Hearing Dainsleif's explanation, Lumine froze for a moment.
For the Abyss as a whole…
Were Qiu Nian and Zhongli during the Archon War really nothing more than slightly larger ants?
She recalled the scene of Qiu Nian battling the God of Obscuration.
Then she thought of the terrifying landscape formed by the Geo Archon's stone spears, the place now known as Guyun Stone Forest.
And then she remembered Dainsleif's words.
Goosebumps ran across her arms.
Paimon felt the same.
It was as if their understanding of the world had just been overturned once again.
"Still… it cannot be denied that the gods care for humanity."
"I believe that if that ancient god truly possessed the power to split the Abyss…"
"Then he would have removed the Abyss that threatens this world."
"So…"
"It is most likely just a legend."
"As for where that god went after leaving Liyue during the Archon War…"
"My guess is that he may have already perished somewhere unknown."
Dainsleif spoke calmly.
The livestream chat immediately burst into jokes.
[Qiu Nian: Who's saying I'm dead?]
[LOL that's brutal.]
"That's certainly possible."
"But what should we do next?"
Lumine asked after exchanging a glance with Paimon.
Things might not be that simple.
After all—
Zhongli had once said that Qiu Nian truly left the world of Teyvat.
He had even traveled across many other worlds.
And when Qiu Nian himself mentioned that he had lost most of his power, yet that power was gradually returning…
Perhaps the legend really did hold a tiny grain of truth.
If it were true—
then how terrifying must the power be
that could split the Abyss itself with a single strike?
The chat reacted immediately.
["That's certainly possible."]
[Lumine, did you learn acting from Qiu Nian and Zhongli too?]
The quest continued.
Lumine, Paimon, and Dainsleif arrived at Stormterror's Lair.
There, Dainsleif once again mentioned his mysterious traveling companion.
Meanwhile, Lumine sensed traces of her brother's presence.
Following that faint aura, she eventually discovered a dandelion seed.
When she touched it—
she suddenly raised her head.
Before her eyes appeared the vision of a city engulfed in flames.
Black and crimson cube-like chains floated through the air.
And at the end of the vision—
stood a god who called herself the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles.
The sudden vision reminded Lumine of what Dainsleif had said about the Abyss.
It left her feeling deeply troubled.
"Anxiety and doubt are enemies of the mind."
"Your journey has only just begun, has it not?"
"At the very least, you now know that he still exists in this world."
"At times like this, the most important thing is the journey to find him."
Dainsleif said calmly.
"I will find him."
Lumine's expression hardened with determination.
"That is a sentiment worth remembering."
"It gives meaning to the journey itself."
"I wish you success in finding your kin at the end of your travels."
"With that… this is where we part ways."
Dainsleif nodded slightly.
"Wait, you're leaving already?"
Paimon asked.
"Only temporarily."
"Do not worry. We will meet again."
With those words, Dainsleif turned and walked away.
And the interlude quest "Bough Keeper: Dainsleif" came to an end.
After the quest ended, Xuehua gave her thoughts.
"Judging from what Dainsleif was wearing…"
"His identity must be something special."
"And he doesn't seem to have the respect for gods that ordinary people do."
The chat quickly responded.
[Yeah, he literally got angry about the legend of Gui Xu.]
[He's probably connected to the Abyss.]
[Maybe even connected to the Traveler's sibling.]
[Let the lore analysts worry about that. I'm going to celebrate Lantern Rite!]
[Happy New Year in advance!]
[Happy New Year!]
"Happy New Year!"
Xuehua grinned.
"May everyone live forever and never die!"
She bowed playfully toward the camera while cosplaying Xiangling.
The chat immediately burst into laughter.
[What kind of blessing is that?!]
['Live forever and never die'? That's insane.]
[Where did you learn that greeting?]
After this quest, the lore analysts were once again overwhelmed.
Because Dainsleif's explanation of the Gui Xu legend was already extremely detailed.
There was almost nothing left for them to analyze.
Since Dainsleif had effectively ruined their chance to dissect Qiu Nian further—
the lore analysts simply redirected their attention.
They began focusing all their efforts on analyzing Dainsleif's identity instead.
Meanwhile—
in the real world of Teyvat,
evening had already arrived.
Workers from the Ministry of Civil Affairs were decorating Liyue Harbor in preparation for the Lantern Rite Festival.
This year's Mingxiao Lantern would commemorate the adeptus Mountain Shaper.
The streets were more crowded than ever.
People from Qingce Village, Chenyu Vale, and many other parts of Liyue had all gathered in the harbor.
They came to buy:
New clothes
Fireworks
Ingredients for Lantern Rite meals
Even travelers from other nations had arrived.
For a time, the entire harbor was lively and bustling.
Qiu Nian sat quietly in an upper pavilion.
A cup of tea rested in his hand as he gazed down at the bustling streets.
"Lantern Rite…"
He smiled faintly.
Time really did pass quickly.
Flowers bloom and wither in their appointed seasons.
But those who depart…
may never return.
Qiu Nian placed his teacup down.
Then he stepped into the streets alone.
Two children ran past him while playing, their laughter ringing through the air.
A breeze swept through the road.
Leaves from the birch trees drifted down gently.
For a moment, the soft glow of the setting sun illuminated them.
The leaf was already dry.
Perhaps it had once dreamed of remaining green forever.
But time had taken that away.
Yet this was spring.
The birch trees should only have just sprouted fresh buds.
Qiu Nian stopped and turned.
A young boy stood nearby.
The leaf had once been pressed between the pages of his book.
Preserved until now.
When the boy opened the book—
the wind caught the leaf and carried it away.
The brittle leaf could not withstand the sudden gust.
It shattered into fragments upon the ground.
Qiu Nian watched quietly.
If the leaf had remained pressed in the book forever…
would it have avoided breaking in the wind?
"No…"
"It would still break."
"Even inside the book, the same fate awaits."
"And even if it didn't…"
"It would still become dry and lifeless."
He turned away and stopped thinking about it.
Then he continued walking through the crowded streets toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"Why are you wandering alone?"
A gentle voice sounded beside him.
Madame Ping had appeared at his side.
"He's busy completing Director Hu's arrangements."
Qiu Nian replied calmly.
"Seeing you look so lonely, this old woman will walk with you for a while."
She shuffled forward slowly.
"Have you visited those old friends yet?"
"Not yet."
"After the Lantern Rite, I will go see them."
Qiu Nian slowed his pace as he answered.
"You…"
"You're just afraid to see how different they've become."
"You keep saying, 'I'll visit them, I'll visit them.'"
"I've heard that many times."
"Months have passed, and you still haven't gone."
"You can't keep hiding forever."
"If this continues, I might just go tell those old fellows that Gui Xu is hiding in Liyue Harbor."
Madame Ping said with a smile.
Qiu Nian laughed softly.
"This time I really will go."
"Ping'er."
"Well, we have a promise then."
"You're a god."
"You wouldn't lie to an old adeptus like me again, would you?"
And so—
an elderly, hunched old woman
walked slowly beside a handsome young man.
Together they moved through the lively streets of Liyue Harbor.
Amid the flowing crowds—
their figures formed a strangely harmonious scene.
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