Chapter 429

Maria's "truth about the resurrection" was too explosive. It almost cracked Zhongli, who had remained steadfast for millennia. Then, Maria's casual remark awakened Zhongli.

Yes, it's a long-term matter after all. For now, let's cherish the present and plan ahead slowly.

As expected of the Salt King, calm and wise, just like back then.

Maria was thinking that she had to hurry back to see and touch the two little Demon God she had finally managed to rescue; that would be much more fun than fighting or playing with riddles.

When Maria and Zhongli returned to Lu Hua Garden side by side, the place was already bustling with immortals.

"The Yaksha Faction are spared from karmic burdens thanks to you. They should offer you a cup of wine."

After taking their seats, Zhongli first called out Yaksha's name.

Xiao, Fanan, and Yingda all stood up, raised their glasses, and toasted Maria.

Maria smiled and clinked glasses with them, drank it all in one gulp, and then looked at the three of them thoughtfully.

As the eldest of the three, Fanan seemed to understand what Maria wanted to know. She sniffed and then smiled brightly, saying:

"Minu took the fatal wound for me during the battle. As for Brother Fushé, five hundred years ago, there was a change in the Chongyan Giant Abyss. He and the soldiers of the Thousand Rock Army stormed into the depths and then used magic to isolate the inside from the outside... Actually, Yingda and I originally went in together, but that guy took advantage of his four arms and threw us out when we weren't paying attention. He even said that his four- Yaksha was enough to kill all demons. What a stupid bastard!"

Fanan rubbed his nose, maintaining his smile.

Maria nodded. She understood. Even if karmic debts could be erased, the various crises that had Liyue for over two thousand years wouldn't change; anything could happen during wartime. She simply sighed wistfully and asked:

"No regrets?"

"I have no regrets."

"That's good, let's toast them."

"Yes!"

Maria and the Three Yakshas drank another cup.

Looking again at the Adepti, he saw the composed man, the embodiment of the Xueyue Zhuyang- Building, stand up and raise his cup:

"I died in battle at Yixiaodaotian, and I died in battle at Minghaiqixia. I have no regrets."

"Okay, cheers!"

Maria drank with the fairies.

Then, a strange sound suddenly came from near Maria's feet:

"Lu~ Lu~~"

It was a small bear, about the size of a child, that Ping'er had dragged from Liyue Harbor. It seemed to recognize Maria, so it struggled to break free from Guizhong's torment and came to Maria. It held up its paw, not holding a wine cup, but posed as if offering a toast, and even hopped around.

Zhongli smiled and explained:

"Makosius dispersed his power and wisdom into the earth during that great flood, dispelling evil and disease, and helping the people of both places to survive the calamity. As a result, he slept for many years and was only recently awakened. Now he lives in Liyue Harbor with a genius chef girl."

"I see. Old friend, toast to you."

Maria bent down, touched the cup to Makosius's bear paw, and drank it all in one gulp.

Makosius also mimicked the drinking motion, looking utterly endearing.

Then Maria stretched out her finger and touched Makosius's forehead, and a trickle of blood seeped into his forehead.

"Lu? Lu! I can talk now!?"

"I've replenished your essence a little, but that's all I can do."

"That's enough, that's enough. It's recovered a little, time will take care of the rest. Haha!"

Makosius clapped his hands on his forehead, making a cheerful, childlike sound.

Judging from his bouncy movements, his mind is still quite immature. But for Demon God, to recover to a state of lucidity, all that's left is time.

The immortals and Zhongli were both taken aback.

They had all seen Makosius's condition and were truly powerless to help him. They never expected that Maria's awakening would bring such good news.

'Is this a gift from the World Tree? It seems the will of this earth is far more complex than I imagined.'

Zhongli seemed lost in thought. Then he stood up and spoke for the last old friend who couldn't attend the banquet, saying:

"Azhdaha, unable to withstand the Erosion and tear, nearly caused a disaster a thousand years ago. Later, I and the immortals sealed him away... In the final moments, he regained consciousness and voluntarily accepted the seal. At that time, he said that the people he owed the most in this life were Guizhong and the Salt King and Salt God, and he also asked me to visit you often on his behalf. If he could see you awaken, he would be very happy. This cup, I toast you on his behalf."

Guizhong and Heulia both stood up, flanking Maria.

The three men solemnly raised their glasses and drank the toast offered by Azhdaha.

Thus, the three old friends from the ancient era have officially returned and integrated into the new unified environment of Liyue.

What followed was a chaotic banquet.

The main problem is that Guizhong, that mischievous little devil, has returned. He's been grabbing this person and asking them all sorts of questions, then pulling that person along to chat and drink, as if he wants to use this banquet to quickly make up for the gap of thousands of years.