Chapter 135

Takumi stared at Paimon, who reacted and blinked at him with a wicked smile.

As a follower of Celestia, this little thing dared to call Celestia a bad guy. If she committed such a crime, why shouldn't she be punished? After she has accompanied him through the Seven Nations, he will deal with her accordingly.

It must be at least three times more severe than Istaroth's punishment.

Paimon covered her mouth in fear, struggled to swallow the food in her mouth, and hid behind Lumine, screaming, "Waaah! Lumine, this bad guy wants to eat me! Waaaah!"

She looked around and was even more horrified to find that the elf like her, Istaroth, had really disappeared.

Was she really eaten?

Lumine rolled her eyes. Only Paimon would be frightened like this by such a cheap joke. This guy was even more mischievous than her, and his stomach was full of bad ideas.

But even though this guy was arrogant, he didn't seem to be a bad person, and he didn't really have any ill intentions towards her. Otherwise, she would have taken out her bladeless sword and dealt with him.

However, seeing Paimon's frightened expression from being teased, Lumine couldn't help but find it amusing. She touched Paimon's head with a look of disdain.

"Don't you know that Paimon is my good friend, good partner, and easy to guide? She's my most important person."

Paimon instantly felt safe. Tears of emotion welled up as she grabbed Lumine's shoulders. "Lumine! I didn't expect that I'm so important to you."

Seeing the disdain in Lumine's eyes, Takumi instantly pretended to be surprised. "You actually care about her?"

Lumine held her head high and hugged Paimon with both hands. "Takumi, you misunderstand. Paimon is my dearest friend, my sister, my partner."

Paimon instantly felt that the world was filled with warmth. Before she could fully appreciate it, Lumine's next words made her freeze.

"If the price is right."

Takumi smiled, and a large bag of Mora appeared in front of them—one million Mora.

Lumine handed Paimon to Takumi in an instant. "Deal."

Lumine took the Mora, and Takumi took Paimon.

Zhongli observed the strange understanding between Lord Celestia and the Fourth Descender, silently picking up his food. He sighed in his heart—indeed, they were existences with similar personalities, akin to a contract.

Cloud Retainer held her bowl carefully. Though she was usually talkative, she dared not interrupt.

Only Paimon was petrified.

Takumi looked at the petrified Paimon and opened his mouth as if to bite her. "I won't be polite."

Paimon looked at the mouth getting closer and screamed in fright. "Whoaaaah... Help, don't eat me!"

Takumi pretended to bite Paimon, and she fainted from fright.

Takumi handed Paimon back. "Oh, she fainted from fright. Here, I'll give her back to you."

Lumine took Paimon, who was sleeping soundly, and suddenly felt a bit guilty. Had she gone too far? Maybe she should leave a few extra bowls of 'Buddha's Jumping Over the Wall' for Paimon.

Anyway, with delicious food in front of her, she calmed down immediately.

"Consider the Mora compensation for scaring Paimon. You can't feed her, but I know this little elf can eat."

Lumine unceremoniously took the Mora into her personal storage space. "Then I won't be polite." After all, with Mora in hand, she'd be foolish to refuse. Besides, feeding Paimon—who seemed small but could eat so much—was always a challenge.

A thread of fate flashed across Takumi's golden eyes, with an inexplicable smile on his lips.

The 'Loom of Fate' had begun to turn.

Although Lumine and Aether were both twins from the outside world, Aether's destiny had been entwined with Teyvat for five hundred years. By obtaining the 'Void World Power,' he was already registered in Teyvat, completely included in the fate Takumi controlled.

But Lumine was different. She had no 'household registration' in Teyvat yet. If she wanted to become a part of Teyvat, her fate had to be entangled with it.

This way, Takumi could control Lumine's fate. The trials of the Liyue Adepti seemed random, but they were actually part of the entanglement of fate.

However, even without controlling Lumine's fate, she couldn't leave the Teyvat continent.

After all, Aether was already the Lord of the Abyss.

It was impossible for Lumine to leave alone.

Moreover, Teyvat had been sealed.

Without Takumi's permission, even a being as strong as Aether, who surpassed the Seven Archons during his prime, wouldn't be able to leave.

But Takumi still wanted to control Lumine's fate. He wouldn't allow Teyvat to harbor power that wasn't under his control.

After eating the 'Buddha's Jumping Over the Wall,' Lumine patted her belly with satisfaction. "As expected of something I spent two days making—it tastes amazing."

Takumi agreed. "Indeed, I almost want to take you back as my cook."

Lumine rolled her eyes. "You wish." She knew this guy liked her; she felt proud. Hmph, even if this Descender was stronger, she still had her pride.

If it weren't for the larger issues at hand, with this guy who matched her personality, was handsome, and stronger than her, she might have actually wanted to fall in love.

But first, she needed to clear the Seven Nations and find that brother of hers.

Takumi clicked his tongue. "You're so proud. Pride is a thing of the past. What I care about is sincerity."

She knew he wanted her, and he knew she wanted him.

He said calmly, "Tsk~ That's just what you think." Then she asked, "By the way, you've already cleared the Seven Nations. Can you tell me what the other five nations are like?"

Takumi pointed to his cheek, implying that she should kiss him, and he would tell her.

Lumine tutted. "Forget it, if you're not going to tell me, I'll find out myself. Next, I'm heading to Inazuma."

Takumi smiled playfully. "Then I wish you good luck~"

Inazuma was now at peace, but that didn't mean Lumine wouldn't face a thrilling and reckless sword strike.

Afterward, Lumine left Jueyun Karst with Paimon, who had fainted, and prepared to take a merchant ship from Liyue Harbor to Inazuma.

Because the 'Sakoku Decree' had been lifted and Inazuma was actively promoting commerce, there were many merchant ships traveling between Liyue and Inazuma.

Takumi stood on top of Mount Tianheng, watching Lumine leave Liyue Harbor. He stroked his chin.

"Once I deal with Barnabas, I'll open the gate to the world at Mount Tianheng."

"Zhongli, be prepared. The third world won't be easy for Liyue. It is a world where gods still exist.

"If the gods have not disappeared, it will be no less than the Archon War. If they withdraw, it will be no less than Liyue's Adepti-Demon War."

Zhongli nodded, speaking calmly. "I am now in my prime. If it's just a matter of the highest combat power, I believe... I alone will suffice.

"Of course, to ensure the plan proceeds smoothly, I'll invite Barbatos to assist."

Takumi nodded and looked in the direction of Snezhnaya.

"Barnabas, although you haven't rebelled against me, I still want to show you the power of Celestial Punishment."