Chapter 1104: Weng Falos 3.1 (150)

Wandi: "During my time in the Holy City, I've been learning from you: devising strategies, leading the masses, responding to variables… but only recently did I see the quality of yours that truly commands respect."

"What is it?"

"It's the 'gravity' you possess. People voluntarily gather around you, listening to your guidance. They don't want to disappoint you, not out of fear of your punishment, but because they sincerely share your ideals. That's exactly what the successive usurpers of Xuanfengcheng have lacked."

"…You think that, I am deeply honored."

"You have become the strongest Demigod in this world, Maidemos. How do you intend to wield this power?"

"I will fulfill Nicadoli's unfinished undertaking, become Weng Falos's most solid bulwark against Heichi's assaults. I will secure enough time for the Fire Pursuit Journey until you lead everyone before the miracle of the Creation."

Aglaea nodded: "Weng Falos will usher in a rebirth, Maidemos… but the one who leads people to the end need not be you or me."

"Heh…" Wandi asked a question he had long wanted to know, "After assuming Moneita's divine office, what did you see?"

"…Even after a thousand years, the prophetic words remain clear." Aglaea said, gazing at the warm pool water lapping her ankles, and added meaningfully, "You will bathe for the last time in the dazzling golden warmth."

"…Heh, indeed a nonsensical prophecy." Wandi couldn't help a low chuckle, "Haha…"

"Why are you laughing?"

"I was just thinking, if an ordinary person read those lines, they'd probably never set foot in a bathhouse again in this life."

"But I can't quit the soothing pleasure of bathing. So, did you also see it, Maidemos?"

"…" Wandi fell silent for a while, then finally nodded, "One day, you will die from a back wound."

"What a blunt picture indeed."

Wandi's face showed no fear: "But if I had been frightened by a baseless rumor, I wouldn't have caught your gaze back then and joined the Fire Pursuit Journey."

"You are right. May a powerful destiny await you, and may we meet again in the promised new world… Farewell, Wandi."

——

Offer blessings to a beautiful world.

"No…?? Doesn't this prophecy plainly indicate that Bai E killed him in the end? Only Bai E knows Wandi's weakness, right?"

He Zhen was stunned; no matter how you look at it, this prophecy is quite ominous! It not only foretells the manner of death, but also allows one to infer what happened in between.

"In other words, on some future day, Wandi will be eroded by Heichi, driven mad, and ultimately Bai E will have to painfully thrust into the thoracic spine of his former comrade…"

This is a road to certain death!

"And Aglaea's prophecy—does it mean she will one day die in the bath palace?"

"If you ask me, preventing the prophecy is simple: if Wandi hadn't told Bai E about his back weakness in the first place, wouldn't that solve it? One must eliminate the prophecy at its source!"

Akua, hands on hips, seemed smug about her 'genius' idea, "And Aglaea, just curb her desire to soak for now; when the Recreation of the World starts in the future, she can bathe properly, bathe every day, bathe however she wants!"

"You foolish goddess, have you forgotten the matter of King Oulipang?" He Zhen massaged his temples, saying helplessly, "That guy desperately tried to defy the prophecy, even throwing Wandi into the Nether Sea to stop it, but the result? Whether it was the prophecy of him being killed by Wandi himself, or the prophecy of him ending the Xuanfeng dynasty, all came true!"

"In other words, any act aimed at defying the prophecy may subtly advance its fulfillment!"

——

Genshin Impact.

"…just like the prophecy that spread in Mondstadt back then."

Navia sipped the red tea in her cup and recalled, "According to the prophecy, every person in Mondstadt is born with an indelible original sin. One day, Mondstadt's sea level will rise, submerging and dissolving all Mondstadters, leaving only the Hydro Archon weeping on the divine throne…"

Cloylynne nodded and said, "Looking at the final outcome, both scenes—'Mondstadt's sea level rising' and 'the Hydro Archon weeping on the divine throne'—have manifested. No matter how one tries to reverse the prophecy in between, it merely accelerates its fulfillment. And in Weng Falos, Wandi's 'dying from a back wound' and Aglaea's 'dying in the final bath' are nailed to the board, absolutely beyond human force to forcibly reverse."

Navia inhaled a cold gasp, as if reliving the choking sensation of having the prophecy grip one's throat when everyone once tried to save Mondstadt.

No matter what one does, it's futile; everyone can only obediently await Mondstadt's rising waters and then dissolve together in the water…

"A prophecy is a prophecy because it will inevitably occur. Thus, the key is not 'how to stop the prophecy' but whether, before the prophetic scene unfolds, everyone can do something to alter the situation after it happens," Cloylynne said calmly. "The Golden Ones should all know where their destined end lies, and after the prophecy… it should be the Recreation of the World."

Navia frowned with worry, "But no one knows what the Recreation of the World will actually look like. What if what awaits people is an even worse world?"

"From their description, the Recreation of the World should be akin to a mythic new world—though it's unclear whether the new world contains Heichi, the deity who issued this edict seems well acquainted with Heichi. If the edict truly came from KefaLe himself, then this 'new world' is still worth anticipating."

——

"Lady Tirisisepios… isn't she here?"

Arriving at the Hall of Life, Wandi looked around but saw no Tiripao or the others. Yet soon a crisp voice sounded behind him.

"Your Excellency Wandi!"

"Feng Jin?" Wandi exclaimed in surprise, "So the physician Kelatus mentioned was you; no wonder he could retrieve a life. Thank you."

"Hey… that's a compliment, right?"

"I've heard about the Tree Court matter. Please accept my condolences."

Feng Jin lowered his eyelids: "…I've heard too many things about death and sorrow lately. As Lady Tiripao says, we should all look toward 'tomorrow', shouldn't we?"

"Indeed… you've always been the most optimistic among us."