Just yesterday, Ganyu received a paper crane from Cloud Retainer, requesting that she and Yilan come to Aozang Tianchi in Jueyunjian for a chat.
At that time, all the adepti of Liyue would be present to attend a welcome banquet for Yilan—the "reborn" immortal.
To attend the welcome banquet, Yilan changed out of his usual crimson ceremonial robes and put on a moon-white Liyue-style robe that Ganyu had sewn for him.
Incidentally, at Yilan's suggestion a thousand years ago, Ganyu's current attire is also different from what she wears in the game.
If it had to be described, her current outfit is likely a fusion of Shenhe's and Ganyu's canonical styles.
In short, it's quite conservative, with no exposed skin at all.
When Yilan and Ganyu arrived at Aozang Tianchi, the other adepti had already gathered.
Yilan saw the Electro Yaksha, Fushe, throwing his arm over his younger brother's shoulder and laughing heartily.
He saw the Anemo Yaksha, Xiao, who had a helpless expression as he was being pulled into conversation.
He saw the Pyro Yaksha, Yingda, and the Hydro Yaksha, Fanan, huddled together, whispering about something only girls would discuss.
He saw the Geo Yaksha, Minu, who always wore a serious expression but was nevertheless kind toward his fellow Yakshas, speaking to Zhongli.
He also saw the antler-crowned Immortal Lord Mooncarver, as well as Madame Ping, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper, and River-Carver…
As spring arrived, the world awakened. Trees unfurled new leaves, and green shoots pushed their way up through the soil.
Each immortal, true to their nature, either sat, reclined, or stood by the spiritual waters of Aozang Tianchi. Though their expressions varied, Yilan could sense the serene aura lingering in the air even from a distance.
Gazing at this scene—one that looked like a CG cutscene from a game—Yilan was briefly speechless, overcome with emotion.
"Yilan, Ganyu, you've arrived," Cloud Retainer called out, waving her wings in greeting upon spotting them.
"Ah, hello everyone."
Yilan returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly, only for Fushe—bold and brotherly—to stride over, hook his arms around Yilan's shoulders, and drag him into the crowd.
"Don't stand there like a block of wood. Come on over. We've all been waiting for you."
Zhongli observed with a soft smile, his voice as gentle as the wind: "All who are gathered here today are family. There is no need for formality."
To be honest, in his first simulated life, Yilan had lived for just over two months. Most of that time had been spent with Ganyu, and he had barely interacted with the other immortals. Naturally, he wasn't very familiar with them.
But for some reason, hearing Zhongli's reassuring tone and seeing the kind eyes of the immortals around him, Yilan's guard began to drop. Pulled into the group by Fushe, he soon found himself chatting comfortably with everyone.
As the immortal wine warmed the atmosphere, Cloud Retainer suddenly remembered something. She crossed her wings at her waist in a surprisingly human-like manner and said with a touch of pride:
"Speaking of which, Yilan, you owe me a great deal of thanks."
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Yilan asked.
"When you faked your death, Ganyu cried bitterly and even contemplated following you in death. Were it not for my earnest persuasion, she might've done something irreversible…"
"Master Liuyun!" Ganyu stomped her foot and glared angrily at Cloud Retainer. "Why bring that up when everyone is enjoying themselves?"
"Hahaha Master Liuyun, don't stop. Everyone seems to be enjoying the story," Fushe chuckled.
"Brother, please don't stir things up more than necessary," Fanan gently nudged Fushe.
"How is that stirring things up? Didn't you chuckle too just now?"
"H-Hey… How could I be laughing?"
Cloud Retainer looked toward the five Yakshas and said, "Speaking of you lot, I'm reminded of another amusing story."
"I remember when Yuheng Mountain suddenly changed from an immortal mountain into a demonic one."
"They believed it was due to the accumulation of their own karmic debt. Tsk tsk. You should've seen it—five fearsome Yakshas, kneeling in front of Yilan's shrine. Fushe, a tall and burly man, was bawling like a child, crying 'Yilan, we are ashamed of ourselves.' The others…"
Before she could finish, Yingda, the fiery-tempered Pyro Yaksha, lunged forward to cover her mouth.
Xiao sighed, covering his forehead. "Master Liuyun… please. That's enough."
"Why shouldn't I speak the truth? I'm not fabricating anything." Dodging Yingda's attempts, Cloud Retainer looked at Yilan and said, "Yilan, you decide. Did I say anything untrue?"
"Master Liuyun, you're not wrong," Yilan said earnestly. "Your storytelling is brilliant. Things were getting quiet, and you livened everything up again."
"Yilan! Don't add fuel to the fire!"
Ganyu pouted, then twisted Yilan's waist, making him wince in pain.
He wondered whether all women naturally learned this move after falling in love. He remembered Kamisato Ayaka had a similar habit of pinching this way.
To redirect the conversation, Ganyu said, "By the way, Yilan asked me a question earlier. Although he eventually told me the answer, I still don't understand it. Now that everyone is here, why not think about it together?"
"Oh? What's the question?" asked Moonlight Sovereign, Immortal Lord Xueyue Zhuyang, with interest.
"Ahem!"
Yilan cleared his throat several times to stop her, but it was too late. Ganyu had already spoken:
"He asked me what day of the year women fear the most. The answer was December 1st, but I still don't get why."
The women present fell into silent contemplation.
Even Fanan, careful and precise, and Cloud Retainer, quick-witted, couldn't find the answer.
Fushe, on the other hand, was intrigued. "If women have a day they fear most, then there should be one for men too, right?"
Yilan didn't want to say it, but with everyone staring at him, he had no choice but to answer awkwardly:
"It's January 31st."
Now even Zhongli fell into deep thought. But of course, no one figured it out.
Everyone turned their eyes toward Yilan—piercing gazes demanding an explanation.
With no other choice, Yilan had to reveal something he'd originally planned to announce later:
"Actually, I'm from another world. In my world, the word 'day' can also be used as a verb… meaning, well, 'wedding night.'"
Yilan had already tried to put it as euphemistically as possible, but no one was focused on the phrasing anymore.
"Someone from beyond the stars?"
A small stir ran through the assembled immortals.
"A person from another world? So that explains the miraculous things that have happened to you."
Unlike the others, Zhongli—once the Geo Archon and one of the oldest beings in Teyvat—had some understanding of beings from beyond this world.
After all, he had met the twin travelers and knew, vaguely, that the current Celestia was not native to Teyvat.
Seeing the awkward silence, he offered a warm smile and said softly:
"There is no need to worry about origins. Liyue has always welcomed all who contribute. Regardless of where you're from, your efforts will never be forgotten. You will always be our friend."
"The Lord of Geo is right!" Fushe slapped his thigh. "You saved the five of us! From now on, you're our true brother. If anyone dares mess with you—in Liyue or anywhere in Teyvat—just say my name, Fushe, and I'll be there!"
"Brother…" Fanan gently nudged him. "Yilan might be stronger than you now. If someone dares to mess with him, would there be any point in you showing up?"
"Hey… I was just trying to sound cool. Why are you taking it so seriously?" Fushe said awkwardly.
"Haha!"
The immortals erupted in laughter again, and the air was filled with warmth and joy.
No one cared about Yilan's origins.
In fact, many had long been curious about how Yilan had returned to life. They had simply been too polite—or bound by divine etiquette—to ask.
Now that Yilan had explained it himself, everyone felt relieved and grew even closer to him.
Yilan let out a long breath, and the immortals cast aside their worries. Everything seemed to be going well—except for one poor little coconut lamb.
At first, Ganyu had been happy to hear Yilan was from another world. It explained his resurrection in a way that gave her comfort, reassurance that he wouldn't disappear again.
But then she realized she had asked such an embarrassing question in front of all the immortals and even the former Archon.
Shame overwhelmed her. Her ears turned scarlet as if blood might start seeping out of them. She dove into Yilan's arms, pounding his chest with tiny fists.
"Yilan, you jerk! It's all your fault! I can't face anyone now!"
Yilan laughed, hugging the struggling little qilin. "These were private jokes meant for the boudoir. You're the one who insisted on sharing them here. How can you blame me? Everyone, help me out—am I really the one at fault?"
More laughter rang out, some poking fun at Yilan, others teasing Ganyu. In that joyful atmosphere, time flew by, and before long it was time for lunch.
The adepti agreed that each of them would cook a dish, using their abilities and ingredients from the surrounding mountains. Then they all dispersed to prepare.
Yilan and Ganyu split up to forage for their chosen ingredients.
Yilan wandered to the edge of a cliff. Just then, a breeze swept by, and he sat down, gazing at the sunlit mountains, the vast sea of clouds, and the awe-inspiring natural beauty stretching out before him.
At that moment, the soft sound of footsteps came from behind.
Turning his head, Yilan saw Zhongli standing there.
"Have you ever considered leaving Mondstadt and making your home in Liyue?" asked the Geo King, arms folded across his chest.