"'The border between life and death… in Natlan???'
Hearing Zhongli's words, Su Yuan, Aether, and Paimon all widened their eyes in curiosity.
"So there are places like the border between life and death outside of Liyue as well?"
"Yes," Zhongli replied with a calm nod.
"Although I don't know the full details, the Land of the Night God in Natlan seems to be an even higher existence than Liyue's border between life and death."
Zhongli took a deep breath before continuing:
"The border between life and death here in Liyue can only preserve the souls of those who still harbor deep regrets and attachments. But to truly resurrect someone who has already passed away… that is nearly impossible."
Hearing this, Paimon's eyes widened in shock, her voice rising in disbelief:
"Wait—Zhongli, are you saying that in Natlan, the Land of the Night God can actually bring the dead back to life?!"
"Yes," Zhongli answered solemnly.
"Although I don't know all the specifics, it seems that as long as one participates in a certain ritual called the 'Ode of Resurrection', the deceased can be completely revived—body, memory, and consciousness, all fully restored."
"My goodness… that's incredible…" Su Yuan, Aether, and Paimon couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
"But," Zhongli added, his tone deepening, "everything comes with a price and a condition. Such power of resurrection is not something easily obtained."
After hearing Zhongli's explanation, Su Yuan finally began to understand what kind of place the Land of the Night God truly was.
Yet he still couldn't help wondering—why did his quest to uncover the secret behind his left palm's revival require him to go there?
"The current Pyro Archon," Zhongli said, "is a passionate and responsible god. If you seek her help, Su Yuan, she will not refuse you."
"That's good to hear," Paimon said cheerfully.
"Among the Seven Archons of the mortal world, it feels like everyone except the Cryo Archon should be pretty easy to get along with!"
"But our real problem now," Su Yuan interjected, "is how to get past Sumeru, which is almost completely overrun, and reach Natlan safely."
"Since we've already troubled Dvalin," Paimon suggested, "why not just ask him again—to fly us straight to Natlan?"
"I'm afraid that won't work…"
Aether thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Even though we've helped the Dendro Dragon Sovereign Apep before, deep down she still harbors disdain and hostility toward humans. If she were to see Dvalin helping us, she might become hostile again."
"You have a point," Su Yuan admitted with a frown.
"But compared to the risk of facing a corrupted Lesser Lord Kusanali, that might not be such a big deal…"
"Still," he added, "we don't know Apep's current situation. If she's also fallen into corruption, that would be disastrous."
After much discussion, the group couldn't come up with a perfect plan.
Unknowingly, mealtime had arrived, so they decided to head to Wanmin Restaurant together.
"Oh! Traveler, little Paimon, Consultant Zhongli, and Brother Su Yuan!"
Seeing them enter, Master Mao greeted them warmly:
"Come, come, have a seat! Whatever you want to eat, just say the word!"
"Haha, then I won't be polite," Paimon said enthusiastically, snatching up the menu with practiced ease.
"Let's see… Spicy Steamed Black Bass… Chili Pepper Chicken… Chinese Stir-Fry Special…"
Soon, the table was filled with steaming dishes.
After everyone had eaten their fill, Master Mao suddenly asked, his tone tinged with curiosity:
"Traveler, Brother Su Yuan, Consultant Zhongli… may I ask you something?"
"Of course," Aether replied.
"It's about my daughter, Xiangling," Master Mao said, scratching his head.
"She's been studying under the Adepti for such a long time now… why hasn't she come back to visit her old man, even once?"
"To be honest," Master Mao said with a sigh, "as a father… I really miss her."
Hearing that, Su Yuan didn't quite know how to respond.
He couldn't just tell Master Mao the truth — that his daughter, Xiangling, was already dead, and that only a lingering fragment of her soul now wandered the border between life and death.
But Su Yuan also felt that continuing to keep this secret wasn't the right thing to do.
Maybe before they left Liyue for Natlan tomorrow, he should visit the border between life and death and discuss it with Xiangling — figure out how to handle this matter properly.
"Don't worry, Master Mao," Su Yuan said, patting his chest confidently.
"I'll go to the Adepti's domain later and ask Xiangling myself what's really going on."
Master Mao's eyes lit up, and he eagerly grabbed Su Yuan's hand.
"Ah, thank you so much, Brother Su Yuan! I truly appreciate it!"
After that, Su Yuan and the group left Wanmin Restaurant and headed toward Wuwang Hill — the border between life and death.
But once they reached the entrance, Su Yuan found himself in a dilemma.
Previously, to open the passage, he had needed either Hu Tao or Youngttore to possess his body and perform the incantations and hand seals.
But now neither of them were with him.
How was he supposed to enter?
Fortunately, his worries proved unnecessary.
Zhongli stepped forward and easily opened the entrance, his calm voice resonating:
"Come. Let us go in together."
Su Yuan nodded.
Right — with Zhongli, the living relic of Liyue itself, by his side, what was there to fear?
They stepped through into the border between life and death.
Although more souls had gathered here since Hu Tao's Eerie rampage, the place still felt much emptier than before.
After wandering for a while, Su Yuan's group finally found Xiangling and Youngttore.
When Su Yuan explained why they had come, Xiangling sighed softly and said,
"Su Yuan, you're right… This isn't something that can be hidden forever."
"I'll be honest with my father. But before that, let me make him one last meal — a farewell dish from me."
"Brother Su Yuan!" Youngttore said, eyes wide and glimmering.
"I want to go outside too! Please take me with you!"
"Alright," Su Yuan agreed with a small smile.
"One more or one less doesn't make much difference. You can come along, Youngttore."
He then added with a chuckle,
"Oh, and Youngttore — you'll like this: when we were in Mondstadt, at the Spiral Abyss near Musk Reef, we took down another one of Dottore's segments! I bet that makes you happy, huh?"