Player World.
The "Scheme of the Abyss" quest series culminated in Liyue Harbor amidst fireworks and Xiao Lanterns.
After a series of plot developments, players had thoroughly vented their frustrations at Mihoyo. Now, they were completely immersed in grief over Qingge's departure.
Having completed the quest, Chen Xiyao sat motionless for a long time, lost in thought.
"Qingge defended The Chasm, safeguarding this moment of joy and happiness. She fell on the very day of the Lantern Rite, making all this celebration feel like it doesn't belong to her."
In ancient times, female generals were rarer than their male counterparts. As the saying goes, "rarity makes things precious," and Chen Xiyao had always admired historical female generals.
Liyue's Kaiyang, perfectly embodied Chen Xiyao's ideal of a female general: powerful, composed, and beautiful.
Such a character, if added to the gacha, would undoubtedly send Mihoyo's revenue soaring.
But Mihoyo just wouldn't have it! They were determined to kill her off!
The bullet comments were nearly unanimous in their condemnation of Mihoyo.
[This Lantern Rite has been really unpleasant!]
[Qingge...]
[Waaah, another waifu gone forever...]
[Mihoyo, take back all the freebies you gave us! Otherwise, I'll feel a little guilty when I curse you out.]
[Keep the gifts, curse Mihoyo!]
[Brothers, the Molotov cocktails are ready! I'm going to bomb Mihoyo right now! Wish me luck!]
[Uh... is the guy above serious?!]
Chen Xiyao clicked directly to Mihoyo's official website. When she saw that almost everyone was cursing Mihoyo, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She couldn't help but sneer. Mihoyo, you think you can buy off the internet with a few freebies after pulling off this ridiculous stunt?
Let's see how you get out of this one.
-
Snezhnaya.
"Who else is currently a Harbinger in Liyue besides Childe?" The Tsaritsa, seated high upon her Throne, asked Pierro, the Jester.
"Your Majesty," Pierro replied respectfully, "Childe is the only Harbinger currently in Liyue."
"Recall him immediately," the Tsaritsa commanded. "He must not cause any further trouble in Liyue during this time."
Pierro bowed respectfully and withdrew from the palace.
The Tsaritsa rose from her seat, her gaze fixed on the direction of Liyue.
The War God, who had concealed his edge for so long, now seethed with renewed fury. Snezhnaya should not collide with the spear's mouth at this moment.
-
Beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree.
Ever since being knocked unconscious by Planet Befall, Azhdaha had remained in a deep slumber.
After Qingge's funeral, Zhongli came here alone.
Due to the commotion that had occurred here on the day of the Lantern Rite, no one had approached this place in the days that followed.
Zhongli gazed at the mountain-like form of Azhdaha, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He didn't blame Azhdaha.
The Dragon Sovereign's sanity had been eroded to near-oblivion. Even Osial had been manipulated by the Abyss, so Azhdaha's rampage was only natural.
"Azhdaha," Zhongli began, settling onto a nearby rock, "I have reclaimed my Throne. What happened this time has shown me that it is not yet time for me to step down..."
He continued to converse with Azhdaha as if the slumbering dragon could hear him.
"The successor I had chosen perished in this incident. She was a good child, and if she had lived, she would have become a wise and capable leader..."
-
Tianheng Mountain.
Qingxu once again came alone to her sister's grave.
"Sister, I've finished all my studies, and I did really well. You don't have to worry about me anymore. I'll take good care of myself, look after Mom and Dad, and study hard..."
Qingxu couldn't bear life without her sister. Whenever she had a spare moment, she would rush to the grave to talk to Qingge. Though she received no reply, at least it gave her an outlet for her emotions.
Behind Qingge's grave, an Adeptus Crane stood silently.
Cloud Retainer, transformed into her Xianyun form, slowly approached Qingxu.
Sensing the approaching figure, Qingxu recognized Xianyun and immediately relaxed her guard.
Xianyun stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Qingxu's head.
"Sneaking off here alone again? Did you tell your family?"
Qingxu lowered her head, and Xianyun immediately understood: the child had probably snuck out again.
Xianyun sighed softly and produced a long spear.
Qingxu's eyes widened, her gaze fixed intently on the spear in Xianyun's hand.
That's definitely my sister's...
Xianyun presented the dull, lusterless Vortex Vanquisher to Qingxu.
"This spear was gifted to your sister by the Geo Archon. After her... sacrifice, it lost its spiritual essence. As entrusted by the Geo Archon, I am to deliver it to you. Whether you choose to wield it or keep it as a memento is entirely up to you."
Qingxu numbly accepted the spear. The moment her hand touched its icy-cold surface, her heart jolted violently.
"There is something I must ask you."
Clutching her sister's spear, Qingxu looked up at Xianyun.
Xianyun: "I intend to take you as my disciple to study immortal arts and spear techniques. Are you... willing?"
The sudden offer left Qingxu momentarily stunned. Given the solemn atmosphere, she couldn't outwardly express her joy and excitement, so she cautiously repeated her question:
"Adeptus, am I... worthy?"
"I never consider talent when choosing disciples. Fate is what matters, and fate has brought us together."
As Qingxu began to kneel, Xianyun swiftly stopped her.
"Let's dispense with the formalities for now. Though I've taken you as my disciple, you needn't follow me every day."
Qingxu: "I understand."
Xianyun glanced at Qingge's tombstone, transformed into her Adeptus Crane form, and soared away, leaving only parting words:
"Go home and settle your affairs. I will return in three days to fetch you."
-
Inazuma, home of the Arataki Gang.
Yuna was baking mini-cakes, surrounded by the entire gang watching.
Itto and Kuki Shinobu had returned to Inazuma from The Chasm, completely unaware of the Lantern Rite celebrations in Liyue.
Though Inazuma had lifted its isolation policy, it still took several days for ships from Liyue to reach the islands. Moreover, after the Osial incident, Liyue had delayed the reopening of Liyue Harbor.
As a result, news of the Lantern Rite hadn't yet reached Inazuma.
"Humph, these 'Raiden Shogun' mini-cakes are both delicious and beautiful! They're sure to be a hit!"
Yuna gazed at the five finished cakes arranged on a tray, her satisfaction growing with each glance.
Who knew? Besides being a great cook, I'm actually pretty good at making cakes too!
"Yuna's amazing! These are fantastic!"
"Sister Yuna's so skilled!"
Itto, Mamoru, and the others showered Yuna with emotional validation, which she eagerly lapped up, puffing out her chest with pride.
Kuki Shinobu: "Yuna, are you really going to sell this today?"
Yuna: "Of course! This was Yae Miko's idea. She said it's sure to be a hit, and even if we price it a bit higher, it's fine. She's already pre-ordered two before I've even finished making them!"
Yuna gazed at the adorable chibi-style cakes before her, her face beaming with pride.
Just as she was about to start making the next batch, Lumine and Paimon arrived.
"Yuna, what are you two up to?" Lumine asked.
"Oh, it's you, Lumine and Paimon! I'm making something delicious~" Yuna replied cheerfully.
Noticing the travelers' subdued expressions, Yuna realized they seemed less cheerful than when they'd last met. Concerned, she asked:
"What's wrong? You both look a bit down. Didn't you go to Liyue for the Lantern Rite?"
Lumine: "..."
Paimon: "..."