"Very well."
"I'll accept your blessing."
Qiu Nian chuckled softly and nodded at Venti.
"…Sigh."
"To think that even the Anemo Archon can only help you in such a way."
Venti sighed and walked to his side.
"So…"
"What exactly is your plan now?"
"Are you going to slaughter gods again like you did 3,500 years ago?"
He looked out at the snowy landscape, one hand resting on his hip.
"That method—you've already tried it."
"And not just in Teyvat."
"Not to mention your current condition…"
"There are barely any gods left in this world anyway."
"Well…"
Qiu Nian turned to look at him, a faintly amused expression appearing.
"Isn't there a ready-made god right here?"
"Not just any god—one of the victors of the Archon War."
"And one of the Seven, the Anemo Archon himself."
"Hey, hey—wait a second!"
Venti immediately took a few steps back.
He crossed his arms over his chest, looking genuinely alarmed.
"You're joking, right?!"
"Relax."
"Even if I wanted to do that…"
"In my current injured state, I couldn't."
Qiu Nian said with a light smile.
"You're injured? I'm not doing much better!"
Venti shot back seriously.
"I haven't fulfilled my duties as a god in ages."
"I'm the weakest among the Seven—Traveler and Paimon can testify to that!"
"That's different."
Qiu Nian shook his head.
"In my current state, I'm not even a match for any of the Seven."
"Lumine and Paimon can testify to that as well."
Venti's mouth twitched.
Oh, so I'm the weakest among the Seven, and you're even weaker than that?
Great. Just great.
"My new plan…"
"It won't consume this 'world'."
Qiu Nian turned his gaze forward.
"I only need to wait for my strength to fully return."
"And its chances of success…"
"Are far greater than before."
"…A plan like that really exists?"
Venti's tone turned serious.
"You're not joking?"
Because what he described—
Sounded impossible.
"But what if…"
"The cost doesn't come from this world…"
"But from another?"
Qiu Nian asked calmly.
"…What are you talking about?"
"Another world?"
"Haven't you already traveled through countless worlds beyond Teyvat?"
Venti frowned.
Then—
After a long pause—
His eyes widened in shock.
"…Wait."
"You mean…?"
"Exactly what you're thinking."
"And that's also why my strength has dropped to this extent."
Qiu Nian smiled faintly.
"…I see…"
"That's… unbelievable."
Venti stared at him, stunned.
"…Could it be that you simply entered a space you hadn't seen before?"
"And mistook it for another world?"
He still found it hard to believe.
"…Fine."
"I'll take your word for it."
After a long moment, Venti finally relented.
"But now I'm curious…"
"What expression did the old man have when he heard this?"
"Morax is quite good at accepting the unknown."
"His reaction wasn't nearly as dramatic as yours."
Qiu Nian replied calmly.
"I'm not like you two."
Venti said with a slightly smug expression.
"Have you tested the power of that 'world'?"
"These are completely different laws and systems…"
"Can it even affect… that thing?"
Venti asked.
"It can."
"And the effect is significant."
"Otherwise, my strength wouldn't have declined this much."
"Combined with the power of this world…"
"It may truly be enough to resolve it."
Qiu Nian explained.
"…I see."
"I think I finally understand your plan."
Venti exhaled slowly.
"But what will you do now?"
"Wander around… and wait for your strength to return?"
"For now, yes."
"I'll take the time to observe this era of Teyvat."
Qiu Nian nodded.
"Haha…"
"That's not a bad way to spend your time."
Venti turned his head and laughed lightly.
"Well then…"
"I should go find the Traveler."
"I need some time to process everything you just told me."
"And don't forget—"
"Come find me for a drink."
With that—
Venti walked off into the distance.
Qiu Nian, meanwhile, turned and continued deeper into Dragonspine.
Hands behind his back—
Quietly taking in the scenery.
Time passed.
Soon, it was the next evening.
Xuehua had already completed all the Windblume Festival quests.
But—
Aside from that one brief encounter in Dragonspine—
Qiu Nian never appeared again.
This left her extremely frustrated.
"Wasn't there supposed to be a drinking scene with Venti?!"
"Where is it?!"
Unwilling to give up—
She searched all over Mondstadt.
Hoping to find some hidden interaction or easter egg.
And after a while—
She actually found something.
Under the starry sky—
At Windrise.
A massive ancient tree stood tall.
Fireflies drifted through the grass.
Softly glowing Anemo Crystalfly fluttered among the leaves.
A gentle breeze swayed the branches—
Golden leaves falling quietly.
The entire scene was indescribably beautiful.
Beneath the great tree—
Sat two figures.
A young man.
And a bard.
Seated across from each other at a small wooden table.
On the table—
Three dishes.
And several bottles of fine wine.
The bard raised his glass—
Smiling as he spoke.
"…Qiu Nian? Venti?!"
"You're actually here?!"
Xuehua's eyes lit up.
She immediately controlled Lumine—
And ran straight toward them.
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