Chapter 167 - 165: Zhongli and Furina! An Unexpected Encounter!

Words : 1137 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

"Today, I've gathered everyone here to announce something." At Yujing Terrace, Ningguang lightly flicked her sleeve as she addressed the assembled crowd: "Some of you may have already heard rumors—recently, I have indeed been planning to rebuild the Jade Chamber." Lumine and Paimon stood among the crowd, and as soon as Ningguang spoke, murmurs immediately broke out around them. "Rebuild the Jade Chamber? That's a massive undertaking..." "So the rumors were true! No wonder construction material prices skyrocketed recently..." "The Jade Chamber holds great significance for Lady Ningguang. If we can get involved in this project..." Amid the whispers, a man stepped forward and asked, "Lady Ningguang, is there anything we can assist you with?" "No need to rush. After the news spread, many people reached out through various channels, hoping to participate in this project." Ningguang replied leisurely. "At the moment, there are indeed a few matters I'd like to entrust to you all." "Currently, the project has entered its final stages, and all construction materials are prepared. However, there are still three crucial items missing." "These three items are: Sunset Vermillionite, Wonder Cores, and Adepti Sigils." After hearing Ningguang's words, the crowd exchanged puzzled glances. One person spoke up hesitantly, "Forgive my ignorance, but aside from the Sunset Vermillionite, I've never even heard of the other two..." Ningguang wasn't bothered and calmly explained: "Only a floating stone of immense size can bear the title Mingxia—it is the foundation that ensures the Jade Chamber can ascend into the sky." "Wonder Core is the core component of the Jade Chamber's mechanical structure." "As for the Adepti Sigils, their function is to effectively integrate mechanical devices with adeptal arts—they are equally indispensable." "Though these three items are rare, given your connections and capabilities, gathering them should only be a matter of time." "Speed is of the essence—everything depends on efficiency. I will purchase any materials you procure at a fair price." "Additionally, the first three people to gather all the materials will be granted the opportunity to ask me a question." "No matter what the question is, I will answer it." "I believe that, as compensation, this will not disappoint any of you." Ningguang's promise was undeniably alluring. Rumors said that even a scrap of paper carelessly dropped from the Jade Chamber could fetch an astronomical price. Though this was just a rumor (Ningguang would never litter so carelessly), the mere existence and prevalence of such tales spoke volumes about how valuable a "guaranteed answer" from her truly was. As a woman whose single lunch could sell for millions of Mora, every word from Ningguang's mouth was literally worth ten thousand gold! Not just the merchants present—even Paimon was tempted. "Really?! Then I'll ask—how does Lady Ningguang conduct her business?!" Paimon exclaimed excitedly to Lumine. "That way, we'll never run out of Mora during our travels again!" "Hehe, of course." Ningguang chuckled at Paimon's words. "However, how much advice I share will depend on your performance." And so, just like that, Lumine and Paimon once again found themselves swept up in another errand-filled adventure—this time teaming up with a woman named "Shenhe" to tackle the challenge. Meanwhile, Furina and Ye had returned to Wanmin Restaurant, once again pestering Xiangling. "So? Miss Xiangling? Still haven't made up your mind? I've already prepared a huge, huge restaurant for you in the Court of Fontaine—it can even be called 'Wanmin Restaurant' too! If you go, you'll be the head chef there, and your dishes will even be specially delivered to the Palais Mermonia. You'll have the perfect stage to showcase your talents!" "Um..." Furina was enthusiastically painting a grand future for Xiangling, but the latter wore an awkward expression. "Lady Furina, please don't put Xiangling in a difficult position." Ye took a sip of soup and interjected calmly: "Xiangling doesn't have to become the head chef of the Fontaine branch of Wanmin Restaurant, but we can always keep that position reserved for her. Xiangling isn't the type of chef who can stay in one place—she's someone who loves innovation, who constantly researches new recipes. Fontaine has countless ingredients that can't be found elsewhere. I believe Xiangling will come to Fontaine one day." Gulp— Hearing Ye's words, Xiangling couldn't help but swallow hard. She was genuinely tempted—unknown ingredients unique to Fontaine, ones she couldn't find in Liyue! "Xiangling, the Wanmin Restaurant branch that Lady Furina built for you will always be waiting." Ye looked at Xiangling and said earnestly: "Once you come to Fontaine, you can go to that restaurant—it'll be your home in Fontaine." "Th-Thank you, Mr. Ye and Miss Furina, for your kindness. I'll need to think about this some more, but... I will go to Fontaine someday!" Xiangling's words were firm this time. After all, Ye was right—she wasn't the type to stay idle. She had traveled everywhere in search of new ingredients and recipes more times than she could count. So, whether or not she'd run the Fontaine branch of Wanmin Restaurant was one thing, but she definitely wouldn't pass up the chance to explore Fontaine's cuisine. And Ye was very satisfied with Xiangling's answer—he wasn't afraid of her coming, only of her not coming. Once she arrived, she wouldn't be leaving. This chef was as good as his. Ye and Furina exchanged a glance, nodding in silent understanding. —And it was at this moment! "Ah! So it is you!!" The sudden shout startled both Furina and Xiangling. Furina immediately turned to look—a mischievous-looking girl and a composed man stood by the roadside, staring in their direction. The girl was the one who had yelled. With the air of someone catching a thief, the girl rushed forward, slammed her hands on the table, and narrowed her eyes at Ye, her lips curling into a smirk. "Finally caught you! Zhongli just admitted it—you're the one who drank that ten-million-Mora bottle of wine, aren't you?!" —And as the girl interrogated Ye, the composed man behind her... Zhongli's gaze was uncharacteristically puzzled. Zhongli glanced at Ye, then fixed his eyes entirely on Furina, his expression one of confusion and curiosity. After a moment of thought—before Ye could even respond to the girl—Zhongli stepped forward and spoke to Furina in a calm tone: "It's been a long time, Furina. You seem... quite different now." "Eh? Huh? Wha—?!" Furina stared blankly at the man before her. This person knows me? Did he meet me in Fontaine before? But wait—what's with this attitude like we're super familiar?! In an instant, Furina felt like she was facing the greatest crisis of her life.

Chapter 167 - 165: Zhongli and Furina! An Unexpected Encounter!

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