At the summit of Mt. Tianheng, streaks of light descended from the heavens, transforming into human figures.
Holding a dizzy Hu Tao by the back of her collar, Hiroshi gave her a firm shake and said:
"Well, Hu Tao, the feng shui burial site you picked should be good to use now, right?"
With a kind smile, Hiroshi continued, "I promise to follow Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's customs and bury you comfortably. I even bought a shovel."
"Ugh~!"
Pouting with a dazed expression, Hu Tao looked at Hiroshi, her vacant eyes full of confusion. Suddenly, her body stiffened, and she raised her head with a jolt. Clear liquid trickled from her mouth, and her face screamed, "I'm done for."
Quickly tossing Hu Tao aside, Hiroshi glanced back at the skies over Liyue, pierced repeatedly by their recent antics, and let out a satisfied grin.
Wiping her mouth, Hu Tao stood shakily after vomiting pixelated "mosaic."
"Hmph!"
Standing beside Hiroshi, Hu Tao tilted her chin defiantly and said, "Hu Tao isn't that easy to defeat!"
"But since you're not interested…"
Shaking her still-weak legs, Hu Tao's face lit up mischievously. "I'll give it to Kazuma instead. He has a team, and it's perfect for them."
"Oh, Hiroshi, that was so much fun!"
Clapping Hiroshi on the shoulder, her face brimming with excitement, Hu Tao added, "Let's do it again sometime. With experience, I'm sure I won't end up like this again."
Watching her walk away nonchalantly, Hiroshi turned to Zhongli and sighed. "Old man Zhongli, what's wrong with your Hu Tao?!"
With hands behind his back, Zhongli chuckled softly. "I cannot control her either."
Nestled in the perfect spot, surrounded by mountains and water, Hu Tao looked around with satisfaction at the site she had spent days scouting.
"Changkong! Is the tomb ready?!"
Cupping her hands around her mouth, Hu Tao shouted toward the tomb entrance.
"Yes, yes, all set!"
A young man wielding a shovel emerged from the newly constructed tomb. Dusting off the dirt on his clothes, Changkong smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master Hu. As Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's finest tomb craftsman, I've ensured everything is in perfect order—especially since it's for the Geo Archon himself."
"Excellent!"
Hu Tao glanced down at the tomb and patted Changkong's shoulder proudly. "You truly live up to my expectations. Entrusting Rex Lapis' tomb to you was the right choice."
Turning to the approaching group, Hu Tao straightened her expression and announced, "Let the burial ceremony for the Geo Archon's remains begin!"
Before the massive ceremonial cauldron at the tomb, plates of offerings were laid out. Holding three long incense sticks, Hu Tao stood solemnly.
"Today, we gather for the burial ceremony of Rex Lapis, Geo Archon and protector of Liyue," she declared. "I, Hu Tao, the 77th Master of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, will officiate this ceremony."
Bowing deeply to the cauldron, she inserted the incense sticks and turned to the gathered crowd.
"For 3,700 years, Rex Lapis guarded Liyue, fought against gods, protected the people, and built this nation. This place, Tianheng, served as the barrier he erected for the people of Liyue, ensuring their safety."
"Now, as Rex Lapis has fallen, we perform this ceremony to return him to the earth and witness Liyue's continued transformation."
Raising her hands in prayer, Hu Tao said, "Bring forth the Archon's remains!"
From the sky, a golden bridge appeared, stretching from the horizon. Accompanied by the sound of wind, two Millelith soldiers guided the remains of Rex Lapis along the bridge.
Leading them was Fengshi, wielding the Vortex Vanquisher. Standing before the crowd, he clasped his fists in salute and said, "The Archon's remains have been delivered!"
"Then let the burial begin."
Hu Tao signaled, and the pallbearers carried the remains into the tomb. Red butterflies began to materialize around Hu Tao, glowing faintly in the air.
"Butterflies guide the way to the afterlife," Hu Tao intoned solemnly.
With a flash of crimson in her eyes, countless butterflies emerged from her body, their glow lighting the surroundings.
"Every time I witness the Master's funeral arts, it brings a sense of peace," Changkong murmured, hands clasped in prayer. "Rex Lapis, may the butterflies accompany you on your journey to the afterlife."
The butterflies swirled, forming a glowing spiral that descended upon the remains. Amid the soft luminescence, the boundary between life and death subtly shifted. From deep within the earth, a spark of vitality began to rise.
The once-dim dragon's eyes glimmered faintly, and golden light gathered around its horns. From the union of life and death, new life began to take root.
"Huh?!"
Hu Tao's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the remains surrounded by the dancing butterflies. Her mind raced as she sensed an unexpected surge of life emanating from what was supposed to be a lifeless vessel.
Turning her head slightly, she blinked at Zhongli and stammered, "Mr. Zhongli, could you take a look? I don't understand what's happening here."
Her confused voice reached Zhongli's ears. Gazing at the tomb, a faint smile crossed Zhongli's face. "It seems something extraordinary has occurred."
Nearby, Keqing, who had been quietly observing, raised her head in shock. Her eyes focused on the tomb, where strands of vitality converged, forming a nascent consciousness.
"What… is going on?" she asked, bewildered.
"Oh ho~"
Hiroshi watched the golden light radiating from the tomb and chuckled. "Something interesting is happening."
"Heh."
From the back, Venti, seeing the crowd rush to the tomb, sprinted over to join the commotion.
Within the tomb, the butterflies swirled around the remains. Life and death intertwined, with golden streams flowing toward the dragon's horns. Beneath Tianheng, centuries of prayers and the earth's vitality surged upward, feeding the process.
The golden light coalesced between the horns, forming a radiant cocoon that pulsed with life.
Buzz!!!
A beam of golden light shot skyward as a faint consciousness emerged. Across Liyue, countless citizens gazed at the glowing sky, feeling a warmth as if a beloved relative had been reborn in this world.
From Jueyun Karst, three figures soared skyward. At Wangshu Inn, a teal figure vanished with the wind. From Yuehai Pavilion, three figures disappeared as well.
Before the tomb, a small, pale hand reached out from the cocoon.