I plan to go join the fun. Are any of you interested in going with me?" Takagi said, looking in the direction of Windrise.