Everyone was watching the brilliant fireworks, their faces bearing smiles.
"Another new year, another new beginning."
Qiu Bai murmured, watching the beautiful fireworks with his hands behind his back.
Time passed slowly, and the fireworks finally ended.
It marked the end of one year, and likewise heralded the beginning of another.
Zhongli closed his eyes slightly, watching the end of the fireworks with a hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"Traveler, come over here for a moment."
Zhongli said with a smile as he slowly opened his eyes and looked at Lumine behind him.
"What is it, Zhongli?"
"Is something the matter?"
Lumine asked with confusion as she looked at Zhongli in front of her.
"Though it's a bit late, I still want to express my feelings."
"As the year ends, I casually picked some Jueyun Chilis at Qingce Village for you."
Zhongli smiled as he spoke to Lumine, then produced a bag of Jueyun Chilis.
"Eating some spicy food in winter is good for your health."
"If you really can't stand the taste, you can also string them together as decorations to hang in your home, adding a touch of festivity."
Zhongli explained with a smile as he looked at the Jueyun Chilis in his hand.
"Are these Jueyun Chilis?"
"Zhongli gifts are always so practical..."
Paimon flew over and commented, looking at the Jueyun Chilis in Zhongli hand with her palms open.
"Look carefully, there are nine chilis here."
Lumine took the chilis from Zhongli hand and said with a smile.
"Thank you, Zhongli."
"I'll remember this."
Lumine put away the Jueyun Chilis and thanked him with a smile.
"Haha, it's nothing."
"I'm already very happy that you all came to celebrate my birthday."
Zhongli waved his hand dismissively, smiling as he spoke.
"Everyone, please rest early."
"Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me."
Zhongli turned around and addressed everyone with a smile.
"Hehe, it's nothing, nothing at all."
"As long as the old man is happy, just don't hit me, that's all I ask."
Venti came over and said to Zhongli with a smile.
"Oh my, this director is getting sleepy."
"Qiu Bai, take me back quickly, I need to get some sleep."
Hu Tao yawned and spoke to Qiu Bai with drowsy eyes.
"Director, you've worked hard."
Qiu Bai looked at the adorable Hu Tao and nodded with a smile.
"Is there anyone else who wants to go back?"
Qiu Bai asked the few people in front of him with a smile.
"Brother, I'll accompany Director Hu."
"The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor can't be without someone tomorrow."
Qiu Yue came over and said to Qiu Bai with a smile.
"We're not tired."
Lumine and Paimon said in unison after exchanging glances.
"Alright, hold onto me tightly."
"Sister, and Hu Tao."
Qiu Bai said with a smile, looking at Qiu Yue and Hu Tao.
The two then grabbed Qiu Bai clothes, and in an instant, Qiu Bai disappeared with them.
Shortly after, Qiu Bai returned in another instant.
"Well, I won't be going back yet."
"The scenery here is so beautiful, and most importantly, I haven't finished my wine yet."
Venti looked at Qiu Bai in front of him and said with a smile, spreading his hands.
"The scenery here is still as beautiful as ever."
Azhdaha walked to the edge of the cliff and said with a smile, looking at the endless mountains and the bright moon high in the sky.
"Exactly right."
"There are few sights in the mortal world that can rival Jueyun Karst."
Qiu Bai also walked to Azhdaha side and said with a smile, looking at the scenery before him.
"Qiu Bai, don't just stare at the scenery!"
"Come and have a few more drinks with me."
Seeing this, Venti took four bottles of Dandelion Wine and ran to Qiu Bai side, smiling as he spoke.
Zhongli looked at the few people admiring the scenery.
These people were all his old friends.
He had never imagined that one day, these people would gather together again.
Nor had he ever thought that one day, these old friends would celebrate his birthday.
"Haha..."
Zhongli chuckled and also walked to the side of the three, looking at the beautiful scenery of Jueyun Karst.
"Oh perfect, four people!"
"Catch these—they're excellent wines!"
Venti looked at the three beside him and threw the bottles of wine to them with a smile.
"You still have four bottles left?"
"How many did you bring, Venti?"
Qiu Bai held the Dandelion Wine in his hand and asked Venti beside him with some surprise.
"Hehe, only a dozen or so."
Venti chuckled, pulling out the cork with his hand, and took a sip while looking at the scenery.
"Don't just focus on the scenery."
"Hahaha, come on, drink up!"
Azhdaha patted Zhongli shoulder and said with a laugh.
"It's rare to have such an opportunity."
"Naturally, I can't disappoint you all."
With that, Zhongli also pulled out the cork and took a sip.
The group chatted, drank the fine wine in their hands, and admired the scenery of Jueyun Karst.
"These few people... um... gods?"
Paimon looked at the silhouettes of these people and asked Lumine beside her with her hands spread.
The Anemo Archon, the God of Yin and Yang, Azhdaha the Dragon King, and the Geo Archon.
The most powerful beings in the mortal world—who would have thought they knew each other?
And from the looks of it, they seemed to have a very good relationship.
"Shh..."
Lumine shook her head at Paimon, gesturing for her to be quiet.
Then she sat at the stone table, resting her chin on one hand, watching the silhouettes of the four in front of her.
"Venti, don't move."
Qiu Bai took a sip of wine, looked at Venti beside him, and said with a smile.
"Huh?"
Venti touched his head in confusion, not knowing what Qiu Bai was about to do.
Qiu Bai placed his palm against Venti forehead.
"Close your eyes."
Qiu Bai murmured.
Then, the white Yang energy, as dazzling as the sun, illuminated the entire Jueyun Karst.
"It's that technique, the one that removes erosion."
Paimon covered her eyes and said to Lumine beside her.
Lumine also quickly covered her eyes, as the light was too blinding.
Zhongli and Azhdaha didn't seem to feel anything, not even blinking, just watching Venti and Qiu Bai.
"Done."
Qiu Bai looked at Venti in front of him and nodded with a smile.
"This is..."
"The erosion... has been repaired."
Venti stared at his own hands in disbelief.
"Thank you, Qiu Bai."
Venti looked up at Qiu Bai and said with a smile.
"Hehe, it's nothing."
Qiu Bai waved his hand dismissively at Venti words.
Venti erosion was nothing compared to Azhdaha and Zhongli.
It wasn't particularly taxing to repair.
Suddenly, Qiu Bai seemed to sense something. He frowned as he looked at the clouds ahead, and instantly a Chaos Sword appeared in his hand.
Zhongli, Venti, and Azhdaha all sensed it too!
They immediately materialized their weapons and looked toward the clouds.
Endless divine power surged from their bodies!
The immense power blew away all the clouds above Jueyun Karst!
The boundless divine pressure made Lumine hold Paimon tightly, her Dull Blade firmly planted in the ground!
She shielded her face with her arm, struggling to look at the four wielding their weapons.
Likewise, it also alarmed the other divine beings, who were rushing toward this location at extreme speed.
"What is this?"
Qiu Bai frowned deeply, holding the Chaos Sword in his hand, looking at the clouds ahead.
Because he couldn't sense it, he couldn't even see what it was.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Now you can read 30 chapters ahead on my P@treon [[email protected]/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)