"The Rite of Descension is about to begin!"
Standing behind everyone, Keqing looked at the white-haired woman emerging from the Jade Chamber and said seriously, "This year's Rite of Descension will be hosted by the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing—Ningguang."
Keqing pulled Lumine by the hand and said, "Let's go to the front for a better view."
"Alright."
Holding Kuroneko's hand, Hiroshi nodded and turned to the three little ones holding hands. He smiled and said, "Make sure to stay close and don't wander off."
"Got it!"
Klee raised her little hand, hopping with excitement.
Holding Qiqi and Yaoyao, Klee began running forward.
At the front, Hu Tao looked bored as she watched Ningguang walk to the center of the square. She yawned, then looked at Zhongli, who stood beside her straight as ever, and said coquettishly, "Mr. Zhongli~~ The Rite of Descension is so boring. Why don't you represent Wangsheng Funeral Parlor instead?"
"I'll go find something else to do, like searching for new clients or finding Qiqi la la la..."
"Ah!!!"
Hu Tao suddenly pointed in front of her, exclaiming, "It's Qiqi!"
Leaping forward, Hu Tao dashed toward the three little girls. She laughed excitedly, "Qiqi! Qiqi! Have you finally decided to let me bury you? Wonderful! I'll take you to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor now!"
"Let... go of Qiqi."
Qiqi pushed against Hu Tao, who held her tightly. She whispered, "High temperature... Hu Tao... annoying~"
"Alright, alright."
Hiroshi grabbed Hu Tao and pulled her away from Qiqi. He gave Hu Tao a strong flick on the forehead, unable to suppress his annoyance.
"Qiqi said she doesn't like it, Hu Tao. Why are you still sticking to her?"
"Hmph!"
Holding her forehead, Hu Tao looked at Hiroshi with righteous indignation and said, "I am Hu Tao, the 77th Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. How can I let a zombie like Qiqi escape?"
"I'm very dedicated to my work, and as the 77th Director, it must be fate that Qiqi's name means '77'. Clearly, Qiqi is destined to be buried by me!"
"Sigh~"
Looking at the confident Hu Tao, Hiroshi turned his head towards Zhongli.
"Hu Tao, as the Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, making a scene in public is unbecoming."
Zhongli pulled Hu Tao back, holding her firmly in place while sternly reprimanding her.
"Mr. Zhongli, you may be young, but you sound like such an old man."
Hu Tao struggled for a bit, then blinked at Zhongli, smiling sheepishly. "Don't be like this, Mr. Zhongli~ It's Qiqi! She usually hides from me, but now she's here on her own. How could I possibly hold back?"
"Instead of standing around doing nothing, why not perform a funeral rite for Qiqi and then join the Rite of Descension?"
"It's a win-win plan, really. I'm quite clever!"
"Big sister!"
Klee tugged on Hu Tao's clothes and asked curiously, "Big sister, why do you want to bury Qiqi?"
"Because Qiqi is a zombie. Zombies are corpses, and corpses should be buried. Simple as that!"
"But Qiqi is clearly alive, isn't she?"
Holding Qiqi, Klee rubbed her cheek affectionately and said, "Even though I can feel a cold energy inside Qiqi, and her body is chilly, I can still sense her life force."
"Moreover, there are several unique energies within Qiqi, circulating and protecting her life."
"So, big sister, you're wrong!"
"Wow! I didn't expect you to sense all that, little one!"
Hu Tao looked at Klee in surprise, then chuckled.
"You still don't get it, though."
Ignoring the hand tightening on her head, Hu Tao earnestly explained, "Life and death are part of a cycle. Death is unpredictable but follows its own rules."
"For beings like Qiqi, who exist between life and death, returning to the earth is only right. And it's part of my duty as the Director."
"So!"
Hu Tao looked at Qiqi, smiling cheerfully, "Qiqi, come with me! I've already picked out a nice spot for you, I promise you'll like it!"
"Seal!"
A vein pulsing on his forehead, Hiroshi's hand flashed with elemental light, and he pressed down on Hu Tao's shoulder.
Hu Tao instantly turned into a statue. Satisfied, Hiroshi nodded.
"Good. Now you can stay here and stand guard for a day."
Hiroshi patted Qiqi, who had relaxed, and smiled gently, "Don't worry, Hu Tao's under control now, she won't bother you anymore. Someday, when I'm stronger, I'll try to help you fully come back to life, okay?"
"Really... possible?"
Qiqi looked up at Hiroshi, her ruby-like eyes staring intently.
"Yes."
Hiroshi nodded, smiling softly, "There are forces within you that have protected you for a long time. When I'm stronger, I can help bring you fully back to life."
Qiqi raised her head slightly, pressing her hand to her lips to form a small smile.
"Thank you... Hiroshi. Qiqi will... be waiting."
In the center of the square, Ningguang glanced at Hiroshi's group and smiled slightly.
Raising her head to check the position of the sun, Ningguang's expression grew serious.
Placing her hands before her, she spoke loudly, addressing the bustling crowd below: "The auspicious hour has arrived! The Rite of Descension officially begins!"
Immediately, the crowd fell silent. The two attendants beside Ningguang bowed slightly and stepped to the sides.
A golden glow rose around Ningguang, and with a soft shout, she moved her hands to perform a series of incantations.
"Hei!"
Four geo-infused gems appeared around her. Slowly opening her eyes, Ningguang focused on the gems revolving rapidly around her. Her gaze sharpened.
With a gesture towards the furnace on the stone platform, her incantation changed.
The geo gems swirled away from her, circling the furnace twice before embedding themselves into it.
Buzz!!!
A massive hum echoed as a pulse of geo energy emanated from the furnace. Golden light rippled through the square, spreading across all of Liyue Harbor.
In the sky, a surge of geo energy shot upwards. The once clear blue sky turned cloudy in an instant.
Boom!!!
Suddenly, thunder and lightning erupted.
The peaceful sky turned dark as countless bolts of lightning crackled among the clouds, and fierce winds swept across Liyue.
Staring at the stormy sky, Ningguang's expression was filled with confusion. Below, the square erupted into noisy chatter.
Standing beside Zhongli, Hiroshi looked up towards the center of the dark storm, where an immensely powerful presence was rapidly fading.
"Are you here to witness your own end?"
"Indeed~"
Watching the massive dragon descending from the sky, Zhongli said calmly, "I have come to witness the fall of Morax, the Geo Archon."