Just as the group reached a stall selling clay figurines of the Geo Archon and were about to buy a few, suddenly, Ganyu's voice called out nearby.

"I finally found you. Quickly, come with me—the Geo Archon's Rite of Parting is about to begin..."

Paimon nodded.

"Alright, we'll head back now."

Soon after, everyone followed Ganyu back to Yujing Terrace.

Paimon noticed that the memorial for the Geo Archon was being held in the very same place where the Rite of Descension had once taken place. In the crowd, she also spotted Sam Li and Hu Tao.

As the ceremony began, more and more citizens gathered, coming to honor the spirit of the Geo Archon.

When Sam Li stepped to the center of the plaza and delivered words of remembrance, the event moved to its next stage.

Several young women dressed in traditional Liyue attire stepped into the plaza, performing a classical Liyue dance...

Then came the appearance of the Liyue Qixing...

Then came the offering of incense by the people, with Sam Li, as host, being the first to make the offering...

And finally, the farewell to the Geo Archon's spirit...

...

The series of intricate, lengthy rituals left Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others completely confused, unable to understand Liyue's customs.

But Qingyi, standing nearby, watched with fascination. She even joined the Liyue citizens in offering incense to the Geo Archon.

The reason was simple: witnessing the ceremony stirred countless memories of the old era, filling her mind with recollections she hadn't touched in ages.

Compared to Zhu Yuan and the others, Qingyi found it far easier to blend into Liyue Harbor. In the few days she had stayed, she had even come to love the city.

Especially Liyue's tea—it was nothing like the inferior leaves sold in New Eridu. Knowing they would soon be leaving, Qingyi bought a large pack of "Shen Yun Ancient Tea," the very same tea Sam Li had once given her.

...

One ritual followed another until at last, by noon, the memorial for the Geo Archon concluded.

But the people's enthusiasm didn't fade.

For the rest of the day, Liyue Harbor was alive with celebration. At the docks, children flew kites...

In the streets, some wore replicas of the Geo Archon, the Adepti, and the Yakshas, while others dressed as gods, reenacting great battles...

Watching it all, Zhu Yuan sighed.

"So lively..."

Paimon puffed up proudly.

"This is only the beginning. The real highlight comes at dusk."

Nekomata tilted her head curiously.

"What happens at dusk?"

Paimon grinned.

"Fireworks, of course—the kind that light up the whole sky."

Immersed in the atmosphere, even Zhu Yuan, Qingyi, and Tsukishiro Yanagi were swept up in the joy, celebrating alongside the people of Liyue.

When night fell, Zhu Yuan gazed at the sky, now ablaze with fireworks, and at the lanterns floating across the sea. Her curiosity deepened.

What kind of god had the Geo Archon been?

Even after death, his influence was still so great.

Such a grand commemoration would be impossible in New Eridu—at least, Zhu Yuan had never heard of anything like it.

...

Yet even the liveliest of ceremonies must end.

By the next morning, Liyue had returned to its quiet, familiar rhythm. Still, the streets, rooftops, coastlines, and trees remained adorned with decorations honoring the Geo Archon.

Tsukishiro Yanagi drew a deep breath.

"Everything is finished. Today, let's return to New Eridu."

Zhu Yuan nodded immediately.

"Yes. I already spoke with Keqing. Once the memorial to Liyue's Geo Archon was complete, we would depart for New Eridu together."

Tsukishiro Yanagi said, "I'll go find Miss Keqing now..."

Soon after, she and Zhu Yuan found Keqing and explained their wish to return.

Keqing, of course, did not object.

"I'll send word right away to Cloud Retainer, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and Xiao. This afternoon, we'll gather at the Statue of the Seven on Tianheng Mountain."

Upon hearing this, Billy took a deep breath.

"We're finally going back... though, somehow, I feel reluctant."

Kuki Shinobu spoke softly.

"Boss, it's time we returned to Inazuma as well."

Paimon added, "Traveler, we should also go back to Natlan and continue our journey."

Billy blinked in surprise.

"Wait—Traveler, Paimon, you're not coming with us to New Eridu?"

Paimon shook her head.

"There's still much unfinished in Natlan. We have to return first. Once that's taken care of, we'll come find you in New Eridu..."

Billy let out a sigh.

"Alright then..."

...

By afternoon, everyone gathered atop Tianheng Mountain. Ningguang herself came to see them off.

Hu Tao was also there, reportedly planning to expand her business and open a branch in New Eridu.

Suddenly, Billy spotted a familiar figure in the crowd.

"Guoba? What are you doing here?"

Guoba waddled over.

"Lu-lu-lu—"

Xiangling followed, explaining, "My father sent us. He heard that Liyue had gained new territory, so he asked me and Guoba to take a look, collect some new recipes, and maybe even open a Wanmin Restaurant."

Hearing this, Nekomata's eyes lit up.

"That means once we're in New Eridu, I'll still be able to eat Xiangling's braised fish, steamed fish, and spicy boiled fish! Amazing!"

Billy turned to Guoba.

"I know a lot of Bangboos. Once we're in New Eridu, I'll definitely introduce you to a girlfriend."

Guoba: "Lu-lu-lu—"

Anby: "..."

Sam Li: "..."

...

Soon after, under Keqing's lead, everyone—the members of Hare's House, New Eridu's delegation, Liyue's representatives, as well as Sam Li, Hu Tao, Guoba, and Xiangling—placed their hands upon the Statue of the Seven.

"Traveler, Paimon, Brother Itto, Brother Kazuha... farewell! Remember to visit us in New Eridu."

"Goodbye—we definitely will..."

With a faint golden glow, the group vanished in an instant.

Only the Traveler, Paimon, Ningguang, and Arataki Itto's group remained.

Paimon sighed.

"Traveler, it's time for us to go too..."

Kuki Shinobu reminded, "Boss, we need to return to Inazuma. If we hurry to the docks now, we can still catch today's ship."

As the Traveler and Itto's group departed, only Ningguang, the Tianquan, remained beside the Statue of the Seven.

Though everything seemed resolved, her expression grew only more grave.

For she knew it was far from over.

Once the Traveler reached Natlan, and Arataki Itto returned to Inazuma, news of New Eridu's events would spread swiftly across Teyvat.

A storm was inevitable.

And Liyue, through its partnership with New Eridu, would stand at the very heart of it.

For Liyue, a great trial was about to begin.

Ningguang drew a steady breath and murmured to herself,

"Geo Archon, we will not let you down."