Genshin Impact: A Mortal's Ascension to Godhood

As time goes by, a faint flavor of the New Year gradually spreads in the air. The shops on both sides of Feiyunpo Street began to hang red lanterns and colorful ribbons, like colorful dragons dancing gently in the breeze, adding a bit of festivity and liveliness to the city.

Unconsciously, the afterglow of the setting sun became softer, casting golden spots on the ancient bluestone road. Pedestrians hurried by with a unique look of anticipation and joy on their faces, which was the anticipation for the coming New Year. Children played and frolicked in the streets, their laughter mixed with longing for new clothes and new toys.

Although most of the residents of Liyue have already achieved a well-off life, the new atmosphere represented by the New Year and the custom of getting rid of the old and welcoming the new still accompany the New Year, the traditional culture of Liyue, and the people living in this cultural atmosphere as they continue to move towards the future.

"The New Year here is really similar to the New Year on Blue Star." Li Tao sat cross-legged under the eaves, looking at the cold and pale sky with rolling clouds, and the people who were constantly passing by under the sky, preparing to buy enough supplies for the New Year. He wondered whether he should buy some window decorations and couplets to paste, and some firecrackers to set off.

But then he thought of the fact that he had no relatives or friends in Teyvat and was all alone, so he gave up the idea of ​​doing so.

It was just like when he was in college, he was too embarrassed to go back to his aunt and uncle's house for the New Year - even though they would politely add a seat for him and save food for him, but looking at how happy the whole family was, Li Tao always felt like a superfluous person.

In a few days, it will be the "Sea Lantern Festival", a legal holiday in Liyue, which is equivalent to the Chinese New Year. Although Li Tao thinks that the time point of the Sea Lantern Festival should not be the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month, but the 15th day of the first lunar month, that is, the "moon watching" period. Because the Sea Lantern Festival must be held on the full moon night of the first month of each year.

Li Tao was busy writing his thesis and did not participate in the Lantern Festival. But he also saw a lot of related videos on Bilibili and learned about some of Miyoushe's settings.

But this year is a little different - because the once-in-a-decade Seven Stars Selection Meeting is being held in full swing. The previous Seven Stars and all the Seven Stars candidates who stood out in the selection meeting are expressing their opinions enthusiastically at the meeting. This can be said to be a major event that happens once every ten years.

Even young people like Xingqiu and Chongyun couldn't help but want to observe politics. They followed Keqing to conduct social surveys every day, and they had a basic understanding of the social conditions of Liyue as a whole.

For them, this is indeed a good political lesson. Unfortunately, including Keqing herself, no one has figured out how to turn their demands into reality, and can only pin their hopes on a platform like the Selection Committee.

The final result was of course not unexpected: neither Ningguang's radical modernization plan nor Keqing's plan to safeguard the interests of the people was passed.

It's like a farce: the Seven Stars may not necessarily oppose a bill that the people oppose, and may even strongly support it; while the Seven Stars may all oppose a bill that the people support.

Various bills and amendments were repeatedly proposed and rejected, and in the end only a few insignificant proposals were passed. At the same time, no new Seven Stars were elected in this election committee, and the previous Seven Stars still maintained a high number of votes and were re-elected.

On the day when the selection committee closed, Ningguang and Keqing both breathed a sigh of relief, but they couldn’t help but feel regretful—

Ningguang was deeply impressed by what Li Tao said about the political balance and the true meaning of "fighting without breaking", and at the same time kept his various progressive ideas in his heart;

Although Keqing is disappointed that the other seven stars turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people, she also understands that it is indeed very difficult to get people to pay attention to these things. The people of Liyue must rely on and discover their own strength to liberate themselves from heavy and alienated labor.

Xingqiu, Chongyun, and Xiangling all felt the same regret and confusion. Compared to Ningguang, who was noble and difficult to approach, they liked and supported Keqing, who was willing to support ordinary people.

After seeing the lives of ordinary people under the Seven Stars and Eight Gates, they were more inclined to Keqing morally and actively offered her advice. However, they now found that their efforts were almost all useless, and the ancient state machine of Liyue was still running slowly according to its old trajectory.

.......

That day, Li Tao, Xingqiu and Chongyun, who had been busy helping Keqing participate in various activities at the selection meeting, came to a teahouse, sat down, ordered three cups of tea, and began to drink slowly. They finally had some free time to have a cup of tea.

"Perhaps we are really not suited to political activities."

Xingqiu first expressed his thoughts over the past few days: "Like you, Brother Li, my elder brother also does not support me in clearly helping Miss Keqing. I did not understand what you meant at first, but now I finally understand."

"Liyue...it's hard to make any changes easily. But what exactly is going on, Brother Li? I don't fully understand this yet."

Chongyun also sighed and said, "Although an alchemist should be a person outside the world, if he does not have a heart to save the world, how can he be called a true alchemist? There is an old saying: Kindness leads to courage. But at this selection meeting, I could only see the Seven Stars and the people arguing constantly. People did not seem to have the courage to make decisions... Are people destined to be unable to understand each other?"

Because after all, judging by their origins or the class they represent, the Seven Stars are just a few big businessmen. Of course, except for Keqing, this girl is more independent. This is also her shining point that attracts several people to help her.

Li Tao did not say this out loud, but changed his perspective and said: "Whether it is a status quo that is difficult to change or people who are incomprehensible, it is essentially a clash of ideas between people, and ultimately no unified conclusion can be reached."

"At this time, people will choose to take a step back and think about the problem from a more conservative standpoint."

"Just like in this Seven Star Conference, didn't someone also propose to [restore theocracy]?"

After hearing Li Tao's example, Xingqiu and Chongyun's expressions became very strange, but they felt it was difficult to say anything, so they could only shake their heads and drink tea.

Li Tao continued, "Because this is how Liyue has lived for thousands of years."

"The rock is thick and solid, and can last a thousand years; the reed is sewn for a moment, and can last for a day or night."

"In order to maintain the stability of the Liyue government, people will eventually choose a neutral and moderate solution."

Xingqiu smiled bitterly and asked, "Could it be that Brother Li has understood this from the beginning?"

Li Tao didn't comment, just smiled and sipped his tea.

"We are still too young." Chongyun bowed his head to Li Tao sincerely, "Brother Li, you are right. Perhaps we shouldn't have participated in this matter from the beginning. If we have that time, we might as well hone our fighting skills..."

Li Tao raised his teacup: "Let's not talk about that anymore - after the Lantern Festival, let's go out together and make friends with swords."