Ryen was starting to doubt life itself.
According to every anime trope, at this point in the story, Zhongli and Azhdaha should've been exchanging dramatic dialogue — a clash of ideals, followed by a touching flashback of their shared past.
But Zhongli…
He wasn't following the script at all!
Wasn't he just a moment ago reluctant to kill Azhdaha?
Lisa could only shake her head helplessly as she leaned toward Ryen and whispered,
"Dear, this isn't a light novel. There's not that much unnecessary drama."
"Besides," she added, "Azhdaha already had a Totem of Undying equipped. He wasn't going to really die. In a fight where every second counts, how could Zhongli possibly miss that opportunity?"
Ryen curled his lip in disinterest.
"Fine, fine… how boring."
Everyone nearby could only laugh awkwardly.
Only Ryen could say something like that in the middle of a battle against the Dragon King Azhdaha.
Ahead of them, both Venti and the Cryo Archon had dispelled their divine forms, looking visibly exhausted.
Facing Azhdaha had been taxing even for them.
If it were simply about killing him, that would've been easier — but they were only assisting Zhongli in containing him.
The final strike had to come from Zhongli himself.
And restraining a top-tier godlike being was far more difficult than killing one.
Zhongli watched intently as Azhdaha's massive body dissolved into drifting motes of starlight.
In that final instant, Zhongli had made two preparations.
He had slain Azhdaha — yes — but simultaneously preserved a fragment of Azhdaha's consciousness.
If the Totem of Resurrection failed to revive him, Zhongli could restore Azhdaha in that other world instead.
Logically, he shouldn't have had any reason to worry…
But this was his old friend. And when it comes to such bonds, telling yourself not to worry is easier said than done.
Fortunately, after a short moment, the scattered starlight began to gather once more.
That ancient dragon, as grand and immovable as a mountain, slowly reformed.
"It's working," Zhongli exhaled in relief — though he still didn't lower his polearm.
Azhdaha was revived, yes… but the erosion that had consumed his mind might not have been completely purged. Zhongli couldn't be sure whether this single revival would erase it all.
If not, he'd have to find another way.
This resurrection took far longer than usual — or perhaps it only felt that way to Zhongli.
To him, it seemed even longer than the six millennia he had already lived through.
No one knew how much time passed before the golden light finally faded.
When it did, Azhdaha stood before them once again — completely restored.
Not only were the wounds from Venti and the Cryo Archon gone, but his strength had returned to its absolute peak.
That ancient, suffocating aura weighed down on everyone like a mountain pressing against their chests.
Azhdaha slowly opened his eyes. His pupils glowed blood-red.
Venti frowned slightly.
"No good?"
The Cryo Archon prepared to re-enter her divine form and repeat the containment process —
But Zhongli raised a hand, putting away his weapon as he stopped her.
"It's fine," he said quietly.
Azhdaha was back to normal.
Despite the crimson hue of his eyes, the guilt and joy of reunion within them were unmistakable — emotions that couldn't be faked.
No one understood Azhdaha's feelings better than Zhongli did.
After all… they had walked side by side through the longest of ages.
Zhongli stepped forward slowly, his amber eyes fixed quietly on Azhdaha.
There was so much he wanted to say—yet, for a moment, he couldn't find the right words.
Azhdaha felt the same.
He didn't quite understand how he had been revived, nor did it matter how Zhongli had done it.
All he knew was—
He was himself again.
He remembered the destruction he had brought upon Liyue, the battles he had waged against Zhongli and his companions.
He had broken the contract he once swore to uphold.
"Morax…"
Azhdaha's deep, rumbling voice shook the very air of the domain.
Zhongli's lips curved into a faint smile as he softly recited,
"The heavens move, and the myriad forms of mountains and seas arise."
Azhdaha froze for a second—then burst out laughing, his booming laughter echoing through the skies.
After a while, he calmed himself, lowering his voice as he replied,
"From the barren earth, stars are born—shining bright as the blazing sun."
"Morax, I have returned… I'm sorry, I—"
Zhongli shook his head, stepping forward to pat Azhdaha gently on the head.
"It's all right. You're back now—that's all that matters. The rest need not be spoken of."
The two old friends exchanged a smile.
All the pain, guilt, and memories of the past dissolved wordlessly between them, carried away by silent understanding.
Fortunately, the erosion that had overtaken Azhdaha had never truly harmed anyone else.
The adepti were injured, yes, and Tianqiu Valley had been destroyed—but the citizens of Liyue had evacuated in time.
They had simply moved to new lands. In fact, Liyue Harbor now thrived even more than before.
And even back then, when he was sealed away, Azhdaha had fought desperately against the erosion's grip.
If he hadn't, the adepti wouldn't have escaped with just wounds—they might have perished.
The one who suffered most from all of it was Zhongli himself.
That was the part Azhdaha felt most guilty about.
But Zhongli didn't mind.
As long as Azhdaha had recovered, that was enough.
Azhdaha shook his massive body, then slowly shrank his form until he was the size of a great dragon.
That was how Zhongli remembered him—
The size he'd taken when they fought side by side long ago.
Azhdaha's true form was enormous and immensely powerful, but during the Archon War, such size was more a liability than an advantage.
Large bodies made easy targets.
Zhongli, who had always fought in his human form, had earned the title War God regardless of stature.
Among gods, size had never been what mattered.
Azhdaha then turned his gaze toward Venti and the Cryo Archon.
Even through the haze of erosion, he remembered what had just happened.
He bore them no resentment—for their attack had been meant to wake him.
If anything, he felt a little embarrassed. After all, moments ago he'd been trying to strike them down with killing intent.
After a brief silence, Azhdaha lowered his head slightly and said,
"Barbatos, Cryo Archon my thanks. And my apologies for what I did just now."
Venti grinned and gave Azhdaha's leg a friendly pat.
"Come on, old friend! No need for such formalities! Just buy me a few bottles of good wine and we'll call it even!"
Azhdaha blinked, then let out a hearty laugh.
"You haven't changed a bit. Unfortunately, I'm penniless now—I fear I can't afford your request."
Venti waved a hand with a mischievous smile.
"That's no problem! I'm sure the old man here wouldn't mind footing the bill for you. What do you say, Grandpa Zhongli?"
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