readytorunbook Chapter 542 is like planting a flag.
Chapter 542 is like planting a flag.
Although many visitors to Qunyu Pavilion take pride in descending the "Heavenly Ladder".
After all, standing on that suspended platform and experiencing the process of descending from the heavens to the Jade Capital Terrace is like stepping from a fairyland into the mortal world.
The feeling that the power center of Liyue is just a small hut at its feet is truly fascinating to many people.
But Xu Ning did not go down from there. Although he had a talisman to control the Heavenly Ladder in his Dust Concealment Gourd, he still found the stone platform too cumbersome.
As usual, Xu Ning walked to the edge of Qunyu Pavilion, leaned back, and fell towards Yujing Terrace like a feather drifting in the wind, carried by the surging mountain wind.
Since obtaining another Heart of Thunder from the workshop where the God of Mechanism was crafted, Xu Ning not only felt his understanding of the power of the lightning element deepening day by day, but he also began to become more sensitive to the wind and rock elements.
It felt like Thor's Heart had opened up the ceiling above his head, allowing him to see more possibilities.
This overturned his previous understanding of the Heart of the Wind God and the Heart of the Rock God. When he obtained these two God Hearts, Xu Ning intuitively felt that their power was quite ordinary.
It even feels like the power they can control is actually comparable to, or perhaps slightly inferior to, the Eye of God.
After all, compared to the power wielded by Ningguang, his control over the rock element was like a child learning to walk.
Even Kong is more skilled at using various elemental powers than I am.
Xu Ning initially thought that because his main elemental power was wine, and the divine hearts he obtained were also dissolved in the wine, their power was diminished.
Or perhaps it's because the two great gods, Anemo and Geo, are still alive, and one's control over the elements cannot surpass their authority, thus preventing one from unleashing their full power.
However, after merging the Heart of Thor into one, his understanding of the Heart of God deepened further.
The fact that I cannot use the power of the Wind Rock's Divine Heart suggests that someone may have tampered with it.
If it wasn't those two big shots who tripped me up, then I'll have to ask that little mole in green robes.
Just as he was about to land, Xu Ning put his mind at ease, slightly opened and closed the wind wings on his back, paused for a moment using the recoil, and then lightly flipped over and landed on the ground.
The nearby guards quickly gathered in his direction.
However, a leader of the Thousand Rock Army wielding a halberd shouted a few times, and everyone quickly dispersed.
“Lord Xu Ning, you can’t keep acting so high and mighty. Not only does it break the rules, but if my men get used to it and turn a blind eye to this behavior, what if some bad guys come along one day? It could lead to a major disaster.”
The leader of the Thousand Rock Army walked up to Xu Ning and immediately began to complain.
Xu Ning chuckled sheepishly, "I'm so sorry, Brother Fengyan, I'll definitely do it next time, next time for sure. Um, where's my brother?"
"He must have gone to chat with Miss Gan Yu."
When Xu Ning arrived at the Moon Sea Pavilion, Paimon was pestering Gan Yu, asking, "So dreams are often the opposite of reality? If I dreamt of eating a big meal last night, does that mean I'll likely go hungry the next day?"
Xu Ning laughed and said, "Dreams can be positive or negative, true or false, but none are absolutely accurate. However, your dream last night must have been positive, since you met me, and a big meal is inevitable."
Kong saw Xu Ning and hurriedly came over, "Brother Xu, I didn't know you knew so much about dreams. I'm sure I've made the right choice asking you for help."
Xu Ning had heard Paimon and Kong mention "dreams" once each since he walked in. Considering that the Great Tree King had already returned the dreams of the Sumeru people to them, and that Nasita had made the decision to close the void, there shouldn't be any harvesting of dreams.
"What? Has something happened again on Sumeru's side?"
Kong smiled wryly, "That's true. After the trouble caused by the stragglers was quelled by our elder brother, the Sumeru people began to adapt to their new life without the void. In the beginning, all sorts of troubles inevitably arose. Many people couldn't find their way, and when making tea, they didn't know whether to put the water in first or the tea leaves in first. Anyway, without anyone to guide them, they began to doubt whether they were doing it right. Of course, the Adventurers' Guild's order forms started to fill up..."
Xu Ning laughed and said, "So you'll definitely take this opportunity to make a fortune!"
Kong nodded and said, "That's natural. Until one day, I received a commission. Someone organized a tea party where everyone would sit together and discuss their dreams. They wanted to hire a dream expert to teach everyone how to dream. Paimon accepted the job because there were free snacks and drinks."
Xu Ning feigned surprise and said, "No wonder I found it strange earlier. When did Paimon become so studious? It turns out he's become an expert. He's really different now."
Paimon flew over defiantly, "I can't speak for anything else, but I'm a master at dreaming. Xu Ning, you probably don't even have as many dreams as I do!"
Xu Ning suddenly felt something was off after Paimeng said that.
It seems that I haven't had any dreams since I transmigrated to the continent of Teyvat.
It's not the kind of dream that you forget as soon as you wake up; rather, it's a dreamless sleep until you naturally wake up.
Compared to Paimon, she might actually have more dreams than I do.
"I don't think I dream much, Paimon, you might really be an expert."
“Alright, Paimon, stop interrupting.” Kong said with a somewhat serious expression, “If it were just a matter of everyone sitting together and chatting, that would be fine, but recently I’ve noticed some very strange phenomena. Many people’s dreams can actually continue…”
Xu Ning thought Kong was making a fuss over nothing. "It's normal. It's like a dream that wasn't finished, and one day when you fall asleep, you start continuing from where you left off..."
"It's not the kind of dream that continues from the previous day, but rather the dream that continues from the previous day, and even the dream that continues during the day, as if you have started a second life in your dreams."
Xu Ning was truly shocked when he heard this. Are the Sumeru people really this strong? They never dream in their entire lives, but the moment they start dreaming, they begin a second life?
No, if many people are like this, then that's not normal. Could it be some guy from the Order of the Instruction causing trouble again?
After all, the thing the doctor used to deal with him that day was something developed by the Order of the Fathers that could put people to sleep instantly.
"Have you told Nasida about this?"
Kong shook his head. "Since you and Little Lucky Grass King suppressed the scattered soldiers, she hasn't come out of Jing Shan Palace. I asked her once, and the guard said that she seemed to be interrogating the scattered soldiers or something, so she probably doesn't have time for the time being. That's why I thought of you."
"What is Elhesen doing?"
Xu Ning suddenly remembered this guy; he seemed to have become the acting Great Sage, and these matters should be his responsibility.
"The Council of the Sages is in dire need of rebuilding, and all matters are in his hands. Although I see him handling those matters with great ease, it is said that he has resigned several times, but none of the other sages are willing to let him go."
Kong paused, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "I know you're preparing for your wedding, brother. Asking you to go to Sumeru now would probably take up a lot of your time..."
Xu Ning quickly stopped Kong's words, "Where did you hear that I'm getting married?"
Kong exclaimed in surprise, "The whole city is talking about it! They've even set up betting odds on whether you'll marry more than three wives at once? Whether over 90% of them will be white-haired? Whether there will be little girls among them? The odds are 1 to 3, 1 to 10, and 1 to 100. Paimon originally wanted to bet on it, but I still feel it's inappropriate..."
Xu Ning patted Kong on the shoulder and said approvingly, "Only you can see the problem inside. It seems I didn't recognize you as my brother for nothing!"
Kong smiled shyly, "I just thought it would be safer to ask for your real thoughts before making the purchase."
Xu Ning's hand, which was patting Kong's shoulder, froze. This brother could be sold off.
"I've been framed, you know? The truth is, I discovered a guy who was two-timing girls..."
Xu Ning quickly offered an explanation.
Kong asked cautiously, "Brother Xu, aren't you also... why did you do this?"
Xu Ning said, somewhat embarrassed and annoyed, "I admit I was wrong, okay? But don't you think that kind of guy deserves to be taught a lesson?"
Sora looked somewhat conflicted. "Whether we owe... or not... shouldn't be up to us to decide... right?"
Seeing him stammering, Xu Ning suddenly realized that this guy was also riding on two little boats, Linghua and Xinhai!
"None of them are good people. Forget it, let's talk about the dream. You guys come with me to meet Ningguang, have a meal, and then we'll discuss the details of helping out."
After listening to Kong explain the situation, Ningguang agreed that Xu Ning should go and help.
Although Xu Ning felt that she wanted him to make the relationship between Liyue and Sumeru as close as possible, after all, Ningguang would easily measure relationships in this world from a business perspective.
However, it cannot be denied that under Ningguang's management, Liyue has not only maintained long-term communication and cooperation with the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius in Mondstadt, but has also gradually closed the distance with Inazuma through Beidou's fleet. Now, by supporting Sumeru, Liyue has also brought Sumeru onto Liyue's big ship.
When the ties between the seven kingdoms are all in Ningguang's hands, she might just be able to rise to the top and become the de facto leader of the seven kingdoms.
"Alright, although I'm a little reluctant to leave you all after just getting back, I'll be back as soon as possible. Then we can sit down and have a proper talk about that matter!"
Xu Ning drank a glass of wine and made a promise to Ningguang and Beidou.
Everyone here naturally knows that what Xu Ning was referring to was the wedding that has been making headlines these past few days.
Seeing his direct statement, Ningguang and Beidou couldn't help but feel happy, and the two silently drank a cup together.
Paimon, however, somewhat oblivious to the romantic gesture, chimed in with a comment.
"Xu Ning, saying things like that before you even leave the house looks like you're planting a flag!"