[Zhongli is looking at the Soaring Firmament Sword?]
[Probably—besides that swordsmanship of his, Second Brother's only thing that reaches divine level is the Soaring Firmament Sword.]
[Isn't this a bit of power scaling collapse? The Soaring Firmament Sword is just a mortal creation by setting.]
[Mortal creation? If you don't like the Soaring Firmament Sword, take a look at Ziwei Star Palace above Guili Assembly.]
[In terms of the plot, the Soaring Firmament Sword is no longer a mortal creation. What mortal creation can only be used by a specific person and can even speak?]
"I hope the antlers on this Xiao Lantern can be made a bit bigger—these antlers are what Skybracer cared about most." Ah Ping sighed as she looked at the Bright Firmament Lantern behind her.
"You can rest assured about that, Ah Ping. Third Brother already had Ziwei Star pass the message to the Seven Stars—they're putting effort into the antlers of the Xiao Lantern." Jun Mo Li gestured for Ah Ping to relax.
Meanwhile, Paimon was still thinking about Skybracer: "One of the hardest things… doesn't that make it one of Liyue's strongest weapons?"
"With such a pair of antlers, how could he still sacrifice himself?"
Zhongli sighed: "Indeed. If Skybracer's antlers were still there, at the very least he would have been safe."
"But in that war, when Mt. Tianheng collapsed, Skybracer used the weapon granted by the Marshal to sever his own antlers and support Mt. Tianheng, protecting the residents below."
(Here's a slight change—after all, in this book, Skybracer followed Jun Bai.)
"With both antlers severed, Skybracer suffered grave injuries. Yet even mortally wounded, he still chose to fight the enemy to his last breath."
[Holy crap, another true man is born.]
[He's a divine deer, right? A deer personally chopping off his own antlers!]
[This is being ruthless to himself.]
Ah Ping gave a helpless smile and shook her head: "No wonder he could become sworn brothers with the Sky Phoenix across generations."
"The choices these two made are practically identical."
Hearing this, Lumine and Paimon remembered why Guili Assembly could continue to this day—three thousand years ago, Jun Bai perished together with the Dream God.
Jun Bai survived because he could undergo Nirvana Rebirth.
But if he couldn't, Jun Bai's fate would probably have been exactly like Skybracer's.
In this respect, the two were indeed identical.
"He and the Marshal are both heroes worthy of Liyue's respect." Jun Mo Li looked at the Bright Firmament Lantern modeled after Skybracer and said.
"Without them, Liyue might not have the prosperity we see today."
Zhongli and Ah Ping nodded.
[This plot—I don't know how you all feel, but I'm empathizing. Salute to the heroes!]
[Empathy +1, respect to the most adorable ones!]
[Empathy +2—whether they survived or not, they're heroes! All deserve respect.]
Zhongli gazed at the Bright Firmament Lantern, his thoughts swirling.
The Archon War—even recalling it now was chilling. He didn't know if friends would sacrifice themselves the next time enemies came.
Back then, Morax feared no enemy, yet he feared the old friends who entrusted their lives to him sacrificing themselves.
So at the very beginning of the campaign, Morax's methods could still be considered mild.
At that time, His thoughts were somewhat similar to Havria's.
What woke Morax up was Phenex's sacrifice.
When Phenex faded from sight, Morax finally understood—this was war, a war with only one winner.
To prevent more sacrifices, the only way was to win the Archon War and bring all of Liyue under His rule.
Thus, Liyue became a graveyard of gods.
During the war, Guizhong often thought of Phenex. She frequently said—if it had been her staying in Guili Assembly, would the outcome have been different?
But when Morax seriously considered this possibility in His spare time, He realized—if Guizhong had stayed to guard Guili Assembly, there wouldn't even have been the possibility of perishing together with the Dream God.
In that case, Guizhong would fall, and Guili Assembly would be destroyed.
That situation seemed even worse than Phenex sacrificing alone.
Just as Phenex Himself said—His single sacrifice was better than allowing an even worse outcome to arise.
Fortunately, Phenex truly returned as He said—though not in the peaceful prosperous era they agreed upon.
It was precisely because Phenex returned that Morax understood—no matter the reasons or results, sacrifice is always sacrifice.
Sacrifice forever means loss.
Morax and Haagentus lost Phenex who could undergo Nirvana Rebirth, so they could regain him.
But for those who cannot be regained—what would their feelings be?
So long ago, during the Rite of Descension, when someone mentioned whether Liyue Harbor's Lantern Rite should bid farewell to the old and welcome the new like Guili Assembly, Morax gave Lantern Rite a new definition.
Liyue Harbor needed to remember the departed who sacrificed themselves.
That's why Liyue Harbor and Guili Assembly's Lantern Rites differ, and why there's now this Bright Firmament Lantern stationed in Liyue Harbor's port.
The human-ruled Guili Assembly is the "root"—people-centered. Its citizens will always remember those they lost, because that is the "soil."
But the god-ruled Liyue Harbor is the "leaf"—god-centered. Losing the "branch" of the god's connection means falling to the ground.
Because they don't want to fall, the people of Liyue Harbor constantly find ways to deepen their connection to the gods. In the end, they only remember the gods' bestowals upon Liyue Harbor.
But it shouldn't be this way—so Morax made the people of Liyue Harbor recall their precious lost things at this time every year.
(Feeling inspired—wrote it all in one go.)
Zhongli gathered his thoughts, his gaze still fixed on the Bright Firmament Lantern as he murmured to himself: "No one will forget again."
"Guest Zhongli, did you just say something?" Jun Mo Li, who had been sighing in admiration, asked in confusion.
"Just some feelings." Zhongli calmly sidestepped the topic. "Speaking of which, do the three young friends know the difference between Xiao Lanterns and Bright Firmament Lanterns?"
"No idea." Paimon's attention shifted.
"During Lantern Rite, the small lanterns personally made by Liyue Harbor's citizens, used to carry people's wishes and released during the Xiao Lantern Festival—are Xiao Lanterns."
"While this one before us, jointly built by the entire Liyue Harbor to illuminate ten thousand homes—is the Bright Firmament Lantern." Zhongli explained.
Ah Ping added: "And whether Xiao Lanterns or Bright Firmament Lanterns, both will be released during tomorrow night's Xiao Lantern Festival. Carrying people's wishes, rising high in the sky."
"That's a grand spectacle only viewable in Liyue Harbor." Jun Mo Li's eyes filled with anticipation.
[Second Brother's expression—so cute!]
[Almost forgot—Second Brother is an heroic soul from three thousand years ago, but actually only twenty years old.]
[All the Xiao Lanterns flying together—just thinking about it explains Second Brother's expression. It will definitely be spectacular!]
"Sigh, Traveler, Paimon—interested in going to the Xiao Market ahead?" Jun Mo Li suddenly asked. "It's a market not for profit, but for crowdfunding resources to build the Bright Firmament Lantern."
"Market! So there'll be good food?" Paimon asked with wide eyes.
"Of course." Jun Mo Li nodded.
Paimon looked at Lumine: "Then no hesitation—Lumine, let's hurry in!"
Lumine looked at Zhongli and Ah Ping: "Zhongli and Ah Ping coming too?"
Zhongli shook his head: "I still need to bring the director's items back to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Today's invitation—let's save it for when I'm free later."
[That's never gonna happen—one day running here and there, either storytelling or opera.]
[Chinese to Chinese: I decline. When I need a wallet someday, I'll come find you myself.]
"Such lively occasions, Guizhong would like—but not suitable for me and Xianyun." Ah Ping politely declined. "I won't disturb you young people. Have fun."
"Then we'll head to the Xiao Market first—see you later!"
Paimon and Jun Mo Li ran into the Xiao Market together.
Lumine gave a helpless smile, then bid farewell to Zhongli and Ah Ping: "See you two later."
"See you later—don't forget to join tomorrow night's Xiao Lantern Festival." Zhongli smiled slightly.
[Zhongli beauty crit!]
[That smile—I'm down!]
The next day, dusk.
The sun sank steadily until it fell below the sea horizon. Night arrived, and Liyue Harbor lit up brightly.
Citizens carried their personally made Xiao Lanterns out of their homes, heading toward the Bright Firmament Lantern's location. Before leaving, they didn't forget to extinguish the lights in their homes.
Soon, the originally brightly lit Liyue Harbor lost all color, leaving only the darkness of night.
Until the Bright Firmament Lantern lit up.
When the Bright Firmament Lantern shaped like Skybracer illuminated, the citizens began lighting the Xiao Lanterns in their hands.
The Xiao Lantern Festival began.
The lifelike divine deer, after lighting up, began circling the entire Liyue Harbor. It was as if Skybracer had been revived, admiring this prosperous city built by the people he had sacrificed himself to protect.
When Liyue Harbor was first established, the village that Skybracer had protected had participated in its founding.
(Secondary creation.)
One by one, Xiao Lanterns carrying the people's prayers rose, illuminating this lightless night.
Countless Xiao Lanterns, led by the Bright Firmament Lantern, filled the entire sky, forming a brilliant path of light guiding the departed home.
If the departed lose their way, just look up—the road home is in the sky.
Lumine and Paimon followed the citizens in cheering as the Bright Firmament Lantern spiraled up and down. Paimon even urged Lumine to take out the Kamera to commemorate.
Jun Mo Li, who had been looking forward to the Xiao Lantern Festival since yesterday, personally released the Xiao Lantern he made himself. Hidden beneath his smile, what worry was he thinking about again?
Hu Tao, Xingqiu, Xiangling, Chongyun—searching for their own made Xiao Lanterns under the night sky.
Ningguang and Keqing stood at the highest point of Yuehai Pavilion, smiling at each other, then fist-bumping. Looking forward to a better next year.
Ganyu set aside her work, gazed at the Bright Firmament Lantern in the sky, clasped her hands, as if praying—or perhaps mourning.
Zhongli sat at the entrance of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, using tea in place of wine, commemorating departed old friends.
Mt. Aocang.
Cloud Retainer, in human form, quietly gazed at Liyue Harbor shrouded in Xiao Lanterns.
Mt. Tianheng.
A dark green shadow flashed by, beheading a monster.
Xiao was about to seek other monsters when, guided by Bosacius, he looked toward Liyue Harbor.
The five Yakshas searched for traces of comrades on the Bright Firmament Lantern.
Ziwei Star Palace.
Guizhong exclaimed in admiration beside him.
While Jun Bai gazed at Liyue Harbor, a faint smile on his face.
Yiya slept soundly in his arms.