Chapter 104 - 103: Meeting Adepti

This woman, with silver hair and clear, deep blue eyes, possessed an otherworldly grace, as if enveloped in immortal energy with every gesture. At first glance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was a true immortal from outside the mundane world. Yet, within her ethereal presence, there seemed to lurk a subtle killing intent, though it was considerably dimmed, perhaps by the red rope adorning her. "Immortal, please quell your anger! We were merely performing a spell to find someone, and did not intend to disturb your cultivation. We will leave now." Chongyun felt that the immortal looked somewhat familiar, but dared not scrutinize further. After bowing respectfully with Xingqiu, he prepared to leave. If they didn't leave now, he feared a major incident might occur. "You said, this is a method for finding people?" The "Immortal" looked at the now dissipated blue talisman in her hand. Her usually emotionless eyes now held a hint of confusion. This was because the talisman had flown straight at her, sticking directly onto her forehead, almost making her think she had been attacked. "Yes, this was originally a soul-searching method. It was only because my friend urgently needed to find someone that I decided to try it. I never thought..." Chongyun sighed, not blaming Xingqiu. After all, his family elders had repeatedly warned him never to use exorcist spells for purposes other than exorcism and upholding justice. Perhaps he was destined to face this tribulation. "Miss Immortal, we came in a hurry and did not bring offerings. If you don't mind..." Xingqiu also knew that the two of them had caused a great blunder, but he had left in a rush and hadn't brought any valuable items. He only had one Sunsettia fruit that Xiangling had given him. He knew one Sunsettia couldn't salvage much, but... at least it represented their sincerity. "Next time, don't act so recklessly. The temper of Adepti is not as good as you imagine." After her gaze lingered briefly on Chongyun, the "Immortal" gestured, taking the Sunsettia. Then, carrying a bamboo basket, she walked back into the depths of the mountains. "Also, I'm not an Adeptus." "..." Chongyun and Xingqiu exchanged glances for a moment, then gave each other a look, and ran down the mountain without looking back. "I told you not to use this method. Fortunately, this Adeptus had a good temper and didn't make things difficult for us." After descending the mountain, Chongyun scooped up cool mountain spring water and splashed it on his face, suppressing the agitation caused by his Pure-Yang Spirit. He absolutely dared not help Xingqiu find anyone again. But Xingqiu next to him looked at Chongyun with strange eyes. But Xingqiu, beside him, looked at Chongyun with a strange gaze. Chongyun had studied exorcist arts since childhood, so he held a certain reverence for the existence of Adepti. Therefore, he had kept his head bowed throughout, not daring to look at the "Immortal" at all. Xingqiu was different; perhaps he also held reverence, but definitely not to the extent of Chongyun's fear of disrespecting an Adeptus. He had seized the opportunity when the "Immortal" took the fruit to glance up at the woman. It was better not to look; seeing her gave him a fright, because this person resembled Chongyun greatly. But he had never heard of Chongyun having an older sister? With this question in mind, Xingqiu followed Chongyun back to Liyue Harbor. As for finding the author of "Omen of the Flowers," that would have to be put on hold for now. After all, Chongyun had already disturbed an Adeptus for him; there had to be a limit to taking advantage. He decided to wait a while before trying again. If all else failed, he would try the Adventurers' Guild; he heard their efficiency was quite good there. ... Shenhe, as usual, arrived at Jueyun Karst. Jueyun Karst was located in the northwest of Liyue, perpetually shrouded in mist, a desolate and towering mountain range. There were extraordinary sights in the mountains, but due to the complex terrain and steep paths, it was rarely visited. Legend had it that it was the secluded dwelling place of the Adepti who protected Liyue. Because of this, it was also sought after by some who wished for immortality and blessings. But apart from a slightly peculiar little herbalist, no mortal had truly conquered this place. Reaching a high peak, Shenhe brushed away the dust on the ground, then placed the bamboo basket in her hand down. The bamboo basket contained neither miraculous elixirs nor precious medicinal herbs. Just a few Qingxin flowers and four Sunsettias. Usually, she only brought three; the extra one was given by Xingqiu. After tidying the ground, Shenhe took out a square cloth. This cloth was quite unusual; it had a peculiar soft texture to the touch, unlike anything that should exist in this era. There were also strange patterns embroidered in the corner, seemingly some kind of writing? She spread the cloth flat, and the four Sunsettias were carefully wiped clean and placed on it one by one. Afterward, she looked towards the Lisha Pass direction, hugged her knees, and formed a talisman. As the Divine Maiden's Spirit-Binding Art activated, a figure with a talisman affixed to it gradually materialized behind her. The figure's face was blurry, its original appearance indiscernible. After appearing, it protected Shenhe, seemingly without any sentience. The small peak was covered in frost. The scent of Qingxin was somewhat faint. But having eaten it since childhood, she didn't find anything wrong with it. It was the Sunsettias... Picking up a Sunsettia, Shenhe took a small bite. Sweet juice filled every corner of her mouth. Such large, plump Sunsettias would fetch a good price even down the mountain. But... "The taste isn't right." Eating three Sunsettias in a row, the sweet fruit pulp didn't bring any change in expression to Shenhe's face. After all, these Sunsettias were still a bit too sweet. Picking up the last Sunsettia, the one Xingqiu had given her, Shenhe looked at it for a long time but ultimately didn't eat it. "I'll give it to you instead." With a sigh, Shenhe looked towards the Lisha Pass. There, a heron once landed, and a crane took flight. What distinction of nobility or lowliness was there between a heron and a crane? They were just birds; once on the offering table, they were ultimately just a dish. Wind rose, clouds fell, cranes cried. When the mist dispersed, besides a few patches of frost on the peak, only a very ordinary-looking Sunsettia remained, quietly lying there. Ten minutes later... A shadowy figure climbed to the peak, letting out a long sigh of relief. It was damn high. But he didn't forget to extend his hand and pull up the small herbalist girl. "Qiqi can climb by herself." Sitting on the edge of the mountain peak, Qiqi's small feet playfully swung, showing no fear of the sea of clouds below, as collecting herbs in the mountains was her daily routine. As for why Bai Luo found her in the mountains, her little brain couldn't figure that out at the moment. "I wasn't helping you. There are a bunch of people looking for me in Liyue Harbor right now; only Jueyun Karst offers a moment of peace." Bai Luo said after helping Qiqi collect the nearby Qingxin flowers. Strangely, besides Qingxin, there was also a Sunsettia here. Bai Luo instinctively wanted to pick it up, but after a moment of thought, he looked at Qiqi again. "Little Qiqi, want a Sunsettia?" "Where?" Qiqi never refused Bai Luo's Sunsettias. As a zombie, she had lost her sense of taste long ago; besides hot and cold, she couldn't perceive anything else. But Bai Luo's Sunsettias made her experience a third taste, something she hadn't felt in a long time. So, in Qiqi's mind, the Sunsettias Bai Luo gave her ranked second only to coconut milk. "Here." Bai Luo smiled guiltily, pointing to the Sunsettia nearby. Qiqi actively walked forward, wiped it, and took a bite. "How does it taste?" Bai Luo stood nervously beside her, asking. "I don't know, but it's delicious." Qiqi said, taking another bite. "Then let me have a bite too." "Mm." He took a bite. "So sour..." _______________________________________ [A/N: Hahahaha..... It's not in your fate to eat a sweet sunset fruit, Bai Luo] Check my P@treon for advance chapters:- Their are 8+ advance chapters available on P@treon. [email protected]/AnimeDarcx