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

The incense in the temple went out, and as the last wisp of smoke dissipated, Morax, the Geo Archon, awoke from the Geo Throne.

"Traveler."

Before he even opened his eyes, he uttered that name.

It felt like I had a nightmare.

But reality is not so wonderful.

He reluctantly opened his eyes and walked down the temple steps.

Outside was the ancient Guiliji Garden, with bamboo pavilions and ponds, exactly as he remembered it.

A silvery laugh drew his gaze. The girl's appearance remained unchanged as she waved to him, her long sleeves billowing.

It is Hargentus—the end.

"Long time no see!" Gui Zhong stood in the pavilion, where hot tea was laid out on the table.

"Yes, it's been a long time, old friend."

An unspeakable feeling filled his heart, a mixture of joy at reuniting with an old friend and the loneliness of never seeing her again.

"Emperor!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty."

"Why did Your Majesty arrive so quickly?"

"I have not yet thanked the Emperor for freeing my soul from the towering abyss."

The four Yakshas who had passed away also came to the pavilion.

"Yes. Let's sit down and talk."

When you see an old friend again, you can't help but say a few more words.

How is Jinpeng?

What is the scenery like in Liyue now?

We chatted for a long time, and the sky remained unchanged. We had drunk several rounds of tea in the pot, so there was no need to add more.

Zhongli only took one sip before putting it down.

"Your Majesty, is this tea not to your liking?" Yaksha Vanan asked.

"It's a bit bitter and astringent." Zhongli looked at the water in the cup, which was no different from the tea he usually drank.

"Bitter? Let me try it?" Yaksha Yingda drank the tea in one gulp, savoring the taste: "Isn't this the taste of all tea? In my opinion, it would be better to replace it with wine."

“It’s not that the tea is bitter, it’s that Your Majesty has something on your mind,” Mi Nu said, pointing out the truth.

"This trip was too rushed, and some things weren't handled properly," he replied.

"Haha, this is the final resting place of all living beings. We will meet again one day, and then we can talk things out. They will not object." Fu She thought the Emperor was referring to the immortals in the world.

"She is not a being of Teyvat, she will not come here, and we shall never see her again."

Thinking of how she looked when she found him, his mouth grew even more bitter.

"What kind of person could make you think so much about them?" Gui Zhong exclaimed with delight and surprise, as if he had discovered a new continent.

"How should I begin... She was so genuine and pure, so enigmatic, so fragile yet feigning strength, so endearing. From the first moment I saw her, I knew she was my destiny. Though we had never met before, it felt as if we had known each other for a long time." He poured out his heart without reservation.

He wouldn't normally say these things, but now he desperately needs someone to talk to and help him.

"Oh right, I have a portrait of her." Zhongli pulled out a wooden box out of thin air, opened it with great joy, only to find it empty.

I couldn't bring it.

That day, when Yan Fei was taking stock of her belongings, she found it. She had casually put it down and forgotten to take it with her.

"Bring me paper and pen," he ordered.

Memories fade, so I must draw her while I still remember what she looks like.

The four yakshas in front of him looked at each other, but Gui Zhong finally spoke: "This place is different from the mortal world. Whatever you want will naturally appear."

Yes, this place is different from the mortal world; he hasn't gotten used to it yet.

Sure enough, the Four Treasures of the Study appeared on the table.

Based on his memory, he sketched out the traveler's outline.

Not like.

Then draw another one.

The ink is so simple, how can it possibly depict her appearance?

The number of art supplies on the table kept increasing.

None of his paintings were satisfactory; his painting skills were not refined enough to capture even eight-tenths of her expression.

The pen broke into three pieces in his hand.

"Never mind." He sat back down on the stone bench.

The wooden tea table and chairs, in his memory, became the stone table and benches used during the Lantern Festival.

"This young lady must be the Emperor and Empress." Mi Nu picked up his brush and sketched a few strokes on Zhong Li's painting, making the figure in the painting come to life.

“A special… friend.” Seeing Mi Nu add a few satisfactory strokes made him feel much better.

I don't know if we can still be friends. He did something so heartless. Can she still consider him a friend?

He never dared to hope for anything else.

"Hehe, the clothes she's wearing are a copy of my design. Human tailors are often lacking in skill." Mi Nu added a few more strokes, making the clothes in the painting even more outstanding and a better match for Zhong Li's.

The painting should be taken to the best tailor to make her a dress; the one she wore was ruined when she fought off the demon.

"This young lady is a natural clothes hanger. I'm suddenly inspired. May I paint a few more outfits for her?" Mi Nu knew how to please the Emperor.

"Yes." Zhong Li smiled faintly.

He should get used to life without her by his side, until the lingering image here vanishes along with Teyvat.

"What's her name? How did you two meet? Tell me!" Gui Zhong became increasingly curious.

“Her name…” Zhongli didn’t know her real name. She hadn’t told him yet.

It's a pity we don't know her name yet...

"Why aren't you saying anything? Can't you talk?"

Da da da!

That footstep sound!

Zhongli stood up from the stone bench and looked in the direction of the sound.

The traveler's figure suddenly appeared here. Across the pool, she looked around and her gaze settled on Zhongli.

"Found it! Zhongli!" She smiled brightly.

The deceased's dreamscape was bathed in scorching sunlight, under a cloudless sky.

His pupils trembled.

In that instant, rainbow-colored flowers and a sense of tranquility bloomed in the pool.

The flowers form a path that crosses the pool and connects the two banks.

His beloved walked along the flower-lined path and rushed into his arms.

"Your Majesty, what kind of friend were you talking about just now?" Yingda asked the people around him.

“A special… friend,” Fa Nan replied.

“It really is… special,” Mi Nu interjected.

"Huh?" Fu She saw something even more unexpected. He didn't know where to put his four hands, and then one hand covered one person's eyes.

The petals danced in the wind, forming a veil for Zhongli and the traveler.

He plucked the petals that had fallen on the traveler's head, and in the heat of the moment, he met her glassy eyes and kissed her trembling lips.

After the two ended their kiss in perfect unison, the traveler spoke: "Come back."

"Sigh, what can I do with you now?" He felt relieved.

The traveler still managed to complete his soul, and it was too late to stop him.

"Is it over?" Yingda asked.

Of everyone, she was the only one who obediently had her eyes covered by Fushe.

Click, click, click...

After a series of mechanical sounds, the mortal lock in Gui Zhong's hand was unlocked.

The mystery that had puzzled Morax for years was thus solved.

"Go back, Morax, there are still people waiting for you." Gui Zhong held the unlocked mortal lock in his hands, inside which was a glowing glass lily.

"Your Majesty, may you embark on your journey."

"Your Majesty will arrive a little later this time."

"Respectfully seeing off the Emperor and Empress."

"Your Majesty, please take the blueprints I made."

"This journey is short, let's meet again another day." Zhongli took the traveler's hand and transformed into starlight, drifting towards the sky.