Chapter 441

Fortunately, Shushan appeared.

He didn't have to care about these messy plans.

"Emperor... why didn't you tell us before?"

Cloud Retainer looked at Seeing Zhongli with complicated feelings.

Compared to them, the immortals who squatted in Jueyun Karst and didn't ask about worldly affairs, Seeing Zhongli was the one who truly cared about Liyue.

"Why tell you?"

Seeing Zhongli asked back.

"I understand you just as you understand me. If you knew, you would definitely try to stop me at all costs."

"You would say there were other ways."

"You would even take the entire Liyue to find a way to save me at all costs."

"But erosion cannot be solved. That would only consume Liyue's foundation."

"We worked hard to build Liyue, not for ourselves, nor for any one person, but for all the common people of Liyue."

"We have already established Liyue, and the people of Liyue have not failed our high expectations, developing to where they are now."

"Why should I, who established Liyue, finally become a stumbling block for Liyue's continued development?"

This series of words made Cloud Retainer and the others silent...

Seeing Zhongli was right. If they had known back then, they really would have done that.

In Seeing Zhongli's heart, Liyue was the most important.

But in the hearts of the immortals, Seeing Zhongli was the most important.

"But these things are all in the past."

Seeing Zhongli changed the subject, and the atmosphere eased a lot.

"The Sect Master appeared, Shushan was born, and I got the opportunity to cultivate immortality, as did you."

"The erosion that I feared, that all long-lived species in Teyvat feared, has no threat in the face of the power of immortality cultivation."

"My erosion has been eradicated."

"But even so, I should step down as Rex Lapis. The me of the past had to step down for the sake of Liyue."

"But now..."

Seeing Zhongli paused, his tone was sincere, even with a bit of pleading.

"I want to live for myself once..."

Lady Ningguang and the others looked at Seeing Zhongli with complicated feelings.

"Liyue possesses martial arts, and the number of cultivators is the largest. The first time Shushan appeared, it contacted Shushan."

"Lady Tianquan, Yuheng, Miss Ganyu... and all the Liyue Qixing have become inner disciples of Shushan."

"In the magnificent new world of the future, Liyue has already walked at the forefront and sat on the tide of the era."

"I know your abilities, I recognize them, and I respect them."

"With you here, I believe Liyue will not be crushed by the wheels of the era."

"You are also cultivators with long lifespans and can lead Liyue to welcome a better era."

"Spiritual energy recovery is more of an opportunity than a disaster for Liyue."

"I know that Liyue no longer has anything it cannot face on its own."

"And I, just as I said before, am tired."

"Liyue no longer needs me. In terms of economy, my brain is no longer a match for Lady Tianquan; in terms of force, you won't be worse than me in the future."

"I can safely let Liyue walk on this world on its own. Since that's the case..."

Seeing Zhongli paused, and there was a bit of yearning in his eyes.

"I want to experience everything I have never had in these six thousand years of life."

"Live for myself..."

Moon Carver bit her lip and looked at Seeing Zhongli with sadness.

"Emperor..."

After saying this, the burden on Seeing Zhongli seemed to have been lifted, and he said with some relief:

"I received the Sect Master's grace, resolved the erosion, and under Shushan, Liyue can also develop to its heart's content and become stronger."

"This grace is something I can never repay in my lifetime."

"Now, I am even entrusted with an important task by the Sect Master and have become the acting head of Dragon Head Peak."

"This responsibility is not the obligation of Morax, the Rex Lapis, to the people of Liyue, but the responsibility that I, Seeing Zhongli, have personally chosen to take on as an individual."

"This is the first autonomous decision I have made from my own perspective in these six thousand years."

"I must fulfill my responsibility well."

"This is not a requirement of Shushan or the Sect Master for me, but myself, the first thing I want to do as an individual life in these six thousand years."

As he spoke, Seeing Zhongli paused and looked at Lady Ningguang and the others with emotion.

"You don't understand how important this is to me."

"Everything I did in the past was pushed by the era. As more and more people depended on me for survival, the decisions I made became less and less selfish."

"In the end, any decision I made had to prioritize others."

"This time... I can consider myself."

"Just like Venti said, this time, the god who pursues contracts is about to truly possess freedom."

262. The top-tier homebody Shushan Sect Master, coming out of the mountain for the first time at the Rite of Descension

"When I decided to abdicate, I no longer thought about Liyue in my heart."

"I thought I would be a bit empty, but I wasn't."

"I know Liyue will definitely get better and better, so I don't worry about Liyue."

"I started to consider myself, how I will cultivate in the future, and how I will enjoy life."

"This feeling is novel to me, but it makes me feel the surging vitality recovering."

Although Seeing Zhongli was still stern, everyone could hear the lightness in his tone.

"I want to become a formal and qualified head of Dragon Head Peak. This is a decision made out of my own wish."

"I want to follow Shushan to witness the great world and go see what the true immortals in the Immortal World are like."

"I want to resurrect old friends, let them see the Liyue of today, and then follow us to cultivate together, so that the long years ahead won't be too lonely."

"I want to continue cultivating, and when my strength is sufficient, I can take in some disciples to strengthen Shushan. This is a repayment to the Sect Master and Shushan."

"And for now..."

Seeing Zhongli paused, and his eyes turned cold.

"I want to break through to the peak of Qi Refining as soon as possible to avenge my Senior Brother."

"All these thoughts are urging me to break away from Liyue as soon as possible."

"The future me might be a burden to Liyue, and similarly, Liyue will also affect my cultivation."

"Since Liyue is already strong enough not to need me, let us each fulfill our own paths."

Seeing Zhongli sighed long. After saying this, the reluctance in his heart dissipated completely, leaving only the final firmness.

Seeing Zhongli calmed down and said seriously:

"So, this meeting is not a discussion, but a notification."

"At the Rite of Descension three days later, I will officially announce my abdication. From then on, Liyue enters the era without gods!"

"I know that the subsequent impact might make everyone a bit busy, and most importantly, it might affect your cultivation."

"Especially a month later, when the Jiu You Secret Realm Conference opens, you all need a lot of time to prepare."

"My hasty abdication might make you a bit flustered."

"But... please allow me to be willful this once."

"Six thousand years... my duty should have been well completed, right?"

Everyone was silent. After a long while, Lady Ningguang took a deep breath and smiled.

"Of course, Emperor, you are the most perfect god. Your duty has ended. From now on, please live for yourself."

"Don't worry about Liyue's affairs. You will only see Liyue become more prosperous and powerful in the future, and even fly out of Teyvat and follow Shushan toward the heavens."

Seeing Zhongli stared at Lady Ningguang, and after a long while, nodded slightly.

"In the identity of Seeing Zhongli... thank you."