"Is there no benefit to believing in a deceased God…?" Kokomi sighed.
How could she not understand this principle? But with the Raiden Shogun's current actions, how could the people of Watatsumi Island, who were already at odds with the Shogunate, coexist with them?
At the end of the story, Zhongli cast Heuria's Salt Scale and Salt Goblet into the bottom of the sea.
Zhongli stated that although the Salt Scale and Salt Goblet still contained some of The God of Salt's clearance, even Osial wouldn't care for such a small amount of power.
One could say he belittled two Gods with a single sentence, but who could blame him? He was Morax, and if they weren't convinced, they had to hold it in.
Before this, Zhongli had also said one last thing to the Traveler.
Zhongli: "I personally brought an end to an era. I've always wondered how to record those… histories I ended."
"History can be recorded, but history is not reliable, and this incident has proven that point. Time possesses great power; history will be distorted over the years…"
"I need to find a better 'record' to engrave true history."
"So, Traveler, I thought of you."
"You are one who has journeyed across the heavens and traversed the sea of stars.
Engraving history in your memory can, one day in the future, accompany you to other worlds."
"As a Traveler, as long as you can 'record,' then Teyvat's eras and history will gain a 'backup of existence'…"
This was Zhongli's reason for wanting the Traveler to accompany him; he treated the Traveler as a mobile hard drive.
Even if Teyvat, this 'host,' broke down in the future, as long as the Traveler was alive, changing to another 'host' would still allow access to the previous 'files.'
At Sanwan Buguo Port, Tian Tiezui stammered through the end of the story. It wasn't that his skill was lacking; it was because Zhongli was sitting there listening.
Zhongli didn't care about the gazes of those around him; he just sat there listening to the story.
After finishing the story, Zhongli nodded. That was indeed what he had originally thought.
But now, due to Lin Qiu's appearance, he had an additional method of recording.
This old fellow writes books everywhere, making all previously unknown stories widely known. Is this not also a form of record-keeping?
To give an example, originally, everyone was transmitting information face-to-face, so errors or loss were inevitable.
Lin Qiu directly connected you to the internet. From now on, if you want to know something, you don't need to find kind people to share; you can just search for it.
The Traveler, far away in Mondstadt, was a bit confused. Let me record Teyvat's history?
Simple! When I return to Liyue, I'll lock Lin Qiu in a dark room and make him write furiously. If he doesn't write, I'll whip him.
That way, stories about Teyvat should be written very quickly.
Moreover, Lin Qiu is an outsider, so he might even drop some extra Mora and write stories beyond Teyvat, which I'll also record.
However, the idea was good, but reality was cruel. Not only did Lumine not lock Lin Qiu in a dark room, but she also had to help him with his work.
For example, the Pocket Anchor she was holding in her hand right now.
Lin Qiu had given it to her before she came to Mondstadt, telling her to place this anchor in Mondstadt.
As for the location… because Lin Qiu had no acquaintances in Mondstadt other than Mona, he told Lumine to place the anchor at Mona's home.
Lumine recalled Mona's outburst towards Lin Qiu back then… Would Mona really agree to this request?
In any case, there's a clear target for revenge. I'm just a messenger. If you want revenge, you two can settle it privately when Lin Qiu teleports to Mondstadt.
Most people, after reading, still focused on Morax's power.
The Geo spears he casually threw were enough to change terrain and create mountains and islands. What an immense and world-shattering power!
"That old man back then, he was truly terrifying."
Venti gestured animatedly, boasting to the people in the tavern about how powerful Zhongli once was.
His vivid portrayal made it seem as if he were recounting his own great achievements.
"What about you, bard? Aren't you also one of the original Gods?" Paimon asked.
"Eh? Me? I'm no good~!" Venti laughed.
"Liyue is the most fiercely contested place, and I, well, I only obtained my divine position by chance." Venti spread his hands.
"You're too spineless, bard! Why don't you dare to fight Zhongli?!" Paimon waved her small fists.
Venti gave a wry smile. Fight Zhongli? Even Ei, that martial arts fanatic, wouldn't want to provoke Morax.
"I report Paimon for instigating conflict between the two nations. Arrest her." Lumine raised her hand.
"Eh?" Paimon gasped.
"Alright, the Knights of Favonius have received your report." Kaeya smirked, preparing to act.
"Eh eh eh?" Paimon looked left and right.
Seeing Kaeya approaching with a smirk, Paimon said tearfully, "Don't touch me! Can't I just go find little Klee myself?"
The most surprised were still the Liyue people, because the great existence in the book was now right before them.
Zhongli looked at the surrounding crowd. Many people were still watching.
He didn't try to hide, wanting to see when the Liyue people would adapt to his presence.
This is called desensitization training; the Mondstadters have already adapted to Barbatos.
"Ah, it's been some time since I went shopping. I truly miss it." Zhongli sighed.
Ever since his identity was exposed, he hadn't bought any more antiques, because with his status, no one dared to ask for money when he bought something.
After buying, regardless of the item's value, as long as he collected it, its price would immediately skyrocket.
This made it uninteresting. Buying antiques was only fun when relying on one's discerning eye. What was the point of increasing the price based on his status?
He would wait until the Liyue people were desensitized before 'resuming his old profession.'
With nothing to do, Zhongli finally chose to go home. Hmm, go back to Lin Qiu's home. It's better to go home and play Mahjong with Lin Qiu and the others.
At Lin Qiu's home at this moment, Guizhong had also just finished reading the book.
She naturally knew Heuria. During the Archon War, Heuria's territory was not far from hers.
Both were Gods not strong in combat; one chose to retreat, the other chose to ally with the strong.
Regardless of the choice, it was a compromise made by a God unable to protect her people, for the sake of her people.
If anything, Guizhong was luckier; at least she made many close friends, while Heuria's death was so unknown.
"Heuria… I hope you like this era." Guizhong whispered softly.
She knew what Lin Qiu had gone to do, and she didn't dislike Heuria. Now that the Archon War was over, they were no longer enemies.
At this moment, Lin Qiu and Hu Tao stood in the innermost part of the Sal Terrae ruins.
"Hall Master understands! It's about explaining the situation clearly to the other party, and then dressing her up, right?" Hu Tao nodded.
"Dressing people who can't move, Hall Master is very good at that." Hu Tao smiled sinisterly.
Lin Qiu flicked Hu Tao's forehead. He remembered the time Hu Tao secretly drew a turtle on him when he was asleep.
"Why did you flick Hall Master? I didn't do anything wrong this time!" Hu Tao complained, making a move to get revenge.
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Character Voice · Kokomi: About the Deceased God
"The people of Watatsumi Island will not forget Watatsumi Omikami's sacrifice, but… perhaps it's time