All the Adepti gathered.
But none looked pleased.
Every face was solemn.
Just as they pondered what calamity might have come—
"You are all here."
The ethereal yet heavy voice of the Geo Archon rang in their ears.
Though he had not arrived in person, they knew his divine gaze was fixed upon them.
Before they could respond, a golden light descended, enveloping a staff, which landed before them.
"Lord, this is…"
Cloud Retainer frowned, adjusting her red spectacles, staring at the staff without blinking.
Clearly, this was the reason for their summons.
Yet doubt filled their hearts.
The staff contained a power they could not see through, but its aura was not great.
It hardly seemed to warrant such a gathering.
"If I am not mistaken… this is a thing not of this world," said Madame Ping, her clouded eyes narrowing.
"The Lord must have discovered something within it."
Its raw power was not strong, but its effect was certainly not simple.
Else the Lord would not have called them here.
"Lord, what is this staff?" Moon Carver, unable to hold back, was the first to ask.
If it was important, they needed to know at once.
"It can restore life to the dead.
All beneath the gods."
The Geo Archon's answer fell lightly.
The Adepti froze.
The air itself seemed to still.
Only ripples on the lake betrayed their turmoil.
"My Lord—truly?"
Xiao could not contain himself. His golden eyes flushed red, black smoke curling around him.
"Calm yourself!"
Cloud Retainer pressed a hand on his shoulder, suppressing the karmic miasma spilling from his body.
"Forgive me… I lost control," Xiao muttered, forcing a breath.
He could feel it in her trembling hand—she too was shaken.
"Lord…"
Mountain Shaper rose, his eyes locked on the staff. "If it can revive all but gods, then Havria—"
"Not only her," Moon Carver cut in, voice trembling. "So many… so many more…"
"Lord, this staff—"
"Silence!"
Madame Ping straightened, her frail form glowing before shifting into that of a graceful young woman in silks.
"Let the Lord finish."
The Adepti swallowed their words, forcing themselves to sit.
"This was given to me by a traveler," came the Geo Archon's voice again.
"He said it is of the sixth tier. Above it are the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth… perhaps more."
"I bartered a contract for this one chance. How to use it, for what purpose, I leave to you."
"…Lord."
Ping rose slowly, her eyes burning.
"If the sixth tier can restore all but gods… then the higher—seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth… could they reach even the gods?"
Only one name burned in her mind.
Guizhong.
Silence.
Everyone knew of Ping and Guizhong. Not sisters, but closer than sisters.
Her grief was theirs too.
But excitement gave way to grim calm.
The Lord had traded dearly for just one staff.
If this was "sixth-tier"… what price for higher?
"I am the ancestor of Adepti, the God of Contracts," the Archon intoned.
"A contract must be fair and just.
Liyue's foundation cannot be shaken."
His voice carried helplessness.
"To that traveler, the staff may be trivial.
To us, it is priceless."
He too desired.
But he could not seize by force.
There must be balance.
"Lord!"
Ping bowed deeply, voice firm.
"I would give anything… to bring Guizhong back.
Please, grant me an introduction!"
A thousand years had not dimmed her.
She did not want to linger in the marketplace as a crone.
She had watched generations rise, but her own heart was empty.
If there was hope, however faint—she would take it.
"Ping!" Cloud Retainer rose, words dying into a sigh.
She understood. She wanted it too.
"You know me," Ping said, never lifting her head.
"I cannot pretend when hope is before me.
Whatever the cost, I will pay it."
"…We too beg for an introduction," Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper rose together.
"We have guarded Liyue for millennia without asking. Let us ask, this once."
Xiao dropped to one knee, head bowed.
"My Lord, allow me to be greedy this once. Grant me an introduction."
His comrades were gone, scattered or dead.
Were it not for the contract binding him, he would have followed them long ago.
Now—how could he not be moved?
"Please, Lord!"
Even Cloud Retainer bowed.
She too, greedy, once.
"…"
The Archon fell silent.
Greedy?
And what of him?
Did he not long for the same?
"This matter must be handled with caution," he finally said.
"Not rashly."
That he revealed it at all was hope enough. But haste would lead to ruin.
"My Lord!"
The Adepti looked up, eyes pleading.
Hope was before them. Could they not grasp it?
But they also knew—the Lord's burden was heavier than theirs.
He had to be cautious.
"I know your hearts."
Atop Mt. Aozang, Zhongli sighed.
"But be patient. Do not rush.
Before the Rite of Descension, devise a plan.
There is still time."
Plans could change.
Nothing had begun.
And so, there was still time.
He was weary. But for his old companions—he would bear it longer.
(End of Chapter)
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