Abyss Era, year one.
A year had passed since the Abyss erupted and brought about the apocalypse, and the initial terror and unease had gradually subsided.
People proved more adaptable than the Seven Archons had imagined.
They had thought reassuring the public would be a troublesome task, but to their surprise, in just one short year, people had already put that apocalyptic eruption of the Abyss behind them.
It had also been a year since Xiu Yuan left Teyvat, and he had never returned during that time.
Throughout that year, Shenhe had not taken a single step outside Celestia, even though she was the only person there.
The two things she often did were gaze down at the people on the continent below with a smile and stare blankly at the boundless sky.
During that time, Morax, Cloud Retainer, and the others had come many times to persuade her to leave Celestia.
But Shenhe always declined their kindness.
"I want to wait here for him to return."
"That way, when he comes back, I'll be the first to notice him and welcome him home."
That was how Shenhe explained it.
After leaving Teyvat, Xiu Yuan discovered the Sea of Quanta and the Imaginary Tree, and he also came to understand why the Abyss kept rising.
In truth, the Abyss was not rising. Teyvat was sinking.
Once he understood everything, Xiu Yuan began flying toward the Imaginary Tree.
But the distance seemed to exceed his expectations. He had already flown for a year, yet there was still no sign of him reaching it.
Abyss Era, year five.
Xiu Yuan stopped flying and floated in the void.
Beneath his feet lay the Sea of Quanta, which devoured everything. Ahead stood the Imaginary Tree, and behind him was Teyvat.
He had flown