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

On the high platform, Tianquan Ningguang ordered his secretary to carry a tray up.

Her face was extremely solemn, and what she was about to say was not going to be a lighthearted topic.

"Gentlemen, the casualty figures have been tallied."

Yes, the Demon God attacked Liyue Harbor on the second day of the Lantern Festival. It happened so suddenly that no one had time to react.

How could there be no casualties?

While the banquet was underway, Bai Shu and other physicians from Liyue were treating patients in the clinic Ningguang had prepared for them.

The tray stands upright, revealing eight divine eyes inside.

The Eye of God, having lost its master, has become dim and lifeless.

The traveler looked around and saw that all the Eye of God holders he knew were there, and the injured and killed were likely characters who did not appear in the game.

"Eight Eyes of God wielders perished in the calamity of the Demon God. These are the relics of the heroes we collected from the ruins."

"In addition to the warriors who fought the demon head-on, the insect demon also caused the deaths of seven Liyue people who were buried under the rubble."

"The people of Liyue will forever remember this sorrowful day!"

"Of course, we must not only remember the loss of our compatriots, but also the heroes who saved Liyue from disaster. First and foremost, we must remember the indomitable spirit of all Liyue people in the face of calamity!"

"The darkness has receded! We will not be held back by sorrow! When the sun rises tomorrow, the people of Liyue will return to Liyue Harbor and restore its former prosperity!"

Everyone in the Liyue group was moved to tears, applauding and cheering.

"Furthermore, there are the Fatui who are temporarily residing in Liyue. We had some unpleasant experiences together, but when Liyue faced another crisis, they risked their lives to save us, demonstrating their humanitarian spirit! I once again express my respect to Queen Winter and all the Fatui of Liyue!"

In a corner of the banquet, several tables were occupied by members of the Fools in uniform, who rose to pay their respects to Ningguang.

"Thank you to the Vision holders who stayed until the very last moment in Liyue Harbor during the crisis. You are the pride and stars of Liyue. Liyue will never perish because of you!"

"Hehe, that's a compliment." Hu Tao poked the traveler on the back, then noticed something: "Lu Ren, where's your Divine Eye?"

"Oh no," the traveler said.

"Oh no, oh no!" Hu Tao exclaimed in disbelief.

"And my colleagues who are also part of the Liyue Seven Stars, because of their sacrifices, Liyue spared no effort to save the lives of its people."

"At the Jade Pavilion, we witnessed firsthand the immortals who have protected Liyue for thousands of years fighting the demons to the very last moment."

"Finally, it is Miss Lu Ren who defeats the demon god and brings victory and hope to Liyue."

The thunderous applause pulled the traveler back to reality from his half-awake state.

"Emperor Rock King!"

"Prince Yan!"

The cacophony of voices from the crowd made the traveler want to hide in the ground.

She glanced at the table of immortals, and the immortals all looked away almost simultaneously, offering no defense for the traveler.

"Hehehe, I'm not..." The traveler had no choice but to explain himself.

Seeing the Traveler's disheveled appearance, Ningguang spoke again: "Miss Traveler does indeed possess the strength of the Geo Archon, and a new Geo Archon has yet to appear. I hope everyone will not put too much pressure on Miss Traveler, a hero who protects Liyue."

"When it's time for the Geo Archon to appear, it will naturally appear."

After the official clarification, the public calmed down a bit, but within minutes they couldn't contain their impatience and started asking the travelers for autographs.

*

After the banquet, the traveler sought help from the immortals.

"I'll go and take a look at Guili Plain."

"I will go to Mount Aozang to search for it."

"There may be traces of the Emperor in Shenyu Valley."

"If you find any trace of the Emperor on your way back to Wangshu Inn, please let me know."

"Traveler, do not worry, the Emperor may be in Liyue Harbor."

The immortals each assigned a specific area to search for Zhongli.

The poor travelers realized they had no idea where Zhongli was, and their refusal to let them go looking for him immediately was likely a delaying tactic.

"Girl, you should rest well today. We will give you news first thing tomorrow morning," said True Lord Xiaoyue Zhuyang.

"Okay. Anyway, I don't know where he went."

The traveler pretended to agree helplessly, but actually wanted to wait until the five con artists left before searching for them himself.

They at least helped themselves eliminate the wrong options!

Zhongli must be somewhere other than the place they mentioned.

The rule of this other world is: don't trust anyone!

*

The traveler returned to his room and pulled a small bag from his pocket—yes, it was the Teyvat magic backpack. It could hold a whole bunch of things, relics, weapons, and all sorts of random stuff.

She took the Dust Song Pot out of its container and then took out the Rock Butterfly from another pocket. This little gadget only required a touch of rock element to activate. The Rock Butterfly landed on the pot, and the traveler entered the Dust Song Pot.

They found the rock pavilion where the relics were stored.

Sure enough, the burial items had vanished without a trace.

Since the funeral hall couldn't hold a proper funeral for him due to the demon god's change, he decided to hold it himself, right?

Okay, you're the bravest man I've ever met!

The travelers were so angry they laughed.

If he isn't in one of the places the immortal mentioned, where could he be?

It wouldn't be surprising if he were anywhere in Liyue.

A huge abyss of rock.

This place suddenly popped into the traveler's mind.

The mythology of Liyue describes the Deep Rock Abyss and the Celestial Star, but there is a speculation online that Zhongli accompanied the Celestial Star to Teyvat.

He also had many connections with the strata abyss.

Go check it out.

*

Taking advantage of the darkness and the absence of others, the traveler leaped from the Jade Pavilion, successfully landing on the ground protected by bubbles generated by water elements.

Use the teleportation anchor to teleport to the depths of the Layered Rock Abyss.

Without Lumenite layers, the depths of the abyss were pitch black.

The rock butterfly flew out of the pocket, illuminating the path.

The cave was extremely cold and damp, and the traveler shivered.

The rock butterfly ignored the traveler's instructions and flew off to a certain place on its own.

Who else but the traveler can control it? Of course, it's its creator.

After walking along the narrow path, you'll reach a giant rock surrounded by clusters of amber. A rock butterfly lands on the rock, and rock elemental patterns appear on its surface.

The rock butterfly burrowed inside, and when the traveler touched the boulder, he was immediately sucked in.

It was very bright inside, much like the underground palace in tomb raiding movies and TV dramas, with unidentified crystals paving the floor and two rows of ever-burning lights on the walls of the passageway.

The traveler followed the rock butterfly deeper inside.

Climbing up and down endless, tangled stone steps, we finally reached the tomb chamber. Countless talismans were pasted on the walls, thousands of chains hung down, and in the middle was a huge stone coffin.

He stood there waiting for the traveler to arrive.

"You're still here."

"If you don't want me to come, then don't lead the way." The traveler's rock butterfly was fluttering its wings on his finger.

When you see your biological father, you're all family.

"Well, it's good that you're here. I didn't want you to see this, but if you insist, I won't stop you."

“I can stop the wear and tear,” the traveler said for the second time.

"But you shouldn't stop it. Everything has its destiny, and I am no exception."

The traveler didn't know what else to say, or what she should say; her nervousness made her tremble.

“I promised you, our contract, that you would let me survive the battlefield of the demon god, and I have fulfilled that contract and have not broken my promise.”

“Now, you and I must forge another contract. You must stand outside this barrier and not stop me from completing the ritual,” Zhongli said, looking at the barrier outside the coffin, which resembled a thin golden veil.

The main burial chamber was surrounded by this barrier. It was used to protect against the aftershocks of the demon god's fall.

"What if I don't agree?"

"I will send you back to where you belong immediately."

"I promise you."

"The contract is now in effect. Those who break their word shall be condemned to the fate of being devoured by the rocks." With that, he walked step by step into the stone coffin.

His silhouette was lonely and solitary, yet incredibly resolute.

The traveler stood outside the barrier, watching everything unfold.

A long, golden crystal nail slowly descended from above... just as it pierced the coffin...

Who cares about any contract!

Now that things have come to this, you don't think I'll still obediently listen to you?

The traveler stepped into the barrier.

Zhongli opened his eyes in the coffin, and golden rock elemental particles spread to every corner of the tomb. He used all his strength to finally stop the long nail.

“You…” He couldn’t bear to let the traveler die here with him.

“I have broken my promise, God of Contracts.” The traveler smiled: “I am willing to suffer the punishment of being devoured by rocks.”

"I shouldn't have let you find me... Traveler, your punishment of eating rocks is to leave Liyue."

"You try and see if you get me somewhere first, or if I smash this lousy place up before you do."

"Heh, so you have this side to you." With all his plans ruined, he found the traveler rather endearing.

Bloodshot eyes instantly filled his vision. He knelt on one knee, covering his eyes, his hands trembling uncontrollably. The veins in his neck also turned bright red.

"Zhongli!" The traveler understood that this was wear and tear. Her body moved on its own, without any thought. She knelt on the ground and hugged him, looking for an opportunity to use the secret technique.

Zhongli did not resist and hugged her tightly. Compared to Pan Yan, her body was so weak that it seemed as if it would shatter with the slightest force.

“To interrupt my ritual is to bear the consequences of its wear and tear, and to endure my anger that has lasted for thousands of years.” Reason was gradually overwhelmed by agitation.

"I'm willing to take responsibility." The traveler's smile was bittersweet yet gentle as water.

"..." She's willing to take the blame? Does she know what's about to happen?

There are other ways to continue the ceremony.

When the traveler noticed his evasive gaze, he realized the man was trying to find another way to leave.

On impulse, she pressed her lips to his.

First their lips touched, then their lips and teeth intertwined in perfect harmony.

He held the traveler's head and deepened his kiss, while his arms around the waist slowly tightened.

Perhaps it was the fulfillment of a long-held wish that calmed his restless heart and suppressed his anger.

Using the wear and tear as an excuse, he can go even further.