Hearing the system's affirmative response, Mu Yang felt relieved.
Now he had one more reason to accumulate popularity points to grow stronger.
However, his current skill tree seemed a bit lopsided.
"My swordsmanship is already quite high maybe I should improve other areas instead."
The system told him it didn't matter.
What Mu Yang needed to elevate was his "tier."
Specializing in one area was actually better.
Progress would be faster that way.
In that case, there was nothing more to discuss.
Mu Yang directly maxed out the "Popularity Points Investment" on the system interface, spending all the points he had accumulated during the Yujing Terrace Sword Challenge and the Lantern Rite festivities.
Feeling the changes in the energy around him, Mu Yang exhaled deeply.
"My hands are itching. Maybe I should just go find the Shogun Puppet now."
Yes, Mu Yang's plan was to head straight to Inazuma to set things up.
He'd familiarize himself with the characters there so his eventual appearances wouldn't feel too abrupt.
As for events like Mondstadt's Windblume Festival or the "We Will Be Reunited" storyline, he wouldn't interfere.
After all, he had previously spun some tales involving Aether—meeting him now might be a little awkward.
Of course, that was just a joke.
The real reason was that Mu Yang believed those were Lumine's own adventures.
He wouldn't intervene excessively.
Moreover, frequently appearing in situations that didn't align with his established identity wouldn't boost his popularity—it would backfire.
For now, he'd keep players like Guinaifen hanging.
Though Mu Yang now had an additional reason to grow stronger, some things couldn't be rushed.
The system only mentioned becoming "strong enough," but how strong was that?
Would being at the level of an Archon suffice?
Even though it had been a long time since he last saw Lumine, and he missed her, there was no helping it.
They'd meet again in Inazuma.
By now, Mu Yang had fully pieced together his past.
At the very least, he knew everything about the ancient era.
What followed was an incredibly long period of slumber—until he suddenly awoke during the Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah 500 years ago.
This part of his history was still unclear to him, as it was Lingyuan who had told him about it.
As for why he woke up, he'd have to wait for the next simulation to fill in the blanks.
"Even with a few centuries missing, Inazuma shouldn't be a problem."
Most characters in Inazuma weren't particularly old.
Raiden Ei had secluded herself in the Plane of Euthymia not long after the Cataclysm, so it was unlikely he had ever met her.
According to Xiao's earlier remarks, Mu Yang rarely ventured far from Chenyu Vale.
Thus, he probably didn't have any acquaintances there.
"It seems I'll have more freedom to act in Inazuma."
"As for Liyue… that was truly like walking on thin ice. Thankfully, I made it to the other side without slipping up."
Mu Yang set out from Yilong Wharf toward Liyue Harbor.
By the time he arrived at the familiar Chihu Rock, it was already noon.
Entering Wanmin Restaurant, he found it packed during the lunch rush.
Xiangling spotted Mu Yang and greeted him with her usual enthusiasm.
"Hey, it's Mu Yang! I was just thinking it's been a while since you last visited."
"What'll it be today? Octopus? Seafood?"
Even knowing his identity as an Adeptus, she remained as casual as ever.
That was probably just how Pyro Vision holders were.
"Sorry, Xiangling. I'm not here to eat today," Mu Yang said.
He did enjoy food, but he wasn't willing to wait in such a long line.
Besides, he had other business today.
"Oh? Are you looking for Xingqiu or Chongyun? Surely not me?"
Xiangling considered herself just an ordinary chef—there shouldn't be anything special Mu Yang needed from her.
"I wanted to ask you something. Has Captain Beidou of the Crux Fleet returned to Liyue recently?"
Mu Yang could technically walk to Inazuma by freezing the ocean beneath his feet, but that would be exhausting.
If he could catch Beidou, taking her ship would be much more convenient.
The reason he came to Xiangling to ask was simple:
Every time Captain Beidou came ashore, she would eat at Wanmin Restaurant.
And not alone—she'd bring her entire crew, all of whom loved Xiangling's cooking.
Qingce Stir Fry, Stir-Fried Filet, Wanmin Restaurant's Boiled Fish…
Spicy and bold in flavor!
As Beidou herself once said:
"Xiangling's cooking is what keeps us going during long voyages."
"When we're exhausted, just remembering the numbing, fragrant taste of her Dry-Braised Jueyun Chilis is enough to perk us right up." For more chapters visıt 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⁂𝕟𝕖𝕥
Xiangling replied, "Oh, so you're looking for Big Sis Beidou? She just returned to Liyue Harbor yesterday."
"She's even booked the entire restaurant for tonight! I still need to go buy more Jueyun Chilis this afternoon."
"Do you know where she is now?" Mu Yang pressed.
Xiangling thought for a moment.
"Probably at Yujing Terrace?"
"After she finished discussing tonight's reservation, she left in a hurry."
"When she's that rushed, it's usually something related to the Tianquan."
"No problem! Come by to taste-test—I mean, to eat—when you have time."
Xiangling quickly corrected herself. "I came up with two new dishes during the Lantern Rite—you'll love them!"
After saying goodbye to Xiangling, Mu Yang headed toward Yujing Terrace.
Meanwhile, at Yujing Terrace.
"Are you going to keep laughing forever?"
The speaker was Liyue's ruler—the Tianquan, Ningguang.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA…!" The woman sitting across from her was laughing so hard tears nearly spilled.
"Sorry, but this is just too hilarious."
"To think someone would lose three straight games in the board game they pride themselves on most—HAHAHA…!"
Ningguang crossed her arms.
"Captain Beidou rushed all the way here just for this?"
Beidou's laughter still hadn't subsided.
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?"