[ Sumeru, deep within thousands of miles of yellow sand]
--
The moon was big and cold in the desert night.
Countless sand dunes undulate like solidified golden waves.
Deep within the oasis stands a towering tree that covers the entire valley.
--
Apep, the Dendro Dragon, nestled in his own oasis.
Its enormous body, covered in emerald green and gold-flecked scales, meandered and intertwined with the roots of the giant tree.
It is asleep.
After swallowing that "knowledge" that I shouldn't have swallowed, and then ultimately spitting it out.
More than ever before, it cherishes this quiet land, a land belonging to grass and trees.
That ray of light appeared the instant Mondstadt illuminated.
Without warning, the grass and trees around Apep trembled all at once.
Countless green leaves simultaneously turned northward.
It's as if the entire oasis is bowing its head in a certain direction.
Apep suddenly opened his eyes.
Those were a pair of pale green dragon eyes, reflecting the essence of the entire desert and oasis.
"... The original taste."
It raised its head, its voice ancient and distant.
"When the throne was lowered, defeat was inevitable."
Its pupils contracted slightly.
"Tonight... it's back again."
In the oasis, thousands of leaves rustled softly.
"The newly born king."
It faced north, speaking very softly, as if to itself.
"Look at what you'll do when you open your eyes this time, this world that has been ruled by the throne for far too long..."
"What a mess it's made of!"
[ Through the Fontaine - Opera Epiclese, Courtroom]
Even late at night, the courtroom lights remained as bright as day.
Supreme Judge Neuvillette, seated in his high-backed chair, was reviewing a case file.
His long, silvery-white hair hung down, his posture was dignified, and his expression was calm.
That power revived in the distant Mondstadt at the very moment.
Neuvillette's pen, which had been used for marking, stopped.
He slowly raised his head.
For the first time, a real turmoil stirred in those eyes that had always been calm and composed.
He looked out the window, towards the north of Teyvat, his deep blue eyes revealing an almost solemn, indescribable expression.
"It is the one who rules over all our elemental dragon kings -- "
"The king's authority."
Suspended water droplets swirled silently around him.
"But it... is too faint."
Neuvillette quickly and keenly sensed something.
"His status was so high it was almost blinding, yet his brilliance lasted only a fleeting moment, as innocent as an infant's."
Its owner seemed to have just woken it up.
He remained silent for a moment.
Then, this usually calm and composed Supreme Judge subtly bowed his head slightly in that distant direction.
(If I could, I would never touch these combat power stuff again; it's written in a completely illogical and unsound way.)
The next day, Bai You was awakened by a ray of sunlight.
She made a soft "uh" sound and shrank her head further under the covers.
The seat next to me was already empty.
"Awake?"
Varesa was already dressed, her blue hair tied back, and she was half-squatting in front of the two open bundles, putting the items inside one by one.
"Just five more minutes of sleep..."
"You tossed and turned for most of last night, so I knew you wouldn't be able to get up this morning."
"... just five minutes."
About three seconds later, she was gently lifted off the bed, still covered by the blanket.
Five minutes have passed.
"Five minutes is way too short!"
Bai You was pressed to sit on the edge of the bed, her head nodding slightly.
Just as she sat up, the dormant power within her body stirred very slightly.
Bai You subconsciously raised her hand and pressed it against her chest, and that wisp of power obediently sank back down.
"What's wrong?"
"No..." Bai You yawned, "I haven't had enough sleep."
They said they would clean up together, but Varesa did most of the work.
The clothes were rolled up and stuffed into the bottom of the bundle, along with dry food, a water bag, a towel, and a small packet of medicine.
Where is Yue Ling?
"Here it is."
Bai You picked up the small moon spirit from the bundle and shook it.
After packing their things, the two checked out of the hotel and bought two hot breakfasts from Good Hunter's stall. Holding the flatbreads, they ate them as they walked.
Upon reaching the city gate, Bai You stopped and glanced back.
"What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing," she turned around, "I just feel that this trip to Mondstadt went by really fast."
"Let's go." Varesa took her hand. "South is Liyue."
The two figures blended into the road heading south in the early morning.
The two had been traveling for most of the day.
The softness of the grass was gradually replaced by the hardness underfoot, and before we knew it, it had sank into rocks and soil.
In the afternoon, the mountain suddenly changed direction.
Two sheer cliffs rise abruptly from the ground, forming a natural pass. Two ancient characters are carved into the cliff face: " Stone Gate ".
Merchants, sedan chair carriers, and mules carrying goods lined up in front of the pass, traveling from the north and south.
Several Millelith clad in Liyue armor checked travel permits one by one, while a tax collector sat behind a table, registering and collecting money.
When it was their turn, the tax collector looked up and glanced at the two women's simple belongings.
"Where are you from? Where are you going?"
"The traveler who comes to Snezhnaya," Varesa said calmly.
"I'm a singer, and I'm taking my sister to Liyue to enjoy the scenery."
As the tax collector registered the taxes, he casually remarked, "There are quite a few outsiders coming to Liyue at this time of year."
"Oh?"
" The Rite of Descension is almost here," a Millelith chimed in.
"Many people from various countries have come to the port this year to see the excitement. There are orders from above to tighten checks; once you cross the border, behave yourselves."
"Definitely, definitely."
The tax collector handed back a written travel permit and waved for them to pass.
The two passed through the mountain pass.
After passing through the Stone Gate, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before us.
The mountain road winds down a muddy river, with bamboo rafts and fishing boats on the surface. In the distance, the hillsides are covered with golden terraced fields and villages with black tiles and white walls.
Further away, there are vast expanses of water, with reeds swaying in the wind, stretching all the way to the horizon.
As Bai You walked, she unconsciously sniffed the air.
It was water. Water was everywhere. Rivers, streams, and shallows in the depths of reed beds, the names of which she did not know.
Along this journey, they traveled together with a group of Liyue merchants. They wanted to refuse, but the warmth of the Liyue people was irresistible.
Those were several mule carts loaded with mountain goods. The merchant was a middle-aged man with a round face, surnamed Wu.
Having run this route for many years, I've seen two women traveling alone, so I invited them to join me.
"Two little girls, there are too many people on this road, it's not safe. It's safer to walk with more people."
Boss Wu walked and talked the whole way.
"Ahead lies Dihua Marsh and Bishui Plain. Let me tell you, the Wangshu Inn there is unique within a hundred miles."
"Built in the middle of the water, a wooden building, connected to the shore by a boardwalk; when the lights come on at dusk, wow, it's like a scene from a painting."
"You're lucky," he gestured with his chin, "A few days later, even inns might not have rooms available."
"What?" Varesa asked.
" Rite of Descension."
Boss Wu lowered his voice, as if he were talking about something extremely important.
"This year's ceremony is more lively than ever before. The Rex Lapis will issue a divine decree during the ceremony."
Several high-ranking officials from the Liyue Qixing personally oversaw the arrangements. The inns in the harbor were already fully booked by guests from various countries.
Bai You walked beside the car, listening, but didn't reply.
She knew what was hidden behind the "ceremony".
In the evening, they arrived at Dihua Marsh.
The setting sun dyed the entire reed marshland golden red.
A tall wooden building stood quietly to the side.
That's Wangshu Inn.
Several piers extend from the shore, connecting to the wooden building built on the water.
The building is exquisitely constructed, with layers of overhanging eaves and lanterns hanging from them, which light up one by one in the setting sun.
The two went onto the pier.
At the entrance of the inn, the landlady Verr Goldet, was working on her abacus. When she saw a guest arrive, she looked up and smiled.
"Gentlemen, are you looking for a room?"
"I need a room," Varesa said, "And some food too."
"What a coincidence, there's just one room left."
The two put down their bags and, instead of going upstairs immediately, found a table on the upstairs terrace and sat down.
The terrace is open, letting in breezes from all sides. Looking out, there are endless reeds and water, and the sunset is slowly sinking into the horizon.
Bai You held the menu and looked at it for a long time.
Almond tofu.
"Is this the sign for this place?"