The girl fought with evil spirits in the cave for three days and three nights.
She was extremely bloodthirsty and had a solitary and cursed fate, yet she managed to drive the evil spirit to its doom with her mortal body.
But she was, after all, just a mortal.
Just as she was exhausted and about to be devoured by the evil spirits—
Outside the cave, a celestial light suddenly appeared.
Three immortals passed by this place, sensed the unusual activity in the cave, and broke through the cave to enter.
They rescued the girl, who was covered in blood but still clutching a dagger.
The immortals saw that her fate was solitary and her nature too murderous; if left to her own devices, she would surely become a great calamity in the future.
But they also saw the undiminished light in her eyes.
So they took her as their disciple, bound her with a red rope to suppress her murderous nature, and taught her immortal arts.
From then on, she severed all ties with the world and lived a secluded life deep in the mountains.
Later, she descended the mountain to protect the area and was known as --
"Goddess."
The play ends with a long, drawn-out melody.
The water sleeves were pulled back, and the gongs and drums fell silent.
The audience erupted in applause.
Bai You remained seated, motionless for a long time.
She was wearing Varesa's robe, leaning on her shoulder, with half a candy still clutched in her hand.
Zhongli was standing nearby, saw all of this.
He didn't speak.
Only a very faint expression flickered in his golden-brown eyes.
He has guarded Liyue for 3,700 years.
I've witnessed too many partings and deaths, too many entanglements of love and hate.
But the two girls in front of them, one feeding him candy and the other draping a coat over him, stood shoulder to shoulder, quietly watching a play in the sea breeze.
That gentle warmth found in everyday life.
It was something he had guarded for a thousand years, yet had never truly possessed.
He suddenly understood why he wanted to go and experience life in the human world.
"This play,"
Varesa suddenly spoke, her voice soft but carrying a hint of confidence.
"It's not about a fairy tale."
Bai You turned her head to look at her.
"It's because I'm unwilling to accept it."
Varesa's gaze fell on the lingering smoke on the stage.
"That girl, from the moment she was sacrificed, never accepted her fate."
She picked up the dagger, not to live.
"So that he wouldn't have died in vain."
Bai You stared at her blankly.
She suddenly realized that Varesa seemed to understand the play better than she did.
"Girl, your insights are unique."
Zhongli, who was standing nearby, suddenly spoke up.
His gaze shifted from the stage to Varesa.
Most people only saw that she had received a divine favor and became a goddess.
Few saw her resentment during those three days and three nights in the cave.
Varesa nodded slightly.
"You flatter me, sir."
"I just feel," she paused, "That most of the divine opportunities in this world cannot be obtained through seeking."
"We got through it."
In Zhongli's eyes, the hint of approval deepened.
"Well said."
He looked back at the stage, his golden-brown eyes reflecting the lanterns on it, and also something extremely deep and distant.
"The same applies to contracts."
He suddenly said.
"The person who signed the contract didn't receive any benefit."
What price did they pay?
Bai You's heart skipped a beat.
She knew that Zhongli was talking about more than just a play.
He was referring to himself.
It was the contract he signed with Liyue 3,700 years ago.
Mr.
Bai You mustered her courage and asked in a low voice.
"What if a contract has been in place for so long that you almost forget why you signed it in the first place? What should you do then?"
Zhongli did not answer immediately.
He stared at the stage, remaining silent for a long time.
Bai You waited so long that she thought he wouldn't answer anymore.
Then he spoke.
"The contract has been signed, and..."
His voice was as calm as if he were talking about something completely ordinary.
There's no reason to go back on your word.
"It's just..."
He paused, his gaze falling indifferently onto the dark, deep sea in the distance.
"If one day, this contract comes to an end..."
"I'd like to go and experience life in the human world."
Zhongli didn't seem to intend to continue speaking.
He looked back at the stage, as if waiting for the next act.
But the show is over.
People in the audience began to get up and leave in twos and threes.
Zhongli slowly stood up as well.
He straightened his sleeves, his gaze finally settling on Bai You and Varesa.
"Tonight's show,"
He said.
"If you two like it, that's good."
"Until we meet again."
"Until we meet again, sir."
Varesa nodded slightly, replying on Bai You's behalf.
Bai You quickly nodded in agreement.
Zhongli said no more and turned to walk into the departing crowd.
But after taking two steps, he stopped again.
He had his back to them and slightly raised his hand.
A faint, almost invisible golden halo drifted silently from his fingertips.
That was the blessing of the Rex Lapis.
It wasn't some earth-shattering force.
It was just a wisp of the gentlest Geo that enveloped the two of them, warding them off from bad luck and perhaps bringing them some good fortune as well.
This was the last blessing he could give as the " Rex Lapis".
But that ray of golden light, the moment it touched the Bai You—
An anomaly, a sudden occurrence.
That gentle wisp of Geo seemed to be gently drawn in by something.
It was neither resisted nor dissolved.
Instead, it was... embraced.
It didn't cause a ripple.
Zhongli's pupils suddenly contracted.
The power within her... it was something older and more primordial than the Seven Elements.
picture...
Like the original Teyvat...
Zhongli's hands tightened slightly inside her sleeves.
He didn't turn around.
He silently made a mental note of this.
This little girl.
not simple.
Then he continued walking forward.
His silhouette remained composed and upright, like a quiet old mountain.
But deep, deep ripples have been added to the heart of that mountain.
Bai You stood there, watching him walk away until his figure merged into the lights of Liyue Harbor.
She noticed nothing.
The golden light fell upon her like a breeze, ultimately just a silent blessing.
She simply pulled her robe tighter around her shoulders and moved closer to Varesa.
"Let's go."
Varesa gently wrapped her arms around her from behind.
"The wind is getting stronger."
Bai You leaned against her chest, gazing at the distant sea, and remained silent for a long time.