Changli Build Guide, Skills, Combos & Teams Wuthering Waves

Basic Information

Fusion

Changli

Changli is a counselor serving the Jinzhou Magistrate, and former Secretary-General in the capital.
Shrouded in flames, she's fated to burn brightly until her final embers.
With her fiery determination and strategic mindset, she rises to power, always thinking ahead to reach her ultimate goal.

Element:
Fusion
Weapon Type:
Role:
Main Damage Dealer
Resonance Skill DMG
Fusion DMG Amplification
Resonance Liberation DMG Amplification

Resonator's Stats

Resonator's stats per level

Stat Lv 1Lv 20Lv 40Lv 50Lv 60Lv 70Lv 80Lv 90
HP HP
831
2715.46
4670.05
5924.37
7178.59
8432.9
9687.22
10387.5
ATK ATK
37
123.99
214.1
273.03
331.96
381.64
431.32
462.5
DEF DEF
90
289.22
495.87
628.36
760.86
893.35
1025.84
1100

Resonator's Graduation Stats

HP HP

15500+

ATK ATK

1800-2400+

DEF DEF

1200+

Energy Regen Energy Regen

110% - 120%

  • Changli's Ultimate is an important part of her damage and something you definitely want to have available right at the point of her rotation where she has 0 Enflamement charges. The reason for this is that her Ultimate grants her maximum Enflamement charges meaning - gaining the Ultimate late will delay your usual rotation or lead to you wasting Enflamement charges neither of which are ideal.
  • For this reason, it's recommended you build roughly 10-20% Energy Regen on Changli, but you can get away with 0% depending on the team you pair her with and how much field time you dedicate to other characters.
  • If you find yourself missing Changli's Ultimate window and end up wasting Enflamement try to get a little more Energy Regen or mix up your team comps.
Crit. Rate Crit. Rate

60% - 75%+

Crit. DMG Crit. DMG

270% - 300%+

Fusion DMG Bonus Fusion DMG Bonus

40% - 70%

Skills & Resonance Chains

Skills

Blazing Enlightment
Blazing Enlightment Normal Attack

Basic Attack
Perform up to 4 consecutive attacks, dealing Fusion DMG.
After releasing Basic Attack 4, enter True Sight, lasting for 12s.

Mid-air Attack
Consume Stamina to perform up to 4 consecutive attacks in mid-air, dealing Fusion DMG.
After releasing Mid-air Attack 4, enter True Sight, lasting for 12s.

Heavy Attack
Hold Basic Attack on the ground to perform an upward strike at the cost of Stamina, dealing Fusion DMG. Use Basic Attack within a certain time to release Mid-Air Attack 3.

Mid-air Heavy Attack
Shortly after holding Basic Attack in mid-air or using Basic Attack True Sight: Charge, use Basic Attack to perform a plunging attack at the cost of Stamina, dealing Fusion DMG. Use Basic Attack within a certain time to release Basic Attack 3.

Dodge Counter
Use Basic Attack after a successful Dodge to attack the target, dealing Fusion DMG.

Tripartite Flames
Tripartite Flames Resonance Skill

True Sight: Capture
After releasing Resonance Skill, Changli dashes towards the enemy and enters True Sight, lasting for 12s. In the end, she releases a plunging attack, dealing Fusion DMG.
True Sight: Capture has 2 initial charges and holds up to 2 charges at maximum. The number of charges is replenished by 1 every 12s.
Can be cast in mid-air.

Basic Attack: True Sight - Conquest
When in True Sight, if Changli uses Ground Basic Attack, she releases True Sight: Conquest, dashing towards the enemy and dealing Fusion DMG, considered as Resonance Skill DMG. After releasing True Sight: ConquestTrue Sight ends.

Basic Attack: True Sight - Charge
When in True Sight, if Changli jumps or uses Basic Attack in mid-air, she releases True Sight: Charge, dashing towards the enemy and dealing Fusion DMG, considered as Resonance Skill DMG. After releasing True Sight: ChargeTrue Sight ends.

Flaming Sacrifice
Flaming Sacrifice Forte Circuit

Heavy Attack: Flaming Sacrifice
When releasing Heavy Attack, if Changli carries 4 stacks of Enflamement, she consumes all stacks of Enflamement to cast Flaming Sacrifice, dealing Fusion DMG, considered as Resonance Skill DMG.
While casting Flaming Sacrifice, Changli takes 40% less DMG.

Enflamement
Changli can hold up to 4 stacks of Enflamement.
Changli obtains 1 stack of Enflamement for every Basic Attack: True Sight - Conquest on hit.
Changli obtains 1 stack of Enflamement for every Basic Attack: True Sight - Charge on hit.
Changli obtains 4 stacks of Enflamement for every Resonance Liberation Radiance of Fealty.

Radiance of Fealty
Radiance of Fealty Resonance Liberation

Deal Fusion DMG to nearby targets, obtaining 4 stacks of Enflamement, and entering Fiery Feather.
Can be cast in mid-air.

Fiery Feather
When Changli releases Heavy Attack Flaming Sacrifice within 10s, her ATK is increased by 25%, after which Fiery Feather ends.

Obedience of Rules
Obedience of Rules Intro Skill

Changli appears in mid-air, attacks the target, and enters True Sight, lasting for 12s.

Strategy of Duality
Strategy of Duality Outro Skill

The incoming Resonator has their Fusion DMG Amplified by 20% and Resonance Liberation DMG Amplified by 25% for 10s or until the Resonator is switched out.

Resonance Chain

Hidden Thoughts Hidden Thoughts
Sequence Node 1

Resonance Skill Tripartite Flames and Heavy Attack Flaming Sacrifice increase Changli's DMG dealt by 10% and resistance to interruption.

Pursuit of Desires Pursuit of Desires
Sequence Node 2

Enflamement increases Changli's Crit. Rate by 25% for 8s.

Learned Secrets Learned Secrets
Sequence Node 3

Resonance Liberation Radiance of Fealty DMG is increased by 80%.

Polished Words Polished Words
Sequence Node 4

After Intro Skill is cast, all team members' ATK is increased by 20% for 30s.

Sacrificed Gains Sacrificed Gains
Sequence Node 5

Heavy Attack Flaming Sacrifice's Multiplier is increased by 50% and its DMG dealt is increased by 50%.

Realized Plans Realized Plans
Sequence Node 6

Resonance Skill Tripartite Flames, Heavy Attack Flaming Sacrifice, and Resonance Liberation Radiance of Fealty ignore an additional 40% of the target's DEF when dealing damage.

Skill Priority

Tripartite Flames Resonance Skill
>>
Flaming Sacrifice Forte Circuit
>>
Radiance of Fealty Resonance Liberation
>>
Blazing Enlightment Normal Attack
>>
Obedience of Rules Intro Skill

Weapons

Blazing Brilliance (R1)

Changli's signature weapon that's not only fantastic for her but also usable on all damage-focused Sword users who have a large portion of their damage originating from Resonance Skill damage. Offers a huge main stat of CRIT DMG% granting excellent scaling, 12% permanent ATK% and up to 56% increased Resonance Skill DMG% which should be at or close to full power during the bulk of your rotation when opening with one or two resonance skills.

Emerald of Genesis (R1)

Outstanding Sword choice, offering significantly higher base damage due to its 5★ rarity, as well as a stackable ATK% buff almost every character can effortlessly get 1 stack of (but with 2 also being easily achievable by most when played correctly). Additionally has a good amount of Energy Regen, which on most characters will allow one sub-stat of Energy Regen to be allocated elsewhere to increase damage even further. Best Sword choice across the board with only S5 4★ Swords having a chance to compete with it.

Red Spring (R1)

Camellya's signature weapon is usable by all Basic Attack focused Sword wielding characters, but clearly designed with her in mind due to a lot of its power locked behind spending Concerto mid-rotation - something only Camellya can do. Offers a decent amount of ATK%, CRIT RATE% and Basic Attack DMG for all characters but a huge Basic Attack DMG bonus after spending Concerto.

Commando of Conviction (R5)

Exceptional all-around generic Sword gaining its bonus close to unconditionally as most Resonators almost always aim to make use of their Intro skill and very few characters spend more than 15 seconds on field during their duration.

Endless Collapse (R5)

Often inferior to Commando of Conviction for DPS, this sword is still a great F2P 4* option for characters who need the energy boost. Realistically however, only consider this option over Commando of Conviction if you have energy problems on your character.

Lunar Cutter (R5)

Powerful sword for Resonators spending minimal time on the field - the shorter the better. Best for Hybrid characters executing their rotation fast and infrequently, but less powerful on Main DPS characters that aim to spend extended time on field.

Somnoire Anchor (R5)

An amazing, completely free 4* option for characters who have extended field times, providing a rare CRIT Rate boost and loads of ATK. However, due to the nature of its buffs stacking up over time, this sword will deminish a lot in power if the wielder swaps out in less than 10 seconds.

Lumingloss (R5)

Sword option for Heavy and Basic ATK users with an easy to trigger passive - with the only downside being its 10 second time limit. For characters that use their Skill multiple times per rotation, this downside is a non-issue but for Main DPS characters who take up a lot of field time and don't use their skill often this sword can lose value.

Echo set

Echo set 1

Molten Rift
Molten Rift

5pcs Set: Fusion DMG + 30% for 15s after releasing Resonance Skill.

The 5-pc Molten Rift set straight up increases Changli's Fusion DMG. The damage increases even more after using a Resonance Skill - a perfect fit for Changli because Resonance Skill usage is part of her overall kit.
Nightmare: Inferno Rider

Transform into Nightmare: Inferno Rider and jump to attack enemies in front, dealing 405.00% Fusion DMG.
The Resonator with this Echo equipped in their main slot gains 12.00% Fusion DMG Bonus and 12.00% Resonance Skill DMG Bonus.
Hold Echo Skill to transform into Nightmare: Inferno Rider and enter Riding Mode. When exiting Riding Mode, deal 283.50% Fusion DMG to enemies in front.
CD: 25s.

Passively increases Changli's Fusion DMG and Resonance Skill DMG.
Inferno Rider

Transform into the Inferno Rider to launch up to 3 consecutive slashes in a row, each slash dealing 242.40%, 282.80%, and 282.80% Fusion DMG respectively.

After the final hit, increase the current Resonator's Fusion DMG by 12.00% and Basic Attack DMG by 12.00% for 15s.

Long press the Echo Skill to transform into the Inferno Rider and enter Riding Mode. When exiting Riding Mode, deal 282.80% Fusion DMG to enemies in front.

CD: 20s

The best early game option for Changli, especially when players cannot access Rinascita yet. Provides more damage than Nightmare: Inferno Rider. The downside to using this is that Echo Skill must be included in rotations for Changli to get the buff.

Echo stat

4-3-3-1-1
4 cost
Crit. Rate Crit. Rate
Crit. DMG Crit. DMG
3 cost
Fusion DMG Bonus Fusion DMG Bonus
ATK% ATK%
3 cost
Fusion DMG Bonus Fusion DMG Bonus
ATK% ATK%
1 cost
ATK% ATK%
1 cost
ATK% ATK%
4-4-1-1-1
4 cost
Crit. Rate Crit. Rate
4 cost
Crit. DMG Crit. DMG
1 cost
ATK% ATK%
1 cost
ATK% ATK%
1 cost
ATK% ATK%
Echo substat
Crit. Rate Crit. Rate
=
Crit. DMG Crit. DMG
>>
ATK% ATK%
>>
Resonance Skill DMG Bonus Resonance Skill DMG Bonus
>>
Resonance Liberation DMG Bonus Resonance Liberation DMG Bonus

Synergies & Team Formation

Synergies

Brant

Changli's best partner for the overwhelming majority of players. The most of Changli's abilities are able to make great use of Brant's massive 20% Fusion and 25% Skill DMG Amplify Outro, causing a big boost to her damage, and Brant's personal damage is nothing to scoff at either. This makes the pair very natural together but also very strong; although be careful as Brant's Outro buff is lost when you switch Changli out.

Zhezhi

Zhezhi's 25% Skill DMG Amplify Outro buff can be utilized on Changli to replace Brant in a hypercarry-style team composition; however in spite of her extra flat Energy generation and despite the fact that she retains good personal damage off-field via Coordinated Attacks it's far from optimal — we only recommend her if you happen to own her, want to play Changli as a hypercarry, and don't own Brant.

Chixia

Leaning towards the easier-to-play side of Dual DPS teams, Chixia stands out as the only character currently being able to fully utilize Changli's Outro skill (20% Fusion and 25% Liberation DMG Amplify) and she's able to dish out some great damage because of it, on top of Changli's good personal damage, making the two a good pair.

Encore

A very good Main DPS option who can be supported by Changli via her Outro skill, which amplifies Fusion DMG by 20%. Combining their two good personal damage numbers together makes for a very solid team that can clear content easily when learnt. Be careful with this one as this is a step-up in difficulty compared to single DPS teams.

Xiangli Yao

The infamous hardcore Dual DPS pair for Changli, who can deal huge damage in long swap-cancellable windows that Changli uses to amazing effect. Additionally, Changli's 25% Liberation DMG Outro buff is appreciated to buff Xiangli Yao's key abilities like his ultimate nuke. When learnt, this duo deals monstrous damage. We however don't recommend it to any casual players, as its difficulty can just make it a bad team damage-wise if not properly played.

Jinhsi

The teacher and student duo is famous not only for having some of the highest Expert quickswap DPS in the game, but also for being amazing in the new Whimpering Wastes mode — able to clear tons of waves very quickly when played right, this Expert quickswap duo won't disappoint if you play it right; however, that's a tremendous ask in terms of difficulty, so be careful, it might not net good results for casual players.

Yangyang

A particularly fun and fast duo with Changli, who's free to use, sports proper damage and is fully quickswap friendly. Still a difficult team to properly get the hang of, but not too much to still dish out good damage.

Verina

One of the usual Healing Support options that can slot into any team. Super easy to use, provides amazing team-wide ATK% buffs and 15% DMG Amplify with one of the fastest rotations in the game.

Shorekeeper

Similar to Verina, a premium Healing Support option who can not only slot into any team, but also provide insane 12.5% Crit Rate, 25% Crit DMG, 25% ATK and 15% DMG Amplify buffs to your whole team. One of the best but also easy to use characters in the game.

Team Formation

Best Team

Main Position
Sub Position
Support Position

Zhezhi can work here as a replacement for Brant if you have her — however note it'll perform quite a bit worse than Brant.

Expert Team

Main Position
Support Position

VERY difficult teams to play, won't net good results for most. Pick your second teammate based on preference in strengths/playstyle. Verina is always stronger with Jinhsi.

Dual Fusion Team

Main Position
Sub Position
Support Position

Encore is stronger than Chixia, but more difficult to play.

Budget Dual DPS Team

Main Position
Sub Position
Support Position

This is a budget team so don't expect the best performance here — however it'll still work well.

More Info

Cherished Items

Firmament Weiqi Manual Firmament Weiqi Manual

A battered weiqi manual, documenting the legendary games left by a peculiar visitor at Mt. Firmament.
The pages have yellowed over the long years and dog-eared from countless readings. This manuscript once accompanied its owner through many perilous and lonely paths. Now it has been restored and rebound, with new pages added, ready to record new games.
Now that the worthy opponent she has been seeking stands before her, another historic game to be remembered and studied for centuries shall take place. As long as the players remain, the pages will continue to be filled.

Flame-Soaked Cloth Flame-Soaked Cloth

A fabric of unknown material, soft to the touch and said to be fireproof. After being cleansed by flames, it becomes even cleaner and whiter, like freshly fallen snow. The plants required to weave this fabric went extinct during the Lament and are now almost impossible to obtain, making every remaining piece extremely precious.
After the Appointment Ceremony, the new Magistrate of Jinzhou presented it as a gift to her esteemed teacher.

Blaze Feather Blaze Feather

One of two feathers formed by Changli's flames. One of these feathers has been gifted to a distinguished guest of Jinzhou, while the other Changli keeps close to herself.
It is seemingly weightless, as if it could burn forever. However, it never harms anyone who holds it, instead offering a comforting warmth, reflecting Changli's near impeccable mastery of her Forte. Like her robe, the feather is entirely made of flames.
In bedtime stories once told to a young girl, a fire-born phoenix would bestow its most precious tail feather upon the person it held most dear.

Archives and Stories

Forte Examination Report - Eternal Blaze

Evaluation Basis: [Resonance Assessment 2326-G]

The precise timing of Resonator Changli's Awakening remains uncertain. Reports indicate that Resonator Changli displayed early signs of fire manipulation during her childhood, often struggling to control it. However, as Changli matured into adulthood, the frequency and stability of these manifestations notably improved.

Resonator Changli's Tacet Mark is situated on her lower chest. Post-Awakening examinations have identified specific alterations in her physical attributes. These include a gradual fading of hair color at the tips and feather-like burn marks on her left arm, emitting a fiery glow influenced by her Forte.

The Resonance Spectrum Pattern of Changli mirrors the characteristics of fire, displaying a robust Syntony reaction in testing. Despite the exact trigger for her Awakening remaining uncertain, no other sample with a Resonance Spectrum Pattern similarity exceeding 60% has been identified. Resonator Changli's Forte aligns closely with the mythical spirit bird from Huanglong folklore, possibly influenced by her early immersion in tales related to this legendary creature.

Resonator Changli possesses the unique ability to compress flames into delicate feather-shaped projectiles. Her Forte, once unleashed, has the power to create scorching fires of exceptional heat, capable of devastating a large area. A telltale sign that her Forte is active is the emergence of a lone fiery feather with an eye-like pattern on her forehead, which she describes as the "Mind's Eye."

Analysis of test samples has revealed a non-convergent Rabelle's Curve with a stable rise. Occasional fluctuations within normal range have been detected. Therefore, Changli is identified as a Natural Resonator.

Resonator Changli's waveform graph shows elliptical fluctuations. The pattern of Time Domain is stable, with no abnormal waveform.

Resonant Criticality: High. Resonator Changli's frequency displays high stability, and the risk of Overclocking is minimal.
Resonator Changli has a documented history of Overclocking.
Maximum recorded Overclocking rating: Negligible.

According to Changli's report, she experienced Overclocking during her childhood due to prolonged exposure to a hazardous environment. This caused her Forte to go into an explosive state multiple times for self-preservation or the protection of others, resulting in a permanent burn mark on her left arm.

However, as she grew up and gained more control over her Forte, the frequency fluctuation stabilized and the burn mark did not worsen. There may be irreversible physical damage from the Forte burst, which could potentially shorten Resonator Changli's lifespan.

Regular physical check-ups are recommended, while psychological counseling is not currently necessary.

Beneath the Whispers
Unlocks at Intimacy Lv. 1

People who visit the City Hall lately rarely see the legendary Counselor, Changli, as they would report.

Although Counselor Changli never has been a public figure, as the most trusted aide to the Jinzhou Magistrate, she is known to everyone in Jinzhou. However, there are varied and strange restless rumors about her.

It is said that Counselor Changli, during her time in the capital, proposed the renovation of the Shelter Homes across Huanglong to provide a better home for the refugees who lost their homes in the Lament's aftermath; she also pushed for the reduction of commercial taxes in Jinzhou and allocate food and funds to better relieve Jinzhou from the aftermaths of the Battle Beneath the Crescent.

It is said that as soon as Counselor Changli arrived at the City Hall, she effortlessly resolved two bandit forces that had been entrenched around Jinzhou for a long time. Just a conversation and an "obvious trap" were enough to make the two forces suspicious of and fight each other until none was a threat anymore.

It is said that Counselor Changli did not become a Counselor after the Sentinel chose the Jinzhou Magistrate, but she had long volunteered to come to Jinzhou, to teach the young Jinhsi, and to help her take over the power that was too heavy for a child.

"Is that true? The version I heard said those were actions carried out by the previous Secretary-General, and she was only demoted to the border because she offended the power that was, right?"

"Well, from what I heard, she became a direct disciple of Master Xuanmiao and was recommended by the previous Secretary-General. Her orations and debates throughout the realm have convinced all the great minds of our country. How could she be a flatterer?"

"What are you talking about? I heard she is the descendant of a great hermit, and she came to Jinzhou because her family needs a voice in the power centers..."

As people gossiped about her, Changli remained unfazed. When she passed by those whispering behind her back, her gaze gently but firmly silenced their words.

Rumors spread like wildfire about the new Jinzhou Magistrate, chosen by the Sentinel. A young girl, seemingly not yet of age, held this powerful position. Some whispered that Changli had too much influence and sought to overthrow the current Magistrate before taking over herself.

After the ceremony, Changli gave up power to Jinhsi and became her Counselor. In three years, life improved for everyone in Jinzhou, and they were grateful to the Magistrate. However, nobody knew how much Changli helped behind the scenes.

Those who have met Changli all say that she always has a gentle smile, and treats everyone from generals to soldiers equally, but when she is alone, she always has a kind of awe-inspiring aura that turns potential visitors away.

"Last time I met Counselor Changli at the Patrol Station, she seemed super interested in the courtyard trees, for some reason... I thought she had important duties to attend to, but she just spent a whole afternoon... watching ants..."

"And then?"

"Then a wanted suspect suddenly turned himself in! We were initially wary, thinking it was a trap. But when Counselor Changli appeared, the villain became visibly frightened and confessed everything, even old cases that were still unsolved. It was the biggest case of my career..."

"What about Counselor Changli?"

"She left at some point. We didn't even notice. Hmm, she really is an inscrutable person..."

Master and Minister
Unlocks at Intimacy Lv. 2

Before becoming Jinhsi's tutor, Changli had only met her once when she was a young girl.

While in Jinzhou, Changli once heard chanting from a nearby room while walking inside the City Hall. A young girl sat amidst stacks of books, struggling to grasp theories beyond her years.

"'He who can't see the cause of order or chaos shall not make law'... But how can I see the very roots of everything? How can I gain such insights?" While she chanted, the girl could not help but fall muddled.

That hard-working, petite figure reminded Changli of how she used to struggle in a similarly desperate way to swallow as much knowledge as possible, trying to become an adult she wasn't.

She followed the impulse to lean forward and answered the little girl's doubt.

"Thank you, madam. You have enlightened me," the girl expressed her gratitude word by word, with her immature voice. After a moment of careful hesitation, she looked up again and asked, "Then, how should I become a good Magistrate, and bring order to this city?"

"Why this question?"

"The people of Jinzhou have long fallen victim to warfare. I want to bring them peace and prosperity."

"...That is no easy task."

"True, but I must try everything I can."

"Peace and Prosperity"...

As Changli gazed into the girl's eyes, she saw determination and strength, like little sparkles of starlight.

"Very well. Then I will aid you in fulfilling your wish," she declared.

Eventually, the girl became the Magistrate of Jinzhou, appointed by its Sentinel. As Jinhsi works tirelessly at City Hall, Changli remains by her side, answering questions and offering advice whenever needed.

To most, heroic tales are too grand and inconsequential. They only value simple comforts like a warm meal and restful sleep as ways to improve life.

"A Magistrate shouldn't get lost in bureaucracy, but rather engage with the people," Changli warned Jinhsi.

"Yes, my teacher," Jinhsi obeyed. Through the traditional Jinzhou wish-making rituals, Jinhsi managed to build connection with the citizens and worked towards a thriving, empathetic city.

Changli watches as Jinhsi is crowded by excited people, whose faces are no longer covered by gloom and fatigue, but true delight and gratitude.

Now that a wise governor has emerged in Jinzhou, neither the people nor the capital would doubt Jinhsi's competency.

"Do as you wish, I will support you," Changli said as she sowed seeds of knowledge and lit up Jinhsi's path ahead. The torch set the sky ablaze, illuminating the future of this young girl.

Despite Jinhsi's lingering childishness, she knew this girl would one day become a capable Magistrate, protecting every inch of Jinzhou. Just as her master had done for her, she would guide her student and light the way forward.

Lone Feather in the Alley
Unlocks at Intimacy Lv. 3

The owner of Yanqing Bookstore, Changqing, recently encountered two strange incidents.

The first involves his business.

With so many to be offered from the vast and rich land of Huanglong, items popular in Jinzhou are never there to stay. Recently, paper books have fallen out of fashion and the local bookstore has suffered.

However, business has unexpectedly picked up in the past few days, and Changqing's bookstore has seen an influx of customers.

Many of the customers at the bookstore appeared to be officials from the Central Court, judging by their attire.

When a puzzled Changqing asked them about it, most mentioned that the Secretary-General had recommended this particular place.

The Secretary-General? Although he knew there was a new Secretary-General in office, Changqing couldn't fathom why someone like him, a humble bookstore owner, would be tied to such high-ranking individuals.

The second strange incident revolves around the neglected facade of Yanqing Bookstore.

Under the weight of depression, it had been left unattended for too long. Even the grocer next door advised Changqing to repair the gate before it deterred potential customers.

"Changqing, you should fix your gate. If it gets worse, no one will ever visit your store!"

"Don't worry. Although my store may not be as fancy as those in the capital, I have the greatest collection of antique and classic texts. People will surely find out!"

While he might have appeared confident, Changqing was uncertain about renovating the old store himself. He considered hiring someone during the current boom in business.

The next day, he arrived at the store to find that the facade had miraculously transformed overnight. The plaque and gate were gleaming, proudly displaying "Yanqing Bookstore."

A note on the counter read, "In gratitude for the bookstore owner's kindness, I took the liberty to do some renovation work as a thank you gesture."

The note was not signed, but the vermilion-colored feather pattern on the paper seemed somewhat familiar. Changqing held the note and slowly sat down, falling into memory.

More than decade ago, the bookstore was thriving with customers coming and going. One day, a little girl around eight or nine years old started sneaking in and spending whole afternoons reading books.

Initially, Changqing didn't mind when customers read without purchasing as long as it didn't damage the books or affect business.

But after several days of declining sales and fewer customers, he grew concerned.

"So hot. It's too hot in here! I can't stand it anymore. Let's go somewhere else!"

Despite the early autumn weather, the room was unusually sultry. Changqing wiped his forehead and searched carefully, eventually finding a little girl curled up under a bookshelf, completely engrossed in her book.

In front of her, a fire was floating, heating up the whole premise as the girl was absorbed into the world of the books. This sight filled Changqing with rage.

"What are you doing, kid? You're burning my store!"

The girl was startled by a shout, immediately snuffing out the fire. Changqing watched as the page she held tightly turned yellow, as if it would catch fire soon.

"You, you are...!"

The girl hurriedly threw the book away. Her flushed face revealed a mix of panic and guilt as she surveyed the charred pages.

"Sorry, it's too dark here, I just wanted to make it brighter..."

As Changqing saw his beloved book being damaged, he couldn't help but remember the recent decline in sales. His face darkened as he grabbed a broom from the side of the bookshelf and prepared to strike the girl responsible.

However, she was surprisingly quick for her slender frame. When Changqing pursued her out of the bookstore, all he could see was her fiery red hair disappearing in the bustling market. He stood at the gate, fuming and bewildered.

"Never show your face again!"

"What's wrong?" The grocer next door came out with a smile and asked, "Isn't that the little girl who can control fire?"

"You know her? She almost burned down my store!"

"Hey, she's a good girl, I kid you not. Helped me out a few days ago, just to get some steamed buns. It's a pity she had to walk here alone, so young and all. I heard her hometown was attacked by the TD Outbreak and no one made it. Not sure how she managed to escape..."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Well, you didn't ask! But now that this happened... she probably won't come back again."

The little girl disappeared down the alley, and sounds of children playing drifted over from the neighboring walls. Changqing gazed at the book lying on the ground, unsure of what to feel.

Radiance's Return
Unlocks at Intimacy Lv. 4

Business at Yanqing Bookstore had returned to normal, with a steady stream of book lovers, but the little girl who used to read quietly between the bookshelves was nowhere to be seen.

To Changqing's surprise, the girl returned a week later.

"This is all my money. I swear, I earned it! Sorry for the books I burned... Only you have the books I'm looking for. Please, may I..."

The girl bit her lip, timidly placing the scattered Shell Credits from her hands on the counter. Her petite figure was not even as tall as the counter, so only half of her head was visible. She was on her tiptoes, her body slightly trembling, but her bright, somewhat stubborn eyes were still fixed on him, and wouldn't evade.

"...Alright."

After all the days, Changqing's anger had long since subsided. He waved his hand, "Go, take your money, and don't disturb my business."

The girl bowed and left without a word. She kept stopping and looking back as she walked away. Changqing sighed heavily, watching her frail figure and worn-out clothes in silence. He rose, grabbed a lamp, and gave it to the girl with the store's spare key.

"Take it. Don't use fire for light anymore. Come read at night when there's no customers."

"..."

"I'm not letting you read for free. You'll need to open the shop for me in the morning."

"T-thank you, sir..."

It was his first glimpse of the girl's innocent, beaming smile.

After their initial encounter, the girl became a regular at Changqing Bookstore. As arranged, she would only come in the evenings and spend her time solely absorbed in reading. In the mornings, when Changqing returned, he always found the store immaculately clean and organized.

During colder days, the girl also visited during daylight hours. Despite the wintry gusts outside, the room was filled with a cozy warmth. Though Changqing occasionally glimpsed at her reading material, he could only make out books on literature and history.

The girl's calm demeanor belied her youth, only animated when lost in her books.

One day, the girl vanished. Rumors spread—was she taken by Tacet Discords? Or did she succumb to injuries on her journey to the capital city?

Seeing the flame pattern on the letter, Changqing felt a spark of hope. Could she still be alive?

"Excuse me?"

Changqing's reminiscing was interrupted by a tall, elegant lady standing at the counter. Her soft eyes and flame-colored hair, like a mythical bird's feathers, gently swayed in the wind. She placed some Shell Credits on the counter and asked with a smile, "Sir, only you have the books I'm looking for. Please, may I borrow them?"

She had transformed from a delicate girl to a confident young Secretary-General, the talk of the town. As the sun rose and filled the room with morning light, the aged bookshop owner chuckled and gestured for her to continue reading.

"Go on… Read it, even if you don't pay. I doubt I can force you to now."

The Myth-Laden Savior
Unlocks at Intimacy Lv. 5

Master Xuanmiao had been looking for a certain person.

Young Changli accompanied her aged mentor across the landscapes of Huanglong. Though he was initially reluctant to mentor another student, the revered elder dedicated himself to passing on every ounce of wisdom to her in their limited time together.

Master Xuanmiao was a devoted Weiqi player. During breaks on their weary journey, they would settle by the roadside to engage in intense matches. He utilized these moments not just for play but also as teaching opportunities for Changli, imparting wisdom on strategic thinking and power dynamics within each move. Sometimes, he would analyze an unfinished game of Weiqi with her, but he always seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her responses.

It was during these times that he would mention an old friend of his, hinting at a quest to reconnect with this individual through Changli's tutelage. Despite Changli's curiosity about this mysterious person's identity and location, her mentor would simply shake his head and tell her, "The time has not yet come."

On the day he felt his final moments approaching, he entrusted Changli with his Weiqi game record and his cherished journal. With solemnity, he told his devoted disciple, "In this unfinished game, you shall find the ultimate truth."

And so, carrying on the legacy of Master Xuanmiao, Changli embarked on her path ahead.

"...A celestial being descended, wielding the limitless might of the universe, embracing the inaugural Echo within..."
"...The enigmatic figure with eyes of gold amidst swirling clouds and waning lights."
"...Steadfastly by the side of Sentinel Jué, in a bond of intimate camaraderie."

Following the notes in her late mentor's journal, she continued her search, uncovering traces of that enigmatic figure in various unexpected places. At times, it was the captivating tales spun by seasoned storytellers; elsewhere, it was mere slivers gleaned from ancient archives. Like a silent guardian, this person acted as a sturdy anchor in turbulent seas, leading humanity through the wreckage of past calamities towards a hopeful horizon. The subtle imprints they left behind wove an almost imperceptible yet unyielding thread that bridged vast stretches of time and history far surpassing the ordinary span of mortal lives.

She had been told that the signs of that person's arrival would be impossible to miss. That said person had the power to truly change the world. However, her vision of a peaceful and prosperous world required more than mere hopeful anticipation of a savior. Understanding that achieving her dreams necessitated acquiring substantial power and influence, she embarked on a journey through diverse lands, immersing herself in wisdom, and persisting through every challenge without faltering to meet the expectations placed upon her.

Upon assuming the esteemed role of Secretary-General, she at last gained entry into the revered Grand Libraries. Within the vast expanse of knowledge stored within their walls, she uncovered a pivotal revelation: a clue leading her to Jinzhou, a border city in Huanglong.

From then on, everything unfolded precisely as Sentinel Jué predicted. The person she had been searching for emerged in Jinzhou and protected the city from a reviving Threnodian. The once nebulous being from ancient records and myths now solidified into a clear and distinct presence within her mind.

On the day of their foretold encounter, she returned to Jinzhou from Mingting, the capital city of Huanglong. She witnessed the esteemed guest of Jinzhou waiting at the ferry port in the rain, looking uncertain.

Following the prophecies of Jué, she had faith that their paths would converge at the right moment.
And that awaited moment was upon her.

Concealing a whirlwind of emotions behind her gaze, she advanced towards them with measured steps. Using her paper umbrella adorned with a spirit bird motif, she gently angled it to provide cover from the rain, as their eyes locked in a wordless exchange. The sole audible presence was the hushed melody of raindrops tapping against her umbrella.

She smiled and softly asked, "Are you trapped here by the rain?"

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