When did Aether suddenly become interested in swordsmanship?
Morax looked at Aether, who was practically radiating eagerness, and fell into thought.
Swordsmanship wasn't among Morax's strongest weapons.
He could teach it, yes—but Aether clearly wouldn't be satisfied with stopping there.
So Morax simply recommended another demon god instead.
Morax looked at Aether and said, "In the way of the sword, I am not a foremost expert. I don't think I'm qualified to instruct you."
"However, if you travel west from Liyue, there is a place called Qingxu Pool. Within Qingxu Pool resides a Sword Demon God named Qingxu."
"I have some acquaintance with Qingxu. He loves fine drinks. If you go with good wine in hand, you should be able to obtain his sword art."
A Sword Demon God?
Aether hadn't known that such a being—Qingxu, the Sword Demon God—had once lived in Qingxu Pool.
Perhaps he later perished for reasons unknown. The era was too distant, and no records remained.
Teyvat had countless demon gods. After the Demon God War ended, most were already swallowed by the long river of time.
If he truly was a Sword Demon God, then his mastery of the sword must be extraordinary.
Good wine?
Hah. If there was one thing Aether would never lack, it was wine.
"Alright. I understand."
"In a moment, I'll bring fine wine and pay Qingxu a visit."
"But… he won't greet me by slashing me with a sword the moment we meet, will he?" Aether asked, a little worried.
He couldn't read the Sword Demon God's temperament. If he stepped into Qingxu's territory and got cut down on sight…
that would be a disaster.
Morax smiled. "Qingxu is a free-spirited man who doesn't contend with the world. He rarely makes enemies among demon gods. Just go."
"And besides, with your strength, even if something happens, escaping will be effortless."
Living under the same roof, Morax knew clearly that even if Aether wasn't interested in war, the Demon God of Manifestation was not weak.
Rather, he was a very powerful demon god.
If Morax hadn't formed such a bond with him back then, and if he ever became enemies with the Demon God of Manifestation in the future…
then even for Morax, Aether would be an extremely troublesome opponent.
The strength of the Demon God of Manifestation lay in turning imagination into reality—and imagination had far too much room to operate.
In terms of development, the Authority of Manifestation had an almost boundless horizon.
Hearing Morax say that, Aether grinned.
Then he said, "Heh—if you say so, then I'll go without worries. If I get beaten up, you better help me get my revenge!"
"Of course," Morax replied.
On the way to Qingxu Pool, Aether kept thinking about one thing.
What kind of wine should he give the Sword Demon God Qingxu, so that Qingxu—an actual demon god—would be moved enough to teach him swordsmanship?
Aether fell into contemplation.
He knew many kinds of alcohol, but he had no idea what Qingxu preferred.
Still, judging by the name "Qingxu," he probably leaned toward a Liyue-style taste, right?
Then how about…
Aether directly manifested a bottle of Maotai with no label on it.
He could only hope that Qingxu would enjoy this Maotai from Earth's culture.
In the sky, Aether turned into a streak of white light and flew at top speed toward Qingxu Pool in the southwest of Liyue.
Soon, he arrived at Qingxu Pool.
The entire area relied on one or two slender, towering mountains. Stone buildings had been constructed along the slopes, and human figures could be seen both in the mountains and at their base.
In terms of environment, it was much better than Liyue's current state.
When he got back, should he lead the people to improve their living standards and quality of life a little?
"Who arrives? Truly, I have failed as a host. Would you come and meet me?"
A young man's voice rang out in the sky.
Aether didn't hide his presence. It seemed the Sword Demon God had already discovered him.
The voice came from the highest structure here—a stone pavilion with a stone table inside.
A black-haired man in a cyan robe was seated within.
In the next instant, Aether appeared inside the pavilion.
"I am Zennos, the Demon God of Manifestation," he said.
"I heard that within Qingxu Pool there resides a Sword Demon God named Qingxu, so I have come to meet him."
Hearing that Aether hadn't come by accident but had specifically sought him out, Qingxu was slightly surprised.
He didn't have much contact with other demon gods. He only wished to live freely, sheltering some humans as he pleased. He had no interest in expansion or conquest.
And though this demon god before him looked like a youth, Qingxu wasn't fooled by appearances—this was merely a manifested form.
"Oh? And for what reason?" Qingxu asked, looking at Aether.
Aether then produced the bottle of Maotai he had manifested from his storage space.
Qingxu stared at the clean white bottle in Aether's hand, faintly puzzled.
He didn't even realize it was alcohol—this era still stored wine in jars and barrels.
Aether said, "I've long heard that the Sword Demon God Qingxu loves fine drink, and that you're a free-spirited demon god."
"So today, I brought a kind of wine—something I believe you've never seen before—to share with you."
"Well? Want to try it?"
Wine?
That white bottle contained wine?
And it was something he had never seen before?
Qingxu's curiosity immediately ignited.
"Then I thank the Demon God of Manifestation, Zennos, for the gift," Qingxu said with a smile.
For Qingxu, anyone who brought him wine was a good person!
Aether smiled, twisted open the cap, and a deep, mellow fragrance burst from the bottle.
T-This wine… it's so rich!
Qingxu drew in a breath. The aroma alone was intoxicating.
Indeed—he had never encountered such fragrant, mellow alcohol.
Only… the bottle was rather small.
A rare and precious brew!
If only he could drink to his heart's content, that would be perfect.
"Please."
Aether poured a cup into the goblet on the table.
And as an aside—these cups were round!
This was a moment to publicly criticize a certain someone named Morax. Square cups were truly uncomfortable to hold!
"Alright, then I won't be polite."
Qingxu lifted the cup, brimming with anticipation, and drank it down in one smooth motion.
A warm current spread from his mouth. The scent of the wine filled his senses, instantly lifting his mood.
"This truly is fine wine!" Qingxu exclaimed, eyes full of admiration.
"Then have another," Aether said with a smile as he poured a second cup.
Qingxu didn't hesitate and drank again.
This time, he savored it more carefully, tasting the unique character of Maotai as if appreciating a work of art.
How could such a divine brew exist in this world?!
"Many thanks for your hospitality, Brother Zennos," Qingxu said.
The power of just two cups was enough for the Sword Demon God Qingxu to start calling Aether "brother."
He had never tasted anything like this before.
Compared to this, all the wines he'd drunk in the past suddenly felt like thin, bland water.
"No need to be polite. Being able to befriend the Sword Demon God is already an honor to me," Aether replied.
"But if you truly wish to repay me… then teach me how to use the sword."
"I'll use wine as payment for your instruction."
Aether smiled as he spoke.
In the light, easy banter, it was as if the Sword Demon God Qingxu had already been firmly taken into his grasp.
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