"It's fine." Streetward Rambler waved her hand dismissively.
Lucian was startled—was this really fine? Wouldn't Guizhong dislike being seen naked by a man?
"I've kept Guizhong's clothes all this time." Streetward Rambler took out the clothes Guizhong usually wore and explained.
Lucian nodded in understanding. So that was why—then it really was fine.
"Zhongli and I should step aside for now. Let me explain how to use it."
Lucian then explained the method of using the puppet to Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler.
It wasn't difficult—they just needed to guide Guizhong's remnants or residue into the puppet's body. The rest depended on whether Guizhong could wake up.
If she couldn't, it would mean that relying solely on the remnants of a god wasn't enough to "revive" her.
===✧✦✧===
Lucian and Zhongli walked outside the sealed ruins, chatting.
"Zhongli, how long do gods usually live?"
Since they were about to revive a god, Lucian was curious about divine beings.
He remembered Zhongli's conversation with Azhdaha—it seemed a god's lifespan wasn't infinite, nor could it compare to that of a dragon.
Zhongli, however, wondered if Lucian, as a human, was worried about his own mortality.
Even with his vast knowledge, Zhongli never imagined Lucian could even exchange for lifespan through the system.
"A god's lifespan is exceedingly long. If you wish, you could even become a god yourself," Zhongli said.
Lucian already knew this—holders of Visions were all "allogenes," after all.
But Lucian had no interest in godhood. Becoming a god would mean working under the Heavenly Principles, and working for others was out of the question.
"More often than not, 'erosion' catches up before the end of one's lifespan," Zhongli continued.
Azhdaha, who possessed a near-infinite lifespan, had forgotten many things due to "erosion." Zhongli couldn't even be sure if the "original him" still "existed."
Lucian nodded. Erosion was something imposed by the Heavenly Principles on the lifeforms of Teyvat—Lucian wasn't subject to it.
But if he experienced too many unpleasant things, given his memory, he'd likely suffer later, lying awake at night replaying them in his mind.
That was why Lucian wanted to do his best to mend regrets and make his memories more beautiful.
"Ah, I've made you recall something unpleasant, haven't I?" Seeing Zhongli gaze in Azhdaha's direction, Lucian realized he was thinking of him.
Lucian couldn't resist his habit of patting heads, but Zhongli wasn't as petite as the girls—his height made it just right for a comfortable head pat.
Zhongli was a bit taller, so raising his hand wouldn't feel as natural. Instead, Lucian settled for a light pat on Zhongli's shoulder.
"Don't be sad. There might be a way to save the Dragon King Azhdaha in the future."
Given Zhongli's temperament, he naturally didn't mind Lucian's actions. Back at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Lucian had often slung an arm over his shoulders. What Zhongli cared about more was something else.
"So you really do know about Azhdaha's situation..."
===✧✦✧===
As they spoke, the two women emerged from behind them—but Guizhong was nowhere in sight.
"Did it work?" Lucian asked. The result of this first experiment was very important to him.
Zhongli, however, didn't ask—because he had already sensed an old friend's presence.
Sure enough, Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler stepped slightly aside, revealing Guizhong standing behind them.
She was just so tiny that the two tall women had completely blocked her from view earlier.
Guizhong had long gray hair that appeared shoulder-length at a glance—loose above the shoulders, while the rest was tied up with a hairpin.
She wore a long-sleeved robe with wide cuffs, primarily white with blue accents, and her feet were bare.
Guizhong smiled brightly, her eyes curved like crescents as she waved with both hands hidden in her sleeves.
"Hello, my savior~!"
"Guizhong?" Lucian was delighted. He had always liked Guizhong, and her "revival" proved that this method truly worked.
"Mmm... I'm sorry. Even though you saved me, I can't remember who you are..."
Guizhong's voice carried a hint of apology as she pressed her sleeves together, her hands clasped beneath the fabric.
Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler had only given her a general explanation of the situation and hadn't gone into detail about Lucian before bringing her out.
After all, Zhongli and Lucian were still waiting outside—it wouldn't be right for the three of them to stay inside catching up.
"It's normal that you don't remember him. You never interacted before," Cloud Retainer explained.
"Eh? We didn't know each other?" Guizhong was surprised. If we weren't acquainted, why would he save me?
"I know you—you just don't know me," Lucian said.
"Huh?" Guizhong felt her mind wasn't entirely clear yet.
The method of revival through remnants had caused her to forget much, and her power was now only at the level of an ordinary Vision holder.
Her current confusion was likely another side effect of the revival.
However, she still remembered the adepti like Cloud Retainer and Streetward Rambler, as well as deeply impactful events. Naturally, she hadn't forgotten her identity or past.
Guizhong leaned closer to Lucian, tilting her head left and right as she observed him, even sniffing slightly as if confirming his aura.
"You won't get mad if I touch you, right?" Guizhong asked.
"No," Lucian shook his head.
Hearing his answer, Guizhong extended a single finger from her sleeve and poked Lucian.
The series of actions gave Lucian an overwhelming sense of déjà vu—wasn't this just a polite version of Hu Tao?
"Your aura... you're a mortal?" Guizhong sounded uncertain.
Even after repeated confirmation, she still found it hard to believe. Reviving a god—was such a power really achievable by a mortal?
Had humanity evolved to this extent over the past millennia?
"I am indeed still a mortal," Lucian nodded.
"Never mind me—do you remember this old guy?" Lucian pointed at Zhongli.
Guizhong tilted her head as she looked at Zhongli. "Morax?"
Guizhong felt that Morax's presence was completely different from before.
Coupled with Zhongli suppressing his aura, she hadn't even noticed his identity at first.
"It's been a long time, old friend. I go by Zhongli now," Zhongli smiled.
"Ohh, Zhongli? Mmm... that's quite nice too," Guizhong nodded, pressing her sleeve against her chin.
"This is wonderful—to see all of you again. Oh, right, Mora—Zhongli, when I first opened my eyes earlier, I saw Streetward Rambler crying!"
For Streetward Rambler to cry—that was a truly rare sight.
"Oh? Really?" Zhongli glanced at Streetward Rambler.
"Indeed. This one witnessed it as well," Cloud Retainer nodded.
"That was just dust from the revival of the God of Dust getting into my eyes," Streetward Rambler said with a faint smile.
"Hey! Don't make it sound like I'm filthy!" Guizhong protested.
As the God of Dust, she was practically spotless! Even though she ran around barefoot, her feet never got dirty.
===✧✦✧===
Character Voiceline · Streetward Rambler: About Lucian
"I'm very grateful to him. I already owed him for helping Liyue against Osial, and now he's even 'revived' Guizhong. Sigh, I really don't know how to repay this debt."