Travel through Teyvat and spend your life with Linghua

Chapter 162 The 76rd Generation

Everyone stared at Walnut and the mysterious ghost in silence. The atmosphere froze for a moment, as if even time had stopped. The air around them seemed to stagnate at that moment, so still that one could clearly hear their own heartbeats, each one like a dull drumbeat, standing out against the eerie stillness.

Walnut slowly reached out, wanting to touch the ghost, but her fingers dared not move forward, as if some invisible force were holding her back. Her heart was filled with both fear and anticipation: fear of this unfamiliar ghost, yet hope that he truly was the one she had longed for. Her hand trembled slightly, like a leaf swaying in the wind, her slender fingers bearing a heavy burden.

The ghost looked at Walnut quietly, his eyes filled with endless stories. His deep gaze was like an ancient lake, hiding countless secrets and the vicissitudes of time. His gaze seemed to penetrate the barriers of time, making people feel endless depth and sorrow.

"Who... who are you? Why do you have a Homa staff like mine?" Kurumi's voice trembled slightly, her voice remarkably clear in the silence.

After a while, the ghost sighed softly, then slowly spoke, "Hello, I am the seventy-sixth head of the Wangsheng Hall. Walnut, long time no see. You're now capable of standing on your own." His voice tinged with shame and emotion. It seemed to come from a distant time and space, carrying an ethereal yet profound allure.

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this, and Walnut's eyes widened in disbelief. Her mind was in a turmoil, filled with countless questions. Her expression was as stunned as if struck by lightning, dazed and filled with confusion.

"No previous head of the Wangsheng Hall would ever appear here. This has been tradition. Only the spirits of the recently deceased or those with regrets from past lives can appear at the 'border'. Our family has lived and died honestly for generations, even Grandpa was like that. So this is impossible! You can't be Dad! Who are you?" Hu Tao was agitated, her voice trembling slightly, her emotions becoming somewhat out of control. Her eyes were filled with stubbornness and suspicion, unwilling to believe that this suddenly appearing spirit was her father.

The ghost shuddered slightly, a complex expression in his eyes. After a moment's silence, he slowly spoke, "The hat you wear is called the Qiankun Tai Gua Hat, a legacy of our Wangsheng Hall. I was supposed to put it on you personally, to mark your official assumption of the Wangsheng Hall's mission. However, fate played a cruel trick, and due to an accident, this hat returned to my father, your grandfather."

"Indeed, none of the souls of our ancestors in the Rebirth Hall have ever lingered at this 'border.' But my circumstances were completely different. Back then, I was home to a weathered old man and a child who was barely beginning to remember things. Imagine, how could I have left peacefully under such circumstances? So, I came here. Later, your grandfather also came here to visit me, and we said our final goodbyes. Since then, I had let go of my worries, prepared to face my uncertain fate. But who could have imagined that the earth's veins had recently become disturbed, and their powerful force had seeped into the 'border.' This force, like a surging tide, awakened all of us souls. It also brought with it numerous demons, and for a time, the 'border' was in chaos. As the 76th head of the Rebirth Hall, I naturally couldn't sit idly by. I had to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining order at the 'border.'"

With tears in her eyes, Kurumi said, "You...you really are..."

"Your birthday is July 15th. You are the 77th head of Wangsheng Hall. When you were a child, you..."

"That's enough!" Walnut hugged the dead soul, tears streaming down her face. "Dad!"

The ghost patted Hu Tao's back gently, his eyes filled with love and reluctance. "Hu Tao, you've suffered a lot these years. But you've done a great job. Under your leadership, Wangsheng Hall will surely get better and better."

The people around looked at the father and daughter quietly, their hearts filled with emotion.

After a moment, Kurumi looked up at her father, her eyes filled with determination. "Dad, let's work together to resolve the leyline disturbance and restore peace to the Border."

The Revenant nodded, "Okay, let's go together."

At this time, Xin Yang stepped forward and said respectfully, "Uncle Hu, you just said that you awakened because of the dynamism of the earth veins, but as far as I know, the power of the dynamism alone will not cause the monsters to undergo obvious changes in appearance."

"That's right. I wonder if you have heard of the legend of Chi?"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. They had never heard of this name before, let alone its connection to Wuwang Slope.

Hu Tao's father spoke slowly, "Legend has it that thousands of years ago, the Chi plagued Liyue. It was a terrible disaster. The Rock King led the Five Yakshas to suppress it. However, even as powerful as the Rock King, he could not completely eliminate the Chi. In desperation, he could only divide the Chi into five parts and seal them separately. One of these parts is here on Wuwang Slope."

Walnut's father continued, "Although the Chi was sealed, its remaining power was terrifying. The five great Yakshas stepped forward and absorbed all of the Chi's remaining power to prevent it from harming the world again. However, because this power was too great, it also brought about the Yakshas' karma."

Everyone listened, entranced, as if transported back to an ancient and mysterious era. Walnut frowned and said thoughtfully, "So, this disturbed leyline power must have awakened some of the Chi's power, causing these changes in the monsters."

Xin Yang clapped his hands. "That is to say, the problem of the disturbed earth veins has been repaired on its own. The remaining monsters are just minor problems. The real problem is the awakened Chi."

Walnut's father nodded. "That's right. Fortunately, the disturbance in the earth veins didn't last long, and only a small number of them were awakened. The monsters you saw just now were large monsters that absorbed the power of the Chi and became what they are today."

"That being said, can ordinary people like us really solve a problem that even the Rock King couldn't completely resolve?"

A feeling of uneasiness and doubt surged in everyone's hearts, and the atmosphere became heavy again.

Hu Tao's eyes glared. "Everyone, I'm very touched that you came here with me, but the action we're about to take is far too dangerous. I'm the head of Wangsheng Hall, and I must resolve this matter. It's my duty. I'm taking you away now."

Hu Tao's words were so powerful that they shocked everyone.

Xin Yang and Ling Hua frowned slightly and said, "Hu Tao, you can't face such a great danger alone. Since we came here together, we should face it together."

Walnut shook her head, her tone firm, "No. This is the responsibility of Wangshengtang. I can't let you take risks for me. Besides, you have your own lives and families. I can't put you in danger because of this."

Hu Tao's father listened to his daughter's words, his heart filled with pride but also a little worried. "Hu Tao, this has never been the responsibility of one person. Even the Emperor of Rock King needed the help of the five Yakshas to seal the Chi, let alone us."

Walnut was slightly startled, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She looked at her father's determined gaze, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in her heart. She knew her father had a point, but she didn't want to put anyone around her in danger.

"Dad, I understand what you mean. But this matter is too dangerous. I can't let everyone take risks for me." There was a hint of helplessness in Walnut's voice.

Xinyang and Linghua exchanged a glance, understanding each other's thoughts. Xinyang stepped forward and said, "Hutao, we are not afraid of danger. Since we chose to come here with you, we are prepared to face anything. We can't let you bear this alone."

Linghua also nodded and said, "That's right, Kurumi. We are friends and partners. When faced with difficulties, we should face them together."

Everyone nodded in agreement.