After all she had endured, Ei had finally overcome her inner turmoil. Upon returning to Tenshukaku, she immediately announced that Inazuma would soon lift the Sakoku decree.
She then went into seclusion again, beginning to consider Inazuma's future and the matters that would need to be addressed after the borders reopened.
The Tri-Commission had always existed to assist the Raiden Shogun. Since the leadership of the Tenryou Commission and the Kanjou Commission had changed, all three commissions were now utterly loyal to Ei.
With the Tri-Commission's support, along with Kujou Sara's help, Ellin could safely leave Inazuma for a while.
Inazuma's future was sure to flourish, and Ei had already emerged from her grief.
Ellin could finally rest easy.
With that thought, Ellin teleported away from Inazuma. She planned to visit her family and friends in Liyue and Mondstadt, and she also had something important to do.
Mt. Aocang, Liyue.
This was where the abode of Cloud Retainer, the Three-Eyed Five-Manifestation Immortal, stood.
Before the abode at the summit lay a pool. A large tree stood in its center, with a stone table beneath it and three stone stools arranged around the table.
A short inscription was carved into each of the three stools.
One stool read: Reserved for Cloud Retainer.
One stool read: Guizhong sits here.
One stool read: On loan to the Geo Archon.
Cloud Retainer referred to the adeptus herself, and the Geo Archon naturally meant Zhongli. As for Guizhong... she was Zhongli's dear friend, the Dust Archon, who had fallen in the Archon War.
Guizhong had not only been a dear friend of Zhongli's, but had also been extremely close to Cloud Retainer. The two women had been best friends.
Back then, Zhongli, Cloud Retainer, and Guizhong had often gathered at the stone table beneath