Lord Heavenly Principle has descended!
This was the first time anyone had ever heard of Lord Heavenly Principle descending upon a nation.
Perhaps Lord Heavenly Principle had visited their nations often—they just never knew.
It was too unbelievable.
Ah~ Lord Heavenly Principle! We finally see your form once again!
It is said that the Supreme Gods of the original seven pantheons once had the privilege of meeting Lord Heavenly Principle in person!
They had seen Him during the Assembly of the Gods. Odin and others had experienced two Assemblies and seen Lord Heavenly Principle twice.
Even Athena had met Him twice, though the first time had not been during the Assembly.
The gods of original Teyvat, though very familiar with Noah, still stood up promptly and offered a slight bow.
However, they did not kneel. This was one of the privileges Lord Noah had granted the original gods who followed him from the beginning.
After all, the first generation of gods were entitled to a few distinctions that set them apart from others.
They had borne the most hardship, accomplished the most feats, and held supreme reverence for Him. There was no need for them to cling to ritual.
"Greetings, Lord Heavenly Principle!" the gods of the original Seven Nations said in unison, full of respect.
Noah walked across the grass, his golden eyes calmly gazing at the pantheon leaders offering him their supreme reverence, and he smiled gently.
"No need for such formality. You are all the highest gods of the Teyvat Universe pantheons. Seeing Teyvat so prosperous today brings me great joy."
"You may rise."
As he spoke, Noah's golden eyes shimmered with the colors of the aurora.
In an instant, all fear and anxiety within the gods was wiped away, leaving only the joy of celebration.
"Yes, Lord Heavenly Principle!"
The gods who had been kneeling on one knee stood up but kept their heads bowed.
They realized their inner fears had vanished and naturally understood it was the doing of Lord Heavenly Principle's might.
Just as mortals would find peace when in the presence of a god, the gods now found peace in the presence of the God of Gods.
Facing the Heavenly Principle was, for gods, what facing a god was for mortals.
After all, the Heavenly Principle was the God above all gods.
Athena slightly lifted her head, the image of the Heavenly Principle reflected in her eyes. Her Gnosis did not cease beating, even under His divine will.
Since the last Assembly, she had realized that the Supreme God she met in the lower realm had been none other than Lord Heavenly Principle.
She now found her previous speculation amusing. She, who bore the Godhood of Wisdom, had played the fool—daring to equate a Supreme God with the origin itself.
The first time she met Lord Heavenly Principle in the lower realm was likely because she was a suitable candidate for the Pseudo Star Map Creation.
Lord Heavenly Principle expected her to become an Almighty God and assist in managing the universe.
Noah looked toward Athena, the only one brave enough to raise her head and meet his gaze. His golden eyes carried a hint of a smile.
"Athena, you have not disappointed me. I am pleased."
Athena placed her palm to her chest and performed a Grecian salute: "To receive your praise is my highest honor."
"I will not let you down, Lord Heavenly Principle. I hope to continue earning your attention."
In her mind echoed the words Lord Heavenly Principle had once said to her.
She knew that along with his supreme power, he also possessed supreme emotion.
I like this youthful form of yours. Remain this way from now on.
Ever since that day, she had intentionally maintained her young form, even if it meant lacking the majesty expected of the Greek pantheon's center.
Noah couldn't help but be amused by her candid response: "The gods of the Greek pantheon remain as direct as ever. That is something I admire."
As he said this, he raised a finger and, across the distance, gently tapped Athena on the forehead, bestowing upon her the key to the Garden.
The silver-haired, violet-eyed, youthful Athena was indeed precisely Lord Noah's type—and he had long since grown fond of her.
Her true form was that of a seventeen-year-old. Her current youthful appearance was merely a facade.
Besides, holders of the Pseudo Star Map Creation were destined to become Almighty Gods and the future pillars of the Teyvat Universe.
Bringing her into the Garden was only a matter of time. Who knew? Perhaps one day he'd host a party there with all the goddesses.
Athena was stunned. She hadn't expected Lord Heavenly Principle to suddenly tap her forehead.
But the moment the knowledge entered her mind, she became overwhelmingly excited.
"The key..."
Snapping back to her senses, she quickly bowed—so quickly that the cat-eared knit cap on her head nearly slipped off.
"What virtue or merit does Athena possess to receive such a gift from Lord Heavenly Principle?"
Noah smiled. "My gifts are only natural. Rejecting a gift from the heavens brings misfortune. Accept it with gratitude."
Just look at that—he invites her to the Garden, and she still bows in gratitude.
In all of Teyvat, only he had such privilege.
This moment alone made countless gods so envious their eyes nearly burst. Some even scratched their heads in frustration.
A gift from Lord Heavenly Principle! Even without knowing exactly what it was, everyone understood—it had to be something unimaginable. Likely no less powerful than the Pseudo Star Map Creation itself.
Athena was far too lucky.
Even the original Seven Gods showed hints of envy in their eyes. Though not as intensely as the others, it was still there.
After all, Lord Heavenly Principle already favored them heavily. They could not ask for more.
Only Buer, the Raiden sisters, Nahida, and Malikata truly understood what it was.
The key to the Garden.
In the entire Teyvat Universe, those who held such a key could be counted on one hand.
The Garden was the convergence point of all things in Teyvat, the nexus of every mystery.
To understand it was to understand the very root of a world.
Athena returned to her seat in a fervent daze, while the gods also resumed their places.
Under the will of the Heavenly Principle, their doubts and concerns were washed away. They returned to drinking wine, sipping tea, and chatting, though many still cast envious glances at Athena. Athena, for her part, said nothing of the gift.
The atmosphere grew lively once again.
Noah turned to Zhongli with a smile. "Zhongli, I hope my arrival hasn't spoiled your mood."
Zhongli quickly gave up his seat of honor. "Not at all. Lord Heavenly Principle's descent is my greatest honor."
Noah took the stone seat, raised his hand, and Zhongli poured him wine.
Indeed, the arrival of Lord Heavenly Principle was the greatest honor any pantheon leader could receive. Even the act of pouring his wine or tea was not something just any god was worthy of.
"Come to think of it, this is the first true gathering of the original gods of Teyvat. Of course I couldn't be absent. Otherwise, it would have felt incomplete for me."
Noah glanced at the gods of original Teyvat, some sitting on stools, others standing nearby, all in a relaxed, informal atmosphere—as if this were simply an old friends' tea gathering.
Furina sat on a stone stool, while Focalors stood beside her, the two looking just like twin sisters.
Furina held a wine glass in both hands, her heterochromatic eyes reflecting Noah's figure. "It really does seem that way, Lord Heavenly Principle. This might truly be the first informal gathering of the original Seven Nations' gods."
Lord Heavenly Principle… seems gentler than before~
Neuvillette stood with one hand behind his back and the other holding a wine glass—not with wine, but filled with the clearest spring water from Qingyun Peak.
"So this is the first gathering? As the new generation's Dragon King, I am honored."
Nahida, in her petite form, sat upright while Buer embraced her from behind like an older sister, murmuring with a nostalgic tone.
"Yes…
"Though I sent out invitations to all the Archons on my birthday, only Morax and Barbatos, who came to mooch wine, actually attended. That didn't really count as a gathering of the Seven Nations' gods."
Venti looked embarrassed and quickly forced a dry laugh. "How can you call that mooching? I personally played music for the occasion!"
Nahida blinked, a sly glint flashing behind her clover-shaped pupils. "Barbatos wasn't exactly mooching, true. He just took all the leftover wine with him when he left."
She had picked up some mischief from Noah, hiding a hint of cunning beneath her innocent demeanor.
Venti blushed and waved his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I mooched wine! I did, okay? There was just so much left, and it'd have gone to waste if I didn't drink it."
Little ancestor, please stop—I'm begging you.
Raiden Makoto, Guizhong, Tsaritsa, and Focalors all burst into laughter.
The atmosphere instantly lightened.
Raiden Makoto laughed. "Barbatos hasn't changed a bit after all these years. It reminds me of when Morax first invited the Seven Archons to a gathering."
"Back then, we were all strangers to each other. The atmosphere was so stiff—until Barbatos brought out the wine and broke the ice."
Zhongli's face softened with nostalgia. "Even then, it wasn't quite a gathering of all Seven Nations' gods. The war had just ended, and too many old friends were gone."
Guizhong nodded energetically. "Oh, come on, Zhongli—you always get all nostalgic like some old grandpa out of nowhere."
"That was the Age of Phanes, not the current Age of Eternity."
Noah chuckled while sipping his wine. "Heheh, well, Zhongli is getting on in years. If we're talking about Teyvat's timeline, he's one of the oldest gods around."
Though Zhongli was only ten thousand years old, in the eyes of the gods across the universe, he was practically a living fossil from the beginning of the world.
Hearing Noah's teasing, a bead of sweat formed on Zhongli's forehead. "Indeed... According to Teyvat's calendar, I am the oldest god."
"But I like to think I have a fairly youthful spirit."
Hu Tao blinked in curiosity, patting Zhongli's shoulder in surprise.
"Whaaat! Zhongli, you actually think you have a young mindset? Where exactly do you feel young?"
Ever since she first met him, he always had that calm, ancient aura—pure old-man vibes.
And once she learned his true identity, she became even more intrigued. Zhongli was just ten thousand years old, yet many gods from other worlds who had lived over a hundred thousand years still had more youthful spirits than he did.
Zhongli straightened his expression and answered seriously, "For example, I enjoy watching opera performed by Yun-Han Opera Troupe for young gods. I also savor the kind of immortal tea popular among the younger generation. And I occasionally join food discussions with guests at Wanmin Restaurant."
Pfft... Guizhong burst out laughing. "Zhongli, you—you... never mind... I suppose you really are quite young."
Hu Tao spread her hands. "Isn't that just a retired old man's lifestyle?"
Azhdaha chuckled. "Isn't that the truth? Zhongli, you used to have that calm, ancient air as a defense against erosion or so—but now, it's clearly just your true nature."
Barbatos snickered. "Old man trying so hard to prove he's still young—this is the first time I've seen something like that."
Hu Tao leapt to Noah's side, bumping Zhongli aside and swiping the wine jug from his hands. "Aiya, Zhongli, you should just sit down. I'll pour for Brother Noah."
Zhongli nodded and took a seat on the stone stool. Indeed, only Hu Tao dared behave like this around Lord Heavenly Principle—no one else could.
Tsaritsa watched Hu Tao pouring wine for Noah, a trace of envy in her eyes. She herself didn't dare act so boldly. Hu Tao, however, seemed very familiar with Lord Heavenly Principle—she even had a personal nickname for Him, and He accepted it.
Noah raised his cup and smiled. "In all of Teyvat, only you all dare speak so freely with me."
"It makes me nostalgic."
"Seeing all of you now reminds me of when I first descended and summoned you upon arriving in Teyvat."
Raiden Ei glanced at Raiden Makoto, her face full of joy.
Zhongli added, "Indeed, all we are now is because of you, Lord Heavenly Principle. Not only did you resolve our regrets, you raised us to the heights we stand upon today."
Furina scratched her temple, remembering the first time she met Lord Heavenly Principle—when he threw a sack over her head. She had been absolutely terrified. That moment left a deeper impression than anything else.
It was these experiences that made her unafraid of Him.
After all, Lord Heavenly Principle had emotions just like them. He wasn't that different.
Yet his identity made it impossible for him to simply be friends with them.
Still, to him, the original Seven Archons of Teyvat must be precious memories—why else would He treat them so differently from other gods?
It truly felt like a gathering of old friends. Everyone spoke freely, occasionally laughing at Hu Tao's antics.
Sometimes Malikata would stare at Him, full of adoration, only to be snapped out of her daze by Buer, blushing as the others teased her.
The relaxed, intimate atmosphere made the other pantheon leaders incredibly envious.
The rumors were true. The Seven Archons were indeed close to Lord Heavenly Principle. While not quite friends, their bond was something akin to a master and his most cherished retainers.
This was the true core circle of the universe.
The circle of the Seven Supreme Pantheon Gods—none of them could ever hope to enter it.
Even so, they cherished this opportunity. It was a rare chance to socialize with the supreme gods.
No one knew how long the tea gathering lasted.
Noah was laughing at one of Hu Tao's humorous poems, when his golden eyes suddenly flickered, and his hand holding the wine cup froze slightly.
"Hm? What is this?"
Noah frowned slightly as his senses elevated.
He had detected the presence of a powerful Principle emerging at the edge of the Dimensional Gap, attempting to bypass Order and infiltrate the Teyvat Universe.
"This Principle is... Elation?"
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