Chapter 263: Where Did This Savage Come From?

The Dragon King came from the clouds into the sea.

The terrifying oppressive force from its sky‑blocking, sun‑covering body makes the mortal bodies of Liyue Harbor shiver involuntarily.

Even those strong executors who are highly skilled in martial arts.

Before they have touched the Archon's domain.

All are unable to resist the formidable pressure from the primordial dragon.

It is also a golden sound wave.

The phenomenon driven by Apep is almost a crushing force, fiercely invading the celestial phenomena of the Geo Archon's throne; in an instant it brings the fierce clash between the sea dragon and the heavenly golden-winged Peng bird.

This is the grass dragon.

Looking at it, it seems similar to Ruo Tuo, huh; well, it's not as formidable as imagined.

In the teahouse, the immortals showed no surprise at Apep's sudden appearance to cause trouble; instead, they were intrigued, sipping tea while comparing Apep with Ruo Tuo, the Rock Dragon King.

As a former comrade of Ruo Tuo the Dragon King and a participant in his later sealing.

The Three Immortals of Absolute Clouds Gap clearly have more say.

Although Apep has not yet made a move, merely facing off against Xiao from afar.

But the majestic aura emanating from her also serves as a good reference.

Hiss—

Miss Apep, is this the grass, the grass dragon?

Upon hearing that name, Dixiya gasped sharply.

She is the only human here still in the mortal stage.

Compared to others who are either immortals or gods.

If it weren't for Luo De easing the pressure on her body, she would probably be trembling like the other Liyue Harbor folk outside.

And the name 'grass dragon' is not a public name in Sumeru.

Even A Ru Cun, which has the Red King's inheritance.

They only know the name Ahe Apep, and know that her true form is a dragon.

But they don't know that she is the grass dragon king, one of Teyvat's primordial dragon kings.

Dixiya, who has no inheritance at all, naturally doesn't know.

But interestingly.

Dixiya knows Apep.

Not through Luo De.

But rather when they met during the construction of Hope City.

In Hope City.

Dixiya was in charge of city defense; her main daily task was patrolling inside the city.

It was during this period that she met Apep.

A woman without a Vision but with immense strength—it's hard not to leave a deep impression.

Back then, Dixiya even once treated Apep to a meal.

So when Luo De said that the dragon wildly invading Liyue Harbor before them was Apep, Dixiya's lips trembled for a while and she couldn't utter a word.

If others learned that someone who once sweated profusely in the mud and bricks—uh, this work—Apep wouldn't even sweat; put another way, it's like a friend who once shared drinks with you suddenly telling you she is one of the strongest in this world.

No matter who knows this.

Afraid his performance wouldn't be much better than Dixiya's current performance.

Mr. Zhongli must have paid quite a price to ask her to act, right?

Looking at the scene of Apep facing off against Xiao, Luo De thought of this sentence.

Honestly.

Apep's appearance really startled Luo De.

This guy disappeared after digging up the Archon's grave last time.

And according to Nadixa.

she also hasn't returned to Sumeru.

Back then Luo De even wondered where she had gone.

Who would have thought that Apep not only didn't leave Liyue, but also reached some unknown agreement with Zhongli, even willing to cooperate with Xiao to put on this show.

No wonder Zhongli and the immortals remain so calm.

Luo De's earlier doubts were also cleared up when he saw Apep.

Hehe—

Fortunately, it's within an acceptable range.

Zhongli smiled and gave Luo De a rather vague reply.

Knowing it shouldn't be spoken aloud.

Luo De then stopped asking, and relaxedly watched the grand show together with Liyue's immortals.

However, no matter how much Zhongli spent.

Inviting Apep was a brilliant move.

Compared to those Archons who, defeated, harbor hatred toward Liyue.

Apep has sufficient self-control.

Don't look at her having an equally unfriendly attitude toward humans and gods.

But this guy is a dragon king who keeps his promises very well.

Any agreed-upon promise will not be exceeded.

This is not only Zhongli's understanding of her, but also a conclusion Luo De reached after spending time with her.

Someone strong enough to cause trouble for the new Geo Archon, yet who would not truly bring destruction to Liyue Harbor.

Except for gods.

This is already the most suitable person Zhongli could find.

Tsk

As Luo De's thoughts raced, the Stone Guard of Liyue Harbor had already begun evacuating and protecting civilians.

The appearance of a giant dragon that blots out the sky.

The panic it causes among ordinary people can be equated with that of an indescribable entity.

Liyue, which has known peace for five hundred years since the Calamity of Darkness.

Faced with a terrifying creature capable of threatening the entirety of Liyue Harbor, the first reaction is undoubtedly panic and fear.

When Apophis first appeared.

Not only were the Liyue people assembled at the Jade Capital Terrace for the ceremony, but even those without time were fleeing in panic.

This is the best time to demonstrate the Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing's coordination of war preparations.

The good news is.

The Liyue the Liyue the Liyue Qixing have done well.

Even though I trembled under Apophis's pressure, the Stone Guard rushing to the front lines faithfully evacuated civilians, formed ranks to meet the enemy, and, though hardly stronger than an ant against Apophis, firmly planted their spears at the frontline dock of Liyue Harbor in the Sea of Coming Clouds.

Although the scene was still very chaotic.

Luo De could tell that Zhongli was still very pleased.

Especially when Ningguang moved her fingers to cast a spell, conjuring a golden sigil wheel, Luo De clearly saw Zhongli smile and nod.

"You have set up a device on the Jade Chamber that can resist an Archon?"

Luo De asked curiously, throwing out the question casually.

Hmm

"Liu Yun's mechanism, Lishui's talisman, and Xueyue's pellets."

"If fully activated."

"It can repel an Archon."

Zhongli nodded.

This is a safeguard he left for Liyue.

In his heart.

Letting Xiao roam the world like Venti is the best choice.

But Luo De also said.

This kind of god-offline system.

One possibility is that it could cause irreconcilable conflict among Liyue's people; the other is that, just as in the past when the gods were absent, Mondstadt would be helpless against the Toxic Dragon Dulin.

Thus, after careful consideration.

Zhongli still decided to use the Jade Chamber to set up a contingency for Liyue.

At the very least.

To ensure the Jade Chamber's current arrangements can withstand any Archon-level danger. 'Hmm—'

Luo De was about to continue speaking.

Suddenly.

A wave of numbness, as if struck by lightning, made Luo De shudder.

Hiss—

It really hurts.

With Luo De's current physique, few things can electrocute him to the point of intense sensation.

His sudden action also drew everyone's gaze.

Huh?

"Is this the yaksha remnant soul you mentioned, old sir?"

Venti, who had been chatting heatedly with the adepts there, leaned in with a grin.

Nadixa also looked at the emerald crystal in Luo De's hand, its surface crackling with lightning, and stroked her chin: 'Compared to last time I saw him, his condition has improved a lot. Hmm, good news—he should be waking up soon.'

"Will we be able to see Grand Marshal Tengshe right away?"

"Just thinking about it, we haven't seen each other in over a thousand years."

"This is great—he still owes me a drink from back then; this time I'll definitely make him pay up."

"Don't make noise; just watch quietly. Grand Marshal Tengshe's remnant soul is still weak—if we disturb it, can you take responsibility?"

Liu Yun, borrowing a mild rebuke from the Wind True Lord, made the excited adepts instantly shrink their necks, not daring to speak further, and they earnestly stared at the Floating Pavilion remnant soul tumbling and swaying in the lightning.

This was also a situation Luo De had not anticipated.

The crystal sealing the Floating Pavilion remnant soul, with no one controlling it, spontaneously floated up, hovering before everyone's eyes, dark-purple lightning arcing inside and out, constantly crackling with explosive bursts.

"Young friend, please lend your aid."

Seeing Luo De still dazed, Zhongli rare showed an anxious expression.

Ah

Oh, okay.

Luo De, who had been watching the Floating Pavilion remnant soul, reacted instantly, raising his hand to seize the dragon king's crown that had shrunk to the size of a jade pendant, and quickly completed the resonance with it.

Once the body and the crown's condition had been adjusted.

Luo De's hair, eyes, and hands all burst forth with lightning elemental energy from the ley lines, and he immediately seized the green crystal in his hand.

Suddenly.

The lightning emanating from Fushi's remnant soul suddenly surged to several times its strength.

Under Luo De's continuous input, the faint remnant soul within the crystal also became increasingly clear.

This also left the immortals and gods in the room unable to contain their excitement; they couldn't even bother to watch Xiao and Apep's earth-shattering battle, each of them staring intently at Fushi's changes.

Injecting elemental energy into the remnant soul is not a simple matter.

It differed from the operation during the previous nurturing.

Right now, Fushi's remnant soul is on the verge of awakening; continuing to nurture it slowly would instead possibly delay his awakening progress.

This is what Zhongli taught him earlier.

This meeting also doesn't need further explanation.

Luo De went all out, using the Rock Dragon Crown to help Fushi cross this final threshold with maximum efficiency.

Just the time it takes to finish a cup of tea.

Within the emerald green crystal, a faint consciousness emerged.

"So weak"

Upon slightly contacting this consciousness, Luo De furrowed his brows.

Fushi's consciousness finally revived.

This is a good thing worth being happy about.

But the problem now is.

The strength of this consciousness is not even comparable to the wandering souls of Wuwang Slope.

Fushi's remnant soul awakened too suddenly.

Thus Luo De never expected this consciousness to be so weak; unprepared, he had to be extra careful, fearing that any large movement might accidentally crush the consciousness Fushi had painstakingly reformed, which would be disastrous.

There is only this one chance to restore the remnant soul.

Once it fails.

Then there will be no second chance.

Just as Luo De was about to reduce his input of elemental energy, Nadixa's verdant divine power joined in, adding a layer of protection to Fushi's consciousness.

Zhongli and Venti were also not idle.

They each offered their own divine power as assistance.

The immortals brought forth their magical artifacts and talismans; Ping Laolao, who always appears as an old woman, had somehow shifted back into her form as the True Monarch of the Dusty Wandering World, gently plucking her lute, seemingly using an immortal technique that soothes the spirit, thereby helping the fragile Fushi remnant soul maintain a stable condition.

Just like that.

Amid everyone's frantic efforts, Fushi's awakened consciousness stabilized, and with Luo De's help it grew stronger and clearer.

Actually.

Nadixa's help alone would have been enough.

After all, it is merely an immortal's remnant soul; for the Dendro Archon, who specializes in consciousness authority, even if her divine power isn't that strong, stabilizing him would still be very easy.

However, having many people also has its advantages.

The recovery speed of Fushi's consciousness is very pleasing.

It took less than a moment.

He could then clearly emit his own voice.

"Golden Peng."

His first words, as expected, were indeed addressing his own younger brother.

"Done—"

Upon hearing this, Zhongli, who had been slightly tense, his eyes lit up; he took out the previously prepared body and, with bare hands, slipped into the protective net constructed by the gods and immortals.

He also didn't break the storage crystal set up by Apep; he simply shoved it into the slot in the body meant for placing the soul.

Next.

Under everyone's gaze.

The body, which originally bore obvious puppet marks, saw its puppet joints gradually lose their puppet characteristics, step by step transforming into the outward form of a true human body.

"Huh?"

Luo De, never having imagined that the body he created could be so marvelous, couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.

What surprised him even more was.

The chest of this body actually began to rise and fall.

Luo De remembers this very clearly.

When he fought the god-made puppet Scaramouche earlier, that fellow had no breathing.

But now.

Fushi's body, which is obviously inferior in technique to Scaramouche's, unexpectedly became like a real person.

How could Luo De not be astonished?

However, before he could continue to marvel at Fushi's changes, a thunderous roar came from outside the window, causing even the teahouse beneath his feet to tremble violently, as if an earthquake had occurred.

Looking out the window.

One could see Xiao's massive peng body crash onto Heaven Horizontal Mountain near the Jade Capital Terrace; his huge golden moo, comparable to a building, was fixedly staring at the awakening Fushi without blinking.

Apep also didn't expect Xiao to be distracted to this extent in this play.

Fortunately, her strength is sufficient.

Otherwise, if this tail sweep went down, Xiao would definitely smash directly into the most densely populated area of the crowd, and then she would be violating the contract.

And it was exactly then.

Originally, Apeipu had been secretly urging Xiao to get up quickly, and was temporarily not attacking, when suddenly it saw a tiny figure spring up from the ground, brandish a sword and thrust straight at it.

"Commendable courage!"

While saying this, Apeipu thought, "Where did this reckless woman come from?" and, using the least strength they could muster, slapped her away with a palm.

Luo De saw it clearly.

This reckless fellow who dared to brandish a sword at Apeipu was none other than Ying, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

"Truly reckless."

Likewise.

Luo De also let out a sigh like Apeipu's.

(End of chapter)