Genshin Impact: Starting with Jing Yuan's Character Card

Less than half an hour after Baiwen left, the other members of the Liyue Qixing received Ningguang's notice and began making their way to the Jade Chamber. Suspended high in the sky, the Jade Chamber was an ideal location for holding Qixing meetings, as there was no need to worry about eavesdroppers.

The first to arrive was the cat-eared girl, Keqing. She furrowed her cute brows, seemingly dissatisfied with something, and took a seat at the edge of the room, remaining silent. Soon after, Tian Shu Xing (Tian), Kaiyang Xing, Tianji Xing, and others arrived one after another.

The seven of them gathered together, but no one spoke, creating a heavy atmosphere. Finally, the highly respected Tian broke the silence.

"What are your thoughts on the new divine decree issued by the Emperor?" Tian asked.

Last night, the Emperor had issued a decree to the Liyue Qixing. First, he explained the recent rumors about the revival of an ancient god. He clarified that it was merely the result of a friendly spar between him and an old friend, not the resurrection of a malevolent deity as the rumors suggested. Then, he announced that this old friend would be settling in Liyue. In the decree, the Emperor referred to this friend as the "Divine Sovereign."

The title "Divine Sovereign" was no small matter. Even the Emperor himself was only referred to as the "Geo Archon Rex Lapis." In terms of title alone, the "Divine Sovereign" seemed to hold a higher status than the Emperor, which made the Qixing deeply ponder the implications of this relationship.

In the decree, the Emperor stated that if he were to pass away one day, the Divine Sovereign would become the new Geo Archon, inheriting his divine seat. If that were all, it would be manageable—merely adding a successor to the Geo Archon throne, known only to them. However, the Emperor explicitly stated that this matter would be announced to all of Liyue.

This meant that the news would spread across the entire continent of Teyvat, inevitably attracting spies from other nations to investigate the Divine Sovereign. This would undoubtedly lead to a storm of chaos.

Why the Emperor would do this was beyond the understanding of the Qixing present.

"The Emperor must have his reasons for doing this. We should simply carry out his orders as instructed," Kaiyang Xing was the first to voice his opinion. He believed the Emperor had his own considerations, and they should not speculate recklessly.

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

Tianji Xing and Yaoguang Xing echoed Kaiyang Xing's sentiment, agreeing with his view.

"Hmph!" Keqing let out a dissatisfied snort, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Yuheng Xing, do you have any objections?" Kaiyang Xing frowned. He still had some reservations about this newly appointed Yuheng Xing. After all, could a young girl in her teens truly bear the weight of being one of the Liyue Qixing? He held a skeptical attitude toward her.

"In my opinion, the Emperor's actions are incomprehensible. This is clearly disrupting the existing balance. Once the title of Divine Sovereign is made public, Liyue Harbor will undoubtedly face a massive upheaval. This is fundamentally a mistake. In other words, does Rex Lapis truly understand everything?" Keqing fearlessly expressed her views.

"How dare you! As a member of the Liyue Qixing, you dare disrespect the Emperor?" Kaiyang Xing slammed the table and stood up, angrily rebuking her.

The others also shook their heads. Yuheng Xing was too young and had spoken out of turn in such a public setting.

"Am I wrong?" Keqing retorted defiantly.

"You..." Kaiyang Xing was about to say more but was interrupted by Tian.

"Enough, both of you. Yuheng Xing, such words should not be spoken again. And Kaiyang Xing, you're old enough to know better than to bully a young girl." Tian promptly stopped the argument to prevent it from escalating further. If these two continued to quarrel, the meeting would be derailed.

"Perhaps you should all listen to me," Ningguang, who had remained silent until now as the host and provider of the venue, finally spoke.

"I agree with Kaiyang Xing's view," she said, glancing at Keqing, who was sulking and looking away. "We must carry out the Emperor's decree. That's why I invited you all here today—to discuss how to handle the potential crisis that may arise in Liyue Harbor, or even all of Liyue, after the decree is announced."

"I agree with Tianquan Xing's perspective," Tian was the first to support Ningguang's stance.

"Agreed." "Agreed." "Seconded."...

Seeing that the other Qixing members agreed with Ningguang's view, Keqing said nothing more. The minority had to yield to the majority, so she reluctantly added her agreement.

"Does Sister Ganyu have anything to add?" Tian asked Ganyu, who had remained silent throughout the meeting. As the secretary of the Qixing for thousands of years and a half-adeptus, her opinion carried significant weight in the Qixing's decisions.

"Let's proceed according to everyone's thoughts. I will handle the follow-up matters," Ganyu shook her head, indicating she had nothing further to add.

With Ganyu's response, the Qixing began discussing corresponding measures. Strengthening control over the Fatui, optimizing the mobilization mechanisms of the Millelith, improving...

After a series of measures were proposed, Ganyu and the Qixing members left one after another. Just as Keqing was about to leave, Baiwen called out to her.

"Lady Keqing, please wait. Lady Ningguang wishes to speak with you."

Baiwen led Keqing to the door of Ningguang's private chambers, bowed, and then left. Keqing, being quite familiar with Ningguang in private, didn't stand on ceremony and pushed the door open.

"Ningguang, what else do you want?" Keqing asked, somewhat annoyed. During the Qixing meeting, Ningguang hadn't sided with her at all.

Seeing this, Ningguang chuckled.

"Is our Yuheng Xing throwing a tantrum with me? This doesn't seem like the demeanor befitting a member of the Liyue Qixing."

"Tch." Knowing she couldn't win an argument with Ningguang, Keqing clicked her tongue and didn't continue, lest she be teased further.

"Keqing, your behavior today was a bit too impulsive. This isn't like you," Ningguang sighed, speaking earnestly.

"I know, but I just don't understand why the Emperor would do this. Does he want to throw Liyue into chaos?" Keqing didn't hide her thoughts from Ningguang and spoke frankly.

"Perhaps that is precisely the Emperor's intention," Ningguang gently swayed the pipe in her hand, deep in thought.

"You mean..."

"This is likely a test from the Emperor, a trial for us, the Qixing..."

The next day.

In front of Yujing Terrace, a bustling crowd had gathered, discussing the notice recently posted by the Millelith. Some were confused, some harbored ulterior motives, but most were shocked.

"Who is this 'Divine Sovereign'? Why haven't we heard anything about him before?" a burly man whispered to the person beside him.

"Who knows? This is a decree from the Emperor himself. But to be called 'Divine Sovereign'—doesn't that make him even higher than the Emperor?"

Among the crowd, a cloaked figure blended in, listening intently to the conversations around him. When he heard the title "Divine Sovereign," a thoughtful expression appeared on his face.

After leaving Yujing Terrace, the cloaked figure made his way to the Northland Bank. Removing his cloak, he donned a red-and-yellow mask, revealing himself as a Fatui Debt Collector.

With no Fatui Harbinger currently stationed in Liyue, he had no authority to make decisions on such a major matter. Thus, he came to the Northland Bank to use its communication hub to send the information back to Snezhnaya, where the Harbingers or the Tsaritsa herself could decide.

"Andrei, send this encrypted message back to Snezhnaya as quickly as possible. It must be delivered to the Harbingers."