Ningguang stepped forward gracefully. A Master-tier staff held little weight compared to the gravity of Ryen's gaze resting upon her in front of thousands. As the staff and its accompanying spell set were placed in her hands, she did not even glance down. Her eyes remained firmly locked onto Ryen.
The past six months flashed through her mind. Half a year was but a fleeting moment in the grand tapestry of her life, yet these recent months outshone her entire past. The resurrection of Liyue's Adepti, the unprecedented might of the Millelith, the overflowing wealth and prosperity of her people.
She had finally fulfilled the oath she swore to Liyue upon ascending to the position of Tianquan. Liyue was now the strongest nation, a place where no one suffered from poverty. The days of hardship she and Beidou endured as children were completely buried in the past. Anyone willing to work could secure a bountiful life. Even Zhongli had nodded in approval, calling her the most perfect Tianquan in history.
But at this very moment, her focus drifted away from Liyue. Her promise to her nation was fulfilled. Now, it was time to claim her own life.
Her fingers tightened involuntarily around Ryen's hand. "The greatest gift I have received in my entire life is not this staff. It is you," she murmured, her voice carrying a rare tremor.
"Thank you, Ryen. Thank you for helping me forge Liyue into a titan. Thank you for crossing the sea of stars to meet me. You are the single most beautiful gift of my life."
Ryen blinked, slightly caught off guard. Such profound declarations of affection were highly uncharacteristic of the usually composed Tianquan. Still, he knew exactly how to respond. He reached out, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Those words should be coming from me, shouldn't they?"
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a brilliant golden ring. The gold was not gaudy, rather, it pulsed with a deep, captivating energy. Lifting Ningguang's hand, Ryen smiled.
"This is the Ring of Mind Control. It amplifies mind-altering spells, allowing them to spread and infect multiple targets. With you wielding the Master-tier Necromancer Staff, I am completely at ease. You will master this power perfectly."
The technical details of the magic washed completely over Ningguang. Her attention was anchored solely on the physical actions. Tens of thousands of people were watching them. Ryen had produced a ring and taken her hand.
The implication was unmistakable. This was a proposal.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her eyes shone with a brilliant, unmistakable light as she stared at him, her lips parted slightly.
"Are you proposing to me?"
Ryen froze. Before he could even process her words, Ningguang slid her hand forward. The ring slipped perfectly onto her ring finger.
"I do."
Ryen finally registered what had just happened. Looking at the moisture gathering in her bright eyes, he chose not to correct her. He simply chuckled and gave a firm nod.
In an instant, the plaza erupted. The roar of the crowd in the distant stadium surged like a tidal wave. A voice cut through the clamor.
"Kiss her!"
Immediately, the chant was taken up by the masses. "Kiss her! Kiss her!"
The rhythmic shouts washed over the podium. Venti and the others joined in, clapping their hands to the beat. Ryen did not hesitate. He pulled Ningguang in by the waist and pressed his lips deeply against hers.
When they finally parted, a deep flush spread across Ningguang's cheeks, extending down her neck. While they shared intimate moments frequently in private, performing such an act under the scrutiny of thousands caused her to involuntarily drop her gaze. Her thumb rubbed continuously against the cold metal of the ring on her finger. Under the gaze of the entire world, he had claimed her.
The cheers grew deafening. The Adepti applauded, warm smiles gracing their faces. Ganyu and the others, however, watched with varying degrees of longing.
Yae Miko's pink ears drooped slightly, her tail giving a sharp flick as she stared at Ryen. "Such blatant favoritism for Ningguang. It makes my chest ache."
Lisa crossed her arms, tapping her elbow. "If I had known this was the ultimate prize, I would have fought much harder to secure the top spot."
Hu Tao ground her teeth, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "This Director demands a proposal ceremony of equal magnitude!"
Guizhong nodded firmly. "He absolutely must organize a proper ceremony for the rest of us. We cannot just be given away so casually!"
Ryen patted Ningguang's back, signaling for her to rejoin the others. Instantly, she was swarmed. Ganyu and the rest surrounded her, their voices a flurry of rapid-fire questions and comments about the grand proposal.
Ryen refocused, his expression turning commanding once more. He looked into the cameras, addressing the thousands of soldiers in the roaring stadium.
"The Lantern Rite Bed Wars finale has concluded. The Five-Nation Tournament is officially over. Regardless of your placement, I hope all of you savor the rest of the festival. Now, I declare..."
He raised his hand. The massive portals outside the stadium flared, expanding with a thundering hum.
"The portals will remain open all day. Whether you wish to return to Liyue Harbor to reunite with your families, or stay in this world to celebrate. The choice is yours. Drop all duties. Celebrate to your heart's content! I grant you permission to return home in glory. As long as you cause no disasters, you may ride your dragons back! This is my reward to all of you for your tireless labor in this realm!"
The soldiers of the other four nations cheered, but the Millelith practically exploded. Many of them had been stationed here for over six months, toiling away as builders, miners, and Dragon Riders. Returning home was a rare luxury. Now, they could return, and do so as conquering heroes. The prospect of landing in Liyue Harbor astride a dragon, recounting their otherworldly conquests to their families, sent violent tremors of adrenaline through their ranks.
"Regarding the nature of this world, you no longer need to strictly conceal it," Ryen added, his voice carrying clearly. "I understand that for the Millelith, nothing is more glorious than expanding Liyue's borders. As long as you do not reveal the absolute core secrets, speak freely. Consider this my Lantern Rite gift to you."
That shattered the remaining discipline. The restriction of silence had always been a heavy burden. Now, as long as they kept quiet about items like the Undying Totem, they could share their glory. Their deeds would be recorded in history. They could earn their own pages in their family lineages.
Breathing heavily, muscles tensing with raw anticipation, the Millelith roared. The stadium shook under the sheer force of their voices. Ryen turned away from the cameras and looked at his companions.
"Let us head back. The entertainment in this world is finished, but the real celebration in Liyue Harbor is just beginning. Enjoy the festival today."
The group nodded. Ganyu, however, stepped closer, her brows knitting together. "Ryen, won't exposing the existence of this world put you in danger?"
"Danger?" Ryen let out a short, incredulous laugh. He drew the Sword of the Cosmos from his inventory, its blade pulsing with reality-bending power. "Are you referring to the Heavenly Principles? Or someone else?"
The group fell silent, their eyes tracking the gleaming blade.
It dawned on them that Ryen possessed absolute supremacy. With the Sword of the Cosmos in hand, he had no equals. Furthermore, the Heavenly Principles likely already sensed anomalies. Istaroth had recognized him as the Lord of the Outlands instantly. Hiding was pointless. As for the Five-Nation Alliance, they were bound by a blood pact. United, they possessed enough firepower to challenge Celestia itself, especially with the Heavenly Principles still deep in slumber.
"Do you understand now?" Ryen asked, his tone steady. "Even without me, the Five-Nation Alliance is unparalleled in Teyvat. What is there to fear? Revealing this will only ignite your people's confidence. As for danger..."
He spread his hands. "Are the Heavenly Principles even a threat anymore?"
Aether's lips curled into a sharp sneer, his hand instinctively resting on his hilt. "I am eagerly waiting to find her."
"You see?" Ryen said, his eyes glinting with profound amusement. "Now, the Heavenly Principles must hide from you."