The reunion of the twin sisters was a momentous occasion for the Inner Circle, and as the skies over Liyue and Inazuma finally cleared, the common folk breathed a collective sigh of relief. Constant thunderstorms, after all, made daily labor nearly impossible.
Gazing at the ethereal scenery of the Fountainhead Palace, Raiden Ei smiled at her sister. "If only we could find a way to bring back Chiyo and the others... but we can't find so much as a strand of their hair."
The resurrection of Makoto, Bosacius, and Hanachirusato had one common prerequisite: a "soul anchor." Currently, for figures like Mikoshi Chiyo or Sasayuri, not a single soul fragment remained. It was a source of quiet desperation for the Electro Archon.
Raiden Makoto took her sister's hand, her voice a soothing balm. "If we continue to work hard and complete missions, that day will come. Look at Inazuma now—it is thriving. What happened to Chiyo was a tragedy of the Abyss, something beyond our control back then. Other nations faced similar horrors."
"You're right, sister. Su Han always tells me the same—that there will be a day for every reunion. By the way... since you're back, would you like to take over the government affairs? Let me tell you, the paperwork—"
"Ahem!" Makoto quickly raised a hand in a "stop" gesture. "I didn't come back to the living just to become your office clerk!"
"Sister?"
"Listen, Ei... you and the others have done a wonderful job while I was away. I think I'll take a page out of your old book—I'll be the 'Kagemusha' this time. I'll provide guidance from the shadows, but the actual administration? You and Miko can handle that."
Ei's face went blank. She felt that her sister had changed. The old Makoto was a workaholic who handled every scroll personally for fear of making a mistake. This new version seemed intent on being a "hands-off" boss. What had happened during her time inside the tree?
Before Ei could probe further, Makoto deftly changed the subject. She had already decided: once she regained a physical body, she was going to travel the world in incognito. The burden of the Shogunate could stay firmly on her younger sister's shoulders.
The Bargain Area: Blood of the Primordial Serpent
Inside the Jade Chamber, the group convened to discuss the second refreshed item in the Bargain Area. With the points accumulated from recent missions, Su Han was wealthy enough to purchase even a million-point item without blinking.
[Item]: A Bottle of Primordial Tengshe (Soaring Serpent) Essence Blood
Original Price: 5,000,000 Points
Discount: 90% OFF
Current Price: 500,000 Points
[Description]: Derived from the White Snake world. It is the blood of an ancient calamity beast, the ancestor of the White Snake lineage.
[Effect]: Refinement of this blood transforms the user's lineage into that of the Primordial Tengshe, granting unimaginable power.
[Note]: While "Demons" are distinct from "Humans," they can still achieve Immortality. The power of this lineage was so great that both the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court schemed to control the White Snake's child.
[Recommendation]: Best suited for non-human races, specifically those related to serpents.
"So, if someone uses this, they become a monster?" Paimon asked, tilting her head. "Like... Yae Miko?"
"I am a Celestial Kitsune," Miko replied, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Paimon, are you volunteering to be 'Emergency Food' today?"
"I'm sorry!" The little guide immediately hid behind Su Han.
Hanachirusato stepped in to explain. "Monsters are simply a different species, often born with higher physical potential than humans. The difference lies in intelligence and lineage. A common fox could train for ten thousand years and never reach the level of the Hakushin Clan. That is the power of lineage."
"Fifty thousand points for a Primordial lineage is a steal," Mona analyzed. "Unlike a magic tool, this is a permanent upgrade to one's base stats and can be passed down to offspring. It's a long-term investment."
Ningguang, however, looked at Su Han. "What is this 'White Snake' world? I'd like to understand the context before we commit."
The Legend of the White Snake
Su Han nodded and began to weave the tale. He described a world where everything yearned for "Immortality," yet the path was fraught with celestial politics.
"Bai Suzhen was a tragic figure. Her parents died in an ancient war, leaving her as a target for the Buddhist Sect and the Heavenly Court. They wanted to 'tame' her, but she was too proud. So, they crafted a conspiracy spanning a thousand years."
He explained how the "coincidence" of her being saved by a human was actually a calculated move by the heavens to plant a debt of gratitude. For a thousand years, she practiced cultivation, only to find she couldn't ascend because she "owed" a mortal.
"It looked like a romance, but it was a cold war between the Heavenly Court and the Buddhist Sect for the control of human incense and faith. The Heavenly Court locked down every aspect of life—river gods, mountain gods, even kitchen gods. The Buddhists, in turn, encouraged chaos so they could offer 'salvation.' Bai Suzhen was just a pawn. Even her child was 'possessed' by a star deity at birth, and her husband was taken to the West while she was crushed under a pagoda."
The room grew quiet. The story was bleak and filled with the kind of high-level manipulation that made the Fatui look like amateurs.
"If I fought their 'Buddha,' who would win?" Venti asked curiously.
"Don't take this the wrong way," Su Han replied bluntly, "but you'd be suppressed in a single second."
Paimon gasped. "That sounds like a Six-Star world or higher. Terrifying!"
Choosing the Vessel
"So, who should use this Tengshe blood?" Lisa asked. "We have a few non-human candidates."
The group looked at the roster: Kujou Sara (Tengu), Ganyu (Qilin), and Yanfei (Half-Illuminated Beast). However, none of them were a perfect match. A Qilin's nature clashed with a "Calamity Serpent," and a Tengu was a creature of the air, not the earth and water.
Sangonomiya Kokomi suddenly spoke up. "I have a candidate. What about Enjou? No... I mean Tsumi (Arataki)?"
"The Vassal of Watatsumi! The Envoy from Enkanomiya!" Paimon exclaimed.
"Yes," Kokomi explained. "She already possesses a unique lineage modified by the power of Lord Orobashi. She is of the 'Serpent-Folk'—half-human, half-serpent. There is no one in Teyvat more suited to inherit the blood of the Primordial Tengshe than her."
Su Han's eyes lit up. "You're right. Tsumi is the perfect choice."
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