Seeing Azhdaha's message in the chat, everyone froze.
Wasn't this dragon raging and threatening people just moments ago?
Why was it suddenly… so polite?
The adepti seemed to realize something and immediately spoke up.
Cloud Retainer:
Azhdaha, have you recovered?
Moon Carver:
Azhdaha, are you alright now?
Mountain Shaper:
If that's the case, that would be wonderful!
Zhongli's face lit up with joy.
To see his old friend greet him so calmly in reality filled him with indescribable happiness.
But he was still Morax, the Geo Archon.
He knew all too well how terrifying erosion was.
So he quickly calmed himself.
Zhongli:
Azhdaha, is this a temporary return of clarity?
Azhdaha:
Yes.
After watching the light screen's evaluation and footage, I was deeply shaken.
Azhdaha:
Vaguely, I felt as though I truly lived through those events with you.
Azhdaha:
Unfortunately, erosion still prevents me from remembering.
Zhongli silently confirmed his suspicion.
Back then, after their battle, Azhdaha had also briefly awakened—
And willingly accepted sealing.
This time, it was the light screen that triggered that momentary clarity.
The question was…
how long would it last?
The other adepti realized this as well and sighed inwardly.
They had hoped for too much.
Still—
To see an old friend regain reason, even briefly, was already enough.
Zhongli:
After thousands of years, being able to meet again is already the greatest fortune. (emotional)
Azhdaha:
I feel the same.
But this clarity won't last long.
Azhdaha:
Through the light screen, you already know the seal will loosen in the future.
When that happens, just seal me again.
Cloud Retainer:
Azhdaha, do not lose heart. With the light screen, all things are possible.
Moon Carver:
Yes! This time will not be a farewell between you and His Excellency—
but a new reunion!
Mountain Shaper:
When that day comes, we must gather properly!
Ningguang:
Liyue once wronged you. That was our fault.
Ningguang:
We will do everything in our power to make amends.
Keqing:
If there is a chance, please come see modern Liyue.
We did not let you down.
Azhdaha:
I will. I will.
Azhdaha smiled faintly.
Though it did not remember these people—
They felt strangely familiar.
Perhaps this was the bond forged over thousands of years.
Even erosion imposed by Heavenly Principles could not completely erase it.
As for the future…
It did not dare hope too much.
Being able to see these familiar strangers again—
That alone was enough.
Villa
After giving everyone time to process, Luo Chen spoke again.
"Alright, that concludes Azhdaha's story."
"With that, the serious evaluation of this god and his companion ends here."
"Next—"
"The non-serious evaluation begins!"
The crowd erupted.
Serious evaluations were meaningful—
But non-serious ones were just as fun.
Sometimes even better, depending on the subject.
Like Neuvillette the day before.
Or Barbatos yesterday.
And now—
Morax.
After waiting so long, it was finally here.
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Hahaha! Finally, the non-serious evaluation!"
"So, Consultant—how do you feel?"
"Nervous?"
"Scared?"
Hu Tao grinned and ran up to Zhongli.
This guy was serious every day.
Time to dig out some fun.
Before Zhongli could answer, Venti put on a displeased expression.
"Hey~ that's not fair!"
"Do you know who this is?"
"The Martial God of Teyvat!"
"A god who slays demon gods without blinking!"
"How could he be afraid of some silly evaluation?"
"Right, old man?"
He patted his chest solemnly.
"And don't worry!"
"As your closest friend!"
"No matter what absurd things appear in the non-serious evaluation—"
"I absolutely will not laugh!"
"…Unless I really can't hold it in."
Ehe~
Zhongli: "..."
You've said everything already.
What am I supposed to say?
Still—
Non-serious evaluation…
Before, he only cared about the rewards.
Now that it was his turn—
Thinking of the light screen's past antics…
And looking at Hu Tao and Venti's eager faces—
A strange unease crept into his heart.
"I… shouldn't have anything that absurd, right?"
Then again—
The light screen never played by normal logic.
An ominous feeling rose.
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Lumine:
Yay~ daily non-serious evaluation time~ (happy)
Paimon:
Yay~ time to watch the drama~ (excited)
Azhdaha:
Non-serious evaluation?
Cloud Retainer mentioned it before, but what exactly is it?
Azhdaha:
And what are those little figures after your messages?
Venti:
Ehe~ those are called emotes!
Venti:
Like (smile), (doge), (eating melon), (shock.jpg)…
Venti:
And the legendary soy-bean crying emote~
Navia:
...
Azhdaha:
I see! (eating melon)
Azhdaha:
Then what about the non-serious evaluation? (eating melon)
Nahida:
It's the light screen analyzing people from very strange angles.
Nahida:
Since it's "non-serious," extremely absurd situations can happen.
Nahida:
As for whether it's true—opinions may differ~
Dvalin:
Others aside—everything about Barbatos is absolutely true. Even understated.
Venti:
Slander! I am a very serious person!
Paimon:
Come on, bard—who in this group doesn't know you already? (shrug)
Azhdaha finally understood.
Azhdaha:
So today's non-serious evaluation is about Morax and me?
I wonder what kind of absurd things will appear.
Alice:
Hehe~ for you, just reference your fellow dragons—Dvalin and Neuvillette~
Dvalin:
...
Dvalin:
I suggest we focus on Morax instead.
Neuvillette:
Agreed.
Zhongli:
???
Venti:
Ehe~ Old man's so proper, it's hard to imagine any absurd angle~
Hu Tao:
Isn't contrast a thing?
The more serious someone seems, the more extreme their hidden side!
Lumine:
That makes sense!
Lisa:
Like Jean and Barbara~
On the surface: dignified Acting Grand Master and gentle idol.
Reality: a girl yearning for romance and "social-queen Barbara"! (snicker)
Jean:
...
Barbara:
...
Ganyu:
And Lady Keqing!
Serious Yuheng Star by day—beef-offal foodie by night! (snicker)
Keqing:
...
Yae Miko:
And little Ayaka~
Elegant lady outside—inside: Kamisato turtle and mild yandere~ (snicker)
Ayaka:
Lady Guuji! (cover face)
Azhdaha:
I see!
So Morax appears extremely proper—
Which means deep down he must be extremely absurd! (realization)
Hu Tao:
Hahaha! I really want to see Zhongli's absurd side!
Venti:
Anticipating~
Ei:
Anticipating~
Nahida:
Anticipating~
Furina:
Anticipating~
The adepti panicked.
No way.
Surely His Excellency's non-serious evaluation couldn't be that absurd… right?
But after seeing so many of these evaluations—
Their confidence was gone.
As for Zhongli himself—
That ominous feeling was growing rapidly.
Villa
Luo Chen smiled at the scrolling barrage.
Contrast?
Absolutely.
In that regard, Morax ranked first in all of Teyvat.
Unchallenged.
"The serious evaluation was heavy."
"So let's lighten the mood."
"Hope you enjoy it~"
He cleared his throat.
"Non-Serious Evaluation officially begins."
"First—Zhongli."
"Item One: Fear of Seafood."
"Every god has an absurd weakness."
"Barbatos fears cats."
"And Morax—fears seafood."
"Specifically—soft-skinned, scaly marine creatures that can survive dismemberment and secrete sticky, slimy fluids."
"This weakness also originated during the Archon War."
"At the time, a creature like this infiltrated human society."
"It was small."
"And everywhere."
"Tables. Chairs. Door cracks. Windows. Teacups. Books."
"One careless touch—"
"And you'd feel something cold and wet."
"Worse—"
"It would crawl up your hand."
"Against such creatures, Morax couldn't simply obliterate them with force."
"He had to catch them by hand."
"After enduring prolonged torment—"
"He finally avoided them forever."
Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
"Eugh—"
"That's disgusting!"
Hu Tao hugged herself, shuddering.
Even she—fearless as she was—felt chills.
Venti and Dvalin weren't afraid either.
Just… revolted.
Even Venti lost his appetite for wine.
"Old man… you really suffered."
Zhongli shook his head calmly.
"I answered the prayers of the people."
"And fulfilled them."
…Though even now, the memory still made his skin crawl.
True PTSD.
Some Abyss Base
"So that's it!"
"One bite by a snake—ten years fearing rope!"
Aether's eyes lit up.
This was critical intelligence.
Just like cats countered the Anemo Archon—
These creatures could suppress Morax in battle.
He stood and addressed his subordinates.
"You heard it."
"Find creatures with soft skins, scales, regenerative limbs, and slimy secretions."
"They are the Geo Archon's nemesis."
"Search everywhere."
"Understood?"
The Abyss members exchanged looks.
They hated these things too.
But—
This was Morax's weakness.
To survive future battles—
They had no choice.
"For Khaenri'ah!"
"…Yes, Prince!"
Satisfied, Aether spread his arms.
"Imagine it!"
"Cats in the left hand for the Anemo Archon!"
"Sea monsters in the right for the Geo Archon!"
"Two gods restrained at once!"
"Teyvat will kneel!"
Eerie laughter echoed.
"Kehehehehe~"
[Extraordinary Chat Group]
Lumine:
Forget Zhongli—I'm scared too! (terrified)
Paimon:
So gross! (terrified)
Keqing:
Just imagining it makes my skin crawl. How did His Excellency endure this? (terrified)
Ayaka:
Hidden targets are the worst—difficult to find, mentally exhausting.
Nilou:
Isn't the worst part touching it accidentally… and it crawling up your hand?
Navia:
Stop! I'm getting goosebumps! (terrified)
Alice:
To make Morax suffer this much—the creature should feel honored.
Xiangling:
Eh?
Xiangling:
Is it really that scary? (confused)
Xiangling:
I kinda want to try cooking it…
The chat fell silent.
…What?
You hear about this slimy nightmare—
And your first thought is food?
People swallowed unconsciously.
As expected of the woman who casually picked up the Stove God.
Truly terrifying.
Thus, after Cyno the pun-master—
Another legend was etched into everyone's mind.
Villa
Luo Chen smiled and continued.
"Now that Morax's weakness is covered—"
"Let's proceed."
"Non-Serious Evaluation Item Two: Acting Skills."
"Among the Seven, aside from Ei the airhead and little Nahida—"
"The rest are master actors."
"Next—"
"Let's enjoy the performances of Morax and Barbatos."
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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