“Oooh! Oh oh oh!”
?(???????)?
Gu Sanqiu watched with envy as the meteor descended from the heavens. With the Geo Archon’s shield wrapped around him, he had no fear of being taken out along with the falling stone.
No matter how many times he saw it, the Archon’s ultimate move was undeniably impressive—like a master strategist delivering a final, inescapable judgment from afar.
The meteor crashed down, and Azhdaha roared in fury. The tree on his back had just begun to glow when the massive boulder engulfed his entire form!
BOOM!
Gu Sanqiu’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a blue dragon’s shadow entwined around the meteor just before impact. The moment it struck, the crimson aura surrounding Azhdaha shattered like glass!
“Zhongli!”
Gu Sanqiu leaped onto the Verdant Dragon Tree. That powerful display… it wasn’t like Zhongli to reveal such overwhelming strength without reason. Had something gone wrong?
“Ah, a disciple of the Gu Clan.”
Zhongli stood with his hands behind his back, golden eyes colder than Gu Sanqiu had ever seen. “Do you know who I am?”
Gu Sanqiu froze, then quickly pieced together what was happening. He straightened, bowing respectfully.
“Archon Morax, I apologize if I have shown any disrespect on behalf of the Gu Clan.”
“It is of no concern,” Zhongli—no, Morax—replied, his tone detached. “I witnessed your confrontation with Azhdaha’s malevolence. Even as a Gu Clan member, to hold out for as long as you did is commendable.”
“Thank you, Archon.”
Gu Sanqiu’s expression turned rigid. “Did you say… that was only a fragment of Azhdaha’s malevolence?”
“Not just a fragment,” Morax clarified. “Zhongli should have explained: the Dragon’s aura combined with the Essence of Pure Fortune would assist Azhdaha. The result was to expel the corruption within him.”
“The moment the Pure Fortune was infused, the malevolence was immediately rejected, manifesting as the Azhdaha you fought. Though this land has suffered damage, it was a necessary sacrifice.”
With a gentle wave of Morax’s hand, the battered ground began to heal. Plants sprouted anew under the power of his Geo energy.
“With Azhdaha here, it will not be long before this place becomes fertile soil once more.”
Morax turned his gaze back to Gu Sanqiu. “Disciple of the Gu Clan, your contributions have been significant. Is there a reward you desire?”
A reward?
Gu Sanqiu blinked in surprise, feeling a bit like he was about to loot a treasure chest after clearing a dungeon.
“Zhongli’s reward will come when I depart. As for you, do you have something in mind?”
Gu Sanqiu shook his head dumbly. It wasn’t that he was being modest—he genuinely had no idea what to ask from the Geo Archon.
To make Zhongli, the mortal he possessed, his subordinate?
No, he was too young to court death in such creative ways.
Learn the secrets of Planet Befall?
He had seen the scale of that attack. The energy it consumed must have been astronomical. He didn’t have some mystical creature’s life force coursing through him, nor did he possess magical elixirs. Even if he got the technique, he couldn’t wield it.
“Archon, I… truly cannot think of anything I need.”
Gu Sanqiu smiled wryly. It was such a rare opportunity to request something grand, and here he was, utterly unprepared.
If given half a day to think it over, he could likely come up with a long list, but time was clearly not a luxury he had.
“Hmph, as expected.”
“Huh?”
Zhongli—or rather, Morax—regarded him with an amused expression. “Azhdaha predicted that, if given so little time, you wouldn’t be able to think of anything.”
“That’s why he chose for you.”
A beautifully crafted, ornate rectangular object appeared in front of Gu Sanqiu, floating gently. A golden scale circled around it, shining with a soft light.
“This is a creation of my own design, forged through secret methods—a Geo Relic. And the scale you see is a natural shedding from Azhdaha himself.”
“The Geo Relic will aid you in comprehending the powers of your Vision and harnessing elemental energy, while the Dragon King’s scale will serve as a protective charm.”
“Is this reward satisfactory?”
“Satisfactory, absolutely! Thank you, Archon!” Gu Sanqiu quickly bowed low, before looking up with a start. “And… thank you, Dragon King.”
A fierce gust of wind whipped through the air. It shattered the shield around Gu Sanqiu, sending him flying backward.
“Old friend, show a little patience,” Morax chided. “Or are you simply… embarrassed?”
With a faint smile, Morax dissolved the Geo Relic into particles of light, sending them to Gu Sanqiu’s Vision, while the golden scale found its way to his side.
“This generation’s Gu Clan member is… quite unique.”
As evening fell, the crackling of a campfire filled the air. Gu Sanqiu was busy preparing dinner, his body still aching from Azhdaha’s earlier strike. After hauling himself out of the crater he’d made, he’d hastily dragged Zhongli away before Azhdaha could notice them leisurely cooking a meal nearby.
Here’s a question: what happens when you eat in the presence of a sealed, powerful entity with a notoriously bad temper, while your companion is their ancient friend?
Answer: You die.
For the sake of his own life, Gu Sanqiu would much rather take his chances provoking Mountain Shaper in Jueyun Karst. As long as he didn’t harm the natural world or waste precious materials, that benevolent Adeptus would not lay a hand on him.
As for Azhdaha… well, the fact that a simple thank-you had earned him a slap said it all.
Tonight’s dinner was simple—shredded poultry salad, honey-glazed boar, and a light broth of cabbage, all served alongside a steaming pot of high-quality rice. For drinks, he opened the last bottle of cola-wine from his private stash.
The cola-wine had come from some rare festival package. It was one of those “perfect gifts for the holidays” items, pulled straight from the treasure trove of his mystical cheat. It was the longest-lasting item from that batch.
Now, it was serving its final duty.
As the bottle’s contents poured into cups, droplets danced like little birds, singing a soft tune before vanishing into the night sky.
“Hmm, rich and aromatic, with an otherworldly quality. A true delicacy,” Zhongli observed.
“Of course! This is my secret stash,” Gu Sanqiu replied, serving the dishes. “If it weren’t for how close a call this adventure was, I wouldn’t have brought out such a fine drink to calm my nerves.”
“I am grateful, Gu Sanqiu.”
“Ah, there’s nothing to be grateful for. The Gu Clan follows the will of the Archon. If anything, I should be thanking you for the heads-up.”
The two clinked their cups together. Gu Sanqiu savored the rich warmth of the wine as it settled in his stomach, exhaling a contented breath before digging into the meal.
Considering the past two days’ exertions, he had prepared an abundant feast—five birds roasted whole, and an entire boar slow-cooked to perfection.
What sat on the table were only the finest cuts; the rest was still cooking—either on a low fire or simmering in a large pot for soup.
He’d just faced a legendary being in battle. Even if it was merely a fragment of its malice, he deserved a decent break.
Time to eat!
Of course, he couldn’t forget that his dinner companion was also his boss. Between bites, he frequently raised his glass to Zhongli.
The celebration was a strange mix—Gu Sanqiu’s cheerful demeanor contrasted with Zhongli’s cool composure—but overall, the atmosphere of the small victory feast was warm and satisfying.
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