Tianqiong City
After finishing their milk tea, Ling Feng and Keqing left the shop feeling satisfied.
Keqing glanced back at the milk tea shop, pursed her lips, and a beautiful curve formed on her mouth as she turned to Ling Feng and slowly said,
"If Ningguang saw this, it's likely Liyue would have another milk tea shop not long from now."
"Tianquan Ningguang?"
"Yes, from what I know of that woman, she wouldn't miss an opportunity to make a fortune in Mora."
Tianquan Star Ningguang, the wealthiest woman in Teyvat. Although Keqing didn't get along with her, she admired Ningguang's business acumen.
Who would have thought that a barefoot girl who walked from Yaoguang Beach to the South Port would eventually become one of the richest people in the world? kanshuwu.net
Ling Feng had also met Ningguang once. Keqing was attending a council meeting at the Jade Chamber, and as her assistant, he naturally had to accompany her.
His initial impression was good; she was a proper "onee-san" type, and her beauty was second to none.
"Ling!"
Suddenly, Ling Feng heard a sweet, familiar cry. He stopped and looked in the direction of the voice.
Keqing noticed that the call was likely for Ling Feng, so she also stopped and followed his gaze, spotting two familiar figures.
"It's classmate Sagiri and classmate Mei."
Across the street, about one road away, Sagiri and Mei were waving and running towards them. It was obvious who had called out earlier.
Sagiri and Mei quickly crossed the road and arrived in front of Ling Feng and Keqing.
"Good evening, Ling Feng, classmate Keqing," Mei greeted them with a smile. Internally, she was curious about their relationship and also amazed by Keqing's attire.
So beautiful!
Keqing was already attractive, but she looked even more stunning in this outfit.
"Good evening," Keqing replied with a smile.
"Sagiri, what's in your hand?" Ling Feng asked curiously, looking at the black plastic bag Sagiri was carrying.
Although Sagiri's psychological condition of being afraid to go out had mostly improved, she rarely went out except for school.
Sagiri blinked and smiled, "It's art supplies I just bought; I ran out of my old ones."
"I thought you drew on a tablet, Sagiri? And you're still—Ouch!"
Before Ling Feng could finish his sentence, Sagiri's expression changed drastically, and she quickly stomped on his foot.
"I'm used to drawing on paper. (Don't reveal my identity!)"
Sagiri's cheeks flushed slightly, looking cute and dazed as she turned her head and whispered.
The latter part was her telepathically communicating with Ling Feng.
Ling Feng immediately understood, nodding as if enlightened.
He understood why Sagiri didn't want her identity exposed; embarrassment was secondary to the potential for social death!
Ling Feng felt a bit fortunate that Sagiri's drawings were merely a little revealing, not having fully evolved into an adult content creator like in the original story's final episode.
"Why didn't you buy it online? Isn't that more convenient?" Ling Feng asked.
Sagiri shook her head, her silver-white hair flowing smoothly. She hugged the bag with her slender, fair hands and explained softly.
"Everyone's drawing habits are different, and what's comfortable is best. That's why I came out to pick my art supplies, and I can use them immediately."
"Unlike online shopping, delivery takes time, and the quality isn't always guaranteed."
"Mei-sister was worried about me going out alone, so she came with me."
Upon hearing this, Keqing looked Sagiri up and down and nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Sagiri is still young. It can be quite dangerous for a girl to go out alone."
A silver-haired girl, cute, dazed, and pretty, all alone—she looked like the prime target for human traffickers!
If some pervert set their sights on her, the consequences would be even more unimaginable.
"Hmph," Sagiri suddenly puffed out her cheeks and turned her head, looking sulky like an angry little hamster.
Keqing was taken aback. Had she said something wrong? Otherwise, why would Sagiri suddenly get angry? She looked at Ling Feng, puzzled, and asked in a low voice, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Uh..."
Ling Feng scratched his head, wondering how to explain. 'Hit a nerve, precisely?'
Mei slowly approached Keqing and whispered, "Actually, Sagiri is almost an adult, but her body seems to have stopped growing."
"This... I'm truly sorry, classmate Sagiri," Keqing apologized sincerely. She genuinely hadn't considered that aspect.
Not being able to grow taller must be Sagiri's sensitive point; she might be permanently stuck like this.
"Alright, alright."
Ling Feng gently ruffled Sagiri's head. She immediately closed her eyes, a smile in her eyes, and let out a comfortable hum, looking quite content.
Their relationship is unusual... Keqing thought, watching Sagiri act like a little bird clinging to Ling Feng.
"Mei, why don't Sagiri and I go shopping together for a bit? We can head back to St. Freya later."
Ling Feng invited, his gaze falling on Keqing.
Sensing Ling Feng's gaze, Keqing nodded slightly, indicating she had no objections. It would be livelier with more people, and a good opportunity to bond with her classmates.
...
The next day, at the St. Freya outdoor training grounds.
The sky was a clear blue, with white clouds drifting lazily.
In the outer area of the spacious training grounds, Ling Feng led the Valkyries from his class, watching the 2v2 battle unfolding in the distance.
However, calling it a battle might be an exaggeration; it was more of a rout.
Sword Qi flashed, and fist energy roared.
Keqing and Fu Hua's attacks were so overwhelming that the two Valkyries on the opposing side could barely breathe, frantically dodging and blocking.
"We, we surrender!!"
After a short while, the two Valkyries decisively chose to surrender. This was simply not a battle between equals.
"We concede!"
Fu Hua and Keqing bowed to the two exhausted Valkyries on the opposite side.
Outer area.
After the battle, the Valkyries behind Ling Feng were discussing animatedly.
"Class President Fu Hua was already strong enough, and now there's Keqing."
"Alas, in future two-on-two sparring matches, whoever faces them is really unlucky."
"It's not just two-on-two; even one-on-one is the same."
The Valkyries sighed, silently praying they wouldn't encounter the two of them.
However, there were exceptions, like a certain "Kiana."
Kiana, listening to everyone's hushed whispers, pouted in defiance, "Hmph, what's so special about that? Watch me defeat them. Mei and I are the best combination. Don't you think so, Mei?"
Kiana giggled and hugged Mei's arm, blinking her blue eyes at Mei, her gaze full of expectation.
"This..." Mei's eyebrows furrowed, her expression hesitant and troubled.
She didn't want to dampen Kiana's enthusiasm, but she clearly understood the gap in strength between them and Fu Hua and Keqing.
They couldn't even match Fu Hua or Keqing in a one-on-one fight, let alone a team-up.
Fortunately, Bronya keenly sensed Mei's predicament and quickly launched a "verbal assault" on Kiana, her spittle flying.
"Idiot Kiana, only you haven't realized the gap in strength between you and Keqing and the Class President."
"The Class President is a legitimate A-rank Valkyrie, and Keqing's strength is not to be underestimated; she's almost as strong as the Class President. You're not up to par."
"Damn it, what are you saying?!" Kiana frowned, putting her hands on her hips, angry.
Bronya, unfazed, retorted expressionlessly, "Bronya is stating a fact."
"Alright, alright, stop arguing."
Mei, seeing this, gently tried to pacify them.
With the battle over, Keqing and the other three quickly rejoined the group.
Ling Feng looked at the two defeated Valkyries, their expressions dejected, and offered some words of comfort before pointing out their shortcomings during the fight.
To be honest, their team wasn't weak; they just ran into the powerful combination of Fu Hua and Keqing.
"Next pair, Sagiri and Mirai versus Kiana and Mei!"
Kiana, who was glaring at Bronya and bickering like sworn enemies, paused when she heard this. Then, she gradually became excited, pulling Mei towards the battlefield.
"Finally, it's my turn to shine! I've wanted to spar with Sagiri and the others for a long time."
Sagiri and Mirai, the main participants, followed Kiana and Mei out of the crowd.
A moment later, all four had donned their Valkyrie armors.
Kiana, wielding dual pistols, her eyes sharp and full of fighting spirit.
Mei had her long sword sheathed at her waist, one hand gripping the hilt, her nerves taut, observing the unfolding situation.
On the other side, Sagiri was no longer using dual pistols. She held a normal, sharp, and light long sword.
Her armor was a snow-white, assassin-style trench coat combat suit, very durable, with armor protecting vital areas.
Since she had listened to Ling Feng's advice last time, she had switched to an assassin role. Mirai, beside her, held a sniper rifle.
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"Battle start!"
As soon as the words were spoken, a muffled thunderous roar of "boom" kicked off the battle.
A high-speed spinning "bullet" tore through the air, breaking the sound barrier, and shot towards Kiana, propelled by immense kinetic energy.
"Kiana, be careful!" Mei shouted, sensing danger the moment she saw Mirai aiming.
But before she could finish, the bullet had already whistled past.
"Bang!"
The bullet, however, didn't hit Kiana. Instead, it struck the floor, causing it to crack and spiderweb outwards, kicking up dust.
"Hmph, daring to ambush me, Mirai, take this!"
Kiana stood about a meter away from her original position, indignant. She fired repeatedly at Sagiri and Mirai while charging forward.
Even before the battle began, her danger sense had already warned her, allowing her to dodge in time.
Sometimes, dodging bullets isn't about moving faster than the bullet itself, but faster than the shooter's trigger finger and aiming speed.
There are many techniques for dodging bullets, such as predicting bullet trajectories and dodging quickly, or simply being faster than the shooter's hand speed.
Valkyries' physiques are far beyond human, and many can move faster than sound.
Generally, Valkyries capable of undertaking missions are no longer threatened by bullets, unless it's a barrage of heavy machine-gun fire at close range or artillery shelling.
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Sagiri and Mirai reacted astonishingly, dodging the bullets with quick movements.
Mirai occasionally fired back, which led to Kiana chasing Mirai.
Mei looked at Sagiri, who was standing calmly in the distance, as if unaffected by the gunfight, and asked with slight surprise,
"Sagiri, aren't you worried about Mirai?"
"Mei-sister, my target is you. Besides, you have to trust your companion!"
Saying this, Sagiri's lips curved slightly. In the next moment, her figure vanished from her original position like a phantom, leaving behind a blurred afterimage, her real body appearing behind Mei.
Her true Qi surged, and a point of azure light appeared on the sword's edge. With a "whoosh," it stabbed towards Mei.