"What do you mean by altering history too drastically?" Akio asked, puzzled.
"Using your power to directly change the established outcome." The system explained, "Although your power has reached the pinnacle of Teyvat, if you forcefully change the outcome of Guizhong's death, the Tree, which supports this world, won't be able to converge the timeline, causing the entire world to collapse."
"Your power hasn't yet reached the level of the 'Imaginary Tree,' and you can't forcibly converge the timeline. So if you intervene forcefully, it won't work." The system said.
"Then can't I just bring Guizhong back directly?" Akio frowned. He didn't like hiding his identity.
"Although Istaroth is the Ruler of Time in this world, her authority isn't enough to bring a deity who was supposed to die in history across thousands of years through a time channel." The system said.
"So you're saying that even if I obtain Istaroth's power, I still can't bring Guizhong to the present?" Akio asked.
"Not exactly." The system's voice rang out, "If you return to the past, you can bring Guizhong into the Imaginary Space, then use the authority of time to bring yourself and the Imaginary Space back to the present."
"But there's one condition: Guizhong must be completely willing to come to the present. As a native deity of Teyvat, her existence is recorded in the World Tree. If she has even the slightest reluctance, it will alter the history of the entire World Tree." The system said.
"And for safety's sake, please go to Liyue and bring her back from the place where she fell." The system said, "Please bring her into the Imaginary Space before she is injured, and personally use the Herrscher of Reason's power to arrange her divine remains. This will have the least impact on Teyvat's history."
"I understand." Akio rubbed his chin and nodded. The system's meaning was that he would have to stay in ancient Liyue for a while, get to know Guizhong, and then bring her to the present through the Imaginary Space.
"If I go to ancient Liyue for a while, what about the present? Will the same amount of time pass?" Akio asked.
"Not exactly. When you go to the past, the system can use the Ruler of Time's power to pause time in the present." The system said.
"That works." Akio nodded. So he would have to stay in ancient Liyue for a while, huh?
"My dear Yoimiya, after I find Istaroth, I'll stay in ancient Liyue for a while." Akio said, "Time in this world will completely stop, so..."
"Akio, I want to go to ancient Liyue with you. Can I?" Yoimiya asked expectantly.
"With me?" Akio thought for a moment and asked the system, "Can Istaroth's power bring Yoimiya back?"
"Yes, Yoimiya doesn't exist in ancient history, so there won't be too severe an impact." The system said.
"Alright then." Akio looked at Yoimiya and nodded, "Okay, my dear, we'll go together."
Yoimiya's power had already reached the level of a deity, and with the power of the Herrscher of the Void, even Morax couldn't harm her. If she couldn't win, she could always run.
Besides, with Akio by her side, could Yoimiya really be hurt? After all, Akio had given her various life-saving artifacts, and the bracelet alone could instantly transport her into the Imaginary Space.
"Great." Yoimiya said happily.
"Since time in this world will stop, we don't need to tell Makoto and the others for now." Akio said, "To avoid worrying them."
"Alright." Yoimiya nodded.
"Let's go. I'll take you to find the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles." Akio and Yoimiya got dressed, and Akio held Yoimiya as they disappeared from the spot.
On Celestia.
A golden portal opened, and Akio and Yoimiya stepped out.
"Wow! This is Celestia? It's so beautiful!" Yoimiya looked around in amazement.
Akio nodded. The environment of Celestia was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, but it was completely empty.
"Huh? Akio, look over there." Yoimiya pointed to the center of the island, where a red crystal seemed to encase a sleeping beauty.
"The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles." Akio recognized the sleeping beauty at a glance. She had long snow-white hair and looked 99% similar to Kiana, the Herrscher of the Void.
If one didn't know better, they might think Kiana had made a cameo appearance.
Akio flew over with Yoimiya. Both of them could sense the woman's aura, which carried the power of space, though it was far inferior to the authority of the Herrscher of the Void.
Sensing an extremely powerful presence, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, who was sleeping in the crystal, suddenly opened her golden eyes and saw Akio and Yoimiya.
The next moment, the crystal shattered, and the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles unleashed her spatial power toward the two.
"Trespassers, how did you ascend to Celestia?" the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles said coldly.
However, the next moment, her power dissipated before Akio, and golden spatial energy restrained the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles in place.
The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles' power far surpassed that of the Seven Archons, but in her current weakened state, she was no match for Akio.
"This power of yours!" Feeling Akio's Honkai energy, the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles was shocked. Her cold eyes were filled with fear and panic.
"Messenger of the world-destroying demon, even if I perish, I will erase you!" The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles seemed to gather all her strength.
"Enough." Akio's soft words instantly sealed all of the Sustainer's power, rendering her unable to act.
"Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, tell me where Istaroth is." Akio didn't waste time and directly asked.
"..." The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles remained silent, coldly staring at Akio.
"We mean no harm. Just tell us about Istaroth's existence." Yoimiya also spoke up.
"You are a citizen of this world. Why do you submit to a demon?" The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles glared at Yoimiya, "The power of Honkai is not something you can control!"
"So you do know about Honkai." Akio suddenly realized. He waved his hand, "I don't represent the Will of Honkai, nor do I have any intention of destroying the world. On the contrary, I want to protect this world."
"Nonsense! I will never believe your sweet words." The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles turned her head away, coldly saying.
"Tsk..." Akio gradually lost patience, his eyes turning cold.
Just as he was about to use the authority of the Herrscher of Sentience to directly read the Sustainer's memories, Yoimiya suddenly spoke.
"Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, Akio is not that kind of person. He is a benevolent god, and you've seen his power." Yoimiya said, "Even you can't resist him. If he really wanted to destroy this world, who could stop him?"
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