Mountain Shaper Zhenjun looked at Paimon and Lumine, his old face stiff with hesitation.
At that moment, Madame Ping stepped forward.
"Alright, didn't Ningguang just say to truly look at this city and its people?"
"I have taken the time to observe... why don't you all try it as well?"
She then slowly turned, her gaze drifting toward Liyue Harbor beneath the Jade Chamber.
"Everyone, take a look. This is what this era looks like."
Hearing her words, the Adepti behind her also slowly turned their eyes toward the bustling city below.
"The Nation of Contracts still respects and appreciates the Adepti, but over the years, Liyue has faced countless challenges, both great and small."
"And yet, not every problem has required the intervention of Adepti to be resolved."
"The mortals we once called fragile have proven themselves strong."
"The contract between gods and Liyue has endured for over a thousand years. But now, it is an era where Liyue's people make contracts with one another."
Madame Ping's gentle words carried across the gathering, painting a picture of Liyue's present.
Mountain Shaper Zhenjun and Moon Carver Zhenjun exchanged a glance.
"...Sigh, let's return."
Looking down at Liyue Harbor—its vibrant streets filled with life—they couldn't help but feel out of place in this new world.
"This Liyue, after so long... it is not the same as I remember."
"By the time I understand the new contracts forged here, you mortals will likely have already reshaped it once more."
Mountain Shaper sighed as he gazed down at the city.
"Forget it... it is time to go home."
With that, he shifted into his beast form, spreading his wings and soaring away.
"Well, if the others agree, I won't insist further."
"But after the Adepti withdraw, can the Qixing truly govern Liyue alone? In my view, caution must still be exercised."
Moon Carver Zhenjun cast a glance at Madame Ping, then at Ningguang, Qiqi, and finally Ganyu, before transforming into his beast form and leaping into the sky.
"Heh heh heh..."
Hearing this, Ningguang closed her eyes slightly and let out a soft chuckle.
"Alright, alright, Moon Carver—you old relic, let it go already. Even the Immortal Lord himself has given his silent approval, and yet you're still chewing on it."
"If you ask me, the power of oversight should belong to the people of Liyue."
Madame Ping stood atop the Jade Chamber, her voice carrying as she addressed the fading deer-like silhouette in the sky.
The figure did not respond, merely continuing its flight into the distance, as if quietly acknowledging her words.
Behind them, Ganyu remained frozen in place, unable to utter a single word.
"Phew... well, a crisis between mortals and Adepti was averted peacefully, at least," Paimon exhaled deeply, still trying to catch her breath from all the commotion.
"The Adepti were surprisingly reasonable," Lumine added, watching as Paimon sighed in relief.
"Oh, right! Peace is great and all, but there's still something unresolved!"
"This whole crisis started because Childe released the Archon, and the Doctor lifted the suppression on it. Childe's goal in doing so was to force the Geo Archon and the Immortal Lord to appear!"
"The crisis was resolved by the Immortal Lord, but why didn't the Geo Archon show up?"
"And come to think of it… what really happened to that so-called death of a god?"
Paimon slapped her forehead, suddenly recalling that the Geo Archon, Morax, never once appeared throughout the entire ordeal.
"Ugh, I'm completely lost... but if we're looking for the best lead—"
"Could it have something to do with the Farewell Rite, where we had no immortal to send off?"
Paimon turned toward the Traveler.
"Let's head to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and find Zhongli."
Lumine nodded, looking at the still-bewildered Paimon.
With that, the two of them strolled toward the direction of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
...
The scene shifted—Jueyun Karst.
Xiao sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes slightly closed. Before him stood the Lord Immortal—Qiu Bai.
"Xiao, relax."
Qiu Bai's voice was calm as he spoke to the Yaksha.
He watched as Xiao kept his eyes shut, then raised a hand. A radiant white glow swirled in his palm before he channeled it into Xiao's body.
At once, an ominous black-red aura surged from Xiao's form. The dark energy twisted and writhed, resisting, but Qiu Bai's purifying light pressed against it relentlessly, forcing it out.
"Ugh..."
Xiao gritted his teeth as an indescribable pain coursed through his body.
Karmic hindrances were different from mere wear and tear. For thousands of years, Xiao had endured this agony in silence, yet now, for the first time, pain was visible on his face. That alone spoke volumes about its intensity.
"Xiao's karmic burden is this severe?"
Qiu Bai frowned at the sight of Xiao's suffering, then intensified the white light in his hand.
As the light grew stronger, Xiao's pained expression gradually eased.
After a while, the last traces of karmic hindrances were finally purged from his body.
"Venerated Yaksha, how do you feel?"
Liuyun asked with concern as she watched Xiao slowly rise to his feet.
Xiao hesitated for a moment, almost as if he couldn't believe it himself. He looked down at his hands, flexing them experimentally.
"Now, you can approach humans without fear."
"You no longer have to worry about your karmic aura harming them."
Qiu Bai nodded as he watched Xiao stand.
Xiao felt noticeably lighter. Testing his strength, he took out his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear and unleashed a burst of pure Adeptal energy infused with Anemo. The blast struck a nearby boulder, shattering it instantly.
Clenching his fist, Xiao let out a rare smile.
"I feel… great. With the karma gone—"
"My Adeptal energy has even grown stronger."
Xiao turned to Liuyun as he spoke, then shifted his gaze to Qiu Bai.
"Thank you, Immortal Lord, for purging my karma."
His voice was steady, but the gratitude in his eyes was unmistakable.
"There's no need for formalities, Xiao."
"As an Adeptus protecting Liyue, you and I are no different."
Qiu Bai smiled as he met Xiao's gaze.
"Hmph, Venerated Yaksha, why are you being so courteous with him?"
"This fool's been asleep so long, he's lost all sense of decorum."
Cloud Retainer, still in her human form, turned her head with a huff.
"In that case, I will return to Dihua Marsh and resume my watch."
With that, Xiao's figure vanished.
"...Liuyun, are you really still holding onto this?"
"If Liyue Harbor ever strays from the right path, we can always step in to correct it."
"But for now, Liyue is heading in the right direction."
Qiu Bai spoke slowly, his eyes steady as he looked at Cloud Retainer.
He wasn't wrong. The Liyue of today was not the same Liyue from thousands of years ago.
Their role was simply to protect it from the shadows. No doubt, a certain consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was also quite satisfied with the way things had turned out.
"Hmph! You idiot, I'm done talking to you."
"I'm heading back."
Cloud Retainer snorted haughtily, though her words were as good as an acknowledgment of Qiu Bai's reasoning.
Then, with a flash of Adeptal energy, she transformed into her true form and took off toward Jueyun Karst.
"Haha, bye then! Always a pleasure, oh great conversationalist!"
Qiu Bai chuckled and waved at the crane's fading silhouette.
Hearing that remark, Cloud Retainer wobbled mid-flight, nearly tumbling out of the sky.