I, the Rock King Emperor with 21 billion in power, have joined the chat group.

Future Promising True Lord (Zhongli): The matter is settled. Miss Nana has officially accepted the invitation to the chat group. @Nana the Incapable

Nana, the Level 0: Hello everyone, I'm Nana, the Level 0. It's nice to see you all again.

Nana (who lacks abilities): Mr. Zhongli, thank you so much. I really never imagined that I would see everyone again someday.

Nana, who has no abilities: Even though I've done so many wrong things, I've hurt so many people.

Nana (who lacks abilities): Sorry, I got a little excited. Whew! Please wait a moment, let me calm down.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): I didn't expect Nana to actually come back, and it seems you've even regained your memories? Wow, the chat group's abilities are surprisingly powerful.

Nana (without ability): Yes, I've regained all my memories. Now, I have two Nanas living their lives, and I have two Nanas experiencing happiness. This is all thanks to everyone in the chat group. Thank you so much. If anyone needs my help in any way, I certainly won't hesitate.

Makoto (Yukinoshita): I suddenly feel that perhaps it was a good thing to restore your memories. According to Mr. Zhongli, you were quite happy in your world without your memories. Now, suddenly, those extremely painful memories that originally belonged to you are being returned to you, leaving you to bear the pain alone...

Masamune (Yukinoshita): Thinking about it that way, it's indeed not a good thing.

Nana (Ability-less): No, Yukinoshita-san. Pain is also one of the most important things in a person's life. Seeing my beloved classmates able to live happily on campus again, looking forward to a bright future, makes me happier than just having happy memories.

Nana, who has no ability: The joy that came from the bottom of her heart is something I can never forget.

Fu Hua (Red-Robed Immortal): Yes, memories are proof of a person, whether they are beautiful or painful. Whether they are the sorrow of life or the joy of love, they are all part of a person.

Fu Hua (Red Iris Immortal): If even memories are incomplete, then being human is like a computer lacking a driver. Living like that always feels like a lie.

Wings Unfurl (Sexy Prisoner): Fu Hua, the immortal, seems to have some feelings about her memories. All you boys and girls, listen carefully!

Bell (with a heart full of longing): Yes, the High God also taught us that no matter how painful the memories are, they are proof of a person's growth. If you want to grow into a mature human being, you must accumulate painful memories. Although I don't quite understand it now, I feel that I will understand it someday.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): By the way, Nana. Every time a new person joins the group, you always introduce yourself. It seems you haven't seen these three new members before.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): Well then, although the three of them have a complete understanding of the chat group, they basically don't know anything about you. Why don't you sit down and introduce yourself again?

Nana (without ability): Hmm...Okay, Subaru-kun, you seem to have matured a lot while I was away.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): Hahaha, all thanks to Master Zhongli's guidance. I'm not the same person I used to be. I'm someone who can provide Emilia with strong support during her election as Elector. If I can't strive forward, how can I say that my love for Emilia is the highest?

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): As the saying goes, "A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days' absence." Many days have passed here, and a long time must have passed there as well. I should look at you with renewed eyes, and you should look at me with renewed eyes as well.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): @Ryomen Sukuna, @Kato Megumi, @Spider.

Kato Megumi (Earth 13): Hmm... What's wrong? Is something the matter, Natsuki-senpai?

Reality Shit Game (Spider): Hey, hey, Spider is here! I just ate a few monkeys and was about to lie down at home for a nap when I heard Natsuki-senpai's call. Spider immediately made his dazzling appearance.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): @Ryomen Sukuna.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): ....Looks like Itadori doesn't have a chat group on his phone. Oh well, these two newbies will do.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): Well then, please begin, Miss Nana.

Nana, the Level-less User: Hello everyone, nice to meet you, newbie. First, let me introduce myself. I'm Nana, a Level-less user living in the world of Earth 334. Nice to meet you. In my world, there are many people with superpowers who contribute their strength to the happiness and development of humanity. Therefore, in my world, people with superpowers are highly respected. And I am a Level-less user who hangs out in a school for people with superpowers. That concludes my introduction.

Long live Elector Emilia (Subaru Natsuki): One more thing, you need to describe the insomnia and chaos levels of your world. This is new chat content; if you don't understand, read the introduction first.

Nana, the powerless one: Hmm, I've checked. My world's chaos level is currently only 45%, and its indolence level is only 46%. Moreover, according to the system's introduction, my world's indolence and chaos levels are still decreasing. This world is becoming more and more beautiful.

Nana, who has no special abilities: And for all of this, I have to thank everyone in the chat group. Especially Mr. Zhongli, who signed a [contract] with me, you saved me, you saved this world.

True Lord of Promising Future (Zhongli): This is a contract. Now that the contract is in effect, I will grant you your request in accordance with its terms.

Nana, who has no special abilities: But even though it's a contract, I still want to thank you.

The Promising Future True Lord (Zhongli): Heh, whatever you want.

------The promising future master has left the chat group------

Teyvat world, Zhongli's little house.

The young demon girl, who was cooking while wearing an apron and with her hair styled in a woman's bun, suddenly turned around and looked at Zhongli, who was sitting quietly by the bluestone table in meditation.

Looking at the slight smile on his lips.

He couldn't help but smile and ask, "What's wrong? What happy thing happened that made even a stone like you laugh?"

Zhong Li shook his head slightly.

But he didn't say it.

But the faint smile on his lips still lingered in the spring breeze.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Lantern Festival (1)

"May the torch of wisdom be passed on, and may the departed return from the sea."

The first full moon night of each year is the Lantern Festival in the Kingdom of Teyvat Liyue.

The maritime climate gives Liyue its four distinct seasons.

As winter fades and spring arrives, during this grand festival that heralds the warmth and hope of the new year, the people of Liyue will light countless lanterns, which will converge in the sky to form a bright river of light, illuminating the entire city throughout the night.

On this day, the moon shines eternally, with countless lanterns floating in the sky. The lights that fly into the air carry beautiful wishes and dispel the gloom and desolation of the long winter.

"Today is the Lantern Festival."

After cooking the dumplings, the ponytail-wearing demon girl brought the food to Zhongli.

"Shall we go out and see the sea lanterns later?"

Zhongli took the bowl and plate of dumplings and nodded casually: "Okay."

"Ah."

The girl demon with long, ink-black hair suppressed her joy and nodded slightly.

After dinner, before the time to release the lanterns for the Lantern Festival, every household in Liyue hung the lanterns they had prepared in advance in front of their doors.

The young demon goddess walked in front, with Zhong Li following behind her.

The two of them silently watched the warm glow of the lights in Liyue, neither of them uttering a word.

Gui Zhong, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. Then, she quickly turned around and took small, quick steps to Zhong Li's side.

"You should know more about the lanterns of the Lantern Festival than I do. I haven't experienced these four thousand years of history."

She gazed intently at the young man before her, a faint smile playing on her lips: "Seeing and experiencing such a festival is like witnessing the efforts of you, Qingli, and the immortals over the past four thousand years."

"I can't help but feel moved by how hard you work."

"Hmm." Zhongli nodded slightly. Even in his heart, which had long been worn down by the years, there was still a trace of pride—back then, he and the girl demon god in front of him were evenly matched rivals.

Whether in front of Qingli, in the realm of knowledge, or even when cooking, they always have to compare themselves.

Seeing this young demon girl's complete affirmation of his achievements today naturally made him quite happy.

"The Lantern Festival is a celebration of heroes, commemorating the passing of the legendary Lord of the Sky, 'The Skyward Guide,' on this day. Thus, the people of Liyue gather during the Lantern Festival to pray for peace, ward off misfortune, and hope that the lanterns will carry on wisdom, and that heroes will return from the sea."

As Zhongli spoke, there was no trace of grief on his face: "Before the 'True Lord of Shifting Heaven and Guiding the Sky' passed away, I spoke with him. I told him that perhaps in the future I would have the ability to resurrect him, and asked him if he would be willing to be resurrected again to work with me."

"He didn't agree?" the young demon goddess speculated.

“Yes,” Zhongli said to me, “The lifespan of an immortal is thousands of years. He has experienced much. His wish for the people of Liyue to live in peace and prosperity, and for all the demons and monsters to be defeated, has been fulfilled.” Zhongli gently shook his head.

"Therefore, his only wish was not for me to resurrect him, but to continue to protect the people of Liyue after his death. So, I had Qixing design this Lantern Festival for him."

"Although its meaning has changed in many ways over the years, it has never deviated from its original meaning."

Zhongli raised the lamp in his hand.

"This lamp is called the 'Mingxiao Lamp,' which symbolizes the wish that the flame of virtue be passed on and that virtue never fades. It probably means that the spirit of heroes, like the flame in the lamp, will be passed on forever, illuminating the path for the people and giving the warmest light to those in darkness with dazzling virtue."

"At the same time, the people of Liyue believe that the beacon of the night sea will guide the souls of departed heroes back to their homeland. The spirits of the heroes who once protected Liyue can ride the night, following the 'night lanterns,' to return home and reunite with everyone, returning to this land they loved and vowed to protect."

"Mmm." The girl clasped her hands together and closed her eyes slightly.

A wisp of dust rose from the ground and swirled towards the sky.

These dust particles were unlike ordinary dust; they shimmered under the moonlight of the night sky.

"Let me do my part for the Lantern Festival every year from now on." Gui Zhong opened her eyes gently, tucking her long hair, which had been ruffled by the sea breeze, behind her ears. "My [Morning Star Dust] will also fly into the night sky every Lantern Festival to dance with the [Sky Lantern], giving the heroes of Liyue an even brighter guide."

"Thank you." Zhongli nodded slightly. "I think 'True Lord of Shifting Heaven and Guiding the Sky' would be very happy about this."

“Hmm,” the young demon goddess nodded, quickly took a step forward, and seemingly unintentionally grasped Zhongli’s hand, then lifted the sea lantern along his hand.

She skipped and hopped a few more steps on the moonlit street, then turned around, hands behind her back, her radiant smile mingling with her long, ink-black hair fluttering in the wind under the bright moonlight.

She said to Zhongli, "Let's go, it's a rare and wonderful day. We should be even happier. Isn't this what 'Yixiao Daotian Zhenjun' wanted to protect? Isn't this what the heroes of Liyue wanted to protect?"

"Not only the people of Liyue, but also you, the former Geo Archon, are of course among them."

"So you need to smile even more, so as not to let your efforts go to waste."

"..."

Hearing the words of the young demon goddess, Zhong Li remained silent for a few seconds, then smiled and shook his head: "Okay, wait for me."

He quickened his pace and walked alongside Gui Zhong.

"Come this way, come this way, I still need to solve riddles!" The young demon girl smiled slightly at his expression and naturally took Zhongli's hand in hers.

Taking two steps at a time, he jogged forward.

When the riddle reached its end, Gui Zhong naturally put down Zhong Li's hand, which he had been holding.

Before them stood the most famous glass pavilion in Liyue Harbor.

Every year during the Lantern Festival, this restaurant hangs a hundred-meter-long string of riddles on the street in front of its store.

Several levels of rewards have been set up.

For example, if you solve the riddles on the outermost edge, you might only get a piece of roasted chestnuts or a pot of wine.

If you solve the riddles on the inside, you can enjoy a free classic banquet at the restaurant, consisting of eight meat dishes, eight vegetable dishes, eight cold dishes, and eight hot dishes. If you don't want to eat them, you can exchange them for Mora of the same value.

As for the two riddles on the innermost side, I heard that if someone can solve them, they will receive a grand prize of 100,000 Mora.

However, after so many years of this program, it seems that only one person, Tianquan Xing Ningguang, has ever received such an honor.

Chapter Twenty-Two: As the lanterns are lit, on the dance halls and singing stages, a beautiful woman sheds tears.

As dusk settles, the pavilions and stages come alive with song and dance.

The main road was bustling with people.