The system's voice echoed in Qiu Bai's mind.
"Resurrecting the Yaksha… isn't that exactly what I'm about to do?"
"I wonder what the system reward will be this time," he murmured to himself.
"Sister, lend me your Archon authority."
"This power can temporarily keep the dead in this world."
Qiu Bai spoke gently as he looked at Qiu Yue standing before him.
"Alright, if you need it, take it."
"But make sure to return it soon. This will be really useful for Master Hu."
Qiu Yue gazed at her brother with a hint of confusion but didn't ask any questions. After all, he was her brother—if he wanted to borrow it, she would lend it.
As she finished speaking, a piece of jade appeared in her hand. It was shaped like a yin-yang symbol, with streams of light swirling around its surface.
"Haha, I've seen your sister's abilities before."
"The power you two wield as siblings is truly astonishing."
Zhongli chuckled lightly as he sat in his chair.
He recalled the last time he had accompanied the Hall Master and Qiu Yue to Wuwang Hill. Qiu Yue had used her power to anchor the souls of the dead to this world, leaving the Hall Master utterly stunned. Zhongli could still picture the expression on their face.
"Qiu Yue, you're just like your brother."
"If you and Qiu Bai weren't siblings, I would have thought Qiu Bai was an immortal reborn."
Thinking back to the Hall Master's reaction, Zhongli couldn't help but smile.
"My friend, I'm going to resurrect the Four Yakshas."
"I'll take my leave for now."
Qiu Bai glanced at Zhongli, greeted him briefly, then reached out to pat Qiu Yue's head.
Before departing, his gaze lingered on her outfit with some curiosity.
So she really has started wearing the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's uniform… Qiu Bai's mouth twitched slightly. But judging by the design, the Hall Master must have customized it with great care. It actually looked quite nice.
Without another word, Qiu Bai vanished from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
...
"Yaksha..."
"Marshal Teng Snake—Bosacius—has vanished."
"General Heart Monkey—Menogias, the Rock Yaksha—was tainted by karma and perished in battle against the Water Yaksha, Bonanus."
"General Spiral Shell—Bonanus, the Water Yaksha—was also consumed by karma and died fighting Menogias."
"General Fire Rat—Indarias, the Fire Yaksha—fell into madness and perished, overcome by fear."
"Now, of the five Yakshas under my command, only one remains in the mortal world—General Golden-Winged Peng, Alatus."
"If the other four return, Xiao will surely be overjoyed."
Zhongli sat in his chair, lost in thought. The Yakshas had spent their lives waging war.
If only their old comrades could return, perhaps they could finally restore peace to Liyue.
Qiu Yue, meanwhile, sat quietly in her chair, watching Zhongli with a puzzled expression.
Why had Mister Zhongli suddenly gone still again?
...
At that moment, Qiu Bai appeared atop the roof of Wangshu Inn, hands clasped behind his back.
He gazed at the bright moon in the sky before releasing his aura without restraint.
Below him, Wangshu Inn was lively under the night's embrace—its lanterns burned like fire, and the sounds of chatter and laughter filled the air.
Yet atop the rooftop, there was only silence.
"Your Excellency, Immortal Lord."
"I am here."
Xiao's figure materialized behind Qiu Bai in an instant.
His voice, once cold and distant, now carried a trace of warmth. After all, Qiu Bai had cleansed his karma.
"Xiao, come here."
Qiu Bai turned his head, smiling at the Yaksha standing behind him.
"Alright."
Without hesitation, Xiao stepped forward.
"Do you wish to see the Four Yakshas revived, Xiao?"
Qiu Bai's voice was calm as he watched the adeptus before him.
"The Four Yakshas… Immortal Lord, you mean—!"
"Bosacius, Menogias, Bonanus, Indarias?"
Xiao's pupils constricted. For the first time in five hundred years, his usually cold expression was filled with shock.
"Can you really bring them back?"
Xiao stared at Qiu Bai, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"Haha, of course I can. Close your eyes and relax."
"Think of your fallen comrades."
Qiu Bai's gentle yet steady voice resonated in Xiao's ears.
Holding his sister's authority in his hands, he channeled his divine power into it.
Four streams of yin-yang energy shot from the jade, striking the ground and forming four glowing Bagua arrays.
Then, Qiu Bai extended a single finger and lightly pressed it against Xiao's forehead.
The dark-white divine power flowed into Xiao's forehead, and in an instant, a flood of memories surged into Qiu Bai's mind.
"Haha, Xiao, you look so cute like this!"
"Right? Hahaha! Brother Bosacius is really good at drawing!"
"Xiao, when the world finally knows peace, let's go live in the mortal realm."
"The Immortal Lord said life there is wonderful."
"That sounds great! I'll open a shop and call it Indarias' General Store."
"What about me? What about me? Should I open a shop too—maybe a Varanian Emporium?"
"I think I'd like to be a teacher in Liyue."
"Then let's all go listen to Menogias' lectures. We've lived for so long, yet we've never properly sat down to hear a teacher's lessons."
"What about you, Xiao? What kind of life do you dream of in the mortal world?"
The four Yakshas smiled warmly as they looked at Xiao.
The scene playing in his mind was peaceful, almost healing—a glimpse of a life they had once longed for.
As they spoke about their dreams of the future, a faint smile appeared on Qiu Bai's lips.
Then, suddenly, Xiao's brows furrowed, and another wave of memories flooded into Qiu Bai's mind.
...
"Xiao, you must live on."
"Brother Bosacius!!!"
"Xiao, we've lived long enough, haven't we? Even though I really wanted to experience life in the mortal world..."
"It's such a shame..."
"Xiao, go! Kill those monsters—leave none alive!"
"No! Menogias!"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
A desperate, agonized scream rang out.
"Indarias!!!"
"Varan..."
"All units—hold the line! Defend the frontline two hundred li outside The Chasm!"
Scenes flashed before Qiu Bai's eyes—Bosacius' retreating figure...
Menogias and Varan, driven mad by their karmic burdens, cutting each other down...
Indarias clutching his head, screaming in agony...
His mind consumed by fear, his body succumbing to madness...
And Bosacius, disappearing into the darkness, luring the monsters away.
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Xiao knelt amidst the sea of corpses, his Primordial Jade Winged-Spear plunged deep into a beast's lifeless body.
He howled in anguish, unable to accept what had happened.
Blood-red tears trailed from the corners of his eyes as he gazed upon the battlefield of fallen Yakshas.
In the present, Xiao remained lost in his memories, his eyes barely open—yet tears had already begun to trickle down his face.
Qiu Bai frowned. He hadn't expected the tragedy to be this devastating.
If only I had awakened sooner...
His fists clenched slightly at the thought.
"...Get some rest, Xiao."
"Right now, in this state, you're in no condition to face your siblings."
The dark-white divine power at Qiu Bai's fingertip softened, shifting into a warm, gentle glow.
He touched Xiao's forehead lightly, and Xiao's body slowly gave way, falling into a deep slumber.
Qiu Bai caught him just in time, supporting him with a sigh.
He then turned his gaze to the moon hanging in the night sky, lost in thought.
After a moment, he carefully placed Xiao onto a nearby bench, letting him rest.