The days after Lord Morax purged the burrows beneath Guili Assembly of any demons, the city remained buzzing with energy.
A few days after it was reported that Lady Venti had awoken from her slumber, Guili's two ruling gods came out to the people and shared their plan. Guili was far too open to remain in this chaotic age, and so they must migrate to new lands. "New lands await, free of what could have happened in this very place." Morax had said.
And though some were reluctant, there were ultimately no complaints. They too understood that the plains around Guili Assembly didn't make it easy for their militia to defend their city gates. The people began to prepare, packing what they needed for their journey and building caravans to more easily ferry their belongings.
For they too understood that they'd all survived due to a miracle. Had Lady Venti not been there—someone Lady Guizhong had brought to Guili on a whim—thousands of demons would've breached past the city walls, led by the undefeated General Longqu who'd been corrupted by the demonic gods. And it stung, for they realized they couldn't even thank Lady Venti for what she'd done.
Now, a week after the people began preparing for their migration, Guizhong returned before them and informed them that they would finally begin their journey south in two days. She told them that Morax had already prepared for them a land ripe to be cultivated, and it was time for them to build their new home together.
Despite leaving behind their old homes, most were excited. It would be a new leaf for them all—a chance to grasp at a world beyond theirs.
.
.
.
"That is all, Lady Venti."
I smiled. "Thank you, Maomao." I sighed slightly. To think so much had happened while I was still confined to bed rest. I wished I could be out there on the streets with the others, but Guizhong was adamant on me resting. That, and after hearing about the people's perception of me, I'm pretty sure they'd all start prostrating before me or something.
My smile turned wry for a moment. As flattering as it was, being looked on as an adepti was…odd. I mean, I wasn't exactly an immortal like them, but I couldn't say I was fully human either. I was some odd mess that stood in the middle, kept afloat by my Genshin System.
Also, it was somewhat amusing to hear that practically everyone had agreed that I was female. I mean, I do look quite effeminate—and I swear my beauty has only grown since I slept. The fact that people have seen Guizhong and I often talking wasn't helping either.
The handmaiden bowed. "Do you require anything else, Lady Venti?"
I shook my head and smiled. "I've already taken enough of your time, Maomao. You may leave if you like."
Maomao returned a small smile. "Then I shall do so." She offered another bow before she left the room. And once the door closed behind her, my room descended back into silence.
I sighed as I walked up to the window. I could see most of Guili Assembly from up here, and the previously sparse streets were now filled with people, all excited for what was to come. There were far fewer guards patrolling now that most of the demons outside the city gates were dealt with; the militia were now preparing for the migration just like everyone else.
I smiled. The vibrant atmosphere had finally returned, and it made me feel warm. The war between gods might still continue, but this would be a new age for Guili. A new beginning.
"A fresh start, huh…?" I whispered, remembering something Guizhong had spoken about a few days back.
She'd asked me what I wanted to do once everyone settled in their new city. I thought about it for a good second, and realized that I didn't really know what to do. I mean, I suppose I could go fishing and hunt for treasures, but that was more of a hobby to feed my need to roll the Gacha. I suppose I could professionally sing and stuff, but turning a passion into a job would just suck out all the fun.
And sure, I had my [Abyssal Trails] to keep me busy if I happened to have too much time on my hands, but that wasn't something I could explain to Guizhong or Morax.
I thought it over for some time as I read through my System, trying to see if there was anything I could perhaps do. In a sense, I now had more options available to me since people assumed I was an adepti. I would have no issues gathering a crowd, at least.
Which was how I eventually came to this.
[Swords Dance 2★
A dance of steel and sparks, performed across seasons and time. A ritual turned practice, granting the strength to race across still waters.
Increases Sword damage by 15%. Increases Speed by 15%. Increases Speed by an additional 1% every second of wielding the sword, reaching a maximum of 20%. The increase degrades slowly after combat ends.]
[Instructor 2★
A good teacher leads their students to better days. A parent to a child's future. It is your duty to teach them of the coming Springs.
Allows the User to impart any 2★ or below Skills to anyone they instruct. Efficiency of User's students increases by 15% when directly taught by the User.]
It was [Swords Dance] that allowed me to wield my Sacrificial Sword so well against General Longqu. A continuous ritualistic dance, adapted to foster strength and harmony during combat. And while I hadn't given it much thought, Guizhong had called my sword 'beautiful' after she watched me practice using the sword one time.
I could then teach that same Talent to others using [Instructor]. I wasn't quite sure how others would learn a Talent I received from my Genshin System, but I felt confident that it was possible.
The question was whether that was appropriate or not. From what I've learnt, the adepti are reclusive by nature, mostly living by themselves or in places most humans couldn't reach. They'd sooner dive deep into the oceans than risk themselves harm by taking in a mortal student.
Something in me found the image fitting though. Immortals teaching mortals to ascend just like they did; it was an idea that felt natural for reasons I couldn't explain.
My lips twitched slightly as I imagined Morax taking a few mortals as his disciples. The guy would probably scare their pants off by just staring, not knowing that the blockhead was likely just running through what he needed to do. And blessings if they somehow manage to get Morax interested in something; he'd rattle your ears off for hours on end about the most obscure thing.
Guizhong would probably rock being a teacher though. I couldn't be too sure, but she gave off that dependable teacher vibes to me.
That aside, becoming a teacher sounded like a good 'official' job I could take once Guili settled into the harbor being built in the area South from here. I'd need some place I could call my own, but I could probably just ask Morax to build me a quick settlement that could also serve as a dojo.
With that plan settled, I spent the next few hours lounging about, filling the time by either playing with my Elemental powers or by playing the lute. And before long night fell, and the streets below were lit by the warm lantern lights, painting the city with blotches of flickering orange.
I sat atop the balcony connected to my room, my lute placed atop my thighs as I stared out to the stars above. It was something I began doing once I ran out of things to do. There was something about the starry sky that fascinated me. Guizhong found my fascination strange, considering the stars above never really changed.
But that was exactly it. Why did the stars never change? Were they not celestial bodies that hung far above even the celestial heavens? If that was the case, then why were they completely static?
It was almost as if the sky above was a painted canvas; a FaLSe sky.
But recently, I've noticed that something had changed. It began after I changed Guili's destiny. The stars above seemed to…fade slightly. The unchanging canvas began eroding, and I saw a couple falling stars over the past few days.
I pursed my lips. My only clue was the fact that I'd gotten the Achievement -Fate Defiance-, which signifies the fact that I'd caused an inevitability to change. Could it be that the stars were still because they were a representation of the predetermined future? If so, what did it mean now that the starry sky was beginning to change?
Would greener pastures follow? Or would a darker abyss come?
I didn't know, but that was what it meant to have free will.
"So this is where you were."
I blinked, and turned to find Guizhong walking towards me. I quickly stood up and bowed. "Greetings, Lady Gui-" I choked on my words at her glare. I cleared my throat. "Good evening, Guizhong. How are you faring on this wonderful night?"
She smiled. "It's been wonderful! Everyone is ready to move, and some are even asking if they could begin early!" She giggled softly. "It almost reminds me of those first days after we established Guili Assembly." She sighed. "Ah, it makes me feel so old."
I grinned as I gave her shoulder a comforting tap. "At least you're far younger than Morax. He's pretty much an old man in comparison."
She giggled. "That's true."
I sat back down on the bench and patted the space next to mine. She smiled as she sat beside me. We spent some time just watching the city below, bathed in warm lights and the streets still bustling with people. It was almost as if the near-threat of destruction that happened a week ago was a mere dream.
"I think I know what I want to do." I eventually said. Guizhong gazed at me, before she nodded. "I don't want to turn my songs into a job. A melody written for an obligation ceases to be a song." I looked up at the starry skies above. "But I think I can teach those willing to learn."
Guizhong blinked. "Teach, is it?" She smiled teasingly. "You fancy yourself an instructor?"
I smiled slightly. "A little." Or at least my Talent allowed me to be one. "You called my blade beautiful, and I see no reason to confine it to myself. I am more than willing to share what I know." I sighed softly. "I'll probably need to purchase a dojo for myself though. I have the Mora, but it's still going to be expensive."
"Mm. Is that so?" She whispered. I missed the odd gleam in her eyes as she leaned back. "I'm certain you'll find a place that fits."
I smiled. "Hopefully."
We spent the rest of the night talking about our plans for the future—of what to retain from Guili and what to change. We bounced ideas between one another, slowly narrowing down on things of interest. When it became so late that the lanterns below began to dim, I bid Guizhong farewell and finally retired for the night.
…
Two days later, thousands of people mobilized at once as they began their journey to their new home.