Takumi smiled at March 7th.
Both were products of the same civilization. How could they be different?
March 7th blinked in surprise.
"Really?"
She hadn't known that.
"Of course. If the Geo Archon ever visited the Xianzhou, they might even think he's one of the Vidyadhara."
"After all, the Geo Archon is a dragon too."
Takumi gave Zhongli a look as he spoke.
The Vidyadhara are dragon-blooded. Zhongli was dragon-blooded too, right?
March 7th's eyes widened in amazement.
"Will the Geo Archon appear at the upcoming Rite of Parting?"
"I'd better take lots of photos to send back to Bailu!!"
Thinking about it, March 7th grew excited.
Zhongli, standing beside them, felt a little helpless.
Was March 7th trying to help him get a new identity on the Xianzhou?
Actually, the water dragon king next door would fit that role even better.
But he kept that to himself.
Everyone gathered and started heading to the venue.
To fit in better, Takumi also changed his clothes to a style similar to Zhongli's.
They were about the same height.
Walking together down the street, the two of them attracted a lot of attention from Liyue's refined young ladies.
Zhongli was famous in Liyuehandsome, reliable, and knowledgeable.
Even if he seemed like a bit of a social recluse, there were plenty of wealthy ladies who wanted to "keep" him.
If Zhongli lowered himself to ask, girls would flock to him.
He really was born for a life of luxury. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it.
Though, not just anyone could afford Zhongli.
They arrived at Yujing Terrace.
As soon as they got there, Takumi and the others were stopped by a staff member from Haiyue Pavilion.
"Mr. Takumi, Mr. Zhongli, please come with me!"
"Lady Ningguang has instructed me to bring you to the best viewing spot."
Takumi nodded and followed without comment.
The group was led to the best VIP seats.
There, they quietly waited.
Keqing and Ganyu soon arrived as well.
Except for the altar itself, the area around it was packed with people.
Everyone who came was quietly discussing the event.
"I wonder what decree the Geo Archon will give this year?"
"I can't waitI hope it's about development!"
"If so, wood and stone prices will shoot up again."
"Aren't they already up?"
"Guili Plains needs tons of materials right now."
"You want prices to go up even more? Why not just shoot for the stars?"
Takumi listened to the crowd, a bit speechless.
Wanting higher prices? They'd be moving soon anyway.
You had to admit, Liyue's business atmosphere was strong.
Everywhere, people were talking about making money.
While Takumi and the others were chatting, Ningguang stepped onto the stage.
The Millelith began holding back the crowd.
Ningguang glanced up at the sky, then formed a hand seal.
"The auspicious hour has come!"
As her voice fell, power surged around her.
A beam of light shot into the sky, blowing open the clouds.
At that moment, all of Liyue seemed to freeze.
Everyone put down what they were doing and looked toward Yujing Terrace.
That pillar of light could be seen across Liyue.
Every year, seeing that light meant the Geo Archon had arrived.
That's why, when they saw it, all of Liyue paid their respects.
It was their way of honoring the Geo Archon.
Takumi watched the sky with great interest.
At the same time, he noticed Zhongli's attention was drifting.
A brown dragon slowly descended from the void.
Unlike the original story, he didn't fall directly onto the altar.
"The Geo Archon has been attacked! Lock down the scene!"
Takumi muttered under his breath.
Keqing and Ganyu, hearing this, were speechless.
Lumine and March 7th heard it too and blinked in confusion.
"Don't say such things."
"The Geo Archon is a war god. Who would dare assassinate him?"
"If anything did happen to him, the funeral would be the grandest in Liyue!"
"If only the funeral parlor could be in charge of sending off the Geo Archon~!"
Hu Tao couldn't help but sigh.
If such a thing happened and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor got the job, her family would be set for generations~!!
Grandpa, are you seeing this? I sent off the Geo Archon.
Hearing Hu Tao, Takumi and the others had strange looks on their faces.
Keqing and Ganyu shot stealthy glances at the expressionless Zhongli.
They were speechless inside.
Hu Tao really dared to say anything.
But, given her relationship with the Geo Archon, there was no point saying more.
After Zhongli became a mortal, he lived at the funeral parlor.
Hu Tao was practically raised by him.
Her grandfather passed away when she was youngher first "business."
Since childhood, Zhongli took care of her, teaching her martial arts and everything else.
Many in Liyue knew these things.
Maybe, in Zhongli's heart, Hu Tao was like a daughter.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say Hu Tao had the deepest roots in all of Liyue.
Chapter 218: Hu Tao: Then Ill Have to Move My Ancestors Graves!
Hu Tao was raised by the Geo Archon himself.
From the Geo Archon's perspective, Hu Tao was basically a princess of Liyue.
Such a status couldn't be more distinguished.
But Hu Tao herself just thought Zhongli was an immortal
She never imagined he was actually the Geo Archon.
She didn't even know that, in all of Liyue, she had the strongest background!
If she found out, she'd probably get even more smug.
Her sales pitches would become even more shameless.
She might even use the Archon's name for promotions:
"Endorsed personally by the Geo Archon!"
Or maybe, "Geo Archon now renamed the King of the Underworld."
It was exactly the kind of thing Hu Tao would do.
Anyone familiar with her knew what she was like.
But now wasn't the time for those thoughts.
By now, Zhongli's vessel had already descended
And he was issuing decrees.
"In my time meditating, I have detected a new paradise."
"A crisis approaches Teyvat."
"Tianquan Ningguang, from this day forth, you will accompany me to another world to build a new home."
"Ganyu, you will take over Ningguang's duties."
"And take with you all who are willing to go."
"I will send you all over myself."
...
Zhongli wasn't hiding anymore.
He laid all his cards on the table.
In front of everyone in Liyue, he announced the coming crisis for Teyvat
And that he'd found a new home.
First, he would take Ningguang with him.
The merchants below, who had just been wondering how to make a fortune, were completely dumbfounded by this announcement.
What?
A crisis is about to befall Teyvat?
Liyue has to build a new home?
The entire venue erupted in chaos.
No one had expected the Geo Archon to make such an announcement.
Even foreign visitors were utterly confused.
Zhongli went on to list all the things Liyue needed to do next
And gave out the orders for the future.
After everything, he finally said:
"Next, I will discuss matters with the other gods."
"That's all for today."
With that, Zhongli's form soared into the sky and vanished.
Keqing let out a sigh after hearing the Archon's decree.
But she didn't say anything
Instead, she stepped forward to maintain order.
Everyone had been stunned by the news.
That only made things more chaotic on the scene.
"What? What? Teyvat is doomed?"
Hu Tao's eyes went wide.
What had she just heard?
"That's right."
"Teyvat really is in trouble."
Zhongli agreed wholeheartedly.
Yes, Teyvat was facing real problems.
"That won't do!"
"I need to dig up my grandpa's ashes."
"If we're moving, I've got to bring the ancestors too."
"Zhongli, let's get ready!"
"You're an immortalsurely you have some magical container for ashes?"
"Something big enough to pack up all of Wuwang Hill at once."
Hu Tao was getting anxious.
If they were moving, she had to move her ancestors' graves too.
No way she was leaving them behindotherwise, where would she go for tomb-sweeping?
You really couldn't say Hu Tao's priorities were like anyone else's.
Takumi couldn't help but laugh when he heard Hu Tao's words.
"Here, use this."
"Takumi made this spatial bracelet."
"You can fit a lot inside."
Hearing this, Zhongli felt a bit helpless
But he handed it over to Hu Tao anyway.
If she wanted it, she could have it.
He still had another one.
As soon as she got it, Hu Tao's eyes lit up.
"Zhongli, how could you have something this good and not bring it out sooner?"
"Alright, I'm off to work!"
"March 7th, Lumine, Xing, I won't be entertaining you now!"
"See you!"
Since it was true, Hu Tao hurried off to get started
And in a flash, she was gone.
"You just spoil her."
Takumi looked at Zhongli, speechless.
Zhongli sighed at Takumi's words.
"I'm not good at handling this child."
"It's all over now."
"What are you planning to do next?"
"Are you staying to meet the other gods?"
Zhongli still had a meeting scheduled with the other gods that night.
Takumi shook his head.
"No."
"I've done all the sightseeing I wanted."
"I'm heading home."
"March 7th, do you all want to visit my world for a bit?"
"Then I'll go to yours with you."
Takumi had no plans to linger any longer.
He'd take March 7th and the others with him
And later, when it was time to visit the Honkai Star Rail world, they could all go together. Miori Shiba could just teleport him there.
Takumi had almost forgotten about thatwhat a waste of a thousand points!
He couldn't help feeling a little regretful.
How long would he have to check in to make that up?
Since things were settled, Zhongli said no more.
March 7th's eyes lit up at Takumi's invitation.
"Let's go!"
"Of course I want to!"
"Last time, I didn't get to see much!"
March 7th agreed right away.
Last time, she'd attended a banquet in Takumi's world
But hadn't really explored.
She was super curious about magic and everything else there.
Now she finally had the chance.
Lumine was curious too
Takumi's world, huh? Might as well go check it out.
"Alright!"
"Let's go, then."
With that, Takumi promptly sent them all into imaginary space.
Once that was done, Takumi glanced at Keqing.
"Just send Ningguang and the others over to me later."
"I'm off."
Zhongli nodded.
"Alright!"
They made the arrangements, and then Takumi vanished from the spot
Leaving Zhongli alone.
He took one last look at the chaos below.
Then turned and left.
Next, it was time to summon the immortals
And send them over, too.
As long as he stayed here, Teyvat would be fine for now.
With those thoughts, Zhongli left with the crowd.
He knew the announcements today would cause an uproar
And before long, the other gods would probably be on their way.
Leaving Yujing Terrace, a breeze swept by, and Zhongli looked up
Then muttered a few words under his breath before heading off to Liyue's finest restaurant.
...
Takumi returned to his own world
And released March 7th.
Right now, only Liliya was home, watching TV.
Hearing the noise, Liliya came out.
"Huh? Already here?"
Just then, Paimon exclaimed in surprise.
Chapter 219: Hu Tao: Are You Freaking Kidding Me, You're the Geo Archon?!
Paimon was completely stunned.
Just now, she only felt Takumi toss her into some mysterious place. Before she even had time to look around, she was let out. Was this really another world already?
"No elemental energy at all But there's still a powerful force here!"
The moment Lumine arrived, she could feel how different this world was. She couldn't sense the elements anymore, but she could still use power. When she tried, this world's energy would replace her elemental energyand she even noticed, keenly, that the energy inside her was beginning to change, transforming into the kind of power Takumi's world used.
Hearing Lumine's comment, Takumi explained with a smile, "That's the power of my world. Once all the energy in your body finishes converting, your strength will reach a whole new level!"
"Think of it as a perk for visiting my world," he added, unable to hide his grin.
Lumine nodded. "Alright! But it's kind of slow, though." She clicked her tongue in slight annoyance.
"If you don't want to wait, just find somewhere to let all your energy out at once. Then, what returns will be Honkai energy." Takumi gave Lumine a helpless look.
If she disliked the slow process, there was a workaroundjust empty all her energy and let it replenish itself. That's what the magical girl squad had discovered.
"Got it!" Lumine nodded, quietly noting this advice and saying no more.
Next, Takumi handed out ID cards and a terminal to everyone. "Here, there's some money in these. You can explore my world and have some fun. The terminal is like a phoneyou should know how to use it. Paimon, you get one too! But if you run out of money, you'll have to figure something out yourself~!"
Takumi made sure everyone got a terminal and ID, then grinned as he warned them.
Paimon was amazed. Out of everyone present, she was the only one who didn't know how to use this device.
Liliya came out just then, and March 7th immediately greeted her with a happy wave. "Liliya! Long time no see!"
Himeko had already introduced Liliya to March 7thqueen of the magical girls next door, and Takumi's woman, a fact March 7th remembered well.
"Entanglement spirit... March 7th!" Liliya almost blurted out the nickname, but quickly changed her tone.
March 7th pouted. "I'm not some entanglement spirit! That's just too much! What does that even mean? I asked Sister Himeko, but she won't tell me!"
"Oh, rightTakumi, could you tell Sister Himeko for us? We'll be playing here for a few days before heading back."
She and the others had no way to contact Himeko directly, so she had to ask Takumi to pass along the message.
"Sure, I'll let her know later. If you need anything else, just ask Prometheus." Takumi didn't mindit was just a quick word.
March 7th nodded and called for Stelle and Lumine to head out, ready to go explore the city below.
Lumine glanced at Takumi without saying anything and quietly followed. She was extremely curious about Takumi's worlda place that had fused with several other worlds, even connecting to others beyond. It sounded fascinating. Rumor had it there was tons of great food, too.
