After sailing at sea for several days, the Dead Star finally arrived at the Ritou pier in Inazuma.
Ling Feng jumped off the Dead Star and looked around. Ships and people carrying goods were everywhere.
To be honest, he felt a little strange. They hadn't encountered any thunderstorms, and there were so many people at this pier.
"Could it be that Inazuma's Vision Hunt Decree hasn't started yet? And its policy of isolation hasn't begun either?"
Ling Feng lowered his head in thought.
He didn't know when the main storyline would begin, as the dragon crisis hadn't even started in Mondstadt yet.
The Rite of Descension in Liyue Harbor had already been held a few days after he left Liyue.
Now, even Inazuma's isolationist policy hadn't been announced.
This indicated that time was still quite early.
In this situation, the main storyline might not start for at least another year.
Never mind.
Why worry so much? An early start had its benefits; his strength would grow with time.
When he began his travels, he wouldn't have to worry about safety.
"Ling Feng, let's go. We need to register."
A drop of cold sweat trickled down Ling Feng's forehead.
"Uh, Sister Beidou, could you perhaps not say things that are so easily misunderstood?"
"Hahaha, what are you afraid of? Anyone who knows me knows my personality."
Beidou slung an arm around Ling Feng and headed towards the Ritou Customs Office.
Along the way, many people cast unusual glances at Ling Feng.
Ling Feng felt his sense of shame about to explode.
Ritou Customs Office
With Beidou's help, Ling Feng completed his island entry and residency procedures and then slipped away.
He didn't use his identity as the Assistant of the Yuheng Star but chose to register as a Traveler.
After all, if a high-ranking official's assistant from another country arrived, they would surely be monitored.
Ling Feng had no desire to be followed everywhere; it was too troublesome.
Upon arriving in Inazuma, Ling Feng directly teleported to the main island, Inazuma City, via a Waypoint.
He would take care of his main business first, then wander around.
This was Ling Feng's style of doing things.
In the afternoon, in Inazuma City, at the Nagahira Fireworks shop.
Ling Feng walked into the shop and found it seemingly empty.
"Is anyone here?"
"Eh, is that a customer? Please wait a moment, I'll be right there."
As soon as the voice finished, a girl rushed out from the back room and hurried to Ling Feng's side.
Hearing that familiar voice, Ling Feng immediately recognized who it was.
Yoimiya!
"I'm so sorry, I was busy with something in the back just now."
"Hello, my name is Yoimiya, and I am the current owner of the Nagahira Fireworks shop."
"Judging by your attire, sir, you must be from Liyue, correct?"
"Are you here to buy fireworks? Nagahira Fireworks has a wide variety, and I'm sure we have what you're looking for. We also offer custom orders, though they might be a bit pricier."
She was just as enthusiastic, sunny, and cheerful as Ling Feng remembered Yoimiya to be.
"Hello, I'd like to place an order for a batch of fireworks. Here's the list."
Ling Feng handed Yoimiya the list that Keqing had given him.
After taking it, Yoimiya quickly scanned it and asked curiously.
"You're buying so many fireworks, are you celebrating a festival?"
Then, Yoimiya realized her mistake and quickly apologized.
"I'm so sorry, sir. What you intend to use them for is your private matter, of course."
"However, I regret to inform you that many of the fireworks on your list are currently out of stock and will require some time to produce."
"Are you willing to wait, sir? If you're in a hurry, I can recommend some fireworks that are currently in stock."
Upon hearing this, Ling Feng chuckled.
"No rush, no rush. How long will production take?"
"Hmm... probably about two days."
"Alright, I'll come to pick them up in two days then."
"No problem, sir. I'll have all the fireworks you need ready for you. Could you please tell me your name? I need to make a record."
"My name is Ling Feng, 'Ling' with the water radical, and 'Feng' for wind."
"Ling Feng... hmm, I've noted it down. See you in two days then."
"Goodbye."
After ordering the fireworks, Ling Feng left the Nagahira Fireworks shop, planning to explore Inazuma City.
However…
He felt a stronger urge to go somewhere else now. Ling Feng cast his gaze towards a large forest in the distance.
…
Night, Chinju Forest.
Ling Feng wandered through the quiet and mysterious forest, feeling extremely content, as if he had merged with it.
Plants glowed in the night, tanuki statues were found everywhere, torii gates were scattered within the woods, hidden shrines lay deep within, and clear streams flowed.
Looking at it all, one couldn't help but feel a sense of calm.
"Indeed, Chinju Forest is so beautiful at night. It was worth coming all this way just to see it!"
"Future, take pictures!"
Ling Feng sat on a tree, admiring the moonlit forest.
Unlike in the game, he hardly saw any monsters like Hilichurls in Chinju Forest.
"Yes, Master."
"Ling Feng, you're asking Sister Mirai to do this?"
"Huh? Sister Mirai? She's much younger than you. And when did you two meet?"
Ling Feng looked puzzled.
"Wufeng is your destined spiritual treasure and is connected to your beast-taming space, which is how I met Sister Mirai."
"I see."
Ling Feng slapped his forehead. The beast-taming space wasn't actually given by the system; it automatically formed when a cultivator contracted a beast.
Normally, beast-taming cultivators would summon their pets from there.
"It's fine; serving Master is my mission."
"Sister Mirai, please don't be so naive and kind."
"No, I'm just serving Master..."
"Oh dear."
"..."
Listening to the two voices in his mind, Ling Feng felt a headache coming on.
But he'd let them chat. Ling Feng was worried that Mirai and Sagiri might get bored.
Since that was the case, he'd let them get along well.
He would quietly enjoy his peaceful and comfortable time.
He had come here for two reasons: first, because Kamisato Ayaka had danced here in the game.
Second, because Chinju Forest was truly beautiful, and the moonlit forest lived up to its reputation.
"Tap, tap, tap…"
Just as Ling Feng was about to fall asleep, he suddenly heard the sound of clear footsteps.
The footsteps were coming from the stone pathway.
Drowsily, Ling Feng poked his head out to look in that direction.
The moment he saw, he instantly became fully alert.
"Ayaka!"
Ling Feng looked at the graceful figure walking on the stone path, overjoyed.
He hadn't really expected to see Kamisato Ayaka when he came here.
It was already very late when he arrived.
How could Kamisato Ayaka come here so late?
But unexpectedly, a surprise had arrived.
Ling Feng didn't reveal himself rashly but quietly watched Kamisato Ayaka. If a stranger suddenly appeared in the middle of the night, it would surely startle her.
At the same time, he also gave Sagiri and Mirai a gag order.
…
Kamisato Ayaka closed her eyes, feeling the gentle breeze and listening to the chirping of insects and birds in the forest.
A moment later, Kamisato Ayaka opened her eyes, a hint of light flashing in her grey-blue irises. She murmured softly.
"Indeed, this feeling is the most comforting."
Ever since she grew up, she had loved coming to Chinju Forest the most.
It allowed her to relax completely and relieve fatigue.
So, sometimes she would sneak out without her family noticing and wander here.
Then, Kamisato Ayaka shifted her gaze to the clear stream beside her.
"After a long day, I think I'll dance to relax."
Saying so, she stepped into the stream.
The stream was shallow and refreshingly cool, reaching just to her ankles.
She first quietly savored the sensation, then took out her fan, hummed a tune, and danced freely.
Not far away, Ling Feng, upon seeing this, immediately pulled out a high-tech camera from his system space, ready to capture the moment.
When it came to taking photos, of course, a professional camera was needed to achieve the best results.
This high-tech camera was something he had won in a lottery.
How high-tech was it? It would automatically recognize and adjust to the optimal settings based on his choices.
Moreover, it could develop photos on the spot, ensuring absolutely high definition!
It was perfect for someone like him who didn't know how to take photos.
Admiring Kamisato Ayaka's graceful dance, Ling Feng continuously took pictures to document the moment.
After an unknown amount of time, the dance concluded.
Kamisato Ayaka stood in the stream and let out a sigh of contentment, smiling as she put away her fan and her Vision.
Ling Feng looked at the pile of photos in his hand and praised them incessantly, "As expected of my wife (in the game), she's truly beautiful."
The candid shots in the photos, no matter the moment, captured the scenery and the subject perfectly.
This trip to Chinju Forest was a complete success for Ling Feng.
Ling Feng jumped down from the tree, landing on the ground with a crisp sound.
Hearing the noise, Kamisato Ayaka instantly became alert and looked in that direction.
She saw a young man, who appeared to be from Liyue, standing there and slowly walking towards her.
"Who's there?"
At night, encountering someone suspicious and of unknown origin would make anyone wary.
Kamisato Ayaka immediately summoned a long sword from her Vision and eyed Ling Feng warily.
Seeing Kamisato Ayaka's alertness, Ling Feng immediately raised his hands to signal that he posed no threat.
He even put his Vision back into his system space.
"Hello, I'm a Traveler. I enjoy taking pictures while traveling. I saw you dancing in the stream just now and was captivated by your graceful movements, which made me take a few photos."
"Afterward, I felt it was inappropriate to take photos without the consent of the subject, as it might have infringed upon your privacy."
"Therefore, I intend to give you all the photos, and I'd like to ask if I could keep one as a memento."
Kamisato Ayaka was stunned by his words, blinking a few times, seemingly not quite comprehending.
Taking photos?
Kamisato Ayaka didn't immediately believe Ling Feng. She scrutinized him from head to toe and found that he indeed posed no threat.
He seemed like an ordinary person.
And he did seem to be holding a few photos. So, she sheathed her sword and apologized.
"I'm sorry, I must have startled you. Judging by your attire, are you from Liyue?"
Kamisato Ayaka walked out of the stream and approached Ling Feng.
"Yes, I just arrived today. I heard that Chinju Forest is extremely beautiful, so I couldn't resist coming to take some pictures. Then, as it was getting late, I planned to spend the night in a tree.
I didn't expect to see you dancing and couldn't help but take a few photos."
Seeing Kamisato Ayaka approaching, Ling Feng handed all the photos he had taken to her.
As Kamisato Ayaka took them, her eyes lit up, and she was filled with wonder.
"So beautiful."
"Is this really me?"
Kamisato Ayaka flipped through the photos, a bright spark in her eyes. Her happy expression suggested she was admiring a work of art.