Chapter 35

The next day, Jiang Ning sat on the bed, rubbing his numb waist, and asked the system:

"When will I be able to take charge for once?"

[Theoretically speaking, the stronger you become and the more you absorb, the sooner that day will come.]

[Haven't you noticed that you don't need to lean against the wall to get out of bed today? That's thanks to the Geo element!]

The system explained.

"Fine..."

Jiang Ning watched Shenhe's back as she tied her hair, taking in her voluptuous figure with its perfect proportions.

Just her silhouette alone could captivate countless admirers, not to mention her stunning face and cold, elegant demeanor.

Sensing Jiang Ning's gaze, Shenhe turned around puzzled: "Want more?"

Shenhe always spoke her mind, honest to a fault.

But this was too much for Jiang Ning to handle. He quickly said, "No, no, we're running late, the Rite of Descension is about to begin!"

Shenhe nodded, finished dressing, and helped Jiang Ning dress before casually handing him a red cord:

"Junior Brother, help me..."

Jiang Ning: "...Alright."

...

The Rite of Descension was arguably the biggest event in Liyue Harbor.

Looking at the crowds heading up to Yujing Terrace, the vast majority were locals from Liyue Harbor.

Of course, there were also many tourists and merchants who had come from afar to witness the event.

Seeing the strict security checks and the ridiculously long queues, Jiang Ning couldn't help but marvel.

How long would it take to get through this line? Was Rex Lapis really that charismatic?

Fortunately, thanks to Ganyu's special pass, the two of them reached the inner area of the Rite without any obstacles.

Ganyu was relieved to see her junior disciples arrive on time.

"You're here..."

Just as Ganyu was about to say something, she noticed the marks on her little junior brother's neck.

These marks looked familiar... and they were fresh.

The qilin lady's gaze sharpened.

She suddenly turned to look at Shenhe.

Though Shenhe's face remained expressionless, her guilty eyes betrayed her true thoughts.

Ganyu clenched her teeth and fists.

Shenhe, you really did it, taking advantage when I let my guard down last night, didn't you?

Going for round two, were you?

"Senior Sister?"

Seeing Ganyu inexplicably angry, Jiang Ning was confused.

Ganyu took a deep breath: "Little junior brother, tell me, did Shenhe force herself on you again?"

Jiang Ning was stunned, then understanding dawned and his face reddened.

"No... no... Senior Sister, Shenhe really didn't force me, I was willing too."

Having learned from Shenhe last night why Ganyu had been so angry, Jiang Ning quickly explained.

"Really?" Ganyu asked suspiciously.

Jiang Ning took Shenhe's hand of his own accord: "Yes, Senior Sister and I are in love with each other."

Ganyu finally nodded: "I see, that's good then..."

At least there would be no jail time.

Besides, if they were truly in love, what kind of person would she be to interfere?

A malicious senior disciple?

Ganyu's thoughts were simpler now – as long as they didn't produce a little Jiang Ning before he turned sixteen, everything would be fine.

However, as she looked away, she caught Shenhe's faint smile, and worse, she understood its meaning.

"I won."

That's what Shenhe was saying.

Ganyu felt puzzled – who did you win against? Who are you showing off to?

And for some inexplicable reason, Ganyu felt annoyed.

However, the Yuheng had already prepared all the procedures for the Rite of Descension, and the auspicious time had arrived to welcome Rex Lapis.

Only then did Ganyu hold back from continuing her conversation with Shenhe, planning to have a proper discussion after they returned.

Ningguang, standing below the high platform of the Rite, had witnessed everything that happened with Ganyu's group.

She found it quite unexpected.

It seemed Ganyu's feelings weren't so simple after all – from the looks of it, this was a love triangle between three fellow disciples?

Such a dramatic scene was rare even in thousands of years.

Three adeptal disciples – one half-human half-adeptus, one with extraordinary talent, and one visitor from beyond.

Honestly, Ningguang thought she could pay more attention to the affairs between these three, treating it as an entertaining story to distract from her tedious work.

Keqing's secretary reminded her, and she nodded slightly, her delicate face full of solemnity. Her rouge lips parted, and her serious voice rang out:

"The auspicious hour has arrived, let us welcome Rex Lapis!"

As she spoke, a lightning sigil entered the giant ritual cauldron, followed by the spreading sense of a weighty contract. Though it was a lightning element sigil, it allowed everyone present to feel Rex Lapis's heavy Geo element.

The Geo element was reassuring.

Golden light filled the sky, making all the clouds shine like gold, accompanied by an approaching sense of ancient history.

The surrounding Liyue citizens showed fervent expressions, with some even shouting "Lord Rex Lapis!"

Visiting tourists and merchants stared wide-eyed, their shock evident.

They all craned their necks, afraid to miss even a moment – this was the Geo Archon after all, seeing a god was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Jiang Ning frowned, why did this Geo element feel so familiar?

But he had no time to think further. In the clouds, a creature with deer-like horns, camel-like head, rabbit-like eyes, snake-like neck, clam-like belly, fish-like scales, eagle-like claws, tiger-like paws, and ox-like ears circled once in the air before hovering above the high platform.

This really was the dragon as described by our ancestors! Was Rex Lapis Morax a Chinese dragon?

Jiang Ning was excited – of course, the god of Liyue should appear as a dragon.

"Welcome, Rex Lapis."

Everyone present bowed respectfully, with only a few extremely fervent believers kneeling on both knees.

It was said that Morax himself had once stated that kneeling was unnecessary, a bow would suffice.

Morax's dragon head showed no expression, his thoughts unknown.

Keqing continued the procedure: "May I ask, Rex Lapis, do you have any criticism of the past year's affairs?"

"Liyue is peaceful, its people live and work in contentment, and the Qixing have conducted themselves well..."

The dragon's mouth opened, a deep voice neither male nor female resonating.

"Then may I ask, Rex Lapis, do you have new orders for the coming year? What direction should Liyue take?"

Rex Lapis's dragon eyes looked down at Keqing, saying:

"Continue as before, keep moving forward."

Jiang Ning knew that these two questions and answers were basically it.

To think that just showing up for such a short time required such lengthy preparations from those below...

It seemed the old Lord Rex Lapis was quite particular about ceremony.

Jiang Ning thought silently.