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When the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles looked down from above at Shao Yun's motionless body, her gaze was cold and distant. She shook her head slightly.
"I expected a formidable opponent, but he fell so easily. So fragile."
"Still, his draw speed was remarkable. If he had been at full strength, we might have perished together."
Having said that, she lost interest in him. Not even a glance more was worth her time. She turned away, eyes shifting toward distant Sumeru.
"I'll let you lie here for now. First, I must mend this fractured sky and clean up the mess you've made. After that, I'll deal with you."
The Sustainer slowly closed her eyes, spreading her arms wide.
In an instant, clusters of dark red cubes poured from her hands and ascended toward the shattered heavens above Sumeru.
They moved like living things, perfectly filling every broken gap in the sky.
While guiding the cubes, she muttered softly, "Ah, such a pity… all those souls that once ascended to the skies, left behind over the years."
"But it's fine. That troublemaker is dead now. I doubt there will be any more disturbances."
After a while, under her control, the fractured firmament over Sumeru was fully restored.
She opened her eyes, a trace of satisfaction gleaming within them, and nodded slightly. "At last, it's done."
The once-ruined sky now shone a brilliant blue, clear as sapphire and radiant with serenity.
Just as she admired her handiwork, a lone eagle appeared in the air.
By all logic, such a creature should not have been here. Yet it dove straight down toward Shao Yun, landing upon his still body—unnoticed by the Sustainer.
The eagle's sharp eyes fixed on his chest, on that grievous wound that marked where life had once been lost.
Then, beneath the eagle's piercing gaze, the wound began to close at an impossible pace.
The damaged flesh knit together, new tissue formed, and unbroken skin sealed over the scar—until there was no trace left at all.
Moments before Shao Yun awoke, the eagle beat its powerful wings once, rising into the sky. Within seconds it vanished into the horizon.
Shao Yun's eyes fluttered open. A wave of strength coursed through his body.
The sickly pallor that once marked his face had faded, replaced by a healthy glow.
With one hand, he pushed himself upright easily.
His gaze locked onto the Sustainer, still facing away from him.
Without hesitation, he reached down and picked up the weapon beside him—John's Cattleman Revolver, the Legend of the West.
He raised the gun, the barrel leveled at her back.
Just before pulling the trigger, a smirk tugged at his lips—mocking, defiant.
"Heh. You should've aimed for my head."
The Sustainer flinched, startled. 'How… how is he alive?'
Before she could act, Shao Yun pulled the trigger.
Bang!
A flash of light burst from the barrel, the bullet slicing through the air, carrying his rage and resolve.
The Sustainer barely turned before the impact struck. A shockwave of sound and force echoed through the void, shattering the stillness.
…
Shao Yun stood over her fallen form, the corner of his mouth curling upward.
He straightened his back, confidence returning to every movement, and stepped toward her.
The Sustainer lay weakly on the ground, staring up at him. "You… weren't you dead? How… how are you alive again?"
Shao Yun stopped before her, looking down calmly, gun still steady in his hand.
He muttered with a puzzled tone, "Yeah, even I'm wondering the same thing. How did I survive?"
Then, as though remembering something, he reached into his Legend of the East satchel and pulled out a small object—the Ankh that Candace had given him.
It shattered instantly in his hand.
He blinked, then chuckled softly in realization. "So that's what it was. I owe you one, Miss Candace."
He turned his focus back to the Sustainer.
"Now, return Lumine and Aether's power."
He paused briefly, his voice softening but firm. "That's the best solution. I'll find a way to leave Teyvat. You won't have to worry about me causing trouble again."
The Sustainer's face remained expressionless. "It's useless. Teyvat is already wrapped by the Abyss. If this were five hundred years ago, perhaps there would've been hope."
Her tone was calm—chillingly so. "Now, if one leaves, they'll be consumed by the Abyss. Even the twins, with their power to purify it… they're like water against a raging fire. A cup can't extinguish a forest blaze."
Shao Yun blinked, confused. "What? What are you talking about?"
For reasons unknown, the Sustainer began to explain—revealing a truth from five centuries past.
"Teyvat needs the power to cleanse the Abyss. That hope could not be allowed to escape. So, when the twins tried to leave, I stopped them."
After hearing this, Shao Yun frowned, thinking it over before saying, "So, you're using Lumine as some kind of… purification vessel?"
The Sustainer nodded slightly. "You could put it that way."
Shao Yun shook his head in disbelief. "Forget the Abyss for now—just return their power first!"
She answered evenly, "I would, but light refracts into seven colors. You understand what that means."
The moment the word seven left her lips, Shao Yun's mind flashed with the seven nations of Teyvat.
His expression darkened. "You mean I still have to travel through all the remaining nations? You've got to be kidding me!"
The Sustainer watched his rising frustration with faint amusement.
"Of course. How else would the twins grow to love Teyvat? Only then will they choose to protect it willingly. But now… only the sister remains."
Shao Yun clenched his teeth so hard it almost cracked. "You— you're insane! What if I take Lumine and join the Abyss Order instead?"
Before he could say more, her body began to fade—becoming translucent.
Seeing herself dissolving, the Sustainer sighed. "Damn. Restoring Teyvat's boundary consumed too much energy."
As she vanished, Shao Yun shouted, waving his revolver, "Hey! Don't you dare disappear yet! Return Lumine and Aether's power first!"
She simply shook her head and said, "I look forward to our next meeting. Next time, I won't be so careless…"
Her voice faded with her image, until the world fell silent once more.
Shao Yun stomped his foot, fury boiling over, firing round after round into the empty air.
Each bang echoed through the void, his shouts spilling out between them.
"Damn it! Couldn't you have lasted a little longer, you stubborn witch?!"
He fired until the cylinder clicked empty.
Finally, breathing hard, Shao Yun lowered the revolver. He took a long breath, steadying himself.
Then, frowning, he muttered under his breath, 'Now what…?'