Atop a mountain peak that rose above the sea of clouds.
Ellin sat on a large rock at the cliff's edge, her feet dangling over the precipice and swinging back and forth. The smile on her face made her look lively and full of energy.
It was easy to see that she was in a wonderful mood today.
Beside her, Xiao stood straight with his arms crossed, gazing out over the vast sea of clouds with an impassive expression.
At first glance, Xiao's cold demeanor seemed completely at odds with Ellin.
Or rather, the lively Ellin shone as brightly as the sun, while the silent, stern-faced Xiao beside her always seemed strangely out of place.
"Are you leaving?"
After a long silence, Xiao spoke.
"Yes, it's time to go."
Ellin smiled.
Since meeting Xiao, she had watched over him for forty-eight days.
Over those forty-eight days, she and Xiao had traveled all across Liyue.
She had fought demons and monsters alongside him, and in doing so, she had witnessed his toil and seen the weight he carried.
She had come to understand the dangers hidden within this land, as well as the horrors of the Archon Remnants and karmic debt.
She had also shared quite a few rare, precious moments with Xiao, such as his reunion with Copper Tusk and his encounter with his devotee, Wang Ping'an.
Similar stories had unfolded from time to time throughout those days.
Evil creatures occasionally appeared in Liyue, disturbing the wilderness.
During those forty-eight days, Ellin and Xiao had also rescued people driven into danger by those creatures while out slaying demons.
The people of Liyue believed in repaying kindness, and whenever those they rescued asked who they were,
Ellin would loudly announce her title, [Immortal Venerable Who Hears Cries and Subdues Evil], along