Chapter 3 – The Chasm

The ears of a Demon God are naturally keen.

“Yin-Yang Duality, truly a fine name.”

The Adepti also thought this name was excellent.

“It seems our ranks of Adepti are about to gain another member.”

Cloud Retainer murmured as she looked at Qiu Bai.

Marcus walked toward Qiu Bai, his large hand patting Qiu Bai’s shoulder.

“I am Marcus, the God of the Hearth. A pleasure to meet you.”

Qiu Bai looked at the Marcus. As the future Guoba, he still held great respect for this Demon God.

It was only within the last few centuries that this god had poured all his power into the earth, solely to eradicate disease and calamity.

“Hello, I am Morpheus, the God of Yin and Yang. The pleasure is mine as well.”

Qiu Bai looked at Marcus with a smile.

“Very well, let us first escort the people to Liyue Harbor, then return to Jueyun Karst.”

Cloud Retainer said to the other Adepti, fanning her wings.

Two days later…

Qiu Bai gazed upon the Liyue Harbor before him. It was countless times larger than in the game, let alone compared to Liyue a thousand years later.

“Adeptus of Yin and Yang, will you accompany us to Jueyun Karst?”

Cloud Retainer turned her head to look at Qiu Bai behind her and asked.

All the Adepti were now looking at Qiu Bai.

“I shall return first, to continue guarding Dihua Marsh.”

Xiao said, then vanished instantly.

“I observe that the people of Liyue have exceedingly simple food and drink. I shall divide my form to create more delicious fare.”

After speaking, Marcus also disappeared.

“The people of Liyue have just emerged from disaster and still require governance. I shall take my leave first!”

Ganyu finished speaking and also headed toward Liyue Harbor.

Moon Carver and Mountain Shaper had already flown ahead to Jueyun Karst.

Qiu Bai was now remembered by the people of Liyue. It was unsuitable for him to reside in Liyue, as it would bring many troubles.

Therefore, he still chose to go to Jueyun Karst. It was quiet there, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

“Very well, Cloud Retainer, let us go.”

Qiu Bai looked at the great crane before him and cupped his hands in salute.

Cloud Retainer nodded and flew into the distance, with Qiu Bai following behind.

After flying for roughly a day, Qiu Bai’s mouth twitched.

“It seems this Liyue is far, far larger than in the game.”

Looking down at the continuous mountain ranges, rivers, and numerous ruins below, Qiu Bai felt as if he had played a fake version of Genshin Impact.

Upon arriving at Jueyun Karst, Morax had been waiting there for some time.

“Rex Lapis,” the Adepti said, cupping their hands in salute.

“There is no need for such formalities. Today’s gathering is to introduce you to a friend.”

Morax looked at Qiu Bai and nodded.

“His name is Morpheus, a Demon God recently born, the God of Yin and Yang, who commands the path of Yin and Yang.”

“Just now, we sparred, allowing this friend to familiarize himself with his own power. This friend’s power is quite formidable.”

The Adepti were greatly astonished. Even during the Archon War, numerous Demon Gods had fallen in battle at the hands of Rex Lapis, yet Rex Lapis spoke so highly of this individual.

At this point, Morax paused, looking thoughtfully at Qiu Bai as he spoke.

“Friend, you were born in the land of Liyue and have nowhere else to go. Why not remain in Liyue and dwell with the Adepti? What say you?”

“Rex Lapis, you may not be aware.”

“Morpheus has already become an Adeptus in the eyes of the people of Liyue, and they have even given him an Adeptus Name.”

“Adeptus of Yin and Yang.”

Cloud Retainer looked at Qiu Bai as she explained to Rex Lapis.

“What a frivolous Demon God, yet so handsome in appearance. Truly worthy of being one who can battle Rex Lapis, living up to that reputation.”

At this moment, Yeyang looked at Qiu Bai with a somewhat strange expression.

“Oh? Is that so? If that is truly the case, my friend, would you be willing to become one of the Adepti of Liyue?”

“Since you are a Demon God, my friend, equal in rank to me, you would not be unworthy of the title of Adeptus Lord.”

Morax looked at Qiu Bai with a serious expression as he spoke.

“Wow, so he’s planning for me to take over managing things after he retires in the future.”

“After all, this is Liyue, my favorite place among the seven nations, and there are so many ‘wives’ here.”

Qiu Bai glanced secretly at Ganyu and thought to himself, “Ah, he really sees people clearly.”

Qiu Bai smiled and said, “Very well, then I shall follow your words, Morax.”

“That is good.”

Morax nodded at Qiu Bai with a smile.

After speaking, Morax began discussing with the other Adepti how to govern Liyue.

According to Cloud Retainer, Qiu Bai created a cave dwelling for himself and then waved his hand to create a protective barrier around it.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

During this time, Qiu Bai was not idle. He decorated the interior of his cave dwelling.

It was like a celestial realm. Even when Cloud Retainer and several other Adepti came to visit, they were greatly impressed and clamored to go back and create one for themselves.

Qiu Bai also took the opportunity to learn some Adepti Arts. Naturally, those Adepti were happy to teach him Immortal Arts.

Time is unpredictable, ever-changing. Qiu Bai also became good friends with many of Liyue’s Adepti.

Every time Morax visited, Qiu Bai would brew a pot of fine tea and discuss Liyue’s development and future plans with him.

Morax was amazed by Qiu Bai’s ideas, and Qiu Bai would also seek advice from Morax on how to wield power. Thus, the two became close friends who shared everything with each other.

Spring passed, winter and summer came, and several more decades went by. It was time for Liyue’s annual Rite of Descension.

Morax and Qiu Bai descended together, informing the people how to plan for the future. Qiu Bai was also affectionately called Adeptus Lord by the people of Liyue.

One day, Qiu Bai was drinking tea with Morax in Jueyun Karst when Morax suddenly seemed to sense something and stopped the teacup in his hand.

“This feeling… could it be him? This day has finally come… Azhdaha…”

Morax’s expression was complex, lost in thought.

“What’s wrong, Morax?”

Qiu Bai looked at Morax with some surprise.

“Morpheus, please come with me.”

Morax did not explain but invited Qiu Bai to follow him.

The two flew off into the distance at incredible speed.

“This is the place, my friend. Here is The Chasm, Liyue’s important mining site.”

Morax explained to Qiu Bai as he looked ahead.

So this is The Chasm. It’s countless times larger than in the game.

The sight was truly breathtaking. Could it be that Azhdaha, the Dragon King, is about to emerge because humans have destroyed the Ley Lines he relies on for survival?

The scenery before him left Qiu Bai somewhat awestruck. Mountains and forests rose on both sides of the chasm.

Countless trees and houses gathered here, with large wooden machines below. The middle of the chasm was pitch black, endless in its depth.

“The Chasm… what a magnificent sight.”

Qiu Bai murmured.

“Morax, why have you brought me here?”

Qiu Bai asked with a puzzled expression.

Although he already knew why they had come to The Chasm, in the original storyline…

Morax once fought Azhdaha the Dragon King in single combat, ultimately defeating and sealing him underground.

“My friend, I will soon battle an old companion whose strength rivals both yours and mine. Please protect the people of The Chasm during this great conflict.”

Morax then turned his gaze to Qiu Bai.

“Morpheus, this battle is a matter between us. There is no need for you to intervene.”

“Azhdaha, have even you succumbed to Erosion over these endless years?..”

With sorrow in his expression, Morax looked toward the depths of The Chasm.

“Rest assured, leave it to me, Morax.”

Qiu Bai watched Morax with a complicated expression. The Erosion of an old friend, the broken Contract—after this matter, his own Erosion would likely deepen further.