Player World
[So this guy's real target was always Qingge and Rola!]
[We're doomed! Mihoyo is just laying down the groundwork for another emotional gut punch!]
[Don't tell me there's more! We already killed that bastard! There shouldn't be anything left!]
[Pure Soul? Holy crap, that description... isn't that just Yuna?!]
[Wait, they're still twisting the knife? Enough already! This is overkill!]
[Yuna: shivering nervously.jpg]
-
Atop the Jade Chamber.
Ningguang had just steered the Jade Chamber into position when Morax and Barbatos were departing. She happened to catch a glimpse of Morax's figure as he left.
Seeing the Geo Archon, Ningguang let out a sigh of relief.
With the Geo Archon present, everything would be fine.
So she steered the Jade Chamber back to its original position, a task she had painstakingly accomplished.
Liyue still had a mountain of pressing matters requiring her attention.
The Jade Chamber had remained unused thus far, which was for the best—it had only been completed recently.
During this critical period, had it not been for the Geo Archon, Liyue might already have become a living hell.
And Lord Barbatos—he had shielded Liyue Harbor at the crucial hour.
Ningguang was already formulating numerous ideas for strengthening cooperation with Mondstadt.
-
Liyue, Jueyun Karst.
Morax and Barbatos had already shed their Divine Regalia, reverting to their original attire.
Zhongli retrieved the Jade Ring and handed it to Venti.
Purifying corruption was something Venti excelled at.
Nourished by Venti's divine power, the purplish-black hues on the Jade Ring gradually faded, transforming into a radiant amber.
Zhongli's brow furrowed. He could sense the soul within was exceedingly fragile, on the verge of shattering at the slightest touch.
Gently extracting the soul, Zhongli channeled his divine power to create a transparent barrier before him. He carefully transferred the soul into the barrier.
Qingge's form materialized within the barrier. Her eyes were tightly closed, her expression blank and lifeless.
Venti: "Her condition is similar to Rola's back then, but clearly more severe. At least Rola could still communicate coherently for short periods."
"From the moment her soul was stolen to its retrieval, only a few hours elapsed. It seems that fiend, realizing escape was impossible, accelerated the Abyss's soul-devouring process, causing her current state."
Zhongli stepped forward and lightly touched the barrier with his right hand. Tendrils of divine power began to flow into the enclosure.
Just then, Lumine and Paimon teleported over.
Paimon glanced around, spotted Venti, and was about to call out when Venti immediately raised a finger to his lips in a "shush" gesture.
Paimon instantly fell silent, and she and Lumine slowly approached Venti and Zhongli.
As soon as they arrived, they saw Qingge within the barrier. Shock registered in their eyes as they leaned closer for a better look.
Inside the barrier, Qingge's body was translucent. Moreover, her left hand was missing?!
Venti: "A person's soul typically manifests in the form they imagined themselves in at the moment of death. This is already after the Old Man's restoration."
The moment Venti finished speaking, Qingge's left arm materialized.
Zhongli withdrew his hand. Inside the barrier, Qingge's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"I... I'm still alive...? No, I'm already dead. Where is this...?"
"Geo... Geo Archon?"
A momentary flicker of confusion crossed Qingge's face before she quickly regained her bearings.
Looking down at her hands, Qingge seemed to understand.
So I've become a ghost...?
Though this was the logical outcome, a deep sense of emptiness settled in her heart.
"Lord Geo Archon, did we win?"
Qingge lay below, unable to see the battle above. She desperately wanted to know if her efforts had succeeded, what had become of the Abyss creature, and how her sister was faring.
Zhongli silently gazed at the young woman he had watched grow up before nodding.
"Your sister is safe. The Abyss creature has been vanquished."
A radiant smile immediately lit up Qingge's face.
"Lord Geo Archon, Qingge has not failed your expectations. She has upheld the pride of the Kaiyang!"
Zhongli lowered his gaze, closing his eyes briefly before reopening them.
"Do you... resent me?"
Qingge looked puzzled. "Why would I resent you, Lord Geo Archon?"
Zhongli: "I sensed the moment the Mystic Barrier shattered. I could have saved you, but the Adepti were also in grave danger. I chose to save them instead."
Qingge shook her head vehemently. "I would never, could never resent you, Lord Geo Archon. I had already prepared myself for sacrifice when I ventured alone into The Chasm.
"Your decision to save the Adepti was undoubtedly the wisest choice. Qingge is here now, so please don't dwell on it, Lord Geo Archon. There's no need for self-reproach."
Zhongli: "..."
Lumine: "Qingge..."
Qingge turned her gaze to Lumine and Paimon.
"Thank you, Lumine. Thank you, Paimon. Thank you both for helping me resist the Abyss."
Lumine's expression was complex as she looked at Qingge. "Qingge... do you have any lingering regrets?"
Qingge pondered for a moment. "If I had to name one, it would be my deepest apologies to my parents and my sister. I've been an unfilial daughter, failing to fulfill my duties as a daughter and causing them such sorrow..."
"When I'm gone, Qingxu will definitely break down, won't she? That girl always claims she's grown up, but... well, I hope she really has."
"Speaking of which, Rola apparently merged a portion of her soul into your sword, Lumine, right? Could I do that too?"
Qingge looked at Zhongli, who nodded.
"Thank you, Geo Archon, for granting my wish. To travel across Teyvat? I'm so looking forward to it!"
Before Qingge could say much more, her body began to slowly fade into transparency.
"Qingge! Zhongli, what's happening?!"
Paimon, who hadn't even had a proper chance to talk to Qingge, grew frantic and flew over to Zhongli.
"Kaiyang's Soul is in a very fragile state," Zhongli said. "Maintaining consciousness for this long is already pushing her limits."
"Ah... how awful!" Paimon exclaimed.
Paimon quickly floated into Qingge's line of sight. "Qingge, is there anything Paimon can do to help? Paimon will do anything!"
"Alright then," Qingge replied. "Next time you come to pay your respects, remember to bring those really delicious cookies."
Paimon clenched her tiny fist and nodded vigorously.
"Don't worry, Qingge! Paimon will definitely bring them! Paimon will bring tons and tons, enough for you to eat your fill in one go! Paimon will even bring other delicious things you'll love..."
As the little one spoke, her voice began to waver with tears.
Qingge's form had nearly faded from sight. She could feel her time was coming.
"Geo Archon," Qingge said, "my last wish is for you to visit my home. I'm leaving now, and I'm worried my dad, mom, and sister won't be able to cope."
"I will go," Zhongli assured her.
Qingge turned to Paimon again. "Little Paimon, don't cry. I'm just going to join Rola now. After all these days, I wonder if she's still waiting for me..."