In contrast, Nahida, as one of The Seven Archons, had no Elemental Dragon Lord like the other Archons, so she hoped to find her own Dendro Dragon Sovereign during the three-day preparation period.
She then requested a blessing of authority from Su Bai.
Since he would need to bestow the power of authority upon Nahida during the expedition anyway, Su Bai did not hesitate and granted her the power of authority in advance.
In Su Bai's eyes, if Nahida could use the power of authority to subdue the Dendro Dragon Sovereign, it would be a good thing for her.
Bang!
The Pyro Dragon Sovereign's massive, fiery red body landed heavily on the yellow sands of Sumeru.
In an instant, its colossal, thick legs were buried in the yellow sand.
"Uh, Pyro Dragon Sovereign, you..."
"My apologies, Lesser Lord Kusanali, I got a little excited thinking about the expedition in two days."
"Just you wait, I'll show you. A single breath of my flames will incinerate all those Gastrea."
"I just hope that when we return from the expedition, you can put in a good word for me with Lord Heavenly Principles."
Nahida understood the Pyro Dragon Sovereign's fervent emotions.
Who wouldn't want Su Bai to pay more attention to them when facing him?
Not to mention the Pyro Dragon Sovereign, even Nahida, who stayed on Celestia every day, longed for more of Su Bai's gaze.
Fortunately, she was one of The Seven Archons of Sumeru, giving her more opportunities to interact with Su Bai compared to other beings.
"I know, don't worry."
Nahida smiled at the Pyro Dragon Sovereign, then looked towards the distant, dust-filled horizon.
Her small face instantly darkened.
"I sense the presence of the Dendro Dragon Sovereign, but its life force is very weak."
"Apep, huh...?" The Pyro Dragon Sovereign murmured softly.
Its body gradually began to shrink, transforming into a small girl with fiery red hair.
For Elemental Dragons, shapeshifting was not a difficult feat.
As early as when Teyvat World had not yet been strengthened, Azhdaha could already transform into a loli-like girl.
Now, the shapeshifting ability of Elemental Dragons was even more convenient.
"Apep once made a pact with the Scarlet King to obtain power from beyond the world."
"She was to devour the Scarlet King after his death and acquire the forbidden knowledge he had obtained from beyond the world."
"It's just a pity..."
The Pyro Dragon Sovereign sighed, "Ever since she devoured the Scarlet King, the entire dragon was completely ruined. She simply couldn't suppress the corruption of forbidden knowledge."
"Sigh, what a foolish fellow. She simply didn't understand that no one can acquire power beyond what they can bear."
"And being disrespectful to Celestia, she certainly couldn't obtain a Vision."
"After losing her power, she would be even less able to resist the corruption of forbidden knowledge."
At this point, the Pyro Dragon Sovereign subconsciously looked up in the direction of Celestia.
"After all, no being can be as great as Lord Su Bai. The power of authority in his hands can strengthen any life form without any side effects."
"Even the world can receive his blessings; he is truly an omnipotent god in every sense of the word."
Nahida strongly agreed with the Pyro Dragon Sovereign's view, nodding repeatedly.
However, now was not the time for idle chatter. If they didn't hurry, Sumeru might completely lose its Dendro Dragon Sovereign.
...
Meanwhile, in Fontaine.
Neuvillette stood on a hill outside the city of Fontaine, gazing into the distance at the city.
It was all over.
For five hundred years, as the Chief justice of Fontaine, he had witnessed its development.
Through his unwitting interactions with humans, he began to understand them, love them, and was willing to dedicate his justice to these creatures he once disliked.
Unfortunately, he was now just an ordinary human, and with Focalors' return, Neuvillette felt there was no longer any need for him to remain in Fontaine.
"Are you planning to leave already?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice from behind startled him.
He slowly turned his head, responding with a desolate expression: "Focalors, or is it Furina...?"
"Oh, it's Focalors."
Focalors shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "You've lived in Fontaine since birth, never leaving it. How will you face the unfamiliar world out there now?"
"I don't know either. I'll take it one step at a time." Neuvillette, for once, gave a bitter smile: "The last time I saw the new Heavenly Principles, he didn't make things difficult for me, but I'm still worried that our status as Elemental Dragon Lords in this world is special. What if one day..."
"You're wrong, Neuvillette." Focalors immediately interrupted Neuvillette, stating sternly, "Lord Su Bai's magnanimity is not what you imagine."
"I know that you, as Elemental Dragon Lords, have many dissatisfactions with the former Heavenly Principles."
"However, as you can see now, the entire world of Teyvat is undergoing tremendous changes. If the world can undergo such earth-shattering changes, why can't perspectives change?"
Neuvillette fell silent for a moment.
Focalors let out a chuckle.
"I understand. After all, you served as the Chief justice of Fontaine for five hundred years."
"That position is indeed quite special, allowing for no flexibility, only acting strictly according to the law."
"That's why it has made you so rigid and inflexible now."
Neuvillette remained silent.
Focalors no longer debated the matter with him, changing the subject: "I just returned from Celestia after attending the expedition meeting concerning the world."
"I'm not sure if I should tell you this, as it might stir up your unpleasant memories of the First Throne defeating the first generation of Elemental Dragon Lords."
"But then I thought, as an old friend, I can indeed share with you what Furina, as an Archon, and I, as her assistant, are doing now."
Upon hearing this, Neuvillette frowned.
He said indifferently, "Furina did indeed expose to the people of the mortal realm that Celestia is developing towards worlds beyond, but she never mentioned that Celestia's so-called external development was aimed at conquering other worlds."
"She also didn't reveal any details about Teyvat's specific activities in the worlds beyond."
"Are you not afraid that Heavenly Principles will accuse you of leaking secrets by sharing this with me?"
"Focalors, you've finally received a pardon from Celestia. If..."
"Never mind, I won't look, and you don't need to tell me."
Neuvillette refused on the spot.
He knew very well that the one currently on Celestia was an existence that absolutely could not be provoked.
Su Bai was different from Phanes.
That look of disdain for all living beings still lingered in Neuvillette's mind.
Su Bai gave Neuvillette the feeling that he simply didn't care whether you were guilty or not.
If you made that guy unhappy, there was only one outcome: death.
It was even possible that the people around you would suffer along with you.
"It's fine, really."
"Just pretend you're helping me brainstorm how to deal with this world called the Gastrea World."
"As long as one can obtain a Vision, it's equivalent to gaining Lord Su Bai's approval. Lord Su Bai would never clash with a Vision wielder."
"But Furina and I have been racking our brains, completely at a loss as to how to make the people of this world gain Lord Su Bai's approval."
"Just consider it one last favor for your old friend before you leave."
"No! Stop it!" Neuvillette frantically tried to stop Focalors' actions.
Willful, just as willful as five hundred years ago.
Leaking the secrets of Celestia's expedition would surely lead to severe punishment.
Not only that, but he was sure that even Fontaine, which had just been pardoned, would be instantly destroyed by Su Bai.
The moment the canned memory opened, Neuvillette was completely stunned.
It was over, everything was over.
But when he saw the images within, his expression, which had been indifferent for five hundred years, suddenly showed a variety of complex emotions.
Memories, anger, pain...
Sadness...
"How could this be...?"
"How can there be such an unjust world?"