As it turns out, clearly understanding one's own weaknesses of the heart is a very wonderful thing.
Cid knows very well what kind of person he is.
What weaknesses he has, why he would do this, and what the worst possible outcome of doing so would be.
After finishing this job, I might die here at Wuwang Hill.
Then why am I still coming?
Because I know what it feels like to cry alone in the darkness.
That kind of emotion is too painful… It's not suitable for a child as lively, cute, and obedient as little Hu Tao.
Cid, the old uncle, was wearing the black robe that little Hu Tao had gifted him. The Staff of Homa in his hand emitted a slightly faint yellow glow, radiating a faint warmth in this forest filled with deathly qi.
He had a feeling that the plum blossom color on his body seemed to be getting redder and redder.
Cid had already arrived at the site of Grand Hall Master Hu's memorial ritual.
At this moment, Grand Hall Master Hu had already collapsed on the ground without any signs of life, and the Staff of Homa in his hand had lost its light.
Cid carried him on his back and threw him into the hollow that the Lord of Geo had prepared behind him.
Good. Grand Hall Master Hu has escaped the realm of deathly qi. Little Hu Tao's father—I've saved him.
Cid, the old uncle, raised the Staff of Homa. Just by standing there, he could see the strands of deathly qi around him beginning to sizzle as if being burned.
Next, all he had to do was stay on this altar.
Cid, the old uncle, could clearly feel the faint suction force from the altar beneath his feet pulling at him.
This will do.
Perhaps because he had decided to slack off, the old uncle even had the leisure to observe Wuwang Hill.
This place was just a bit dark—excessively dim due to the deathly qi.
Cid looked up. Hmm, as he expected, it was pitch black. He couldn't see the moon, nor could he see the stars.
Speaking of which, if the old uncle really doesn't make it back from this trip, little Hu Tao and little Eula would probably be very sad, right?
Little Hu Tao shouldn't be a concern. She's still too young to remember things clearly. After crying for a bit, in a few years she'll probably forget all about the old uncle.
Little Eula… sigh, that gives me a headache. I promised to help her find her lost self.
Looks like I'll have to trouble Old Master Zhongli with that. I believe the adepti of Liyue, who love picking up orphans to raise, won't mind taking in one more.
And finally, there's little Barbara…
That child even talked about keeping me as her own. What a pity—the old uncle is a man like the wind. Little Barbara, you wouldn't be able to hold on to me!
Cid lifted his Vision. The gem's luster reflected the warm yellow light of the Staff of Homa.
Never mind. I shouldn't be so full of myself. Little Barbara is also at an age where she won't remember things. Even if the old uncle goes back, she probably won't remember me either~
Speaking of which, I've left all my inheritance at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The shares that Ningguang promised me later should also go to little Hu Tao.
Ah, I've been in this world for so long—yet the only things I can recall are just these few?
Hmm… I'd rather not think about all those miscellaneous, exhausting jobs and research. Thinking about the children's smiles is better.
In the end, the old uncle installed the Staff of Homa onto the altar.
As long as the old uncle is here, there won't be any problems. The deathly qi that needs to be burned will be burned.
And there was one more thing.
That is, when facing this omnipresent deathly qi, being tainted by it is perfectly normal.
The old uncle could already feel the coldness, but unlike the previous restlessness, this time it brought an unprecedented sense of heaviness.
Since things have come to this, I might as well lie down and sleep. If I can see tomorrow's sun, I'll propose to little Hu Tao!
Just kidding—setting up a flag for fun.
The old uncle smiled, planning to lie down to conserve some strength.
Lying down and slacking off—he was serious about it.
Wait a second. Is that a bit of light appearing in the woods over there?
Let me take a look…
Unfortunately, the light was too dim. It wasn't until that certain light source stepped onto the altar that the old uncle could clearly see the appearance of the newcomer.
It seemed to be a cute little milky dumpling carrying a small lantern with a bun hairstyle…
Little Shenhe!?
Although her hair wasn't white, the old uncle still recognized the child's identity.
Damn it! Morax! What the hell are you doing!!!
In an instant, the light on the Staff of Homa behind Cid became incomparably brilliant. The radiance it emitted directly enveloped the entire altar, completely wrapping little Shenhe within it.