The result couldn't exactly be called completely without setbacks, but it could only be said that there was no impact at all. If anything had to be mentioned, it was just feeling sleepy.
After the death energy was finally burned away, the old uncle still had the leisure to ask Cloud Retainer to take a look at his current appearance.
"Cloud Retainer, do you think I look more mature? I feel like my stamina has even increased."
"You've just aged ten years. This Adeptus looks at you the same way one looks at a child."
Cloud Retainer held her head high, appearing somewhat disdainful, but she still extended her bird wings to pat the old uncle's face.
"By human standards, it should be considered quite good. After all, this Adeptus' aesthetics differ from those of humans, and with the death energy lingering around your face right now, nothing much can be seen anyway."
"That's really a shame. I've never seen an unattractive disciple raised by the Cloud Retainer —I've always thought the Cloud Retainer's aesthetics are the best."
The old uncle looked around at the area after the death energy had disappeared. It was completely different from Wuwang Hill in the original Genshin plot; that eerie, sinister feeling was entirely gone, and it looked no different from the residences of the neighboring adepti.
"Of course. This Adeptus' aesthetics have been tested through thousands of years of changes in human tastes! That exhibitionist A-Ping's aesthetics can't even compare to mine!"
"Exactly, I also agree that being wrapped up tightly is the most beautiful..."
The old uncle only felt his body was very cool and refreshed, while at the same time, the drowsiness from staying up all night began urging him to hurry and sleep.
Looking at little Shenhe beside him, the child couldn't resist the sleepiness and had long since slumped against him and fallen asleep.
Then looking at the black death energy on his hands, he felt that Cloud Retainer's words were starting to become blurry.
"Hey? Can you still hear me?"
Cloud Retainer watched as the glow of the Staff of Homa behind the old uncle Cid grew dimmer.
"Still okay..."
"Young friend Cid? How did you end up here?"
Oh, it's the voice of Hall Master Hu.
Unfortunately, it seemed he couldn't quite respond anymore. Anyway, everything had been resolved—it was time to activate the mandatory Genshin protagonist fainting camera!
The old uncle passed out completely, his head tilting forward, taking little Shenhe with him as they collapsed into Cloud Retainer's soft crane feathers.
"This Adeptus is Cloud Retainer..."
Cloud Retainer didn't hold back with her words—or rather, she felt there was no need to hold back—and explained to Hall Master Hu how Rex Lapis had sought Cid's help, how she had brought the child over to cheer Cid on, and how the old uncle had paid with his lifespan.
"This child needs a period of quiet recuperation. This Adeptus is not convenient to linger long in the mortal realm, so I'll trouble the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor to take care of him."
Cloud Retainer touched the old uncle's Vision, and that Vision floated up slightly with the wind.
"Please rest assured, Adeptus. Young friend Cid has done a great favor for our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; we will certainly take good care of him."
And so, to prevent the old uncle's death energy from frightening the people of Liyue, and also for the convenience of quiet recuperation, the old uncle was lifted into a coffin and brought into the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
...
Ah... my chest feels so heavy...
So sleepy... I kind of want to sleep a little more...
Though he didn't know what he was hugging, it felt warm and soft...
The old uncle instinctively curled up and properly hugged the adorable existence in his arms...
"Old uncle, if you're awake, you can't stay in bed, okay..." This was little Hu Tao's voice, and it was coming from within his arms.
The old uncle opened his eyes and saw a white figure with hair tied into buns, as well as a blue-haired young woman sleeping slumped beside his bed.
Oh, and there was a black-haired uncle with plum-blossom eyes looking at me...
The old uncle Cid shook his head, feeling that his mind was still a bit foggy.