Chapter 24: Troubles Arose Under the Dragon-Queller
After receiving Zhongli's message, Lumine and Paimon wasted no time. They set off immediately for Mt. Hulao, handling the winding mountain paths until they arrived beneath the ancient, sprawling branches of the Dragon-Queller with practiced ease.
A sudden gust of wind rustled the heavy leaves. A teal shadow descended from the canopy, landing silently on the grass before them. It was Xiao.
The Conqueror of Demons casually unfastened his Yaksha Mask from his face. The sharp, suffocating malevolence that usually clung to his every movement was entirely gone, replaced by a rare, quiet stillness.
"You are here. The Geo Archon instructed me to wait for you," Xiao said, his voice cool but lacking its usual dangerous edge.
Paimon threw her hands up in a cheerful wave. "Hello, Xiao!" Lumine offered a warm smile and a nod of acknowledgment.
Xiao dipped his head in return, his golden eyes shifting to the floating fairy. "The karmic debt has been cleansed, and my body feels lighter than it has in centuries. I can now move freely. My purpose in coming here today is twofold. First, to guard this perimeter and ensure no mortals stray into danger. Second... to express my gratitude."
He paused. His gaze locked onto Paimon, his expression turning deeply solemn. "Paimon, this kindness is etched into my very bones. From this day forward, as long as you stand within Liyue's borders, you need only call my name, and I shall answer your summons."
"Eh? Really?!" Paimon's eyes instantly widened into massive, sparkling stars. "Just like Lumine?"
She planted her tiny hands on her hips, puffing out her chest with absolute pride. Her small face beamed with excitement. "Hear that? From now on, I have an illuminated adeptus acting as my personal bodyguard in Liyue too!"
Lumine let out a bright laugh, reaching over to pat Paimon's fluffy white hair. "Congratulations, Paimon. You are moving up in the world. Maybe next time we visit Xinyue Kiosk, you can just flash your face to get a free meal instead of paying Mora."
Paimon gasped, taking the joke entirely seriously. "Really? You are not kidding? If I just use my healing powers more, I can eat for free everywhere in Liyue?!"
Looking at the fairy's incredibly earnest, drooling expression, Lumine finally burst into full laughter. "Of course not, you little silly! Liyue is the land of contracts. You still have to pay for your food. You cannot use an adeptus's reputation as currency!"
"What?! You were making fun of me again! Hmph!" Paimon crossed her arms and dramatically turned her head away, pouting at the sky.
Watching their exchange, the corners of Xiao's lips twitched upward in the faintest ghost of a smile before settling back into his usual calm demeanor.
"The Geo Archon and the four adepti are already in position at the core of the seal," Xiao informed them, gesturing toward the massive cavern entrance. "Although multiple formations have been established around the outer perimeter, this area still requires a vanguard to prevent unforeseen interference. I regret that I cannot accompany you further down."
"We understand! Thank you for your hard work, Xiao!" Paimon waved her small hand, her brief annoyance already forgotten.
"Thank you, Xiao," Lumine added, giving him a respectful nod.
Leaving the Yaksha behind, the duo followed the familiar, winding path down into the earth. The air grew heavier with every step, thick with ancient, suffocating pressure. They explored deep into the massive subterranean cavern beneath the Dragon-Queller.
The moment they stepped out of the tunnel, the sight before them stole the breath from their lungs.
The cavern had undergone a staggering transformation since their last visit. The previously dark, empty abyss was now flooded with blinding light. Massive, jagged Geo crystals jutted from the walls and floor, pulsing with a rich, liquid gold luminescence that bathed the entire underground space in a brilliant, divine glow.
At the very bottom of the cavern, beneath the colossal form of Azhdaha, a vast and impossibly complex sealing array spun across the stone. Powerful energy fluctuations rippled through the air, sending waves of golden light swirling like a localized hurricane.
Even more stunning were the figures stationed at the four cardinal points of the grand array.
At the eastern array eye, a colossal, elegant adeptus deer stood with absolute pride, its majestic antlers flowing with liquid amber light. It was Moon Carver.
At the western array eye, a magnificent adeptus crane spread its wings wide, its every movement stirring up heavy, crashing waves of Geo energy. It was Mountain Shaper.
At the southern array eye, a serene, ethereal woman in flowing robes stood suspended in the air, her hands moving in precise, complex patterns as she controlled a glowing mechanical compass. It was Cloud Retainer, currently taking her human form as Xianyun.
At the northern array eye, an amiable old woman stood steady as a mountain, holding an ancient, glowing teapot that radiated immense power. It was Madame Ping, the Streetward Rambler.
And there, standing at the absolute center of the swirling storm, was Zhongli.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His expression was carved from stone, cold and painfully solemn. The Geo elemental power radiating from his body surged like a tangible, roaring golden river.
Eight colossal, glowing Geo Spikes hovered in a precise, inescapable formation, towering like executioner's blades around the struggling behemoth trapped in the center.
It was Azhdaha. The Lord of Vishaps thrashed wildly against his invisible chains, throwing his massive head back to unleash an devastating roar.
"Morax!!!"
The sheer force of the bellow sent violent tremors ripping through the cavern walls. The chaotic, destructive shockwaves made the very air groan under the pressure.
At this moment, Azhdaha's massive dragon eyes were entirely blood-red, completely consumed by destructive madness and a deep, agonizing hatred for the man who was once his closest friend.
"Ugh...!" Paimon's face drained of all color. The terrifying sight and the crushing, oppressive aura hit her like a physical blow. She instinctively darted behind Lumine, her tiny hands clutching the fabric of the traveler's dress in a death grip.
She shrank down until only the top of her head and her wide, terrified eyes peeked out from behind Lumine's shoulder.
"S-so scary! It feels like his resistance is way stronger this time!" Paimon stammered, her voice trembling over the deafening roars.
Lumine kept her stance wide, shielding her companion from the violent wind. "Last time, we had the remnant of Azhdaha's benevolent nature helping us from the inside. This time, we woke him up directly. He is entirely consumed by erosion. Of course he is going to be stronger."
Sensing their arrival over the chaos, Zhongli shifted his glowing amber gaze toward the tunnel entrance. Even over the roaring wind and thrashing dragon, his voice cut through the cavern—gentle, steady, and deeply reassuring.
"You have arrived. There is no need to panic. To ensure absolute certainty in this endeavor, I specifically invited four old friends to assist."
Zhongli raised a hand, the golden light around him flaring. "Paimon, calm your heart. When you begin your work, we will fully suppress Azhdaha, preventing him from moving a single inch. Only then will I entrust him to you."
His words carried the immovable weight of the earth itself, instantly grounding the chaotic energy in the room.
Paimon swallowed hard. She knew logically that with the Geo Archon, four legendary illuminated adepti, and Lumine standing right beside her, her safety was practically guaranteed.
But logic did little to stop her legs from feeling like jelly when faced with a mountain-sized, furiously roaring dragon that looked ready to tear the world apart.
The perilous memory of their last encounter with Azhdaha flashed vividly through her mind. The apocalyptic elemental blasts, the indestructible scales, the suffocating, all-consuming madness of the earth itself...
No sane person could stand before such a primordial force without shaking.
"Paimon, do not be afraid," Lumine's voice anchored her, filled with fierce determination and unwavering trust. "We are right here. Just like before, believe in yourself!"
Paimon squeezed her eyes shut. She took three deep, shaky breaths. Then, she raised her hands and forcefully slapped her own cheeks.
Slap! Slap!
The crisp sound echoed softly around her, a physical jolt to shake off the fear.
She kept her eyes closed, muttering furiously under her breath. 'Go, Paimon! You are the divine healer Paimon! You cured Xiao's karmic debt! You saved Atea! You are not even afraid of Abyssal corrosion, so a mere big lizard... oh no, a big dragon! There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of!'
Her eyes snapped open. The lingering terror was still there, hiding in the corners of her gaze, but it was now buried under a fierce, burning determination. She clenched her tiny fists.
"I am ready!"
"Good!" Zhongli let out a commanding, resonant shout. Brilliant, blinding gold erupted from his eyes. "Everyone, give it your all!"
"As the Geo Archon commands!" the four adepti roared in perfect unison.
In a fraction of a second, the cavern exploded with divine energy.
Moon Carver's antlers flared like twin suns, shooting tangible, blinding beams of amber light directly into the hovering Geo Spikes.
Mountain Shaper beat his massive wings, summoning monstrous, crushing waves of pure Geo energy that slammed down onto the array, reinforcing the golden chains layer by heavy layer.
Xianyun's mechanical compass spun into a blur, its complex mechanisms humming violently as it precisely directed the chaotic flood of energy into a perfect, inescapable net.
Madame Ping thrust her ancient teapot forward. The small vessel acted as a bottomless ocean, pouring out a torrential flood of pure, unadulterated adeptal power.
Four incomparably vast streams of ancient magic converged at the center, merging with Zhongli's overwhelming, mountain-crushing authority. The combined force slammed into the eight Geo Spikes.
Ohm—!
The entire array detonated with a light so dazzling it erased the shadows from the world. The massive Geo Spikes sealing Azhdaha suddenly plummeted downward, grinding against the stone with a deafening, teeth-shattering screech.
"Ughhh—!!!"
Azhdaha unleashed an devastating wail of agony. The combined, absolute pinnacle of Liyue's combat strength crashed down upon his back like the sky itself had fallen. His colossal, mountain-like body was violently forced into the dirt.
The crushing pressure pinned his massive, horned head tightly against the stone floor. He strained his thick neck, muscles bulging and scales grinding, but he could not lift his chin a single inch.
Using the very last ounce of his breath, the Lord of Vishaps rolled his blood-red eyes upward, locking onto the glowing figure of the Geo Archon. His voice tore from his throat, dripping with raw, agonizing grief and bottomless despair.
"Morax! Do you truly mean to destroy me?!"
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