Genshin Impact: I Made the Entire Playerbase Cry

Before departing, Mu Yang sought out Fujin and the others.

After briefly explaining the situation, they urged him to be careful on his journey.

Once Fujin and Lingyuan had left, Mu Yang quietly called Yaojun aside.

"Do you think Clarisse is hiding something from us?"

Mu Yang was direct—between them, there was no need for pretense.

Yaojun blinked in surprise. "Why ask this so suddenly? She seems the same as always to me."

"Perhaps I'm overthinking it."

"Your instincts are rarely wrong," Yaojun mused. "While you're away, I'll keep a closer eye on things."

She adjusted Mu Yang's collar. "Be safe on the road."

Mu Yang nodded. "Mm."

After bidding Yaojun farewell, he set off for the Guili Assembly.

He had only asked Yaojun because—in the original timeline without his involvement—

she had been the first to notice the anomaly with Chenyu Vale's god.

Secondly, this was merely Mu Yang's speculation—he knew little concrete about these events.

He didn't even know which god had been sealed—what if it wasn't Clarisse?

Better not to let Fujin and Lingyuan jump to conclusions.

Those two tended to think in extremes—no need to strain their relationships prematurely.

By the latter half of his journey, Mu Yang was mentally preparing himself.

He could guess what "major event" awaited the Guili Assembly.

Something involving gods—likely the flooding of Dihua Marsh and the Guili Assembly.

"Perhaps today... will be the last time I see Guizhong."

As it turned out, Mu Yang's prediction had been too optimistic.

"What's that?"

Even from Qingce Village's outskirts, the anomaly at the Guili Assembly was visible.

Dark clouds hung oppressively low, lightning splitting the sky—an utterly suffocating sight.

The battlefield below was engulfed in swirling dust, as if contesting the storm above.

This was the power of the God of Dust—Guizhong.

Yet beyond the thunderheads, monstrous tidal waves surged toward the Guili Assembly from the sea...

Mu Yang pushed his lightfoot technique, Soaring Cloud, to its limits, desperate to reach the battlefield.

Suddenly, avian cries pierced the air—Cloud Retainer and the adepti had arrived.

The adepti typically resided in their respective domains, each guarding their own territories.

The crisis had erupted so abruptly that they'd only just sensed the disturbance and rushed to aid the Guili Assembly.

Mu Yang's gaze locked onto the small figure at the vanguard—Streetward Rambler.

In raw speed, she couldn't possibly be the fastest.

But knowing her closeness to Guizhong, the other adepti had pooled their energy to assist her.

Seeing this, Mu Yang channeled most of his own power to her as well.

"This time... let her at least say goodbye."

Mu Yang had heard this story in-game—Cloud Retainer's account:

"...When this one and Streetward Rambler arrived... amidst the ruins... only our friend's divine remains remained..."

Originally, Streetward Rambler hadn't even gotten to see Guizhong one last time.

Streetward Rambler, propelled by Mu Yang's energy, pushed her speed beyond limits using his movement techniques.

Yet when she arrived... it was already too late.

At the scene, the five Yakshas used their power to sustain Guizhong's fading form.

Morax stood before her, listening to her final words.

"Those tiny humans... fragile as dust, small and weak."

"Because they're small, they never know when disaster might claim them—so they're always afraid."

"Because they're afraid... they strive so hard to grow wiser. I... understand this."

"So I thought... since the gap in our strength was so vast... perhaps technology and wisdom could bridge it."

"With your power and my mind together... what a magnificent city we could have built..."

Guizhong offered a wistful smile. "It seems... I won't be walking that path with you after all."

"About that lock... please forget it."

Morax said nothing.

Beneath his hood, none could discern his expression.

Streetward Rambler stepped forward. "Guizhong—"

Seeing her dearest friend, Guizhong mustered one final smile.

"Goodbye... Ping..."

Her form destabilized, dissolving into motes of glittering dust.

Streetward Rambler reached out, catching the fragments that slipped from Guizhong's fading eyes...

By the time Mu Yang and the others arrived, they only witnessed Morax and the Yakshas sealing her remains.

This was Mu Yang's first time experiencing such a moment firsthand.

Guizhong was gone.

That sleeve-fluttering, vivacious inventor who loved crowds and excitement—gone forever.

Mu Yang stared blankly at the seal, memories flashing through his mind—

Guizhong during Cloud Retainer and Mingxiao the Sea Gazer's artifact appraisals:

"Oh, stop bickering! Neither of yours compares to mine!"

On quieter days, she'd sidle up to Mu Yang and the others to gossip while munching snacks:

"Let's get barbecue later—we'll go once these two finish arguing..."

That was Guizhong—always wanting everyone happy, always making it happen.

She effortlessly lightened gatherings, her conversational skills bringing smiles to even...

that block of stone.

Mu Yang felt dazed. He desperately wished this were some cruel joke—

that Guizhong would tap his shoulder from behind, laughing as she revealed it was all an elaborate prank...

But the raging tides permitted no mourning.

The cataclysmic waves had already devastated the coastline, now charging toward the Guili Assembly.

Morax issued orders: Azhdaha and the five Yakshas would join him in battle at Yunlai Sea.

The rest would assist in evacuating the Guili Assembly's survivors to higher ground.

Finally, his gaze fell on Mu Yang.

This was ultimately a conflict between two factions—Mu Yang represented a third party: Chenyu Vale.

Mu Yang didn't speak.

With a flash of cold steel, Withering Glory left its sheath—its tip pointing toward Yunlai Sea.

His stance was clear.

Morax nodded in gratitude.

The adepti bestowed every possible enhancement upon Mu Yang and the Yakshas.

Even the now-grown Ganyu poured every ounce of her qilin's blessing into protecting Mu Yang.

Thus, Mu Yang, Azhdaha, and the five Yakshas marched to war under Morax's lead.

Not a word was spoken along the way.

Mu Yang couldn't begin to fathom what emotions churned behind Morax's stony silence.

Upon reaching the sea, their enemies awaited.

One face was familiar to Mu Yang—an "old acquaintance":

Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex—and his wife, Beisht.

Beside them stood another oceanic entity Mu Yang didn't recognize—likely the God of the Sea.

These three appeared to be the masterminds.

Beyond the leading gods and monsters, the waters teemed with endless ranks of aquatic minions.

And far beyond, at Mt. Tianheng, other gods and abominations watched... waiting.