Chapter 14 – Rite of Descension

Early morning the next day, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

Somewhere on the outskirts of Liyue Harbor, a small floating creature with twinkling starlight behind its scarf pointed at the buildings ahead.

Excitedly, it spoke to the golden-haired girl beside it.

“Look, Traveler, we’ve arrived in Liyue!”

The girl gazed at the structures before her. At this early hour, Liyue Harbor was aglow with lights and colors. The ships and houses along the port shimmered with a warm, reddish glow, giving her an immediate impression of prosperity.

“Yes, Paimon, we’re in Liyue.”

The girl smiled and patted Paimon’s head.

“Brother, I will definitely find you.”

The girl known as the Traveler clenched her fist, her heart filled with determination.

“Wow, so this is Liyue Harbor?!”

“There’s grilled fish over here, and delicious food over there too!”

Walking along the streets of Liyue, Lumine was accompanied by a small floating creature.

Paimon, entranced by the street food of Liyue Harbor, darted back and forth.

Lumine, hands on her hips, stood still and called out.

“Paimon!”

Paimon turned around guiltily to look at Lumine.

“Wh-what is it, Traveler?”

We came here to find the God of Rock and that Adeptus Lord.

“Oh, right.”

Paimon covered her head—she had almost forgotten the main purpose of their visit.

“Hmph! It’s all Liyue Harbor’s fault for making their food so fragrant that it distracted Paimon!”

Lumine facepalmed, feeling somewhat speechless.

“If we want to find the Geo Archon and that Adeptus Lord, there’s only one chance a year.”

“Thanks to Venti’s reminder earlier, otherwise we would have definitely missed this year’s Liyue Qixing Rite of Descension.”

Paimon waved her hand as she reminded Lumine.

“Do you know the specific location and time, Paimon?”

Lumine asked softly.

“Hmm… it might be today, or maybe tomorrow.”

“Since we’re in Liyue, let’s ask the locals.”

Paimon patted her head as she suddenly thought of something.

“Oh, about the Geo Archon Morax.”

“Did you know? The Mora we use is named after this deity.”

“But if us foreigners refer to the Geo Archon like that in Liyue, we’ll be seen as rude outsiders.”

“So, it’s better to follow the locals and use the name Rex Lapis more often.”

Paimon pointed at the citizens on the streets of Liyue.

Faced with the bustling streets, Paimon and Lumine were momentarily unsure where to start.

“Let’s just ask the citizens.”

“As locals of Liyue, they must know the exact time of the Qixing Rite.”

At that moment, Qiu Bai was strolling through the streets of Liyue and happened to see the Traveler and Paimon.

“I never expected it to be Lumine.”

Qiu Bai thought of that playful, mischievous expression of hers and found it adorable.

Lost in thought, Qiu Bai walked toward Lumine and Paimon.

Coincidentally, Paimon and Lumine were also heading in his direction.

“Traveler, look ahead.”

“That really handsome guy over there—let’s go ask him.”

Lumine curiously looked forward and, just as Paimon said, saw a handsome man walking toward them.

“Hello!”

Paimon waved at Qiu Bai.

“Oh? What is this fascinating little creature?”

Qiu Bai approached Lumine and Paimon, pretending to look curiously at Paimon.

“I’m not a little creature, I’m Paimon!”

Paimon turned her head away, hands on her hips, and said angrily.

“Paimon, right? Hello, my name is Qiu Bai, and I am a Consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”

Lumine also politely extended her hand.

“Hello, my name is Lumine, and this flying one is my best partner, Paimon.”

“Um, do you happen to know the time and location of the Rite of Descension?”

Lumine looked at Qiu Bai somewhat shyly—after all, what girl could resist such a handsome guy?

Although Lumine might not exactly be a girl anymore.

“The Rite of Descension, huh?”

“Judging by your appearance, you must be a traveler from afar.”

“My name is Qiu Bai, and I am a Consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.”

Qiu Bai looked at Lumine and asked, as her attire was rarely seen in the seven nations of the mortal world.

“I am a traveler from another world.”

Lumine didn’t avoid the question and answered directly, as she had always done so in Mondstadt.

“A traveler from another world?”

“Without a Vision, yet you possess both Anemo and Geo Elemental Power within you.”

Qiu Bai looked at Lumine with a mysterious tone.

Lumine felt as though her body had been seen through. Suddenly, a Dull Blade appeared in her hand, and she stared intently at Qiu Bai.

At that moment, Lumine also felt puzzled—how did this person know she possessed two types of Elemental Power?

Her guard was instantly heightened, as she knew that ordinary people couldn’t detect her possession of Elemental Power.

“Who exactly are you?”

“Why do you know I possess two types of Elemental Power?”

Qiu Bai noticed Lumine’s wary gaze. How did I know? Of course, because I’ve seen the story. Since I’m putting on a show, I might as well go all the way.

“I’m just an ordinary person from Liyue.”

“Didn’t you ask me about the time and location of the Rite of Descension?”

After saying this, Qiu Bai turned around on his own and gestured for Lumine to follow him.

“Liyue is currently in some turmoil because, just a few days ago,”

“the Adeptus of Yin and Yang of Liyue mysteriously disappeared.”

“The Liyue Qixing mobilized all their resources to search but still couldn’t find him.”

As Qiu Bai spoke, he walked forward. Lumine and Paimon exchanged a glance behind him and followed.

“Disappeared? But isn’t he an Adeptus Lord on par with Rex Lapis?”

“What could have taken him away?”

Paimon asked, puzzled. Before they arrived, Venti had told them about this Adeptus.

“He’s gone… Does that mean the only clue to finding my brother now lies with the God of Rock?”

Lumine felt disheartened, as the only leads to the god who took her brother were among The Seven of the mortal world.

“Every year during the Rite of Descension, Lord Rex Lapis bestows a Divine Oracle to guide the direction of Liyue Harbor.”

“This is Liyue, the land where mortals walk alongside gods.”

Qiu Bai turned back to look at Lumine and explained with a smile.

“Up ahead is Yujing Terrace, where the Rite of Descension is held every year.”

“As it happens, I’m also going to watch. Come along with me.”

After saying this, Qiu Bai turned and walked forward.

Lumine and Paimon watched his retreating figure and followed.

This person always gave Lumine a mysterious feeling, yet she couldn’t sense any malice from him.

Upon reaching Yujing Terrace,

Paimon curiously flew ahead, while Lumine marveled at the sea of people before her.

In the middle of the crowd stood the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing.

“I’ve heard that on the day of the Rite of Descension every year, making a wish is very effective. Would you and Qiu Bai like to give it a try?”

Paimon turned around and asked Lumine and Qiu Bai.

Qiu Bai smiled. A wish? At this point, it seemed there was nothing he particularly wished for.

“I don’t really have any wishes myself, but my friend here certainly has something to wish for?”

Lumine nodded—of course she had a wish.

Qiu Bai didn’t need to think to know that Lumine’s wish was to find her brother.

“Let’s go. The incense burner is just ahead. As long as you offer incense to it, you can make a wish.”

With that, he walked over.

“Oh? Isn’t this Mr. Qiu Bai, the Consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?”

“Are you also here to soak in the Adeptus aura?”

A lady dressed in blue and purple looked at Qiu Bai and asked.

“Lady Changshun, it’s not me who’s here to soak in the Adeptus aura, but my friend beside me.”

Qiu Bai explained.

“And this is…?”

“I’m Lumine, and this is Paimon.”

Lumine said to the lady.

“I’m Changshun.”

“You’re quite knowledgeable, young lady! If you make a wish on this day, Rex Lapis and the Adeptus Lords will surely bless you.”

“I’ve already finished making my wish, so I’ll leave this spot to you. Here, I’ll give you this incense.”

“Thank you!”

After saying this, Changshun left.

Qiu Bai awkwardly rubbed his nose. Blessing—well, that wasn’t wrong to say.

But if I were to make a wish, would I be blessing myself?

After Lumine offered the incense, she closed her eyes slightly and placed her hands in front of her.

“I hope I can find my brother soon…”