Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Xuan Yue immediately took Xuan Qing back to Liyue, and Xuan Qing then devoted himself to the construction of Liyue Harbor. Xuan Yue was still thinking of suppressing Xuan Qing's illness first, but the construction of Liyue Harbor was at a critical stage, and he knew he couldn't distract Xuan Qing, even though he knew Xuan Qing's time was running out...

A few days later—

"Xuanqing... Xuanqing! Wake up!" Xuanyue called to Xuanqing in her spiritual sea, but this time Xuanqing could not be woken up no matter what she did.

Xuan Yue had a bad feeling. Ever since Nata returned, Xuan Qing's sleeping time had been getting longer and longer.

Normally, demons don't feel sleepy, but initially, Xuan Yue was curious about how humans sleep and dream, so he suggested that Xuan Qing try to sleep like humans. Xuan Qing could only feign sleep; he would wake up on his own whenever Xuan Yue called him. But now, Xuan Qing is clearly trapped in the situation he was in underground back then, and this situation can only mean that time is running out…

"Find Morax... Yes, find Morax!" Xuan Yue took control of her body, followed Morax's aura, and flew over.

At this moment, Morax stood on a cliff not far from Liyue Harbor, watching the people carry equipment and build tall buildings. The Thousand Rock Army was ready to support the people, and the newly formed Seven Stars were working together, which made him particularly gratified. Then, his expression turned solemn, and upon recognizing Xuan Yue, he murmured, "It's Xuan Yue… Could time have passed so quickly…?"

"Morax, quick! Help me check on Xuanqing!" Xuan Yue was so anxious that she grabbed Morax and flew away. Morax let her hold him as they flew into their cave.

"Alright, don't rush. Bring Xuan Qing out, let me take a look." Morax calmed Xuan Yue down as soon as he landed.

Xuan Yue carefully positioned herself on the stone bed, then materialized beside Xuan Qing. Xuan Qing lay on the bed, eyes closed, fast asleep. Xuan Yue's loud movements hadn't awakened him, demonstrating the depth of his sleep. For a demon god to sleep so soundly, besides being in seclusion to heal injuries, could only mean his time was near.

Morax checked Xuan Qing's condition and found that his soul damage had improved a lot, but his weakness was significantly greater than it had been a few days ago. The reason for this was obvious.

"Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing are only weak in spirit, but otherwise they are fine."

"But he was perfectly fine just a few days ago!"

"Perhaps he's been too tired these past few days. Let him rest more and he'll probably make up for it," Morax said. Even though he knew Xuan Qing didn't have much time left, he couldn't say anything since Xuan Yue was clearly unaware of it.

"Really?"

"real."

Xuan Yue didn't speak. He didn't turn to look at Morax. His eyes were fixed on Xuan Qing, who was lying on the bed, and he seemed to be thinking about something.

"Morax, go back. The construction of Liyue Harbor cannot be separated from you. I'm sorry, I lost my temper."

"Alright, I'll leave now. Don't worry, Xuanqing will wake up on her own in an hour, so don't be too concerned." Morax patted Xuanyue's shoulder before slowly leaving.

"Don't worry? But everything this guy plans is worrying, even this time... it's the same." Xuan Yue said softly, then went to the cabinet containing the essence blood, sorted the essence blood into seven elements, and placed them in seven places on the stone bed.

"You don't want the filth to taint me, and I feel the same way," Xuan Yue murmured. He knew Xuan Qing couldn't hear him and wouldn't wake up, so he unleashed golden flames without restraint.

A single spark can start a prairie fire; in ancient times, this referred to the fire of the Golden Crow. Ever since he learned that his soul came from the Golden Profound, the shackles of his memories had begun to loosen—no, they should be the shackles of memories from the Golden Profound.

The Golden Crow Fire is one of the innate talents of the Golden Crow Divine Bird. Its function is to refine and purify, and it is the nemesis of evil spirits. The fact that Xuan Yue can release this power indicates that he has already mastered that part of the Golden Crow's power.

After all, a thousand years have passed, and Xuan Yue is no longer the naive and innocent girl he once was. He has learned to conceal himself, to pretend not to understand, to use courtesy before resorting to force, and to scheme against everything.

The flames drew in the essence blood, refining and fusing it. So much essence blood, dozens of bottles in total, was finally refined into two bottles. But Xuan Yue didn't care about that. He directly poured half a bottle down Xuan Qing's throat. It wasn't that he wanted to force it all down, but he wasn't sure if Xuan Qing would have a rejection reaction. Otherwise, if Xuan Qing developed any feelings for him, it would be a loss.

Seeing that Xuan Qing didn't react, Xuan Yue carefully poured the remaining half bottle down his throat. Sensing that Xuan Qing had regained consciousness, he quickly hid the remaining bottle, then helped Xuan Qing up and let him lean against him.

"Hmm... what time is it..." Xuan Qing's voice was still groggy from just waking up, his eyes still sleepy.

"..."

"Hmm? Xuan Yue?" Seeing that Xuan Yue didn't respond, this unusual behavior caught Xuan Qing's attention. He saw Xuan Yue's azure eyes staring directly at him, like a calm lake...

"Don't you have anything to say to me? For example, the change of order."

"!" Xuan Qing was startled. Xuan Yue got up and went to the stone table, poured a cup of tea, and spoke with her back to Xuan Qing: "Is it an accident? Is it because I know about this that your plans have been exposed, or are you afraid that I will find out and stop you?"

"I just... haven't figured out how to tell you yet." Xuan Qing unconsciously lowered her head.

“Then, let me ask you a question.” Xuan Yue stopped pouring tea. “To you, am I Jin Xuan or a substitute for Order? Or perhaps both?”

"No! I never thought of that!"

“Xuanqing, a thousand years have passed, and I am no longer the same. So—” Xuan Yue turned her head, her eyes now golden, “Don’t lie to me. You can’t lie to me now, can you?”

Xuan Qing was stunned. He hadn't seen those eyes for ten thousand years. It was a manifestation of the Golden Crow activating its soul talent, triggering a bloodline resonance. The last time he'd seen it was on his closest friend, whom he'd seen for the last time. And of all the Golden Crow's talents, only one could control him, but… could it be…?

"Aren't you going to answer, Xuan Qing?" Xuan Yue's oppressive aura was now almost on par with Xuan Qing's back then. He looked down at Xuan Qing, whose face was pale and weak, and his resolve grew stronger. He pulled Xuan Qing's body into his spiritual sea, and a golden birdcage directly enveloped Xuan Qing's soul.

(It really is true...) The thing Xuan Qing least wanted to see still happened. One of the Golden Crow clan's talents is the ability to imprison an enemy's soul without harming their body, directly controlling the enemy to the maximum extent and leaving them alive to take a confession. He was quite curious about this skill at first, but he never expected it to be applied to him directly now.

"Xuanqing, you've lived this long, you should know that you can't do this skill in your current state, so just rest here." Xuan Yue's calm voice rang out.

Xuanqing could only transmit his voice to Xuanyue: (Xuanyue! Your 'order' is incomplete and you cannot enter reincarnation! Only if I disappear can you live!)

"Oh, well then, let's talk about it on that day, brother."

Xuan Yue emphasized the last two words, and then there was no sound.

(What should I do now...) Xuanqing sat in the cage, troubled, but soon, a wave of sleepiness washed over him, and he drifted off to sleep again...

Xuan Yue, who took over outside, had a very solemn expression. He knew that Xuan Qing had fallen into a deep sleep again, and the next change of dynasty was not far off. He wanted to protect Xuan Qing. If Xuan Qing did not enter the cycle of reincarnation, no one would know his name anymore. Everyone would call out the name of Ruyavis, but they would not know that there was actually someone behind it, and that person would be forgotten forever. Even if his name spread throughout Teyvat, it would never be him called. What a sad story that would be...

"His life has been hard enough..."

Yes, Xuan Qing's life has been full of suffering. He sits in the position of "Order," watching life and death unfold, afraid to touch it, afraid to engage with it. The Dragon Clan respects him, the Phoenix Clan bows to him—it's an exchange of interests, but what he gets in return is the invasion of the "Abyss," and endless torment.

Dragon Sleep Valley begged for his protection. He initially declined but eventually became their ruler. But what did he gain in the end? Nothing. The Abyss invaded again, the era ended, and his people were cursed. It wasn't his fault, yet he still protected them in their reincarnations underground, without uttering a word even when he himself was corrupted by the Abyss.

And this time, he wanted to give him his life...

"He's such a fool, a fool who doesn't value his life..." As she spoke, Xuan Yue's eyes welled up with tears.