Chapter 7 – Five Hundred Years Later

At a certain cliff in Jueyun Karst.

“Thank you, Adeptus Lord, for dispersing the dark energy for us.”

“We feel ashamed in our hearts and should go help the people of Liyue rebuild their homes. After that, we will retreat to the mountains and forests, withdrawing from worldly affairs.”

A group of demons bowed to Qiu Bai in farewell, then flew off toward Liyue Harbor.

“It seems your conditions aren’t too good either.”

Qiu Bai teased Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu, and the many other Adepti.

The time Qiu Bai had left was already running short. He needed to quickly do what he could before falling into slumber.

“Adeptus Lord, please don’t tease us. But how did you suddenly awaken?”

“Yes, Adeptus Lord, are you truly alright?”

Cloud Retainer and Ganyu looked at Qiu Bai with concern.

Qiu Bai said nothing, instead infusing Yang Qi into the bodies of the many Adepti behind him. All their injuries were completely healed.

“I was forcibly awakened and have little time left. I will soon fall into slumber once more.”

“You should first go to Liyue Harbor and other regions to aid the people.”

After speaking, Qiu Bai walked into his own cave abode, cleaned it thoroughly, and resealed the entrance.

Ganyu and the others watched as the Adeptus Lord disappeared into his cave abode, their hearts filled with complex emotions.

“Let’s go, Ganyu. The Adeptus Lord will be fine. We should first go to Liyue to aid the disaster victims.”

Cloud Retainer looked at the dazed Ganyu and spoke words of comfort.

“Alright.”

Ganyu replied softly.

The three of them also flew off toward Liyue Harbor.

Inside the cave abode, Qiu Bai lay upon Cor Lapis, his eyes slightly closed.

“System, begin slumber.”

Qiu Bai silently recited in his heart.

“Ding. Detected host is about to enter slumber. When the host awakens, physical constitution will be enhanced tenfold to peak condition!”

“By then, the host will no longer need the system! The system will automatically unbind.”

“Automatic unbinding, physical constitution enhanced tenfold… Goodness, doesn’t that mean I could practically walk sideways across Teyvat?”

Qiu Bai thought with pleasant surprise in his heart, then fell into slumber.

Seven days later…

Morax returned to Liyue from Khaenri’ah. Seeing one giant beast after another—butterfly-shaped, horse-shaped—all using their power to help Liyue rebuild its homeland, he was somewhat bewildered.

“Who are all these people? I don’t recall Liyue having these Adepti.”

Morax asked in confusion.

Cloud Retainer then appeared before Morax.

“Rex Lapis, these Greater Demons were all redeemed by the Adeptus Lord and voluntarily came to help the people of Liyue.”

Morax looked at Cloud Retainer with some puzzlement.

“Greater Demons? You mean the followers of the defeated Demon Gods from the Archon War period? Didn’t they flee to the Dark Sea?”

Cloud Retainer informed Morax of everything that had transpired during this time…

“Old friend…”

After listening, Morax fell silent for a while, then flew toward a mountain peak.

Standing on the mountain, he gazed at Liyue, which was recovering its vitality.

“I wish to buy osmanthus wine and share a drink together, but alas, when will I see my old friend again?”

Spring passed, winter and summer came, time flowed by like running water. Five hundred years later.

After a thousand years, the image of the Adeptus Lord had become widely circulated among the Liyue populace.

This led to Qiu Bai’s status in the hearts of the Liyue people becoming almost on par with that of Rex Lapis.

“Ding. Host’s strength has been restored!”

“Ding. Host’s strength enhanced tenfold! System unbound.”

Qiu Bai also awoke from his slumber.

“Has five hundred years already passed? My power has increased tenfold.”

“Now, I should be able to walk freely across Teyvat.”

Qiu Bai murmured, sensing the power within him.

“Let’s go out and take a look first.”

Qiu Bai stretched, dispelled the seal on his cave dwelling, and stepped outside. The bright sunlight shone on his face.

With a swift transformation, his hair was now tied up with a bamboo hairpin, and he held a black-and-white fan adorned with mountain and river scenery.

He wore a pristine, straight-collared robe with excellent drape, cinched at the waist with a wide belt embroidered with moon-white auspicious cloud patterns.

Hanging from it was only a single piece of exquisite black jade. A few strands of hair at his forehead were tousled by the wind, intertwining with a silver ribbon as they danced, giving him an air of lightness.

At first glance, one might wonder which noble family’s young master this was, born with such striking handsomeness.

He concealed his aura and altered his appearance.

“Like this, no one should recognize me.”

“Fresh air!”

“Let’s head to Liyue Harbor first.”

With a single teleport, Qiu Bai arrived at a secluded corner of Liyue Harbor.

Walking through the streets of Liyue Harbor now filled Qiu Bai with deep emotion.

“Zhongyuan Chop Suey, delicious and affordable!”

“Xinyue Kiosk, half-price for a limited time!”

Familiar voices rang out one after another, overlapping with Qiu Bai’s memories.

“It looks very similar to how I remember it. I wonder if the story has started yet.”

Qiu Bai pondered.

Suddenly, a certain unknown consultant sitting in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor jolted.

He set down the teacup he had just picked up.

“Parlor Master, please excuse me for a moment.”

He rose and prepared to leave.

“Ah, go on, go on. I say, Zhongli, don’t go eating at places like Xinyue Kiosk anymore.”

“If you must go out to eat, don’t send the bills to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. We haven’t had any business in a long time!”

Hu Tao lay lazily on a stool, watching Zhongli with some puzzlement.

This guy Zhongli looked so young and handsome, knew everything yet seemed indifferent to everything, like some old relic.

“Parlor Master, I am going to meet an old friend this time, not to eat.”

Zhongli explained as he looked at Hu Tao.

“Go on, then. Remember to bring me something from Wanmin Restaurant.”

“I haven’t eaten all day. This Parlor Master is starving!”

Hu Tao clutched her stomach, looking at Zhongli.

“Understood, Parlor Master.”

With that, Zhongli left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and headed in Qiu Bai’s direction.

Qiu Bai was wondering where the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was. After all, this wasn’t the Liyue Harbor from the game; the Liyue Harbor here was far larger.

Just as Qiu Bai was about to continue forward, a familiar face approached him.

The man wore amber-colored clothing, the upper part resembling a suit, the lower part a tailcoat, embroidered with a dragon.

“Old friend, it’s been a long time.”

Zhongli greeted Qiu Bai.

“Morax?”

Qiu Bai also recognized him at a glance.

“Let’s walk and talk, Morpheus.”

“My name now is Zhongli.”

Zhongli and Qiu Bai walked along the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, conversing as they went.

“Zhongli, what a fine name.”

“The Liyue of today is vastly different from what I remember.”

Of course, Qiu Bai knew his current name was Zhongli.

“By the way, my name now is Qiu Bai.”

Qiu Bai likewise told Zhongli his current name.

“Your power seems to have grown significantly.”

“I can sense that your current strength is nearly on par with mine.”

Zhongli asked with some curiosity.

“Indeed, I haven’t been idle during this thousand-year slumber.”

“Liyue today is truly prosperous.”

Qiu Bai remarked with emotion.

“I plan to step down from the position of Geo Archon during the Rite of Descension the day after tomorrow.”

“I intend to test this generation of the Liyue Qixing.”

Zhongli paused before continuing.

Even the unbreakable bedrock, impervious to whirlpools, will be worn down by the passage of time.

I had merely convinced myself that the day when cracks would appear from Erosion had not yet arrived.

Until one drizzly afternoon, while strolling by the harbor, I overheard a merchant praising his subordinate.

“You have fulfilled your duty. Now, go and rest.”

At that moment, I stood still amidst the bustling crowd, repeatedly asking myself:

“Have I, too, fulfilled my duty?”

But when I began to consider whether I should relinquish my divine position, I realized there were still many reasons I could not leave.

Liyue, a land that has walked alongside its deity—is it ready to step into the next era?

I must create an opportunity to observe carefully before making my decision.