Soon after the army set out, ripples appeared on the sea.
However, no one paid attention to this; everyone hoped that Lord Rex Lapis and Lord Terminus would return victoriously.
Just as the army passed Hulao Pass, the ground ahead began to shake, as if something was about to burst forth.
Lord Rex Lapis signaled from above for everyone to stop.
"Bosacius: Lord Rex Lapis, do you need me to investigate?"
Zhongli shook his head.
At this moment, Zhongli could feel the surrounding Geo element becoming unusually active, all gathering in that direction.
Just as the Geo element gathered in the air reached a certain degree, the ground shook violently, the earth cracked, and a colossal creature with two horns on its head and skin the color of rock burst out of the ground.
"Bosacius: Danger! Form ranks!" As soon as Bosacius’s words fell, the Millelith quickly formed their battle array.
At this moment, Zhongli told everyone to stop.
Because he found that the opponent seemed to be merely a creature formed by the Geo element reaching a certain concentration.
Although it had reached the power level of a God, it was far from having the self-awareness that ordinary Gods possessed upon birth.
But this Geo construct seemed very special; Qixuan watched from the side, somewhat distracted.
(Isn't this the chubby one? Referring to Azhdaha)
At this moment, though the chubby one possessed consciousness and could sense two powerful forces, it couldn't see clearly because it had no facial features and couldn't form them itself.
So it could only rely on sensing; its vision was pitch black.
Zhongli seemed to perceive the dilemma of this "colossal beast."
He walked over and spoke to the chubby one telepathically: "You have just been born. Do you wish to see this world?"
The chubby one indicated that it certainly did; it could feel the power of the person before it.
It was of the same origin, both Geo elements, just that he had “a bit” more.
"Qixuan then interjected, also speaking to Zhongli telepathically: Since that's the case, why not let this big fellow become your "Vassal"? That way, we'll have another source of strength."
Zhongli indicated that it was not impossible, so he said to the chubby one: "I will open your eyes and mind, allowing you to see this world with your own eyes, but you must become my 'Vassal' and guard Liyue for me. Are you willing?"
The chubby one indicated that it was certainly willing.
"Zhongli said: The contract is made. The eater shall suffer the punishment of devouring rock. Then he flew forward."
He stretched out his hand and used the surrounding elemental power.
He made two "slashes" in front of the chubby one's eyes, and then another "slash" below.
The chubby one felt a bit unwell; it hadn't expected it to hurt so much, but thankfully, it endured.
At this moment, the chubby one slowly opened its eyes, looking at the God before it, and at Qixuan beside him.
It let out a roar, indicating excitement; it could see, and it could speak.
Qixuan went up and delivered an inch-force strike to the chubby one's head, knocking it down.
"She said: Be happy, just don't shout so loud."
At this moment, the chubby one still wanted to throw a tantrum, but after sensing Qixuan's powerful strength, it could only endure it aggrievedly.
"Zhongli said: Alright, little friend, stop teasing him."
Then he said to the chubby one: "You are a creature born from Crystalize, carrying the power and memories of the earth. I now bestow upon you the name 'Azhdaha.' Come with us to conquer the Gods."
The chubby one roared, asking who it needed to fight, saying it would beat them flying.
Subsequently, a colossal creature was added to the army; the ground would shake with every step it took.
At this moment, within Liyue.
Guizhong was handling affairs when suddenly a Millelith reported that unusual activity had been detected on the sea; a large number of sea monsters had come ashore to attack the populace.
Guizhong immediately ordered the Millelith to go and defend.
Then she sent the Millelith to notify Xianyun and the others, while she herself rushed to the coast to fight.
At this moment, after Zhongli and Qixuan reached their destination, they did not detect or feel any aura of a God.
In front of them was a bottomless abyss, and not far away was also a large sinkhole.
At this moment, Qixuan felt a somewhat ominous premonition.
As if to confirm Qixuan's feeling, the ground began to shake.
A "snake" twice the size of Azhdaha emerged from that abyss.
Its entire body was purple-skinned, emitting dangerous signals, but its aura was somewhat strange.
It was a bit too evil, or more accurately, too dark.
"Qixuan said: Something's not right. Even the most powerful God wouldn't have such an aura. It feels somewhat familiar. Is it infected with the power of the 'Abyss'?"
The Qisha, its eyes glowing with dangerous red light, attacked the crowd.
The Millelith's newly formed array was instantly broken through, but new ones quickly took their place.
The Yakshas interfered around, but they were quickly sent flying.
At this moment, Azhdaha roared, "Evil beast! How dare you be so rampant!" (He learned this from Qixuan).
Saying that, he charged forward and entangled himself with it.
At this moment, another deep pit also emitted the aura of the "Abyss."
Monsters began to spawn frantically, and Teng She Grand Marshal led the Yakshas and Millelith in a desperate defense of the Chasm's entrance.
As Zhongli was about to make his move, he sensed an anomaly with his clone in Liyue.
Qixuan exclaimed, "Not good! A high-level God has appeared in Liyue, incredibly powerful! Guizhong's side won't be able to hold on much longer!"
For the first time, Zhongli felt a situation was tricky.
"Qixuan said: You quickly take Azhdaha back to defend Liyue. I'll handle things here."
Zhongli nodded heavily, then told Azhdaha to return, and together they swiftly rushed towards Liyue. The Qisha tried to pursue but was blocked by Qixuan.
"Qixuan said coldly: Let me have a good time with you."
Saying that, she raised "Heavenly Fire" and rushed forward, chopping relentlessly.
However, although "Heavenly Fire" has high destructive power, that's only true when the one who uses "Heavenly Fire Unsheathed" as a normal attack has something to say.
The Qisha was covered in wounds from the slashes, but it quickly recovered. Qixuan remarked, "As expected of the Abyss's power, what a buff!"
"The King of Durability," she said, and continued to chop, "Let's see how much longer you can last."
But Bosacius's side wasn't so lucky. Due to the continuous emergence of monsters, the Millelith suffered heavy casualties, and many Yakshas also sustained injuries.
Bosacius looked at his brothers and sisters and secretly resolved that fighting like this, the "karma" on them would eventually erupt. In the past, Lord Rex Lapis helped them suppress it, but now that Lord Rex Lapis wasn't here, they could only rely on themselves.
At this moment, Indarias was already in a frenzy, covered in monster remains. Just then, Bosacius grabbed Indarias's hand. Indarias, thinking it was a monster, turned around and unleashed a burst of Pyro Dragon Flame.
"Bosacius shouted: Third sister, it's me!"
At this moment, Indarias finally regained some clarity. She felt a sense of despair; when would Lord Rex Lapis return?
"Bosacius grabbed Indarias and said: Lord Rex Lapis isn't here, so should we cower? We are Yakshas, born for slaughter. Lord Rex Lapis gave us a place to settle, and we must fight to the death for Lord Rex Lapis, never retreating."
As Bosacius spoke... he choked up.
"When necessary, I will send you all out. You are my last family, and I don't want anything else to happen," he said, and continued fighting.
Qixuan also realized that they wouldn't last much longer there. Looking at the "Qisha," she thought, "It seems I need to deal with you quickly."
"She said: Heavenly Fire: Judgment, Zero-Rated Power, Unleash!"
The temperature of the flames soared into the sky, almost piercing through the heavens.
Qixuan raised her greatsword and shouted.
Heavenly Fire: Unsheathed!
The terrifying temperature melted everything around it. Even with the Abyss's blessing, the "Qisha" couldn't withstand it; it was like paper, instantly cut down by the intense flames, leaving a massive deep pit on the ground, comparable to the Chasm.
After dealing with the Qisha, Qixuan quickly rushed towards the Yakshas.
At this moment, the Yakshas were holding on back-to-back, each one panting, their bodies already in tatters. As for the Millelith, only a handful remained.
"Big brother, it seems we're truly going to be buried here today. It's a pity we can't return to Liyue. I still wanted to eat the braised fish Marcius made," Xinyuan said.
"It's Big Brother's fault, I'm sorry," Bosacius said weakly at this moment. "Come on, let's fight one last time. We will fight to the death with Teng She Grand Marshal."
"Millelith will never retreat! Millelith are solid, Unyielding as mountains, a bulwark of armor, pacifying demons and warding off evil!"
Suddenly, a blazing fire light slashed down from the sky. The monsters vanished with the flames, and the deep pit was sealed.
"Well said! That's how the Millelith should be!"
Qixuan arrived and said. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her.
But Bosacius still struggled to support himself, kneeling and saying, "Reporting, Lord Terminus, the Millelith have not failed Lord Rex Lapis's trust."
Fayao and Indarias had already fainted, being looked after by Xiao and Xinyuan.
"Qixuan said: You have done very well. It is I who arrived late. Set up camp here and rest for a while, then we will return to Liyue."
"Bosacius: As you command."
Qixuan looked in the direction of Liyue.
Zhongli should be fine, hopefully no accidents happen.
Thinking this, she called out to Aichan, exchanged for some medicine and food, and had Bosacius distribute them. She also had the bodies of the fallen Millelith comrades collected, saying they would be taken back to Liyue for burial.