After parting ways with Keqing, Jiang Chen returned home to rest.
Meanwhile, Keqing carried the communicators to the construction site, distributing them to the foremen and teaching them how to use the devices.
With these, managing tasks would become much easier for her.
In fact, she put them to use that very afternoon.
Issuing commands through the communicators was incredibly efficient.
Everyone tuned into the same channel, following her unified directives.
Now, Keqing didn't even need to be on-site constantly.
Since operations were running smoothly, the communicators lightened her workload significantly.
No more running around everywhere.
By the next day, everyone had officially resumed work.
Jiang Chen's subordinates also began their duties in Mingyun Village.
Just as Jiang Chen was waking up, Ningguang in Liyue Harbor received the items Keqing had sent back.
Since the delivery had arrived late the previous night, it wasn't immediately brought to Ningguang.
It wasn't until this morning that Ningguang finally got her hands on the communicators and the accompanying letter.
Skimming through the letter, she quickly grasped the instructions for using the devices.
There was also a small notebook inside.
It listed Keqing's contact number, along with a few others.
If needed, she could reach out.
However, Keqing had noted that connectivity wasn't guaranteed—signal range was still uncertain due to unstable ley lines.
After understanding the situation, Ningguang raised an eyebrow, picked up a communicator, and dialed Keqing's number.
She expected the call to fail.
But to her surprise—
At that moment, Keqing had just woken up when her communicator suddenly rang.
Glancing at it, she pressed the answer button without hesitation.
"This is Keqing speaking."
Hearing her voice, Ningguang's lips curled into a faint smile.
"This is Ningguang."
Keqing's eyes instantly lit up.
"It actually connected?!"
"Can you hear me clearly?"
She was ecstatic.
The signal could reach all the way to Liyue Harbor?
This communicator was amazing!
"A bit fuzzy, but audible enough."
Ningguang was already quite satisfied.
"Good!"
"If it's unstable, we can station a relay person in the middle to pass messages."
Keqing mentally applauded the idea.
This device was too useful.
"No need for now—it works as is."
"Take down my contact number."
Ningguang then recited her communicator ID to Keqing.
Keqing hurriedly grabbed pen and paper to jot it down.
Additionally, Ningguang listed several other numbers for Keqing to record—these would be assigned to key personnel.
She began making arrangements on the spot.
Keqing had no issues with that, diligently transcribing each number as instructed.
Once done, she ended the call with Ningguang.
Looking at the list in her hands, Keqing made a fresh copy.
Only after organizing everything did she finally head out.
The moment she stepped outside, she ran into Jiang Chen, who had also just left his room.
"Ningguang has received the devices."
"Here—this has everyone's contact information."
Keqing handed Jiang Chen the copied list.
A single sheet of paper, filled with the contact details of Ningguang, Ganyu, and others.
Accepting it, Jiang Chen glanced at the list before storing it in his spatial inventory.
"Good!"
"Didn't expect the signal to reach Liyue Harbor."
"This thing is stronger than I thought."
Jiang Chen was genuinely surprised.
This definitely exceeded expectations.
Alchemy truly was miraculous.
But this worked out well—for now, it was more than sufficient.
If they needed something better in the future and couldn't develop it themselves, they could always turn to Sumeru.
Speaking of which… should the Traveler have arrived in Sumeru by now?
With that thought, Jiang Chen headed downstairs with Keqing for breakfast before preparing for work.
Meanwhile, Havria set off directly for Sal Terrae—today, she would begin assisting with the salt field construction.
Jiang Chen and Keqing, on the other hand, made their way to the construction site.
Jiang Chen needed to inspect the progress firsthand.
Though work had been ongoing for a while, he hadn't paid close attention to the specifics.
Every time he came here, he had simply flown over.
While Jiang Chen was occupied—
The Traveler, Lumine, finally reached the other side of The Chasm.
Just as she prepared to cross into Sumeru—
A spatial rift tore open before her.
And out stepped the brother she had been searching for all this time.
"Huh?!"
Paimon stared at the blond-haired young man who bore a striking resemblance to Lumine.
Was this her brother?
When Lumine saw her brother's face, her mind blanked for a second.
But in the very next moment, her expression darkened.
Aether, having just emerged, was initially happy to see his sister.
After all, he had been waiting here for a while.
Now that Lumine had finally arrived, he prepared to deliver some profound, cryptic line—
But before he could speak, Lumine moved.
A sword materialized in her hand, and she lunged at him.
"YOU BASTARD!!"
"YOU WERE AVOIDING ME!!"
(╯＞д＜)╯⁽˙³˙⁾
"TAKE THIS!!"
No hesitation whatsoever.
After plastering missing-person posters everywhere with no response—
And now he just shows up in front of her?
Lumine immediately understood.
Aether had been around the whole time—just hiding from her.
And he had known her every move.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have appeared right on her path.
Realizing this, Lumine snapped.
Ohhh, so while I've been searching high and low for you, you've been dodging me?!
Today, I'll make sure you never forget your little sister's name!!
Without a second thought, Lumine stabbed straight for Aether's kidneys.
Witnessing this, Aether's face paled.
That familiar ferocity, that familiar rage—
Instinctively, Aether summoned a sword to block.
CLANG!
"WHAT THE HELL? ARE YOU INSANE?!"
Trying to stab him the moment they meet?!
And aiming for his kidneys?!
Aether was terrified.
Damn it, she's still as violent as ever!
Didn't she get a boyfriend already?!
How could Jiang辰 even stand her like this?!
You should have stayed single forever!!
"YES, I AM INSANE!"
"Hehehehehe!!"
"My dear brother."
"You hid so well."
Lumine's expression twisted into something unhinged.
Right now, all she wanted was to run her brother through.
With that in mind, she doubled down on her assault.
Aether desperately parried each strike.
He refused to take a hit.
One wrong move, and it'd be fatal.
Does he still want his kidneys or not?!