The Chasm

A Demon God's hearing was naturally sharp.

"Yin-Yang Two Principles. What a fine name."

The adepti also thought it was a good name.

"It seems another adeptus will soon be joining our ranks."

Cloud Retainer looked at Qiu Bai and murmured.

Marchosius walked toward Qiu Bai and clapped a large hand on his shoulder.

"My name is Marchosius, God of the Stove. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Qiu Bai looked at Marchosius before him. Knowing he would become Guoba in the future, he held this Demon God in great respect.

He had single-handedly poured his power into the earth just to rid it of disease and calamity. If Qiu Bai remembered correctly, that would happen sometime within the next few centuries.

"Hello, my name is Morpheus, Yin-and-Yang Archon. It's a pleasure to meet you too."

Qiu Bai smiled at Marchosius.

"All right, let us escort the people to Liyue Harbor first, then return to Jueyun Karst."

Cloud Retainer looked at the other adepti and said this with a flap of her wings.

Two days later...

Qiu Bai gazed at Liyue Harbor before him. It was countless times larger than in the game, never mind what Liyue would be like a thousand years later.

"Adeptus of Yin-Yang and the Two Principles, will you come with us to Jueyun Karst?"

Cloud Retainer turned to Qiu Bai behind her and asked.

All the adepti were looking at Qiu Bai now.

"I'll head back first and continue guarding Dihua Marsh."

Xiao spoke, then vanished in an instant.

"I see that the people of Liyue have only the plainest food and drink. I shall send out my avatars to prepare more dishes."

Marchosius also vanished after speaking.

"The people of Liyue have only just emerged from this disaster. There's still administrative work to be done, so I'll be going!"

With that, Ganyu headed to Liyue Harbor as well.

Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper also flew ahead to Jueyun Karst.

The people of Liyue already recognized Qiu Bai now. Living among them would be inconvenient and bring plenty of trouble.

So he chose to go to Jueyun Karst instead. It was quiet there, and the scenery was breathtaking.

"Of course, Cloud Retainer. Let's go."

Qiu Bai cupped his hands toward the great crane before him.

Cloud Retainer nodded and flew into the distance, with Qiu Bai following behind.

After flying for roughly a day, the corner of Qiu Bai's mouth twitched.

"Looks like Liyue here is much, much bigger than it was in the game."

Looking at the endless mountain ranges, rivers, and countless ruins below, Qiu Bai felt as though he had played a fake version of Genshin Impact.

When they reached Jueyun Karst, Morax had already been waiting there for some time.

"Rex Lapis," the adepti greeted him, cupping their hands.

"There is no need for such formalities. I gathered you here today to introduce a friend."

Morax looked at Qiu Bai and nodded.

"His name is Morpheus. He is a newly born Demon God, the Yin-and-Yang Archon, and commands the way of yin and yang."

"We sparred earlier so that this friend could familiarize himself with his power. His strength is considerable."

The adepti were astonished. Many Demon Gods had fallen at Rex Lapis's hands during the Archon War, yet he thought remarkably highly of this man.

Morax paused, then looked thoughtfully at Qiu Bai and said.

"My friend, you were born in Liyue and have nowhere else to go. Why not remain here and live alongside the adepti?"

"There is something you do not yet know, Rex Lapis."

"Morpheus has already become an adeptus in the eyes of Liyue's people. They even gave him an adeptal name."

"Adeptus of Yin-Yang and the Two Principles."

Cloud Retainer looked at Qiu Bai as she explained to Rex Lapis.

"What a frivolous Demon God, though he certainly is handsome. As expected of someone capable of fighting Rex Lapis, he lives up to that title."

At that moment, Ye Yang gave Qiu Bai a rather strange look.

"Oh? Is that so? If that is indeed the case, my friend, would you be willing to join the adepti of Liyue?"

"As a Demon God, you stand on equal footing with me. The title of Immortal Lord would not be wasted on you."

Morax looked at Qiu Bai and spoke earnestly.

Well, well. He wants me to take care of things for him once he retires.

Still, this is Liyue, my favorite of the Seven Nations. And so many of my waifus are here.

Qiu Bai stole a glance at Ganyu and thought, Ah, he really knows how to pick the right person.

Qiu Bai smiled and said, "Then let it be as you say, Morax."

"Excellent."

Morax nodded at Qiu Bai with a smile.

With that, Morax began discussing how to govern Liyue with the adepti.

Following Cloud Retainer's instructions, Qiu Bai made himself a cave abode, then waved his hand to create a protective barrier across its entrance.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

Qiu Bai had not been idle during that time. He decorated the interior of his abode.

It was like an immortal paradise. Even Cloud Retainer and the other adepti marveled when they visited, all declaring that they would go home and make one themselves.

Qiu Bai also learned some adeptal arts along the way. The adepti were naturally happy to teach him.

As the years shifted and time passed, Qiu Bai became good friends with the many adepti of Liyue.

Whenever Morax visited, he brewed a pot of fine tea and discussed Liyue's development and plans for its future with him.

Morax marveled at Qiu Bai's ideas, while Qiu Bai sought Morax's guidance on using his power. In this way, the two became close friends who held nothing back from each other.

The seasons turned, and several more decades passed. Each year, at Liyue's Rite of Descension,

Morax and Qiu Bai descended together to tell the people how to plan for the future. The people of Liyue also affectionately called Qiu Bai their Immortal Lord.

One day, while Qiu Bai was drinking tea with Morax in Jueyun Karst, Morax suddenly seemed to sense something, and the teacup in his hand stopped.

"This feeling... could it be him? So this day has finally come, Azhdaha..."

Morax wore a conflicted expression, his thoughts unreadable.

"What's wrong, Morax?"

Qiu Bai looked at Morax, somewhat puzzled.

"Morpheus, please come with me."

Rather than explain, Morax invited Qiu Bai to follow him.

The two flew into the distance at tremendous speed.

"This is the place, my friend. This is the Chasm, an important mining site in Liyue."

Morax explained as he looked at Qiu Bai.

So this is the Chasm? It's countless times bigger than it was in the game.

It really is stunning at first glance. Is Azhdaha about to emerge because humans damaged the ley lines he depends on to survive?

The scenery before Qiu Bai was nothing short of breathtaking, with forested mountains rising on both sides of the Chasm.

Countless trees and houses clustered here. Below stood several large wooden machines, while the center of the Chasm was pitch-black, its depths lost from sight.

"The Chasm... what a magnificent sight."

Qiu Bai murmured.

"Morax, why did you bring me here?"

Qiu Bai asked with a puzzled expression.

Although he already knew why they had come to the Chasm, in the original story,

Morax had fought Azhdaha alone, ultimately striking him down and sealing him underground.

"My friend, I must soon fight an old friend. His strength is no less than yours or mine. Please protect the people of the Chasm during our battle."

Then Morax looked at Qiu Bai again.

"Morpheus, this battle is between the two of us. There is no need for you to intervene."

"Azhdaha, have even you succumbed to Erosion over these endless years...?"

Morax looked into the depths of the Chasm, his expression sorrowful.

"Don't worry. Leave it to me, Morax."

Qiu Bai looked at Morax with mixed feelings. An old friend's Erosion, a broken contract... after this, Morax's own Erosion would likely grow worse again.