Since that day, Luo Qing felt as though his parched heart had finally been quenched.
After millennia of solitude, he once again tasted the joy of life—this time, with Bu'er, who had taken on a youthful, unguarded form he had never experienced before.
The system's main tasks were complete, leaving only the hidden quest unresolved.
Though the task's nature was unclear, Luo Qing had begun to piece together its meaning.
The purest branch of the World Tree, infused with life energy by both him and Bu'er, had been named Nahida, symbolizing the Lord of Wisdom. It awaited the day it would be planted in new soil, growing into something extraordinary.
Centuries passed in quiet succession.
No matter how much Luo Qing wished to hold back time, he knew the inevitable would come.
One fateful day, the earth trembled as Teyvat was torn apart by the power of the Abyss. From the depths emerged swarms of monsters and machines, spreading destruction across the land.
Celestia, led by the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, waged a monumental battle against Khaenri'ah, the subterranean kingdom.
As one of the Seven, Bu'er was tasked with protecting the World Tree from the Abyss's corruption.
Despite Luo Qing's careful preparations for this day, the sight of countless monsters and vast mechanical legions left him shaken.
Khaenri'ah's might surpassed his expectations. No matter how fiercely he fought, he couldn't hold the line forever.
Eventually, exhausted and powerless, Luo Qing collapsed into Bu'er's arms.
"Sorry, Lady Bu'er… This is as far as I can go."
He gently wiped the tears from her eyes. His shattered body ached unbearably, and even lifting a hand required immense effort.
"Luo Qing…"
Bu'er, too, was nearly spent. Her once-pristine skin had turned deep violet, stained by the corruption of the Abyss and forbidden knowledge as she struggled to defend the World Tree.
"You promised to stay with me until the end…"
"I'm sorry, Lady Bu'er…"
Feeling the life slipping from his body, Luo Qing knew his time was running out.
"Lady Bu'er… can you grant me one last request?"
"What is it…?"
Bu'er was a sobbing mess, cradling him tightly.
Luo Qing extended a trembling hand, his fingers brushing against her forehead. With painstaking effort, he drew out a fragment of her soul and cast it into the void.
"When we meet again, Lady Bu'er… will you be my bride?"
With those words, Luo Qing's life faded.
His body dissolved into starlight, scattering into the night.
---
When he regained consciousness, Luo Qing found himself in a pitch-black void.
A familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Commencing Trial Evaluation…]
[Congratulations, Host. Trial Complete.]
[You have gained the Authority of Life.]
The next moment, a surge of vibrant energy filled Luo Qing's body.
It was as though he could breathe life into any existence with a mere thought, granting it renewal and vitality.
"So this… is the power of life…"
As he adjusted to the newfound energy coursing through him, Luo Qing felt a strange sense of detachment.
The millennia he had lived flashed before him, leaving him unsure if it had been a vivid dream or reality.
Before he could make sense of it, the system's voice interrupted his thoughts.
[Trial complete. Please select a return point.]
[1. Root of the World Tree.]
[2. Fontaine, six months later.]
"Fontaine…" Luo Qing murmured.
A burst of light engulfed him, obscuring his vision. When it faded, he found himself standing in a dim alley.
Suppressing his confusion, Luo Qing stepped out into the street. The bustling, gear-driven metropolis of Fontaine stretched before him, its streets alive with mechanical marvels.
"I'm… back?"
Staring up at the starlit sky, Luo Qing found it hard to believe. The weight of centuries bore down on him like a dream he couldn't shake.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. Without hesitation, he hurried to his residence in Fontaine.
Reaching the door, Luo Qing hesitated, staring at the familiar bronze handle. Taking a deep breath, he turned it and stepped inside.
The living room was spotless, as though someone had been diligently maintaining it.
"Makoto… Theresa…"
He softly called out names that felt both familiar and distant.
But no one answered.
"Have they all gone back…?" Luo Qing muttered, sitting down on the sofa.
Something felt off. Despite the house's immaculate state, it didn't make sense if they had truly left. Dust should have covered the furniture.
Maybe they'd only just departed.
Or perhaps… they never left at all.
Driven by unease, Luo Qing checked the upstairs rooms. His bedroom was pristine, but the other rooms bore distinct traces of their owners. Some were messy, others carried the scent of sweets, and a few were as tidy as his own.
"They haven't left… So where are they?"
Finally, he opened the bathroom door and froze.
In the corner sat a familiar object—an interstellar flush toilet.
"A teleportation toilet…?"
Luo Qing frowned in confusion. He distinctly remembered not bringing any spares to Fontaine.
Had his memory failed him after so many years?
After a moment of contemplation, Luo Qing sat down on the toilet.
---
Liyue
On the night of the Lantern Rite, the streets were filled with warmth and light.
Families gathered to enjoy reunion meals before heading out to admire lanterns under the moonlit sky.
In Luo Qing's residence, red lanterns adorned the beams, and couplets bearing blessings were pasted by the door.
From the outside, it seemed like a joyous gathering was underway.
Inside, however, the mood was somber. The group around the table barely touched their food.
Because this reunion dinner was missing its most important member.
"I mean…" Furina said softly, breaking the silence.
"This is supposed to be the Lantern Rite, isn't it? Why does everyone look so…"
Her voice faltered as her gaze fell on the empty seat between Makoto and Bu'er.
"Yeah…" Makoto sighed, her voice gentle yet heavy.
"Even though Luo Qing hasn't returned yet, we're still family, aren't we?"
"We need to stay strong. If Luo Qing were to see this, he wouldn't be happy…"
Though she tried to lift their spirits, six months of waiting had stretched her resolve to its limit. If Luo Qing didn't return soon, this dinner might mark their final gathering as a family.
As the women exchanged somber glances, the weight of their emotions evident, a familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind.
"That's right. Lantern Rite should be a time for joy. If I saw this, I definitely wouldn't be happy."
---
T/N: FUCK yknow what fuck you guys i said 10 chaps but NAH PERFECT CLIFFHANGER TIME
...
Huh. You really stuck it out all the way to the end.
Didn't think you had the patience. Guess I was wrong.
WiseTL's the one who actually made all this come together. I'm just here putting a bow on it... or, well, shoving it in a backpack and calling it a day. Same thing.
If you had fun, you know what to do:
👉 [patreon.com/WiseTL]
And if you're the social type, there's a Discord too. Pretty decent spot to hang out—no battles required.
👉 [discord.gg/wisetl]
Alright. That's enough standing around. Go on—before you make it weird.
—Leaf