After eliminating the Archon of Dreams, Qiu Bai sent several streaks of white light toward the people lying unconscious on the ground.
Infused with Yang energy, their eyelids fluttered a few times before they slowly opened their eyes.
Xiaocui groggily got to her feet, looking at Qiu Bai standing before her.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, what happened to me?"
"Why did I suddenly pass out?"
She rubbed her head, confused.
Behind her, the other archaeologists also stood up, just as dazed, turning to Qiu Bai for answers.
"You were all corrupted by the lingering resentment of the Archon of Dreams embedded in the mural."
"This young lady and I didn't look at it for long, so we were unaffected."
Qiu Bai explained calmly, facing the puzzled group.
"Lingering resentment from the Archon of Dreams?"
"Then... are we going to be okay?"
Xiaocui looked nervously at Qiu Bai. The others behind her were also visibly shaken, worried about possible aftereffects.
"Haha, don't worry. The Archon War ended thousands of years ago."
"No matter how powerful the Archon of Dreams was, what little remained of her will couldn't harm you."
Qiu Bai smiled reassuringly at the frightened group.
Honestly, after he'd completely erased the Archon of Dreams, there wasn't even dust left—how could she hurt anyone now?
"That's a relief."
Xiaocui placed a hand over her chest, still clearly shaken.
"Mr. Qiu Bai, thank you so much."
"The historical value within that mural is beyond imagination."
Uncle Yu, who had been standing behind Xiaocui, walked over and gave Qiu Bai a grateful smile.
"Haha, no need to thank me."
"Now that everything's settled, this young lady and I will take our leave."
Qiu Bai gave a casual wave, then turned with Fanan and headed toward the exit.
"Wait, Mr. Qiu Bai!"
"I'll have someone deliver your payment to Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"
Uncle Yu called out to him as Qiu Bai neared the exit.
"Thanks, Uncle Yu!"
Qiu Bai didn't turn around—he simply raised a hand and waved in acknowledgment.
"This Mr. Qiu Bai is truly a man of knowledge…"
"He's quite similar to that Zhongli fellow."
Uncle Yu muttered as he watched Qiu Bai's retreating figure.
...
Once Qiu Bai and Fanan had left the cave, and made sure no one else was around, he teleported with her to a secluded spot in Liyue Harbor.
"I'm guessing that Morax guy has already arranged a place for the Yakshas to stay."
Qiu Bai led Fanan toward the direction of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
When they arrived, Qiu Bai pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately spotting Zhongli, Hu Tao, and Qiuyue.
"My friend,"
"where did you put this young lady's siblings?"
He gestured to Fanan beside him. Since Hu Tao was present, he couldn't speak too plainly.
"They're currently staying in an apartment here in Liyue Harbor. Master Hu covered the expenses."
"If we ever run into monsters while delivering coffins, we can call on them for help."
Zhongli looked at Qiu Bai and explained with a smile.
"Exactly! Zhongli went on and on about it."
"So I just did as he suggested—gave them a place to stay. If anything happens, I'll ask them for help."
Hu Tao nodded beside him. Zhongli had practically made them sound as useful as Lord Rex Lapis himself.
And honestly, it made perfect sense to her—it wasn't a losing deal, so she went along with it.
"Haha, Hall Master, you're too modest."
"Your eloquence is well known throughout Liyue Harbor."
Zhongli glanced at Hu Tao, took a sip of tea, and chuckled.
"Hahaha, is that so?"
"You're still as smooth-tongued as ever, my friend."
Qiu Bai laughed, looking toward Zhongli sipping his tea.
"Zhongli, take this young lady and help her find that apartment."
"I'll excuse myself for now."
He smiled at Fanan, then walked over to Qiuyue, gently patting her on the head.
Then he headed out the front door of the funeral parlor.
"Bye, brother!"
Qiuyue waved sweetly toward the door.
Outside, Qiu Bai stroked his chin in thought, then made his way toward Sanwan Bogang.
As soon as he arrived, he saw a crowd had gathered there.
Tian Tiezui looked like he was about to start storytelling as Qiu Bai sat down and ordered a pot of hot tea.
His gaze casually fell on Tian Tiezui. A decent-sized crowd had gathered around.
Tian Tiezui cleared his throat, as if building anticipation. With a flick of his folding fan, he gestured outward.
"Last we left off, the great Lord Rex Lapis was locked in battle, unable to step away!"
"Within Liyue, great demons ran rampant. While the Adepti were locked in fierce combat with them…"
"From the mountains burst forth twin lights of black and white—it was none other than the slumbering Immortal Lord!"
"Upon witnessing the desolation across Liyue, unable to find a single place of peace, the Immortal Lord was overcome with sorrow."
"And so, this gentle yet powerful immortal released a stream of white divine light from his hand!"
"With that, the demons across Liyue laid down their blades and turned toward the path of virtue."
"Soon after, the Immortal Lord returned to slumber once again, but not before, just recently, striking down the Archon of the Vortex with a single sword!"
"He passed on an oracle to the Qixing before falling into deep sleep once more!"
...
Qiu Bai stared with an odd expression as Tian Tiezui continued spinning tales—even throwing in a few stories about the immortal that not even he seemed to fully understand himself.
When he finally closed his fan, the crowd around Qiu Bai broke into applause, each tossing in their tips.
Qiu Bai, sipping his tea, twitched the corner of his mouth.
"Didn't think listening to people hype me up would feel this good."
"No wonder that guy Morax likes coming to these performances."
He took another sip of hot tea, dropped a bit of Mora into the storyteller's tray, then turned and walked off.
...
Evening had fallen over Liyue Harbor. The sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the lights in every home began to flicker on.
Qiu Bai strolled through the bustling streets, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. A sense of peace crept over him as he headed toward the opera stage.
On stage was none other than Liyue's famed performer—Mr. Yun Jin.
Qiu Bai found a seat and settled in, watching Yun Jin perform.
She wore a traditional huadan costume, banners flowing behind her, wielding a long spear as she sang and danced across the stage.
"Truly worthy of the name Yun Jin."
"In the game, he spent forever listening to 'The Divine Damsel of Devastation'…"
Qiu Bai couldn't help but nod in admiration.
Then his gaze drifted to the side—and spotted a boy who looked almost like a girl.
He held a book in hand, had blue hair, and a Hydro Vision hanging from his waist.
"Isn't that Xingqiu, the Six-Star Hydro user?"
"But what's he reading?"
Qiu Bai was curious. With a flick of his spiritual sense, he caught the title: Shenqiu's Sword Chronicles II.
This guy was still obsessively re-reading his own novels.
Qiu Bai stroked his chin and looked at the book title in amusement.
Just then, Xingqiu, seated a few chairs away, seemed to sense the gaze on him.
He put down the book and looked in Qiu Bai's direction.
"Isn't that the guest consultant from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Mr. Qiu Bai?"
Xingqiu smiled as he addressed him.
"And you are?"
Qiu Bai feigned ignorance, tilting his head in slight confusion.