The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

However, before Kiana could finalize the matter, Mei and Ying began to dissuade Xingqiu.

"How can we do that? We can't afford to waste any more time."

That's the logic behind that statement; after all, although the situation is somewhat absurd, it ultimately reflects someone else's joys and sorrows.

If we don't hurry up and find a way to get the materials, we'll be the ones who suffer the consequences.

In such a situation, who would be able to stand against public opinion and offer help?

Xingqiu was well aware of this, which is why she was able to step out and block the way for everyone, contrary to her usual behavior.

"how?"

Mei, Ying, and Shen He all stared at the long-haired girl.

They were genuinely puzzled, wondering why the heir of the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce would suddenly take such a step.

"Ahem! Oh right, there's one more thing. Immortal grottoes are ingeniously constructed and usually come with their own defense mechanisms. Now that it has been abandoned for a long time, it may give rise to demons and monsters. You must be extra careful."

Upon hearing Xingqiu's answer, Mei and Ying couldn't help but inwardly cry out in alarm.

Yes, everyone has forgotten that the winter of immortals is usually full of traps and mechanisms, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

If we rush in now and get caught up in it... things could get really bad.

"Excuse me, Mr. Xingqiu—oh no, Ms. Xingqiu? We are indeed in a great hurry to find the materials there, so..."

Mei paused slightly at this point.

"So, can you really help us?"

"Of course, despite my current appearance, my knowledge from books has never diminished, and I have my own way of being fair to that grotto-heaven."

Xingqiu nodded calmly. Although she was now full of feminine gentleness, for some reason, a hint of chivalry still shone through her.

She knew very well that to find a breakthrough, she needed to guarantee her absolute freedom.

If my family found out about things like this... ugh! Just thinking about it is terrifying.

Therefore, I need to join them quickly!

"Then it's decided. Let's go!"

"this..."

Mei and Ying exchanged glances, still somewhat hesitant. After all, judging from the current situation, this young master... or rather, young lady? seemed to have encountered something unpleasant.

In short, she's in trouble, and it would be a mistake to rashly agree to let her join the team.

Won't we have to find a way to turn her back in the future?

That would truly be a losing proposition...

"Alright, let's go. Although things have taken a bit strange turn, I believe everything will be alright!"

"Hmm? Hmm! Thank you so much, Kiana. Hehe... What a chivalrous act of assistance!"

Xingqiu was very happy because he was finally able to join the team.

He wonders if he ever knew that the reason he was transformed into a woman was because of Kiana's unintentional remark.

Would he be so angry that he would draw his sword on the spot and question Kiana about why she had played him for so long?

Of course, as things stand, as long as the parties involved don't let anything slip, this kind of thing will never happen.

Kiana, of course, could not stand idly by while her friend suffered.

"By the time we explore winter, she should have turned back to normal, right?"

Looking at Miss Xingqiu, whose height reached her waist and whose steady gait revealed a graceful, almost dance-like movement.

Kiana secretly made up her mind that she had to find a way to solve the problem.

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter Twenty-Eight: Mei, the Worrying One

Of course, before resolving Xingqiu's problem, there are still some minor issues that need to be addressed.

That concerns the exploration of the True Lord's Grotto. Oh no, to be precise, it's about the competition at the Jade Pavilion.

After all, choosing to bid on the stone requires paying a hefty auction fee of no less than 500 million Mora. With that money, one could buy mountains of books. The auction fee was so high that even the auctioneer admitted to significant overpayment. Therefore, buying the stone is absolutely not advisable.

That's why everyone set off immediately towards the Liyue Mountains.

In the land of Rock, towering mountains and treacherous rock formations can be seen everywhere, and there are even Hilichurls, Slimes, or other terrifying monsters roaming the mountains and fields.

However, these enemies are only good for dealing with the occasional little guy passing by; they are no match for Kiana and Mei's group.

"Phew, I didn't expect to encounter these enemies here? Tsk... The terrain here is really complicated; what if we get ambushed..."

As the captain of the Honkai Special Forces team, Mei reacted almost immediately after the enemy attack and began to command Kiana to fight back.

The result was obvious: the enemy scattered like birds and beasts after only a few attempts to regroup, and many even fell into the mountains with cries of "Ahhh!"

The sound echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time.

"I didn't expect there to be so many monsters here?"

After quickly dealing with the enemies, Kiana sheathed her sword, picked up Mei, and jumped back onto the path between the cliffs.

By this time, the others had been waiting here for quite some time.

"Hmm, not bad skills. Both of you."

Xingqiu, who had been transformed into a woman due to unforeseen circumstances, spoke slowly. Despite being jokingly called a bookworm by Paimon, she continued reading, not because the book's descriptions of a golden house were particularly captivating, but rather to alleviate her inner embarrassment.

Honestly, even if everyone present was an acquaintance, she would still feel embarrassed, after all, this posture... was probably something even her closest friends had never seen her like this before.

Of course, if possible, I would like to get rid of this embarrassing state as soon as possible, and it would be great if I could make them forget what I look like forever.

"You flatter me, you flatter me. Speaking of which, Xingqiu, your swordsmanship is truly amazing. Especially the one where you turn water into swords, it feels like if you had enough energy, you could conjure up several thousand swords at once!"

Kiana smiled, then responded to Xingqiu's praise with a smile.

In the battle just now, this successor of the Flying Cloud Merchant Guild truly shone, not only for his captivating swordsmanship, but also for his extraordinary skill of conjuring countless water swords.

With this extraordinary skill, it seems that in the future, should war break out or difficulties arise, this young lady from the merchant guild could easily defeat the enemy with her exceptional abilities, establishing a glorious legacy that her descendants can be proud of.

"Huh? Uh, while I consider myself fairly capable, I'm not that good, am I?"

Xingqiu seemed somewhat surprised by Kiana's praise.

However, she didn't argue or waste too much time, but simply turned her gaze slowly towards the mountains and fields.

Nestled among the mountains of Liyue, this place boasts a vast and exceptionally high elevation, perfectly embodying the unique characteristics of the Liyue region. And it is often in these high mountains that extraordinary things reside.

It could be a celestial abode, or a mountaintop inhabited by demons and the treasures they guard.

In short, the higher you climb, the more extraordinary adventures you're likely to encounter.

Of course, I'm not here for any so-called serendipitous encounter.

"Miss Shen He, are you sure this is the way?"

"I am very confident in my memory."

After being questioned by Xingqiu, Shenhe responded almost without hesitation.

She wasn't exactly fierce, but she wasn't exactly friendly either.

It's only natural to react somewhat excessively when one's views are refuted.

Xingqiu realized he had overstepped his bounds, so he smiled and stopped talking, turning instead to deal with Ying, who was holding a camera and trying to take his picture.

"Hey! No photos allowed, travelers!"

"Isn't it nice to just take a picture to commemorate the occasion?"

"Exactly! Paimon thinks Chongyun will definitely like it!"

"We absolutely mustn't let him see it!!!" Xingqiu was so anxious he almost threw his flying sword.

Their playful banter was so amusing that Kiana and Mei didn't dare to interrupt.

"At first I felt a little uncomfortable, but now I feel, hehe... I'm gradually getting used to it here. Kiana."

"Well, actually, this place isn't that different from our world. It's just that the people here use something called elemental power."

"Elemental power? That's a novel concept. Hmm, watching them casually release ice and create water... I thought these people were Herrschers or Herrscher Mimics, but it seems..."

While at Wangshu Inn, Mei did not participate in Kiana and Bronya's hunt, so she had no understanding of the fighting style and scale of the Teyvat people.

This situation only changed after they left the inn and embarked on their journey to Liyue Harbor.

That's really strange...

Such an ability can be used by ordinary people? All you need is a divine eye.

Mei wasn't sure whether things would be better or worse if many people in her world could freely use Honkai energy.

Of course, although it is at a level that can be used, the scale of control is not large enough.

Perhaps this is why the world order has not collapsed?

However, Mei's conjecture was ultimately shattered by Kiana's advice.

The reason is...

"Each region has its own elemental deity in charge. I remember Sirin once said that it was Venti in Mondstadt, Zhongli in Liyue, and Inazuma is the Shadow."

"That girl named Shadow, oh! I remember now, Kiana, you actually have connections with a god?" Although she was somewhat bothered by Shadow's involvement, she was more concerned about the other party's identity.

She felt that gods should be beings that are different from the ordinary and transcendent.

It is absolutely impossible to encounter them or have any connection with mortals.

But as of now, Kiana actually has a close relationship with the gods?

The key question is, why is it that she seems to be at the point where they can sleep together?

"Why do you seem to know her so well, Kiana?"

"What?"

Kiana turned her head, somewhat puzzled, and asked:

"Mei, why did you say that?"