Golden-Winged?
If little sister Bonanus said that… then could it be that that kid, Golden-Winged Alatus, is still alive?
At this thought, Bosacius's snake-like eyes widened dramatically. The two massive scars on his face trembled as well, and an uncontrollable grin spread across his lips.
"Little sister… are you saying that Golden-Winged Alatus—that brat—is still alive?"
Bosacius asked Bonanus with barely concealed excitement.
So miracles really did exist in this world after all.
"I only heard that Golden-Winged Alatus was saved by a Demon God," Bonanus replied with a nod. "As for the truth… we'll have to leave this place and see for ourselves."
She knew this much: Venti's original form had merely been a wind spirit, but after absorbing the power of a tyrant god, he ascended to godhood and later became known as Barbatos.
"If that's the case… then what about the other two…"
Bosacius began to drift into fantasy again.
Miracles kept happening one after another. How could he not hope?
After all, he had been on the verge of death in the depths of the Chasm, only to be saved by the little sister he believed had already perished.
From her mouth, he heard that she had been saved by a god.
From her mouth again, he heard that Golden-Winged Alatus had also been saved by a god.
Anyone would start imagining the impossible.
Bonanus looked at Bosacius.
That fierce, heroic face was now filled with childlike hope. She could not help but shake her head slightly.
Assessment complete: Big Brother Bosacius may be the Grand Marshal of the Five Yakshas, but… he really does not seem very bright.
"Brother Menogias and Sister Indarias might not have been so fortunate," Bonanus said softly. "But… someone still has to go and find them."
That statement left Bosacius slightly puzzled.
Before he could ask further, Bonanus once again retreated into her consciousness to speak with the system.
[System notification: payment confirmation required.]
[Bonanus: Confirm!]
[Cost to transport two individuals to the surface of the Chasm without disturbing the seal: 28,000 karmic debt points. Please confirm.]
[Bonanus: ??????]
[Bonanus: Are you robbing me?! Boyang only cost 10,000! Why is it 14,000 per person now?!]
[Please refrain from excessive complaints. Boyang was a mortal. You and Bosacius are illuminated beasts. Pricing naturally differs.]
[Bonanus: ...]
[Bonanus: Can you… maybe make it 2,000 cheaper?]
She asked carefully, terrified the system might raise the price instead.
[Deal.]
[Karmic Debt Remaining: 10,500 / 50,000]
The system agreed far too quickly.
So quickly that Bonanus froze for a moment.
When she finally reacted, she felt as though she had lost a hundred million Mora.
[Bonanus: You damned system! You tricked me! Are you bullying me because I don't know how to bargain like those older sisters?!]
[Deducting 26,000 karmic debt. Creating exit pathway…]
Seeing the system ignore her completely, Bonanus felt utterly miserable.
Damn it. Next time there was bargaining involved, she would bargain to the death.
(Author's Note: On how a cute, beautiful girl is forcibly taught the art of haggling.)
Bosacius: "…Why do I suddenly feel like my body is about to be drained dry…"
"Little sister? Are you really okay?" Bosacius asked, standing to the side. By now, his spirit had mostly recovered.
He crossed all four arms and quietly observed Bonanus's extremely expressive face—blank one moment, angry the next, then gritting her teeth. It was oddly amusing.
"I'm fine… really." Bonanus forced an awkward yet polite smile.
She wasn't about to take her anger out on her big brother.
But when she looked at Bosacius's face again, she suddenly remembered something.
Right.
This man was a walking karmic-debt generator.
She had almost forgotten.
Fine then. If the system wanted to treat her like this, she would become a cold, merciless karmic-farming machine.
First small goal: earn one zhao of karmic debt.
(Author's Note: "zhao" is an ancient Chinese numerical unit. It can mean one million, one trillion, or simply an astronomically large number.)
Bosacius: "…I really feel like I'm in danger."
"Are you sure you're fine? Your smile looks a little forced," Bosacius said, frowning as he cut straight to the point.
"I'm on my period." Bonanus replied flatly, not bothering to explain further.
That single sentence completely broke Bosacius's brain.
One arm supported another, one hand stroked his chin, while the remaining two scratched his head and the back of his skull.
On her period?
What did that mean?
A human relative? A friend from the mortal world?
Seeing his utterly confused expression, Bonanus sighed softly.
Big Brother Bosacius really was only smart when it came to fighting and playing.
As for everything else…
Well—much like how the Raiden Shogun could never learn to cook, even with Xiangling teaching her.
Bonanus slowly raised both hands.
In an instant, two streams of pure, immaculate adeptal energy appeared—completely untouched by karmic corruption.
And they were extremely dense.
Bosacius's eyes widened in shock.
Such powerful, concentrated adeptal energy was not something an ordinary Yaksha could produce.
Only that Lord could.
Seeing his confusion, Bonanus hurriedly explained.
"This power was temporarily granted to me by the god who saved me. Once it's used, it's gone."
Bosacius stroked his chin and nodded.
As always—he trusted his little sister completely.
And besides, on the land of Teyvat, anything was possible.
"Let's go."
"I want to see what Liyue Harbor looks like now."
Bosacius clasped all four fists together, revealing a bright, heroic smile—and those sharp little tiger fangs.
He looked full of motivation.
"Big Brother Bosacius," Bonanus said firmly, "Let's go home together."
As her words fell, the adeptal energy from her hands slowly wrapped around both of them.
Once they were fully enveloped—
Whoosh!
The brilliant, overwhelming light yanked them upward with tremendous force.
That radiant adeptal glow, after hundreds of years, once again appeared in the pitch-black depths of the Chasm.
And this time—
There were two of them.
That beautiful light became the final sight of hope for certain cursed creatures at the end of their lives.
Meanwhile — Liyue Harbor
Liyue Harbor was more bustling than ever—(except during major festivals).
Everyone was preparing for tomorrow's Lantern Rite.
People greeted one another warmly.
Children and adults alike crafted lanterns of hundreds of styles, dazzling and beautiful.
Merchants from all over flocked in, drawn by the scent of Mora, setting up their stalls throughout the harbor.
All of them had proper permits—so they feared neither Yanfei nor Keqing.
Even the Liyue Qixing were running about, busy with their respective duties.
Those not on external missions were fully devoted to ensuring that this year's Lantern Rite would be more splendid than ever.
[Liyue Qixing
Tianquan — Ningguang
Yuheng — Keqing
Tianshu — Uncle Tian (retired)
Tianxuan — Unknown
Tianji — Unknown
Kaiyang — Unknown
Yaoguang — Unknown
Ziwei — Rex Lapis (symbolic)]
(Author's Note: Ziwei represents the North Star, traditionally symbolizing imperial authority. Combined with the Big Dipper, this results in eight stars.)
(Information may be inaccurate. Readers are welcome to correct it.)
Even the Millelith were utterly exhausted.
They guided citizens, crafted lanterns, transported fireworks, stood guard repeatedly, and ensured absolute safety.
Because during Lantern Rite, Liyue was at its most relaxed.
And no mistakes were allowed.
Yet—
No one realized that a terrifying disaster was quietly approaching…
(Author's Note: The Traveler has not yet arrived.)