Chapter 2 – Adeptus of Yin and Yang

“My name is Morpheus. Morax, I shall make my move now.” Qiu Bai’s expression shifted slightly as he cupped his hands in salute.

As he spoke, the two polarities on the Taiji Diagram at his waist glowed, and a sword materialized in Qiu Bai’s hand.

A terrifying black-and-white sword aura slashed toward Morax! A deafening roar echoed between heaven and earth, scattering the clouds in the sky and flattening the grass and trees below with the sonic blast.

Morax spread his hands wide.

“Steady as stone.”

As the smoke cleared, Morax stood unharmed in the sky.

“This must be the ‘smoke without injury’ rule. So strong.”

Qiu Bai frowned, holding his sword as he watched Morax.

“This friend’s strength is quite formidable, far surpassing any Demon God I have encountered.”

Morax spoke calmly, though cracks had already appeared in the stone shield surrounding him.

“Friend, I shall strike now!”

With that, a stone spear materialized in Morax’s hand and was hurled toward Qiu Bai. Though the throw seemed effortless, the spear shot toward Qiu Bai at incredible speed.

“Damn, he just conjured Vortex Vanquisher!”

Qiu Bai swiftly channeled Yin-Yang Dual Qi and unleashed it. The dual qi spun wildly, colliding with the stone spear at high speed. The spear pierced straight through the Yin-Yang Dual Qi, scattering it completely!

Qiu Bai’s pupils contracted sharply!

“So strong, as expected of the pinnacle of The Seven Archons, the most ancient god.”

Seeing the stone spear about to strike him, Qiu Bai gritted his teeth and channeled Yin and Yang qi in both hands to block the spear.

The impact drove Qiu Bai from the sky straight through two mountains. Even as he crashed through them, he desperately held back the spear, his feet sinking deep into the ground.

“How is he this strong? It’s absurd! Break!”

With sheer force, Qiu Bai shattered the stone spear.

He teleported behind Morax and threw a punch. Morax had no time to raise a shield and blocked with both hands.

Boom!!

After an ear-splitting sound…

Morax’s figure did not retreat a single step. His expression remained as steady as ever, as if he had not been attacked at all.

The Adepti of the Guili Assembly had now arrived.

The civilians on Ganyu’s back looked up at Rex Lapis and Qiu Bai in the sky, murmuring among themselves.

“Look, who is that in the sky, actually able to fight against Rex Lapis?”

“It seems Rex Lapis is battling a Demon God. We must hurry to assist!”

Cloud Retainer’s expression was grave. No sooner had she spoken than she flew into the sky to help.

“Cloud Retainer! Wait, it seems Rex Lapis and the other are not truly fighting. It looks more like… a spar?”

Ganyu’s call to wait nearly caused Cloud Retainer, who had just taken flight, to stumble.

“Rex Lapis must have some profound intention in doing this.”

Xiao leaned against a tree, his gaze never leaving the sky.

At this time, Xiao was still pure and clear, unlike in later ages when he was tainted by Demon God remnants and accumulated vast Karmic Debt within. The Yaksha clan still existed then.

“Even if we were to go, I fear we would be of little help.”

Moon Carver spoke rationally.

“Do you not trust in Rex Lapis’s strength?”

Mountain Shaper watched the other Adepti and reminded them.

Marcus gazed at the sky with a simple, honest expression. “Let’s just watch.”

In this era, Liyue had many Adepti, all followers of Rex Lapis.

At this moment, Qiu Bai had no time to glance at the ground. Frowning, he stared at Morax.

Gritting his teeth, Qiu Bai split Yin and Yang Avatars from his body. The Avatars each unleashed Yin-Yang Dual Qi toward Morax from both sides.

“At such a distance, even Morax would be unable to block it.”

Qiu Bai dared not be careless and quickly urged his Avatar to attack Morax.

“Friend, this Avatar of yours is quite interesting.”

“What!”

Before he knew it, Morax had already appeared behind Qiu Bai. Qiu Bai transformed the two energies in his hands into swords and turned to strike.

Morax also transformed his hand into a Stone Spear to block. Another loud explosion echoed as the two energies collided in the sky, sending ripples through the air.

“Not good! Such an overwhelming force!”

Qiu Bai inwardly thought it was bad, but it was already too late. Just as he braced himself to be sent crashing into the mountains again, Morax withdrew his attack.

“Let us stop here, friend. Do you understand your own power now?”

Morax looked at Qiu Bai and spoke calmly.

Qiu Bai thought to himself, I was almost sent flying into the mountains again by you, and you ask if I understand my own power?

Though that was what he thought, Qiu Bai still had to thank Morax.

His expression softened as he cupped his hands and said, “I have a rough understanding now. Thank you, friend. If not for you, I would not have known the extent of my power.”

Morax smiled and said, “You flatter me. Even without me, you would have gradually adapted to your power on your own.”

Qiu Bai looked toward the direction of the Guili Assembly—houses destroyed, homes shattered, and farmlands washed away by floods.

Although the journey to Liyue Harbor was not far, the fierce winds and torrential rains made progress nearly impossible. If not for the Adepti escorting them, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

“Friend, I can use these two Avatars to help the people of the Guili Assembly.”

Qiu Bai gazed toward the Guili Assembly with compassion in his eyes.

“Of course. If you can lend a hand, that would be most welcome.”

“Once matters here are settled, please come to the Jueyun Karst for a discussion.”

Morax looked at Qiu Bai and spoke earnestly.

“I cannot refuse such kindness. I will certainly keep my promise.”

Qiu Bai cupped his hands toward Morax.

“Very well.”

With that, Morax’s figure vanished.

Without hesitation, Qiu Bai sent his two Avatars flying toward the Guili Assembly.

Cloud Retainer was about to stop them when a large, doll-like hand patted her.

“Cloud Retainer, there’s no need to stop them. I heard what he said to Morax—he’s a good person.”

Marcus looked at Cloud Retainer with a simple, honest expression as he tried to dissuade her.

As soon as the white-clothed Qiu Bai arrived at the Guili Assembly, Yang Qi radiated a brilliant light from his palm, restoring the strength of those who were exhausted, ill, or unconscious.

Meanwhile, the black-clothed Qiu Bai used Yin Qi to strike the sky, dispersing the clouds. The fierce winds and torrential rains ceased, and a ray of sunlight broke through, shining on everyone’s faces.

“The Adeptus! The Adeptus saved us!”

The people rejoiced and hurriedly bowed in gratitude toward Qiu Bai.

A woman holding her healed child choked back tears and said, “Thank you, Adeptus. Thank you, Adeptus.”

“Mom, I feel so warm.”

“Silly child, it was the Adeptus who saved you.”

Qiu Bai withdrew his two Avatars and flew to the Guili Assembly.

Ganyu transformed into her human form, her face filled with joy. “That’s wonderful! Thank you so much!”

“No need for thanks. It was just a small effort.”

Qiu Bai looked at Ganyu and spoke politely.

Truly, it’s Ganyu. I’ve never seen her up close like this—she’s really beautiful!

“Strange, why do I feel a sense of reverence?”

Only now did Ganyu clearly see Qiu Bai’s face. Her cheeks flushed as she stared at him blankly.

Qiu Bai looked at Ganyu with a peculiar expression.

“What’s wrong, could it be a fever? No, Adepti shouldn’t get fevers, right?”

Qiu Bai reached out to touch Wang Xiaomei’s forehead.

“Ah, sir, please, please don’t touch my head.”

Ganyu’s face flushed bright red as she kept backing away until she bumped into a tree.

“So adorable, Wang Xiaomei.”

Qiu Bai stared blankly at Ganyu.

“Hmph! Such frivolous behavior is utterly improper!”

Cloud Retainer, standing nearby, snorted coldly as she watched Qiu Bai.

The crowd was still looking at Qiu Bai, who had just saved them.

“He’s a new Adeptus, and he can even fight Rex Lapis—he must be a very powerful Adeptus.”

“Look at this Adeptus—what he wears at his waist doesn’t seem to be a Vision but rather the Two Polarities of Yin and Yang.”

“Let’s call this Adeptus the Adeptus of Yin and Yang!”

A storyteller nearby observed Qiu Bai and spoke to the surrounding crowd.