Honkai Star Rail: I Became the World Tree — Chapter 106

Chapter 106: The Rite of Descension

Ultimately, Ningguang escorted Samuel, Furina, and the rest of their eclectic entourage to the most prestigious observation deck on Yujing Terrace. Guarded by a tight perimeter of stoic Millelith soldiers, this elevated vantage point was reserved exclusively for Samuel and his group, offering an unobstructed view of the ceremonial grounds below.

Baiwen, acting on Ningguang’s strict instructions, swiftly arranged an array of premium teas and delicate pastries for Samuel, Hu Tao, and the others.

Furina had specifically requested to be treated as an ordinary tourist, but Ningguang possessed far too much political acumen to actually entertain such a notion. The woman was the Hydro Archon. How could the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing dare to show even a hint of neglect? If word ever leaked that the God of Justice was treated like a common sightseer, the diplomatic fallout would be catastrophic.

The only thing leaving Ningguang entirely speechless was the fact that Rex Lapis had not given her a single word of advance notice. Fortunately, she was no novice. Her ability to adapt to sudden political shifts was flawless.

Samuel and the others settled into their plush seats, laughing and chatting with ease. Ningguang took a seat beside Furina, engaging the Archon in polite conversation. However, the exchange consisted almost entirely of measured, professional pleasantries.

Stelle watched the two women trade flawless corporate flatteries and shot Furina a discreet thumbs up.

“Truly worthy of an Archon,” Stelle whispered to the group. “If I had to sit there and trade corporate jargon like that, I would simply die of embarrassment.”

March 7th nodded in deep agreement. “Exactly. I definitely could not sit still through a conversation that stiff.”

“By the way, how much longer until this Rite of Descension actually starts?” Stelle asked.

Hearing the question, Hu Tao tilted her head back to check the position of the sun. “Soon. It is almost noon. The ceremony always begins exactly at high noon.”

“I wonder if the consultant will actually recite the advertisement lines?”

Hearing Hu Tao sound unusually uncertain about whether Zhongli would follow through with their marketing scheme, Lumine chuckled and leaned in to offer some chaotic advice.

“What are you afraid of? If he refuses to recite the ads, just take all of his expensive antiques and pawn them. When the time comes, just tell the buyers that these are the personal treasures of Rex Lapis. With the sheer fanatical faith you Liyue people have in Zhongli, you will make an absolute fortune.”

Hu Tao shook her head, immediately rejecting Lumine’s suggestion. “This Hall Master was only saying that to vent at the time. Those antiques are treasures the consultant worked incredibly hard to collect. This Hall Master would never actually sell them.”

After learning Zhongli’s true identity, Hu Tao found that she did not actually care all that much about his divine status. In her heart, he was simply an elder who had watched her grow up.

She still remembered the days when her father passed away. Back then, the consultant had not yet taken up his official position at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor; he was merely her late grandfather’s closest friend. She had not shed a single tear during the funeral, nor when her father was finally laid to rest.

But when she returned to the quiet emptiness of her own room, the dam broke. She cried bitterly, feeling entirely overwhelmed by sorrow and grievance.

At her absolute lowest moment, the consultant had quietly appeared in her room, gently handing her a small paper bag of sweets.

‘Little Hall Master, here. These are your favorite candies. Why are you crying? Did you not promise you would never be a crybaby?’

At the time, she had been so angry at his teasing that she grabbed a pillow and hurled it at his face. Then, her younger self had run up to him, pounding her small fists against his chest. The consultant did not fight back or try to dodge. He simply stood there like a mountain, letting her vent every ounce of grief she held inside.

Finally, she threw her arms around him and wept until her voice went hoarse. The consultant merely stroked her head and offered quiet comfort.

‘Hall Master, do you still want the candy?’By then, her emotional storm had largely passed. As the designated successor of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, she knew she would inevitably witness countless partings of life and death. She understood that one day, she would have to say goodbye to everyone she loved.’Yes! If there is candy, why wouldn’t I eat it?’She remembered sitting under the eaves with the consultant that night, eating sweets and admiring the silver moonlight. She had looked up at him and asked a question that weighed heavily on her young mind.’Uncle Zhongli, do you think my father had any regrets?’The consultant’s answer remained etched in her memory.’He had no regrets. If there were one, it would probably be that he could not personally witness you take over as Hall Master.’At that exact moment, she made her vow.’I am going to make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor bigger and stronger! I want my father in heaven to see it and be proud of me! Uncle Zhongli, you seem to know a lot about exorcism and warding off evil, right? Come help me! Be my consultant! Give me technical guidance!’That was the night the title of Uncle Zhongli shifted to simply consultant. She had stood under those eaves, pointing a small finger at the moon as she declared her ultimate ambition.’I am going to make the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor the absolute best! I want everyone in the entirety of Teyvat to become a client of our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!’

The bond between her and the consultant ran incredibly deep. Those treasures were his prized possessions, and she would rather go bankrupt than pawn them off.

“Forget it,” Hu Tao sighed, waving a hand. “If he will not do it, he will not do it. At worst, This Hall Master will personally print the flyers and hit the streets to promote us. It is just a matter of doing a bit more legwork.”

Hearing this, Stelle placed her hands on her hips with a confident smirk. “Alright, I will help you when the time comes. Hu Tao, what do you think of that massive sacrificial incense burner down there?”

Stelle pointed toward the grand bronze tripod cauldron resting in the center of the ceremonial plaza. “That thing has to be a famous landmark for tourists, right? If we plaster our flyers all over it, the publicity will definitely be top-tier.”

Hu Tao’s plum-blossom eyes instantly lit up. “Ooh! You are completely right! How did This Hall Master not think of that? It is settled then. In a bit, This Hall Master will go print a fresh batch of flyers. Then, we will cover that entire burner with them. Hehe!”

March 7th stared at the two of them in horror. “Isn’t that thing highly sacred? Are you sure you won’t be thrown into a dark dungeon by the Millelith for doing that?”

Stelle chuckled darkly. “Who said we are sticking them on during the day? We will wait until the dead of night, moving under the cover of the moon and the wind. Hehe. Who would ever know it was us?”

Hu Tao nodded enthusiastically, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Exactly. And do not worry about the Millelith coming to trouble us by using the flyers as evidence. Once the flyers are printed, This Hall Master will immediately go to the authorities and report a crime. I will claim that the promotional materials I just printed were stolen by a vicious group of bandits. Hehe. That way, we will be perfectly cleared of all suspicion.”

March 7th clicked her tongue, thoroughly appalled by their cooperation. “It is a genuine miracle that one of you joined the Astral Express and the other became a Funeral Director. If you two ever decided to become actual villains, you would play the entire world to death.”

Instead of feeling even a shred of shame, Hu Tao and Stelle practically glowed with pride.

Stelle held her head high. “Of course. I am a rare talent.”

Hu Tao mimicked Stelle’s exact pose. “Exactly. This Hall Master has been exceptionally clever since childhood.”

March 7th fell completely silent. These two were entirely beyond saving.

Sitting nearby, Ningguang had overheard every single word of their plotting while maintaining her polite conversation with Furina.

This Director Hu truly has an obsession with posting flyers, Ningguang thought to herself.

In the past, the Tianquan had frequently been forced to dispatch Millelith squads just to scrape Hu Tao’s advertisements off the pristine walls of Liyue Harbor’s streets and alleys. It seemed she would have to triple the guard patrols around Yujing Terrace tonight. That bronze cauldron was a sacred vessel used to commune with Rex Lapis; it absolutely could not be plastered with coupons for discounted coffins.

Soon, the sun reached its absolute zenith. High noon had arrived.

Ningguang excused herself from Furina’s side and stepped forward to preside over the grand ceremony. She stood before the massive sacrificial cauldron, her voice carrying across the silent, expectant crowd.

“The auspicious hour has arrived! We welcome Rex Lapis!”

As Ningguang finished her declaration, she formed a complex hand seal, channeling the pure geo energy of her Vision to initiate the ancient ritual.

High above, the serene sky suddenly shifted. Heavy, golden clouds swirled violently, parting to reveal a magnificent, divine presence. Zhongli, having assumed his majestic half-dragon, half-qilin Exuvia form, descended slowly from the heavens.

Ningguang, the stationed Millelith, and the massive crowd of commoners all fell to their knees in deep reverence.

“We welcome Rex Lapis! May Rex Lapis grant us his divine decree and guide Liyue toward a brighter future!”

Zhongli offered a slight, majestic nod. As he hovered above the plaza, his glowing amber gaze naturally shifted toward the VIP observation deck to check on Samuel and the others.

What he saw nearly made him break character.

Stelle, Lumine, Samuel, and Hu Tao were all slouched in their premium seats, holding massive handfuls of roasted melon seeds. They were casually cracking the shells and snacking, watching his divine descent with the exact same energy as a theater audience waiting for the main act to start. Only Neuvillette and Welt maintained any semblance of proper, serious decorum.

Zhongli finally understood the reality of his situation.

Good grief. This entire group was only here to watch him perform for their own personal entertainment. They absolutely knew about his grand plan to fake his own death today.

Barbatos. Just you wait. I will settle this score with you properly the moment I am free.

Suppressing a heavy sigh, Zhongli withdrew his gaze and looked down at Ningguang and the kneeling masses. His voice echoed with divine authority.

“Liyue and Fontaine have always enjoyed a relationship of mutual prosperity and friendly relations. This time, I have personally invited the Archon of Fontaine, the Hydro Archon Furina, and the Iudex of Fontaine, Monsieur Neuvillette, to witness our sacred ceremony. Liyue Qixing, you must ensure you receive the Hydro Archon and the Iudex with the highest honors. Do not be neglectful.”

Ningguang bowed her head respectfully. “We follow Rex Lapis’s decree. Ningguang will certainly receive Lady Furina and Monsieur Neuvillette with the utmost care.”

Ningguang remained relatively calm, having already been made aware of her guests’ true identities. The Millelith and the surrounding citizens, however, were thrown into absolute shock.

“What? Rex Lapis invited the Hydro Archon of Fontaine to witness the ceremony? Heavens!”

“How is it that we did not hear a single whisper about such a massive diplomatic event?”

“I never expected the relationship between the other Gods and Rex Lapis to be so deep that he would personally invite them to our most sacred rite.”

“Yeah, I always thought that among the Seven, only the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt was on genuinely good terms with our Lord.”

“It seems we Liyue people should make a concerted effort to get even closer with the people of Fontaine.”

“Indeed. Since Rex Lapis and the God of Justice are such close friends, shouldn’t those of us below follow his divine example?”

A merchant in the crowd suddenly slapped his thigh. “I have decided! I am going to agree to the trade cooperation I was discussing with that Fontaine merchant yesterday. Just for the sake of the deep friendship between our Rex Lapis and the Hydro Archon, say no more. I will consider it a personal favor to the Gods, even if I lose a bit of Mora on the margins.”

“Good man! Brother, we cannot let you suffer that financial loss alone. Tell us, what business are you in? We will all go and support your shop today.”

“That is right. Give us the name of your establishment. If nothing else, my family has a bit of spare wealth. We must support your righteous endeavor.”

In Liyue, every single citizen was an absolute fanatic when it came to Rex Lapis. The moment they witnessed the apparent deep bond between the Hydro Archon and their own deity, they immediately resolved to follow his lead and forge unbreakable ties with Fontaine.

It was the exact same phenomenon that occurred with Mondstadt. During the recent Dragon Crisis that had crippled the City of Freedom, only Liyue had continued to dispatch massive trade caravans to their borders. Ningguang had even deployed the Millelith to clear out monster encampments along the trade routes just to ensure Mondstadt received sufficient supplies. While it was partially a calculated move for long-term profit, the primary driving force was the deep, historical respect the Liyue people held for the ancient friendship between Rex Lapis and the Anemo Archon.

They could have easily redirected those goods to other nations for significantly lower transport costs and higher margins. Yet, they insisted on keeping Mondstadt afloat.

Up on the terrace, Stelle, March 7th, and the others listened to the escalating fervor of the crowd in sheer disbelief.

Stelle let out a low whistle. “Good heavens. These people are absolute zealots for Zhongli.”

Hu Tao smiled proudly. “In Liyue, if you commit a robbery or something similar, you will just be thrown into a standard jail cell. But if you dare to speak ill of Rex Lapis in front of a local, they will absolutely fight you to the death right there in the street. That saying is not a joke.”

March 7th swallowed hard. “I can see that now. I have never seen a populace so aggressively supportive of their ruler.”

Down below, the grand perspective shifted back to the golden dragon. Zhongli turned his massive head toward the VIP deck.

“This is Lady Furina, the Hydro Archon of Fontaine.”

Furina had been happily munching on a pastry, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, when she was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. She froze for a split second. However, possessing the instincts of a true superstar, she quickly adjusted her posture, stood up gracefully, and projected her voice across the massive plaza.

“Hahaha! I am deeply grateful to the Geo Archon for inviting me as his honored guest. People of Liyue, the Geo Archon and I have known each other for a very long time. We are the closest of friends. I have been entirely delighted by my journey through Liyue today, witnessing countless delicacies and stunning landscapes so different from my own Fontaine.”

She struck a dramatic, flawless pose. “Hereby, I, the Archon of Fontaine, the God Focalors, warmly invite everyone present to visit our beautiful nation. I announce here and now that for the entirety of the next month, Fontaine will fully waive all customs duties on goods traded with Liyue! Cheer! Applaud! Friends in the audience, if you have a wine glass in your hand, please raise it high. If not, raise your hands to the sky. Let us cheer for this historic moment. Applaud!”

The Liyue citizens, deeply moved by Furina’s theatrical generosity and her friendship with their god, threw their hands into the air, their cheers shaking the very foundations of the terrace.

“Great! This is wonderful news!”

“May the friendship between Fontaine and Liyue last until the end of time!”

“Lord God of Justice! Thank you for your boundless generosity!”

Seeing Furina command the crowd with such ease, Zhongli immediately followed her lead.

“Since the Hydro Archon has shown such deep generosity, Liyue cannot fall behind. For the coming month, Liyue will also fully waive all customs duties on goods from Fontaine. Let our two great nations build a better bridge of communication, exchanging what we have in abundance to make up for each other’s deficiencies.”

Ningguang stepped forward, bowing deeply. “As you command, Rex Lapis. After the Rite of Descension concludes, I will personally arrange the specific logistical details.”

Zhongli looked down at Ningguang and nodded with quiet satisfaction. She was a leader he had personally chosen to guide his people, and he naturally had zero doubts regarding her immense capabilities.

At that exact moment, Zhongli remembered the strict demand Director Hu had placed upon him regarding the advertisement.

He found himself in a rather awkward predicament. How could a divine dragon naturally pivot to selling funeral packages?

Suddenly, a brilliant spark of inspiration struck Zhongli’s mind. He turned his glowing eyes back toward Furina.

“Recently, I heard that you, Hydro Archon, have spent a considerable amount of time at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and that Director Hu has been acting as your personal guide. I assume there is some sort of official cooperation between your nation and the Parlor?”

Furina blinked, completely taken aback.

Cooperation? What cooperation? There isn’t any cooperation. What is this old dragon talking about?

Before she could panic, Neuvillette, having instantly deduced Zhongli’s true intentions, leaned down and whispered discreetly into Furina’s ear.

“Zhongli wishes to use your current influence to deliver his required advertising slogans for the funeral parlor.”

Understanding dawned on Furina’s face. She cleared her throat, projecting her voice with renewed dramatic flair.

“Ahem. That is entirely correct. As you all likely know, our Fontaine is the absolute Nation of Justice. We possess the most complete and rigorous penal system in all of Teyvat. I have heard that the professional services of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor are second to none. Therefore, I plan to establish a formal cooperation with them, handing over the delicate funeral arrangements of our deceased sinners to their capable hands. Although a sinner is guilty in life, they too deserve to find a place of peace after death, allowing their souls to finally rest.”

Her improvised explanation actually made perfect logical sense. Fontaine did not use the death penalty, but many criminals perished in the Opera Epiclese while challenging the formidable Champion Duelists in a desperate bid to defend their honor. As long as a sinner could defeat a Champion Duelist in combat, their crimes would be legally pardoned. However, every single Duelist was a master of combat, and the number of criminals who actually survived such encounters could be counted on a single hand.

By claiming she would send the remains of these fallen sinners to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, Furina brilliantly bolstered her own reputation. It allowed the world to witness her deep mercy.

Look at how benevolent Lady Furina is. She even ensures that condemned criminals receive a proper, dignified burial. The Hydro Archon is truly too kind.

Hearing her flawless recovery, Zhongli breathed a heavy sigh of relief inwardly. He had genuinely feared that Furina would freeze up and leave his divine persona hanging in an incredibly awkward silence. He silently decided that he would dig into his private collection of premium tea leaves later and gift a generous portion to Neuvillette as thanks for the timely assist.

Zhongli then looked out over the sea of Liyue citizens.

“The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has existed for generations. Every single Hall Master has been an unsung hero, fiercely loyal to Liyue, helping us stabilize the fragile Border Between Life and Death. With their unmatched capabilities, they will certainly not fail to meet the high expectations of the Hydro Archon.”

The moment those words left Zhongli’s mouth, the public perception of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor shifted on a fundamental level.

If Rex Lapis himself publicly endorsed their services, how could they possibly be viewed as mere peddlers of bad luck?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible. In the future, when my time comes, I must have the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor handle my rites. What? My unfilial son wants to hire a cheaper organization? That little brat. I will claw my way right out of the coffin and slap him across the face myself.

Having successfully secured Hu Tao’s business empire, Zhongli prepared for his final act.

“Tomorrow, I will enter a state of absolute Life-or-Death Seclusion in order to ascend my martial and divine prowess. This journey is fraught with unimaginable danger. If I cannot successfully pass through this trial, I will perish. This is precisely why I invited the Hydro Archon to Liyue—to have her personally protect my physical form during my deep meditation. If I truly perish during this trial, you must not hold even a sliver of a grudge against the Hydro Archon. She has traveled thousands of miles simply to assist me. It is already an act of deep kindness. Do you all understand?”

The expressions of Ningguang and every single citizen in the plaza instantly morphed into masks of sheer, unadulterated horror.

Rex Lapis is entering Life-or-Death Seclusion? How could this be happening?

Originally, Zhongli had planned to simply drop a lifeless dragon corpse from the sky and let the chaos unfold naturally. But since he had been forced to act as a live billboard for his own boss, he had to pivot his strategy. By declaring a dangerous seclusion, he ensured he would completely vanish from the public eye.

The Overlord of the Vortex, Osial, would undoubtedly catch wind of this vulnerable state. Believing the Geo Archon to be incapacitated, the ancient god would break his oceanic seal exactly as planned, allowing Zhongli’s ultimate test for the city of Liyue to proceed without issue.

After delivering a few final, cryptic instructions regarding Liyue’s economic development for the coming year, the golden dragon turned and vanished into the swirling clouds above.

Ningguang stood frozen before the incense burner, her mind entirely blank as she tried to process the terrifying reality of her god entering a potentially fatal seclusion.

Hu Tao happily skipped over to the stunned Tianquan’s side.

“Sister Ningguang, snap out of it. Do not worry so much, Rex Lapis will be perfectly fine. Our god is incredibly powerful. Even during the brutal days of the Archon War, he slaughtered countless terrifying enemies and led us to establish the prosperous harbor we live in today. It is just a little meditation session. Plus, he has another God standing guard for him. What is there to be afraid of?”

Hearing Hu Tao’s bright, confident voice, Ningguang suddenly felt a wave of clarity wash over her.

Director Hu was right. Rex Lapis was the martial god of Liyue. It was merely a seclusion, and with the God of Justice acting as his protector, what could possibly threaten him? She was letting her anxiety cloud her judgment.

However, with Rex Lapis officially out of the picture for the foreseeable future, the various foreign factions and Fatui diplomats lurking in the shadows of the harbor would undoubtedly grow restless. She needed to lock down the city’s intelligence networks and ensure absolutely nothing went wrong during his absence.

Ningguang took a deep breath, her sharp composure returning. She looked down at the cheerful Funeral Director.

“Hu Tao, you have been acting as the primary guide for the Hydro Archon since her arrival. I have incredibly urgent matters to handle regarding the city’s security and cannot step away for the time being. I will leave the responsibility of hosting Lady Furina entirely in your hands. Whatever expenses you incur, simply bring the receipts to me for full reimbursement later. There is absolutely no upper limit on the budget.”

Hu Tao blinked, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O’.

‘Does that mean I can print my promotional flyers entirely for free? Hehe.”When the time comes, I will just tell the Qixing’s accountants that the Mora was spent entertaining Furina. Then, I will buy Furina a tiny slice of cake, and she will definitely cover for my embezzlement. We are the best of sisters now. She will absolutely help me launder the funds.’What an incredibly wonderful day. She had never expected such a massive, unexpected windfall.’This time, I am not just printing a few thousand. I am going to print one hundred thousand copies. Hmph hmph.’