Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

In Xuanqing's sea of ​​consciousness, he saw another version of himself, dressed in the flower of the other shore, existing in the war between demons and gods [divinity].

"I know your doubts, I know your thoughts, we—are the same person." "Xuan Qing" spoke, approaching Xuan Qing step by step: "Do you know why your soul cannot be erased? Why your memories do not change? Why—your soul is unaffected by the alteration of 'order'? Is it truly because you are a stone from beyond the realm?"

Xuanqing wanted to summon Shaoyin, but he had nothing in his hands.

“It’s no use,” Xuanqing’s hand was already on his shoulder: “Even the shortest period of time leaves a trace. Even if you try to erase it, it won’t disappear completely. I am a remnant of the changing ‘order’.”

Xuanqing: "You don't need to speak. You want to ask [what happened], right? It's very simple. The throne in the heavens is shaking, and the impending collapse of the Seven Reigns has created the current situation."

"A divine throne? Morax is still in the mortal realm!" Xuan Qing was somewhat incredulous.

Xuanqing: "My appearance is the best proof. Once the 'order' you represent collapses, the result will be a reversal of time, and I will replace you."

Xuanqing: ...

Xuanqing: "Of course, you can also choose to end it early, which will sever the karmic ties between you and Liyue. What do you say?"

Xuanqing: "In that case, what will happen to Teyvat?"

Xuanqing: "When the flames of war ignite, the undercurrents beneath will be brought to the surface. Of course, at that time, the 'order' will probably collapse completely, and it will only be a matter of time before I replace you."

Xuanqing: ...

Xuanqing: "Are you still hesitating?"

Xuan Qing: "How do I know if what you're saying is true or false?"

"It's alright, I'll give you time to think it over," Xuan Qing seemed to sense a slight smile from the outside world, then gave Xuan Qing a push: "I'll wait for your answer..."

A sudden feeling of weightlessness made Xuan Qing open his eyes.

"Xuanqing!" A large golden crow pounced into Xuanqing's arms: "You scared me to death!"

"I'm fine, aren't I?" Xuan Qing patted Xuan Yue's back.

Liu Yun said, "Your Majesty, it's been a long time."

Xuan Qing froze instantly: (How did Liu Yun end up here... Wait, am I in Jueyun Realm?!)

Xuan Yue hurriedly slipped away: (Oh no... I forgot about that...)

Liu Yun, oblivious to the change in atmosphere, continued, "Did the Heavenly Lord only recently awaken? That's truly remarkable. I'll go tell Li Shui and Xiao Yue right away. Oh, and the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons!"

Xuan Qing: "Wait, no need for now..."

Liu Yun: "Hmm? Why is that..."

Xuanqing: ...

Xuan Yue hurriedly said, "Liu Yun, didn't you say this incense has side effects? Xuan Qing probably wants to feel a little better before telling them..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun didn't think much of it: "That's true, Heavenly Lord. Be careful lately. Although I've already told... Xuan Yue, I'll reiterate the precautions. The effects of the Soul-Awakening Incense aren't long-lasting. For you, its effects will only last for a maximum of seven days. During this time, your power will be weakened, though I'm not entirely sure how much. It's best to keep Xuan Yue by your side recently, in case anything unexpected happens..."

Xuan Qing: "Thank you, but I'm not that fragile."

Xuan Yue: "Xuan Qing... don't try to handle things alone..."

Xuan Qing nodded, but then suddenly remembered something: "How did I end up in Jueyun?"

Xuan Yue suddenly felt a little guilty and said, "Um...you were unconscious...I panicked and..."

Liu Yun: "What's wrong with returning to the Cloud Realm? This is the Heavenly Lord's home. He can come back whenever he wants. How can he only come back when something happens? We would be so worried if he did that."

"Home...?" Xuan Qing murmured softly, feeling a weight lift from her heart.

Xuan Yue: "Alright, alright, Liu Yun. There are people outside again, aren't you going to go and see?"

"Hmm?" Liu Yun did sense that someone had come to the cave entrance, but she didn't care and said, "Just some ordinary people. I've met quite a few over the years. They're just satisfying their own greed."

Xuan Qing listened intently and heard: (Huh? Why is there a stone table here, with so many tableware and a wine pot on it...)

If it's Paimon, then Sora is here too.

At this moment, outside—

Paimon: "There are words carved on the chairs over there: 'Here dwells the clouds,' 'Here I sit to return to my final rest,' 'Here I borrow the Emperor,' and 'Here I distinguish the night.' 'Emperor' probably means 'Rock King Emperor,' and 'return to the final rest'... I wonder who that is. But 'dwelling the clouds'—I remember that's the immortal's cave, the True Lord of Dwelling Clouds and Borrowing Wind! But this fourth stone bench... I don't quite understand it..."

Kong: "The 'Mingye' here must be the sleeping 'Mingye Heavenly Lord'..."

Paimon: "Oh...oh! I remember now, it's that God of 'Order,' hehe..."

Kong: "Judging from this, I have a feeling that Jin Xuan and the others haven't arrived yet. There are no signs of use around here..."

Xuan Yue, who was also listening in, broke out in a cold sweat: (…Kong, sometimes we shouldn’t focus too much on the details…)

Xuanqing looked at Xuanyue and patted his head reassuringly: "It's okay, I'm here."

Seeing their expression, Liu Yun asked with some confusion, "Are those outside the Heavenly Lord's friends? Then I'll just let them in..."

Xuan Yue: "No!"

Liu Yun: "!"

Xuanqing explained to Liuyun, "People outside don't know my identity and his, so let's stick to your usual terms."

“That’s right, that’s right, and also, don’t let it slip!” Xuan Yue reminded her repeatedly.

Liu Yun: "Don't you trust me, Immortal? Rest assured."

Xuan Yue, Xuan Qing: (It's because of what you said that I'm worried...)

After Kong and Paimon had placed the food on the stone table, Liu Yun spoke: "Although I don't know what you want, I will give you a chance because of your sincere offerings. If you want to see me, then pass through the cave that I have personally prepared."

Xuan Yue: (Xuan Qing, what is Liu Yun trying to do?)

Xuan Qing: (I bet she installed traps in her own cave during her seclusion, and used the travelers as test subjects...)

Xuan Yue: (If I hurt her, she'll be heartbroken for a long time...)

Xuan Qing: (You haven't tried it? Then how did you bring me in?)

Xuan Yue scratched his head and said: (I just recited all her dark history from 500 years ago... and she couldn't sit still and came out...)

Xuanqing: ...

With their seemingly effortless skill, they quickly broke through Liu Yun's traps and arrived in front of them.

"Ah! Qingyue, you're finally awake!" Paimeng rushed into Xuanqing's arms. She had been on tenterhooks the whole way, and she burst into tears as soon as she saw Xuanqing wake up.

"Paimon, don't cry, here's some candy." Xuanqing took out a handful of candy from his pocket and gave it to Paimon, which made Paimon laugh.

Xuan Yue: "Qing Yue! You're being unfair!"

Xuanqing also handed a handful of candy to Xuanyue: "This is yours."

Seeing this, Kong breathed a sigh of relief: "How is your body?"

Xuan Qing: "It's acceptable."

Xuan Yue: "He's not fully recovered yet; he'll be in a weakened state for quite some time. Traveler, please keep an eye on this guy if I'm not around."

Xuan Qing: "I'm not that fragile..."

Xuan Yue quickly interrupted, "I'll decide this matter!"

"Ahem! I am still here." Liu Yun hurriedly interrupted their conversation: "I am Liu Yun, the True Lord of Borrowing Wind. What brings you here? Tell me quickly."

Kong: "Huh? Didn't Jin Xuan and the others say anything?"

Xuan Yue: "Haha... I was so focused on Qing Yue... I didn't even have time to explain before you all arrived..."

Paimon: "That's perfect, let's just get straight to the point..."

Paimon is getting more and more proficient at this business, after all, he has already explained it three times.

Liu Yun: "The Emperor... the Emperor has been assassinated!? How... how could this be! How could someone dare to commit such a heinous crime! It's so absurd, unbelievable. I must investigate... no... perhaps I should go and suppress Liyue Harbor first, and then wait for all the immortals to arrive, and also..."

Liu Yun turned to look at Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing. Xuan Yue was frantically gesturing, while Xuan Qing was shaking his head…

Kong looked completely bewildered: "Huh?"

Paimon: "Huh?! Wait, wait a minute! What do you mean by 'suppressing' Liyue Harbor? Are you going to destroy the entire Liyue Harbor?"

Liu Yun said, "We just need to use some swift and decisive measures to prevent any further trouble."

Kong: "You are the immortal who protects Liyue Harbor..."

Liu Yun: "Indeed, by the decree of the Emperor, we have protected Liyue Harbor for over 3,700 years, and we have also followed the instructions of the Celestial Emperor to maintain order in Liyue Harbor. But now that villains are in power, we have no choice but to resort to some extraordinary measures."

Paimon: "Ah! Quick, think of something! This immortal is serious! She's really going to suppress the entire Liyue Harbor!"

Sora: "I have presented the tribute, according to the 'contract'..."

Paimon: "Yes! We made so much delicious food and gave it all to you. We're here to ask you to protect Liyue Harbor, not to ask you to 'suppress' it!"

Liu Yun said with a hint of sarcasm, “'Contract.' The God of Contracts has been assassinated; these two words are truly ironic. The mortals of Liyue Harbor often forget about 'contracts' and are adept at confusing right and wrong. However… since you have come to invite me in the name of 'contract,' I cannot disregard 'contract.' Moreover, you are carrying this 'Record of No Taboos'… Alas, when the Emperor forged this divine strategy, he sealed it with divine power to aid mortals in battle. However, now the divine power of this strategy is almost gone, leaving only the effect of a token… However, the token cannot prove your credibility… I will verify everything I just heard.”

Kong: "That's natural."

Liu Yun said, "Alright, you should leave quickly and not disturb this immortal any further."

Paimon wanted to say something more, but Xuan Yue stopped him and then left with Xuan Qing and Kong.

(Remember to come back often...) This was Liu Yun's message to Xuan Qing.

(Yes.)

The cave door closed, leaving only sighs...