Zayn glanced at Morax and Liuyun Jiefeng Zhenjun chatting comfortably.
For a moment, he regretted coming along—
He felt like the giant third wheel in the room.
But it doesn't matter.
While they talked, Zayn quietly used his Manifestation Authority to summon a table, then laid out dishes:
Sweet Madame, Golden Shrimp Balls, Almond Tofu, and several other small treats.
In an instant, the entire pavilion filled with mouth-watering aroma.
Zayn sat down, poured himself a cup of icy cola, picked up his chopsticks, and entered "lie-flat-and-eat" mode.
…What is that smell?
"Lord Geo, do you smell something delicious?"
Liuyun suddenly asked, her nose twitching.
Morax turned his head toward Zayn.
As expected—
that rascal had somehow conjured a table and a feast without anyone noticing, now eating happily on his own.
Liuyun also turned and stared.
"These mortal foods… how could they be so captivating?"
The fragrance had completely ensnared her.
Noticing their stares, Zayn looked up and waved cheerfully.
"Liuyun! Morax!
Come enjoy the food with me!"
He instantly manifested two chairs, with words carved into them:
This seat belongs to Liuyun.
This seat belongs to Morax.
"Unexpected. Mortal delicacies can truly reach such a flavor."
Liuyun inhaled deeply.
"Today, I've broadened my horizons thanks to the Demon God of Manifestation."
Morax corrected gently:
"These are not mortal dishes.
Zenos manifested every one of them.
Perhaps someday mortals will match this skill… but certainly not now."
He knew well the hardship of current human life.
At this time, being able to simply eat one's fill was already a blessing.
Asking them to pursue culinary artistry was impossible.
Zayn laughed.
"Morax is right. One day humans will use their wisdom to accomplish what seems impossible."
As a transmigrator from Earth, he knew humanity's potential.
But right now—
Teyvat's humans were essentially still in a proto-primitive state, their growth limited by both environment and divine rule.
His words differed greatly from Morax's philosophy.
Morax believed in humanity's potential, yes—
but not in their current ability.
They still needed a long period of sheltering.
"How is it, Morax? These dishes were chosen through endless trials and experiments! The results of great effort~" Zayn boasted while munching on a shrimp ball.
The "countless experiments" part was total nonsense.
These dishes already existed in future Teyvat.
He simply imagined their flavors and manifested them.
Being a Chinese foodie from Earth, of course he knew how to eat.
"Heh~"
"Indeed. Very good," Morax nodded.
Only Zayn would invest "countless experiments" into food…
"Um… Great Demon God of Manifestation… may I ask…"
Liuyun spoke hesitantly.
"…Are there more of these delicacies? I wish to share them with the other adepti of Jueyun Karst—if you permit it."
She even used "Great Demon God" when speaking.
How could Zayn refuse?
Zayn waved his hand.
"Oh? So there are more adepti living here."
"Well, food is nothing precious. Bring it to them."
"And give them my regards."
He manifested twenty full trays of assorted dishes—mountain delicacies and sea treasures.
He wasn't sure how many adepti were here at this era, but twenty should be safe.
Liuyun beamed.
"This immortal thanks to the Great Demon God!"
"Call me Zayn," he replied.
"Then thank you… Zayn," Liuyun repeated with a soft smile.
Zayn chuckled.
This Liuyun still didn't talk like the future "Queen of Sass."
Time truly changes all things.
What would he be like after thousands of years?
Probably like Venti—lazy and free…
or like Zhongli—jobless and broke.
Ahahaha.
At least he, as the Manifestation God, would never lack Mora.
—
After leaving Liuyun's abode, Zayn and Morax returned to Liyue.
Perhaps because Zayn had spent the past month practicing on nearby beasts, the number of threats around Liyue had sharply declined.
During their absence, the barrier Zayn set had not been activated even once.
Upon returning, Zayn removed the barrier—it constantly drained his power, after all.
Life went on peacefully afterward.
Training, battles, experimenting with Authority, inventing new foods…
and teasing Morax whenever he was bored.
"Lord Zenos!"
"Hello, don't mind me—I'm just strolling."
The humans of Liyue greeted him warmly.
At first they feared him, but contact over time eased their worries.
Zayn treated mortals kindly, never demanded ritual, and even told them to act normally around him.
Winter approached.
Villagers were busy preparing food stores, still relying on gathering and hunting.
Agriculture had not yet developed beyond wild berries and fruit trees.
Grains like wheat and rice had not been discovered.
"Please—please take us in!"
"Yes! We fled from the lands ruled by the Wind-Sand Demon God!"
"Why did we flee? Because life there is impossible! His realm is filled with endless sandstorms—people rarely live past thirty-five before suffocating on sand!"
"Today, for some reason, the sandstorms worsened even further. We… we cannot survive there anymore!"
"We wouldn't betray our god unless we had no choice!"
Walking along the muddy road, Zayn saw a crowd gathered—
and heard these desperate cries.
Curious, he walked over to see what was happening.
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