The timed photography machine activated, and a group photo appeared on the player's screen.
[Looking at this group photo, I finally feel like we're really leaving Liyue!]
[This really gives the feeling of leaving home, with all the villagers and relatives coming to see you off.]
[It's not like we won't come back. This part of the plot actually doesn't need to be like this (sunglasses.jpg)]
After the group photo, it was the player's turn to bid farewell to the characters.
After all the characters had left, some more time passed.
Beidou:
"Since everyone is here, it's also time — to set sail towards the [Eternal] nation surrounded by thunder and storms!"
Paimon: "Let's go!"
After a cutscene animation of the Traveler looking around on the Alcor, the Alcor began to set sail towards Inazuma.
After the animation, there was a small plot segment.
Paimon: "Speaking of which, we seem to have forgotten to ask Jun Bai about Storm participating in the competition."
Jun Mo Li: "I know about this."
Jun Mo Li: "Third Brother told me that during the war with Osial, although Storm defeated the Fatui's Seventh Harbinger Signora, he also nearly reached soul dispersion because of it."
[Soul dispersion? Can any class representative explain it?]
[In simple terms, it means the soul scatters and vanishes completely.]
Jun Mo Li: "Third Brother went to Mondstadt to ask the Anemo Archon to intervene, and only then was Storm's soul condensed back into form."
Jun Mo Li: "But even so, Storm is still a person from 3000 years ago. The reason his life can continue until now is only because of the special nature of the Hall of Heroes."
Jun Mo Li: "So, although his soul has been re-condensed, according to the Anemo Archon's estimation, Storm probably only has about a hundred years left before he naturally dissipates."
Paimon: "Ah? Dissipate!"
Aether: "Does dissipating mean that Storm won't even leave his soul behind?"( Aventurine's Traveler)
Jun Mo Li: "This is also the flaw of continuing life in the form of a heroic soul. There is no such thing as eternal life in this world."
Jun Mo Li: "Third Brother told me that even gods experience wear and tear, let alone humans. After going through 3000 years of time, Storm's spirit has also reached its limit."
Paimon: "Ah... How can this be."
[Lifespan knife. It really is always an insurmountable problem.]
[When Storm appeared, I thought he could have a good ending. I didn't expect it to turn out like this.]
[Looking on the bright side, in the plot, Storm still has a hundred years. We don't have to watch him leave.]
[But what Venti said is that he will naturally dissipate in a hundred years. What if Storm uses his full strength like before?]
[The person in front...]
——Teyvat
Listening to Jun Mo Li's words, even Yiya showed a lost expression. Although she didn't know Storm, she was still moved by the passing of life.
Jun Mo Li patted Yiya's little head to comfort her.
Then he said: "Storm actually knows about this matter, but he himself takes it very openly."
"He said that being able to live for 3000 years is already quite remarkable. Ordinary people can't even live to that age, right? Being able to guard Liyue for another 3000 years, he's already content."
"Besides, the Anemo Archon Barbatos and the Marshal have a very good relationship. At least it won't reach the point of the soul completely scattering."
Paimon complained: "That drunkard has this kind of ability?"
"Drunkard?" Jun Mo Li pondered thoughtfully. "It seems your relationship with the Anemo Archon is also quite good."
Lumine nodded and said: "With Jun Bai acting as the intermediary to bridge the connection, the relationship is indeed passable."
"I see."
Jun Mo Li nodded and did not continue discussing this topic.
"According to Third Brother, in the field of souls, the Anemo Archon Barbatos can be called the best among the Seven Archons."
"If the Anemo Archon intervenes, then even a single wisp of remnant soul can be gathered together again. So, the worst-case scenario won't reach the point of complete soul dispersion."
[With Venti's usual slacking-off appearance, it's really hard to imagine this is describing him.]
[Indeed, it's not describing Venti, but describing the Anemo Archon Barbatos.]
"Getting back to the main point, after Storm realized he only had this last hundred years, he decided to use this time to pass on all of his martial arts."
"So Storm went to the South Cross Martial Tournament because he wanted to select a suitable successor to inherit his teachings."
After this explanation, Lumine and Paimon suddenly understood.
Only Yiya frowned and asked: "Yiyaduo~ Meiduo yi~ Yiya yiya?"
Jun Mo Li and Lumine both looked toward Paimon.
Paimon translated: "So, Storm participating in the competition is to select a suitable disciple?"
"But does a disciple have to be selected? Can't you just teach anyone who wants to learn?"
"What Yiya said..." Jun Mo Li looked at Yiya. "Makes a lot of sense. At least that's what I think."
"If someone wants to learn my swordsmanship, I won't look at their talent to decide whether to teach them. If they want to learn, I'll teach them."
Paimon said with an expectant face: "Can I?"
Jun Mo Li smiled: "Of course. Do you want to start now?"
"Of course!"
"Then take this wooden sword, go to the deck over there, and swing it ten thousand times. I'll watch you swing the sword."
"Eh?" Paimon looked completely bewildered.
——Reality
Aventurine's livestream room.
"Hahaha..."
Aventurine put his sunglasses aside, then laughed without any decorum on his chair.
[Second Brother: I indeed teach anyone who wants to learn, but whether they can persist is another matter.]
[Second Brother's sword techniques, I remember, have no fixed moves. They all rely on realm and stats.]
[Second Brother's ideas and methods are actually quite praiseworthy. This is an embodiment of teaching without discrimination.]
[So Storm's ideological realm isn't as high as Second Brother's?]
"I have a different view." Aventurine, who had recovered, said. "Storm's ideological realm may not necessarily be inferior to Second Brother's."
"If conditions allow, I think Storm would also teach anyone who wants to learn, just like Second Brother."
"But right now, conditions don't allow it. I think Storm may not simply want to pass on his martial arts like that, because that purpose could also be achieved using Second Brother's teaching method."
"I tend to think that Storm is cultivating someone who can guard Liyue's Sky Phoenix Wheel Feathers, which is why he wants to assess talent and accept a disciple."
"Of course, it's also possible that I'm wrong, and Storm really is like ordinary people, wanting to accept a talented and intelligent junior as his disciple."
[I feel the streamer makes sense.]
[Plus one. I don't think White Bro's deputy general from 3000 years ago would be as eager to take shortcuts as ordinary people.]
[Reasonable. If it's just passing on the mantle, in a hundred years one could already develop a sect similar in nature to the Guhua Clan.]
[During the Lantern Rite plot, Yuanxi said that the next selection for Sky Phoenix Wheel Feathers seems to be within these two years.]
[If that's really the case, then this selection round can truly be called a fierce dragon-tiger battle! The first-generation Sky Phoenix Wheel Feathers' disciple versus the Sword Immortal's successor — we might even get involved too.]
"Alright, no matter which situation it is, the most important thing right now is still to progress through the plot."