Qiu Bai stared blankly at Qiqi in front of him.
After all, he had never seen Qiqi smile in the game.
Even though she was over five hundred years old, she had spent most of that time asleep. Her mind was still that of a little girl.
"So, you recognized me... But Qiqi, you mustn't tell anyone, okay?"
"Big brother has something very important to do."
Qiu Bai smiled as he patted Qiqi's head.
"Qiqi won't tell," she promised.
Like a little kitten, she closed her eyes and gently rested her head against Qiu Bai's.
Just then, a voice called out from the room behind the counter.
"Brother Qiu Bai, we've finished pricing your herbs!"
Baizhu stepped out, pausing when he saw Qiu Bai ruffling Qiqi's hair.
"Looks like Qiqi really likes you," Baizhu remarked with a smile.
At that moment, the small snake on Baizhu's shoulder spoke up.
"Qiqi is smiling!"
Baizhu blinked in surprise, only now noticing the faint smile on Qiqi's face.
"Qiqi... smiling? This is the first time I've seen that."
Qiqi turned to look at Baizhu, then walked over to him with a bright expression.
"Brother Baizhu, thank you."
"For taking care of me all these years."
Baizhu was stunned, his mind momentarily blank.
"Qiqi… you seem different from before?" he asked uncertainly.
"Qiqi has become human. Qiqi is warm."
"Qiqi has knowledge, has memories… No need to write them in a notebook anymore."
She smiled sweetly at Baizhu. For the first time, she didn't have to rely on notes, fearing she would forget.
Qiu Bai watched from the side.
She had indeed become human—but more accurately, she had become an Adeptus.
He was well aware that Baizhu had approached Qiqi with a purpose, yet Baizhu had never harmed her.
Of course, even if he had wanted to, he couldn't anymore. Qiqi was now an Adeptus.
Qiu Bai planned to speak with Baizhu later, then take Qiqi to the True Monarch of Song and Dust—Granny Ping.
Granny Ping would be able to teach her how to control her newfound immortal power.
"Brother Qiu Bai, do you know what's going on?" Baizhu asked, still confused.
After all, the moment he came out, he had seen Qiu Bai patting Qiqi's head.
"How could I have such abilities, Brother Baizhu?" Qiu Bai replied with a casual smile.
"Just now, after you went inside, an Adeptus arrived and healed Qiqi."
"He also said he would take her away soon."
It was a simple lie, and no one had seen what truly happened anyway.
At that moment, with a mere thought, a white-robed figure stepped through the doorway.
It was none other than the Lord of Yin and Yang—more precisely, Qiu Bai's clone.
Qiqi looked at the figure, then at Qiu Bai.
Her small head tilted in confusion.
How could there be two big brothers?
But none of Liyue's people would recognize him now. After all, during every Rite of Descension over the past five hundred years, he had always concealed his face.
The Adeptus walked forward, his presence commanding yet serene.
The employees of Bubu Pharmacy stood frozen in shock.
It was their first time seeing an Adeptus in person.
A faint mist veiled the Adeptus's face, obscuring his features.
"I have come to take you," the Adeptus spoke, his voice calm yet unwavering.
"You are no longer mortal. You have shed the shackles of the undead and ascended as an Adeptus."
"I will take you to where you belong. Come with me."
Qiqi turned back to Qiu Bai, who gave her a reassuring smile.
With that, she stepped forward, walking toward the door.
Baizhu, still in disbelief, called out after them.
"Adeptus, please wait! Will Qiqi… ever come back?"
His voice carried a trace of sorrow.
After all these years, he had come to see Qiqi as his own daughter.
"Brother Baizhu, Qiqi will be back."
Qiqi's voice was soft, but there was a trace of reluctance in her eyes.
"Of course she will. When did I ever say I was taking her away forever?"
The "Yin and Yang Adeptus" spoke calmly.
"I'm only taking her so she can adapt to her newfound immortal power. Once she's adjusted, she'll naturally return."
Baizhu let out a long breath of relief and respectfully cupped his hands.
"Then, I sincerely thank you, Adeptus."
After all, he, too, hoped Qiqi would become stronger.
"Pretend you never saw me. And do not speak of this to anyone."
With those words, the "Yin and Yang Adeptus" disappeared with Qiqi in an instant.
The staff of Bubu Pharmacy slowly stood up, their eyes filled with bewilderment.
"Second Brother… pinch me. Am I dreaming?"
Still dazed, one of the employees patted his colleague on the shoulder.
"Third Brother, this is no dream. We really just met an Adeptus!"
The two workers exchanged incredulous glances, but none of them dared to share what had just happened—not even with their families.
After all, the Adeptus had explicitly forbidden them from speaking of today's events.
Baizhu still felt lingering doubts, but for now, he chose to set them aside. He turned to Qiu Bai, who stood there as if nothing had happened.
"Brother Qiu Bai, we've finished appraising your herbs."
With that, Baizhu picked up a large chest.
"Here's two million Mora—a fair price."
Qiu Bai was startled. He hadn't expected that pile of herbs to be worth so much. Of course, part of it was due to Baizhu's goodwill.
This amount of money would be enough for him to live comfortably for quite some time.
"Brother Qiu Bai, if you have more of these herbs in the future, please bring them here."
"I promise the price will always be to your satisfaction."
Baizhu smiled.
Qiu Bai smirked inwardly.
As expected.
Maintaining his composure, he extended his hand.
"Then I'll have to thank you, Brother Baizhu."
"There's no need to be so formal, Brother Qiu Bai."
Baizhu shook his hand.
"I won't keep you any longer, then. I still have matters to attend to."
"I'll take my leave."
Qiu Bai cupped his hands in farewell before vanishing.
Hu Tao was probably worrying herself sick by now.
"Take care, Brother Qiu Bai."
As soon as Qiu Bai's figure disappeared, Baizhu let out a deep sigh and slumped into his chair, utterly drained.
The amount of shocking information today was simply too much—he hadn't even fully processed it yet.
...
Outside, night had fallen.
The streets of Liyue Harbor were illuminated by countless glowing lanterns, their warm red light reflecting off the ancient city that had stood for thousands of years.
At this moment, Madame Ping was tending to her flowers when she was startled by the sudden appearance of Qiu Bai and Qiqi.
She rubbed her eyes and stared at Qiu Bai's clone.
"Are my old eyes deceiving me, or are you truly an Adeptus?"
Finally recognizing him, Madame Ping gasped in surprise.
"Shh, True Monarch of Song and Dust, I can't reveal myself yet."
"But tell me—do you remember this little girl?"
Qiqi, who had been hiding behind Qiu Bai, timidly peeked out, gazing curiously at the kind old woman before her.
In response, Madame Ping's form shifted.
In an instant, the elderly woman transformed into a young maiden clad in flowing green robes.
A jade-green sigil was imprinted on her forehead, and white floral patterns adorned the cuffs of her sleeves. She radiated an air of youthful elegance.
With a gentle smile, she looked at Qiu Bai—then turned her gaze to Qiqi.
"This is… the little girl from five hundred years ago?"
"She has truly transcended mortality and become an Adeptus?"
Her voice carried a trace of amazement as she studied Qiqi.