"Huff… huff…"
Jiang Yan lay sprawled at the bottom of the crater, panting heavily.
That strange, massive boulder gave him an even stronger sense of familiarity now—so much that it made his scalp tingle.
He couldn't move anymore. Every ounce of elemental energy within him had been drained dry.
Then, suddenly—
A thought struck him.
A boulder.
One that could fight Morax evenly.
One that could draw upon the ley lines and channel all kinds of elemental power...
Wait a damn second—!
His breath caught.
Could this thing actually be… Azhdaha, the Lord of Vishaps?!
Jiang Yan's entire body trembled. He struggled to stand, pain surging through him like fire.
"Ah—ouch, ouch, ouch!"
…
Elsewhere, the battle between Morax and the great stone was drawing to a close.
"It's over…" Morax exhaled, his breathing ragged.
He couldn't afford to waste too much strength here—not when he still had to negotiate with the Dust Archon afterward.
The boulder gave a low rumble, as if in reluctant agreement.
Jiang Yan finally clambered out of the crater, surveying the devastation around them.
What had once been a tranquil valley was now a wasteland of cracked mountains and scarred earth.
The local ley lines had been torn apart—it would take at least a century for them to heal.
Morax gave a weary smile and clasped his hands together in apology.
"I disturbed your cultivation. For that, I offer my sincerest regrets."
Though he was a god, Morax still showed genuine respect—
not only because of the boulder's strength,
but because he had been the one to provoke it in the first place.
The stone pulsed faintly in response, indicating that it bore no grudge.
After all, it had enjoyed the battle.
Solitude beneath the earth grew dull; a worthy fight was a rare thrill.
Jiang Yan stood silently nearby, his heart hammering.
There was no mistake—this was Azhdaha.
The future mightiest general beneath Morax, born right here, right now!
He couldn't interfere.
If he ruined the friendship between these two beings, it could change the course of Liyue's entire history.
"You alright?" Morax asked, glancing over.
"I'm fine," Jiang Yan said with a grin. "Just realized how green I still am. That fight taught me plenty."
"Good," Morax nodded approvingly. "To grow stronger, one must learn from every battle."
"Come," he said at last. "We should move on."
Jiang Yan nodded—only for the massive boulder beside them to suddenly leap up and slam down before them, blocking their path.
"What the—?!" Jiang Yan instinctively pressed his palms together, preparing to use a jutsu—
only for Morax to raise a hand and stop him.
"It's alright." Morax's tone remained calm.
"I was the one who disturbed your rest. If I have ruined your place of cultivation, I'll make amends."
He looked at the great stone with solemn eyes.
"If you so desire, you may come to Mount Tianheng. I will grant you a new home—one worthy of your power."
The boulder shuddered and bounced twice in response.
Morax blinked, a bit confused.
Behind him, Jiang Yan couldn't hold it in anymore.
"He wants to come with us," Jiang Yan said flatly.
The boulder gave another heavy thump-thump as if nodding in agreement.
Morax finally understood.
"I see… So the legends are true. Creatures born underground are often blind to the surface world."
To communicate more clearly, Morax gathered geo energy into his hands and placed them upon the boulder.
Jiang Yan simply stood by quietly, watching in awe.
Moments later, Morax spoke again, his deep voice resonating like the earth itself:
"This matter began because of me. Therefore, our fates are now intertwined."
"I will use my divine power to grant you form—but in return, you shall make a contract with me."
"You shall live among mortals, protect this land and its people for a thousand years."
"When that contract ends, you shall regain your freedom. But if ever you turn your strength toward destruction—"
Morax's eyes sharpened, divine might radiating from his form.
"—then I will seal you back into the darkness myself."
Though the stone could not speak, a pulse of spiritual energy echoed faintly in the minds of both Morax and Jiang Yan.
It had accepted.
"Good," Morax said softly. "The contract is sealed."
"He who breaks the contract shall suffer the punishment of stone!"
As his divine power poured forth, golden light enveloped the boulder.
The stone did not resist—only trembled slightly, as if in reverence.
"This may take a while," Morax said, glancing toward Jiang Yan. "You may wander nearby if you wish."
"No worries," Jiang Yan said, waving him off. "Take your time. I wouldn't miss this for the world."
After all, he was about to witness Azhdaha's birth with his own eyes!
Night fell.
Morax worked tirelessly, while Jiang Yan eventually fell asleep on a patch of grass nearby, snoring softly.
When he awoke at dawn, the sight before him took his breath away—
A magnificent stone dragon, carved with divine precision, stood before them.
"All done," Morax said calmly, clapping the dust from his hands.
Then, extending two fingers, he pressed lightly to the statue's forehead—
A golden gleam flashed.
Carving the Eyes of the Dragon.
As light touched the dragon's eyes, the winds howled and thunder rolled.
The ley lines roared in response, flooding the statue with pure elemental power.
The skies darkened.
Thunder cracked like a divine drum.
And then—
"Roooooar!"
With a deafening cry, the storm broke.
The heavenly tribulation faded, and a pair of immense, ancient eyes opened.
"I am born of heaven and earth—Azhdaha, Lord of the Stone Dragons!"
His voice boomed like rolling thunder, shaking the mountains.
Gradually, his massive form began to shrink, condensing into the shape of a tall, broad-shouldered man.
Morax smiled faintly and extended his hand.
"Welcome, Azhdaha."