NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Five Hundred Years Later
Somewhere atop a cliff in Jueyun Karst...
"Thank you, Immortal Lord, for dispelling the black mist for us."
"We bear guilt in our hearts. We should first aid the people of Liyue in rebuilding their homes, and after that, we will retreat into the mountains and live in seclusion, far removed from worldly affairs."
A group of yokai cupped their hands in farewell to Qiu Bai before flying off toward Liyue Harbor.
"It seems like you all aren't in great shape either," Qiu Bai teased as he looked at Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, Ganyu, and the other Adepti.
His time was running out. He needed to do what he could before he fell back into slumber.
"Please, Immortal Lord, don't tease us—but why did you suddenly awaken?"
"Yes, are you truly alright?"
Cloud Retainer and Ganyu gazed at him with concern.
Qiu Bai said nothing. Instead, he infused pure Yang energy into the Adepti behind him, restoring all their wounds.
"I was forcibly awakened, and my remaining time is short. Soon, I will fall into slumber once more."
"You should go to Liyue Harbor and the surrounding areas to help the people first."
With those words, Qiu Bai turned and walked toward his cave. After tidying up, he sealed the entrance once more.
Ganyu and the others watched him disappear into the cave, their hearts filled with complex emotions.
"Let's go, Ganyu. The Immortal Lord will be fine. We should head to Liyue and help the victims first," Cloud Retainer reassured her.
"Alright," Ganyu murmured.
The three of them then flew toward Liyue Harbor...
Inside his cave, Qiu Bai lay on a bed of noctilucous jade, his eyes half-closed.
"System, begin slumber," he silently commanded.
[Ding! Detecting that the host is about to enter deep sleep. Upon awakening, the host's physical abilities will be enhanced tenfold to peak condition!]
[At that time, the host will no longer require the system. The system will automatically unbind.]
"Auto-unbind? Tenfold enhancement? Damn, does that mean I'll be able to strut across Teyvat like a boss?" Qiu Bai thought excitedly."
Then, he drifted into deep slumber...
Seven days later...
Morax returned to Liyue from Khaenri'ah, only to be met with an unexpected sight—massive beasts, some shaped like butterflies, others like horses, were using their strength to help rebuild the city.
"Who are these beings? I don't recall Liyue having such Adepti," he asked, puzzled.
Cloud Retainer appeared before him.
"Lord Morax, these great demons were redeemed by the Immortal Lord and have chosen to aid Liyue's people of their own volition."
Morax frowned slightly.
"Great demons? The followers of the defeated gods from the Archon War? Didn't they flee beyond the Dark Sea?"
Cloud Retainer recounted the events that had transpired in recent days...
"My old friend..."
Morax stood in silence for a long moment before ascending to the mountain peak.
From there, he looked down at Liyue, now teeming with new life.
"I wish to buy osmanthus wine and share a drink, but alas... when will I see you again?"
...
Seasons passed like flowing water, and five hundred years slipped away in the blink of an eye.
Over the centuries, stories of the Immortal Lord spread widely among the people of Liyue. His image became so revered that, in their hearts, his status was nearly on par with the Geo Archon himself.
[Ding! The host's strength has been fully restored!]
[Ding! The host's power has increased tenfold! System unbinding complete.]
Qiu Bai awoke from his long slumber.
"Five hundred years have passed? And my power has grown tenfold..."
"Now, I really can strut across Teyvat like a boss," he muttered, feeling the immense strength coursing through him.
"Let's go take a look outside."
He stretched lazily before dissolving the cave's seal and stepping out into the bright sunlight.
Warm light bathed his face as he shook himself off. His hair was bound with a bamboo hairpin, and he held a black-and-white folding fan adorned with a landscape painting.
He wore a flowing, snow-white robe with a straight collar, the fabric draping elegantly around him. A wide, pale moon-colored belt with intricate cloud patterns cinched his waist, from which hung a single piece of finely carved obsidian jade.
A few loose strands of hair fluttered in the breeze, interwoven with a silver ribbon, lending him an air of effortless grace.
At first glance, he looked like the young master of a noble family—handsome beyond compare.
Suppressing his aura, he altered his appearance slightly.
"This should make it hard for anyone to recognize me," he mused.
He took a deep breath.
"Ah, fresh air!"
"Let's head to Liyue Harbor first."
With a flash, Qiu Bai teleported to an empty corner of the bustling port.
As he strolled through the familiar streets, a wave of nostalgia washed over him.
"Authentic Central Plains snacks! Delicious and affordable!"
"Half-price special at Xinyue Kiosk!"
The lively shouts of vendors overlapped with his memories, making it feel as though nothing had changed.
"It looks just like I remember... I wonder if the main story has started yet?" he pondered.
Meanwhile, in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, an unnamed guest suddenly tensed.
The tea he had been about to sip was slowly placed back onto the table.
"My apologies, Hall Master," he murmured before rising to leave.
"Go on, go on. Zhongli, I'm telling you, stop going to places like Xinyue Xuan for dinner."
"It's fine if you go out to eat, just don't send the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor anymore. We haven't had any business in ages!"
Hu Tao lazily sprawled over a stool, watching Zhongli with a puzzled expression.
This guy looked so young and handsome, knew everything yet cared about nothing—just like an ancient relic.
"Hall Master, I am merely going to meet an old friend, not to have dinner," Zhongli explained, looking at Hu Tao.
"Fine, fine. But remember to bring me something from Wanmin Restaurant."
"If I don't eat anything today, I'll starve to death," Hu Tao said, holding her stomach as she looked at him.
"I understand, Hall Master."
With that, Zhongli left the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and headed in Qiu Bai's direction.
...
Qiu Bai was still trying to figure out where Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was. After all, this was Liyue Harbor in reality—not the one from the game—and it was far larger than he remembered.
Just as he was about to continue walking, a familiar face approached.
The man wore a yellow crane-colored outfit—his top resembled a suit, while the lower half was like a tailcoat, adorned with intricate dragon embroidery.
"My friend, long time no see," Zhongli greeted.
"Morax?"
Qiu Bai instantly recognized him.
"Let's walk and talk, Meleagros."
"My name is Zhongli now," Zhongli corrected.
The two walked through the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, chatting as they went.
"Zhongli, huh? That's a good name."
"Liyue today is so different from how I remember it."
Of course, Qiu Bai had long known his name was now Zhongli.
"By the way, my current name is Qiu Bai," he added.
Zhongli glanced at him curiously.
"Your strength has grown tremendously."
"I can sense it—your current power is nearly on par with mine."
"Yeah, I didn't just sleep away the last thousand years."
"Liyue has truly flourished," Qiu Bai mused with a sigh.
"I plan to step down from my position as the Geo Archon during the Rite of Descension the day after tomorrow," Zhongli said after a brief pause.
"I intend to test this generation of the Liyue Qixing."
...
Even the strongest stone, unshaken by the raging vortex, will eventually wear away under the passage of time.
For ages, I convinced myself that the day those cracks would form had not yet arrived.
Then, on a drizzly afternoon, I wandered the harbor and overheard a merchant praising his subordinate:
"You have fulfilled your duty. Now, go and rest."
At that moment, I stood frozen in the bustling crowd, questioning myself over and over again:
"Have I fulfilled my duty?"
Yet, as I began contemplating my abdication, I realized—there are still many reasons I cannot leave.
Liyue, this land where gods and mortals walk together—is it truly ready to step into the next era?
I must create an opportunity to observe carefully before making my decision.
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