Beidou turned her gaze toward Qiu Bai.
"So, Mr. Qiu Bai even if you lose, I'll still take you to Inazuma." Beidou said with a smile.
"Phew, that's good."
"Hey you! If you face the Traveler, you better let her win!"
Paimon crossed her arms over her chest, loudly reminding Qiu Bai.
"Little Paimon, we can't predict who will win or lose."
"How do you know Lumine will lose?"
Qiu Bai said with a light laugh.
"That's right!"
"No matter who you face, you should always bravely accept the challenge!"
Beidou nodded in agreement.
"You..."
"Easy for you to say..."
Paimon looked at Qiu Bai with exasperation.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely lose."
"If I still get a ticket after losing, isn't that perfect?"
Qiu Bai whispered to Lumine beside him.
Lumine pouting face suggested she might actually be a bit upset.
"Thank you, Qiu Bai."
Lumine smiled at him.
Her face radiated a girlish joy, even though she was no longer a young girl.
"Well then, let's go register!"
"Kazuha and I will join you there later."
Beidou nodded with a smile.
"Let's go then, onward!"
"To Guyun Stone Forest!"
Paimon excitedly stomped her little feet.
"Yes, let's go."
Qiu Bai stretched lazily and disembarked from the Alcor, heading toward Guyun Stone Forest.
Just as he was about to walk, he saw the sea stretching before him.
"Oh great, how do we get there?"
Qiu Bai mouth twitched as he looked at the vast ocean.
"Qiu Bai, over here!"
"I have a boat."
Lumine stood on the beach, waving to Qiu Bai in the distance.
"Isn't this boat a bit small..."
Qiu Bai approached and muttered oddly as he looked at Lumine's boat.
"Be grateful we have something to ride in."
"Let's get on."
Paimon said with a smile.
Then Lumine and Paimon boarded the boat.
Seeing this, Qiu Bai mouth twitched, but he squeezed in as well. Lumine fair skin, her fragrance, and the soft Paimon—they were all pressed tightly together.
"This isn't so bad."
"It's a bit cramped, but I can endure this kind of suffering."
Qiu Bai, wedged between Paimon and Lumine, said with a look of contentment.
"What did you say, Qiu Bai?"
Lumine looked at him with confusion, not understanding what he meant.
"Nothing, nothing."
"Lumine's boat is quite exquisite."
Qiu Bai waved his hand, explaining awkwardly.
"I see."
Lumine nodded with a smile, then steered the boat toward Guyun Stone Forest.
"Listen up, you promised to lose to the Traveler."
"Don't go back on your word."
Paimon, pressed against Qiu Bai's shoulder due to the limited space, reminded him.
"Don't worry."
"Just watch my performance later."
Qiu Bai gave Paimon a thumbs up.
Outside the boat, they could hear occasional splashes of water and the sound of waves hitting the surface. Warm sunlight streamed through the boat's windows, shining on everyone.
Qiu Bai looked out the window at the sea through the window. As Guyun Stone Forest drew closer, he rested his head on his hands in contentment.
"Lumine, when you meet the Fatui in the future,"
"Tell them you're an employee of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor." Qiu Bai said with his eyes closed.
"Why is that?" Lumine asked curiously.
"No reason, just trust me."
"It'll save you a lot of trouble." Qiu Bai smiled mysteriously.
By his calculations, the maiden should be arriving in Snezhnaya soon.
According to her, she would inform all the Fatui not to mess with employees of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
As he was thinking, Qiu Bai took out the little spirit from his clothes. The little spirit looked curiously at Qiu Bai, affectionately nudging his palm. Qiu Bai smiled and patted the little spirit's head.
"Chirp, chirp~"
The adorable little spirit, after being patted, circled around Qiu Bai palm. Its round, dumpling-like form made it look so tiny.
"Now I believe you were separated from the maiden."
"You're so cute, just like your original form."
Qiu Bai smiled and poked its head.
At that moment. The maiden sitting on a ship looking at the scenery suddenly blushed.
"What's wrong, Miss?"
Thunder Hammer asked with confusion.
"Nothing, nothing."
"Just remembered something."
The maiden quickly waved her hand, explaining to Thunder Hammer.
"Qiu Bai, what is this thing?"
"It's so cute!"
Paimon asked with wide eyes, staring at the little spirit in Qiu Bai's hand.
"Yes, this little creature is adorable."
"It's like a seelie, but much smaller, and seems to have intelligence."
Lumine also leaned over and couldn't resist stroking the little spirit's forehead. The little spirit clung to Lumine's face like a kitten.
"This was given to me by a friend."
"You'll probably meet her someday in the future."
Qiu Bai explained with a smile, watching Lumine and Paimon play with the little spirit.
"A gift from a friend?"
"That's nice! Paimon wants a friend like that too!"
Paimon happily stomped her feet in the cramped space.
"Paimon."
"You just want a little spirit like this one."
Lumine mercilessly exposed Paimon's true intentions.
"Hmph, so what if I do?"
"Someone who gives such a cute gift must be a cute girl herself, right?"
Paimon looked at Qiu Bai curiously.
"Oh? I didn't expect Paimon to guess correctly."
"That's right, this was given to me by a cute girl."
Qiu Bai patted little Paimon's head, chuckling softly.
"In your future travels, You'll meet her."
Qiu Bai nodded with a smile at Lumine and Paimon. Then he placed the little spirit back inside his clothes.
"We're almost there."
"That's Guyun Stone Forest, right?"
Paimon pointed out the window.
"Hm? We're already arriving?"
"Didn't expect Lumine's little boat to be so fast."
Qiu Bai praised Lumine's vessel as they approached Guyun Stone Forest.
"Hehe, of course!"
"How could we travel without good tools?"
Paimon said with a smile.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)