"To quietly witness everything, that would be good too."
The Flower God gazed at the world, which now held brand new possibilities, and murmured.
She gently closed her eyes, her eyelashes fluttering.
What kind of emotions did she hold at this moment?
A gentle breeze blew, carrying the breath of life.
They sprouted in freedom, building their homes with joy.
No longer bound by external rules.
Even the delicate young grass harbored a rebellious and resilient heart, growing on barren land.
Then, Qin Yu, who made all this happen...
A smile curved the Flower God's lips, filled with contentment.
Compared to the Scarlet King of the past, what made Qin Yu even more precious was his respect for freedom.
This courage and ambition deserved her joy and her pursuit.
That was a vow belonging to the Aru and the Sijin.
And the companions they chose for life were only one person.
Finally, the Flower God made up her mind.
"Are you alright?"
Qin Yu looked at the Flower God, whose expression was joyful yet tinged with deep sorrow, and asked softly.
What had this goddess, beautiful as a flower, experienced to show such an expression?
"Let's talk."
Tai Tai, seeing the silent Flower God, said gently.
Flower God, you must know.
"..."
Qin Yu nodded silently, a sense of inexplicable heaviness in his heart.
Tai Tai rarely... no, she had never shown such a serious expression.
Perhaps the Flower God's past was also part of the First Dendro Archon's heavy experiences.
...
Qin Yu, holding the hands of the two women, led them to a lush pond.
Birds sang, flowers bloomed, and life was vibrant.
They sat down, gazing at the endless, deep sea.
Oh, and a little Fufu cat.
She lightly jumped down and lay quietly to the side.
Miss Fufu was very interested in the stories of gods.
"First, congratulations, you succeeded."
The Flower God smiled.
"Thank you all for being willing to help me."
Qin Yu felt a bit embarrassed.
"Your alchemy wisdom was the key, and your path is still long."
Tai Tai smiled gently, then glanced at the Flower God.
"Don't be like some people and go astray."
"..."
The Flower God shook her head, sighing softly.
"Cough."
Qin Yu sensed the strange atmosphere between the Flower God and Tai Tai, feeling helpless.
He wondered what had happened between these two good friends.
So, why was he always the one caught in the middle?
Qin, holding a woman in each arm, posed a question from his soul.
"Tell me about it."
The Flower God extended her fair feet into the pond, gently swaying them.
Water droplets splashed, then slid down her delicate skin, quite alluring.
She didn't like wearing shoes.
"Where would you like to start?"
Tai Tai, mimicking her close friend, dipped her bare feet into the pond.
She suddenly missed the times she bathed with the Flower God.
"?"
Qin, looking at the two pairs of flawless jade, could only stare.
There must be a time to wipe their feet.
"Mmm... the desert now..."
"Glory has been destroyed, leaving only sand and ruins."
"..."
The Flower God opened her mouth, her expression complex.
Then, she said with a hint of relief:
"We had already foreseen this outcome, she and I."
"..."
Qin Yu frowned, that "he"... couldn't be referring to the Scarlet King, could he?
He silently tightened his embrace around the Flower God's slender waist, showing his stance.
The Flower God's lips curved slightly, and she gently held the hand of the jealous young man.
Wasn't her intention already clear?
Then, the Flower God looked at Tai Tai, her gaze solemn.
"...Please tell me the reason for the failure."
How did a land without a god get buried by the desert?
"You and the Scarlet King were too hasty."
Tai Tai said softly.
Seeing the Flower God's confusion, she decided to tell a story.
"After your passing, your眷属, the guardian spirits, offered their loyalty to the Scarlet King."
"Then... the Great Guardian Spirit, following the Scarlet King's will, combined with a human prince and guided him to establish a vast nation that ruled the desert."
The rest of the story was simple.
Some shocking details would be omitted for now.
Rebellion, civil war.
Until the reclusive Scarlet King reappeared and took control of the desert.
Then, influenced by the Abyss, he touched forbidden knowledge and perished.
A brief peace dissolved into rebellion once more.
At that time, the Grand Lord Rukkhadevata had barely suppressed the forbidden knowledge, transforming into a child, extremely weak.
A nation without a god ultimately perished.
Submerged in the malice of the guardian spirits and humans.
"How could this be...!"
The Flower God murmured, her delicate body trembling.
She couldn't believe that the guardian spirits and people who had once laughed joyfully in the paradise would kill each other and even wage war.
"Without divine guidance, this is what happens."
Tai Tai snorted, giving her final assessment.
"But...!"
The Flower God suddenly stood up, her expression agitated.
Didn't her former close friend approve of her ideal of a world without gods?
Just as the two women began to disagree and the atmosphere became strained.
"Haven't you realized yet?"
Qin Yu sighed softly, patting the Flower God's hand to comfort her.
The entire story laid bare the darkness of the guardian spirits and humans.
The Flower God suddenly passed away, and the Scarlet King went into seclusion.
The human king was consumed by power, indulging in pleasure.
The Great Guardian Spirit was betrayed and harbored resentment.
Without divine restraint, the rebellion was inevitable.
Moreover, in the end, even the Scarlet King himself...
Thinking of this, Qin Yu looked up at the Flower God.
Why didn't you give your subjects more time to prepare?
"So... it was me and the Scarlet King... who were too hasty..."
The Flower God said in a low voice, as if gaining enlightenment.
"That was the limitation of that era."
Qin Yu mused.
The prosperity of the desert was ultimately due to the wisdom of the gods.
Humans relied on the gods, unable to truly withstand the desert's engulfment; they were like trees without roots.
The departure of the gods should not have been a complete disappearance.
Similarly, gods had departed, yet Liyue was doing well.
There should have been a period of silent observation from the shadows.
It was a long process of change.
In the end, having an ideal was not enough; preparation was insufficient.
"The limitation of the era... well said."
Tai Tai's beautiful eyes lit up, her admiration growing.
As expected of my Sun, you're wonderful in everything you do.
"Hoo... I understand."
The Flower God finally nodded, a bitter smile on her face.
This kind of growth had come too late.
If only she had met Qin Yu a little earlier...
Suddenly, she paused.
The fresh flowers appearing before her made the Flower God's eyes widen slowly.
She looked up.
Had the land that was once barren already bloomed with such beautiful colors?
"Don't mourn the present for the past."
Qin Yu placed the flower in the Flower God's hand and smiled.
He pulled the two women, looking at the vibrant, newly born land.
"At least, we have succeeded now, haven't we?"
The vitality here would continue to be sustained even after the gods departed.
The rest would be left to time.
"Qin Yu..."
The two women looked at him, their eyes full of tenderness.
"Let's build an eternal oasis together."
Qin Yu smiled, "But this time, it will be with everyone's strength."
"..."
Tai Tai and the Flower God exchanged glances, both smiling beautifully.
"Is this our eternal covenant?"
Tai Tai chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Of course, there's still much we need to do."
Qin Yu smiled, a sense of emotion welling up within him.
Protecting beauty was what he wanted to do.
The three placed their hands together.
"Miss Fufu?"
"Mmm... I've gained some insight, this lady will go for a walk."
Miss Fufu murmured and then left.
Gods make mistakes, and they grow.
Then, would she, who prided herself on fairness and justice, perhaps...
Furina, the stubborn god, scrutinized herself for the first time.
"?"
Qin Yu shook his head, letting her be.
"Alright, to celebrate the covenant, let's play in the water."
The Flower God smiled slightly, tugging at Qin Yu's arm and heading towards the pond.
Tai Tai followed, choosing to see but not to expose.
...
The pond water was clear, shimmering with light.
The Flower God, filled with joy, danced with Qin Yu.
Water splashed, revealing breathtaking beauty in the mist.
She would sometimes release him to dance, sometimes throw herself into Qin Yu's embrace, stirring his heart.
Even Tai Tai lifted her long skirt, softly singing a melodious song, and joined the song and dance.
The dances and songs of the two women amazed Qin Yu.
It was like a beautiful dream, in which he gradually sank.
Finally, he caught the two women, who danced as lightly as elves.
Quietly, a sea of flowers bloomed.
Qin Yu met their gazes, filled with intense affection.
The eternal covenant might have other clauses.
After all, there were other ways to create life.
The gurgling of water became rapid and chaotic.
Qin Yu was pushed to the shore, falling into the sea of flowers with them.
Impulse finally turned into action.
The rippling water surface reflected the slightly crowded, kissing figures.
"Now... what should we choose?"
The joyous low laughter was finally silenced.
Choose?
Qin, the man, wanted it all.