The Primordial fragments possess a tendency toward convergence, causing gods to wage war against and devour one another.
But the Primordial One has ultimately already fallen, so for the vast majority of gods, the convergence effect of the fragments can be nullified. Even the weakest among them, the Salt God Havria, would not be influenced by the Primordial One.
However, the current situation may have changed.
Today may be a turning point in Teyvat's fate. The maintainers of Teyvat have descended the Archon War, to select the king of the mortal world. Taking the ancient seven nations' territories ruled by the seven kings before the Primordial One's arrival as the basis, the entire world is divided into seven battlefields.
The oracle from Celestia has already descended. The instinctual convergence of the Primordial fragments has been infinitely amplified. All gods born because of the Primordial One cannot avoid this war.
"The Seven Sovereigns of the mortal world..." Sensing the information conveyed by the oracle, Morax fell silent.
"The influence of the Primordial fragments is amplifying..." Guizhong said while feeling the fragment within her body. "If this influence continues to deepen, all gods will vie against each other for the divine seats. No god can escape this war."
"In the end, only seven gods can truly survive? What a cruel set of game rules."
A rare trace of anger appeared on Morax's usually calm expression.
He described the Archon War described in this oracle as "game rules." Because as one of the oldest gods, Morax knew secret information that the vast majority of gods were unaware of, so he already understood the true meaning behind this move by the maintainers.
To recover the Primordial fragments and select seven gods to bear the foundation of Teyvat the ancient dragon authority.
The Archon War was a "game" to select these seven gods.
"Guizhong, in your name and mine, together summon all the adepti to the Guili Assembly. Prepare for war the Archon War!"
...
Three days later, in Morax's traveling palace.
Cloud Retainer, Streetward Rambler, Moon Carver, Mountain Shaper, and the other adepti of Jueyun Karst had all gathered here. After performing their shapeshifting arts, they sat in human form within the grand hall.
Morax sat in the chief seat, with the deputy seats on either side occupied by the Dust God Haagentus and... Azhdaha, the Dragon Sovereign in human form.
"All the adepti have arrived. Then let us begin." Morax looked at the adepti in the hall and said.
"Are you sure we shouldn't let the little one join?" Guizhong asked via voice transmission. She was referring to the youth whom the people of the Guili Assembly saw as an Adeptus but who was in fact a god.
Morax shook his head: "Over these hundred years, you and I have repeatedly confirmed it. He has no Primordial fragment, and he has no connection to Celestia."
"He is a god who theoretically should not exist, yet was truly born entirely from heaven and earth."
"So the Archon War has nothing to do with him, and he has no reason to participate. Even if the Heavenly Principles only permit seven gods to walk the world, he can be the sole exception."
"Moreover, if we let him participate in the Archon War, wouldn't the contract we made a hundred years ago become child's play?"
Guizhong nodded thoughtfully and did not mention it again.
"Today I have summoned all of you here because there is an important matter to discuss together."
Morax spoke, officially beginning this meeting that would decide Liyue's future course.
Guizhong stood up and, with the most concise explanation, informed the present adepti of the Archon War.
"This is a war between gods. Even I have no confidence in emerging unscathed." Morax said with a solemn expression. "Therefore, I hope all of you can lend Guizhong and me a helping hand."
"This matter is entirely voluntary. If anyone is unwilling, you may leave now. Guizhong and I will not stop you."
Then, Morax and Guizhong, the two gods, sat down together and waited silently for the adepti's responses.
Although the adepti of Jueyun Karst were on good terms with the two and usually interacted frequently, in the face of the Archon War, such friendship felt somewhat insignificant.
The Archon War was no minor skirmish. According to the oracle from the heavens, in the end, only seven gods could survive and walk the world.
There were far more than seven gods now, so inevitably many would die in the Archon War.
What Morax said about having "no confidence in emerging unscathed" was not empty words he truly believed he might perish in the Archon War.
If even gods could fall, how much more so for the adepti of Jueyun Karst, whose abilities and strength were far inferior to gods.
Thus, after discussion, Morax and Guizhong had already decided to let the adepti decide for themselves whether to follow and participate.
Those unwilling could return to Jueyun Karst or stay in the Guili Assembly under Morax and Guizhong's protection. Morax and Guizhong would not stop them due to their friendship.
Those willing would then participate in the Archon War, where nine deaths and one life awaited, entrusting their lives to Morax and Guizhong.
Therefore, the two did not speak now, so as not to influence the adepti's judgment with their words.
In the end, the free-spirited Mountain Shaper stood up with a laugh: "Could it be that in the eyes of the Lord of Geo and the Dust Goddess, I, Mountain Shaper, am someone who fears death?"
"When I came to the Guili Assembly in the past to experience the mundane fires of human life, I once met a friend of many years. After a long conversation with him, I learned a famous saying from him: 'When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact.'"
"Lord of Geo, Dust Goddess, the two of you are both the guardian deities of the Guili Assembly and the reliance of Jueyun Karst. If the two of you fall, no one will be able to shelter Jueyun Karst in the future."
"So even if for no other reason, just for myself, I, Mountain Shaper, am willing to follow the two of you and offer what little strength I have."
Mountain Shaper took the lead. At this moment, the regal-looking woman with ink-green long hair closed her eyes and said proudly: "It just so happens that this adeptus has recently developed a new adeptal mechanism and needs to find some monsters to test it on."
"I just don't know if these gods can withstand the assault of this adeptus's latest mechanism."
This was Cloud Retainer in her shapeshifted form.
"Since Guizhong and Cloud Retainer both intend to participate, it seems I have no reason to avoid the fight either." The girl with light blue long hair, Streetward Rambler, chuckled lightly. "Haven't the three of us always advanced and retreated together?"
The adepti stepped forward one after another to volunteer, and in the end, not a single one withdrew.
Smiles appeared simultaneously on the faces of Morax and Guizhong.
At this point, only Azhdaha had not yet clearly stated his stance.
"Azhdaha, if you are unwilling, I..."
"The divine seats of the Seven Sovereigns are indeed forged from ancient dragon authority, correct?" Azhdaha suddenly asked.
Morax hesitated slightly, then nodded. "According to my speculation, yes."
"Then the divine seat of Liyue should be forged from the ancient dragon authority of the previous Geo Sovereign Dragon." Azhdaha stood up, looking down at Morax. "The power that originally belonged to me was divided and given to other gods. Quite displeasing."
"But if the one sitting on that divine seat is you, Morax... for the sake of you letting me see the light, it's passable." Azhdaha met Morax's gaze. "So since you've decided to participate, stand to the very end for me."
Hearing this, Morax understood Azhdaha's meaning. He slightly inclined his head and said: "I will do my best."
"Give me a more definite answer." Azhdaha sat back down, seeming a bit displeased.
This Morax could clearly confront ancient dragons head-on, yet he was so cautious... Azhdaha felt somewhat speechless toward Morax.
Now, all the adepti present even including Azhdaha had expressed their attitudes. The result was that no one withdrew.
"Since all of you are so inclined, then step forward and sign a contract with me. I swear in the name of a god that I will do my utmost to protect all of you." Morax said solemnly.
The adepti of Jueyun Karst knew that Morax valued contracts the most, so without any hesitation, they established a contract with Morax to guard the Guili Assembly.
The term of this contract was permanent. If Morax ascended to the divine seat, the object of the contract would change to the people of Liyue. And in exchange, until Morax fell, he would shelter Jueyun Karst.
"The contract is formed. Those who break their word shall suffer the punishment of being devoured by rock."
The adepti of Jueyun Karst declared in unison.
Thus, Morax, Haagentus, Azhdaha, and the adepti of Jueyun Karst formally formed an alliance, becoming the most powerful faction in the Liyue region.
After the contract was concluded, the adepti returned to Jueyun Karst and each began preparations for the impending war.
The brows of Morax and Guizhong, which had been tightly furrowed in recent days, showed signs of relaxing today.
"It's at least one piece of good news." Morax said with relief. Seeing his old friend willing to fight shoulder to shoulder with him, it was impossible for him not to feel moved.
"With Cloud Retainer and the others assisting, the pressure on you and me to protect the people will be somewhat lighter." Guizhong smiled.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Guizhong took out an object and handed it to Morax: "Holding this will be better for you."
Morax looked and saw that it was a Primordial fragment.
"This..." Morax showed hesitation on his face.
"I share the same thought as Azhdaha. If I must choose one god among those I know to ascend to the divine seat, I hope it is you."
"Back then, I sought cooperation with you simply because your strength was sufficient to shelter me and the Guili Assembly. But after long companionship, I gradually came to feel that cooperating with you back then was truly an extremely correct decision."
"I believe that if you ascend to Liyue's divine seat, it will surely be an extremely fortunate thing for the people, for the Guili Assembly, and for Liyue."
"So, Morax, with my help, ascend to the divine seat." The young girl with ash-gray long hair smiled at Morax, then walked away smiling.
Morax watched Guizhong's departing figure in silence. He could see that Guizhong's condition was not as good as it appeared on the surface.
Gods are born from Primordial fragments. Stripping one from within oneself is equivalent to severing a part of oneself. Such an act causes irreversible damage to both body and divine authority.
It could be said that from the moment she voluntarily separated the Primordial fragment from her body, Guizhong was no longer a complete god.
The Dust God Haagentus could no longer recover her former power.
Likewise, she had lost her qualification to compete for Liyue's divine seat.
She had gambled everything on Morax.
"Sigh..." Morax let out a sigh. "In this era where demons and gods rise together, though I have no intention of contending for supremacy, yet..."
He gripped the Primordial fragment tightly in his hand: "With such an important responsibility placed upon me, even if I have no intention of contending, I may have to take it seriously."
The faith of the adepti of Jueyun Karst, Azhdaha's acknowledgment, the suffering of Liyue's people, Guizhong's voluntary withdrawal various factors combined made the naturally detached Morax develop a trace of battle intent toward the Archon War.
Morax walked out of the grand hall, heading back to his chambers to rest and recuperate. Then, at a corner, he encountered a "person" who should not have been here.
"Phenex?!"
"Yo, Morax."
The white-haired, red-eyed youth greeted Morax familiarly: "I thought you and Guizhong were just hiding something small from me. I didn't expect this matter to be quite big."
"How much did you hear?"
Phenex extended his left hand, holding his thumb and index finger a small distance apart. Amid Morax's relieved expression, he said: "Almost everything."
Morax: "..."
This breath of relief had come a bit too early.
"I sensed the aura of that big bird that doesn't obey my commands, so I came over. Originally, I just wanted to test whether she could still resist my commands now. Then, accidentally, I ended up hearing the whole process right here."
"I don't really want to say much else. Just give me one of those contracts you made with those adepti."
As he spoke, Phenex extended his hand toward Morax.
"No."
Morax refused: "You are a naturally born god. The Archon War has nothing to do with you."
"Is that so?" Phenex asked in confusion. "But if I were there, wouldn't you have a bit more certainty? I think my strength is still quite good."
"When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. I want to contribute to my own life."
Morax fell silent. What he said was correct.
A hundred years ago, Phenex could already suppress one of the top adepti, Cloud Retainer.
And now, a hundred years later, Phenex's elemental power had improved far beyond that of the past. Moreover, he had separately learned martial arts from Morax and adeptal arts from Guizhong.
The current Phenex Morax could still determine that he could not defeat him, but Morax could also determine that among the gods or other beings he knew, only Azhdaha and a few other gods could serve as opponents for Phenex.
With such combat power joining Morax's camp, Liyue's divine seat could practically be said to be predetermined.
Because with Azhdaha, Phenex, and Morax three top-tier combat powers the Morax faction could steamroll all gods in the Liyue region within three days.
The only cost would be the sacrifice of all the adepti and severe, hard-to-heal hidden injuries to the top combatants.
But it was still undeniable that if Phenex joined under Morax's banner, the Archon War would become simple.
However...
"I once made a contract to protect you for a lifetime. If I let you participate in the Archon War, it would mean making me violate that contract."
"The contract is formed. Those who break their word shall suffer the punishment of being devoured by rock."
Morax pressed Phenex's hand back down as he spoke.
"Not even a little leeway?" Phenex said in disappointment.
"I am not inflexible. If the situation reaches an irretrievable point, I will naturally seek your help. But until then, stay peacefully in the Guili Assembly."
Morax said unhurriedly, then walked back to his chambers.
And having received Morax's promise, Phenex left with a beaming smile.
He hadn't considered at all what point would be irretrievable even for Morax, and how could adding him change anything?