Upon seeing Moon Carver again, Azhdaha seemed far from pleased.
"Catching up? That's not what you called it when I was sealed away."
Though Azhdaha had regained his memories from before the sealing, he hadn't forgotten a single detail of the millennium spent imprisoned—he remembered every moment with painful clarity.
During that long confinement, he had encountered Moon Carver several times and every encounter had ended the same way—in a fierce battle.
This was especially true in recent years. Moon Carver had visited the secret realm beneath the Dragon-Queller Tree multiple times, taking advantage of Azhdaha's weakened state to keep him subdued—though it had caused him no small amount of pain.
Seeing Azhdaha's anger, Moon Carver naturally understood the reason. He smiled and explained,
"You were consumed by hatred for Liyue back then, having lost your reason. If I hadn't stepped in to restrain you, Liyue Harbor would've been completely destroyed..."
It wasn't that Moon Carver had gone there of his own will. Rather, it was at the invitation of the Liyue Qixing—after consulting among the Adepti, they had decided he should act.
When Azhdaha didn't respond, Moon Carver scratched his head awkwardly.
"This immortal... well, at least you've regained your memories now. That's something good, isn't it?"
Azhdaha glanced at Moon Carver, then turned his gaze toward Sam Li. A cold snort escaped his lips as he turned away, refusing to acknowledge either of them.
Yet, he didn't leave. Instead, he simply stood there—as if waiting for something.
Seeing this, Sam Li spoke slowly.
"Azhdaha, sealing you away a thousand years ago was an unavoidable act. If you still bear resentment, I offer my apology."
Azhdaha's deep voice rumbled in reply.
"Morax, don't think you'll ever earn my forgiveness."
Despite his words, Azhdaha's body shifted, He shrank back into his small Bangboo form—barely a meter tall—his face twisted in a pout of childish resentment.
Seeing this, Moon Carver chuckled.
"I knew it. As long as the Geo Archon speaks, you'll be obedient as ever."
Azhdaha glared furiously.
"Moon Carver! Old and new grudges alike—we'll settle them all!"
Moon Carver bit back his retort, deciding it wasn't worth provoking him.
"..."
Just then, as the group continued their discussion, Mountain Shaper arrived, bringing Zhu Yuan and Qingyi with him.
Qingyi looked at Azhdaha curiously.
"The big rock beast... and the little Azhdaha Bangboo. I have to say, the smaller one's much cuter."
Azhdaha bristled with fury.
"Morax! Who are these people?"
Seeing Azhdaha's anger, Zhu Yuan quickly warned,
"Senior Qingyi, be careful—it's extremely dangerous..."
The last time they had encountered Azhdaha in the Outer Ring, Zhu Yuan's entire squad had nearly been wiped out. If Sam Li hadn't appeared in time, none of them would have survived.
To Zhu Yuan, this tiny 'Azhdaha Bangboo' was far more terrifying than any Cataclysm-class Ethereal.
Qingyi simply smiled.
"It's fine. He's Sam Li's friend. Azhdaha, it's only been three months since we last met—you haven't already forgotten us, have you?"
Before Qingyi could finish, Zhu Yuan suddenly seemed to recall something.
"Wait... Azhdaha... sir, what did you just say? Morax? Did you call him Morax?"
The name hit her like a thunderclap.
Ever since arriving in Liyue, Zhu Yuan had heard it countless times—from Keqing, from Liyue's people, from Hu Tao, and even from Paimon.
Morax—the deity of Liyue, the Geo Archon, the Rock Emperor himself.
But... wasn't he supposed to be dead?
Zhu Yuan's eyes darted rapidly between the small Azhdaha, Sam Li, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper.
Just now, Azhdaha had called out that name—directly toward Sam Li.
Could it be... that Sam Li was Liyue's god, Morax?
No—that couldn't be. Wasn't Sam Li one of the Adepti of Liyue?
Beside her, Qingyi appeared far less surprised. It seemed she had already suspected as much. Though there was some astonishment in her eyes, it wasn't nearly as dramatic as Zhu Yuan's.
Watching this unfold, Azhdaha looked at Sam Li with his round eyes.
"Morax... it's only been a little over a thousand years, and yet the people of Liyue can no longer recognize you?"
Sam Li replied evenly,
"This place only joined Liyue a month ago. Naturally, they wouldn't know me."
Hearing this exchange, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi understood instantly. The Geo Archon of Liyue hadn't died at all—he had merely assumed the identity of Sam Li and arrived in New Eridu.
They never could have imagined that Sam Li had deceived not only the people of New Eridu, but even the citizens of Liyue, and the Liyue Qixing themselves, with his feigned death.
It all made sense now—his impossible strength, the way every Adeptus treated him with reverence
So that was the truth.
Even so, both Zhu Yuan and Qingyi couldn't help but look at Sam Li in puzzlement. They couldn't understand why he—Liyue's god, the true ruler of the land—would fake his death and abandon everything, only to work as a simple employee at the Hare's House.
It was utterly incomprehensible.
However, now wasn't the time to question it. Zhu Yuan hesitated, still stunned by the revelation of Sam Li's true identity, unable to find the right words to speak.
Qingyi, on the other hand, remained calm. She watched Sam Li and Azhdaha with quiet curiosity, her expression thoughtful.
At that moment, Qingyi suddenly remembered something.
"What about the other Bangboo?"
Zhu Yuan snapped back to attention, recalling their purpose for coming here.
"Senior Qingyi, we have to find the Golden Bangboo and the Platinum Bangboo!"
Hearing this, Azhdaha's expression shifted. He remembered that his subordinates had been attacked by ordinary Ethereal, and quickly headed toward the other side of the town to check on them.
Sam Li, Moon Carver, and Mountain Shaper followed close behind.
Soon, they found Cloud Retainer surrounded by a large group of Bangboo—Cardboard Bangboo, Dart Bangboo, Suit Bangboo, Construction Bangboo...
They were all strays who had gathered in Bangboo Town, their bodies worn and battered.
Having just endured the battle against the Ethereal, many were missing limbs, looking utterly pitiful.
But the moment they saw Azhdaha appear, their spirits lifted.
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm-da! (The boss won! The boss defeated the Ethereal monster!)"
"Mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm mm-hmm! (The boss is the strongest! The boss is mighty!)"
"Mm-hmm-da, mm-hmm! (The boss protected us again!)"
...
Bangboo King Azhdaha's heart sank.
"Damn it... I failed to protect you all."
He'd been so focused on fighting the Destruction-Class Ethereal that he'd momentarily forgotten his little Bangboo brothers.
But it wasn't his fault.
The situation back then had been dire. If he hadn't defeated the Destruction-Class Ethereal quickly, the entire Bangboo Town would have been annihilated—and even more Bangboo would have perished tragically.