Ningguang returned home with the money, delighted.
Though the warm home she once had was long gone, she didn't feel lonely.
She firmly believed that someday, Brother Elliot would return—would see the floating city that would one day rise above the Seven Nations.
With that belief, Ningguang drifted into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, she rose full of energy to prepare breakfast.
She would eat well every day, grow quickly, and meet Brother Elliot again in her very best state when he returned.
Just thinking about it brought a soft smile to her face.
"Brother Elliot, I'll do my best. You have to wait for me."
She believed it with all her heart.
...
Elliot sped up the flow of time, watching Ningguang grow day by day.
He saw her crushing defeat in a business war—losing several million Mora.
It was a terrible loss.
But it didn't break her. Instead, it taught her a valuable lesson, making her stronger.
He saw her being betrayed by a friend she deeply trusted—a betrayal that cost her that very business battle.
Yet even then, Ningguang did not isolate herself.
She simply became sharper, more discerning, more capable.
In the end, after countless tests, she selected three subordinates she could truly trust:
Hundred Hearings. Hundred Knowledges. Hundred Insights.
Only those three passed her trials and became her secretaries.
Not long after, the former Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing approached Ningguang and invited her to become the next Tianquan.
"Geo Emperor..."
"Why me...?"
Such a simple question kept Ningguang awake the whole night.
She stood atop the Jade Chamber, watching the rising sun, her heart filled with conflict.
If she joined the Liyue Qixing, the endless responsibilities might slow her pursuit of Mora.
But as a member of the Qixing, she would also gain immense authority, able to mobilize vast resources—giving her unprecedented power in business warfare.
The balance of pros and cons left her torn for a long time.
Since Brother Elliot's departure, this was the first time she had felt such deep distress.
And at her side, Elliot stood silently, keeping her company as they awaited the sunrise.
When dawn broke, its radiant light illuminated the entire Jade Chamber, turning it into a shimmering golden palace.
Ningguang turned her head, gazing at the dazzling Jade Chamber behind her, and something seemed to fall into place.
She stood there quietly for a long time as tears slid down her cheeks.
Only after sunlight had washed over the continent did she finally step inside.
After resting, she headed for the Liyue Qixing and agreed to become the next Tianquan.
...
Soon after, the Traveler arrived in Liyue.
Zhongli staged his own divine abdication, while the Childe from Snezhnaya arrived as well.
As time accelerated, Elliot witnessed the sealed vortex god Osial—buried beneath the ocean—being released by the Childe using the Forbidden Runes.
But then the unexpected occurred.
When the Adepti were no match for Osial, the one who should have released the Jade Chamber to subdue him—Ningguang—hesitated.
With no solution in sight, Osial raged, unleashing a massive tsunami toward Liyue.
To keep Zhongli from revealing himself, Xiao charged out alone with unwavering resolve.
Seeing this unfold, Elliot instantly rewound time to the night before Osial's release.
...
"I thought you'd moved on."
Elliot looked at the sleeping Ningguang, a self-blaming smile on his face.
In her dreams, Ningguang also saw Elliot.
He looked the same as before—yet more worn by time.
Beneath the weariness, guilt and remorse filled his eyes.
Ningguang didn't know what had happened to Brother Elliot, but she knew one thing:
Brother Elliot had come back.
"Brother Elliot! Welcome ba—"
"I'm sorry, Ningguang. I broke my promise."
She ran toward him joyfully, but before she reached him, she heard his voice.
She froze mid-step.
"Brother Elliot… what are you… saying…?"
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"I can't come back," Elliot said.
Five simple words—each like a blade piercing straight into her heart.
Her body trembled.
Her legs buckled.
Her mind went blank.
She looked around.
Everything was gray and empty.
No Jade Chamber.
No heavy documents.
No Hundred Insights, Hundred Knowledges, Hundred Hearings.
Nothing remained.
Only Elliot stood there—utterly alone.
Ningguang suddenly understood:
She was dreaming.
A nightmare.
"No… I have to wake up… I don't want this nightmare…"
She clutched her head, struggling desperately to break free.
Then—
A gentle hand rested on her head.
Ningguang froze, lifting her gaze instinctively.
Elliot looked at her tenderly.
"Brother Elliot…"
Her eyes welled with tears.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."
Elliot stroked her head gently.
"It's okay, Brother Elliot… I forgive you…"
She tried to throw herself into his arms—
And fell straight through him.
She gasped and looked back.
Elliot didn't react at all.
He still stood with one hand raised, stroking empty air.
As if—
He couldn't see her.
Couldn't hear her.
"Ningguang, you've grown so much.
More beautiful, more adorable than before.
Seeing you flourish… makes me truly happy."
Elliot didn't turn around.
He lowered his head, gazing at nothing, stroking the empty space as though whispering to himself like a madman.
"Brother Elliot… I'm right here..."
"Look at me… please look at me…"
Ningguang cried behind him, but he did not respond.
"That Jade Chamber… I stood atop it once.
Watched the sunrise and sunset.
It was beautiful—just as I dreamed.
I loved it.
Thank you… for fulfilling that dream for me."
He kept speaking, never turning around.
Ningguang sobbing, rushed to him—
And again, her hand passed straight through his body.
"Why… why is this happening…?"
"Brother Elliot, I'm right here… right in front of you…"
"Why can't you see me… even in my own dream…?"
"I forgave you… I just want to be held by you… one more time…"
"Just once…"
Looking at his gentle yet weathered expression, Ningguang cried until she could barely breathe.
"Ningguang… I have to go."
"It's time for you to seek your own dreams."
"Go embrace the sunrise. Embrace life.
Embrace everything that brings you joy."
"Don't stand still.
Your beautiful life has only just begun.
Enjoy the present.
Don't cling to the past.
Your future is bright—please, live well."
"Before I go, I have one last small request."
"Soon, a calamity will fall upon Liyue.
When the time comes… if you can…
treat the Jade Chamber as my farewell gift."
...
As Elliot's words faded, Ningguang slowly opened her eyes.
Tears streamed down her face as she sat up.
Her pillow was completely soaked.
Sunlight poured through the window.
For a moment, within the glow, she thought she saw a faint silhouette standing there.
A heartbeat later—
nothing.
Just a trick of the light.