At this moment in Liyue Harbor...
Qiu Bai was sipping tea with Zhongli, listening to a storyteller while reminiscing about the War of the Archons.
The so-called War of the Archons was nothing more than a contest among deities for the seats of the Seven. Each of the Seven wielded immense power. Based on Qiu Bai's own estimation, Archons could be classified into upper, middle, and lower tiers. He and Zhongli should both belong to the upper tier now.
Before he enhanced his own strength, he had likely been in the middle tier—about the same as Osial. Even with the sea as his prison, sealed by the Stone Lance, Osial had only been pushed back into the ocean by the combined might of the Adepti and the Jade Chamber. The power of Archons was not something mortals could contend with.
"I can feel the power inside me slowly growing," Qiu Bai muttered to himself.
"Is it because I'm immune to erosion?"
He set his teacup down and looked toward Zhongli.
"Zhongli, which was stronger—your power now or during the War of the Archons?"
Qiu Bai studied him thoughtfully.
"My strength during the War of the Archons was greater," Zhongli replied, unsure why Qiu Bai was asking.
"If not for the erosion of Celestia, would your power increase or decline?"
Qiu Bai soundproofed the area before speaking.
"Increase," Zhongli answered without hesitation.
"I see... So being immune to erosion has its advantages."
Nearby, Tian Tiezui watched them exchanging silent glances.
"What's with these two? Talking without making a sound?" He clicked his tongue.
"Truly a pair of oddballs."
Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to his storytelling.
Just then, a young woman in a purple dress approached. A Vision of Electro hung from her back, and the cat-ear ornament on her head only added to her charm. Her long, sleek legs, adorned with intricate patterns, exuded an air of nobility and grace.
Qiu Bai's eyes widened. Wait, Liyue's Electro Archon?
As Keqing strode toward them, he couldn't help but think to himself—though this wasn't a game anymore, there was no denying it... Keqing was an absolute beauty. And that cat-ear headpiece? That was just unfairly cute.
"Have either of you seen the immortal in this painting?" Keqing asked, frowning slightly.
She glanced at the two men before her—both strikingly handsome. She recognized Zhongli from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; his vast knowledge was well known. But the other man...
"And you are?" she asked, looking at Qiu Bai.
"Lady Yuheng, he is an old friend of mine," Zhongli introduced.
"He returned to Liyue specifically to attend the Rite of Descension."
"So, you are one of the Liyue Qixing?"
"I've heard much about you," Qiu Bai said, extending a hand for a handshake. Come on, how could I pass up the chance to shake hands with such a beauty?
Keqing hesitated for a moment, then, to her own surprise, reached out as well. Normally, she would never agree to shake hands with a stranger.
So warm... and soft...
Qiu Bai couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It had been a thousand years since he had last held a woman's hand.
Keqing's face flushed. She quickly pulled her hand back and lowered her gaze.
"I'm afraid I haven't seen the immortal you're looking for, Miss Keqing," Qiu Bai said.
"I doubt Zhongli has, either."
He shook his head, signaling that neither of them had any information. Wouldn't it be hilarious if I told you that the immortal you're searching for is standing right in front of you?
"Then I won't trouble you further," Keqing said with a polite smile, giving them a small wave before heading off toward the distance.
"Where are you, Lord Immortal?"
"Keqing will definitely find you!"
Looking up at the sky, she clasped her hands together, her face still slightly red.
"...So this is Liyue's Qixing of this generation?" Qiu Bai mused, turning to Zhongli.
"Heh." Zhongli let out a chuckle.
"She is the least reverent of the Qixing."
"It is precisely because Liyue has people like her that I am considering retirement."
Qiu Bai barely held back his laughter. Least reverent? Oh, please. This little cat has probably collected more of your figurines than you can imagine.
As the saying went—Liyue had only two types of people: Morax fans and obsessive Morax fans.
"Pfft—"
Qiu Bai couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing.
"What's so funny, Qiu Bai?" Zhongli asked, puzzled.
"Just thought of something that made me happy."
"And what was that?"
"Oh, I just won the lottery."
...
Zhongli and Qiu Bai finished listening to the storyteller. Since Zhongli needed to return to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he bid Qiu Bai farewell.
Qiu Bai wandered aimlessly through the streets of Liyue, unintentionally drawing the attention of several women.
"Hey, look at that gentleman. He's so handsome."
Two delicate-looking young women whispered to each other.
"Right? I heard he's a guest consultant at the funeral parlor."
"A guest consultant? Wasn't Mr. Zhongli one too?"
One of the women, her cheeks slightly flushed, glanced at Qiu Bai.
"Don't tell me Wangsheng Funeral Parlor is collecting pretty boys? They're both so good-looking."
"No way! Hu Tao is still so young."
"She's not that young..." the other woman muttered, a little envious.
Qiu Bai listened to their conversation and nearly burst out laughing. The Hall Master was young—and quite flat too.
"I should find a quiet place for now. Tomorrow's going to be quite the spectacle."
"Morax is faking his death tomorrow... I have to help the Hall Master carry the coffin!"
"Hahahaha!"
Qiu Bai barely held in his laughter as he left Liyue Harbor, teleporting to a bridge near Jueyun Karst.
"Huh? There's even a fishing rod here?"
"Fishing... now this is the life."
...
Meanwhile, in the Jade Chamber...
Ningguang sat before a wall covered in intelligence reports, mumbling to herself.
"The Fatui Harbingers... The Traveler... and the Immortal Lord."
"The Rite of Descension..."
Resting her chin on her hand, she sighed. The situation was giving her a headache. At this point, the only option was to take things one step at a time.
"Right, tomorrow during the Rite, I'll just ask the Lord of Geo myself."
"As for the Fatui... they are of no concern to me."
Her gaze turned icy. She was well aware that the Fatui had already stolen the Anemo Archon's Gnosis in Mondstadt.
It wouldn't be surprising if their next target was the Geo Archon himself. But how many forces in this world were even capable of assassinating Morax?
With that thought, she ordered Baishi and Baiwen to sort and process the intelligence reports. She needed to clear her mind before facing the upcoming Rite of Descension.
...
Night had fallen.
Qiu Bai sat by the river, looking at the results of his fishing—just one fish after an entire afternoon.
He glanced at the large, plump fish swimming in groups below and sighed.
"Seriously? Just one?"
"Fine, if you won't bite the bait, then don't blame me."
With a flick of his hand, he used his divine power to pull every fish out of the water.
The fish: "Bro, you're unbelievable."
"But doing this kinda ruins the whole point of fishing... I should calm my mind."
After a moment of thought, Qiu Bai sighed and sent the fish back into the river.
The fish: "Make up your mind, will you?"
"Well, that's enough for today."
"...But I do still have one left."
Qiu Bai grabbed the lone fish he had caught, holding it by the tail. Feeling a little hungry, he set up a fire and began roasting it.