Recaps

After Shenhe returned to Liyue, Ellin turned to writing again and sent a new chapter of her novel to Inazuma. The update thrilled readers, and the Tenshukaku bought both handwritten manuscripts at auction.

• Shenhe returned to Liyue but kept visiting Ellin at the Serenitea Pot each night through the Realm Dispatch.
• Ellin decided that Artifacts no longer helped her much and considered giving them to Fischl and the others.
• Ellin remembered that she had not updated her Inazuma novel in three months, so she wrote another chapter and sent it to Yae Miko.
• Yae Miko found the manuscript for Chapter Three outside her door but did not catch a glimpse of the author, Three Civets.
• Readers across Inazuma celebrated the update, and Yae Miko auctioned the two handwritten manuscripts.
• The Tenshukaku bought both manuscripts for five million Mora.

Ei’s memories explained how grief had driven her to pursue eternity, while Ailin’s friendship and Ice Cream had brought her comfort. When she found him preparing to leave on an adventure, she tried to persuade him to stay by offering wealth and a peaceful life, but he had not yet answered.

• Ei remembered how Makoto and her friends had died, leaving her to rule Inazuma alone and pursue eternity to prevent further loss.
• Ei went to Ailin’s dessert stall and, finding it empty, ordered the Tenryou Commission to locate him within ten minutes.
• Kujou Sara found Ailin at his home in Hanamizaka, where he was packing leather armor and supplies for an adventure.
• Ailin told Ei he had saved enough money from selling desserts and was ready to set out on his journey.
• Ei refused his final Ice Cream and questioned why he would accept the risks of adventure, then offered him wealth and a safe life as her pastry chef.

Ei wavered after the novel challenged her understanding of Eternity, while Yae Miko chose to publish the revealing third chapter despite fearing Ei’s reaction. Ei learned that the public focused on the story rather than its secrets, but became more convinced that the anonymous author was a surviving friend who had written for her.

• The boy told Ei that he wanted to pursue a brief, brilliant life, and his words reminded her of Makoto’s advice and shook her faith in Eternity.
• Yae Miko worried that the novel exposed secrets about Ei and the events of five hundred years ago, but decided to rush-print the third chapter to help Ei face the future.
• Readers across Inazuma rushed to buy the new installment, and the first printed batch quickly sold out.
• Kujou Sara offered to apprehend the author, but Ei dismissed the idea after learning that people were discussing only the plot.
• Ei examined the manuscripts and concluded that the author’s knowledge of Makoto’s exact words meant an old friend must have survived and written the book for her.

Ellin found Keqing troubled by strange dangers around Nantianmen and by the crushing responsibilities of her work as Yuheng. Keqing admitted that carrying even a fraction of Liyue’s affairs had made her understand how hard Morax had worked, while Ellin offered her a teasing interpretation of her distress.

• Ellin returned from Inazuma to her leisurely life in Mondstadt after the Fatui’s actions and the reduced fighting left the situation there uncertain.
• Ellin found Keqing sitting alone in the Serenitea Pot and noticed she had been visiting often and seemed dispirited.
• Keqing told Ellin that earthquakes, aggressive Geovishaps, a Primo Geovishap, and missing miners had stalled development around Nantianmen.
• Keqing confessed that her workload overwhelmed her and that she now understood the burden Morax had carried for Liyue.
• Ellin teased Keqing that she had stepped into the world, learned how hard life was, and begun doubting herself after understanding her old father’s efforts.

Ellin told Keqing that Azhdaha had awakened and warned her to evacuate Nantianmen, then explained the crisis to Zhongli and asked him to intervene. Zhongli agreed to go, while Ellin and Keqing began seeking the people needed to address the threat.

• Keqing reflected on how taking on part of Rex Lapis's former duties had left her exhausted and uncertain of her ability to govern Liyue.
• Ellin told Keqing that the source of the disturbances was a being Rex Lapis could not kill and ordered her to pull everyone back from Nantianmen.
• Ellin asked Keqing to find Kun Jun while she went to meet Zhongli at Yuhe Teahouse.
• Ellin explained that Azhdaha had awakened, with his hatred taking the form of a little girl who was trying to break the seal and his benevolent will seeking Zhongli.
• Ellin asked Zhongli to face Azhdaha and help Keqing through her doubts, and Zhongli agreed to go.

Ellin brought Kun Jun to the Dragon-Queller Tree, where he recovered Azhdaha’s memories and joined Zhongli in confronting the source of the disturbances. A clash at an ancient seal pulled Ellin, Keqing, Zhongli, and Azhdaha inside, where they faced a gigantic golden dragon.

• Keqing introduced Ellin and Zhongli to Kun Jun, and he agreed to go with them.
• Ellin took the group to Nantianmen and directed Kun Jun to touch the Subduing Dragon Stone, restoring Azhdaha’s memories.
• Azhdaha thanked Ellin and led the group to a mountain tunnel, where miners under black miasma were digging at an ancient seal.
• Ellin pinned the miners down with Anemo, while Azhdaha defended Zhongli from a blue-haired girl formed from black miasma.
• The clash damaged the seal, and its vortex dragged Ellin, Keqing, Zhongli, and Azhdaha inside before they encountered a colossal golden dragon.

Zhongli and his companions confronted Azhdaha, who recognized Zhongli as Morax and attacked him. As Zhongli fought to contain the dragon, Ellin protected Keqing and joined the battle, while the chapter left the fight unresolved.

• Azhdaha broke through his seal, recognized Zhongli as Morax, and attacked him as Keqing realized Zhongli might be Rex Lapis.
• Ellin split Azhdaha’s shock wave with her sword, saving Keqing, who was knocked unconscious by the blast.
• Zhongli threw the Memory of Dust beside Keqing, and its shield protected her from the battle’s shock waves.
• Zhongli and Azhdaha clashed with Geo power while Kun Jun raised a barrier to protect Liyue from the destruction.
• Ellin summoned Feng’er and charged into the fight with the Four Winds’ Tales.

Ellin and Feng'er joined Zhongli in fighting Azhdaha’s Evil Dragon King manifestation inside the seal, where every clash risked weakening Azhdaha’s prison. Ellin’s four-element spear attack knocked Azhdaha down, leaving Zhongli impressed by her power but worried about what might happen if she ever succumbed to Erosion.

• The chapter explained that the Good Dragon King and Evil Dragon King were fragments of Azhdaha’s will, and that the battle’s shock waves threatened the seal protecting his true body.
• Ellin joined Zhongli’s fight with Feng’er, and Feng’er destroyed the meteors Azhdaha launched toward Ellin.
• Zhongli shattered the meteors aimed at him with a Geo Spear and remained protected by his shield.
• Ellin combined Geo, Anemo, Electro, and Pyro energy in a spear attack that struck Azhdaha and triggered powerful elemental explosions.
• The blast knocked Azhdaha over, and Zhongli praised Ellin’s control while worrying that Erosion might one day make her a threat.

Ellin and Zhongli fought Azhdaha’s weakened Evil Dragon King fragment, which tried to damage the Barrier and free Azhdaha’s true body. Zhongli pinned the fragment with Geo Spears as Ellin prepared to strike it with power from multiple elements.

• Azhdaha accused Zhongli of betraying him again, then unleashed earthquakes that Zhongli and Ellin shielded against while Zhongli protected Keqing.
• Azhdaha drew Hydro energy from the Ley Lines and filled the underground chamber with water blades aimed at the Barrier.
• Ellin used Dragon Fist: Ice Dragon's Breath to freeze the water blades, while Zhongli summoned four Geo Spears to pin Azhdaha to the ground.
• Azhdaha asked Zhongli whether he truly intended to destroy him, and Zhongli felt grief but did not relent.
• Ellin appeared above Azhdaha and began channeling several elemental powers through her demon god core and Visions.

Ellin used her six-element Elemental Shockwave to defeat the Evil Dragon King without destroying him, allowing Zhongli to seal him again. Keqing woke and learned that Kun Jun was the Good Dragon King, leaving her confused about Zhongli, Azhdaha, and the events surrounding Liyue.

• Zhongli pinned Azhdaha down with Geo Spears and left Ellin to strike him.
• Ellin unleashed Elemental Shockwave, erasing the ground around Azhdaha and crushing him with immense elemental force.
• Zhongli placed the Evil Dragon King inside a new Seal, while Keqing watched after pretending to remain unconscious.
• Azhdaha accused Zhongli of abandoning him, and Zhongli answered that their meeting was fate.
• Kun Jun revealed himself as the Good Dragon King, and Keqing realized that he too was Azhdaha.

Azhdaha revealed that he was the benevolent fragment of the Dragon King’s will and explained how Erosion had split Azhdaha into opposing selves. As the fragments began recalling their old contract with Morax, Keqing listened while pretending to be unconscious.

• Azhdaha identified himself as a fragment of the Dragon King and explained that he had sought Morax to stop the malevolent fragment.
• Azhdaha thanked Ellin for helping him find Morax and erect the Barrier, and Zhongli welcomed his old friend.
• Azhdaha addressed the supposedly unconscious Keqing and began explaining the secret of his past, while she realized they knew she was awake.
• Azhdaha described how Erosion and mining-related Ley Line disturbances drove him to attack Liyue and caused his will to divide.
• Azhdaha declared that he embodied the memories of coexistence and the contract with Morax, then began reciting a verse that the malevolent Dragon King instinctively continued.

Azhdaha shared the Evil Dragon King’s restored memories, allowing him to recognize Zhongli before he vanished. Afterward, Zhongli and Azhdaha reminisced beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree and discussed Liyue’s future, ending with Azhdaha asking whether Zhongli had hesitated when they fought in The Chasm.

• Azhdaha recited a verse that restored the Evil Dragon King’s memories, and the Evil Dragon King recognized Zhongli before dissolving into black mist.
• Zhongli and Azhdaha left the seal with Ellin and Keqing, while Keqing arranged for the abducted miners to return to Liyue Harbor for treatment.
• Beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree, Zhongli told Azhdaha that he had stepped down as Geo Archon, and Azhdaha warned that he might awaken again.
• Zhongli said Liyue’s people should be prepared to face Azhdaha and that he would witness their rise and fall as a human nation.
• Azhdaha comforted Zhongli about erosion and the passage of time, then asked whether Zhongli had hesitated when they fought in The Chasm.

Zhongli and Azhdaha parted beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree after recalling the battle that led to Azhdaha’s sealing. As the Memory of Dust shattered, a woman’s voice greeted Zhongli, suggesting that an old friend had returned.

• Azhdaha told Zhongli that he had accepted the seal willingly to honor their bond and that they might meet again someday.
• Azhdaha’s power ran out, and he dissipated as Kun Jun fell into a deep sleep.
• Zhongli explained to Ellin how Azhdaha attacked The Chasm, how their battle ended in a seal, and how Erosion had made Azhdaha forget his affection for Liyue.
• Ellin left Zhongli alone, then joined Keqing to treat the wounded and help reseal the entrance; the Vishaps grew dormant after Azhdaha was sealed.
• Zhongli found two wild Glaze Lilies and remembered Guizhong giving him the Memory of Dust and turning to dust herself.
• The cracked Memory of Dust shattered, and a woman’s voice greeted Zhongli: “Long time no see, Morax...”

Zhongli used the damaged Memory of Dust to meet Guizhong’s lingering soul and tell her how Liyue had changed over the past 3,700 years. Guizhong faded away after they said goodbye, leaving Zhongli grieving as Ellin joined him and questioned whether he had truly been unable to unlock the device.

• The Memory of Dust released Guizhong’s remnant soul, and she reunited with Zhongli among the glaze lilies.
• Zhongli told Guizhong about Liyue’s growth and how he had stepped down as an Archon.
• Guizhong asked whether Zhongli had thought of her, and he admitted that he had often missed her and his other departed friends.
• Guizhong’s remaining power ran out, and she scattered into dust after thanking Zhongli and saying goodbye.
• Ellin sat beside Zhongli and asked about the Memory of Dust, then wondered whether he had been unable to unlock it or had chosen not to.

Zhongli told Ellin that he had left Guizhong’s remnant soul sealed in the Memory of Dust because he could not bear to part with her, and he reflected on how centuries of loss had worn him down. Ellin considered how accumulated experiences change long-lived beings, leaving Azhdaha’s erosion as an example of pain and resentment building over time.

• Zhongli admitted that he had been unwilling to unlock the Memory of Dust because he believed Guizhong’s remnant soul would remain as long as the seal stayed closed.
• Zhongli explained that the ruined lock would soon have crumbled anyway, and that Guizhong’s power had fulfilled her wish by protecting Keqing and Liyue’s future.
• Ellin asked whether Zhongli was all right, and Zhongli described the losses and changes he had endured as erosion imposed by the Heavenly Principles.
• Ellin reflected that erosion was a natural process in which experience changed a living being’s thoughts and personality.
• Ellin reasoned that Azhdaha’s years of witnessing humanity’s cruelty and enduring pain from ley line tremors had accumulated into resentment, eventually driving him mad and leading him to attack The Chasm.

Zhongli explained how erosion had exhausted him after thousands of years of protecting Liyue and asked Ellin to stop him if he ever turned against its people. Ellin promised she would, then gave him something from a spatial rift and vowed not to let that day come.

• Zhongli reflected on the losses, loneliness, and doubts he had endured while protecting Liyue for 3,700 years.
• Zhongli explained that erosion could only be eased by shutting down one's thoughts and limiting new experiences, not cured or erased.
• Zhongli told Ellin he feared erosion might make him attack Liyue and asked her to stop him if that happened.
• Ellin agreed to stop Zhongli, then opened a spatial rift and handed him something, promising she would not let that day come.

Ellin gave Zhongli a pristine Memory of Dust, and he confirmed that Guizhong's soul remnant was inside. She promised to bring Guizhong back and urged Zhongli to take care of himself, while he accepted her gift and her hope.

• Ellin handed Zhongli a new Memory of Dust, and he sensed Guizhong's soul remnant within it.
• Zhongli thanked Ellin for restoring his hope, but he did not press her about where she had obtained the lock.
• Ellin promised she would bring Guizhong back into the world and told Zhongli to guard the Memory of Dust.
• Zhongli agreed not to succumb to erosion, and Ellin believed his life as a mortal would give him time to rest and ease its effects.

After learning the truth about Azhdaha, Guizhong, and Rex Lapis, Keqing reflected on their sacrifices and the history behind Liyue Harbor’s prosperity. She returned to Liyue resolved to grow, while understanding that Zhongli had shown her the truth without exposing his identity.

• Keqing joined Zhongli and Ellin after reporting that the miners had returned to Liyue Harbor and the tunnels had been repaired.
• Zhongli, Ellin, and Keqing traveled back to Liyue Harbor as Keqing reflected on what she had learned about Azhdaha, Guizhong, and Rex Lapis.
• Keqing recognized the suffering and sacrifices that had helped protect Liyue and create its present prosperity.
• Keqing realized Zhongli had intended to teach her while allowing her to save face and keep his identity concealed.
• Keqing acknowledged her shortcomings but resolved not to give up on growing.

Near Liyue Harbor, Keqing reflected on her past opposition to Rex Lapis and recognized the burdens he had carried. She bowed to the Geo Archon and vowed that the Qixing would uphold Liyue’s prosperity, while Ellin received a fused Electro Archon divine core within her demon god core.

• Keqing recalled how her admiration for Rex Lapis had turned into opposition as she feared Liyue depended too heavily on him.
• After bearing some of Rex Lapis’s responsibilities, Keqing recognized the sacrifices behind Liyue’s prosperity and regained her confidence.
• Keqing bowed to the Statue of the Seven, apologized to Rex Lapis, thanked him for his guidance, and vowed that the Qixing would protect Liyue’s future.
• Keqing bowed to Ellin in gratitude for helping her, and the Electro Vision at Ellin’s waist shattered.
• Ellin received a second Electro Vision, whose power fused into an incomplete Electro Archon divine core and merged with her demon god core.

Ellin learned that the faith of people in Liyue and Inazuma granted her power, then helped Keqing plan a way to honor Azhdaha. Keqing hired storytellers across Liyue Harbor to spread Azhdaha’s story, and Venti joined them.

• Zhongli explained that the invisible threads connected to Ellin carried the power of wishes from people in Liyue and Inazuma.
• Keqing told Ellin she wanted to honor Azhdaha and apologize for the harm Liyue’s ancestors had caused him.
• Ellin whispered her plan to Keqing, who agreed and hurried out of the Serenitea Pot.
• Keqing hired storytellers through the Ministry of Civil Affairs to recount Azhdaha’s deeds and Liyue’s past wrongs against him.
• Venti used Ellin’s introduction to join the storytellers and began sharing stories about his drinking friendship with Azhdaha.

Venti used his storytelling to spread Azhdaha’s history throughout Liyue Harbor, revealing the Dragon King’s thousand years of suffering and willing sealing to protect Liyue. Keqing discovered Venti was Lord Barbatos, and the story’s growing popularity left people mourning Azhdaha and feeling guilty for their ancestors’ actions.

• Venti earned fans and tips by telling Azhdaha’s story as an official storyteller in Liyue Harbor.
• Keqing considered giving Venti a raise but learned he already spent much of his pay on wine.
• Keqing noticed Venti’s unusual closeness with Ellin and Zhongli, then asked Ellin who he was.
• Ellin revealed that Venti was Lord Barbatos, and Keqing was stunned.
• Keqing arranged for storytellers across Liyue Harbor to recount Azhdaha’s deeds, and the tale spread widely over half a month.
• Liyue’s people learned why Azhdaha attacked The Chasm and felt sorrow for his suffering and guilt over the harm their ancestors caused him.

After Liyue’s people learned of Azhdaha’s suffering and sacrifice, Keqing arranged a public fundraising campaign to honor him, and they began building a temple in his name. Azhdaha woke beneath the construction, emerged through a small opening in the Seal, and was moved by the people’s gratitude.

• After twenty days of storytellers sharing Azhdaha’s history, Keqing announced a Liyue-wide fundraising campaign to honor him and other forebears.
• People from across Liyue donated generously, and construction began on the Dragon King Temple beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree.
• Ellin arrived in Nantianmen and blasted a small opening in the Seal before leaving.
• Azhdaha woke, mistook the temple construction above him for mining, and released a sliver of his consciousness through the opening.
• Azhdaha saw the temple and its inscription honoring his sacrifice, and his anger softened as he realized the people remembered him.

Azhdaha watched Liyue build a temple in his honor, and the gratitude and repentance of its visitors gradually eased his resentment. But as the temple became a place for people to make selfish wishes, he grew disappointed and prepared to leave, until children’s cheers caught his attention.

• Azhdaha watched the Dragon King Temple take shape and felt some comfort in the words carved on its memorial stone.
• For a month and a half, workers and Millelith grew accustomed to the silent man beneath the tree and shared food with him.
• After the temple opened, Azhdaha sat beneath its eaves for twenty days, listening to visitors express gratitude and repentance.
• Azhdaha became uneasy as visitors’ heartfelt apologies gave way to prayers for wealth, advancement, and revenge.
• Seeing the temple filled with people’s desires, Azhdaha shook his head and turned to leave, but heard children cheering nearby.

Azhdaha encountered a family who worshipped at the Dragon King Temple without asking for anything and offered to grant them a wish. When the family refused, he angrily demanded to know why they wanted nothing, leaving the confrontation unresolved.

• Azhdaha stayed in the temple after hearing a family arrive with their young daughter, Changchang.
• Changchang offered Azhdaha a homemade osmanthus cake, and her family worshipped without making any requests.
• Azhdaha emerged from hiding and questioned the father, who explained that they had come to honor the heroes commemorated at the temple.
• Azhdaha revealed his identity and offered the family one wish, but the husband declined.
• Azhdaha grew angry and demanded to know why the family wanted no money, status, fame, or power.

Azhdaha demanded that Changchang’s family make a wish, but Changchang wished for his good health, and her parents said their gratitude to him was their greatest wish. After the family left, Azhdaha reflected on the kindness he had received and returned to the Seal with his faith in humanity renewed.

• Azhdaha insisted that Changchang’s parents make a wish, so Changchang wished that he would get well.
• Changchang explained that she had heard Azhdaha suffered from Erosion and wished him health because she knew how awful being sick felt.
• Changchang’s parents thanked Azhdaha for his sacrifices for Liyue and said he had already fulfilled the people’s wishes a thousand years ago.
• Azhdaha blessed the family with protection and gave them fine jade before they left the Dragon King Temple.
• Azhdaha drank through the night, remembered the kindness of the people of Liyue, and said Morax had been right about humans before returning to the Seal.