"Where am I? I remember being saved by Rex Lapis..."
Su Bai scratched his head and flicked his tail. This place felt strangely dreamlike, a hazy sensation washing over him that left him puzzled.
In the dream, between reality and illusion, he followed a guiding path forward. It led him to a strange place where a figure stood with their back to him, as if waiting for a long time.
"Over ten years have passed. The little fox who once curled up in Cloud Retainer's arms has now grown into someone who can stand on his own. Time truly waits for no one."
"You've always wanted to see me. Now that we meet, why so quiet?"
The figure turned around. Though their face was shrouded in thick mist, the aura and gentle tone made Su Bai instantly recognize who it was.
"Hehe, it's not that I don't want to talk. I just don't know what to say. Meeting a living idol for the first time, I'm too excited."
Su Bai let out a silly laugh. Later, whenever he recalled this moment, he'd want to slap himself. Damn it. The one time he finally met Rex Lapis, he had to act so embarrassing. He should have at least asked for an autograph.
"You're an amusing child."
"By the way, Rex Lapis, since you're not actually dead, why did you put on that act at the Rite of Descension?"
Seeing Rex Lapis before him, Su Bai could not believe for a second that he had truly passed away. But he still couldn't understand why Rex Lapis would fake his own death.
Rex Lapis didn't answer directly. Instead, he patted Su Bai's head and asked gently:
"Little one, do you know how many years of history Liyue has?"
"Liyue's history? I recall Cloud Retainer mentioned it once. I think it's around..."
(Note: Many people confuse Liyue's founding with Liyue Harbor's founding. According to in-game texts, Liyue was established about 6,000 years ago. Liyue Harbor was built 3,700 years ago, after the fall of Guili Assembly and the passing of Guizhong, when the people of Liyue relocated to where the harbor stands today.)
When Cloud Retainer had told him about Liyue's history, Su Bai remembered remarking what an ancient nation it was.
"Correct. Liyue has existed for over six thousand years. Throughout all that time, it has grown from a stumbling child into a strong young adult."
"As its founder, now that the child has grown, my duty is complete."
"For today's Liyue, having Rex Lapis around would actually hinder its development. Entrusting Liyue to its people is the choice of this era."
Rex Lapis's gentle words answered many of Su Bai's lingering questions. Seeing that Su Bai understood his intent, Rex Lapis smiled with satisfaction.
"The future of Liyue belongs to you young ones. I've always wanted to travel across Teyvat, but I could never let go of Liyue. Now, perhaps it's time for me to relax as well."
"Little one, wake up soon. The people out there are very worried about you. If fate allows, we shall meet again."
Rex Lapis's voice grew fainter, and the golden figure faded into the distance. Vaguely, Su Bai heard Paimon's voice.
"Lumine, help! Help! Su Bai is trying to eat me!"
"You idiot, how did you manage to stick your hand in his mouth?"
"I was just trying to tempt him with food to wake him up! Lumine, don't just watch! Pull me out! His teeth are starting to move!"
Paimon, lying on top of Su Bai, was on the verge of tears. This good-for-nothing traveler. Su Bai was a fox. Foxes ate meat. If she didn't get help soon, it wouldn't just be the grilled meat in her hand—her little arm would be gone too.
His mind still hazy, Su Bai unconsciously bit down on the soft thing in his mouth. Paimon let out a shriek, which startled him awake. He loosened his jaw, and Lumine quickly pulled Paimon's arm out.
"Su Bai, you're awake! I guess Paimon's 'tempting with food' method actually works."
"Lumine, what are you doing here? And what's this 'tempting with food' thing? Did you see Rex Lapis?"
Still groggy from just waking up, Su Bai was disoriented. He had just been talking to Rex Lapis. Where did he go?
Lumine felt his forehead, then her own. No fever. If he didn't have a fever, why was he talking nonsense? During the three days Su Bai had been unconscious, Lumine had learned that Zhongli was actually Rex Lapis. She had even witnessed him handing over his Gnosis to Signora.
But she could guarantee that Zhongli had never visited Su Bai. For the past three days, Zhongli and Hu Tao had been run off their feet, officiating one funeral after another. Even Mona, an outsider, had been sent to purchase supplies because she was fast on her feet.
"Huh? Why do I taste grilled meat? Wait, Paimon, did you stick your little dirty hand in my mouth?"
"What do you mean? You were the one who bit my hand!"
"Wait, what?"
Su Bai scrambled off the stone bed, grabbed a cup of water from the table, and gargled vigorously. Seeing his obvious disgust, Paimon was offended. She was very clean, thank you very much. She had just gone swimming in Liyue Harbor with Lumine last night.
Speaking of which, Ningguang was a really good person. She paid a ton of Mora just for salvaging items. She and Lumine had made quite a bit of extra money diving last night.
After rinsing his mouth and chewing a few mint leaves, Su Bai finally felt the strange taste fade. He took a moment to look around.
This cave looked familiar. It was Cloud Retainer's abode. Why was he here? Shouldn't he be in Liyue Harbor?
"Su Bai, Cloud Retainer brought you back. Since you were injured, she didn't leave you in Liyue Harbor."
"We came to check on you earlier, and she asked us to watch over you while she went out to gather herbs with someone cold and icy."
Lumine handed him a few Mora Meats. They were supposed to be her lunch, but hearing Su Bai's stomach growl, she gave them to him.
"Su Bai, have something to eat first. You've been unconscious for three days. You must be starving."
Su Bai didn't stand on ceremony. He was indeed famished. He had no idea how Mona managed to survive on just salad. That stuff only made him hungrier.