"It's been a long time, Morax."
A gentle yet lively female voice rang out.
Though thousands of years had passed, that voice was still so familiar.
"Haah..."
Zhongli let out a long sigh, then spoke with bitterness and loneliness.
"It's been a long time... Guizhong."
The power within the Memory of Dust seeped out, becoming a light breeze that swept up fine grains of dust.
The dust gathered together, forming a woman dressed in flowing, rainbow-colored robes with wide sleeves.
Her eyes were clear and bright, her bearing ethereal, and her face held compassion for all living beings. Though gentle and graceful, she also possessed a touch of youthful energy and playfulness.
She was Guizhong, the Dust Archon who had given Morax the [Memory of Dust] all those years ago.
To be precise, she was the remnant of Guizhong's soul left within the lock.
Guizhong appeared behind Zhongli.
She glanced at the glaze lilies before her, and a happy smile spread across her face.
With light steps, she moved over and sat beside Zhongli.
"The mountains and rivers are magnificent, and the air carries a sense of peace and security."
"If I can see you again, then you must have won that war."
"Yes..."
Zhongli nodded slightly.
Though the two sitting side by side among the flowers had not seen each other for thousands of years, they were still as familiar with each other as they had been back then.
"The Archon War ended long ago. Three thousand seven hundred years have passed."
"I see."
Sitting beside Zhongli, Guizhong hugged her knees and rested her face on them, gazing at Morax.
"I can feel the wear and decay in your soul. You must have been through a great deal over the years."
"Are the people of Liyue doing well?"
"Very