Glory stared blankly at the spot where Qiu Bai had been standing. A stinging sensation in her eyes made her slowly open them.
She saw faint light filtering through her blindfold, piercing through the darkness.
With trembling hands, she slowly removed the blindfold.
The blinding sunlight made her instinctively shield her eyes with her hands.
After a moment, her vision adjusted.
Her eyes widened in shock.
She could see the bustling streets, the merchants calling out their wares, the cobblestone path beneath her feet.
She looked up at the birds soaring through the sky.
"I... I can see."
Tears welled up in Glory eyes as she stared at her own hands in disbelief.
"Goodwin, I can finally see..."
"I can finally witness the beauty of this world with my own eyes."
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she slowly stood up.
The wind of Mondstadt brushed against her face, carrying with it a sense of freedom. A bright, joyful smile bloomed on her lips.
"Thank you, Mr. Qiu Bai."
"Thank you for allowing me to see this world."
Glory turned toward the spot where Qiu Bai had just been and bowed deeply, tears still glistening in her eyes.
Meanwhile, inside Angel Share Tavern.
A certain green-clad bard seemed to sense something. His lips curled into a knowing smile.
When he looked up, he saw a handsome yet scholarly-looking man approaching him.
"Ah, thank you for saving one of my followers."
"Long time no see, Morcius."
Venti greeted Qiu Bai with a playful grin.
Qiu Bai, without the slightest hesitation, sat down beside him.
Venti leaned in close, chuckling mischievously.
"How much have you been drinking?"
Qiu Bai pushed Venti face away with one hand, his expression filled with disgust.
"Ugh, the stench of alcohol is unbearable."
"Aww, how cruel!"
"We haven't seen each other in so long, and the first thing you do is complain about me?"
Venti pouted dramatically.
"Your statue was stolen, and you're still sitting here drinking?"
Qiu Bai lips twitched in exasperation as he watched the bard take another sip.
"Hehe, what else could I do?"
"A god of freedom must travel to accumulate divine power."
"Without my full strength, what choice do I have?"
Venti chuckled, leaning lazily against the counter.
Qiu Bai glanced at him, unimpressed.
"Save that excuse for the Traveler."
"Do you really think I'd believe that nonsense?"
With a sigh, he shook his head.
Then, he whispered in his mind:
"System."
"Scan Venti."
After Qiu Bai finished speaking, he inwardly commanded the system.
[Ding!]
[Name: Venti]
[Identity: A wisp of wind among a thousand, Archon Barbatos, one of the Seven Rulers of Teyvat, God of Freedom, wandering bard, drunkard.]
[Divine Power Level: Half-step Peak God]
[Overall Strength: Peak Upper God]
Qiu Bai mouth twitched.
This was the first time he had seen someone whose overall strength was lower than their divine power level.
Even without the system analysis, he could already sense that Venti divine power hadn't weakened much at all.
"Ehehe~"
Venti scratched his head, sticking out his tongue, flashing a mischievous grin at Qiu Bai.
"Hmm... looking at you, it seems like you're just like the old man."
"Have you chosen to live as a mortal too?"
Venti glanced at Qiu Bai, smiling knowingly.
"That's right. My name now is Qiu Bai."
Qiu Bai nodded, returning the smile.
"It's been so long since we last met. How about a drink together?"
"But I don't have any Mora left. I spent everything I just earned."
Venti grinned as he looked at Qiu Bai, shamelessly stating his predicament.
"I'll buy. Just wait here."
Qiu Bai chuckled and nodded, then leisurely walked to the counter.
He ordered several bottles of aged fine wine and brought them back to Venti's table.
"Oh my archons, Qiu Bai, you're loaded!"
"All these premium drinks must've cost a fortune!"
Venti eyes sparkled as he gazed at the bottles, completely stunned by Qiu Bai generosity.
"Not that much, just a few hundred thousand Mora."
Qiu Bai smirked as he sat down across from Venti.
"A-A few hundred thousand Mora?!"
"I wouldn't even make that much telling stories for an entire year!"
"Guess I'll have to freeload off you today!"
Venti sighed dramatically, but without hesitation, he grabbed a bottle, pouring himself a full cup.
As he took a sip, he casually asked:
"By the way, what brings you to Mondstadt?"
"Did you wake up from your slumber?"
Qiu Bai chuckled.
"Not only did I wake up..."
"I'm now strong enough to beat Morax in a fight."
He popped the cork off his bottle and poured himself a drink.
"Hah?! No way!"
"The old man could send me flying with a single kick!"
Venti face filled with shock.
Qiu Bai simply took a sip of his wine and replied with a smirk:
"Basic operations, nothing special."
Qiu Bai waved his hand, humbly responding,
"I just woke up from my slumber as well."
"I really envy you... never suffering from erosion."
Venti rested his chin on his hand, took a sip of wine, and playfully complained while gazing at Qiu Bai.
"I heard you got your heart ripped out..."
"By La Signora of the Fatui?"
Qiu Bai raised an eyebrow, smirking as he asked.
"Ah... Rosalyne..."
Venti chuckled softly, taking another sip of his drink, not denying the statement.
"In the end, I suppose I do owe her something."
"It's fine. I got beaten up by Tartaglia and coughed up blood too."
Qiu Bai laughed, casually mentioning his own brutal encounter with another Fatui Harbinger.
"Hahaha, is that so?"
"Then I guess we really are in the same boat."
Venti grinned, raising his wine glass toward Qiu Bai.
Qiu Bai lifted his glass as well, clinking it against Venti before downing his drink in one go.
"This brings back memories..."
"The last time we drank together, we weren't in this sorry state."
Venti sighed nostalgically.
A thousand years ago, when he visited Liyue to meet "the old man", he happened to run into Qiu Bai as well.
Qiu Bai chuckled, then suddenly said,
"Once we finish these bottles, come with me somewhere."
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed it?"
His tone was light, but his eyes sharpened as he looked at Venti.
Venti paused, then smirked.
"I noticed."
"Seems like they're planning to make a move against Boreas, the Wolf of the North."
Venti glanced toward Wolvendom, slowly swirling the wine in his glass.
"But no need to worry, the Traveler is already heading there."
"Isn't that right?"
Venti grinned mischievously at Qiu Bai.
Qiu Bai exhaled sharply, feeling irritated.
"You really never do anything yourself."
"If you don't come with me after this drink, I'll drag you there myself."
Venti laughed, but seeing Qiu Bai's serious expression, he sighed in defeat.
"The Wolf of the North, huh?"
Of course, Qiu Bai knew about Boreas.
In truth, Andrius was once a god himself.
His power had merged into the land, transforming into another kind of energy, ensuring the protection of the people living there.
The remaining spirit of Andrius fused with the Alpha of Wolvendom, becoming one of Barbatos subordinates and taking on the name Boreas.
Venti sighed dramatically.
"Alright, alright, I'll go, okay?"
"I surrender! Just don't drag me there like some sack of potatoes—it would be embarrassing."
He waved his hands in defeat, then widened his eyes, pouting at Qiu Bai like a spoiled child.
(T/N: Like the story fellow daoist? Read 20 chapters ahead on my P@treon [p@treon.com/DaoistRongyi] Thanks for your support! 😊)