After that, a long era of peace followed. Under the guidance of the four Yaksha, Alatus' personality began to change. The most noticeable difference was that he spoke more often than before—and even smiled more.
Elliot never restricted them, so they lived freely and happily, only being asked occasionally to bring back some food. He also introduced them to Guizhong and Marchosius, and since then, they often visited Guili Plains, becoming close friends with the two.
However, Elliot never revealed his true identity to them. His explanation was that the five of them had escaped from another god and wished to join Liyue. When Guizhong learned that five powerful Yaksha had come to join Liyue, she was overjoyed—but this was not something she could decide. They would have to wait for the return of the Geo Emperor.
...
Half a year later…
"The Geo Emperor has returned!!!"
A sudden cry broke the calm of the village. Everyone in Liyue who heard it froze in place, stunned. They dropped what they were doing and rushed outside, where a few others were shouting, "The Geo Emperor and the Millelith have returned!!!"
Once the news spread, shock quickly turned to joy. Without hesitation, everyone abandoned their work and surrounded the messengers in excitement.
"Is it true? Has the Geo Emperor really returned?!"
"My child has finally come back with His Majesty! He must have slain so many monsters!"
"Where are they? We have to go and welcome them!"
The people of Liyue clamored with excitement.
"They're back! All of them! We just came from Guili Plains to spread the news! The Geo Emperor has returned with the Millelith and the Adepti!"
As soon as the words left their mouths, crowds of people surged toward Guili Plains—a vast, dark mass moving like a tide of migrating ants.
Watching the crowd below, Bosacius looked puzzled.
"Your Majesty, aren't we going to greet the Geo Emperor and the others?"
"No need. We'll wait here. Let's not add to the chaos."
Elliot knew that once Morax returned, there would be countless matters to attend to. After all, mortals had been involved in the gods' war—it was impossible to avoid casualties.
Beyond celebrating victory, they would need to honor the heroes who had fallen and offer comfort to their families. In short, there would be no shortage of responsibilities once they returned.
"By the way, Your Majesty," Bosacius said, a flicker of eagerness in his voice, "do you think the five of us together could trade a few blows with the Geo Emperor?"
Clearly, his fighting spirit had been stirred—he wanted to see just how large the gap was between them and the so-called Martial God.
"You could," Elliot replied firmly.
The five Yaksha blinked in surprise. They had expected him to dismiss the idea outright, but instead, he claimed they could exchange blows with the Martial God. Did that mean their Sovereign was even stronger than the Emperor himself!?
Over the past six months, the Yaksha had tried challenging Elliot several times—but every fight ended the instant it began. He had effortlessly sent all five of them flying, flattening them before they could even land a single hit. They hadn't lasted a single move.
They had always believed that the Geo Emperor, the Martial God revered by all, must surely surpass Elliot in strength. But from what Elliot said now… could it be that the ever-relaxed Sovereign of the Dark Night was actually stronger than Morax himself?
"So… how many moves do you think we could last?" Bosacius asked, breathing heavily, barely able to contain his excitement.
"If he's serious, maybe fifteen moves. If he holds back, who knows," Elliot estimated.
Fifteen moves might not sound like much, but the five Yaksha were formidable warriors, each capable of standing against high-ranking gods. They might not win, but they wouldn't fall easily either.
Still, Morax, after mastering Heavenly Motion of Ten Thousand Phenomena, had reached the peak of his power. Fifteen moves didn't seem too few after all.
"Fifteen moves?! Really?!" Bosacius was stunned.
The other four Yaksha were just as shocked. They couldn't even withstand a single move from Elliot—yet against the Geo Emperor, they might last fifteen? Even if that estimate was a bit generous, lasting ten moves against a god, the Martial God himself, would already be incredible!
"Maybe. I just guessed," Elliot said honestly. In his eyes, Morax didn't seem that powerful, so it was hard to judge.
"Then we have to try it," Bosacius said, his battle spirit flaring. The others nodded eagerly.
"That'll have to wait," Elliot said calmly. "He's just returned from war—he'll have plenty to handle first."
Elliot didn't want the five Yaksha to make a poor first impression on Morax. Sparring right after meeting him would look reckless—after all, Morax was a god, and they were his subordinates. What kind of subordinate would immediately challenge their god to a fight? That would be nothing short of defiance.
"Heh, then we'll have to trouble Your Majesty to bring it up for us. We wouldn't dare mention it ourselves…"
Bosacius pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture.
It seemed they knew full well that it wasn't proper, so they hoped Elliot could act as their mediator. They had dared challenge Elliot only because, after half a year together, they'd grown familiar enough to understand his easygoing nature.
"Alright," Elliot agreed.
He was curious too—he wanted to see just how strong these five Yaksha really were. After all, sparring with him revealed nothing; the gap between them was simply too vast.