"Please rest assured. As the Liyue Qixing, this is our responsibility," Ningguang said, inclining her head as she gave Lora her assurance.
Lora then turned to the other Adepti. "The Rite of Descension will soon be held. Will you stay to witness it?"
"The Rite of Descension… but…"
Cloud Retainer hesitated.
She glanced at the others beside her and asked, "Should we remain?"
"We should," Ping'er said with a gentle smile.
"It's rare for us to gather like this, let alone for such an occasion."
Xiao, however, felt it would be awkward to stay. "Dihua Marsh still needs guarding. I think I'll head back first."
"That's fine. I'll have someone fill in for you," Lora said, waving a hand dismissively.
"Uh…"
Xiao looked at her, his expression somewhat strange.
Was he really supposed to stay and watch the Geo Emperor preside over his own funeral?
"Since both Purifying Water and Streetward Rambler have spoken, then we'll stay," Cloud Retainer decided quickly.
"Won't you change your form?" Lora asked.
Cloud Retainer snorted. "This adeptus knows exactly what you want to see."
"Hehe, I actually think that form suits you quite well," Lora said with a smile.
As her words fell, Cloud Retainer spread her wings.
As her power unfurled, bathed in pale azure light, her Adeptus form dissolved, transforming into a human appearance.
"Wow! The big bird turned into a woman!"
Paimon exclaimed in astonishment.
Xianyun shot Paimon a sidelong glance.
"How rude! This adeptus is Cloud Retainer, not some 'big bird'!"
Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper followed suit, retracting their Adepti forms and assuming human shapes as well. Moon Carver stood the tallest, followed by Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer, then Ping'er and Xiao.
The five of them standing together looked almost like a signal bar at full strength.
"Let's go. Zhongli is waiting for you below," Lora said, clapping her hands. She then turned to Lumine. "All the preparations for the Rite of Descension were handled by you. This time, you're truly the greatest contributor."
"Just preparing the Rite of Descension makes us the greatest contributors?"
Paimon asked in surprise after hearing that.
Lora nodded seriously. "Of course. The person concerned is very satisfied with you. Doesn't that make you major contributors?"
"Uh…"
Paimon tilted her head and turned to Lumine.
"Do you understand what she means?"
Lumine shook her head.
"No, but it's fine."
Ningguang watched them for a moment before speaking.
"The Rite of Descension was prepared by the Traveler and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, Mr. Zhongli, correct? I will issue an announcement as one of the Liyue Qixing and invite all of Liyue Harbor to attend."
Lora's gaze settled on Ningguang. She gave a slight nod.
"Very well."
The site originally meant for the Rite of Descension was swiftly converted into the venue for the Rite of Descension itself. Under the Liyue Qixing's coordination, the news spread throughout Liyue Harbor in no time.
Though they had only just survived a crisis of life and death, the people of Liyue were deeply invested in seeing off the Geo Emperor. Even before the Rite of Descension officially began, Yujing Terrace was already packed to the point of congestion.
At the very front of the crowd stood Lora and the others.
Although the Liyue Qixing had not publicly revealed their identities as Adepti, they had arranged for order to be maintained around them, providing the best possible conditions.
Rhodeia stood behind Lora, her expression solemn.
After all, this was a ceremony to bid farewell to one of the most ancient gods in the world. The respect it deserved was indispensable.
Lora stood at the front holding Qiqi, introducing the people present to her.
"This is Xianyun. This is Mountain Shaper. This is Moon Carver… and this is the master of the red-hatted sister who came to find you earlier—Streetward Rambler, Ping'er," Lora said, introducing the Adepti one by one. When she reached Xiao, Qiqi spoke up first.
"I know him… he's the green-haired Xiao."
"That's right. Qiqi is very clever," Lora said with a smile, gently rubbing Qiqi's cheek.
As the foremost of the Liyue Qixing, Ningguang delivered the official address on behalf of Liyue.
"…As stated earlier, the Geo Emperor's soul returning to the heavens marks the dissolution of the 'Contract' and the end of an era. The people of Liyue once lived in happiness, yet in that happiness, they forgot the cruelty of time. Now, the age of gods has passed, and the age of humanity has begun. With the establishment of a new 'Contract,' Liyue's future lies in the hands of you and me alike."
Her voice was calm and steady, neither hurried nor slow, carrying clearly to every person present.
Some lamented the end of a three-thousand-seven-hundred-year 'Contract,' while others looked ahead, imagining what the new Liyue might become.
"Next, let us invite Mr. Zhongli, consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, to offer incense to the Geo Emperor. This Rite of Descension was made possible through Mr. Zhongli's efforts. The Liyue Qixing hold this gratitude firmly in our hearts."
As Ningguang spoke, all eyes turned toward Zhongli standing to the side.
The Adepti also directed their gazes at him.
Xiao's expression was complicated, and he found himself at a loss for words.
Zhongli remained composed.
He stepped forward to the center, raised three sticks of incense, and placed them in the burner.
"We respectfully see off the Geo Emperor."
His voice was deep and steady, carrying a reassuring weight.
The people of Liyue heard his words and bowed their heads in unison, expressing their reverence for the Geo Emperor.
Lora coughed softly. The scene was… a little hard to hold together.
Zhongyue tugged at the hem of her skirt and whispered, "Did Zhongli learn his acting from you?"
Lora smiled and shook her head. "No. He's self-taught."
"Self-taught…"
Zhongyue muttered, watching Zhongli's back as he offered incense, clicking her tongue softly.
Among the crowd, Hu Tao was filled with emotion.
She could only marvel at how accomplished her consultant had become—giving the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor a grand bit of publicity before all of Liyue. Just look at this: even the Rite of Descension for the Geo Emperor was handled by the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
Keqing looked at Zhongli and said, "Mr. Zhongli, you went to great lengths to organize the Rite of Descension, and your contribution is no small matter. If there's anything you need, feel free to inform us, the Liyue Qixing. As a citizen of Liyue, you surely know that the Liyue Qixing are well-connected and capable of anything."
Zhongli slowly shook his head, declining her offer.
"There's no need. Seeing off the adepti was something I intended to do from the beginning. The Liyue Qixing should devote their efforts to serving the people of Liyue."