The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

"It's just a rumor from the mountains. Let's go."

Shen He finished speaking quietly and slowly turned to leave, showing no intention of continuing the conversation. While his attitude wasn't exactly rude, his aloofness and detachment from worldly affairs were still astonishing.

This is rare; Xingqiu was so easily ignored, especially after Axu revealed his identity as the young master of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce.

However, despite being ignored, he did not feel angry or displeased.

Instead, he stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

"Hmm, I feel this young lady bears a resemblance to one of my friends..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Paimon nodded and stroked his chin.

"Xingqiu, this friend you mentioned... does he actually exist? Or is he just a fictional character you've made up?"

"What? Hmm... I don't understand what you're saying." Xingqiu spread his hands, looking somewhat innocent. "Although my novel didn't sell well in Liyue because it was too unconventional, I heard that Yaedo in Inazuma is doing well. So... I shouldn't be so disappointed that I can't distinguish between the fictional character and the real person, right?"

Of course, despite saying that, the huge difference in sales between the two countries still puzzled him.

Kiana became interested after hearing Xingqiu say those words.

"So Xingqiu, your novels are selling well at Yaejodo? What's your pen name? I'll definitely buy a few copies to support you when I have time at Inazuma."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Xingqiu paused for a moment, then a helpless smile appeared on his face.

It's my own novel. Although it didn't sell well in Liyue, it was a bestseller in Inazuma.

Kiana's suggestion to buy from Inatsume was really unnecessary. Besides, she didn't really care about sales figures; she just wanted people to read her posts.

Then there's the issue of pen names...

"Saying it out loud feels a little..."

Xingqiu thought long and hard, but ultimately didn't reveal his pen name, only sighing. He then turned his gaze to Kiana and slowly explained:

"Since you want to read them, I can give you a few copies. Anyway, they won't sell here in Liyue, and the Merchant Guild will have to send someone to buy them in the end."

"Huh? The Chamber of Commerce is sending people to buy?"

Kiana was a little confused upon hearing this.

Is this Liyue Publishing's rule? If a book doesn't sell, the author has to pay to buy it back?

However, Kiana's guess was unfortunately wrong.

The reason why Xingqiu mentioned the chamber of commerce acquisition is ultimately...

"My father, who is currently in charge of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce, felt that this matter damaged the reputation of the Chamber. I really don't understand why he thinks that way. Anyway, all those unsold novels were eventually bought back at high prices."

Strictly speaking, these novels all sold reasonably well. However, it's quite regrettable that the buyers of these novels were all related to the authors, so Xingqiu did not include these sales figures in his own earnings.

It could be considered a small act of resistance by him to avoid being burdened by family matters.

"So if you want to look them up, just tell Ah Xu in a few days. He will then send you a few copies as a memento of our friendship."

"Wow, it's free? That doesn't feel quite right, uh..."

Although these novels are said to be unwanted and given away for free in Liyue, they are still a token of Xingqiu's goodwill. Since they are a friend's gift, accepting them directly would feel like owing someone a favor. It's really not something one would feel comfortable with.

Thinking of this, Kiana slowly turned her head to look at Sirin beside her.

"Ok?"

"Oh, don't be so scared. I don't just see you as a piggy bank. You're my good friend!"

"Then why did you grab my leg again?" Sirin looked at the small foot that Kiana was holding, and suddenly felt an urge to pull out the scissors. "Don't tell me you don't even spare dolls!"

"What are you talking about? I was just worried that you would run away."

Uh... so after all that, there's still a possibility of me escaping? What kind of bad luck have I had in my past lives...?

Xilin tugged at her leg, only to find that she couldn't break free.

Helpless, she had no choice but to give up struggling and turn her gaze to her master.

"That wand...you still have it, right?"

Kiana blinked, a rare sly look appearing on her face.

Seeing this, Sirin hesitated for a moment, then reached into her bosom and soon pulled out a staff that was half her size.

[Miracle (Holy Grail Staff): This staff is a product of the system's analysis and modification based on the principles of the wish-granting machine (Holy Grail). It can grant wishes. Furthermore, using this staff can transform the host's body into a loli-like form, thereby unleashing powerful magical abilities for combat, healing, special functions, and more.]

This staff is a treasure obtained in the world of Ilya, and its functions can be described as extremely powerful.

Of course, the cost... is often proportional to its power.

To put it simply, they won't get away with it.

"Are you going to transform and cast a spell now?"

"No, I wouldn't have that idea in public. You should do it."

"Huh? Uh..." Xilin hesitated for a moment, glancing at her leg that was still being held. After some internal struggle, she finally gently placed her ear near her master's mouth to listen. Before long, the little one realized that her master intended to give Xingqiu an unforgettable experience?

Haha, isn't this super simple?

Without much hesitation, Xilin used stealth and dash to successfully sneak up behind Xingqiu, then raised her staff high.

"Become a star!"

With a soft 'thud!', Xingqiu felt someone hitting his head and turned around abruptly.

However, they found that there was no one behind them, and it didn't look like someone had attacked them at all.

Even so, the special staff lying quietly on the ground still caught Xingqiu's attention.

"Hmm? What is this...?"

Feeling puzzled, she slowly bent down to pick up the staff, and in that instant, her flowing long hair fell down.

Miss Xingqiu was caught off guard and had her eyes covered by her own hair.

"Hey! What's going on?!"

After hurriedly brushing aside the hair that was covering her forehead, Xingqiu squatted down again. But she found nothing. Confused, she stood up and looked at the astonished crowd.

"That's strange. Just now—wait, why does my voice sound so high-pitched? Could it be that I have a sore throat?"

As soon as Xingqiu opened his mouth, he noticed that his voice... seemed to sound much better than before.

However, this kind of pleasant sound is not something a real man should have!

"Ahem! Um..."

Kiana, who hadn't expected things to develop this way, thought for a moment and finally took a bronze mirror from Sirin's arms, who had fled back in a panic.

As the mirror shone brightly, a fact that left Ling Xingqiu speechless was revealed before him.

I've turned into a girl?!

No way!

Although my androgynous appearance sometimes leads people to jokingly call me "Miss Xingqiu" or "Little Sister Xingqiu," I've always known whether I'm male or female. But now... now? ???

Faced with such a change, the person involved could not accept it for a while.

Seeing Xingqiu's surprised expression, Kiana quickly walked up to her and handed her the mirror.

"Ahem, Xingqiu...Young Miss? Look at yourself, isn't this you?"

"Miss... this is absurd! But... is this really me?"

Taking the mirror, Xingqiu looked closely and realized that the person in the mirror was indeed her, which surprised her even more.

I've turned into a girl?!

"This is truly a rare event."

Kiana nodded, indicating that she was right, but a thousand doubts welled up in her mind, the main one being... she only wanted to give Xingqiu a surprise, but she ended up giving her a surprise she would never forget?

Wow, that's really praiseworthy.

"west-Lin-!"

"What are you doing! Don't look at me like that, or I'll confess the truth and you'll see!"

"Bah..."

Kiana knew very well that since things had developed to this point, there was no need for further words.

Next... we need to figure out a way to turn her back?

Kiana.

Just as the person involved was feeling extremely helpless because of the doll's mischief, Mei and Hotaru had already put aside their differences and came over to her.

Kiana's heart skipped a beat when she saw the two approaching.

As if to confirm their suspicions, the two men smiled kindly, then one on the left and one on the right, they both hugged her arms.

"Wow! You two—!"

"Stop dawdling, Kiana. Let's go!"

"Yes, Shen He has been waiting for a long time."

As they talked, they pulled Kiana behind them.

Judging from their posture, they were planning to forcibly drag her away from here.

This really startled Xingqiu, who had transformed into a young girl.

At this very moment, she had just experienced the biggest turning point in her life! If it were merely a change in appearance, it wouldn't be so bad. But what she shouldn't have done was... have her tools confiscated.

This problem was far too serious, so serious that even she, with her great wisdom and resourcefulness, was at a loss.

"Everyone! Please wait a moment!"

Startled by his shout, Mei and Ying, who were busy pulling people away, had no choice but to turn around and look at the young lady in front of them, whose clothes and appearance had not changed much, but whose hair and chest had grown significantly.

"what?"

"Uh, cough! Actually, I know a bit about that cave. If you don't mind, please let me accompany you for a while. Consider it helping someone to the end?"

"I see? It feels..."