Most people in the chat group were, at heart, genuinely kind.
Earlier, after witnessing Azhdaha's past, many had felt sympathy for the ancient dragon king.
And now—seeing him cleanse his erosion, regain his sanity, and truly return—everyone was sincerely happy for him.
[Zhongli]: Azhdaha, old friend. Stay where you are for now. I'll come and help you break the seal.
Even though Azhdaha had recovered his reason—and even his strength—forcefully breaking the seal alone would likely take time and cause enormous disturbances.
Zhongli considered it better to handle it personally.
Azhdaha naturally understood and nodded.
[Azhdaha]: Understood. I'll wait here.
[Venti]: Ehe~ When the seal's broken, remember to dance for the old man again~ 🐶
[Zhongli]: …
[Azhdaha]: …
Why did this idiot have to bring up the dance again?
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
Azhdaha quickly changed the subject.
[Azhdaha]: Dvalin, Neuvillette—when there's time, let's drink together.
[Dvalin]: Definitely.
[Neuvillette]: Naturally.
Dragons were rare in Teyvat.
And with no political entanglements between them, it was only natural they wished to gather—
much like the Seven Archons once did.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Seeing that Azhdaha was safe, Zhongli finally let go of a long-held worry.
His gaze fell upon the reward floating before him.
A card etched with strange, unfamiliar patterns.
"Revival of the Dead…"
Even the name itself carried an irresistible gravity.
Hu Tao, standing nearby, hesitated as if she wanted to say something—but ultimately said nothing.
She, too, believed those who had sacrificed everything for Liyue deserved to see its prosperity with their own eyes.
Venti, however, stared at the card thoughtfully, then suddenly stroked his chin.
"Old man, I count as your close friend, right?"
"Of course," Zhongli replied seriously.
Even if Barbatos gave him headaches daily, Zhongli truly cherished their friendship.
Otherwise, that ancient contract disaster would never have ended so easily.
"Good!"
Venti grinned.
"Then if I kill myself right now… would you be able to revive me with that reward?"
"And if I revive—wouldn't I come back without erosion?"
Silence.
Zhongli froze.
Hu Tao froze.
Dvalin froze.
The entire chat group froze.
What the hell kind of thought process was that?!
Using suicide to min-max resurrection mechanics?!
Only a god could think this far off the rails.
Transcendent Chat Group
[Lumine]: WHAT?! This thinking is insane—my brain just blue-screened!
[Paimon]: If it were anyone else, it'd be insane. But coming from the bard… it somehow makes sense…
[Ei]: His ability to avoid responsibility truly is unmatched.
[Nahida]: Purely theoretically… could this work? 🤔
[Furina]: In theory… maybe?
[Alice]: As someone once said—practice is the only test of truth~ 😈
At that point, Mondstadt collectively panicked.
If this were anyone else, they'd laugh it off.
But Barbatos?
This man might actually try it.
And the reward was random revival!
What if it didn't trigger?
That'd be the end of Mondstadt's Anemo Archon.
Mondstadt Emergency Intervention
[Jean]: Lord Barbatos, this is extremely dangerous! Please reconsider!
[Barbara]: Yes! What if it fails?!
[Diona]: D-Don't do it! I-I'll give you wine if you stop!
[Klee]: Bard哥哥 don't die! I'll let you be the Anemo Archon instead!
[Kaeya]: At least wait until we confirm the odds are 100%…
[Jean]: KAEYA.
[Kaeya]: Ahem—please act cautiously, Lord Barbatos!
Back at Wangsheng
Zhongli raised an eyebrow.
"No problem."
"We're friends, after all."
"Shall we begin?"
"If you can't bring yourself to do it… I can help."
He casually cracked his knuckles.
Venti immediately surrendered.
"Ehe—just kidding, old man!"
"Please, go handle serious business!"
The Mondstadt crowd collectively wiped sweat from their brows.
Thank Barbatos… literally.
Revival Begins
Zhongli refocused and grasped the card.
"Revival of the Dead. I wish to revive a dear friend from my past."
The card shone.
A mysterious force spread across Liyue.
From Guizhong Plains, countless points of light rose skyward—
drawn inexorably toward Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Liyue's people noticed—but no one spoke.
They waited.
The lights gathered.
Formed.
And then—
Golden radiance flashed.
A silver-haired girl in a white dress appeared, bright and lively.
"Guizhong?!"
Shock rippled outward.
The gentle, ingenious god who had fallen in the Archon War—
revived.
Nearby — Yujing Terrace
Madam Ping straightened abruptly.
"…Guizhong?"
Yaoyao beamed and tugged her hand.
"Shifu! It's Aunt Guizhong! She came back!"
Madam Ping trembled.
"…Good. Good…"
Tears welled up.
For centuries, she had imagined Guizhong returning to sit beside her, chatting over tea.
This time—
It wasn't imagination.
She turned to Yaoyao.
"Let's bring her a gift."
Her gaze fell upon two Glaze Lilies hidden in the grass—
flowers she had carefully preserved since Guizhong's passing.
"No gift could be more fitting."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Guizhong blinked in confusion.
"I… didn't I die?"
Zhongli smiled softly.
"You did. And now, you live again."
"…How many years?"
"Over two thousand."
Guizhong fell silent.
Then, gently—
"What of my people?"
"They live well. I brought them to Liyue Harbor."
Relief flooded her face.
"Thank you, Morax."
Then—
"Wait… was it you who revived me?"
Zhongli shook his head.
"No. The light screen."
"Light… screen?"
A pause.
"…You'll understand soon."
Before more could be said—
A warm, aged voice entered the hall.
"Guizhong. Long time no see."
Guizhong turned.
A white-haired old woman stood there, smiling.
"…You're not mortal."
Recognition struck like lightning.
"…Ping'er?"
Madam Ping laughed softly.
"Yes. It's me."
The two stood frozen—
Then stepped forward together.
Just like Bo Ya and Zi Qi,
their bond had survived time itself.
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