After successfully finding the three Adeptus, everyone stayed in the backyard of Yujing Terrace for the next two or three days.
During this time, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Nicole, and Nekomata ran into Ganyu several more times. Every time they saw her, they couldn't help but remember the story of "Gulu Gulu Rolling Down the Mountain" that Cloud Retainer had told them. Each time, they had to fight hard to keep from laughing.
This behavior left Ganyu completely baffled. She couldn't understand what was going on with these people.
Ganyu asked earnestly, "Is it uncomfortable staying at Yujing Terrace? If there's anything you need, please tell me right away. I'll do everything I can to help..."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuan quickly waved her hand. "No, no, Miss Ganyu, that's not what we mean."
Ganyu asked again, "Then are you feeling unwell? If you're sick, you can go see Qiqi or Baizhu..."
Tsukishiro Yanagi hurriedly shook her head. "No... we're not unwell..."
Seeing them all shake their heads again and again, Ganyu could only sigh helplessly. "..."
She didn't want to trouble the guests from New Eridu any further.
However, just then, Nekomata suddenly asked, "Miss Ganyu, may we ask you something?"
Ganyu quickly nodded. "Of course. If I can help, I'll gladly answer."
Nekomata leaned forward curiously. "Two days ago, when we visited Cloud Retainer—your master—she said that when you were a child, you accidentally triggered the Giant Beast Packing Divine Machine. She said it wrapped you into a ball, and you rolled all the way down the mountain. Is that true?"
The moment she heard the question, Ganyu froze.
She looked at Nekomata, then at Zhu Yuan and Tsukishiro Yanagi, and suddenly realized the truth.
They all knew. They all knew her childhood story. That stiff look on their faces earlier—it was because they were holding back laughter.
How could this be... Master actually told them about that...
Right then, Ganyu felt both flustered and mortified. "I... I... It's not what you think..."
She didn't know how to explain. After all, her master had already spilled the embarrassing incident to Zhu Yuan and the others.
She stammered halfway through, then realized there was no way to explain it clearly. In a panic, she turned and bolted out of Yujing Terrace's backyard.
Her speed was astonishing—so fast it even stunned Nekomata.
"She ran off! Her speed is faster than a cat's... Is this the power of Liyue's Qilin divine beast?"
"Born of the Adepti and gifted with their arts, her strength must be above mine..."
"Even she couldn't escape the Giant Beast Packing Machine. That proves just how strong it really is—strong enough to take on high-tier Ethereals..."
"By the way, where did the other Adeptus go?"
"They're said to be preparing for the memorial of the Geo Archon. Here, they call it the 'Rite of Parting'..."
"Tomorrow, once we attend the Geo Archon's memorial with them, we can finally return to New Eridu..."
At the thought of returning, everyone's hearts were filled with anticipation.
For so many years, New Eridu had poured tremendous resources into resisting the spread of the Zero Hollows, yet the results had been meager.
Now, with the help of the Adeptus of Liyue, they finally had the means to deal with the Zero Hollows—and even suppress them.
At that moment, Billy spoke excitedly. "Ito, I may not be as good as you at bug fighting, but video games are my specialty. When we're back in New Eridu, let's settle it at the arcade."
A challenge like that was something Arataki Itto would never refuse. He immediately agreed. "Alright! Let this Arataki see what you've got!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kuki Shinobu shook her head. "No. We must return to Inazuma first, then make further plans."
The moment she mentioned Inazuma—suddenly, a fruit dropped from a tree with a thud. As the dust cleared, it transformed into Sayu.
Nekomata was astonished. "Sayu, are you an Adeptus too?"
Sayu shook her head. "Not an Adeptus—I'm a ninja—"
She patted the dust off her clothes and added, "Let's hurry and finish this memorial ceremony. I need to return to Inazuma to report back..."
She had come here on a mission from Yae Miko. Even though she had spent most of the trip asleep, she had kept note of New Eridu's situation and all the oddities she'd encountered, ready to report them once she returned.
Kazuha followed with a nod. "I need to return to Inazuma as well..."
Seeing this, Arataki Itto could only sigh. "Fine, we'll go back to Inazuma first, then head to New Eridu. Billy, make sure you wait for me at the arcade!"
Billy grinned. "I'll be waiting..."
Another day passed in the blink of an eye.
The next morning, before dawn, Billy, Nekomata, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others were roused by a loud commotion outside.
When they got up and looked around, Nekomata realized the entire Liyue Harbor had changed.
The usual storyteller's spot had been turned into a massive temporary stage, big enough for a crowd, where an opera about "The Geo Archon's Solo Battle Against the Three Gods" was being performed...
Vendors who once sold candied hawthorn now sold figurines of "ancient deities", featuring the Geo Archon, Moon Carver, the Vigilant Yaksha Xiao and the others Adepti...
The kite stalls were now filled with kites shaped like the Archon, Adeptus, and Yaksha...
Other stalls were selling clay figurines of the Archon of Geo... and paintings of the Archon slaying gods...
Everything in the marketplace now revolved around Liyue's Geo Archon.
Even children playing in the streets were singing nursery rhymes about him:
"When the Archon arrives, the gods flee in terror..."
Seeing all this, Nekomata was stunned. "The influence of the Geo Archon in Liyue is great..."
Paimon said firmly, "Of course! All of Liyue was built under the leadership of the Geo Archon, and more than half of the gods were defeated by him!"
Hearing this, Zhu Yuan let out a sigh. "What a pity... such a mighty figure passed away before we arrived."
Qingyi smiled faintly. "Didn't Tianquan say it already? The Geo Archon may have passed on, but Liyue still has a living deity. When we face trouble suppressing the Hollows, we should be able to count on that deity's aid."
Paimon declared confidently, "Don't worry! That deity will definitely help. And who knows—maybe even more gods will step in by then..."
From what Paimon knew, Venti should still be in New Eridu. If New Eridu ever found itself in danger, Venti wouldn't stand idly by.
Of course... provided there was enough fine wine to keep him entertained.