"Pirates at Guyun Stone Forest? Even though we escaped, the rest of those treasure fleets..."
"They deliberately waited until no one else was around before striking us. That means they didn't want to expose themselves in broad daylight either. Still, we should report this to the Millelith."
After hesitating for a moment, Victor Wang spoke again.
"Real pirates would choose wealthy-looking targets, not two tough and penniless Vision bearers. They… might be Battle Technique Hunters who specialize in targeting Vision holders."
"Battle Technique Hunters? Wasn't that organization already wiped out?"
Chongyun, well-learned as always, wasn't surprised by Victor Wang's words. He only cast a slight glance. "Let's hope I'm just overthinking it."
"What a pity for that little boat. It probably never imagined it'd have to fight against a pirate ship."
"Haha!" Victor Wang guided his sword to land steadily on the pier. "Speaking of which, I still need to compensate the shopkeeper for it. I'll leave notifying the Millelith to you."
"Mm. If you ever need my help again, don't hesitate to come find me. Farewell!"
"Farewell."
After handling the small errands, Victor Wang turned the encounter into a coded commission and posted it before restraining his excitement and rushing toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
On a clear, bright morning like this, Zhongli was naturally not inside the parlor. But before leaving, he had already informed his colleagues of his whereabouts. As expected, Victor Wang found him at the Third-Round Knockout.
"Mr. Zhongli, I've gathered all the materials."
"Mm… You've reached the age where you can drink, haven't you?"
Victor Wang nodded.
"Then share a few cups with me before we depart."
Zhongli finished the tea in his cup, and had the waiter bring over the tavern's famed strong liquor, "Three-Bowl Daze."
As the amber-clear liquid filled the cups, Victor Wang felt some relief. This looked like yellow wine—rice wine. From what he remembered, yellow wine had at most 15% alcohol.
Even if his tolerance wasn't good, a few cups should be manageable.
After clinking cups with Zhongli, he cautiously took a sip. Sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, savory, and astringent—all six flavors swirled across his tongue, each emphasized at its sensitive point, before melting into a warm current that surged into his stomach. A rich, grain-scented aroma drifted upward to his nose.
It didn't burn his throat, nor his stomach. Good—what good wine!
After reaching that conclusion, he braced himself and drank more boldly.
"You handle your drink well."
*Gained Zhongli's praise ×3.
By the time the two had emptied a whole jar of "Three-Bowl Daze," Victor Wang half-closed his eyes and rubbed his temple lightly.
"Let's find a more secluded place. Follow me."
Zhongli rose without a change of expression, his posture tall as a spear, his steps steady and firm.
Victor Wang also stood, managing to walk, but his body swayed like a loosened compass needle. The pointer's end—his head—was swaying most of all.
From his perspective, the whole world was dancing with him. He realized he was drunk, yet his body felt light, carefree. Even the most familiar act of walking had become strange, each step like treading on the beat of the earth's drum. His urge to express himself grew severalfold.
There was no nauseating sensation like teleportation. Instead, the drunkenness made him feel strangely at ease.
Words threatened to spill from his lips without thought. At the last second, he wrested control of his mouth back, chasing after Zhongli's back with lightweight footwork.
They reached an empty alley.
"This will do… You're drunk?" Turning back, Zhongli finally noticed Victor Wang's unsteady steps.
"I'm not drunk. My mind is perfectly clear." The words came from Victor Wang's own will—he truly believed it.
"Mm. As long as your mind is clear."
Zhongli grasped Victor Wang's shoulder. After a brief moment of sensory sealing, the surroundings shifted into a valley ringed by towering mountains. In its midst stood a colossal tree, nearly as tall as the peaks around it. Crystalline blue fragments glimmered through its cracked bark.
"The Dragon-Queller Tree!"
Zhongli tilted his head slightly. "You recognize it?"
"I've heard of it—mentioned in some Adepti tales." Realizing his slip, Victor Wang quickly scrambled to cover.
Looking up at the giant tree, Zhongli sighed with emotion. "Indeed. This tree was nourished by the power of many Adepti to reinforce the seal of Azhdaha. A thousand years have passed, and it has grown into this form..."
Azhdaha... His mind really was clear. Victor Wang instantly made some connections, though his mouth still moved on its own. "I thought you brought me here to cleanse my element without disturbance. Does this also involve Azhdaha?"
"Mm." Zhongli gave a firm nod. "The materials you gathered are complete, but there are others you cannot obtain at your current level."
"You don't mean… things like Azhdaha's scales, bones, horns? Venti needed to collect such things from Dvalin..."
Zhongli nodded again. "Do not worry. Since I promised you, I will fetch them on your behalf."
"...I truly thank you. But I don't understand—must cleansing the element require materials from the elemental dragons?"
"Correct."
"Why?"
"Confidential."
Confidential, by the terms of his contracts.
"But… doesn't that mean, to return to humanity, I'll not only need the Seven Archons' aid, but may also have to oppose the seven elemental dragons?"
"Correct. And unlike myself and the Anemo Archon, the others will likely not be as willing to assist you. I hope the combined power of Geo and Anemo will help you walk this path more steadily."
Ahhh... Dendro dragon, Hydro dragon, Pyro dragon, Cryo dragon... especially the Electro Archon next, and the missing Electro dragon. This is like leaving the starter village straight into an endgame map. Beating Abyss Floor 2-3 and suddenly jumping to 12-1?!
Kokomi, Kokomi! You'd better really be a dragon—cut me some slack!
Drunken emotions stirred wildly in Victor Wang. His head lowered, voice feeble. "So... I'm just another thief stealing power from dragons."
Now Zhongli was curious. "Why do you say that?"
"I read in an old record: 'The elemental dragons of this world are no longer whole. When the Primordial Usurper descended upon Teyvat, he stole part of their power. The authority of the Seven Archons comes from that stolen strength.'"
"..."
"I was afraid of angering you, so I didn't ask before. But I didn't expect... that I'm the same as the Seven Archons—just a thief."
"A thief? So that is how you privately view us."
"...I'm sorry."
Zhongli slowly shook his head. "But I do not accept that. I am no thief, and neither are you."
Victor Wang raised his dazed eyes to him.
"In the past, I might not have been able to deny it." Zhongli spread his hands. "But now, I am no longer an Archon."
"You mean the Gno—"
"Shh. I cannot give any response, even symbolic, to that question. If you suspect it, keep it in your heart."
Arms crossed, Zhongli sighed—rare for him.
"That was never my true intention. In fact, it was never our intention. I always considered Azhdaha a friend. As for you—the dragon materials are merely a catalyst. The strength is your own. Neither of us are thieves."
"Hmph! Pretty words, you hypocritical usurper!"
From behind the Dragon-Queller Tree stepped a little girl in blue robes, glasses on her nose, hair in twin buns. Facing Morax directly, she had no need to hide her voice—it was rough and masculine.
"Azhdaha...?"
"Morax! You've come earlier than expected. I wanted to avoid you, but it seems you're intent on eradicating me!"
In the form of the girl named Jiu, Azhdaha's expression twisted, vicious and grim. He turned to Victor Wang.
"Boy, I heard your words. You're not like those ants who wallow in the false prosperity of the Seven Archons. Show me respect!
"The old seals have loosened. Help me break them, and I will grant you my blood essence. What Morax can do, I can too! I will lead you to bathe in true glory!"
Huff— With both Zhongli and Azhdaha's gazes fixed on him, the pressure mounted. But this choice needed no hesitation. "I'm sorry, but I refuse."
"Why?! I thought you were different from the rest of humanity. Yet it seems all ants are the same—blind to their chance!"
"Apologies."
Azhdaha was terrifyingly strong—so strong that even Zhongli in his prime could hardly defeat him alone. If Victor Wang freed him, he'd gain a powerful ally.
But even though this was before Kun Jun appeared, Victor Wang knew the truth: this seal was Azhdaha's own choice.
He had been worn down, becoming violent, aggressive, and hostile to humans. He could not be released.