Morax looked at Chen Meng.
Chen Meng was dressed in a long robe—mostly white, accented with stripes of violet-red.
Chen Meng turned to Morax and asked,
"Morax, how's my divine attire?"
Morax nodded in approval.
"Hmm, not bad at all. Minu would probably love this design."
Suddenly, a figure flew over from the mountain top.
"Am I late?"
It was the qilin, Ganyu.
"Ganyu? Why are you here?"
Morax looked at her in surprise—he hadn't sent word to her.
"Master said a new Archon had arrived, and that today you'd be signing a contract with him."
Ganyu answered respectfully.
"In that case, take a seat."
With that, Morax walked toward the ritual platform.
After greeting Ganyu, Chen Meng followed as well.
Although he was very curious how this coconut goat had managed to roll down the mountain, the contract came first.
Ganyu curiously watched Chen Meng walking behind Morax for a moment, then turned and went to sit beside Cloud Retainer.
"True Lord," Ganyu greeted her.
Cloud Retainer nodded slightly.
"Ganyu, you're here."
Gui Zhong turned and looked at Ganyu.
"Yes, Lord Gui Zhong."
Ganyu replied with respect.
"Aiya, how many times have I told you not to call me that? Just call me Gui Zhong."
Gui Zhong said, clearly displeased.
"But…"
Cloud Retainer interrupted, glancing at Gui Zhong.
"Enough, Gui Zhong. Ganyu's always been like this."
"Sigh, she used to call me 'big sister' when she was little, and now she doesn't even say that anymore."
Gui Zhong pouted.
Just then, the sound of a zither rang out—the contract ritual had begun.
Gui Zhong turned back around.
On the left side of the platform stood Morax, on the right stood Chen Meng.
A Ping was farthest to the left, playing the zither. Morax also placed the Dust-cleansing Bell on the platform.
"I, Morax, Archon of Geo, hereby enter into an alliance contract with Chen Meng, Archon of Dreams…"
Morax produced an earring that floated above his right hand and extended his arm forward, stopping above the ritual platform.
Chen Meng extended his right hand as well and spoke,
"I, Chen Meng, Archon of Dreams, hereby enter into an alliance contract with Morax, Archon of Geo…"
The earring floated between their hands and came to a stop.
"The contract is sealed. Should either party break it, let them suffer the punishment of stone."
As Morax finished speaking, the earring drifted into Chen Meng's hand.
At that moment, the Dust-cleansing Bell rang—signifying the contract had been sealed.
Chen Meng looked down at the earring. Its design resembled the one Morax wore on his left ear, but the gemstone in the center was white.
The others gathered around to look.
"This earring looks just like Morax's!"
Gui Zhong exclaimed as she turned toward Morax.
"Chen Meng, try infusing your power into it."
Morax spoke while still facing away, looking into the distance.
Chen Meng followed his instruction, channeling power into the earring.
The earring transformed—its silver petals formed a hollyhock shape, the center gemstone glowed with a stream of violet light, and a dark purple tassel hung below.
"Wow, it's beautiful!"
Gui Zhong exclaimed, staring at the newly transformed earring in Chen Meng's hand.
The others nodded in agreement.
Chen Meng also paused in surprise at the sight, then recovered and put the earring on his right ear.
"All right, the ceremony is complete. We should go take care of the monsters."
A Ping said to the group.
Cloud Retainer turned to Morax and asked,
"Emperor, should we move this platform?"
Morax turned and replied,
"Hmm... build a pavilion on it."
When Cloud Retainer had asked her question, Mirai Qixia suddenly looked energized, but after hearing Morax's answer, her expression dimmed again.
Guide of the Skies noticed Mirai Qixia quietly crying in a corner and turned to Morax.
"Emperor, isn't this platform too large for a pavilion? Maybe trim it down a bit?"
Morax nodded.
"All right, shrink it. As for the removed portion, let Mirai handle that."
Upon hearing this, Mirai's eyes lit up again. She cupped her hands toward Morax.
"As you command, Emperor."
Then she pulled the other immortals over to begin planning the platform's reduction.
Chen Meng's divine attire returned to casual wear.
Morax also switched back to the daily outfit designed for him by Minu.
"All right, everyone go back to your duties. Chen Meng, come with me."
With that, Morax headed down the mountain.
Chen Meng said goodbye to the others and followed.
Morax led him to a flat area beneath Qingyun Peak.
"Chen Meng, how much do you understand your own power now?"
Morax asked.
Chen Meng thought for a moment and replied,
"Only part of it…"
"Then tell me the part you do understand."
Morax stood with his back to Chen Meng, looking up at the sky.
"Hmm... I can make people fall into illusions. I can also enter and control their dreams."
Chen Meng replied.
Morax turned around and looked at him.
"Looks like you're missing that part of your power. Maybe that's for the best—it's not easy to control."
Chen Meng grew curious.
"What part of the power is that?"
Morax didn't answer. He simply stared at Chen Meng.
Chen Meng stared back. But when it became clear Morax wouldn't respond, he tried to change the subject.
Then suddenly Morax spoke.
"You'll find out eventually. And when you do, you'll be able to wield it."
Chen Meng nodded.
Morax continued,
"For now, you can go with Fushe and the others, or A Ping and them, to learn more about the monsters. Or head into Guili Assembly and get to know the people."
Chen Meng asked in surprise,
"Morax, didn't you say you'd help me master my divine authority?"
"Yes, I did. That's part of the contract. But the part of dream authority I understand is precisely the part you're missing."
As Morax finished speaking, a figure appeared beside Chen Meng.
"Emperor, you called for me?"
It was the Yaksha, Xiao.
Seeing Xiao arrive, Morax spoke,
"Xiao, take Chen Meng with you to clear out some monsters."
He turned back to Chen Meng.
"Chen Meng, I don't fully understand the power you currently possess. So for now, you'll have to explore it yourself. I did fail to meet my promise, so I'll make it up to you. Go with Xiao for now—use your power more often, and maybe you'll gain a deeper understanding of it."
Chen Meng was slightly excited upon hearing about compensation—after all, this was Morax, not the broke Zhongli from the future.
Xiao, after hearing Morax's instructions, looked at Chen Meng. He took a deep breath, the trembling in his body slowly calming.
Even though Xiao knew Chen Meng wasn't her, the aura of that power still unsettled him.
"Lord Chen Meng, please come with me."
Chen Meng nodded to Xiao, and the two of them said goodbye to Morax and left.
Morax watched them go, then vanished in the direction of Guili Assembly.