"Your [Erosion] stems from the immense and ever-growing memories borne by the earth itself."
"If this continues unchecked, they will eventually overwhelm your own memories, causing you to lose your sense of self."
"In other words, as long as you can anchor the memories that truly belong to you, you'll be able to withstand [Erosion]."
Azhdaha listened intently and asked, "How exactly does one anchor memories?"
"It's quite simple—through dreams."
"Dreams?"
Xia Ci nodded gently, continuing:
"Dreams arise from memories of reality. Within dreams, it's easy to recreate all kinds of memories vividly. Therefore, dreams themselves serve as vessels for memory."
"However, ordinary dreams are unstable. They can easily shatter and fade away due to fluctuations in the dreamer's sleeping state."
"So, to anchor memories securely, dreams must first be stabilized."
Azhdaha appeared thoughtful.
He knew that the Dendro Archon, Buer, held authority over dreams.
"Then how can dreams be stabilized?"
"There are many methods, but the most reliable way is 'Dream-Building.' It's like constructing a house, turning the dream into a small, stable world."
"Dream-Building, hmm..."
"Yes, but even the sturdiest house will decay and collapse if no one lives in it or maintains it over a prolonged period."
Azhdaha paused, puzzled.
"If it's a house within a dream, how could anyone live inside it?"
Xia Ci smiled lightly. "It doesn't necessarily have to be a person. Anything capable of caring for it would suffice."
Azhdaha pondered for a moment.
"Are you referring to the Aranara?"
"You said it, not me."
"Are there any other creatures in Teyvat that enjoy living in dreams?"
"As far as I know, none."
"..."
"Don't worry, Dragon King. The current Dendro Archon, Nahida, is my little sister. I'll speak to her, and she'll certainly help bring some Aranara over. But you'll have to properly protect those little ones when they come."
"Naturally!"
After finishing the Osmanthus Cakes and drinking two cups of tea, Xia Zhi stood up and said, "It's getting late. We should head back, or Shenhe and the others might worry."
Xia Ci and Xia Zhen also stood up. "Alright."
Cloud Retainer looked toward Azhdaha, offering, "Dragon King, come along with us. Stay at my abode for a few days."
Azhdaha laughed and nodded. "Very well. My old dwelling in The Chasm has probably fallen into disrepair by now anyway. I'll freeload at your place for a couple of meals, and afterward, I'll go find Morax for some Osmanthus wine... Wait, didn't you say we were returning to Mt. Aocang? Why aren't you heading out?"
"No need for such cumbersome travel."
Xia Zhi raised his hand and gently beckoned.
A strange rift suddenly appeared midair, filled with eerie, countless eyes.
"Let's go."
Xia Zhi stepped into the gap first.
Xia Ci and Xia Zhen followed closely behind.
Azhdaha stared blankly at this strange rift, momentarily stunned.
Cloud Retainer, having experienced it before, wasn't afraid this time. She said, "Dragon King, come along. It's just a teleportation portal."
"Is that so?" Watching Cloud Retainer enter the rift, Azhdaha cast one last glance back at the underground chamber that had imprisoned him for so long, shook his head, and stepped into the gap.
His vision blurred momentarily, and in the next instant, everyone had returned to the summit of Mt. Aocang.
Moonlit waters shimmered gently.
Azhdaha lifted his head to gaze at the night sky, releasing an extraordinarily complicated sigh.
He had finally seen the daylight once again.
The group entered the Adeptus' abode, where the girls were still playing mahjong.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Madame Ping turned around. "Cloud Retainer, why were you all out so late..."
She froze mid-sentence, eyes widening slightly at the familiar figure trailing behind Cloud Retainer.
That was...
Azhdaha smiled warmly at her. "Long time no see, little Ping."
"Dragon King... You..."
Madame Ping couldn't believe her eyes.
"You..."
Azhdaha nodded approvingly. "Indeed, it's me. But why do you still look so old?"
"..."
Madame Ping's expression, initially filled with joyful surprise, immediately darkened.
Cloud Retainer looked away, barely suppressing laughter.
Oh Ping, dear Ping, Mountain Shaper and Moon Carver and I have long wanted to say this to you, but we've always held back out of politeness. Finally, the moment I've eagerly awaited has arrived...
Azhdaha continued, "I recall you used to be much prettier than Cloud Retainer. She was always busy tinkering with mechanisms, ending up dirty and covered in soot..."
Cloud Retainer's expression, previously amused, now darkened as she turned her gaze toward him.
Their eyes met in midair, instantly understanding each other's silent grievances.
The other girls stopped playing mahjong and came over to greet them.
"Boss, you're back!"
"Yep."
"There was an earthquake earlier. Are you all alright?"
"We're fine."
"It shook several times! Diona even hit her chin."
"Was it serious?"
"Not too bad, just hurt a lot. She almost bit her tongue at the time."
"Does it still hurt?"
"A little bit."
"Want me to massage it for you?"
"Yes!"
"Come here, then."
Diona, blushing slightly, stepped forward.
Thanks to the soup she'd been drinking recently, she'd grown quite a bit taller.
Xia Zhi bent down, gently cupping her chin and massaging it softly before casting a Healing spell.
Warmth flowed through her, and Diona couldn't help but let out a soft, kittenish sigh.
It felt a bit like having her chin scratched gently, like a little cat.
Xia Zhi withdrew his hand. "Alright, you're good now."
Diona blushed further. "Thank you, Boss."
In her room, Ganyu was busy laying out her bedding when she heard voices outside.
She stepped out and saw Azhdaha.
Having been informed earlier, she wasn't as shocked as Madame Ping had been. She approached politely, greeting him, "Dragon King..."
Azhdaha burst into hearty laughter. "Oh, isn't this little Ganyu? I still remember when you were small..."
Ganyu's expression froze awkwardly.
Fortunately, Xia Zhi interrupted at just the right moment.
"Dragon King, you've traveled far. You must be hungry, right?"
Azhdaha nodded earnestly. "Quite hungry indeed."
He hadn't eaten in thousands of years. The earlier box of Osmanthus Cakes, delicious as they were, had been far too meager to satisfy his hunger.
"You girls have been playing mahjong for so long, you're probably hungry too. I'll go prepare some supper for everyone."
"Long live the Boss!"
"Xiangling, come along."
"Yes, Master!"
Ganyu glanced at the Dragon King, quickly adding, "I'll help too."
For supper, Xia Zhi decided to make noodles.
As Xia Zhi kneaded the dough, Xiangling and Ganyu worked beside him, preparing ingredients.
Curious, Xiangling asked softly, "Miss Ganyu, who's that uncle? Everyone calls him Dragon King, could he really be..."
Ganyu sighed a bit helplessly. "Yes, he's Azhdaha, the very same Dragon King frequently mentioned by Liyue's storytellers."
Xiangling was astonished. "It really is him?! Storytellers always said he had fallen in battle, which is why no one heard from him for thousands of years."
Ganyu sighed again. "That wasn't true. He's actually been... sleeping underground all these years."
"Asleep for so long!"
"It couldn't be helped, due to special circumstances."
"Oh... so the earthquake earlier..."
"Probably caused by him."
"A real earth dragon turning over!" Xiangling exclaimed excitedly.
"He's amazing!"
Ganyu's eyes softened with reminiscence. "Indeed, he's incredible... During the Archon War, it's thanks to his aid that Rex Lapis ultimately ascended to Archon... He used to love drinking and chatting with others, but aside from Rex Lapis, most people feared him."
"Why?"
"Because once he drank, he wasn't very good at chatting anymore..."
Hearing this, Xia Zhi lowered his head and chuckled quietly.
This Dragon King's personality truly was amusing.