OHDOM VOL. 2 171-180 (Patreon)

Chapter 171: Am I Overwhelmed?Night, office of the Acting Grand Master of Mondstandt. Wendy slumped over the table, eyes closed, as if she had drifted off to sleep without realizing it.Barbara carefully cleared the dishes and looked at the Anemo Archon, and spoke sincerely. 

"Lady Wendy is truly a beautiful and kind deity!""Yes, incredibly kind. If I'd gotten along with Lady Vennessa the same way back then, and Lady Vennessa was so straightforward... being spurned and driven away wouldn't have been impossible.""Pfft! Sister, don't be disrespectful to Lady Wendy!""I know, it just suddenly occurred to me. Lady Anemo Archon is the greatest deity, I've always believed that."Jean smiled at Barbara's softly whispered rebuke.The two sisters exchanged glances, then naturally held each other's hands.It was hard to imagine that not long ago, they had such an awkward relationship that they couldn't even openly call each other sister. If it weren't for Wendy's push, who knows how long it would take for the barrier to be broken.Barbara looked at her clasped hands, a sweet smile on her face, and whispered. "Sister, I want to give Lady Wendy a gift... not something you'd give as a subject or a believer.""That stumps me. I don't know what Lady Wendy would like."Jean shook her head helplessly.Barbara's smile remained unchanged."It doesn't matter. The thought is what matters most!""Then I'll have to think about it."Jean nodded. She understood that Barbara wanted to give the Anemo Archon a gift to thank her for helping them break the ice. If that was the case, this gift should also reflect the thoughtfulness of her sister."Let's go home together. We can discuss it on the way."Jean smiled and invited. Barbara's eyes lit up, then hesitated."What about Lady Wendy?""I'll take her home. I can't let her sleep in the office.""But... we need Lady Wendy...""Let's talk about it after we get home."Jean didn't know how to entertain the Anemo Archon at home. For the first time, she felt a little troubled by her relatively simple lifestyle, but she had to take her home first and see what to do later....Same night, Liyue, Mount Aozang.Cloud Retainer spent several days gradually emerging from her isolation."I wonder what Mountain Shaper is doing now?"Even someone as cheerful as herself could be so frustrated, and Madam Ping, known for her straightforward nature, didn't know how she would feel.Cloud Retainer slumped over the table and sighed. "After all, everyone will be avoiding Guizhong and the God of Salt for the next while.""Master, are you alright?""Fine. What are you eating today? Qingxin again?""Yes, I only know how to pick Qingxin."Shenhe said expressionlessly, placing the pile of herbs she had gathered before Cloud Retainer.Cloud Retainer didn't bother her disciple, just grabbed some and stuffed them into her mouth."Shenhe, didn't you say you had something to tell me?""Master, have you recovered now?""What's there to recover? I've been cultivating for thousands of years, and my mind is as vast as the ocean. That's why I don't lose my composure easily.""...Oh."Shenhe half-heartedly wanted to remind Cloud Retainer that she hadn't yet transformed back into a crane, which proved she hadn't completely calmed down.But then she thought, if she told Master that, she'd probably just start rambling again to cover it up. Shenhe felt a bit troubled, so she decided to cut corners and started talking directly about the outsiders.Cloud Retainer, whose eyes had been vacant and dazed, sat up straighter as she listened."Descenders? Equivalent to aliens from another world?""Yes, that's what she said.""How strong is she?""I don't know. I can't understand."Shenhe thought of the finger that was beyond her comprehension and slowly shook her head.Cloud Retainer frowned.Cloud Retainer knew the level of her disciple. With Shenhe's talent and hard work, she would be unmatched among mortals. Even if she couldn't reach the level of an adeptus in every aspect, she was still close enough.For Shenhe to say "I can't understand," wouldn't even a god be so apt?

Shenhe asked calmly, "Master, do you know what the Descenders are?"

"This one does not know."Cloud Retainer said she didn't know, but her mood grew heavy.

Although she didn't know the term Descenders, as an adeptus who had lived for three thousand years, Cloud Retainer knew a few secrets of Teyvat.You must know that many traces of the ancient, devastating war still remain.Cloud Retainer understood that there truly existed a force in this world capable of rivaling the heavens."Shenhe, go to Liyue Harbor.""Hmm?""In Liyue Harbor's Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, there's a guest named Zhongli, the incarnation of the Geo Archon. Go to the Archon and report this to him.""Master, you actually want to get me out of the way so you can go see her yourself, right?" Shenhe looked at Cloud Retainer with clear, unwavering eyes.

Cloud Retainer's lips twitched, then she said gravely, "Master's orders must be obeyed. Go when I tell you to. Don't try to evade the question."This silly disciple, why aren't you as dull as usual?Cloud Retainer felt helpless, but then thought, feeling rather relieved. Although Shenhe was unsophisticated, her pure and innocent mind made her perceptive and insightful. This way, there was no need to worry too much about her being deceived once she entered the world.At least, she wouldn't be like Moon Carver, easily bewitched by a minor alchemist.Cloud Retainer shook her head, letting go of her distracting thoughts. She said solemnly and dignifiedly, "Anyway, go quickly. Remember, respect the Archon.""...Yes."For the first time, Shenhe resisted her master's order. However, the red string bound her heart, and she couldn't understand the source of this slight resistance.

Ultimately, respect for her master forced her to obey.

...Shenhe accelerated with the wind, rushing to Liyue Harbor at top speed.Master had said that if you get lost, you can ask for directions.So Shenhe grabbed a passerby."How do I get to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?""Huh?""How do I get to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?""Uh, in that direction.""Thank you.""You're welcome..."The passerby, having pointed, didn't even have time to see Shenhe's face before seeing her snow-white figure drift away.At that moment, Zhongli was drinking tea in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.Hu Tao couldn't deny the value of Maria's funeral knowledge, so she agreed to pay the bill. But unable to bear the thought of another expense, she followed the other two to monitor their spending.Zhongli felt that such a quiet Wangsheng Funeral Parlor was rare, so he decided to be gracious and not go out to spend money today, staying inside to enjoy his tea.

"Lord Rex Lapis!""Puff!"This is the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, this is Liyue Harbor!With that name being called out, how can I expect a peaceful life from now on?Zhongli quickly looked around, making sure no one was nearby, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing it was Cloud Retainer's disciple, Zhongli's temper waned, and he sighed. "Sit down. And don't use that kind of address here. Just call me Zhongli.""Yes, Lord Zhongli."Shenhe nodded woodenly and sat down. Then, regardless of her feelings about her first visit to Liyue Harbor and her first audience with the Geo Archon, she went straight to the point of explaining her purpose."You said a Descender appeared in Mount Aozang?"Zhongli paused in his tea sip.Across from him, Shenhe nodded again.Zhongli couldn't help but raise his hand to touch his forehead."Am I wearing myself out?"He wondered if he had misheard. Eternally, long before the Archon War, that shattered world and civilization ravaged by war seemed to appear before his eyes. The so-called Descenders were beings with the potential to trigger such events.So, what happened to Teyvat now? The Abyss Order, Irminsul, the resurrection of an old friend, the near-death war between gods—so many events had already occurred in just a few months—and now, a Descender. Even Morax felt a bit overwhelmed.But despite his uncertainty, as the pillar of Liyue, Zhongli managed to calm himself. He sipped his tea and said,"Tell me in detail.""Yes."Shenhe recounted her experiences with the Descender in straightforward, simple terms.Exotic-style buildings, unseen faces, incomprehensible powers, and delicious food that always filled her to the brim.Zhongli unconsciously touched his chin and blinked."Hmm?"What kind of Descender was this? Generally speaking, even if a Descender wouldn't directly engage in a catastrophic duel with the Heavenly Principles, they should at least be imposing and majestic, right?

Why does this sound like a friendly neighbor?Shenhe finished explaining the basic facts. Amidst a vague sense of unease, she disregarded politeness and continued. "Master plans to go and test the waters directly. She asked me to…""What did you say?"Zhongli's pupils shrank.For three thousand years, Zhongli and the adepti had been superiors and subordinates, but also close friends.He immediately understood Cloud Retainer's intentions.The adepti weren't strong enough to know the true secrets of Teyvat. However, once the concept of a Descender was revealed, Cloud Retainer would immediately understand the gravity of the situation. She was clearly going on behalf of Zhongli and Liyue to test the waters, verifying their authenticity and assessing their intentions—but if it was truly a Descender, the price of such a test would likely be her life.

"No! We must summon the God of Salt immediately!"Zhongli immediately stood up and strode out the door.As the Geo Archon Morax, he knew that if he could exchange the life of an adeptus for information about the Descenders, it would be a perfect bargain.But being worthwhile and being able to do something are two different things.Zhongli would never allow his old friend to risk her life to pave the way for him and Liyue."Lord Zhongli, then I...""I've informed the God of Salt. You know where it is. You and I will go to Mount Aozang first. We must hurry!""Yes."The Geo Archon's urgency made Shenhe clearly aware of the risk on her master's side."You're not a bad person, are you?"Shenhe felt somewhat relieved that she had never felt any hostility from outsiders, which was a key reason why she ultimately obeyed....

Chapter 172 I Waited for Seven Full DaysMount Aozang, a misty slope overlooking the surrounding mountains, boasted breathtaking scenery and views.“Swoosh!”A crane with blue wings and white feathers flapped its wings, piercing the mist and gracefully landing on the rocks.‘Is this the place Shenhe mentioned? But there are no people, nor any so-called exotic buildings. Is it some kind of illusion?’Cloud Retainer shook her bird’s head and tentatively reached forward with her claws, finding nothing resembling a barrier.She then slowly moved forward.There was nothing but fog in sight, and Cloud Retainer gradually sensed something was amiss. Ordinary mountain fog couldn’t possibly obscure the sight of an adeptus of her level of cultivation.

But the fog here was different. After a few steps, she could no longer see the road ahead. Looking back, it felt as if her vision and perception had been completely obscured.‘Hmm?’Cloud Retainer gathered her thoughts and made a decision.

Since the fog was ahead, why not look higher to see what was going on?The crane looked up, flapped its wings, and soared into the air.However, looking around, she still saw endless fog.'What kind of trick is this, so magical?'Cloud Retainer circled the sky several times, still unable to escape the enchantment. She had to descend again, relying on instinct to find her footing and land safely.'Sure enough.'Cloud Retainer's heart sank.It wasn't unheard of for enemies to confuse her perception. But this situation were she had no idea when or what attack she had received was unprecedented.Musing for a moment, the crane subconsciously moved her claws back.Then her vision suddenly cleared.

Cloud Retainer found herself at the point just before entering the fog. The fog was still lingering around her, but it was just ordinary mountain mist, no longer obscuring the adeptus’s sight.

"It seems I've been rude."Cloud Retainer understood something.Although Mount Aozang had been her territory for thousands of years, these rules could restrict everyone in the world—so how could they limit those who descended from outer space?

The other party had proven that he possessed superior means to Cloud Retainer, and had even built a residence, so this place was naturally their territory. If anything, this was the rule from the Archon War."My name is Cloud Retainer, I beg the owner to forgive my intrusive visit. Could you please open the door and see me?"

Cloud Retainer didn't flinch. Instead, she transformed into a dignified and elegant woman with glasses, solemnly presenting a visit. Her clear, gentle voice carried through the misty forest.She became even more determined. If this "descender" was truly capable, she had to investigate.

As for the risks, who among the Liyue adepti hadn't come this far prepared to die in battle?

As long as it benefited Liyue and the Geo Archon, death, no matter where, would be a worthy death for Cloud Retainer.

Moreover, according to her disciple's description, this unknown entity might not be an enemy, which made it all the more necessary to contact it on behalf of the Archon....Inside the house, the warm and comfortable little Western-style building was actually empty."I've been waiting for seven whole days."Soaring through the air, Descender Angel hook her head resentfully.For the adepti and gods of Teyvat, seven days might be a fleeting moment.

But for Angel who had been racing against time since her debut, seven days was more than enough time to establish a persona or even acquire a Herrscher Core.But for a Descender, proactively meeting someone would be somewhat beneath her dignity.[Shouldn't it be? No response for seven days. Is she stuck?]"I don't know. Anyway, I've been feeding Shenhe these days."[Never mind. Let's just do our own thing.]Descender Angel folded her arms and nodded in agreement. As for what happened to Cloud Retainer, it was merely the result of a small amount of spatial and conscious power at work.

As a symbol of the Honkai World, Descender Angel naturally carried ample power.

She carried with her half of the Honkai energy of the original Angel of Teyvat, along with all the fragments of that power. In other words, if Descender Angel so desired, aside from the relatively thorny laws of nature, she could manipulate everyone in Teyvat at her will.Thus, Cloud Retainer was still lost on that slope.Angel had actually noticed someone intruding on her territory, but since her maze wouldn't harm anyone, she didn’t bother to care.A graceful figure descended at the foot of Mt. Hulao, leaving no trace.A winding, flamboyant ancient tree with yellow leaves rose from the valley floor, reaching the mountaintop. Though merely a tree, its form exuded an air of dominance and arrogance.

"Azhdaha... The Geovishap?"Angel saw more than just a tree; she saw the immense, boundless creature beneath it.[During the Archon War, I never saw Azhdaha in combat. But I remember Guizhong mentioning that Azhdaha’s true form was a massive, almost invisible behemoth, said to be able to easily kill a god while in a single sitting motion. Havria's face paled instantly at that moment; it was quite amusing.]

Maria added, her lips curling upward, amusing the other Angels."King, what are you laughing at?""Nothing, I just remembered something interesting. This hairpin suits you perfectly. Buy it.""Then I'd like Your Majesty to accept this.""A beautiful ruby. Thank you, Havria."Maria stroked Havria's delicate hair, and Havria smiled with a particularly sweet and gentle smile.

"Huh~~"

Nearby, a certain hall master worried about her company’s cash flow rubbed her scalp uncomfortably.

"All those thanks, why not thank me? Have you forgotten who paid the bill?"

"Of course I have to thank Hall Master Hu. This plum blossom hair ornament is exquisitely crafted, made from fine materials. It's elegant and playful, perfect for a lovely yet unfussy woman like you.""...Are you insulting me?""Hall Master, you're worrying too much. I just happened to see it."With a calm and elegant smile, Maria gently inserted the ornament into Hu Tao's hair beneath her hat. Inadvertently, her slender, jade-like fingers passed before her eyes and gently brushed her forehead, bringing a slight tickle."It's truly beautiful. It complements your natural beauty perfectly."Maria smiled, her red eyes as warm and flawless as the ruby in her hand, radiating utter sincerity.

No girl could resist such sincere praise.And no girl could ignore Maria's flawless face and charming laughter.Hu Tao unconsciously covered her face with her hands and nodded hesitantly."You... you look a bit like Zhongli, yet you're also very different.""Really? Differences are normal. After all, he and I are of different statuses.""Status? What kind of status could he have? I've always thought that Zhongli, with his vast knowledge and otherworldly personality... could he be an adeptus who has come down from the mountains to cultivate?""Is Zhongli happy in the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"----

Chapter 173: Is this comfortable?Maria changed the subject abruptly. She looked honest and straightforward, not one for lying.Hu Tao's cheeks puffed up, and she rolled her eyes."Happy, so happy! How could he not be happy when he spends my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's money like paper money every day?""Is that so? It seems he's causing Hall Master Hu some trouble. Perhaps I'll try to persuade him later.""...That's not necessary."Hu Tao was speechless, then raised an index finger and put on a bright, carefree smile. "Although Guest Zhongli spends money like water, his eye for things in Liyue Harbor is truly unique; he often finds rare treasures. If you really calculate it, our Wangsheng Funeral Parlor hasn't lost much. Most importantly, he seems accustomed to — and enjoys — this kind of life. A wonderful person like Guest Zhongli, let's not make things difficult for him!""Hall Master Hu Tao is also a wonderful person."Maria took Havria's hand and smiled at Hu Tao.Hu Tao unceremoniously placed her hands on her hips, her head held high."Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, and of course, this Hall Master is wonderful too! The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor in Liyue Harbor — the wonderful Hall Master of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor — is me, Hu Tao!""Haha!""So, is Guest Zhongli an adeptus?""It's hard to say if he's... uh, you actually attacked me?"Maria's expression of sudden realization, a stark contrast to her usual elegance and composure, seemed a bit adorable.Havria chuckled. Hu Tao curled her lips in displeasure."Tsk! Even this didn't fool you. You're so vigilant, you must be some kind of adeptus, right?""Let's not talk about whether I am or not, but you're already guessing — so why are you so bold?""What's the big deal about being an adeptus? When the adeptus arrives, won't we have to send him off to the Funeral Parlor? But don't spread this around, especially to the Millelith and the Liyue Qixing. If they find out, they'll hound me endlessly."Hu Tao spread her hands and shook her head innocently.Maria smiled and shook her head."Master Hu Tao, you truly are a wonderful person.""Of course!"As the three of them chatted and walked, the atmosphere of old acquaintances unknowingly settled in.Just as Hu Tao gradually calmed down, no longer worried about the high cost, and began to enjoy her shopping—"BOOM!"The ground suddenly shook. The entire Liyue Harbor, or perhaps even half of the Liyue region, felt the distinct tremor."What? An earthquake?"Hu Tao was a little confused, but not terribly panicked.Most people in Liyue Harbor felt the same way.After all, their deity was the Geo Archon. It was just an earthquake; if there were a real threat, the Geo Archon could easily suppress it. Such things had happened before in history.It can only be said that the Liyue people's trust in the Geo Archon was beyond imagination.Only Maria and Havria were different.Maria stared solemnly toward Mount Aozang, but Havria's face paled instantly, and she trembled, hugging Maria's arms."King?""Don't be afraid. I'm here.""Yes, King!"Tucked tightly together, Maria's warm body fragrance wafted over, causing Havria to relax. At the same moment, the red gem in Maria's hand vibrated, and a voice emanated, audible only to Maria and Havria.[Mount Aozang, come quickly.]Maria immediately hugged her petite wife tightly and spoke to Hu Tao. "It seems our journey for today will end here. We have important matters to attend to. We'll visit Master Hu again next time.""Ah? Okay, then I'll give you a ride..."Before Hu Tao finished her words, a gust of wind blew in her face, forcing her to shield her eyes with her hands and instinctively squint.When she looked ahead again, her two new friends had vanished without a trace.Hu Tao wasn't disappointed; instead, her delicate, beautiful plum-blossom eyes suddenly shone with a shimmering color."You still say you're not adepti? Hahaha, with an adeptus in charge, I wonder who will dare to criticize my Wangsheng Funeral Parlor again! Hahaha!"The young woman stood in the middle of the street with her hands on her hips while laughing triumphantly.The people around her cast their gazes over.

While everyone wasn't particularly afraid of earthquakes with the presence of the Geo Archon, laughing at this moment was rather heartless.But a closer look revealed her to be Liyue's renowned funeral director, the dark poet of the alleys, and the head of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, who kept the stone lions in front of the General Affairs Department as pets!That's all right. That's normal.…Maria and Zhongli reunited at the edge of the Dunyu Ruins, one looking toward Tianqiu Valley, the other toward Mount Aozang."Mount Aozang might have outsiders. Staying with the clouds and wind might be dangerous!""I excel at speed and instantaneous killing, and I have terrible compatibility with Azhdaha. If he rises, I can only chase him and attack — I won't be able to stop him from shaking the ley lines. The only one who can stop Azhdaha is you, with your equally deep foundation. So I'm going to Mount Aozang, and you to Tianqiu Valley.""This..."Zhongli hesitated for a moment.

While the matter of Azhdaha was undoubtedly dangerous, neither of them would be in imminent danger. The 'Descender' of Mount Aozang was different. If it were real, then life and death would depend on the other's whim.Zhongli couldn't bear to let Maria, who had finally returned, face such danger alone.But as the ruler of a nation, he was accustomed to making helpless decisions."Okay. Let Havria return to find Guizhong. If... I'll do everything in my power to help them. At worst, I'll just switch sides."Zhongli made a promise. If Maria died at the hands of the "Descender," he would surrender directly to Irminsul in exchange for capital to fight the "Descender" and a chance to keep Havria and Guizhong alive.

Maria touched her hat with her hand and smiled.

"Don't underestimate me. If it comes to a head-on fight, I've never been afraid of anyone tougher than me."

"I know. See you later, Salt King."Zhongli smiled faintly as he pushed Shenhe toward Maria, then soared toward Tianqiu Valley.Havria, however, clutched Maria's hand tightly.Maria turned back and smiled helplessly."After all these years, you still don't believe in my abilities?""No."Havria shook her head vigorously.She always believed in her king.But trust and fear didn't conflict at this moment.

"Go home. Guizhong's been secretly up to something, so go watch over the house for me. Don't let her mess around and ruin our only place."

"I... I can't control Sister Guizhong. Only you can.""You're going on the king's orders. Seeing you is like seeing me. She'll obey, and you'll obey too, okay? Be good~~"Maria felt a surge of remorse.Maria was the only one who knew that there was actually no risk on either side, but she couldn't tell Havria and cause her unnecessary worry.Feeling guilty and soft-hearted, Maria cupped Havria's cheek and lowered her head to kiss her."???"Shenhe tilted her head, puzzled, at the lingering sound of water.What were they doing?Why were they both doing this?They both seemed to be enjoying it. Was it comfortable?After a long while, the two parted ways. Afterward, Havria, as limp as a young wife, turned and left. But she wasn't going home to wait. She knew she was powerless, so she sought help.

'I must tell Sister Guizhong; only she can...'Havria bit her lip and hurried back to Luhua Pool as fast as she could. She didn't know exactly what had happened, but something that had both the Geo Archon and the Salt King so solemn must be extremely dangerous.

At this moment, only the equally formidable Lord of Dust could be considered a useful aid.Chapter 174:  Slaying the Dragon King

The adepti seal was truly impressive. Using an immense inner world as its foundation, it could fully accommodate the massive form of the Azhdaha Dragon King, effectively creating a vast dimensional space through magical manipulation.

Thousands of years of accumulation had truly catapulted the extraordinary power of the world of Teyvat to an incredible technological level.

This was also Angel's purpose for studying 'abroad': to learn all the advanced knowledge of the outside world and bring it back to the base camp (Honkai World).

This was Angel's version of the Westernization Movement!

Unfortunately, while the seal was powerful, Angel was outside the realm of Teyvat.So, she easily passed through the Fulong Tree, also known as Azhdaha's tail, and successfully entered the sealed space.Upon sight, the Geovishap Azhdaha was truly immense.It wasn't surprising, considering that he was the person Morax had claimed he wasn't sure of defeating—regardless of how much modesty Morax had in that statement, the fact that he could say that spoke volumes about Azhdaha's astonishing power.

Back then, the Seven Archons were essentially little more than younger brothers and sisters compared to Morax, so placing Azhdaha among the Seven would have a similar effect.

You can imagine the immense power inherent in this.It's a shame this Geovishap has gone insane.

"Morax, come and fight! Let's have a good fight!"

"..."Angel held up her small umbrella, slowly turning it, sighing helplessly."Erosion is terrible."[Yeah, think about how docile the vishap was back then. In the end, even if he was asked to eat some animal ivory jewelry sold on the street... he'd actually swallow it.]"Pfft! Don't try to make me laugh at a time like this! What if I burst out laughing!?"Angel forced her lips to curl back up, speaking in the cold tone of the original Angel from the Honkai World. "I'm not the Morax you're talking about.""Morax, it's time for our thousand-year-old grudge to settle!"

"Your obsession with Morax is truly deep. I don't like coercion, so how about a deal? Give me your body and strength, and I'll cut out your mind for you, allowing you to live a second life."Angel extended a friendly hand.

"Morax!!!"

Roar!!!The roaring hurricane of the earth dragon blew away the canopy of Angel's small umbrella, leaving only the bare umbrella pole in her hand.'F*ck...'The Descender Angel’s lips curled downward a few degrees, nodded, dropped the stick in her hand, and formed her fingers into a sword."Eminence."Since reasoning wouldn't work, she had no choice but to strike.A massive crimson Edge of Taixuan energy descended from the sky, overwhelming the heavens and earth with a majestic aura. Azhdaha's immense, mountainous form instinctively trembled under the might of the heavenly sword—given his power and size, this tremor shook the earth's veins in Liyue, causing an earthquake that affected much of Liyue.

[In the world of Teyvat, Dragon isn't a race, but a designation for the pinnacle of elemental creatures. Therefore, dragons must be the most powerful and unique beings.]

[Their powers are very interesting. But even more interesting is the characteristic that a new dragon is inevitably born from a dead body.The world allows consciousness to merge with new vessels, but it doesn't allow vessels to collect dissipated consciousness—this is Otto's conclusion. He still holds this view before reaching the Tree of Imaginary Numbers, so it can be considered a definitive rule within the Sea of Trees system. The dragon's reincarnation and rebirth shouldn't violate this rule.Even so, it can be considered a form of immortality. Remember, ordinary Herrschers, once dead, are dead; they don't possess this ability to regenerate.Immortality is certainly valuable for research, but you must be cautious. Various signs indicate that dragons are highly sensitive to both the Seven Archons and Celestia. Even as a Descender that possesses the greatest intimidation, there's no guarantee Celestia will reveal itself.]

The Descender Angel nodded, her sword slashing downward from above, slowly bringing down a sword technique surpassing the world of Teyvat..

"Who are you? How do you possess such power?"

As the divine sword fell, perhaps driven by survival instinct, Azhdaha, lost for millennia, suddenly regained consciousness.

He stomped his feet restlessly within his seal, attempting to free himself.Azhdaha's heavy force once again shook the earth's veins, sending tremors rippling across much of Liyue.But it was to no avail.Not to mention that he was still sealed, even moving was difficult.

Even for the free Azhdaha Dragon King, the Edge of Taixuan's Eminence offered no escape or dodge, a surefire blow. Even a Herrscher of the Void couldn't dodge it, let alone the inhabitants of Teyvat.

"Morax!!!"Azhdaha buckled under the sword's pressure.

In his final moments, knowing he was doomed, he roared to the heavens.But this cry was no longer filled with the madness and hatred of earlier times, but with a deep sense of worry.

It was as if, in his final moments, he desperately wanted to convey information about his enemy to his beloved friend.

"Boom!!!"Taixuan Eminence didn't pause in defiance of the Azhdaha's unyielding will.The sword pierced the Geovishap's body, piercing his soul and spiritual will.At the same time, the residual sword energy shattered the seals, and the entire outer cave world began to crumble."Bang!!!"The Dragon King's eyes lost their luster, and his lifeless body collapsed to the ground like a dead mountain.Angel opened her palm towards the vast, boundless mountain."Collect!"Space distorted, and the enormous dragon corpse vanished without a trace.Angel's gaze rested on the tip of her raised index finger.A glimmer of spiritual light swirled around the slender, white fingertips."Hmm~~"Angel shook her index finger, shaking a wisp of Azhdaha's consciousness. Her gaze caught sight of a rounded piece of gravel at her feet, and her eyes lit up.

"Ah, got it!"Angel blew gently onto her fingertips, and the spiritual light flew into the round stone, no bigger than a palm.Then, Angel held up a new small umbrella and vanished in the blink of an eye....Zhongli hurried across Tianqiu Valley and rushed to the foot of Mt. Hulao.There, the nearby Adepti Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper had already arrived.A bird and a deer circled around a large hollow, seemingly searching for clues."Lord Rex Lapis!" x2Seeing the arrival of the master of the house, the two Adepti descended and bowed to Zhongli.Zhongli waved his hand to end the formality."What's the situation? The Fulong Tree which is Azhdaha's tail disappeared. Did he break the seal and escape?"

Zhongli's face remained calm, but his heart sank.If Azhdaha had broken the seal and escaped from that outer cave, he should be active underground in Liyue now. If this is the case, then when Azhdaha breaks free, Liyue's terrain will undergo uncontrollable changes."Lord, we originally thought so. But after careful observation, we find that the situation is not that serious. In conclusion, Azhdaha has likely broken through the seal, but for some reason he hasn't escaped from the Outer Cave Realm."

"We speculate that perhaps he's exhausted after breaking his seal, so he's meditating. But it's also possible that he regained consciousness after the seal was broken and is now restraining himself. It's just that the outer cave that sealed Azhdaha has suffered a massive impact, and the spell at the entrance has been completely destroyed. We won't be able to enter for a while, so we won't be able to investigate."--Chapter 175 If It's You, Just Shock It A Few Times

Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper recounted their findings.In reality, due to the suddenness of the incident, they arrived not much faster than Zhongli, and the information they could provide was very limited.Zhongli frowned."Are you sure it was an internal shock, not external damage?""The seal and the cave were created by our collaborative efforts. We are not mistaken. It was an internal shock... Why would Your Majesty have such doubts? Could someone forcefully break the seal from the outside? You must know that this is the strongest seal capable of suppressing Azhdaha. Who else could break it except Azhdaha himself and Your Majesty?"Zhongli remained silent, not explaining further to the two.Don't forget, the Abyss Order had previously targeted Mondstadt's dragons and gods, and it had indeed been effective. So, if they spent more time and energy on Azhdaha than Mondstadt, breaking the seal wasn't impossible.

Excluding the Abyss Order, Zhongli could think of more than one entity that could break the seal—such as Irminsul hidden beneath the earth, or the "Descender," whose authenticity and intentions were currently unclear.

"Sigh..."Zhongli shook his head and sighed.The era change so rapidly; it's truly unkind to an old, unchanging person like him.

"Anyway, let's go in and see what's going on. After all, the matter of Azhdaha concerns the safety of all of Liyue and must not be taken lightly.""But the entrance technique has already...""It doesn't matter. I witnessed the seal being completed with my own eyes, and I know the key. Just use the right amount of force, at the right angle..."Zhongli muttered to himself, raising his hand to the sky.A golden light suddenly appeared above the clouds.

A massive, resplendent rock spear scraped through the air, emitting a fierce flame, and thundered down."!!!"Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper’s hair stood on end.

It had been so long since they had seen Rex Lapis in action. At this moment, their memories seemed to drift back to the past, to the days when Liyue slew gods and demons alike.'Why do I feel like Rex Lapis is even more adept and skillful with this move than he was five hundred years ago? Is he truly suffering the same erosion as we are?''Shh! Be careful! How can we speculate about Majesty' s might?'The two adepti silently retreated behind Zhongli, their eyes whispering to each other."BOOM!!!"The tremors, no less powerful than those of Azhdaha’s previous ones, spread across half of Liyue.

However, unlike Azhdaha, Zhongli controlled them perfectly. The tremors were limited to vibrations, with virtually no damage to the ground outside of Mt. Hulao.After the earth-shaking impact, Zhongli, hands clasped behind his back, walked calmly and indifferently towards the deep underground caverns."Emperor, Azhdaha  is incredibly powerful. Should we call the Lord of Salt?"

"She has other priorities. Let's first confirm Azhdaha's condition. After resolving it, we must rush to her aid."

Zhongli glanced at them casually, his golden eyes, indifferent yet brimming with a commanding aura that intimidated and frightened them.Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper were startled, then awestruck.'It's just like it was back then.''Something terrible has happened in Liyue!'The two adepti instantly understood, no longer questioning, and silently followed Rex Lapis's lead.Moon Carver twisted his deer neck, a slight crackling of bones.Mountain Shaper flapped his wings, his claws moving forward, each step leaving a deeper scratch than the last.Their gazes grew indifferent, their auras fierce. They were ready for battle, and also ready... to reunite with long-lost friends at any moment.

One god and two adepti stepped majestically into the sealed space.Then they were all stunned.Because there was nothing.With the seal gone, the once solid and stable Outer Cave Heaven had become shattered and fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment. More importantly, the Geovishap Azhdaha's massive form and power had vanished."..." ×3The three exchanged solemn and bewildered glances for a moment.Then Zhongli spoke. "Search the scene.""Yes, Your Majesty!" ×2They split up into three groups, speeding through the damaged cave space. With their abilities, it wouldn't take them long to survey the entire Outer Cave realm.Soon after, the three reunited."Azhdaha has disappeared. Aside from a faint trace of lingering power, it's as if he’s never been here.""There's no sign of a brute force breakthrough in the cave, so it doesn't seem like Azhdaha has rushed out.""Then the most important question is... what is this lingering sword energy? How could it be so... so..."Mountain Shaper was at a loss for words.He couldn't describe this unfamiliar power. The mere presence of it made an adeptus like him feel a sharp pain between his brows, as if he were in imminent danger of utter annihilation.Is this truly a power from Liyue?Or, perhaps, is this truly a power from the world of Teyvat?Zhongli and Moon Carver were silent. Their feelings echoed Mountain Shaper’s.None of them could withstand this strike. Let alone a response, they couldn't even comprehend how such an unstoppable sword technique could exist, targeting the soul's will."Azhdaha. Dead, or taken away.""Majesty!?""Based on the current clues, this is the conclusion. Don't be incredulous. Teyvat is vast, and beyond Teyvat there are other worlds. Nothing is surprising. We can't find any more clues here, and Azhdaha's whereabouts are nowhere to be found. Let's go to Mt. Aozang first.""Yes, Emperor!"Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper quickly calmed down and bowed their heads respectfully.The people of Liyue always believe in the Geo Archon, and the Liyue adepti do even more so.Although it's incredible, even terrifying to contemplate, as long as the Geo Archon, the backbone, remains there, the adepti will not lose their way."Tap!"The three turned to leave the cave when a small stone suddenly hit Zhongli's shoe."Hmm?" Zhongli paused.Then he continued walking.

The situation with Cloud Retainer and the Lord of Salt was unclear, potentially dangerous. How could he afford to stay?

"Da!"Then the stone struck again, hitting Zhongli's heel."Huh?"Zhongli blinked, finally pausing.Under the two adepti’s bewildered gazes, Zhongli squatted, picked up the stone, and placed it in his palm."Azh... daha?""Buzz!"The stone vibrated twice in Zhongli's palm, as if answering his question, or perhaps expressing an immense sense of urgency."Huh?" ×2Both adepti were stunned."What's wrong with Rex Lapis? Could it be that Azhdaha is in trouble and his mind is losing control...""Shut up, be careful what you say! Rex Lapis must have a reason for doing this!"Zhongli ignored the interaction between the two small animals behind him. Instead, he stroked his chin, pondered."If you were Azhdaha, vibrate my palm in a rhythm of three, two, five.""Buzz buzz buzz!"Three, two, five.It was exactly the same vibration frequency Zhongli had casually mentioned.Then, Zhongli, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper all tilted their head.

"...Huh?"

"Huh???" ×2---Chapter 176: Damn, It's the Real Deal!

"Swoosh!"A blood-red rainbow streaked across the sky. Maria, dragging Shenhe by one hand, rushed to the foot of Mt. Aozang like a comet."Direction?""Um... that way."Shenhe suppressed a rare nausea and raised her finger in a direction.The blood-red light and shadow then sped away."Boom!"Maria suddenly stopped before a cloud of white mist. The sonic boom behind her finally caught up with her, transforming into a fierce gust of wind that swept over the surrounding vegetation.The sudden recoil threw Shenhe forward involuntarily.So fast...Shenhe thought expressionlessly as her body swayed from side to side like a noodle.Maria found a landing spot and gently set Shenhe down."There's something fishy about this mist. Wait here."The legendary Lord of Salt stroked her black hat, observing the mist calmly. Her blood-red wings transformed into slender lines of blood, tracing an elegant and magnificent trajectory as they merged with her body.

Just as her master, Cloud Retainer, had once brooded, the Lord of Salt was beautiful and graceful, possessing the charm to easily ensnare the God of Dust.

Shenhe knew she had no choice but to obey in every way, so she nodded obediently. "Yes."Maria then walked calmly into the fog, alone, her figure quickly swallowed by the mist.

...

"Huh! This way?"Cloud Retainer bravely fought her way through the mist."Your Excellency is indeed a masterful person," Cloud Retainer hummed in awe.

"You've only trapped me for so long, isn't that enough? If there's any discrepancy in proper etiquette, you can simply come out and tell me why you're playing such a trick on me."Even after going through all the formalities outside the fog, the fog was still thick and disorienting once inside. She hadn't gathered any intelligence, so she had tried to test the maze's power, but her wings were nearly sore from flapping, and there was still no progress.Cloud Retainer felt a bit annoyed, but there was nothing she could do.If the other party was stronger than her, she could just shut herself away. If they were more erratic or nasty, she might even just watch the monkey show. She was increasingly convinced that this outsider, even if not as exaggerated as the "Descender," was still a formidable figure.Cloud Retainer knew that if she simply stepped back, she could escape the fog and leave safely. However, with such a figure appearing at Mt. Aozang, if she retreated without gaining anything, it would be a dereliction of duty as an adeptus—a betrayal of Rex Lapis's trust and the years of devotion from the common people of Liyue!Cloud Retainer made up her mind, a gleam in her eyes."Sir, Mt. Aozang has been my place of retreat for many years. Since you refuse to show yourself, you must forgive me for my impoliteness!"

The crane flapped her wings, a roar of wind surging, turbulently dissolving the fog before her.Yet the path ahead remained hazy.Cloud Retainer already understood the power of this maze, so without surprise, she simply gathered her strength and flapped her wings again."Boom!"The wings whipped out a hurricane.Cloud Retainer still didn't know the other party's true intentions, but since courtesy wouldn't work, she had no choice but to demonstrate her strength. She just hopes her thousands of years of cultivation will earn the other party's respect.

"Swish!""Hmm?"As the fierce wind swept past, a streak of sword energy shot towards her.Cloud Retainer flapped her wings to block it."Is it coming? Are you testing my strength?"Meanwhile, within the mist that blinds people, Maria maintained an impeccably solemn expression. "There's even a strong wind disturbing the maze? It's just a gentle breeze, how can you use it to block me?"Cloud Retainer unleashed a stronger gust of wind, and Maria raised her finger, unleashing a burst of sword energy."Boom!""Boom!""Boom!"The two engaged in a ferocious exchange within the mist.It was mainly because Maria knew what was going on and was deliberately holding back. It was easy to explain: the situation was unclear, and she didn't want to create unnecessary enemies for Liyue. Otherwise, Cloud Retainer would have been chopped into pieces long ago.

Outside the fog, under the aftermath of adepti-level power, Shenhe was forced to crouch in a corner to avoid its effects.She lost consciousness and her mind went blank."Master seems quite active, likely unharmed. So, is she trapped? She could easily step back and get out, so why isn't she coming out?"

"Yes, why isn't she coming out?""Maybe she still wants to see you, and won't come out unless she can.""Oh. Do you want a cookie?"Shenhe habitually took the small cookie offered by the Descender, popped it into her mouth, and chewed on the sweet, delicious flavor.After a moment, she slowly turned her head."Why are you here?""I went out for some errands and just got back.""...So what do we do now?""What do you mean?"Shenhe was confused, and the Descender's tone seemed equally bewildered.Shenhe suddenly understood. The Descender wasn't from Teyvat, let alone Liyue. She probably didn't understand how she had gone out and returned with two more maze-explorers at the door. She didn't even recognize her master or the Lord of Salt, so of course she was confused."Descender, are you a villain?""Like I said, it depends on how you define good and evil.""Does that mean you'll hurt anyone in Liyue?""No, unless someone provokes me."The petite Descender, whose face couldn't be seen, shook her head.Shenhe finally breathed a sigh of relief.She didn't know as much as beings like Morax and Cloud Retainer, and she had even less understanding of the broader situation surrounding Liyue and the world's safety.

As a disciple of the adepti who hadn't yet entered the world, she looked like a naive child to the adepti. Even Yaoyao was more mature than her.

But even the innocent Shenhe was the only one who had interacted with the Descender, Angel, and the only one who had directly trusted this person who had always treated her well."Let's go free Master and the Lord of Salt."Shenhe's trust was kept in her heart, unspoken.Angel nodded."Okay... Oh, no need, they're out."...

"Boom!!!"Another mountain-shaking collision erupted within the mist.Cloud Retainer had already exerted nearly full force.Maria matched her efforts with a similar intensity.The aftermath of the collision caused both of them to take a step back.A fierce look flashed across Cloud Retainer's furious eyes, while Maria's expression remained icy.

As they emerged from the mist, they both stepped forward. Wings and blood-red swords sliced through the air, poised for a collision.At that crucial moment, Cloud Retainer finally caught sight of Maria's face, and her pupils trembled."Guizhong, you're going too far! This is Mt. Aozang, and you're still trying to mess with me... Damn, it's the real deal! Geo Archon, spare my life!!!"For a brief moment, Cloud Retainer was startled, then terrified, and finally, instinctively, she ducked and rolled to the side.

Maria's sword, of course, remained steady in mid-air, not striking down, frozen in an elegant and handsome pose."..." ×2The scene fell into an eerie silence.At the same time, Zhongli and the other two adepti, who had rushed to his aid, also arrived.

They watched Maria's graceful yet stiff movements, and then saw the great crane tumble to the ground, clutching her head.The atmosphere grew even quieter."Crack, crack!"Only Shenhe and the Descender Angel stood together, chewing their cookies, making crisp sounds.---Chapter 177: First, This Is Azhdaha

"My name is Morax, and my current incarnation is also known as Zhongli. Nice to meet you."Zhongli ignored the Lord of Salt and the Flute-Wielding Cloud Retainer who was still frozen awkwardly and went directly to the Descender.

The small stone in his arms was trembling violently.As the Geo Archon, Morax had a keen sense of the rocks' memories and emotions, which was why he had discovered Azhdaha and brought him to the surface. He sensed a powerful emotion from the stone Azhdaha inhabited, including lingering fear, anxiety, and a warning.

With Morax's knowledge and wisdom, he immediately guessed that the person who had left that terrifying sword strike in the sealed space was probably this "Descender."

But he showed nothing, simply speaking in a calm and humble tone."Your Excellency has come from afar, and I've been inconsiderate before. Could you please find a place to sit, so I can show you some hospitality?""Geo Archon Morax, Lord of Salt Maria?""It's us.""I'm not interested in you. I just happened to be stopping here."The Descender spoke in a cold voice, with the crisp, childish quality of a young girl, as if reflecting her youthful age.Her gaze lingered on Zhongli's chest for a moment, then she turned and walked away. The petite figure, holding a small umbrella, quickly vanished into the mist, resembling the ordinary mountain forest fog, leaving no trace."..."For the first time in his life, Morax felt ignored.

He wasn't angry, just a little curious.

Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper were both somewhat indignant, but they also saw the gravity of the situation, so they remained silent, simply staring at Morax, awaiting Rex Lapis's orders.

At this point, Maria also retracted her blood sword and approached Morax."Can you see her face clearly?""Not at all. It's definitely not an ordinary method; it's mysterious and unpredictable. What's in that fog?""It's a powerful maze; not even Cloud Retainer could break it. I didn't use my full strength, so I don't know if I can break it, but it's definitely something. What's that thing shaking in your arms? I saw her glance at it before she left.""That... let's talk about it later. For now, let's go to Mt. Hulao."Morax was the head of Liyue, so his words naturally prompted Maria to nod. With the two leaders already committed, the rest naturally followed.Morax also notified Ping, as well as Guizhong and Havria, who were already flying to Mt. Aozang.

Suddenly, a riot of light and shadows streaked across the sky, converging on Mt. Hulao.

Occasionally, passersby caught a glimpse of the scene, instantly shouting out, praying and making wishes.

Mt. Hulao, beneath the Fulong Tree, within the sealed space. Zhongli allowed everyone to clearly sense the remaining power of the Edge of Taixuan. The newcomers were naturally terrified, and Havria immediately collapsed on Maria. Even those who had already seen it, Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, couldn't hide their unease.

Zhongli himself, intent on deploying the strongest restrictions he could quickly establish within the cave. Maria, observing this, casually cast a blood-red dome. Then, Guizhong and the other adepti followed suit, casting various spells to isolate themselves from the outside world."Huh~~"Zhongli breathed a sigh of relief.While he wasn't sure whether this barrier would be effective against the "Descender," it was better than nothing; at least it offered some psychological comfort.

He then casually fashioned a large round table out of rocks and gestured for everyone to take their seats.

"The three Yakshas are still exploring the Chasm. This concerns not only Bosacius and the others, but also the aftermath of the demonic calamity we've yet to confirm. It's a serious matter, so I didn't call them. Besides them, all the gods and adepti of Liyue have already gathered."

Zhongli looked around, his lips curled slightly at the familiar faces.It felt like returning to the war era of three thousand years ago, when everyone gathered frequently to discuss campaigns and national defense.With the exception of Maria and her family of three, who had transcended time due to their slumber, and the young Shenhe, everyone else felt more or less the same way.For a moment, expressions of nostalgia and emotion crossed everyone's faces.Then, Zhongli took the small stone from his arms and placed it on the table.

"There's a lot to say. But first, this is Azhdaha."

"Huh?" × NThe group wore expressions of astonishment, as if they had just seen something strange."Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!"But the stone seemed incredibly excited. After trembling for a moment, it bounded and leaped towards Guizhong and the others."Bang!"Finally, Maria reached out and helped it, preventing it from falling to the ground.The stone continued to vibrate in Maria's palm.If this was Azhdaha, everyone could understand its excitement. For years, he had felt guilty for not noticing the god's advance past his defenses, indirectly contributing to the Lord of Salt and her wife's slumber. It was only natural that he was excited to see Maria, Guizhong, and Havria reappear.

The question was, how could such a tiny stone possibly be Azhdaha?Everyone turned their gaze to Zhongli. Even if you were the Geo Archon, that didn't mean we had to believe everything you said. Isn't that ridiculous?

"It's truly Azhdaha. I even carefully examined the aura within the stone. Although it's lost its power, it's truly Azhdaha himself."

Zhongli emphasized calmly and confidently.Maria's face became wooden, and she stared at the stone in her hand with a mixture of confusion and innocence. After a moment, she placed the stone on the table, frowning, and spoke. 

"When I first fought Morax, how many hours did we fight?""Buzz buzz buzz!"The stone vibrated continuously.Perhaps it was indicating a prolonged battle, or perhaps it was saying it didn't know.The others weren't Morax; they couldn't interpret the vibrations alone. Guizhong stroked her smooth chin, her eyes rolling as she turned to Maria with curiosity."Oh, right? When did you two battle-crazed men first fight? Why? How come I never knew about it?""Because I'm going to marry you. As your relative , Morax should be testing my skills and sincerity?"

"Oh! That's annoying! Don't bring this up in front of so many people~~"Guizhong spoke delicately, gently tapping Maria's shoulder, looking like a young, shy, and affectionate girl.Just thinking of her identity, age, and devilish temperament, some people shuddered.Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping's expressions were even more eccentric. After a glance at each other, they quickly averted their gazes.

Even the vibrating stone suddenly stopped moving, as still as death.

...

Chapter 178: Celestia Isn't Reliable Anyway

Guizhong didn't feel embarrassed. At least she didn't show it. As for whether she truly understood everyone's feelings, that was probably only she herself.After a while, Zhongli asked Shenhe to recount her encounter and interactions with the "Descender." Everyone's expressions grew serious, and they listened intently."She said she wouldn't hurt anyone unless someone provoked her first. She's not a bad person."Shenhe added this at the end of her story, her expression dull, but her eyes resolute.Cloud Retainer raised her hand, smiled, and patted her apprentice's head.

The others listened intently. This was the child Cloud Retainer and the adepti had personally nurtured. In terms of cultivation alone, besides the naturally gifted Ganyu, she was the best.

Shenhe's assertiveness was rare, and they were willing to take it seriously. Besides, to date, no one besides Azhdaha had ever been harmed by the "Descender.""Buzz buzz buzz!""Azhdaha said that person proposed a deal. She wanted Azhdaha's dragon body and accumulation, and in return, she would help Azhdaha regain consciousness and live a second life... Wait, your erosion was healed too? Are you serious?""Buzz buzz!""Most of my memories are clearer, and my mind is completely lucid... So the erosion has indeed been repaired, hiss!"Zhongli gasped.Both being gods, Guizhong and Havria had similar reactions.

Erosion are a curse bestowed upon all living things by Celestia. No one understands this better than these gods. Erosion is inevitable, just as Celestia cannot be opposed. This is an unchanging truth in Teyvat.

Now, it seems as if this truth has been overturned before their eyes?"The Descender... It truly is the Descender."Guizhong's lips trembled, her eyes filled with shock and fear of the future. Her quirky expression was gone. Maria promptly grasped the hands of her two young wives, kneading them and comforting them."At least she has no hostility towards us. We don't have to worry about anything happening for now.""That's true."Guizhong smiled in relief. She didn't want to worry Maria. Besides, it would just be like what happened back then. What was there to be afraid of?Havria nodded gently, feeling much better.Zhongli calmed down, "Even if we completely trust Shenhe's judgment and assume she has no hostility, the Descender itself represents Celestia..."

Zhongli's words trailed off, shrouded in secrecy.Some understood, some didn't.But Zhongli didn't continue, and no one pressed the issue untimely. Zhongli continued."We can't pretend nothing happened. We can't be sure when something will change. The only thing we know for sure is that changes related to the Descenders could, if we're not careful, bring about the collapse of the entire continent of Teyvat. Lord of Salt, is it possible that they're going to..."

"No matter how much IT knows, since we've encountered IT, I believe it's imperative to inform IT."

"That's reasonable. Regardless, this is a major event for Teyvat, and we must fulfill our obligations.""Perhaps we can ask their opinion. Perhaps they knows more, perhaps they already made plans... The sea is turbulent, the waves are so great that even you and I can't guarantee the stability of this great ship of Liyue. Right now, learning as much as possible is our only hope."

Maria's face was calm, her tone tinged with emotion.Zhongli nodded in agreement.They spoke in riddles, but again, no one asked further questions.

Everyone understood that under the skies of Teyvat, some things remain unspoken, not because they are untrustworthy, but simply because it's better to remain unsaid."Do you think we should make a choice quickly?""I don't know. That's up to you.""Salt King, you can be frank. There's no need to draw such a clear line between you and me in Liyue right now.""Okay. To be honest, I just can't get used to it... There's something fishy about the way they're forcing the gods to fight to the death while watching all living beings suffer. Maybe they have their reasons, but they've also done me a great favor. What do you think I'll choose? The situation is more complicated now. Liyue truly needs a reliable support. What do you think, Morax?"Maria's answer was both reasonable and logical.Zhongli pondered.In essence, there are only two paths: either wholeheartedly follow Celestia or surrender to Irminsul. There's no benefit in being in the middle.

Ultimately, Liyue holds little weight to either side, and isn't worth a damn. Instead, it's easy for it to become a victim of their conflict. Originally, he'd considered taking his time, considering the pros and cons of both options. He had to first understand Irminsul's ideology and its potential before deciding whether to follow it.

What if Irminsul was only slightly stronger than the Seven Archons, but completely unable to withstand Celestia? Wouldn't that lead Liyue to a dead end?But now the Descender appeared.

According to ancient historical experience, the appearance of the Descenders would inevitably be accompanied by drastic changes in the world of Teyvat. It could be a devastating war for world sovereignty, or perhaps some other unimaginable change. In either case, Liyue would be powerless to resist.This gave Zhongli a sense of urgency.As Maria had said, the waves were too great, and Liyue needed a support system.And based on the little ancient history Zhongli knew, it was hard to say whether Irminsul was reliable, but Celestia was definitely not."Cloud Retainer, that ground-rolling move you just did was truly eye-opening. Can you teach me sometime? Perhaps I'll need it someday?""Don't laugh at me, you old bastards! That's the Salt King's slash. You would do the same!"

While Zhongli was pondering, the others didn't dare interrupt, and the little animals began gossiping among themselves.Xianyun pushed her glasses up and glared irritably at the two serious adeptus incarnations.Guizhong's eyes lit up, and she scurried forward, melon seeds clutched."What? Ground-rolling? Did I miss something?""Bang! Bang!"The stone on the table also quietly hopped closer, then pretended to be there from the beginning, remaining motionless.Xianyun raised her fist, clenching it until it cracked.

At this critical moment, Maria dragged Guizhong back to her side and spoke with a helpless smile:"Alright, alright, it was just an accident in the maze. Don't make things difficult for Cloud Retainer. Also, Guizhong, did you do anything to Cloud Retainer these past few days? Why did she mention your name the moment she saw me?"Guizhong's smile vanished.Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping also froze in an instant.--Chapter 179: The Hydro Archon of Shame

"Ahaha! Azhdaha, your stone is truly a stone!""Yes, yes.""Indeed, this roundness is truly round~~"Guizhong, Cloud Retainer, and Madam Ping surrounded the small stone on the table, each with a gentle, falsely respectful smile.

The small stone,l which had skipped over to watch the show suddenly become a prop for the three women to divert the conversation.

"Buzz buzz buzz!"The stone vibrated intensely, expressing a certain emotion.Don't use me as a shield for your affairs, women! 

Though they lack the power of Morax, everyone could understand the obvious meaning.But what could be done?As a powerless stone, Azhdaha could only obediently be toyed with and manipulated by the three women.

Aside from vibrating in anger, he had no other recourse. Maria held Havria's delicate, boneless hand with one hand, resting her chin on the table with the other.

A gentle, tender smile played in her eyes as she watched Guizhong, who was diligently acting and occasionally stealing glances her way."Woo~~"Guizhong whimpered, covering her face with her hands. She silently walked over to Maria and snuggled into her arms."Don't ask anymore...""Okay, anything you say is fine. But keep your pranks within bounds. Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping are timid. If they get angry, I can't help you.""Hmm~~"Guizhong, in Maria's arms, seemed to have transformed into a docile, calm little bird. She simply agreed with a blushing face. Her large, watery eyes blinked, and suddenly realization dawned on her.

"Wait, are you calling me shameless?"

"No, your face is so tender and smooth, so delicate it could be touched by a baby.""Hate it, let's touch it when we get home, hehe~~"Guizhong finally settled down completely.Maria stopped asking about the "little things" between the three besties."Huh!" x2Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had escaped death.After all, it was a narrow escape, wasn't it? If what happened in Luhua Pool were exposed, they would be worse off dead!Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper, who had remained aloof from the incident, couldn't help but lose their temper."You two...""Shut up.""But...""Be quiet! Don't disturb Rex Lapis's thoughts."Cloud Retainer and Madam Ping’s expressions grew more serious than each other.The two adepti who remained aloof scratched their heads and stopped asking. It wasn't that they were indifferent, but rather that they sensed a murderous aura. After a long moment, Zhongli finally raised his head from his reverie."Lord of Salt.""Speak.""Please find some time in the near future to make a long journey. You know where you're going, but keep it as secret as possible. Tell the one that the person who can free them from the pain of erosion is from the Descender. Also, I, and Liyue... also joins."

"Morax, be careful!"Maria, in turn, sounded grave.

Zhongli picked up the stone from the table, gently stroking it in his hand. He smiled and shook his head, saying, "Hasn't the Lord of Salt already made her decision? Why are you wavering again when it comes to me?"

"It's different. You and I have different burdens. My stance is based solely on my personal perspective, but yours should be based on the entirety of Liyue.""War, erosion... We've already lost a lot, and it's impossible for me to be completely free of resentment. I can't be united with the higher-ups. We've actually discussed their stance, and I don't see anything wrong with it. A choice must be made, and when it's time to make it, this is my decision as the Archon of Liyue.""...Okay."Maria nodded slowly, solemnly replying.That was enough. Everyone knew the Lord of Salt was a woman of her word.

Once she made a promise, she would do her utmost to fulfill it. Just as she had promised to free the Yakshas from the suffering of their karma, she had exchanged her dormant corpse for their blood for millennia, without compromise.

This was why the adepti and gods of Liyue revered her.

Having made his decision, Zhongli felt a much lighter heart. He looked gently at Cloud Retainer and her disciple:

"As for Shenhe... if she wants to go, Cloud Retainer, don't stop her.""I understand, Emperor."Cloud Retainer adjusted her glasses, smiled faintly, and raised her hand to stroke Shenhe's head.Shenhe looked up, bewilderedly glancing at the two of them, then continued to lower her head, acting as if she were invisible.Zhongli chuckled softly. He was a generation older than the adepti; after all, many had been mentored by him. Shenhe, on the other hand, was a generation younger, his granddaughter. It was natural for an old man to grow fonder of his granddaughter."Don't push her to explore anything. This is a rare fate. Let it flow naturally and simply become friends."Zhongli added another warning.The Descender's level was even higher than the Seven Archons. If she wanted to speak, she would, and if she didn't, there was no need to force her. Forcing utilitarianism onto Shenhe was likely to backfire.Cloud Retainer nodded again."I will personally take care of Azhdaha. He and I are both of the Geo element, so perhaps we can find a way to replenish his vitality. Trading the body and experiences for a new life is worth it, don't you think, Azhdaha?""Buzz!""Apologizing is awkward. Our alliance is both a contract and a bond. Your return is the best news; the rest is unimportant.""Buzz!"The crowd didn't know Azhdaha's exact words; currently, only the Geo Archon could read the language of stone. But they all understood as smiles spread across their faces.

First, the Lord of Salt and her wife, then Azhdaha.

Although the difficulties and dangers had increased, an old friend had returned. Truly, there was more joy than pressure.

"As for the others... prepare more. I don't know when the challenge will come, nor what kind of situation it will bring. But just like before, we will advance and retreat together.""Yes, Your Majesty!""The covenant remains. We three will obey you.""Buzz buzz buzz!"...

Inazuma, Mondstadt, and Liyue successively resolved some of their problems.Meanwhile, in Fontaine, the Hydro Archon was completely paralyzed."Eylse, milk tea.""Coming, Lady Furina.""Eylse, cake, feed me.""Yes, Lady Furina."Neuvillette, who had come to check on the Hydro Archon because she had been slacking off in her chambers, saw the extravagant and dissolute Furina and the hardworking Eylse upon entering, and her eyes twitched slightly. "Lady Furina!""Ah? Oh, that Neuvillette. What's the matter?""You've been lying in bed in the palace for over half a month.""What? Only half a month? So short? I thought it had been at least a year."Furina slumped on the sofa, her eyes wide open, lazy and lifeless, as she clutched Eylse's hair, shaking it intermittently, looking like a useless person.Neuvillette's face was expressionless, and he silently tightened his grip on the gentleman's staff.---Chapter 180: Furina Gradually Understands Everything

Furina couldn't be blamed.She had stood guard at that deity's throne, feeling guilty and cautious for 500 years.500 years of diligent work, 500 years of fear. It's fair to say: I've walked on thin ice all my life, unable to see where the other side is.This time at the meeting of the gods in Inazuma, she had overcome a major hurdle in her career as the Hydro Archon.

Even the gods agreed.

From now on, no one could question her identity as the Hydro Archon. With Elyse's assistance, she could even display divine powers she didn't possess, making her seem even more flawless.

It was like clearing a level with one life, but then finding the start button of Wind Spirit Moon Shadow.

Although she still hadn't seen the future for overcoming the hurdle, it was enough to relieve much of her mental burden.

Once the pressure was lifted, she naturally relaxed."Elyse, my body is a little sore from sitting. Can you give me a massage?""Yes, Lady Furina."Elyse did as she was told and had Furina lie down on the sofa. Then, she straddled Furina's waist, her delicate hands massaging her body."Ah~~"Furina narrowed her eyes in pleasure.Elyse was truly wonderful, wonderful in every sense of the word. She couldn't let Neuvillete know the process of channeling divine power, otherwise, that Melusine-obsessed person would really send the Hydro Archon to Meropide—or perhaps Furina herself felt guilty, knowing she was deceiving innocent girls and tainting Elyse's purity.

Once the prophecy is resolved, she can step down as the Hydro Archon... Whether it means jail or something, whatever.Furina gave up the struggle internally and became even more complacent as Elyse's massage techniques, perfectly tuned to her body's sensitivity, became increasingly sloppy.Neuvillete: "(̿▀̿ ̿Ĺ̯̿̿▀̿ ̿)̄!"The Hydro Dragon clenched his staff and coughed dryly, expressionless. "Ahem!"

"Ah? Neuvillete, you're still here? No work today?""Ms. Furina, you haven't been out and about in over half a month, and the people of Fontaine are a little worried. Also, Elyse, you don't need to obey everything Madam Furina says. Just do the daily duties of a regent."Neuvillete's expression and eyes softened noticeably as she turned to Elyse.Furina, in her slacking self, didn't care about this discrepancy. She simply scratched her ear and said lazily, "I've worked hard for 500 years. Can't I enjoy myself for a few days?"

"Enjoying yourself is different from staying indoors. The main thing is, the Fontaine Court is used to Madam Furina's activity. Lately, we've received more and more letters to Palais Mermonia asking about the Hydro Archon's health.""Is there such a thing?""...Ms. Furina, something's wrong with you."Neuvillete narrowed his eyes slightly. Normally, with her assertive and showy personality, upon learning that the public was so concerned about her absence, Furina would have jumped for joy. She would have immediately begun dressing up, appearing on the busy streets in her most flamboyant attire, excitedly displaying herself.

But now, Furina appear uninterested; this was not her usual style.Furina stiffened, looked up, and angrily spoke."What's wrong with me? Can't the Hydro Archon take a vacation? Have you taken advantage of the Millennium Labor Law?"

"If it's just a vacation, based on your accumulated vacation allowance, it's more than enough."After 500 years of diligent work, Furina's vacation allowance was truly generous. Even ten or eight years, let alone two weeks, would still be legally acceptable.Furina collapsed again.

"That's fine, then. I'm just taking a break to relax. It's not illegal, so why should you interfere?""Alright, I'll reply to everyone based on the Hydro Archon's reason for being on vacation. Also, Elyse, you really don't need to obey Lady Furina on everything."Neuvillete earnestly advised Elyse.A regent is, after all, a legitimate public office, responsible for taking care of the Hydro Archon's daily life and assisting her in her work, but it's not like she's supposed to do anything like massage or wash her feet.Neuvillete seriously suspected Furina of exploiting Elyse. If Elyse opened her mouth, he was ready to judge the Hydro Archon.Unfortunately, Elyse simply looked at Neuvillete with a naive and gentle gaze, then smiled a sweet, innocent smile."Alright, Lady Furina.""..."No, you don't understand at all, Elyse!

Neuvillete covered his face and decided to change the subject."Lady Furina, please be considerate of Elyse and not burden her with work that doesn't belong to her.""Yes, yes, yes, yes, goodbye."Furina closed her eyes, enjoying Elyse's massage, casually dismissing Neuvillete.Then Neuvillete finally left.After hearing the footsteps fade away, Furina looked up, her eyes gleaming with intelligence and a smile."Elyse, what did Neuvillete's expression look like at last?""Hmm, he didn't look very happy.""Haha, that's right! Don't make him disturb my rest for the next few days~~"

"But Lady Furina hasn't been out for ages."Elyse kneaded her body as she lowered herself, practically pressing her entire body against Furina's back, whispering in her ear. Furina felt the light, soft, and enchanting sensation, and a blush immediately spread across her face.It wasn't that she was too aroused, but rather that she had already sucked Elyse so many times before.

How could she possibly remain innocent in front of Elyse?

Elyse's defenseless purity, in particular, constantly radiated a temptation to commit sin. Once initiated, the desire to taint that purity was even stronger.So, let alone being so intimately close together, even with Elyse simply standing before her, and sometimes accidentally catching a glimpse of her lovely, pink, and translucent lips, Furina couldn't help but imagine something filthy."Elyse...""What's wrong, Lady Furina?""You... you get up first... I want to take a bath...""Okay, Lady Furina."Elyse floated up and headed towards the bathroom.She was clearly preparing to run some hot water for Furina, then she would come out and take her inside, where she would personally bathe her. Furina, clutching her pillow, belatedly glanced toward the bathroom and said weakly, "I just wanted to take a cold shower..."

But it was too late.

Elyse had already prepared herself meticulously. The sound of hot water and the faint fragrance of flowers filled the bathroom.Later, Elyse flew out, wrapped only in a bath towel. Her slender, jade-like shoulders and round, flawless feet swayed before Furina, making her feel a little dizzy.During her bath, in front of Furina, Elyse's towel "accidentally" fell off, revealing her rosy, white skin.Gudong!Furina swallowed dumbly.So, once a taboo is broken, it transforms into endless excitement. And the feeling of pleasure is addictive. Furina gradually understood everything.Later, the bathroom began to splash.