Genshin Impact: I am best at sacrifice, don't cry

Two years later, Hu Tao was eight years old.

The Hall of Rebirth, an underground secret room.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Balls of burning flames lit up from the darkness, illuminating the secret room hidden deep beneath the Hall of Rebirth.

The secret room is about a hundred square meters in size, and there are two huge statues at the deepest part of the room.

A majestic dragon is coiled, each scale of which is lifelike. The dragon head is facing the door of the secret room, and its bright eyes seem to be examining everyone who enters the secret room.

In front of the dragon statue there is a human statue about two meters high.

The human statue is wearing a cloak that covers the entire body, kneeling on one knee, holding a dry and old wooden staff in his hand, as if guarding the dragon.

“I didn’t expect there was such a secret room under the Hall of Rebirth.”

Nan Dou looked at the layout of the secret room and was amazed.

"Zhongli Keqing, you know so many things. Even my grandfather didn't tell me that there is such a place in Wangsheng Hall."

Compared to two years ago, Hu Tao has become a lot more stable, but she still looks like a childish little girl.

The one called Zhongli Keqing was a black-haired young man with elegant clothes and noble manners. His dark golden pupils added a sense of mystery to him.

Zhongli replied in a calm tone that did not match his appearance: "Master Hu naturally knows this place. Every generation of the Master of the Wangsheng Hall knows this place."

"The reason I didn't tell you is because of the [Contract]."

Nan Dou inferred a lot of information from Zhongli's two short sentences.

However, Hu Tao did not know Zhong Li's true identity, and asked in confusion: "Then why did you bring my brother and I here? The heir of Wangsheng Hall should be my brother, right?"

Zhongli was very patient. His dark golden eyes were calm as he replied softly, "Because both of you have the [qualification]."

"The inheritance of Wangsheng Hall never cares about the number of people. No matter how many descendants you have, as long as you have the qualifications, you can come here."

"And you are the only generation since the birth of the Hall of Rebirth to have two people who are qualified at the same time."

Having said that, Zhongli's eyes were fixed on Nan Dou, as if this shouldn't happen.

Being stared at by Zhongli, Nan Dou felt some pressure, but he was not afraid. He was just a projection of the soul, and it didn't matter if he was discovered. Death would only mean returning to his original body.

So Nan Dou simply took the initiative to ask: "What exactly are the so-called [qualifications] and [contracts]?"

"I will explain it to you clearly. It all starts from before the birth of Wangsheng Hall..."

From Zhongli's mouth, a story originating from an ancient era of strife and conflict was slowly told.

[In that chaotic period when many demons rose up and the war continued, the humans living in Liyue not only had to face the impact of war at any time, but they could not even have peace during the short breaks in the war.

The humans who followed the different demon gods had no time to celebrate their victory in the battle before they were tortured by the disasters caused by the remains of the dead demon gods.

This cycle repeats itself for hundreds of years without any rest.

It wasn't until a human who broke the routine appeared that everything took an unprecedented turn for the better.

From that day on, the red flames spread like wildfire, lighting up firewood all over Liyue. In the fiery ritual, filth and the flames rose together towards the sky that could accommodate all filth.

The humans living on the land of Liyue called him the "Healer Who Saves Life."

The healer held a scarlet staff in his hand and ignited the evil-tainted thing. Then, in the purifying flame, gray butterflies flew out and dissipated in the wind, as if the dead had been freed from eternal curse and distortion.

Legend has it that the doctor himself eventually turned into a flying saucer-like puff of smoke and disappeared silently.

“This is the origin of the Hall of Rebirth.”

"The humans in the story are the ancestors of your Wangshengtang lineage."

"He is the first person to successfully practice immortal arts with a human body."

"However, as a human, he had to pay a price for using immature immortal techniques. In the end, just as the legend had said, he turned into a sky full of flaming butterflies in the blazing flames and disappeared between heaven and earth."

The story told by Zhongli deeply shocked Nan Dou and Hu Tao.

Long before the legendary war between demons and gods, only stories passed down among the people remained, and even the books in the Hall of Rebirth only recorded a rough chronology of major events.

Now that they had learned the truth about the ancient war from Zhongli, it aroused their strong curiosity.

"So, we are all descendants of that legendary doctor?"

Kurumi's eyes lit up and his tone became noticeably more excited.

"The doctor of the dead is indeed related to the Hall of the Resurrection."

Nan Dou was thinking about the source of the story Zhongli told. He always felt as if he had seen a similar story somewhere.

"【Qualification】You should have guessed what it is."

"The Wangsheng Hall has continued to this day not only to solve the funeral problems of the Liyue people."

"The remnants of the demons left over from the end of the Demon War thousands of years ago still exist today. If someone can inherit the unique immortal method passed down by the Wangsheng Hall, it will reduce the pressure on the immortals in charge of this matter."

As he spoke, Zhongli had already walked to the side of the human-shaped statue and extended his hand to the two of them.

"Come, place your hands on this stick."

Everything before him was completely beyond Nandou's memory of the original god, which made him realize that this was not a game and any different development was possible.

"I saw Grandpa take this stick, but it disappeared every time. I searched the whole house but couldn't find it. It turns out it has been placed here all along."

Hu Tao curiously moved over and, following Zhongli's instructions, tightly grasped the long wooden staff with her hands.

"Om~~"

The moment Walnut touched the wooden stick, something strange happened!

The stick, which was originally dry and old like a piece of dead wood, suddenly caught fire, completely engulfing itself and the walnut.

"walnut!"

The sudden change caught Nan Dou off guard, and he rushed towards Hu Tao who was covered in flames in horror.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine."

"The Staff of Homa recognized her. The last time I saw this scene was a thousand years ago."

A rare nostalgic smile appeared on Zhongli's face, and he reached out to stop Nandou.

Just as Zhongli said, the flames soon dissipated, and what followed was a brand new Hu Tao and the Staff of Homa.

The dead wood staff grew a gorgeous flame-shaped head, and the red lines on the black body looked like flowing flames. It was the Homa staff that Nandou was familiar with.

Walnut was unharmed in the flames, and the pupils in her beautiful eyes turned into the shape of plum blossoms.

"Brother, I feel my body getting warm."

Hu Tao has had a cold body since she was a child, but it is not a cold in body temperature. Nan Dou took her to see a doctor many times but the cause could not be found.

Now it seems that it was caused by too much Yin energy in Kurumi's body. With the suppression of the Homa Staff, she finally felt like a normal person.

"The Staff of Homa was originally just an ordinary piece of wood, but after accompanying the healer throughout the land of Liyue and purifying countless filth, it was recognized by the heaven and earth of Teyvat and recast with the power of legend, becoming a special existence."

"Although you are recognized by it, you cannot hold it for too long now, otherwise your body will not be able to bear it."

Zhong Li explained as he took the Homa Staff from Kurumi.

The Staff of Homa is very calm in Zhongli's hand, it seems that he is also a recognized person.

"You can try it too."

Looking at the Homa staff being handed to him, Nandou licked his lips and grasped it with anticipation.

The moment you touch it, the warm touch is transmitted from the palm of your hand to your body, it is warm and very comfortable.

But in the next moment, the fire on the staff of Homa began to dim, but it did not completely go out in the end.

Nan Dou looked at Zhongli in confusion, not understanding what was going on.

"The Staff of Homa has reluctantly recognized you, and you are equally qualified to use it."

There was also confusion in Zhongli's eyes, and he gave an answer that Nan Dou could accept.

"Okay, the test is complete. Both of you are the chosen ones who have the ability to practice the immortal method of rebirth."

"From today on, I will teach you here every day until you fully master the method of rebirth."

"Before that, you need to sign a [Contract] with me."

Nan Dou and Hu Tao had no objection to the signing of the contract, as their grandfather had instructed them about this matter before they came.

"My name is Morax. With the power of the God of Rock as my bond and the heaven and earth of Liyue as my witness, I hereby initiate the [Contract]!"

The moment Zhongli's voice fell, a golden light shone from his body. In the golden light, chains condensed into shape, and finally intertwined in front of the two people to form a page-like contract.

contract:

Do not reveal my real name.

Protect the land of Liyue forever.

Inherit the bloodline of Wangsheng Hall.

……

In addition to the responsibilities that should be fulfilled, a contract also contains the benefits that can be obtained.

Including but not limited to being taught the immortal method of reincarnation, being recognized by all the immortals in Liyue and even the Seven Stars, and having the monopoly of Liyue's funeral business.

Without any hesitation, Kurumi and Nandou placed their hands on the contract and swore loudly:

"I, Kurumi!"

"I, Hu Nandou!"

"I am willing to fulfill the contract for the rest of my life!" x2

The golden chains suddenly penetrated into their bodies the moment they swore an oath.

Nan Dou closed his eyes and found that he had a strange connection with Zhongli.

"The contract is made!"

With Zhongli's solemn declaration, the contract ceremony officially ended.

"Starting tomorrow, gather here on time at nine o'clock every morning to learn the immortal method of rebirth. At the same time, I will also teach you how to become a qualified head of the Rebirth Hall."

"..."

Nan Dou and Hu Tao walked out of the courtyard where the secret room was hidden. This was Zhongli's residence. According to the order of Hall Master Hu, no one would disturb them.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Hu Tao couldn't hide her excitement. She approached Nan Dou and said, "Brother, the guest official Zhongli is actually..."

"Stop! Have you forgotten about the contract we just signed?"

"Remember, never reveal Zhongli's identity as a guest official at any time!"

Nan Dou held Hu Tao's mouth and instructed her very seriously.

"The [Contract] is not a joke. It is something we need to defend with our lives."

Seeing Nan Dou's serious expression, Hu Tao nodded sensibly and said, "I understand, brother. I will pretend that I am not very familiar with Zhongli Keqing when we are outside."

"I'm glad you understand. Let's go find Grandpa. He must be waiting anxiously now."

Nan Dou frowned slightly. Only he could see that when the souls of Hu Tao's parents tried to approach Hu Tao just now, they were blocked by some force and their bodies were on fire.

"The power of the Homa Staff..."

……

When Nan Dou and the other man met Master Hu, they discovered that he was not busy, which was unusual.

In recent years, as Master Hu has grown older, his physical strength and energy are not as good as before. When Nan Dou and Hu Tao see him, he always looks very tired.

"Grandpa, we are here."

The three generations of grandparents and grandchildren gathered together for dinner after a long absence.

"How is the result?"

After the meal, grandpa asked casually.

Nan Dou replied knowingly, "Hu Tao and I are doing well. Starting tomorrow, guest official Zhongli will teach us some advanced knowledge."

"Haha, that's good. Zhongli Keqing is a man of great learning. You should learn from him carefully."

"Tomorrow when you return from Zhongli Keqing's visit, come with me to attend a funeral."

"After studying for so long, it's time to put it into practice."

The grandfather with a head full of white hair patted Nan Dou's shoulder and said to him in a soft voice that aging had made this strong old man begin to become weak.

Nan Dou, who had never experienced the feeling of family love in his previous life, looked up at his grandfather's eyes full of care and expectations. He felt very complicated. He wanted to speak, but suddenly choked up.

"I want to go too! Grandpa can't be partial, I'm also a good student!"

Fortunately, Hu Tao, who was left aside, started to make a noise and did not embarrass Nan Dou.

"Okay, okay, little Hutao is so smart, she will definitely be able to help her brother in the future."

"From now on, you must support each other and lead the Wangsheng Hall forward."

Grandpa reached out his hand and touched Hutao's little head with satisfaction, feeling deeply moved.

After a long time.

"Grandpa, let's go. You should also go to bed early."

Walnut jumped out of his grandfather's arms, smiled and waved goodbye playfully.

"Well, go slowly on the way back and be safe."

Nan Dou and Hu Tao left their grandfather's yard together.

As soon as they left the courtyard, Nan Dou said to Hu Tao, "Oh, I forgot something. Hu Tao, you go back first. Don't wait for me. I'll go back as soon as I find it."

Hu Tao thought about it and felt a little tired, so she waved her hand and said, "Brother, I'll go back first. I'm so tired today and I have to get up early tomorrow..."

Looking at Hu Tao leaving, Nan Dou walked back into his grandfather's residence.

Grandpa, who was sorting things in the study, saw Nan Dou and asked in confusion: "Did little Nan Dou drop something?"

"No, Grandpa, I want to ask you something."

Seeing Nam Doo’s serious expression, Grandpa also became serious.

"Close the study door, and we'll talk slowly..."

Half an hour later, Nan Dou returned to his room.

"It turns out that Dad's life was extended by an immortal, and Mom doesn't affect his health..."

Thinking of what his grandfather had just said to him, Nan Dou subconsciously clenched his fists.

Dad loves Mom the most, but he loves Walnut just as much.

The reason why his father, the 76th head of the Wangsheng Hall, was reluctant to leave was that he was afraid that no one would take care of Hu Tao and him.

"Five years, there are still five years left. I must grow up to be able to take charge of the entire Wangsheng Hall on my own, so that my parents and grandpa can rest assured!"

……

From that day on, Hu Tao and Nan Dou began to learn the immortal art of rebirth under the guidance of Zhongli.

Master Hu also began to take his two children to participate in solemn funerals, teaching them various funeral rituals and practicing them.

Under Nan Dou's influence, Hu Tao's personality has become much more stable. With his constant company, she no longer feels lonely.

In this way, another two years passed.