"The Millelith was destroyed for Liyue, and it means a great deal to her. I believe such cooperation and sacrifice can at least earn a word of praise..."
"No, at this point, it should be 'at least a bargaining chip in negotiations' that would suit my preference better."
"Haha."
Ningguang's candor brought a hearty laugh from Granny Xing.
"Thank you, honored adept, for speaking up for me. We are all aware of the adepti's intentions today... yet, we cannot concede."
Ningguang offered a slight smile. It was after joining forces against an external enemy that they could finally discuss matters calmly. In a way, they had to thank that Vortex Archon.
"Oh?"
Considering their recent cooperation, the Adeptus of Moon-Shaping and Mountain-Shaking was willing to hear Ningguang's explanation.
"Three thousand seven hundred years... According to records, you adepti signed a 'Contract' with the Geo Archon to protect Liyue, which has been over three thousand seven hundred years. To this day, Liyue's mountains and rivers remain as stable as stone, unchanged from a thousand years ago. This is a praiseworthy feat."
Ningguang subtly flattered the adepti, a common tactic in business negotiations.
"But this does not mean Liyue is still the Liyue of three thousand seven hundred years ago. Please do not cast your protective gaze solely upon this land—take a closer look at this city, at every person here."
Suddenly, Ningguang shifted her tone, posing the question with a dialectical perspective.
"Are you questioning our way of protecting Liyue?"
"There is absolutely no intention to offend, I merely hope that you elders can consider Liyue once more."
Although Ningguang apologized verbally, her tone showed no signs of yielding.
According to Feng Yi, the adepti had protected Liyue in their own ways for many years. Besides their own cultivation and research, they followed the Geo Archon's divine oracle to patrol for hidden dangers from monsters within Liyue's territory. The Seven Stars, on the other hand, managed Liyue's development affairs according to regulations.
This method of mutual non-interference in protection had continued for millennia, with the prerequisite that the Geo Archon was still present to oversee affairs with absolute authority.
Should any unforeseen accident occur in the future, such as the Geo Archon's demise, the balance of non-interference between the Seven Stars and the adepti would be broken. Conflicts accumulated over thousands of years would plunge the already precarious Liyue into another mire of contradictions.
This was something Zhongli did not wish to see, which was why he planned all this, deliberately bringing forth this conflict. At least now, with him watching, Liyue's foundation would not be harmed.
If the Seven Stars of Liyue could successfully resolve this conflict and were capable of leading Liyue into a new era, he could then retire with peace of mind.
"Heh, you even address me as 'elder.' You younglings of the Seven Stars are nowhere near my 'seniority'..."
The Cloud Retainer, with her straightforward personality, did not hold back her thoughts.
"This morning, I dreamt of the Geo Archon. In the dream, I wanted to tell him that we, the Seven Stars, though mortals, also carry a 'Contract.' The accumulation of generations of Seven Stars, each generation leaving behind something worthy of inheritance.
I also wanted to tell the Geo Archon that under your guidance, the Seven Stars of past generations have strived to survive in the human world, constructing a network of contracts called 'trade.'
But I said none of this. I simply watched him until I woke up..."
Ningguang turned to look at Liyue's bustling harbor, smiling gently.
Feng Yi: So this is your reason for sleeping in this morning??
At this moment, Zhongli, standing on Mount Tianheng overlooking Liyue, nodded gently. 'Contracts' were not static; embracing progress would make Liyue even stronger.
"Feng Yi, you have been in Liyue for quite some time and have assisted Liyue in various ways. In your opinion, what should we do?"
Granny Xing suddenly threw the question to Feng Yi, who was standing nearby.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Feng Yi as if by unspoken agreement.
Feng Yi had a good relationship with both the adepti and the Seven Stars. Precisely because of this, both sides wished to hear Feng Yi's good ideas.
"Me?"
Feng Yi was minding his own business, spectating, when he unexpectedly found himself in the spotlight.
"I believe everyone present, whether Seven Stars or adepti, wishes for Liyue to be prosperous and its people to live in peace. Since our goals are aligned, what is there that cannot be discussed over a good talk?"
Feng Yi invited everyone to the silver Jade Chamber in the sky to sit down, have a meal, and chat.
The prevalence of "meal diplomacy" in Liyue was not without reason; banquets could ease tension and foster closer relationships.
Talking while eating would at least be much better than the current confrontational discussions.
"Very well."
The adepti and the Seven Stars agreed and arrived at the Jade Chamber, crafted from mithril.
The moment they ascended the silver Jade Chamber, they sensed its extraordinariness. Endless spiritual energy converged here. The further they walked towards the center, the more concentrated the spiritual energy became, even forming liquid spiritual energy beads.
Even without cultivating here, merely breathing in such abundant spiritual energy could passively nourish their bodies and enhance their vitality.
Several adepti felt they could no longer see through Feng Yi.
An hour later, the True Monarchs departed from the Jade Chamber and returned to their reclusive lives in the mountains and forests. They would tentatively trust the Seven Stars and observe how they would develop Liyue.
Initially, they believed that without their oversight, the Seven Stars would abuse their power and act with impunity.
Later, a powerful divine sense swept over the silver Jade Chamber, causing them to change their minds instantly.
That familiar sensation made them realize that the Geo Archon had not perished.
Since the Geo Archon was still alive, the Seven Stars could not cause trouble. They decided to try entrusting Liyue to the Seven Stars' development and see if the future would indeed unfold as they claimed.
"Phew... a major conflict between humans and adepti has finally been resolved. Shouldn't we roast a wild boar to celebrate?!"
Paimon stood on the deck of the silver Jade Chamber, stretching lazily.
Although she hadn't done anything throughout the whole process, just watching them talk back and forth made her feel exhausted.
"Wait, wasn't there still one matter unresolved? What was it again? Ah, forget it. I'll think about it after eating the roasted boar. How can I have the energy to think on an empty stomach?"
In Paimon's mind, nothing was more important than a roasted boar at the moment.
Zhongli never imagined that one day, he would be less important than a roasted boar.
After eating their fill, Paimon finally remembered what she had forgotten.
The "Rite of Descension" that they had promised Zhongli had not yet been completed. However, Paimon then recalled that the Fatui Harbinger Childe had released the Vortex Archon precisely to force out the pretending-to-be-dead Geo Archon.
And if the Geo Archon wasn't dead, wouldn't the Rite of Descension be a pointless endeavor?