[Reasonable suspicion that Zhongli did this on purpose.]
[Another case of a mortal slaying a god appears—too bad this isn't a mortal's glory, but a god's disgrace.]
[Zhongli: You dare slander me and Jun Bai? Then I'll expose your idol's dark history!]
[The weakest god in history has been born—congratulations to the God of Salt, Havria, for earning this honor.]
"I'm even more curious about one thing now." Stelle crossed her arms. "Since both NPCs chose to break the contract, doesn't that mean all the God of Salt's relics belong to me?"
Back in the plot.
Zhongli's words shattered Wanyun's faith. This devout believer refused to accept it and ran toward the deepest part of the ruins, trying to escape reality in this way.
However, the deepest part of the ruins held the true despairing truth—
Everywhere were salt-encrusted people and objects, symbolizing real scenes from the past.
This was the God of Salt's burial place—and also the place of judgment for deicides. Both god and deicide were buried in this unvisited ruin.
Everything around was enough to make Wanyun clearly realize Zhongli's words were true.
The God of Salt, Havria, died at the hands of her most loyal believers. That was the fact.
After everyone saw the truth clearly, Zhongli led them all out of the ruins.
Since both Wanyun and Clement chose to break the contract, the "each take one item" agreement was void.
Thus, Zhongli handed both relics obtained from the ruins to Lumine and Paimon for temporary safekeeping.
[Zhongli, are you sure about giving them to Stelle?]
[Then they're probably never coming back. I have confidence in Stelle.]
Soon, the three escorted the despondent Wanyun away.
Zhongli: "Traveler, these two artifacts belong to Havria. Please keep them safe for now. When you meet Jun Bai later, pass them on to him for me."
After another segment of dialogue, Zhongli's Story Quest settlement animation played.
"This is actually a bridge connecting to Jun Bai's Story Quest." Stelle said, then took out the key to unlock Jun Bai's Story Quest Act I.
Nirvana Chapter Act I — Oath of the Sunken Sword
Stelle sat up straight, sixth sense on full alert: "Sword? Could this quest be related to Second Brother?"
[Very possible—after all, this quest's prerequisites include not only Zhongli's Story Quest but also Second Brother's plot.]
[It could also be that Scarlet Sky placed together with Jun Bai's signature weapon earlier. I made a note of that!]
[Already looking forward—hurry up and start!]
"Family, get ready—quest launching!"
Stelle teleported to Guili Assembly, then entered the cutscene.
Lumine and Paimon returned to Guili Assembly with Yiya.
Paimon: "Looks like Guili Assembly has fully regained its vitality. Liyue's reconstruction speed is so fast!"
[This is Liyue Speed!]
[Very realistic.]
Lumine: "After all, it's the nation with the longest known history among the seven. Similar events probably aren't happening for the first time."
Paimon: "Speaking of which, didn't Zhongli ask us to pass the God of Salt's relics to Jun Bai earlier?"
"Since we're back in Guili Assembly anyway, let's go to Fengdeng Lou and find Jun Bai to hand them over."
Yiya: "Yiya!" (Find big brother!)
Stelle: "No, you two remembered wrong. Zhongli said those two things were gifts from the God of Salt to me on his behalf."
[In character.]
[I noticed a detail: Yiya didn't appear during Zhongli's Story Quest earlier.]
[But now Yiya is with us, so the plot timeline is: Zhongli Story Quest → Running Fengdeng Lou → Jun Bai Story Quest.]
Fengdeng Lou.
The three arrived at the second floor of Fengdeng Lou and were about to ask Chen Yuan to find Jun Bai when Jun Bai himself came down from the third floor.
"Yiya~" Yiya threw herself into Jun Bai's arms.
Jun Bai: "Good girl, good girl. Have you been listening well to your two big sisters?"
Yiya: "Yiya~"
Paimon: "Jun Bai, we were just about to look for you."
Jun Bai: "Yiya already told me everything through our connection. The moment I sensed her presence approaching, I came down from upstairs."
Paimon: "Yiya can actually do that?"
Yiya: "Yiya~ Yiya!"
Yiya proudly puffed out her chest, hands on hips, with a "praise me" little expression (＊￣︶￣＊).
[So cute! Hug!]
[Baby you're so cute—you're really the most amazing baby in the world!]
[Little Yiya, be good—come to big sister's bowl~]
Jun Bai (arms crossed): "After all, Yiya is my clone. Having a connection with me is only natural, isn't it?"
Yiya (arms crossed): "Yiya ya!"
Lumine: "The movements are really synchronized."
Lumine: "Since you already know, the God of Salt's relics will be handed over to you directly as per the entruster's wishes."
[As you prepare to take out the ancient artifacts obtained from the Salt in the Sea from your inventory, Jun Bai stops you.]
Stelle watched this text and leaned back tactically: "Ah Bai, are you sure? I finally made up my mind with great difficulty—if you do this, I might not give them to you."
[That's something Stelle would say.]
[Jun Bai and Yiya syncing—beautiful, love it, please go harder!]
Jun Bai: "These are someone else's belongings after all. Better to return them to their rightful owner."
Paimon: "Eh? But the God of Salt already… Are you saying we should put them back in the ruins?"
Jun Bai: "Mm… When Zhongli told you the story, were there outsiders nearby?"
Lumine: "Yes."
Jun Bai: "Then that makes sense. Bring the items and come with me. You'll understand my meaning once we reach Qingce Village."
"From what Jun Bai says… he's not going to put Havria's grave next to Second Brother's, right?" Stelle's imagination ran wild.
[Jun Bai: Second Brother, this is the neighbor I found for you—do you like her?]
[I have an unpopular opinion: is it possible Havria didn't actually die, and being killed was just an external cover story?]
[To the friend who seems like a prophet earlier—please stay. I have something good to show you.]
The answer would only come from the plot, so Stelle immediately teleported to Qingce Village and followed the quest marker to what looked like a very simple house.
The screen entered scene close-up.
The house was built from stone and mud, without any ornate decorations. Beside it was a vegetable garden planted with various vegetables.
Jun Bai's group arrived here at this moment.
The door opened at this time, and a tall, slender woman walked out.
Her features were refined, her figure full and graceful. Even in simple farmer's clothing, she couldn't hide her outstanding temperament.
Her black hair was pinned in an elegant bun, her eyes and brows full of gentleness. A tear mole dotted her face, giving her an exotic beauty.
When she saw the visitors were Jun Bai, surprise flickered in her eyes, but she still smiled gently: "It's been a long time, Phenex."
"It has been quite long—about ten years, probably."
Jun Bai crossed his arms and smiled. "How have things been lately? Havria."