Genshin Impact's Incense Burner Of Liyue.

"Smart move—no wonder you're the perfect fit for my body."

"Speak plainly."

The pale figure pointed at Gu Sanqiu. "Open that black portal of yours. Let me see if I can pass through it, maybe find my way to a new world."

"Are you insane? We don't know what's in there. My best guess is that it's linked to all kinds of different realms, and there's even someone cataloging every item that appears from it." Gu Sanqiu frowned. "If you somehow managed to cross through, you'd probably end up somewhere under someone's control—who knows if you'd even have a say in your own life and death."

"You're absolutely right. But I still want to go."

The white shadow replied, voice unwavering. "You have my memories, so you know what our family guards against. Since someone's here to take up my role, I'd like to see what's beyond. Besides," he continued, nodding at Gu Sanqiu's chest, "our souls match perfectly. We even have the same name."

"It's just as I thought: we're probably connected on some level. Maybe you're a projection or a part of me, or maybe we're both part of some grander scheme. I don't know."

"Since your soul aligns so well with mine, no one—not Hu Tao, not Keqing, not even my sister—ever noticed a single difference before and after you arrived."

"You coming here has to be balanced out somehow. For me, that means going somewhere else, in the hope that it'll eliminate this… 'mechanism' that may already be ticking."

"You could see it as my wish to explore other worlds. Or see it as me doing what I can to protect the people I care about, this city, and this land."

Gu Sanqiu raised an eyebrow. "So according to your theory, having two of us in the same world could trigger some high-level alarm?"

"Not exactly an 'alarm,' per se. If we're that deeply connected, even a breeze—no, probably just someone's stale breath—could reduce our souls to dust."

"It's more like a fail-safe mechanism, something like those lab experiments in your memories, where they monitor things to keep them from going haywire."

"Now that you mention it," Gu Sanqiu said with a grin, "I kind of want to hop into that portal myself, just to see what's on the other side."

The figure shook his head. "Take it easy. Out of respect, I'm not digging into how you met your end."

"If I cross over, there are two outcomes. Best case? I run into a high-level being who's got some decency, someone who'll explain what's going on with that portal and maybe even grant me a real shot at a second life."

"And the second possibility?" Gu Sanqiu asked, smirking.

"Well, maybe I end up right at your moment of death. Then we just switch—if you can fit into my body, I should be able to adapt to yours."

"Wow, this plot's feeling like some kind of sappy drama series—and I don't watch those."

"These are just guesses, and idealistic ones at that." The figure's expression grew serious. "Worst case, I end up as a wandering soul in some other world, scrapping my way through constant danger."

"If it comes to that, you're my last resort."

Gu Sanqiu rolled his eyes. "In other words, you want me to be your respawn point and home base?"

"Essentially, yeah."

The figure laughed, extending his right hand. "I know you've been holding back, afraid to fully embrace my memories in case they overwhelm what's left of your own."

"So, I'm offering you a deal. I'll help you with this, let you live fully as yourself again. In return, you'll take care of the things that matter to us—or to me."

"Oh, please. We still don't even know if we're the same person or not. We're separate souls, not some balanced yin-yang halves."

"Then consider it insurance." The figure chuckled. "What if we're two halves of a single soul, split and scattered?"

"Now you're just splitting hairs. Or, you know, picking fights."

"Take it however you like." The figure shrugged, still holding out his hand. "The way I see it, these are the things any self-respecting soul ought to be ready to do."

After a brief pause, Gu Sanqiu extended his hand and clasped the figure's. "Not like this changes much for me. I accept."

The figure grinned. "Thought so. I know this won't fully affect you either way, which is why I didn't waste time explaining every single detail."

"There is one small impact," Gu Sanqiu replied, gazing intently at the figure. "If your theory is right, I've got things in my world that need looking after too. But only if you can integrate with my body the way I did with yours."

"That's exactly it," he continued, giving a nod. "Everyone's got their own lives, their own stuff to deal with. At the end of the day, that's all it is."

The white figure chuckled and downed his last drink. "Sounds like your world's got its fair share of challenges, huh?"

"Take a break," he continued, "while you're here, at least."

"Break? I just ran into Decarabian, and he had me paranoid with his whole 'millennia-old rock' spiel. Like I don't have enough on my plate without worrying about his next move."

"Once I send you off, I'll have to pack and join Xiao for demon-slaying rounds. Does that sound relaxing to you?"

"Oh, come on," the figure laughed. "You know travel's just switching from one place you're used to for another that's home to someone else. And relaxation? It's all about the stuff everyone else finds dull."

"Pretty wise words…for once."

Gu Sanqiu opened the portal and pulled out his golden rod, looping the line around the figure's arm.

"Just in case, I'm anchoring you. This way, if anything goes wrong, there's a chance I can pull you back."

"Are we ready, or do you want one last look at the world you know?"

"No need," the figure replied with a grin, sprinkling the talisman ash over Gu Sanqiu and clapping a firm hand on his shoulder.

"I trust you'll keep going as me, and I'll do the same as you. Call it a weird hypothesis—or just a blessing of sorts."

A rush of clarity surged through Gu Sanqiu, as the figure's energy merged into his mind, fusing their two streams of memories seamlessly. His spirit felt bolstered, every experience now a harmonious part of his own.

"Look, I know you've come across some way to reforge your own body. I understand that people have their limits, and I appreciate you waited until now. But your loyalty's been a little too strong. In certain situations, that's a liability."

The figure raised a fist, and Gu Sanqiu met it with his own.

"Farewell, other me."

"Goodbye, Gu Sanqiu."

---

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