Only by becoming truly strong could everything be saved.
The failure of Uchiha Madara…
The experiences of the War God Rexas…
Both proved the same thing.
They simply had not been strong enough.
At that moment, Ren Kai's resolve hardened.
He would become a true powerhouse.
"It's getting late."
"When you return, please help me say… I'm sorry."
Ren Kai spoke the words Rexas had once wished to say to Guizhong.
"That won't do."
"The two of us can't allow you to apologize."
"By the way… don't you want to see him?"
Guizhong looked at him with an expectant expression.
"The situation is complicated right now."
"Let him focus on recovering."
"I also need some time to rest and clear my mind."
After thinking carefully, Ren Kai gave his answer.
"Alright then."
"I'll head back first."
Guizhong sounded a little disappointed.
"Mm."
"Just remember—don't rush to the front lines again."
Ren Kai said gently with a warm smile.
This mischievous Guizhong was Liyue's treasure.
In countless battles she had charged forward recklessly.
Fortunately, at critical moments she had always been saved by Rexas and the Geo Archon Morax.
"Hehe, I know."
Guizhong turned back with a bright smile and skipped happily toward Mt. Tianheng.
Watching her leave, Ren Kai finally had time to admire the bustling Liyue Harbor.
Compared to the game, this was on an entirely different scale.
"Wait… did I forget something?"
Ren Kai suddenly frowned.
There was definitely something important he had forgotten.
Something in Liyue.
"Hmm? What are you thinking about, Lord Ban?"
The pink fox asked curiously.
"Right… the first time I lost a 50/50 pull."
"It gave me Qiqi instead."
Ren Kai finally remembered.
Among all of Liyue's tragedies, the most heartbreaking one was the little herb-gathering girl—
Qiqi.
"What?"
"What's a Qiqi?"
The fox tilted her head in confusion.
Ren Kai didn't answer.
Instead, he searched through Rexas's memories.
After combing through them carefully, he found no trace of Qiqi.
Ren Kai frowned.
These memories seemed incomplete.
Or perhaps Rexas's memories were simply too vast.
He vaguely recalled a battle between adepti and demons.
Maybe that was the battle that had ended Qiqi's life.
"Let's go."
"I'll take you to see the mountain scenery."
Ren Kai decided to search directly for the amber where Qiqi had been sealed.
"Okay."
The fox was completely confused, but stopped thinking about it.
Ren Kai began searching the mountains with the fox.
Every piece of amber larger than half a meter—
He smashed them all.
"This isn't right…"
"Could it be that Qiqi hasn't been sealed yet?"
Ren Kai stood on the peak of Mt. Hulao.
Nearly every amber crystal had already been shattered.
"…?"
The pink fox remained bewildered the entire time.
Could there be treasure hidden inside these ambers?
Just then, a gust of wind swept across the mountain.
Ren Kai turned around coldly.
"Xiao."
When he saw the newcomer, he looked surprised.
"You know my name?"
"May I ask what you are doing here, honored warrior?"
Xiao recognized him immediately.
This was the giant warrior who had displayed overwhelming power earlier.
He quickly put away his weapon.
Looking at the shattered amber crystals nearby, he asked politely.
"During the last battle between adepti and demons…"
"There was a little girl."
"Do you know where she is now?"
After thinking for a moment, Ren Kai decided to ask Xiao directly.
"You're looking for the girl who was sealed?"
Xiao's expression darkened.
It was clearly a painful memory.
"Please wait here for a moment."
"I must report this matter to Lady Guizhong first."
Xiao hesitated.
Without certainty, he chose to seek help from someone above him.
"That's fine."
Ren Kai smiled inwardly.
As expected—awkward Xiao.
"Hehe."
"This time it's not my fault."
"I couldn't stop him."
A familiar laugh sounded behind Ren Kai.
He didn't even need to turn around.
Xiao was already bowing.
"Geo Archon. Lady Guizhong."
Xiao greeted them respectfully.
"What a coincidence."
Ren Kai turned around awkwardly and greeted Morax and Guizhong.
"Not a coincidence."
"I came here specifically to find you."
Morax spoke calmly.
Then he frowned slightly and placed a hand on his chin in thought.
"Xiao, you may leave."
Guizhong sensed something unusual and quickly dismissed him.
"Yes."
Xiao departed immediately.
"And the rest of you—scatter."
Guizhong glanced around helplessly.
As soon as she spoke, two birds flew away, and distant footsteps quickly faded.
Ren Kai fell silent.
He had been so focused on finding Qiqi that he hadn't noticed all the adepti and Yaksha observing him.
Only Xiao had revealed himself earlier.
"And you too, Guizhong."
Morax suddenly spoke.
His expression was serious.
"What?"
"Hmph."
Guizhong pouted in frustration.
Clearly, the two of them had some secret.
And she wasn't allowed to know it.
"Please."
Morax sighed.
"Fine."
"But I'm taking that pink fox with me."
Guizhong glanced around and noticed Yae Miko.
"That would be for the best."
Morax nodded.
"Wait—why do I have to leave?"
"No! I want to watch!"
The fox struggled wildly.
In the end, Ren Kai handed her over to Guizhong.
After confirming that everyone had left, Morax raised his hand.
A barrier formed, isolating him and Ren Kai from the outside world.
Ren Kai suddenly felt uneasy.
Is Zhongli about to attack me?
Morax walked toward him slowly.
Step by step.
Until he stood directly before him.
"Uh…"
Ren Kai was about to speak—
But Morax suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
"Brother Ye… you've returned."
Morax said softly before letting go.
"…?"
Ren Kai froze again.
"Brother Ye, there's no need to be nervous."
"Sometimes I regret being the God of Contracts."
"I cannot tell you anything."
"But one thing is true."
"You are indeed my elder brother."
Morax spoke awkwardly.
His words left Ren Kai completely stunned.
"So… we knew each other before?"
Ren Kai finally asked after recovering.
"Yes."
Morax sounded slightly helpless.
"This is too complicated."
"Forget it."
"I'll stop thinking about it."
Ren Kai's mind felt chaotic.
This had to be the system's doing.
And it had abandoned him afterward.
Unbelievable.
"Brother Ye… are you planning to return to seclusion?"
Morax asked seriously.
"Not yet."
"I still want to see more of the world."
After thinking carefully, Ren Kai answered honestly.
There were still many things he wanted to accomplish.
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