Teyvat.
Above Liyue Harbor.
The Jade Chamber floated like an immortal palace in the sky, gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight.
Ever since Keqing and Ganyu took over the governmental affairs of the Finality Empire, their days had been stretched tight like a drawn bowstring, without a single moment of relaxation.
Every day, they were submerged in an ocean of work. The crushing weight of responsibility left them no room for carelessness.
After all, at any moment, a major incident affecting the lives of trillions could erupt. The slightest mistake would mean catastrophe.
Fortunately, as they became more proficient with the artificial intelligence assistance system, their efficiency improved dramatically.
On this day, Keqing let out a long breath, leaned back in her chair, and took a sip of tea before turning to Ganyu. "How are things on your end?"
Ganyu revealed a look of relief, but her brows remained faintly furrowed with concern. "The invasion issue on my side has been temporarily resolved, but... they want to launch a counteroffensive and completely eliminate the invaders."
"What's the problem with that? If you've been invaded, isn't retaliation only natural?" Keqing asked, puzzled.
"The invaders are a human faction that split off from the Finality Empire three hundred years ago."
"A separatist force?" Keqing had handled many civil wars on abandoned planets and was experienced. "Capture their high-level leaders first and hold a public trial."
Ganyu nodded and swiftly issued the order for capture and trial to the defending Astartes in the invaded world.
Keqing gazed at the flickering purple light screen before her, her eyes gradually turning distant.
As she encountered more and more abandoned worlds, her heart grew increasingly restless.
All this time, she had been searching for the possibility of human governance in those worlds. Yet reality struck her again and again. Human rule often bred injustice, misfortune, and tragedy.
Many rulers of abandoned worlds may have once cared for their people. But after a few years, decades, or centuries, they and their descendants would change completely.
Keqing could not help thinking of Liyue. Long ago, she had realized that Rex Lapis had given everything for the people of Liyue—but what had Liyue ever done for him?
From beginning to end, it was Liyue that could not live without Rex Lapis—not the other way around.
Was the relationship between the Finality Empire and the Divine Emperor not the same?
Teyvat had lived in stability for far too long under the presence of the Seven Archons.
She had once believed that humanity could walk forward on its own. But the truth was that if Rex Lapis were to leave, in less than a hundred years, Liyue would fall into chaos.
Unless another Rex Lapis appeared.
"Keqing, what are you thinking about?" Ganyu's voice pulled her back to reality.
Keqing came back to herself and smiled faintly. "Nothing. Let's go eat."
The two left the Jade Chamber together and headed for Wanmin Restaurant.
As soon as they arrived at the entrance, Keqing and Ganyu saw Zhongli and the Divine Emperor Kiana already seated inside, waiting for their food.
Keqing was startled. Why is she here?
Although Zhongli was Rex Lapis, he often concealed his identity and dined at Wanmin Restaurant, which was nothing unusual. But Kiana, as the Divine Emperor of the Finality Empire—why was she here, sitting at the same table as Rex Lapis?
Zhongli raised his gaze and looked gently at Ganyu and Keqing. "You're here. Come, sit and eat together."
The Divine Emperor Kiana raised her hand and smiled at Xiangling, who was serving other customers. "Two plates of Golden Shrimp Balls first, and also one serving of everything Ganyu usually likes."
"No problem! It'll be ready soon!" Xiangling responded cheerfully.
"I don't need that much," Ganyu quickly waved her hands in refusal.
"Don't worry. I can make it so you won't gain weight no matter how much you eat. Just relax and eat as much as you like. Today's meal is on our Young Master Zhongli," the Divine Emperor Kiana said with a bright smile.
Zhongli nodded naturally. "That is only proper. When dining out, one cannot let a lady pay." He gestured for Keqing and Ganyu to sit.
Since Rex Lapis had spoken, Ganyu and Keqing exchanged a glance and obediently took their seats.
"Send the bill to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, right?" The Divine Emperor Kiana picked up the teapot, poured herself a cup, and took a sip. "Zhongli, have you ever considered becoming a lord under me?"
"The Empire needs talent like you."
"I have wandered the mortal world for many years and seen its prosperity. My heart is long without desire," Zhongli said gently, declining the invitation.
"You're only a little over six thousand years old. You're still in your prime. In the neighboring Honkai world, there are people who've lived over fifty thousand years—even hundreds of millions—still striving for their civilization!"
Hearing this, Zhongli was momentarily stunned. Humans who had lived fifty thousand years? Hundreds of millions?
Could humans truly live that long?
Without erosion?
"Zhongli, I don't think you're truly without desire. You're just numb. A little stimulation would be enough," the Divine Emperor Kiana said with a half-smile.
Zhongli raised a brow. "Oh? And what insight do you have? If you can truly stir my interest, I would not mind giving it a try."
The Divine Emperor Kiana smiled mysteriously and slowly uttered, "I can revive Guizhong."
Unlike the Honkai world, this world possessed the World Tree and ley lines. The concept of souls existed here.
As long as the concept of a soul existed, even if the deceased's soul had completely dispersed, she had a way to bring that life back.
When Zhongli heard her say, "I can revive Guizhong," his previously calm eyes widened instantly. Even his steady hands began to tremble slightly.
"Golden Shrimp Balls are here!"
At that moment, Xiangling arrived carrying two plates and placed them on the table.
After setting down the dishes, she sensed something unusual in the atmosphere. Scratching her head with a smile, she said, "Everyone, give it a try! I used a cooking machine for this newly improved method."
"That fast?" Keqing's brows furrowed, her eyes full of doubt as her gaze moved between Xiangling and the steaming dishes on the table.
From the moment they entered Wanmin Restaurant and placed their order to this table of fragrant dishes being served, the time taken was unnaturally short.
Xiangling explained brightly, "Because it was already prepared. Miss Kiana gave me a warehouse that can preserve dishes. No matter how long they're stored, they're just like freshly cooked."
Keqing fell momentarily speechless. The words "pre-made dishes" flashed through her mind.
She stared at the plate of Golden Shrimp Balls still sizzling softly. The shrimp meat was crystal clear, the whiskers distinct, glossy sauce coating each piece—no different from something just taken out of the wok.
Keqing thought silently that in the future, there might be no need for restaurants at all. Just buy a large amount of food, store it in the warehouse, and take out whatever you want whenever you crave it.
Technology truly changes life.
She instinctively looked at the Divine Emperor Kiana. If it were anyone else claiming they could revive someone—let alone a god who had fallen in the Archon War two thousand five hundred years ago—Keqing would have thought them insane.
But judging from the Divine Emperor Kiana's past actions, reviving a fallen god did not seem particularly difficult.
As for the Finality Empire's resurrection technology, she knew of quite a few methods—both scientific and... not so scientific.