"Who are you! Just because you look like Xin Yan doesn't give you the right to disrespect an adeptus!"
Seeing Kiana approach, Cloud Retainer unfurled her wings and spoke warily.
She couldn't stand by and watch Xin Yan get hurt again.
No one had foreseen that accident back then.
They had planned to seal the Abyss with the combined power of the adepti, but no one expected Xin Yan to act before everyone else.
"Cloud Retainer, I have no reason to harm my best friend."
With that, Kiana stepped past Cloud Retainer and came to Xin Yan.
"Xianyun, my best friend would never hurt me—relax."
Xin Yan turned to Xianyun and said with a light chuckle.
"She can save Xin Yan..."
Xiao nodded as well, a sliver of hope hidden deep in his eyes.
This person had once wiped away his karma with a single dish; now she seemed confident she could cleanse the Abyss's influence.
Kiana gathered the Breath of God in her palm and gently pressed it into Xin Yan's body.
As the Breath merged, the rampant Abyssal energy on Xin Yan gradually calmed.
At that moment, the endless Abyss within her was firmly locked away inside that sphere of Breath of God.
Color slowly returned to Xin Yan's cheeks.
"You've really helped me... haa..."
Once the heart-rending pain vanished, Xin Yan lay back blissfully into Ganyu's arms.
"Your Highness... there are still people around..."
Ganyu blushed and whispered a shy protest.
It had been five hundred years since she'd gone night-jogging with Her Highness, and she missed those days... Seeing this, Keqing's face remained blank, her right hand clenching at her side, unaware her nails had already torn a run in her stockings.
Hu Tao's brows twitched, her gaze darkening slightly as she watched the scene.
Then she lowered her head, and her eyes grew even darker.
Kiana took it all in and cast Xin Yan a pitying glance.
Let's hope her best friend—workhorse, no, Xin Yan—makes it through tonight in one piece.
Kiana prayed for her in her heart.
Granny Ping—cough, A-Ping—and Xianyun exhaled in relief, then stared at the blissful Xin Yan with meaningful eyes.
Oh dear, Xin Yan is truly burdened with sin... A playful curve tugged at Kiana's lips.
"Your Highness, honored adepta, Ningguang has arranged quarters for your rest."
Ningguang spoke up.
"No need..."
Xiao gave a slight shake of his head. After one last nod to Xin Yan, he vanished on the spot.
"Who'd have thought Hu Tao's employee had another identity..."
Paimon said in surprise to Lumine.
Lumine was just as astonished as Paimon.
Liyue truly is a land of outstanding people.
Empress Xin Yan masquerading as a part-timer.
So is Rex Lapis secretly peeping from some corner while playing dead...?
She even suspected this whole God-revival drama was directed by Rex Lapis himself.
What a sneaky old fox!
Thinking this, Lumine cursed inwardly.
Though she and Paimon had contributed little to the fight, it didn't stop her from roasting him in her head.
The assembled adepta exchanged glances and nodded at Ningguang's suggestion.
Beyond their joy at Xin Yan's return, they hadn't forgotten Rex Lapis's death.
They still demanded answers from the Qixing.
At that moment Xin Yan seemed to sense something; she suddenly bounced out of Ganyu's embrace, rushed to the edge of the Qunyu Pavilion, and looked down.
"Zhong—Morax, you old coot, enjoying the show? Liyue was almost destroyed just now!"
Xin Yan glared at a distant hill, teeth clenched.
Under her gaze, the figure of Zhongli on a Liyue Harbor hillock flickered and shifted into a slender woman.
"By commonly accepted reason, I have no gender, so you may not call me an old coot."
A melodious voice issued from the woman, her smiling eyes meeting Xin Yan's.
The adepti, Ningguang, and Keqing who had followed Xin Yan all widened their eyes at her words.
If Her Highness was right... Rex Lapis had been watching them the whole time!
Rex Lapis truly wasn't dead!
"Hmph, this one knew Lord Rex Lapis had not perished!"
Xianyun suddenly raised her crane neck and declared proudly.
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper shot Xianyun wordless looks.
They dared only grumble inwardly about who had made the biggest scene earlier; voicing it aloud was out of the question.
And hearing from Xin Yan herself that the Geo Archon was safe, they both breathed easier inside.
As expected, their invincible Lord was unshakable!
"Now that Xin Yan's back, we'll get to see Lord Rex Lapis in maiden form again."
A-Ping's eyes sparkled as she spoke with a smile.
Back when Xin Yan was around, the Geo Archon always appeared as a young woman.
The title Rex Lapis sounded more imposing than Empress, so that was what stuck.
After Xin Yan's nirvana, the Geo Archon seldom showed a maiden form and rarely appeared before them at all.
"Feels like we just heard something incredible..."
"Mm... let's pretend we didn't."
Paimon and Lumine exchanged glances and smiled.
They rather enjoyed this relaxed atmosphere.
Nothing about the scene suggested a crisis had just passed.
Judging by appearances, it certainly didn't look like one.
Liyue had suffered no casualties, and Liyue Harbor remained intact.
Anyone unaware would think tonight's wind was just a bit noisy.
"Since we now know Lord Rex Lapis is safe, we can rest easy."
Mountain Shaper spoke calmly, then nodded to Xin Yan and said,
"Your Highness, I take my leave; when you have time, come visit Jueyun Karst."
"I will."
With that, Mountain Shaper leapt into the air and vanished from the Qunyu Pavilion.
Moon Carver likewise bade Xin Yan farewell and left for his own abode.
Since it had all been a farce, there was no need to confront the Qixing.
And the Geo Archon's feigned death must surely hold deeper meaning.
Xianyun hadn't left; she stood beside Xin Yan with A-Ping, gazing down at the city below.
"How long has it been since we last stood together enjoying the view?"
"I've lost count of the years; back then, Guizhong was still with us."
A-Ping looked down and spoke softly.
"It's late; why don't we all rest for now..."
Ganyu sensed her master was about to say something embarrassing and quickly suggested.
Who could have guessed... "Haha, Xin Yan, do you remember when little Ganyu used to nuzzle for milk in your arms?"
Xianyun tilted her head, eyes lighting up as she laughed.
"Adeptus...!"
Ganyu flushed and protested shyly.
That was so many years ago—how young had she even been!
Besides, Her Highness smelled so nice, so warm and motherly, that she couldn't help herself... "Haha, of course I remember—little Ganyu was super cute then, and still adorable now!"
Noticing Ganyu's puffed cheeks, Xin Yan quickly changed tack.
"Let's go, Paimon."
Seeing nothing more for her to do and the hour growing late, Lumine called Paimon and left for the rooms Ningguang had arranged.
Hu Tao and Keqing gave Xin Yan's back a lingering look, then departed as well.
They wouldn't disturb the old friends' reunion.
Ningguang bowed slightly to Xin Yan's back and also took her leave.
The Millelith swiftly cleaned the Qunyu Pavilion and withdrew as well.
Only six figures remained standing at the edge of the vast Qunyu Pavilion.
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