The rock platform slowly rose upward, trembling slightly before settling neatly against the city wall.
Luciel stood at the edge, wondering if he should give the rock tortoise another spiritual cue—to let the creature know how to raise a platform or shape a stone ladder more smoothly next time.
"Finally back."
Liyue stepped down first, landing lightly on the wall. Her silver-white hair fluttered in the breeze as she gazed toward the glowing houses beneath the Starlight Tea Tree.
Then—
Buzz—
The tree responded as though it had been waiting. A faint hum rippled through its branches, and a soft green glow began to bloom outward, washing the entire back of the rock tortoise in emerald light.
It was as if the heavens had spilled a piece of the Milky Way down upon the world. The starlit leaves shimmered, glowing with life; the air was filled with motes of silver light dancing like fireflies.
