Genshin Impact: Awakening in the Darkness

On this side of Dihuazhou—

Xuan Yue: "Phew... I'm so full. Xiao, are you full?"

Xiao glanced at the several plates of almond tofu he had finished and gave a soft "hmm".

Xuanqing: "Don't be embarrassed to say you're not full. I'll just go get a few more plates."

Xiao: "No need for you to trouble yourself, Heavenly Lord. I have a mission to complete, so I'll take my leave now."

Xiao disappeared immediately, because he was still a little afraid of being impolite in front of the two Heavenly Lords.

Xuan Yue: "Little Golden Roc is still the same as before."

At this moment, Zhong Li arrived in front of them: "My two old friends, what a refined taste you have."

Xuanqing: "Are they coming soon?"

Zhongli nodded, and Xuanqing understood.

Xuanqing: "Xuanyue, let's go home."

Xuan Yue looked distressed, while Xuan Qing smiled helplessly and said, "This place is spacious and not easy to hide in. Besides, what reason do we have to stay? A lame excuse will easily arouse the suspicion of travelers."

Xuan Yue knew Xuan Qing made a lot of sense, it was just a pity about his melon...

After Xuanqing and Xuanyue left, Paimon called out from not far away: "Zhongli—!"

Xuanqing, Xuanyue over here—

As soon as Xuan Yue and Xuan Qing arrived at Liyue Harbor, a mechanical bird landed in Xuan Yue's hands, which was obviously Liu Yun's doing.

Xuan Yue:? ? ?

Xuan Qing looked around and said, "Let's talk about it when we get home."

They quickened their pace, and only after returning home did they open the message tube on the mechanical bird's leg, inside which was a talisman. Xuan Yue glanced at Xuan Qing, nodded to him, and then tore the talisman apart. Sparks of light formed words in mid-air:

Lord Celestial, please come to the Jade Pavilion for a meeting. With the passing of the Emperor, it is right that you two should be in charge of Liyue. However, the Seven Stars are ambitious and unwilling to relinquish power to us. Therefore, we must demand an explanation from the Seven Stars.

Xuan Yue felt a headache coming on. No matter who went, he or Xuan Qing, their identities would inevitably be exposed. And then there was the vast Li Yue; he and Morax had originally managed half of its affairs. Now, if they were to take full control, he and Xuan Qing could go out and have fun… not for tourism… not to inspect their shops…

Xuan Yue decided to pass this difficult task on to Xuan Qing: "A Qing... do you have any ideas?"

Xuanqing: "No. No matter who goes, our subsequent actions will definitely be monitored by the Seven Stars. But if we don't go, the controversy will probably be even greater. Moreover, if the negotiations are successful, we will have to take Morax's place in managing Liyue. If the negotiations fail, not only will our identities be exposed, but our subsequent journey will also be monitored, arousing the vigilance of other countries."

Xuan Yue's face immediately fell: "Is there any way to have the best of both worlds? Morax is too cunning!"

Xuan Qing, head bowed in thought, glanced at the mechanical bird and said, "How about... we send a message directly to Liu Yun? Let them do as they please..."

Xuan Yue: (Your method sounds like you're leaving things to fate...)

Xuanqing, feeling uncomfortable under Xuanyue's gaze, said, "Cough cough cough!...Uh...Well, judging from the current situation, the Seven Stars aren't letting go, and the Sage is pressing closer step by step. In my opinion, the Seven Stars believe that Liyue is capable of handling countless crises even without gods, while the Sage believes that Liyue is not yet fully prepared." (Oh no...)

Xuan Yue sensed something amiss, glanced at Xuan Qing, but quickly looked away, then spoke: "It's just that one side is too decisive, while the other is somewhat extreme. In my opinion, the 'Seven Stars' can manage the order of Liyue, while the immortals continue the 'contract' to protect Liyue, giving Liyue double protection."

Xuan Qing sighed: "It's a pity, they can't see through it yet."

"What is the contents of that letter?" Xuan Yue was already preparing to draw a talisman and send it to Liu Yun and the others.

Xuanqing: "Just write that we are still in seclusion recuperating from our injuries and are unable to go to the Qunyu Pavilion for the meeting. Let them make their own decision."

Xuan Yue:......

On the Jade Pavilion, Liu Yun, Xiao Yue, Li Shui, and Granny Ping, along with the Seven Stars present, all saw the letter floating in mid-air. Then they saw the immortals seemingly exchanging glances, but they didn't know what they meant.

Actually——

Liu Yun (via voice): (It seems Xuan Qing's soul is severely damaged. Do you have any immortal herbs or anything like that?)

Li Shui (voice transmission): (I only have some amber that I use as cages. I'm usually sleeping, so I don't have the energy to go out and find immortal herbs. Sigh, I should have stocked up more back then...)

Xiaoyue (voice transmission): (Will the Soul Nourishing Talisman work?)

Grandma Ping (via voice): (That's for ghosts! Now that Xuanqing and Xuanyue are separated, of course they can't use it...)

Lishui (voiceover): (How about I take some time to go to Narumi Qixia? There should be some exotic flowers and plants there...)

Liu Yun (via voice): (Good idea, let's leave after we finish talking here.)

Xiaoyue (voice transmission): (Count me in.)

Then, Qixing noticed that the immortals opposite him suddenly seemed to have gained a lot of momentum, and decided to finish the battle quickly. Meanwhile, outside the door, Xiao, who had just parted ways with the two Heavenly Lords and was summoned by an urgent message, wondered: (Heavenly Lords…are their injuries not yet healed?) The little bird began to overthink again, and started to grieve alone once more…

The scene shifts to Xuanqing's side—

"Ah Qing," Xuan Yue called to the person who was flipping through the account book, then shook the empty tea canister in her hand and said, "I'll go out and buy you some tea, I'll be back soon."

"Okay." After Xuan Yue closed the door, Xuan Qing put down his notebook. He was no longer as calm and composed as before. He staggered and leaned against the bed to rest.

He was nearing his limit. To avoid alerting Xuan Yue and Zhong Li, he had been using his divine power to suppress the imbalance, but the more he suppressed it, the stronger the backlash became. He glanced at his left hand; if he opened it, he would see his fingernails digging into his flesh, and blood was oozing from the wound…

When Liu Yun and the others sent the message earlier, he had already begun to suppress his desire, but he gritted his teeth and endured it so that Xuan Yue wouldn't notice anything amiss. To get Xuan Yue away, he secretly poured out the can of tea. This tea needed to be purchased from Chenyu Valley, and since Xuan Yue wouldn't be back for a while, it gave him some breathing room…

"That was close... almost, we couldn't hide it..."

Just then, a familiar voice rang out, lingering in Xuan Qing's ear: "Do you have an answer now?"

The projection of "Xuanqing" appeared in his eyes. He stood by the window and looked in the direction of Guyun Pavilion: "We are very familiar with the feeling of an impending storm, aren't we?"

Xuan Qing was sweating profusely. He was completely powerless and no match for this "Xuan Qing".

Xuanqing: "The order of this world is changing, and neither you nor I can stop its imbalance. We are both well aware of this."

Xuan Qing: "So, are we going to restore 'Order' back to the 'War of Demons,' repeating the tragedy?"

Xuan Qing remained silent, his purple eyes, unlike the Xuan Qing of today, reflecting no emotion. He simply gazed at the sky outside the window, then slowly said, "We cannot stop it, you see—"

Xuan Qing looked at the sky over there. The once clear sky had quickly become overcast with dark clouds over the Guyun Pavilion, with faint flashes of lightning covering the entire sky above Liyue. And there was also—the oppressive aura of a demon god.

"What happened!" Xuan Qing struggled to the window and looked at the scene over there.

Xuanqing also said seriously, "It's our old rival, the vortex demon god suppressed under the Guyun Pavilion - Oser."

One hour ago—

Liyue's defenses have begun to tighten, and many Fatui are still roaming outside Liyue Harbor. Kong and Paimon sensed something was wrong. Thanks to Zhongli's probing, Kong and Paimon realized the gravity of the situation. Now that the Sages and the Seven Stars are fighting, "Chosen One" must be heading to achieve his ultimate goal: to seize the Geo Archon's Heart. And the most likely place for him to appear is—"The Golden House."

Paimon: "Hurry! Hurry! Kong, we're almost there!"

Kong and Paimon ran as fast as they could, but when they pushed open the door of the Golden House, all they saw were the glittering Mora and the fallen soldiers, while the "Immortal Ancestor's Manifestation" was still there unharmed.

Paimon: "Isn't it too quiet here? Hasn't 'Young Master' arrived?"

Kong had already drawn his bladeless sword and said warily, "Something's not right. The guard here looks like he's been knocked unconscious. He must have gotten here."

"As 'guides,' you have already completed your mission, so why are you inviting trouble upon yourselves?" The "Prince's" voice sounded from behind them, slowly approaching: "If you were part of the 'Fools,' perhaps you would have received a generous reward from the Queen. But unfortunately, now you are nothing more than worthless obstacles."

The empty sword was already pointed at him: "Your target is indeed the 'Heart of God.'"

Instead, the "young master" spread his hands and smiled, saying, "As the eleventh executor of the Fools, we must carry out the Ice Queen's will. If the Queen wants it, we will take it."

Sora: "I won't allow it!"

"Young Master": "The problem is not who will allow me, but who can stop me. The time for deals and scheming is finally over... Actually, I also hate those petty tricks, but for the Empress, I can endure it."

"Young Master": "Next, we can enjoy something simple and joyful... that is 'struggle'."