Original God Zhongli BG Xiao Qinglong traveled through time

Between sea and sky, the suffocating inky color and the aftermath of violent energy slowly dissipated like the receding tide. The surging resentment transformed into icy black raindrops, slamming onto the gradually calming yet still turbulent undercurrent of the sea, making a hissing sound like a final, unwilling wail. The jagged rocks of Solitary Cloud Pavilion were stained and stained, filled with smoke, water vapor, and the faintest rusty scent of demonic blood.

The wind in the wilderness began to blow again, bringing with it a chill after the catastrophe, sweeping away the previously sticky, inextricable oppression. In the distance, the lights of Liyue Harbor seemed brighter and warmer than ever, like countless stars twinkling with peace of mind, firmly proclaiming the word "home."

Lin Huan let out a light breath, its breath tinged with undisguised fatigue, as if a bowstring stretched to the limit had finally slackened slightly. Continuously perceiving a demonic battle of this magnitude with her spiritual awareness had taken its toll on her. She gazed at the ships on the sea, which were beginning to regroup and treat the wounded, and at the exhausted but high-spirited Thousand Rocks Army on the shore. The hint of relief still lingered on her lips, but a heavy weariness settled in her eyes.

At this moment, the space beside her seemed to be quietly stained by a drop of invisible warm ink.

There was no earth-shattering roar, no space-shattering ripples. Simply, atop the jagged reef, where nothing had been, a figure as steady as a mountain suddenly appeared. It was as if he had already stood there, coexisting with this world for millennia, only now unseen.

Zhongli stood with his hands behind his back, his dark robe unmoved by the salty, damp sea breeze. The dark gold rock patterns on his hem resembled molten gold flowing deep within the earth's veins, gleaming with a warm, restrained luster under the dim skylight. He didn't gaze at the battlefield's aftermath. His gilded eyes, imbued with countless years and wisdom, now rested gently, with a subtle, scrutinizing gaze, on Lin Huan's slightly pale face.

"This matter is over, and the dust has settled for now." He spoke, his voice low and mellow, like the lingering sound of a guqin, strangely soothing the last trace of restless energy in the air. "Thank you for your hard work."

Those three simple words seemed to carry a tremendous weight and a profound understanding. He observed not only the waning battle before him, but also the exhaustion of her spiritual awareness and mental fatigue.

Xiao's Nuo mask lowered slightly toward him, a silent gesture of respect and reporting. Zhongli shifted his gaze and gave Xiao a slight nod, a gesture that spoke volumes. It was a gesture of affirmation for Xiao's commitment to defending this place, a message of "Leave this place to me."

Lin Huan's body trembled slightly upon hearing the voice, and she slowly turned her head. When her eyes met the figure so familiar that it was etched into her soul, the calm exterior of "Immortal Lin Huan" that she had been holding up so tightly seemed to finally show the first cracks in the face of an absolutely safe harbor.

It is a kind of dependence and attachment that does not require words or thinking.

She said nothing, merely blinking briefly. The tranquil immortal energy flowing through her body faded quietly like a tide, and her elegant green gown seemed to lose its support, dimming slightly. Then, a soft yet dazzling white light flashed, not the glow of a spell, but the natural flow of life's transformation.

The next second, the person standing there was no longer the beautiful fairy, but a furry, chubby silver-gray ragdoll cat.

Xizhi Cat seemed to have exhausted all its strength. Its eyes, as blue as the clear sky, were half-lidded, their long lashes still stained with a hint of tiredness. It tilted its head back and meowed softly, aggrievedly, at Zhongli. Its voice was hoarse and etched with obvious weariness. Then, with small, unsteady steps, it nudged itself to Zhongli's feet. With its furry cheeks and entire head, it rubbed against the cool uppers of his shoes and the hem of his clothes, rubbing its furry face and entire head against his cold shoes and the hem of his clothes with immense dependence, as if to dissipate the blood, smoke, and exhaustion that had stained it, into his reassuring presence.

A faint, almost doting glint flickered in Zhongli's eyes. He slowly leaned over, extending his slender jade-like hand and gently brushing the cat's back. As his fingertips passed over the cat's long, silver-gray fur, tangled and tangled by the chaotic sea breeze and turbulent energy, it seemed to be infused with a gentle force of rock elemental energy. Instantly, it became fluffy, smooth, and glossy, returning to its original soft, moonlit glow.

"It's okay." He whispered, this time his voice was softer and slower, like the breeze blowing through the glass lilies at night, a gentleness given to only one person.

He carefully supported the kitten's belly and hind legs, then steadily lifted her into his arms. The kitten slumped in his arms, completely submissive, like a furry ball without any bones. With a tilt of her head, she buried herself deeply in his clothes, which were imbued with the cool fragrance of neon flowers and the warm scent of rock sunlight. She let out a soft, yet contented, sigh-like purr. The purr was intermittent, evidently exhausted, yet filled with complete relaxation and trust.

Zhongli adjusted his arm, allowing her to snuggle in the most comfortable position. His wide sleeves fell naturally, perfectly shielding the cat in his arms from the cool, lingering wind from the sea. His knuckled fingers gently combed the soft fur behind her ears, transmitting a silent, soothing power through his fingertips.

He then raised his eyes and looked again at Xiao, who was still standing still like a gun.

"The rest of the situation here will be handled by the Seven Stars and Qianyan Army." Zhongli's tone returned to his usual calm and indifferent tone, but with an unquestionable finality. "You've worked hard, too. If you feel your karma is agitating, you can return to the Wangshu Inn to meditate. There's nothing else to do for now."

Xiao nodded slightly, his expression, hidden from view beneath his Nuo mask, softening ever so slightly. He watched Zhongli embrace the silvery warmth in his arms, then turned and stepped steadily over the jagged rocks. His figure rose and fell in the rising sea mist before fading away, as if he were no longer treading in the mortal realm, but rather blending into a landscape painting.

Only after the figure completely vanished did Xiao withdraw his gaze, returning to the now calm sea. From beneath his Nuo mask, he exhaled a long, gentle breath, almost soundlessly. He was once again alone on Solitary Cloud Pavilion, accompanied only by the unchanging sound of the sea breeze and waves. This time, the usual solitude seemed to be imbued with a hint of the tranquility after battle, and a certain indescribable, small comfort.

As Zhongli retreated, the weight in his arms felt light and warm. Xizhimao's purring gradually became even and long, as he fell completely into a deep sleep, his rhythmic steps and reassuring breath. It was as if all the storms of the outside world had been completely blocked out by this rock-hard embrace.

He lowered his head to look at the defenseless ball of fur sleeping in his arms, and a faint smile flashed across his gilded eyes, like sunlight penetrating through the rocks, warm and deep.

"I'm going home."