With Jiang Yan's sudden intervention, the tide of battle quickly turned in Morax's favor.
Moments later, two despairing roars echoed through the shattered mountains as the twin demon gods fled in defeat, their hulking forms vanishing into the distance.
"We've won!!"
The adept cried out in jubilation, their cheers echoing across the ruined peaks as the last of the enemy's followers scattered.
But high above the battlefield, Morax did not celebrate.
He stood suspended in the air, the Vortex Vanquisher still clenched tightly in his hand, his golden eyes fixed warily on the Wood Dragon before him.
The demon gods had retreated—but what of this new power?
Friend or foe?
As for Jiang Yan, he wasn't in much better shape himself. His face had gone slightly pale, and even with Wood Release's regenerative feedback keeping him stable, his body felt like an empty husk. Without that passive regeneration, he doubted he could've maintained control of the Wood Dragon for so long.
Sensing Morax's sharp gaze, Jiang Yan turned to meet it.
He had absolutely no intention of fighting the future Geo Archon.
After all, the Morax of this era was nothing like the calm, courteous Zhongli that would exist millennia later. Back now, he was still young, proud, and fierce—his temper untempered by time.
"This gentleman… I think we aren't enemies."
Jiang Yan smiled, his small, delicate face softening into a harmless, almost childlike expression—an image that contrasted sharply with the ferocious Wood Dragon coiled beneath him.
Morax's lips curved faintly. "Indeed… Young one, if you're uninjured, perhaps you'd join me for a cup of tea."
His tone was calm, even polite. For now, the boy hadn't shown any hostility, and Morax had no reason to make an enemy of him.
If foes came, he'd greet them with stone spears.
If friends came, he'd greet them with courtesy.
"Well," Jiang Yan chuckled, rubbing his chin, "I happen to have some free time."
"Then I shall be honored to host you," Morax replied, smiling faintly.
The two descended together toward the earth.
"Lord Dragon King Azhdaha!"
A group of mighty figures rushed forward as Morax landed.
There was the Moon Carver, the Cloud Retainer, the Mountain Shaper, and the Skyfaring adeptus—four legendary beings who, in ages to come, would be remembered as his immortal allies.
"We've won!" one of them exclaimed joyfully.
Morax nodded with a rare smile, then turned toward the silver-haired youth descending beside him on his Wood Dragon. "Forgive me," he said, "I was hasty before. May I ask your name, young one?"
"Ah—Jiang Yan," he replied brightly.
As he looked upon the four familiar immortals before him, nostalgia flickered in his eyes. These were faces he knew well from the future—from stories and legends.
And that horned deer among them… yes, that must be the Skyfaring Cloud Retainer herself.
"This young man is…?" asked Mountain Shaper, frowning slightly as he turned to Morax.
The other adept's gazes also carried traces of wariness.
"He is no enemy," Morax assured them. "He aided us in this battle. Come—let us return."
Before long, the group reached the great encampment that sprawled beneath Mount Tianheng.
"Lord Morax has returned!"
"Praise the Geo Lord!"
The cheers of the people rang through the air as they saw their god return victorious once again. Their protector had triumphed—and their faith in him shone brighter than ever.
Morax led everyone to the summit of Tianheng, where a stone table had been set and tea brewed.
Jiang Yan sat among immortals and divine beasts, gazing at the scenery around him—and realization dawned.
This wasn't yet Liyue Harbor. The city didn't even exist.
Morax hadn't yet met Guizhong, the God of Dust.
He was still a young war god, leading a tribe that worshiped him for protection in a land torn by war.
"Jiang, my young friend," Morax asked with mild curiosity, "what are you pondering so deeply?"
At his words, the other adept fell silent and turned to look at Jiang Yan as well.
He might look like a child, but none of them dared to underestimate the one who had just summoned a dragon that crushed two demon gods.
"Tianheng is vast," Jiang Yan said softly, "but its farmland is scarce. At this rate, even your followers will struggle to survive."
"Oh?"
Morax raised an eyebrow, and the adept around him leaned forward with interest—especially Cloud Retainer, ever the strategist and steward among Morax's ranks.
Agriculture had long been a major issue for them. Too little arable land, too many mouths to feed—an unsolved problem even divine power couldn't easily fix.
If they couldn't feed their people, how could they dream of standing against the other gods of this chaotic age?
"By your words, young friend," Morax said slowly, "do you have a solution in mind?"
Jiang Yan took a sip of the rich, earthy tea, then exhaled softly.
"Expansion."
At once, the adept's hopeful expressions dimmed.
Expansion?
Of course they'd thought of that.
But the lands around Tianheng were crawling with powerful foes—the Osial of the southern seas, the Dragon Chasm's Chi, the God of Dreams in the west.
Each one was a top-tier demon god in their own right.
Morax himself was still an upstart compared to those ancient powers. To expand outward now was to invite disaster.
"My friend," Morax began cautiously, "you must understand, even if we wish it, the neighboring lands—"
But Jiang Yan raised a hand, cutting him off.
"I know. The south is ruled by Osial, the west by the Dream God, and the north by the Dragon Chi. They're all strong. But…"
He extended a finger, pointing toward the northeast.
"The northeast of Tianheng—those lands are fertile, yet they belong to no great god. Isn't that right?"
The adept exchanged glances.
Morax's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Indeed—the northeast plains were rich, but had always been ignored by the major powers.
For the first time, the idea sounded… feasible.
As silence fell over the group, a soft sound of footsteps approached.
A small figure toddled over, carrying a tray of fresh fruit in her tiny hands. She set it gently on the stone table.
"Hm? And this little one is…?"
Jiang Yan blinked and sat upright in surprise.
Morax looked over in mild confusion as well.
Cloud Retainer chuckled softly, her elegant voice carrying a trace of pride. "That would be my disciple—Ganyu."
The little qilin girl flinched at the sound of her name.
She lowered her head, nervously clutching the hem of her robe as she whispered, "H-hello, Lord Morax… I—I'm Ganyu…"