Chapter 17 – The Adeptus of Jueyun Karst

Deep within Jueyun Karst.

“Pfft, hahaha.”

“You actually walked into Jueyun Karst alone just to gather herbs because you had no Mora.”

Lumine also covered her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter.

“Qiu Bai, it would be much easier for you to take on a few commissions from the Adventurers’ Guild than to travel all this way.”

Lumine kindly reminded him.

After all, that’s exactly what she did to support little Paimon.

Qiu Bai also smiled awkwardly.

Right, why hadn’t he thought of earning Mora by taking commissions from the Adventurers’ Guild?

These past few centuries had completely dulled his sense of money, but at least he was better than certain societal deadweights.

“Anyway, let’s not dwell on the details.”

“So, what brings you two here?”

Qiu Bai pretended to be curious and asked.

“We’re looking for the Adepti, the legendary Adepti.”

Paimon and Lumine explained the situation to Qiu Bai.

“Being mistaken for assassins and wanting to clear your names?”

“I’ll accompany you. After all, this is only my first… hundred millionth time in Jueyun Karst.”

With that said.

Lumine, Paimon, and Qiu Bai set off on their journey to find the Adepti.

As they reached the mountains, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out.

“Who are you, and why do you trespass into Jueyun Karst?”

Hearing the voice, Qiu Bai smiled slightly, but the smile vanished the moment he turned around.

What the hell? I’m just left with a question mark.

A brown crane, a creature resembling a deer, and a white-blue crane.

Mountain Shaper, Moon Carver, and Cloud Retainer—why were the three of them together?

This isn’t how the story goes, right?

The one who had spoken earlier was Moon Carver.

Meanwhile, Lumine looked at the three Adepti, took out a talisman, and said softly,

“Please take a look at this.”

Moon Carver beside her leaned in.

“A Sigil of Permission. It’s been many years since I last saw this. So, mortals still have remnants of it.”

“I am Moon Carver, one of the Mighty and Illuminated Adepti.”

“Traveler, state your purpose.”

Beside them, Cloud Retainer kept staring at Qiu Bai.

“Strange, why do I feel a sense of familiarity?”

“Have I seen this mortal somewhere before?”

Being stared at by Cloud Retainer, Qiu Bai also turned away somewhat guiltily. No way, could she really recognize me?

I’ve already suppressed my aura to the absolute limit.

Unless it’s a Demon God of the same level, it should be impossible to detect me.

“Why is the Adeptus staring at me?”

Unable to bear Cloud Retainer’s gaze, Qiu Bai couldn’t help but speak up.

“This Adeptus merely feels a sense of familiarity with you.”

“Stop being so fidgety. This Adeptus won’t look at you anymore!”

Cloud Retainer turned her head away proudly.

Qiu Bai nodded somewhat awkwardly.

“They’re the assassins! They actually fled all the way here.”

Just then, a group of Millelith soldiers emerged from the path Qiu Bai and the others had taken, led by the Millelith instructor.

One of the soldiers turned to the instructor.

“Boss, we’ve already ventured too deep into Jueyun Karst.”

The instructor glanced at the three Adepti, then at Lumine.

“This… there’s no other way. Capturing the assassins is of utmost importance. We have to press on, even if it’s difficult!”

With that, the instructor charged forward first, followed by the many Millelith soldiers.

“Disturbing the tranquility.”

“Send them away, but do not take their lives.”

Moon Carver spoke calmly.

Just as Lumine was about to charge forward, Qiu Bai stopped her with a hand.

Lumine looked at Qiu Bai in confusion, not understanding why he was stopping her.

“Leave it to me.”

Qiu Bai turned his head and gave Lumine a slight smile, then looked back at the Millelith.

With a wave of his hand forward, the entire Millelith vanished without a trace.

Behind him, Lumine and Paimon stared in shock, their mouths agape and eyes wide, simply watching Qiu Bai.

Paimon flew to the spot where the Millelith had been standing, circling around it.

Then she flew up to Qiu Bai, her starry eyes wide with astonishment, and asked in surprise.

“What, what did you do? What happened to those Millelith?”

“How did they just disappear like that!”

Qiu Bai felt a surge of satisfaction inside—he had finally managed to show off in front of Lumine.

Though it was just a small trick, it was more than enough to deal with these Millelith.

“I simply sent them out of Jueyun Karst.”

“I didn’t harm their lives.”

“As for how I sent them away just now, you can think of it as a small Mystic Art.”

Qiu Bai explained to Paimon.

Behind him, Lumine was also baffled by Qiu Bai’s explanation.

What kind of small Mystic Art could send people directly to such a distant place?

After all, this was deep within Jueyun Karst—she and Paimon had walked for an entire day to get here.

And with just a wave of his hand, they were sent away?

“You, you really know some surprising things!”

“When we head back later, just wave your hand and send us out too!”

Paimon thought about it and happily stomped her little feet—finally, they wouldn’t have to run back and forth.

Lumine stood to the side, hands on her hips, watching Paimon.

“Paimon, you’re focusing on the wrong thing.”

“And you fly, you don’t run—I’m the one who gets tired!”

The Adepti behind them were no less astonished than Paimon and Lumine.

They looked at Qiu Bai with curiosity.

“Adepti Arts? And an Immortal Art even we have never seen before.”

“You are a mere mortal—why do you know the Mystic Arts of the Adepti?”

The three Adepti stared at Qiu Bai curiously.

Being scrutinized by three Adepti made Qiu Bai feel a bit awkward—he had almost forgotten they were present.

“Um, it’s a Mystic Art passed down from my ancestors.”

“I didn’t even know it was Adepti Arts.”

Qiu Bai could only explain it this way, as he couldn’t reveal his identity yet.

Cloud Retainer, however, seemed to have noticed something and kept her gaze fixed on Qiu Bai.

Qiu Bai could only avoid Cloud Retainer’s eyes.

“Adepti, we came here to deliver important news!”

Lumine stepped forward from behind Qiu Bai and spoke.

“Oh? What is it?”

Mountain Shaper stood on a piece of amber with his crane feet, looking at Lumine.

Lumine then explained the events in detail to the three Adepti.

“What did you say?!”

“Rex Lapis has been assassinated!”

The three Adepti were filled with rage.

Mountain Shaper angrily spread his wings.

“How many forces in this world could possibly assassinate Rex Lapis?!”

Beside him, Moon Carver wore an expression of disbelief.

“Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!”

“How could anyone assassinate Rex Lapis during the Rite of Descension? And after Rex Lapis was assassinated,”

“how could the blame be shifted onto the mortal spectators?!”

“The Liyue Qixing are truly disappointing.”

“To think someone would dare commit such a heinous crime!”

Then Moon Carver stepped forward and looked at Lumine.

“Traveler, we are already aware of your wrongful accusation as the assassin.”

“We have already formed our judgment on this matter.”

Moon Carver closed his eyes slightly—the sheer amount of information was overwhelming.

Even these Adepti, who had guarded Liyue for thousands of years, found it hard to bear.

“May I ask the Adepti, is there any news of that Adeptus Lord?”

Lumine mustered her courage to ask.

“Adeptus Lord…”

The Adepti exchanged glances among themselves.

First the Adeptus Lord, and now Rex Lapis—what is to become of Liyue now?

“The Adeptus Lord went missing earlier.”

“We have flown across all of Liyue’s lands and have yet to find any trace.”

Cloud Retainer’s tone carried a faint sorrow, which then turned to fury as she declared.

“The Liyue Qixing!”

“This Adeptus shall go and suppress Liyue Harbor at once!”