"Shenhe, your return is timely. Lately, I don't know why, but these monsters just keep increasing."
Cloud Retainer looked genuinely pleased to see Shenhe and Elliot back. Recently, with their lack of adequate combat strength, those creatures had nearly broken through to Liyue Harbor several times.
The current Millelith were far too weak to rely on in battle. Only those with Visions could step forward to fight. Aside from the Adepti and the Liyue Qixing, whether ordinary people with Visions chose to participate depended entirely on their own will. You couldn't force someone into battle simply because they possessed a Vision.
The responsibility of protecting Liyue fell solely on the Adepti and the Liyue Qixing. The Millelith counted as well, but all they could do now was reassure the citizens and manage Liyue's entry and exit.
"We heard about it when passing through Mondstadt—these creatures can infect people when they injure them," Shenhe said.
"Exactly. That's why you must be extremely careful against them! The virus has no cure, and it progresses frighteningly fast," Moon Carver warned.
BOOM!!!!!
A thunderous explosion suddenly echoed from the direction of The Chasm. Everyone turned toward the sound, faces tightening with concern. Even Zhongli, seated atop the teahouse, furrowed his brow—something he rarely did—before vanishing from sight.
"Ningguang's position… has it been breached…?"
Qiqi, one of the Adepti, looked anxiously toward the source of the blast.
"No. It's The Chasm," Xiao said sharply, eyes fixed in that direction.
"The Chasm…? How could such an enormous disturbance erupt there—loud enough to reach all the way to Liyue Harbor?" Cloud Retainer was stunned.
"I don't know. I need to investigate."
With that, Xiao prepared to depart, but a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder. He turned instinctively to see Elliot giving him a gentle smile.
"Shenhe and I will go take a look. Compared to The Chasm, Liyue Harbor needs you more."
Xiao froze for a moment. His gaze drifted to the sealed harbor, and he recalled his contract with the Emperor. Protecting Liyue was his duty. Though The Chasm was part of Liyue, it couldn't compare to the densely populated harbor.
"…Alright."
He nodded and looked at Elliot and Shenhe with trust.
"Let's go."
Elliot turned toward Shenhe.
"Okay."
Shenhe agreed at once, and they headed toward The Chasm.
"Be careful on the way—and don't engage those creatures in close combat!" Cloud Retainer called out urgently.
"Understood!" Shenhe shouted back.
Even before they reached The Chasm, a series of deafening blasts echoed again and again. Massive stone spears fell from the sky at irregular intervals.
Feeling the overwhelming and terrifying power in the air, Shenhe was struck by a deep sense of helplessness. She slowed to a stop, as though already aware that a battle she could not intervene in was raging ahead.
"Don't worry. I'm here."
Sensing her unease, Elliot squeezed her hand gently.
His words revived her courage. She continued forward, though the oppressive force grew more intense with every step.
At last, they reached the edge of The Chasm—and saw Morax, radiant with golden light, suspended in midair.
"The… Geo Emperor!?"
Shenhe was stunned.
Morax also noticed Elliot and Shenhe, but in that moment of distraction, the depths of The Chasm glowed an ominous red. A massive fireball suddenly erupted upward, shooting straight toward Morax.
It was fast, but not fast enough. Morax shifted instantly, letting the fireball streak past.
"Leave. This place is not for you," Morax commanded sharply.
He wasn't even certain he could subdue the opponent he faced now. Having anyone else present would only hinder him. After all, this was Azhdaha—now wielding the power of five elements.
Morax didn't know how it had broken free, but he could tell immediately that this Azhdaha was no longer the one he once knew. This one resembled a corpse devoid of reason—a mindless puppet driven only by slaughter.
Its skin bore the same dreadful dark-purple hue as the monsters invading Liyue and the other regions. The aura it emitted was equally sinister and foul.
Azhdaha was an existence no weaker than Morax himself. If this virus could infect even Azhdaha…
For the first time, Morax realized the seriousness of the situation had surpassed anything he'd imagined.
That same realization struck Elliot as well. He never expected that Azhdaha—who had willingly accepted sealing—could also fall victim to the Abyss.
Startled by Morax's harsh command, Shenhe stumbled back a half-step. Elliot, however, remained completely calm.
He slowly raised his right hand toward Morax.
As a faint glow spread from Elliot's palm, Morax felt the power that had faded across long ages flooding back into him—not just returning, but surging like a river flowing in reverse.
His appearance shifted slightly, but his aura changed completely. Where once he radiated calm steadiness, he now emanated raw, violent force.
Elliot had turned back Morax's time by a thousand years—returning him to his peak during the Archon War.
Fierce divine power surged within him like a raging storm. Morax felt an endless tide of strength pouring forth from within.
"Who are you!? What did you just do!?"
Morax stared at Elliot in disbelief.
Before Elliot could answer, Azhdaha unleashed another devastating bolt of heavenly lightning from deep within The Chasm.
But just before the thunder struck Morax, a golden light wrapped around him completely.
The lightning hit his shield, leaving only a thin crack.
Consider this: Azhdaha was an opponent capable of fighting Morax to a standstill. Under normal circumstances, such an attack would have shattered his shield instantly—yet now it managed only a faint fracture.
The difference in power was undeniable.
"My name is Elliot. An ordinary man."
As he spoke, he glanced at Shenhe, his eyes softening with unmistakable affection.
"And Shenhe's husband."