The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"You're welcome. I wish you all the best. If you need anything, just come find me at Bubulu."

After saying his farewells, Bai Shu nodded and continued climbing the steps toward his hut.

As Kiana and the others walked slowly down the path, they could hear Bai Shu muttering to himself.

"Miss Ningguang needs far too many healing medicines. Is rebuilding the Jade Pavilion such a dangerous undertaking? Strange..."

To be honest, the strangeness of this herbalist's shop owner was not without reason.

After all, the main problem with rebuilding is the lack of materials. As for manpower... Ke Qing from Yuheng Star should have many skilled craftsmen under her command. Given the relationship between the two sides, it would be perfectly normal for her to transfer people over to help.

So why collect so many healing potions?

Surely it's not that the operation of Qunyu Pavilion requires healing medicine to maintain itself?

All these questions gave Kiana and the others a vague feeling that a storm was brewing...

...

At the entrance of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, a skilled man wearing glasses strode out to greet them.

"Young Master, you're finally back!"

Before him stood a blue-haired youth dressed in magnificent attire. The youth's expression was composed, his steps steady; he was clearly a person of exceptional skill and refined manners. However, his striking good looks caused his overall demeanor to gradually lean towards androgyny.

If you don't look closely, you might mistake it for a woman.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Ah Xu?"

Of course, this situation improved once he started speaking, since although he was still a teenager, his voice still revealed a hint of masculine composure.

Even his reactions were distinctly masculine, subtly displaying the composure of a modern family head.

It was precisely because of this temperament that Ah Xu sighed and then revealed the difficulties he was facing.

"I see. You can arrange for someone to sort the orders first, and I'll handle them myself later."

"That's wonderful, young master. With you here..."

"Hey! Xing-Qiu!" A sudden shout interrupted the conversation between the master and servant of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild. They both turned to look at the approaching, menacing group...

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter Twenty-Six Shen He: That True Lord is naturally magnanimous and wouldn't care about such trivial matters.

"Huh? It's you guys?"

During the previous Lunar Festival, Xingqiu and Chongyun served as Kiana's guides, providing her with some hints.

It was thanks to their tips that Keqing was finally able to find the true form of the Kitchen God.

Although the final result was somewhat unexpected, it's still a good thing, right?

Of course, Xingqiu was also able to easily deal with a group of mischievous Hilichurls thanks to Kiana, thus avoiding being accidentally injured or anything else bad.

That's why Xingqiu was so pleasantly surprised by Kiana's arrival.

"What a coincidence to run into you here! I didn't expect you to come today. What's up? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Since the young master of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild had taken the initiative to speak, Kiana and the others naturally had no reason to ignore him.

"Xingqiu, have you ever heard of the 'Floating Life Stone of Wuxia'?"

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Xingqiu's eyes flashed with a sharp light.

He was a prodigy, intelligent, quick-witted, and resourceful. He worked behind the scenes in the initial acquisition of Shibo with Ying, displaying the strategic brilliance of a strategist who could plan and win battles from afar.

While I wouldn't say I have connections to the highest levels, my information network is fairly reliable.

The reconstruction of the Jade Pavilion could not be ignored, and as for the reconstruction materials...

"I understand. You also participated in the competition organized by Ningguang, right?"

The group was taken aback when their intentions were exposed, but then they realized that this young master of the Flying Cloud Chamber of Commerce was exceptionally capable.

Kiana thought for a moment, then asked in return:

"You said 'yes,' which means that many people have asked similar questions before us? Does that mean there's such a stone within the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce?"

Seeing that Kiana had answered before him, Xingqiu nodded and slowly explained:

"To be honest, the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce does indeed possess a piece of the Wuxia Floating Life Stone, but there is only one. It was entrusted to us for auction by someone else. Before you arrived, quite a few people had already inquired about the price."

Considering its rarity, the final price of this stone is conservatively estimated at 500 million moras.

Five hundred million... five hundred million?

The number was so outrageous that both Ying and Paimon gaped in astonishment.

Who would have thought that Mora, which could be piled up to form a rockery, would be exchanged for just a single stone?

Does this indirectly prove just how precious this object is?

Kiana pondered for a moment, then turned her gaze to Sirin, who was standing to the side.

Perhaps because it had learned its lesson from many previous experiences, this little guy was smarter this time, quickly hiding behind Shen He. It glared fiercely at its master.

"What?! This is no small sum of money, you'd better think this through!"

"Bah..."

Alright, this guy's actually learned to rebel? Oh well. Five hundred million Mora... that probably requires fifty thousand Herrscher Points to exchange for.

As things stand, I have some Herrscher Points, but after using them up, I have very few left.

If the Lantern Festival ends and I don't have enough Herrscher Points to travel to the next world, I'm afraid I'll be restricted in many ways.

Therefore, the safest approach at present is...

Uh, extortion?

Well, this is rare; Kiana felt that her thoughts were in complete agreement with Shen He's.

However, this unreasonable idea was rejected as soon as it came up, because although he and Xingqiu had only met twice, they were still friends.

It's not worth turning against each other over this, is it?

Thinking of this, Kiana stroked her chin and gave a very fair comment.

"I feel the price is significantly overpriced. Although I can afford it, I don't think you'd want us to pay for it, would you?"

"Hehe, that's right. Actually, I don't recommend you bid on this floating stone either. The price is too high, it's not worth it."

Xingqiu spread his hands and smiled, his expression full of gentleness and friendliness.

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.

The group exchanged glances, all wondering what solution he would offer next.

As expected, right under everyone's noses, the young master of the Flying Cloud Chamber of Commerce coughed and spoke slowly.

"Have any of you heard of 'True Lord Minghai Qixia'?"

"To be honest, I've never heard of it," Kiana replied crisply.

"Uh..."

The answer was so straightforward and honest that Xingqiu had to spread his hands, revealing a troubled expression.

Well, it seems I'll have to introduce this immortal lord to these travelers from afar from the very beginning?

However, to Xingqiu's surprise, before he could say anything, the white-haired woman who had been listening quietly behind Kiana slowly stepped forward.

"The 'True Lord of the Sea and the Clouds' once had a very good relationship with the 'True Lord of the Water and the Mountain.' However, as far as I remember, he should have already passed away."

As a disciple of a deity, it's not surprising that Shen He knows about other deities. In fact, it's to be expected. After all, while it might not matter to outsiders, she must treat those True Lords with utmost respect according to seniority. This is a tradition that Liyue has followed since ancient times, and both deities and mortals must abide by it.

"That's right, that's right... I didn't expect that someone else besides me would know about him. Ahem! The *Xianyun Lu* records that the Wuhai Qixia Zhenjun personally built a grotto-heaven to store all sorts of rare treasures. Among them was the Mingxia Floating Life Stone you're looking for. After the Wuhai Qixia Zhenjun passed away, the grotto-heaven fell into disrepair and was lost to the dust of history. Fortunately, I recently..."

Xingqiu spoke clearly and calmly.

The location of the late immortal lord's winter was slowly revealed.

As they listened to his story, everyone's expressions gradually turned serious.

Well...

Is this any different from tomb raiding?

Kiana and Mei looked at each other, unsure how to describe their feelings at that moment.

So, it turns out they have to resort to tomb raiding to get what they want. Doesn't that feel a little dishonest?

"But can we really go and get it?" Kiana and Paimon asked almost in unison. "It feels a bit... disrespectful to the Celestial Master?"

After all, this kind of behavior... even if it doesn't count as grave robbing, it's still considered stealing offerings from graves.

If you were cursed by a deity or something, it would truly be a loss that outweighs the gain and would bring endless trouble.

However...

"It's alright. As far as I know, the Narumi Qixia True Lord is magnanimous by nature. Even if he were alive, he wouldn't care about such trivial matters."

Shen He slowly raised his hand and calmly uttered these words.

She was fine when she didn't speak, but when she did, everyone was a little confused.

So, is it really a small matter that someone broke into the afterlife and took things? How can one be so indifferent to such trivial matters?

This immortal being, whose name is "Minghai Qixia Zhenjun", is truly magnanimous.

"It can only be said that different immortals are all different, right?"

Kiana spread her hands, which was a response to Shen He's answer.

"Then let's not delay any longer, shall we hurry and explore the cave?"

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter Twenty-Seven: Oh no! Young Master Xingqiu has turned into a young lady!

In front of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild, the streets of Liyue remain bustling.

It was bustling with activity, a constant flow of traffic, and quite lively.

The young master, born in this wealthy land, seemed somewhat surprised after hearing Shen He's words.

"A naturally open-minded...a rather novel viewpoint. May I ask which classic text it comes from?"