A massive serpent-like dragon, its entire body shimmering with Geo energy, wound across the sky. Its majestic, awe-inspiring form left everyone below utterly shaken.
Without a doubt, this mysterious dragon was none other than the Guardian Deity of Liyue Harbor—the Demon God form of Morax, one of The Seven!
During every year's Rite of Descension, the Geo Archon Morax descended upon Yujing Terrace to guide Liyue Harbor's course for the coming year. When Morax appeared before the masses with such grandeur, the entirety of Liyue Harbor was immersed in solemn reverence.
Although this scene was something the people had witnessed many times over, they still gazed up at the dragon in awe, feeling the overwhelming power and boundless wisdom that radiated from a god.
Under his guidance, Liyue Harbor flourished—prosperous trade routes, peace, and stability.
However, very little was truly known about this enigmatic God of War.
Even so, the people of Liyue placed unwavering faith in him, viewing him as the supreme existence that protected this land and ensured its peace and good fortune. To them, Morax was not only a god, but a symbol of belief—and a spiritual pillar.
Suddenly! The massive dragon soaring across the skies began to shift, its body gradually changing form until it transformed into a human shape, floating steadily in midair.
He wore a flowing white robe, mysterious and solemn, its sleeves swaying in the wind as though merging with heaven and earth. The hood atop his head concealed part of his face, making it difficult to see his true appearance, yet even through the fuzzy outline, one could feel the weight of his imposing presence.
Standing among the crowd, Hu Tao felt her heart stir more and more—this Geo Archon Morax seemed strangely familiar. She tried to recall, yet no matter how hard she thought, she couldn't pinpoint where she had seen him before.
Just as Hu Tao was deep in thought, exclamations erupted around her:
"Wow!"
"All these years, this is my first time seeing the Emperor in human form!"
"Same here!"
"Look… doesn't his human form look a bit like that consultant from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor?"
"It really does!"
Voices rose one after another, the crowd abuzz with discussion.
Listening closely, Hu Tao realized everyone was comparing Zhongli with the Geo Archon Morax. Hearing this, her heart skipped. She carefully examined the Geo Archon before her.
Right… where was Zhongli?
Hu Tao suddenly realized she had completely forgotten about him and hurriedly looked around.
Over the years, she had noticed that Zhongli always retained the same youthful appearance, as though time itself could not leave a mark on him. So she had long suspected that Zhongli might be an Adeptus living among mortals.
After all, the Adepti of legend possessed long lifespans and could assume human form to walk the mortal world.
Thinking back to their time in Luya's shop, Hu Tao had sensed something—that there was a subtle connection between Zhongli and the Geo Archon. But the moment had passed too quickly, and she had never confirmed it.
Now, recalling it again, that feeling of familiarity grew even stronger.
Hu Tao observed everything carefully.
Soon, her eyes widened—this human form of the Geo Archon looked exactly like Zhongli! As if they were the same person!
Not only that… Zhongli was nowhere to be found. This deepened Hu Tao's suspicions even further.
She wondered, Could my earlier guess actually have been correct? Was Zhongli truly the Geo Archon?
Once the thought surfaced, it spread like wildfire through her mind. Recalling every moment she had spent with Zhongli—those seemingly ordinary details that subtly hinted at something extraordinary—Hu Tao grew more and more certain.
….
When the Geo Archon's human form appeared before everyone, the entire crowd was stunned. Not only did ordinary citizens stare wide-eyed—even the well-informed and high-ranking Liyue Qixing members, Keqing and Ningguang, showed visible shock!
Standing behind Luya, Ganyu was the same—the secretary who had served Liyue for thousands of years had never once seen the Geo Archon Zhongli appear in human form.
Under the collective gaze of the crowd—filled with awe, curiosity, and anticipation—the human-shaped Zhongli finally parted his lips…
"This is Liyue's development plan for the future."
As soon as he finished speaking, a scroll slipped from his hand with a gentle motion. It flew with unerring precision toward Ningguang, as though guided by invisible eyes, and slowly landed before her.
Ningguang reached out and caught it. The moment she saw what was written inside, her expression changed—astonishment flashing across her face!
Clearly, whatever was recorded on that scroll had shocked her greatly.
The surrounding crowd grew even more curious, eager to know what earth-shaking secret was contained within. Where would Liyue Harbor's future path lead?
Everyone was filled with doubt and confusion. This indescribable curiosity surged like a tide as they looked up toward Zhongli suspended in midair.
"This will be the final Rite of Descension."
Zhongli spoke slowly, his voice calm and deep, carrying boundless wisdom and power. Upon hearing this, the people were stunned.
"From now on, Liyue will be entrusted to humanity. I will no longer interfere."
His gaze swept across every person present, filled with determination and resolve.
The crowd erupted:
"What?!"
"The last Rite of Descension? What does that mean?!"
"What is going on?!"
"Is the Geo Archon abandoning Liyue?!"
Cries of shock and disbelief filled the entire terrace. People whispered frantically among themselves.
Some wore expressions of fear, unable to accept the reality; some fell into deep thought, trying to understand the meaning behind Zhongli's words; others grew emotional, loudly proclaiming their devotion and dependence on the Geo Archon.
Although the people did not understand what Zhongli intended, Ningguang—who had already read the scroll—did understand.
Zhongli planned to entrust Liyue's governance and protection… to Luya.
...
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