Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

Jiang Bai couldn't understand it.

And why does he want to overthrow the Rock God's rule so much? Does he have a grudge against the Rock God?

"Uh……"

Jiang Bai stammered for a long time without being able to explain himself. To avoid being recruited by Zhong Li, he could only resort to the best of the thirty-six stratagems—

run!

"Mr. Zhongli, I'll be going now. I'll come see you again next time..."

After saying that, he made a quick getaway.

Seeing Jiang Bai flee as if he were running away, Zhong Li laughed out loud.

"interesting."

Although I don't know what Jiang Bai is thinking, it's definitely something interesting.

He wanted to see what this guy was imagining.

He turned his head to look in the direction of Yujingtai, as if he could see through the layers of buildings the people who were busy preparing for the ceremony to invite the immortals.

"I have indeed spoiled Liyue a bit too much. It's been 3,700 years, but I still don't trust her..."

His voice was so low that even the birds in the yard couldn't hear it.

……

Before we knew it, it was time for the ritual to invite the immortals.

The day of the Ascension Ceremony was no different for the people of Liyue. They still got up early to go to work, some went to buy groceries, some went to do business, and some went to play.

Apart from a few people with a keen political sense, most people don't really care what direction the Rock King Emperor has pointed out this year.

For them, no matter what business decisions the Rock King Emperor made, the sun would always rise in the east, and they would always have to eat.

Even the streets of Liyue were no different from usual on this day.

There were no lanterns or decorations, nor any drumming, gonging, or lion dances to celebrate.

Jiang Bai got up early, and he and Hu Tao each took a steamed bun and ate as they walked towards Yujingtai.

Walnut took a bite of the bun, her cheeks bulging, and mumbled indistinctly:

“I told you you couldn’t get him to come, but you didn’t believe me. He took the birdcage out first thing this morning and I didn’t even see him.”

Jiang Bai chuckled.

Ever since he fled in panic the day before yesterday, he has been haunted by Zhongli's courtyard.

I was afraid he would suddenly ask if I wanted to join his great cause.

"Mr. Zhongli is very busy..."

"Yes, he's busy listening to operas and walking his birds every day, just like an old man."

Jiang Bai felt that Zhong Li might seem to spend all his time walking his birds and listening to operas, but he might be making arrangements in secret.

That stage might be where his people secretly meet!

He's probably off somewhere today planning to cause trouble.

Once they reach Yujingtai, they should be extra careful to prevent any unrest from getting them involved.

Jiang Bai didn't want to talk about Zhongli, so he changed the subject, "Master, is today really the day of the Immortal Invitation Ceremony? It doesn't seem like it."

It should have been a very special day, but why are the streets just like any other day?

"Didn't I tell you last time? The people of Liyue don't pay much attention to the Summoning Ceremony, and they rarely go to watch it. It's not a holiday, so everyone just goes about their business."

If the annual ritual of inviting the immortals were like the Lantern Festival, with a few days off, people would probably be celebrating.

"Oh……"

As we approached the vicinity of Yujingtai, the crowd finally increased, and the atmosphere of a ceremony began to emerge.

Long, fluttering banners stretched from the stairs of Yujingtai all the way to the mountaintop. Armored soldiers of the Thousand Rocks Army stood attentively by the roadside, spears in hand, while passersby looked on with excitement, wondering what the Emperor would bestow upon them during this year's Summoning the Immortals Ceremony.

Upon ascending the Jade Capital Terrace, I found it to be far more grand and imposing than the last time I visited.

Long banners of various heights and colors are scattered throughout the Jade Capital Terrace. An ancient cauldron is placed in the center of the Jade Capital Terrace, and a red carpet begins to spread outward from below the cauldron, extending outward from eight directions.

Various offerings were placed on the table in front of the large cauldron, and a circle of brightly blooming glass lilies surrounded the central altar.

A set of ancient chime bells hangs below the altar, and musicians dressed in elaborate costumes stand solemnly in front of the bells, ready to play music at any time.

Ke Qing, the person in charge of this ritual, stood solemnly before the altar, dressed in a dignified robe, awaiting the start of the ritual.

Jiang Bai and Hu Tao arrived relatively early, before the invocation ceremony had even begun, so they secured a good spot at the front and were able to see the details up close.

Besides Jiang Bai and Hu Tao, there were many other people who came to participate in the Summoning Ceremony. Most of these people were dressed in luxurious clothes and had extraordinary demeanor, and it was clear at a glance that they were upper-class figures in Liyue.

"I didn't expect Ningguang from Tianquan Star to be here too." Hu Tao was somewhat surprised to see the woman in the golden cheongsam not far away.

Besides the main organizer, the other seven stars do not actually need to be present at the Invitation Ceremony.

After all, among the Seven Stars of this generation, only Ke Qing of Yuheng Star and Ning Guang of Tianquan Star like to show their faces in public. As for who the other Seven Stars are, few outsiders know.

"The condensation of light on Tianquan Star? Where is it?" Jiang Bai curiously peeked around.

The renowned Liyue Seven Stars, a powerful figure in Liyue, have only met Keqing so far.

"That woman in the gold cheongsam, holding a pipe. Standing next to her is Captain Hokuto of the Death Star," Hu Tao pointed simply.

Jiang Bai also saw the person she was pointing to.

She was a young and beautiful woman; upon seeing her, only one word came to Jiang Bai's mind.

Elegant and luxurious.

He looks like a top-tier figure who is difficult for ordinary people to get close to.

But the woman standing next to her had an equally impressive presence.

If Ningguang is elegant and noble, then Captain Beidou is heroic, bold, and confident.

It was an absolute confidence in one's strength, a calm and dignified demeanor in every gesture.

Noticing Jiang Bai's gaze, they looked over.

Chapter 166 Jade Balance Star Ke Qing Respectfully Invites the Emperor

Hu Tao waved to them as a greeting.

Jiang Bai smiled, showing his teeth. After all, he didn't know him, so nodding was his way of saying hello.

They had only exchanged glances and greeted each other, but to his surprise, Ningguang and Beidou exchanged a few words and then walked straight toward them!

"Long time no see, Master Hu. And who is this?"

Ningguang greeted Hu Tao with a smile, then looked at Jiang Bai.

Hu Tao, ever the helpful one, introduced him to Ning Guang: "This is Jiang Bai, the soul-ferryman of our Rebirth Hall."

After introducing him, he introduced him to Jiang Bai again in front of the two of them.

"This is Lord Ningguang of Tianquan Star, and this is Captain Beidou of the Death Star."

"I've heard so much about you both!" Jiang Bai said with a shy smile.

Jiang Bai originally thought Ning Guang was just being polite, so he also just gave her a polite greeting.

But Ningguang's reaction was completely unexpected.

Her eyes were smiling, and despite being the most esteemed person in Liyue, she was very approachable and down-to-earth, making her seem easy to get along with.

She said in a slightly joking tone, "I've heard so much about you. I've heard so much about you before, but this is the first time we've met."

"Lord Ningguang has actually heard of someone as insignificant as me?" Jiang Bai was very surprised.

He hasn't been in Liyue for very long, and apart from wandering around Liyue with Hu Tao, he doesn't remember doing anything significant that would attract the attention of the Seven Stars.

Could it be because of the rumors that circulated before?

It's about him coming back to life with three heads and six arms, a blue face and fangs, and all that...

Xiangling got to know him because of this rumor.

However, this rumor originated shortly after he arrived. These kinds of street gossip spread quickly and disappeared just as fast.

Nobody mentions it anymore.

If Qi Xing noticed him because of this rumor, then he might have already figured out his identity completely.

Jiang Bai wasn't worried. He didn't even know his own identity, so naturally he didn't feel guilty or afraid.

"The Seven Stars naturally know that there is a person who has been brought back to life in the Hall of Rebirth."

Ningguang spoke about it openly and frankly, without any intention of hiding anything.

This is normal. After all, the Seven Stars are in charge of overseeing Liyue. It would be questionable if they knew nothing.

Moreover, this was just a chance encounter, a chance meeting, and there was no other purpose involved.

Jiang Bai is ultimately just a nobody. Although he possesses the Eye of God, he hasn't shown much value. His origins are a bit strange, but he's not worth Ningguang's effort to win over. Maintaining a friendly relationship is enough.

As for Beidou, she was simply following Ningguang to say hello.

“I’ve heard a bit about you even back on the Death Star! In some ways, you’re quite famous!” Beidou chuckled and patted Jiang Bai on the shoulder.

Before Ningguang brought this up, she really didn't know that this fair-skinned man was the protagonist of the rumors from a while ago.

It can only be said that rumors are indeed rumors; they are spread in a chaotic and disorderly manner, and are far removed from the facts.

“Really! I heard about Captain Beidou’s name when I was strolling around the port!” Jiang Bai laughed.

Hu Tao promised him that the name "Jiang Bai, the Soul Ferryman" would spread throughout Teyvat, but before that name could even spread, this outrageous rumor had already reached Liyue Harbor.

"Hahaha, come visit my boat sometime!"

After exchanging a few words, the ritual to invite the immortals officially began as the appointed time arrived.

A tremendous bell rang out, and the noisy Yujingtai fell silent.

The echoing bells reverberated from Jade Palace, spreading throughout Liyue Harbor.

Upon hearing the bell, everyone knew that the ritual to invite the immortals had begun.

The musicians played the chime bells, and Keqing, dressed in elaborate ceremonial robes, walked to the incense burner and began her speech to the crowd.

Leaders' speeches all share a common tone—they're all long.

And the official.

Fortunately, Ke Qing was not a pedantic person, so she didn't prepare much to say, which greatly shortened the time.

After she finished speaking, she lit three incense sticks, each as thick as an index finger, and solemnly placed them in the incense burner after reciting a long eulogy.

As the chime bells changed tunes, Ke Qing began to sing, and the Qianyan Army members present chanted the ancient melody together.

The melody is both stirring and melodious, and its recitation is deeply moving.

After several more ceremonies, Keqing took out a long scroll from her sleeve and recited it again.

This time, however, it wasn't a leader giving a speech; instead, it was a plea for the Emperor to appear.

Jiang Bai finally witnessed just how complicated this ritual of inviting immortals really was. The process was tedious and full of formalism, and it almost put him to sleep.

No wonder the people of Liyue don't like to come; he won't come a second time either.

Fortunately, the long process was finally coming to an end, and Ke Qing's clear and resonant voice promptly woke everyone from their drowsy state.

"...Yuheng Star Keqing respectfully invites the Emperor!"

Jiang Bai saw that the clouds in the sky had changed color; the originally white clouds had suddenly changed color, as if they had been dyed with a layer of golden rosy clouds.

A vortex slowly emerged from the clouds, and a huge figure poked its head out of the clouds, followed by limbs, torso, and finally its entire body was exposed.

This is an incomparably majestic dragon.

Its antlers resemble those of a deer, its head resembles that of a camel, its eyes resemble those of a rabbit, its neck resembles that of a snake, its belly resembles that of a clam, its scales resemble those of a fish, its claws resemble those of an eagle, its paws resemble those of a tiger, and its ears resemble those of a cow.

His body was a heavy, rock-like color, and his bright eyes shone with golden light.

His gaze was fixed on Liyue Harbor below, on the crowd, and on Keqing, the Jade Constellation, standing in the center of the altar. A sense of divine awe washed over him.