The animated short film ended.
The scene returned to the land of Teyvat.
Changsheng continued speaking, "...Inheriting the contract also places demands on one's character. All the contractors across the generations have possessed inherently pure hearts."
"However, those who are extremely kind-hearted, upon obtaining this secret art, are even more easily drawn to this miracle that defies life and death than ordinary people."
Baizhu added, and it was also a confession of his own.
"Even though they understand better than anyone what the outcome will be, when faced with the sorrowful cries and wails of the countless living beings..."
"Faced with the birth, aging, illness, and death of their close friends and family, they will ultimately still resort to inhuman power."
"...Just like moths flying into the flame, chasing the hope of transcending life and death in the long night where all sentient beings suffer."
[Where the hell did this come from? Is this still Genshin Impact?]
[Thought I was playing the game next door (doge)]
[The voice actors match up, so...]
Baizhu's words were not only about the contractors of past generations, but also about himself.
As well as the physicians who studied under their lineage but did not form a contract with Changsheng.
For example, Jiangli.
Jiangli had no method to ferry life force.
But for the sake of her own husband's life, she still chose to research the remnants of Archons.
Using poison to refine medicine...
Inhuman methods would poison oneself, yet could save the lives of others — why not give it a try?
After voicing these heavy matters, Baizhu seemed to have gained some understanding.
Having someone to listen was indeed a good thing.
Lumine was a very good listener.
But she was also extremely sensitive.
Given Baizhu's current physical condition, she feared...
Baizhu paused for a moment and answered Lumine's worried concern in a clever way.
"I am probably that moth who wants to chase the light but doesn't want to be burned."
"Changsheng's secret art only transfers the pain and illness, but cannot reduce the suffering of the world—"
"Just like how Jialiang would panic over his senior sister's condition, and his senior sister would grieve over Jialiang's sacrifice."
Baizhu's tone gradually became firm.
He said that he respected those teachers and elders who had offered their lives for their ideals.
But he himself had no intention of becoming like them.
Nor did he wish for this contract to continue being passed down to future generations.
Paimon looked puzzled, "But... you transferred so many illnesses onto yourself..."
"—What is poison? What is illness? In essence, aren't they both just ways of affecting the human body?"
"If something different from normal behavior can be called 'illness,' then wouldn't the 'immortality drug' also be a kind of 'poison'?"
[You're already going a bit overboard telling me this, let alone Paimon?]
[Aba aba, wai bi wai bi, wai bi ba bu]
"Having thoroughly studied a hundred poisons and a hundred illnesses, reaching the realm of immortality... Even if it seems to defy heavenly principles in the eyes of ordinary people, to me, this is no different from our ancestors tasting hundreds of herbs and overcoming hundreds of diseases."
"Since I don't want future generations to continue shortening their lifespans because of the contract, and I also don't want Changsheng to lose the contract and perish... then isn't there only one answer?"
[I shall swear loyalty to you]
[I don't want to be human anymore, JoJo]
Lumine finally confirmed the truest thoughts in Baizhu's heart.
She had actually guessed it long ago.
But what she hadn't expected was that Baizhu would turn out to be such a persistent and noble person.
This made Lumine feel a little admiration.
Changsheng flicked out her snake tongue, "...True immortality was something even the Archons of that year found difficult to achieve."
"Wanting to save others, wanting to save yourself, and in the end even wanting to save me — you're really too greedy."
Baizhu smiled faintly, "Heh, if one isn't greedy, are they still mortal?"
"...Fearing the candle flame yet yearning for the light — such a selfish moth can only fly toward the moon."
[mua, Honkai is still chasing me]
[Go check the CVs of the few people from Bubu Pharmacy yourself; I won't believe it if there's no private goods]
Lumine didn't know what to say.
Fortunately, Mu Yang came over to rescue her.
If they didn't go eat soon, the food would all get cold.
Paimon had already been completely dizzy from Baizhu's pile of grand principles at the end.
"Umm... forget it, eating is more important. Let's think about other things after we've eaten our fill."
Lumine curled her lips in disdain, "You..."
"Hehe, those are dishes made by Mu Yang after all, I don't want to miss them!"
Watching the backs of the two walking away first, Changsheng couldn't help but complain.
"Sigh, sometimes I really envy Paimon. Once she's eaten and drunk her fill, she can always be happy and content..."
"Hehe, isn't it precisely these tiny happinesses that teach us mortals to be attached to life?"
After finishing his words, Baizhu also followed along.
On the way, he expressed his gratitude to Mu Yang.
It was precisely because of Mu Yang's help that Jialiang was finally able to retain his sense of taste and other perceptions even as a zombie.
Moreover, Baizhu could feel the changes in his own body; he could now withstand a small amount of Adeptus power.
Mu Yang said there was no need to be polite.
Both of them were working to rescue Changsheng.
Changsheng transformed into human form and walked beside Mu Yang.
This was the first time she had felt such abundant power.
Even though she had only recovered less than half, it had already made her feel much more at ease.
She had also recovered quite a few memories, although they were still fragmented.
But at least they were no longer like before, all heard from Mu Yang and Lingyuan's mouths.
Like someone else's story.
"Seeing such a scene must have felt really bad in your heart, right?"
She had previously heard about her own experiences from Mu Yang.
Now, recalling the feelings between the few of them.
Witnessing such a tragic scene with her own eyes — what kind of heart-wrenching pain must that have been?
Mu Yang's tone was calm yet firm, "It's all in the past... things will get better."
"Mm."
[Chapter of the Hanging Pot: Act I — Completed]
At this moment, the players also learned from the final conversation that as Baizhu's power increased.
Changsheng had also recovered some memories with her old friends.
But they had not been fully restored yet.
It was very likely that they would only be resolved by the time of Baizhu's Chapter II, or Mu Yang's Story Quest Chapter I.
What the crowd didn't know was that Mu Yang's calm tone had been achieved only after many years of suppression.
Back then, he had merely taken one look and lost all reason...
——————
A few days later.
Mu Yang was reviewing his entire plan in the office.
Although from the players' perspective, Mu Yang might seem quite laid-back.
Only he himself knew.
In order to help Baizhu adapt to Adeptus power and remove those viruses.
The dangers he had experienced were not few.
After all, there was a very high chance that Baizhu could have died violently from being unable to withstand it.
If something happened to Baizhu, Changsheng would also be in trouble...
Fortunately, the final result was a triple win.
Mu Yang used the remnants of Archons to transform Baizhu's body, restoring his vitality to its peak.
Baizhu was now much stronger than before and would no longer need to rest for several days after using the life-ferrying technique once.
Changsheng also benefited accordingly, recovering half of her power.
Mu Yang himself gained popularity points.
"Next up is the card-playing version..."
System: "So it's my version now, huh."
"Shut up. I, Mu Yang, am not cheating!"
Parallel Earth, ten days before Version 3.7.
The officials, as usual, released the preview live stream announcement.
The hype for this preview was unprecedentedly high.
Because that white-haired youth would be participating in this preview live stream in the identity of Liyue's Card King —
[Duel! Summit of Summoning!]