Compared to the expectations of Inazuma, the Sumeru People were much calmer, as they couldn't see the prophecy book at all.
Fontaine was also fine; for them, as long as there were stories to read, it didn't matter which country they were from.
However, after everyone finished reading Xiao's legend, they found that at the end of the story, just like Venti's earlier, there was a small extra story—'No Gaps in Sufferings'.
[All demons and evil spirits are burdened by karma]
[Some transform into ghosts and monsters, lurking in immortal mountains and caves, causing havoc for decades]
[Some transform into plagues and disasters, harming the world for over a hundred years]
[We, the Yaksha, abide by our contract, subjugating demons and dispelling evil]
[However, after a thousand years of slaughter, accumulating a thousand years of karma, if one is not careful, this body may also fall into the ranks of ghosts and Gods]
[In a trance, this body is also a truly terrifying enemy]
[A thousand years of tribulation, boundless slaughter]
Here, Lin Qiu drew an illustration: Xiao fighting against his masked self.
[Life and death blaze, all forms are not forms]
The readers recalled the line from Wang Ping'an's letter: "What the Conqueror of Demons' mask conceals is his human side."
Albedo remained silent; like Xiao, he worried about losing control, and at this moment, he felt a certain empathy for Xiao.
Xiao suddenly opened his eyes; everything just now seemed to be merely a nightmare. He walked to the river, where his reflection was still his masked self.
He woke up again, this time seemingly in someone's home.
[Baizhu: "You've been unconscious for a whole day, but thankfully you're awake now, otherwise you would have missed this year's Lantern Rite."]
[Qiqi poked her head out, "I carried you back. I'll go get your medicine."]
People began to imagine this scene. Although Xiao isn't tall, Qiqi seems even smaller, right?
Qiqi carrying Xiao? Would his feet really not drag on the ground?
When Qiqi returned, she found that Xiao had disappeared at some point.
On the streets of Liyue Harbor, Xiao weakly covered his face with one hand, walking through the streets before the festival arrived, the surrounding scenery peaceful and bustling.
Here, Lin Qiu drew Xiao's full face for the first time, and this first reveal was a close-up, a truly stunning beauty shot.
Some people already felt sorry for Xiao, and after seeing his beautiful face, they developed 'ill intentions,' having thoughts of disrespecting the adepti.
This beautiful face, this expression, who can resist it! It sounds a bit lewd...
Not to mention ordinary people, even Arataki Itto couldn't help but exclaim, "This young man is so handsome, can he join the Arataki Gang too?"
This kind of whimsical proposal, even Itto's subordinates couldn't respond to. He can't join, how could he possibly join?
"This appearance... if he were a bit taller, he'd be the best model," Chiori sighed.
Dori pondered how to 'monetize' Xiao, "Hmm... if he could get an endorsement, he should be able to make a lot of money in Liyue."
However, the emotional uplift brought by Xiao's beauty lasted only for a moment; the emotion of 'sadness' once again dominated their hearts.
Walking on the streets of Liyue Harbor, Xiao would still occasionally see the phantom of his masked self.
That feeling of madness seemed to still entangle him, making him momentarily unable to distinguish between reality and dream.
Several times in a daze, the 'Xiao' wearing a Nuo mask in front of him disappeared, and in his place appeared a little girl holding a Nuo mask.
[The little girl smiled and said, "Did I scare you, Big Brother?"]
["It's okay, the Nuo mask is used to ward off demons and monsters, it's very powerful, you don't need to be so afraid of it."]
[The little girl noticed Xiao's weakness and asked, "Big Brother, are you tired?"]
["Grandpa, can you get Big Brother some fermented rice balls?"]
The scene changed, and Xiao had returned to Wangshu Inn. Venti was also there for some reason.
Lin Qiu also drew an illustration of Venti, showing him sitting cross-legged on the eaves, his posture exuding an unrestrained air.
Some of the readers couldn't hold back, "It's you again, Anemo God!"
Last time it was your own short story, and this time it's someone else's, and you're here too?
What? Did you hear the keyword 'wine'?
[Venti raised his wine glass and smiled, "Yo, friend, on such a good day, won't you have a drink?"]
[Venti sniffed, "Oh? It seems you already have a little alcohol on you..."]
[Xiao replied, "No need, tonight, I want to rest."]
[Venti smiled, "Heh heh, that's really good."]
["Ah, even for one night, occasionally take off your mask."]
The story ended, the misunderstanding was resolved, and the Anemo God was still so great!
Speaking of which, the few male Anemo characters in Lin Qiu's book, although not tall, are all so gentle.
And what more people were concerned about was Venti's last sentence, 'occasionally take off your mask.'
What the mask concealed was Xiao's human side. Wearing the mask, he was the Yaksha who bore everything; taking off the mask, he had the chance to find peace in life.
"Wuwuwu, Lord Barbatos!" Barbara was incredibly moved. It was a story about a Liyue Yaksha, yet her own God also had a moment in the spotlight.
To be able to write Lord Barbatos so well, Qiu Cheng must also be a devout follower of the Anemo God.
Barbara tore out the illustration of Venti from the book and pasted it in her room.
She had done this with all previous illustrations of Venti, and now she had several pasted up.
Venti didn't find it strange that he appeared in Liyue; Baizhu had already said it was the eve of the Lantern Rite.
With his personality, how could he possibly miss the Lantern Rite in Liyue?
Yae Miko smiled, "This Anemo God, will he often come to Inazuma from now on too?"
Other Gods barely leave their own countries, but you truly live up to your title as the God of freedom, always running around.
However, it's a good thing for the God of freedom to run around; Inazuma also needs a little 'freedom' now.
Nahida, who also needed freedom, looked at Venti in the book and recalled their previous meeting.
At that time, Senior Barbatos appeared before the barrier, holding a wine bottle and asking her if she wanted to go out and relax.
Then Venti took her to Liyue to watch a live version of 'Battle with the God', which was truly freedom.
However, Nahida still wanted to solve Sumeru's problems herself, so she hadn't mentioned needing help to Venti.
Solving Sumeru's problems herself would prove that she was a qualified God, capable of leading the Sumeru People.
Leaving aside these foreigners, the people of Liyue had already begun to make changes.
A few days later, when Wang Ping'an led the construction team to Pervases's temple, he found that although it was dilapidated, people were queuing up in long lines to offer incense there.
Some people even spontaneously built temples for the other four Yaksha in the story.
The stories of the adepti were finished; next, it was time for the traveler's story.
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Character Voice Line · Nahida: About Venti
"The God of freedom enjoys everything in the world. Wherever the wind can reach, his traces will be