The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Uh, you can get your hands on a Floating Life Stone worth at least 500 million just like that? And you're only at the level of having some connections?

Kiana thinks that this Miss Yun Jin is probably from a wealthy family, maybe just a little less well-off than Xing Qiu's family.

That said, she had already prepared the Floating Life Stone, but she lost the first round because she suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and she wasn't even angry... It seems that this Boss Yun is quite magnanimous?

"To be honest, I really needed the qualification to ask Miss Ningguang a question, which is why I participated in this competition. My father has some connections, and although the Floating Stone I found was a bit small, it was barely enough." Just as Kiana was feeling deeply confused, Yun Jin directly stated her determination to win.

Although her direct and frank confession was very upright, it must be admitted that... the atmosphere on set became a bit tense.

"So you're saying we're competitors? Are we rivals?"

Mei, who was standing behind Kiana, pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, which can be seen as taking over Yun Jin's words and expressing everyone's subjective opinion.

As the saying goes, "Two tigers cannot share one mountain; when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured."

Having the same goal is not necessarily a good thing; it depends on how you plan to achieve that goal.

It is precisely because Mei understands this that she is able to be so straightforward and honest.

Kiana understood this as well, so she turned her gaze to Yun Jin, curious about this girl who shared the same goal as her.

What kind of stance and attitude will it ultimately represent?

"Ms. Shen He, are you also here to participate in the competition?"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yun Jin first questioned Shen He, and after receiving a reasonable answer from him, she breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the crowd.

“In that case, I have a better proposal. Miss Ningguang said that the first three people to find all the materials will receive a reward. We can split the three chances to ask questions equally among the three of us.”

Yun Jin's answer was perfectly reasonable; simply put, she wanted to work together.

Since everyone who finds all the materials for the first three tasks receives a reward, on average, everyone will get at least one answer. This allocation based on need is reasonable and fair.

But wouldn't it be a bit unfair to Ying if we did that?

Kiana didn't seem to mind; after all, being able to explore Liyue more was a good thing. She also wanted to keep her location fixed there so that Shadow wouldn't be lost when he came looking for her.

So whether you help or not doesn't really matter.

"Ying, what do you think?"

"I?"

When Kiana asked her a question, Ying was taken aback for a moment, then stroked her chin and began to think.

Seeing this, Paimon also looked puzzled, wanting to understand what his good travel companion's attitude was.

Finally, after a moment of contemplation, Ying sighed. Then she spread her hands:

"I don't have many thoughts on this."

"Is that so? Neither agreeing nor objecting, does that count as tacit consent?" Kiana asked slowly.

"um, yes."

With Ying's affirmation, things became much easier.

The remaining two materials aren't unique; someone just needs to find a way to obtain them. As for the materials needed to craft the Thousand Core, Beidou has some clues and plans to return to consult the crew. Yun Jin, however, has a different perspective and suggests consulting Master Zhang at the renowned blacksmith shop, Hanfeng Ironworks, in Liyue Harbor.

If we split up, success on either side will bring the whole team one step closer to victory.

This is the benefit of teamwork...

"Then I'll be going now, see you later."

After proposing the next steps, Beidou waved and turned to leave.

The others and Yun Jin were left looking at each other, each with something to say.

Out with the old, in with the new, an unforgettable Lantern Festival (Liyue New Year): Chapter 39 Mei and Shadow's Battleground

Liyue Harbor, the most prosperous and thriving city in the Seven Kingdoms.

The city here is vast, with well-arranged houses and tastefully decorated buildings built in a pleasing, staggered fashion along both sides of the road. This layout fully reflects the Liyue people's appreciation for architecture, and also demonstrates the importance of land planning.

In this regard, the Jade Balance Star probably deserves much credit. After all, as the Seven Stars in charge of construction, her planning and utilization of land can be described as remarkable and traceable.

Of course, the people of Liyue and the immortals who still uphold the contract and protect Liyue are also indispensable.

It is precisely because of these factors that the bustling streets of Liyue have become so popular.

Kiana strolled through the bustling streets of Liyue, her gaze wandering through the alleys and lanes of Liyue Harbor. The city's vibrant, everyday atmosphere felt incredibly welcoming. With the year drawing to a close, every household was adorned with lanterns and decorations, the fiery red color symbolizing joy and the approaching new year.

In this day and age, gathering with friends to share a glass of fine wine is truly a wonderful thing.

Looking back, Mei was seen strolling through the streets of Liyue chatting and laughing with the others, lingering over the toys and food sold there. She also seemed quite curious about the Liyue-style clothing being sold in the shops, and appeared ready to go in and buy some if the opportunity arose.

I'm so curious, how would Mei look if she wore new clothes...? Hmm? Why are they all looking at me?

Originally, everyone was just planning to walk ahead on the way to Hanfeng Ironware. Kiana just turned around and glanced back, only to find that everyone was looking at her with surprise.

It gives the impression that... someone has someone backing you up?

"Mei, Ying, and Yun Jin, what happened behind me?"

Kiana, there seems to be something behind you...

Mei reached out her hand, her face filled with surprise and confusion. She seemed completely unaware that such a thing would happen.

This situation is undeniably strange.

Strange, what's wrong with Mei? And why does Hotaru look like she's seen a ghost?

Could it be that someone has appeared behind her? In contrast, Yun Jin's expression was much more normal. What could be the reason?

Kiana, filled with doubt, slowly turned her head and discovered that in this land once ruled by the Rock King, a god from a foreign land had appeared.

Even now, she wore an exquisite veil and a conical hat, her Inazuma attire, distinctly different from the style of Liyue, highlighting her sublime and noble divine form. It was precisely this extraordinary appearance that drew the attention of passersby.

Of course, this also includes one's own perspective.

At this very moment, the deity who has traveled across the ocean to reach Liyue is approaching gracefully.

The target is undoubtedly myself...

"Shadow? How could you do that!"

Because she knew her very well, Kiana was certain that she had not misjudged her at this moment.

The beautiful woman before me is none other than the Thunder General, the Grand Master of the Inazuma, whose title is Raiden Shogun...

Why is a shadow here?!

Only when the opponent was completely close did Kiana have no choice but to turn around and look at Mei, then turn back to look at Kage, then back at Mei, then back at Kage. After repeating this cycle several times, Kiana began to panic.

How should I explain to my beloved the relationship between myself and the otherworldly deities I encountered on this endless journey?

At that moment, she even felt that she dared not turn around, because she was afraid that her heart would stop beating the instant she saw Ying.

Kiana was somewhat bewildered by the concept of shadows; her mind was a complete blank, and she didn't know how to react.

But she dared not run away, because she knew that running away would be futile.

Shadow was already close to her, and she didn't want to run away, but she didn't know how to face this fact, or how to introduce Shadow to Mei.

All of this happened so suddenly, and we weren't prepared for many things...

How did I meet her?

Kiana felt like her brain was about to explode.

At that moment, Shadow walked up to Kiana.

"Kiana," Shadow called softly.

"..."

Hearing Shadow's shout, Kiana abruptly looked up, her heart pounding as she stared at Shadow so close to her.

I... I actually got excited because of her call!

This is bad, Kiana! You just promised Mei you'd be with her forever...

Kiana's heartbeat suddenly became erratic, and many images flashed through her mind.

Among these images, the most familiar are Mei's bright smile and her set of clean, even teeth.

These images kept changing, gradually calming Kiana's heart.

Am I running away from my own feelings?

For me, the shadow is also an indispensable friend.

And Mei...

Kiana silently turned to look at Mei.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, gradually calming her down.

However, for some reason, all of Ying's scenes played in my mind like a slideshow.

She was an extremely beautiful deity, a girl with a different yet strikingly similar identity to Mei. Her appearance was six or seven parts similar to Mei's, but she was more mature and had a more composed demeanor, giving off an invisible sense of pressure.

But these sensations don't exist for Mei, or rather, Mei doesn't feel them at all.

However, Mei did not feel the slightest unease or tension.

"Kiana..." Shadow called her name again.

This call made Kiana's heart pound violently.

Is she... calling me?

"What's wrong, Shadow?" Kiana asked, trying her best to calm herself down.

"I'm so glad to see you again. I missed you so much..."

As Ying spoke, she reached out and gently stroked Kiana.

She wanted to get closer to her, to have more contact with... this extraordinary person with whom she had a very close relationship.

However...

"Kiana, who is she?"

With a sharp rebuke from Mei, Kiana was quickly pulled aside.