"This isn't 'Xiaoli' , though I'm not entirely sure what it is either... Their world possesses too many unimaginable powers, far beyond the realm of martial 'technique.'"
Kaioh Kaku cleared his throat, nodding appreciatively toward Gepard. "Still, this person's strength shouldn't be underestimated. He didn't even bat an eye upon seeing Dan Heng and the others."
"One whose heart harbors thunder yet whose face remains calm as a lake is worthy of being a supreme general. Retsu, you still have much to learn from them."
"Yes!"
["Captain Gepard, they're with that blue-haired mastermind!" The soldiers who had just fought Stelle reported.]
["Who's with him? Let me make this clear—I'm not trying to weasel out of anything! We're really not with that villain. Did you see how he abandoned us without a second thought?"]
[March 7th crossed her arms, growing angrier the more she thought about it. "We saved him from the snow out of kindness, but he just used us to deal with you. Don't let him manipulate you—"]
["As citizens of Belobog, you have the right to defend yourselves—but not now." Gepard turned and signaled to the nearby guards. "Take them back first."]
["But we're not citizens of Belobog!" March 7th said anxiously.]
["What did you say?"]
[Gepard finally turned to scrutinize the trio's attire. The black-haired, cold-faced youth remained silent, while the gray-haired and pink-haired girls' clothing was indeed drastically different from Belobog's style. The key point was that in such freezing weather, they dared to dress so… lightly, completely unlike what anyone from Belobog would do.]
[An ordinary person dressed like that would've long frozen to death in these wilds.]
["March 7th, show him the photo!" Stelle quickly reminded her.]
["Ah, Stelle, you're so smart! That's a great idea!" March 7th immediately took the camera from her waist and approached Gepard. "You've never seen what your planet looks like, right? Let me show you the photo I took of Jarilo-VI…"]
[After seeing the photo, the soldiers beside Gepard were stunned.]
["You're saying this white sphere is… here? Where we live? That's just too…"]
["It's said that long ago, outsiders from beyond the sky often came here… But after the [Eternal Freeze] began, no one has ever crossed the snow curtain to reach us."]
[After brief contemplation, Gepard concluded that if these outsiders' claims were true, the matter exceeded his jurisdiction and fell under the purview of the Supreme Guardian.]
["You'll need to come with me to meet the Supreme Guardian." Gepard's tone softened considerably. "Outlanders, follow me. Belobog lies just beyond this snow curtain."]
[Following Gepard's lead, the group passed through the snow curtain and, after traversing several defensive zones, finally arrived at Belobog's city district.]
[It was a city enveloped in warmth. On the streets, white steam intertwined with metal, creating a unique visual spectacle. The deep blue sky was segmented by towering chimneys that occasionally spewed gray-white plumes of steam. On the cobblestone roads, copper heaters and wall-embedded exhaust vents emitted the occasional dull clatter of gears.]
[Under Gepard's guidance, Stelle and the others passed through the commercial district. Shop windows displayed an array of mechanical toys and steam-powered devices, captivating the curious gazes of children.]
"This city's style is so similar to Piltover."
Jayce walked to the laboratory window, resting his hands on the sill as he gazed down at Piltover—from the districts to Progress Square, all the way to the highest elevation of the Council Hall… Upon closer comparison, while the overall aesthetics differed, their technological applications were strikingly similar.
Belobog's streets still had patches of unmelted snow. Though the city didn't seem as frigid, it was certainly not as comfortably temperate as Piltover.
"It seems the scientific development of other worlds is uneven."
Viktor stared absently at the sky, where the city seemed to reflect upon itself. "Lady Herta's research can reverse aging, yet this city's technology is on par with ours. If we could develop more advanced Hextech, we might surpass Belobog entirely."
"Let's not jump to conclusions. What if this city has its own version of 'Hextech Crystals'?"
Viktor recalled Gepard's earlier mention of the "Preservation Aeon." Could the power of an Aeon also manifest within this city?
["This is Belobog—humanity's final fortress."]
["Final fortress?" March 7th looked puzzled.]
["..." Gepard took a deep breath, then spoke in the stiff tone of a grade-schooler reciting a lesson. "Seven hundred years ago, monsters from beyond the sky (the Antimatter Legion) set the planet ablaze. The earth became scorched, covered in molten fire and billowing smoke."]
[At the brink of annihilation, the Eternal Freeze suddenly descended—a raging blizzard without warning, burying the invading Legion. The only survivor was Belobog.]
[The steadfast [Architects] built this city, and under the protection of the Aeon of [Preservation], though battered by wind and snow, Belobog remains forever warm.]
At storyteller Tian Tiezu's place, a few idle tea-drinkers listened to Gepard's tale while debating endlessly.
"An Aeon can protect an entire city? Holy smokes, doesn't that make them as powerful as our Rex Lapis in Liyue?"
"Hey—hold on, brother. That's not quite right. Sure, the Preservation Aeon can shield a city, but did anyone say they could subdue demons across the seas or purge the world of evil? Without Rex Lapis's might, you'd probably get devoured by some monster the moment you step out of Liyue Harbor."
"This gentleman speaks wisely. And have you forgotten?" A merchant-like man chimed in. "Just a couple of years ago, during the Rite of Descension, Rex Lapis would personally bestow divine decrees, guiding Liyue's economic direction for the year. The prosperity Liyue enjoys today owes much to his guidance!"
"True, the Preservation Aeon sounds impressive, but Rex Lapis is far more personable."
"But the Preservation Aeon can protect multiple planets! Who's to say those planets aren't even bigger than Teyvat?"
"Why are you so eager to side with outsiders? No matter how powerful that Aeon is, in Liyue—on Rex Lapis's turf—even a dragon must coil and a tiger must crouch. Preservation this, preservation that… back during the Archon War, Rex Lapis might've just subdued it."
"Damn it… that's bullsh*t!"
The once-chatty group quickly devolved into bickering, none able to convince the others. Eventually, their gazes turned to two young men quietly drinking tea nearby.
One was dressed in Snezhnayan attire, appearing no older than twenty.
The other was none other than the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's consultant, Zhongli! Rumors had long spread throughout Liyue Harbor of this gentleman's vast knowledge and erudition—even obscure tales unknown to most elders were at his fingertips.
The group hurried over and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Zhongli, you're a man of immense learning and impartiality. Could you settle this for us—who is truly more powerful, Rex Lapis or the Preservation Aeon?"