Far from the battlefield, Lumine, Paimon, and Teppei stood staring at the starry sky above them, dumbfounded.
The thunderstorm and the sound of thunder had completely disappeared.
Before them stretched a beautiful starry sky, extending even above Orobashi serpent bones.
The strange, cursed vegetation influenced by the malevolent god was no longer present.
The ground around them was covered with lush green grass.
Faintly visible were a few beautiful flowers that had begun to bloom.
Cherry blossom trees mysteriously appeared around Orobashi remains, their petals floating in the gentle breeze.
In the Musoujin Gorge, the power of lightning had vanished, and crystal-clear seawater flowed into the ravine.
"What... what happened here?"
Lumine and Paimon stared in shock at the unfamiliar landscape before them.
"Traveler, am I... am I dreaming?"
Paimon turned to look at the dazed Lumine.
"Quick, pinch me!"
"That light just now, that was bright as the sun."
Said Teppei beside them, staring at the beautiful starry sky in amazement.
"What was it?!"
"Paimon..."
Lumine said, staring at the scene before them.
"Don't you think we've seen something like this before?"
"You... you mean!"
Paimon eyes widened in surprise at Lumine hint.
"That's... that's right, the only person in this world who could do something like this is probably him!"
She suddenly remembered a certain person.
"Cough, cough... Heavens."
Teppei stood beside Lumine and Paimon, staring in disbelief at the beautiful scenery.
"Is this still the Yashiori Island I'm familiar with?"
His voice sounded somewhat weak, and his thick black hair had turned somewhat gray.
"Hehe, perhaps..."
"This is what these two islands originally looked like?"
Qiu Bai suddenly appeared between Lumine, Paimon, and Teppei.
"Qiu Bai?!"
Paimon exclaimed in delight at his sudden appearance.
"Qiu Bai, you're here." Lumine said with a smile.
"I saw you all standing here not moving."
"So I came to check on you."
Qiu Bai said with a smile, gently patting Paimon's head.
"The resentful energy of the fallen god Orobashi is what transformed these two once bird-song-filled, flower-covered islands into their previous state."
Qiu Bai explained, hands behind his back as he gazed at the beautiful sky and verdant land.
"Cough, cough..."
"Mr. Qiu Bai, you're here too."
Teppei looked at Qiu Bai beside him.
"Hmm?"
Qiu Bai turned at Teppei words and frowned slightly at his graying hair.
"Are you alright, Teppei?"
"You look weird."
Paimon asked with concern, noticing his strange appearance.
"I'm fine, I'm fine."
"I probably caught a chill when I went out to sea a couple of days ago."
Teppei explained with a smile.
"Come to think of it, that strange feeling from earlier also disappeared with that sun-like white light."
Paimon said with a smile.
"It's probably because this place is close to the remains of the god Orobashi."
Teppei said in amazement, looking at the beautiful starry sky and green earth.
"The tatarigami energy was stronger here, but it was purified by that white light just now."
What power could purify tatarigami energy like that? It was like a miracle.
"So that's it."
"That strange feeling was the tatarigami energy."
Paimon nodded.
"Hehe, cough, cough..."
Teppei was about to say something but weakly coughed instead.
"Teppei, are you okay?"
Lumine asked with concern.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I just need to rest a bit when I get back."
Teppei said with a smile, scratching his head.
"There are other things to do during the day."
"Take care of yourself."
Lumine said with a smile.
"Haha, don't worry."
"My body is still strong."
Teppei waved his hand dismissively and turned to walk away.
"Hmm..."
Qiu Bai watched Teppei retreating figure, lost in thought for a moment.
"I can't believe Teppei can already fight against the Shogunate soldiers."
Paimon said happily, turning to look at Qiu Bai and Lumine after watching Teppei leave.
"Without us noticing, he's grown so much."
"But I feel like there's something strange about Teppei."
Lumine said with a frown as she watched him walk away.
In just a few days, could Teppei really face so many Shogunate soldiers on his own? This rate of growth seemed far too fast.
"Hehe, being able to grow is a good thing."
"We should be happy for him."
Paimon said with a smile, looking at Lumine puzzled expression.
"By the way, Qiu Bai."
"Was that sun from earlier something you created to purify the tatarigami energy?"
Paimon asked curiously.
"Oh?"
Qiu Bai smiled, crossing his arms.
"Is that what happened? This is the first time I'm hearing about it."
He had the look of someone who had no idea what had just occurred.
"Hey, don't play dumb!"
Paimon stomped her foot angrily.
"Hahaha... what do you mean by 'playing dumb'?"
Qiu Bai couldn't help but laugh at the angry little Paimon.
"I am but a mere wanderer in this mortal realm. When I encounter such things and have the ability to help, naturally I won't just stand by and watch."
He turned to look at the beautiful starry sky, hands behind his back.
"To see injustice and do nothing is a lack of courage..."
"To see injustice and do nothing is a lack of courage?"
Lumine muttered, rubbing her chin in confusion.
"Uh..."
Paimon scratched her head and spread her hands in confusion.
"I still don't quite understand that phrase."
"Hehe, it means."
"When you see something that you should step up for, and you have the ability to do so, yet you stand by with folded arms, that is cowardice."
Qiu Bai explained with a light laugh, looking at the confused Lumine and Paimon.
"I see."
Paimon nodded with a smile.
"Paimon understands now!"
"Thank you for the lesson, Qiu Bai."
Lumine said with a smile.
"Everyone understands such principles."
Qiu Bai chuckled softly.
"There's no need to thank me for teaching."
"Sometimes I feel like Qiu Bai is like a teacher."
Paimon said, holding her forehead as she looked at Lumine.
"He's so composed and knows everything. Although he's not always serious, he's still very reliable."
"Perhaps that's what gods are like."
Lumine said with a smile.
"Isn't Zhongli the same way? Except for Venti."
"That Venti guy."
Paimon nodded in agreement.
"He really is quite different from Zhongli and Qiu Bai."
"Venti is not that kind of person."
Qiu Bai said with some amusement, looking at Lumine and Paimon.
"Perhaps in your future travels, you'll discover his divine aspect as well."
He was amused that Venti had already left such an impression on them.
(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! 😊)