Yunqin imitated her previous fishing stance, spreading her feet slightly to stand firm, gripping the rod tightly, and feeling the faint tug from the line.
The fish beneath the sea's surface seemed to struggle gently. The force wasn't strong, but it was very clear, like a small life conversing with her, transmitted through the fishing rod to her palm.
"Don't rush. Take it slow. Follow its movements, don't fight it," Uncle Tian coached softly from the side, even reaching out to adjust her grip on the rod. "Be gentle."
Yunqin took a deep breath, the sea breeze blowing away her last trace of nervousness.
With a thought, the Hydro Element silently merged into the water, transforming into a gentle ripple that softly enveloped the fish beneath the surface.
No suppression, no control—just a silent reassurance: "Don't be afraid."
Soon after, she followed the fish's movement and gently lifted the rod. A small fish was reeled in, its tail still twitching slightly.
"See? Fishing is easy," Uncle Tian said with a smile, patting her shoulder. "Fear comes from the unknown. But if you face it bravely, it can even help you do many things—like now, helping you catch this fish."
Yunqin looked at the small fish and suddenly smiled.
This was the first time she had actively used the power of a "God" to do something "ordinary."
No panicked fear of losing control, no oppressive feeling of being consumed by power—only an inexplicable sense of grounding, like finally grasping the hand of a friend who had been hiding in the shadows.
She carefully unhooked the fish, her fingertips gently cradling it with the Hydro Element, and released it back into the sea.
Watching the fish flick its tail and disappear into the azure water, a weight finally lifted from her heart, and even her breathing became smoother.
"Uncle Tian, I think I understand now," Yunqin said, looking up. The confusion in her eyes gradually faded, leaving only clear light.
Seeing the light rekindle in her eyes, Uncle Tian smiled with relief, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out. "Although I don't know what's been troubling you... this is the Little Yunqin I know!"
As the fishing boat slowly returned to the dock, the sun was already setting in the west.
Yunqin stood on the dock, waving vigorously at Uncle Tian.
She still clutched the jade stone tightly in her hand, as if holding a small, warm sun...
As the last ray of golden sunlight sank into the sea, Yunqin slowly rose from the stone steps of the dock.
By now, the earlier panic in her heart had vanished, leaving only a single, very certain thought: she had to find someone, someone who could "stop" her when she lost control, to find a safety net for this "true self."
The lanterns of Wangshu Inn were already lit, their warm light suspended between the mountains, piercing the night like gentle stars from afar.
The innkeeper, aware of Yunqin's identity, simply gave her a gentle nod and returned to her tasks without further questions.
Yunqin went straight to the top floor. The evening breeze lifted the loose strands of hair at her temples, and the last bit of tension in her heart eased slightly.
"Xiao!" she shouted into the night sky, gathering all her strength.
The next moment, a faint scent of Almond Tofu drifted through the air—Xiao's unique aroma.
A jade-green figure appeared silently behind her.
He was nearly a head shorter than Yunqin, yet the chilling aura surrounding him was like mountain stream ice, undiminished.
"Why have you summoned me?" His voice was flat and emotionless, showing no surprise, as if he had long known of her arrival.
Yunqin turned around, and as she looked at his perpetually tense, youthful face, a strange emotion suddenly surged in her heart.
Without another word, she stepped forward and pinched Xiao's cheeks.
Xiao subconsciously took half a step back, a flicker of astonishment in his eyes. The Anemo energy around him stirred restlessly for a moment, the airflow lifting the hem of his clothes, yet he ultimately didn't push her hand away.
He even lowered his gaze slightly, avoiding her eyes, the tips of his ears turning a faint red in the darkness.
"Still feels so good."
Yunqin gently shook his cheeks, only letting go when she saw his Adam's apple bob almost imperceptibly, as if she had just completed an important task.
She turned and leaned against the wooden railing, gazing at the myriad lights of Liyue Harbor in the distance—quiet and warm, just as she wished to protect it.
"Xiao, you must know what's happened to me, right?" Her voice softened, losing its earlier playful tone.
Xiao's figure stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Not long ago, Rex Lapis himself had come here to find him, explaining in detail that Yunqin's power as a descendant of a god had awakened.
Although Xiao was surprised that Rex Lapis was not dead, the Archon's tone had been unusually grave, forcing him to take the matter seriously.
Rex Lapis had specifically instructed him: "Watch over her, don't let her mind be consumed by the power, and if you face any trouble, seek me out at any time."
Therefore, the moment Yunqin stepped into Wangshu Inn, he was already waiting on the top floor, having even adjusted the Anemo energy around him to its gentlest state, afraid of startling her.
Now, hearing Yunqin's question, Xiao simply stood there in silence.
"No answer means you know." Yunqin smiled, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the wood grain of the railing.
She wasn't afraid of him knowing; in fact, she was somewhat relieved.
This way, she wouldn't have to struggle to explain a past she herself didn't fully understand.
"Say whatever you need to. I won't mind." Xiao finally spoke, his tone still indifferent but now tinged with tacit approval.
He leaned against the pillar behind him, arms crossed over his chest, his shoulders slightly relaxed, a gesture that conveyed his complete trust in her.
"There are no outsiders here. I will not speak of this, nor will I reveal your words to any third party."
Yunqin took a deep breath, the evening wind making her voice tremble slightly, yet it remained exceptionally clear: "I was waiting for you to say that."
She turned and looked seriously into Xiao's eyes.
Her own reflection was mirrored in them, showing no fear, no rejection, only the same unwavering calm, as if no matter what she became, he would always look at her this way.
"If... if in the future I start destroying everything in Liyue, if I do things that harm Liyue, please..." She paused, each word seeming to drain all her strength, her voice trailing off with a barely perceptible sob, "strike me down."
The moment her words fell, the wind on the top floor seemed to stop.
Xiao's brow furrowed tightly, his eyes showing astonishment for the first time, along with a flicker of panic he himself didn't notice.
He opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.
Rex Lapis had instructed him to "watch over" her, but he had never said anything about facing such a heavy request.
If forced to choose between "protecting Liyue" and "keeping her," he would unhesitatingly choose to protect Liyue!
But Yunqin... he had watched her grow up, after all.
He couldn't bear to...
-
Meanwhile, beyond the mortal realm, countless players were plunged into collective anxiety, the air thick with resentment.