Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

Half a year ago, Xuan Yue had been in seclusion to recuperate since returning to his cave. His depleted essence was gradually being repaired due to Xuan Qing's slumber. He was only recovering his divine power, after all, he was not a cultivation fanatic like Xuan Qing, and he still needed to find some fun.

"I've been so idle lately, either cultivating or lying in my cave. Where should I go now?" Xuan Yue pondered as she walked out of her cave, but still didn't know where to go, so she decided to explore all the different places in Li Yue.

Xuan Yue stopped at every scenic spot he encountered. As dusk approached, he stopped to meditate, cultivating and recovering while enjoying the scenery. He was quite content until night truly fell before continuing his journey into the distance.

Before he knew it, he had entered a human town again. Unlike before, the humans were now decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and everyone was beaming with smiles.

"What's going on? Are they celebrating something?" Xuan Yue asked, completely puzzled.

"Hey, Xuan Yue!" Ge Chenlang spotted the boy in the crowd at a glance; his snow-white attire was quite eye-catching.

"Sister Ping'er." Xuan Yue asked with a smile. He couldn't help it; he was now considered the youngest among the immortals, so calling her "sister" wasn't wrong.

(I wonder if Xuanqing will also be forced to call her "sister.") Xuan Yue's smile widened at the thought.

"Sister Ping'er, what day is it today? Why are they so happy?" Xuan Yue asked Ping'er.

"Today is the Lantern Festival! The Emperor said that the war between the Demon Gods and the Demon Gods is coming to an end, and people need to rest. It's also to commemorate the immortals and their families who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. So the Emperor created the Lantern Festival, and the lanterns will be released at midnight. Come on, let's go play!" After saying that, Ping'er took Xuan Yue's little hand and walked into the bustling market.

"The Lantern Festival...?" Xuan Yue looked at the dazzling array of items and the colorful lanterns all around, her thoughts drifting away...

"Your Majesty, look at my things, this is terrible..."

"Your Majesty! It's Your Majesty! Everyone, look!"

"Your Majesty, thanks to you, we enjoy this peaceful life. Let us have some fun today..."

"Joavis, look how happy they are! It's all because of you, so stop looking so stern and smile more..."

Distant memories surfaced in my mind, gradually merging with the present scene. The laughter was the same, the decorations were the same, only the person who used to hold my hand was no longer there...

"Xuan Yue, look... sigh, why are you crying!" Ping'er was picking out some jewelry and was about to show it to Xuan Yue when she noticed that his eyes were red and tears were dripping down his cheeks.

“Crying…” Xuan Yue came back to her senses and touched her cheek when she heard Ping’er say that. The tears on her hand glistened.

Looking at Xuan Yue like this, Ping'er felt a heavy weight in her heart, an indescribable sorrow. She knew this child was a demon god, and had been hiding many things. Even without Xuan Qing's cold expression, the unwavering heaviness in his eyes was obvious to everyone, though he had concealed it very well…

"Here, let me put this on you, sister." Ping'er used the hairpin in her hand to tie up Xuan Yue's hair, leaving the rest loose around her waist. The hairpin was exquisitely crafted from white jade, and when worn on Xuan Yue's head, it made him look like a jade-like gentleman, unparalleled in the world.

Ping'er was also very satisfied with her own taste, and then she took out a dark green hairpin from her other hand.

"This is for Xuanqing. Although you are both Ruoyavis, you are still different in my eyes. Since he hasn't woken up yet, you can keep it."

"Yes, thank you, Sister Ping'er." With a thought, Xuan Yue's hairpin disappeared into thin air.

"Ping'er! Xuan Yue!" Gui Zhong ran towards them from afar, followed by Morax, who had also transformed into a human. Xuan Yue couldn't help but twitch her lips at the sight.

To be honest, even without his divine gear, Morax still exuded the authority of a superior in every gesture, enough to attract the attention of passersby.

"Oh my, you've even managed to call out the Emperor himself," Ping'er said dismissively to Gui Zhong, who had run up to her.

"From a universally rational perspective, this allows for a better understanding of ordinary people's lives," Morax stated frankly, revealing the purpose of his trip.

"..." Xuan Yue looked up at Morax, her mind filled with countless thoughts.

"Old friend, what's wrong?" Morax asked, noticing Xuan Yue's gaze.

"It's nothing, wait for me." Xuan Yue immediately disappeared from everyone's sight.

"What's wrong with him?" Gui Zhong asked, still puzzled.

"I don't know either..." Ping'er sighed helplessly.

A moment later, Xuan Yue reappeared before everyone. At this time, he was about the same height as Morax and about 20 years old. His white robe was clearly reflected with silver patterns. Standing next to Morax, he was about the same height.

"It looks much better now," Xuan Yue said with a smile.

"!" Ping'er and Gui Zhong looked at Xuan Yue, then at each other, and then couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Old friend, this outfit suits you very well." Morax looked Xuan Yue up and down for a moment and nodded in approval.

"Thank you very much. Let's continue our Lantern Festival journey. It's a rare opportunity for me to come out like this. Would you gentlemen be my guides?" Xuan Yue smiled at the three people in front of her.

"It's not impossible," Morax chuckled.

"Great! There are lots of good things here, I'll introduce them to you," Gui Zhong said enthusiastically.

“Of course, no problem. The beauty of Liyue is endless, I’ll take this guide.” Ping’er said with a smile.

……

At this moment, Jueyunjian, Liuyun, Lishui, and Xiaoyue are drinking tea and chatting on Mount Aozang.

"That's wonderful! Do you think we can still drink tea like this after the war ends?" Liu Yun asked.

"Hahaha, definitely! You guys better not try to back out then!" Risui laughed heartily.

"Lishui, don't talk big. We might have to wait for you then," Xiaoyue said with a smile.

"You old folks, enjoy yourselves to the fullest today, it's the Lantern Festival!" Narumi walked over carrying dishes.

"It must be exhausting. How come you can still sit and talk?" Yi Xiao shook his head and said.

"Alright, alright, stop complaining. Come and try my new dishes. I collected them from several places. If they taste good, I can even let mortals try them out." Maxius walked over carrying the last two dishes.

"Of course, it needs no further explanation. It's bound to be delicious if it comes from your hands," Xiaoyue said with a smile.

"Alright, alright, today is the Lantern Festival, let's all share our recent achievements."

"Your Majesty, Gui Zhong and the others haven't arrived yet. It's not too late to take them then," Liu Yun reminded her. She had been focusing on researching new mechanisms lately, all for the sake of defeating Gui Zhong at this moment.

"I really hope they can hurry up, I can't wait!" Narumi said, rubbing his hands together eagerly.

.........

On the road through Liyue Market, Gui Zhong and Ping'er walked hand in hand ahead, while Morax and Xuan Yue followed at a leisurely pace. Xuan Yue conjured a fan from somewhere and gently shook the handle, fanning himself.

"Old friend, I have a question I'm curious about. Could you please answer it?" Morax turned to look at Xuan Yue, who was looking around beside him, and asked.

"We're all acquaintances, what do you want to ask?" Xuan Yue replied with a smile.

"What is your true form?"

"!" Xuan Yue couldn't believe it. Morax was asking this, after all, his true form... to be honest, it's a bit hard to describe...

"You really want to know about Morax?" Xuan Yue closed the fan she had been holding open and said with a serious expression.

"What's wrong? Is it something you're having trouble with?" Morax asked, puzzled.

“Not really, it’s just that I’ve never seen my true form…” Xuan Yue pondered, “Right, I remember Xuan Qing said I was a dragon.”

"A dragon, that's quite a wonderful coincidence. My old friend, could you perhaps demonstrate something?" Morax's eyes flashed with a probing glint.

“It would have been possible before, but I can’t transform into my original form now, so I’m sorry to disappoint you,” Xuan Yue said, shaking her head.

"There's no need to force it. It's wonderful if an old friend is willing to tell you," Morax comforted him.

"Morax, while Xuanqing is away and unable to sense me, I want to ask you a favor." Xuan Yue's expression was exceptionally serious.

“My old friend, please speak freely,” Morax said.

“If Xuanqing, as the mastermind, ever loses control, I hope you can seal him away with all your might.” Xuan Yue paused and continued, “Once his strength recovers, it will be terrifying. I’m afraid only you and Ruo Tuo can resist him in the entire Teyvat continent. But after this calamity, he will be able to break through to a higher level.”

"May I ask why?" Morax's expression also turned serious.

“The timing is wrong, the time is wrong. Let nature take its course, and we will surely find out.” Xuan Yue unfolded her fan again and fanned herself: “Then I ask the Emperor, will he agree or not?”

“Yes, those who break their promises shall be punished.”

As another contract was drawn up, the light in Xuan Yue's eyes brightened a bit more...

"Xuan Yue! Hurry up! Li Shui and the others are still waiting for us to eat!" Gui Zhong shouted loudly, urging the two demon gods who had fallen down.

"Time for dinner?" Xuan Yue was a little puzzled, since demon gods didn't need to eat and didn't feel hunger.

"Hehe, let's go. It's the Lantern Festival today, and it's a rare occasion for old friends to gather together. We can't let their kindness go to waste. Although we are daemons, it's good to occasionally experience the joys of mortals. The Daemon of the Hearth is the daemon who controls the hearth fire. Although he's lacking in combat skills, he's dedicated to researching recipes, giving Liyue's cuisine a fresh start. He probably has some new ideas today, so it wouldn't hurt to go and try them," Morax suggested.

"Given your assessment, this demon god is indeed quite powerful. Let's go then." Xuan Yue nodded in agreement.