Mr. Zhongli, we can't slack off anymore!

As the first dance step gracefully twirled on the ancient altar, wildflowers miraculously bloomed from the cracks in the stone slabs.

Those tender green shoots, like awakened life, stubbornly peeked out from the cracks in the rocks, swaying gently in the moonlight.

This newfound power emanated from the altar, spreading outwards like ripples, bringing life to everything it touched.

The entire Three Kings Ruins were quickly covered with lush green leaves and vibrant flowers, transforming this once solemn and dignified place into a gentle and beautiful sight.

Vines entwine ancient stone pillars, and flowers bloom amidst the ruins, transporting this place back to its most glorious era.

A series of gasps of amazement came from the audience.

Neither the guests from afar nor the residents of Sumeru had ever seen such a fantastic sight.

They felt as if they were in a beautiful dream, their eyes unsure whether to follow the figures dancing on the stage or linger on the incredible changes happening around them. Many reached out and gently touched the flowers that had suddenly bloomed beside them, confirming that it was not an illusion.

The refreshing floral fragrance enveloped the entire city of Sumeru like a light veil. The fragrance was elegant and not strong, like the first fragrance of a spring morning, or the fresh scent of soil and flowers after a rain.

In the distance, the lands on the borders of Mount Sumeru, once stripped of their vitality, are now bursting with renewed life. Brown beetles are the first to return to this former homeland, busily flitting among the newly sprouted grass.

In another duet, the traveler and Nil lightly took hands and swayed to the music.

The metal bells on their ankles jingled melodiously, perfectly harmonizing with the soothing dance music. The campfire cast long, slender shadows of their graceful figures onto the ancient stone walls, creating swaying dance patterns.

In a graceful turn, the traveler glanced unconsciously at the campfire beside him, only to be surprised to find that the surrounding scenery had changed once again.

What's going on here?!

I just want to finish this dance quietly.

Or perhaps, this is just my imagination?

After much deliberation, the traveler did not stop dancing, but continued to sway to the music.

Just then, a boy dressed in a very familiar Chinese-style tracksuit walked past her out of the corner of her eye. The boy had a short buzz cut and hurried into a stone door that looked exactly like the one in the game interface, then disappeared in a blinding white light.

The whole process was so brief it was almost an illusion; the traveler could only catch a glimpse of his back.

The traveler was almost certain that it was the legendary first time traveler—her compatriot whom she had never met.

It's strange. The Root Prayer is a ritual that connects with the World Tree. Logically, the World Tree shouldn't be recording the affairs of us visitors from another world. Why... is his image recorded here?

Was this some kind of message he deliberately left for me? This question lingered in the traveler's mind.

……

Whoa whoa whoa!

A burst of enthusiastic cheers roused the traveler from his connection with the World Tree.

She snapped out of her daze and realized that she and Nilu had completed the final, graceful closing move together. Nilu gave her an excited and satisfied smile, clearly pleased with their performance.

Let's dance together again next time. Nilu sincerely invited, her eyes sparkling with love and dedication to art.

However, in the eyes of the traveler, Nel's face and her words appeared blurry, as if seen through a thin veil, as indistinct as in a dream.

I'm probably really tired, just like that beautiful woman said to me when my consciousness was being pulled away.

The traveler pondered to himself, feeling a deep weariness wash over him.

Nilu led the traveler by the hand to the front of the stage and bowed to the audience in thanks. Just as she bowed, the traveler caught a glimpse of an incredibly familiar face in the crowd—the figure stood out prominently, very close to the stage.

The white tassels of her earrings swayed gently in the breeze, the ring on her finger gleamed with a restrained, lustrous light under the lamplight, and those gilded eyes that she had once studied up close were now quietly watching her.

Zhongli.

It feels like it's been so long since we last met. Even though we're so close, it feels strangely distant.

Time seems to have faded many memories, and my impression of him seems to be still stuck at the time when I depended on him.

After stepping down from the stage, there will be a celebration banquet for the Zuber Theatre Troupe, and Lord Little Grass God will also attend... Nil's voice grows more and more distant in the traveler's ears.

The commotion around the stage and the success of the Root Prayer made Nel unaware that the traveler was not keeping up with her.

Completely absorbed by that familiar face, the traveler didn't notice Nel's departure, and even the clamor of the audience seemed to have vanished. Her world consisted only of that quietly standing figure.

I'm so tired. I just want to rest now. I don't need to go to the celebration banquet and then go back to the hotel. I can rest just a few more steps away.

This thought arose in the traveler's weary sea.

And that's exactly what she did, subconsciously manipulating her body to move forward towards the front of the stage.

Zhong Li's faint smile faded as he calmly pushed through the crowd and walked towards the front of the stage. Although many wanted to interact with the traveler up close, no one could match his steady gait.

Finally, he walked to the front of the stage, and before the traveler could fall off the stage with unsteady steps, he raised his arm at the right moment, ready to catch her.

The traveler only felt that the distance between them was getting closer and closer, completely unaware of the ground beneath his feet.

Suddenly, she felt her feet slip and she fell forward... Before she realized she was falling, she landed safely in a warm and familiar embrace.

The familiar scent she had longed for instantly enveloped her entire body, and the warmth of that longing perfectly alleviated the thinness of her dance costume in the chill of the night.

"Long time no see." The traveler buried his face in his neck, his voice muffled.

Long time no see, how have you been? His steady voice rang in my ears, carrying a reassuring strength.

……

Not far away, Elhesen and Kavi had already noticed the traveler's unusual behavior. Standing a little distance away, they had intended to help, but instead witnessed the traveler embracing the Liyue person.

"Uh...maybe it's a friend I haven't seen in a long time," Kavi tried to smooth things over, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Elhesen had already turned around and left without looking back in the direction of the exit.

His silhouette appeared exceptionally resolute in the night.

"Hey, Elheisen! Wait! Aren't you going to Lu Ren's victory celebration banquet later?" Kavi hurriedly followed, his voice tinged with helplessness and worry.