Through meticulous observation, Elliot gradually began to discern a pattern.
Monsters born in basins, plains, and islands were exceptionally powerful. Conversely, those that appeared on mountain peaks or at higher elevations were noticeably weaker.
The once-azure sea had, at some unknown point, begun slowly turning a deep purple. After observing for an entire day, he discovered that the dark purple Abyss was rising at a rate of one meter per day.
What did this imply?
Places like Liyue Harbor or Inazuma would be completely swallowed in less than a month.
Elliot tried every method he could imagine to stop the Abyss's ascent. Yet no matter what he attempted, it continued to rise at its steady pace—one meter per day, without fail.
He could not stop the Abyss at all.
But if this continued, it would take only a few more days before its corruption broke past sea level, and once that happened, the situation would truly become disastrous.
After all, the protective barriers he placed were useless before the Abyss itself. Even if all the monsters were eliminated, as long as the Abyss kept rising, the world would never be safe.
Elliot slowly raised his hand. Beneath Celestia, massive slabs of rock gathered rapidly, merging into a single colossal mass.
An enormous continent began expanding at an astonishing rate. All sunlight would soon be obscured by this landmass that had appeared seemingly from nothing.
Upon this newly created continent, Elliot wielded the power of [Life], dressing the brown earth with flourishing vegetation. Flowers, trees, mountains, flowing rivers, and most animal species emerged across the land.
Strangely, several large regions across this vast continent remained completely barren—bare rock, untouched by life, each of different size and shape.
It took Elliot ten days to create this new continent, so enormous that it was almost inconceivable—nearly equivalent to forming an entirely new world.
During those ten days, the Abyss had already breached the sea level entirely.
"It's about time."
"This is the best we can do for now…"
Looking at the continent he had created, Elliot felt no joy. He knew that unless the Abyss itself was resolved, everything he did here was ultimately futile.
Delaying an execution and carrying it out made little difference—except that the former granted a bit more time.
But even that small difference mattered: every extra second lived meant one more chance at salvation.
"Transfer!"
With a gesture, the seven nations enveloped by protective barriers were instantly replaced by massive craters, the cities vanishing without a trace.
All were brought onto the new continent, perfectly filling the empty spaces Elliot had intentionally left.
Additionally, he flooded the edges of this new continent with seawater and placed a protective barrier one hundred meters beneath the surface.
Though the barrier could not halt the Abyss's erosion, it could block the monsters born from it.
With this, even if someone fell into the sea, they would not be harmed by the Abyssal creatures.
For the time being, this place was a safe haven.
Currently, the entire island floated tens of thousands of meters above the ground—meaning they had tens of thousands of days left.
Ten thousand days sounded long, but it amounted to roughly twenty-seven years.
For gods, it was but the blink of an eye. Even mortals could easily live that long.
Elliot summoned the Seven once more, gathering them upon Celestia. Compared to the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles they had met before, the one before them now was clearly a different being.
"My name is Elliot, the new The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. I'll make this brief."
"You should have encountered those dark purple creatures on the surface five hundred years ago. They are known as the [Abyss]."
"The Khaenri'ah War that brought all of Teyvat to the brink was caused by contact with the Abyss. But the creatures that appeared then were only the lowest tier."
"And as for the strength of the Abyss now—you all understand it well enough."
"This new continent has only twenty-seven years of lifespan. During those twenty-seven years, I will find a way to solve the Abyss."
"What you must do is maintain stability among your people."
"Now, if you have questions, ask."
Elliot had no intention of hiding anything. As the Seven, they had the right to know. Concealment would only lead to speculation and confusion—and potentially cause trouble instead of helping.
Hearing his words, the Seven Archons fell into silence. Even they found such information difficult to process.
"I'll ask first," Morax said.
"Go ahead."
"You call yourself the new The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. Where is the previous one?"
"I don't know," Elliot replied, shaking his head.
"Earlier, when I asked you, you said you were The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles, yet not The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. What did you mean?"
"It means I am The Sustainer of Heavenly Principles from another world, unrelated to this one."
"What is the Abyss? Why does it infect humans?"
"I don't know."
"And even you cannot dispel the Abyss?"
"That's right."
"......"
Morax fell into deep contemplation.
And he was not alone—all seven archons stood silent.
Twenty-seven years.
To a god, it passed in a heartbeat.
If Elliot couldn't dispel the Abyss now, could he truly find a way within twenty-seven years?
Clearly, none of them thought so.
Among the Seven Archons, pessimism prevailed.
"Since you are the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles from another world, why take on the burden of this world's crisis? You could simply do nothing," Zebul asked, becoming the second to speak.
"My beloved is in this world. And I cannot return to my original world."
"You can't return? Why?" Zebul pressed.
"Because I chose to stay here. The one I love is here."
"The one you love? Who is she?"
"Her name is Shenhe—a white-haired woman with a Vision. She appears to be a disciple under my care," Morax explained to Baal.
The gods turned their gazes toward Elliot. When he offered no denial, all froze in astonishment.
"You… abandoned the supreme authority of an entire world—for a mortal!?" Zebul asked in disbelief.
"She is not ordinary. She is the most beautiful."
"But with your power, you must be surrounded by maidens of extraordinary beauty!" the Cryo Archon exclaimed, equally stunned.
"She is unique."
"So you gave up the supreme authority of a whole world for this alone… I fail to understand," another archon murmured.
Clearly, none of them could comprehend it.
"It's fine if you don't understand. You only need to know that I've made my choice. Let's not dwell on this. You may ask other questions."
Elliot had no intention of explaining further—such things could not be explained.
After a few more questions, all of which he answered, the gods dispersed.
Finally, Elliot approached Shenhe.
"I heard everything just now," Shenhe said softly.
"Twenty-seven years is nothing. Husband, go. I will wait for you to return."
"As long as you come back, no matter how long it takes, I will wait."
"After all, you are my most beloved husband~"
She gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her silver-white pupils brimming with unhidden affection and trust.