With the help of the coconut milk and Shenhe's talisman, Junze managed to devour most of the larger clusters of godly residue in the underground tunnels.
As for the rest, he chose to stop for now.
After all, he didn't want to get killed by Shenhe!
If he kept eating, it would definitely start affecting his mind.
And the supply of coconut milk was clearly running low.
"Still… why is it that after eating so much, my body only changes while I'm eating?"
Junze looked at his small arms and legs, feeling frustrated.
While devouring the godly residue, he could clearly feel his body growing.
But once his body adapted, it would stabilize again at its current size.
Of course, his strength had increased, but it still felt stifling and unsatisfying.
"How much do I even need to eat before I grow up?!"
Junze felt a bit despairing.
Shenhe glanced at him.
"Growth in strength and the body has always been a gradual process. There's no need to rush."
Junze lowered his head helplessly.
"You're right."
"And besides, if I suddenly turned into an adult, Master would probably have a headache."
Junze could already imagine Ganyu's reaction.
He couldn't help but laugh.
Junze stood up and stretched, then looked toward the now noticeably calmer surroundings of the Geo Dragon Tree.
He slowly walked toward it.
"Shishu, do you know what's sealed here?"
Shenhe's expression turned slightly serious.
She nodded.
"Azhdaha, an ancient dragon as enduring as the mountains, who once fought alongside Rex Lapis."
Junze gently touched the tree.
He could feel faint roars and growls of the Dragon King coming from deep underground.
"But it's strange. Logically speaking, after absorbing so much godly residue, Azhdaha should have already broken free of the seal."
"Even I can be affected by that residue, let alone him."
Shenhe walked over and looked up at the massive tree.
"Why do you say that?"
"I saw one of Azhdaha's incarnations before."
"Judging by his condition back then, after absorbing this much residue, he should have become extremely violent."
"Breaking through a seal that's been worn down for thousands of years should have been easy."
"But now…"
"His resentment has actually lessened."
Junze found it hard to believe.
Shenhe nodded, not surprised.
"It seems another adeptus has already come here. Or perhaps Rex Lapis himself."
"That makes sense."
Junze sighed.
The people of Liyue were truly fortunate.
From the past until now, they had always been guided by a god.
The adepti might live hidden in the mountains, but in times of crisis, they would step in to save the people.
The Liyue Qixing each fulfilled their roles, helping the nation grow toward independence from divine protection.
Even a crisis like Azhdaha's was being handled in silence, without the public ever knowing.
Living in such a nation really was a blessing.
"Since someone already took the lead, we'll just handle cleanup as support."
Since someone was already dealing with Azhdaha, Junze was more than happy to relax and just complete his system mission.
Junze turned and waved his hand.
Instantly, starting from the Geo Dragon Tree, frost spread outward at high speed.
In just a few seconds, the area within a hundred meters was completely frozen.
Ice lotus flowers began forming one after another.
After devouring the godly residue, Junze's strength had clearly increased significantly.
Boom!
As Junze continuously detonated the ice lotuses, the surroundings erupted like a field of landmines.
Rocks flew everywhere.
The surface layer of the ground was completely blasted apart.
Once broken, the ground collapsed, filling in the tunnels dug by the geovishaps.
Shenhe nodded at the sight.
Then she walked toward a massive boulder.
Junze blinked in confusion.
Weren't they supposed to be filling in the ground? Why was she grabbing a rock?
In the next moment, Shenhe's power surged.
Junze could feel a suppressed aura of killing intent and baleful energy erupt from her.
Then, Shenhe effortlessly lifted the massive boulder.
She began smashing the ground repeatedly with it.
The earth caved in instantly!
Her efficiency was astonishing, like a living machine.
As she continued, her movements grew increasingly intense.
Junze's eyes widened.
He was genuinely shocked.
He knew Shenhe was strong enough to uproot trees and transport massive floating stones alone.
But seeing it in person was something else entirely.
This wasn't some "Divine Maiden Splitting the Sea."
This was clearly "Divine Maiden Splitting the Mountain!"
While smashing the ground, Shenhe spoke calmly.
"To relieve the baleful energy within me, I sometimes do this. Don't worry, it's always done in the mountains. No one gets hurt."
Despite her exaggerated actions, her tone remained as calm as ever.
It left Junze stunned.
"Ah… ah, I see."
Junze nodded repeatedly.
"I understand, I understand."
He didn't dare say anything more and continued his own work.
In a way, his shishu might actually be quite fiery on the inside.
The tunnels dug by the geovishaps were steadily destroyed.
The godly residue gradually thinned out.
Together, the two quickly sealed off the tunnels around the Geo Dragon Tree.
As for other areas, or the source itself, they couldn't do much for now.
—— Beneath the Geo Dragon Tree ——
"Morax!"
"You sealed me in the past, and now you come to stop me again!"
Azhdaha's resentment roared with fury.
Zhongli stood holding a stone spear, looking at the Azhdaha before him, now completely corrupted by godly residue.
"This may simply be fate, Azhdaha."
Though there was sorrow in his eyes, the battle could not stop.
Fortunately, perhaps one day, he would get to witness the growth of the nation he protected.
But for now he had to beat some sense back into Azhdaha.
"You're talking nonsense!"
Azhdaha roared in fury as he charged at Zhongli once more.
But in his current state, he was clearly no match for Zhongli.
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