Abyss Order Headquarters.
Watching the system's notification flicker across the light screen, Aether's jaw tightened so hard it nearly cracked.
The once-composed Prince of the Abyss sat frozen on his throne, face dark with disbelief.
The system's "reward" made his blood boil.
Memories?!
Of all things it could have given, why that?!
Didn't that mean Lumine and Gu Chen's relationship from the past life—!?
Last life was last life, sure. In this one, Aether had assumed the two might, at best, become friends. The odds of them actually falling for each other? Practically zero.
But now?
Now that they both had completed Morax's reward…
That chance had just skyrocketed to one hundred percent!
No one in Teyvat knew Lumine better than her brother.
So at this moment, as acceptance and reluctant blessing wrestled inside his heart, Aether's expression twisted in complex pain.
"Just hope that brat treats Lumine at least as well as he did before… otherwise…"
Aether's fists clenched hard enough to shake.
If Gu Chen dared to make Lumine cry, he swore he'd cross every realm just to beat the life out of him!
That was a brother's truest, rawest thought.
The ending of the First Arc of the Past Life Series had caused massive waves across Teyvat.
In Mondstadt, things were oddly calm. They'd already survived the Stormterror incident—so this was just more drama to drink over.
In Liyue, however, the citizens were reeling.
Morax's intention to abdicate wasn't shocking anymore. He'd ruled for over 3,700 years—every era of prosperity had his mark upon it.
From a wild, primitive land, he'd built Liyue into a thriving financial hub.
The Liyue Qixing had done plenty, yes—but none of it would have been possible without the Rock King's strength as their foundation.
And yet… while they understood his decision, the method he used to "test" them was another story.
He'd teamed up with Fatui to fake his own death?!
Even the calmest merchant nearly had a heart attack.
After seeing the events of the past life—Liyue's mourning, the people's grief—
the current Liyue citizens were left in stunned disbelief.
They mourned then; now they mostly just sighed at how "abstract" the Archon's methods were.
Still, the news soon spread:
Morax would formally step down at this year's Rite of Descension.
He'd seen Liyue's strength.
He'd seen their will.
And he was satisfied.
So everyone celebrated.
Even Hu Tao was thrilled—the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's fame now stretched beyond Liyue's borders!
In Inazuma, however, things turned… complicated.
After the video's finale, Kujou Sara didn't hesitate for a second.
She marched straight to the Tenryou Commission Headquarters—with troops.
And, just like in the past-life video, Kujou Takayuki's crimes came to light.
He was arrested immediately.
No ceremony. No pretense.
The entire nation had seen the truth already. There was no face left to save.
The sentence: treason.
The Kanjou Commission's main house was purged as well, leaving only Hiiragi Chisato unscathed.
In the chaos that followed, Inazuma's entire administrative system teetered on collapse.
If Yae Miko hadn't stepped in—calling on the Kamisato siblings and Sangonomiya Kokomi to stabilize the government—the nation might have imploded the instant the video ended.
The crisis forced Raiden Ei to confront reality:
Inazuma was rotting from within.
And yet… What pained her most was that her people didn't blame her.
Despite everything—the Vision Hunt Decree, the Sakoku lockdown—the citizens' faith in their god never wavered.
Even when they learned she'd been wrong, they forgave her.
Because they understood:
Gods weren't perfect.
Even gods made mistakes.
The more they forgave, the more guilty she felt.
For years, she'd secluded herself in the Plane of Euthymia, letting things run unchecked.
All because she'd believed her silence served "Eternity."
Now, Ei wanted nothing more than to slap herself twice across the face.
In Sumeru, the mood was pure sorrow.
Gu Chen's death had left the scholars heartbroken.
He'd known he would die, yet still went to face the Shogun—to ensure Lumine's escape.
That kind of resolve… no one could forget.
But the video cut off too soon—showing only fragments of Lumine's time in Sumeru.
The audience felt robbed.
Just as the emotion peaked—fade to black.
If any nation grieved hardest for Gu Chen, it was Sumeru.
Fontaine came a close second—though they had enough pride to let Sumeru mourn first.
In the "Transcendence Chat Group."
[Tartaglia]: Huh? That's it? The "reward" is just… three memories?! (Paimon: shocked face)
[Zhongli]: From a rational standpoint, memory is priceless. Even I, a god, suffer erosion.
If I could restore what time has worn away… even at great cost, I would.
[Venti]: Haha, some old friends' faces are starting to blur in my head too~
Though he spoke lightly, everyone could feel the loneliness in his tone.
When even a friend's face begins to fade… soon, so will their stories.
[Ganyu]: That's what happened to Azhdaha, isn't it?
[Azhdaha]: ?
[Madam Ping]: Erosion's not a fun topic, little ones. Let's not ruin the mood.
[Ningguang]: True. @[Lumine] @[Gu Chen] @[Paimon] — any thoughts on your memories?
[Venti]: He hasn't said a word. He just looks… conflicted. (photo of Gu Chen looking complicated)
Indeed, Gu Chen was deep in thought.
He felt absurd.
He'd always remembered fragments of that past life—but he'd never taken them seriously.
Too busy grinding quests, too focused on tasks, to think about feelings.
But when the full memories flooded back—traveling with Lumine, laughing with Paimon—
he realized how much he'd ignored.
"Did I like her?"
The answer came instantly: Yes.
Lumine wasn't breathtakingly stunning,
but the longer you looked, the more endearing she became.
How could he not like her?
Before, he'd laugh at people who claimed to love "fictional characters."
But now?
Now, Lumine was real.
"Lumine is my wife!"
Venti waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, buddy, you okay? You look like you just ascended to Celestia or something."
"I'm fine," Gu Chen said calmly.
"Good! 'Cause I'm already reserving a seat at your wedding! I'm sitting at Kaeya's table—can't miss the wine!"
Liyue – Wangshu Inn.
Lumine gasped as the flood of memories hit her.
Tears welled up unbidden as scene after scene replayed in her mind—
his voice, his smile, the warmth of his hand pulling her forward.
That quiet dependence she'd grown used to…
that feeling of safety whenever he was near.
The love—clear, unshakable, and real.
"Gu Chen… Gu Chen…"
Paimon, too, clutched her chest, eyes shimmering.
"Uuuh… Gu Chen… he… hic…"
She was torn between grief and joy.
He'd died to protect them—yet remembered even at death to tell Lumine to take care of her.
Now he was alive again!
Overwhelmed, Paimon's emotions exploded.
"Lumine! Forget your brother! Let's go find Gu Chen already!"
Lumine blinked. "My brother? He's alive, isn't he? That's enough."
Then she stood up, her tone firm:
"Come on. We're going to find A-Chen!"
[Lumine]: @[Gu Chen] Don't move! Stay right there!! (Hu Tao: cute emoji)
[Jean]: Is that really the Traveler talking…? (shocked)
[Lisa]: Ah, love… it makes even the calmest girl reckless~
[Nilou]: Yay! Miss Lumine's finally going to be with Mr. Gu Chen! (Xiangling: starry eyes)
[Collei]:Throws confetti! (Venti: throwing flowers)
[Neuvillette]: Their past and present lives are separate… and yet such emotion manifests again.
Human feelings are… remarkable.
[Furina]: Hmph! You wouldn't understand! When two people regain memories from their past lives, it's basically like they've reincarnated! Get it?!
[Venti]: Who said Lady Furina was just a mascot? Genius, I say! Genius! (winks)
[Kaeya]: Seconded! (troll emoji)
[Furina]: (Paimon: pout)
[Neuvillette]: (Zhongli: dark face)
[Gu Chen]: @[Lumine] I'm at Windrise.
[Lumine]: On my way!! (Klee: yay emoji)
[Paimon]: Me too! @[Gu Chen] You'd better make me grilled fish again! The first-day grilled fish! Or I'll riot!! (Paimon: pout)
[Gu Chen]: Got it. Let me know when you're close—I'll prepare in advance. (thumbs up)
[Raiden Ei]: Lovers reunited, while the emotionless god bears witness. (Shenhe: stare)
[Yae Miko]: You're the last person qualified to comment, accomplice~ (mischievous grin)
[Raiden Ei]: …Right. (nods)
[Kaeya]: So, if I'm counting right, the only real casualty in the whole video was… the Lady? (smirking)
[La Signora]: You don't have to use that mouth, you know.
[Alhaitham]: …Triggered.
[La Signora]: Hmph! In their past lives, they were all miserable anyway! I died, yes—but none of them fared any better!
[Tighnari]: Two words from Alhaitham and she's already on edge. (Paimon: shocked)
[Venti]: Guess that's what Gu Chen calls "getting defensive." (troll emoji)
[Heizou]: Let's not forget—this video benefited more than just them.
Liyue learned that "rule by humanity" can coexist with divine oversight.
Inazuma averted a national collapse.
Each nation now has a clearer path forward.
[Zhongli]: Well reasoned.
[Furina]: (nods approvingly)
[Nahida]: (secretly watching)
[Beidou]: Hah! Don't forget Kaedehara Kazuha! That kid's finally smiling again.
The video cleared his name and made him famous. I'd call that a win!
[Kazuha]: Indeed. My friend's sacrifice is now known to all. For that, I'm grateful.
[Venti]: Wow… so everyone got something out of this? Except me? (question emoji)
[Kaeya]: You lost a worshiper, maybe. (troll face)
[Venti]: Ow… that one went straight to the heart. (Qiqi: fainted)
[Baizhu]: Speaking of Qiqi, even she benefited! At least she'll never run out of coconut milk again.
[Qiqi]: Coconut milk… tasty. Sharing.
[Qiqi has sent a group red packet.]
[Gu Chen received 3 bottles of coconut milk.]
[Lumine received 3 bottles of coconut milk.]
[Klee… missed it.]
[Yaoyao… missed it.]
[Kaeya]: No way! Gu Chen's hand speed is inhuman! (Nahida: pointing emoji)
[Gu Chen]: Skill issue. (troll grin)
[Venti]: Ehehe~ can't deny it, this milk's actually good~
[Yoimiya]: A whole week till the next video? Nooo, I can't wait that long! Hurry up and update!! (excited)
[Jean]: We've seen the Traveler's past…
So who will the second arc focus on? (curious)
[Lyney]: Hopefully Fontaine! I'd love to glimpse our nation's future! (excited)
[Furina]: Strongly approved!
[Nilou]: I vote for Sumeru next~!
[Nahida]: (quietly watching)
[Lumine]: Ughhh, it's so far! I can't wait any longer! @[Venti] @[Dvalin] Help me!!
[Venti]: Heh, that eager, huh?
[Lumine]: I need to get back to A-Chen right now!! (Klee: pleading)
[Dvalin]: Alright, alright, I'll come pick you up.
[Dainsleif]: @[Prince Aether] Your sister's rushing off to get married. You okay?
[Aether]: I'm happy for her. (gritted teeth)
[Lumine]: You better be!
Lumine happily sent her location to Dvalin.
Windrise wasn't too far—but with the dragon's help, she'd be there in no time.
If only there were a skill that could let her teleport straight into Gu Chen's arms—
she'd be learning it right now.
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