The sudden appearance of the giant Buddha made Andrius halt in his tracks.
The surrounding wolf pack also froze in alarm at the colossal being that had emerged without warning, growling slowly as they took up a defensive formation.
From his elevated position, Jiang Yan looked down coldly at Andrius, eyes filled with killing intent.
Just moments ago, he had witnessed the Liyue Millelith standing tall and unyielding before a god.
He had seen their commander remain upright beneath the crushing pressure of a divine presence—
And he had seen this damned wolf dare to move against his brave and loyal soldiers!
That sight alone made Jiang Yan's heart surge with murderous rage toward Andrius.
"Lord Immortal!"
"It's the Immortal Lord!"
"Thank the heavens!"
The soldiers of the Liyue Millelith broke into cheers, as if a pillar of faith had appeared before them.
Hearing their voices, Jiang Yan gave them an approving nod.
"Facing a god without retreat—very good. I see in you the courage worthy of true soldiers."
Hearing such praise, the commander straightened his back at once.
Behind him, the other Qianyan soldiers followed suit, standing tall and proud.
"This is what we of the Liyue Millelith are meant to do!"
"It's what you, my lord, have taught us—a soldier's duty!"
The commander's voice was loud and full of pride.
After all, the Immortal Lord himself had just praised them!
That was something to boast about for years to come.
Andrius raised his head, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.
"So, you're the Wood Spirit Immortal under the command of the Geo Archon?" he said in a low, calm tone.
Though he ruled within the boundaries of Mondstadt, Andrius's territory bordered close to Liyue.
Naturally, he had heard from fleeing humans about this name.
Rumor had it that this Wood Spirit Immortal could summon a giant a thousand meters tall—
and judging by what he saw now, the tales were not exaggerated.
"Heh… They say the Wolf King of the North Wind is proud beyond compare," Jiang Yan said with mockery in his voice.
"Yet here you are, frightening mortals. How far you've fallen, Wolf King."
"Watch your tone, boy!" Andrius growled.
His fangs gleamed, and his divine pressure—the oppressive might of a god—rolled outward like a blizzard, attempting to cow Jiang Yan.
But Jiang Yan remained unmoved.
His expression did not change; his gaze stayed calm and deep.
Behind him, the True Several Thousand Hands began to turn slowly,
the air trembling as if the Buddha of Heaven might manifest in full at any moment.
"Hmph. Pointless."
The Wolf King clicked his tongue impatiently.
"Cease this, Wood Spirit Immortal. I have not come to wage war."
At those words, Jiang Yan folded his arms.
The turning of the True Several Thousand Hands gradually came to a halt.
"Then what brings the Wolf King to my lands?" he asked coolly.
Andrius turned his gaze backward.
"You may come out now."
A group of ragged, trembling people stepped forward timidly.
They had already fallen to their knees in terror the moment the giant Buddha had appeared.
"I am no god who delights in ruling mankind," Andrius said, his voice echoing like the wind.
"I have no interest in being their patron. These exiles who fled into my domain—I leave them to you."
With that, the Wolf King turned away, paying no heed to whether Jiang Yan would accept them or not.
The wolves followed him, fading once more into the snowy wilderness.
Jiang Yan watched the retreating figure of the North Wind Wolf King in silence.
He neither spoke nor moved for a time.
Then his gaze shifted toward the frightened humans before him,
and for a moment, his expression softened.
"You… where have you come from?"
The refugees approached slowly, trembling, and knelt before the giant Buddha's feet.
"R–Respected Immortal Lord!"
"We… we were once the people ruled by the Tower King."
"But his rule grew too cruel, too unbearable… We fled, seeking refuge…"
The leader's voice quavered as he spoke, yet the sincerity in his words eased Jiang Yan's frown.
"The Tower King… so that would be Decarabian, the Tyrant of the Tower."
He exhaled softly, his voice calm once more.
"Very well. If you are willing to offer your faith to the Geo Archon, then enter."
He lowered the Liyue Millelith back to the ground and clapped his hands together.
The giant Buddha dissolved into dust and light.
Jiang Yan was about to instruct the soldiers to settle the refugees when—
A figure descended from the heavens.
Clad in a white-and-gold battle robe, Morax landed with his spear, Vortex Vanquisher, in hand.
His golden eyes scanned the surroundings, sharp and focused.
"It's already been dealt with?" he asked, puzzled.
When Ganyu had informed him of the disturbance, Morax had rushed here at once.
Even so, he had still arrived a step too late.
"Yes," Jiang Yan replied calmly. "The being you sensed was the Wolf King of the North, ruler of the frozen plains of Mondstadt. He meant no harm."
"Then he came for…"
Morax's gaze shifted—and fell upon the ragged group standing beside Jiang Yan.
Understanding dawned in his eyes.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard