Chapter 215: The Time Has Come

In a secluded courtyard within Spirit Hall's headquarters in Spirit City.

Paimon was hovering around, fussing endlessly over Aether's unresponsive body. Beside her, Qian Daoliu and the others sat in silence, their eyes flickering with unease—none of them dared to meet her gaze directly.

"Traveler, what's wrong with you?! Why won't you wake up no matter how loud I yell?!"

Paimon finally seemed to tire herself out. She poured a cup of tea, downed it in one go, then crossed her arms in frustration, cheeks puffed.

After a moment of sulking, worry crept into her expression again. She floated gently to Aether's side, listening closely to his calm and steady breathing. Her furrowed brow finally eased a little.

"Ugh! That's it—I've decided! I'm giving you an awful nickname!"

With her tiny hands on her hips, she huffed indignantly. Even if Aether couldn't hear her, she continued her one-sided declaration with great vigor.

"You sleep so much, I'm calling you… Sleepyhead Traveler! Hmph!"

"Sleepyhead Traveler… Paimon, your nicknames are as terrible as ever~"

A familiar voice rang out, causing everyone seated around the table to snap their heads toward Aether.

He was awake. Lazily stretching, Aether stood up and casually pinched Paimon's cheek.

"Change it. I really don't like that one~"

"Hmph! Stupid Sleepyhead Traveler! What even happened to you? You just collapsed and went straight to sleep!"

"Uh…"

Aether's mouth twitched. How does she even know about that nickname that spread through the other timeline…?

But joking aside, Aether moved off to the side and summoned the Serenitea Pot. The spout shimmered with radiant light, and one after another, glowing orbs drifted out from it—each touching the ground and transforming into familiar figures.

"Waaah! Keke, Zhuqing, Uncle Bo, and Yanyan!"

Paimon shouted in astonishment as she recognized the group.

"Lady Paimon, I'm here too…"

A timid voice squeaked out near their feet. If he hadn't spoken up, no one would have even noticed him.

"Eh?! Fire Meow Meow… Wait! What are you guys doing inside the Traveler's Serenitea Pot?!"

Before Fire Meow Meow could explain, a flash of cyan light surged out from the teapot.

A figure appeared—and Paimon's confusion instantly turned into a shrill scream that echoed through the courtyard.

"…Xiao?!"

Yu Keke, Zhu Zhuqing, Fire Meow Meow, and even Dugu Bo, Bibi Dong recognized those names.

But the young man who now stood before them was someone entirely new to their eyes. The transcendent aura clinging to his form was undeniably out of place in this world.

Paimon's earlier chatter echoed in their minds—could this young man she called "Xiao" really be the infamous Vigilant Yaksha, the guardian adeptus known for slaughter?

Everyone's thoughts buzzed with questions. Based on the tales, wasn't the Vigilant Yaksha supposed to be a fearsome, monstrous being with three heads and six arms? Why did he appear as a fragile-looking teenager?

"Paimon."

Xiao nodded at her—a subtle greeting.

This was a foreign land to him. To meet a friend in such a place filled his heart with a quiet warmth.

"Waaah! Xiao, it really is you!"

Paimon zipped around him, scanning him up and down with excited eyes. "I thought I was just imagining things when I heard your voice earlier! I've missed you all so much!"

"It's me," Xiao replied simply. He wasn't talkative, but he never ignored Paimon's words.

"Hehe~ This is great! I was just talking about you to everyone here! Oh, right—these are the friends I've made in this world~"

Paimon eagerly introduced everyone. Xiao had already met Yu Keke and the others before, so he wasn't unfamiliar. As for Qian Renxue and the rest, it was his first time seeing them.

But true to his nature, Xiao didn't show much enthusiasm. When others reached out for a handshake, he merely nodded, a faint hint of shyness flickering across his otherwise stoic face.

His reserved nature, his duties, and even his physical condition made large crowds difficult for him. In the past, he'd have vanished in an instant and returned to the mountain peaks of Liyue to resume his silent watch.

"Sir, I am Qian Daoliu, Grand Worshiper of Spirit Hall. I've long heard of the mighty name of the Conqueror of Demons. It's an honor."

As the highest-ranking authority in Spirit Hall, Qian Daoliu naturally wished to befriend such an extraordinary immortal.

"Xiao."

Though Paimon had introduced him already, Xiao gave his name again out of courtesy—not wanting to embarrass her.

But that was all. He offered no details about his origins.

"Lord Xiao," Qian Daoliu continued, "while our Spirit Hall may not rival your homeland, rest assured that this place is secure. There is no need for such heightened vigilance."

He had noticed the shadowy aura constantly emanating from Xiao. Even just brushing against the oppressive miasma made his heart tremble slightly.

Is this always how the Vigilant Yaksha operates? Even with no threats around, he remains on high alert?

Xiao tilted his head slightly, confused by the comment. He looked to Aether for clarity.

"Worshiper Qian, are you referring to the sharp, chilling aura around Xiao?" Aether gave a bitter chuckle. "You've misunderstood."

He explained further:

"That aura isn't something Xiao can simply suppress. It's the accumulated karmic debt and resentment from centuries of slaughtering demons. It's not his choice—it clings to him like a curse."

"Karmic debt…"

Bibi Dong echoed the term quietly.

"Mm," Aether nodded. "Xiao has fought for countless years to protect Liyue. Inevitably, that has left him tainted by immense karmic burden. It burns his body… and sears his soul."

He looked toward Xiao, whose face remained impassive.

"The price of killing is this constant torment. Every moment of every day, he's burned by that inner fire. And if others draw too close, they risk being corrupted by it as well."

"Ah…"

The revelation widened everyone's eyes—Yu Keke, Zhu Zhuqing, and even Bibi Dong stared in stunned silence.

Seeing Xiao's composed demeanor and the dark miasma steadily flowing from his body, it was clear: even now, he was enduring the agony of his karmic affliction.

"Big brother… I'm sorry…"

Yu Keke suddenly understood.

So that was why he always kept his distance from her—why he refused to let her get too close or even accept food unless she left it aside.

It wasn't because he disliked her… He was trying to protect her.

"Karmic fire scars both flesh and heart… He must be in so much pain…"

Qian Renxue murmured softly.

"To suffer like that every second of your life…"

Bibi Dong looked at the quiet boy standing before her, her chest tightening with unfamiliar sorrow.

Everything comes with a price. To guard his people, he endured such excruciating pain.

The Guardian of Liyue… Truly, a title well-earned.

And if what Paimon said was true—if there were more like him in Liyue… What kind of land could inspire such unwavering devotion?

She found herself wishing to see it with her own eyes.

"It's nothing. I've long grown used to it."

Xiao met their gazes, shook his head gently.

Then, as if sensing something, he lifted his arm. His translucent body began to dissolve into motes of starlight, drifting away with the lingering karmic mist.

"The time has come…"

He muttered under his breath, turning to look at Aether and Paimon.

"This form is fading. Traveler… Paimon… take care."

"Eh?! Xiao, you're leaving?!"

Paimon called out in alarm. He had just arrived—she had so many things planned, like taking him to try the food here. And now he was going?

"Mm. We… will meet again."

Xiao locked eyes with Aether, gave a soft nod, and then his body vanished into the heavens—like a dream that had never been.

"Wait—!"

Paimon reached out, but her hand caught only air. Her eyes shimmered with reluctance.

"…Oh, right. Your Holiness."

Now that Xiao was gone, Aether casually traced a route on the stone table with his finger, drawing a simple map and turning to Bibi Dong.

"The Clear Sky Sect has already been purged by my friend. Its foundation should still be intact—make sure you send someone to take it over."

_

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