Everyone let out a quiet sigh. Faced with such a story, they didn't know how to express their emotions.

It just felt... far too tragic.

"So, don't waste any more time," Ryen waved his hand lightly and said softly,

"Hurry up and try to revive him."

Upon hearing this, Zhongli perked up. He quietly studied the resurrection totem for a while, then suddenly asked:

"How does this thing… work?"

Ryen also froze a little awkwardly.

Normally, you'd just press a key to activate it. But now that everything had been made real, it was a bit of a mystery.

After a moment of silence, Ryen suggested softly,

"How about… you just think of the person you want to resurrect in your heart?"

"That subjective?"

Zhongli gave a wry smile, holding the resurrection totem and Yixiao's soul shard in his hands. He focused his thoughts on reviving Yixiao.

The next moment, the glow from the resurrection totem dimmed slightly.

And the soul shard in Zhongli's hand vanished completely.

"What just happened?"

Moon Carver looked over in surprise.

"Lord, this…"

"The revival point… was consumed."

Zhongli frowned deeply, but there was unmistakable joy in his eyes.

"So that means…"

Before Moon Carver could finish his sentence, golden lights began to gather in front of everyone.

The light coalesced into the size of a person.

Through the shimmering glow, they vaguely saw a magnificent divine stag raising its hoof high.

"Yixiao…"

Moon Carver clenched his fist. The immortal, who always held himself aloof from the mortal world, now had reddened eyes.

A gentle deer call echoed through the air, and the golden light suddenly dispersed.

What appeared before them was a majestic being with indigo fur and a body adorned in brown-yellow streaks of radiant immortal energy.

Its eyes sparkled with spirit and vitality, but what drew the most attention was the brilliant pair of antlers atop its head — glowing like polished yellow jade.

They radiated a soft, calming light that soothed the heart.

Yixiao looked a bit dazed, lowering his head to glance at himself.

"What… I thought I was dead?"

Looking up at the people before him — Moon Carver, Zhongli, and the others — though all appeared in human form, they didn't conceal their auras. Yixiao recognized them at a glance.

"Lord? And Moon-Carver, you all… what's going on?"

Still puzzled, Yixiao quickly shifted into human form.

Like Moon-Carver, he took the form of a middle-aged man. But unlike him, Yixiao's antlers remained on full display.

It seemed, just as Moon Carver had said, Yixiao was especially proud of his antlers.

"Yixiao…"

Moon-Carver's voice trembled slightly as he stared at him.

Yixiao paused, then replied modestly,

"It's Moon-Carver. How did you know my antlers absorbed the divine marrow of the Lord's power?"

"…"

"Hey! Nothing much to say—just that my horns were once praised by the Geo Lord as the hardest thing in all of Liyue! Once you absorb the marrow of the Lord's divine power, you might get your chance too."

"..."

That familiar voice made Moon Carver fall silent.

After a brief pause, Moon Carver suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

"You rascal, you're still as vain as ever!"

He quickly wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

Then, Moon Carver pulled Skybracer into a tight hug and gave his back a good few thumps.

"Welcome home, Yixiao..."

"Hey! The Geo Lord is still right here! Don't be so sappy! And—don't touch my horns! I worked really hard to keep them this shiny!"

Yixiao looked thoroughly reluctant, but his eyes betrayed deep emotion.

He remembered clearly: he had died.

He had asked Moon Carver and the others to sever his horns—more precisely, to cut off the flesh they were attached to.

He had no idea how he was now alive and well, but he was sure Zhongli and the others must've paid a steep price for this miracle.

Most importantly…

His beloved horns were still intact on his head.

That alone was the greatest blessing.

If his horns had really been gone, then even living wouldn't have felt worthwhile.

Off to the side, Ningguang and the others looked pleased too. No matter what, Liyue had brought back one of its immortals.

Not to mention, back when Yixiao was still around, the title of strongest under the current Demon God hadn't belonged to Xiao—but to him.

During the great battle at Mt. Tianheng, it was Yixiao who, despite being gravely injured, managed to hold the demon at bay and prevent further catastrophe.

It was clear how terrifying his true strength really was.

Liyue's foundations had just grown even stronger—this was a time for celebration.

Especially seeing the immortals and Zhongli, smiling like blooming flowers as they chatted excitedly around Yixiao.

It was rare to see the immortals this cheerful.

However, Keqing suddenly leaned over to Ningguang and whispered:

"What do we do about this year's Lantern Rite?"

Ningguang paused for a moment, confused.

"We go ahead as usual, of course. The Lantern Rite, plus Yixiao's resurrection—it's a double celebration, isn't it?"

"That's not what I meant..."

Keqing shook her head and continued:

"Remember how our original plan involved fireworks?"

Ningguang nodded thoughtfully.

Keqing, seeing Ningguang still not quite getting it, grew a little anxious.

"The final firework was supposed to be… Yixiao, the True Lord Who Guides the Heavens!"

Ningguang jolted, suddenly understanding.

"You mean…"

"Exactly!"

Keqing nodded awkwardly.

"In the finale, Yixiao—the True Lord Who Guides the Heavens—was supposed to explode… into fireworks."

~~----------------------

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