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

He raised the talisman and, expressionless, recorded the entire ancestral shroud located in the center of the magnificent hall into it.

This process took nearly two minutes.

When Zhongli sensed that the power in the talisman was about to be exhausted, he said to the people standing to the side, "You can stand a little closer so that the immortals can see you. This can serve as evidence."

Hearing Zhongli's words.

The Traveler, Paimon, Gan Yu, and Ning Guang gathered together and stood beneath the Immortal Ancestor's Dharma Body. A few seconds later, the power of the talisman was exhausted.

Only the last group photo of the four people and the Immortal Ancestor's shroud remains, and the phantom image of the crane's eyes on the talisman finally dissipates.

Naturally, during the filming, Zhongli's figure did not appear in the eyes of the talisman's red crane.

After doing all this, Zhongli returned the talisman to the traveler.

A few seconds later, the traveler reactivated the talisman, but this time a rough male voice came through.

[The image has been received. We have made some initial assessments and are now basically certain that what you have recorded is the Emperor's corpse, meaning this is the Emperor's true form.]

Although it is regrettable and difficult to accept, we cannot escape the fact that the Emperor has passed away.

【Ningguang, let me ask you a question.】

Can you be absolutely certain that the Liyue Seven Stars are completely without any problems?

Upon hearing this, Ningguang hesitated for a moment: "I'm sorry, sir, I cannot be sure."

Hmph! I thought so too.

【I am the True Lord of Carving the Moon and Building the Sun, the Radiant Star of Heavenly Power. This time, I will tentatively believe you.】

[But it is a fact that the Emperor is in Liyue Harbor, and you Seven Stars failed to protect him well; it is also a fact that the other Seven Stars, besides you, have not been cleared of suspicion.]

“Of course, esteemed immortals.” Ningguang paid no attention to what the immortals said and spoke eloquently: “Since the passing of the Emperor, there have been undercurrents in Liyue Harbor.”

“All the major chambers of commerce, as well as the Qixing Chamber of Commerce and many small and medium-sized chambers of commerce, have taken note of this.”

"Although the lives of the people of Liyue will not be affected in the short term, in the long run, it will definitely cause chaos. Therefore, I, Ningguang of Tianquan, look forward to all the immortals standing up with me to stabilize the current situation in Liyue Harbor."

"And the assassins who attempted to kill the Emperor—those blasphemers who call themselves apostles of the outer principles—also need our cooperation. To confront them alone is an extremely unwise idea."

【Tianquan Star Ningguang, we are aware of what you have said. However, we do not yet fully trust you seven stars, so let's not discuss this matter further for now.】

The True Lord of Shaving the Moon and Building the Sun casually refused.

[You investigate the cause of the Emperor's murder using your methods, and we will investigate the cause using our own methods. Let's not interfere with each other.]

Upon hearing this, Ningguang couldn't help but smile slightly, but her words were devoid of any smile.

"Fellow immortals, do you truly wish to see Liyue Harbor continue to descend into chaos? Do you wish to see the people of Liyue suffer hardship, their families torn apart and lives lost?"

"If the power of us Seven Stars is insufficient, and those [Apostles] cause large-scale destruction in Liyue Harbor, how can I be qualified to meet the Emperor in the afterlife?"

"Throughout his life, the Emperor loved the people of Liyue most, and cherished contracts and fairness above all else. The contracts that all the immortals made with the Emperor were to protect Liyue Harbor and all the people of Liyue. But today the Emperor has passed away, and the contracts between the immortals and the Emperor are naturally dissolved."

"But for the people of Liyue, the immortals are still an indispensable and powerful force."

"Therefore, fellow immortals, I implore you to have mercy and renew the covenant to protect Liyue Harbor and the people of Liyue."

Ningguang spoke with an extremely solemn expression, her seriousness revealing genuine emotion.

She was destitute from a young age, and it was only because many merchants in Liyue Harbor followed the Emperor's contract that she was able to gain the upper hand in her confrontations with others.

For her, order and contracts were essential means to acquire wealth.

A chaotic world is not something a great businesswoman like her wants to see.

【Um....】

Clearly, her words had touched the immortals to some extent.

"Fellow immortals, if you do not trust the Seven Stars of Liyue, then I, Ningguang of Tianquan, am willing to exchange all my wealth, resources, life, and everything else with you in my personal name, in exchange for your willingness to sign a contract with me to protect Liyue Harbor."

Ningguang took two steps forward and approached the talisman in the traveler's hand, her voice firm and resolute.

【Um.....】

[Unexpectedly, Tianquan Star Ningguang, you have so truly inherited the Emperor's aspirations.]

This time, the voice came from a clear and calm young man.

"I, the Great Sage Who Subdues Demons, the Guardian General of the Yakshas, ​​am willing to enter into a contract with you. To continue the millennia-long vow, as demanded of us by the Emperor, to protect Liyue."

This is my response to you.

He finished speaking.

Several more distinct male and female voices appeared within the talisman.

Okay, I'll accept your answer for now.

[Hmph! I didn't expect there to be someone like you among the Seven Stars of Liyue. Fine, I acknowledge you.]

"The truth behind the Emperor's death is a condition I've attached. After signing the contract, you must use all your strength to work with us to uncover the truth, find all those apostles, and kill them all."

"nature!!"

Ningguang could no longer suppress the smile on her lips.

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Ceremony of Sending Off the Immortals

The light of the [Heaven and Earth Communication Talisman] gradually disappeared.

The voices of the immortals from Jueyun Pavilion and Wangshu Inn have faded into the distance.

Ningguang's smile was clearly visible.

Zhongli started by gently clapping his hands.

"Lord Ningguang's sincerity today has truly moved all the immortals. It is truly commendable. This business deal and contract have been secured by Lord Ningguang."

Ningguang turned around gracefully, raised her head and chin, and gently turned the water pipe that had appeared in her hand at some point.

"To me, a contract is simply a business deal. I've staked everything on this deal for greater profits in the future. That's all."

“Indeed, the profits that Lady Ningguang will be able to obtain in the future will probably exceed her own imagination.” Zhongli’s voice was very calm.

But somehow, the young traveler sensed a slight unhappiness in it.

“However, it will be difficult for Lady Ningguang to complete this deal. Not to mention finding the murderer who killed the Emperor, it will probably be very difficult to find those apostles as well,” Zhongli said again.

“Of course, I know that too.” Putting down her hookah, Ningguang casually conjured a few golden gems, played with them in her hand, and raised her gaze slightly: “But there is still time, whether it is time to find the murderer or time to find those apostles.”

"But Liyue Harbor is getting impatient. Although merchants are a bunch of people who value profit over parting, most of the ordinary Liyue people living in Liyue Harbor have a deep faith in the Emperor."

"Without the Emperor and without the immortals, the Liyue people are now plunged into a long-lost chaos. This chaos is several times more severe than the impact of the Wind God leaving Mondstadt."

"Therefore, I need a stable market, and I also need a stable Liyue. And for this, the power of the immortals is indispensable."

“Yes, from a purely rational point of view, that is indeed the case. Both businessmen and ordinary people need stability, but the stability you are seeking is far too unstable.” Zhongli shook his head slightly, seemingly quite disapproving of Ningguang’s actions.

After saying that, he turned and walked to the traveler's side, asking softly, "Traveler, would you be willing to do me a favor?"

"Ok??"

The young traveler tilted her head slightly.

“Traveler, you should know that I am a guest elder of the Hall of Rebirth. The Hall of Rebirth is an organization that manages funeral rites, aiming to help people pass away peacefully.” Zhongli put his hands behind his back and looked at the immortal ancestral body of the Rock King Emperor on the pillar in the center of the hall.

He sighed softly.

"Although the Geo Archon is the ancestor of all immortals, he is still one of the immortals in the end. Throughout the thousands of years of Liyue's history, immortals have been leaving one after another, and this is an irreversible trend."

"Of course, this is the change of times."

"The immortals only protect the people from the shadows of history. The era of immortals is fading away, and the era of humans is gradually becoming a reality. Lady Ningguang is a very important part of this reality."

“In previous years, there was a grand memorial ceremony when each immortal passed away. This is a tradition of Liyue and also the business of our Hall of Resurrection. But this time, after the passing of the Geo Archon.”

Zhongli turned his gaze to Ningguang, but his voice continued: "This time, even the Liyue Seven Stars were not prepared, or rather, they did not take into account such traditions... It's really a mess."

Zhongli's words were almost directed at Ningguang.

Ningguang truly lived up to her reputation as a great businesswoman; she only listened to what she wanted to hear, and if she didn't want to hear something, it was practically just "in one ear and out the other," a mere whisper in the wind.

Zhongli was no exception to this outcome. He turned to the traveler and continued, "Since the [Invitation to Immortals Ceremony] is so grand, we must also be meticulous in the ceremony to send off the Rock King Emperor."

"I have already prepared most of the things needed for the ceremony. The finest night-blooming jasmine, a fresh and youthful perfume, and seven kites representing different elemental deities. But I am missing the most important thing."

"Um???"

The young female traveler was slightly puzzled.

“It represents the past longing of the Rock King Emperor.”

“In the past, when immortals passed away, the Seven Stars would always step forward to provide this item. But this time, I'm afraid the Seven Stars don't have the energy to search for it. So, this time we need to find it ourselves.”

"Us??" Paimon asked the question on behalf of the traveling girl.

“Yes, that’s why I asked you for help.” Zhongli crossed his arms and nodded slightly. “I have found a place where the thing called ‘Rock King’s Past Longing’ might exist, but the problem is that I can’t go in alone. I can only rely on a woman.”

"Among the women I know, apart from you, Traveler, most of them don't have much combat ability. That's why I'm inviting you here,"

"And what about the compensation?" Paimon crossed his arms, adopting a businesslike demeanor. "My Luminous isn't a tool. According to Liyue's tradition, shouldn't you provide us with a fair contract?"

“Of course.” Zhongli nodded slightly. “That makes sense. I remember, Traveler, you were looking for your brother, right? The request you made to the immortals was that, after everything was over, they would help you find your brother in Liyue.”

"Yes."

The young female traveler nodded slightly.

“I certainly don’t have the immortals’ ability to move mountains and fill seas, but my connections in Liyue are worth a bit,” Zhongli replied. “After this matter is settled, I will ask one of the most renowned astrologers in Danfeng and Mondstadt to divine the location of your brother.”

"It would be better to be able to get accurate information through divination than to search blindly."

Regarding this answer.

The young traveler nodded eagerly.

“Alright, then our contract is established at this moment.” Zhongli crossed one arm over his chest and placed the other on his chin, pondering for a moment: “How about this, two days... two days from now, at dawn, I will meet you at Liyue Harbor.”

"Hmm." Paimon nodded seriously.

"Of course, two days is quite easy. But, I still want to ask one question. Where are we going to search for something like [the Rock King's Past Memories] this time?"

“Naturally, it’s the tomb,” Zhongli answered without hesitation.