Genshin Impact: I, Heavenly Principle, Will Make Teyvat Supreme

As Lumine's spokesperson, Paimon widened her eyes and pointed at Zhongli and Noah, exclaiming, "Whoa! Zhongli! And that troublemaker, what are you two doing here?"

Lumine gave Zhongli and Noah a puzzled look. "Yeah, what are you two doing here?"

Paimon suddenly pointed at Cloud Retainer. "And who's that woman standing behind you?"

Cloud Retainer furrowed her brows and scolded, "Hmph, how disrespectful to point fingers at gods. You, little creature, are far too impudent. The Geo Archon you seek is right before you, yet you remain oblivious."

Her words stunned Lumine and Paimon, leaving them dumbfounded.

Paimon, recovering first, widened her eyes even further. "What?! Are you telling me that the two of you are the Geo Archon? Does that mean there are two Geo Archons?"

Cloud Retainer, utterly speechless, snorted coldly but decided not to argue with the diminutive creature. "This gentleman, Zhongli, is the Geo Archon, Morax. The other, Lord Noah, is a god from Celestia."

Lumine stared at the two in shock, her eyes wide. "What?!"

As someone naturally cunning, she immediately pieced the situation together. She turned her gaze to them, fuming. "Ah, so that's how it is! You two were working together to play tricks on me!"

Noah, smiling serenely, said, "Lumine, before you continue, how about you put the pot down? If your hand slips, two days and nights of effort will go to waste."

Lumine placed the pot of Bountiful Year onto the stone table and stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at Noah. "This is definitely your idea, isn't it? Zhongli couldn't possibly pull this off on his own."

"Last time you tricked me, I let it go. But do you have any idea what I've been through these past two months? Do you?"

She looked ready to draw her sword. Over the past two months, she had been mining, fighting monsters, scavenging for ingredients, and cooking meals. The trials were nothing short of a grueling journey.

Noah sighed and spread his hands. "Why are you so sure it was me? Couldn't it have been Zhongli?"

Lumine raised her chin proudly. "Instinct!"

Noah shrugged. "Your instinct isn't always right. Isn't that so, Zhongli?"

Zhongli coughed lightly, having already prepared his response. "Traveler, this trial was indeed my design and had nothing to do with Lord Noah."

Lumine was shocked. "No way! Zhongli, really? You're like this?" But no, her instincts were usually spot on. It had to be Noah playing tricks.

Paimon scratched her head in confusion. "Why, though? Making us mine, fish, gather eggs, collect ingredients, and deal with trivial tasks for the people of Liyue—what's the point of all that?" She threw up her hands in exasperation.

Lumine nodded. "Exactly." Over the past two months, she hadn't done anything that seemed remotely significant. The so-called trials just involved helping ordinary citizens of Liyue with minor tasks.

Zhongli maintained a calm expression and asked, "Traveler, do you think you've learned anything from these seemingly insignificant tasks?"

Lumine looked at Zhongli, who was speaking in riddles, utterly confused. Had she learned anything?

Zhongli continued, "Perhaps in your eyes, it was just a series of trivial tasks. But through them, you've engraved into your memory Liyue's people and landscapes, its mountains and waters, its flowers and grasses, its splendor, and its shortcomings—everything about Liyue."

"Is this not a unique chapter in your journey?"

"For me, it allows me to discern the essence of things through your experiences."

"This is the contract you've established with Liyue."

"A witness comes forth because of witnessing, and a recorder exists because of remembrance."

"I hope your journey through Liyue has brought you fulfillment."

Noah, watching from the side, enjoyed the show immensely. Zhongli, he thought, you're quite the skilled orator. This wasn't just persuasion; it was bordering on truth itself.

So, was perfect persuasion indistinguishable from reality?

Paimon scratched her head, completely lost. "I don't get it… Zhongli, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Lumine, however, seemed to grasp something. "So you're saying that my two months of hard labor have forged a contract with Liyue?"

Zhongli nodded. "Indeed. As you establish a new contract, the old one is fulfilled."

Lumine's eyes brightened. "So I've completed our previous contract, and now I've officially received your approval, right?"

Zhongli nodded again. "Correct. The contract is sealed, and the promised reward shall be granted to you."

Paimon, her head spinning, grumbled, "You gods and immortals always have to speak in circles. Can't you just say things directly?"

Cloud Retainer snorted coldly. "Hmph. Mortals cannot comprehend the intricacies of cause and effect. To face it head-on would invite disaster."

Lumine scratched her head, still feeling something was off. But what was it? She couldn't quite put her finger on it. Was her intuition really wrong this time?

Noah noticed her puzzled expression and couldn't help but laugh to himself. Clearing his throat, he said, "Why are you standing around, Lumine? You've cooked such a large pot of Bountiful Year; there's no way Zhongli can finish it alone."

With a wave of his hand, five sets of bowls and chopsticks appeared out of thin air.

"Come, everyone, let's all have a taste of Lumine's cooking."

At the mention of food, Paimon darted out from behind Lumine, her eyes glued to the pot as Noah removed the lid. She inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma.

"Wow! It smells amazing! Just the scent alone makes me feel like I'm ascending to heavens!"

Seeing the pot opened, Lumine stopped dwelling on her confusion and eagerly ladled some of the stew into her bowl. After all, she had spent two full days and nights making it. She had to eat her fill to make it worthwhile.

Cloud Retainer, on the other hand, was a bit hesitant. Sharing a meal with both Morax and a Celestia god—was it truly her place as an immortal to sit at this table?

Zhongli noticed her unease and reassured her, "Cloud Retainer, there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Only then did Cloud Retainer carefully pick up a bowl. "As you wish, my lord."

Paimon, already digging into a large bowl served by Noah, mumbled through a mouthful of food, "Wow, this is so good! I didn't think you, you troublemaker, could actually be this nice!"

Noah smiled. "I'll treat you even better in the future. After all, the fatter you are, the better you'll taste."

Paimon, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk's, mumbled incoherently. When she finally registered Noah's words, she looked up, blinking in confusion.

Noah's lips curled into a sly smile. "Just like Istaroth. When I'm hungry, I roast her and eat her. Ah, the flavor is simply divine."

"This time, though, I'm thinking of trying sashimi. The raw taste must be even better."

With that, he licked his lips audibly.

As his gaze lingered on Paimon, his grin widened at her startled reaction. This tiny creature, the Heavenly Principle familiar, dared to call him a "bad guy"? Such insubordination couldn't go unpunished. He resolved to properly "discipline" her once she and Lumine completed their journey through the Seven Nations—at least three times harsher than his reprimands for Istaroth.

Paimon clutched her mouth in shock, barely swallowing her food as she squealed and darted behind Lumine. "Ahhh! Lumine, Lumine! This bad guy wants to eat me! Waaaah!"

She glanced around frantically and grew even more horrified. The realization dawned: Istaroth, another creature like her, was nowhere to be found. Had she… actually been eaten?

Lumine rolled her eyes, unimpressed by the theatrics. Only Paimon could be scared by such a low-effort joke. This guy, she thought, was even more of a rascal than she was—pure mischief in human form. Still, despite his antics, he didn't seem malicious. Otherwise, she'd have already drawn her sword and challenged him.

But seeing Paimon's terrified expression ignited a mischievous glint in Lumine's eyes. Smirking, she patted Paimon on the head.

"Didn't you know, Paimon? You're my closest friend, my dearest partner, and my most trusted guide. You're the most important person to me."

Paimon's eyes sparkled with tears, overcome with emotion. She clung to Lumine's shoulders. "Lumine! I didn't know you thought so highly of me!"

Noah noticed the sly glimmer in Lumine's eyes and immediately caught on. Pretending to be surprised, he teased, "Oh? You actually care about things like that?"

Lumine, feigning pride, hugged Paimon tightly. "Of course, Noah. Paimon is like my dearest family, my precious sister."

Paimon felt an overwhelming warmth, as if the whole world loved her. But before she could fully savor the sentiment, Lumine's next words froze her in place:

"For the right price."

Noah laughed, producing a hefty bag of Mora, which landed on the table with a satisfying thud. "One million Mora."

Lumine instantly extended Paimon toward him. "Deal."

She accepted the Mora, while Noah claimed Paimon.

Zhongli quietly observed this strange dynamic, thoughtfully helping himself to another bite of food. Their interaction had a certain rhythm—almost like a contract in itself.

Cloud Retainer, though usually chatty, remained silent and cautious, her movements measured as she sipped her soup. She dared not interrupt.

Meanwhile, Paimon stood petrified in Noah's grasp, staring wide-eyed as he opened his mouth, seemingly preparing to take a bite.

"Don't mind if I do," he said playfully.

"Waaaaah! Don't eat me! Someone save me!" Paimon screamed, wriggling frantically.

With exaggerated drama, Noah leaned in and bit Paimon—gently, on the cheek. The little creature let out a sharp yelp before fainting.

He handed the unconscious Paimon back to Lumine with a feigned look of regret. "Whoops, I guess she's not very resilient to scares. My bad. Here, you can have her back."

Lumine took the sleeping Paimon and sighed. A pang of guilt crept in—maybe they had gone too far. She resolved to save a few extra bowls of Bountiful Year for her little companion. After all, good food always cheered her up.

Noah smirked, tossing the Mora bag onto the table. "Consider the Mora my apology for startling her. Anyway, I doubt you can keep her fed with how much she eats. Trust me, that little glutton can devour more than you'd expect."

Lumine unceremoniously stored the Mora into her personal inventory. "Then I'll gladly accept it." Only a fool would refuse such an offer, especially since she was struggling to keep up with Paimon's insatiable appetite. Despite her size, Paimon could eat enough for several people.

In Noah's golden eyes, a fleeting thread of fate shimmered and vanished, his lips curling into a cryptic smile. The loom of destiny had begun to weave.

Though Lumine and Aether were twins from another world, Aether had become intertwined with Teyvat's fate five centuries ago. Upon obtaining the power of the Abyss, his existence was fully integrated into Teyvat's destiny, under Noah's control. Lumine, however, remained unbound—a foreign presence without a Teyvat "citizenship."

For Lumine to be drawn into Teyvat's fate, she needed to forge deeper connections with the world. The seemingly arbitrary trials in Liyue were, in truth, carefully woven strands of this plan. Yet, even without her fate being bound, Lumine had no means of leaving Teyvat.

With Aether now the Abyssal Lord, she would not abandon him, nor could she escape the sealed borders of Teyvat without Noah's permission. Her strength, while slightly above the Seven Archons in her prime, was still insufficient to breach the sealed world.

However, Noah insisted on controlling her fate. He could not tolerate any force within Teyvat existing beyond his control.

After finishing the Bountiful Year, Lumine leaned back, patting her stomach contentedly. "No wonder it took me two days to make—this is amazing."

Noah chuckled. "I almost feel like kidnapping you to be my personal chef."

Lumine rolled her eyes. "Keep dreaming." She knew full well this rascal was trying to get her attention. Secretly, she felt a hint of pride. Hmph, even a fellow Descender, one who was stronger than her, couldn't help but be smitten by her.

If it weren't for her current quest to travel the Seven Nations and reunite with her infuriating brother, she might have considered the prospect of romance with someone whose personality matched hers so well. Handsome, powerful, and annoyingly clever—perhaps under different circumstances…

Noah smirked, tapping his fingers on the table. "Playing hard to get, huh? That's fine. I prefer sincerity over pretenses."

Their silent exchange was charged with unspoken understanding. She knew he was interested, and he knew she was aware.

Lumine smirked, leaning forward with mock arrogance. "That's just your assumption."

Feigning indifference, she asked, "By the way, since you've already been through all seven nations, can you tell me what to expect in the other five?"

Noah grinned mischievously, pointing to his cheek. "Sure, but you've got to give me a kiss first."

Lumine scoffed, clicking her tongue. "Forget it. I'll figure it out myself. Next stop: Inazuma."

"Good luck, then," Noah replied with a playful smile. "Peaceful as Inazuma may be now, I could always arrange for you to experience something more thrilling, perhaps a close encounter with Musou no Hitotachi."

As Lumine departed, carrying the unconscious Paimon, she headed to Liyue Harbor to board a merchant ship bound for Inazuma. With the abolition of the Sakoku Decree and a flourishing trade relationship, ships regularly sailed between Liyue and Inazuma.

Noah stood on Mt. Tianheng, watching Lumine's ship disappear into the horizon. Stroking his chin, he murmured to himself, "Once I've dealt with Tsaritsa, I'll open the World Gate here at Mount Tianheng."

Turning to Zhongli, he continued, "You'd best be prepared. The third world will not be an easy undertaking for Liyue. It's a world with divine remnants from an ancient age. If its gods still linger, it will rival the Archon War. If they've retreated, it will still mirror the devastation of Liyue's battle between immortals and demons."

Zhongli nodded solemnly. "I am now in my prime. If it comes to a contest of strength, I alone will suffice. Of course, for the sake of ensuring success, I will also invite Barbatos to join the effort."

Noah nodded approvingly, his gaze shifting toward Snezhnaya. A cold smile curled his lips. "Tsaritsa… While your rebellion may not have been directed at me, it's time for you to witness the awe-inspiring power of Celestia's Divine Nail."

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